Τρίτη 5 Ιανουαρίου 2016

Dose-Dependent Cortical Thinning After Partial Brain Irradiation in High-Grade Glioma

Publication date: 1 February 2016
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, Volume 94, Issue 2
Author(s): Roshan Karunamuni, Hauke Bartsch, Nathan S. White, Vitali Moiseenko, Ruben Carmona, Deborah C. Marshall, Tyler M. Seibert, Carrie R. McDonald, Nikdokht Farid, Anithapriya Krishnan, Joshua Kuperman, Loren Mell, James B. Brewer, Anders M. Dale, Jona A. Hattangadi-Gluth
PurposeRadiation-induced cognitive deficits may be mediated by tissue damage to cortical regions. Volumetric changes in cortex can be reliably measured using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We used these methods to study the association between radiation therapy (RT) dose and change in cortical thickness in high-grade glioma (HGG) patients.Methods and MaterialsWe performed a voxel-wise analysis of MRI from 15 HGG patients who underwent fractionated partial brain RT. Three-dimensional MRI was acquired pre- and 1 year post RT. Cortex was parceled with well-validated segmentation software. Surgical cavities were censored. Each cortical voxel was assigned a change in cortical thickness between time points, RT dose value, and neuroanatomic label by lobe. Effects of dose, neuroanatomic location, age, and chemotherapy on cortical thickness were tested using linear mixed effects (LME) modeling.ResultsCortical atrophy was seen after 1 year post RT with greater effects at higher doses. Estimates from LME modeling showed that cortical thickness decreased by −0.0033 mm (P<.001) for every 1-Gy increase in RT dose. Temporal and limbic cortex exhibited the largest changes in cortical thickness per Gy compared to that in other regions (P<.001). Age and chemotherapy were not significantly associated with change in cortical thickness.ConclusionsWe found dose-dependent thinning of the cerebral cortex, with varying neuroanatomical regional sensitivity, 1 year after fractionated partial brain RT. The magnitude of thinning parallels 1-year atrophy rates seen in neurodegenerative diseases and may contribute to cognitive decline following high-dose RT.



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Depigmentation Within the Radiation Field in Patients With Vitiligo

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Publication date: 1 February 2016
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, Volume 94, Issue 2
Author(s): Dean A. Shumway, Eyad Abu-Isa, Daniel E. Soto, Thy Thy Do, Reshma Jagsi




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Volumetric Radiosurgery for 1 to 10 Brain Metastases: A Multicenter, Single-Arm, Phase 2 Study

Publication date: 1 February 2016
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, Volume 94, Issue 2
Author(s): Alan Nichol, Roy Ma, Fred Hsu, Lovedeep Gondara, Hannah Carolan, Robert Olson, Devin Schellenberg, François Germain, Arthur Cheung, Michael Peacock, Alanah Bergman, Emily Vollans, Rosemin Vellani, Michael McKenzie
PurposeInterest is growing in treating multiple brain metastases with radiosurgery. We report on the effectiveness and tolerability of volumetric radiosurgery (VRS).Methods and MaterialsWe enrolled patients with a ≥6-month estimated life expectancy and 1 to 10 brain metastases with a diameter of ≤3 cm at 5 cancer centers. Volumetric radiosurgery was delivered in 5 fractions with 98% target coverage, prescribed as 95% of 50 Gy (47.5 Gy in 5 fractions) to the metastases with no margin and 95% of 40 Gy (38 Gy in 5 fractions) to their 2-mm planning target volumes, concurrent with 20 Gy to the whole brain planning target volume. The treatment was delivered with daily image guidance using conventional linear accelerators and volumetric modulated arc therapy. A magnetic resonance imaging scan was obtained every 3 months. The primary endpoint was the 3-month objective response in the brain according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1. The principal secondary endpoint was 1-year actuarial control of treated metastases. Toxicities were graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0. The present study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01046123).ResultsFrom July 2010 to May 2013, 60 patients underwent VRS with 47.5 Gy in 5 fractions for 12 metastases in the thalamus and basal ganglia (deep metastases) and 207 non-deep metastases. The median follow-up period was 30.5 months, and the median survival was 10.1 months. For the 43 patients assessable at 3 months, the objective response in the brain was 56%. The treated metastases were controlled in 88% of patients at 1 year and 84% at 3 years. Overall survival did not differ for patients with 4 to 10 versus 1 to 3 metastases (hazard ratio 1.18, P=.6). The crude incidence of severe radionecrosis (grade 3-5) was 25% (3 of 12) per deep metastasis, 1.9% (4 of 219) per non-deep metastasis, and 10% (6 of 60) per patient.ConclusionsFor non-deep brain metastases, 47.5 Gy in 5 fractions was tolerable. Volumetric radiosurgery was effective for long-term control of treated brain metastases.



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Erratum

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Publication date: 1 February 2016
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, Volume 94, Issue 2





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Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake on Positron Emission Tomography Is a Useful Predictor of Long-Term Pain Control After Palliative Radiation Therapy in Patients With Painful Bone Metastases: Results of a Single-Institute Prospective Study

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Publication date: 1 February 2016
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, Volume 94, Issue 2
Author(s): Takatoshi Tahara, Shinya Fujii, Toshihide Ogawa, Koichi Michimoto, Takeru Fukunaga, Tomohiko Tanino, Nobue Uchida, Tsutomu Matsuki, Hiroaki Sakamoto
PurposeTo determine whether fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) before and after palliative radiation therapy (RT) can predict long-term pain control in patients with painful bone metastases.Methods and MaterialsThirty-one patients with bone metastases who received RT were prospectively included. Forty painful metastatic treatment fields were evaluated. All patients had undergone pre-RT and post-RT PET/CT scanning. We evaluated the relationships between the pre-RT, post-RT, and changes in maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and the pain response, and between SUVmax and pain relapse of the bone metastases in the treatment field. In addition, we compared the SUVmax according to the length of time from the completion of RT to pain relapse of the bone metastases.ResultsRegarding the pain response at 4 weeks after the completion of RT, there were 36 lesions of 27 patients in the responder group and 4 lesions of 4 patients in the nonresponder group. Changes in the SUVmax differed significantly between the responder and nonresponder groups in both the early and delayed phases (P=.0292 and P=.0139, respectively), but no relationship was observed between the pre-RT and post-RT SUVmax relative to the pain response. The responder group was evaluated for the rate of relapse. Thirty-five lesions of 26 patients in the responder group were evaluated, because 1 patient died of acute renal failure at 2 months after RT. Twelve lesions (34%) showed pain relapse, and 23 lesions (66%) did not. There were significant differences between the relapse and nonrelapse patients in terms of the pre-RT (early/delayed phases: P<.0001/P<.0001), post-RT (P=.0199/P=.0261), and changes in SUVmax (P=.0004/P=.004).ConclusionsFDG-PET may help predict the outcome of pain control in the treatment field after palliative RT for painful bone metastases.



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Meetings

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Publication date: 1 February 2016
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, Volume 94, Issue 2





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Differential changes and interactions of autonomic functioning and sleep architecture before and after 50 years of age

Abstract

We hypothesize that the time when age-related changes in autonomic functioning and in sleep structure occur are different and that autonomic functioning modulates sleep architecture differently before and after 50 years of age. Sixty-eight healthy subjects (aged 20 to 79 years old, 49 of them women) were enrolled. Correlation analysis revealed that wake after sleep onset, the absolute and relative value of stage 1 (S1; S1%), and relative value of stage 2 (S2) were positively correlated with age; however, sleep efficiency, stage 3 (S3), S3%, and rapid-eye-movement latency (REML) were negatively correlated with age. Significant degenerations of sleep during normal aging were occurred after 50 years of age; however, significant declines of autonomic activity were showed before 50 years of age. Before 50 years of age, vagal function during sleep was negatively correlated with arousal index; however, after 50 years of age, it was positively correlated with S1 and S1%. In addition, sympathetic activity during wake stage was positively related to S2% only after 50 years of age. Our results imply that the age-related changes in autonomic functioning decline promptly as individuals leave the younger part of their adult life span and that age-related changes in sleep slowly develop as individuals enter the older part of their adult life span. Furthermore, while various aspects of sleep architecture are modulated by both the sympathetic and vagal nervous systems during adult life span, the sleep quality is mainly correlated with the sympathetic division after 50 years of age.



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Aging effects on discrimination learning, logical reasoning and memory in pet dogs

Abstract

In laboratory dogs, aging leads to a decline in various cognitive domains such as learning, memory and behavioural flexibility. However, much less is known about aging in pet dogs, i.e. dogs that are exposed to different home environments by their caregivers. We used tasks on a touchscreen apparatus to detect differences in various cognitive functions across pet Border Collies aged from 5 months to 13 years. Ninety-five dogs were divided into five age groups and tested in four tasks: (1) underwater photo versus drawing discrimination, (2) clip art picture discrimination, (3) inferential reasoning by exclusion and (4) a memory test with a retention interval of 6 months. The tasks were designed to test three cognitive abilities: visual discrimination learning, logical reasoning and memory. The total number of sessions to reach criterion and the number of correction trials needed in the two discrimination tasks were compared across age groups. The results showed that both measures increased linearly with age, with dogs aged over 13 years displaying slower learning and reduced flexibility in comparison to younger dogs. Inferential reasoning ability increased with age, but less than 10 % of dogs showed patterns of choice consistent with inference by exclusion. No age effect was found in the long-term memory test. In conclusion, the discrimination learning tests used are suitable to detect cognitive aging in pet dogs, which can serve as a basis for comparison to help diagnose cognition-related problems and as a tool to assist with the development of treatments to delay cognitive decline.



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Masthead

Publication date: January–February 2016
Source:Practical Radiation Oncology, Volume 6, Issue 1





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Editorial Board

Publication date: January–February 2016
Source:Practical Radiation Oncology, Volume 6, Issue 1





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Table of Contents

Publication date: January–February 2016
Source:Practical Radiation Oncology, Volume 6, Issue 1





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Proposed definition of the vaginal cuff and paracolpium clinical target volume in postoperative uterine cervical cancer

Publication date: January–February 2016
Source:Practical Radiation Oncology, Volume 6, Issue 1
Author(s): Naoya Murakami, Yoshiki Norihisa, Fumiaki Isohashi, Keiko Murofushi, Takuro Ariga, Tomoyasu Kato, Koji Inaba, Hiroyuki Okamoto, Yoshinori Ito, Takafumi Toita, Jun Itami
PurposeThe aim of this study was to develop an appropriate definition for vaginal cuff and paracolpium clinical target volume (CTV) for postoperative intensity modulated radiation therapy in patients with uterine cervical cancer.Methods and materialsA working subgroup was organized within the Radiation Therapy Study Group of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group to develop a definition for the postoperative vaginal cuff and paracolpium CTV in December 2013. The group consisted of 5 radiation oncologists who specialized in gynecologic oncology and a gynecologic oncologist. A comprehensive literature review that included anatomy, surgery, and imaging fields was performed and was followed by multiple discreet face-to-face discussions and e-mail messages before a final consensus was reached.ResultsDefinitions for the landmark structures in all directions that demarcate the vaginal cuff and paracolpium CTV were decided by consensus agreement of the working group. A table was created that showed boundary structures of the vaginal cuff and paracolpium CTV in each direction.ConclusionsA definition of the postoperative cervical cancer vaginal cuff and paracolpium CTV was developed. It is expected that this definition guideline will serve as a template for future radiation therapy clinical trial protocols, especially protocols involving intensity modulated radiation therapy.



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Reply to: methotrexate administration directly into the fourth ventricle in children with malignant fourth ventricular brain tumors: a pilot clinical trial



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The diagnostic accuracy of multiparametric MRI to determine pediatric brain tumor grades and types

Abstract

Childhood brain tumors show great histological variability. The goal of this retrospective study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of multimodal MR imaging (diffusion, perfusion, MR spectroscopy) in the distinction of pediatric brain tumor grades and types. Seventy-six patients (range 1 month to 18 years) with brain tumors underwent multimodal MR imaging. Tumors were categorized by grade (I–IV) and by histological type (A–H). Multivariate statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of single and combined MR modalities, and of single imaging parameters to distinguish the different groups. The highest diagnostic accuracy for tumor grading was obtained with diffusion–perfusion (73.24 %) and for tumor typing with diffusion–perfusion–MR spectroscopy (55.76 %). The best diagnostic accuracy was obtained for tumor grading in I and IV and for tumor typing in embryonal tumor and pilocytic astrocytoma. Poor accuracy was seen in other grades and types. ADC and rADC were the best parameters for tumor grading and typing followed by choline level with an intermediate echo time, CBV for grading and Tmax for typing. Multiparametric MR imaging can be accurate in determining tumor grades (primarily grades I and IV) and types (mainly pilocytic astrocytomas and embryonal tumors) in children.



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Correlation between Semi-Quantitative 18 F-FDG PET/CT Parameters and Ki-67 Expression in Small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between semiquantitative parameters on 18F-FDG PET/CT including maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) and the expression level of Ki-67 in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Methods

Ninety-four consecutive patients with SCLC were enrolled in this study. They underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT for initial evaluation of SCLC, and we measured SUVmax, avgSUVmean, MTVsum, and TLGtotal on 18F-FDG PET/CT images. The protein expression of Ki-67 was examined by immunohistochemical staining.

Results

Significant correlations were found between the MTVsum and Ki-67 labeling index (r = 0.254, p = 0.014) and the TLGtotal and Ki-67 labeling index (r = 0.239, p = 0.020). No correlation was found between the SUVmax and Ki-67 labeling index (r = 0.116, p = 0.264) and the avgSUVmean and Ki-67 labeling index (r = 0.031, p = 0.770). Dividing the Ki-67 expression level into three categories, it was suggested that increasing Ki-67 expression level caused a stepwise increase in the MTVsum and TLGtotal. (p = 0.028 and 0.039, respectively), but not the SUVmax and avgSUVmean (p = 0.526 and 0.729, respectively).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the volume-based parameters of 18F-FDG PET/CT correlate with immunohistochemical staining of Ki-67 in SCLC. Measurement of the MTVsum and TLGtotal by 18F-FDG PET/CT might be a simple, noninvasive, and useful method to determine the proliferative potential of cancer cells.



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27-Hydroxycholesterol stimulates cell proliferation and resistance to docetaxel-induced apoptosis in prostate epithelial cells

Abstract

Although the causes of prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are not known, the role of oxidative stress, aging, and diet are suspected to increase the incidence of prostate complications. The cholesterol oxidation derivative (oxysterol) 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC) is the most prevalent cholesterol metabolite in the blood. As aging, oxidative stress, and hypercholesterolemia are associated with increased risk of PCa and BPH, and because 27-OHC levels are also increased with aging, hypercholesterolemia, and oxidative stress, determining the role of 27-OHC in the progression of PCas and BPH is warranted. In this study, we determined the effect of 27-OHC in human prostate epithelial cells RWPE-1. We found that 27-OHC stimulates proliferation and increases androgen receptor (AR) transcriptional activity. 27-OHC also increased prostate-specific antigen expression and enhanced AR binding to the androgen response element compared to controls. Silencing AR expression with siRNA markedly reduced the 27-OHC-induced proliferation. Furthermore, 27-OHC blocked docetaxel-induced apoptosis. Altogether, our results suggest that 27-OHC may play an important role in PCa and BPH progression by promoting proliferation and suppressing apoptosis.



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Subtype-specific accumulation of intracellular zinc pools is associated with the malignant phenotype in breast cancer

Abstract

Background

Zinc (Zn) hyper-accumulates in breast tumors and malignant cell lines compared to normal mammary epithelium. The mechanisms responsible for Zn accumulation and the consequence of Zn dysregulation are poorly understood.

Methods

Microarrays were performed to assess differences in the expression of Zn transporters and metallothioneins (MTs) in human breast tumors and breast cancer cell lines. Real-time PCR and immunoblotting were employed to profile Zn transporter expression in representative luminal (T47D), basal (MDA-MB-231), and non-malignant (MCF10A) cell lines. Zn distribution in human tumors was assessed by X-ray fluorescence imaging. Zn distribution and content in cell lines was measured using FluoZin-3 imaging, and quantification and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Functional consequences of ZnT2 over-expression in MDA-MB-231 cells including invasion, proliferation, and cell cycle were measured using Boyden chambers, MTT assays, and flow cytometry, respectively.

Results

Gene expression profiling of human breast tumors and breast cancer cell lines identified subtype-specific dysregulation in the Zn transporting network. X-ray fluorescence imaging of breast tumor tissues revealed Zn hyper-accumulation at the margins of Luminal breast tumors while Zn was more evenly distributed within Basal tumors. While both T47D and MDA-MB-231 cells hyper-accumulated Zn relative to MCF10A cells, T47D cells accumulated 2.5-fold more Zn compared to MDA-MB-231 cells. FluoZin-3 imaging indicated that Zn was sequestered into numerous large vesicles in T47D cells, but was retained in the cytoplasm and found in fewer and larger, amorphous sub-cellular compartments in MDA-MB-231 cells. The differences in Zn localization mirrored the relative abundance of the Zn transporter ZnT2; T47D cells over-expressed ZnT2, whereas MDA-MB-231 cells did not express ZnT2 protein due to proteasomal degradation. To determine the functional relevance of the lack of ZnT2 in MDA-MB-231cells, cells were transfected to express ZnT2. ZnT2 over-expression led to Zn vesicularization, shifts in cell cycle, enhanced apoptosis, and reduced proliferation and invasion.

Conclusions

This comprehensive analysis of the Zn transporting network in malignant breast tumors and cell lines illustrates that distinct subtype-specific dysregulation of Zn management may underlie phenotypic characteristics of breast cancers such as grade, invasiveness, metastatic potential, and response to therapy.



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Meta-analysis supporting noninferiority of oxaliplatin plus S-1 to cisplatin plus S-1 in first-line treatment of advanced gastric cancer (G-SOX study): indirect comparison with S-1 alone

Abstract

Background

The Randomized Phase III Study Comparing Oxaliplatin plus S-1 with Cisplatin plus S-1 in Chemotherapy-naïve Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer (G-SOX) showed the noninferiority of S-1 (an oral fluoropyrimidine-derivative dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase inhibitor) plus oxaliplatin combination therapy (SOX) to S-1 plus cisplatin therapy (CS) in overall survival [hazard ratio (HR) from proportional hazard model 0.958, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.803–1.142; noninferiority margin 1.15]. To further clarify the clinical position of SOX in advanced gastric cancer (AGC), a meta-analysis including information from other reported studies was conducted.

Methods

In addition to G-SOX, Japanese phase III clinical trials including S-1 monotherapy were included in the analyses. Individual patient data for SOX (318 patients) and CS (324 patients) from G-SOX, as well as those for S-1 (160 patients) from the Randomized Phase III Study Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Irinotecan plus S-1 with S-1 Alone as First-line Treatment for Advanced Gastric Cancer (GC0301/TOP-002), were available. Published clinical information for S-1 from other studies (total 705 patients) was also collected. A Weibull distribution was assumed for overall survival time, and parameters for SOX, CS, and S-1 were estimated parametrically. Posterior HR distributions were obtained with a Bayesian approach.

Results

The HR of SOX to S-1 was 0.817 (95 % credible interval 0.704–0.939), and the probability of the HR <1.00 was 99.8 %. The HR of CS to S-1 was 0.871 (95 % credible interval; 0.754–0.998), and the probability of the HR <1.00 was 97.6 %. The HR of SOX to CS in G-SOX was 0.942 (95 % credible interval; 0.789–1.117), and the probability of HR <1.15 was 98.9 %.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis indicates that SOX was superior to S-1 and noninferior to CS in AGC.



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Angiogenesis-Related Markers and Prognosis After Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Background

Patients presenting with peritoneal metastases (PM) of colorectal cancer (CRC) can be curatively treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Angiogenesis is under control of multiple molecules of which HIF1a, SDF1, CXCR4, and VEGF are key players. We investigated these angiogenesis-related markers and their prognostic value in patients with PM arising from CRC treated with CRS and HIPEC.

Patients and Methods

Clinicopathological data and tissue specimens were collected in 2 tertiary referral centers from 52 patients who underwent treatment for isolated PM of CRC. Whole tissue specimens were subsequently analyzed for protein expression of HIF1a, SDF1, CXCR4, and VEGF by immunohistochemistry. Microvessel density (MVD) was analyzed by CD31 immunohistochemistry. The relationship between overall survival (OS) and protein expression as well as other clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed.

Results

Univariate analysis showed that high peritoneal cancer index (PCI), resection with residual disease and high expression of VEGF were negatively correlated with OS after treatment with CRS and HIPEC (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, and P = 0.02, respectively). However, no association was found between the other markers and OS (P > 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed an independent association between OS and PCI, resection outcome and VEGF expression (multivariate HR: 6.1, 7.8 and 3.8, respectively, P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions

An independent association was found between high VEGF expression levels and worse OS after CRS and HIPEC. The addition of VEGF expression to the routine clinicopathological workup could help to identify patients at risk for early treatment failure. Furthermore, VEGF may be a potential target for adjuvant treatment in these patients.



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Statewide Retrospective Review of Familial Pancreatic Cancer in Delaware, and Frequency of Genetic Mutations in Pancreatic Cancer Kindreds

Abstract

Background

Considering the typical rapid progression and high mortality of pancreatic cancer (PC), early detection may lead to an improved outcome. To date, there is no safe, sensitive, and cost-effective screening strategy to detect PC. Currently, screening is focused on individuals at the highest risk of developing PC based on family history. A high-risk individual is defined as having two or more first-degree relatives with PC, or one first- or second-degree relative with PC with a confirmed mutation in a gene associated with PC. The BRCA2 gene is one of the most common genes linked to pancreatic-only cancer families; however, other hereditary cancer syndromes have also been associated with an increased risk for PC.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of pedigrees of families with a pancreatic adenocarcinoma cancer diagnosis held in the statewide Ruth Ann Minner High Risk Family Cancer Registry at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, DE, USA, from 2002 to 2013. The registry was queried based on how many first-, second-, or third-degree relatives of the proband were affected with PC, genetic testing status, and (if applicable) the results. These data were then categorized into families that meet familial PC (FPC) criteria, defined as two first-degree relatives with PC (FPC families), families that did not meet the FPC definition but had one first-degree relative affected with PC (first-degree families), and probands with PC (probands). Each family was counted only once in the analysis, even if multiple family members were tested.

Results

Our analysis revealed that 175 of 597 families fitting any of the above criteria completed genetic testing. Of this cohort, 52 had pathogenic alterations with nine different genes implicated. Overall, 164 of the 175 families that fitted into any of the three categories previously identified had BRCA1 or BRCA2 testing, either by DNA sequencing or next-generation sequencing via a panel test that included BRCA1/2. BRCA1 pathogenic alterations were noted in 17/164 (10.4 %) and BRCA2 pathogenic alterations were noted in 23/164 (14.0 %). FPC families (n = 46) 42/46 of the FPC families underwent BRCA1/2 testing, and 11/42 (26 % [95 % CI 12.89–39.49]) had pathogenic alterations. Specifically, 4/42 = BRCA1 (9.5 %) and 7/42 = BRCA2 (16.7 %). Additionally, 16/46 of the FPC families underwent exclusively Lynch syndrome (LS) testing, and pathogenic mutations in a mismatch repair protein were identified in 2/16. Specifically, 1/16 = MLH1 (6.3 %) and 1/16 = MSH2 (3.6 %). Overall, a genetic mutation within any gene associated with an increased PC risk was found in 28 % of FPC families. First-degree families (n = 106) 99/106 of the families with one first-degree relative underwent BRCA1/2 testing, and 21/99 (21.2 % [95 % CI 13.16–29.27]) had pathogenic alterations. Specifically, 11/99 = BRCA1 (11.1 %) and 10/99 = BRCA2 (10.1 %). 32/99 first-degree families underwent exclusively LS testing, and pathogenic mutations were identified in 4/32. Specifically, 3/32 = MLH1 (9 %) and 1/32 = MSH6 (3 %). 25/99 of the families pursued panel testing, and pathogenic alterations in any gene were identified in 3/25. Specifically, the mutations were found in 1/25 = ATM (4 %), 1/25 = CHEK2 (4 %), and 1/25 = RAD51D (4 %). Affected probands (n = 23) Lastly, all 23 probands affected with PC pursued genetic testing. Of these, 11/23 were found to have pathogenic alterations. All 23 underwent BRCA1/2 testing, and pathogenic alterations were identified in 8/23 (35 % [95 % CI 15.32–54.25]), specifically 2/23 = BRCA1 (9 %), and 6/23 = BRCA2 (26 %). 10/23 patients underwent panel testing and pathogenic alterations were found in 3/10 (30 %) patients, of whom 1/10 = MSH6 (10 %), 1/10 = ATM (10 %), and 1/10 = TP53 (10 %).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that a statewide high-risk family cancer registry is an important instrument in studying the risk of PC in families. Our analysis revealed 14 mutations associated with FPC, among which hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and LS were most prevalent. BRCA1 was found to have the same association with PC as BRCA2, which appears unique to our population. We plan to use our knowledge of these mutations in developing a PC screening program.



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Axillary Staging After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer: A Pilot Study Combining Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy with Radioactive Seed Localization of Pre-treatment Positive Axillary Lymph Nodes

Abstract

Background

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) downstages axillary disease in 55 % of node-positive (N1) breast cancer. The feasibility and accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) after NAC for percutaneous biopsy-proven N1 patients who are clinically node negative (cN0) by physical examination after NAC is under investigation. ACOSOG Z1071 reported a false-negative rate of <10 % if ≥3 nodes are removed with dual tracer, including excision of the biopsy-proven positive lymph node (BxLN). We report our experience using radioactive seed localization (RSL) to retrieve the BxLN with SLNB (RSL/SLNB) for cN0 patients after NAC.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of a single-institution, prospectively maintained registry for the years 2013 to 2014. Patients with BxLN who received NAC and had RSL/SLNB were identified. All BxLNs were marked with a radiopaque clip before NAC to facilitate RSL.

Results

Thirty patients with BxLN before NAC were cN0 after NAC and underwent RSL/SLNB. Median age was 55 years. Disease stage was IIA–IIIB. Twenty-nine of 30 had ductal cancer (12 triple negative and 16 HER-2 positive). One to 11 nodes were retrieved. Twenty-nine of 30 BxLN were successfully localized with RSL. Note was made of the BxLN-containing isotope and/or dye in 22 of 30. Nineteen patients had no residual axillary disease; 11 had persistent disease. All who remained node positive had disease in the BxLN.

Conclusions

RSL/SLNB is a promising approach for axillary staging after NAC in patients whose disease becomes cN0. The status of the BxLN after NAC predicted nodal status, suggesting that localization of the BxLN may be more accurate than SLNB alone for staging the axilla in the cN0 patient after NAC.



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Implementation of a Voice Messaging System is Associated With Improved Time-to-Treatment and Overall Survival in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: The diagnosis and treatment of cancer is a continuum, with multiple steps and interfaces between patients and providers allowing for potential delays in cancer recognition and subsequent treatment. The diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is especially prone to missteps along the continuum, leading to treatment delays due to non–tissue-based diagnosis and multiprovider treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcome measures after implementation of a voice messaging system (VMS) designed to streamline patient referrals to downstream treatment physicians and ultimately reduce delays in HCC treatment, thereby improving outcome measures. Methods: A retrospective study of outpatients with HCC was conducted in a safety net hospital between February 2008 and January 2012. In February 2010, VMS notification of HCC to the ordering physician and downstream treating physicians was implemented. Patients were divided into 2 groups: (1) preintervention: diagnosis 2 years before implementation or failure of notification following implementation, and (2) postintervention: diagnosis 2 years after implementation. Demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment, and survival were compared. Results: This study included 96 patients diagnosed with HCC: 51 in the preintervention group and 45 in the postintervention group. The main cause of chronic liver disease was HCV infection, and no differences in symptoms, liver dysfunction, tumor characteristics, or treatment were observed between groups. The time from diagnosis to clinic contact (0.5 vs 2.9 months; P=.003) and time from detection to treatment (2.2 vs 5.5 months; P=.005) was significantly shorter after implementation of the VMS. Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage A status (hazard ratio [HR], 3.1; 95% CI, 2, 6), treatment (HR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1, 4), and VMS (HR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1, 3) were independently associated with overall survival. Patients diagnosed after implementation of the VMS had a median survival of 28.5 versus 15.7 months (P=.02). Conclusions: Implementation of VMS reduces time to treatment and time to clinic visit. Reduction in time to treatment is associated with improved outcome independent of tumor stage, underlying liver function, and treatment.



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NCCN News



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Palliative Care Version 1.2016

The NCCN Guidelines for Palliative Care provide interdisciplinary recommendations on palliative care for patients with cancer. The NCCN Guidelines are intended to provide guidance to the primary oncology team on the integration of palliative care into oncology. The NCCN Palliative Care Panel's recommendations seek to ensure that each patient experiences the best quality of life possible throughout the illness trajectory. Accordingly, the NCCN Guidelines outline best practices for screening, assessment, palliative care interventions, reassessment, and after-death care.



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Oncology Research Program



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Prevalence and Safety of Off-Label Use of Chemotherapeutic Agents in Older Patients With Breast Cancer: Estimates From SEER-Medicare Data

Background: Prescribing drugs outside of the label indication is legal and may reflect standard practice; however, some off-label use may be inappropriate. This study measured the prevalence and safety of off-label use both in accordance with practice guidelines and inconsistent with practice guidelines in older patients with breast cancer. Patients and Methods: The SEER-Medicare data set was used to identify women diagnosed with breast cancer. Intravenous chemotherapy was identified using Medicare claims and classified as either on-label, off-label but included in the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Breast Cancer ("off-label/supported"), or off-label and not included in the NCCN Guidelines ("off-label/unsupported"). Hospitalization/emergency department (ED) admission rates were compared. Results: A total of 13,347 women were treated with 16,127 regimens (12% of women switched regimen); 64% of regimens were off-label/supported, 25% were on-label, and 11% were off-label/unsupported, and hospitalization/ED admission occurred in 27%, 25%, and 32% of regimens, respectively (P<.0001). Drugs never included in the NCCN Guidelines for Breast Cancer accounted for 19% of off-label/unsupported use (1% of total use). Conclusions: Off-label use without scientific support was not common, whereas 64% of use was off-label/supported, reflecting the fact that widely accepted indications are often not tested in registration trials. Off-label/supported use will likely increase as more drugs are expected to have activity across cancer sites, and therefore understanding the implications of such use is critical.



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Bringing Biosimilars to the Clinic: What's the Fuss?



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Re: "Putting an End to It!"



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Are Advanced Radiation Therapy Technologies Required for Treating Patients With Hodgkin Lymphoma?



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Use and Effectiveness of Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Stage III Colon Cancer: A Population-Based Study

Background: International guidelines recommend adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) for patients with stage III colon cancer. Whether efficacy observed in clinical trials translates to effectiveness in routine practice is less well understood. Here we describe use and outcomes of ACT in routine practice. Methods: All cases of colon cancer treated with surgery in Ontario 2002–2008 were identified using the population-based Ontario Cancer Registry. Linked electronic records of treatment identified surgery and ACT use. Pathology reports were obtained for a random 25% sample of all cases; patients with stage III disease were included in the study population. Modified Poisson regression was used to evaluate factors associated with ACT. Cox proportional hazards model and propensity score analysis were used to explore the association between ACT and cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). Results: The study population included 2,801 patients with stage III colon cancer; 66% (n=1,861) received ACT. ACT use rates varied substantially across age groups; 90% among patients aged 20 to 49 years versus 68% among those aged 70 to 79 years (P<.001). ACT use was inversely associated with comorbidity (P<.001) and socioeconomic status (P=.049). In adjusted analyses advanced age is associated with inferior CSS and OS. Use of ACT was associated with decreased risk of death from cancer (hazard ratio [HR], 0.63; 95% CI, 0.54–0.73) and decreased risk of death from any cause (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.55–0.71). This result was consistent in the propensity score analysis. Conclusions: One-third of patients with stage III colon cancer in the general population do not receive ACT. Use of ACT in routine practice is associated with a substantial improvement in CSS and OS.



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A Distributed Network for Intensive Longitudinal Monitoring in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Accelerating cancer research is expected to require new types of clinical trials. This report describes the Intensive Trial of OMics in Cancer (ITOMIC) and a participant with triple-negative breast cancer metastatic to bone, who had markedly elevated circulating tumor cells (CTCs) that were monitored 48 times over 9 months. A total of 32 researchers from 14 institutions were engaged in the patient's evaluation; 20 researchers had no prior involvement in patient care and 18 were recruited specifically for this patient. Whole-exome sequencing of 3 bone marrow samples demonstrated a novel ROS1 variant that was estimated to be present in most or all tumor cells. After an initial response to cisplatin, a hypothesis of crizotinib sensitivity was disproven. Leukapheresis followed by partial CTC enrichment allowed for the development of a differential high-throughput drug screen and demonstrated sensitivity to investigational BH3-mimetic inhibitors of BCL-2 that could not be tested in the patient because requests to the pharmaceutical sponsors were denied. The number and size of CTC clusters correlated with clinical status and eventually death. Focusing the expertise of a distributed network of investigators on an intensively monitored patient with cancer can generate high-resolution views of the natural history of cancer and suggest new opportunities for therapy. Optimization requires access to investigational drugs.



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Agreement in Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression

Background: Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) is a devastating medical emergency. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of the 6-point ESCC scoring system and the identification of the spinal level presenting ESCC. Methods: Clinical data and imaging from 90 patients with biopsy-proven spinal metastases were provided to 83 specialists from 44 hospitals. The spinal levels presenting metastases and the ESCC scores for each case were calculated twice by each clinician, with a minimum of 6 weeks' interval. Clinicians were blinded to assessments made by other specialists and their own previous assessment. Fleiss kappa () statistic was used to assess intraobserver and interobserver agreement. Subgroup analyses were performed according to clinicians' specialty (medical oncology, neurosurgery, radiology, orthopedic surgery, and radiation oncology), years of experience, and type of hospital. Results: Intraobserver and interobserver agreement on the location of ESCC was substantial (>0.61). Intraobserver agreement on the ESCC score was "excellent" (=0.82), whereas interobserver agreement was substantial (=0.64). Overall agreement with the tumor board classification was substantial (=0.71). Results were similar across specialties, years of experience and hospital category. Conclusions: The ESCC score can help improve communication among clinicians involved in oncology care.



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Prostate Cancer, Version 1.2016

The NCCN Guidelines for Prostate Cancer address staging and risk assessment after an initial diagnosis of prostate cancer and management options for localized, regional, and metastatic disease. Recommendations for disease monitoring, treatment of recurrent disease, and systemic therapy for metastatic castration-recurrent prostate cancer also are included. This article summarizes the NCCN Prostate Cancer Panel's most significant discussions for the 2016 update of the guidelines, which include refinement of risk stratification methods and new options for the treatment of men with high-risk and very-high-risk disease and progressive castration-naïve disease.



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Enhancing Value for Patients With Cancer: Time to Treatment as a Surrogate for Integrated Cancer Care



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Association of well-characterized lung cancer lncRNA polymorphisms with lung cancer susceptibility and platinum-based chemotherapy response

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in carcinogenesis and drug efficacy. Platinum-based chemotherapy is first-line treatment for lung cancer chemotherapy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of well-characterized lung cancer lncRNA genetic polymorphisms with the lung cancer susceptibility and platinum-based chemotherapy response. A total of 498 lung cancer patients and 213 healthy controls were recruited in the study. Among them, 467 patients received at least two cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy. Thirteen polymorphisms in HOXA distal transcript antisense RNA (HOTTIP), HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR), H19, CDKN2B antisense RNA 1 (ANRIL), colon cancer-associated transcript 2 (CCAT2), metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), and maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) genes were genotyped by allele-specific MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. We found that patients with HOTTIP rs5883064 C allele or rs1859168 A allele had increased lung cancer risk (P = 0.01, P = 0.01, respectively). CCAT2 rs6983267 (P = 0.02, adenocarcinoma) and H19 rs2107425 (P = 0.02, age under 50 years) showed strong relationship with lung cancer susceptibility. CCAT2 rs6983267, H19 rs2839698, MALAT1 rs619586, and HOTAIR rs7958904 were associated with platinum-based chemotherapy response in dominant model ((P = 0.02, P = 0.04, P = 0.04, P = 0.01, respectively). ANRIL rs10120688 (P = 0.02, adenocarcinoma) and rs1333049 (P = 0.04, small-cell lung cancer), H19 rs2107425 (P = 0.02, small-cell lung cancer) and HOTAIR rs1899663 (P = 0.03, male; P = 0.03, smoker) were associated with response to platinum-based chemotherapy. HOTTIP, CCAT2, H19, HOTAIR, MALATI, ANRIL genetic polymorphisms were significantly associated with lung cancer susceptibility or platinum-based chemotherapy response. They may be potential clinical biomarkers to predict lung cancer risk and platinum-based chemotherapy response.



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Overexpression of ABCC3 promotes cell proliferation, drug resistance, and aerobic glycolysis and is associated with poor prognosis in urinary bladder cancer patients

Abstract

Human urinary bladder cancer (UBC) is the one of the most common malignancies worldwide and occurs at a higher frequency in male individuals. ATP-binding cassette, subfamily C, member 3 (ABCC3), a member of the ABC transporter family, is highly expressed in tumor cells, where it actively effluxes a broad spectrum of metabolites. However, the expression and role of ABCC3 in human UBC remains unclear. Our study aimed to identify the expression status of ABCC3 in UBC cases and investigate the biological effects on UBC in cells. We found that both mRNA and protein levels of ABCC3 were significantly higher in UBC tissues than normal tissues. Immunochemistry evaluation of ABCC3 expression in 122 UBC clinical specimens showed that high expression of ABCC3 had a positive correlation with UBC tumor size, advanced tumor node metastasis stage, and malignant histology. Moreover, high ABCC3 expression was linked to poor overall survival in UBC. ABCC3 effects on cell proliferation and drug resistance were measured by colony formation and methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. ABCC3-knockdown cells showed a significant decrease in cell growth and drug resistance. RNA interference of ABCC3 also caused downregulation of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), which positively correlated with ABCC3 expression in UBC specimens. In addition, cancer cell glycolytic ability was decreased upon ABCC3 knockdown. The activity of LDHA was also abrogated in ABCC3-deficient UBC cells, and the blockade of LDHA increased UBC cells sensitivity to Cis-diamine dichloroplatinum (CDDP). In summary, our study suggests ABCC3 is an important oncoprotein involved in glycolysis and drug resistance. These data also indicates that ABCC3 could be a potential prognostic marker and promising therapeutic target in UBC.



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Relationship of body mass index with BRAF V600E mutation in papillary thyroid cancer

Abstract

Current evidences suggest an influence of overweight body mass index (BMI) on the carcinogenesis in malignancies. However, the role of BMI is unclear in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between BMI and BRAF V600E mutation status in PTC. BRAF V600E mutation in 108 patients with PTC was analyzed by Sanger sequencing. The cutoff point of BMI was identified by X-tile for predicting mutation by overweight. Odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) of BRAF V600E mutation according to BMI and clinicopathologic variables were calculated using logistic regression models. Fifty-one patients were positive for BRAF V600E mutation. A positive relationship existed between BRAF V600E mutation and BMI (p = 0.039). A 24.3 kg/m2 was identified as cutoff point for differentiating greater than 52.0 % observed probability of mutation for BRAF V600E in entire cohort, which was similar to the midpoint between the upper limit of normal BMI and overweight defined by WHO (≥24 kg/m2). Multivariate analysis confirmed the association between BRAF V600E mutation with overweight BMI range (OR 7.645, 95 % CI 1.275–45.831, p = 0.026). This study suggests an influence of overweight BMI on the status of BRAF V600E in patients with PTC, whereas the underlying mechanism need to be further investigated.



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miR-204 regulates the EMT by targeting snai1 to suppress the invasion and migration of gastric cancer

Abstract

miR-204 was found to be downregulated in gastric cancer (GC) tissues, and the effect of miR-204 function on gastric cancer remains as a mystery. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the potential role of miR-204 involved in GC progression. Tissues collected from 60 gastric cancer patients were selected as the case group, while the matched normal paracancer tissues as controls. miR-204 expression levels in tissues and GC cells were detected using real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Luciferase assay was adopted to validate the interaction between potential gene targets and miR-204. Transwell assay was performed to evaluate the metastasis of GC cells. By building the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) model in vitro through the addition of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), expressions of miR-204 and snai1 in the EMT model together with their respective effects on EMT were evaluated. miR-204 was significantly downregulated in GC tissues and invasive GC cells (P < 0.05). The over-expression of miR-204 or downregulation of snai1 could significantly inhibit the metastasis and invasion of GC cells both in vitro and in vivo. The upregulated miR-204 expression or inhibited snai1 expression could suppress the EMT process in EMT in vitro models. Our study provided evidence that miR-204 may suppress the metastasis and invasion of GC cells through the regulation of the EMT process by targeting snai1.



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ABCE1 plays an essential role in lung cancer progression and metastasis

Abstract

ATP-binding cassette E1 (ABCE1) is a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporters and regulates a broad range of biological functions including viral infection, cell proliferation, and anti-apoptosis. We have previously shown that ABCE1 is a prognostic indicator for lung cancer, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate whether the ABCE1 gene contributes to the malignancy of lung tumors, we introduced ABCE1 into LTEP-a-2 lung adenocarcinoma cells. Ectopic ABCE1 expression promoted clonogenicity and anchorage-independent growth of LTEP-a-2 cells, while in a mouse xenograft tumor model, it had an augmentative effect on tumor growth and metastasis and reduced the expression of the tumor-suppressor gene growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible 45α (GADD45α). Moreover, apoptosis was not significantly influenced by ABCE1 in vitro. In summary, we have provided evidence that ABCE1 plays an essential role in the progression and metastasis of lung cancers and may represent a valuable therapeutic target for the management of lung tumor.



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Genetic variants in EBV reactivation-related genes and the risk and survival of breast cancer

Abstract

Tumor susceptibility gene 101 (TSG101) and activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) have been suggested to involve in the reactivation of EBV which has implications in the development and progression of breast cancer. Therefore, the polymorphisms of TSG101 and ATF2 may associate with breast cancer risk and prognosis. A case-control study with 1551 breast cancer cases and 1605 age-matched controls were conducted in Guangzhou, China. We have also successfully followed up 1168 cases until December 31, 2014. The variant allele of TSG101 rs2292179 was associated with a non-significant reduced risk of breast cancer, particularly among women with BMI < 24 (kg/m2) (P for interaction <0.05). For ATF2 rs3845744, the variant allele was also associated with a significantly reduced breast cancer risk [odds ratio (OR) (95 % confidence interval (CI)) 0.86 (0.74∼1.00)], and the association occurred among only postmenopausal women [OR (95 % CI) 0.69 (0.54∼0.88)] (P for interaction <0.05). Breast cancer risk was further reduced with the increasing numbers of the variant G alleles of the two polymorphisms (P for trend <0.05). We did not find an overall association of the two loci with breast cancer prognosis, while the hazard ratios of the two loci (AG/GG vs. AA) were significantly higher among postmenopausal women than premenopausal women (P = 0.046, 0.016 for TSG101 rs2292179 and ATF2 rs3845744, respectively). In summary, the variant alleles of TSG101 rs2292179 and ATF2 rs3845744 were associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer, particularly for subjects with BMI <24 (kg/m2) and postmenopausal women, respectively. The two SNPs and menopausal status may have a significant interaction on breast cancer progression.



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A novel and selective inhibitor of PKC ζ potently inhibits human breast cancer metastasis in vitro and in mice

Abstract

Cell motility and chemotaxis play pivotal roles in the process of tumor development and metastasis. Protein kinase C ζ (PKC ζ) mediates epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated chemotactic signaling pathway through regulating cytoskeleton rearrangement and cell adhesion. The purpose of this study was to develop anti-PKC ζ therapeutics for breast cancer metastasis. In this study, a novel and high-efficient PKC ζ inhibitor named PKCZI195.17 was screened out through a substrate-specific strategy. MTT assay was used to determine the cell viability of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-435, and MCF-7 cells while under PKCZI195.17 treatment. Wound-healing, chemotaxis, and Matrigel invasion assays were performed to detect the effects of PKCZI195.17 on breast cancer cells migration and invasion. Adhesion, actin polymerization, and Western blotting were performed to detect the effects of PKCZI195.17 on cells adhesion and actin polymerization, and explore the downsteam signaling mechanisms involved in PKC ζ inhibition. MDA-MB-231 xenograft was used to measure the in vivo anti-metastasis efficacy of PKCZI195.17. The compound PKCZI195.17 selectively inhibited PKC ζ kinase activity since it failed to inhibit PKC α, PKC β, PKC δ, PKC η, AKT2, as well as FGFR2 activity. PKCZI195.17 significantly impaired spontaneous migration, chemotaxis, and invasion of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-435, and MCF-7 cells, while PKCZI195.17 did not obviously inhibited cells viability. PKCZI195.17 also inhibited cells adhesion and actin polymerization through attenuating the phosphorylations of integrin β1, LIMK, and cofilin, which might be the downstream effectors of PKC ζ-mediated chemotaxis in MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, PKCZI195.17 suppressed the breast cancer metastasis and increased the survival time of breast tumor-bearing mice. In summary, PKCZI195.17 was a PKC ζ-specific inhibitor which dampened cancer cell migration and metastasis and may serve as a novel therapeutic drug for breast cancer metastasis.



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Downregulation of CD73 in 4T1 breast cancer cells through siRNA-loaded chitosan-lactate nanoparticles

Abstract

The immunosuppressive factors in tumor microenvironment enhance tumor growth and suppress anti-tumor immune responses. Adenosine is an important immunosuppressive factor which can be secreted by both tumor and immune cells trough action of two cell surface ecto-nucleotidase molecules CD39 and CD73. Blocking the adenosine generating molecules has emerged as an effective immunotherapeutic approach for treatment of cancer. In this study, CD73-siRNA encapsulated into chitosan-lactate (ChLa) nanoparticles (NPs) was employed to suppress the expression of CD73 molecule on 4T1 breast tumor cells, in vitro. ChLa NPs were generated through ionic gelation of ChLa by tripolyphosphate (TPP). Small interfering RNA (SiRNA)-loaded NPs had about 100 nm size with a polydispersive index below 0.3 and a zeta potential about 13. Our results showed that ChLa NPs with Ch 50 kDa exhibit the best physicochemical features with the high siRNA encapsulation capacity. Synthesized NPs were able to fully bind with siRNA, protect them against serum and heparin degradation, and promote the transfection process. While the NPs exhibited low toxicity during 72 h cell culture, the transfection of Ch-plasmid expressing green fluorescent protein (pEGFP) NPs was efficient in 4T1 cells with a transfection rate of 53.6 % as detected by flow cytometry. In addition, CD73-siRNA-loaded ChLa NPs could efficiently suppress the expression of CD73 as assayed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry. As a conclusion, CD73-siRNA-loaded ChLa NPs may be considered as a promising therapeutic tool for cancer therapy; however, further in vivo investigations are necessary.



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Human epididymis protein 4 expression positively correlated with miR-21 and served as a prognostic indicator in ovarian cancer

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is the most common cause of gynecological malignancy-related mortality. Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is a useful biomarker for ovarian cancer when either used alone or in combination with carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125). What is more, aberrant expression of microRNA-21 (miR-21) has been shown to be involved in oncogenesis, but the relationship between miR-21 and HE4 in ovarian cancer is not clear. Tumor and adjacent tumor tissues from 43 patients with ovarian cancer were examined. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of HE4 in the carcinoma and adjacent tissues. The associations between HE4 and tumor biological characters were discussed. TaqMan® MicroRNA (miRNA) assays were employed to detect the expression of miR-21 in the ovarian carcinoma. In ovarian cancer, the expression of HE4 messenger RNA (mRNA) in cancer tissues was higher than adjacent tumor tissues (P < 0.0001), which was 1.299-fold of adjacent tumor tissues. And, the expression of miR-21 was also up-regulated which was significantly different in the ovarian cancer (the positive rate was 76.74 %). There was a significantly positive correlation between miR-21 and HE4 expression (r = 0.283 and P = 0.066 for HE4 mRNA, r = 0.663 and P < 0.0001 for serum HE4). There was also a significant correlation between miR-21 and tumor grade (r = 0.608, P < 0.0001). Significantly, patients with recent recurrence (less than 6 months, n = 17) have a higher miR-21 expression than those with no recent recurrence. Therefore, HE4 and miR-21 may play an important role in the development and progression of ovarian cancer and they may serve as prognostic indicators in ovarian cancer.



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Deficiencies in the Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia During Childhood

Limited high-quality evidence supports the management of iron deficiency anemia (IDA). To assess our institutional performance in this area, we retrospectively reviewed IDA treatment practices in 195 consecutive children referred to our center from 2006 to mid-2010. The majority of children were ≤4 years old (64%) and had nutritional IDA (74%). In 11- to 18-year-old patients (31%), the primary etiology was menorrhagia (42%). Many were referred directly to the emergency department and/or prescribed iron doses outside the recommended range. Poor medication adherence and being lost-to-follow-up were common. Substantial improvements are required in the management of IDA.



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Successful Treatment of Genetically Profiled Pediatric Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma Targeting Oncogenic STAT3 Mutation

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Extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL) is a distinct type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma predominantly observed in Asian and Latin American adult males. A 12-year-old Hispanic female diagnosed with ENKTCL was enrolled in our genomic profiling research protocol. We identified specific somatic alterations consistent with diagnosis of ENKTCL as well as oncogenic mutations in MAP2K1 and STAT3. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an immunophenotypically confirmed and genetically profiled case of ENKTCL in a female pediatric patient in the United States, including its unique treatment and favorable outcome.



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Two Novel Missense Mutations and a 5bp Deletion in the Erythroid-Specific Promoter of the PKLR Gene in Two Unrelated Patients With Pyruvate Kinase Deficient Transfusion-Dependent Chronic Nonspherocytic Hemolytic Anemia

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We report two children with severe chronic hemolytic anemia, the cause of which was difficult to establish because of transfusion dependency. Reduced erythrocyte pyruvate kinase activity in their asymptomatic parents provided the diagnostic clues for mutation screening of the PKLR gene and revealed that one child was a compound heterozygote of a novel paternally derived 5-bp deletion in the promoter region (c.-88_-84delTCTCT) and a maternally derived missense mutation in exon nine (c.1174G>A; p.Ala392Thr). The second child was a compound heterozygote of two novel missense mutations, namely a paternally derived exon ten c.1381G>A (p.Glu461Lys) and a maternally derived exon seven c.907-908delCC (p.Pro303GlyfsX12) variant.



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T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Minimal Residual Disease, and Lymphocyte Recovery



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Rare Pediatric Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas: A Report From Children's Oncology Group Study ANHL 04B1

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Background

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a relatively common malignancy in pediatric patients; however, a small subgroup have unusual lymphoma subtypes for the pediatric population.

Procedure

The Children's Oncology Group Rare and Cutaneous NHL registry's (protocol ANHL 04B1) main objectives were to determine the pathologic, biologic, and clinical features of rare and cutaneous pediatric NHL and establish a bank of centrally reviewed tissue specimens. We report the clinical data, treatment data, and outcome for rare pediatric NHL.

Results

In 101 lymphomas, there is a 97.8% concordance between the reviewing study pathologists and an 87.6% concordance between the central and institutional pathology review. Samples in the specimen bank include primary tumor tissue that is snap frozen, in paraffin blocks, or H&E-stained and unstained paraffin slides as well as blood, serum, and bone marrow. This descriptive analysis shows that children with pediatric follicular lymphoma, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, nodal marginal zone lymphoma, primary cutaneous, primary central nervous system lymphoma, and subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphomas have 100% survival at a median of 2 years from enrollment. There are early deaths, mostly from progressive disease, in subjects with peripheral T-cell (not otherwise specified), NKT, and hepatosplenic T-cell lymphomas.

Conclusions

This registry provides high-quality biologic specimens with clinical data to investigators working on the biology of these unusual pediatric diseases.



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Occipital lymph node metastasis from nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a special case report and literature review

Abstract

Cervical lymph node metastasis is common in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but occipital lymph node metastasis in NPC patients has not yet been reported. In this case report, we describe an NPC patient with occipital lymph node metastasis. The clinical presentation, diagnostic procedure, treatment, and outcome of this case were presented, with a review of the related literature.



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Gene expression test for the non-invasive diagnosis of bladder cancer: A prospective, blinded, international and multicenter validation study

Publication date: February 2016
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 54
Author(s): Maria J. Ribal, Lourdes Mengual, Juan J. Lozano, Mercedes Ingelmo-Torres, Joan Palou, Oscar Rodríguez-Faba, Johannes A. Witjes, Antoine G. Van der Heijden, Rafael Medina, Jose M. Conde, Michael Marberger, Joerg Schmidbauer, Pedro L. Fernández, Antonio Alcaraz
ObjectiveThis study aimed to validate, in a prospective, blinded, international and multicenter cohort, our previously reported four non-invasive tests for bladder cancer (BC) diagnosis based on the gene expression patterns of urine.MethodsConsecutive voided urine samples from BC patients and controls were prospectively collected in five European centres (n=789). Finally, 525 samples were successfully analysed. Gene expression values were quantified using TaqMan Arrays and previously reported diagnostic algorithms were applied to gene expression data. Results from the most accurate gene signature for BC diagnosis were associated with clinical parameters using analysis of variance test.ResultsHigh diagnostic accuracy for the four gene signatures was found in the independent validation set (area under curve [AUC]=0.903–0.918), with the signature composed of two genes (GS_D2) having the best performance (sensitivity: 81.48%; specificity: 91.26%; AUC: 0.918). The diagnostic accuracy of GS_D2 was not affected by the number of tumours (p=0.58) but was statistically associated with tumour size (p=0.008). Also, GS_D2 diagnostic accuracy increases with increasing BC tumour risk. We found no differences in the performance of the GS_D2 test among the populations and centres in detecting tumours (p=0.7) and controls (p=0.2).ConclusionsOur GS_D2 test is non-invasive, non-observer dependent and non-labour-intensive, and has demonstrated diagnostic accuracy in an independent, international and multicenter study, equal or superior to the current gold standard (cystoscopy combined with cytology). Additionally, it has higher sensitivity than cytology while maintaining its specificity. Consequently, it meets the requirements for consideration as a molecular test applicable to clinical practice in the management of BC.



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