Indian Journal of Cancer Education and Research

Keywords: Cancer Journals; Oncology Journals; Publication Analysis; Trend Analysis. 

 Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a serine/threonine protein kinase, regulates cellular process such as growth, proliferation, motility and survival which are mediated through regulating the transcription and protein synthesis. mTOR is the catalytic subunit of two structurally distinct complexes. mTORC1–a master regulator of cell growth and metabolism and mTORC2 is involved in the cytoskeleton organization. Both these complexes are localized to different sub-cellular compartments, thus affecting their activation and function. Though the mTOR signaling has physiological function in cells, an elevated mTOR signaling has been found in many human cancers. Since deregulation has been observed in the mTOR signaling pathway, overwhelming research on this complex machinery has developed inhibitors to inhibit human cancer. Some of them such as temsirolimus, everolimus, are beginning to use in the treatment of cancer. Natural inhibitors of mTOR are found to be effective in cell cultures but none of them is proved to be effective in clinical use. Hence, it will be noteworthy to discuss the physiological importance as well as pathological impact of this signal machinery. This review discusses the physiological role of mTOR, its regulation, involvement in human cancer and pharmacological inhibitors for modulating mTOR activity in cancer. 

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess whether nutritional supplement therapy and ambulation made any difference in the severity of fatigue, and level of physical activity of cancer patients receive radiation therapy compared to those who did not receive the nutritional supplement therapy and ambulation. Introduction: Radiation therapy is well established and effective method of treating malignant disease. The patients receiving radiation therapy were suffering from ill effects of cancer as well as the side effects of radiation therapy. They confined to bed and did not show any interest in surroundings and meeting their personal needs. Physical inactivity brings more fatigue as a result it affects nutritional intake. Maintaining optimal nutrition during cancer treatment is essential to enhance the effectiveness of treatment. Methods & materials: The sample consisted of 60 hospitalized cancer patients of a private hospital receiving radiation therapy (30 samples in experimental group and 30 in control group), selected by non probability purposive sampling method. The experimental group was served with porridge (150 ml) three times a day (morning 8.00am, forenoon 11.30am, and evening 5.00pm) followed by walking in the hospital premises for 15–20 minutes, every day for 30 days in the presence of investigator. Pre and post intervention assessment of fatigue was done using a modified brief fatigue inventory scale by interview method and data on level of physical activity was collected, using an observation schedule. Results: Before the intervention, majority of the samples 28 (93.30%) in the experimental group experienced moderate level of fatigue. After the intervention, the number of samples reduced to mild level of fatigue was 7 (23.30%) and for 23 (76.70%) samples remained the same and also, the mean fatigue score reduced from 51.93 to 38.63. In the baseline observation, majority 23 (76.70%) in the control group had moderate fatigue. On subsequent observation, 3 (10.00%) sample’s fatigue level was increased to severe.   In the experimental group before the intervention 23 (76.70%) samples had poor and 7 (23.30%) samples had moderate physical activity and no one with good physical activity. After the intervention, 9 (30.00%) samples showed good physical activities. In the experimental group, before the intervention the mean score of physical activity was 05.16. After the intervention the mean score of physical activity improved to 12.30. There was a significant association between age, education, occupation, frequency of taking health drink and level of fatigue shown by the cancer patients, (÷2=20.49*; p< 0.05; d f=2). Conclusion: Nutritional supplement therapy and ambulation had a significant effect in reducing the severity of fatigue and improving the performance of physical activity among the hospitalized cancer patients receiving radiation therapy.
Keywords: Nutritional Supplement Therapy; Ambulation; Fatigue; Physical Activity; Radiation therapy. 

Aim: To assess efficacy of shorter fractionated Radiotherapy in post mastectomy cancer breast patients Methods:  Inclusion Critaria– Histopathologically proven cases with Infiltrating Duct Carcinoma (IDC), Post mastectomy cases, No prior treatment (Except surgery and chemotherapy with CAF)  Node Positive Cases,T3 & T4 Tumours, Positive surgical margins Exclusion Critaria: Metastatic-disseminated disease, Female less than 18 years and more than 70 years, Severe medical illness like heart disease, COPD, Neurological disorder. Between July 2012 to July 2014, 172 patients were included and divided into three groups, Control Group and two Study Groups. 3D-CRT Radiotherapy was given in Control Group in a dose of 50 Gy in 25# for 5 weeks.  One study group  received radiotherapy of 4000 cGy in 15# for 3 weeks and another study group received 4250 cGy in 16# for 3 ½ weeks. Linear Accelerator was used for the radiation treatment. Ipsilateral supraclavicular fossa (SCF) irradiation was done in patients who had more than 3 axillary nodes positive, patients who had positive supraclavicular nodes at presentation and those with inadequate axillary nodal dissection. Results: At 2 years, the incidence of chest wall stiffness in the study group 1 was 44.64%, in study group 2 it was 47.36% and 47.45% patients were in control group. The incidence of arm edema was 16.07% in the study group 1, 15.78% in study group 2 and 18.64% patients in control group. Local recurrence-free survival was 96.42% in the study group 1, 98.24% in study group 2 and 98.3% in the control group. Not a single patient had developed radiation pneumonitis. Conclusion: Shorter fractionation schedule is very much effective in preventing recurrent breast cancer and it provides a high level of patient satisfaction as well as reduced money and overall treatment time. Its shorter duration offers the added advantage of a more efficient use of resources and greater patient convenience.