Analysis of microRNAs expression changes in human breast cancer cell lines following exposure to ionizing radiation

Background: the expression alterations of specific miRNAs were analysed in response to gamma-irradiation in two breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB- 231 with low and high BCSCs content to design probable strategies for sensitizing breast cancer stem-like cells MDA-MB-231 to radiation

Materials and Methods: the expression levels of hsa-miR-34a, hsa-let-7i and hsa-miR-21 were assessed by QRT-PCR in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells at three time points after gamma irradiation using three different doses

Results: the results showed that the over-expression of hsa-miR-34a in MCF-7 cells was much more significant than MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, there was a considerable overexpression of hsa-miR-21 in MDA-MB-231 cells following exposure to ionizing radiation [IR]. The hsa-let-7i expression changes were different, depending on radiation dose, time post irradiation and cell type

Conclusion: according to the results, we may be able to sensitize stem-like MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells to radiation by increasing miR-34a and decreasing miR-21 expression levels simultaneously

New drug in neoadjuvant chemoradiation for rectal cancer

In recent years, neoadjuvant chemoradiation and subsequent surgical resection with total mesorectal excision has been shown to increase local control with decreased toxicity. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer. In this study we evaluated the efficacy a cox-2 inhibitor on pathologic response, sphincter preservation and acute toxicity during neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Thirty-six patients with Adenocarcinoma of rectum [up to 15 cm of anal verge] was enrolled in this phase 2 study. Patients were undergone endorectal ultrasound, abdomino-pelvic and chest CT scan for staging. Then received neoadjuvant concurrent chemo radiation [capecitabine 825 mg/m2 bid in combination with celecoxib 100 mg qid and Radiotherapy "50-50.4Gy/25-28fraction"].Surgery was done 6-8 weeks after Chemoradiation. Acute complications were scored by common toxicity criteria 3.0 and tumor response was graded by tumor regression grade. Of 36 patients, total mesorectal excision was done in 30 patients. Tumor regression grade was reported as: 8 patients[26.7%] had grade 0 or complete response, 10 patients [33.3%] had grade 1 or moderate response,9 patients[30%] had grade 2 or minimal response and 3 patients [10%] had grade 3 or poor response. Tumor down staging was 43.3% and Node down staging was 30.8%.No patient had skin reaction or cardio-vascular toxicity. Results indicate celecoxib in combination with neoadjuvant chemoradiation is safe and associated with low toxicity. This combination can promote pathologic complete response, tumor regression grade and T and N down staging in rectal adenocarcinoma

Comparison of conventional and 3D conformal treatments using linac energies for prostate cancer

To evaluate the dosimetric difference between conventional and three-dimensional conformal Radiotherapy [3D-CRT] using 6 and 18 MV X-ray photons. Computed tomography scans of 26 pelvic patients were acquired and transferred to the 3D treatment planning system. For each patient, 8 Conventional plans [3, 4, 5 and 6 Fields] and one 3D-CRT plan were prepared using 6 and 18 MV photon energies. The minimum dose [D[min]], maximum dose [D[max]] and mean dose [D[mean]] to target [PTV] and organs at risk [OAR], Integral dose, Homogeneity Index and Conformity Index were compared for each plan. Also, Experimental measurements were performed using farmer ionization chamber on a patient based pelvic phantom. On Average, six-field [6F1] plans, offer minimum dose to critical organs and sufficient dose to prostate. Increasing the beam energy lead to a decrease in D[mean] of the bladder and femoral heads, as well as D[max] of PTV. The CI and ID were decreased by 4% and 11% respectively with increasing the energy and the number of beams. Experimental measurements were also in good agreement with calculations. 3D-CRT reduced D[mean] of bladder, rectum and femoral heads and also CI and ID were significantly improved by 44.6% and 30.8%, respectively. Increasing the photon energy and number of beams, improve the treatment parameters of bladder, femoral heads and PTV, except the rectum. 3D-CRT offered the most conformity in the delivery doses to the prostate while sparing dose to OARs, uninvolved structures with lower integral dose

[Benzydamine for prophylaxis of radiation-induced oral mucositis in head and neck cancers; a double-blind clinical trial]

This study has been conducted to determine the effect of using oral rinse benzydamine in prevention of radiation induced mucositis. Patients with head and neck cancers, who referred to Cancer Institute between 2004 and 2005, were enrolled in a double blind clinical trail. They had to receive 15 cc of oral rinse benzydamine or placebo, four times a day, from the first day of radiotherapy up to the end of the course. The incidence of mucositis grade 3 or more was evaluated. From 100 patients who were randomized in this trail, 19patients were excluded of the analysis due to minor side-effects of drug, or stopping the radiotherapy. The incidence of mucositis grade 3 or more was 43.6% among 39 cases in treated group, whereas among 42 cases in placebo group this rate was 78.6%. The difference was, therefore, significant [P<0.005]. Mucositis grade 3 or more was 1.8 times more frequent in placebo group [Relative Risk=1.8]. Also, if the patients did not receive benzydamine the attributive risk of mucositis was 35%. After the third week of treatment, the mean grade of mucositis was more than 2 in the placebo group; but in the benzydamine group it was less than 2 up to the end of radiotherapy [P<0.001]. According to these results it seems that oral rinse benzydamine is effective, safe, and well-tolerated for prophylactic treatment of radiation-induced oral mucositis in head and neck tumors. There is a need to evaluate the efficacy of benzydamine in another large study in Iran

Hematological toxicities and treatment interruption due to craniospinal irradiation

To assess the frequency and severity of myelosuppression due to cranio-spinal irradiation to identify patients at high risk of haematological toxicity who may require supportive therapy. Between 1998 and 2002, 45 patients received craniospinal axis radiotherapy as part of the treatment of primary CNS tumours at departement of radiotherapeutic oncology of cancer Institute. The dose to the whole brain ranged from 30 to 40 Gy in 1.5-1.85 Gy/f. The usual dose to the posterior fossa or to the site of primary disease was 50- 55 Gy in 6-8 weeks for adults and was reduced to 45-50 Gy in 6-7 weeks for children aged, 3 years. Complete blood counts [CBC] were obtained during radiation therapy. Any interruption in treatment due hematologic toxicity [G3-4] lasting 2 days was defined as a significant treatment interruption. In 45 patients who received craniospinal irradiation [CSI] 19 patients had treatment interruption more than 2 days. The median dose at interruption was 21.6 +/- 8.7 Gy and the the frequency of grade 3,4 hematologic toxicity occurred with peack incidence in fourth week of CSI[median day of interruption was day 23,range 8-38]. The median WBC count was 1900[range 100-2140].The mean of interruption period was 7 +/- 8 days [one patient died from neutropenic fever then he didn't finish his treatment. In 19 patients who had treatment interruption,13 of them were under 12 years while 5 patients were greater than 12 years .With Mann-Whitney U test the median age of patients with treatment interruption was lower; 10.2 years and 16.2 years respectively[P=.059].].In 24 patients with dose/fraction =<1.6 Gy 12 patients [50%] had treatment interruption but in 21 patients with dose/fraction >1.6 Gy 7 [33%] had treatment interruption[P=.2] but interruption period was longer in patients with dose/ fraction >1.6 Gy .From 12 patients who had dose/fraction <=1.6Gy,7 patients had interruption period less than 5 days while in group with dose/fraction >1.6 Gy all patients had treatment interruption period more than 5 days[P=.016,CI 95% for interruption period difference =1.2-4.7]. In summary, in our study 42% of patients undergoing CSI had treatment interruption. The risk was higher in children and in patients who received higher spinal dose fraction the treatment interruption was longer, but the overall treatment-related morbidity was low. In a population at risk of hematological toxicity where further studies of HGFs should be targeted

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of coriandrum sativum extract in mice

Coriandrum sativum is traditionally being used to relieve toothache, ease migraine and rheumatic arthritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of Coriandrum sativum compared with morphine and ASA. Percolated and soxhleted methanolic extracts of Coriandrum sativum, in different doses, were injected into mice [IP] and the analgesic effect was determind by formalin and Tail flick tests. This experimental study was carried out in Kerman pharmacy school in 2002. The results showed that percolated extract in doses of 25, 50, 100, 200mg/kg induced signinificant analgesia compared with the normal saline group. The most effective dose of extract was 50 mg/kg. The analgesic effect of this dose was different from morphine and ASA. Since the naloxone did not induce any significant effect on the analgesic property of extract by Tail flick and formalin test except following 20-25 min in formalin test, so it seems that the opioid receptor may be involved in inflammatory phase