OBJECTIVETo examine the effects of brucine on the invasion, migration and bone resorption of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis.

METHODSThe osteoclastogenesis model was builded by co-culturing human breast tumor MDA-MB-231 and mouse RAW264.7 macrophages cells. RANKL (50 ng/mL) and macrophage-colony stimulating factor (50 ng/mL) were added to this system, followed by treatment with brucine (0.02, 0.04 and 0.08 mmol/L), or 10 μmol/L zoledronic acid as positive control. The migration and bone resorption were measured by transwell assay and in vitro bone resorption assay. The protein expressions of Jagged1 and Notch1 were investigated by Western blot. The expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and Hes1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, brucine led to a dose-dependent decrease on migration of MDA-MB-231 cells, inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption of RAW264.7 cells (P<0.01). Furthermore, brucine decreased the protein levels of Jagged1 and Notch1 in MDA-MB-231 cells and RAW264.7 cells co-cultured system as well as the expressions of TGF-β1, NF-κB and Hes1 (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONBrucine may inhibit osteoclastogenesis by suppressing Jagged1/Notch1 signaling pathways.

Animals ; Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; secondary ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Humans ; Jagged-1 Protein ; metabolism ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; physiology ; Mice ; Osteoclasts ; drug effects ; physiology ; Receptor, Notch1 ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Strychnine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

Cytokines are believed to be involved in a "vicious circle" of progressive interactions in bone metastasis. Iguratimod is a novel anti-rheumatic drug which is reported to have the capability of anti-cytokines. In this study, a rat model was constructed to investigate the effect of iguratimod on bone metastasis and it was found that iguratimod alleviated cancer-induced bone destruction. To further explore whether an anti-tumor activity of iguratimod contributes to the effect of bone resorption suppression, two human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 were studied. The effect of iguratimod on tumor proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. The effects of iguratimod on migration and invasion of cancer cells were determined by wound-healing and Transwell assays. Results showed that high dose (30 μg/mL) iguratimod slightly suppressed the proliferation of cancer cells but failed to inhibit their migration and invasion capacity. Interestingly, iguratimod decreased the transcription level of IL-6 in MDA-MB-231 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, iguratimod partially impaired NF-κB signaling by suppressing the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 subunit. Our findings indicated that iguratimod may alleviate bone destruction by partially decreasing the expression of IL-6 in an NF-κB-dependent manner, while it has little effect on the tumor proliferation and invasion.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bone Neoplasms ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology ; secondary ; Bone Resorption ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Breast Neoplasms ; complications ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Carcinogenesis ; drug effects ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chromones ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; MCF-7 Cells ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; genetics ; pathology ; Rats ; Sulfonamides ; administration & dosage ; Transcription Factor RelA ; biosynthesis ; genetics

The occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is closely associated with viral hepatitis or alcoholic hepatitis. Although active surveillance is ongoing in Korea, advanced or metastatic HCC is found at initial presentation in many patients. Metastatic HCC presents with a hypervascular intrahepatic tumor and extrahepatic lesions such as lung or lymph node metastases. Cases of HCC presenting as carcinoma of unknown primary have been rarely reported. The authors experienced a case of metastatic HCC in a patient who presented with a metastatic bone lesion but no primary intrahepatic tumor. This case suggests that HCC should be considered as a differential diagnosis when evaluating the primary origin of metastatic carcinoma.
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use ; Bone Neoplasms/*diagnosis/diagnostic imaging/secondary ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Cervical Cord/pathology ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Gamma Rays ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Unknown Primary/pathology ; Niacinamide/analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Pelvic Bones/pathology ; Phenylurea Compounds/therapeutic use ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

We reviewed and analyzed the clinical data for a patient with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) from September, 2009 to December, 2014. After the treatment with abiraterone, patient's performance status improved, pain relieved, total prostate specific antigen (tPSA) and free prostate specific antigen (fPSA) markedly decreased. tPSA or fPSA fluctuated between 
30 and 50 ng/mL or between 10 and 20 ng/mL. MRI showed the left peripheral zone reduced. MRI and bone single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan showed no new metastasis. These results indicated that application of abiraterone for patient with mCRPC not only decreased prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels and tumor volume, but also blocked bone metastasis progression and enhanced pain relief.
Androstenes ; therapeutic use ; Bone Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Male ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; drug therapy ; pathology

The standard first-line treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is docetaxel-based chemotherapy. However, CRPC may not respond to docetaxel due to drug resistance or other causes. Several new therapeutic agents have been developed, some of which are approved by FDA or on clinical trials. The mechanisms of action of these agents include stabilizing microtubules, inhibiting hormone synthesis, blocking androgen receptor, bone targeting or immune regulation. In this article we review the novel therapeutic options for CPRC after docetaxel failure.
Bone Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Taxoids ; therapeutic use

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Bone Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Endostatins ; therapeutic use ; Epirubicin ; administration & dosage ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemangiosarcoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pubic Bone ; pathology ; Taxoids ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of advanced urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (AUCB).

METHODSThe clinicopathological data of 117 patients with AUCB admitted in our hospital from 1998 to 2009 were reviewed. All patients received first-line chemotherapy. The survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test.

RESULTSThe median age of all patients was 56 years and the male-to-female ratio was 3.33:1. Their 6-, 12-, 24-, 36- and 60-month survival rates were 90.3%, 61.3%, 32.3%, 24.2% and 8.1%, respectively. In the first-line chemotherapy regimen, the effectiveness rate of gemcitabine + platinum drugs was 49.3% (37/75), the median progression-free survival(PFS) was 7.9 months and overall survival (OS) was 18.7 months. The effectiveness of cyclophosphamide + epirubicin + platinum drug regimen was 45.5% (10/22), Median PFS was 7.1 months and OS was 15.3 months. The effectiveness of paclitaxel + platinum drug regimen was 47.1% (8/17), median PFS was 6.5 months and OS was 13.7 months. Among them, the effectiveness rate of the gemcitabine + cisplatin regimen in 67 patients was 47.8%, the median PFS was 7.0 months and OS was 15.3 months. In the 13 patients who received paclitaxel + carboplatin regimen, the effectiveness rate was 53.8%, median PFS was 7.7 months and OS was 16.0 months. The major side effects were leucopenia and thrombocytopenia, mostly were tolerable, of grade I to II.

CONCLUSIONSIn advanced unresectable and metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, GC regimen is recognized as a standard first-line chemotherapy, with a higher effectiveness and tolerable side effects. Taxane and molecular targeted drugs may further improve the therapeutic effect of the treatment of advanced urothelial carcinomas of the bladder in the future.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Bone Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Carboplatin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; secondary ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Disease-Free Survival ; Epirubicin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; chemically induced ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Thrombocytopenia ; chemically induced ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Urothelium ; pathology

BACKGROUND: The prognostic impact of the presence of differentiating neuroblasts in bone marrow (BM) remains unclear in BM metastatic neuroblastoma (NB). We aimed to identify the prognostic impact of differentiating neuroblasts in BM at diagnosis and after chemotherapy. METHODS: A total of 51 patients diagnosed with BM metastatic NB at Asan Medical Center between January 1990 and July 2005 were enrolled. BM histology and laboratory data along with overall survival (OS) were compared with regard to the differentiation status of neuroblasts in BM at diagnosis and after chemotherapy. RESULTS: Among the 51 patients, 13 (25.5%) exhibited differentiating neuroblasts in BM at diagnosis and 17/51 (33.3%) exhibited them after chemotherapy. The only significant difference among patient groups was the improved OS in patients with differentiated neuroblasts in BM at diagnosis (P=0.021). In contrast, the differentiation status of neuroblasts in BM after chemotherapy did not affect OS (P=0.852). CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first report describing the presence of differentiating neuroblasts in BM. The presence of differentiating neuroblasts in BM at diagnosis may be a favorable prognostic factor for patients with BM metastatic NB; however, the same phenomenon after chemotherapy is irrelevant to prognosis.
Adolescent ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use ; Bone Marrow/*pathology ; Bone Marrow Cells/*cytology ; Bone Marrow Neoplasms/*diagnosis/secondary ; Cell Differentiation ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Neoplasm Grading ; Neuroblastoma/*diagnosis/drug therapy/pathology ; Prognosis ; Survival Analysis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo review the outcomes and complications of 21 consecutive patients with soft tissue sarcomas of the adductor compartment treated in our hospital from July 2006 to March 2012.

METHODSMedical records of 21 patients who underwent resection of soft tissue sarcomas of the adductor compartment were reviewed. Eight of the patients had primary operation, other eight had secondary radical excision, and five were admitted for tumor recurrence after operation in local hospitals. Six cases used gracilis or sartorius muscle to fill the cavity after removal of adductor muscle group. Fifteen patients underwent adjuvant treatment including radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.

RESULTSSeven patients (33.3%) developed wound complications. Five required further surgery and two received dressing changes. All the patients were followed up for 3 to 60 months. During the follow-up period, no tumor recurrence was found in all the patients, only one case had multiple bone and pulmonary metastases, and two cases died (one for pulmonary metastasis at 11 months after surgery, and the other died of heart disease at 36 months post operation).

CONCLUSIONSGood local control rate can be achieved in patients with soft tissue sarcomas of the adductor compartment by using adductor muscle group resection, but it carries a relatively high rate of wound complications requiring proper management.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Neoplasms ; secondary ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscles ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Sarcoma ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; surgery ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Survival Rate ; Thigh ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of breast cancer patients with inguinal lymph node metastases.

METHODSSeventeen breast cancer patients with inguinal lymph node metastases were treated from January 1999 to December 2010 in our cancer center. All of the patients had a history of breast cancer without other primary cancer. Their clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors were surveyed.

RESULTSThe frequency of breast cancer cases with inguinal lymph node metastaseis consisted of 0.11% of the total number of breast cancer patients in the same period. Two patients (11.8%) had inguinal lymph node metastasis only, and multi-site metastases were observed in the remaining 15 (88.2%) patients. The number of ER- and/or PR-positive and negative were 10 (58.8%) and 7 (41.2%) cases, respectively, and among the 13 cases who underwent HER-2 test, the number of HER-2-positive was 4 (30.8%). For the 16 patients who underwent surgery, 9 patients were detected with metastatic axillary lymph nodes equal or greater than 4. All of the 17 patients were treated with chemotherapy.The median follow-up time was 156 months. The 5-year overall survival rate was 49.9%. Univariate analysis revealed that metastatic axillary lymph nodes ≥ 4, ER- and(or) PR-negative, adjuvant chemotherapy ≤ 6 cycles, disease stage as III/IV at diagnosis and the period from diagnosis of breast cancer to the occurrence of inguinal lymph node metastasis ≤ 36 months were predictors of shorter PFS (P < 0.05). Metastatic axillary lymph nodes ≥ 4, ER- and(or) PR-negative, adjuvant chemotherapy ≤ 6 cycles, primary recurrence as multiple distant metastases, the period from diagnosis of breast cancer to the occurrence of inguinal lymph nodes metastasis ≤ 36 months and pleural effusion were predictors of shorter OS (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that the period from diagnosis of breast cancer to the occurrence of inguinal lymph node metastasis was an independent prognostic factor concerning PFS (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe prognostic factors of breast cancer patients with inguinal lymph node metastases include the number of metastatic axillary lymph nodes, ER and(or) PR status, the cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy, type of primary recurrence, the period from diagnosis of breast cancer to the occurrence of inguinal lymph node metastasis and pleural effusion. Regular and complete physical examination after surgery as well as prompt intensive treatment for high-risk patients may have positive significance in the treatment of such type of patients. However, a type of more reasonable and individualized treatment is warranted in future studies.

Adult ; Aged ; Axilla ; Bone Neoplasms ; secondary ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; surgery ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Groin ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Receptors, Progesterone ; metabolism ; Survival Rate