NK cell dysfunction in chronic lymphocytic leukemia is associated with loss of the mature cells expressing inhibitory killer cell Ig-like receptors.

A prospective analysis of natural killer (NK) cell phenotype and function was performed on fresh peripheral blood samples from untreated patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). Compared to healthy controls, CD56dim NK cells in CLL patients displayed reduced expression of the NKG2D activating receptor and increased CD27 expression, which indicates declines in mature cells. In addition, NK cells from CLL patients showed reduced degranulation responses toward transformed B cells alone or with rituximab and were more sensitive to activation-induced cell death. We further noted a striking reduction in the frequency and viability of NK cells expressing the inhibitory killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIR)2DL1 and/or KIR3DL1, which progressed over time in most patients. Comparisons between a CLL patient and healthy monozygotic twin were consistent with our results in the larger cohorts. Functional and biomarker alterations were less pronounced on NK cells from SLL patients, which have lower tumor burden in peripheral blood than CLL, but significant reduction in degranulation under ADCC conditions and lower frequency and viability of KIR-expressing NK cells were still evident in SLL. We conclude that mature KIR-expressing NK cells respond to the high circulating B cell tumor burden in CLL, but undergo activation-induced apoptosis. Consequently, CLL patients may benefit from therapies that augment NK cell survival and function.

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the dura in a 51-year-old woman following intensive treatment for breast cancer.

PATIENT: Female, 51. FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Ewing sarcoma. SYMPTOMS: Visual disturbances. MEDICATION: -. CLINICAL PROCEDURE: -. SPECIALTY: Oncology. OBJECTIVE: Rare disease. BACKGROUND: Primitive neuroectodermal tumor/Ewing sarcoma (PNET/EWS) is a round blue cell sarcoma that shows varying degrees of neuroectodermal differentiation. PNET/EWS as a primary intracranial tumor is extremely uncommon. CASE REPORT: We report a unique case of peripheral PNET presenting as an intracranial mass in an adult following chemotherapy and radiotherapy for a solid tumor. A 51-year-old woman with previously treated left breast cancer was evaluated for a newly developed brain mass. She underwent craniotomy with resection. Surgical pathology was consistent with a peripheral PNET/EWS with Ewing sarcoma gene translocation. She was treated appropriately with vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin (later dactinomycin) alternating with ifosfamide and etoposide. CONCLUSIONS: Although development of PNET/EWS presenting along the CNS is exceedingly rare in adults, establishing the proper diagnosis of this "small blue cell tumor" is critical. The further distinction between central PNET and peripheral PNET can greatly impact both prognosis and treatment. Our case also highlights the importance of considering the impact of prior intensive therapies, including radiation and chemotherapy, on predisposing to future PNET/EWS.

Tissue factor as a novel target for treatment of breast cancer.

Tissue factor (TF), a 47-kDa transmembrane glycoprotein that initiates blood coagulation when complexed with factor VIIa (FVIIa), is expressed in several tumor types. TF has been shown to play a role in cell signaling, inflammation, angiogenesis, as well as tumor growth and metastasis. Activation of the TF signaling pathway has been implicated in mediating the function of many tumor cell types and has led to TF as a potential target in the treatment of several malignancies. Formation of the TF-FVIIa complex in breast cancer cells has been shown to exert an antiapoptotic effect and play a key role in tumor growth and metastasis. Breast cancer growth is suppressed by inhibition of TF-mediated PAR2 signaling, and deficiency in PAR2 delays spontaneous breast cancer development in mice. TF is expressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive type of breast cancer in which there is currently a paucity of available targets. Various methods of targeting TF have been investigated and include immunoconjugates or icons, anti-TF antibodies, TF pathway inhibitors, targeted photodynamic therapy, and microRNAs. These investigations may give way to promising clinical therapies for breast cancer, especially in TNBC, for which there are relatively few effective treatment options.

Breast cancer treatment of women with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder from Philadelphia, PA: lessons learned and suggestions for improvement.

Treating cancer in patients with concurrent severe mental illness is complex and challenging for patients, families, and health care providers. Two such illnesses include schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In this review, cases of women with breast cancer and severe mental illness from Philadelphia, PA illustrate the obstacles these women face in maintaining adequate cancer care. Barriers to receiving cancer treatment include understanding their disease, continuing medications and appointments, and experiencing complications of their psychiatric disorders. Learning from these cases is critical for health care providers and allows for innovation in treating and educating this difficult population. Increasing patient visit time, using social support services, and psychiatrist and psychiatrist-liaisons are necessary to improve care. In addition, family or caregivers should be included in discussions when possible. These techniques will assist in educating patients, improve insight into their disease and treatment, and allow them to benefit from cancer therapy.

Acute myelogenous leukemia and myelodysplasia secondary to breast cancer treatment: case studies and literature review.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for breast cancer are known to increase the risk of developing a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and/or acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Alkylating agents and topoisomerase II inhibitors, fundamental to the treatment of breast cancer, are the most likely contributors to this increase in risk. Radiation therapy adds to the risk, and there is speculation that granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) may also predispose to leukemia. The purpose of this systemic review is to bring to the attention of family physicians the unintended consequence of leukemia secondary to aggressively treated breast cancer. METHODS: The medical records of several patients from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, with previously treated breast cancer admitted for therapy for AML or myelodysplasia, were reviewed. In addition, the recent literature on this topic was reviewed. RESULTS: Cases of patients whose AML was likely secondary to their treatment for breast cancer were used to illustrate the role of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and perhaps G-CSF in the development of leukemia. CONCLUSIONS: Chemotherapy and radiation therapy administered for breast cancer predispose patients to the development of MDS or AML. We hypothesize that the breast cancer (BRCA) gene mutations might add to the risk and that primary care physicians must be aware of the long-term risks of cytotoxic therapy, including the development of MDS or AML.