pFAK-Y397 overexpression as both a prognostic and a predictive biomarker for patients with metastatic osteosarcoma.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is important for tumor cell survival and metastasis in various cancers. However, its expression and prognostic value in patients with metastatic osteosarcoma remain unknown. We investigated the expression of FAK and its phosphorylated form (pFAK-Y397) in osteosarcoma tissues from 53 patients by immunohistochemistry and evaluated their correlations with clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes.

PTEN Expression as a Predictor of Response to Focal Adhesion Kinase Inhibition in Uterine Cancer.

PTEN is known to be frequently mutated in uterine cancer and also dephosphorylates FAK. Here, we examined the impact of PTEN alterations on the response to treatment with a FAK inhibitor (GSK2256098). In vitro and in vivo therapeutic experiments were carried out using PTEN-mutated and PTEN-wild-type models of uterine cancer alone and in combination with chemotherapy.

Age and survival of cervical cancer patients with bone metastasis.

Background: To determine survival times of cervical cancer patients with bone metastasis related to the effect of age at the time of cervical cancer diagnosis, we performed the retrospectively analytical study.

Methods: A total of 68 cervical cancer patients with bone metastasis were treated at a single hospital, during January 1998 to December 2010. Fifty-two medical records were identified and collected, the remaining sixteen medical records were not found.

Focal adhesion kinase: an alternative focus for anti-angiogenesis therapy in ovarian cancer.

This investigation describes the clinical significance of phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) at the major activating tyrosine site (Y397) in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells and tumor-associated endothelial cells. FAK gene amplification as a mechanism for FAK overexpression and the effects of FAK tyrosine kinase inhibitor VS-6062 on tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis were examined. FAK and phospho-FAK(Y397) were quantified in tumor (FAK-T; pFAK-T) and tumor-associated endothelial (FAK-endo; pFAK-endo) cell compartments of EOCs using immunostaining and qRT-PCR.

Biologic effects of platelet-derived growth factor receptor α blockade in uterine cancer.

Purpose: Platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα) expression is frequently observed in many kinds of cancer and is a candidate for therapeutic targeting. This preclinical study evaluated the biologic significance of PDGFRα and PDGFRα blockade (using a fully humanized monoclonal antibody, 3G3) in uterine cancer.

Experimental Design: Expression of PDGFRα was examined in uterine cancer clinical samples and cell lines, and biologic effects of PDGFRα inhibition were evaluated using in vitro (cell viability, apoptosis, and invasion) and in vivo (orthotopic) models of uterine cancer.

Molecular therapy as a future strategy in endometrial cancer.

Of all gynecologic cancers, endometrial cancer is the most common cancer in the US and Europe. In addition, it is presently the second most common gynecologic cancer in the world. As a result of increasing menopausal, obese and tamoxifen use women, the incidence of the cancer seems to be on the increase.

Targeted endometrial cancer therapy as a future prospect.

Among female-specific cancers worldwide, endometrial cancer is the third most common after breast cancer and cervical cancer. In addition, it is the most common gynecological cancer in the USA and Europe. The incidence of this disease appears to be increasing.

Metronomic activity of CD44-targeted hyaluronic acid-paclitaxel in ovarian carcinoma.

Purpose: Most primary human ovarian tumors and peritoneal implants, as well as tumor vascular endothelial cells, express the CD44 family of cell surface proteoglycans, the natural ligand for which is hyaluronic acid. Metronomic dosing, the frequent administration of chemotherapeutics at substantially lower than maximum tolerated doses (MTD), has been shown to result in reduced normal tissue toxicity and to minimize "off-treatment" exposure resulting in an improved therapeutic ratio.

Experimental Design: We tested the hypothesis that hyaluronic acid (HA) conjugates of paclitaxel (TXL; HA-TXL) would exert strong antitumor effects with metronomic (MET) dosing and induce antiangiogenic effects superior to those achieved with MTD administration or with free TXL.

Moving beyond VEGF for anti-angiogenesis strategies in gynecologic cancer.

Gynecologic cancer is a major burden in both developed and developing countries. Almost a half million deaths from gynecologic cancer are reported each year. Understanding the molecular biology of cancer is a principle resource leading to the identification of new potential therapeutic targets, which may be parlayed into novel therapeutic options in gynecologic cancer.

Knowledge of Pap smear, HPV and the HPV vaccine and the acceptability of the HPV vaccine by Thai women.

Aims: The primary prevention for cervical cancer, a human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine, has been available in Thailand for almost 3 years. The present study evaluates knowledge about the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear, HPV and the HPV vaccine and focuses on identifying predictors for the acceptability of the HPV vaccine.

Methods: A sample of 764 women attending the gynecology clinic at Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, was asked to answer a questionnaire on their personal background, their knowledge of the Pap smear and HPV and the HPV vaccine and the acceptability of the HPV vaccine for themselves and their daughters.

Targeted delivery of small interfering RNA using reconstituted high-density lipoprotein nanoparticles.

RNA interference holds tremendous potential as a therapeutic approach, especially in the treatment of malignant tumors. However, efficient and biocompatible delivery methods are needed for systemic delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA). To maintain a high level of growth, tumor cells scavenge high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles by overexpressing its receptor: scavenger receptor type B1 (SR-B1).

Comparison of outcomes for patients with cervical cancer who developed bone metastasis after the primary treatment with concurrent chemoradiation versus radiation therapy alone.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to retrospectively compare outcomes for patients with cervical cancer who developed bone metastasis later after the primary treatment at the time of diagnosis of cervical cancer with concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) to radiation therapy alone (RT).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the patients with cervical cancer during the period from January 1998 to December 2007. Of these, 11 patients who received CCRT and 24 patients who received RT went on to develop bone metastasis.

Female hospital-based healthcare professionals' knowledge of cervical cancer, HPV and attitudes towards HPV vaccination.

Objective: To find out female hospital-based healthcare professionals' knowledge of cervical cancer, HPV and attitudes towards HPV vaccination.

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study.

Setting: Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Bone metastasis in cervical cancer patients over a 10-year period.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the major cancer burden in developing countries. Bone is the third most common site of distant metastasis after the lungs and liver. Therefore, the aims of this study were to find the incidence and clinical characteristics of bone metastasis in our hospital.

Can vaginal misoprostol effectively increase rate of a satisfactory colposcopy? A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of vaginal misoprostol in overcoming an unsatisfactory colposcopy in the patients who had abnormal cervical cytology and to evaluate side effects of vaginal misoprostol.

Methods: Sixty patients with an unsatisfactory colposcopy during the period of September 2007-November 2008 were recruited and randomly allocated to receive either two tablets of 200 microg misoprostol (400 microg) or two tablets of similar-looking placebo vaginally. Colposcopic re-examination was performed approximately 6 h later.