Cancer Studies

Several studies have shown that metastatic cancer cells may lie dormant in a secondary site for more than a decade, all the while retaining the ability to aggressively reemerge. Once these dormant cancer cells regrow, cancer becomes incurable, yet the mechanisms that instruct metastatic cancer cells to become dormant and later escape from dormancy still remain unknown. In this review we will discuss the known regulatory roles of the microenvironment in tumour dormancy and some potential models for future studies of tumour dormancy. Better understanding of the mechanisms involved has the potential to lead to significant improvements in the care of advanced cancer patients and the prevention of cancer recurrence.  

Objective to study the effect of doxorubicin interventional chemotherapy on rabbit VX2 renal transplantation carcinoma and its mechanism. Methods Thirty healthy New Zealand white rabbits were chosen to establish VX2 renal transplantation carcinoma models. The experimental rabbits were randomly divided into three groups with 10 rabbits in each group. The rabbits in the control group (negative control), doxorubicin group and cisplatin group were treated with saline, 5mg/kg doxorubicin and 2mg/kg cisplatin respectively. The tumour volume was monitored with B-mode ultrasonography. The rabbits were anesthetized and killed after two weeks of interventional chemotherapy. The changes of Bcl-2 and Bax at the levels of mRNA and protein were analysed with real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Results The efficacy of interventional chemotherapy was evaluated with tumour volume changes monitored by B-mode ultrasonography. The tumour volume of control group and doxorubicin group was 1.29±0.60cm3 and 0.47±0.12 cm3 respectively. Further fluorescence quantitative PCR detection results showed that doxorubicin could reduce the Bcl-2 expression and increase the Bax expression (P<0.05). The result of immunohistochemistry was consistent with that of fluorescence quantitative PCR. 

Conclusions: The effect of doxorubicin interventional chemotherapy on renal transplantation carcinoma is obvious and the mechanism may be related to the downregulation of Bcl-2 expression and up-regulation of Bax expression thus inducing the apoptosis of tumour cells

A growing body of evidence supports the efficacy of exercise training in the management of lung cancer. Home-based telerehabilitation may be a favourable model; however limited information is available about technology access, use and competency specifically in the 
lung cancer population.  

Aims: To identify the proportion of patients with lung cancer who access and use mobile phones, tablet devices or computers; and the patient profile of such individuals.  

Method: 23 participants (17 male, median ages 71 [IQR 63-72] years) with stage I-III non-small cell lung cancer, 1-13 months post diagnosis completed a technology questionnaire. Additional measures completed at time of diagnosis include: comorbidities, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group- Performance Status (function), six minute walk distance (functional exercise capacity) and questionnaires (physical activity levels, symptoms, mood, 
health-related quality of life). 

Results: 70% (n=16/23) of participants had a mobile phone, 4% (n=1/23) had a tablet device and 43% (n=10/23) had a computer. Thirty percent (n=7/23) of participants did not have a mobile phone, tablet device or computer; these individuals were older (p=0.013), had greater comorbidities (p=0.028), lower functional exercise capacity (p=0.048); and worse fatigue (p=0.002) and pain (p=0.006). The majority of participants with mobile phones did not have a smart phone (69%) and no participants used the internet on their phone. Seventeen percent (n=4/23) of participants used the internet daily on a computer, all other participants used the internet once a month or less. Only 13% (n=3/23) of participants rated their computer skills as adequate or higher. Skype and Facebook were only used by one participant.  

Conclusion: Access and use of smart phones, tablet devices and computers is relatively infrequent in an elderly population with early stage lung cancer from a tertiary acute hospital setting. Further studies are warranted to explore the acceptability of technology in the delivery of exercise rehabilitation in this population.