Skin cancer therapy

Ursolic acid, a triterpene constituent of Ocimum sanctum, protected the rat liver microsomes in vitro against free-radical-induced lipid peroxidation. In animal studies, ursolic acid exhibited remarkable inhibitory activity against tumor promotion. Topical cosmetic preparations containing ursolic acid and its isomer oleanolic acid are proprietary products in Japan, and both products are reported to be useful in skin cancer therapy. The foregoing data open a tremendous possibility that Ocimum sanctum or its constituents may hold promise as adjuncts to human radiation therapy. 

Iyer S, Friedli A, Bowes L, Kricorian G, Fitzpatrick RE (2004) Full face laser resurfacing therapy and prophylaxis for actinic keratoses and non-melano-ma skin cancer. Lasers Surg Med 34 114-119... 

Light therapy is an alternative treatment for depression associated with seasonal (e.g., winter) exacerbations. Possible side effects include eye strain, headache, insomnia, and hypo-mania.16,17 Also, potentially vulnerable patients, such as those with photosensitivity or a history of skin cancer, should be evaluated carefully prior to therapy.16... 

There is a bath PUVA and an oral PUVA. Bath PUVA therapies involve soaking in a bath of psoralens liquid for 15 minutes prior to UVA treatment. Oral PUVA involves taking an oral psoralens capsule the day prior to a UVA treatment. Oral psoralens such as methoxsalen cause nausea in many patients. Other adverse effects of PUVA include photosensitivity, which necessitates the use of eye protection and UVA-blocking sunscreen for 24 hours after a PUVA treatment macular melanosis at exposed sites (PUVA lentigines) and increased risk of skin cancers, especially squamous cell carcinoma.21... 

Explain the goals of therapy for the treatment of nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancer. 

The primary goals of therapy for skin cancer are to completely eradicate the tumor and minimize the risk of tumor recurrence and metastasis. Secondary goals of therapy include preserving normal tissue, maintaining function, and providing optimal cosmetic outcomes.5... 

Radiation is not standard therapy for the treatment of skin cancer however, there are circumstances in which radiation may be preferred. It is used as adjunctive therapy after surgical resection for patients with head and neck MM with metastasis to regional lymph nodes.40 Radiation is also indicated for patients with unresectable metastases or brain metastases or for palliation of symptoms from metastases.40 Older patients or patients who are poor candidates for surgery may be offered radiation as an option.40 Radiation offers good cosmetic results,... 

Nelson s syndrome A condition characterized by the aggressive growth of a pituitary tumor and hyperpigmentation of the skin. Neoadjuvant therapy Therapy given prior to the primary treatment. In cancer, it is usually given prior to surgery to make the surgical... 

In dermatology, the detection of PpIX fluorescence has shown promise for the visualization of skin cancers after topical application of ALA offering a convenient and simple method to monitor therapy progression and success [ 139 -141 ]. 

Serious life-threatening infections, including sepsis and pneumonia, have been reported with the use of TNF inhibitors. Patients should be evaluated for tuberculosisrisk factors and tested for latent tuberculosis infection prior to starting therapy. Concurrent use with other immunosuppressive therapy should be avoided. In clinical trials of all TNF-blocking agents more cases of lymphoma were observed compared with control patients. Patients with a prior history of prolonged phototherapy treatment should be monitored for nonmelanoma skin cancers. 

Talmadge, J. E., Lenz, B. F., Klabansky, R, Simon, R, Riggs, C., Guo, S., Oldham, R K. and Fidler, I. J. (1986) Therapy of autochthonous skin cancers in mice with intravenously injected liposomes containing muramyltripeptide. Cancer Res 46, 1160-1163. 

Moreover, a noteworthy research tendency is that many recent studies have shown that oligonucleotides possess bioactivity. For example, in a series of three papers, Goukassian et al. have reported on the interdependence of DNA oligonucleotide therapy, skin cancer, and DNA repair capacity [132-134], The results indicate that treatment of skin cells with thymidine dinucleotide (pTT) increases the DNA repair capacity in vitro and reduces photocarcinogenesis in UV-irradiated hairless mice. Their data further suggest that the age-related decline in DNA repair capacity is substantially reversible, at least in fibroblasts, by treatment with oligonucleotides. Application of such oligonu-... 

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