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Αλέξανδρος Γ. Σφακιανάκης

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Multi-level factors associated with more intensive use of radioactive iodine for low-risk thyroid cancer

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J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2021 Mar 4:dgab139. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgab139. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: The use of radioactive iodine (RAI) for low-risk thyroid cancer is common, and variation in its use exists, despite the lack of benefit for low-risk disease and potential harms and costs.

OBJECTIVE: To simultaneously assess patient- and physician-level factors associated with patient-reported receipt of RAI for low-risk thyroid cancer.

DESIGN, SETTING, PART ICIPANTS: This population-based survey study of patients with newly-diagnosed differentiated thyroid cancer identified via the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registries of Georgia and Los Angeles County included 989 patients with low-risk thyroid cancer, linked to 345 of their treating general surgeons, otolaryngologists and endocrinologists.

MAIN OUTCOMES: Patient-reported receipt of RAI for low-risk thyroid cancer.

RESULTS: Among this sample, 48% of patients reported receiving RAI, and 23% of their physicians reported they would use RAI for low-risk thyroid cancer. Patients were more likely to report receiving RAI if they were treated by a physician who reported they would use RAI for low-risk thyroid cancer compared to those whose physician reported they would not use RAI (Adjusted OR: 1.84, 95%CI: 1.29-2.61). The odds of patients reporting they received RAI was 55% lower among patients whose physicians reported they saw a higher volume of patients w ith thyroid cancer (40+ vs. 0-20) (Adjusted OR: 0.45, 0.30-0.67).

CONCLUSIONS: Physician perspectives and attitudes about using RAI, as well as patient volume, influence RAI use for low-risk thyroid cancer. Efforts to reduce overuse of RAI in low-risk thyroid cancer should include interventions targeted towards physicians, in addition to patients.

PMID:33687063 | DOI:10.1210/clinem/dgab139

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Diagnostic use of fine‐needle aspiration cytology and core‐needle biopsy in head and neck sarcomas

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Abstract

The diagnostic role of fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and core‐needle biopsy (CNB) has not been comprehensively assessed in head and neck sarcomas. A systematic review of published cases (1990–2020) was conducted. Diagnostic performance of both FNAC/CNB to determine tumor dignity and histopathological diagnosis was calculated. One hundred and sixty‐eight cases were included for which FNAC (n = 156), CNB (n = 8), or both (n = 4) were used. Predominant histologies were skeletal muscle, chondrogenic and vascular sarcomas. FNAC correctly assessed dignity in 76.3% and histology in 45% of cases. Dignity was significantly better for vascular tumors, metastatic and recurrent specimens, and worse for chondrogenic sarcomas. CNB showed a 92% accuracy to identify dignity and 83% for histopathology. FNAC and CNB are useful methods for the diagnosis of head and neck sarcomas, particularly well‐suited in the context of recurrent or metastatic disease. The role of CNB remains largely unexplored for this indication.

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Intensity‐modulated radiation therapy for nasal cavity and paranasal sinus tumors: Experience from a single institute

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Abstract

Background

To assess the efficacy of intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for tumors of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus (PNS) region.

Materials and Methods

Two hundred fourteen patients with tumors of the nasal cavity and PNS region treated with curative intent IMRT between 2007 and 2019 were included in this retrospective analysis.

Results

Fifty‐one (24.1%) received definitive RT/CTRT and 163 (75.9%) received adjuvant RT. Most common histology was squamous cell carcinoma (26.1%) followed by adenoid cystic carcinoma (21.5%). The median follow‐up was 43.5 months. The 5‐year local control (LC), event‐free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort was 66.9%, 59%, and 73.9%, respectively. On univariate analysis treatment with nonsurgical modality, T classification and undifferentiated/poorly differentiated histology were associated with inferior 5‐year LC, EFS, and OS. Four patients had late Grade 3/Grade 4 ocular toxicity.

Conclusions

IMRT should be the standard of care for tumors of PNS region across all histologies and treatment setting.

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Swallowing and communication outcomes following primary transoral robotic surgery

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Abstract

Background

Heterogeneity within studies examining transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) has made it challenging to make clear conclusions on functional outcomes. Infrequent use of instrumental swallow examinations compounds uncertainty surrounding the proposed functional advantage to TORS.

Methods

A prospective cohort of 49 patients underwent speech and swallowing assessment 12 months following treatment for OPC. Patients were assessed using fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), clinician‐ and patient‐reported outcomes. Participants were matched according to tumor site, T category, and age. Speech and swallowing outcomes were compared for those receiving TORS versus chemoradiation.

Results

When adjuvant radiotherapy to the primary site could be avoided, TORS demonstrated an advantage for feeding tube duration, secretion severity, penetration/aspiration, M. D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI), and airway protection.

Conclusion

This explorative study suggests that a treatment philosophy of selecting patients for TORS where adjuvant therapy can be omitted or confined to the neck warrants further evaluation.

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Monday, March 8, 2021

ASPP2 expression predicts the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization

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Exp Ther Med. 2021 Apr;21(4):397. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.9828. Epub 2021 Feb 24.

ABSTRACT

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) induces ischemia-hypoxia and local chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity which destroys cancerous cells. However, some patients do not respond to TACE. The causes for such a lack of response remain unclear. Recent studies have revealed that self-regulation of apoptosis-stimulating p53 protein 2 (ASPP2) may play an important role in promoting cell survival under hypoxic conditions as well as chemotherapy resistance via autophagy in various types of cancer. We measured the expression of ASPP2, autophagy-related proteins and apoptotic proteins by western blot assays. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factor. The present study found that ASPP2 expression was negatively correlated with that of BECN-1 (Beclin-1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues. The expression of ASPP-1 was lower while that of Beclin-1 was higher in patients who underwent recurrence of HCC following TACE, than in those who do not undergo such a relapse. ASPP2 expression was also lower in cancerous tissues subjected to TACE, compared with that of directly resected cancerous tissue. The expression of LC3-II was also higher in patients with post-operative recurrence of HCC than in those without relapse. In vitro experiments showed that administration of an autophagy inhibitor, together with hypoxia activation and 5-FU treatment, promoted apoptosis in HepG2 liver cancer cells and primary HCC cells. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that ASPP2 expression in cancer tissue following TACE is an independent risk factor for HCC recurrence as well as overall survival. Higher levels of ASPP2 expression were notably associated with higher objective responses evaluated via mRECIST. Thus, patients with resectable HCC showing high levels of ASPP2 ex pression may benefit from neoadjuvant TACE prior to resection. Our study provided a novel biomarker for HCC prognosis following TACE, based on cell survival mechanisms related to autophagy.

PMID:33680119 | PMC:PMC7918402 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.9828

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Schisantherin A improves learning and memory abilities partly through regulating the Nrf2/Keap1/ARE signaling pathway in chronic fatigue mice

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Exp Ther Med. 2021 Apr;21(4):385. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.9816. Epub 2021 Feb 23.

ABSTRACT

Chronic fatigue is frequently accompanied by decreased learning and memory capabilities. Schizantherin A (SCA) is one of the main active monomer components in Schisandra chinensis lignans. In the present study, a chronic fatigue mouse model was established using the exhausted swimming approach to investigate the effects of SCA on learning and memory and its associated mechanism of action. Learning and memory abilities were tested by step through tests and water maze methods. Levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in hippocampal tissue were measured by corresponding assays. The effect of SCA on the expression of kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Bcl2, Bax and cleaved caspase-3 were determined by we stern blot. The present results showed that SCA can improve the learning and memory capabilities of chronic fatigue mice. SCA was found to increase the activities of SOD and CAT in addition to increasing the levels of GSH but reduced the levels of MDA in hippocampus tissues. Furthermore, SCA treatment downregulated the protein expression levels of Keap1, Bax and cleaved caspase-3 and upregulated the protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO1 and Bcl2 in the hippocampus. These results suggested that modulations in the Nrf2-Keap1-antioxidant response element pathway, anti-oxidative and anti-apoptosis effects are the causes underlying the improvements from SCA treatment on the learning and memory abilities of chronic fatigue mice.

PMID:33680107 | PMC:PMC7918174 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.9816

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Long non-coding RNA SNHG7 facilitates pancreatic cancer progression by regulating the miR-146b-5p/Robo1 axis

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Exp Ther Med. 2021 Apr;21(4):398. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.9829. Epub 2021 Feb 24.

ABSTRACT

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 7 (SNHG7) plays a crucial role in the progression of pancreatic cancer (PC). SNHG7 is upregulated in PC; therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of SNHG7 on PC progression. In the present study, the mRNA expression levels of SNHG7, microRNA(miR)-146b-5p and roundabout homolog 1 (Robo1) were measured via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Moreover, cell viability and apoptosis were assessed by MTT and flow cytometry assays, respectively. The ability of cells to migrate and invade was evaluated by Transwell assays. In addition, dual-luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull-down assays were conducted to assess the interaction between miR-146b-5p and SNHG7 or Robo1. The protein expression of Robo1 was measured via we stern blotting. Furthermore, mouse xenograft models were established to further investigate the effect of SNHG7 on PC progression in vivo. The results indicated that SNHG7 was highly expressed in PC tissues and cells. It was also found that SNHG7 was sponged by miR-146b-5p and that Robo1 was a target of miR-146b-5p. Moreover, it was demonstrated that SNHG7 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as tumorigenesis and apoptosis of PC cells in vitro and in vivo by regulating miR-146b-5p. The results also suggested that miR-146b-5p overexpression inhibited the progression of PC cells by modulating Robo1. Furthermore, silencing of SNHG7 downregulated Robo1 expression by sponging miR-146b-5p. Collectively, the present results indicate that SNHG7 promotes PC progression by sponging miR-146b-5p and upregulating Robo1.

PMID:33680120 | PMC:PMC7918173 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.9829

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