0000000000166575
AUTHOR
C. Conticello
Interleukin 4 production in solid tumors increases cancer cell survival via upregulation of cFlip and Bclxl
We recently proposed that Th1 and Th2 cytokines exert opposite effects on the pathogenesis and clinical outcome of organ-specific autoimmunity by altering the expression of genes involved in target cell survival. Because a Th2 response against tumors is associated with poor prognosis, we investigated the ability of IL-4 to protect tumor cells from death receptor- and chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. We found that IL-4 treatment significantly reduced CD95 (Fas/APO-1)- and chemotherapeutic drug-induced apoptosis in prostate, breast, and bladder tumor cell lines. Analysis of antiapoptotic protein expression revealed that IL-4 stimulation resulted in up-regulation of cellular (c) FLIP/FLAME-1 an…
Intravenous injection of bortezomib, melphalan and dexamethasone in refractory and relapsed multiple myeloma
Abstract Background A combination of bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2), melphalan (5 mg/m2), and dexamethasone (40 mg) (BMD), with all three drugs given as a contemporary intravenous administration, was retrospectively evaluated. Patients and methods Fifty previously treated (median 2 previous lines) patients with myeloma (33 relapsed and 17 refractory) were assessed. The first 19 patients were treated with a twice-a-week (days 1, 4, 8, 11, ‘base’ schedule) administration while, in the remaining 31 patients, the three drugs were administered once a week (days 1, 8, 15, 22, ‘weekly’ schedule). Results Side-effects were predictable and manageable, with prominent haematological toxicity, and a better tox…