Novel Bi-Factorial Strategy against Candida albicans Viability Using Carnosic Acid and Propolis: Synergistic Antifungal Action.

The potential fungicidal action of the natural extracts, carnosic acid (obtained from rosemary) and propolis (from honeybees' panels) against the highly prevalent yeast Candida albicans, used herein as an archetype of pathogenic fungi, was tested. The separate addition of carnosic acid and propolis on exponential cultures of the standard SC5314 C. albicans strain caused a moderate degree of cell death at relatively high concentrations. However, the combination of both extracts, especially in a 1:4 ratio, induced a potent synergistic pattern, leading to a drastic reduction in cell survival even at much lower concentrations. The result of a mathematical analysis by isobologram was consistent with synergistic action of the combined extracts rather than a merely additive effect. In turn, the capacity of SC5314 cells to form in vitro biofilms was also impaired by the simultaneous presence of both agents, supporting the potential application of carnosic acid and propolis mixtures in the prevention and treatment of clinical infections as an alternative to antibiotics and other antifungal agents endowed with reduced toxic side effects.

DNA Methylation of miR-7 is a Mechanism Involved in Platinum Response through MAFG Overexpression in Cancer Cells.

One of the major limitations associated with platinum use is the resistance that almost invariably develops in different tumor types. In the current study, we sought to identify epigenetically regulated microRNAs as novel biomarkers of platinum resistance in lung and ovarian cancers, the ones with highest ratios of associated chemo-resistance. Methods: We combined transcriptomic data from microRNA and mRNA under the influence of an epigenetic reactivation treatment in a panel of four paired cisplatin -sensitive and -resistant cell lines, followed by real-time expression and epigenetic validations for accurate candidate selection in 19 human cancer cell lines. To identify specific candidate genes under miRNA regulation, we assembled "in silico" miRNAs and mRNAs sequences by using ten different algorithms followed by qRT-PCR validation. Functional assays of site-directed mutagenesis and luciferase activity, miRNAs precursor overexpression, silencing by antago-miR and cell viability were performed to confirm their specificity in gene regulation. Results were further explored in 187 primary samples obtained from ovarian tumors and controls. Results: We identified 4 candidates, miR-7, miR-132, miR-335 and miR-148a, which deregulation seems to be a common event in the development of resistance to cisplatin in both tumor types. miR-7 presented specific methylation in resistant cell lines, and was associated with poorer prognosis in ovarian cancer patients. Our experimental results strongly support the direct regulation of MAFG through miR-7 and their involvement in the development of CDDP resistance in human tumor cells. Conclusion: The basal methylation status of miR-7 before treatment may be a potential clinical epigenetic biomarker, predictor of the chemotherapy outcome to CDDP in ovarian cancer patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report linking the regulation of MAFG by miRNA-7 and its role in chemotherapy response to CDDP. Furthermore, this data highlights the possible role of MAFG as a novel therapeutic target for platinum resistant tumors.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a paradigm of innate immune cross-tolerance.

Infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The pathogenesis of infections is multifactorial and includes hypogammaglobulinemia, conventional therapy with alkylating drugs, and recently, purine analogs and mAb-associated T cells. Patients without these risk factors also suffer from infections, although the mechanism remains unknown. In a cohort of 70 patients with CLL, we demonstrated that their monocytes were locked into a refractory state and were unable to mount a classic inflammatory response to pathogens. In addition, they exhibited the primary features of endotoxin tolerance, including low cytokine production, high phagocytic activity, and impaired Ag presentation. The involvement of miR-146a in this phenomenon was suspected. We found miR-146a target genes, such as IRAK1 and TRAF6, were manifestly downregulated. Our study provides a new explanation for infections in patients with CLL and describes a cross-tolerance between endotoxins and tumors.

(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography accuracy in the staging of non-small cell lung cancer: review and cost-effectiveness.

Aim of the performed clinical study was to compare the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of PET/CT in the staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Material and Methods. Cross-sectional and prospective study including 103 patients with histologically confirmed NSCLC. All patients were examined using PET/CT with intravenous contrast medium. Those with disease stage ≤IIB underwent surgery (n = 40). Disease stage was confirmed based on histology results, which were compared with those of PET/CT and positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) separately. 63 patients classified with ≥IIIA disease stage by PET/CT did not undergo surgery. The cost-effectiveness of PET/CT for disease classification was examined using a decision tree analysis. Results. Compared with histology, the accuracy of PET/CT for disease staging has a positive predictive value of 80%, a negative predictive value of 95%, a sensitivity of 94%, and a specificity of 82%. For PET alone, these values are 53%, 66%, 60%, and 50%, whereas for CT alone they are 68%, 86%, 76%, and 72%, respectively. Incremental cost-effectiveness of PET/CT over CT alone was €17,412 quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). Conclusion. In our clinical study, PET/CT using intravenous contrast medium was an accurate and cost-effective method for staging of patients with NSCLC.

Expression profile as predictor of relapse after adjuvant treatment in gastric cancer.

INTRODUCTION: TNM and histological subtype are the most important prognostic criteria in gastric cancer. In this study, we have tried to identify an immunohistochemical protein profile involved in gastric recurrence after a radical surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this paper, protein panels involved in gastric carcinogenesis and progression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry expression: p53, Ki-67, Bcl-2, COX-2, c-erb-B2, EPO-R, E-cadherin, and ß-catenin in 44 gastrectomy samples coming from gastrectomy pieces of patients diagnosed and operated on adenocarcinoma of the stomach followed by adjuvant treatment based on MacDonald chemoradiation regimen. An immunostaining profile that could predict the relapse after the end of adjuvant treatment was tried to find. These results have shown that the expression of the adverse prognostic protein profile based on positive p53 immunohistochemical expression and non-conserved E-cadherin/B-catenin staining is associated with tumor recurrence and a poor disease-free survival in operated gastric cancer patients with curative intent followed by adjuvant chemoradiation according to MacDonald's regimen. A protein profile based on immunohistochemical expression of p53 and E-cadherin-B-catenin that has a significant correlation to disease-free survival was identified in gastric cancer samples.

Chemotherapy for colorectal cancer in the elderly: Whom to treat and what to use.

The median age at diagnosis of colorectal cancer is during the seventh decade, and the incidence of the disease increases continuously with age. However, as the age increases, the possibilities of receiving adequate cancer treatment diminish and the mortality rises. So, there is a huge need for defined treatment strategies in elderly patients with colorectal carcinoma. The geriatric population is a very heterogeneous group where patients with an excellent health status coexist with the patients with both co-morbidities and functional dependency. Therefore, it is necessary to personalize each treatment according to the degree of vulnerability of the elderly patients. It is essential to set up a multidimensional geriatric assessment in order to consider not only the stage of the disease, but also all the factors that may influence the survival and interfere with the treatment. The aim of this review is to discuss the potential benefits and issues of chemotherapy in the elderly patients affected with colorectal cancer.