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Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is universally acknowledged as the cancer with the highest mortality rate. Berberine has high medicinal value and has been used as an anti-cancer agent. Hence the purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effect of berberine in PDAC. Berberine was shown to have a selective anti-cancer effect on PDAC by MTT assay in vitro. Pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs), regulated by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), could promote the proliferation of PDAC cells. However, berberine suppressed the proliferation and stemness of PCSCs through immunofluorescence staining, stem cell sphere assays and so forth in vitro. In vivo, berberine reduced tumor size and decreased the expression levels of Ki67, a marker of cellular proliferation, in orthotopic pancreatic tumors. In addition, berberine inhibited the EMT signaling pathway by RT-PCR and Western blotting methods both in vitro and in vivo. Our study indicates that berberine inhibits the proliferation of PDAC cells both in vivo and in vitro. The mechanism of the anti-cancer effect of berberine likely involves the inhibition of EMT. Therefore, berberine may be a novel antineoplastic drug with clinical efficacy in PDAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Copaifera multijuga, commonly known as copaiba, is popularly used in the form of tea for various conditions due to the presence of antioxidant substances in its composition, which protect cells against damage caused by free radicals. Its oleoresin is also used as an anti-inflammatory and antitumoral agent. The present study investigated the antioxidant effect of the ethanolic extract of copaiba stem bark on Swiss mice inoculated with solid Ehrlich tumors. Mice were inoculated subcutaneously with 1x106 Ehrlich’s tumor cells and treated via gavage with ethanolic extract of copaiba for thirty days, with doses varying between 100 and 200 mg kg-1. Biochemical analyses of enzymatic antioxidants [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST)], non-enzymatic antioxidants [reduced glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (ASA)], substances reactive to thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) and protein carbonylation (carbonyl) in different tissues were significantly affected. The extract administered at 200 mg kg-1 presented higher antioxidant capacity in the liver, increased CAT, GST, GSH and decreased TBARS, as well as increased CAT activity and protein carbonylation in brain tissue. The results showed that the copaiba extract was able to reverse the oxidative stress caused by solid Ehrlich tumor, probably due to the presence of antioxidant compounds, and had potential antineoplasic effect after a 30-day treatment.

Purpose: To report an alternative treatment for metastatic tumors within the eye. Case Report: Five intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (2.5 mg each) were performed in one eye of a 50-year-old woman with choroidal metastasis of lung carcinoma. Tumor size was reduced, pain disappeared, vision improved, and there were no secondary reactions. Vision improved from 20/40 to 20/20 and metamorphopsia decreased. Ten months after initiating treatment, an ultrasonographic study revealed no residual tumor, the choroid was normal in thickness and fluorescein angiography revealed a scar but no mass lesion. Conclusion: Intravitreal bevacizumab displayed beneficial effects in reducing tumor size and improving symptoms in this case of choroidal metastasis of lung carcinoma. The antineoplasic properties of this agent make it a viable alternative for treatment of metastatic choroidal tumors.

The aim of chemotherapy is the destruction of tumor cells, is classified as adjuvant, neoadjuvant or induction, concomitant with radiation therapy, palliative monotherapy, chemotherapy, combined and sequential. The main drugs: alkylating agents, platinum agents, antimetabolites, topoisomerase inhibitors, microtubule inhibitors, and miscellaneous. Secondary effects on the heart are cardiomyopathies chemotherapy induce, acute cardiotoxicity, and chronic cardiotoxicity. Late cardiotoxicity. Cardiac arrhythmias, ischemic heart disease and second neoplasic, particularly hematologic (leukemia, lymphomas) and solid tumors that evolve with increased morbility and mortality. CASE REPORT: Female of 36 years old. Right breast Cancer in 2005 received neoadjuvant chemotherapy of 4 cycles and other 4 adjuvant cycles. Radical Mastectomy and Axillary Radical Dissection, Radiotherapy, complete breast cycle. Subsequently, hormone therapy until October 2009. In December 2009 tumor exeresis in feb.2010 left buttock, with reports of malignancy. Removal of buttock was on August 2010, with a diagnosis of pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma, with treatment adjuvant radiotherapy (51.5 Gy) and adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin and doxorubicin, 3 cycles. In March, 2011 goes to the fourth cycle, dyspnoea 4 days of evolution of small efforts, and paroxysmal nocturnal chest pain, oppressive, 6 hours, after walking home and a productive cough. E.F: ta 60/30, fc 130 L x min, did not tolerate lying, pale, diaphoretic, thready pulse, yugular plethora, fc 150 x min gallop. Electrocardiogram: qs in v1, embryonic r in v2- v3. ECOTT: FEVI 28%, generalized hypokinesia LV septal wall thinning. Was diagnosed heart insufficiency (according to Framingham criteria) and septal infarct. This is due to the increased survival of cancer and side effects of treatment, which should apply in these patients Routine ECG, ECOTT and so we can start early management and prevent or postpone these late stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report an alternative treatment for metastatic tumors within the eye. Case Report: Five intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (2.5 mg each) were performed in one eye of a 50-year-old woman with choroidal metastasis of lung carcinoma. Tumor size was reduced, pain disappeared, vision improved, and there were no secondary reactions. Vision improved from 20/40 to 20/20 and metamorphopsia decreased. Ten months after initiating treatment, an ultrasonographic study revealed no residual tumor, the choroid was normal in thickness and fluorescein angiography revealed a scar but no mass lesion. Conclusion: Intravitreal bevacizumab displayed beneficial effects in reducing tumor size and improving symptoms in this case of choroidal metastasis of lung carcinoma. The antineoplasic properties of this agent make it a viable alternative for treatment of metastatic choroidal tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• First stability study of high concentrated idarubicin aqueous solution. • Increased knowledge on degradation of idarubicin. • Study performed on final drug presentation to facilitate transfert to the clinic. [Display omitted] Idarubicin (IDA) is an antineoplasic drug commonly used to treat hematologic diseases. Because of its relative lipophilic properties, this anthracycline is also used in transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) as part of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. But TACE requires injected volume to be reduced to restrict systemic diffusion and side effects. The aim of this study was to determine the stability of a highly concentrated aqueous solution of IDA, stored in polypropylene syringes between 2 °C and 8 °C. Analyses were performed with an HPLC system combined with UV detector and mass spectrometer. Forced degradation was used to investigate potential degradation products. This study demonstrated 7 days of stability after storage in previously mentioned conditions. This conservation is long enough to anticipate drug preparation and facilitates pharmacy organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Paclitaxel is an effective antineoplastic drug treatment used as an anti-tumoral therapy. Unfortunately its use is associated with unwanted side effects, which include the development of peripheral neuropathies and neuropathic pain, greatly affecting the quality of life of patients. It is well known that agonists of the cannabinoid receptor are able to reduce hyperalgesia and allodynia that develop after nerve injury. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of the cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 to reduce the thermal hyperalgesia and the tactile allodynia induced by administration of paclitaxel in rats. Present results demonstrate that WIN 55,212-2 (1mg/kg i.p.) significantly reduced the heat (P<0.0001) and the mechanical (P=0.0003) withdrawal thresholds, the dose being smaller than that required to reach similar effects in the sciatic nerve constriction model (1.5 mg/kg). When the cannabinoid tetrad test was evaluated to measure behavioral modifications, it was found that WIN 55,212-2 (1mg/kg) did not induce changes either in body temperature or in immobility time, and only a reduction in spontaneous motility was recorded. This effect was antagonized by SR 141716A, suggesting the involvement of the CB1 receptor, although the participation of CB2 receptors cannot be excluded from this study. When WIN 55,212-2 was administered intraplantar, no differences were observed between the injected paw and the contralateral paw, suggesting that systemic mechanisms are needed to reach effectiveness. From these results we suggest that cannabinoids may be an interesting alternative to reduce neuropathic symptoms induced by paclitaxel, however more work is required to assess this possibility. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]