Molecular Targeting of H/MDM-2 Oncoprotein in Human Colon Cancer Cells and Stem-like Colonic Epithelial-derived Progenitor Cells.

Background/aim: We have tested whether the anticancer peptide, PNC-27, that kills cancer cells but not normal cells by binding to cancer cell membrane HDM-2 forming pores, kills CD44+ colon cancer stem cells.

Materials And Methods: Flow cytometry determined the CD44 and HDM-2 expression on six-colon cancer cell lines and one normal cell line (CCD-18Co). MTT, LDH release, annexin V binding and caspase 3 assays were used to assess PNC-27-induced cell death.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis in gastric cancer: Are Hispanics at higher risk?

Background: A recent study from our group identified Hispanic race/ethnicity as an independent predictor of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) in gastric cancer. We sought to identify the tumor factors that might contribute to this strong association in Hispanics.

Methods: California Cancer Registry data were used to identify patients diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma from 2004 to 2014.

Improved Survival with Immunotherapy but Lack of Synergistic Effect with Radiation for Stage IV Melanoma of the Head and Neck.

Prospective randomized studies have demonstrated a survival benefit of immunotherapy in stage IV cutaneous melanoma. Some retrospective studies have hypothesized a synergistic effect of radiation and immunotherapy. Our objective was to identify whether there is a survival benefit for patients treated with radiation and immunotherapy in stage IV cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck (CMHN).

Gastric Cancer Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Risk Score.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is associated with a poor prognosis. Although grade, histology, and stage are associated with PC, the cumulative risk of PC when multiple risk factors are present is unknown. This study aimed to develop a cumulative GCPC risk score based on individual demographic/tumor characteristics.

Factors Predictive of Outcomes after Cytoreductive Surgery and Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Colon and Appendiceal Carcinomatosis: A Single-Institution Experience.

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC), although considered an acceptable treatment option in the management of selected patients with colon and appendiceal peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC), concerns about morbidity have limited its acceptance. Our objective was to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of CRS/HIPEC for appendix and colon PC performed at our institution and to elucidate factors predictive of patient outcomes. All patients who underwent CRS/HIPEC for appendix or colon PC from 2011 to 2017 were identified from our institution's prospective database.

Sexual and urinary outcomes in robotic rectal surgery: review of the literature and technical considerations.

Several studies have reported high rates of urogenital dysfunction after open and laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. Robotic surgery has several features that could facilitate identification and preservation of autonomic nerves. This manuscript aims to summarize the literature regarding urogenital function after robotic rectal cancer surgery and focus on technical aspects of nerve-sparing total mesorectal excision.

High-Risk Stage II Colon Cancer: Not All Risks Are Created Equal.

Introduction: Adjuvant chemotherapy is recommended in patients with stage II colon cancer with high-risk features (HRF). However, there is no quantification of the amount of risk conferred by each HRF or the overall survival (OS) benefit gained by chemotherapy based on the risk factor.

Objective: To assess survival benefits associated with adjuvant chemotherapy among stage II colon cancer patients having one or more HRF [T4 tumors, less than 12 lymph nodes examined (< 12LN), positive margins, high-grade tumor, perineural invasion (PNI), and lymphovascular invasion (LVI)].

Emerging Role of MDM2 as Target for Anti-Cancer Therapy: A Review.

The mouse/murine protein, MDM2, and its human homolog, HDM2, are important negative regulators of the p53 tumor suppressor protein. In normal, untransformed cells, MDM2 levels are tightly regulated to control expression of p53 and apoptosis. Conversely, MDM2 expression appears inherently higher in multiple types of cancer cells, thereby supporting its role as a suppressor of p53 pro-apoptotic activity.

Palliative Surgery for Advanced Cancer: Identifying Evidence-Based Criteria for Patient Selection: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Background: Criteria for selecting patients with advanced cancer for palliative surgery (PS) remains poorly defined. Decision making for PS requires realistic treatment goals with well-defined criteria. Here we discuss a 71-year-old Jehovah's Witness with advanced stage renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who presented with profound anemia due to intractable bleeding from gastric metastasis.

Pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasm in a transgender patient.

Background: Cystic pancreatic lesions are increasingly more frequent detected clinical entities. Mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) is a hormone-related pancreatic tumor (HRTP) with a strong predominance in young and middle-aged females.

Case Presentation: Here, we present the case of a 31-year-old surgically transgendered female-to-male patient with a history of alcoholic pancreatitis, on chronic testosterone therapy.

The anti-cancer peptide, PNC-27, induces tumor cell necrosis of a poorly differentiated non-solid tissue human leukemia cell line that depends on expression of HDM-2 in the plasma membrane of these cells.

Goals: We have developed the anti-cancer peptide, PNC-27, which is a membrane-active peptide that binds to the HDM-2 protein expressed in the cancer cell membranes of solid tissue tumor cells and induces transmembrane pore formation in cancer, but not in normal cells, resulting in tumor cell necrosis that is independent of p53 activity in these cells. We now extend our study to non-solid tissue tumor cells, in this case, a primitive, possible stem cell human leukemia cell line (K562) that is also p53-homozygously deleted. Our purpose was twofold: to investigate if these cells likewise express HDM-2 in their plasma membranes and to determine if our anti-cancer peptide induces tumor cell necrosis in these non-solid tissue tumor cells in a manner that depends on the interaction between the peptide and membrane-bound HDM-2.

Maintaining a Sufficient and Quality Physician Workforce: The Role of For-profit Medical Schools.

Currently, in the United States there is a significant physician workforce shortage. This problem is likely to persist as there is no quick solution. The nature of this shortage is complex and involves factors such as an absolute physician shortage, as well as physician shortages in primary care and certain specialty care areas.