ABSTRACT
Cetuximab (Erbitux) has been highlighted for its anti-proliferative effects in solid tumors and it is currently used as an adjuvant modality with other anti-cancer treatments. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is used widely in many specialties of medicine. This study evaluated the efficacy of a combination treatment of two modalities (Cetuximab, PDT) both in vivo and in vitro. The SNU-1041 cell line was used for both the in vitro and in vivo studies. The in vivo and in vitro experiments were each classified into four groups, control group, Cetuximab applied group, PDT applied group and combined modality group. A migration study was performed to determine the anti-migration effect of Cetuximab, and a MTT assay was performed to compare the anti-proliferative effect of the modalities in vitro. For the in vivo study, the cells were implanted into 5-week-old nude mice. The measured volume of the tumor for each group was compared as a function of time. In the migration study, the control group showed a longer migration length than the Cetuximab applied group. In the MTT assay, the combination modality group showed less survival than the uni-modality groups. The measured tumor size after treatment showed that the combination treatment was more effective than the single modalities. PDT and Cetuximab are treatment modalities that target different molecular pathways. A combination of these two treatment modalities was found to more effective than an individual treatment. However, further studies will be needed to determine the optimal dose of the photosensitizer and Cetuximab.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage , Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/therapy , Head and Neck Neoplasms/therapy , Photochemotherapy , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized , Blotting, Western , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Movement/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Cetuximab , Combined Modality Therapy , Dihematoporphyrin Ether/administration & dosage , Drug Synergism , Humans , Mice , Mice, Nude , Photosensitizing Agents/administration & dosage , Xenograft Model Antitumor AssaysABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the level of immunoglobulins and expression of the transcription factors in the adenoids. METHODS: The study population consisted of 30 children with otitis media with effusion (OME), 22 children with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and 27 children with adenoid hyperplasia. IgA, IgG, IgD and IgM concentrations in these three groups were compared immunohistochemically. We also compared the levels of expression of B lymphocyte inducer of maturation program 1 (BLIMP-1), a promoter of plasmacytosis, and B cell leukemia/lymphoma-6 (BCL-6), a repressor of plasmacytosis, in the adenoids of these children. RESULTS: The expression of antibody to Ig A in the OME and CRS groups each was significantly lower than the score in the adenoid hyperplasia group. The staining scores of antibodies to IgG, IgD and Ig M did not differ significantly among the three groups. The expression of antibody to BLIMP-1 in the CRS and adenoid hyperplasia groups showed a significant difference. Staining scores of Antibody to BCL-6 did not differ significantly among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the reduction of IgA in the adenoids was associated with pediatric OME and CRS, and that reduction of expression of the transcription factor BLIMP-1 rather than BCL-6 was associated with CRS.
Subject(s)
Adenoids/immunology , Immunoglobulins/metabolism , Otitis Media with Effusion/immunology , Rhinitis/immunology , Sinusitis/immunology , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Adenoids/pathology , Biomarkers/metabolism , Chi-Square Distribution , Child , Child, Preschool , Chronic Disease , Cohort Studies , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Hyperplasia/immunology , Hyperplasia/pathology , Immunoglobulins/immunology , Incidence , Male , Otitis Media with Effusion/epidemiology , Otitis Media with Effusion/physiopathology , Republic of Korea , Rhinitis/epidemiology , Rhinitis/physiopathology , Risk Assessment , Sensitivity and Specificity , Severity of Illness Index , Sinusitis/epidemiology , Sinusitis/physiopathology , Statistics, Nonparametric , Transcription Factors/immunologyABSTRACT
CONCLUSION: Patients with epiglottic abscesses showed more severe symptoms than those with acute epiglottitis and were at increased risk of airway compromise. All 11 patients with epiglottic abscesses underwent spinal needle aspiration; all were cured without severe complications. These findings indicate that spinal needle aspiration is both safe and effective in patients with epiglottic abscesses. OBJECTIVES: Acute epiglottitis is a disease that may become serious or even fatal because of sudden upper airway obstruction. An epiglottic abscess may result from a coalescent epiglottic infection due to acute epiglottitis or secondary infection of an epiglottic mucocele. There have been few reports comparing acute epiglottitis with epiglottic abscess. We therefore assessed the clinical characteristics of each condition, as well as the efficacy of spinal needle aspiration and drainage of epiglottic abscesses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 90 hospitalized patients diagnosed with acute epiglottitis and epiglottic abscess by flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopy between March 2006 and February 2008. All patients were treated with medication; in addition, those with epiglottic abscess underwent spinal needle aspiration. RESULTS: Of 90 patients, 79 had acute epiglottitis and 11 had epiglottic abscesses. Acute epiglottitis was most common in May (16.5%) and epiglottic abscesses were most common in June (27.3%). The most common symptoms were sore throat (91.1%), dysphagia (38.9%), voice change (33.3%), and dyspnea (16.7%). All patients were treated with antibiotics and steroids. The mean length of hospitalization was 5 days. No patient required a tracheostomy or orotracheal intubation.
Subject(s)
Epiglottitis/therapy , Needles , Suction/instrumentation , Acute Disease , Adult , Airway Obstruction/diagnostic imaging , Airway Obstruction/therapy , Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Cephalosporins/administration & dosage , Combined Modality Therapy , Epiglottitis/diagnostic imaging , Female , Humans , Hydrocortisone/administration & dosage , Infusions, Intravenous , Laryngoscopy , Male , Metronidazole/administration & dosage , Middle Aged , RadiographyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In general, benign neck cysts are treated by surgical excision. This can present technical difficulties and frequent recurrences, because of insufficient surgery. Sclerosing agents such as OK-432 have been tested for the nonsurgical treatment of these cysts. We have assessed the efficacy of OK-432 sclerotherapy for benign neck cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 75 patients (42 men, 33 women) diagnosed with and treated for benign neck cysts between March 2001 and December 2007 by intralesional injection of OK-432. The liquid content of each cyst was aspirated as much as possible, and the same volume of OK-432 solution was injected. Patients were assessed by ultrasonography or computerized tomography, and therapeutic outcomes and adverse effects were evaluated by patient age, sex, cyst type, and number of injections. RESULTS: Of the 75 treated patients, 31 (41.3%) showed total shrinkage, seven (9.3%) showed near-total shrinkage (>90% of cyst volume), five (6.6%) showed marked shrinkage (>70% of cyst volume), and 17 (22.7%) showed partial shrinkage (<70% of cyst volume). No response was seen in 15 patients (20%). Despite repeated sclerotherapy, eight patients (10.7%) showed recurrences. Minor adverse effects of therapy included fever, localized pain, and odynophagia but these complications spontaneously disappeared within several days. CONCLUSIONS: OK-432 sclerotherapy is a safe and effective primary alternative to surgery in patients with benign neck cysts.
