The effect of cicerfuran, an arylbenzofuran from Cicer bijugum, and related benzofurans and stilbenes on Leishmania aethiopica, L. tropica and L. major.

The effect of 3 arylbenzofurans and 7 stilbenes on the growth of Leishmania parasites and human monocytes was evaluated. Promastigotes from cultures of L. aethiopica, L. major and L. tropica were tested in the exponential phase of growth. All compounds were active at concentrations of 100 microg/mL within 6 hours. The 2-hydroxylstibene showed activity at a concentration < 1 microg/mL, with an LD (50) of 3 - 5 microg/mL after 48 hours of incubation. The most active compounds: cicerfuran, 2-hydroxy-2'-methyl-4',5'-methylenedioxystilbene, 2-hydroxy-2'-methoxy-4',5'-methylenedioxystilbene and 2-hydroxystilbene had even stronger activity against the temperature-induced amastigotes of L. aethiopica, with the latter having the highest relative potency against all three species. Leishmanicidal activity seemed to be associated with the level of oxygen substitution in each compound. The ratio between leishmanicidal activity on promastigotes and toxicity to human cells suggested that the compounds could be considered as leishmanicidal drug leads.

Use of recombinant human thyrotropin in a complicated case of metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a complicated case of metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma and the use of recombinant human thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone) (rhTSH) in conjunction with treatment with radioactive iodine (131I). METHODS: We present a detailed case report and discuss the use of rhTSH in this setting. RESULTS: A 62-year-old Filipino man with a history of incompletely treated papillary thyroid cancer sought medical assistance in the emergency department because of weakness of the right upper extremity. Imaging studies showed a large mediastinal mass in association with C7 vertebral body erosion and spinal cord impingement. A cervical lymph node biopsy revealed papillary thyroid carcinoma, follicular variant. Further imaging studies disclosed widely metastatic disease. The patient subsequently had a complicated treatment course and received rhTSH in conjunction with 131I treatment. CONCLUSION: This unusual case demonstrates possible complications of metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma along with innovations in treatment options, including the use of rhTSH to stimulate the uptake of radioiodine by thyroid cancer cells.