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Journal of Cancer Research Updates

Breast Cancer - Diagnosis and Treatment Prolonging Life: A Review
Pages 196-206
Susmitha Kasina, Hemant K.S. Yadav and H.G. Shivakumar

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-2279.2014.03.04.4


Published: 24 November 2014


Abstract: Breast cancer is a malignant tumour that starts either in the ducts or lobules, this can be generally differentiated as either in situ or invasive (in filtering) type. It is expected that in 2014 every 1 in 8 women are likely to develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime when compared to a decade back where an average of 1 in 10 was seen. With this increase, breast cancer alone, roughly accounts for 25 to 30% of new cancer cases this year. Despite such diagnostic statistics, there are millions of survivors across the globe and this increasing rate can be attributed to the tremendous increase in advances in treatment and also early diagnosis. New drug delivery carriers like nanoparticles, liposomes, monoclonal antibodies, etc. are being used to improve the efficacy of therapy and for site specific delivery to reduce side effects. As a result of the constant effort by researchers, today the commercial market has a range of products apart from the conventional dosage forms like Herceptin (trastuzumab), a monoclonal antibody; the others in this class are Pertuzumab (Perjeta), Kadcyla (ado-trastuzumab emtansine) used for targeted delivery; Myocet (doxorubicin), a liposomal formulation and Paclitaxel nanoparticles all these are available as injections via intravenous route or infusion in few cases. There are yet certain other promising technologies like magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia and cMethDNA assay a very assuring method to monitor recurrence of breast cancer by a simple blood test. This review will focus on the description of disease, diagnosis, current treatment therapies and ongoing research to provide better facilities.

Keywords: Breast cancer, diagnosis, advancements, treatment, trials.
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Journal of Cancer Research Updates

Oxycodone Immediate Release for Cancer Pain Management in Turkey: Maximizing Value in Opioid Analgesics
Pages 207-217
Joseph V. Pergolizzi Jr., Robert Taylor Jr., Gianpietro Zampogna, Fuat H. Demirelli, Serdar Erdine and Robert B. Raffa

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-2279.2014.03.04.5


Published: 24 November 2014


Abstract: Cancer pain can be severe, yet is often undertreated. In many parts of the world, there is a reluctance to prescribe narcotics for analgesia. Since the World Health Organization first published its “pain ladder” treatment paradigm in 1988, cancer pain is usually treated initially with nonopioids, then weak opioids, and finally strong opioids along with adjuvant agents as the pain intensifies. When initiating opioid therapy for cancer patients, the clinician must consider whether the patient is opioid naïve or opioid experienced. For naïve patients, opioid therapy must be started slowly, at a low dose initially, with adverse events anticipated and treated proactively. In all cases, opioid titration involves a controlled, stepwise increase of opioid dose until adequate (but not necessarily 100%) analgesia is achieved. A variety of opioid products are available, including immediate-release and controlled-release formulations. Immediate-releaseformulations are designed for easy titration to adequate analgesia; their rapid onset of action also makes them appropriate for managing breakthrough pain. Although morphine has long been considered the “gold standard” of cancer analgesics, oral oxycodone is increasingly used and is similar to morphine in efficacy and safety for cancer patients. Indeed, about 75% of morphine-tolerant patients can be successfully rotated to oxycodone. Adverse events with oxycodone are similar or perhaps favorable compared to those of other strong opioids. Because cancer pain can be challenging to treat, the addition of oral oxycodone IR is an important new tool for clinicians to consider when trying to control cancer pain.

Keywords: Cancer pain, oxycodone IR, new opioids, cancer in Turkey, analgesia in oncology.
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Cancer-Research-UpdatesWEB

Surface Functionalization of Gold Nanoparticles for Simultaneous Suppression of Cancer Stem Cells and Cancer Cells
Pages 123-128
Yujiro Naruse

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-2279.2014.03.03.1

Published: 12 August 2014

 


Abstract: Surface functionalization of gold nanoparticles is designed for simultaneous suppression of cancer stem cells and cancer cells. The fundamental mechanism of the simultaneous suppression is based on the blocking against DNA polymerase, DNA helicase and RNA polymerase by positively charged gold nanoparticles introduced into nucleuses. In addition, applications of physical fields (ultrasound, X-ray or electromagnetic wave) will enhance the suppression effects of the cancer cells by interactions between gold nanoparticles and physical fields. It is predicted theoretically that the surface functionalization of gold nanoparticle is promising for radical treatments of cancers.

Keywords: Gold nanoparticles, cancer cells, cancer stem cells, DNA, chromosome, histones, DNA helicase, DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase.
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Journal of Cancer Research Updates

The Association of Genetic Polymorphisms of TNFα, TNF-R1, and TNF-R2 and Lung Cancer Chemotherapy Response
Pages 218-225
Yi Zheng, Ji-Ye Yin, Ying Wang, Xiang-Ping Li, Juan Chen, Chen-Yue Qian, Xiao-Ke Wen, Wei Zhang, Hong-Hao Zhou and Zhao-Qian Liu

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-2279.2014.03.04.6


Published: 24 November 2014


Abstract: Platinum-based therapy is commonly used for the treatment of lung cancer and has been widely accepted by clinicians, but the chemotherapy responses differ greatly among individuals. TNFα/TNF-R1/R2 signal pathway can trigger the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis after DNA damage was caused by platinum-based treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of TNFα -308 A/G, TNF-R1 -383A>C, -609T>G and TNF-R2 +676 T>G and the response of platinum-based chemotherapy in 313 Chinese advanced-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. MassARRAY was used to detect these four SNPs in three apoptosis-related genes. TNFα -308 A/G was significantly correlated with better clinical benefit. Patients carrying A allele tended to have a favorable prognosis after treated with platinum-based chemotherapy (P=0.043, OR=0.488, 95%CI=0.244-0.979). The patients with CA genotype have significantly reduced risk of platinum resistance compared with wild-type homozygotes CC genotype (P=0.025, OR=0.447, 95% CI=0.220-0.906). No association was found in other polymorphisms. In conclusion, our data suggest that TNFα -308 A/G polymorphism may serve as the indicator of platinum-based chemotherapy response in NSCLC patients.

Keywords: TNFα, TNF-R1, TNF-R2, chemotherapy response, genetic polymorphism, lung cancer.
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Journal of Cancer Research Updates

Retrospective Study of Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes and its Association with Lymphoma
Pages 129-133
Tahereh Dadfarnia, Jason Koshy, Jianli Dong and You-Wen Qian

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-2279.2014.03.03.2

Published: 12 August 2014

 


Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) involves both the liver and extra hepatic organs. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the association between HCV genotypes and lymphomas.

Lymphoma cases were retrieved from our surgical pathology and hematopathology archives from January 2005 to April 2012. Patients who had positive HCV serology with subsequent viral genotyping were selected. Patients with positive Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)serology were excluded.

We identified 17 lymphoma cases with associated HCV infection. Eleven out of 14 (79%) patients had genotype 1 HCV. Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was the most common lymphoma (6 out of 17 cases) and all cases of DLBCL had genotype 1. Genotype 2 was detected in only three patients (21%) with the diagnoses of follicular lymphoma, splenic marginal zone lymphoma, and classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL). CHL was diagnosed in three cases and peripheral T-cell lymphoma in one case.Twelve of 17 (71%) patients were incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system. All 11 genotype 1 patients were male, 4 of 11 (36%) were African American, 4 of 11 (36%) were Caucasian and 3 of 11 (27%) were Hispanic.We concluded that HCV genotype 1 was more common than genotype 2 while no other genotype was detected.

Keywords: HCV genotypes, HCV associated lymphomas, HCV.
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