Progesterone regulates the proliferation of breast cancer cells - in vitro evidence.

Reports state that surgery performed at different phases of the menstrual cycle may significantly affect breast cancer treatment outcome. From previous studies, we identified differentially expressed genes in each menstrual cycle phase by microarray, then subjected them to functional in vitro analyses. Microarray studies disclosed genes that are upregulated in the luteal phase and follicular phase. TOB-1 is a tumor suppressor gene and was expressed exclusively in the luteal phase in our microarray study. Therefore, we further functionally characterized the protein product of TOB-1 in vitro. To our knowledge, no studies have yet been conducted on reactive oxygen species-regulated tumor suppressor interactions in accordance with the biphasic nature of progesterone. This work demonstrates that progesterone can produce reactive oxygen species in MCF-7 cells and that TOB-1 exerts a series of non-genomic interactions that regulate antiproliferative activity by modulating the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Furthermore, this study implicates PTEN as an interacting partner for TOB-1, which may regulate the downstream expression of cell cycle control protein p27 via multiple downstream signaling pathways of progesterone through a progesterone receptor, purely in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. These results support the hypothesis that surgery conducted during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle may facilitate improved patient survival.

Efficacy of Varunadi Ghritha (polyherbal compound) in treated head and neck cancer cases as a biological response modifier.

BACKGROUND: Persistent immune suppression is reported in Head and Neck Cancers (HNC) even after treatment and a higher recurrence rate was observed in patients with poor CD3 count. Loco regional recurrences and second primary tumours are the common forms of failure in head and neck cancers. Several agents have been tried to overcome this problem without much benefit. In Ayurveda, several plant based products have been reported to have anti-tumour and immunomodulatory properties. AIM: To test the role of Varunadi Ghritha, as an immunomodulator in apparently healthy, treated and controlled HNC patients and to evaluate its effectiveness in preventing locoregional relapses and development of second primary tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 78 patients of treated head and neck cancers were randomly selected for intervention and control group. Patients in the intervention group (n = 38) received Varunadi Ghritha, 5gms twice daily for one year and followed up to two years. Patients in the control group (n = 40) were followed up at regular intervals. Immune parameters were assessed in the peripheral blood at base line and at the end of administration of the study compound. RESULTS: In the intervention group, mean percentage increase in CD3, CD19 and CD16 positive cells were significantly higher after the administration of the study compound compared to the control group indicating an immunomodulatory effect of the study compound. A non-significant improvement in disease control was observed in patients with advanced stage of disease in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: Administration of Varunadi Ghritha resulted in an increase in T cell counts in patients with treated HNC.

Genotypes of the human papillomavirus: relevance to Indian field trials of the vaccine.

Highly effective HPV vaccines are likely to become available for use in India shortly. The availability and validation of the vaccines to prevent oncogenic HPV infection associated lesions from progressing to cancer has clearly offered a cost effective long-term strategy to reduce the cervical cancer burden, particularly for developing countries where effective screening programmes are not available. The enthusiasm for these new vaccines duly justified, are we in reality targeting the actual delinquent by prompting these vaccines in India? The answer would be no as we may not be essentially implementing a rational fool-proof vaccine program which will aid in preventing HPV-related diseases, for the simple reason that there is a lack of understanding about the underlying HPV types responsible for cervical cancer in India. Field trials involving large populations form a major part of continued analysis in understanding any disease and India is still short of such a trial as far as cervical cancer is concerned. Conducting such studies, might also act as prevention programs that will save lives and improve public health in a substantive manner.