BackgroundInhibition of metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most important challenges in cancer treatment. Src, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, has been implicated as a key promoter in tumor progression and metastasis of HNSCC. However, Src therapy for HNSCC is limited by lack of efficient in vivo delivery and underlying mechanisms remain elusive.MethodsSrc knockdown cells were achieved by lentiviral-mediated interference. Cell migration and invasion were examined by wound healing and Transwell assays. Protein levels were determined by Western blot and/or immunohistochemistry. The Src inhibitor saracatinib was loaded into self-assembling nanoparticles by the solvent evaporation method. An experimental metastasis mouse model was generated to investigate the drug efficacy in metastasis.ResultsBlockade of Src kinase activity by saracatinib effectively suppressed invasion and metastasis of HNSCC. Mechanistic assessment of the drug effects in HNSCC cells showed that saracatinib induced suppression of Src-dependent invasion/metastasis through downregulating the expression levels of Vimentin and Snail proteins. In tests in mice, saracatinib loaded into the novel multifunctional nanoparticles exhibited superior effects on suppression of HNSCC metastasis compared with the free drug, which is mainly attributed to highly specific and efficient tumor-targeted drug delivery system.ConclusionsThese findings and advances are of great importance to the development of Src-targeted nanomedicine as a more effective therapy for metastatic HNSCC.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13045-018-0623-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Rehabilitative measures have been shown to benefit patients with primary brain tumors (PBT). To provide a high quality of care, clinicians should be aware of common challenges in this population including a variety of medical complications, symptoms, and impairments, such as headaches, seizures, cognitive deficits, fatigue, and mood changes. By taking communication and family training into consideration, clinicians can provide integrated and patient-centered care to this population. This article looks to review the current literature in outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation options for adult patients with PBTs as well as explore the role of the interdisciplinary team in providing survivorship care.

The objective of this study was to increase the oral bioavailability of Raloxifene having an absolute bioavailability only 2% due to extensive first pass hepatic metabolism by incorporating it in Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs). The optimized RSLNs prepared by Ultrasonic Emulsification and Low Temperature Solidification method showed the mean particle size, zeta potential and percentage drug entrapment of 101.4±3.5 nm, 19.4±0.279 mv, 97.67±1.02% respectively. The in-vitro intestinal permeability study indicated significantly higher permeation of the RSLNs than the marketed preparation. The in-vivo studies showed that pharmacokinetic parameters for the RSLNs were 3.5 times higher than the marketed preparation indicating significant increase in the oral bioavailability of the Raloxifene.