Mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase-2 (MK2) and its role in cell survival, inflammatory signaling, and migration in promoting cancer.

Cancer and the immune system share an intimate relationship. Chronic inflammation increases the risk of cancer occurrence and can also drive inflammatory mediators into the tumor microenvironment enhancing tumor growth and survival. The p38 MAPK pathway is activated both acutely and chronically by stress, inflammatory chemokines, chronic inflammatory conditions, and cancer.

The Anatomical Biological Value on Pretreatment (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography Predicts Response and Survival in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer.

(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has become increasingly relevant in the staging of head and neck cancers, but its prognostic value is controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate different PET/CT parameters for their ability to predict response to therapy and survival in patients treated for head and neck cancer. A total of 28 consecutive patients with a variety of newly diagnosed head and neck cancers underwent PET/CT scanning at our institution before initiating definitive radiation therapy.

Proton therapy for prostate cancer online: patient education or marketing?

Introduction: Proton therapy (PT) for prostate cancer is an expensive treatment with limited evidence of benefit over conventional radiotherapy. We sought to study whether online information on PT for prostate cancer was balanced and whether the website source influenced the content presented.

Materials And Methods: We applied a systematic search process to identify 270 weblinks associated with PT for prostate cancer, categorized the websites by source, and filtered the results to 50 websites using predetermined criteria.

Routine histopathologic characteristics can predict oncotype DX(TM) recurrence score in subsets of breast cancer patients.

This study assessed whether routine pathologic parameters could predict Oncotype DX(TM) recurrence score (RS) in 72 breast cancers diagnosed from 2008-2012. Comparing patients with low RS (0-17) vs. intermediate RS (18-30) vs.

Comparison study of intensity modulated arc therapy using single or multiple arcs to intensity modulated radiation therapy for high-risk prostate cancer.

Purpose: Intensity modulated arc therapy (IMAT) is a form of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) that delivers dose in single or multiple arcs. We compared IMRT plans versus single-arc field (1ARC) and multi-arc fields (3ARC) IMAT plans in high-risk prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: Sixteen patients were studied.

Case series analysis of post-brachytherapy prostate edema and its relevance to post-implant dosimetry. Post-implant prostate edema and dosimetry.

Purpose: We evaluated the post-operative pattern of prostate volume (PV) changes following prostate brachytherapy (PB) and analyzed variables which affect swelling.

Material And Methods: Twenty-nine patients treated with brachytherapy (14) or combined brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy modality (15) underwent pre- and post-implant computed tomography (CT). Prostate volume measurements were done on post-operative days 1, 9, 30, and 60.

The role of PET/CT in decreasing inter-observer variability in treatment planning and evaluation of response for cervical cancer.

We have previously introduced anatomic biologic contouring (ABC) with PET/CT, using a distinct "halo" to unify contouring methods in treatment planning for lung and head and neck cancers. The objective of this study is to assess the utility of PET/CT in planning and treatment response for cervical cancer. Forty-two patients with stages II-IIIB cervix cancer were planned for irradiation using PET/CT.

Management of acral myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma.

Background: Acral myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma (AMFS) is a rare, low-grade sarcoma that commonly affects the distal extremities. From the published cases, therapy for AMFS to date has been comprised of excision or amputation, with limited use of radiotherapy (RT) or chemotherapy. In this report, the outcome of 17 patients with AMFS treated at the study institution was reported.

Increased risk of high-grade dermatologic toxicities with radiation plus epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor therapy.

Background: The addition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors to radiotherapy has produced increased locoregional control and has reduced mortality from various solid tumors with few additional toxicities. Although anecdotal reports have suggested increased radiation dermatitis, the overall effect of these regimens on dermatologic toxicities has not been ascertained.

Methods: Dermatologic toxicity data were analyzed from abstracts presented at the annual meetings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Cochrane Collaboration, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases.