Laparoscopic Morcellation of Fibroid and Uterus In-Bag.

OBJECTIVES: Uterine morcellation of presumed leiomyomas inadvertently results in an increase in morcellated uterine leiomyosarcoma (ULMS). Morcellation alters the natural course of ULMS, leading to an increased incidence and earlier recurrences. Recurrences following tumor morcellation are significantly more likely to occur in the peritoneum. Since there is no reliable method for predicting whether a woman with fibroids may have a uterine sarcoma, the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) discourages the use of laparoscopic power morcellation during hysterectomy or myomectomy (US Food and Drug Administration, http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/ucm393576.htm in 2014). In the wake of recent ban on usage of power morcellation by US FDA, we introduce a technique of in-bag morcellation, thus avoiding spillage of tissues in the peritoneal cavity and spread of an undiagnosed disease or cancer or sarcoma. METHODS: We present a study of twenty-one cases of laparoscopic in-bag morcellation of fibroid and uteri done by Total Health Care method. RESULTS: The in-bag morcellation technique handles the issue of ULMS and makes laparoscopic myomectomy and hysterectomy possible with fair safety. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies should be directed toward identifying patients at high risk of ULMS prior to presumed leiomyoma resection in order to reduce the risk of inadvertent tumor morcellation.

Oncolytic virotherapy of canine and feline cancer.

Cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death in companion animals such as dogs and cats. Despite recent progress in the diagnosis and treatment of advanced canine and feline cancer, overall patient treatment outcome has not been substantially improved. Virotherapy using oncolytic viruses is one promising new strategy for cancer therapy. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) preferentially infect and lyse cancer cells, without causing excessive damage to surrounding healthy tissue, and initiate tumor-specific immunity. The current review describes the use of different oncolytic viruses for cancer therapy and their application to canine and feline cancer.

Characterization and evaluation of a new oncolytic vaccinia virus strain LIVP6.1.1 for canine cancer therapy.

Virotherapy on the basis of oncolytic vaccinia virus (VACV) strains is one novel approach for canine cancer therapy. In this study we described for the first time the characterization and the use of new VACV strain LIVP6.1.1 as an oncolytic agent against canine cancer in a panel of four canine cancer cell lines including: soft tissue sarcoma (STSA-1), melanoma (CHAS), osteosarcoma (D-17) and prostate carcinoma (DT08/40). Cell culture data demonstrated that LIVP6.1.1 efficiently infected and destroyed all four tested canine cancer cell lines. In two different xenograft models on the basis of the canine soft tissue sarcoma STSA-1 and the prostate carcinoma DT08/40 cell lines, a systemic administration of the LIVP6.1.1 virus was found to be safe and led to anti-tumor and immunological effects resulting in the significant reduction of tumor growth in comparison to untreated control mice. In summary, the pre-clinical evaluation has demonstrated the efficacy of LIVP6.1.1 for canine cancer therapy. Furthermore, a clinical trial with canine cancer patients has already been started.

Virotherapy of canine tumors with oncolytic vaccinia virus GLV-1h109 expressing an anti-VEGF single-chain antibody.

Virotherapy using oncolytic vaccinia virus (VACV) strains is one promising new strategy for cancer therapy. We have previously reported that oncolytic vaccinia virus strains expressing an anti-VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) single-chain antibody (scAb) GLAF-1 exhibited significant therapeutic efficacy for treatment of human tumor xenografts. Here, we describe the use of oncolytic vaccinia virus GLV-1h109 encoding GLAF-1 for canine cancer therapy. In this study we analyzed the virus-mediated delivery and production of scAb GLAF-1 and the oncolytic and immunological effects of the GLV-1h109 vaccinia virus strain against canine soft tissue sarcoma and canine prostate carcinoma in xenograft models. Cell culture data demonstrated that the GLV-1h109 virus efficiently infect, replicate in and destroy both tested canine cancer cell lines. In addition, successful expression of GLAF-1 was demonstrated in virus-infected canine cancer cells and the antibody specifically recognized canine VEGF. In two different xenograft models, the systemic administration of the GLV-1h109 virus was found to be safe and led to anti-tumor and immunological effects resulting in the significant reduction of tumor growth in comparison to untreated control mice. Furthermore, tumor-specific virus infection led to a continued production of functional scAb GLAF-1, resulting in inhibition of angiogenesis. Overall, the GLV-1h109-mediated cancer therapy and production of immunotherapeutic anti-VEGF scAb may open the way for combination therapy concept i.e. vaccinia virus mediated oncolysis and intratumoral production of therapeutic drugs in canine cancer patients.

Significance of serological monitoring in a Bombay Rh (D) negative phenotype pregnant woman: a case report.

A 32 year old Indian female was referred to our hospital at 32 weeks of gestation because of difficulty in blood group determination and further antenatal care. The results of cell and serum grouping of her blood sample were suggestive of Bombay (O(h)) Rh (D) negative phenotype. An indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) using a pool of red cells from two Bombay Rh (D) positive blood donors gave negative result using the tube as well as the gel technique (LISS-Coombs Card, BioRad, Switzerland), thus ruling out anti-D antibody in her serum. The anti-H titer was 16 (tube technique) and with dithiothreitol (DTT) treated patient's serum the antibody screening was negative suggestive of IgM type of anti-H antibodies. Within the patient's family, only one member (younger sister) was of O(h) phenotype and also was Rh (D) negative. The baby was born vaginally at 38+6 weeks of gestation and was non-hydropic with a packed cell volume (PCV) of 55%. The baby's blood group was AB Rh (D) negative and the cord blood direct antiglobulin test (DAT) was negative. Thus, a careful serological testing of O(h) phenotype antenatal women especially with Rh (D) negative phenotype is of utmost importance in determining the isoimmunization status.

Oncolytic virotherapy in veterinary medicine: current status and future prospects for canine patients.

Oncolytic viruses refer to those that are able to eliminate malignancies by direct targeting and lysis of cancer cells, leaving non-cancerous tissues unharmed. Several oncolytic viruses including adenovirus strains, canine distemper virus and vaccinia virus strains have been used for canine cancer therapy in preclinical studies. However, in contrast to human studies, clinical trials with oncolytic viruses for canine cancer patients have not been reported. An 'ideal' virus has yet to be identified. This review is focused on the prospective use of oncolytic viruses in the treatment of canine tumors - a knowledge that will undoubtedly contribute to the development of oncolytic viral agents for canine cancer therapy in the future.