215 research outputs found
Anogenital lichen sclerosus et atrophicus lesions in a case series of cancer patients on immunotherapy
No full textLichenoid reactions are one of the most frequently observed toxicities with anticancer agents and, recently, a rapid emergence of immunotherapies in oncology has hastened the need to better characterize their unique toxicity profiles, particularly for less common skin toxicities, including anogenital lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA). This case series describes four patients with advanced cancer (one melanoma, two lung cancers, and one kidney tumor) developing LSA lesions while receiving an immunotherapy. Medical records from 2017 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Two patients received pembrolizumab, anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), one nivolumab, anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), and one ipilimumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor. LSA emerged after a median of 3 months (range, 2–4 months) from starting immunotherapy. All LSA cases were grade 2. Three cases occurred on the penis and one case on the anus. All patients improved after a specific treatment for LSA, and no LSA-related antineoplastic treatment interruption/life-threatening condition were reported. To date, this is the first case series of LSA lesions associated with immunotherapy. Early LSA recognition and management is helpful in cancer patients on immunotherapy allowing a long survival and treatment response
Neuroendocrine differentiation in prostate cancer: Current and emerging therapy strategies
No full textNeuroendocrine differentiation (NED) secondary to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) may be frequent in various stages of prostate cancer (PC), particularly in castration-resistant PC (CRPC). NED generally involves more aggressive PC clinical behavior and an unfavorable prognosis. The identification of neuropeptides secreted by NE cells and of different proliferative and anti-apoptotic pathways has led to attention being focused on probable diagnostic targets and therapeutic options for a subtype of PC. Emerging evidence suggests that the acquisition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype are associated with the development of NED in PC, responsible for a complex interaction between ADT, the onset of CRPC and NED, in which EMT and CSC could play a central role, providing potential therapeutic targets. In this article, we review the pathogenetic, prognostic and predictive significance of NED in human PC, providing an insight into innovative agents capable of treating and perhaps preventing NED occurrence. © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd
Hybrid photonic-plasmonic microcavities for Q/V ratio enhancement
No full textA novel photonic-plasmonic device with a 1D PhC dielectric cavity vertically coupled to a metal slot has been discussed. The device performance has been compared with the state-of the-art of micro-cavities, demonstrating a remarkable improvement of Q/V (= 10(7) (lambda/n)(-3)) with respect to results reported in literature. A strong light-matter interaction has been observed, making the cavity suitable for optical trapping, particularly. Strong optical forces, high stiffness and stability of the optical traps are expected in the slotted structure due to the ultra-high Q/V of the properly designed hybrid cavity, allowing the trapping of atoms and nanoparticles, such as proteins and DNA sections, and making the device suitable for interesting applications in oncology and proteomics
Design of an Optical Trapping Device Based on an Ultra-High Q/V Resonant Structure
No full textA novel photonic/plasmonic cavity based on a 1-D photonic crystal cavity vertically coupled to a plasmonic gold structure is reported. The design has been optimized to achieve an ultra-high Q/V ratio, therefore improving the light–matter interaction and making the device suitable for optical trapping applications. Accurate 3-D finite element method (FEM) simulations have been carried out to evaluate the device behavior and performance. The device shows Q 1⁄4 2:8 103 and V 1⁄4 4 104ð=nÞ3, which correspond to a Q=V 1⁄4 7 106ð=nÞ3 with a resonance transmission around 50% at R 1⁄4 1589:62 nm. A strong gradient of the optical energy has been observed in the metal structure at the resonance, inducing a strong optical force and allowing a single particle trapping with a diameter less than 100 nm. The device turns out very useful for novel biomedical applications, such as proteomics and oncology
The cardiovascular risk of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists in men with prostate cancer: An unresolved controversy
No full textGonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH) play an important role in the treatment of prostate cancer, improving significantly overall survival. GnRH agonists belong to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) together with surgical castration and, recently, GnRH antagonists. ADT has several side effects, such as sexual dysfunction and osteoporosis. Recently, changes in body composition, obesity, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension have emerged as complications of ADT, perhaps responsible for cardiovascular events, but discussion is still open. Since the majority of men with prostate cancer die of conditions other than their malignancy, recognition of these adverse effects is important. This review serves to focus attention on the pathogenetic mechanisms of ADT-related cardiovascular toxicity with also reference to the possible direct role of GnRH agonist on the cardiac receptors. Furthermore, this paper would generate recommendations for the management of patients treated with GnRH agonists balancing the potential benefits against the possible risks in prostate cancer men. © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd
Design of a low-cost photonic filter for coarse wavelength division multiplexing in polymer materials
No full textDesign of a polymer photonic crystal membrane cavity for channel drop filtering in coarse wavelength division multiplexing networks
No full textA low-cost polymer integrated optical filter for coarse wavelength division multiplexing systems has been modelled, designed and optimized. The device, which can be manufactured by nanoimprinting lithography, is a Fabry-Perot cavity working at 1551 nm and consisting of a membrane-type slab photonic crystal in which a hole row perpendicular to the propagation direction is removed to form the two reflectors. The dependence of the resonator performance on the key geometrical parameters, i.e. the hole radius and the defect length, has been investigated by the finite element method. A good agreement between the requirements due to the specific application and the device performance has been obtained. The optimized filter, with a footprint of 43.7 μm2, has a Q-factor of 115 and a resonance transmission > 50
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