Aspects Regarding the Influence of Obesity on the Molecular Characteristics of Breast Tumors.

The influence of excess adipose tissue on the evolution and prognosis of breast cancer has been evaluated in numerous papers over the years. The ways in which obesity can influence the development, progression, and prognosis of this neoplasia are complex and requires the design of new studies, both clinical and preclinical. The aim of this study is to highlight a possible correlation between obesity-specific tumor microenvironment markers (adipokine or leptin) and the different histological subtypes and aggressive characteristics of breast tumors. We prospectively monitored the prognostic values of 39 patients diagnosed with breast cancer who received oncologic-specific treatment or are in follow-up regarding some obesity markers. Our analysis included parameters such as age, body mass index, immunohistochemical characteristics, and plasma concentration of leptin. The methodology was designed to reveal a possible correlation between obesity (quantified by measuring body mass index and waist circumference), the plasma level of leptin, and breast tumor immunohistochemical characteristics. The patients diagnosed with aggressive tumors subtypes (HER2-positive and triple-negative) had a significantly higher body mass index than patients diagnosed with luminal type tumors (32 kg/sqm versus 27 kg/sqm), the difference being 5 kg/sqm. In patients with non-luminal type breast tumors (HER2-positive and triple-negative), serum concentration of leptin is 55 pg/ml compared to 48 pg/ml in luminal type, statistically significant, p=0.0168. Leptin plays an important role in the connection of specific microenvironment tumors to breast cancer. An increased serum concentration of this adipokine was found in patients with HER2-positive and triple-negative breast tumors compared with luminal-type breast tumors, which could open new directions in the research of breast cancer prognosis in obese patients.

The impact of imagistic evaluation of premalignant and malignant lesions of the breast confirmed in histopathological terms.

Breast cancer is a condition with the highest incidence of all neoplasms and a frequent cause of death. Due to increased incidence and mortality, this disease motivates healthcare professionals to redirect efforts to develop effective strategies for secondary prophylaxis. Imagistic investigations play an important role both in detecting lesions and in post-therapeutic evolutionary follow-up. The objective of the paper is to study cases of premalignant and malignant tumors, with a view to their imagistic identification confirmed in terms of histopathology, to highlight the accuracy of the imagistic examination as an important factor in the diagnosis and adaptation of an appropriate therapeutic attitude. The study was performed on a batch of 768 patients admitted to the Department of Surgery III, "Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu" Institute of Oncology, Bucharest, Romania. The classical examined hypothesis is local examination, mammography, ultrasound, with its variations, and histopathological (HP) confirmation, either by thick-needle biopsy puncture and∕or tumor excision. By correlating with HP examination of the imagistic representation of the lesion, we can show the importance or limitation of each imagistic investigation, but especially its usefulness in the choice of therapeutic behavior. Breast cancer screening using classical techniques currently requires implementation of modern techniques to diagnose this disease.

Tumor is an Oxidative Stress Factor in Ovarian Cancer Patients.

Introduction: Epithelial ovarian cancer is worldwide the second cause of gynaecological cancer but the commonest cause of gynaecological cancer-associated death. AIM: To determine the intensity of oxidative stress in ovarian cancer patients and to establish a connection between the presence of the tumor and reactive oxygen species (ROS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients diagnosed with epithelial ovarian carcinoma stage II-IV between 2010 and 2017, who underwent multimodality treatment (surgery and chemotherapy) were included in the study. ROS measured in dynamic (four determinations between every cycle) were malondialdehyde to evaluate the lipid peroxidation, ceruloplasmin, SH- albumin thiols groups and total antioxidants. Results: There was an increase in the value of ROS: malondialdehyde mean value was 8.1 µmol/100 ml (normal value 4 µmol/100 ml); ceruloplasmin mean value was 144.8U.I. (normal value 120U.I), both showing an active oxidative process in patients with ovarian cancer. A small decrease of the value of thiols (395 vs. 450 µmol/l) and a small increase of total antioxidants was noticed (1.44 vs. 1.4 µmol). All four compounds decrease between the first determination and the fourth one. There was a strong correlation between lipid peroxides levels and ceruloplasmin (Pearson correlation 0.315 p=0.005) and between lipid peroxides and thiols groups (Pearson correlation 0.23 p=0.039). There was a correlation between thiols and antioxidants (Pearson correlation 0.33 p=0.003). Lipid peroxidation and ceruloplasmin were significantly higher in patients with residual disease (p=0.039, p=0.046) emphasizing that the tumor is a generator of oxidative stress. CONCLUSION: Tumor produces ROS in excess in patients with advanced ovarian adenocarcinoma. Those ROS are corelated and acts as signalling molecules.

Biochemical action of new complexes of ruthenium with quinolones as potential antitumor agents.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study paper was to identify the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in apoptosis signaling mechanisms. We used for this purpose two ruthenium complex compounds based on that overproduce these reactive species by their metabolism thus manifesting their antitumor activity too. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo studies were performed in Walker 256 carcinoma-bearing Wistar rats treated with two ruthenium (III) (Ru(III)) complexes with -fluoroquinolones norfloxacin and ofloxacin. The treatment started 7 days after tumor grafting. We assayed the dynamics of apoptosis by flow-cytometry and the biochemical oxidative status parameters. The biological samples used were serum and whole-tumor tissues; the results were compared to the untreated control group. RESULTS: The results showed an increase of apoptosis from 14.79% to 59.72% 14.79% to 59.72% in tumor cells treated with the most active combination, ruthenium complex with norfloxacin. We also noted an increase of the oxidative status and ROS production during treatment. CONCLUSION: The newly-synthesized complexes are less toxic and their activity is based on the induction of oxidative stress.

The antioxidant response induced by Lonicera caerulaea berry extracts in animals bearing experimental solid tumors.

Lonicera caerulea is a species of bush native to the Kamchatka Peninsula (Russian Far East) whose berries have been extensively studied due to their potential high antioxidant activity. The aim of our work was to investigate the in vivo effects of the antioxidant action of Lonicera caerulea berry extracts on the dynamics of experimentally-induced tumors. Our data showed that aqueous Lonicera caerulaea extracts reduced the tumor volume when administered continuously during the tumor growth and development stages, but augmented the tumor growth when the administration of extracts started three weeks before tumor grafting. Prolonged administration of Lonicera caerulaea berry extracts induced the antioxidant defense mechanism in the tumor tissues, while surprisingly amplifying the peripheral oxidative stress.

Photodynamic therapy of Walker tumors by multiple laser irradiation.

OBJECTIVE: Photodynamic therapy of Walker tumor after subcutaneous administration of 5-ALA solution using a multiple laser irradiation scheme was monitored by the fluorescence imaging technique to investigate the effectiveness of 5-ALA-PDT. BACKGROUND DATA: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a localized cancer treatment based on the selective uptake and retention of photosensitizer at the tumoral level and on the activation of the photosensitizer by a specific wavelength of light, aiming to induce cytotoxic reactions. As a new photosensitizer, the heme precursor 5- aminolevulinic acid has been introduced recently for photodynamic therapy of tumors and precancerous lesions of the skin. It has been shown that the efficacy of topical 5-ALA-PDT is limited for deeper skin tumor by the depth of 5-ALA penetration through the skin. Oral or systemic administration of ALA or the use of different irradiation schemes may improve tumor response to PDT. METHODS: Laser irradiation parameters used in this study were lambda = 635 nm, P = 3 mW, t(exp) = 300 sec, and three sessions. The fluorescence was excitated by monochromatic light of 405 nm. The temporal behavior of PpIX fluorescence was studied by processing and analyzing the fluorescence images acquired just after applying 5-ALA, just before and just after three laser irradiations. RESULTS: The results demonstrate that PpIX is highly selective for tumors areas and a re-accumulation of PpIX appears between laser irradiations. During laser irradiation, the PpIX fluorescence intensity decreases rapidly, reflecting the photodegradation of PpIX. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the use of a multiple laser irradiation scheme, for the activation of reaccumulation of Pp IX (with three steps) is effective for photodynamic therapy of Walker tumor.