Arch Med Sci
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The aim of the study was to analyze the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic factors of hindgut-rectal neuroendocrine neoplasms. ⋯ Univariate analysis showed that age (p = 0.022), tumor diameter (p < 0.001), histological type (p < 0.001), and TNM stage (p < 0.001) were all prognostic factors.
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It has been proved that genetic and epigenetic changes play a significant role in the development and progression of acute leukemia. The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency and prognostic implications of genetic and epigenetic alterations in p15, MGMT, DNMT3A and TP53 genes in acute leukemias. ⋯ Our findings demonstrate that MGMT promoter methylation can have a considerable impact on the development of acute leukemia in older patients. DNMT3A and TP53 mutations may play a significant role in AML development. However, further studies conducted in a larger cohort of patients are needed to determine its clinical utility.
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Polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have been investigated in various case-control studies to evaluate prostate cancer susceptibility; however, published data on the association between vitamin D receptor gene FokI polymorphism and prostate cancer risk are inconclusive. ⋯ The VDR FokI polymorphism may contribute to the risk of developing prostate cancer in Caucasian and population-based studies. Further large, well-designed studies are warranted to confirm this conclusion in more detail.
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Gap junctions (GJs) represent the best known intercellular communication (IC) system and are membrane-spanning channels that facilitate intercellular communication by allowing small signaling molecules to pass from cell to cell. In this study, we constructed an amino terminus of human Cx43 (Cx43NT-GFP), verified the overexpression of Cx43-NT in HUVEC cells and explored the impact of gap junctions (GJs) on multiple myeloma (MM). ⋯ Our data suggest that GJIC between MM and MSCs is one of the essential factors in tumor cell proliferation and drug sensitivity, and is implicated in MM pathogenesis.
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Metastatic cancer, especially in the growing population of geriatric patients, presents a big challenge to these patients, as well as to treatment teams and the entire health care system. This article describes some common medical problems faced by patients with metastases to liver and bone, and presents a diagnostic approach, and therapeutic management of various symptoms, relevant to advanced stages of the malignant disease. The article highlights the importance of patient education on various aspects of metastatic cancer, and underscores the unique position of pharmacists practicing pharmaceutical care, which is particularly beneficial in this group of patients with advanced malignancy. Also, this paper emphasizes that achieving a proper balance between managing the malignant disease and maintaining the patients' quality of life, especially in the elderly population, should involve coordinated efforts of the oncology treatment team, primary care physicians, pharmacists, therapists and nurses, as well as patients, their families and caregivers.