Novel translational strategies in colorectal cancer research

Defining translational research is still a complex task. In oncology, translational research implies using our basic knowledge learnt from in vitro and in vivo experiments to directly improve diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches in cancer patients. Moreover, the better understanding of human cancer and its use to design more reliable tumor models and more accurate experimental systems also has to be considered a good example of translational research. The identification and characterization of new molecular markers and the discovery of novel targeted therapies are two main goals in colorectal cancer translational research. However, the straightforward translation of basic research findings, specifically into colorectal cancer treatment and vice versa is still underway. In the present paper, a summarized view of some of the new available approaches on colorectal cancer translational research is provided. Pros and cons are discussed for every approach exposed.

Toxicity of Chemotherapy in a Patient with Bloom Syndrome＇s Diagnosis

Bloom＇s syndrome is a rare disease that is related to an increased risk of developing malignant neoplasm. The patient reported was followed up with several hospital staff when she was diagnosed with gastric cancer, but unfortunately, she had already peritoneal implants in moment of the surgery approach. It has been reported in the literature that patients with this syndrome present greater toxicity to the chemotherapeutic treatment, however due to the rarity of the disease, it is not known exactly how the adjustment of these drugs should be performed and which is the better protocol to use. Palliative chemotherapy was proposed, but after receiving one dose of the initially treatment, she developed severe and limiting toxicity.

Effect of Ningmitai capsule plus sertraline on patients with premature ejaculation and enlarged seminal vesicles:A randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Ningmitai capsule combined with sertraline on patients with premature ejaculation(PE) and an increased anterior-posterior diameter(APD) of the seminal vesicles(SVs).METHODS: Sixty men with acquired PE were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups. The combined group was treated with Ningmitai capsule and sertraline, while the control group was treated with sertraline alone. Main outcomes were measured using the premature ejaculation diagnostic tool(PEDT), APD of SVs, and Clinical Global Impression of Change questionnaire and compared before and after 3 months of treatment.RESULTS: Comparing after treatment with before treatment outcomes within each group, the PEDT score was significantly reduced in the combined group(12.1 ± 2.5 vs 8.6 ± 3.2, P < 0.001, respectively) and control group(12.9 ± 2.6 vs 10.3 ± 1.6, P <0.001, respectively). Furthermore, the PEDT score after treatment was significantly lower in the combined compared with control group(8.6 ± 3.2 vs10.3 ± 1.6, P = 0.011, respectively). The APD of SVs in the combined group was significantly decreased after treatment [(10.8 ± 2.4) vs(12.9 ± 2.2) mm, P =0.001], while the APD of SVs in the control group was equivalent before and after treatment. The treatment response rate was not significantly higher in the combined compared with control group.CONCLUSION: These results indicated that the effect of Ningmitai capsule combined with sertraline was better than that of sertraline alone for the treatment of PE patients exhibiting an increased APD of SVs. The therapeutic effect found for the combined treatment may be due to antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity reported for Ningmitai capsule,and may suggest that seminal vesiculitis is a potential pathophysiological factor in acquired PE.

Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnoses in persons with ketamine abuse

OBJECTIVES： To explore the distribution of TCM patterns in ketamine users and the inter-rater reli- ability of TCM diagnosis among TCM practitioners. METHODS： Eighty-four subjects recruited from sub- stance abuse clinics and non-governmental coun- seling services catering for ketamine abusers were examined by one or two TCM practitioners. The dis- tribution and inter-rater reliability of the TCM diag- noses between the two TCM practitioners were de- scribed and measured. RESULTS： Seven TCM patterns were differentiated. The four most common patterns were the Heart Yin deficiency （29.8%）, Kidney Yang deficiency （26.2%）, Kidney Yin deficiency （19.0%）, and Spleen Yang defi-ciency （14.3%）. The agreement between the two TCM practitioners was 59%, the kappa for the three most common patterns was 0.472 （P=O.O03）. The proportion of men was lower in the Kidney Yin defi- ciency group （18.8%）, in comparison to the Heart Yin deficiency （60.0%, P=0.009） and Kidney Yang de- ficiency group （59.1%, P=0.013）. CONCLUSION： The differences between the TCM groups in terms of the source of referral and num- ber of drug uses other than ketamine were of bor- derline significance. Further research should focus on validating diagnostic tools and improving in- ter-rater reliability in TCM to enhance the quality of clinical trials of TCM treatments for ketamine abuse.