Loss of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 2 disrupts inflammatory response in macrophages

Macrophages are innate immune cells that patrol tissues and are the first responders to detect infection. They orchestrate the host immune response in eliminating invading pathogens and the subsequent transition from inflammation to tissue repair. Macrophage dysfunction contributes to age-related pathologies, including low-grade inflammation in advanced age that is termed inflammaging. Our laboratory has previously identified that macrophage expression of a fatty acid desaturase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 2 (SCD2), declines with age. Herein, we delineate the precise cellular effects of SCD2 deficiency in murine macrophages. We found that deletion o

The role of natural products and their multitargeted approach to treat solid cancer

Natural products play a critical role in the discovery and development of numerous drugs for the treatment of various types of cancer. These phytochemicals have demonstrated anti-carcinogenic properties by interfering with the initiation, development, and progression of cancer through altering various mechanisms such as cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Treating multifactorial diseases, such as cancer with agents targeting a single target, might lead to limited success and, in many cases, unsatisfactory outcomes. Various epidemiological studies have shown that the steady consumption of fruits and vegetables is intensely associated with a reduced risk of cancer. Since ancient period, plants, herbs, and other natural products have been used as healing agents. Likewise, most of the medicinal ingredients accessible today are originated from the natural resources. Regardless of achievements, developing bioactive compounds and drugs from natural products has remained challenging, in part because of the problem associated with large-scale sequestration and mechanistic understanding. With significant progress in the landscape of cancer therapy and the rising use of cutting-edge technologies, we may have come to a crossroads to review approaches to identify the potential natural products and investigate their therapeutic efficacy. In the present review, we summarize the recent developments in natural products-based cancer research and its application in generating novel systemic strategies with a focus on underlying molecular mechanisms in solid cancer

Chronic pain evaluation in breast cancer patients using the Self-Report Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS): a single center cross-sectional retrospective study

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in India, and the number of survivors has increased over the last few years. Pain is one of the most common symptoms during cancer treatment due to either the disease itself or adverse effects of treatment. The available data suggests that breast cancer patients have a high prevalence of neuropathic pain. Patients and methods: A cross sectional observational study was done at the Department of Radiation Oncology, between November 2021 to June 2022. The patients were admitted and screened for participation, non-metastatic post operative breast cancer on regular follow up for 2 years after their last chemotherapy or radiotherapy and not having any chronic neuropathy disease and the Self-Report Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) pain scale was used to assess the neuropathy pain status of patients. Patients’ demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy were collected and the comparison of the pain score between the patients was analysed. Results: Total of 149 patients were included in the study. S-LANSS score was calculated in the study population and more than 61% of participants reported a score equal or greater than 12, suggesting a predominant neuropathic pain component. Autonomic dysfunction, thermal pain, and allodynia were more prevalent in patients who underwent mastectomies compared to breast-conserving surgery. Whereas the dysesthesia and autonomic dysfunction score was higher in only the anthracycline group. Conclusions: The most important index for quality of life in cancer patients is the presence of persistent chronic pain and it is important to classify it accordingly in order to provide the best management. Using the S-LANSS score, the pattern of neuropathic pain can be determined early which leads to early intervention

Chronic pain evaluation in breast cancer patients using the Self-Report Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS): a single center cross-sectional retrospective study

© 2024 The Authors. Published by VM Media Group. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.5603/PMPI.a2023.0027Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in India, and the number of survivors has increased over the last few years. Pain is one of the most common symptoms during cancer treatment due to either the disease itself or the adverse effects of treatment. The available data suggests that breast cancer patients have a high prevalence of neuropathic pain. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional observational study was done at the Department of Radiation Oncology, between November 2021 to June 2022. The patients were admitted and screened for participation, non-metastatic post-operative breast cancer on regular follow-up for 2 years after their last chemotherapy or radiotherapy and not having any chronic neuropathy disease and the Self-Report Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) pain scale was used to assess the neuropathy pain status of patients. Patients’ demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy were collected and the comparison of the pain scores between the patients was analysed. Results: A total of 149 patients were included in the study. S-LANSS score was calculated in the study population and more than 61% of participants reported a score equal to or greater than 12, suggesting a predominant neuropathic pain component. Autonomic dysfunction, thermal pain, and allodynia were more prevalent in patients who underwent mastectomies compared to breast-conserving surgery. Whereas the dysesthesia and autonomic dysfunction score was higher in only the anthracycline group. Conclusions: The most important index for quality of life in cancer patients is the presence of persistent chronic pain and it is important to classify it accordingly in order to provide the best management. Using the S-LANSS score, the pattern of neuropathic pain can be determined early which leads to early intervention.This study did not receive any financial support/funding.Published onlin

Cell-specific Systemic Immune Signatures Associated with Treatment Burden in Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration

Purpose: Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) accounts for the majority of severe vision loss in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Despite therapies that target VEGF, patients are often under-responsive, require frequent eye injections to control disease, and eventually lose some vision despite chronic therapy implicating a multifactorial etiology in treatment response. Genetic studies implicate systemic immunity in AMD and systemic immune cells accumulate within CNV lesions, yet a role for these cells in anti-VEGF response remains undetermined. The purpose of this study was to identify transcriptional signatures of circulating immune cells that are associated with high anti-VEGF treatment burden. Design: Experimental pilot study. Participants: Patients with neovascular AMD seen at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and BJC Health System. Methods: We profiled by single cell RNA sequencing the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 27 treatment-experienced patients with wet AMD. We stratified this cohort into 2 groups with low and high treatment burden (≤ 5 or ≥ 6 injections in the past 12 months, respectively). Main Outcome Measures: Identification of immune cells associated with high treatment burden. Results: Gene expression signature of CD16+ monocytes may be associated with high treatment burden. Conclusions: These studies delineate potential signatures of circulating immune cells that may be associated with high treatment burden in neovascular AMD, potentially informing the development of diagnostic predictors of anti-VEGF response and new precision medicine-based approaches to complement anti-VEGF therapies. Financial Disclosure(s): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article