Solitary glomus tumor recurring as multiple glomus tumors

Most glomus tumors arise as a single nodule. However, up to 10?% of glomus tumors may be multiple. We report a case in which a single glomus tumor of the leg that evolved several years after surgery to multiple glomus tumors requiring additional resections.     

Anti-cancer activity of curcumin loaded nanoparticles in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer disease in men in the Unites States and its management remains a challenge in everyday oncology practice. Thus, advanced therapeutic strategies are required to treat prostate cancer patients. Curcumin (CUR) is a promising anticancer agent for various cancer types. The objective of this study was to evaluate therapeutic potential of novel poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)- CUR nanoparticles (PLGA-CUR NPs) for prostate cancer treatment. Our results indicate that PLGA-CUR NPs efficiently internalize in prostate cancer cells and release biologically active CUR in cytosolic compartment of cells for effective therapeutic activity. Cell proliferation (MTS), clonogenic, and Western blot analyses reveal that PLGA-CUR NPs can effectively inhibit proliferation and colony formation ability of prostate cancer cells than free CUR. PLGA-CUR NPs showed superior tumor regression compared to CUR in xenograft mice. Further investigations reveal that PLGA-CUR NPs inhibit nuclear β-catenin and AR expression in cells and in tumor xenograft tissues. It also suppresses STAT3 and AKT phosphorylation and leads to apoptosis via inhibition of key anti-apoptotic proteins, Mcl-1, Bcl-xL and caused induction of PARP cleavage. Additionally, significant downregulation of oncogenic miR21 and up-regulation of miR-205 was observed with PLGA-CUR NPs treatment as determined by RT-PCR and in situ hybridization analyses. A superior anti-cancer potential was attained with PSMA antibody conjugated PLGA-CUR NPs in prostate cancer cells and a significant tumor targeting of ¹³¹I labeled PSMA antibody was achieved with PLGA-CUR NPs in prostate cancer xenograft mice model. In conclusion, PLGA-CUR NPs can significantly accumulate and exhibit superior anticancer activity in prostate cancer.     

Pregnancy outcome in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Objective

To study the outcome of pregnancy in women with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Materials and methods

A retrospective analysis of 30 pregnancies in 26 women with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura was carried out at a tertiary hospital in India. The courses of the disease, maternal and perinatal outcome in these pregnancies were studied.

Results

Mean age of pregnant women with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura was 27.3 years and 61.5 % was primigravidae. Out of 26 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, 16 were already diagnosed while the other 10 were diagnosed during pregnancy. The incidence of bleeding episodes in antenatal period, severe thrombocytopenia and hemorrhagic complications at the time of delivery was 30, 37 and 11.1 %, respectively. Oral steroids were required in 40 % of pregnancies. Two patients received intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Severe thrombocytopenia at the time of delivery was more commonly seen in women in whom ITP was diagnosed during pregnancy as compared to those in whom ITP was diagnosed prior to pregnancy (P = 0.04). Severe thrombocytopenia was seen in 18.5 % of neonates and intracranial hemorrhage was detected in 1 neonate. There were no still births or maternal mortality.

Conclusion

Pregnancy outcome in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is generally good.     

Radioprotectors and Mitigators of Radiation‐Induced Normal Tissue Injury

Radiation is used in the treatment of a broad range of malignancies. Exposure of normal tissue to radiation may result in both acute and chronic toxicities that can result in an inability to deliver the intended therapy, a range of symptoms, and a decrease in quality of life. Radioprotectors are compounds that are designed to reduce the damage in normal tissues caused by radiation. These compounds are often antioxidants and must be present before or at the time of radiation for effectiveness. Other agents, termed mitigators, may be used to minimize toxicity even after radiation has been delivered. Herein, we review agents in clinical use or in development as radioprotectors and mitigators of radiation‐induced normal tissue injury. Few agents are approved for clinical use, but many new compounds show promising results in preclinical testing.