Retrospection of the effect of hydroxyurea treatment in patients with sickle cell disease

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is one of the inherited hemoglobin disorders with substantial morbidity and early mortality. Hydroxyurea is the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication that has emerged as the primary disease-modifying therapy for SCA. Our purpose is to summarize the available evidence regarding the pharmacology, clinical efficacy, and safety of hydroxyurea therapy for the treatment of SCA. The electronic databases PubMed and Embase were searched from their starting dates to May 31, 2016. Databases were searched using the following terms: sickle cell, hydroxyurea, nitric oxide, dosing, therapeutic, and safety monitoring. Hydroxyurea therapy may cause severe myelosuppression when used in patients with SCA. SCA patients are initially treated with hydroxyurea at 10 or 20 mg/kg, and then the dose- is escalated to mild myelosuppression using a standardized regimen. Routine blood monitoring should be performed while the patient receives hydroxyurea treatment. Hydroxyurea can increase fetal hemoglobin (HbF) level and ameliorate some of the vascular symptoms in patients with SCA. Hydroxyurea therapy may help to avoid frequent hospitalizations, especially in patients with vaso-occlusive crisis. Taken together, available evidence suggests that hydroxyurea represents an inexpensive and effective treatment option that should be offered to patients with SCA

Micro RNA facilitated chemoresistance in gastric cancer: a novel biomarkers and potential therapeutics

Introduction: In spite of the substantial advances in clinical practice, Gastric cancer (GC) remains the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The incidence of drug resistance remains a hindrance to effective treatment for GC. Although the molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance have broadly studied, the gene regulation and expression mechanisms of miRNA have not entirely understood. Methods: Online databases of PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Embase databases were searched to retrieve relevant publications. The following keywords were used: MicroRNA, Noncoding RNA, miRNA, Gastric cancer, drug resistance, and chemoresistance. Results: miRNAs play a pivotal role in the initiation, progression of tumor and metastasis, as well as in the development of pathways mediating resistance to chemotherapy in GC. Unluckily, to date, there is no consistent, reliable biomarker available to predict the response of chemotherapy before the start of the treatment. Discussion: In this review, we would like to provide an overview of the miRNAs and miRNA facilitated chemoresistance machinery in GC to develop a personalized treatment to overcome GC drug resistance

Gastric Cancer Stem Cells: A Glimpse on Metabolic Reprogramming

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most widespread causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Recently, emerging implied that gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) play an important role in the initiation and progression of GC. This subpopulation comprises cells with several features, such as self-renewal capability, high proliferating rate, and ability to modify their metabolic program, which allow them to resist current anticancer therapies. Metabolic pathway intermediates play a pivotal role in regulating cell differentiation both in tumorigenesis and during normal development. Thus, the dysregulation of both anabolic and catabolic pathways constitutes a significant opportunity to target GCSCs in order to eradicate the tumor progression. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge about metabolic phenotype that supports GCSC proliferation and we overview the compounds that selectively target metabolic intermediates of CSCs that can be used as a strategy in cancer therapy

Precision Medicine Revolutionizing Esophageal Cancer Treatment: Surmounting Hurdles and Enhancing Therapeutic Efficacy through Targeted Drug Therapies

Esophageal cancer is a formidable challenge in the realm of cancer treatment. Conventional methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy have demonstrated limited success rates in managing this disease. In response, targeted drug therapies have emerged as a promising strategy to improve outcomes for patients. These therapies aim to disrupt specific pathways involved in the growth and development of esophageal cancer cells. This review explores various drugs used to target specific pathways, including cetuximab and monoclonal antibodies (gefitinib) that target the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), trastuzumab that targets human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), drugs targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), mTOR inhibitors, and cMET inhibitors. Additionally, the article discusses the impact of drug resistance on the effectiveness of these therapies, highlighting factors such as cancer stem cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, immune-inflammatory cells, cytokines, hypoxia, and growth factors. While drug targeting approaches do not provide a complete cure for esophageal cancer due to drug resistance and associated side effects, they offer potential for improving patient survival rates

The M235T polymorphism in the angiotensinogen gene is not a major risk factor for diabetic nephropathy; a meta-analysis

Introduction: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease in diabetes patients. The angiotensin AGT M235T gene polymorphism, which is linked to the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), has been extensively studied in DN patients, but the results are still conflicting. The current study's goal is to conduct a meta-analysis to assess the relationship between AGT M235T gene polymorphism and DN susceptibility. Methods: Fourteen case-control studies related to AGT M235T polymorphism and DN were searched using PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. Genotype data from the T2DM and T2DN groups were collected from all papers. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95 percent confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated employing a random-effects model to assess the relationship. Results: There were no statistically significant link between AGT M235T and DN risk in dominant (P=0.801, OR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.66-1.38), allelic (P=0.933, OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.75-1.37) and recessive (P=0.374, OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 0.80-1.83) genetic models. Further, the stratified analysis based on ethnicity did not reveal significant link between AGT M235T and DN risk in Asian (Dom OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.63-1.82) and the Caucasian populations (Dom OR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.49-1.21). In all three models, there was a high degree of heterogeneity between studies. Publication bias was not seen. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the AGT gene M235T polymorphism does not contribute to DN risk. However, validation of this association will require multi-center and large population-based studies

Unveiling Therapeutic Targets for Esophageal Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

Esophageal cancer is a highly aggressive and deadly disease, ranking as the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite advances in treatment, the prognosis remains poor. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for achieving complete remission, with treatment options varying based on disease stage. Surgical intervention and endoscopic treatment are used for localized cancer, while systemic treatments like chemoradiotherapy and targeted drug therapy play a crucial role. Molecular markers such as HER2 and EGFR can be targeted with drugs like trastuzumab and cetuximab, and immunotherapy drugs like pembrolizumab and nivolumab show promise by targeting immune checkpoint proteins. Epigenetic modifications offer new avenues for targeted therapy. Treatment selection depends on factors like stage, tumor location, and patient health, with post-operative and rehabilitation care being essential. Early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and supportive care are key to improving outcomes. Continued research is needed to develop effective targeted drugs with minimal side effects. This review serves as a valuable resource for clinicians and researchers dedicated to enhancing esophageal cancer treatment outcomes

Genetic association of ACE gene I/D polymorphism with the risk of diabetic kidney disease; a meta-analysis

Introduction: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a progressive renal disease characterized by persistent albuminuria that leads to end-stage renal disease in both type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a major role in the onset and progression of DN. Objectives: The present meta-analysis is intended to synthesize evidence on the association between ACE gene insertion and deletion (ACE I/D) polymorphism and the risk of DN. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and Embase were searched to retrieve relevant publications. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the association between ACE I/D polymorphism and DN risk. The Cochrane Q test and I2 statistic were used to detect heterogeneity. To assess between-study heterogeneity, subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed. Funnel plots and Egger’s test were used to estimate publication bias. Results: Around 45 articles (47 studies) with 6124 patients of DN and 2492 T2DM patients (controls) were ultimately considered for meta-analysis. Overall, the ACE I/D polymorphism was associated with DN under three different genetic models (allelic model: OR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.20- 1.49; P 50%) was present in the analysis for all ethnic groups. Further, there is no evidence for publication bias in this meta-analysis. Conclusion: The current meta-analysis provided confirmation that the ACE I/D polymorphism is correlated with an increased risk of DN in patients with T2DM and the D allele of ACE I/D was a susceptible factor

Assessment of renal function in Indian patients with sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) and its variants are genetic disorders resulting from the presence of a mutated form of hemoglobin. Renal disease is one of the most frequent complications, and kidney damage starts very early and progresses throughout life causing severe complications. The present study is aimed to analyze creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in 616 SCD patients (507 HbSS and 109 HbSB+), receiving medical care at outpatient wing of Sickle Cell Institute, Chhattisgarh. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), Cockcroft-Gault, chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) (<17 years analyzed with Schwartz), and SCD specific Jamaica Sickle Cell Cohort Study (JSCCS)-GFR equations were compared. Further, eGFR calculated using the CKD-EPI and Schwartz equations was used to define various stages of kidney function and compared with clinical and hematological variables. The mean age of patients was 15.8 years. Comparison of eGFR using various formulas revealed that MDRD and JSCCS formulas overestimated the GFR. Among SCD patients, prevalence of glomerular hyperfiltration (GHF) is high followed by renal insufficiency (RI) and renal failure (RF). However, no differences were found in hematological profiling among different functional stages of kidney. Age and body surface area are significantly more in SCD individuals with normal kidney function and GHF. Participants with RF showed a higher level of blood urea and fetal hemoglobin. In summary, this is the first study to analyze different functional stages of kidney among SCD patients of India. Our study revealed that the GHF and RI are the important indicators of kidney damage