Biomarkers of normal tissue toxicity after pelvic radiotherapy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the evidence for candidate biomarkers of gastrointestinal toxicity following pelvic radiotherapy to highlight recent findings of potential interest to those involved in the treatment of pelvic malignancies or the management of gastrointestinal consequences of cancer treatments. RECENT FINDINGS: Multiple serum and faecal biomarkers have been studied for use in the detection of gastrointestinal toxicity following pelvic radiotherapy. There is no single biomarker that has been shown to be useful and studies have been hampered by the lack of a 'gold standard' test to confirm the presence of toxicity. Given the complex effects of pelvic radiotherapy on the gastrointestinal tract, it is likely that a panel of biomarkers would be necessary in clinical practice. SUMMARY: Biomarkers for gastrointestinal toxicity have a potential role in determining the outcomes of current and evolving radiotherapy techniques, identifying those patients at risk of greater degrees of toxicity to facilitate individualized treatment and determining whether symptoms that develop following treatment are related to the previous radiotherapy. Outcome measurement of pelvic radiotherapy has been plagued by inaccurate terminology and crude outcome measures. An accurate and acceptable biomarker or panel of biomarkers has the potential to revolutionize cancer management from treatment planning to posttreatment care. Several candidate biomarkers show promising results, but further robust research is required to clearly identify reliable biomarkers that can be translated into clinical practice.

[The development of method of intravenous laser irradiation of blood with green laser in patients with hyperlipidemia].

The impact of intravenous laser irradiation of blood with green laser in patients with hyperlipidemia was investigated. The blood of patients was chosen as sample for analysis. The patients were divided in two groups: patients with atherosclerosis of various localization and patients with atherosclerosis associated with diabetes mellitus. The effectiveness of laser impact was evaluated according the blood biochemical indicators. The levels of crude cholesterol, triglycerides, low and very low density lipoproteins, apoproteins A and B, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, atherogenity indicator, glucose content, uric acid content were determined befor and after 1, 3 and 6 months after impact. The study results indicate the occurrence of hypolipedemic and hypoglycemic effects.

Adaptation of the human skin by chronic solar-simulating UV irradiation prevents ultraviolet-B irradiation-induced rise in serum C-reactive protein levels.

Exposure of the skin to UV radiation induces local inflammation. We hypothesized that inflammation induced by erythemal UV-B irradiation could elevate levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and that suberythemal repeating doses of solar-simulating UV radiation (SSR) would produce photoadaptation to such inflammation. Separation-free high-sensitivity assays of CRP show an increase by 42% (P = 0.046) in CRP concentrations in healthy human subjects 24 h after a 3 minimal erythemal dose (MED) dose of UV-B delivered onto a 100 cm2 skin area. Preceding daily suberythemal doses of whole-body SSR for 10 or 30 consecutive days completely prevented the CRP increase. UV-B-induced skin erythema was partially attenuated by 30 preceding days of SSR only (P = 0.00066). After 10 daily SSR doses, the mean baseline CRP concentrations (0.24 +/- 0.21 mg/L) declined by 35% (P = 0.018). Using high-sensitivity analysis of serum CRP as the endpoint marker for cutaneous inflammation, we show that acute exposure of even a relatively small skin area to erythemal UV-B induces skin inflammation detectable also at the systemic level and that photoadaptation by preceding repeating suberythemal doses of SSR reduces signs of inflammation. Our data complement the view given by previous studies in that local photoadaptation also has systemic manifestations.

Assessment of blood serum immunoglobulin and C-reactive protein concentrations in workers of x-ray diagnostics units.

OBJECTIVES: Workers of x-ray departments are occupationally exposed to long-term low levels of ionizing radiation. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of occupational exposure of low-level x-ray radiation on immunoglobulin and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in radiology workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the study group of 41 x-ray department workers and the control group composed of 32 persons, immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG, IgA) and CRP concentrations were analyzed. The study group was subdivided by gender and smoking habit. RESULTS: A significant decrease in IgG level was found in the workers and the female subgroup. The same observation was made when smokers and nonsmokers of both groups were compared. Smoking workers showed lower concentrations of IgA than non-smokers. The remaining results of immunoglobulin and CRP concentrations did not show significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation is associated with suppressive influence on the immunoglobulin production, especially IgG. In addition, smoking decreases the production of IgA in radiology workers.

[Effects of low-intensity infrared impulse laser therapy on inflammation activity markers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. / Vliianie nizkointensivnoi infrakrasnoi impul'snoi lazernoi terapii na markery aktivnosti vospaleniia u bol'nykh revmatoidnym artritom.

AIM: To evaluate effects of low-intensity infrared impulse laser therapy (IRILT) on concentration of immunity activation [not readable: see text] (soluble receptors of TNF-alpha and neopterin) and indicator of the inflammation activity (concentration of C-reactive protein) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Enzyme immunoassay, radioimmunoassay, enzyme immunoassay and radial immunodiffusion were used to measure soluble receptors of TNF-alpha, neopterin and C-reactive protein in 38 females with verified RA receiving IRILT or sham procedures. RESULTS: IRILT induced lowering of neopterin, TNF-alpha soluble receptors (p < 0.01) and C-reactive protein (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The findings give pathogenetical grounds for IRILT use in RA as this treatment suppresses functional activity of macrophages which serve the main source of neopterin and the receptors synthesis.

[Effect of various physical factors on clinical and laboratory indicators and on nonspecific resistance of the body in reactive arthritis]. / Vliianie nekotorykh fizicheskikh faktorov na kliniko-laboratornye pokazateli i nespetsificheskuiu rezistentnost' organizma pri reaktivnykh artritakh.

Application of UV-therapy and acupuncture in the complex therapy and rehabilitation of reactive arthritis patients had a positive effect on the disease course. The clinical efficacy of the compared physiotherapy methodologies is determined, to a certain degree, by the increase in the nonspecific resistance of the organism in this category of patients.