Sella is a small structure in the skull base housing the pituitary gland. Our aim is to show common and not so common lesions in the sellar-suprasellar region and to highlight unique imaging features which can clinch the diagnosis. A study of pituitary should always include the pituitary–hypothalamic axis. Pituitary masses can be divided into various categories, and the focus of this article will be mainly on primary pituitary tumors. Pituitary adenoma is the most common tumor. Based on the size, it is divided into microadenoma (

Background: Periampullary cancer (PC) is a global medical burden. Less than 5% of patients experience an overall survival of 5 years or more. The study aims to analyze the importance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R)–beta-catenin (β-catenin)–CD44 pathway in the development of periampullary cancer of Indian patients. Subjects and Methods: Expression profile of EGFR, IGF1R, β-catenin, and CD44 was verified by immunohistochemical analysis in primary tumor samples (N = 14) and respective adjacent normal tissues. Results: In periampullary carcinoma patients, a high level of EGFR expression was seen in 64% of the samples along with co-expression of IGF1R in 77.8% of samples. Furthermore, the high expression of EGFR and IGF1R significantly correlated with the increased expression of β-catenin along with CD44 expression of the tumors. Conclusion: The EGFR/IGF1R–β-catenin–CD44 pathway seems to be important in the development of PC with clinical importance.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACTRT) is an established standard of care for the management of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). A retrospective analysis was conducted to assess the results of treatment and predictors of overall survival (OS) for patients treated in a tertiary care hospital in India from 2013 to 2019. Materials and Methods: Biopsy-proven 79 patients of LARC were included in the analysis. Clinical and treatment parameters were assessed. Prognostic factors associated with OS and pathologic response were studied. Treatment toxicities and sphincter preservation rates were documented. Results: There were 55(69.6%) patients with Stage III rectal cancer. Majority of the patients, i.e., 74 (93.7%), received long-course radiation therapy by intensity-modulated radiation therapy–volumetric modulated arc therapy technique after computed tomography + magnetic resonance imaging fusion-based simulation. Pathological complete response (pCR) was achieved in 20 (25.3%) while 45 (57%) showed tumor downstaging post-NACTRT. Time interval (TI) to surgery of ≤8 weeks was significantly associated with higher pCR and tumor downstaging. Actuarial 5-year OS rate was 64.4% and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) rate of 72.2%. Both OS and LRFS were significantly higher in patients who showed pCR and tumor downstaging. Long-term gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicities were seen in 11 (15%) and 15 (21.5%) patients, respectively. Conclusions: This study reaffirms the efficacy of preoperative NACTRT as an upfront standard of care in LARC in the Indian population. TI to surgery to the tune of ≤8 weeks yielded optimal pCR and tumor downstaging which translated into significantly better survival.

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Objective: Radiation-induced alterations in permeability of plasma membrane and associated apoptotic changes were investigated in apoptotic thymocytes induced by radiation. Materials and Methods: Immature mouse thymocytes suspended in RPMI 1640 were irradiated by γ-rays for desired doses up to 10 Gy and these cells were examined after incubation (up to 24 h) at 37°C. Radiation-induced changes in plasma membrane of thymocytes were determined by fluorescence technique using fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and trypan blue (TB) method. Induction of apoptosis in irradiated cells was determined using annexin-V as fluorescence probe method and measurement of cytosolic caspase-3 activity. Results: Radiation-induced apoptotic thymocytes showed an increase in membrane permeability as observed by leakage of FDA, which was poorly detected by TB. FDA could sensitively detect the dose-dependent variation in membrane permeability alterations in the range of 0.5–2 Gy incubated at 37°C. In radiation-induced apoptotic death, externalization of phosphatidylserine is an early event than caspase-3 activation. On incubation of cells, an increase in caspase-3 activity and proportion of annexin-positive cells was observed, which further increased after irradiation. Conclusion: Our results showed membrane permeability changes induced by γ-irradiation, which seem to be closely associated with the apoptosis in thymocytes.

The first International School on Radiation Research (2017) of Society for Radiation Research on the theme of “Radiation Carcinogenesis: Mechanisms and Experimental Models” was held in the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India, during February 2–4, 2017. The school gathered basic/translational scientists and young researchers interested in recent developments in molecular and clinical aspects of cancer and radiation carcinogenesis. The objective of the School was to educate and train the young researchers about the theoretical and practical aspects of radiation carcinogenesis. The renowned faculties from India and aboard delivered expert lectures and conducted practical sessions during the school. The topics ranged from the basics of cancer and carcinogenesis; role of DNA damage and genomic instability in the mechanism of carcinogenesis; heavy metal radionuclides induced carcinogenesis; low-dose radiobiology and risk of cancer; ultraviolet (UV)-induced carcinogenesis; experimental models for carcinogenesis studies, and cancer incidence during cancer radiotherapy. During the practical session, demonstrations were arranged of techniques such as DNA damage, apoptosis, measurement of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential, fluorescence in situ hybridization, animal model of UV carcinogenesis, and histopathological observations of various stages of oral cancer. This report presents a brief overview of the scientific and practical sessions of the school.

Failure in repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) could result in various disorders in mammals including cancer. Among various exogenous agents, radiation is one of the primary causes for induction of DSBs. Homologous recombination, nonhomologous end-joining, and a less efficient microhomology-mediated end-joining are responsible for repair of DSBs to ensure the genomic integrity and stability. This review highlights DNA damage response (DDR) induced following various insults to the genome and how the DNA repair mechanisms have evolved to restore genomic integrity. We also briefly discuss the potential therapeutic targets associated with DDR and DSB repair and novel inhibitors developed against such targets and their well-defined mechanism of action, which may increase sensitivity to traditional radio- and chemo-therapeutic modalities.

Introduction: Head and neck cancer (HNC) has large worldwide prevalence and accounts for almost 5% among all types of cancers. Nimotuzumab is a humanized anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody that has shown promising results in patients with HNC. The present retrospective case study aimed at investigating the response rate and adverse events (AEs) of a high dose of nimotuzumab in patients with HNC who are ineligible for platinum-based chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: Patients with locally advanced HNC who refused chemotherapy or were ineligible for platinum-based chemotherapy were analyzed in the study. Patients were given nimotuzumab along with radiotherapy (RT). The duration of each treatment cycle was 6 weeks. About 200 mg nimotuzumab was administered, twice weekly for 6 weeks. The patients who received at least one treatment cycle of targeted therapy and accompanied regular follow-ups were assessed for response rate measurements. Results: A total of six patients were enrolled in the study. A response rate of 100% was observed in the patients who completed the treatment. Complete and partial response was 60% and 40%, respectively, in HNC patients at the end of treatment. Three patients were reported with Grade II mucositis. No Grade III or IV AEs were observed in the patients. Conclusion: High dose of nimotuzumab along with RT enhanced response rate in patients with HNC who are ineligible for platinum-based chemotherapy without producing any additional toxicity.