Publications by authors named "Courtney Carmichael"

Preclinical studies have suggested that VEGFR1-positive cells potentially foster the development of metastases by establishing a "premetastatic niche." We sought to test this hypothesis in high-risk localized prostate cancer and assess potential niche modulation by the VEGFR1-targeting drug axitinib. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue derived from benign lymph nodes was collected and VEGFR1-positive cell clustering was assessed in benign lymph nodes via IHC.

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Purpose: Diarrhea occurs in approximately half of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) receiving vascular endothelial growth factor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGF-TKI). We evaluated the relationship between VEGF-TKI-related diarrhea and stool microbiota.

Experimental Design: Stool samples were collected from 20 mRCC patients receiving VEGF-TKIs.

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Background: In this study, we aimed to determine the feasibility of identifying CTCs in patients with HRLPC, using a modified isolation procedure using the CellSearch (Veridex) platform, and to assess the expression of stem cell and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers on the CTCs.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-five patients with HRLPC who had chosen prostatectomy for definitive management were prospectively identified. After obtaining consent, four 30-mL blood draws were performed, 2 before surgery and 2 after surgery.

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Purpose: Pazopanib has been assessed primarily in cytokine refractory or treatment naïve patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Outcomes have been associated with a specific immunological profile. However, pazopanib activity in the third line setting and temporal changes in the immunological profile during therapy are poorly understood.

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Objectives: Clinical outcomes in older adults with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) are poorly understood, particularly in the era of targeted therapies. We characterize survival and relevant treatment-related variables in a modern series.

Materials And Methods: From an institutional database including 562 patients with RCC, a total of 219 patients with metastatic disease were identified for the current analysis.

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Background: High-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) is a viable and potentially curative approach for patients with relapsed or refractory germ cell tumors (GCTs). However, no comparative data exist to define the optimal chemotherapeutic strategy, and little is known about the quality of life (QOL) of long-term survivors. Herein we attempt to characterize the QOL in long-term survivors who received high-dose paclitaxel, etoposide, carboplatin, and ifosfamide (TECTIC).

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Background: An emerging literature describes the potential for long-term survival with targeted agents, but the health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) in patients who receive chronic therapy with these agents is poorly defined.

Methods: From an institutional database including 562 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), patients were identified who (1) were alive 3 years beyond initiation of systemic therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) and (2) received a targeted therapy as a component of their treatment. European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 36 (QLQ-C30) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Kidney Symptom Index (FKSI-15) questionnaires were administered by telephone survey.

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The landscape of treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) continues to evolve. Although several new drugs have been approved for the treatment of this disease in recent years, mRCC remains incurable. Thus, the search continues for new effective therapies.

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Objectives: Sarcomatoid metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) represents an aggressive subset of disease, and a definitive therapeutic strategy is lacking. We seek to define outcomes associated with systemic therapy (including immunotherapy, cytotoxic therapy, and targeted agents) for sarcomatoid mRCC, with attention to novel prognostic schema.

Materials And Methods: From an institutional database including 270 patients with mRCC, we identified 34 patients with documented sarcomatoid features.

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With six agents approved for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) within the past 5 years, there has undoubtedly been progress in treating this disease. However, the goal of cure remains elusive, and the agents nearest approval (i.e.

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Within the past two years, three agents have garnered approval from the US FDA for the specific treatment of metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) - (1) abiraterone, (2) cabazitaxel and (3) sipuleucel-T. In separate phase III studies, each agent led to an improvement in overall survival (OS) of 2-4 months over a suitable comparator. With these costly therapies all having potential application in the patient with mCRPC, multiple entities (industry, government, and the general public) must strategize to determine how the cost burden of these agents can be balanced with the potential gains for the individual patient.

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