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Abstract: Increasing amounts of evidence have indicated the important role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in tumorigenesis and relapse. Metastasis is a key biological characteristic of malignant tumors. How cancer cells spread from the original tumor into the circulation and then infiltrate distant organs remains a topic of debate. Moreover, understanding the differences between metastasized and non-metastasized cancer cells is the key to develop strategies to block metastasis. In this review, we summarized the development of the CSC theory related to tumor metastasis over the last two decades. Keywords: CSCs, cancer metastasis, immune escape, angiogenesis, drug resistance, cancer therapy.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: We have previously demonstrated that carnitine deficiency aggravated paracetamol-induced hepatopathy and carboplatin-induced nephropathy. As a continuum, we have addressed in the current study as to whether carboplatin-induced myelosuppression would be exacerbated by carnitine deficiency. Challenging male Wistar rats with a single dose of carboplatin (35 mg/kg, IP) induced bone marrow suppression manifested as anemia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia as well as increased frequencies of the micronucleated bone marrow cells; MPCE and MNCE with notable reduction in the P/N ratio. The platinum drug also elevated serum TNF-a and reduced serum free and total carnitine levels. Besides, ATP levels in red and T cells were lowered. Likewise, the mitochondrial membrane potential in T lymphocytes was reduced following the use of the potentiometric dye; JC-1, and this was well correlated with cellular ATP production. Carnitine deficiency exacerbated carboplatin myelotoxicity as it exaggerated all biochemical, hematological and cytogenetic parameters. To address as to whether carnitine deficiency was a causative clue or merely a sequel of carboplatin myelotoxicity, L-carnitine was supplemented ahead of carboplatin challenege. Herein, L-carnitine mitigated all the biochemical, hematological and cytogenetic effects possibly via modulating the release of TNF-a, cellular ATP production and restoring the mitochondrial membrane potential. Irrespective of the mechanisms involved, the current results may afford the potential role for carnitine supplementation as add-on nutraceutical in carboplatin-based chemotherapy. Keywords: Carboplatin, Carnitine, Myelosuppression, Micronucleus Assay, TNF-α, ATP Mitochondrial membrane potential.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: Metastases are the major culprits behind most cancer-related death and the central challenge to the eradication of a malignancy. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have the potential to help us understand how metastases form, to be utilized for cancer diagnosis and treatment selection and even to be targeted for cancer treatment. Many advances have been made regarding the isolation of these rare cells. However, several challenges and limitations in CTC analysis still exist. Multiple color immunofluorescence, genetic analysis (e.g. Fluorescence in situ Hybridization, microarray and next generation sequencing) and CTC culture will be effective tools to study CTCs and provide information on metastatic mechanism and clinical implication. In this review, we discuss the importance of CTC study in understanding cancer metastasis and their potential clinical application as biomarkers to predict cancer progression and treatment response, as well as the current situation for CTC isolation and analysis. Keywords: Circulating tumor cells, metastases, genetic alterations, biomarkers, prognosis, treatment response.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: We report a very rare case of coexistence of non-keratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma and follicular lymphoma in nasopharynx. A 52-year-old woman was admitted in our hospital because of painless enlarged bilateral cervical mass. Nasopharyngoscopy revealed a nasopharyngeal mass, and biopsy showed follicular lymphoma cells infiltrating non-keratinizing squamous carcinoma. The patient underwent combined treatment which targeted two tumors and was alive without any progression in one-year follow up. Keywords: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, follicular lymphoma.Download Full Article |
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