Epigenetic dysregulation by aberrant metabolism in renal cell carcinoma can be reversed with Ascorbic acid

Our recently published study uncovered mechanisms and prognostic impact of aberrant DNA methylation/hydroxymethylation in clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and comprehensively explored the potential of Ascorbic acid in reversing the epigenetic aberrancy. This article provides a summary of the findings and their translational significance, and important considerations while testing Ascorbic acid as an anti-cancer agent. Abbreviations- ccRCC: clear cell renal cell carcinoma; TET: Ten-Eleven Translocation; 5mC: 5-methylcytosine; 5hmC: 5-hydroxymethylcytosine; L2HG: l-2-hydroxyglutarate; L2HGDH: l-2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase; 2-OG: 2-Oxoglutarate; AA: Ascorbic aci

Role of systemic chemotherapy in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer

Introduction: Patients with metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) have traditionally been treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Recently, there has been a demonstration of a survival benefit with the addition of docetaxel to ADT from three large randomized controlled trials. This review summarizes these trials, draws comparisons between the trials, and attempts to provide critical evidence-based recommendation on the role of docetaxel in mHSPC. Methods: Of the two published (GETUG-AFU, Chemo-Hormonal therapy vs. Androgen Ablation Randomized Trial for Extensive Disease in prostate cancer [CHAARTED]) and one presented trial (STAMPEDE) an analysis of the study design, patient characteristics, outcomes, variables, and a critical comparison between the trials was performed for making practice recommendations. Results: All the three trials demonstrated statistically significant progression free survival with the addition of docetaxel to ADT in mHSPC. However, while CHAARTED trial demonstrated a significant survival benefit with addition of docetaxel to ADT in patients with high volume mHSPC, GETUG-AFU failed to demonstrate statistically significant survival benefit although there was an absolute difference in survival between the two arms, with lower sample size and statistical power compared to CHAARTED. The largest study, STAMPEDE, reported a 22 month survival benefit in patients with M1 disease with statistical significance; with subgroup analysis of high volume and low volume disease patients yet to be reported. Conclusion: After a careful comparison between the trials, we conclude that systemic docetaxel chemotherapy within 4 months of initiating ADT for metastatic, high-volume HSPC should be considered the standard of care for patients with good performance status

Finasteride and Male Breast Cancer: Does the MHRA Report Show a Link?

Finasteride is an important drug for the management of androgenetic alopecia. However, there are concerns about the possible side effects of the drug such as impotence. Recently stray reports have appeared about the occurrence of male breast carcinoma in patients who received the drug. These have been looked in to by Medicines and Health care products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This article summarizes the MHRA report