Fwd: Dysregulation in immune functions is reflected in tumor cell cytotoxicity by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: HubMed - breast cancer <rssfwd@rssfwd.com>
Date: Fri, Jun 13, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Subject: Dysregulation in immune functions is reflected in tumor cell cytotoxicity by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients.
To: mesothelioma77@gmail.com


[1]Cancer Immun. 2008; 8: 10
Bose A, Chakraborty T, Chakraborty K, Pal S, Baral R

We assessed the immunological status of stage III and IV head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients and age-matched healthy individuals. In HNSCC patients, the total leukocyte count was lower and the proliferating ability of PBMCs against phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was significantly downregulated. These cells showed lower expression of the early activation marker CD69. Within this PBMC population, the proportion of CD4+, CD8+ T cells, CD3- CD56+, CD16+ NK cells and CD3+ CD56+ NK-T cells was seriously downregulated. However, the proportion of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells having suppressor function was upregulated. Other immune cells, like CD14+ monocytes/macrophages and CD20+ B cells, were also fewer in number, although this difference was not statistically significant. Assessment of the cytokine secretory status of PBMCs revealed suppressed levels of Th1 cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-12 and TNF-alpha) and elevated secretion of Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) for HNSCC PBMCs whereas just the opposite was seen for PBMCs from healthy individuals. Dysregulation in the profile of immunocompetent cells and cytokine secretion was reflected in the suppressed cytotoxic function of HNSCC PBMCs, as tested on KB (oral cancer), MCF7 (breast cancer), COLO205 (colon cancer), Jurkat (T cell leukemia), K562 (erythroleukemia) and U937 (monocytic lymphoma) cell lines. The observed decreased cytotoxicity of HNSCC PBMCs may be due to the downregulated expression of cytotoxic molecules (perforin, granzymeB and FasL) in HNSCC PBMCs. Assessment of the extent of immune dysfunction might help design immunotherapeutic protocols by incorporating any agent having immunomodulatory function.



___
Source: http://www.hubmed.org/display.cgi?uids=18547033
--
 Powered by [5]RssFwd, a service of [6]Blue Sky Factory, Inc

 

Fwd: Internet-Based Survey Evaluating Use of Pain Medications and Attitudes of Radiation Oncology Patients Toward Pain Intervention.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: HubMed - breast cancer <rssfwd@rssfwd.com>
Date: Fri, Jun 13, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Subject: Internet-Based Survey Evaluating Use of Pain Medications and Attitudes of Radiation Oncology Patients Toward Pain Intervention.
To: mesothelioma77@gmail.com


[1]Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2008 Jun 9;
Simone CB, Vapiwala N, Hampshire MK, Metz JM

PURPOSE: Pain is a common symptom among cancer patients, yet many patients do not receive adequate pain management. Few data exist quantifying analgesic use by radiation oncology patients. This study evaluated the causes of pain in cancer patients and investigated the reasons patients fail to receive optimal analgesic therapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: An institutional review board-approved, Internet-based questionnaire assessing analgesic use and pain control was posted on the OncoLink (available at www.oncolink.org) Website. Between November 2005 and April 2006, 243 patients responded. They were predominantly women (73%), white (71%), and educated beyond high school (67%) and had breast (38%), lung (6%), or ovarian (6%) cancer. This analysis evaluated the 106 patients (44%) who underwent radiotherapy. RESULTS: Of the 106 patients, 58% reported pain from their cancer treatment, and 46% reported pain directly from their cancer. The pain was chronic in 51% and intermittent in 33%. Most (80%) did not use medication to manage their pain. Analgesic use was significantly less in patients with greater education levels (11% vs. 36%, p = 0.002), with a trend toward lower use by whites (16% vs. 32%, p = 0.082) and women (17% vs. 29%, p = 0.178). The reasons for not taking analgesics included healthcare provider not recommending medication (87%), fear of addiction or dependence (79%), and inability to pay (79%). Participants experiencing pain, but not taking analgesics, pursued alternative therapies for relief. CONCLUSIONS: Many radiation oncology patients experience pain from their disease and cancer treatment. Most study participants did not use analgesics because of concerns of addiction, cost, or failure of the radiation oncologist to recommend medication. Healthcare providers should have open discussions with their patients regarding pain symptoms and treatment.



___
Source: http://www.hubmed.org/display.cgi?uids=18547743
--
 Powered by [5]RssFwd, a service of [6]Blue Sky Factory, Inc