Post-treatment circulating plasma BMP6 mRNA and H3K27 methylation levels discriminate metastatic prostate cancer from localized disease.

Background: We evaluated the utility of post-treatment plasma levels of the circulating bone-morphogenetic protein-6-specific mRNA (cBMP6 mRNA), cell-free DNA (cf-DNA), apoptotic nucleosomes and Histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3), in discriminating metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) from organ confined, locally controlled disease.

Methods: Peripheral blood was taken from the patients at the end of therapy, and quantitative PCR was performed to amplify cBMP6 mRNA or cf-DNA from plasma while apoptotic nucleosomes and H3K27me3 were determined by ELISA-based approaches. Following blinded measurements, the markers were compared between the patients with local (n=22), local advanced (n=11) or metastatic disease (n=28).

MTHFR C677 T gene polymorphism in lymphoproliferative diseases.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), a key enzyme in folate metabolism, has been implicated in cancer risk. In the present study we used a melting curve analysis to investigate the association of the common MTHFR C677 T polymorphism with lymphoproliferative diseases. Patients (n=117) were compared with age- and sex-matched control subjects (n=154).

Ewing's sarcoma of the axial system in patients older than 15 years: dismal prognosis despite intensive multiagent chemotherapy and aggressive local treatment.

Background: Older age and axial location of Ewing's sarcoma have been reported as unfavorable prognostic factors.

Methods: The records of patients older than 15 years with the Ewing's family of tumors were reviewed retrospectively. After the induction chemotherapy consisting of alternating vincristine, adriablastin, cyclophosphamide (VAC) and etoposide, ifosfamide with mesna protection (IE), a local treatment modality was chosen based on tumor and patient characteristics.

Frequent copresence of methylated DNA and fragmented nucleosomal DNA in plasma of lymphoma patients.

Background: The circulating DNA in plasma/serum of cancer patients has been shown to reflect the characteristics of the tumor DNA including molecular changes, such as methylation, point mutations and microsatellite instability. Fragmented nucleosomal DNA in plasma resulting from apoptotic death of the tumor cells may also provide an indication for tumor DNA. In this study, we comparatively analysed plasma DNA methylation and presence of fragmented nucleosomal DNA in patients with lymphoproliferative diseases.

Prognostic factors in localized soft-tissue sarcomas.

The prognostic factors associated with local failure and overall survival and the effect of radiotherapy were determined in 77 patients with localized (extremity and nonextremity) operable soft-tissue sarcoma. There were 52 male and 25 female patients; median age was 50 years (range: 15-83). Histologic grade of the tumors was as follows: low-intermediate grade in 32 cases and high grade in 29 cases.

Prognostic factors and survival in late adolescent and adult patients with small round cell tumors.

The primary objective of this study is to review the clinical characteristics of 25 patients in the adult and late adolescent age group, diagnosed and treated with small round cell tumors involving soft tissues (extraosseous Ewing sarcoma, rhabdo-myosarcoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumor, and undiffer-entiated small round cell tumors). Additionally, survival and prognostic factors influencing the outcome with multimodality treatment are evaluated. There were 19 males (76%) and 6 females (24%).