Clinicopathological Study of Uterine Leiomyomas – A Retrospective Study

Leiomyomas are benign tumors of the uterus affecting women of the reproductive age group. They are the most common gynaecologic neoplasms in women. The aim of our study was to analyse and correlate the histopathological findings of leiomyomas in 203 hysterectomy specimens received in the department of Pathology at Saveetha Medical College and to further delineate the associated changes and variants that were observed in the leiomyoma specimens. In this study we found that the dominant age group was 31-50 years of age with multiple leiomyomas being more common than solitary ones. The most commonly observed location was intramural. Majority of the hysterectomy specimens showed a proliferative pattern of endometrium. Degenerative changes were observed in 26 cases with hyaline degeneration being the most common secondary change. There were multiple uterine pathologies associated with the uterine leiomyomas of which ovarian cortical cysts were the most frequently noted. The histopathological study of leiomyomas is important as it helps to further ascertain the diagnosis and ensure optimal patient management.

Newly Developed Dual Topoisomerase Inhibitor P8-D6 is Highly Active in Ovarian Cancer

Background: Ovarian cancer (OvCa) constitutes a rare and highly aggressive malignancy and is one of the most lethal of all gynaecologic neoplasms. Due to chemotherapy resistance and treatment limitations because of side effects, OvCa is still not sufficiently treatable. Hence, new drugs for OvCa therapy such as P8-D6 with promising antitumour properties have a high clinical need. The benzo[c]phenanthridine P8-D6 is an effective inductor of apoptosis by acting as a dual topoisomerase I/II inhibitor. Methods: In the present study, the effectiveness of P8-D6 on OvCa was investigated in vitro. In various OvCa cell lines and ex vivo primary cells, the apoptosis induction compared to standard therapeutic agents was determined in 2D monolayers. Expanded by 3D and co-culture, the P8-D6 treated cells were examined for changes in cytotoxicity, apoptosis rate and membrane integrity via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Likewise, the effects of P8-D6 on non-cancer human ovarian surface epithelial cells and primary human hepatocytes were determined. Results: This study shows a significant P8-D6-induced increase in apoptosis and cytotoxicity in OvCa cells which surpasses the efficacy of standard therapeutic drugs. Non-cancer cells were affected only slightly by P8-D6. Moreover, no hepatotoxic effect in in vitro studies was detected.Conclusions: P8-D6 is a strong and rapid inductor of apoptosis and might be a novel treatment option for OvCa therapy.

Newly developed dual topoisomerase inhibitor P8-D6 is highly active in ovarian cancer

Background: Ovarian cancer (OvCa) constitutes a rare and highly aggressive malignancy and is one of the most lethal of all gynaecologic neoplasms. Due to chemotherapy resistance and treatment limitations because of side effects, OvCa is still not sufficiently treatable. Hence, new drugs for OvCa therapy such as P8-D6 with promising antitumour properties have a high clinical need. The benzo[ c]phenanthridine P8-D6 is an effective inductor of apoptosis by acting as a dual topoisomerase I/II inhibitor. Methods: In the present study, the effectiveness of P8-D6 on OvCa was investigated in vitro. In various OvCa cell lines and ex vivo primary cells, the apoptosis induction compared with standard therapeutic agents was determined in two-dimensional monolayers. Expanded by three-dimensional and co-culture, the P8-D6 treated cells were examined for changes in cytotoxicity, apoptosis rate and membrane integrity via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Likewise, the effects of P8-D6 on non-cancer human ovarian surface epithelial cells and primary human hepatocytes were determined. Results: This study shows a significant P8-D6-induced increase in apoptosis and cytotoxicity in OvCa cells which surpasses the efficacy of well-established drugs like cisplatin or the topoisomerase inhibitors etoposide and topotecan. Non-cancer cells were affected only slightly by P8-D6. Moreover, no hepatotoxic effect in in vitro studies was detected. Conclusion: P8-D6 is a strong and rapid inductor of apoptosis and might be a novel treatment option for OvCa therapy.