There is insufficient evidence to say that antidepressant drug therapy improves tinnitus.

Research into mTOR, mammalian Target Of Rapamycin as an important drug target continues to be extremely interesting, both in terms of the increased molecular knowledge being acquired at the basis of various human diseases, and also for possible applications in drug cancer therapy. The mTOR signaling system plays a key role in several transduction pathways that are necessary for cell cycle progression and cellular proliferation. Drugs known as mTOR inhibitors have been included in ongoing and in recently completed cancer trials. New insights into the mTOR signaling system are helping to clarify the functionality of key mTOR components, and especially their possible role in apoptosis, angiogenesis and tumor progression. Three other molecules, already approved for therapeutic use and being commercialized (Everolimius, Temsirolimus and Zotarolimus) are added to Rapamycin (also known as Sirolimus), the parent drug of the mTOR inhibitors. Of these, only Temsirolimus is currently approved in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma, while the others are approved for organ transplant rejection and coronary artery restenosis. There are at least 10 other molecules currently under development for clinical and preclinical studies. This review offers an updated synopsis of the mTOR signaling system, in particular as regards relevant aspects of cancer research, looks at the known mTOR inhibitors and gives a systematic vision of current trials for each individual molecule subject to clinical investigation.

The topic of this review covers a very important branch of cancer research, cancer vaccination. The growing knowledge in tumor immunology has evolved rapidly, starting from nonspecific generic stimulation of the immune system to more specific approaches based on the availability of tumor antigens. The review covers molecular and cell biology, and pharmaceutical technology of cancer vaccines. Particularly, it is aimed at highlighting the results of cancer vaccines from phase II and III clinical trials, an issue that is of relevance to better understand how cancer vaccines can successfully complement antitumor therapy, including conventional chemotherapy and the recently developed target-based drugs.

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There is evidence that addition of IFN as maintenance therapy for FL improves progression-free survival. A net benefit for overall survival is less evident. In the included studies, IFN was associated with significant toxicities that may have a major impact on a patient's quality of life.

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ObjectiveThe glutathione system plays an essential role in antioxidant defense after surgery. We assessed the effects of intensive insulin treatment (IIT) on glutathione synthesis rate and redox balance in cancer patients, who had developed stress hyperglycemia after major surgery. MethodsWe evaluated 10 non-diabetic cancer patients the day after radical abdominal surgery combined with intra-operative radiation therapy. In each patient, a 24-hr period of IIT, aimed at tight euglycemic control, was preceded, or followed, by a 24-hr period of conventional insulin treatment (CIT) (control regimen). Insulin was administered for 24 hours, during total parenteral nutrition, at a dosage to maintain a moderate hyperglycemia in CIT, and normoglycemic blood glucose levels in IIT (9.3±0.5 vs 6.5±0.3 mmol/L respectively, P<0.001; coefficient of variation, 9.7±1.4 and 10.5±1.1%, P = 0.43). No hypoglycemia (i.e., blood glucose < 3.9 mmol/L) was observed in any of the patients. Insulin treatments were performed on the first and second day after surgery, in randomized order, according to a crossover experimental design. Plasma concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and erythrocyte glutathione synthesis rates (EGSR), measured by primed-constant infusion of L-[ Competing interests:The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. ConclusionsIn patients developing stress hyperglycemia after major surgery, IIT, in absence of hypoglycemia, stimulates erythrocyte glutathione synthesis, while decreasing oxidative stress.

A critical evaluation of the whole cytotoxic preparation process is a useful method for quality improvements to be initiated. Knowledge regarding risks, techniques, and procedures for handling antineoplastic drugs is growing. Ongoing analysis will ensure greater patient and health care worker safety.