Inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis in RB116 retinoblastoma cells by afatinib treatment

The present study investigates the effect of afatinib on the growth, induction of apoptosis in RB116 cells, and reduction of carcinoma growth in the mice transplanted with RB116 cells. The results from MTT assay revealed that afatinib inhibited the growth of RB116 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Proliferation of RB116 cells was reduced to 64 % on treatment with 200 μM concentration of afatinib after 48 h. Afatinib treatment of RB116 cells at 200 μM concentration induced apoptosis and necrosis in 49.7 and 9.4 %, respectively, after 48 h. In the RB116-transplanted mice, treatment with afatinib at 10-mg/kg doses for 45 days caused a significant (p < 0.005) reduction in the tumor volume compared to the control group. The tissue lysates of the mice containing RB116 transplant showed a significant decrease in the expressions of Ki67 and p53 in the afatinib treatment group after 45 days. However, the expression of caspase-3 was increased and of Bcl-2 remained unaltered on treatment with afatinib. Measurement of the body weight of afatinib-treated animals showed no reduction during the study. Thus, afatinib can be of therapeutic value for the treatment of retinoblastoma.

[Application of modified shuttle like incision in benign skin tumour in the maxillofacial region]

OBJECTIVE

To design a modified shuttle-like incision for benign skin tumours in the maxillofacial region.

METHODS

Some merits of the modified shuttle like incision was verified through experiment upon Cadavers and accurate mathematical calculation. Then it was used in the resection of 24 patients with benign skin tumour in the maxillofacial region.

RESULTS

If the radius of the tumours were separately 0.5 cm, 1.0 cm and 1.5 cm, the modified shuttle-like incision can save the skin area by 17.22%,15.42% and 16.98%; no(or little) tension was found in sewing. The sutural lines were levelly concealed in the kraissl's lines and no"cat ear"was found after sewing. After 1-7 years of following up, all of the scars of the 24 cases were appraised as good.

CONCLUSION

The modified shuttle-like incision was better than the traditional one. It can be performed widely in the clinical operation on benign skin tumours in the maxillofacial region.