Exploratory Analysis of Associations Between Whole Blood Mitochondrial Gene Expression and Cancer-Related Fatigue Among Breast Cancer Survivors.

Background: Cancer-related fatigue is a prevalent, debilitating, and persistent condition. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a putative contributor to cancer-related fatigue, but relationships between mitochondrial function and cancer-related fatigue are not well understood.

Objectives: We investigated the relationships between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene expression and cancer-related fatigue, as well as the effects of fish and soybean oil supplementation on these relationships.

Nutritional Status Predicts Fatty Acid Uptake from Fish and Soybean Oil Supplements for Treatment of Cancer-Related Fatigue: Results from a Phase II Nationwide Study.

Cancer-related fatigue is a prevalent and debilitating condition that persists for years into survivorship. Studies evaluating both fish oil supplementation on fatigue and associations between fish oil consumption and fatigue have shown mixed effects; it is unknown what factors contribute to these differential effects. Herein, we investigate whether the nutritional status of cancer survivors was associated with serum omega-3 concentration or change in serum omega-3s throughout a fish oil supplementation study, and then if any of these factors were associated with fatigue.

Assessment of an Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator for stereotactic radiosurgery with circular cone collimators.

Background: Versa HD linear accelerators (linacs) are used for stereotactic radiosurgery treatment. However, the mechanical accuracy of such systems remains a concern.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of an Elekta Versa HD linac.

Phase I/II study of bevacizumab with BKM120, an oral PI3K inhibitor, in patients with refractory solid tumors (phase I) and relapsed/refractory glioblastoma (phase II).

Background: Current bevacizumab-based regimens have failed to improve survival in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. To improve treatment efficacy, we evaluated bevacizumab + BKM120, an oral pan-class I PI3K inhibitor, in this patient population.

Methods: A brief phase I study established the optimal BKM120 dose to administer with standard-dose bevacizumab.

Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Versus Omega-6 Fatty Acids for the Control of Cancer-Related Fatigue Among Breast Cancer Survivors.

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common side effect of adjuvant therapy and becomes a chronic problem for approximately one-third of survivors. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (O3-PUFA) demonstrated preliminary antifatigue effects in previous research, but have not been investigated in fatigued cancer survivors.

Methods: Breast cancer survivors 4-36 months posttreatment with a CRF score of 4 or more of 10 using the symptom inventory (SI) were randomly assigned to O3-PUFA (fish oil, 6 g/d), omega-6 PUFA (O6-PUFA; soybean oil, 6 g/d), or a low-dose combination of O3-/O6-PUFA (3 g/d O3-PUFA and O6-PUFA) for 6 weeks.

Tailored postoperative treatment of prostate cancer: final results of a phase I/II trial.

Backgroud: The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) trial 22,911 reported 74% 5-year biochemical disease-free survival (bDFS) in patients with prostate carcinoma treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) followed by postoperative radiotherapy (RT). This study aimed to improve these outcomes by using a combined-intensified-modulated-adjuvant treatment, including RT and hormone therapy (HT) after RP.

Materials And Methods: This phase I/II trial treatment was designed to improve 5-year bDFS from ~ 75 to 90%.

Postresection CA19-9 and margin status as predictors of recurrence after adjuvant treatment for pancreatic carcinoma: Analysis of NRG oncology RTOG trial 9704.

Purpose: NRG Oncology RTOG 9704 was the first adjuvant trial to validate the prognostic value of postresection CA19-9 levels for survival in patients with pancreatic carcinoma. The data resulting from this study also provide information about predictors of recurrence that may be used to tailor individualized management in this disease setting. This secondary analysis assessed the prognostic value of postresection CA19-9 and surgical margin status (SMS) in predicting patterns of disease recurrence.

Low-dose radiotherapy and concurrent FOLFIRI-bevacizumab: a Phase II study.

Aims: Low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) can increase biological efficacy of chemotherapy. This Phase II trial evaluates LDRT plus FOLFIRI-bevacizumab (FOLFIRI-B) in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Primary Objective: raising the clinical complete response rate from 5 to 25%.

Unusual Thyroid Carcinoma Metastases: a Case Series and Literature Review.

The most common sites of metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer are the neck lymph nodes, while distant metastases typically involve the lungs, the bones, and less frequently the brain. Uncommon metastatic sites include the liver, adrenal gland, kidney, pancreas, and skin. The epidemiological aspects of thyroid metastases in rare sites are largely unknown and their identification could have a significant impact on patients management.

Results of a phase II study of Short-course Accelerated Radiation Therapy (SHARON) for multiple brain metastases.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of a SHort-course Accelerated RadiatiON therapy (SHARON) in the treatment of patients with multiple brain metastases.

Materials And Methods: A phase II clinical trial was designed. Eligibility criteria included patients with at least 3 brain metastases or metastatic disease in >3 organ systems, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of ≤3.

Short-course radiotherapy in elderly patients with early stage non-melanoma skin cancer: a phase II study.

Aim: To evaluate outcome of an accelerated radiotherapy (RT) regimen in elderly patients with an early stage non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC).

Methods: Total RT dose was 30 Gy in 5 Gy fractions in six consecutive days.

Results: Thirty-one patients were enrolled.

North Central Cancer Treatment Group N10C2 (Alliance): a double-blind placebo-controlled study of magnesium supplements to reduce menopausal hot flashes.

Objective: Hot flashes are a common symptom in breast cancer survivors that can negatively impact quality of life. Preliminary data suggested that magnesium might be used as an effective low-cost treatment of hot flashes with minimal adverse effects.

Methods: A four-arm, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial was conducted.

A Phase III study of radiation therapy (RT) and O⁶-benzylguanine + BCNU versus RT and BCNU alone and methylation status in newly diagnosed glioblastoma and gliosarcoma: Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) study S0001.

Aims: To determine the efficacy of methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT) depletion + BCNU [1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1- nitrosourea: carmustine] therapy and the impact of methylation status in adults with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and gliosarcoma.

Methods: Methylation analysis was performed on GBM patients with adequate tissue samples. Patients with newly diagnosed GBM or gliosarcoma were eligible for this Phase III open-label clinical trial.

Incidence and management of noncancer pain in cancer patients referred to a radiotherapy center.

Objectives: The incidence of noncancer pain (NCP) in cancer patients is unknown. An analysis of incidence, severity, impact on quality of life (QoL), and appropriateness of NCP treatment in a cohort of cancer patients referred to a radiotherapy center is reported.

Materials And Methods: Pain was scored from 0 (absence) to 3 (severe) and the adequacy of analgesic therapy was evaluated according to International Guidelines.

A phase I study of short-course accelerated whole brain radiation therapy for multiple brain metastases.

Purpose: To define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of a SHort-course Accelerated whole brain RadiatiON therapy (SHARON) in the treatment of patients with multiple brain metastases.

Methods And Materials: A phase 1 trial in 4 dose-escalation steps was designed: 12 Gy (3 Gy per fraction), 14 Gy (3.5 Gy per fraction), 16 Gy (4 Gy per fraction), and 18 Gy (4.

Clinical target volume delineation including elective nodal irradiation in preoperative and definitive radiotherapy of pancreatic cancer.

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) is widely used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Currently, recommendation has been given for the delineation of the clinical target volume (CTV) in adjuvant RT. Based on recently reviewed pathologic data, the aim of this study is to propose criteria for the CTV definition and delineation including elective nodal irradiation (ENI) in the preoperative and definitive treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Short-course accelerated radiotherapy in palliative treatment of advanced pelvic malignancies: a phase I study.

Purpose: To define the maximum tolerated dose of a conformal short-course accelerated radiotherapy in patients with symptomatic advanced pelvic cancer.

Methods And Materials: A phase I trial in 3 dose-escalation steps was designed: 14 Gy (3.5-Gy fractions), 16 Gy (4-Gy fractions), and 18 Gy (4.

Concomitant boost radiotherapy and multidrug chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer: results of a phase II study.

Background: An intensified multidrug chemotherapy regimen (raltitrexed plus oxaliplatin, Tom-Ox) plus concomitant boost radiotherapy, in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer patients, was shown feasible in our previous study. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy in terms of pathologic complete response to pre-operative therapy.

Material And Methods: A Phase II study was designed and clinical stage T3-T4 and/ or N ≥ 1 patients were treated with concomitant boost radiotherapy (55 Gy/5 weeks) plus concurrent chemotherapy (Tom-Ox).

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost to dominant intraprostatic lesion: preliminary report on toxicity.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of intensity-modulated radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost to the dominant intraprostatic lesion for definitive treatment of prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: Patients were deemed eligible for the study if they had histologically proven stage cT2-T3 N0M0 prostate adenocarcinoma. In addition <20% risk of lymph nodal involvement according to Roach formula, was required for enrollment.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy with simultaneous integrated boost in unresected left-sided pleural mesothelioma: a case report.

A 77-year-old male patient with unresected malignant pleural mesothelioma, clinical stage T3N0M0 according to the New International Staging System for Diffuse Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma, received intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) after 6 cycles of chemotherapy with cisplatin and pemetrexed. SIB-IMRT delivered 40.5 Gy (1.

Normalization of prostate specific antigen in patients treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy for clinically localized prostate cancer.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the expected time to prostate specific antigen (PSA) normalization with or without neoadjuvant androgen deprivation (NAAD) therapy after treatment with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for patients with clinically localized prostate cancer.

Methods: A retrospective cohort research design was used. A total of 133 patients with clinical stage T1c to T3b prostate cancer (2002 AJCC staging) treated in a community setting between January 2002 and July 2005 were reviewed for time to PSA normalization using 1 ng/mL and 2 ng/mL as criteria.

Active Breathing Coordinator in adjuvant three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy of early stage breast cancer: a feasibility study.

Aims: To investigate the technical feasibility of utilizing the Active Breathing Coordinator for planning of postoperative three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy in patients with early stage breast cancer undergoing breast conservation therapy.

Methods: Patients with early stage breast cancer for whom adjuvant radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery was planned were consecutively enrolled. Five sessions of simulation with the Active Breathing Coordinator were planned for each patient.

Postoperative intensity modulated radiation therapy in high risk prostate cancer: a dosimetric comparison.

The aim of this study was to compare intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with 3D conformal technique (3D-CRT), with respect to target coverage and irradiation of organs at risk for high dose postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) of the prostate fossa. 3D-CRT and IMRT treatment plans were compared with respect to dose to the rectum and bladder. The dosimetric comparison was carried out in 15 patients considering 2 different scenarios: (1) exclusive prostate fossa irradiation, and (2) pelvic node irradiation followed by a boost on the prostate fossa.

Prolonged chemoradiation in locally advanced carcinoma of the uterine cervix: final results of a phase II study (ESTER-1).

Introduction: The aim of this phase II study was to evaluate response and toxicity of a prolonged chemoradiation regimen in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

Patients And Methods: Three cycles of concomitant chemotherapy were used with cisplatin (20 mg/m², 2-hour intravenous infusion, days 1-4) and 5-fluorouracil (1000 mg/m², 24-hour continuous intravenous infusion, days 1-4) administered at weeks 1, 5, and 9 of radiotherapy. In combination, radiotherapy was delivered to a planning target volume (PTV) defined as the CTV (clinical target volume) plus 8 mm.