Jia D, Zheng J, Yu J
… +3 more, Zhao N, Lu S, Hao D
J BUON
· 2021 · PMID 34565048
Retraction of "Anticancer effects of ovatodiolide on human prostate cancer cells involves cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and blocking of Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway", by Dongsheng Jia, Jianbo Zheng, Junli Yu, Ning Zh...Retraction of "Anticancer effects of ovatodiolide on human prostate cancer cells involves cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and blocking of Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway", by Dongsheng Jia, Jianbo Zheng, Junli Yu, Ning Zhao, Shengxing Lu, Dongfang Hao. JBUON 2020;25(5):2412-2417; PMID: 33277863 Following the publication of the above article, readers drew to our attention that part of the data was unreliable: Figures of this article appeared in other articles (by totally different authors). The authors were requested to provide the raw data and were also asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office did not receive any reply. Given above, we decided to retract this article. Authors were informed of the retraction. We thank the readers for bringing this matter to our attention. We apologize for any inconvenience it may cause.
Retraction of "Acetylshikonin inhibits in vitro and in vivo tumorigenesis in cisplatin-resistant oral cancer cells by inducing autophagy, programmed cell death and targeting m-TOR/PI3K/Akt signalling pathway", by Peng Wa...Retraction of "Acetylshikonin inhibits in vitro and in vivo tumorigenesis in cisplatin-resistant oral cancer cells by inducing autophagy, programmed cell death and targeting m-TOR/PI3K/Akt signalling pathway", by Peng Wang, Weiyue Gao, Yibin Wang, Jun Wang. JBUON 2019;24(5):2062-2067; PMID: 31786876 Following the publication of the above article, readers drew to our attention that part of the data was unreliable. We requested the authors to provide the raw data to prove the originality. Then the corresponding author contacted with our journal and stated below: Our group tried to repeat the results presented in this paper, but found that some data was not able to be reproducible. The authors then asked to retract this article. At the same time, our journal's investigation into this article also showed that part of the results in this article can not be supported by the data. Given above, we decided to retract this article. All the authors were informed of the retraction. We thank the readers for bringing this matter to our attention. We apologize for any inconvenience it may cause.
Magouliotis D, Fergadi M, Koukousaki D
… +5 more, Symeonidis D, Diamantis A, Tatsios E, Christodoulidis G, Zacharoulis D
J BUON
· 2021 · PMID 34565036
The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to the implementation of certain restrictions and rearrangements regarding the surgical oncology operations, thus affecting the surgical lists, the availability of surgical time...The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to the implementation of certain restrictions and rearrangements regarding the surgical oncology operations, thus affecting the surgical lists, the availability of surgical time, along with the consultations of oncologic patients. The purpose of the present study was to identify the differences in surgical oncology practices in Greece and Cyprus between the first and second pandemic waves. We designed a questionnaire for surgeons treating surgical oncology patients. A total of 104 surgeons participated in the present study by answering our questionnaire. According to our outcomes, there was a significant shift between the two waves in patients' willingness to undergo surgery and to present to consultations. Nonetheless, the availability of surgical services remained limited. The consequent mismatch in patients' needs and the availability of healthcare services, we demonstrate herein, is alarming and should be taken into consideration by the policymakers.
Spiliotis J, Kopanakis N, Terra A
… +4 more, Iavazzo C, Prodromidou A, Rogdakis A, Efstathiou E
J BUON
· 2021 · PMID 34565035
PURPOSE: Peritoneal spread of neoplastic diseases is considered a fatal condition with a dismal prognosis. Few therapeutic options were offered to these patients and surgery had only palliative character. However, advanc...PURPOSE: Peritoneal spread of neoplastic diseases is considered a fatal condition with a dismal prognosis. Few therapeutic options were offered to these patients and surgery had only palliative character. However, advances in surgical techniques and new drugs development, have changed the management of this terminal stage disease. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) followed by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), has been proposed as a promising alternative to palliative surgery and systemic chemotherapy, since 1980s. Many changes through all these years have refined the technique and standardized indications and limits. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in our medical records, of all patients treated with CRS and HIPEC since 2006. Survival, complications and prognostic factors were studied in a total of 632 patients. RESULTS: Female patients were 419 and males were 213. Mean age was 52.6 years. Peritoneal metastases secondary to colorectal cancer were the most frequent treated disease (87 patients), whereas hepatobilliary-pancreatic neoplastic diseases and sarcomas were the less frequent causes of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Patients with peritoneal metastases from ovarian cancer, treated with systemic chemotherapy and then received interval cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC, were the largest group that are still alive (43%), while only 35% of patients with hepatobilliary-pancreatic cancer and peritoneal disease are alive at present. Gender, age, peritoneal cancer index (PCI), completeness of cytoreduction score (CCs), and number of complications were important prognostic factors of overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Peritoneal carcinomatosis is still considered a final stage disease with a poor prognosis. The confinement of the neoplastic disease in the peritoneal cavity has led to the development of local therapies with promising results. CRS and HIPEC have evolved significantly over the past several years and are at the present the most valuable treatment in highly selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis.
Rembish J, Myers P, Saenz D
… +3 more, Kirby N, Papanikolaou N, Stathakis S
J BUON
· 2021 · PMID 34565034
PURPOSE: To determine the severity of the effects on VMAT dose calculations caused by varying statistical uncertainties (SU) per control point in a Monte Carlo based treatment planning system (TPS) and to assess the impa...PURPOSE: To determine the severity of the effects on VMAT dose calculations caused by varying statistical uncertainties (SU) per control point in a Monte Carlo based treatment planning system (TPS) and to assess the impact of the uncertainty during dose volume histogram (DVH) evaluation. METHODS: For this study, 13 archived patient plans were selected for recalculation. Treatment sites included prostate, lung, and head and neck. These plans were each recalculated five times with varying uncertainty levels using Elekta's Monaco Version 5.11.00 Monte Carlo Gold Standard XVMC dose calculation algorithm. The statistical uncertainty per control point ranged from 2 to 10% at intervals of 2%, while the grid spacing was set at 3 mm for all calculations. Indices defined by the RTOG describing conformity, coverage, and homogeneity were recorded for each recalculation. RESULTS: For all indices tested, one-way ANOVA tests failed to reject the null hypothesis that there is no significant difference between SU levels (p>0.05). Using the Bland-Altman analysis method, it was determined that we can expect the indices (with the exception of CIRTOG) to be within 1% of the lowest uncertainty calculation when calculating at 4% SU per control point. Beyond that, we can expect the indices to be within 3% of the lowest uncertainty calculation. CONCLUSION: Increasing the SU per control point exponentially decreased the amount of time required for dose calculations, while creating minimal observable differences in DVHs and isodose lines.
PURPOSE: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was defined in China, leading an outbreak, impacted the organization, and maintained cancer care. Although the alterations of cancer treatment maintenance were evaluated, the dif...PURPOSE: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was defined in China, leading an outbreak, impacted the organization, and maintained cancer care. Although the alterations of cancer treatment maintenance were evaluated, the difference in physicians' side was not determined. In this survey study, we tried to assess the alteration of Turkish oncologists' daily practice. METHODS: An online survey was prepared via Google forms and sent to oncologists registered to the Turkish Society of Medical Oncology. One hundred twenty-eight oncologists answered the online survey. RESULTS: Twenty-three percent of the oncologists moved their facilities to another place in the hospital after the pandemic, which was resulted in nearly 90% of worse patient services. Seventy percent of the oncologists did not receive any duties on COVID-19 services after Turkey's first case. Thirty-one percent of the oncologists stated their oncology practice was disturbed by working in the COVID-19 services. Three oncologists accepted they were responsible for cross-infection to oncology patients. Eighty-five percent of the oncologists declared oncology practice was disturbed by the other specialists' assignment in COVID-19 services. The leading areas were general surgery, pulmonary diseases, and ENT, according to oncologists. Twenty-two percent of the oncologists needed to send their patients to other oncology clinics due to the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION: Although oncologists tolerated oncological patient management alterations, the prolonged pandemic situation may harm oncology practice via the loss of oncologists' motivation and incomplete multi-disciplinary patient management. There is a need for follow-up studies to evaluate the situation for the alternation in the COVID-19 pandemic..
PURPOSE: To investigate the etiologies of remarkably elevated serum levels of CA 19-9. METHODS: During January 2014 to June 2020 patients with CA 19-9>1000 U/ml were included. The frequencies of distant metastases for ma...PURPOSE: To investigate the etiologies of remarkably elevated serum levels of CA 19-9. METHODS: During January 2014 to June 2020 patients with CA 19-9>1000 U/ml were included. The frequencies of distant metastases for malignant patients and serum levels of carbohydrate embryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA 125) were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 125 patients included, 113 (90.4%) were diagnosed with malignancy, 100 (80%) with digestive cancer and only 36 (28.8%) with pancreatic cancer (PC). In patients with malignancy, 75 (66.3%) had distant metastasis and 60 (53.1%) had liver metastasis. The median levels of CEA and CA 125 in patients with malignant disease were significantly higher than in patients with benign disease (19.05 ng/ml versus 3.16 ng/ml, p=0.01; 83.32 U/ml versus 18.35 U/ml, p=0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: CA 19-9>1000U/ml indicated a high probability of having malignant disease, especially digestive cancer, but not always PC. Patients with malignant disease had high proportion of distant metastasis, mostly in the liver. Combined tests of CEA and CA 125 had potential role in distinguishing between benign and malignant diseases.
Papantoni E, Ntatsis K, Kyziridis D
… +3 more, Kalakonas A, Hristakis C, Tentes AA
J BUON
· 2021 · PMID 34565031
PURPOSE: Pseudomyxoma peritonei is treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined and hyperthermic intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The purpose of this study was to report the20-year experience of...PURPOSE: Pseudomyxoma peritonei is treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined and hyperthermic intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The purpose of this study was to report the20-year experience of one surgical team inCRS and HIPEC for PMP of appendiceal origin. METHODS: Retrospective study of the files of patients with PMP of appendiceal origin that underwent CRS+HIPEC. Morbidity and hospital mortality were recorded. Clinical and histopathologic variables were correlated to survival and recurrence. RESULTS: The files of 41 patients with PMP of appendiceal origin that underwent CRS+HIPEC from 1999-2018 were retrieved. The mortality and the morbidity rates were 2.4% and 29.3%, respectively. The 5- and 8-year survival rate was 68.3%. The completeness of cytoreduction, and the extent of previous surgery were identified as the prognostic indicators of survival. The recurrence rate was 32.5% with the completeness of cytoreduction, the histologic type of the tumor being the prognostic indicator. CONCLUSIONS: CRS in combination with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy is a safe and effective treatment in the management of PMP of appendiceal origin.
Gazouli I, Baltogiannis D, Ntellas P
… +6 more, Smaragdi Vlachou M, Tagkas C, Champilomatis I, Kampletsas Ε, Tolia M, Mauri D
J BUON
· 2021 · PMID 34565030
PURPOSE: Glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency has an estimated prevalence of 5 -7.5% of the global population. Administration of some drugs in G6PD deficient patients may result in clinical conditions of v...PURPOSE: Glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency has an estimated prevalence of 5 -7.5% of the global population. Administration of some drugs in G6PD deficient patients may result in clinical conditions of varying severity, including potentially fatal sequels. For these reasons, in case of G6PD deficiency, the use of high dose toxic chemotherapy regimens in potentially curable malignancies with associated risk of tumor lysis syndrome, such as in advanced germ cell tumors, raises both physicians' preoccupations and issues for safeguard patients' health. Nonetheless no systematic information is actually available for safety in premedication to be administered, chemotherapy regimens adopted, and supportive care drugs needed to be provided in some particular situations. METHODS: We present a case of a patient with metastatic testicular cancer and known g6pd deficiency, admitted in our department. We also performed a literature review in tree medical libraries searching for articles addressing the overmentioned security issues. RESULTS: Available literature is particularly scant. nonetheless, there is no evidence contradicting the administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy to G6PD deficient individuals. Our patient was able to complete the preplaned chemotherapy cycles, without any complications. CONCLUSION: Given the absence of data supporting the limitation of chemotherapy to G6PD deficient patients, the latter should not be deprived of the indicated antineoplastic treatment. However, certain premedication agents must be avoided. Continuous patient monitoring during treatment may alleviate physicians' and patients' anxiety and preoccupations.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the function of curcumin to suppress the proliferative and invasive abilities of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) through inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. METHODS: Aft...PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the function of curcumin to suppress the proliferative and invasive abilities of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) through inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. METHODS: After treatment of different doses of curcumin in TPC-1 and SW1736 cells, changes in viability, clonality, cell cycle, apoptosis, wound healing and invasion were determined. Western blot analyses were performed to detect protein levels of apoptosis-associated genes, JAK2 and STAT3 in TPC-1 and SW1736 cells treated with different doses of curcumin. RESULTS: Curcumin treatment dose-dependently reduced viability, clonality and metastatic ability in TPC-1 and SW1736 cells. After treatment of 10 μM or 20 μM curcumin, PTC cells were blocked in G2/M phase, and their apoptotic rate increased. Curcumin treatment downregulated Bcl-2 and upregulated Bax in PTC cells. In addition, curcumin treatment downregulated p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 in TPC-1 and SW1736 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin treatment blocks PTC cells to proliferate and invade via inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.