Synergistic Anti-Cancer Effects of Isocnicin and Radiotherapy in Glioblastoma: A Natural Compound's Potential.

Background/objectives: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive type of brain tumor in adults. Currently, the only treatments available are surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy based on temozolomide (TMZ); however, the prognosis is dismal. Several natural substances are under investigation for cancer treatment.

Antitumor activity of 5-hydroxy-3',4',6,7-tetramethoxyflavone in glioblastoma cell lines and its antagonism with radiotherapy.

5-Hydroxy-3',4',6,7-tetramethoxyflavone (TMF) is a plant-origin flavone known for its anti-cancer properties. In the present study, the cytotoxic effect of TMF was evaluated in the U87MG and T98G glioblastoma (GBM) cell lines. The effect of TMF on cell viability was assessed with trypan blue exclusion assay and crystal violet staining.

Therapeutic Potential of Linearol in Combination with Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Glioblastoma In Vitro.

Glioblastoma is one of the most malignant and lethal forms of primary brain tumors in adults. Linearol, a kaurane diterpene isolated from different medicinal plants, including those of the genus Sideritis, has been found to possess significant anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. In this study, we aimed to determine whether linearol could exhibit anti-glioma effects when given alone or in combination with radiotherapy in two human glioma cell lines, U87 and T98.

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy in the Study of Discrimination of Lobular Breast Cancers.

Background/aim: The early diagnosis of breast cancer plays an important role in reducing mortality and optimizing the prognosis of the disease. The existing visual and histopathological methods do not give any information at a molecular level. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy does not require any preparation, such as fixation and histological stains.

Interior Design: A New Perspective in Supportive Care of Patients with Acute Onset of Debilitating Diseases.

Background: Upon the onset of a debilitating rapidly evolving condition (such as cancer or a rapidly progressing myopathy, neuropathy, respiratory disease, or a severe traumatic injury), individuals have limited time to find a new home or make radical structural modifications in their residence. How the affected patients can continue sharing the same house with their families, while meeting their own special requirements, is thus rising as a critical issue. Household and daily routine rearrangements, either temporary or permanent, may be necessary, to ameliorate the life of patients with impairments, lasting for months or even years.

Radiosensitization and Radioprotection by Curcumin in Glioblastoma and Other Cancers.

Radiation therapy plays an important role in almost every cancer treatment. However, radiation toxicity to normal tissues, mainly due to the generation of reactive free radicals, has limited the efficacy of radiotherapy in clinical practice. Curcumin has been reported to possess significant antitumor properties.

Curcumin and Radiotherapy Exert Synergistic Anti-Glioma Effect In Vitro.

Curcumin, a bioactive polyphenol, is known to have anticancer properties. In this study, the effectiveness of curcumin pretreatment as a strategy for radio-sensitizing glioblastoma cell lines was explored. For this, U87 and T98 cells were treated with curcumin, exposed to 2 Gy or 4 Gy of irradiation, and the combined effect was compared to the antiproliferative effect of each agent when given individually.

Haloperidol Induced Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Glioblastoma Cells.

Although several antipsychotic drugs have been shown to possess anticancer activities, haloperidol, a "first-generation" antipsychotic drug, has not been extensively evaluated for potential antineoplastic properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the antitumoral effects of haloperidol in glioblastoma (GBM) U87, U251 and T98 cell lines, and the effects of combined treatment with temozolomide (TMZ) and/or radiotherapy, using 4 Gy of irradiation. The viability and proliferation of the cells were evaluated with trypan blue exclusion assay and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.

ICAM-1 expression in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with radiotherapy.

Purpose: To investigate the possible clinical relevance of ICAM-1 molecule in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with radiotherapy.

Methods: The expression of ICAM-1 was examined immunohistochemically on tissue specimens of 62 patients with pathologically confirmed NCSLC. The median age at diagnosis was 62 years (range 49-84) with a male predominance (87.

E-Cadherin and Syndecan-1 Expression in Patients With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Chemoradiotherapy.

Background/aim: The aim of the study was to investigate whether E-cadherin and syndecan-1 are molecular markers of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients And Methods: The expression of E-cadherin and syndecan-1 (SDC1) was examined immunohistochemically on tissue specimens of 64 patients, with stage III disease at presentation. The obtained expression data were correlated with clinical parameters.

Is prophylaxis for heterotopic ossification with radiation therapy after THR associated with early loosening or carcinogenesis?

Introduction: Heterotopic ossification may develop after major hip surgeries, thus preventive strategies including radiation therapy and non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly employed. There are certain concerns regarding the effects of radiation therapy on implant loosening and carcinogenesis. Our study aims to evaluate whether radiation therapy results in implant loosening or radiation-induced tumours in the long term.

Combination treatment for glioblastoma with temozolomide, DFMO and radiation.

Purpose: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant primary brain tumor with dismal prognosis. This tumor is characterized by extensive heterogeneity, thus is difficult to treat and every established or new treatment faces significant hazard of resistance. Temozolomide (TMZ), an oral alkylating agent, is the first-line treatment for GBM, but resistance to TMZ is a major problem.

Systemic therapy of metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Review of the current literature.

Introduction:: Renal cell carcinoma represents a neoplasm with usually aggressive behavior. Due to its nature, it is often diagnosed in an advanced stage or when metastatic dissemination has been occurred. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the current management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma and briefly discuss the potential new therapeutic strategies for this disease.

Development and validation of simple step protein precipitation UHPLC-MS/MS methods for quantitation of temozolomide in cancer patient plasma samples.

Temozolomide (TEMODAL™) (TMZ) is an antineoplastic agent that is primarily used for the treatment of glioblastoma and anaplastic gliomas, two aggressive forms of brain cancer. Due to the poor prognosis of brain tumour patients, there is an increasing body of research into improving the stability and delivery of TMZ past the blood brain barrier using carrier molecules. These require accurate determination of TMZ levels for biodistribution and pharmacokinetic evaluation.

Addressing the post-irradiation hypothalamic-pituitary endocrine abnormalities of brain tumors in pediatric patients.

Purpose: Hypothalamic-pituitary axis is susceptible to radiotherapy, causing endocrine disorders to childhood cancer survivors. We conducted a systematic review in order to assess the radiation-induced toxicity that leads to hormone secretion abnormalities and their severity in children with brain tumors.

Methods: The data were collected by relevant studies on PubMed and EMBASE.

Preoperative Chemoradiation in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: Efficacy and Safety.

Background: Preoperative chemoradiation (CRT) is considered the standard of care in the management of stage II/III rectal cancer. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the efficacy and safety of preoperative CRT in our patient cohort with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma.

Methods: Forty patients with cT3-4N0-2M0 adenocarcinoma of the lower (n = 26) and mid/upper (n = 14) rectum were enrolled in this study between 2001 and 2012.

Subtotal gastrectomy for diffused hemorrhagic gastritis induced by radiation, following liver resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. A case report.

Introduction: A rare case of hemorrhagic gastritis induced by radiation is presented, which was resistant to conservative treatment and required subtotal gastrectomy.

Presentation Of Case: A 56-year-old male was initially undergone right hepatectomy, resection of the extrahepatic biliary tree, hilar lymph node dissection and hepatico-jejunostomy due to advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Because of the extent of the disease, chemo-radiotherapy was administered.

3D conformal radiotherapy in primary nasopharyngeal cancer: effectiveness and prognostic factors.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of using 3D conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) to treat nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) in a Caucasian cohort and evaluate factors with prognostic value.

Methods: Between September 2001 and November 2012, 44 NPC patients with a mean age of 57 years underwent 3DCRT at the University Hospital of Ioannina. Nineteen patients (43%) presented with WHO type 1 and 2 histology.

Combination treatment of TRAIL, DFMO and radiation for malignant glioma cells.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has shown potent and cancer-selective killing activity and drawn considerable attention as a promising therapy for cancer. Another promising cancer therapy is difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, which is oraly administered and well tolerated. Nevertheless, many types of cancer, including gliomas, have exhibited resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis and similarly the potency of DFMO should be enhanced to optimize therapeutic efficacy.

Prognostic factors in glioblastoma patients managed with radiotherapy combined with temozolomide.

Purpose: No consensus on clinicopathologic prognostic factors that predict the outcome of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) managed with resection, postoperative radiotherapy (RT) and adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) exists today. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcome, compliance and toxicity in GBM patients treated with TMZ at our Center, as well as to evaluate factors with prognostic significance.

Methods: 91 GBM patients were enrolled in this retrospective study (2004-2012).

Comparison of diffusion tensor, dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI and (99m)Tc-Tetrofosmin brain SPECT for the detection of recurrent high-grade glioma.

Introduction: Treatment induced necrosis is a relatively frequent finding in patients treated for high-grade glioma. Differentiation by imaging modalities between glioma recurrence and treatment induced necrosis is not always straightforward. This is a comparative study of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI and (99m)Tc-Tetrofosmin brain single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for differentiation of recurrent glioma from treatment induced necrosis.

Radiotherapy for prevention of heterotopic ossification of the elbow: a systematic review of the literature.

Background: Heterotopic ossification is a pathological process characterized by abnormal formation of bone in nonskeletal tissue. Radiotherapy for heterotopic ossification of the elbow is questionable because of possible adverse effects.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted in MEDLINE, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, National Guideline Clearinghouse, System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe, ClinicalTrials.

Reirradiation for recurrent head and neck carcinoma.

Purpose: To present the outcome and toxicity profile of reirradiation (re-RT) in patients with recurrent head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods: From 1995 to 2009, 35 patients underwent re-RT at our institution. Twenty-seven (77%) patients were initially diagnosed with stage III/IV disease.

Radiotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma: too hard to die?

The treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is associated with significant toxicity. The objective of high quality management is to keep the concept of combined modality, while trying to decrease the radiation dose, to diminish to a great extent the irradiated volume and at the same time to reduce the number of chemotherapy courses, introducing the so-called optimisation. New directives should be followed to obtain more effective treatments of HL.

Clinicopathologic study of E-cadherin/beta-catenin complex, and topoisomerase-II in a series of 71 liposarcoma cases.

Background: To investigate the expression of E-cadherin, beta-catenin and topoisomerase-II alpha and examine their clinical relevance in liposarcomas.

Materials And Methods: The expression of E-cadherin, beta-catenin and topoisomerase II alpha was examined immunohistochemically on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 71 patients who underwent surgical treatment for liposarcomas of the extremities or the retroperitoneum in two major cancer reference centres between 1990 and 2000. Detailed medical notes were available for all patients who were followed for median 82 months (range 5 to 215 months).