Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Neurological Improvement Of Perineural And Leptomeningeal Spread Of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated With Intrathecal Chemotherapy And Systemic Egfr Inhibition., Vincent Alexander Van Vugt, Marlon Garzo Saria, Andres Javier, Navin Kesari, Tiffany Turpin, Santosh Kesari

Marlon Garzo Saria, PhD, RN, AOCNS, FAAN

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common cancer of the skin. Risk factors include fair skin, excessive sun and ultraviolet light exposure, and history of xeroderma pigmentosa. Perineural invasion (PNI), an uncommon manifestation of SCC, involves microscopic tumor cells invading various layers of the nerve sheath. It is associated with a poorer prognosis. Standard treatment for PNI includes radiation therapy. Here, we describe a case an older gentleman with a history of SCC with PNI successfully treated with erlotinib and intrathecal chemotherapy.

The Adipose Tissue Production Of Adiponectin Is Increased In End-Stage Renal Disease., Maria P Martinez Cantarin, Scott A Waldman, Cataldo Doria, Adam M Frank, Warren R Maley, Carlo B Ramirez, Scott W Keith, Bonita Falkner

Adam M. Franks, MD

Adiponectin has antidiabetic properties, and patients with obesity, diabetes, and insulin resistance have low plasma adiponectin levels. However, although kidney disease is associated with insulin resistance, adiponectin is elevated in end-stage renal disease. Here we determine whether adipose tissue production of adiponectin is increased in renal disease in a case-control study of 36 patients with end-stage renal disease and 23 kidney donors. Blood and tissue samples were obtained at kidney transplantation and donation. The mean plasma adiponectin level was significantly increased to 15.6 mg/ml in cases compared with 8.4 mg/ml in controls. Plasma levels of the inflammatory adipokines tumor necrosis …

Completely Steroid-Free Immunosuppression In Liver Transplantation: A Randomized Study., Carlo B. Ramirez, Md, Cataldo Doria, Md, Phd, Adam M. Frank, Md, Stephen T. Armenti, Ignazio R. Marino, Md

Adam M. Franks, MD

INTRODUCTION: Corticosteroids (CS) have been standard immunosuppression to prevent and treat rejection. However, CS are associated with increased risk of infection, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and accelerated hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence post-orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). This study assesses the safety and efficacy of CS-free immunosuppressive regimen in adult OLT.

METHODS: A two-yr, prospective, randomized study of CS with delayed withdrawal (CS) or CS-free regimen with basiliximab, tacrolimus, and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) was performed in 39 patients (CS=20; CS-free=19). CS group received intra-operative methylprednisolone weaned by six months. HCV patients had HCV PCR pre-OLT and 0.5, one, three, and …