Type-B monoamine oxidase inhibitors in neurological diseases:clinical applications based on preclinical findings

Type-B monoamine oxidase inhibitors,encompassing selegiline,rasagiline,and safinamide,are available to treat Parkinson's disease.These drugs ameliorate motor symptoms and improve motor fluctuation in the advanced stages of the disease.There is also evidence suppo rting the benefit of type-B monoamine oxidase inhibitors on non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease,such as mood deflection,cognitive impairment,sleep disturbances,and fatigue.Preclinical studies indicate that type-B monoamine oxidase inhibitors hold a strong neuroprotective potential in Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases for reducing oxidative stress and stimulating the production and release of neurotrophic factors,particularly glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor,which suppo rt dopaminergic neurons.Besides,safinamide may interfere with neurodegenerative mechanisms,countera cting excessive glutamate overdrive in basal ganglia motor circuit and reducing death from excitotoxicity.Due to the dual mechanism of action,the new generation of type-B monoamine oxidase inhibitors,including safinamide,is gaining interest in other neurological pathologies,and many supporting preclinical studies are now available.The potential fields of application concern epilepsy,Duchenne muscular dystrophy,multiple scle rosis,and above all,ischemic brain injury.The purpose of this review is to investigate the preclinical and clinical pharmacology of selegiline,rasagiline,and safinamide in Parkinson's disease and beyond,focusing on possible future therapeutic applications.

Acute heart failure as an adverse event of tumor necrosis factor inhibitor therapy in inflammatory bowel disease:A review of the literature

Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors(anti-TNFs)are widely used therapies for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD);however,their administration is not risk-free.Heart failure(HF),although rare,is a potential adverse event related to administration of these medications.However,the exact mechanism of development of HF remains obscure.TNFαis found in both healthy and damaged hearts.Its effects are concentration-and receptor-dependent,promoting either cardio-protection or cardiomyocyte apoptosis.Experimental rat models with TNFαreceptor knockout showed increased survival rates,less reactive oxygen species formation,and improved diastolic left ventricle pressure.However,clinical trials employing anti-TNF therapy to treat HF had disappointing results,suggesting abolishment of the cardioprotective properties of TNFα,making cardiomyocytes susceptible to apoptosis and oxidation.Thus,patients with IBD who have risk factors should be screened for HF before initiating anti-TNF therapy.This review aims to discuss adverse events associated with the administration of anti-TNF therapy,with a focus on HF,and propose some approaches to avoid cardiac adverse events in patients with IBD.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positive breast cancer

The body of evidence investigating human epidermal growth factor receptor-2(HER2)directed therapy in patients with breast cancer(BC)has been growing within the last decade.Recently,the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKIs)has been of particular interest in the treatment of human malignancies.This literature commentary is intended to highlight the most recent findings associated with the widely-studied TKI agents and their clinical significance in improving the outcomes of HER2 positive BC.

Evaluating the influence of sarcopenia and myosteatosis on clinical outcomes in gastric cancer patients undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor

BACKGROUND The development and progression of gastric cancer(GC)are closely linked to the nutritional status of patients.Although immunotherapy has been demonstrated to be clinically effective,the relationships of sarcopenia and myosteatosis with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)in patients with gastric cancer remain to be characterized.METHODS We performed a retrospective study of patients who were undergoing immuno-therapy for GC.For the evaluation of sarcopenia,the optimal cut-off value for the skeletal muscle index was established using receiver operating characteristic analysis of data obtained from pre-treatment computed tomography images at the L3 vertebral level.Myosteatosis was defined using the mean skeletal muscle density(SMD),with a threshold value of<41 Hounsfield units(HU)for patients with a body mass index(BMI)<25 kg/m^(2)and<33 HU for those with a BMI≥25 kg/m^(2).The log-rank test was used to compare progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS),and a Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify prognostic factors.Nomograms were developed to predict the PFS and OS of patients on the basis of the results of multivariate analyses.RESULTS We studied 115 patients who were undergoing ICI therapy for GC,of whom 27.4%had sarcopenia and 29.8%had myosteatosis.Patients with sarcopenia or myosteatosis had significantly shorter PFS and OS than those without these conditions.Furthermore,both sarcopenia and myosteatosis were found to be independent predictors of PFS and OS in patients with GC administering an ICI.The prediction models created for PFS and OS were associated with C-indexes of 0.758 and 0.781,respectively.CONCLUSION The presence of sarcopenia or myosteatosis is a reliable predictor of the clinical outcomes of patients with GC who are undergoing treatment with an ICI.

Erdafitinib and checkpoint inhibitors for first-line and second-line immunotherapy of hepatic,gastrointestinal,and urinary bladder carcinomas:Recent concept

Cancer immunotherapy is administered for first-line,second-line,neoadjuvant,or adjuvant treatment of advanced,metastatic,and recurrent cancer in the liver,gastrointestinal tract,and genitourinary tract,and other solid tumors.Erdafitinib is a fibroblast growth factor receptor(FGFR)inhibitor,and it is an adenosine triphosphate competitive inhibitor of FGFR1,FGFR2,FGFR3,and FGFR4.Immune checkpoint inhibitors are monoclonal antibodies that block programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1)and its ligand that exert intrinsic antitumor mechanisms.The promising results of first-line treatment of advanced and metastatic urothelial carcinoma with PD-1 blockades with single or combined agents,indicate a new concept in the treatment of advanced,metastatic,and recurrent hepatic and gastrointestinal carcinomas.Cancer immunotherapy as first-line treatment will improve overall survival and provide better quality of life.Debate is arising as to whether to apply the cancer immunotherapy as first-line treatment in invasive carcinomas,or as second-line treatment in recurrent or metastatic carcinoma following the standard chemotherapy.The literature in the field is not definite,and so far,there has been no consensus on the best approach in this situation.At present,as it is described in this editorial,the decision is applied on a case-by-case basis.

Advanced Lung Adenocarcinoma with EGFR 19-del Mutation Transformed into SCC after EGFR-tyrosine Kinase inhibitors Treatment:A Case report

BACKGROUND Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors(EGFR-TKIs)significantly improve the survival of patients with Epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)sensitive mutations in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).CASE SUMMARY A 67-year-old female patient in advanced lung adenocarcinoma suffered from drug resistance after EGFR-TKIs treatment.Secondary pathological tissue biopsy confirmed squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)transformation.Patients inevitably encountered drug resistance issues after receiving EGFR-TKIs treatment for a certain period of time,while EGFR-TKIs can significantly improve the survival of patients with EGFR-sensitive mutations in NSCLC.Notably,EGFR-TKIs resistance includes primary and acquired.Pathological transformation is one of the mechanisms of acquired resistance in EGFR-TKIs,with SCC transformation being relatively rare.Our results provide more detailed results of the patient’s diagnosis and treatment process on SCC transformation after EGFR-TKIs treatment for lung adenocarcinoma.CONCLUSION Squamous cell carcinoma transformation is one of the acquired resistance mechanisms of EGFR-TKIs in advanced lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR mutations.

MT_1-MMP和Factor Ⅷ在人脑胶质瘤中表达差异及其意义

目的探讨膜型基质金属蛋白酶-1(MT1-MMP)和FactorⅧ在人脑胶质瘤中的表达及两者之间的关系。方法用免疫组织化学SP法检测45例人脑胶质瘤组织和10例正常人脑组织中MT1-MMP和FactorⅧ的表达。结果正常人脑组织中无MT1-MMP表达,高级别脑胶质瘤组织(Ⅲ、Ⅳ)中MT1-MMP和FactorⅧ的阳性表达率显著高于低级别胶质瘤组织(Ⅰ、Ⅱ),并且两者的表达呈显著正相关性。结论MT1-MMP在高级别脑胶质瘤组织中高表达,其表达与脑胶质瘤的进展和侵袭密切相关,可作为脑胶质瘤恶性表型的有用指标。MT1-MMP可能在脑胶质瘤的血管生成中发挥重要的调控作用。

Ki-67和Factor Ⅷ在人脑胶质瘤中表达的相互关系及意义

目的探讨Ki-67和FactorⅧ在人脑胶质瘤中的表达及两者之间的关系。方法用免疫组织化学S-P法检测38例人脑胶质瘤组织和7例正常人脑组织中Ki-67和FactorⅧ的表达。结果正常人脑组织中无Ki-67表达,高度恶性胶质瘤(Ⅲ～Ⅳ级)中Ki-67和FactorⅧ的阳性表达率显著高于低级别胶质瘤组织(I～Ⅱ级),并且两者的表达呈显著正相关性。结论Ki-67在恶性胶质瘤组织中高表达,与胶质瘤的进展和侵袭密切相关,可作为胶质瘤恶性表型的有用指标。Ki-67可能在胶质瘤的血管生成中发挥重要的调控作用。

Risk factors for proton pump inhibitor refractoriness in Chinese patients with non-erosive reflux disease

AIM:To analyze risk factors for refractoriness to proton pump inhibitors(PPIs) in patients with non-erosive reflux disease(NERD).METHODS:A total of 256 NERD patients treated with the PPI esomeprazole were enrolled.They were classified into symptom-free and residual symptoms groups according to Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia(QolRad) scale.All subjects completed questionnaires on psychological status(self-rating anxiety scale;selfrating depression scale) and quality of life scale(Short Form 36).Multivariate analysis was used to determine the predictive factors for PPI responses.RESULTS:According to QolRad,97 patients were confirmed to have residual reflux symptoms,and the remaining 159 patients were considered symptom free.There were no significant differences between the two groups in lifestyle factors(smoking and alcohol consumption),age,Helicobacter pylori infection,and hiatal hernia.There were significant differences between the two groups in relation to sex,psychological distress including anxiety and depression,body mass index(BMI),and irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)(P < 0.05).Logistic regression analysis found that BMI < 23,comorbid IBS,anxiety,and depression were major risk factors for PPI resistance.Symptomatic patients had a lower quality of life compared with symptom-free patients.CONCLUSION:Some NERD patients are refractory to PPIs and have lower quality of life.Residual symptoms are associated with psychological distress,intestinal disorders,and low BMI.

Proton pump inhibitors as a risk factor for recurrence of Clostridium-difficile-associated diarrhea

AIM:To investigate the risk factors for Clostridiumdifficile-associated diarrhea(CDAD)recurrence,and its relationship with proton pump inhibitors(PPIs). METHODS:Retrospective data of 125 consecutive hospitalized patients diagnosed with CDAD between January 2006 and December 2007 were collected by medical chart review.Collected data included patient characteristics at baseline,underlying medical disease, antibiotic history before receiving a diagnosis of CDAD, duration of hospital stay,severity of CDAD,concurrenttreatment with PPIs,laboratory parameters,response to CDAD therapy,and recurrence of disease within 90 d of successful treatment.Various clinical and laboratory parameters were compared in patients in whom CDAD did or did not recur. RESULTS:Of the 125 patients(mean age,67.6± 13.9 years)that developed CDAD,98(78.4%)did not experience recurrence(non-recurrent group)and 27 (21.6%)experienced one or more recurrences(recurrent group).Prior to the development of CDAD,96% of the 125 patients were prescribed antibiotics,and 56(44.8%)of the patients received PPIs.Age older than 65 years(P=0.021),feeding via nasogastric tube(NGT)(P=0.045),low serum albumin level(P =0.025),and concurrent use of PPIs(P=0.014) were found to be risk factors for CDAD recurrence by univariate analysis.However,sex,length of hospital stay,duration and type of antibiotics used,severity of disease,leukocyte count and C-reactive protein(CRP) were not associated with risk of CDAD recurrence.On multivariate analysis,the important risk factors were advanced age(>65 years,adjusted OR:1.32,95% CI:1.12-3.87,P=0.031),low serum albumin level(< 2.5 g/dL,adjusted OR:1.85,95%CI:1.35-4.91,P= 0.028),and concurrent use of PPIs(adjusted OR:3.48, 95%CI:1.64-7.69,P=0.016). CONCLUSION:Advanced age,serum albumin level< 2.5 g/dL,and concomitant use of PPIs were found to be significant risk factors for CDAD recurrence.

Blood glucose changes surrounding initiation of tumor-necrosis factor inhibitors and conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in veterans with rheumatoid arthritis

AIM To determine the scope of acute hypoglycemic effects for certain anti-rheumatic medications in a large retrospective observational study. METHODS Patients enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis (VARA) registry were selected who, during follow-up, initiated treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi's, including etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, golimumab, or certolizumab), prednisone, or conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs(DMARDs), and for whom proximate random blood glucose (RBG) measurements were available within a window 2-wk prior to, and 6 mo following, medication initiation. Similar data were obtained for patients with proximate values available for glycosylated hemoglobin A1C values within a window 2 mo preceding, and 12 mo following, medication initiation. RBG and A1C measurements were compared before and after initiation events using paired t-tests, and multivariate regression analysis was performed including established comorbidities and demographics.RESULTS Two thousands one hundred and eleven patients contributed at least one proximate measurement surrounding the initiation of any examined medication. A significant decrease in RBG was noted surrounding 653 individual hydroxychloroquine-initiation events(-3.68 mg/dL, P = 0.04), while an increase was noted for RBG surrounding 665 prednisone-initiation events(+5.85 mg/d L, P < 0.01). A statistically significant decrease in A1C was noted for sulfasalazine initiation, as measured by 49 individual initiation events(-0.70%, P < 0.01). Multivariate regression analyses, using methotrexate as the referent, suggest sulfasalazine (β =-0.58, P = 0.01) and hydroxychloroquine(β =-5.78, P = 0.01) use as predictors of lower post-medicationinitiation RBG and A1C values, respectively. Analysis by drug class suggested prednisone (or glucocorticoids) as predictive of higher medication-initiation event RBG among all start events as compared to DMARDs, while this analysis did not show any drug class-level effect for TNFi. A diagnosis of congestive heart failure(β = 4.69, P = 0.03) was predictive for higher post-initiation RBG values among all medication-initiation events.CONCLUSION No statistically significant hypoglycemic effects surrounding TNFi initiation were observed in this large cohort. Sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine may have epidemiologically significant acute hypoglycemic effects.

The mechanism and risk factors for immune checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis in non-small cell lung cancer patients

Immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)are new and promising therapeutic agents for non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).However,along with demonstrating remarkable efficacy,ICIs can also trigger immune-related adverse events.Checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis(CIP)has been reported to have a morbidity rate of 3%to 5%and a mortality rate of 10%to 17%.Moreover,the incidence of CIP in NSCLC is higher than that in other tumor types,reaching 7%to 13%.With the increased use of ICIs in NSCLC,CIP has drawn extensive attention from oncologists and cancer researchers.Identifying high risk factors for CIP and the potential mechanism of CIP are key points in preventing and monitoring serious adverse events.In this review,the results of our analysis and summary of previous studies suggested that the risk factors for CIP may include previous lung disease,prior thoracic irradiation,and combinations with other drugs.Our review also explored potential mechanisms closely related toCIP,including increasedT cell activity against associated antigens in tumor and normal tissues,preexisting autoantibodies,and inflammatory cytokines.

Molecular Modeling Studies of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Combining Molecular Docking and 3D-QSAR Methods

The vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and its receptor tyrosine kinases VEGFR-2 or kinase insertdomain receptor （KDR） have emerged as attractive targets for the design of novel anticancer agents. In the present work, molecular docking method combined with three dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships （comparative molecular field analysis （CoMFA） and comparative molecular similarity indice analysis （CoMSIA）） to analyze the possible interactions between KDR and those derivatives which acted as selective inhibitors. The CoMFA and CoMSIA models gave a cross-validated coefficient Q2 of 0.713 and 0.549, non-cross-validated R2 values of 0.974 and 0.878, and predicted R2 values of 0.966 and 0.823, respectively. The 3D contour maps generated by the CoMFA and CoMSIA models were used to identify the key structural requirements responsible for the biological activity. The information obtained from 3D-QSAR and docking studies were very helpful to design novel selective inhibitors of KDR with desired activity and good chemical property.

Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors for non-small cell lung cancer

First-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors(EGFR-TKIs), including gefitinib and erlotinib, have proven to be highly effective agents for advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) in patients harboring an activating EGFR mutation such as the exon 19 deletion mutation and L858 R. Although those reversible small molecular targeted agents provide a significant response and survival benefit, all responders eventually acquire resistance. Secondgeneration EGFR-targeting agents, such as irreversible EGFR/HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitors and pan-HER TKIs, may improve survival further and be useful for patients who acquired resistance to first-generation EGFR-TKIs. This review discusses novel therapeutic strategies for EGFR-mutated advanced NSCLC using first- and second-generation EGFR-TKIs.

LOW DOSE PIRFENIDONE SUPPRESSES TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR BETA-1 AND TISSUE INHIBITOR OF METALLOPROTEINASE-1, AND PROTECTS RATS FROM LUNG FIBROSIS INDUCED BY BLEOMYCIN

Objective To investigate the optimal dosage of pirfenidone for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in Wistar rats, and the alteration of expressions of transforming growth factor beta-1 （ TGF-β1 ）, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 （ TIMP-1 ）, and matrix metalloproteinase-13 （ MMP-13 ） in lung tissue. Methods Male Wistar rats were endotracheally instilled with bleomycin or normal saline. Pirfenidone （25-800 mg · kg^-l · d^-1 ）, dexamethasone （3 mg/kg）, or 1% carboxymethylcellulose sodium were given daily by feed 2 days before instillation of bleomycin. Groups T7 and T14 were fed pirfenidone 50 mg · kg^-1 · d^-1 at 7 days or 14 daYs after bleomycin instillation. Lungs were harvested at 28 days after bleomycin instillation. Patholological changes in luffg tissues were evaluated with HE staining. Lung collagen was stained by sirius red and measured by content of hydroxypro- line. Expression of proteins of TGF-β1 TIMP-1, and MMP-13 were detected by Western blotting. Results At doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg· kg^- 1 · d ^- 1, pirfenidone had significant anti-fibrotic effects for bleomy- cin-induced rat pulmonary fibrosis, and these effects were most significantly attenuated at the dosage of 50 mg · kg^-1 ·d^ -1（ HE： P 〈 0. 01, P 〈 0.01, and P = 0.064; sirius red： P 〈0.05, P 〈 0.01, and P 〈 0.05 ; hydroxyproline： P = 0.595, P 〈 0.01, and P = 0.976）. Pirfenidone at a dosage of 50 mg · kg^- l · d^-1 inhibited protein expression of TGF-131 and TIMP-1 in lung tissue in the early phase （0.79 and 0.75 times of control group）, but had no effect on ex- nr^eelnn nf MMP-13. Conclusion Low dose pirfenidone, especially at dosage of 50 mg · kg^-1 · d^-1, has significant anti-fibrotic effects on bleomycin-induced rat pulmonary fibrosis. Pirfenidone partially inhibits the enhancement of the expression of TGF-131 and TIMP-β1 in lung tissue.

Expression of serine protease SNC19/matriptase and its inhibitor hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 1 in normal and malignant tissues of gastrointestinal tract

AIM： To provide the expression profile of serine protease SNC19/matriptase and its inhibitor hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 1 （HAI-1） in normal and malignant tissues of gastrointestinal tract at mRNA level for further study on their correlations with tumor progression and metastasis. METHODS： Total RNAs were prepared from 37 samples of colorectal cancer tissues, 40 samples of gastric cancer tissues, and their adjacent normal tissues. The expression of SNC19/matriptase and HAI-1 in these samples was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR using glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase as internal standard, and the clinical significance for the correlation with clinicopathological parameters was evaluated. RESULTS： In gastric cancer tissues the expression of HAI-1 and SNC19/matriptase was significantly lower than that in the corresponding adjacent normal tissues （Z = -3.280, P= 0.006; Z= -4.651, P= 0.000）. HAI-1：SNC19/matriptase ratio showed no difference between normal and malignant tissues （P〉0.05）. Analysis of clinicopathological parameters showed decreased expression of HAI-1 and HAI-1：SNC19/ matriptase ratio associated with stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ gastric tumors as compared to stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ ones （Z= -2.140, P= 0.031; Z = -2.155, P = 0.031）, and with lymph node-positive gastric cancer tissues as compared to lymph node-negative ones （Z = -2.081, P = 0.036; Z= -2.686, P = 0.006）. The expression of SNC19/matriptase had no relationship with stages and lymph node metastasis （P〉0.05）. The expression of HAI-1 and HAI-1：SNC19/matriptase ratio increased in well-differentiated gastric cancer tissues, but there was no statistical significance （P〉0.05）. The difference of SNC19/matriptase expression was not significant in gastric cancer tissues of different histological differentiation status （P〉0.05）. In colorectal cancer tissues, the expression of HAI-1 and SNC19/matriptase was also markedly lower than that in their adjacent normal tissues （Z= -3.100, P = 0.002; Z= -2.731, P = 0.006）, whereas HAI-1：SNC19/matriptase ratio showed no difference. Decreased expression of HAI-1 was associated with increased invasive depth and lymph node metastasis, but there was no statistical significance （P〉0.05）. The difference of SNC19/matriptase expression and HAI-1： SNC19/matriptase ratio was not significant in different stages and different lymph node metastasis status （P〉0.05）. The expression of SNC19/matriptase, HAI-1 or HAI-1： SNC19/matriptase ratio showed no difference in colorectal cancer tissues of different histological differentiation status （P〉0.05）. CONCLUSION： The expressions of SNC19/matriptase and its inhibitor HAI-1 are decreased in gastrointestinal cancer tissues compared to their normal counterparts, and the decreased expression of HAI-1 may correlate with invasion and lymph node metastasis. The possible mechanisms involved need to be further investigated.

Effect of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors on rheumatoid arthritis-induced peripheral neuropathy A cohort study

In this historical cohort study, 236 patients with primary rheumatoid arthritis were treated with the tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, etanercept or infliximab （n = 80）, or by conventional methods （n = 156）. Results revealed that 11 patients developed varying types of peripheral neuropathy at 1-2 years post-treatment （mean 16 months）. The incidence of peripheral neuropathy in the tumor necrosis factor inhibitors treatment group was 8.8% （7/80）, which was significantly higher than the conventional treatment group （2.6%; 4/156）. The relative risk of developing peripheral neuropathy in the tumor necrosis factor inhibitors treatment group was 3.41 （95% confidence interval： 1.03 11.31）. Comparison of the tumor necrosis factor inhibitors revealed that etanercept and infliximab had no significant difference in terms of inducing peripheral neuropathy. Experimental findings indicate that tumor necrosis factor inhibitors may increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy.

Clinical significance of expression of tissue factor and tissue factor pathway inhibitor in ulcerative colitis

AIM: To investigate the clinical significance of expression of tissue factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) in ulcerative colitis (UC).

Cytomegalovirus colitis in a patient with Behcet’s disease receiving tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitory treatment

Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors are effective in the treatment of various inflammatory rheumatic conditions. Increased risks of serious infections are the major issues concerning the long-term safety of these agents. We present a case of a young male Behcet’s patient whose disease was complicated by cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis. Colitis started 10 d after the third Infliximab dose and responded to the cessation of TNF blocking treatment and administration of ganciclovir. Tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma act at several levels in combating viral infections.CMV infections should be kept in mind and included in the differential diagnosis of severe gastrointestinal symptoms in patients receiving anti-TNF agents.

Treatment of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors with inhibitors of growth factor receptors and their signaling pathways: Recent advances and future perspectives

The limited efficacy of conventional cytotoxic treatment regimes for advanced gastrointestinal neuroendocrine cancers emphasizes the need for novel and more effective medical treatment options. Recent findings on the specific biological features of this family of neoplasms has led to the development of new targeted therapies, which take into account the high vascularization and abundant expression of specific growth factors and cognate tyrosine kinase receptors. This review will briefly summarize the status and future perspectives of antiangiogenic, mTOR- or growth factor receptor-based pharmacological approaches for the innovative treatment of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors. In view of the multitude of novel targeted approaches, the rationale for innovative combination therapies, i.e. combining growth factor (receptor)-targeting agents with chemo- or biotherapeutics or with other novel anticancer drugs such as HDAC or proteasome inhibitors will be taken into account.