Consensus Statement on Brillouin Light Scattering Microscopy of Biological Materials.

Brillouin Light Scattering (BLS) spectroscopy is a non-invasive, non-contact, label-free optical technique that can provide information on the mechanical properties of a material on the sub-micron scale. Over the last decade it has seen increased applications in the life sciences, driven by the observed significance of mechanical properties in biological processes, the realization of more sensitive BLS spectrometers and its extension to an imaging modality. As with other spectroscopic techniques, BLS measurements not only detect signals characteristic of the investigated sample, but also of the experimental apparatus, and can be significantly affected by measurement conditions.

Real-World Pattern-of-Care Analysis of Primary Cutaneous Lymphomas Radiation Therapy Among European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Members.

Purpose: We aim to determine the current treatment patterns and recommendations among physicians for cutaneous lymphomas and to identify the types of skin lymphomas for which existing radiation regimens need improvement.

Methods And Materials: A questionnaire from the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer was distributed to all members of the Cutaneous Lymphoma Tumour Group and Radiation Oncology Scientific Council. This online survey included 13 questions regarding treatment practices for patients with cutaneous lymphoma.

Radiation-induced Esophagitis in Breast Cancer Patients Treated With Supraclavicular Field Irradiation.

Background/aim: The objective of this research was to assess the frequency and intensity of radiation-induced esophagitis in breast cancer patients treated with supraclavicular radiotherapy field irradiation.

Patients And Methods: This study involved 100 patients with positive lymph nodes receiving radiotherapy to the breast or chest wall along with supraclavicular field irradiation, with toxicity levels assessed weekly. Treatment utilized the 3D conformal technique, and variables, such as mean and maximum dose to the cervical esophagus, mean dose to the entire esophagus, and length of the esophagus within the treated area were recorded.

The tyrosine kinase inhibitor Nintedanib induces lysosomal dysfunctionality: Role of protonation-dependent crystallization processes.

Nintedanib (NIN), a multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor clinically approved for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer, is characterized by protonation-dependent lysosomotropic behavior and appearance of lysosome-specific fluorescence emission properties. Here we investigate whether spontaneous formation of a so far unknown NIN matter within the acidic cell compartment is underlying these unexpected emissive properties and investigate the consequences on lysosome functionality. Lysosomes of cells treated with NIN, but not non-protonatable NIN derivatives, exhibited lysosome-associated birefringence signals co-localizing with the NIN-derived fluorescence emission.

Physical and clinical results of a radiation bra in patients treated with total skin electron beam therapy.

Total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) in female patients with large or pendulous breasts is usually associated with shaded inframammary folds. In this analysis, 18 patients with cutaneous malignancy and pendulous breasts were irradiated with a radiation bra and five patients received TSEBT without bra. All patients had moderate or severe sagging of the breasts.

Diagnostic potential of blood plasma longitudinal viscosity measured using Brillouin light scattering.

Blood plasma viscosity (PV) is an established biomarker for numerous diseases. Measurement of the shear PV using conventional rheological techniques is, however, time consuming and requires significant plasma volumes. Here, we show that Brillouin light scattering (BLS) and angle-resolved spectroscopy measurements of the longitudinal PV from microliter-sized plasma volumes can serve as a proxy for the shear PV measured using conventional viscometers.

The Safety and Efficacy of the Combination of Sacituzumab Govitecan and Palliative Radiotherapy-A Retrospective Multi-Center Cohort Study.

Sacituzumab govitecan (SG) is a new treatment option for patients with metastatic triple-negative and hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. This antibody-drug conjugate is currently approved as monotherapy. Palliative radiotherapy is frequently used to treat symptomatic metastases locally.

Sulfonamides as anticancer agents: A brief review on sulfonamide derivatives as inhibitors of various proteins overexpressed in cancer.

Sulfonamides have gained prominence as versatile agents in cancer therapy, effectively targeting a spectrum of cancer-associated enzymes. This review provides an extensive exploration of their multifaceted roles in cancer biology. Sulfonamides exhibit adaptability by acting as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, disrupting pivotal signaling pathways in cancer progression.

Knowledge and competences in hematological malignancies amongst radiation oncology residents in Germany-results from a national survey.

Introduction: Radiation oncology is a pivotal modality in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. To enable state-of-the-art patient care, structured education during residency is essential. However, given the lack of detailed data, the scope of educational opportunities available to trainees remains elusive.

Involved-Site Radiation Therapy Enables Effective Disease Control in Parenchymal Low-Grade Primary Cerebral Lymphoma.

Background: Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system (PCNSL) encompasses a variety of lymphoma subtypes, with the majority being diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, which require aggressive systemic treatment. In contrast, low-grade lymphomas are reported infrequently and are mostly limited to dural manifestations. Very rarely, parenchymal low-grade PCNSL is diagnosed, and the cases documented in the literature show a wide variety of treatment approaches.

Reduction of tumor volume during radiotherapy in patients with small-cell lung cancer and its prognostic significance.

Background: Several studies have reported the potential prognostic significance of tumor volume reduction ratio (VRR) induced by radiotherapy (RT) in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. However, there are no data yet on the prognostic significance of volumetric shrinkage in patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). This study aimed to demonstrate the correlation between tumor volume reduction ratio and treatment outcomes.

Looking Back: International Practice Patterns in Breast Radiation Oncology From a Case-Based Survey Across 54 Countries During the First Surge of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected cancer care worldwide, including radiation therapy (RT) for breast cancer (BC), because of risk-based resource allocation. We report the evolution of international breast RT practices during the beginning of the pandemic, focusing on differences in treatment recommendations between countries.

Materials And Methods: Between July and November 2020, a 58-question survey was distributed to radiation oncologists (ROs) through international professional societies.

The evolving role of reduced-dose total skin electron beam therapy in skin malignancies: the renaissance of a rare indication.

Definitive radiation therapy is an effective local treatment for several cutaneous malignancies. Patients with diffuse or generalized skin manifestations might require total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) as an alternative treatment to the chasing technique. In this short communication, we highlight the evolving role of TSEBT and present its role in various forms of skin malignancies.

What Ancient Egyptian Medicine Can Teach Us.

Dr Elsayad describes his impressions regarding the medical and surgical procedures used for patients with cancer and reports on the oncologic cases from ancient Egyptian remains published in the literature.

The role of plasma in the yield stress of blood.

Background: Yielding and shear elasticity of blood are merely discussed within the context of hematocrit and erythrocyte aggregation. However, plasma might play a substantial role due its own viscoelasticity.

Objective: If only erythrocyte aggregation and hematocrit would determine yielding, blood of different species with comparable values would present comparable yield stresses.

Hormone-regulated expansins: Expression, localization, and cell wall biomechanics in Arabidopsis root growth.

Expansins facilitate cell expansion by mediating pH-dependent cell wall (CW) loosening. However, the role of expansins in controlling CW biomechanical properties in specific tissues and organs remains elusive. We monitored hormonal responsiveness and spatial specificity of expression and localization of expansins predicted to be the direct targets of cytokinin signaling in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana).

PCYT2-regulated lipid biosynthesis is critical to muscle health and ageing.

Muscle degeneration is the most prevalent cause for frailty and dependency in inherited diseases and ageing. Elucidation of pathophysiological mechanisms, as well as effective treatments for muscle diseases, represents an important goal in improving human health. Here, we show that the lipid synthesis enzyme phosphatidylethanolamine cytidyltransferase (PCYT2/ECT) is critical to muscle health.

Ultrahypofractionated Low-Dose Total Skin Electron Beam in Advanced-Stage Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of an ultrahypofractionated low-dose total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) regimen in patients with advanced mycosis fungoides (MF) or Sézary syndrome (SS).

Methods And Materials: In this multicenter observational study from 5 German centers, 18 total patients with MF or SS underwent TSEBT with a total dose of 8 Gy in 2 fractions. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate.

Impact of dose escalation on colostomy-free survival and treatment outcome in squamous cell anal carcinoma.

Purpose: Primary radiochemotherapy (RCT) constitutes the standard of care for early- and advanced-stage anal carcinoma. This retrospective study investigates the impact of dose escalation on colostomy-free survival (CFS), overall survival (OS), locoregional control (LRC), progression-free survival (PFS), and acute and late toxicities in patients with squamous cell anal cancer.

Methods: Considered were the outcomes of 87 patients with anal cancer treated with radiation/RCT between May 2004 and January 2020 at our institution.