bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activation of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Suppresses Invasion of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines
Authors: Zhang Jianhao , Zong Hong , Li Shenglei , Zhang Dandan , Zhang Lei , Xia Qingxin 
Published: February 2018

Aims and Background Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common malignancy and sixth leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. Recent studies have shown the potential role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in tumor development; however, little is known about its role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In the present study, we evaluated AhR expression in esophageal tumor tissues as well as cell lines and investigated the effects of AhR activation by its agonist BNF on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma invasion using Eca109 and TE-13 cells as a model. Methods Western blotting was performed to detect the AhR and CYP1A1 protein expression. Transwell migration assays were carried out to study the effects of BNF on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell invasion. AhR-specific siRNA was used to knock down the expression of AhR protein. Results Our results showed that AhR was highly expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues and cell lines when compared with its expression in normal tissue. AhR siRNA robustly decreased AhR protein expression in both Eca109 and TE-13 cells. BNF significantly inhibited invasion of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells via activation of AhR. Conclusions The obtained results provide critical information on the roles of BNF in mediating esophageal squamous cell carcinoma invasion. This information could be useful for future therapeutic intervention in this lethal human disease.
Is the Spiritual Life of Cancer Patients a Resource to be taken into Account by Professional Caregivers from the Time of Diagnosis?
Authors: Miccinesi Guido , Proserpio Tullio , Pessi Maria Adelaide , Maruelli Alice , Bonacchi Andrea , Borreani Claudia , Ripamonti Carla 
Published: February 2018

Background and Aim Spiritual life can be defined as the search for personal contact with the transcendent. Careful assessment of spiritual life can help to value its importance to cancer patients from the moment of their diagnosis. Methods This is a cross-sectional study. Two hundred fifty-seven patients undergoing cancer treatment filled in the validated Italian version of the Systems of Belief Inventory (SBI-15R). Patients were also asked to attribute themselves to one of the following, mutually exclusive categories: believer and churchgoer, believer but no churchgoer, and non-believer. Results Five patients did not report their religious stance and were therefore excluded from the analysis. Of the remaining 252 patients, 49% declared to be believers and churchgoers, 43% believers but not churchgoers, and 8% non-believers. Of the 20 cancer patients who declared not to have a religious faith, 7 patients agreed with the statement that they felt certain that God exists in some form, and 4 had experienced peace of mind through prayer and meditation. Almost all of the patients who declared to have a religious faith and to be churchgoers explicitly affirmed to have been helped by prayer and meditation in coping with their illness. Among believer churchgoers, only 30% declared to seek out the religious or spiritual community when they needed help. Conclusions A large proportion of cancer patients find themselves involved with the search for a personal contact with the transcendent, also beyond any specific religious affiliation. These spiritual issues may be important even when they are not expressed as participation in religious rituals or adherence to specific religious beliefs. On the other hand, participation in religious rituals often implies the need for a personal spiritual life, both through those rituals and beyond them, as through personal prayer and meditation. These results ask for more attention on the part of professionals towards spiritual resources among cancer patients. It might be appropriate to look systematically for these resources from the moment of the diagnosis, through the sensitive administration of an easy and valid assessment tool like the SBI-15R.
Multifocal Capillary Hemangioma (Hemangiomatosis) of the Spleen
Authors: Ambrosio Maria Raffaella , Rocca Bruno Jim , Di Mari Nicoletta , Ambrosio Alessandra , Lazzi Stefano 
Published: February 2018

Background The spleen is mainly affected by benign tumors that originate from the vascular endothelium. The most common is hemangioma, which presents as a small, localized lesion. Isolated diffuse hemangiomatosis of the spleen is a rare entity in which the entire splenic parenchyma is replaced by a proliferation of neoplastic blood vessels. Here we illustrate the case of a 26-year-old man presenting with splenomegaly due to diffuse hemangiomatosis of the white pulp who underwent a splenectomy. Methods Representative samples of the spleen were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and immunohistochemical analysis was performed for Mib-1, CD20, CD30, CD15, CD34, CD31, CD8, factor VIII, D2–40, CD68PGM1, and LMP1. Results Macroscopically, the splenic parenchyma contained multiple, red-brown nodules ranging from 0.4 to 1.5 cm. Microscopically, the nodules were roundish and confluent with an angiomatoid appearance and high positivity for CD34 and factor VIII, while they were negative for D2–40. Conclusions The differential diagnosis of splenic tumors includes lymphangioma, lymphangiomatosis, peliosis, littoral cell angioma, hemangioendothelioma, hamartoma, angiomatoid transformation of the spleen, and angiosarcoma. It is debated whether diffuse hemangiomatosis is a malformation of the postsinusoidal venous system or a slowly growing neoplasm arising from the splenic sinuses. The positivity of the cavernous vessels for CD8 seems to be in favor of the malformative nature of the tumor.
Mirror Therapy for Phantom Limb Pain in An Adolescent Cancer Survivor
Authors: Clerici Carlo Alfredo , Spreafico Filippo , Cavallotti Gaia , Consoli Annalisa , Veneroni Laura , Sala Alessio , Massimino Maura 
Published: February 2018

Aims and Background Several pediatric tumors require mutilating procedures in order to be treated effectively. Although the pain caused by the surgery is usually of a transient nature, the perception of pain in the amputated limb may persist. This prolonged pain, which is often refractory to pain-killing medication, may severely affect the patient's quality of life. The phenomenon of phantom limb pain (or phantom limb syndrome) has been investigated using neurological, neurophysiological and psychopathological approaches. Here we discuss the advantages of an unconventional rehabilitation technique, the recently reported mirror therapy, whose positive effects might be due, according to some researchers, to neuronal plasticity mechanisms. Case Report We describe the use of mirror therapy to treat phantom limb syndrome in a 39-year-old patient whose right leg had been amputated at the age of 17 because of an osteosarcoma. The patient suffered from frequent episodes of pain, with severely negative effects on his quality of life. Results We obtained positive subjective feedback from the patient, who reported having benefited significantly from using the mirror. The beneficial effect was still present six months after the start of mirror therapy. Conclusions The reported case highlights the value of an integrated multidisciplinary approach including neurological/physiatric assessment, clinical psychological support, physiotherapy and other, unconventional treatment modalities. This report should guide future studies towards the application of mirror therapy in order to elucidate its effects and efficacy.
PET Scan Contribution in Chest Tumor Management: A Systematic Review for Thoracic Surgeons
Authors: Duranti Leonardo , Leo Francesco , Pastorino Ugo 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background In the 90s, the introduction of positron emission tomography (PET) represented a milestone in the staging of thoracic tumors. In the last 10 years, PET scan has been widely adopted in thoracic oncology, showing high accuracy in diagnosis and staging and with promising issues in defining prognosis. The aim of this systematic review was to focus on the results and pitfalls of PET scan use in the modern management of chest tumors. Methods and study design. The literature search was performed on May 2010 in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane according to PRISMA protocol. The search was restricted to publications in English, using in the same string the word “PET” with 9 different chest tumors; results were then filtered by eliminating technical articles, focusing only on papers in which surgery was considered as a potential diagnostic or therapeutic tool. From 6600 papers initially selected, 99 manuscripts were fully analyzed. Results Glucose uptake is a metabolic marker useful in the diagnosis and staging of chest tumors. In lung cancer screening, standard uptake value is helpful in defining the risk of malignancy of isolated pulmonary nodules. The addition of PET scan to conventional staging increases detection of nodal and distant metastases in lung cancer, esophageal cancer and malignant mesothelioma. In thymoma, a close relationship between standard uptake value, histology, and Masaoka stage has been advocated. This link between glucose uptake and prognosis suggests that PET translates biological tumor behavior into clinically detectable findings. Conclusions PET scan has a crucial role in thoracic oncology due to its impact on diagnosis, staging and prognosis. PET scan expresses the biological behavior of tumors, opening interesting perspectives in chest tumor management and improving detection and stage grouping in lung cancer. It anticipates the diagnosis in long-incubating diseases such as mesothelioma and increases biological knowledge of rare diseases, such as thymoma and other mediastinal tumors.
Effects of Combined Therapies on the Survival of Pleural Mesothelioma Patients Treated in Brescia, 1982–2006
Authors: Barbieri Pietro Gino , Marinaccio Alessandro , Ferrante Pierpaolo , Scarselli Alberto , Pinelli Valentina , Tassi Gianfranco 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background During the 1990's, the traditional unimodal treatments (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy) for malignant pleural mesothelioma started to be combined in bimodal or multimodal strategies. However, recent population-based analyses of the survival of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma indicate that even these treatments have not led to significant improvements in prognosis, which remains very poor. The present study assessed the survival of patients given combined treatments and multimodal therapies in a specialized hospital department. Methods The study population comprised 530 patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma from 1982 to 2006: 343 of them were residents in the province of Brescia (Lombardy, Northern Italy) and 187 were residents outside the province, with a follow-up to 31 December 2009. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and Cox proportional risks model were used to test sex, age at diagnosis, histological type and treatments, as prognostic factors. Results The estimated median survival for the whole group of patients was 317 days (257 for residents and 398 for non-residents), and respectively 310 and 340 days in the groups diagnosed in the periods 1982–2000 and 2001–2006. Multivariate analysis confirmed that the prognosis was better for younger patients and cases of epithelioid type malignant pleural mesothelioma, whereas for patients receiving any single treatment the prognosis was not significantly better than for those given palliative care alone. However, patients receiving combined treatments or the multimodality approach had significantly longer median survival and the relative risk of death was respectively 0.57 and 0.61 compared to untreated patients (or those only given symptomatic therapy). Conclusions This is the first study in Italy to assess the effectiveness of different treatment approaches in a significant number of patients treated in one hospital. Further studies are needed to confirm the improvement in prognosis – even if modest – on larger numbers of patients and taking into account the different stages of the disease.
Reactivation of Hepatitis B Virus Replication Due to Cytotoxic Therapy: A Five-Year Prospective Study
Authors: Francisci Daniela , Falcinelli Flavio , Schiaroli Elisabetta , Capponi Monia , Belfiori Barbara , Cecchini Enisia , Baldelli Franco 
Published: February 2018

Background and aims In hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers receiving chemotherapy, the risk of reactivation is high, particularly if rituximab is given alone or in combination with steroids. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence, prevalence, and clinical course of HBV infection in a cohort of patients with hematological malignancies receiving cytotoxic therapy as well as to propose a strategy for managing HBV reactivation. Methods This is a prospective observational study. All consecutive patients with hematological malignancies receiving intravenous cytotoxic chemotherapy between October 2005 and June 2010 and followed up for at least six months were enrolled in the study. Viral hepatitis markers and liver function indexes were monitored prospectively. Results We enrolled 478 patients, including 263 males (55%) and 465 (97.3%) Italians. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was the most frequent diagnosis (66%). At least one HBV marker was positive in 96 patients (20%): 21 (4.4%) patients were HBsAg positive, 17 (3.5%) were anti-HBc positive, and 58 (12.1%) were anti-HBc/anti-HBs positive. All but one HBsAg-positive patient received therapy with nucleoside/nucleotide analogs prior to chemotherapy. All but three reached complete virological suppression at six months from the start of treatment. Of the 17 HBsAg-negative/anti-HBc-positive patients, three (18%) had reactivation with seroreversion. All three obtained viral suppression with adefovir. Regarding the 58 anti-HBc/anti-HBs-positive patients, two (3.4%) experienced seroreversion and were treated successfully with nucleoside analogs; both were taking rituximab. No severe ALT flares were observed during or after antiviral therapy. Conclusion Our data suggest that pre-treatment screening of patients at risk of viral reactivation yields benefit and therefore should be practiced by clinicians treating patients with malignancies.
SET Oncogene is Upregulated in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Ekmekci Sema Sirma , Ekmekci Cumhur G , Kandilci Ayten , Gulec Cagri , Akbiyik Meral , Emrence Zeliha , Abaci Neslihan , Karakas Zeynep , Agaoglu Leyla , Unuvar Aysegul , Anak Sema , Devecioglu Omer , Ustek Duran , Grosveld Gerard , Ozbek Ugur 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background The SET gene is a target of chromosomal translocations in acute leukemia and encodes a widely expressed multifunctional phosphoprotein. It has been shown that SET is upregulated in BCR-ABL1-positive cell lines, patient-derived chronic myeloid leukemia CD34-positive cells, and some solid tumors. Methods and study design We determined the expression level of SET in 59 pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients who were BCR-ABL-negative using quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Results We showed that SET expression was significantly upregulated in 96.5% of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (28 of 29; 16.6 fold) and 93% of T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (28 of 30; 47.6 fold) patients. This upregulation was not associated with any clinical features or overall and relapse-free survival. Conclusions Our results showed that SET is significantly overexpressed in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia samples, and an increased level of SET might contribute to leukemic process.
Solitary Plasmacytoma of the Larynx Treated with Radiotherapy: A Case Report
Authors: Ravo Vincenzo , Calvanese Maria Grazia , Manzo Roberto , Cuomo Maria Grazia , Cammarota Fabrizio , Murino Paola , Muto Paolo 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background. Solitary plasmacytomas are rare tumors accounting for less than 10% of plasma cell neoplasms. On initial presentation they must be differentiated from multiple myeloma. This can be difficult because a high percentage of these tumors may be associated with subsequent development of multiple myeloma. We present a case of plasmacytoma of the larynx treated with surgery and radiotherapy. Case report. A 56-year-old man presented a solitary plasmacytoma of the larynx. The diagnosis was made by biopsy and the presence of a mass on the right side of the larynx was confirmed by computed tomography and whole-body positron-emission tomography. Soon after the biopsy the patient underwent a CO2 laser cordectomy. After the definitive histological confirmation, the patient was referred to our department for three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) to the involved site with curative intent. The prescribed dose was 50 Gy. Results. Five months after the 3DRTE treatment there was no CT or PET evidence of tumor, and examination by the otorhinolaryngologist confirmed the success of laser cordectomy and 3DRTE treatment. There were no long-term side effects of the treatment. Conclusion. Radiation therapy following CO2 laser cordectomy can achieve excellent locoregional control of solitary plasmacytoma of the larynx.
Electrochemotherapy for the Treatment of Recurrent Head and Neck Cancers: Preliminary Results
Authors: Mevio Niccolò , Bertino Giulia , Occhini Antonio , Scelsi Daniele , Tagliabue Marta , Mura Federica , Benazzo Marco 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background Electrochemotherapy is a tumor ablation modality providing delivery into the cell interior of impermeant or poorly permeant chemotherapeutic drugs such as cisplatin and bleomycin. A locally applied electrical field enhances the membrane permeability allowing intracellular accumulation of the chemotherapeutic agent. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ECT for the treatment of a group of patients affected by recurrent of extended primary head and neck cancer and not suitable for standard therapeutic options. Methods and study design From April 2009 to January 2011, we treated with electrochemotherapy a total of 15 patients with head and neck cancers, 13 with squamous cell carcinoma, 1 with basaloid carcinoma and 1 with Merkel cell carcinoma. Electrical pulses were delivered to 33 lesions (3 primaries, 30 recurrences) after an intravenous bolus injection of a dose of 15,000 IU/m2 of bleomycin. In 3 cases, the lesion treated was a pathologic lymph node. Results Of the 31 lesions assessable for the study, 19 (61.5%) showed a complete response, 10 (32.5%) a partial response, 1 (3%) stable disease and 1 (3%) progression of the disease. The objective response 2 months after the procedure was 94%. All the lesions that underwent complete regression were less than 3 cm in their maximum diameter. The 2 assessable cases of pathologic lymph nodes showed a partial or no response. After a follow-up of 2 to 20 months, 29% of the patients were alive and free of disease, 50% were alive with disease, 14% died for disease and 7% died for other causes. Conclusions Our study confirms the effectiveness of electrochemotherapy in the treatment or local control of recurrent or extended primary head and neck cancer in patients not suitable for standard therapeutic options.
Axillary Lymph Node Dissection in Patients with Breast Cancer and Sentinel Lymph Node Micrometastasis or Isolated Tumor Cells: Is it Necessary?
Authors: Attene Federico , Paliogiannis Panagiotis , Scognamillo Fabrizio , Trignano Emilio , Pala Carlo , Trignano Mario 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background Sentinel lymph node biopsy is the standard method for axillary lymph node staging in patients with early stage breast cancer. The aim of the study was to evaluate the necessity of axillary lymph node dissection in patients with breast cancer and sentinel lymph node micrometastasis or isolated tumor cells. Methods Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed in 136 patients for breast cancer staging: 16 of them (11.7%) were found to have micrometastasis or isolated tumor cells and underwent axillary lymph node dissection. Micrometastases were considered when tumor invasion was <2 mm and >0.2 mm in diameter and isolated tumor cells when detected alone or in clusters of <0.2 mm in diameter. The dissection of the three axillary lymph node levels of Berg was performed in all cases. Results Two patients (12.5%) presented isolated tumor cells and 14 (87.5%) micrometastasis in the sentinel lymph node. Among them, 25% presented nonsentinel axillary lymph node tumor invasion, whereas 75% had no further nodal involvement. Conclusions Results suggest that micrometastasis or isolated tumor cells of the sentinel lymph node represent the only site of cancer involvement of the axilla, especially in patients with early breast tumors, and that axillary lymph node dissection may be unnecessary in these cases and represent an overtreatment.
Long-Term Side Effects and Cosmetic Outcome in a Pool of Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Intraoperative Radiotherapy with Electrons as Sole Treatment
Authors: Leonardi Maria Cristina , Ivaldi Giovanni Battista , Santoro Luigi , Lazzari Roberta , Ferrari Annamaria , Morra Anna , Caldarella Pietro , Burgoa Loredana , Bassi Fabio Domenico , Sangalli Claudia , Rotmensz Nicole , Luini Alberto , Veronesi Umberto , Orecchia Roberto 
Published: February 2018

Aims To evaluate late toxicity and cosmetic outcome after intraoperative radiotherapy using electrons (ELIOT) as sole treatment modality in early breast cancer patients. Methods A total of 119 patients selected randomly among 1200 cases was analyzed. Late toxicities were documented using the LENT-SOMA scoring system, cosmesis was evaluated with the Harvard scale, and a numeric rating scale was used to assess symptoms. Results After a median follow-up of 71 months, grade II fibrosis was observed in 38 patients (31.9%) and grade III fibrosis in 7 patients (5.9%). Postoperative complications (12.6%) did not correlate with late toxicity. Physicians and patients scored cosmesis as excellent or good in 84% and 77.3% of the cases, respectively. Patient satisfaction was higher than 90%. Conclusions In the study, ELIOT gives low and acceptable long-term toxicity. A longer follow-up and a larger number of patients are needed to confirm these promising results.