Circulating Tumor Cells – A Review

Context: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are those cells that separate from the primary tumor to enter circulation. This is facili- tated by Epithelial -Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) or through Non EMT based modalities by passive entry into circulation. CTCs are responsible for causing distant metastasis. Objectives: This review article briefly describes few of the mechanisms of CTC production and survival and few methods that are used to detect CTCs Materials and Methods: Data was collected and analyzed from published literature and electronic database searches of PubMed and Google Scholar. Result: CTCs acquire genetic alteration that differentiates them from the primary tumor. Majority of CTCs do not survive in the circulation but the few that do, do so by adapting various survival mechanisms. Conclusion: Detection of CTCs help in the early diagnosis of cancer, providing patient tailored therapy and for monitoring of cancer.

Triplet repeat polymorphism & fragile X syndrome in the Indian context.

Mental retardation due to fragile X syndrome is one of the genetic disorders caused by triplet repeat expansion. CGG repeat involved in this disease is known to exhibit polymorphism even among normal individuals. Here we describe the development of suitable probes for detection of polymorphism in CGG repeat at FMR1 locus as well as the diagnosis of fragile X syndrome. Using these methods polymorphism at the FMR1 locus has been examined in 161 individuals. Ninety eight patients with unclassified mental retardation were examined, of whom 7 were found to have the expanded (CGG) allele at the FMR1 locus. The hybridization pattern for two patients has been presented as representative data.

Child and adolescent psychiatry in-patient facility.

The short-term in-patent facility of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit in the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore is described. Its clientele over one year is reviewed. Totally 152 admissions were made. Hysterical neurosis (30.8%), Psychoses (25.2%), Conduct disorder (10.5%) and Hyperkinetic syndrome (9.8%) were the most common diagnoses observed in this population who needed short-term intervention. Average duration of stay was 4-12 weeks. All children were admitted with a parent. In 95.8% of the cases the treatment expenses were borne partially/fully by the hospital. The policy and functioning of the facility is discussed.

A clinical study of infants presenting to a mental retardation clinic.

Early detection has a central role in the prevention and management of mental retardation. The purpose of this present study is to delinerate the characteristics of developmentally delayed infants and their families attending Mental Retardation Clinic. The sample consisted of 101 infants who were registered in Mental Retardation Clinic of NIMHANS, Bangalore in 1988 constituting 12.5% of total registrations. Data was collected from case records. Majority of subjects were males, first or second born, 7 months or older, from a consanguineous lower or middle class family. Along with developmental delay, 60% had other complaints. Medical problems were reported in about half of the subjects and most had abnormalities on physical examination. Aetiology was discernible in 77.1%. Majority had associated physical disorder such as cerebral palsy, seizures and hearing and/or visual impairment. Around 17% came for follow-up thrice or more, 43% dropped out after work-up. The main conclusions are that; (i) certain socio-demographic, personal and clinical variables influence treatment seeking, and (ii) developmental delay recognised in infancy tends to be associated with clear aetiologic factors and significant medical/neurologic problems.