Thrombophilic risk factors in breast cancer patients

Activation of the coagulation system in cancer patients is a long known but still poorly understood phenomenon. To clarify the role of some thrombophilic risk factors in cancer patients, activated protein C sensitivity ratio [APC-SR], protein C activity and antithrombin III [AT III] activity, protein S activity as well as antiphospholipid activity [IgG, IgM] were assessed in 24 women with lymph node positive breast carcinoma, 12 of them had proven distant metastases and another 12 of them had no evidence of distant metastases, in addition to 20 matched healthy control subjects. From this study, there is significant decrease in APC-SR, protein C activity, protein S activity in breast cancer patients compared to control group. Also, there is a significant decrease in the same parameters in patients with metastases compared to those without metastases. The odds ratio for risk of thrombosis associated with breast cancer patients in presence of APC resistance phenotype is 3 and 95% confidence interval [C.l.] is 0.633- 16.89. From this study, we can conclude that APC-resistant phenotype is the most frequent thrombophilic risk factor in cancer breast patients. So, screening assay of APC-SR should be encouraged in cancer breast patients especially those having distant metastases, aiming to reduce the risk of thrombosis

Erythropoietic response to androgen replacement therapy Erythropoietic and role of IL-6 in aging male rats

Changes in iron status and bone marrow Junctions are frequently observed in the elderly. These phenomena are often associated with chronic diseases and/or neoplcfsmas. In a minority of elderly subjects; it is not possible to identify the causes of anemia. This study was carried out to clarify the functional capacity of the erthropoietic tissues of the aged rats, to investigate the role of IL-6 in erthropoietic activity, and to evaluate the short-term testosterone therapy. Thirty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided according to their age into group I [16-week-old; n = 6], group II [48-week-old; n=12], group III [72-week-old; n=I2]. Six rats enrolled in each elderly group [groups II and III] received s.c. testosterone propionate; 2 mg/100 g body weight every other day for 10 days [Groups lIb and Illb]. The remaining rats not received testesterone were named groups [Ila and IlIa]. One day after the last injection, bone marrow aspirates were performed to evaluate the erthropoietic activity and iron stores in the erythroid precursors. In addition, a peripheral haemogram and determination of serum levels of iron, TIBC, IL-6, and free testosterone were done. Significant age-linked changes were observed in the form of decreased serum levels of free testosterone, IL-6, TIBC, RBCs count, and Hb levels as well as an increase in serum iron level in groups Ila and IIla. Bone marrow hypocellularity with a decrease in the amount of iron storage were especially remarkable in Group IlIa. Moreover improvement in the function of erythropoietic tissues in Group lib indicated by erythroid hyperplasia and an increase in the amounts of iron storage. However, reduced serum IL-6 was not affected by testosterone therapy. These data reveal that senile anemias are of hypoproliferaitue character. Testosterone and IL-6 may be, at least in part, the important factors in determining an age-associated decrease in erythropoiesis