Regression of a glioblastoma multiforme: spontaneous versus a potential antineoplastic effect of dexamethasone and levetiracetam.

Patients with grade IV astrocytoma or glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) have a median survival of <12 months, increased to 14.6 months by maximal safe resection with radiation and temozolamide. In the absence of chemotherapy, radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, spontaneous regression of GBM or regression while only being on dexamethasone (DEX) and levetiracetam (LEV) have seldom been reported.

Carcinomatous meningitis secondary to transitional cell bladder cancer.

We report a patient with carcinomatous meningitis secondary to known transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. The patient presented with multiple focal neurological signs and symptoms. Diagnosis was suggested by magnetic resonance imaging and confirmed by analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid.

Hyperglycemia-induced thioredoxin-interacting protein expression differs in breast cancer-derived cells and regulates paclitaxel IC50.

Purpose: We studied the hyperglycemia-induced expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) expression and its relevance on the cytotoxic activity of paclitaxel in mammary epithelial-derived cell lines.

Experimental Design: Nontumorigenic cells (MCF10A); tumorigenic, nonmetastatic cells (MCF-7/T47D); and tumorigenic, metastatic cells (MDA-MB-231/MDA-MB-435s) were grown either in 5 or 20 mmol/L glucose chronically. Semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR was used to assess TXNIP RNA expression in response to glucose.

Phase II trial of gemcitabine as first line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic or unresectable soft tissue sarcoma.

Objective: The availability of effective chemotherapy agents or regimens for soft tissue sarcomas (STS) is limited. Response to available first line regimens is generally poor and response to second line regimens is rare. Considering the poor response of STS to available cytotoxic therapy, and the need to adequately evaluate the effectiveness of new agents, first line investigation of promising new agents is justified.