A review of pharmacological effects of xylopic acid

Xylopic acid (15β-acetyloxy-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid) is a kaurene diterpene that can be obtained from various Xylopia spp. Xylopic acid has demonstrated several pharmacological activities in vitro and in vivo. The compound has shown promising effect as a potent analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic agent. Xylopic acid is a CNS depressant and was able to ameliorate anxiety-like symptoms in mice in addition to its neuroprotective effects. Deleterious effects of xylopic acid on the reproductive system of mice have been well documented but extensive toxicity study detailing effect of the acid upon chronic exposure needs to be determined. Due to the heavy consumption of X. aethiopica fruits, it is recommended that the pharmacokinetics of xylopic acid be determined to ascertain the possible food-drug interaction that may occur when conventional drugs are taken together with foods containing xylopic acid

Evaluation of Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging for Intraoperative Identification of Liver Malignancy.

INTRODUCTION: There is early evidence that indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging has the ability to detect metastatic and primary malignancies in the liver that are too small to be identified by other methods. However, the rate of false positives and false negatives remains unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a single institution prospective single-arm study. Patients with suspected hepatic or pancreatic malignancies were intravenously injected with ICG one to three days prior to their scheduled surgical therapy. At the beginning of the procedure, the liver was assessed with fluorescence imaging and all identified lesions were biopsied and evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were enrolled from April 2015 through February 2016. Fifteen patients with confirmed malignancy had adequate fluorescence imaging evaluation of the liver; 10 with pancreatic primary malignancies and five with hepatic primaries. Fluorescence imaging was the only modality that identified nine concerning hepatic lesions, all of which were benign on pathology examination. Out of 11 malignant hepatic masses, six were visible on fluorescence imaging. Out of nine benign hepatic lesions, five were visible. No side effects or complications of the fluorescence imaging were encountered. The sensitivity for ICG fluorescence was 45.5%, the specificity 21.2%, the positive predictive value 25%, and the negative predictive value 40%. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative hepatic assessment with ICG fluorescence imaging to identify malignancy in the liver is feasible and safe. However, in this study the significant number of false positives limit the utility of the technique. Our preliminary data do not support its routine use for detection of malignancies in the liver

Analysis of 340 Patients with Solid Pseudopapillary Tumors of the Pancreas: A Closer Look at Patients with Metastatic Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Current literature addressing the treatment of solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) of the pancreas is limited, particularly for patients with distant metastases. We aimed to define predictive indicators of survival in a large series of patients and assess the outcome of patients with distant metastases. METHODS: The National Cancer Database was queried for patients diagnosed with SPNs of the pancreas between 1998 and 2011. Single predictor univariate analyses were performed on variables including demographics, tumor characteristics, and surgery outcomes, and multivariate Cox proportional hazards survival analysis was then completed with backward elimination. RESULTS: Overall, 340 patients were identified: 82% were female, median age was 39 years, and 84% had no comorbidities. Patients undergoing any type of surgical resection experienced long-term survival (85% 8-year survival). Patients undergoing surgical resection (n = 296) had superior survival (hazard ratio [HR] 21 for no surgery, p \u3c 0.0001), as did patients treated at academic centers and those with private insurance (HR 3.9, p = 0.009; HR 4.9, p = 0.007). Sex, age, tumor size, presence of lymph node metastases, positive surgical margins, and presence of distant metastases were not significant predictors of survival in multivariate analysis. Of 24 patients with distant metastases, seven were treated surgically and experienced long-term survival similar to that of patients without metastases treated surgically (HR 2, p = 0.48). CONCLUSION: SPNs of the pancreas are rare neoplasms with excellent overall survival; however, in a low number of patients they metastasize. Of the few patients with metastatic disease selected for resection, most experienced long-term survival

Impact of lymph node status in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treated by major hepatectomy: a review of the National Cancer Database

IntroductionRoutine lymphadenectomy in the surgical treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is not routinely performed. We aim to define predictive indicators of survival in patients with positive lymph nodes.MethodsThe National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) was queried for patients who underwent major hepatectomy for ICC between 1998 and 2011. Clinical and pathologic data were assessed using uni- and multi-variate analyses. A sub-analysis was performed on the 160 patients with positive lymph nodes.ResultsOf 849 patients with lymph node data, 57% had at least one lymph node examined. Median survival for lymph node negative patients was 37 months versus 15 months for lymph node positive patients. In lymph node positive patients, poorer survival was associated with not receiving chemotherapy (HR 1.83, p = 0.003), tumor size > 5 cm (p = 0.029), and older age (p < 0.0001). Lymph node positive patients age less than 45 had a median survival of 27 months.ConclusionsOverall survival in patients with lymph node metastases from ICC is poor. Adjuvant therapy was associated with a longer survival in lymph node positive patients, although prospective data are needed. Routine lymphadenectomy should be strongly considered to provide prognostic information and guidance for adjuvant therapy