Targeted treatment of cancer with radiofrequency electromagnetic fields amplitude-modulated at tumor-specific frequencies

In the past century, there have been many attempts to treat cancer with low levels of electric and magnetic fields. We have developed noninvasive biofeedback examination devices and techniques and discovered that patients with the same tumor type exhibit biofeedback responses to the same, precise frequencies. Intrabuccal administration of 27.12 MHz radiofrequency(RF) electromagnetic fields(EMF), which are amplitude-modulated at tumor-specific frequencies, results in long-term objective responses in patients with cancer and is not associated with any significant adverse effects. Intrabuccal administration allows for therapeutic delivery of very low and safe levels of EMF throughout the body as exemplified by responses observed in the femur, liver, adrenal glands, and lungs. In vitro studies have demonstrated that tumor-specific frequencies identified in patients with various forms of cancer are capable of blocking the growth of tumor cells in a tissue- and tumor-specific fashion. Current experimental evidence suggests that tumor-specific modulation frequencies regulate the expression of genes involved in migration and invasion and disrupt the mitotic spindle. This novel targeted treatment approach is emerging as an appealing therapeutic option for patients with advanced cancer given its excellent tolerability. Dissection of the molecular mechanisms accounting for the anti-cancer effects of tumor-specific modulation frequencies is likely to lead to the discovery of novel pathways in cancer.

A perivascular epithelioid cell tumor of the stomach:An unsuspected diagnosis

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor(PEComa) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasia and currently well recognized as a distinct entity with characteristic morphological,immunohistochemical and molecular findings.We report a case of PEComa arising in the antrum of a 71-year-old female with melena.The tumor,located predominantly in the submucosa as a well delimited nodule,measured 3.0 cm in diameter and was completely resected,with no evidence of the disease elsewhere.Histologically,it was composed predominantly of eosinophilic epithelioid cells arranged in small nests commonly related to variably sized vessels,with abundant extracellular material,moderate nuclear variation and discrete mitotic activity.No necrosis,angiolymphatic invasion or perineural infil-tration was seen.Tumor cells were uniformly positive for vimentin,smooth muscle actin,desmin and melan A.Although unusual,PEComa should be considered in the differential diagnosis of gastric neoplasia with characteristic epithelioid and oncocytic features and prominent vasculature.

Hereditary gastric cancer:Three rules to reduce missed diagnoses

Gastric cancer remains one of the most lethal cancers.The incidence and mortality rates are quite similar.The main reason for the high mortality is diagnosis at advanced stages of disease,when treatment options are poor.One of the supposed strategies to overcome late-stage diagnosis is identifying people at high risk with the aim of establishing rigorous clinical control,including routine endoscopy and biopsies.Hereditary gastric cancer(HGC)syndromes,though representing a sizeable group to monitor for prevention or,at least,for early diagnosis,are apparently extremely rare.The low rate of HGC diagnosis might be related to the low rates of suspicion,insufficient familiarity about clinical diagnosis criteria,and the supposed conditional necessity of a molecular diagnosis.In this review,we will discuss simple measures to increase HGC diagnosis by applying three rules that might provide an opportunity for precision care to benefit the families affected by this disease.

Low-Dose Metronomic Chemotherapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis of 40 Patients

Purpose: Low-dose metronomic chemotherapy is an emergent treatment schedule in which low doses of cytotoxic agents are given orally continuously, with no or short drug-free intervals. In general, it provides better tolerance, especially in patients who have been previously exposed to other oncologic treatments, with a favorable cost-effectiveness profile. It is well known that all these low-dose schedules have a favorable safety profile and may provide an adequate tumor control in patients with metastatic breast cancer. However, there are no data in literature reporting the patient’s tolerance and response to subsequent lines of chemotherapy after receiving metronomic regimens. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 40 patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with low doses of Cyclophosphamide and/or Methotrexate and/or Capecitabine in a single center from June 2009 to April 2014. The following data were collected: age, hormone and epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) status, number of lines of chemotherapy prior to and after low-dose metronomic treatment, duration of metronomic treatment, toxicity reason for treatment discontinuation. Duration of low-dose metronomic chemotherapy was also correlated with the variables analyzed and treatment outcomes. Results: The median time on metronomic chemotherapy was 5.4 months. The most frequent drugs administered were cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and capecitabine alone. Asthenia, myelotoxicity, gastrintestinal symptoms and handfoot syndrome were the most commonly recorded treatment related toxicity. Twenty six (65%) patients had the opportunity to receive a classic chemotherapy regimen following metronomic regimen interruption. Although patients who developed toxicity to low-dose metronomic chemotherapy remained less time (<6 months) in subsequent chemotherapy, there was no statistically significant difference among those who received more lines of chemotherapy. Discussion: This is the first report in the literature describing the efficacy of low-dose metronomic regimens and the tolerance to subsequent lines of treatments following a period of metronomic chemotherapy. Most of our patients were able to tolerate conventional chemotherapy regimens administered in full doses. Several patients received as many as three lines of additional chemotherapy for periods that exceeded 6 months of treatment, which suggests that the use of prolonged metronomic treatment does not affect a patient’s ability to tolerate subsequent therapy.

Current aspects of therapeutic reduction mammaplasty for immediate early breast cancer management: An update

Breast-conservation surgery(BCS) is established as a safe surgical treatment for most patients with early breast cancer. Recently, advances in oncoplastic techniques are capable of preserving the breast form and quality of life. Although most BCS defects can be managed with primary closure, the aesthetic outcome may be unpredictable. Among technical options, therapeutic reduction mammaplasty(TRM) remains a useful procedure since the BCS defect can be repaired and the preoperative appearance can be improved, resulting in more proportional breasts. As a consequence of rich breast tissue vascularization, the greater part of reduction techniques have based their planning on preserving the pedicle of the nipple-areola complex after tumor removal. Reliable circulation and improvement of a conical shape to the breast are commonly described in TRM reconstructions. With an immediate approach, the surgical process is smooth since both procedures can be carried out in one operative setting. Additionally,it permits wider excision of the tumor, with a superior mean volume of the specimen and potentially reduces the incidence of margin involvement. Regardless of the fact that there is no consensus concerning the best TRM technique, the criteria is determined by the surgeon's experience, the extent/location of glandular tissue resection and the size of the defect in relation to the size of the remaining breast. The main advantages of the technique utilized should include reproducibility, low interference with the oncological treatment and long-term results. The success of the procedure depends on patient selection, coordinated planning and careful intra-operative management.

Primary prevention of colorectal cancer:Myth or reality?

Colorectal cancer incidence has been rising strongly in parallel with economic development.In the past few decades,much has been learned about the lifestyle,dietary and medication risk factors for this malignancy.With respect to lifestyle,compelling evidence indicates that prevention of weight gain and maintenance of a reasonable level of physical activity can positively influence in lowering the risk.Although there is controversy about the role of specific nutritional factors,consideration of dietary pattern as a whole appears useful for formulating recommendations.Though quite often recommended,the role for many supplements,including omega-3,vitamin D,folate,and vitamin B6,remains unsettled.Only calcium and vitamin D supplementation appear to add a modest benefit,particularly in those with a low daily intake.With regard to chemoprevention,medications such as aspirin and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs,and postmenopausal hormonal replacement for women might be associated with substantial reductions in colorectal cancer risk,though their utility is affected by their side effect profile.However,the role of agents such as statins,bisphosphonates and antioxidants have yet to be determined.Ultimately,primary prevention strategies focusing on modifying environmental,lifestyle risk factors,and chemopreventive drugs are options that have already been tested,and may impact on colon cancer incidence.