RESUMEN
Catastrophic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is a rare and severe subtype of antiphospholipid syndrome with multisystemic organ failure due to thromboembolic events, resulting in high mortality rates. The association between catastrophic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome and autoimmune thyroid diseases is rarely reported in the literature. We report a case of a 35-year-old previously healthy female with Graves' thyroid storm, positive lupus antibodies, and probable catastrophic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. Her hospital course was complicated by extensive venous thromboembolism, superior vena cava syndrome, thromboembolic strokes, and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Eventually, this led to an unfortunate death secondary to profound shock after 8 days despite emergent treatment. Our case report discusses the link between autoimmune thyroid disorders and catastrophic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. We emphasize the difficulty in diagnosing catastrophic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome in extremely ill patients and stress the significance of considering it as a possible cause in thyrotoxicosis patients with multiple organ failure and hypercoagulability. Early recognition and prompt management are crucial in improving outcomes in these patients.
RESUMEN
Primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (PC-ALCL) is a subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma belonging to the CD30+ spectrum of lymphoproliferative disorders. It constitutes the second most prevalent category within cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL), encompassing approximately 25% of cases. This disorder is characterized by its exclusive cutaneous involvement and favorable overall prognosis. Patients typically present with reddish-brown nodules, which may evolve into ulcers. Although some cases experience regression, complete resolution is uncommon. While most lesions manifest on the extremities, followed by the head and neck, the breast region may rarely be affected by PC-ALCL. Distinctions between anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive and ALK-negative subtypes have been documented in breast presentations, often associated with breast implants. In this context, we present an isolated PC-ALCL instance in a 26-year-old woman with no history of breast implants.
RESUMEN
Despite the significant advances in targeted- and immuno-therapies, lung and breast cancer are at the top list of cancer incidence and mortality worldwide as of 2020. Combination therapy consisting of a mixture of different drugs taken at once is currently the main approach in cancer management. Natural compounds are extensively investigated for their promising anti-cancer potential. This study explored the anti-cancer potential of butein, a biologically active flavonoid, on two major solid tumors, namely, A549 lung and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells alone and in combination with another natural anti-cancer compound, frondoside-A. We demonstrated that butein decreases A549 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell viability and colony growth in vitro in addition to tumor growth on chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) in vivo without inducing any noticeable toxicity. Additionally, non-toxic concentrations of butein significantly reduced the migration and invasion of both cell lines, suggesting its potential anti-metastatic effect. We showed that butein anti-cancer effects are due, at least in part, to a potent inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation, leading to PARP cleavage and consequently cell death. Moreover, we demonstrated that combining butein with frondoside-A leads to additive effects on inhibiting A549 and MDA-MB-231 cellular viability, induction of caspase 3/7 activity, inhibition of colony growth, and inhibition of cellular migration and invasion. This combination reached a synergistic effect on the inhibition of HUVECs migration in vitro. Collectively, this study provides sufficient rationale to further carry out animal studies to confirm the relevance of these compounds' combination in cancer therapy.
