S-allylcysteine induces cytotoxic effects in two human lung cancer cell lines via induction of oxidative damage, downregulation of Nrf2 and NF-κB, and apoptosis.

In this study, we investigated the putative cytotoxic effect elicited by the garlic-derived compound S-allylcysteine (SAC) in two human cancer cell lines (HCC827 and NCI-H1975) in order to develop an experimental approach to the therapeutic potential of this molecule for lung cancer. Cells were incubated for 24, 48 and 72 h in the presence of SAC (10 or 20 mM), which resulted in a concentration- and time-dependent decrease in cell viability and culture confluence in both cell lines. These effects were contrasted with - and validated through - those observed in an immortalized but nontumorigenic epithelial cell line from human bronchial epithelium (BEAS-2B, negative control) and an adenocarcinoma human alveolar basal epithelial cell line (A549, positive control). SAC (20 mM at 72 h) also increased the oxidative damage to lipids, augmented apoptosis, and decreased the expression of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) proteins in HCC827 and NCI-H1975 cells. Our results establish the efficacy of SAC in reducing malignant growth and proliferation of lung tumor cells. This effect is mediated by the induction of oxidative damage associated with the downregulation of Nrf2 and NF-κB and their corresponding signaling pathways.

A pharmacoeconomic analysis of the collection and preservation of samples in the biobank of the "Instituto Nacional de Cancerología" in Mexico City.

In this work we estimated the budgetary impact of the samples produced by the biobank of the "Instituto Nacional de Cancerología" (BT-INCan) to set a recuperation fee from the perspective of the Health Ministry of Mexico. The study is an observational retrospective review of the direct medical costs (DMCs) of the processes involved in cryopreservation of the samples collected, on a per sample basis, including materials, laboratory tests, personnel, and administrative costs. Materials and labor costs were determined by information collected from the BT-INCan. DMCs were provided depending on the type of sample: plasma, tissue and biopsy; they were calculated according to the process required to preserve them. Sensitivity analysis was performed using bootstrap. Recuperation costs ranged from 130 to 155 USD. Costs were considered on a 5-year time frame for the maintenance per sample, which is the average time that a sample is kept in the BT-INCan. The cost analysis is perceived as an approximation to the most adequate recuperation fee per sample needed to guarantee the correct development of the BT-INCan. This work provides a basis and valuable information about costs, to enable several health institutions to strategically plan and manage a biobank or even motivate to establish their own biobank.

Variants Identified in the HOXC13 and HOXD13 Genes Suggest Association with Cervical Cancer in a Cohort of Mexican Women.

HOX genes have been associated with carcinogenesis. However, the molecular mechanism by which tumors are generated remains unclear. The HOXC13 and HOXD13 genes are of interest for their involvement in the development of genitourinary structures. The aim of this first study in the Mexican population was to search for and analyze variants in the coding region of the HOXC13 and HOXD13 genes in women with cervical cancer. Samples from Mexican women with cervical cancer and healthy women were sequenced (50/50). Allelic and genotypic frequencies were compared between groups. The functional impact of the proteins was determined with two bioinformatics servers (SIFT and PolyPhen-2), and the oncogenic potential of the identified nonsynonymous variants was determined using the CGI server. We identified five unreported gene variants: c.895C>A p.(Leu299Ile) and c.777C>T p.(Arg259Arg) in the HOXC13 gene and c.128T>A p.(Phe43Tyr), c.204G>A p.(Ala68Ala), and c.267G>A p.(Ser89Ser) in the HOXD13 gene. In this study, we suggest that the non-synonymous variants c.895C>A p.(Leu299Ile) and c.128T>A p.(Phe43Tyr) could represent a risk factor for the development of the disease, although additional studies in larger patient populations and in different ethnic groups are needed in order to support the results observed.

[Main malignant neoplasms in Mexico and their geographic distribution, 1993-2002]. / Principales neoplasias malignas en México y su distribución geográfica (1993-2002).

UNLABELLED: INTRODUCCION: Cancer is one of the main causes of death worldwide. In Mexico it represents the third cause of death. OBJECTIVE. To know the frequency and distribution of the malignancies diagnosed in Mexico during 10 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From the data-base of the histopathological register of malignant neoplasms in Mexico, was obtained a descriptive analysis from the period 1993-2002. The variables included were: city and federative entity of residence, age, sex, anatomical region and histopathologic diagnosis. From the 12 more common malignant neoplasms a descriptive demographic analysis was performed adjusted by four regions: Center, North, South and Federal District. RESULTS: A total of 767,464 cases with cancer were reported. In order of frequency were: cervix-uterine cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lymphomas, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, sarcomas, ovary cancer, lung cancer, leukemias, urinary bladder cancer and uterine body. Seventy-two percent were diagnosed in women and 28% in men, the reason for a ratio W:M of 2.5:1. The states more developed and industrialized, near to United States had the majority of cases from breast, prostate, ovary and lung cancer. CONCLUSION: There is a distinctive distribution type of malignant tumors in Mexico, according to the region of residence. It absolutely is necessary to developed population based cancer registries. These are the best instruments to better understand the magnitude of cancer, and evaluate incidence, survival and mortality.

Hybrid tumours of the salivary glands. A report of two cases involving the palate and a review of the literature.

Hybrid tumours are very rare salivary gland lesions composed of two or more different tumoural entities in a single neoplasm that arise within a definite topographical region. In most cases adenoid cystic carcinoma has been the predominant component in these lesions. In this study we describe two patients with hybrid tumours located in the palate, one in a 49-year-old woman and one in a 71-year-old man. The first case involved adenoid cystic carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and the patient in the second case exhibited adenoid cystic carcinoma and epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma. Both patients were treated with surgery and radiotherapy, and there has been no evidence of recurrence after 13 and 36 months of follow-up, respectively. The recognition of the histologic component with the higher grade of malignancy in every case of hybrid tumour of the salivary glands is a necessary step to determine the biological behaviour and, consequently, to determine the proper therapeutic approach.

El manejo de los paragangliomas en el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología / Management of the parangangliomas in the Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia

Los paragangliomas son tumores cuyas células se derivan del sistema extraadrenal cromafín. Se le conoce por una variedad de nombres que incluyen glomus, quemodectomas y glomerulocitomas. Ocurren con mayor frecuencia en el cuerpo carotídeo, en la mujer y en personas que viven en ciudades ubicadas en altitud elevada. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo para evaluar las formas de diagnóstico y manejo de esta tumoración en el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología de la Ciudad de México. Se reportan 31 casos que ocurrieron exclusivamente en mujeres. La localización más frecuente fue en el cuerpo carotídeo (90.3 por ciento). El estudio de imagen más utilizado fue la tomografía computada (61.3 por ciento) seguido de la angiografía (51.6 por ciento). El tratamiento de elección fue la resección quirúrgica (81.8 por ciento), seguido de la radioterapia (6.1 por ciento); cuatro casos rechazaron tratamiento (12.1 por ciento). Con estas modalidades de tratamiento no se registraron defunciones ni secuelas y todos los pacientes se encuentran vivos en la actualidad.

Mixoma odontogénico: presentacion de dos casos / Odontogenic mixoma: presentation of two cases

Dos casos de mixoma en maxilar son descritos. Estos fueron encontrados durante la presencia de edema en maxilar izquierdo, en el primer caso y, por examen dental por persistencia del incisivo lateral superior, en el segundo caso. Los tumores fueron examinados por microscopia de luz, histoquímica, inmunohistoquímica y radiológicamente. Células estrelladas con procesos ramificantes inmersas en abundantes cantidades de mucopolisacáridos ácidos se encontraron. En el segundo caso, un odontoma compuesto con islas de epitelio odontogénico fue identificado. Debido a su morfología, debe diferenciarse de la hiperplasia folicular y de algunos sarcomas con material mixoide. Los dos tumores fueron positivos a filamentos de vimentina y negativos a PS-100. El tratamiento, en ambos casos consistió en resección quirúrgica y después de 14 y ocho meses de seguimiento, respectivamente, no hay evidencia de recurrencias.Palabras clave: Mixoma. Mixoma odontogénico. Neoplasias mixoides