Juglone can inhibit angiogenesis and metastasis in pancreatic cancer cells by targeting Wnt/ß-catenin signaling.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the effects of juglone on angiogenesis, metastasis and cell proliferation processes in pancreatic cancer  (PC)  and to understand whether its possible effects occur via the Wnt signaling pathway by analyzing the expression levels of target genes of Wnt signaling. BACKGROUND: PC is a silent and lethal cancer type which can only be detectable after metastasis and angiogenesis processes occured. The Wnt signaling pathway is one of the pathways that plays an active role in many biological processes in the cell. Mutations in the genes of this signaling pathway are related to the development of many cancers. Juglone, a natural compound, is shown to have cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on various cancer cells. METHODS: PANC-1 and BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells were treated with juglone at

Sonographically guided percutaneous treatment of hepatic hydatid cysts: long-term results.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of sonographically guided percutaneous drainage and irrigation of hepatic hydatid cysts. METHODS: Sixty-one patients with 84 hepatic hydatid cysts were treated using the puncture, aspiration, injection, and reaspiration (PAIR) technique under sonographic guidance. Patients with cysts larger than 6 cm in diameter underwent PAIR followed by percutaneous drainage (PAIR-PD). The cysts were sterilized by the injection of 1 of 2 scolicidal agents, 20% hypertonic saline solution (38 patients) or 0.5% silver nitrate (23 patients). All patients underwent follow-up examinations for 1 month-6 years after aspiration. Clinical and radiologic examinations and laboratory analyses were performed every month for the first 6 months and then at 3-month intervals. RESULTS: Serial sonographic examinations revealed a heterogeneous echo pattern in 78 cysts (93%); a progressive decrease in diameter in 76 cysts (90%); calcification of the cyst wall, cystic contents, or both in 10 cysts (12%); and complete disappearance of 1 cyst (1%) in a patient who had been monitored for over 6 years. Five patients developed urticaria, and 6 developed fever. One patient developed a biliary fistula after the first aspiration attempt. Two patients developed infection of the cyst cavity after PAIR-PD and were successfully treated with oral antibiotics. An anaphylactic reaction developed in 2 patients and was successfully treated with antiallergenic medication. No recurrence of hydatid disease after PAIR or PAIR-PD was observed in any patient over the follow-up period of 72 months (mean, 26 +/- 27 months). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous drainage of hydatid cysts is a safe, effective, and reliable treatment. Antiallergenic medication is required before PAIR or PAIR-PD. Both sclerosing agents, hypertonic saline and silver nitrate solutions, gave excellent results.