Multiple myeloma, a plasma cell (PC) neoplasm accounting for nearly 10% of hematologic malignancies, remains an incurable disease of the bone marrow (BM) with a fascinating pathophysiology. The maladaptive nature of myeloma PCs and the BM microenvironment niche has been recognized to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and progression of the disease which behaves in a manner similar to solid tumors in their growth and dissemination. A complex interaction between osteoclasts, endothelial cells, BM matrix, myeloid as well as the lymphoid elements and the malignant PCs occurs at the level of the microenvironment favoring the expansion of latter cells and their spread. A better understanding of the diseased PC and their milieu will enable the development of novel therapeutic tools capable of improving the outcome of this incurable blood cancer.

Despite available treatments, the incidence of the cancer is increasing and known to be a major cause of mortality worldwide. Plant-derived terpenoids and flavonoids are considered as promising therapeutic molecules, possessing a range of medicinal properties. These phytochemicals have been used as therapeutic agents for the treatment of the various chronic infections. Terpenoids and flavonoids, particularly ursolic acid (UA) and quercetin (Quer), respectively, are emerging as effective antitumor molecules with minimal cytotoxic effects on the normal body tissues. The regulatory role of these molecules in apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion, or metastasis has been well documented in earlier studies. Angiogenesis and metastasis are the two important hallmarks for the survival of tumor and are responsible for 50% mortality in the cancer patients. Tumor angiogenesis and metastasis have been found to be significantly inhibited in the presence of UA and Quer. Evidence suggested that these phytochemicals inhibit the initiator and progressive cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors such as matrix metalloproteinases involved in extracellular matrix remodeling during tumor metastasis. In addition, the angiogenesis-associated factors such as hypoxia-inducible factor-α and vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor have also been downregulated by UA and Quer. In the present review, molecular targets of UA and Quer, in tumor metastasis and angiogenesis, have been summarized.

Objective: The most challenging problem in oral cancer is late monitoring and disease spread (metastasis). The study aimed to simultaneously evaluate phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor (pEGFR), truncated E-cadherin protein, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in patients with oral cancer. Methodology: pEGFR and truncated E-cadherin protein were measured from 25 paired tissues by ELISA and Western blot, respectively. Plasma MMPs levels were studied by gelatin zymography from 100 controls and 100 patients with oral cancer. The results revealed significant higher expression of pEGFR and truncated E-cadherin protein in malignant oral cancer tissues as compared to adjacent normal. Plasma MMPs were significantly elevated in patients with oral cancer as compared to the controls. An increase in the levels of pEGFR and truncated E-cadherin protein was observed in advanced and metastatic disease as compared to early and nonmetastatic disease. The levels of MMPs were increased in advanced disease as compared to early disease. Kaplan–Meier's survival analysis indicated that elevated expression of pEGFR, truncated E-cadherin protein, active MMP-2, pro MMP-9, total MMP-2, and total MMP-9 has reduced the overall survival. Conclusion: Simultaneous elevation of pEGFR, truncated E-cadherin protein, and MMPs indicated its role in oral carcinogenesis. Further combination therapies targeting these markers might help in combating oral cancer.

Background: Superficial bladder cancers (nonmuscle invasive) are commonly faced by urologists and represent a major challenge for urologists and oncologists, especially Grade III carcinomas, whether conservative treatment is sufficient alone or with radical cystectomy is essential. Aim of the Study: We aimed to find a way to avoid recurrences in the nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer and in the same time avoid radical cystectomy. Patient and Methods: We selected 42 patients with nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancers from those attending to Urology Department, Zagazig University Hospitals, from December 2011 to January 2015. After complete transurethral resection (TUR) bladder resection, diagnosis of biopsy was based on H and E-stained sections. Then, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2) immunostaining was performed for all paraffin blocks derived from the patients. Trastuzumab was given to all cases that were positive to Her2, and only one case of them did not receive trastuzumab and left as a control. All cases then underwent follow-up for 20 months. Results: We found a significant relationship (P = 0.05) between Her2 immunostaining positivity and tumor stage, grade, multifocality, and recurrences/progression. Most cases who received trastuzumab did not undergo recurrences (19/22) (P = 0.005). We found also decrease in the immunostaining in cases of recurrences, indicating the presence of other factors affecting the occurrence or recurrences/progression. Conclusions: We concluded that administration of anti-Her2 therapy (like trastuzumab) may be essential for Her2-positive superficial bladder cancer to avoid recurrences after complete TUR bladder (TURB). Recommendation: We recommend for other studies on the significances of recurrences and how to avoid them.

Introduction: The src inhibitor dasatinib has been widely studied as an antimetastatic agent. The aims of this study were to examine the effect of Src inhibition on the metastatic potential of the 4T1 murine mammary carcinoma. Context: Src is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase well known to contribute to the metastatic potential of tumor cells. It does so through alteration of signaling pathways important to metastasis. Elevated levels of Src are common in many cancer types and have been correlated with tumor progression and poor patient prognosis. Aims: This study examined whether disruption of the Src signaling pathway could inhibit metastasis formation. Settings and Design: The Src inhibitor dasatinib was evaluated in vitro and in vivo using the highly metastatic 4T1 murine mammary adenocarcinoma cell line. Methods: In vitro assays included growth curve, Western blot, migration, and invasion assays. In vivo assays included intradermal and tail vein injection models. Statistical Analysis Used: In vitro data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Dunnett's multiple comparisons in GraphPad Prism 6.0. In vivo data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism 6.0, using the Wilcoxon matched pairs test. Results: Dasatinib is effective at inhibiting in vitro phosphorylation of Src, migration and invasion in the 4T1 cell line, as well as angiogenesis in vivo. In vitro treatment with dasatinib impaired the metastatic ability of tumor cells as assessed by a tail vein injection model. However, both the syngeneic BALB/c and the athymic nu/nu mice receiving oral doses of the drug developed significantly higher numbers of 4T1 lung metastases. This effect was neither seen in a different breast carcinoma cell line, the MDA-MB-231-4175-LM2 nor in the murine fibrosarcoma KHT cell line. Conclusions: The 4T1 cell line is not an appropriate model to study Src inhibition.