Marzena Dworacka¹, Ewa Krzyz̀agórska², Saule Iskakova³, Yerbol Bekmukhambetov⁴, Olzhas Urazayev⁴, Grzegorz Dworacki⁵

European Cytokine Network, Vol.25, No.3, pp. 46-51, 2014, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2014.0355

Abstract Aim:The pro-atherogenic role of RANTES, a chemokine expressing pleiotropic activities, in the course of type 2 diabetes-related atherosclerosis has been well documented. However, it is not known which of the diabetes-related factors primarily influence serum RANTES levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Our aim was to investigate relationships between several factors known to be related to an increased risk of atherosclerosis and serum RANTES levels in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: A total of 168 subjects were examined, which included 138 patients with type 2 diabetes and 30 non-diabetic controls. Measurements of venous, fasting,… More >

Bartosz Hudzik^1,a, Aleksander Danikiewicz^2,a, Janusz Szkodzinski¹, Lech Polonski¹, Barbara Zubelewicz-Szkodzinska^2,3

European Cytokine Network, Vol.25, No.3, pp. 41-45, 2014, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2014.0354

Abstract Introduction: Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is an acute-phase reactant that shares structural and functional homology with C-reactive protein (CRP). However, unlike CRP, which is synthesized mainly in the liver, PTX3 is produced at the site of inflammation. It has been suggested that PTX3 plays the same role in the periphery that CRP does in circulation. PTX3 may represent a rapid marker of local inflammation. Methods: Fifty-one patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) were enrolled. Blood samples were collected on admission. Plasma concentration of PTX3 and high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) were determined. Results: Median PTX3 concentration was 0.92… More >

Alton G. Sutter¹, Arun P. Palanisamy¹, Justin D. Ellet¹, Michael G. Schmidt², Rick G. Schnellmann^3,4, Kenneth D. Chavin¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.25, No.4, pp. 69-76, 2014, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2015.0359

Abstract Steatotic livers are more sensitive to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and are thus routinely rejected for transplantation because of their increased rate of primary nonfunction (PNF). Lean livers have less I/R-induced damage and inflammation due to Kupffer cells (KC), which are protective after total, warm, hepatic I/R with associated bowel congestion. This protection has been linked to KC-dependent expression of the potent anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10).We hypothesized that pretreatment with exogenous IL-10 would protect the steatotic livers of genetically obese (ob/ob) mice from inflammation and injury induced by I/R. Lean and ob/ob mice were pretreated with either More >

Anargyros Kouris¹, Aikaterini Pistiki², Alexandros Katoulis¹, Marianna Georgitsi², Sofia Giatrakou¹, Evangelia Papadavid¹, Mihai G. Netea³, Nikolaos Stavrianeas¹, Evangelos J. Giamarellos-Bourboulis^2,3

European Cytokine Network, Vol.25, No.4, pp. 63-68, 2014, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2014.0358

Abstract Background: Psoriasis is one of the most common, immune-mediated, chronic inflammatory skin diseases. Proinflammatory cytokines play an important pathogenetic role at a local level. Objective: To assess whether the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, IL-22 and TNF-α are released systemically during psoriasis. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 30 patients with psoriasis and 30 healthy volunteers. Cytokine production was assessed in supernatants using an enzyme immunoassay after stimulation of PBMCs with microbial stimuli. In addition, flow cytometry was used to determine the subsets of monocytes involved and the intracellular TNF-α production in More >

Gregory R. Thoreson, Bishoy A. Gayed, Paul H. Chung, Ganesh V. Raj

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.21, Suppl.2, pp. 98-105, 2014

Abstract instruction: Introduction: Prostate cancer continues to be the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men within the United States. Despite a consistent decline in prostate cancer mortality over the past two decades, the prognosis for men with metastatic prostate cancer remains poor with no curative therapies. In this article, we review the recently approved and emerging therapeutics for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.
instruction: Materials and methods: An advanced search was conducted on the ClinicalTrials.gov database, using search terms "metastatic prostate cancer", and limiting results to phase II-IV clinical trials. Clinically relevant emerging therapeutics were selected… More >

Robert Dreicer

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.21, Suppl.2, pp. 93-97, 2014

Abstract instruction: Introduction: Rapid progress has recently been made in understanding the biology of advanced prostate cancer. This has translated into the development of a number of novel agents to treat metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
instruction: Materials and methods: The relevant literature was retrieved from a search of MEDLINE with appropriate keywords.
instruction: Results: Therapeutic approaches to mCRPC include chemotherapy, hormonal manipulation, immunotherapy and radioisotope therapy. Docetaxel and cabazitaxel are cytotoxic agents which have demonstrated a modest impact on survival. Hormonal manipulation with abiraterone and enzalutamide have also been reported to be beneficial in mCRPC. The radioisotope radium-223 More >

Valentina Butoescu, Bertrand Tombal

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.21, Suppl.2, pp. 84-92, 2014

Abstract instruction: Introduction: In the advanced stage of prostate cancer, bone is consistently the first and, later on, the dominant extra-nodal metastatic site. Bone metastases account for most of prostate cancer's morbidity.
instruction: Materials and methods: We have performed a literature review using the MEDLINE database for publications on: 1) bone metastases (androgen deprivation therapy); 2) cancer treatment-induced bone loss; 3) skeletal-related events; 4) denosumab; 5) zoledronic acid.
instruction: Results: Prostate cancer cells disrupt the normal bone remodeling process, invade the skeletal environment, and ultimately weaken the bone structure. This may result in skeletal complications, also known as skeletal-related… More >

Daniel P. Petrylak

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.21, Suppl.2, pp. 77-83, 2014

Abstract instruction: Introduction: Chemotherapy, once thought to be toxic and ineffective in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), has a significant impact on survival and quality-of-life in these patients. This article summarizes recent studies performed with two Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved agents which have improved survival in men with CRPC, docetaxel and cabazitaxel.
instruction: Materials and methods: The literature on cytotoxic chemotherapy for castration-resistant prostate cancer was reviewed. The individual efficacy, mechanisms of chemotherapeutic action, and appropriate disease states of administration were identified. Recent clinical trial results of chemotherapy combined with targeted agents was also reviewed.
instruction:… More >

Robert B. Den^1,2,3, Laura A. Doyle², Karen E. Knudsen^1,2,3,4

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.21, Suppl.2, pp. 70-76, 2014

Abstract instruction: Introduction: Bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals have been used for decades in the palliation of pain from bone metastases emerging from prostate cancer. Recent clinical evidence has demonstrated an improved survival in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with radium-223.
instruction: Materials and methods: A review of the literature was performed to identify the role of radiopharmaceuticals in the management of prostate cancer. We focused on prospective trials in order to identify the highest level of evidence describing this therapy. Further, we focused on providing a clinical guide for the use of radium-223.
instruction: Results: The phase III ALSYMPCA… More >

Jean Hoffman-Censits, Wm. Kevin Kelly

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.21, Suppl.2, pp. 64-69, 2014

Abstract instruction: Introduction: We summarize the development, definitive trials, and practical use of enzalutamide for practicing urologists and medical oncologists. The care paradigm for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is a changing landscape, with the ongoing discovery of drivers of cancer progression yielding actionable targets for drug development. Since 2010, sipuleucel-T, cabazitaxel, abiraterone with prednisone, radium-223 and enzalutamide have been Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved based upon improvement in overall survival in men with mCRPC.
instruction: Materials and methods: A MEDLINE search for "enzalutamide or MDV3100" yielded 258 results. Prospective trials were reviewed. Abstracts from… More >