Antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activity of schisandrin B against human glioma cells.

Background: Malignant glioma is the most devastating and aggressive tumour in the brain and is characterised by high morbidity, high mortality and extremely poor prognosis. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of schisandrin B (Sch B) on glioma cells both in vitro and in vivo and to explore the possible anticancer mechanism underlying Sch B-induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.

Methods: The anti-proliferative ability of Sch B on glioma cells were assessed by MTT and clony formation assays.

[Inhibitory effect of adenovirus-mediated D2S gene plus bromocriptine therapy on primary cultures of human non-functioning pituitary adenoma cells].

Objective: To explore the inhibitory effect of non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) cells after a combined treatment of adenovirus mediated D2S gene and bromocriptine in vitro.

Methods: Adenovirus containing dopamine 2 receptor short isoform (D2S) gene was used to infect NFPA cells. The transfection of D2S gene into NFPA cells was confirmed by immunofluorescence.

[Natural history study of postoperative residual non-functioning pituitary adenomas].

Objective: To observe the postoperative residual non-functioning pituitary adenomas (PR-NFPAs) without postoperative radiotherapy and to analyze the natural history of PR-NFPAs' growth in order to provide a basis for selecting appropriate strategies of clinical treatment.

Methods: We evaluated the natural history of 20 patients with PR-NFPAs who did not receive postoperative radiotherapy and drug therapy. Through MRI images, the residual tumor volumes of those patients were serially measured.

Expression of D2RmRNA isoforms and ERmRNA isoforms in prolactinomas: correlation with the response to bromocriptine and with tumor biological behavior.

Invasive prolactinomas are more likely to be resistant to drug therapy but the mechanism of this is still unknown. The objective of this study was to analyze the different expression of ERmRNA and D2RmRNA isoforms in prolactinomas responsive and resistant to dopamine agonist (DA), and to discuss the correlation of such gene expression with tumor biological behavior. A prospective study of 20 consecutive patients who harbored prolactinomas was designed.

Five years follow-up of invasive prolactinomas with special reference to the control of cavernous sinus invasion.

Background: Few data are presently available on the effective control of cavernous sinus (CS) invasion of invasive prolactinomas. The aim of this retrospective study, through a mean period of 5 years follow up, is to observe the tumor shrinkage of CS invasive prolactinomas, as well as PRL normalization with bromocriptine therapy.

Methods: 68 patients met the criteria of invasive prolactinomas (Grade III or IV in the classification scheme of Knosp and colleagues; serum PRL level greater than 200 ng/ml).

Bromocriptine treatment of invasive giant prolactinomas involving the cavernous sinus: results of a long-term follow up.

Object: The aim of this study was to observe long-term clinical outcomes in a group of patients treated with bromocriptine for invasive giant prolactinomas involving the cavernous sinus.

Methods: Data from 20 patients with invasive giant prolactinomas at the authors' institutions between July 1997 and June 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. The criteria to qualify for study participation included: (1) tumor diameter greater than 4 cm, invading the cavernous sinus to an extent corresponding to Grade III or IV in the classification scheme of Knosp and colleagues; (2) serum prolactin (PRL) level greater than 200 ng/ml; and (3) clinical signs of hyperprolactinemia and mass effect.