Sarcoma cell-specific radiation sensitization by titanate scrolled nanosheets: insights from physicochemical analysis and transcriptomic profiling.

This study aimed to explore the potential of metal oxides such as Titanate Scrolled Nanosheets (TNs) in improving the radiosensitivity of sarcoma cell lines. Enhancing the response of cancer cells to radiation therapy is crucial, and one promising approach involves utilizing metal oxide nanoparticles. We focused on the impact of exposing two human sarcoma cell lines to both TNs and ionizing radiation (IR). Our research was prompted by previous in vitro toxicity assessments, revealing a correlation between TNs' toxicity and alterations in intracellular calcium homeostasis. A hydrothermal process using titanium dioxide powder in an alkaline solution produced the TNs. Our study quantified the intracellular content of TNs and analyzed their impact on radiation-induced responses. This assessment encompassed PIXE analysis, cell proliferation, and transcriptomic analysis. We observed that sarcoma cells internalized TNs, causing alterations in intracellular calcium homeostasis. We also found that irradiation influence intracellular calcium levels. Transcriptomic analysis revealed marked disparities in the gene expression patterns between the two sarcoma cell lines, suggesting a potential cell-line-dependent nano-sensitization to IR. These results significantly advance our comprehension of the interplay between TNs, IR, and cancer cells, promising potential enhancement of radiation therapy efficiency.

Carboxymethyl Starch Films as Enteric Coatings: Processing and Mechanistic Insights.

This study proposes the application of carboxymethyl starch derivatives as tablet coatings affording gastro-protection. Carboxymethyl starch (CMS) films were obtained by casting of aqueous filmogenic starch solutions with or without plasticizers and their structural organization was followed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD). Together with data from mechanical tests (tensile strength, elongation, Young's modulus) the results were used to select filmogenic formulations adapted for coatings of tablets. The behaviour of these films was evaluated in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. The effect of plasticizers (glycerol and sorbitol) on the starch organization, on the rate of drying of the films and on the water vapor absorption was also analyzed. Various types of starch have been compared and the best results were found with high amylose starch (HAS) that was carboxymethylated in an aqueous phase to obtain carboxymethyl high amylose starch (CMHAS). The CMHAS coating solutions containing sorbitol or glycerol as plasticizers have been applied with an industrial pan coater and the final tablets exhibited a good gastro-resistance (up to 2h) in simulated gastric fluid followed by disintegration in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). The CMHAS derivatives present a high potential as coatings for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical solid dosage forms.

Changes in intra-nuclear mechanics in response to DNA damaging agents revealed by time-domain Brillouin micro-spectroscopy.

How DNA damage and repair processes affect the biomechanical properties of the nucleus interior remains unknown. Here, an opto-acoustic microscope based on time-domain Brillouin spectroscopy (TDBS) was used to investigate the induced regulation of intra-nuclear mechanics. With this ultrafast pump-probe technique, coherent acoustic phonons were tracked along their propagation in the intra-nucleus nanostructure and the complex stiffness moduli and thicknesses were measured with an optical resolution. Osteosarcoma cells were exposed to methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and the presence of DNA damage was tested using immunodetection targeted against damage signaling proteins. TDBS revealed that the intra-nuclear storage modulus decreased significantly upon exposure to MMS, as a result of the chromatin decondensation and reorganization that favors molecular diffusion within the organelle. When the damaging agent was removed and cells incubated for 2 h in the buffer solution before fixation the intra-nuclear reorganization led to an inverse evolution of the storage modulus, the nucleus stiffened. The same tendency was measured when DNA double-strand breaks were caused by cell exposure to ionizing radiation. TDBS microscopy also revealed changes in acoustic dissipation, another mechanical probe of the intra-nucleus organization at the nano-scale, and changes in nucleus thickness during exposure to MMS and after recovery.

Current landscape of palliative radiotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer.

Radiotherapy (RT) is a cornerstone in the management of advanced stage III and stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Despite international guidelines, clinical practice remains heterogeneous. Additionally, the advent of stereotactic ablative RT (SABR) and new systemic treatments such as immunotherapy have shaken up dogmas in the approach of these patients. This review will focus on palliative thoracic RT for NSCLC but will also discuss the role of stereotactic radiotherapy, endobronchial brachytherapy (EBB), the interest of concomitant treatments (chemotherapy and immunotherapy), and the role of RT in lung cancer emergencies with palliative intent.

Post-Prostatectomy Image-Guided Radiotherapy: The Invisible Target Concept.

In the era of intensity-modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) appears crucial to control dose delivery and to promote dose escalation while allowing healthy tissue sparing. The place of IGRT following radical prostatectomy is poorly described in the literature. This review aims to highlight some key points on the different IGRT techniques applicable to prostatic bed radiotherapy. Furthermore, methods used to evaluate target motion and to reduce planning target volume margins will also be explored.

Time interval between surgery and start of adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with soft tissue sarcoma: A retrospective analysis of 1131 cases from the French Sarcoma Group.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the time interval (TI) between surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) in soft tissue sarcoma (STS). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Data from 1131 patients treated between 1990 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria were: limb or superficial trunk wall STS (R0 or R1 resection) and adjuvant RT. The impact of TI on 10-year local relapse-free survival (LRFS) and 10-year overall survival (OS) was analyzed using a Log-rank test and then Cox Model. RESULTS: The median TI was 82days (range, 18-346). With a median follow-up of 235months (range, 2-296months), the 10-year LRFS was 57.5% (±2%) and the 10-year OS was 64.2% (±2%). With a TI of 19-39days, 40-79days, 80-119days, and ⩾120days, 10-year LRFSs were 65.3%, 55.5%, 56.9% and 61.2% (p=0.465), and 10-year OSs were 72.8%, 60.7%, 66.4% and 62.1% (p=0.347), respectively. After adjustment for the factors significantly (p⩽0.05) associated with LRFS and OS, TI did not alter LRFS (p=0.182) either OS (p=0.335). CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective STS database study, the TI between surgery and start of adjuvant RT did not seem to affect outcomes.