Browsing by Author "Radenkovic, S. (36615697100)"

Purpose: Impaired IFNγ production in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and their subsets reflects immunosuppression and inadequate antitumor immune response in cancer patients. Decreased function of natural killer (NK) cells has not been investigated in breast cancer with respect to altered pSTAT signaling pathways. Methods: PBL of breast cancer patients and healthy controls were analyzed for IFNγ and pSTAT1 expression and NK cell activity using flow cytometry and 51Cr-release assay, respectively. The level of pSTAT1, 3 and 5 was investigated by Western blotting. Results: Our results indicated that PBL and CD3- CD16+ NK cells of patients had significantly lower level of IFNγ. The patients had a significantly decreased NK cell cytotoxicity compared to controls, with the decrease being dependent on the stage of disease. Positive correlation between IFNγ level in PBL and NK cytotoxicity in controls and patients was also shown. The PBL of patients, compared to controls, expressed lower level of pSTAT1, 3 and 5. The patients' T and NK cell subsets had lower pSTAT1 level. Conclusion: This study indicates that pSTAT1 in PBL of breast cancer patients could be a biomarker of decreased NK cell cytotoxicity and IFNγ level that are associated with progression of this disease. © 2011 Zerbinis Medical Publications.

Purpose: Impaired IFNγ production in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and their subsets reflects immunosuppression and inadequate antitumor immune response in cancer patients. Decreased function of natural killer (NK) cells has not been investigated in breast cancer with respect to altered pSTAT signaling pathways. Methods: PBL of breast cancer patients and healthy controls were analyzed for IFNγ and pSTAT1 expression and NK cell activity using flow cytometry and 51Cr-release assay, respectively. The level of pSTAT1, 3 and 5 was investigated by Western blotting. Results: Our results indicated that PBL and CD3- CD16+ NK cells of patients had significantly lower level of IFNγ. The patients had a significantly decreased NK cell cytotoxicity compared to controls, with the decrease being dependent on the stage of disease. Positive correlation between IFNγ level in PBL and NK cytotoxicity in controls and patients was also shown. The PBL of patients, compared to controls, expressed lower level of pSTAT1, 3 and 5. The patients' T and NK cell subsets had lower pSTAT1 level. Conclusion: This study indicates that pSTAT1 in PBL of breast cancer patients could be a biomarker of decreased NK cell cytotoxicity and IFNγ level that are associated with progression of this disease. © 2011 Zerbinis Medical Publications.

Purpose: Glomus tumors are rare tumors, highly vascular and typically radiosensitive. Therapeutic options include surgery, radiation therapy (RT), embolisation or any combination of them, but the appropriate treatment still remains a challenge. The purpose of this study was to report the results of local control of 7 patients with glomus tumors treated with surgery and external beam RT (EBRT). Methods: All of the patients underwent primary surgery and then postoperative EBRT. Follow-up was calculated from the date of initiation of EBRT and ranged from 3 to 15 years (mean 7.14, median 6.2). The likelihood of local control was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier product limit method. We also analysed the average duration of response between two groups of patients with different doses of EBRT as well as the presence of acute and late EBRT complications. Results: Local control was obtained in 6/7 (85.7%) patients. Moreover, local control was achieved in 3/4 (75%) patients with recurrent glomus tumors, while inpatients with postoperative residual disease local control was obtained in 3/3 (100%) of them. Patients who received <50 Gy (n=2) had shorter average duration of response compared to patients who received >50 Gy (n=5; p=0.248). There were no severe treatment complications. Conclusion: Surgery and RT represent an appropriate treatment approach for advanced glomus tumors with acceptable complications. © 2012 Zerbinis Medical Publications.

Purpose: Glomus tumors are rare tumors, highly vascular and typically radiosensitive. Therapeutic options include surgery, radiation therapy (RT), embolisation or any combination of them, but the appropriate treatment still remains a challenge. The purpose of this study was to report the results of local control of 7 patients with glomus tumors treated with surgery and external beam RT (EBRT). Methods: All of the patients underwent primary surgery and then postoperative EBRT. Follow-up was calculated from the date of initiation of EBRT and ranged from 3 to 15 years (mean 7.14, median 6.2). The likelihood of local control was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier product limit method. We also analysed the average duration of response between two groups of patients with different doses of EBRT as well as the presence of acute and late EBRT complications. Results: Local control was obtained in 6/7 (85.7%) patients. Moreover, local control was achieved in 3/4 (75%) patients with recurrent glomus tumors, while inpatients with postoperative residual disease local control was obtained in 3/3 (100%) of them. Patients who received <50 Gy (n=2) had shorter average duration of response compared to patients who received >50 Gy (n=5; p=0.248). There were no severe treatment complications. Conclusion: Surgery and RT represent an appropriate treatment approach for advanced glomus tumors with acceptable complications. © 2012 Zerbinis Medical Publications.