Targeting sphingosine kinase induces apoptosis and tumor regression for KSHV-associated primary effusion lymphoma.

Sphingosine kinase (SPHK) is overexpressed by a variety of cancers, and its phosphorylation of sphingosine results in accumulation of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and activation of antiapoptotic signal transduction. Existing data indicate a role for S1P in viral pathogenesis, but roles for SPHK and S1P in virus-associated cancer progression have not been defined. Rare pathologic variants of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma arise preferentially in the setting of HIV infection, including primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), a highly mortal tumor etiologically linked to the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV).

Antiretroviral therapy at the end of life: the experience of an academic HIV clinic.

Introduction: There are no guidelines regarding the discontinuation of antiretroviral therapy at the end of life.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our databases and identified patients with HIV/AIDS who died over the last 12 months in our HIV clinic.

Results: A total of 41 patients from our HIV clinic died in a period of 12 months.

Falls in HIV-infected patients: a geriatric syndrome in a susceptible population.

Background: Falls is a common geriatric syndrome that has not been well characterized in HIV-infected populations.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our database and identified patients who fell over the last 12 months.

Results: Thirty-two patients were identified (incidence rate of 16 × 1000 patients per year).

Non-AIDS-defining cancers in New Orleans.

Background: Non-AIDS-defining cancers in HIV-infected patients in the highly active antiretroviral therapy era have increased. To our knowledge a comprehensive review of non-AIDS-related malignancies in New Orleans has not yet been conducted.

Methods: Databases from main institutions in New Orleans were queried retrospectively for the years 2001 to 2011.

Differences in outcomes between elderly and nonelderly breast cancer patients in Louisiana.

Introduction: Elderly breast cancer patients are diagnosed with a higher stage of disease. They are also found to undergo less surgery, receive more frequently hormonal treatment and have decreased relative survival. The interest of this study was to examine the differences in treatment and survival between elderly versus young (>65 versus <65) patients in Louisiana.

Management of elderly and frail elderly cancer patients: the importance of comprehensive geriatrics assessment and the need for guidelines.

Objectives: Management of elderly and frail patients with cancer is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach. This article reviews and discusses the current literature that evaluates the relevance of comprehensive geriatrics assessment (CGA) and other evaluation tools in the detection of this vulnerable patient population.

Methods: A literature search of articles in English, Spanish and Portuguese was conducted in PubMed through September 2011.

Frailty syndrome in geriatric medicine.

Frailty syndrome is frequently encountered in elderly populations. Frailty has been defined as a geriatric syndrome of increased vulnerability to environmental factors. Although knowledge of this syndrome continues to develop, there are still many areas of uncertainty.