AIMTo investigate the activity of RRR-alpha-tocopheryloxybutyric acid (TOB), an ether analog of RRR-alpha-tocopheryl succinate (VES), in prostate cancer cells.

METHODSVES and TOB were used to treat prostate cancer LNCaP, PC3, and 22Rv1 cells and primary-cultured prostate fibroblasts. The proliferation rates were determined by MTT assay, the cell viabilities were determined by trypan blue exclusion assay, and the cell deaths were evaluated by using Cell Death Detection ELISA kit. The protein expression levels were determined by Western blot analysis.

RESULTSThe MTT growth assay demonstrated that TOB could effectively suppress the proliferation of prostate cancer cells, but not normal prostate fibroblasts. Mechanism dissections revealed that TOB reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells similar to VES. In addition, both TOB and VES suppressed prostate-specific antigen (PSA) at the transcriptional level leading to reduced PSA protein expression. Furthermore, vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression increased after the addition of TOB.

CONCLUSIONOur data suggests that the VES derivative, TOB, is effective in inhibiting prostate cancer cell proliferation, suggesting that TOB could be used for both chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic purposes in the future.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Kinetics ; Male ; Prostate ; cytology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Vitamin E ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a shift to delivering health services through telemedicine. This study recognized the perceptions, experiences, and challenges of physicians who practice synchronous teleconsultation in the Philippines. Methods: A qualitative descriptive research design using purposive sampling, eight physicians from NCR were interviewed. Data collected were subjected to thematic analysis for common themes and integrated into an analytic narrative. Results: Eight physicians were included as participants. Different measures taken to remedy the gap included upskilling of physicians, adjustment of clerical work, ensuring data privacy, and creating a conducive workplace. Remote consultations posed limitations on physical examination and emphasized the reliance on diagnostics. Digital platforms used depended on the physician’s preference, type of practice, and patient’s accessibility. This led to an increased dependency on good internet and network service connections to ensure smooth teleconsultations. A lack of respect for the physician’s personal boundaries and work-life balance was cited as a major challenge. Conclusion Telemedicine proved to be an option to provide healthcare despite its limitations, but the shift to its practice exposed many challenges as it is not a replacement for physical consultations.
COVID-19 ; Telemedicine