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Mastrangelo S. Special Issue: Childhood Brain Cancer Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5278. [PMID: 37958448 PMCID: PMC10647487 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15215278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain cancer is the second most common childhood malignancy and is the leading cause of death among all pediatric cancers [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Mastrangelo
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Roma, Largo A. Gemelli, 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Al Sharie S, Abu Laban D, Al-Hussaini M. Decoding Diffuse Midline Gliomas: A Comprehensive Review of Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4869. [PMID: 37835563 PMCID: PMC10571999 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194869] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) are a group of aggressive CNS tumors, primarily affecting children and young adults, which have historically been associated with dismal outcomes. As the name implies, they arise in midline structures in the CNS, primarily in the thalamus, brainstem, and spinal cord. In more recent years, significant advances have been made in our understanding of DMGs, including molecular features, with the identification of potential therapeutic targets. We aim to provide an overview of the most recent updates in the field of DMGs, including classification, molecular subtypes, diagnostic techniques, and emerging therapeutic strategies including a review of the ongoing clinical trials, thus providing the treating multidisciplinary team with a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape and potential therapeutic strategies for this devastating group of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Al Sharie
- Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan;
| | - Dima Abu Laban
- Department of Radiology, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman 11941, Jordan;
| | - Maysa Al-Hussaini
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman 11941, Jordan
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Esposito F, D'Auria D, Ferrara D, Esposito P, Gaglione G, Zeccolini M, Tomà P. Hepatic hemangiomas in childhood: the spectrum of radiologic findings. A pictorial essay. J Ultrasound 2023; 26:261-276. [PMID: 36071345 PMCID: PMC10063746 DOI: 10.1007/s40477-022-00714-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic hemangiomas (HHs) are the most common benign liver tumors in infancy, but despite their frequent occurrence, their radiologic appearance may be particularly challenging to assess, owing to unique anatomical and development features that distinguish their subtypes in the pediatric population. There are 3 main patterns of the lesions recognized in HHs: focal, multifocal and diffuse. Medical care strategies range from simple observation to surgery, and a timely diagnosis is crucial to establish the most appropriated clinical management and therapy. Ultrasound (US) is typically the first level examination of pediatric vascular anomalies, able to meet a satisfactory diagnosis and has proved very helpful to assess for involution through serial imaging. CT and MRI are second-level methods seldom performed, offering an anatomical panoramic view and clarification when US is non-conclusive. Histologic confirmation is rarely required. HHs show a variable sonographic appearance, with hypoechoic (mostly) or hyperechoic solitary\multifocal mass and wide features. Hepatic vessels assessment reveals an abnormal flow, enlarged vasa, decreased resistive index (RI) values, scarce blood supply distally to lesions and hyper vascular regions inside them. In this pictorial essay, we review HHs subtypes in further details, illustrate US, CT and MRI findings and clarify a recurrent dispute over the existing terminology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Esposito
- UOSD Diagnostica per Immagini in Emergenza Urgenza, "AORN Santobono-Pausilipon", Children Hospital, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Divina D'Auria
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II Unina, Via S. Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Dolores Ferrara
- U.O. Radiology, "A.O.R.N. Santobono-Pausilipon" Children Hospital, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Pasquale Esposito
- Unit of Pediatrics, "AORN Santobono-Pausillipon" Children Hospital, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Gaglione
- Pediatric Surgery Unit, "AORN Santobono-Pausilipon" Children Hospital, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo Zeccolini
- U.O. Radiology, "A.O.R.N. Santobono-Pausilipon" Children Hospital, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Tomà
- Imaging Department, "Bambino Gesù", Pediatric Hospital Rome, Rome, Italy
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Gaobotse G, Venkataraman S, Brown PD, Masisi K, Kwape TE, Nkwe DO, Rantong G, Makhzoum A. The use of African medicinal plants in cancer management. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1122388. [PMID: 36865913 PMCID: PMC9971233 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1122388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the third leading cause of premature death in sub-Saharan Africa. Cervical cancer has the highest number of incidences in sub-Saharan Africa due to high HIV prevalence (70% of global cases) in African countries which is linked to increasing the risk of developing cervical cancer, and the continuous high risk of being infected with Human papillomavirus In 2020, the risk of dying from cancer amongst women was higher in Eastern Africa (11%) than it was in Northern America (7.4%). Plants continue to provide unlimited pharmacological bioactive compounds that are used to manage various illnesses, including cancer. By reviewing the literature, we provide an inventory of African plants with reported anticancer activity and evidence supporting their use in cancer management. In this review, we report 23 plants that have been used for cancer management in Africa, where the anticancer extracts are usually prepared from barks, fruits, leaves, roots, and stems of these plants. Extensive information is reported about the bioactive compounds present in these plants as well as their potential activities against various forms of cancer. However, information on the anticancer properties of other African medicinal plants is insufficient. Therefore, there is a need to isolate and evaluate the anticancer potential of bioactive compounds from other African medicinal plants. Further studies on these plants will allow the elucidation of their anticancer mechanisms of action and allow the identification of phytochemicals that are responsible for their anticancer properties. Overall, this review provides consolidated and extensive information not only on diverse medicinal plants of Africa but on the different types of cancer that these plants are used to manage and the diverse mechanisms and pathways that are involved during cancer alleviation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goabaone Gaobotse
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana,*Correspondence: Goabaone Gaobotse, ; Kabo Masisi, ; Abdullah Makhzoum,
| | - Srividhya Venkataraman
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Phenyo D. Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana
| | - Kabo Masisi
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana,*Correspondence: Goabaone Gaobotse, ; Kabo Masisi, ; Abdullah Makhzoum,
| | - Tebogo E. Kwape
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana
| | - David O. Nkwe
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana
| | - Gaolathe Rantong
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana
| | - Abdullah Makhzoum
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana,*Correspondence: Goabaone Gaobotse, ; Kabo Masisi, ; Abdullah Makhzoum,
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Transplacental Passage and Fetal Effects of Antineoplastic Treatment during Pregnancy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133103. [PMID: 35804875 PMCID: PMC9264939 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In this paper we perform an introduction about pregnancy-associated cancer (PAC) and transplacental passage of antineoplastic agents. Furthermore, we describe therapeutic use and potential toxic effects of chemotherapeutic drug (alkylating agents, antimetabolites agents, anthracyclines, topoisomerase inhibitors, antimitotic agents, actinomycin-D, bleomycin) and targeted agents during pregnancy. This manuscript may be a useful and practical guide for the management of PAC, which is a challenge for clinicians that have to consider alike maternal benefits and fetal potential risks correlated to the antineoplastic treatment. Abstract The incidence of PAC is relatively infrequent among pregnant women. However, it has gradually increased in recent years, becoming a challenging area for clinicians that should take into account in the same way maternal benefits and fetal potential risks correlated to the antineoplastic treatment. None of the antineoplastic drugs is completely risk-free during the pregnancy, the timing of exposure and transplacental transfer properties influence the toxicity of the fetus. Despite the lack of guidelines about the management of PAC, several studies have described the use and the potential fetal and neonatal adverse events of antineoplastic drugs during pregnancy. We provide a review of the available literature about the transplacental passage and fetal effects of chemotherapy and targeted agents, to guide the clinicians in the most appropriate choices for the management of PAC.
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Natural Polyphenols as Modulators of Etoposide Anti-Cancer Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126602. [PMID: 34202987 PMCID: PMC8235666 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds found in abundance in fruits and vegetables. Their health-promoting properties and their use in the prevention and treatment of many human diseases, including cancer, have been known for years. Many anti-cancer drugs are derived from these natural compounds. Etoposide, which is a semi-synthetic derivative of podophyllotoxin, a non-alkaloid lignan isolated from the dried roots and rhizomes of Podophyllum peltatum or Podophyllum emodi (Berberidaceae), is an example of such a compound. In this review, we present data on the effects of polyphenols on the anti-cancer activity of etoposide in in vitro and in vivo studies.
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