The death ligand TRAIL (Apo2L) has potential for cancer therapy, since tumour cells are thought to be more sensitive than normal cells. We investigated whether sensitivity to TRAIL increases during the adenoma to carcinoma transition of colorectal carcinogenesis. Under the same culture conditions, we compared the extent of TRAIL-induced apoptosis in four premalignant adenoma and three carcinoma cell lines. Although TRAIL induced some apoptosis in adenoma cultures, the carcinoma cell lines were significantly more sensitive (Po0.001). This finding was recapitulated in an in vitro model of tumour progression in which conversion of the adenoma cell line AA/C1 to a tumorigenic phenotype was associated with increased TRAIL sensitivity (Po0.001). Increased TRAIL sensitivity during colorectal carcinogenesis has been previously attributed to changes in the balance between TRAIL receptors TRAIL-R1 and -R2 and 'decoy' receptors TRAIL-R3 and -R4 during malignant progression. To address this, cell surface receptor expression was measured by flow cytometry. In summary, during colorectal carcinogenesis, there is a marked increase in sensitivity to TRAIL-induced apoptosis associated with progression from benign to malignant tumour that could be exploited for colon cancer therapy, but alterations in cell surface TRAIL receptor expression may not be the primary reason for this change.
Neurolymphomatosis is a rare manifestation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and is characterized by infiltration of the nerves by neoplastic lymphoid cells and is seen in up to 0.2% of all NHL cases. Diagnosing this syndrome is quite a challenge to the hematologists given the vague symptoms and signs and the low incidence. Newer imaging modalities such as positron emission tomographycomputed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have enabled early diagnosis with a sensitivity reaching up to 100%. Despite a variety of therapies reported in the literature for the treatment, the prognosis is very poor. We report a 46-year-old male diagnosed to have NHL-diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP) therapy who presented with left brachial plexus neurolymphomatosis as the initial feature of disease relapse.
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