acute myeloid leukemia

Fungal Pneumonia and Severe Neutropenia: Risk Factors for Increased 90 Day Mortality

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This study examined 39 cancer patients with severe fungal lung infections treated at a major cancer center. Patients who received antifungal treatment within 7 days and started with a specific drug called liposomal amphotericin B had better survival rates at 90 days. The research suggests that quick diagnosis and prompt treatment initiation are critical for improving survival in immunocompromised patients with fungal pneumonia.

Refractory fungal infection: Three case reports highlighting good practice

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This case series examines three patients with serious fungal infections that did not respond well to standard antifungal treatments. The cases demonstrate how fungi can develop resistance to common antifungal drugs like azoles, making infections harder to treat. The authors emphasize that accurate identification of the fungus, testing its sensitivity to drugs, monitoring drug levels in the blood, and careful use of antifungal medications are essential for successfully treating these difficult infections.

Continuous debridement combined with short-term posaconazole therapy for cutaneous mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus oryzae infection secondary to acute myeloid leukemia: a case report

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An 80-year-old patient with acute myeloid leukemia developed a serious fungal skin infection caused by Rhizopus oryzae on his lower leg. Doctors treated the infection by repeatedly cleaning out the infected tissue and giving him an antifungal medication called posaconazole for just one week. Despite the short treatment duration due to cost concerns, the patient’s wound gradually healed over four months through continued surgical care, showing that sometimes focused surgical treatment can be as effective as long-term medication.

How Should the Worldwide Knowledge of Traditional Cancer Healing Be Integrated with Herbs and Mushrooms into Modern Molecular Pharmacology?

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This comprehensive review explores how traditional healing practices from around the world use plants and mushrooms to treat cancer. The authors examine thousands of plant species and their active compounds that show promise in fighting various types of cancer through multiple mechanisms like stopping cancer cell growth and triggering cell death. The review emphasizes that proper scientific validation, standardization, and safety testing can help integrate these traditional remedies into modern cancer treatment alongside conventional chemotherapy.

Marine-derived Acremonium strain prioritization using untargeted metabolomics approach for the identification of cytotoxic cyclic depsipeptides

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Researchers discovered five potent anti-cancer compounds from Arctic fungi called Acremonium strains. Using advanced chemical analysis techniques, they identified and tested these cyclic depsipeptides against various cancer cell types. The most active compound showed promising results against breast cancer and melanoma cells with extremely low concentrations needed for effect. These findings suggest Arctic microorganisms could be valuable sources for developing new cancer treatments.

Phytochemicals as promising agents in Axl-targeted cancer treatment

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This review examines natural plant compounds that can block Axl, a protein that helps cancer cells survive and spread. Scientists found that compounds from common foods like apples, grapes, green tea, ginger, and chamomile can reduce Axl levels and kill cancer cells. These natural compounds work through different mechanisms and show promise for treating various cancers, including those resistant to standard chemotherapy drugs.

Staurosporine as an Antifungal Agent

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Staurosporine is a natural compound from soil bacteria that can kill fungal infections. While originally known for its anti-cancer properties, scientists have recently rediscovered its strong antifungal activity, especially against dangerous drug-resistant fungi. The challenge is that it also damages human cells, but researchers are developing improved versions and combination treatments to make it safer and more effective.

Masquerading Yeast: A Case Report of Lomentospora prolificans Fungemia With a Diagnostic Twist

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This case describes a patient with blood cancer who developed a rare and deadly mold infection called Lomentospora prolificans while receiving cancer treatment. The infection was difficult to diagnose initially because the fungal structures looked similar to yeast under the microscope, and a molecular test gave a false positive result for a different fungus. Unfortunately, the infection was resistant to all available antifungal medications and the patient died.

Marine-derived Acremonium strain prioritization using untargeted metabolomics approach for the identification of cytotoxic cyclic depsipeptides

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Researchers studied fungi collected from Arctic driftwood to find new cancer-fighting compounds. Using advanced chemical analysis tools, they identified six different fungal strains and found that one strain, Acremonium synnematoferum, produced five unique compounds called depsipeptides. These compounds killed cancer cells in laboratory tests, showing promise as potential cancer treatments. This research highlights how extreme Arctic environments can harbor fungi with powerful medicinal properties.

Candidemia due to Candida lambica in a neutropenic oncology patient: A rare case report

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A 56-year-old cancer patient developed a serious bloodstream infection caused by a rare yeast called Candida lambica despite taking antifungal medications. Doctors identified the infection using genetic sequencing and found that the organism was sensitive to a different antifungal drug called voriconazole. After switching medications and removing the patient’s central line, the infection cleared up. This case demonstrates the importance of accurately identifying fungal infections and testing which medications work best against them.

Disease: acute myeloid leukemia