Automodified Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Analysisto Monitor DNA Damagein Peripheral Lymphocytes of Floriculturists Occupationally Exposed to Pesticides.

Increased DNA damage and the propension to cancer development, depend on the modulation of the mechanisms to control and maintain genomic integrity. Poly(ADP-Ribose)Polymerase activation and automodification are early responses to genotoxic stress. Upon binding to DNA strand breaks, the enzyme, a molecular DNA nick sensor, is hyperactivated: this is the first step in a series of events leading to either DNA repair or apoptosis. Enzyme hyperactivation and automodification can be easily measured and are widely used to look at DNA damage extent in the cell. We investigated whether these two markers (increased catalytic activity and auto modification), could help to monitor DNA damage in lymphocytes of flower growers from Southern Italy, occupationally exposed to pesticides. Peripheral lymphocyte lysates were analyzed for Poly(ADP-Ribose)Polymerase activity, and by SDS-PAGE and anti-Poly(ADP-Ribose)Polymerase 1-antibodyto measure automodified Poly(ADP-Ribose)Polymerase levels bydensitometry. Poly(ADP-Ribose)Polymerase activity and PARP automodification followed the same trend. Growers daily exposed to pesticides, showed both biomarkers very high, either in the presence or in the absence of pathologies. PARP activity and auto-modification in peripheral blood lymphocytes are possible, non-invasive, androutinartools to monitor the healthy conditions of floricoltorists.

Oxidative stress in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: still a matter of debate.

There is a large body of evidence showing a strong correlation between carcinogenesis of several types of human tumors, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and oxidative stress (OS). The mechanisms by which OS may promote cancer pathogenesis have not been completely deciphered yet and, in CLL, as in other neoplasms, whether OS is a primary cause or simply a downstream effect of the disease is still an open question. It has been demonstrated that, in CLL, OS concomitantly results from increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mainly ascribable to CLL cells mitochondrial activity, and impaired antioxidant defenses. Interestingly, OS evaluation in CLL patients, at diagnosis, seems to have a prognostic significance, thus getting new insights in the biological comprehension of the disease with potential therapeutic implications.

A case of efficacy of bendamustine in heavily pretreated multiple myeloma, refractory to pomalidomide.

In this report, we would like to highlight the efficacy of bendamustine in a heavily pretreated patient, also refractory to pomalidomide. It is conceivable that different therapy combinations in heavily treated Multiple myeloma (MM) have to be explored, without "a priori" exclusion of ancient drugs, even after failure of the ultimate pharmacological options.