Nanotherapy based on magneto-mechanochemical modulation of tumor redox state

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNs) are typically used as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging or as drug carriers with a remotely controlled delivery to the tumor. However, they can also potentiate the action of anticancer drugs under the influence of applied constant magnetic (CMFs) and electromagnetic fields (EMFs). This review demonstrates the role of magneto-mechanochemical effects produced by MNs alone and loaded with anticancer agents (MNCs) in response to CMFs and EMFs for modulation of tumor redox state. The combined treatment is suggested to act by two mechanisms: spin-dependent electron transport propagates free radical chain reactions, while magnetomechanical interactions cause conformational changes in drug molecules loaded onto MNs and generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). By adjusting the parameters of CMFs and EMFs during the magneto-mechanochemical synthesis and subsequent treatment, it is possible to modulate ROS production and switch redox signaling involved in ERK1/2 and NF-κB pathways from initiation of tumor growth to inhibition. Observations of tumor volume in different animal models and treatment combinations reported a 6%-70% reduction as compared with conventional drugs. Despite these results, there is a general lack of research in magnetic nanotheranostics that link redox changes across multiple levels of organization in the tumor-bearing host. Further multidisciplinary studies with more focus on the relationship between the electron transport processes in biomolecules and their effects on the tumor-host interaction should accelerate the clinical translation of magnetic nanotheranostics. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology.

Prognostic role of androgen receptor expression in patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer

At present, there are no valid prognostic biomarkers in patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) except well known clinical factors such as tumor size, lymph node status, differentiation grade and proliferation rate.

AIM

To evaluate the prognostic role of androgen receptor (AR) expression in patients with TNBC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effect of the AR expression level in tumor tissue on overall survival depending on clinical, histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of the tumor was evaluated in 116 patients with metastatic TNBC.

RESULTS

The independent prognostic value of AR expression in patients with TNBC of different stages was shown. The median overall survival was higher in patients with AR-positive tumors compared with AR-negative tumors (57 months vs 27 months, p < 0.0001). Five-year survival since diagnosis in the group with AR-positive TNBC was 47.6 ± 8.3% vs 20.0 ± 5.3% in the group with AR-negative TNBC (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study indicate a favorable impact of AR expression on the overall survival of TNBC patients.

Remote control of magnetic nanocomplexes for delivery and destruction of cancer cells

Although nanotechnology advances have been exploited for a myriad of purposes, including cancer diagnostics and treatment, still there is little discussion about the mechanisms of remote control. Our main aim here is to explain the possibility of a magnetic field control over magnetic nanocomplexes to improve their delivery, controlled release and antitumor activity. In doing so we considered the nonlinear dynamics of magnetomechanical and magnetochemical effects based on free radical mechanisms in cancer development for future pre-clinical studies.

Efficacy of Combined Regional Inductive Moderate Hyperthermia and Chemotherapy in Patients With Multiple Liver Metastases From Breast Cancer

PURPOSE

Regional inductive moderate hyperthermia in combination with chemotherapy can improve the therapeutic efficacy in patients with breast cancer with multiple liver metastases.

METHODS

The study included 103 patients with breast cancer with multiple liver metastases: 53 patients (main group) who received a combined chemotherapy (TC drug combination) and regional inductive moderate hyperthermia treatment and 50 patients (control group) who received chemotherapy (TC drug combination) alone. Regional inductive moderate hyperthermia exploited electromagnetic fields with an operating frequency of 27.17 ± 0.16 MHz and output power of 75 W. Treatment results were assessed by computed tomography and ultrasound imaging.

RESULTS

Partial regression was defined as a 30% decrease in the sum of the maximum diameters of investigated tumors. In the current study, partial regression was described in 8 (15.1%) patients assigned to the main group and 2 (4%) patients in the control ( P < .05). The process stabilization was reported in 32 (60.4%) patients receiving the combined treatment and 19 (38%) in the control ( P < .05). Equally important, tumor progression was observed in 13 (24.5%) patients representing the main group and 29 (58%) in the control. During a 30-minute treatment session, a temperature increase overlaying greater than 90% of the liver projection exposed to electromagnetic irradiation was not exceeding 40°C.

CONCLUSION

The combined regional inductive moderate hyperthermia and chemotherapy treatment increased the overall therapeutic efficacy by 33.9% (χ2 = 12.182; P < .01).

[MODERN APPROACHES TO THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CHEMOTHERAPY TOXICITY IN PATIENTS WITH BREAST CANCER]

The use of modern chemotherapy (CT) allowed to achieve significant progress in the treatment of many malignant tumors that were previously considered fatal. Improving the efficiency of the treatment was achieved by the intensification of chemotherapy. However, intensification of chemotherapy regimes provoked increase in the number of side effects of anticancer therapy,which often lead to a decrease in the intensity of the selected mode, the additional financial costs of treating the complications and the formation of the negative attitude of the patient to treatment. Thus, the side effects of chemotherapy are the actual problem of modern oncology. The purpose of this literature review was to investigate the frequency, symptoms and ways to prevent and treat various types of toxicity of chemotherapy.

[Hepatotoxicity of cytostatic drugs in treatment of oncology patients]

A hepatotoxicity can be observed at the use of different groups of antitumoral drugs. Cytotoxicity drugs have a leading place in relation to incidence and severity of liver damage. During chemotherapy the development of hepatotoxicity is caused by thedamage of the liver parenchymal cells with fatty degeneration, necrosis of the liver tissue, and cholestasis. The study of the mechanisms of development, clinical course and laboratory manifestations of hepatotoxicity of chemotherapy will lead to its prevention or reduction, which will improve the immediate and long-term results of treatment of patients with cancer.

[The toxic effects of chemotherapy on the gastrointestinal tract]

In modern oncology chemotherapy (CT), along with the surgical technique and radiotherapy is a leader in the treatment of cancer patients. More than 60% of patients receiving chemotherapy at different stages of treatment. Recently, modern chemotherapy has become more urgent personal approach to the choice of drugs and their doses, aimed at reducing the toxicity of chemotherapy. Complications of chemotherapy significantly degrade the effectiveness of the treatment of patients with malignant tumors, because they require lower doses of anticancer drug, or lengthening the intervals between cycles of chemotherapy, which affects treatment outcomes and quality of life. This paper presents a literature review of toxic effects of cytostatic drugs on the gastrointestinal tract.

[Modern principles of chemotherapy of metastatic breast cancer]

Treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer is one of the most difficult problems of clinical oncology. Chemotherapy is one of the main methods of treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer. Long experience of the world's cancer centers, advances in clinical oncology recent decades, the synthesis of anticancer drugs with new mechanisms of action have led to progress in the treatment of disseminated breast cancer. However, as shown by recent studies, the improvement of chemotherapy is not associated with reduced mortality from this disease. This paper presents the effectiveness of anticancer drugs and their combinations in the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer. Compliance with which, as it seems to us to produce superior results in treating this disease.

[Prognostic value of tumour cell apoptosis in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]

In the article the data about CD95 antigen, spontaneous and induced apoptosis level of tumour cells at the different stages of B-NHD are cited. The obtained data testify that the apoptosis level of tumour cells allows forecasting the progression of disease.

[The clinical course and histological characteristics of medullary hematopoiesis in acute leukemia in those who worked in the cleanup of the aftermath of the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station]

The course is analyzed of myeloblastic leukemia in twelve participants in the elimination of the aftermath of the Chernobyl Atomic Power Plant breakdown. The iliac trepanobiopsies bone-marrow hemopoiesis is studied. A gross depression of normal hemopoiesis has been revealed together with a fibrous transformation of the bone marrow, which fact suggests a profound damage to the hemopoietic micro-surroundings, being a cause of ineffective hemopoiesis, of grave course of the illness, and of failure to respond to cytostatic therapy.