Day 2 :
Keynote Forum
Karl R Aigner
Medias Klinikum GmbH & Co KG, Germany
Keynote: Isolated Thoracic Perfusion with Chemofiltration (ITP-F) breaks through drug resistance in progressive and pretreated malignant pleural mesothelioma
Time : 09:40-10:15
Biography:
Karl R Aigner is Medical Director of the Department of Surgical Oncology in Medias Klinikum Burghausen (Bavaria)/Germany. He had his surgical training in cardiovascular surgery at Friedrich-Alexander University in Erlangen. At Justus-Liebig University Giessen, he specialized in Surgical Oncology, focusing on vascular techniques of drug delivery such as Implant fix and Jet Port catheters, and in 1981 first performed a technique of isolated perfusion of the liver with heart-lung machine in man. Further on, he developed various techniques of segmental vascular isolation of body segments and organs, and the stopflow technique with adequately designed catheters. In 1982, together with Prof. Stephens from Sydney, he initiated the biannual International Congress of Regional Cancer Treatment (ICRCT) and from 1987 to 1991, he was president of the International Society for Regional Cancer Therapy. From 1985 to 1998, he was Managing Editor of the International Journal of Regional Cancer Treatment. He is author of numerous publications and book chapters, lectured and performed teaching operations nonvascular perfusion techniques and oncological surgery in Europe the United States and Asia.
Abstract:
Background: Survival of patients with progressive malignant pleural mesothelioma has not improved during the last decades. Treatment options are limited because of poor chemosensitivity of this disease and mostly non-operability due to advanced disease. We report on a phase II study on isolated thoracic perfusion (ITP) with subsequent chemofiltration (ITP-F) as arnlocoregional therapeutic strategy with increased drug exposure. Material & Methods: 28 patients with epitheloid mesothelioma were included in this study. 11 patients had prior surgical resection and all patients had prior Cisplatin and Pemetrexed based chemotherapy. Following multimodal therapy in allrnpatients, progress was revealed in CT-scan. No patient had abdominal, cerebral or bone metastases. Under general anesthesia, rna venous and arterial stopflow-balloon catheter was inserted via a femoral access and both blocked at the level of the diaphragm in vena cava and aorta. Chemotherapy consisting of 60 mg/m² Cisplatin and 15 mg/m² Mitoxantron was injected as pulsatilerninfusion against the aortic blood stream. After 15 minutes of ITP vascular blocks were released, followed by 45 minutes ofrnchemofiltration. Endpoints of the study were overall survival and quality of life. According to the protocol a minimum of fiverncycles each were administered.Results: Toxicity, due to chemofiltration was low with leucopenia and thrombocytopenia grade 1 in 11 patients and mucositisrngrade 2 in 6 patients. Surgical complications in terms of temporary lymph fistula in the groin occurred in 40 %. Gastrointestinal neurotoxicity was never observed. One year survival was 49%, 2 years survival was 31% and 3 years survival was 31%, 4 yearsrnsurvival was 23%. Median survival was 12 months.rnConclusion: ITP-F for pretreated patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, progressive after multimodality therapy is arnvaluable treatment option with low side effects, offering a reasonable survival and maintaining quality of life.
Keynote Forum
Matin Burrow
DMB-Diagnostics GmbH, Germany
Keynote: New method of quantitative, circulating tumor cell (CTC) diagnostic, treatment selection, monitoring and surveillance with superior outcome for the patient
Time : 10:15-10:50
Biography:
Martin Burow has completed his PhD in Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Münster in 1993 and worked 3 years as a Post-doctoral fellow for the Ministry of International Trade and Industry at the National Institute of Materials and Chemical Research (NIMC) in Tsukuba, Japan. After his return to Germany, rnhe started his career in the medical device industry and developed the Asian-Pacific markets for Brahms-Thermofisher in the field of medical diagnostics (thyroid, sepsis, prenatal and oncology). Later, he started his own company (DMB-Diagnostics GmbH) to introduce highly innovative diagnostics worldwide for better treatment standards for oncological patients.
Abstract:
Maintrac® is a laboratory based method to quantify in a reproducible manner living circulating tumor cells. This wayrnit is possible to do further analytic with these cells. Be it molecular genetic testing of certain tumor characteristics orrnsurface protein determination for real pharmaceutical target identification. Since these CTCs are alive, it is possible to checkrnall different chemot
Maintrac® is a laboratory based method to quantify in a reproducible manner living circulating tumour cells. This way it is possible to do further analytic with these cells. Be it molecular genetic testing of certain tumour characteristics or surface protein determination for real pharmaceutical target identification. Since these CTCs are alive, it is possible to checkrnall different chemotherapeutics and their killing rate on these CTCs. Best working medications can be selected before starting aggressive chemotherapies. Furthermore, it is possible to monitor treatment success “just” by quantifying CTC over the cause of the therapy. Even during and after endocrine therapy, it is possible to show how long to give i.e., Tamoxifen or when to switch to other, more efficient medication in case the cell number is increasing. This method was developed over the last decade and work on all tumours deriving from epithelial origin (almost all solid tumours). We showed in several clinical trials with >650 patients and >100,000 measurement significant improvement for patients and the overall relapse free survival while being monitored with this method. Maintrac® is nowadays already used in clinical routine in ~30 countries worldwide.
Therapeutics and their killing rate on these CTCs. Best working medications can be selected before startingrnaggressive chemotherapies. Furthermore, it is possible to monitor treatment success “just” by quantifying CTC over the causernof the therapy. Even during and after endocrine therapy, it is possible to show how long to give i.e., Tamoxifen or when to switchrnto other, more efficient medication in case the cell number is increasing. This method was developed over the last decade andrnwork on all tumors deriving from epithelial origin (almost all solid tumors). We showed in several clinical trials with >650rnpatients and >100,000 measurement significant improvement for patients and the overall relapse free survival while beingrnmonitored with this method. Maintrac® is nowadays already used in clinical routine in ~30 countries worldwide.
Keynote Forum
Hirendra Nath Banerjee
Elizabeth City State University, USA
Keynote: The role of tumor-associated macrophages (tams) and micro rna 146 alpha in cancer survival and efferocytosis in the tumor microenvironment
Time : 16:30-17:05
Biography:
Hirendra Nath Banerjee received his BS with honours and MD degree from Calcutta University, India, MS in Molecular Biology from Conolly College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Long Island University, NY and Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Howard University Cancer Centre, Washington, D.C. Dr.Banerjee did his post-doctoral training at Yale University Medical School and Medical University of South Carolina before joining Elizabeth City campus of the University of North Carolina where he is now a tenured Professor in the department of Natural, Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Dr.Banerjee did a sabbatical at Rockefeller University under the mentorship of Nobel laureate Dr.Gunter Blobel in studying the cell biology of nuclear pore complexes. Dr. Banerjee's current research involves cancer biology and Efferocytosis.
Abstract:
In this study, the role of the tumour microenvironment on cancer cell survival was analysed. The ability of cancer cells to inhibit nitric oxide production in macrophages and the increased drug resistance capabilities of the cancer cells in the presence of macrophages in the tumour microenvironment was explored. These recruited macrophages, also known as tumour-associated macrophages, appear to give the cancer cells drug resistance which can lead to failure in chemotherapy. The hypotheses were tested using Griess reagent systems to measure nitric oxide and trypan blue cell viability assays. The results showed a decrease in cancer cell death in the presence of macrophages when exposed to an anti-cancer drug cisplatin. Nitric oxide levels produced by cancer cells appeared lower when cultured with macrophages. MicroRNA-146a suppresses prostate cancer transformation from androgen-dependent to -independent cells, suppresses a kinase coding gene which reduces cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis to human bone marrow endothelial cell monolayers, and is dysregulated by latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) which contributes substantially to the oncogenic potential of Epstein-Barr virus. It is projected that microRNA-146a and other microRNAs may one day become biomarkers for clinical diagnosis and prognosis of several types of cancer including prostate. The miR-146a expression profile was investigated using novel African American and Caucasian prostate cell lines representing each pathological stage: benign, androgen dependent and independent tumours. Relative miRNA expression was determined by qRT-PCR, miRNA plate assay and smart flare technology after isolating total RNA from the cells and the exosomes from the tumour microenvironment. Our initial findings shows that this micro RNA is up regulated in several cancer cell lines there by reducing NO production in them and the neighbouring Macrophages(by exosome delivery) and thereby giving these cancer cells survival advantage. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: This research is supported by a grant from the Borroughs Wellcome Fund,NSF-LSAMP,NIH-MARC and a Disability Supplement from NIH-NCI.
- Cancer Causes, Cancer Diagnostics, Cancer Treatment and Therapy & Clinical Oncology
Session Introduction
Diana Anderson
University of Bradford, UK
Title: General overview of the Comet assay
Time : 11:10-11:35
Biography:
Diana Anderson has completed her PhD at the University of Manchester, UK in the Faculty of Medicine. She is the Established Chair in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Bradford. She has published more than 450 papers, 8 books, successfully supervised 30 PhD students, and has a Hirsch factor of 54. She is Editor-in-Chief of a Book Series for the Royal Society of Chemistry and is consultant to many international organisations, such as the World Health Organisation/ International Programme of Chemical Safety.
Abstract:
The comet assay measures DNA strand breaks in single cells. Cells in agarose on a microscope slide are lysed with detergent and high salt. Electrophoresis results in structures resembling comet tails formed by DNA fragments moving towards the anode. The assay is used for genotoxicity testing, ecotoxicity, human bio monitoring, molecular epidemiology and basic research into DNA damage and repair and effects of nanoparticles. This overview will consider examples from the author’s group and collaborators. These will include for genotoxicity testing the specificity and sensitivity of the assay, for ecotoxins that work with DBP halogenated acetic acids, for human biomonitoring and molecular epidemiology work with mother and babies, diabetes and lead-exposed children and for fundamental research drug resistant non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients over-expressing p53 mutant protein and lacking DNA repair. Most of this work is in somatic human lymphocytes and human sperm. Using sperm, the positive response to oestrogens can be diminished with anti-oxidants, suggesting a ROS involvement. Also as age increases in men so does DNA damage and in both cell types’ nanoparticles of zinc and titanium dioxide can also produce damage. When modified, it can be used as a blood test to predict cancer. From a regulatory viewpoint, the assay is regarded as an indicator test, but is incorporated into guidelines in some countries.
Diana Stanoeva
Histogenex, Belgium
Title: The march of pathologists into ‘Big Industry’ or the worries of a newly transformed surgical pathologist
Time : 11:35-12:00
Biography:
Diana Stanoeva has completed her PhD at the age of 35 years from Medical University in the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria and is an Associate Professor at the same university. She is a Staff Pathologist at Histogenex, Antwerpen, Belgium – a premier companion diagnostic centre. She has published more than 25 papers in local and international journals.
Abstract:
Within the next 5 years, clinicians will be implementing targeted therapies based on the presence of specific biomarkers. Labs will be diagnosing cancer via liquid biopsies using blood or urine specimens, followed by locating the cancer and treating it using targeted therapy directed at the molecular mechanisms driving the disease. We as pathologist applaud the rigorous scientific methodology with all its advantages and disadvantages, but all these biomarkers provide only risk categories and numerical score for risk of recurrence or patient’s responsiveness to certain therapy. Yet, the decision is ‘human-based’ consideration involving oncologist-pathologist agreement on managing patient care unifying patient’s clinical presentation, molecular subtyping with standart clinicopathologic classification. How does the concept of personalized medicine affect pathology. What will be the primary role of a pathologist in 5 or 10 years? What current technologies in pathology are already absorbed by other specialties and what technologies could pathology absorb? If pathology goes for the change is it possible re-program our knowledge and capacity? The presentation focuses on the several options in the face of pathology necessary to keep path with the recent molecular techniques.
Apollon Karseladze
N. Blokhin Cancer Research Center, Russian Federation
Title: Impairment of vascularization of the surface covering epithelium induces ischemia and promotes malignization: A new hypothesis of a possible mechanism of cancer pathogenesis
Time : 12:00-12:25
Biography:
Apollon Karseladze, is a full professor of Pathology, Head of the Department of Pathology in the Russian Cancer Research Centre, Moscow. After finishing Medical Faculty in 1970, he continued his residency in Pathology (1970-1975). He got his PhD in 1975 (dissertation “Morphometric peculiarities of reticular cells in Hodgkin disease”). During 1976-1979, He served as a Junior Researcher in the Department of Pathology of Russian Cancer Research Centre, Moscow and during 1979- 1994 served as Senior Researcher in the Department of Pathology Moscow Herzen Oncological Research Institute. From 1994 to 2006, he served as Leading Researcher in the Department of Pathology, Russian Oncological Research Centre. From 2006 till date, he is serving as the Head of the same department.
Abstract:
Purpose: To study the peculiarities of vascularization at the stromal-epithelial interface in different types of epithelia and their alterations in precancerous lesions. Material & Methods: Peritumoral tissues of 310 patients, tissues of 180 healthy persons and of 50 human embryos and foetuses have been taken. Traditional histological as well as immunohistochemical methods have been used. Results: The study reveals that the occurrence of blood capillaries in surface squamous epithelium is an ordinary event, both in healthy persons and in peritumoral regions of the patients with squamous cell carcinoma. As soon as precancerous dysplastic alterations start and progress the number of intraepithelial blood vessels simultaneously decreases, thus leading to ischemia which precedes or promotes malignization of the covering squamous epithelium. To compensate for the deficit in blood supply, the dysplastic cells penetrate deeper into the underlying stroma, commencing invasion. Thus, the cells destroy the subjacent stroma not because they are initially “malignant”, but due to ischemia which provokes the search for nutrients. Glandular epithelial coverings, (e.g. respiratory epithelium) do not contain blood vessels, since each cell is attached directly to the basal membrane and has more ample access to the blood supply. In squamous epithelium, only basal cells are in contact with the membrane and underlying stroma, the cells of the upper layer receiving nutrients through diffusion. Thus the cells of squamous epithelium are more vulnerable to blood deficiency. Metaplastic squamous epithelium has a markedly reduced vascularization and seems to be more sensitive to carcinogenic stimuli. High-grade dysplastic squamous epithelium and carcinoma in situ do not contain blood vessels at all. Furthermore, the specific composition of basal membrane for each type of epithelium may regulate the ingrowth of blood capillaries into surface linings. Conclusion: The process of redistribution of vascular network occurring at the interface of epithelial- stromal frontier plays an important role in maintaining the adequate metabolism of cells including those of epithelial covering. Impairment of this mechanism most probably promotes precancerous alterations (dysplasia).
Wen-Lung Ma
China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan
Title: Cholesterol Import and steroidogenesis are Biosignatures for gastric cancer progression
Time : 12:25-12:50
Biography:
Wen-Lung Ma, is currently working as an assistant Professor at Christian Hospital, Taiwan. He has been recognized as expert in Cancer Pathology, Endocrinology, and Sex Hormone Biology. His research experience includes various programs, contributions and participation in different countries for diverse fields of study. His research interests reflect in his wide range of publications in various national and international journals. His research of interest is in the field Cancer research, Oxidative stress, Antioxidants.
Abstract:
Androgens, oestrogens, progesterone and related signals are reported to be involved in the pathology of gastric cancer. However, varied conclusions exist based on serum hormone levels, receptor expressions, and in vitro or studies. This report used a web-based gene survival analyser to evaluate biochemical processes, including cholesterol importing via lipoprotein/receptors (L/R route), steroidogenic enzymes, and steroid receptors, in gastric cancer patients prognosis. The sex hormone receptors (androgen receptor, progesterone receptor, and oestrogen receptor ESR1 or ESR2), L/R route (low/high-density lipoprotein receptors, LDLR/ LRP6/SR-B1 and lipoprotein lipase, LPL) and steroidogenic enzymes (CYP11A1, HSD3B1, CYP17, HSD17B1, HSD3B1, CYP19A1 and SRD5A1) were associated with 5-year survival of gastric cancer patients. The AR, PR, ESR1 and ESR2 are progression promoters, as are the L/R route LDLR, LRP6, SR-B1 and LPL. It was found that CYP11A1, HSD3B1, CYP17, HSD17B1 and CYP19A1 promote progression, but dihydrotestosterone (DHT) converting enzyme SRD5A1 suppresses progression. Analysing steroidogenic lipidome with a hazard ratio score algorithm found that CYP19A1 is the progression confounder in surgery, HER2 positive or negative patients. Finally, in the other patient cohort from TCGA, CYP19A1 was expressed higher in the tumor compared to /that in normal counterparts, and also promoted progression. This work depicts a route-specific outside-in delivery of cholesterol to promote disease progression, implicating a host-to-tumor macroenvironmental regulation. In addition, this report also described the importance of steroidogenesis biochemical process in disease progression. It is valuable to implement CYP19A1 targeting therapy in gastric cancer patients, working toward unmet medical needs.
Biography:
Magalie Tardy holds a PhD in molecular and cellular physiology from University of Nice Sophia Antipolis. After completing her PhD, she is now completing her internship in medical oncology, at the department of oncology; centre Antoine Lacassagne in Nice, France. She is interesting in hematology and more particularly in lymphoma and autologous stem cell transplantation.
Abstract:
Background: Refractory or relapsed large B-cells lymphoma are usually treated with a high dose chemotherapy regimen followed by an autologous stem cells transplantation. BEAM (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan) or more recently Z-BEAM (ibritumomab tiuxetan and BEAM) are commonly used regimens, but recently carmustine availability became difficult. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and the safety of replacing carmustine by bendamustine in a new Z-BeEAM regimen (ibritumomab tiuxetan, bendamustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan) prior to autologous stem cell transplantation. Findings: This study was a retrospective analysis of six patients, with a median age of 60, treated by Z-BeEAM before autologous stem cell transplantation. We did not put in evidence any additional toxicities compared to conventional induction chemotherapy. The main toxicities were microsites (3 grade III among 6 patients), gastrointestinal (2 grade III vomiting and 2 grade III diarrhoea) and neutropenia (6 grade IV). Engraftment was successfully achieved for all patients. At the time of analysis of this study all patients were alive and in complete response based on the PET-CT evaluation. Conclusions: BeEAM plus ibritumomab tiuxetan combined regimen before autologous stem cell transplantation is feasible and safe in aggressive relapsing large B-cell lymphoma.
Mafalda Sofia Barros Gomes
Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Portugal
Title: The fetal risks from diagnostic use of radiation during pregnancy: A systematic review and proposal of a clinical protocol
Biography:
Mafalda Sofia Barros Gomes has completed her Degree in Basic Health Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, the best Medical School in Portugal, in 2012. Engaged in one of the biggest Hospitals in the country, she gained clinical experience in Hospital S. João, with internships in Hospital Pedro Hispano and Póvoa de Varzim-Vila do Conde Hospital Centre. In 2015 she finished her Master Degree in Medicine in the same Faculty of Medicine. Her thesis was recently published on an international journal with an impact factor of 1.6. Currently she is working at Porto’s Hospital Centre.
Abstract:
Aim: The study was conducted to analyse the existing literature about the fatal risks of radiation exposure, producing a clinical protocol to guide radiation exposure in a clinical setting. Methods: An initial query was made on PubMed: “Diagnostic radiography in pregnancy AND radiation”, with the limits “published from January 1st 1993 to December 31st 2013, in English or Portuguese”. The articles that presented our aim were analysed according to their MESH terms and created the final query: “((radiation) AND pregnancy) AND diagnostic imaging”. Research on April 15th of 2014, with the same limits, on PubMed gathered 688 articles; on SCOPUS 245 additional articles. After reading the title and abstract 298 articles remained. 179 allowed access to full text and were analysed according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 103 articles were used and an additional one regarding In utero radiation exposure from atomic bombs. The PRISMA statement was followed. Results: Deterministic effects like pregnancy loss, congenital malformations, growth retardation and neurobehavioral abnormalities have threshold doses greater 100-200 mGy, being the risk considered negligible at 50 mGy. No diagnostic exam exceeds this limit. The most crucial time to avoid radiation exposure is from the 8th to the 15th week of gestation. The risk of carcinogenesis is slightly higher than the general population, although very similar. Intravenous contrast is discouraged, except in highly-selected patients. Conclusion: Measures to diminish radiation are essential and affect the fatal outcome. Nonionizing procedures should be considered whenever possible and every radiology centre should have its own data on fatal radiation exposure.
Mafalda Sofia Barros Gomes
Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Portugal
Title: The fetal risks from diagnostic use of radiation during pregnancy: A systematic review and proposal of a clinical protocol
Time : 14:50-15:15
Biography:
Mafalda Sofia Barros Gomes has completed her Degree in Basic Health Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, the best Medical School in Portugal, in 2012. Engaged in one of the biggest Hospitals in the country, she gained clinical experience in Hospital S. João, with internships in Hospital Pedro Hispano and Póvoa de Varzim-Vila do Conde Hospital Center. In 2015 she finished her Master Degree in Medicine in the same Faculty of Medicine. Her thesis was recently published on an international journal with an impact factor of 1.6. Currently she is working at Porto’s Hospital Center.
Abstract:
Aim: The study was conducted to analyze the existing literature about the fetal risks of radiation exposure, producing a clinical protocol to guide radiation exposure in a clinical setting. Methods: An initial query was made on PubMed: “Diagnostic radiography in pregnancy AND radiation”, with the limits “published from January 1st 1993 to December 31st 2013, in English or Portuguese”. The articles that presented our aim were analyzed according to their MESH terms and created the final query: “((radiation) AND pregnancy) AND diagnostic imaging”. Research on April 15th of 2014, with the same limits, on PubMed gathered 688 articles; on SCOPUS 245 additional articles. After reading the title and abstract 298 articles remained. 179 allowed access to full text and were analyzed according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 103 articles were used and an additional one regarding In utero radiation exposure from atomic bombs. The PRISMA statement was followed. Results: Deterministic effects like pregnancy loss, congenital malformations, growth retardation and neurobehavioral abnormalities have threshold doses greater 100-200 mGy, being the risk considered negligible at 50 mGy. No diagnostic exam exceeds this limit. The most crucial time to avoid radiation exposure is from the 8th to the 15th week of gestation. The risk of carcinogenesis is slightly higher than the general population, although very similar. Intravenous contrast is discouraged, except in highly-selected patients. Conclusion: Measures to diminish radiation are essential and affect the fetal outcome. Nonionizing procedures should be considered whenever possible and every radiology center should have its own data on fetal radiation exposure.
Tanvi Sood
Shri Ram Murti Smarak Institute of Medical Sciences, India
Title: Prognostic factors and their correlation with staging in patients with Multiple Myeloma: A single centre study in North India
Biography:
Tanvi Sood finished her MBBS course from Bharati Vidhyapeeth University, Pune, India in the year 2013. She is currently pursuing Masters in Internal Medicine at SRMSIMS, Uttar Pradesh, India. She has been awarded Gold prize and rewarded scholarship for her academic achievements and scientific presentations, both National and International. Her work has been accepted and published in national as well as international journals. She was part of the Organising Committee of the International Conference MEDICINE UPDATE 2015 held at Bareilly, India. She has also participated in Phase 3 drug trials while working at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, PGIMER, New Delhi. She has special interest in Oncology and Endocrinology.
Abstract:
Introduction: Multiple myeloma is a neoplastic disorder characterized by proliferation of a single clone of plasma cells leading to varied clinical presentations. Various clinical and laboratory parameters have been established as prognostic factors but their correlation with staging systems has been sparingly studied in Indian population. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was done over a period of 30 months at a tertiary care centre including 33 patients of Multiple Myeloma. Physical examination, radiological investigations and routine laboratory investigations including bone marrow examination, serum protein electrophoresis and serum β2-microglobulin levels were recorded. Patients were staged according to the Durie-Salmon Staging System (DSS) and the International Staging System (ISS) and correlation between prognostic markers and clinical stage was studied. Results: A total of 33 patients were included in the study, all of whom had M-band in the gamma region on serum protein electrophoresis. 51.5% patients presented with renal failure and its presence correlated positively with the stage of disease (0.643, P<0.001). Plasmacytosis showed a positive correlation with the stage of disease (0.351, p<0.045). A significant positive correlation was also found between the DSS and ISS (0.575, p<0.001). Haemoglobin, Serum β2-microglobulin levels, advanced age, Estimated Sedimentation Rate (ESR), serum creatinine and uraemia were other factors that significantly correlated with the clinical stage in our population. Conclusion: Both ISS and DSS correlate well as staging systems for Multiple Myeloma in the Indian population. Routine investigations like Haemoglobin, ESR, renal function tests and plasma cell percentage can be used for prognostication at initial presentation. Prognostic markers like serum β2-microglobulin and renal failure are strongly associated with more advanced stages of Multiple Myeloma.
Noura Ramadan
Suez Canal University, Egypt
Title: MicroRNA-21 expression in primary breast cancer tissue among female patients and its correlation with chromosome 17 aneusomy
Biography:
Noura Ramadan Abdel-Hamid is currently working as an Assistant Lecturer of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine of Suez Canal University. She has studied Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Egypt. She has worked as a House officer, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University from March 2009 to February 2010. She has also worked as a Demonstrator of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University from December 2010 to February 2015.
Abstract:
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer worldwide and amongst Egyptian women. Micro-RNA-21 (miR-21), on chromosome 17q21.3, is one of the most up-regulated microRNAs in cancer that silences multiple target genes involved in cancer-signaling pathways. The study assessed the correlation between the miR-21expression profile and numerical aberrations of chromosome 17 in BC tissues in female Egyptian patients. The study included 37 female patients with sporadic primary breast carcinoma, their age ranged from 31 to 65 years. Fresh breast tissue specimens were evaluated for miR-21 expression levels using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technology and cytogenetic fluorescent in situ hybridization for chromosome 17 aneusomy. The miR-21 was upregulated 12.9-fold in BC tissues and over-expression was significantly associated with several clinicopathologic characteristics; as tumor size, tumor grade, advanced stage and poor prognostic index. In addition, chromosome 17 aneusomy was, profoundly, observed in BC patients. However, the large majority (73%) of patients had heterogeneous cell populations. Chromosome 17 copy number heterogeneity in cell populations were significantly associated with advanced clinical stage and higher miR-21 expression profile in BC tissues. In conclusion, in breast cancer, expression of microRNA-21 located on 17q21.3 was correlated with the chromosome copy number. Chromosome 17 aneusomy and microRNA-21 levels can serve as potential prognostic biomarkers in breast cancer tissues. Chromosome 17 aneusomy analysis by cell heterogeneity gives more useful information than analysis by copy number variation alone. Polysomy of chromosome 17 may explain the significant miR-21 over-expression while miR-21 up-regulation in monosomic cases needs further genetic evaluation to explain it.
Ming Zhao
Chinese PLA General Hospital, China
Title: Combined bevacizumab and stereotactic radiosurgery for the treatment of a child with recurrent medulloblastoma
Biography:
Ming Zhao has completed his PhD at the age of 30 years from Chinese PLA Medical College. He is working in the Neurosurgery Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital. He has published more than 25 papers.
Abstract:
Medulloblastoma has a very poor prognosis in children regardless of the treatment employed. Currently, there is no standard treatment for recurrent or refractory cases. To date, there have been no reports on the use of bevacizumab with stereotactic radiosurgery against medulloblastoma. We report the case of a child with recurrent, refractory, medulloblastoma who was treated with both bevacizumab and stereotactic radiosurgery (Leksell Gamma Knife®, Elekta Instruments, Stockholm, Sweden). Following this combined treatment, the lesions targeted with radiosurgery showed complete response with minimal toxicity in less than 1 month. This is the first documented case of medulloblastoma treated with bevacizumab and stereotactic radiosurgery. The combined use of bevacizumab and stereotactic radiosurgery may represent a novel treatment against medulloblastoma in patients who are not surgical candidates, and should be investigated further. Prospective clinical trials should be considered in order to evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy.