scholarly journals An update on the effectiveness of metformin alone and with chemotherapy drugs on tumor cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-19
Author(s):  
Norah Saeed Al-Zahrani ◽  
Ehab M. M. Ali ◽  
Abdulaziz A. Kalantan ◽  
Mazin Abdulaziz Zamzami
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Medical Oncology ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Targeted Drugs ◽  
Metformin Treatment ◽  
First Line ◽  
Chemotherapy Drugs ◽  
Targeted Treatments ◽  
Patients With Diabetes ◽  
Oncology Practice

Cancer and diabetes are critical risks that reveal many complications. Metformin has long been used in herbal medicine as an anti-diabetes medicine. It is one of the first-line therapies for type two (T2D that has gained use across different healthcare systems. It is the most preferred form of treatment due to its safety, being readily available, and widely used because it has fewer and affordable side effects for many users. The repurposing of metformin used in other treatments to treat cancer patients or the combination of targeted treatments with metformin can reduce the side effects of chemotherapy drugs, enhance the effectiveness, and may reduce resistance to targeted drugs. The mechanism of metformin has been demonstrated and its association with other drugs. It Inhibits cell growth and stops the cell cycle, and stimulates programmed cell death and autophagy of various cancer cells. Patients with diabetes and different kinds of malignancies such as colorectal, hepatic, and ovarian cancers have better response rates after metformin treatment. A combination of metformin and new medications has had a significant effect on those who do not receive metformin. On the other hand, prevailing evidence has greatly proved the benefit of using metformin as an adjuvant agent in medical oncology practice.

Ultrasound-Induced Microbubble Cavitation Combined with miR-34a-Loaded Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-89
Author(s):  
Ziqi Wang ◽  
Chuanrong Chen ◽  
Yuchen Tao ◽  
Penglin Zou ◽  
Feng Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Tumor Tissue ◽  
Cell Membrane Permeability ◽  
Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽  
Prostate Cancer Cells ◽  
First Line ◽  
Chemotherapy Drugs ◽  
Castration Resistant ◽  
Methoxy Polyethylene Glycol

Currently chemotherapy drugs are usually used as first-line treatments for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), but they are ineffective and accompanied by serious side effects. MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) simultaneously targets multiple genes related to the cell apoptosis in CRPC cells without obvious side effects. It has shown great potential in the treatment of CRPC. Previous studies focused on miR-34a increasing the sensitivity of chemotherapy drugs to chemoresistant prostate cancer cells. There are few researches on miR-34a alone in the treatment of CRPC. But the macromolecular miR-34a is difficult to enter the cell and is easily degraded by nuclease. Therefore, we constructed methoxy polyethylene glycol-polylacticco-glycolic acid-polylysine (mPEG-PLGA-PLL) nanoparticles to encapsulate miR-34a (miR-34a/NP). The results showed that miR-34a/NP protects miR-34a from degradation by nucleases and can be phagocytized by PC-3 CRPC cells. Ultrasound induces microbubble cavitation (UIMC) improves cell membrane permeability and capillary gaps, and further promotes miR-34a/NP to enter cells PC-3 and prostate cancer xenografts. The miR-34a/NP that enters the cell and tumor tissue releases miR-34a, which suppressed CRPC cells PC-3 proliferation, promoted its apoptosis, and inhibited the growth of CRPC xenografts. Our research verified that miR-34a/NP, especially combined with UIMC, has a significant anti-tumor effect on CRPC.

scholarly journals Polymeric Nanoparticles: Exploring the Current Drug Development and Therapeutic Insight of Breast Cancer Treatment and Recommendations

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 4400
Author(s):  
Ali Sartaj ◽  
Zufika Qamar ◽  
Farheen Fatima Qizilbash ◽  
Annu ◽  
Shadab Md ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Polymeric Nanoparticles ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
First Line ◽  
Chemotherapy Drugs ◽  
Polymeric Nanoparticle

This manuscript aims to provide the latest update on polymeric nanoparticle drug delivery system for breast cancer treatment after 2015 and how research-oriented it is based on the available research data. Therefore, the authors have chosen breast cancer which is the most frequent and common reason for mortality in women worldwide. The first-line treatment for breast cancer treatment is chemotherapy, apart from surgery, radiation and hormonal therapy. Chemotherapy is associated with lesser therapeutics and undesirable side effects and hence. In addition, drug resistance affects the therapeutic dose to the target site. Although various nano-based formulations have been developed for effective treatment, the polymeric nanoparticles effectively avoid the lacunae of conventional chemotherapy. There has been an effort made to understand the chemotherapy drugs and their conventional formulation-related problems for better targeting and effective drug delivery for breast cancer treatment. Thus, the polymeric nanoparticles as a strategy overcome the associated problems with resulting dose reduction, enhanced bioavailability, reduced side effects, etc. This present review has compiled the research reports published from 2015 to 2021 from different databases, such as PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, which are related to breast cancer treatment in which the drug delivery of numerous chemotherapeutic agents alone or in combination, including phytoconstituents formulated into various polymer-based nanoparticles.

scholarly journals Expectations and Challenges of First-Line Maintenance Therapy for Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 501
Author(s):  
Tadahiro Shoji ◽  
Chie Sato ◽  
Hidetoshi Tomabechi ◽  
Eriko Takatori ◽  
Yoshitaka Kaido ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Advanced Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Targeted Drugs ◽  
First Line ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Platinum Based Chemotherapy

The incidence of ovarian cancer, which has had a poor prognosis, is increasing annually. Currently, the prognosis is expected to improve with the use of molecular-targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors as maintenance therapies after the first-line chemotherapy. The GOG218 and ICON7 studies reported the usefulness of bevacizumab and the SOLO-1 and PRIMA (A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Study of Niraparib Maintenance Treatment in Patients With Advanced Ovarian Cancer Following Response on Front-Line Platinum-Based Chemotherapy) studies have reported the usefulness of olaparib and niraparib, respectively. The ATHENA study investigating the usefulness of rucaparib is currently ongoing. Although clinical studies of immune checkpoint inhibitors are lagging in the field of gynecology, many clinical studies using programmed death cell-1 (PD-1) and PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibodies are currently ongoing. Some biomarkers have been identified for molecular-targeted drugs, but none have been identified for immune checkpoint inhibitors, which is a challenge that should be addressed in the future.

Pharmacology Update: School Nurse Role and Emergency Medications for Treatment of Anaphylaxis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1942602X2110219
Author(s):  
Theresa A. Bingemann ◽  
Anil Nanda ◽  
Anne F. Russell
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
School Personnel ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
First Line ◽  
Onset Of Action ◽  
Epinephrine Administration ◽  
Prompt Treatment ◽  
Nurse Role ◽  
Life Threatening

Anaphylaxis is a rapidly occurring allergic reaction that is potentially life threatening. Recognition of the early signs and prompt treatment of anaphylaxis is critical. School nurses are tasked with educating nonmedical school personnel on the recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis and emphasizing that epinephrine is the first line of treatment for anaphylaxis. Fortunately, there is now availability of multiple epinephrine administration devices. However, this also means that there are more devices that school nurses and nonmedical assistive personnel need to learn about to be able to administer in an emergency. Once epinephrine is administered, emergency medical services must be activated. Education regarding what to expect after the administration of epinephrine with respect to side effects and onset of action is also necessary. Though adjunctive medicines, such as antihistamines and inhalers, may also be administered after the injection of epinephrine, they should not be solely relied on in anaphylaxis. School nurses are uniquely situated for this role, as they understand the local environment in a school and can assess and reassess the needs of the faculty and staff.

scholarly journals Impact of metformin treatment during pregnancy on maternal outcomes: a systematic review/meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane L. Tarry-Adkins ◽  
Susan E. Ozanne ◽  
Catherine E. Aiken
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Pregnancy Outcomes ◽  
Gestational Hypertension ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Maternal Outcomes ◽  
Metformin Treatment ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Gastrointestinal Side Effects ◽  
The Impact

AbstractWe systematically assessed the impact of metformin treatment on maternal pregnancy outcomes. PubMed, Ovid Embase, Medline, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov and Cochrane databases were systematically searched (inception-1st February 2021). Randomised controlled trials reporting pregnancy outcomes in women randomised to metformin versus any other treatment for any indication were included. Outcomes included gestational weight gain (GWG), pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension, preterm birth, gestational age at delivery, caesarean section, gestational diabetes, glycaemic control, and gastrointestinal side-effects. Two independent reviewers conducted screening, with a third available to evaluate disagreements. Risk-of-bias and GRADE assessments were conducted using Cochrane Risk-of-Bias and GRADE-pro software. Thirty-five studies (n = 8033 pregnancies) met eligibility criteria. GWG was lower in pregnancies randomised to metformin versus other treatments (1.57 kg ± 0.60 kg; I2 = 86%, p < 0.0001), as was likelihood of pre-eclampsia (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.50–0.95; I2 = 55%, p = 0.02). The risk of gastrointestinal side-effects was greater in metformin-exposed versus other treatment groups (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.53–3.84; I2 = 76%, p = 0.0002). The risk of other maternal outcomes assessed was not significantly different between metformin-exposed versus other treatment groups. Metformin for any indication during pregnancy is associated with lower GWG and a modest reduced risk of pre-eclampsia, but increased gastrointestinal side-effects compared to other treatments.

scholarly journals ESMO 2020 update: Pancreatic cancer

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Sophie Bergen
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Medical Oncology ◽  
Chemotherapy Regimen ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
First Line ◽  
Standard Chemotherapy ◽  
Trial Quality ◽  
Standard Chemotherapy Regimen

SummaryAt the ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology) 2020 several interesting albeit not practice-changing studies in the field of pancreatic cancer were presented. The Canadian phase II randomized PA.7 trial investigated the additional benefit of dual checkpoint inhibition with durvalumab and tremelimumab to a standard chemotherapy regimen as first-line treatment in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC). Unfortunately, no significant improvement of responses or outcome could be achieved rendering this study a negative trial. Within the German platform-based QoliXane trial, quality of life was shown to be an essential prognosticator of survival with fatigue and nausea being independently associated with outcome of patients. Moreover, promising results could be observed with new targeted therapy approaches, which may lead to its investigation in larger randomized clinical trials.

scholarly journals A Preclinical Evaluation of the Antitumor Activities of Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms: A Molecular Insight

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomson Patrick Joseph ◽  
Warren Chanda ◽  
Arshad Ahmed Padhiar ◽  
Samana Batool ◽  
Shao LiQun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Medicinal Mushrooms ◽  
Chemotherapy Drugs ◽  
Development Of Resistance ◽  
Preclinical And Clinical Studies

Cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality around the globe. For certain types of cancer, chemotherapy drugs have been extensively used for treatment. However, severe side effects and the development of resistance are the drawbacks of these agents. Therefore, development of new agents with no or minimal side effects is of utmost importance. In this regard, natural compounds are well recognized as drugs in several human ailments, including cancer. One class of fungi, “mushrooms,” contains numerous compounds that exhibit interesting biological activities, including antitumor activity. Many researchers, including our own group, are focusing on the anticancer potential of different mushrooms and the underlying molecular mechanism behind their action. The aim of this review is to discuss PI3K/AKT, Wnt-CTNNB1, and NF-κB signaling pathways, the occurrence of genetic alterations in them, the association of these aberrations with different human cancers and how different nodes of these pathways are targeted by various substances of mushroom origin. We have given evidence to propose the therapeutic attributes and possible mode of molecular actions of various mushroom-originated compounds. However, anticancer effects were typically demonstrated in in vitro and in vivo models and very limited number of studies have been conducted in the human population. It is our belief that this review will help the research community in designing concrete preclinical and clinical studies to test the anticancer potential of mushroom-originated compounds on different cancers harboring particular genetic alteration(s).

scholarly journals Immunomodulating Drugs in Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Hematology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 (1) ◽  
pp. 556-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lionel Adès ◽  
Pierre Fenaux
Keyword(s):  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Specific Effect ◽  
First Line ◽  
Immunomodulating Drug ◽  
Immunomodulating Drugs ◽  
5Q Deletion ◽  
Acute Myeloid

Abstract Based on immune mechanisms that appear to play an important role in the pathophysiology of at least part of the lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), the immunomodulating drug (IMID) thalidomide and its derivative lenalidomide (LEN) have been used in MDS, principally in lower-risk MDS. LEN has become the first-line US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved treatment for lower-risk MDS with 5q deletion (del5q), in which its main mechanism of action is probably a direct cytotoxic activity on the del5q clone. This possibly specific effect is currently being investigated in higher-risk MDS—and even acute myeloid leukemia (AML)—with del5q, but LEN has also demonstrated some efficacy in MDS and AML without del5q. Thalidomide also has some activity in lower-risk MDS without del5q, but its side effects limit its practical use in these patients.

scholarly journals High likelihood of accepting COVID-19 vaccine in a Latinx community at high SARS-CoV2 risk in San Francisco

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Peng ◽  
Carina Marquez ◽  
Luis Rubio ◽  
Gabriel Chamie ◽  
Diane Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Test Site ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
High Likelihood

Abstract Of 4,133 persons surveyed at a low-barrier COVID-19 test site with high positivity in an urban Latinx community in January 2021, 86% indicated they would accept a COVID-19 vaccination. Top reasons for vaccine hesitancy included concerns around side effects and safety and distrust of healthcare systems.

Elucidating the Potential Side Effects of Current Anti- Seizure Drugs for Epilepsy

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enes Akyüz ◽  
Mohd. Farooq Shaikh ◽  
Betül Köklü ◽  
Cansu Ozenen ◽  
Alina Arulsamy
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
First Line ◽  
Epileptic Patients ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Visual Problems ◽  
Gaba Transmission

: Over the decades, various interventions have been developed and utilized to treat epilepsy. However, majority of epileptic patients are often first prescribed with anti-epileptic drugs (AED), now known as anti-seizure drugs (ASD), as a first line of defense to suppress their seizures and regain their quality of life. ASDs exert their anti-convulsant effects through various mechanisms of action including regulation of ion channels, blocking of glutamate-mediated stimulating neurotransmitter interaction, and enhancing the inhibitory GABA transmission. About one third of epileptic patients are often resistant to anti-convulsant drugs, while others develop numerous side effects which may lead to treatment discontinuation and further deterioration of quality of life. Common side effects of ASDs include headache, nausea and dizziness. However, more adverse effects such as auditory and visual problems, skin problems, liver dysfunction, pancreatitis and kidney disorders may also be witnessed. Some ASDs may even result in life-threatening conditions as well as serious abnormalities, especially in patients with comorbidities and in pregnant women. Nevertheless, some clinicians had observed a reduction in the development of side effects post individualized ASD treatment. This suggest that a careful and well-informed ASD recommendation to patients may be crucial for an effective and side-effect free control of their seizures. Therefore, this review aimed to elucidate the anticonvulsant effects of ASDs as well as their side effect profile, by discussing their mechanism of action and reported adverse effects based on clinical and preclinical studies, thereby providing clinicians with a greater understanding of the safety of current ASDs.

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