Mesenchymal Stem Cells: a Potential Treatment Approach for Refractory Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

Ozdemir, Alper Tunga/0000-0002-7708-077XWOS: 000581897300001PubMed: 33089453The etiopathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is not fully elucidated, and almost 30-40% of patients are resistant to treatments; therefore, there is still a need for the development of new and effective treatments. This study aimed to develop experimental cellular therapy for CSU patients resistant to current treatment options. Autologous adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were administered to 10 refractory CSU patients who were then followed up for six months. the efficacy of treatment was evaluated according to the weekly urticaria activity scores (UAS7) and drug use scores (DUS7). To observe the effect of treatment on immune cells, CD4(+) T cell subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the serum IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17a, IL-21, IL-22, TGF-beta 1, PGE2, IDO and anti-Fc epsilon RI levels were measured using the Luminex and ELISA methods. the values obtained were compared with 10 control refractory CSU patients and five healthy controls. We found that the T cell subsets and inflammatory molecules were not affected by MSC treatment during the follow-up period. in control patients, a significant decrease was detected only at the Th2 subset, TGF-beta 1, PGE2, IDO and anti-Fc epsilon RI levels on the 14th day of treatment. the UAS7 and DUS7 values of the MSC-treated patients significantly decreased during the follow-up period, but in control patients, a significant but temporary decrease was seen. According to our findings, unlike conventional treatment, MSC therapy resulted in longer and more effective recovery. Our data indicate that MSCs may be an alternative and effective approach for treatment-resistant CSU patients.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [215 S 612]The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) financially supported this study with reference number 215 S 612

Raltitrexed induces systemic inflammatory reactions and toxidermia in patients with colorectal carcinoma

31st Congress of the European-Society-for-Medical-Oncology -- SEP 29-OCT 03, 2006 -- Istanbul, TURKEYWOS: 000248078900410European Soc Med Onco

Bisphosphonate (Zoledronic Acid) Associated Adverse Events: Single Center Experience

WOS: 000282400900001Zoledronic acid is an efficacy-proven bisphosphonate used in the patients who develop bone metastasis. In our study, we planned to evaluate side effects occurring in the patients who receive zoledronic acid. The records of a total of 5.482 patients diagnosed with solid tumor who were admitted to oncology out-patients' clinic between January 2001 and January 2007 were scanned. It was found that 256 patients received zoledronic acid. Zoledronic acid is administered in 4 mg doses for a period of 15 minutes as intravenous infusion once in 21/28 days. Side effects such as hypocalcemia, symptomatic hypocalcemia, impairment in renal functions and osteonecrosis of the jaw, were evaluated retrospectively. Zoledronic acid was administered due to bone metastasis in 248 patients, malign hypercalcemia in 6 patients and ostoporosis in 2 patients. Four patients (1.5%) were diagnosed with jaw osteonecrosis, 22 patients (8.5%) were diagnosed with hypocalcemia, 19 patients (7.4%) were diagnosed with impairment in renal functions, and 2 patients were (0.7%) diagnosed with symptomatic hypocalcemia. Zoledronic acid is a bisphosphonate which has been proven to reduce complications which may develop depending on the bone metastasis, such as pathological fracture, spinal chord impression andhypercalcemia. On the other hand, side effects may occur in the patients receiving zoledronic acid. It will be appropriate to inform the patients who are planned to start administering zoledronic acid of the benefits to be obtained and the side effects to take place

JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH

Background: The management of hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) still remains as an important challenge of daily oncology practice. Docetaxel has proved to be a first line treatment choice. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) could potently inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells in vitro and its combination with various anticancer agents results in increased cytotoxicity. Based on these data, our aim was to examine the synergistic/additive cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of combination of docetaxel and ATRA, in hormone- and drug refractory human DU-145 prostate cancer cells. Furthermore, we have searched for the underlying mechanisms of apoptosis by demonstrating apoptosis-related genes. Methods: XTT cell proliferation assay was used for showing cytotoxicity. For verifying apoptosis, both DNA Fragmentation by ELISA assay and caspase 3/7 activity measurement were used. For detecting the mechanism of apoptosis induced by docetaxel-ATRA combination, OligoGeArray (R) which consists of 112 apoptosis related genes was used. Results: Our results revealed that docetaxel and ATRA were synergistically cytotoxic and apoptotic in DU-145 cells, in a dose- and time dependent manner. It was also shown by our studies that apoptosis was induced in DU-145 prostate carcinoma cells with significant cytotoxicity, no matter which agent applied first. We have found out that docetaxel-ATRA combination significantly downregulates survivin (BIRC5), myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1) and lymphotoxin beta-receptor (LT beta R) genes, which all three have pivotal roles in regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle progression. Conclusion: In conclusion, we strongly suggest that docetaxel and ATRA combination is a good candidate for this challenging era of daily oncologic practice. Also, the combination of docetaxel and ATRA might allow a reduction in docetaxel doses and by this way may diminish docetaxel adverse effects while maintaining the therapeutic effect in patients with HRPC

In vitro micropropagation from immature embryos of the endemic and endangered Muscari muscarimi Medik.

An efficient in vitro bulblet production procedure from immature zygotic embryos of endemic and endangered Muscari muscarimi Medik. was described in the current study. Zygotic embryos were first isolated from immature seeds and cultured on different nutrient media compositions supplemented with various combinations of a-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), picloram, dicamba, 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), and thidiazuron (TDZ). The best bulblet regeneration (59 bulblets per explant) was achieved in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 4 mg/L BAP and 0.5 mg/L NAA after 1 year of culture initiation. Regenerated bulblets were then transferred into MS medium without plant growth regulators for rooting. Bulblets produced well-developed root systems and increased their size on this medium after 2 months. All rooted bulblets were successfully transplanted into a potting mixture and acclimatized to ambient conditions