Multiparameter flow cytometry for the characterisation of extracellular markers on human mesenchymal stem cells.

Extracellular surface proteins are used to identify fully-functional human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in a mixed population. Here, a multiparameter flow cytometry assay was developed to examine the expression of several bone marrow-derived hMSC markers simultaneously at the single cell level. The multiparameter approach demonstrates a depth of analysis that goes far beyond the conventional single or dual staining methods.

Image-Guided Treatment of Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy Patients: A Quantitative Analysis of Pre- and Post-Treatment Orthogonal kV Images of Patients Immobilized with Thermoplastic Masks.

Objectives: To measure setup and intrafraction variability for intracranial targets during treatment of patients immobilized with a Brainlab, Inc. thermoplastic head mask using ExacTrac© imaging on the treatment unit.

Patients And Methods: Between November 2007 and June 2008, 12 patients were treated with cranial fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy for 25-28 fractions.

The prognostic value of hemoglobin in patients with anal cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of hemoglobin level on clinical outcome (local response, progression-free survival, and overall survival) in patients with carcinoma of the anal canal treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients with anal cancer treated between 1992 and 2005 with definitive chemoradiotherapy at Tom Baker Cancer Centre. Patient treatment, laboratory, and outcome data were extracted from the chart.

Preoperative capecitabine and pelvic radiation in locally advanced rectal cancer--is it equivalent to 5-FU infusion plus leucovorin and radiotherapy?

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective case-matching study was to compare the treatment outcomes and acute toxicity of preoperative radiotherapy (RT) with capecitabine vs. preoperative RT with intermittent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) infusion, leucovorin, and mitomycin C in rectal cancer.

Methods And Materials: We matched 34 patients who were treated with preoperative concurrent capecitabine and 50 Gy of RT by their clinical T stage (T3 or T4) and the tumor location (7 cm from the anal verge) with another 68 patients who were treated with preoperative intermittent 5-FU infusion, leucovorin, mitomycin C, and 50 Gy of RT for a comparison of the pathologic tumor response, local control, distant failure, and survival rates.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation increases the risk of pelvic sepsis after radical excision of rectal cancer.

Purpose: This study was designed to examine the effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiation on pelvic sepsis after mesorectal excision for rectal cancer.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for all patients who underwent curative mesorectal excision for rectal cancer during an eight-year period. Demographic, preoperative, perioperative data were collected.

Posttreatment TNM staging is a prognostic indicator of survival and recurrence in tethered or fixed rectal carcinoma after preoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Purpose: To evaluate the prognostic value of the posttreatment TNM stage as a predictor of outcome in locally advanced rectal cancers treated with preoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Methods And Materials: Between 1993 and 2000, 128 patients with tethered (103) or fixed (25) rectal cancers were treated with 50 Gy preoperative pelvic radiotherapy and two cycles of concurrent 5-fluorouracil infusion (20 mg/kg/d) and leucovorin (200 mg/m(2)/d) chemotherapy on Days 1-4 and 22-25 and a single bolus mitomycin C injection (8 mg/m(2)) on Day 1. Of the 128 patients, 111 had Stage T3 and 17 Stage T4 according to the rectal ultrasound or CT findings and clinical evaluation.