ABSTRACT
SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine whether vitamin C has a protective effect on cisplatin-induced neuropathy in rats. METHODS: In total, 24 rats were included in the study of which 8 rats (no drug administered) were categorized as the control group. The remaining 16 rats were given a total dose of 20 mg/kg cisplatin to induce neuropathy. These drug-administered rats (16 rats) were randomly divided into two groups, namely, group-1 (n=8): cisplatin+saline and group-2 (n=8): cisplatin+vitamin C (500 mg/kg/day). All rats were tested for motor function and electromyographic activity 3 days after cisplatin. Motor performance was evaluated by an inclined-plane test. Compound muscle action potential was evaluated. Plasma malondialdehyde, glutathione, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin 6, and sciatic nerve HSP 70 levels were measured. Axon diameter and nerve growth factor expression levels were analyzed. RESULTS: Plasma malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin 6 levels were higher in the cisplatin+saline group than control group (p<0.001). But vitamin C significantly reduced malondialdehyde and inflammatory cytokine levels when compared with the cisplatin+saline group (p<0.001). Glutathione levels were lower in both cisplatin+saline and cisplatin+vitamin C groups than control group, but vitamin C significantly ameliorated the glutathione levels (p<0.05). Sciatic heat shock protein-70 levels were significantly higher in the cisplatin+vitamin C group than cisplatin+saline group. Compound muscle action potential amplitude and inclined plane test scores were significantly improved in the vitamin C group (p<0.05). Axon diameter and nerve growth factor expression ameliorated with vitamin C (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the ameliorated effects of vitamin C on cisplatin-induced neuropathy through increased heat shock protein-70, nerve growth factor levels, and reduced inflammatory and oxidant effects. The results are promising to improve the neurotoxic effects of cisplatin in cancer patients.
ABSTRACT
Tumor diameter is a reliable parameter to estimate tumor volume in solid organ cancers; its use in prostate cancer is controversial since it exhibits a more irregular pattern of growth. This study aimed to examine the association between the tumor volume estimations based on transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsy results and the tumor volume measured on the pathological specimen.
A total of 237 patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) were included in this retrospective study. The differences and correlations between cancer volume estimations based on TRUS guided biopsy findings and cancer volume estimations based on post-prostatectomy pathology specimens were examined. In addition, diagnostic value of TRUS guided biopsy-based volume estimations in order to predict clinically significant cancer (>0.5 cc) were calculated.
The mean cancer volume estimated using TRUS biopsy results was lower (5.5±6.5 cc) than the mean cancer volume calculated using prostatectomy specimens (6.4±7.6 cc) (p<0.041). TRUS guided biopsy examination resulted in 5 false positive and 15 false negative cases. There was a significant but weak correlation between the two parameters (r=0.62, p<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of TRUS guided biopsy in predicting the presence of clinically significant cancer was 93.4% (95% CI, 89.1-96.1) and 50.0% (95% CI, 20.1-79.9), respectively.
TRUS guided biopsy-derived estimations seem to have a limited value to predict pathologically established tumor volume. Further studies are warranted to identify additional methods that may more accurately predict actual pathological characteristics and prognosis of prostate cancer.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration/methods , Prostate/pathology , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Tumor Burden , Prognosis , Prostate/surgery , Prostate , Prostatectomy/methods , Prostatic Neoplasms/surgery , Prostatic Neoplasms , Retrospective Studies , Sensitivity and Specificity , Statistics, Nonparametric , Ultrasonography, Interventional/methodsABSTRACT
Background: Conventionally growth pattern, stromal overgrowth, stromal cellularity and stromal mitotic activity are the main parameters in the grading of phyllodes tumors (PTs). Recent studies revealed that both p53 and Ki-67 expressions are correlated with grade of PTs of the breast. Expression of hormone receptors and overexpression/amplifi cation of HER2 has been studied in PTs to discover the roles of these markers as new treatment modalities. Materials and Method: We studied 26 PT cases. Seventeen benign and nine malignant PTs were re-evaluated as regards stromal cellularity mitotic activity, p53/Ki-67 expression rates and the relation between these parameters. Estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor (ER, PR) positivity were determined by counting nuclear staining in fi ve high-power fi elds. Also, the presence of any HER2 staining and staining patterns were documanted. Results: Stromal cellularity, mitotic rate, p53 and Ki-67 expression rates were all correlated with benign and malignant histologic subgroups (P = 0.000-0.001). Ki-67 and p53 expressions were statistically signifi cantly correlated with histologic subgroups, stromal cellularity and mitotic rate (P < 0.005). ER and PR expressions in the epithelial component were not statistically signifi cant between the two groups. HER2 showed different staining patterns in the epithelial component, and there was no staining in the stromal component. Conclusion: Ki-67 and p53 expression rates were statistically signifi cantly correlated with grade of mammary PTs; therefore, they can be used in the determination of tumor grade, especially for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant tumors. Malignant and benign tumors did not differ signifi cantly in terms of hormone receptor and HER2 expression. HER2 expression showed different patterns in the epithelial component of the PTs