Transhepatic arterial chemoembolization with oxaliplatin-eluting microspheres (OEM-TACE) for unresectable hepatic tumors.

Background: While conventional transhepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is accepted worldwide as an effective treatment for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), its use in other hepatic tumors is not supported by randomized studies. Preliminary results have shown that new drug-eluting microspheres (DEM) seem to optimize TACE procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of HepaSphere to load oxaliplatin and their pharmacokinetic outcome.

Oxaliplatin-eluting microspheres for the treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a case report.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma account for 13% of annual cancer-related deaths worldwide and for 3% in the USA. Patient with unresectable disease can benefit from palliative therapies such as systemic chemotherapy. However, the only curative treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is complete surgical resection with histologically negative resection margins.

Unexpected structural and functional consequences of the R33Q homozygous mutation in cardiac calsequestrin: a complex arrhythmogenic cascade in a knock in mouse model.

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is an inherited arrhythmogenic disorder characterized by life threatening arrhythmias elicited by physical and emotional stress in young individuals. The recessive form of CPVT is associated with mutation in the cardiac calsequestrin gene (CASQ2). We engineered and characterized a homozygous CASQ2(R33Q/R33Q) mouse model that closely mimics the clinical phenotype of CPVT patients.

Hodgkin's disease as unusual presentation of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation for malignant glioma.

Background: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a complication of solid organ and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT); following autologous HSCT only rare cases of PTLD have been reported. Here, a case of Hodgkin's disease (HD), as unusual presentation of PTLD after autologous HSCT for malignant glioma is described.

Case Presentation: 60-years old man affected by cerebral anaplastic astrocytoma underwent subtotal neurosurgical excision and subsequent high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous HSCT.

Bidirectional ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation elicited in a knock-in mouse model carrier of a mutation in the cardiac ryanodine receptor.

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is an inherited disease characterized by adrenergically mediated polymorphic ventricular tachycardia leading to syncope and sudden cardiac death. The autosomal dominant form of CPVT is caused by mutations in the RyR2 gene encoding the cardiac isoform of the ryanodine receptor. In vitro functional characterization of mutant RyR2 channels showed altered behavior on adrenergic stimulation and caffeine administration with enhanced calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Pilot study of the mechanism of action of preoperative trastuzumab in patients with primary operable breast tumors overexpressing HER2.

Purpose: To elucidate the mechanism by which trastuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against HER2 with proven survival benefit in women with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, mediates its antitumor activity.

Experimental Design: A pilot study including 11 patients with HER2-positive tumors treated in a neo-adjuvant setting with trastuzumab was performed. Trastuzumab was administered i.

Asbestos-induced peritoneal mesothelioma in a construction worker.

Occupational and environmental asbestos exposure continues to represent a public health problem, despite increasingly restrictive laws adopted by most industrialized countries. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive asbestos-related malignancy. We present the case of a 65-year-old man who developed recurrent ascites after having been exposed to asbestos in the building industry for > 40 years.