Non small cell lung cancer molecular biomarkers in blood

Several studies have reported significant correlations between individual telomerase activity and apoptosis in malignant tumours including lung cancer. Such studies were carried out on tissue biopsies from the malignant tissue. The aim of the present study was to determine molecular biological parameters that can he used for early biological predisposition for lung cancer. Telomerase activity and Bcl-2 anti-apoptotic protein in circulating lymphocytes, plasma nitric oxide. epidermal growth factor and epidermal growth 'actor receptor were measured in the blood of 25 non small cell lung cancer [NSCLC] patients amid in 20 normal age and socio-economic matching controls, Results revealed significant increase in telomerase activity [53 +/- 8.2 vs. 19.5 +/- 4.8. p<0.0001] between cancer patients and normal controls, significant lower levels of Bcl-2 [7 2 +/- 1,5 vs. 10.4 +/- 1.4 micro g/ml, t 7.3. p<0.0000001] among cancer patients compared to normal controls, However, there were significantly higher levels of epidermal growth factors [6.2 +/- 2 05 vs 0.2 +/- 0.01 pg/ml], epidermal growth factor receptor EGFR [134 +/- 4.7 vs. 102 +/- 2.2 fmol/ml] and plasma nitrate/nitrite [18.8 +/- 4.7 vs. 12.5 +/- 5 micro g/ml. 1=-5.25. p<0.0001] in lung cancer patients compared to controls. This study reveals that Bcl-2 levels in circulating peripheral blood are weak biomarkers for lung cancer, while increase in plasma telomerase activity, NO and EGF levels can he used as reliable biomarkers for cancer prognosis

Ankle-midtarsal arthrodesis for paralytic deformed ankle-foot in chronic poliomyelitis

Residual paresis and deformity of the ankle-foot is a common sequel of chronic poliomyelitis. Twenty patients with a mean age of 18.6 years [range 18 - 20 years] suffering paralytic flail deformed ankle-foot, but with adequate gluteus maximus muscle power and stable knee, secondary to chronic poliomyelitis acquired during infancy, had been treated with ankle-midtarsal arthrodesis using Charnley's external fixator-compression for the ankle and staples for the midtarsal joints. They were retrospectively evaluated for the results after arthrodesis at a mean interval of 3.8 years [range, 2 - 6 years] by physical examination and radio-graphs. All patients had a stable painless plantigrade resilient foot after arthrodesis. Neither nonunion [pseudoarthrosis] developed nor did talar avascular necrosis. Complications included wound slough [one], and reflex sympathetic dystrophy [one]. Four cases [20%] were classified as excellent, 10 cases [50%] as good, 5 cases [25%] as fair, and one case [5%] as poor. With the numbers available for study, it could be possible to show that the extent of the arthrodesis and involvement of hindfoot and midfoot joints sparing the subtalar joint affected functional outcome in a significant fashion. The principle, though applied to paralytic cases, can also be used in other non-paralytic ankle-foot deformity