scholarly journals Bacteria in Cancer Therapy: Renaissance of an Old Concept

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Felgner ◽  
Dino Kocijancic ◽  
Michael Frahm ◽  
Siegfried Weiss

The rising incidence of cancer cases worldwide generates an urgent need of novel treatment options. Applying bacteria may represent a valuable therapeutic variant that is intensively investigated nowadays. Interestingly, the idea to apply bacteria wittingly or unwittingly dates back to ancient times and was revived in the 19th century mainly by the pioneer William Coley. This review summarizes and compares the results of the past 150 years in bacteria mediated tumor therapy from preclinical to clinical studies. Lessons we have learned from the past provide a solid foundation on which to base future efforts. In this regard, several perspectives are discussed by which bacteria in addition to their intrinsic antitumor effect can be used as vector systems that shuttle therapeutic compounds into the tumor. Strategic solutions like these provide a sound and more apt exploitation of bacteria that may overcome limitations of conventional therapies.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (05) ◽  
pp. 415-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe Getrajdman ◽  
Joseph Lee ◽  
Alan Copperman

AbstractThe utilization of assisted reproductive technology (ART), particularly by same-sex female couples (SSFCs), has increased over the past few decades. Alongside the increase in use by lesbian women, there has also been an increase in the number of available treatment options. The process by which SSFCs make the various decisions associated with conceiving and parenting, however, has been largely overlooked. This review provides an overview of the reproductive treatments available to lesbian women and specifically highlights the “biological” and “social” obstacles they must overcome on their journey to parenthood. This review also describes how a relatively novel treatment strategy, co-in vitro fertilization, can give couples greater flexibility and provide them with the unique opportunity of a shared biological motherhood.


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 458
Author(s):  
Alessandro Rizzo

Despite advanced diseases continuing to be associated with grim prognoses, the past decade has witnessed the advent of several novel treatment options for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) patients. In fact, CCA has emerged as a heterogeneous group of malignancies harboring potentially druggable mutations in approximately 50% of cases, and thus, molecularly targeted therapies have been actively explored in this setting. Among these, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitors have reported important results, as witnessed by the FDA approval of pemigatinib in previously treated metastatic CCA patients harboring FGFR2 fusion or other rearrangements. Herein, we provide an overview of available evidence on FGFR inhibitors in CCA, especially focusing on the development, pitfalls and challenges of emerging treatments in this setting.


2020 ◽  
pp. 127-136
Author(s):  
Alina Romanovska

One of the most popular themes in Latvian literature which has regularly arisen at different stages of its development since the 19th century is the idea of returning to the roots, the depiction of a mythological world scene when people lived according to the rhythms of nature, in full harmony with themselves and the world. Ancient times are depicted as a time when Latvians felt free living at their farms and followed the rules of the mythical time. This peculiar feature which we analyse on the basis of literary works, describes vividly the nation’s collective consciousness, desires, and needs. The need for emphasizing the idealised ancient times in the nation’s consciousness is related to the most significant transitional stages in the development of the country, which are characterised by the increased attention to the issues of national identity. During difficult stages in history, nosta lgia is a security mechanism which looks for stability in the past which we do not have in the present. The aim of the paper is to see how the nostalgic reflection on the idealized ancient times in the Latvian literature is related to the pivotal stages in the country’s history when special attention was paid to the national awareness and identity issues.


Phlebologie ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 37 (05) ◽  
pp. 229-236
Author(s):  
N. Cayne ◽  
G. Jacobowitz ◽  
P. Lamparello ◽  
T. Maldonado ◽  
C. Rockman ◽  
...  

SummaryOver the past ten years endoveous treatment options for varicose veins have evovled considerably, offering clinicians a multitude of options to meet the needs of their patients. The endothermal ablation procedures have moved to the forefront as the choice modality for treating truncal reflux. Both radiofrequency ablation and endovenous laser ablation are widely accepted and interchangeable, showing comparable efficacy and safety. Although numerous endovenous laser wavelengths exist, the data indicates that the differences do not affect the efficacy or postoperative recovery of the procedure. The endovenous laser innovation that has shown early evidence of improved patient outcome is the jacket-tip fiber. The versatility of sclerotherapy makes it a critical component in the endovenous treatment of varicosities. Although not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (USA), the use of a foamed sclerosing agent is the fastest growing segment of sclerotherapy and an important treatment modality in the future of varicose vein treatment. Cutaneous lasers and intense pulse light devices contribute a crucial element, enabling clinicians to treat minute veins that may be impossible to treat with other therapies.


2015 ◽  
Vol 156 (45) ◽  
pp. 1824-1833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Árpád Illés ◽  
Ádám Jóna ◽  
Zsófia Simon ◽  
Miklós Udvardy ◽  
Zsófia Miltényi

Introduction: Hodgkin lymphoma is a curable lymphoma with an 80–90% long-term survival, however, 30% of the patients develop relapse. Only half of relapsed patients can be cured with autologous stem cell transplantation. Aim: The aim of the authors was to analyze survival rates and incidence of relapses among Hodgkin lymphoma patients who were treated between January 1, 1980 and December 31, 2014. Novel therapeutic options are also summarized. Method: Retrospective analysis of data was performed. Results: A total of 715 patients were treated (382 men and 333 women; median age at the time of diagnosis was 38 years). During the studied period the frequency of relapsed patients was reduced from 24.87% to 8.04%. The numbers of autologous stem cell transplantations was increased among refracter/relapsed patients, and 75% of the patients underwent transplantation since 2000. The 5-year overall survival improved significantly (between 1980 and 1989 64.4%, between 1990 and 1999 82.4%, between 2000 and 2009 88.4%, and between 2010 and 2014 87.1%). Relapse-free survival did not change significantly. Conclusions: During the study period treatment outcomes improved. For relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma patients novel treatment options may offer better chance for cure. Orv. Hetil., 2015, 156(45), 1824–1833.


Author(s):  
Magdalena Zarzyka-Ryszka

The paper describes the past and present distribution of Colchicum autumnale in the vicinity of Cracow, highlights the role of Stanisław Dembosz (who published the first locality of C. autumnale near Igołomia in 1841). Gives information about the occurrence of C. autumnale in Krzeszowice in the 19th century (reported by Bronisław Gustawicz), presents new localities noted in 2012–2014 in meadows in the north-eastern part of the Puszcza Niepołomicka forest and adjacent area (between the Vistula and Raba rivers), and gives a locality found in Cracow in 2005 (no longer extant).


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aashish Sharma ◽  
Romila Manchanda ◽  
Faheem Hyder Pottoo ◽  
Ghulam Md. Ashraf

: Impressive research steps have been taken for the treatment of neurological disorders in the last few decades. Still effective treatments of brain related disorders are very less due to problems associated with crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB), non-specific therapies, and delay in functional recovery of central nervous system (CNS) after treatment. Striving for novel treatment options for neurological disorders, nanotechnology-derived materials, and devices have gained the ground due to inherent features of derivatization/encapsulation with drugs as per the neurological ailments and pharmacological targets. Facile developments/syntheses of the nanomaterials-drug conjugates have also been the driving force for researchers to get into this field. Moreover, the tunable size and hydro/lipophilicity of these nanomaterials are the added advantages that make these materials more acceptable for CNS disorders. These nano-neurotherapeutics (NNTs) systems provide the platform for diagnosis, theranostics, treatments, restoration of CNS disorders, and encourage the translation of NNTs from “bench to bedside”. Still, these techniques are in primary stages of medical development. This review describes the latest advancements and future scenarios of developmental and clinical aspects of polymeric NNTs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-67
Author(s):  
Deah Jo Abbott ◽  
Caleb Wayne Lack

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent and most functionally impairing psychiatric problems experienced by the population. Both pharmacological and psychological evidencebased treatments exist for a number of specific disorders, but may fail to fully relieve symptoms, pointing to the need for additional treatment options. Often considered to be part of the “third wave” of cognitive-behavioral therapies, treatments incorporating mindfulness have emerged in the past two decades as increasingly popular with clinicians and frequently sought out by consumers. The present article reviews the extant literature regarding the efficacy and effectiveness of mindfulnessbased treatments for anxiety, worry, and related problems. Although they have not attained the solid empirical status of CBT or certain pharmacological treatments, the extant research shows mindfulness- based interventions appear to be a promising and useful treatment for people suffering from anxiety and worry. Further work should be done, levels 3-5 of the NIH stage model to determine whether or not they should be further implemented.


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