Image Quality and Dose Comparison of Single-Energy CT (SECT) and Dual-Energy CT (DECT).

CT and its comprehensive usage have become one of the most indispensable components in medical field especially in the diagnosis of several diseases. SECT and DECT have developed CT diagnostic potentials in several means. In this review article we have discussed the basic principles of single-energy and dual-energy computed tomography and their important physical differences which can cause better diagnostic evaluation. Moreover, different organs diagnostic evaluations through single-energy and dual-energy computed tomography have been discussed. Conventional or single-energy CT (SECT) uses a single polychromatic X-ray beam (ranging from 70 to 140 kVp with a standard of 120 kVp) emitted from a single source and received by a single detector. The concept of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is almost as old as the CT technology itself; DECT initially required substantially higher radiation doses (nearly two times higher than those employed in single-energy CT) and presented problems associated with spatial misregistration of the two different kV image datasets between the two separate acquisitions. The basic principles of single-energy and dual-energy computed tomography and their important physical differences can cause better diagnostic evaluation. Moreover, different organs diagnostic evaluations through single-energy and dual-energy computed tomography have been discussed. According to diverse data and statistics it is controversial to definitely indicate the accurate comparison of image quality and dose amount.

MLN4924 and 2DG combined treatment enhances the efficiency of radiotherapy in breast cancer cells.

PURPOSE: Two-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) causes cytotoxicity in the cancer cells by disrupting the thiol metabolism, and MLN4924 inactivates the SCF E3 ligase and so causes the accumulation of its substrates which trigger apoptosis and hence might enhance the efficiency of radiotherapy and overcame on the radioresistance of the cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SKBR3 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells were treated with 500 µM 2DG and/or MLN4924 (30, 100, 200 and 300 nM), and in combination in the presence and absence of 1, 1.5 and 2 Gy gamma irradiation. The effects of the treatments - 2DG, MLN4924, irradiation alone and combined - on MCF-7 and SKBR3 cell lines were evaluated by MTT assay, TUNEL assay, cell death detection, Q-PCR for caspase-3 and Bcl-2 expression analysis, and finally clonogenic survival assay. RESULTS: The treatments enhanced the further radio cytotoxicity via inducing the apoptosis cell signaling gene, caspase-3. The 2DG and MLN4924 treatments could act as a radiosensitizer, especially on the SKBR3 cells, and further sensitized the cells with a sensitivity enhancement ratio (SER) of 1.41 and 1.27 in SKBR3 and MCF-7 cells, respectively. CONCLUSION: The combined chemo-radiotherapy might improve the breast cancer treatment outcome.

MLN4924 therapy as a novel approach in cancer treatment modalities.

MLN4924 is an investigational and a newly discovered small molecule that is a potent and selective inhibitor of the NEDD8 (Neural precursor cell-Expressed Developmentally down-regulated 8) Activating Enzyme (NAE), a pivotal regulator of the Cullin Ring Ligases E3 (CRL), which has been implicated recently in DNA damage. MLN4924 effectively inhibits tumour cell growth by inducing all three common types of death, namely apoptosis, autophagy and senescence and it was also reported that the formation of capillary vessels was significantly suppressed by MLN4924.In this review, we are going to highlight the molecular mechanism of MLN4924 in cancer therapy and its pros and cons in cancer therapy.

High Efficiency Apoptosis Induction in Breast Cancer Cell Lines by MLN4924/2DG Co-Treatment.

2-deoxy-D-Glucose (2DG) causes cytotoxicity in cancer cells by disrupting thiol metabolism. It is an effective component in therapeutic strategies. It targets the metabolism of cancer cells with glycolysis inhibitory activity. On the other hand, MLN4924, a newly discovered investigational small molecule inhibitor of NAE (NEDD8 activating enzyme), inactivates SCF E3 ligase and causes accumulation of its substrates which triggers apoptosis. Combination of these components might provide a more efficient approach to treatment. In this research, 2DG and MLN4924 were co-applied to breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and SKBR-3) and cytotoxic and apoptotic activity were evaluated the by Micro culture tetrazolium test (MTT), TUNEL and ELISA methods. Caspase3 and Bcl2 genes expression were evaluated by real time Q-PCR methods. The results showed that MLN4924 and MLN4924/2DG dose-dependently suppressed the proliferation of MCF7 and SKBR-3 cells. Cell survival of breast cancer cells exposed to the combination of 2DG/MLN4924 was decreased significantly compared to controls (p<0.05), while 2DG and MLN4924 alone had less pronounced effects on the cells. The obtained results suggest that 2DG/MLN4924 is much more efficient in breast cancer cell lines with enhanced cytotoxicity via inducing a apoptosis cell signaling gene, caspase-3.