Complete metabolic remission with Gefitinib in a hemodialysis patient with bone metastases from non-small cell lung cancer.

Gefitinib is highly active in patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring activating mutation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene. The feasibility and the degree of response to treatment with gefitinib in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) undergoing hemodialysis has not yet been fully described in literature. We describe the case of a 70-year-old man with CRF undergoing hemodialysis three times-a-week who developed vertebral and rib bone metastasis three years after lobectomy.

What can we learn from a statistically inconclusive trial? Consensus conference on the EVOLVE study results.

The link between serum parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and cardiovascular (CVS) mortality has not been fully elucidated. The EVOLVE Study was designed to test whether a drug such as cinacalcet, aimed at lowering iPTH, could reduce the astonishingly high cardiovascular risk in patients on maintenance dialysis (CKD-5D). Accordingly, the primary outcome of the study was the combined endpoint of time to death or hospitalization due to CVS factors or from any cause.

Epidemiological and ethical aspects of multiplex autoantibody testing.

Arrays are one of the technologies able to detect autoantibodies by measuring simultaneously many thousands of markers from a unique biological sample. The main purpose of a diagnostic test is making an early and accurate diagnosis. From a statistical point of view, multiple testing increases the probability of false positive and false negative results.

Physical activity and bone mineral density in Italian middle-aged women.

Osteoporosis is a major health issue in post-menopausal women on account of the association between low bone mineral density and fractures. A role of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of low bone mineral density is possible but still unclear. The relationship between low spine bone mineral density measured by means of dual photon absorptiometry at lumbar spines, and levels of past and recent physical activity has been assessed by means of a population-based screening study carried out on 1373 women (age 40-64 years) in the North-East of Italy.

Menopause, menstrual and reproductive history, and bone density in northern Italy.

Study Objective: To analyse the relationship between menstrual and reproductive factors and the risk of low bone mineral density (BMD).

Design: This was a population based screening programme carried out between 1991 and 1993 among 1373 perimenopausal women in northern Italy by means of dual photon absorptiometry at the lumbar spine.

Main Results: BMD was strongly related to the age at menopause.