Cetuximab Resistance in Head and Neck Cancer Is Mediated by EGFR-K Polymorphism.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) exhibiting resistance to the EGFR-targeting drug cetuximab poses a challenge to their effective clinical management. Here, we report a specific mechanism of resistance in this setting based upon the presence of a single nucleotide polymorphism encoding EGFR-K (K-allele), which is expressed in >40% of HNSCC cases. Patients expressing the K-allele showed significantly shorter progression-free survival upon palliative treatment with cetuximab plus chemotherapy or radiation.

Matching geometry and stimulation parameters of electrodes for deep brain stimulation experiments--numerical considerations.

Deep brain stimulation, the electric stimulation of basal ganglia nuclei, is a treatment for movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease. The underlying mechanisms are studied in animals, e.g.

Choosing electrodes for deep brain stimulation experiments--electrochemical considerations.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a therapy of movement disorders including Parkinson's disease (PD). Commercially available electrodes for animal models of Parkinson's disease vary in geometry and material. We characterized such electrodes and found a drift in their properties within minutes and up to about 60 h after immersion in cell culture medium, both with and without a stimulation signal.