Oxidative stress induces B lymphocyte DNA damage and apoptosis by upregulating p66shc.

OBJECTIVE: B lymphoma is a type of malignant tumor originating from the lymphatic hematopoietic system. The pathogenesis and treatment methods are not clear. The change of oxidative stress is closely related to the cell DNA damage and cell apoptosis, which may be served as a target for cancer treatment. This study aims to illustrate the role of oxidative stress in the regulation of B lymphocytoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The tumor tissue was collected from patients with B lymphocytoma. The p66shc level was detected by Western blot. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was assessed by the kit. The oxidative stress model of B lymphoma cell was established by H2O2 treatment. ROS inhibitor or RNAi was used to regulate ROS level. ROS level was determined by flow cytometry. 8-OHdG level (DNA damage product) was tested by the kit. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by annexin V-PI. RESULTS: P66shc expression was significantly reduced, while H2O2 production was significantly decreased in the tumor tissue of B lymphoma compared with adjacent normal control. H2O2 stimulation markedly elevated ROS level and p66shc expression (p < 0.05), accompanied by the aggravation of DNA damage and increase of apoptosis. ROS inhibitor or p66shc RNAi treatment significantly attenuated DNA damage and declined cell apoptosis (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ROS production promoted p66shc expression, induced DNA damage, and facilitated cell apoptosis. Upregulation of p66shc by oxidative stress could be treated as a new therapeutic target for B lymphoma.

Reprogramming cancer cells: back to the future.

Reprogramming healthy somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with four defined factors (Oct4, Sox2, c-Myc and Klf4) has been intensively investigated. However, reprogramming diseased cells such as cancer cells has fallen much behind. In this issue of Oncogene, Zhang et al. demonstrated that reprogrammed sarcoma cells with defined factors, as well as Nanog and Lin28, lost their tumorigenicity and dedifferentiated to mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)-like cells that can be terminally differentiated into mature connective tissues and red blood cells, suggesting sarcoma cells may be reversed back to a stage of common ancestor iPSC bifurcating for HSC and MSC ontogeny. It may, therefore, provide a novel strategy for cancer treatment via ancestor pluripotency induction.

Association of nuclear factor κB expression with a poor outcome in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between nuclear factor κB and the prognosis of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. We used immunohistochemical studies to examine nuclear factor κB expression in 42 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The results showed that tumors positive for nuclear factor κB were associated with an increased relapse potential, poor disease-free survival, and reduced overall survival in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Our study indicates that nuclear factor κB could be an independent molecular marker for predicting poor prognosis among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Understanding the biology of nuclear factor κB-mediated pathways may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Clinical evaluation on controlling postoperative recurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma by intracavity brachytherapy.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the clinical outcome and factors influencing postoperative intracavity brachytherapy in treating oral squamous cell carcinoma. As a part of their primary treatment, 108 patients received postoperative intracavity brachytherapy only and 85 patients received postoperative intracavity brachytherapy with external radiotherapy. 78 patients were given surgical treatment alone as a control. The survival rates and local tumor control rates were calculated and the therapeutic effects of various treatment methods compared. Overall 5- and 10-year survival rates for patients receiving surgical treatment alone, postoperative intracavity brachytherapy with or without external radiotherapy were 59% and 17%, 73% and 47%, 78% and 57%, respectively. The corresponding local tumor control rates were 53% and 51%, 73% and 71%, 75% and 73%, respectively. Surgical treatment with postoperative intracavity brachytherapy controlled tumor recurrence effectively (p<0.01) and improved survival rates (p<0.01). UICC stages, grading and tumor site had an important influence on overall survival and local tumor control rates. Local tumor excision followed by postoperative intracavity brachytherapy achieved good local tumor control and survival rate, and may be considered as a new and routine treatment for oral cancer.

Radiographic features of cauda equina syndrome complicating ankylosing spondylitis.

Cauda equina syndrome is an uncommon complication of ankylosing spondylitis. The characteristics of this disease, as shown by plain radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a 56-year-old man, are described. The MRI features are pathognomonic, allowing accurate noninvasive diagnosis of the disorder.

Double-blind randomized controlled trial of flurbiprofen-SR (ANSAID-SR) and diclofenac sodium-SR (Voltaren-SR) in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

A six week, double-blind, randomized, parallel group, multicentre study was conducted in 85 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and hip to compare the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of Flurbiprofen-SR 200 mg with Diclofenac Sodium-SR 100 mg. Between group comparisons, based on change scores from baseline, we detected no significant differences between the two drugs with respect to efficacy for the majority of outcome measures. There was no significant difference between the groups in the proportion of patients experiencing at least one adverse medical event or in terminations from treatment. We conclude that Flurbiprofen-SR 200 mg is similar in efficacy, tolerability, and safety to Diclofenac Sodium-SR in this trial.

Psoriatic arthritis: risk factors for patients with psoriasis - a study based on histocompatibility antigen frequencies.

Histocompatibility antigen frequencies were studied in a group of 100 patients with psoriatic arthritis (PSA) and were compared to a group of 80 patients whose psoriasis was restricted to skin lesions (PSC). The antigens B13, BW57 (17), CW6 were significantly increased in PSC while BW57 (17), BW39, CW6 and CW7 were increased in PSA. No DR or MT antigen was elevated in frequency when compared to normal controls. The significant information which results from this study includes: 1) a failure to confirm previous reports on HLA-DR antigen increased frequencies; 2) an association, in this population, of BW39 with PSA and not BW38; 3) finding of a closer link of PSC and PSA with HLA-C rather than HLA-B antigens; 4) an estimate of relative risk for patients with PSC to develop PSA.

[Not Available]. / Le lupus erythémateux disséminé: guide au diagnostic et au traitement.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the connective tissue, affecting many organs of the body. The cause of SLE remains unknown, but the results of recent immunologic research have enlighted the characteristics of this disease and have contributed to improve the prognosis over the years. The renal and central nervous system involvement, as well as infection, remain high in the list of mortality causes. The usual treatment includes acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), antimalarials and corticosteroids. Main factors known to induce SLE are: sun exposures, pregnancy, therapeutic abortion, infection and several drugs.