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Ghoneum M, Badr El-Din NK, Alaa El-Dein M. Anti-radiation effect of MRN-100: a hydro-ferrate fluid, in vivo. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2024; 65:145-158. [PMID: 38247158 PMCID: PMC10959437 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrad095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Ionizing radiation (IR) severely harms many organs, especially the hematopoietic tissue, mandating the development of protective nutraceuticals. MRN-100, a hydro-ferrate fluid, has been shown to protect γ-radiated fish against hematopoietic tissue damage and lethality. The current study aimed to examine MRN-100's protective effect against irradiated mice and explore the mechanisms underlying its effect. Mice received a single acute, sub-lethal, 5 Gy, whole body dose of X-ray IR. MRN-100 treatment was administered daily for 2-weeks pre-irradiation until 1-week post-irradiation. Spleen and blood were analysed for oxidative stress, hematological, histological and biochemical parameters. Radiation exposure markedly decreased complete blood count (CBC) parameters including hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells and lymphocytes, and significantly increased neutrophils. In contrast, MRN-100 supplementation to irradiated mice ameliorated all CBC parameters and protected against DNA damage in both splenic cells and serum. It also had an antioxidant effect, increasing the levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase and total antioxidant capacity, which were otherwise decreased by irradiation. MRN-100 intake reduced the oxidative stress biomarker levels of nitric oxide, protein carbonyl, malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, a marker specific to DNA damage. Furthermore, MRN-100 enhanced serum iron and reversed the radiation-induced elevations of liver enzymes. Finally, MRN-100 protected splenic tissue from irradiation as observed by histology. We conclude that MRN-100 consumption may protect against oxidative stress generated by radiation exposure, suggesting that it may be employed as an adjuvant treatment to prevent radiation's severe damage to important organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamdooh Ghoneum
- Department of Surgery, Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, 1621 East 120th Street, Los Angeles, California 90059, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, 405 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Nariman K Badr El-Din
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Mai Alaa El-Dein
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
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Zuhair Kassem T, Wunderle M, Kuhlmann L, Ruebner M, Huebner H, Hoyer J, Reis A, Fasching PA, Beckmann MW, Hack CC, Fietkau R, Distel L. Ex Vivo Chromosomal Radiosensitivity Testing in Patients with Pathological Germline Variants in Breast Cancer High-Susceptibility Genes BReast CAncer 1 and BReast CAncer 2. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:6618-6633. [PMID: 37623237 PMCID: PMC10453196 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45080418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individual radiosensitivity is an important factor in the occurrence of undesirable consequences of radiotherapy. The potential for increased radiosensitivity has been linked to highly penetrant heterozygous mutations in DNA repair genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. By studying the chromosomal radiosensitivity of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers compared to the general population, we study whether increased chromosomal radiation sensitivity is observed in patients with BRCA1/2 variants. METHODS Three-color-fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed on ex vivo-irradiated peripheral blood lymphocytes from 64 female patients with a heterozygous germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Aberrations in chromosomes #1, #2 and #4 were analyzed. Mean breaks per metaphase (B/M) served as the parameter for chromosomal radiosensitivity. The results were compared with chromosomal radiosensitivity in a cohort of generally healthy individuals and patients with rectal cancer or breast cancer. RESULTS Patients with BRCA1/2 mutations (n = 64; B/M 0.47) overall showed a significantly higher chromosomal radiosensitivity than general healthy individuals (n = 211; B/M 0.41) and patients with rectal cancer (n = 379; B/M 0.44) and breast cancer (n = 147; B/M 0.45) without proven germline mutations. Chromosomal radiosensitivity varied depending on the locus of the BRCA1/2 mutation. CONCLUSIONS BRCA1/2 mutations result in slightly increased chromosomal sensitivity to radiation. A few individual patients have a marked increase in radiation sensitivity. Therefore, these patients are at a higher risk for adverse therapeutic consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Zuhair Kassem
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstraße 27, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.Z.K.); (L.K.); (R.F.)
| | - Marius Wunderle
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstraße 27, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (M.W.); (M.R.); (H.H.); (P.A.F.); (M.W.B.); (C.C.H.)
| | - Lukas Kuhlmann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstraße 27, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.Z.K.); (L.K.); (R.F.)
| | - Matthias Ruebner
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstraße 27, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (M.W.); (M.R.); (H.H.); (P.A.F.); (M.W.B.); (C.C.H.)
| | - Hanna Huebner
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstraße 27, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (M.W.); (M.R.); (H.H.); (P.A.F.); (M.W.B.); (C.C.H.)
| | - Juliane Hoyer
- Institute of Human Genetics, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 10, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.H.); (A.R.)
| | - André Reis
- Institute of Human Genetics, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 10, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.H.); (A.R.)
- Centre for Rare Diseases Erlangen (ZSEER), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter A. Fasching
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstraße 27, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (M.W.); (M.R.); (H.H.); (P.A.F.); (M.W.B.); (C.C.H.)
| | - Matthias W. Beckmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstraße 27, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (M.W.); (M.R.); (H.H.); (P.A.F.); (M.W.B.); (C.C.H.)
| | - Carolin C. Hack
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstraße 27, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (M.W.); (M.R.); (H.H.); (P.A.F.); (M.W.B.); (C.C.H.)
| | - Rainer Fietkau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstraße 27, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.Z.K.); (L.K.); (R.F.)
| | - Luitpold Distel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstraße 27, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.Z.K.); (L.K.); (R.F.)
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Blasko D, Schweizer C, Fitz T, Schröter C, Sörgel C, Kallies A, Fietkau R, Distel LV. Impact of COVID-19 on Quality of Life in Long-Term Advanced Rectal Cancer Survivors. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:1981. [PMID: 37510423 PMCID: PMC10379628 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11141981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer remains one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers. Advanced rectal cancer patients receive neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy as well as surgery and suffer from reduced health-related quality of life due to various side effects. We were interested in the role of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it affected those patients' quality of life. A total of 489 advanced rectal cancer patients from the University Hospital Erlangen in Germany were surveyed between May 2010 and March 2022 and asked to fill out the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR38 questionnaires over eight different time points: at the beginning, during and after radiochemotherapy, right before surgery, and in yearly intervals after surgery for up to four years. Answers were converted to scores to compare the COVID-19 period to the time before March 2020, focusing on the follow-ups, the developments over time-including by sex and age-and the influence of the TNM cT-stage. Overall, a trend of impaired functional and symptom scores was found across all surveys with few significances (body image -10.6 percentage points (pp) after one year; defecation problems +13.5 pp, insomnia +10.2 pp and weight loss +9.8 pp after three years; defecation problems +11.3 pp after four years). cT4-stage patients lost significantly more weight than their cT1-3-stage counterparts (+10.7 to 13.7 pp). Further studies should be conducted to find possible causes and develop countermeasures for future major infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Blasko
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Claudia Schweizer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tim Fitz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christoph Schröter
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christopher Sörgel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Annett Kallies
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rainer Fietkau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Luitpold Valentin Distel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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Rzepka D, Schenker H, Geinitz H, Silberberger E, Kaudewitz D, Schuster B, Kuhlmann L, Schonath M, Ayala Gaona H, Aschacher B, Fietkau R, Schett G, Distel L. Chromosomal radiosensitivity in oncological and non-oncological patients with rheumatoid arthritis and connective tissue diseases. Radiat Oncol 2023; 18:98. [PMID: 37287050 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-023-02291-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The risk of developing late radiotoxicity after radiotherapy in patients with high chromosomal radiosensitivity after radiotherapy could potentially be higher compared to the risk in patients with average radiosensitivity. In case of extremely high radiosensitivity, dose reduction may be appropriate. Some rheumatic diseases (RhD), including connective tissue diseases (CTDs) appear to be associated with higher radiosensitivity. The question arises as to whether patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) also generally have a higher radiosensitivity and whether certain parameters could indicate clues to high radiosensitivity in RA patients which would then need to be further assessed before radiotherapy. METHODS Radiosensitivity was determined in 136 oncological patients with RhD, 44 of whom were RA patients, and additionally in 34 non-oncological RA patients by three-colour fluorescence in situ hybridization (FiSH), in which lymphocyte chromosomes isolated from peripheral blood are analysed for their chromosomal aberrations of an unirradiated and an with 2 Gy irradiated blood sample. The chromosomal radiosensitivity was determined by the average number of breaks per metaphase. In addition, correlations between certain RA- or RhD-relevant disease parameters or clinical features such as the disease activity score 28 and radiosensitivity were assessed. RESULTS Some oncological patients with RhD, especially those with connective tissue diseases have significantly higher radiosensitivity compared with oncology patients without RhD. In contrast, the mean radiosensitivity of the oncological patients with RA and other RhD and the non-oncological RA did not differ. 14 of the 44 examined oncological RA-patients (31.8%) had a high radiosensitivity which is defined as ≥ 0.5 breaks per metaphase. No correlation of laboratory parameters with radiosensitivity could be established. CONCLUSIONS It would be recommended to perform radiosensitivity testing in patients with connective tissue diseases in general. We did not find a higher radiosensitivity in RA patients. In the group of RA patients with an oncological disease, a higher percentage of patients showed higher radiosensitivity, although the average radiosensitivity was not high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinah Rzepka
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsstraße 27, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hannah Schenker
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander- Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hans Geinitz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Ordensklinikum Linz Barmherzige Schwestern, Linz, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Silberberger
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Ordensklinikum Linz Barmherzige Schwestern, Linz, Austria
| | - Dorothee Kaudewitz
- Department of Haematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Barbara Schuster
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsstraße 27, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lukas Kuhlmann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsstraße 27, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Miriam Schonath
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsstraße 27, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Horacio Ayala Gaona
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsstraße 27, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Aschacher
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Ordensklinikum Linz Barmherzige Schwestern, Linz, Austria
| | - Rainer Fietkau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsstraße 27, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Georg Schett
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander- Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Luitpold Distel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsstraße 27, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany.
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Gao Z, Zhao Q, Xu Y, Wang L. Improving the efficacy of combined radiotherapy and immunotherapy: focusing on the effects of radiosensitivity. Radiat Oncol 2023; 18:89. [PMID: 37226275 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-023-02278-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer treatment is gradually entering an era of precision, with multitude studies in gene testing and immunotherapy. Tumor cells can be recognized and eliminated by the immune system through the expression of tumor-associated antigens, but when the cancer escapes or otherwise suppresses immunity, the balance between cancer cell proliferation and immune-induced cancer cell killing may be interrupted, resulting in tumor proliferation and progression. There has been significant attention to combining conventional cancer therapies (i.e., radiotherapy) with immunotherapy as opposed to treatment alone. The combination of radio-immunotherapy has been demonstrated in both basic research and clinical trials to provide more effective anti-tumor responses. However, the absolute benefits of radio-immunotherapy are dependent on individual characteristics and not all patients can benefit from radio-immunotherapy. At present, there are numerous articles about exploring the optimal models for combination radio-immunotherapy, but the factors affecting the efficacy of the combination, especially with regard to radiosensitivity remain inconclusive. Radiosensitivity is a measure of the response of cells, tissues, or individuals to ionizing radiation, and various studies have shown that the radiosensitivity index (RSI) will be a potential biomarker for predicting the efficacy of combination radio-immunotherapy. The purpose of this review is to focus on the factors that influence and predict the radiosensitivity of tumor cells, and to evaluate the impact and predictive significance of radiosensitivity on the efficacy of radio-immunotherapy combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiru Gao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430064, China
| | - Yiyue Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China
| | - Linlin Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China.
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Substantial Impairment of Quality of Life during COVID-19 Pandemic in Patients with Advanced Rectal Cancer. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10081513. [PMID: 36011170 PMCID: PMC9407989 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10081513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze the quality of life of patients with advanced rectal cancer before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine whether the pandemic affected patients’ quality of life. The study included 389 patients and was performed from May 2010 to June 2021. The fifteen months from March 2020 to June 2021 were categorized as the COVID-19 period. Patients were surveyed using the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR38 questionnaires. The questionnaires were used at different phases of radiochemotherapy: prior to RCT (day 1), during RCT (day 14), at the end of RCT (day 35), and prior to mesorectal surgery (day 70). Scores were formed from the questions. In addition, scores were analyzed for different age groups (<64 and >64) and sexes (female and male). Overall, patients reported lower functional scores and higher symptom scores during the pandemic than before the pandemic. Although it had been expected that older and younger patients would differ clearly, there were only minor differences. The comparison between the two sexes showed very different scores, with female patients having lower functional scores and higher symptom scores than male patients before and especially during COVID-19. In conclusion, age does not play a major role in quality of life, but sex does play an important role in perception of functioning and symptoms. COVID-19 also had a major impact on patients’ lives, as it was a very isolating and stressful time for everyone, especially cancer patients, which was reflected in worsening scores.
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Kuncman Ł, Orzechowska M, Stawiski K, Masłowski M, Ciążyńska M, Gottwald L, Milecki T, Fijuth J. The Kinetics of FMS-Related Tyrosine Kinase 3 Ligand (Flt-3L) during Chemoradiotherapy Suggests a Potential Gain from the Earlier Initiation of Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14163844. [PMID: 36010838 PMCID: PMC9405787 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14163844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The optimal sequence of chemoradiotherapy with immunotherapy is still not established. The patient’s immune status may play a role in determining this order. We aim to determine the kinetics of a multi-potential haemopoietic factor FMS-related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt-3L) during chemoradiotherapy. Our pilot, a single arm prospective study, enrolled patients with rectal cancer who qualified for neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Blood samples for Flt-3L were collected before and every second week of chemoradiotherapy for a complete blood count every week. The kinetics of Flt-3L were assessed using Friedman’s ANOVA. A multiple factor analysis (MFA) was performed to find relevant factors affecting levels of serum Flt-3L during chemoradiotherapy. FactoMineR and factoextra R packages were used for analysis. In the 33 patients enrolled, the level of Flt-3L increased from the second week and remained elevated until the end of treatment (p < 0.01). All patients experienced Grade ≥2 lymphopenia with a nadir detected mostly in the 5/6th week. MFA revealed the spatial partitioning of patients among the first and second dimensions (explained by 38.49% and 23.14% variance). The distribution along these dimensions represents the magnitude of early changes of Flt-3L. Patients with the lowest values of Flt-3L change showed the highest lymphocyte nadirs and lowest dose/volume parameters of active bone marrow. Our hypothesis-generating study supports the concept of early initiation of immuno-therapy when the concentration of Flt-3L is high and no lymphopenia has yet occurred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Kuncman
- Department of Radiotherapy, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-42-689-55-51
| | - Magdalena Orzechowska
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
| | - Konrad Stawiski
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
| | - Michał Masłowski
- Department of External Beam Radiotherapy, Regional Cancer Center, Copernicus Memorial Hospital of Lodz, 93-513 Lodz, Poland
| | - Magdalena Ciążyńska
- Department of Dermatology, Paediatric Dermatology and Oncology Clinic, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
| | - Leszek Gottwald
- Department of Radiotherapy, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
| | - Tomasz Milecki
- Department of Urology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
| | - Jacek Fijuth
- Department of Radiotherapy, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
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An Editorial View on the Special Issue “Colorectal Cancers: From Present Problems to Future Solutions”. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040975. [PMID: 35205718 PMCID: PMC8870164 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
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