Volume Articles

Treatment Options for Non-Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases

Xianglong Tan¹, Mengyang Li², Zhiming Zhao¹*

¹The Second Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China

²Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center, Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China

Liver metastases occur during the progression of various malignancies. Similar to colorectal cancer, liver metastases of neuroendocrine cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and pancreatic cancer also determine patient prognosis to some extent. With the development of surgical techniques, pharmaceutical research, and perioperative treatment, therapeutic strategies for non-colorectal cancer liver metastases have improved greatly during the last two decades, inevitably leading to some controversies. Here, we have reviewed the current treatment options for non-colorectal cancer with the aim of enhancing our understanding of the latest developments in this field.

Cdk5: A Mediator of Mptp Opening

Saranya NavaneethaKrishnan¹, Jesusa L. Rosales¹, Ki-Young Lee¹*

¹Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer and Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institutes, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

Sarcomatoid Transformation in Carcinomas: Is Precision Medicine the Answer?

Juwairiya Arshi¹, Feng Yin¹*

¹Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA

Sarcomatoid transformation in a carcinoma is a rare event but frequently associated with advanced disease stage, aggressive clinical behavior and dismal prognosis. It’s likely a result of stepwise gene mutations in pluripotent stem cell and involves the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this review, we discuss the sarcomatoid transformation in various types of cancers. Sarcomatoid transformation in a carcinoma should always be in the differential when there is a sudden increase in size of the tumor during neoadjuvant therapy. Use of agents that interfere with the tyrosine kinase pathway might be the new potential addition to the chemotherapy regimen in these cases. Precision medicine, a rapidly emerging field, seems to be promising in the management of these cancers.

Commentary: “Evaluation of Small Molecule Drug Uptake in Patient-Derived Prostate Cancer Explants by Mass Spectrometry”

Ryan Nguyen¹, Cody J. Peer¹, William D. Figg¹*

¹Clinical Pharmacology Program, Office of the Clinical Director, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA

Herein, the strengths and weaknesses of a study previously published in Scientific Reports will be discussed. The major aim of this study was to investigate the spatial uptake of enzalutamide by intact prostate tissue using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) and histological staining. Additionally, quantitative analysis of in situ tissue enzalutamide concentration was achieved by conventional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The authors demonstrated that enzalutamide rapidly permeates prostate tissue and accumulates in regions containing high epithelial cell counts. While these findings have potential to inform future pharmacodynamic experimental designs and endpoints, this study is limited in its scope by the current state of MALDI-MSI technology, which is not yet sensitive enough to investigate clinically relevant in situ enzalutamide concentrations.

Epigenetic Modifications in Ovarian Cancer: A Review

A. H. M. Zuberi Ashraf^1,2, Syeda H. Afroze³, Grace A. Osuji², Saba Y. Kayani³, Natalie Colon³, Ahmed F. Pantho³, Thomas J. Kuehl³, Kimberly A Pilkinton⁴, M. Nasir Uddin^3,5

¹Department of Science & Mathematics, Texas A&M University-Central Texas, Killeen, TX, U.S.A.

²Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX, U.S.A.

³Orion Institute for Translational Medicine, Temple, TX, U.S.A.

⁴Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Houston College of Medicine, Houston, TX, U.S.A.

⁵Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, Temple, TX, U.S.A.

The purpose of this article is to review the role of different epigenetic modifications in ovarian cancer. Epigenetic changes can lead to disease development, malignant transformation, and drug resistance of ovarian cancer. Silencing, methylation, and histone modification of genes contribute to ovarian cancer formation. miRNAs have frequently been found to be dysregulated in ovarian cancer cells. Cancer stem cells possess incredible DNA-repair mechanisms and higher rates of mutation; therefore, making them very invasive and resistant to most chemotherapeutic agents. The pathogenesis of ovarian cancer, types of epigenetic modifications, role of miRNA, and cancer stem cells are discussed, as well as targeting of epigenetic pathways with alternative interventions, and application of combination therapies. Using newly discovered combination therapies, it might be possible to create means to manipulate the detrimental epigenetic pathways which can lead to earlier detection, prevention, and treatment of ovarian cancer.

Commentary: “My Husband Affects Me More Than My Cancer”: Reflections on Simultaneous Intimate Partner Violence and Breast Cancer Experience in a 48-Year-Old Woman'

Francesca Dionigi^1,2*, Valentina Martinelli³, Eugenia Trotti³, Alberta Ferrari^2,5, Carlos Alberto Garcia Etienne², Angelica Della Valle², Donatella Grasso⁶, Elisa Ferraris⁶, Gianpiero Rizzo⁶, Angioletta Lasagna⁶, Vincenza Pratico², Paolo Pedrazzoli, Pierluigi Politi⁶, Adele Sgarella^2,5

¹Dottorato di Ricerca in Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy

²Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico “San Matteo”, Unità Operativa Complessa di Chirurgia Generale III a indirizzo Senologico e dei tessuti molli, viale Golgi 19, 27100, Pavia, Italy

³Dipartimento di Medicina e Sanità Pubblica, Università dell'Insubria, via Ottorino Rossi 9, 21010 Varese, Italy

⁴Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, via Ottorino Rossi 9, 21010, Varese, Italy

⁵Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy

⁶Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico “San Matteo”, Unità Operativa Complessa di Oncologia Medica, Pavia, Italy

We present our commentary about the case of a 48-year-old woman diagnosed with early breast cancer, already presented as publication. A candidate for mastectomy, she refused immediate reconstruction. She was referred to a psycho-oncologist for further evaluation and support. Psychological sessions helped reveal a history of intimate partner violence and helped clarify the reason for her refusal to undergo immediate reconstruction and other uncommon behavior about oncological treatment and disease paths. Our experience highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary practice in which collaboration between surgeons, oncologists, and mental health professionals leads to a more in-depth understanding of the apparently paradoxical behaviors of patients, and to better care for their needs.

Predictive Value of UGT1A1 Polymorphisms in Irinotecan-Induced Toxicity and Therapeutic Efficacy in Colorectal Cancer Patients

Qianqian Yu¹, Zhihuan Li², Xiaoqi Nie¹, Lu Wang¹, Chen Gong¹, Bo Liu¹, Xin Liao³, Ben Zhao¹, Qianxia Li¹, Mingsheng Zhang¹, Hong Qiu¹, Xianglin Yuan¹*

¹Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China.

²Dongguan Enlife Stem Cell Biotechnology Institute, Dongguan 523000, Guangdong, China

³Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China

Irinotecan-based chemotherapy is a fundamental cytotoxic regimen for advanced colorectal cancer. The disposition of irinotecan is known to vary in a fashion partially depending on genetic variations in the drug metabolic pathways. UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)1A1 is a predominant enzyme that converts the active metabolite of irinotecan to the inactive form via a glucuronidation process. Several UGT1A1 polymorphisms are linked to SN-38 glucuronidation and irinotecan-related adverse events, while the predictive role of UGT1A1 polymorphisms regarding therapeutic outcome is controversial. In this review, we will evaluate the impact of UGT1A1 genotypes on irinotecan-induced toxicity and therapeutic efficacy in colorectal cancer patients receiving irinotecan-based treatment.