Hope For Cancer Patients Research Articles

Nanorobots or Antitumor Nanotanks: The New Cancer Termination Strategies from Reality to Meth

Nanorobotics Nanorobotics is a technology for making machines, robots in nanometer scale. More specifically, nanorobotics largely refer to the still-hypothetical technique of nanotechnology in the design and construction of nanoparticles and devices that range in size from 0.1-10 micrometers and are constructed from own molecular components or the molecules like DNA. However, it is still a hypothetical idea. Terminology such as nanobots, nanoids, nanites, nanomachines, or nanomites are also being circulated to describe these devices under research and development. A new technique in medicine will open up new avenues of hope for cancer patients. This technique relies on cell differentiation and the destruction of cancer cells without destroying body cells in less than 24 hours Unlike destructive chemotherapy, this technique is based on a new science called "Nanotherapy", specifically Nano robots. The aim of this descriptive minireview, generally, is to shed light on the main Applications of Nanorobotics as Antitumornew strategies.

A Hope-enhancement Instrument for Palliative Care Cancer Patients.

AimMillions of new cancer cases are diagnosed each year. ‎Patients often become hopeless during the disease. This study aimed to develop a short-intervention instrument targeted to raise hope in cancer patients.MethodsUsing a panel of experts, an instrument was developed, which consisted of 11 counseling items. The instrument was applied to a sample of 153 palliative care cancer patients randomized into three groups (G1: instrument applied by Rater 1, G2: control, and G3: instrument applied by Rater 2). Application of the instrument required 20-30 minutes. Using the Herth Hope Index (HHI) scores as the main outcome, changes over time (baseline, 1-hour, and one-week) were evaluated.ResultsThe mean baseline HHI scores were 41.38‎±4.46. ‎The HHI scores were statistically similar at the ‎baseline (p>0.05) but significantly different at one hour and one week in favor of the G1 and G3 groups (p<0.001). In G1, the HHI significantly increased from baseline to one-hour measurements (t=-12.413, ‎p<0.001) and remained unchanged at one week (t=1.088, ‎p=0.282). Similarly, there was a significant increase in the HHI scores from baseline to one-hour ‎measurements in G3 (t=-9.144, p<0.001), which remained unchanged between one hour and one week (t=-0.099, p=0.921).ConclusionThis study demonstrated the effectiveness of a structured, short counseling intervention in increasing ‎hope among palliative care cancer patients.

Abstract 57: Development of an in vitro 3D model system for testing PD-1/ PDL-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors

Abstract Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors provide a new hope for cancer patients not responding to chemotherapy by removing the tumor protection against immune cell attacks. Nevertheless, only a subset of patients responds well to these therapies, and recent studies demonstrated that the mechanisms of action are more complex than expected, often involving multiple cell types of the immune system. Importantly, for a better understanding and assessment of immune cell eliciting cell tumor death, there is a need to have fully human, complex 3D in vitro models. We developed a 3D tumor-immune cell coculture model and show here acquired insights on the modulatory capacity of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Aim In the present study we have developed a 3D tumor - immune cell coculture model and evaluated its application to study the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors on tumor viability, cytokine secretion, and immune cell infiltration. Material &amp; Methods GFP-labelled A549 tumor cells were aggregated together with human dermal fibroblast to produce 3D tumor microtissues in Akura 96-well and 384-well format. Immune cells were pre-treated using different activation protocols to induce priming and pT-cell exhaustion. 3D tumor-immune cell cocultures were treated for 10 days with Nivolumab, its corresponding isotype and non-treated controls. Tumor viability was measured by GFP-fluorescence over time. Additionally, we have evaluated the effect of nivolumab by measuring the microtissue size by automatic stage fluorescence microscopy. Cytokine levels of IL-2, TNFα, IFNγ and GS-CSM were measured with a MAGPIXTM Luminex system and were monitored over time. The validation of immune cell infiltration and characterization of tumor and immune cell specific markers was based on histological analysis. Results Based on tumor fluorescence we have shown a superior effect of Nivolumab versus its isotype control antibody on tumor viability at the end of the treatment period. The cytokine analysis of supernatants has shown higher levels of IFNγ and GS-CSM in the wells treated with Nivolumab compared to the isotype control. CoCultures with PBMCs have shown stronger activation upon treatment compared to the T-cells alone. The histological analysis has demonstrated a higher number of T-cell infiltration and activation, as well as a stronger induction of apoptosis in the tumor microtissues treated with Nivolumab. Conclusion In summary, our novel in vitro immuno-oncology model system allows high throughput screening of immune check point inhibitors alone and in combination with other anti-cancer drugs for making it efficient for a broad range of tumor diseases. Citation Format: Nicole Buschmann, Silvan Strebel, Francesca Chiovaro, Patrick Guye, Irina Agarkova. Development of an in vitro 3D model system for testing PD-1/ PDL-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 57.

Religious/spiritual coping and level of hope in patients with cancer in chemotherapy.

To demonstrate the relationship between religious/spiritual coping and hope in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study with a quantitative approach performed in a reference outpatient clinic in Caruaru, PE, between August and October 2017. A total of 82 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were included in the study, using the brief religious/spiritual coping scale (RCOPE-Brief) and the Herth Hope Scale (HHS). The sample presented mean positive RCOPE scores (3.03 ± 0.41) and the level of hope was considered high (42.7 points ± 3.67). Patients who had a high RCOPE score were found to have a higher mean of Herth's level of hope (44.12 points). This study becomes relevant to nursing professionals by encouraging care that takes into account the patient's spiritual dimension in order to stimulate positive mechanisms of religious coping and, consequently, raise the levels of hope.

Effectiveness of nursing intervention for increasing hope in patients with cancer: a meta-analysis.

ABSTRACTObjective:to evaluate the efficacy of nursing interventions to increase the level of hope in cancer patients, in a meta-analysis. Methods:electronic databases were searched. Two of the authors independently extracted data from the eligible studies, and Stata 13.0 software was used to pool the data. Results:nine randomized controlled trials were included, and methodological quality of each randomized controlled trial (RCT) was evaluated using Cochrane handbook recommendations. A random effects model was used to combine results from eligible studies. The pooled results using the fixed effects model showed that scores to first effects increase significantly after the use of nursing intervention between the groups. Heterogeneity was observed among the studies for posttest (df = 8, P = 0.000; I2 =76.1 %). The results indicated significant heterogeneity across the nine selected studies. The test for heterogeneity showed no homogeneity among studies for follow-up (df = 8, P = 0.328; I2 = 12.9 %), and there was no statistical significance. Conclusion:the current evidence suggests that nursing intervention has a positive effect on hope in cancer patients. However, more large-scale and high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.

Varieties of Hope Among Family Caregivers of Patients With Lymphoma

In this study, 16 family caregivers of patients with lymphoma were interviewed on their changing perceptions of hope. The changing process starts from diagnosis to the present treatment state. We found that the changing perception of hope can be divided into three stages: the stage of generalized hope focusing merely on treatment and passive hope focusing on harm-avoidance, the stage of specified hope and active hope aiming at comfort-seeking, and the stage of multifaceted hope. Family caregivers' understanding of the past experience of and new information on the disease are the foundation of the perception of hope. The perception of hope in cancer patients' family caregivers develops from "therapeutic hope" to "psychosocial hope," shifting from "consequential hope" to "procedural hope."

Targeting the Ubiquitin-Dependent Transcriptional and Epigenetic Landscape in Cancer

Ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like (Ub/UbL) pathways play essential roles in regulating protein function and homeostasis. Dysregulation of these pathways is intimately associated with tumorigenesis. Furthermore, sensitivity to proteotoxic stress is emerging as an “Achilles heel” of cancer cells and tumors. Purpose of Review The purpose of this review was to discuss the recent discoveries in ubiquitin-regulated transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms and potential inhibitors, targeting these mechanisms for cancer therapeutics. Recent Findings The remarkable discovery that proteasome inhibitors, such as bortezomib, are powerful therapeutics in multiple myeloma has led to the development of inhibitors that target activation enzymes (E1s) of distinct Ub/UbL pathways. Moreover, ubiquitin-dependent transcriptional and epigenetic networks have surfaced as essential for gene regulation. Components of these networks include E2s, E3s, deubiquitinating enzymes, and ancillary factors that enhance stability and activity of oncogenes, or inactivate tumor suppressors. Other regulators impinge upon the chromatin landscape of cancer, which was previously considered “undruggable.” Interestingly, approaches for targeting “degradation-resistant tumors,” where key oncogenic regulators evade their physiological degradation, are on the horizon. Additionally, inhibitors of Ub-related enzymes capable of stalling the activity of oncogenic epigenetic complexes, which all contain intrinsic ubiquitin-related activity, are emerging as potent inhibitors for their oncogenic transcription. Summary Fundamental mechanisms regarding the role of Ub/UbL pathways in cancer are now translated into inhibitors targeting Ub/UbL-dependent oncogenic gene expression. These small-molecule inhibitors and experimental drugs are making their way to the clinic, providing hope for cancer patients.

Analysis on Palliative Rehabilitation in Nursing for Keeping Hope in Cancer Patients with Last Several Weeks to Death

Analysis on Palliative Rehabilitation in Nursing for Keeping Hope in Cancer Patients with Last Several Weeks to Death

A protective role of IL-37 in cancer: a new hope for cancer patients.

IL-37 is a cytokine belonging to the IL-1 family. Although discovered in silico in 2000, significant advances in the understanding of its biology were made only in recent years. It is a member of the family with potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. It is produced as a precursor without a classic signal peptide. The precursor is cleaved into mature form in the cytoplasm by caspase-1. A small fraction of the cleaved IL-37 binds SMAD-3, translocates to the nucleus, and suppresses transcription of several proinflammatory genes. Both precursor and cleaved forms of IL-37 are secreted. They bind IL-18Rα chain (also used by IL-18 as a receptor subunit) and recruit Toll/IL-1R (TIR)-8 for transducing intracellular signaling. TIR-8 is a member of the IL-1 receptor family (IL-1RF) and was previously known as an orphan receptor. IL-37 suppresses activation of NF-κB and MAPK and activates Mer-PTEN-DOK pathway. It negatively regulates signaling mediated by TLR agonists, proinflammatory cytokines, and IL-1RF ligands. It also affects cell metabolism by inhibiting mTOR, GSK-3α/β, and activating AMPK. Despite having the ability to dampen host's immune responses, the cytokine has been shown to exert antitumor effects, and it has been suggested that it may act as a prognostic marker in a variety of human cancers. Recent studies have suggested that IL-37 may represent a novel therapeutic tool in patients with cancer. In this review, we provide an overview of the cytokine biology, discuss recent advances made in unraveling its anti-cancer effects, and suggest guidelines for future research.

Spirituality Breeds Hope and Hope Heals Cancer : Effects of Spirituality on Hope in Cancer Patients

Spirituality Breeds Hope and Hope Heals Cancer : Effects of Spirituality on Hope in Cancer Patients

Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors: A Hope for Cancer Patients

Cancer is a disease caused by genetic and genomic alterations such as amplifications, translocations, deletions or point mutations. Also, cancer development is caused by epigenetic changes due to modifications such as post-translational histone acetylations that can alter DNA and chromatin structures without alterations in the DNA sequence. Histones are the primary protein component of chromatin. It plays an important role in the interactions between the nucleosomes and within the nucleosome itself. Histone deacetylase enzyme is found in the nucleus of the different body cells and plays a vital role in remodeling of chromatin structure and controlling gene expression. Also, it was found to play an important role in the development of cancer. Histone deacetylase inhibitors which are used mainly in psychiatry and neurology may represent a new hope for cancer therapy. They act by various mechanisms which may help in prevention and treatment of cancer. Their combination with various lines of cancer therapy may represent a new hope for cancer patients.

Advances in Imaging: Brain Tumors to Alzheimer’s Disease

Professor Black and colleagues have been working to improve the quality and sensitivity of imaging in the early detection of conditions from brain tumors to Alzheimer's disease to enhance treatment protocols and patient management. Professor Black et al introduced nanoparticles to improve MRI imaging. These nanoparticles consist of poly (b-L- malic acid (PMLA)) conjugates with monoclonal antibodies ((mAbs)) and Gd-DOTA. These are known as MRI nano-imaging agents (NIA). Most importantly, they can penetrate the endothelial blood-brain barrier (BBB) to reach brain tumors (primary or metastasis). This is effective in cases of brain tumors or breast cancer or other cancers such as lung cancer and gastric cancer having HER2 and/or EGFR positive crossing BBB. By the covalent conjugation of MR contrast (NIA), the MRI virtual biopsy can differentiate brain tumors from infections or other brain pathological conditions. The brain's intrinsic natural fluorescence such as NADH, FAD, lipopigments and porphyrin in the brain tissue can be identified by using time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy (TRFS) which is operated through the use of ultra-short laser. TRFS produces various color bands to differentiate the tumor from normal brain tissue in real time and registers the data on a 3D map. This is significant, as this will provide a greatly improved assessment methodology of tissue type. Consequently, this will potentially result in shorter operation times as well as more satisfactory tumor removal. In the detection of Alzheimer disease, amyloid plaque is deposited in retina tissue (including the RGC, RNFL and inner plexiform layer) which can produce a fluorescence effect by using curcumin as a contrast. This is then shown by human retina amyloid imaging device. Immunotherapies with glatiramer acetate (GA) have been shown to reduce amyloid deposits in brain and retinal AB deposits in mice. The study of advanced imaging technology and techniques including NIA, TRFS and the detection of amyloid plaque in Alzheimer disease are very important approaches to create a new era for diagnostic and therapeutic management of brain tumors and other cancers (HER2 and/or EGFR positive). This pioneering work by Professor Black, and colleagues, gives rise to a new hope for cancer patients for targeted therapy and for immunotherapies in Alzheimer's disease.

Immuno-oncology: Is it a new hope for cancer patients?

Immuno-oncology: Is it a new hope for cancer patients?

Hope in cancer patients: the relational domain as a crucial factor.

Hope is crucial for patients with cancer. We explored the determinants of hope in patients with cancer using a questionnaire administered over the course of 1 day to an unselected sample of patients at an Italian cancer center. A team of oncologists, statisticians, and chaplains developed a questionnaire with medical, psychological, spiritual, and religious content. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 320 patients who answered the questionnaire. In the group of participants, 92.8% had a religious belief. Women, patients with limited formal education, and believers were more hopeful. Patients placed trust in God, their partners and children, scientific research, and doctors. On univariate and multivariate analysis, hope was found sensitive to patients' sharing their experiences with others (including family and friends), their positive perception of the people around them, and their relationship with doctors and nurses. If validated in further studies, these results support the notion that a patient with cancer's sense of hope is sensitive to the quality of relationships with caregivers. This may be important to health care organization and resource allocation.

Esperança de vida de pacientes com câncer submetidos à quimioterapia

Resumo Objetivo: Mensurar o nível de esperança de vida em pacientes oncológicos no início e no final do tratamento quimioterápico e verificar os fatores associados nos dois momentos. Métodos: Estudo transversal com pacientes oncológicos em tratamento quimioterápico. Os dados foram coletados no início e após três/quatro meses de quimioterapia, com a aplicação da Escala de Esperança de Herth e um questionário de caracterização. Foi utilizado o teste de Meann-Whitney para verificar associações estatísticas nos dois momentos. Resultados: O escore médio de esperança foi de 35,8 (±6,11) pontos no primeiro momento e, 36,1 (±7,12) no segundo. Escolaridade maior que oito anos, ausência de metástase, tratamento curativo ou adjuvante e dor leve contribuíram significativamente no aumento dos escores. Conclusão: O nível de esperança aumentou no final do tratamento, mas não significativamente. Os fatores que influenciaram este aumento foram maior escolaridade, ausência de metástases, tratamento curativo ou adjuvante e ausência de dor moderada a forte.

The Influence of Forest Activity Intervention on Anxiety, Depression, Profile of Mood States(POMS) and Hope of Cancer Patients

The Influence of Forest Activity Intervention on Anxiety, Depression, Profile of Mood States(POMS) and Hope of Cancer Patients

Engineered Cell Therapy: A Successful Approach to Treat Cancer

Cancer is the abnormality which happens in the cell cycle, resulting in uncontrolled cell division and is the second largest cause of deaths in the world accounting 13% of all deaths followed by the cardiovascular diseases. Finding a therapeutic solution for cancer is a continuous process. A number of therapeutic approaches like chemotherapy, preventive therapies, radiation and magnetic therapy, adjuvant therapy, Immunotherapy, gene therapy, cell transplantation therapy, Hyperthermia and surgery are under research in order to treat cancer. Targeted therapy is the most preferred way to treat cancer globally and researchers are focusing on the different ways of targeted therapy. Gene therapy with its first approved drug for cancer (Gendicine™) in China revolutionized the cancer drugs but a number of questions in scientific community around the world and its rejection in European and American market raised question marks on its authenticity as cancer drug. Successful clinical trials for mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) and engineered cells based therapy against cancer emerged the concept of gene and cell therapy for cancer and a number of clinical trials also produced successful results in this case. Engineered cells are new agents of targeted cancer therapy and have been considered by researchers, as a promising therapeutic candidates. Engineered cell therapy (combination of gene and cell therapy) as a part of targeted therapy of cancer may provide a valuable resource. T-Cell engineering has faced successful results, whereas MSC engineering is passing through a transition phase. Successful engineering of MSCs could be a hope for cancer patients in near future.

The feeling of hope in cancer patients: an existential analysis

This study aimed at unveiling the feeling of hope in people who experience cancer in their existence. Qualitative study based on Heidegger’s phenomenology, performed with eight cancer patients assisted in a philanthropic organization, between December 2013 and February 2014, in a northwestern city in Parana, Brazil, using the following guiding question: “How do you perceive the feeling of hope at this time in your life?” The analysis resulted in the ontological themes: searching for hope in dealing with cancer, and experiencing feelings of hope and despair in being with others. Patients revealed mixed feelings, going from the lack of hope at the time of diagnosis to a rekindling of hope, as well as those who never lost the will to live. We conclude that living with cancer causes extreme feelings; and hope emerges as a feeling capable of influencing and causes an expressive impact in coping with that.

Preservation of sperm of cancer patients: extent of use and pregnancy outcome in a tertiary infertility center

Sperm cryopreservation is the best modality to ensure future fertility for males diagnosed with cancer. The extent to which cryopreserved sperm is actually used for impregnation, the fertility treatment options that are available and the success rates of these treatments have not been investigated in depth. The medical records of 682 patients who cryopreserved sperm cells due to cancer treatment were analyzed. Seventy of these patients withdrew their frozen sperm for fertility treatments over a 20-year period (most within the first 4 years after cryopreservation). Sperm quality of different malignancies and outcomes of assisted reproduction treatment (ART) for pregnancy achievement in relation to the type of treatment and the type of malignancy were evaluated. The results showed that the rate of using cryo-thawed sperm from cancer patients for fertility treatments in our unit was 10.3%. Sperm quality indices differed between different types of malignancies, with the poorest quality measured in testicular cancer. Conception was achieved in 46 of the 184 ART cycles (25%), and resulted in 36 deliveries. The use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) methodology yielded a significantly higher pregnancy rate (37.4%) than intrauterine insemination (IUI; 11.5%) and was similar to other groups of infertile couples using these modalities. In vitro fertilization (IVF) failed to produce pregnancies. In conclusion, the rate of use of cryopresseved sperm in cancer patients is relatively low (10.3%). Achievement of pregnancies by ICSI presents the best option but when there are enough stored sperm samples and adequate quality, IUI can be employed. Cryopreservation is nevertheless the best option to preserve future fertility potential and hope for cancer patients.

Anti-tumor Activity and Apoptosis-regulation Mechanisms of Bufalin in Various Cancers: New Hope for Cancer Patients

The induction of apoptosis in target cells is a key mechanism for most anti-tumor therapies. Bufalin is a cardiotonic steroid that has the potential to induce differentiation and apoptosis of tumor cells. Research on bufalin has so far mainly involved leukemia, prostate cancer, gastric cancer and liver cancer, and has been confined to in vitro studies. The bufadienolides bufalin and cinobufagin have been shown to induce apoptosis in a wide spectrum of cancer cell. The present article reviews the anticancer effects of bufalin. It induces apoptosis of lung cancer cells via the PI3K/Akt pathway and also suppressed the proliferation of human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cell line in a time and dose dependent manner. Bufalin, bufotalin and gamabufotalin, key bufadienolides, significantly sensitize human breast cancer cells with differing ER-alpha status to apoptosis induction by the TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). In addition, bufadienolides induce prostate cancer cell apoptosis more significantly than that in breast epithelial cell lines. Similar effects have been observed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but the detailed molecular mechanisms of inducing apoptosis in this case are still unclear. Bufalin exerts profound effects on leukemia therapy in vitro. Results of multiple studies indicate that bufalin has marked anti-tumor activities through its ability to induce apoptosis. Large-scale randomized, double-blind, placebo or positive drug parallel controlled studies are now required to confirm the efficacy and apoptosis-inducing potential of bufalin in various cancers in the cliniucal setting.