Chemotherapy and Metabolic Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of Molecular Pathways and Clinical Outcomes.

Cancer therapies, notably chemotherapy, have significantly improved survival rates and quality of life for many patients. However, chemotherapy's cytotoxic effects also impact normal cells, leading to adverse effects, including metabolic disturbances. This paper explores the link between chemotherapy and metabolic syndrome, a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Understanding the predictors, such as specific chemotherapy regimens, patient characteristics, comorbid conditions, lifestyle factors, and genetic variations, is crucial for formulating personalized care plans and preventive strategies. Research indicates that older age, female gender, pre-existing diabetes, and baseline obesity are significant predictors of metabolic syndrome in cancer patients. Chemotherapy-induced molecular changes, including insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue fibrosis, contribute to the development of this syndrome. Effective management strategies require a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating lifestyle interventions, pharmacological treatments, and regular monitoring. This paper underscores the importance of personalized medicine in mitigating the risks associated with metabolic syndrome and improving long-term health outcomes for cancer survivors. Future research directions include longitudinal studies to track metabolic health over time, mechanistic studies to uncover the molecular pathways involved, and the development of integrative therapies. By adopting comprehensive care models, healthcare providers can enhance the overall quality of life for cancer survivors, addressing both cancer and metabolic health challenges.

Cyclical Exacerbation of Asthma Symptoms in Relation to the Menstrual Cycle: A Case Report on Catamenial Asthma.

Catamenial asthma, marked by cyclical exacerbations of symptoms linked to the menstrual cycle, poses distinctive diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This report discusses a 34-year-old woman who experienced significant asthma flare-ups 3-5 days before menstruation, as confirmed by spirometry (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) dropped from 2.5 to 1.75 liters). Despite adhering to standard asthma treatments, her symptoms remained poorly controlled during these periods. A comprehensive management plan encompassing inhaled corticosteroids, short-acting beta-agonists, montelukast, and oral contraceptives, along with lifestyle modifications and patient education, led to a significant improvement in FEV1 and reduced symptom severity. This case underscores the need for personalized treatment strategies that take hormonal influences into account, suggesting that integrating hormonal therapies with conventional asthma management can yield significant benefits.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Signaling in Prostate Cancer Therapy: A Review of Implications for Anti-androgen Treatment Strategies and Resistance.

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in men, frequently exhibiting resistance to conventional anti-androgen therapies. This review investigates the emerging significance of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in prostate cancer, focusing on its role in modulating androgen receptor (AR) signaling and its potential as a therapeutic target. AhR, traditionally known for detoxifying harmful compounds, has been increasingly recognized for its dual capacity to either enhance or inhibit AR activity based on cellular context and specific coactivators. Furthermore, AhR influences tumor progression independently of AR by regulating genes involved in cell cycle control and apoptosis. This narrative review synthesizes current research on AhR's multifaceted roles in prostate cancer, evaluates its potential as a biomarker, and discusses the therapeutic implications of targeting AhR, particularly for hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Our findings underscore the necessity for personalized AhR-targeted therapies and advocate for continued clinical research to fully leverage AhR's therapeutic potential.

A Rare Case of Right Atrial Thrombus in a Patient With Recurrent Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Patients with cancer are at risk for thrombotic complications due to a hypercoagulable state. However, the benefit of prophylactic anticoagulation is unclear in many subsets of these patients. For the first episode of acute thromboembolic disease (VTE) in patients with active cancer, anticoagulant therapy is administered for at least three to six months. Herein, we present a 31-year-old female with active, recurrent stage IIIa classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) (nodular sclerosis), previously treated for proximal upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT), presenting for evaluation of shortness of breath and eventually diagnosed with bilateral pulmonary embolism (PE) secondary to a right atrial thrombus. The patient was successfully treated with surgical resection of the thrombus. With this case report, we hope to encourage physicians to use prophylactic indefinite anticoagulation in patients with active cancer and previous DVT, including patients with upper extremity DVT.

Association between Multiple Myeloma and Ulcerative Colitis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell dyscrasia that is common among patients with autoimmune diseases. However, the association between ulcerative colitis (UC) and multiple myeloma (MM) is yet to be established. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of MM among patients with UC in the United States. METHODS: This cross-sectional cohort analysis used the National Inpatient Sample from 2015-2018 to assess the overall MM prevalence among patients with and without UC, and within specific demographic subgroups. Prevalences were compared using a logistic regression model controlling for sex and age. RESULTS: The crude prevalence of MM among patients with UC (n = 1750) compared with patients without UC (n = 366,265) was 0.44% vs. 0.37%, respectively. Patients with UC had increased overall odds of having MM (odds ratio (OR), 1.26). Males with UC had higher prevalence of MM (53.7% vs. 46.3%, respectively) than females. Patients with UC and MM were more likely to be African American than White (15.6% vs. 9.2%, respectively). Patients with UC age >64 had a higher prevalence of MM than those aged below 65 (70.9% vs. 29.1%, respectively). Patients with UC who were obese (BMI > 30) had a higher prevalence of MM than those who were non-obese (12.6% vs. 8.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, UC appears to be associated with MM. This association can be particularly observed in specific demographic groups, such as obese, African American males, or patients >64 years of age. Thus, a high degree of clinical suspicion for MM is warranted, even with minimal symptomatology, in patients with UC, in particular among elder, obese, and African American males.