Distinct patterns of angiogenic factor expression as a predictive factor of response to chemotherapy in stage IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer patients.

The expression of various angiogenic factors was assessed in tumour samples of patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and further evaluated in terms of response to induction paclitaxel-ifosfamide-cisplatin chemotherapy. Freshly isolated lung tumour specimens obtained by bronchoscopy from 70 stage IIIA NSCLC chemotherapy-naïve patients were sampled and analysed for vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-1, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3. Microvessel density was assessed through evaluating the angiogenic markers CD34 and CD105.

Prior exposure to chemotherapy: a marker of sensitivity and selection for antiangiogenic therapy in breast cancer?

The identification of patients who are more likely to derive benefit from antiangiogenic therapy is a key to refine patient selection and so maximize clinical benefit, and reduce unnecessary treatment costs. Improved patient selection will equally be effective in minimizing the exposure of non-eligible patients to ineffectual treatment which could be associated with adverse effects as well as delaying effective treatment. Herein, we review the literature from clinical trials suggesting that the addition of antiangiogenic agents to chemotherapy for the treatment of HER-2 negative metastatic breast cancer in patients previously exposed to chemotherapy may deliver differential therapeutic benefit and may serve as a selection criteria in the current absence of a robust biomarker.

Modulation of peripheral immune responses by paclitaxel-ifosfamide-cisplatin chemotherapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess systemic immunological responses in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with stage III/IV disease during treatment with paclitaxel-ifosfamide-cisplatin (TIP) chemotherapy.

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from healthy donors (HD) (n = 20) and chemotherapy-naive NSCLC patients treated with TIP (n = 32) were tested for production of IL-1, TNF-α, TNF-β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 and IL-2 upon polyclonal stimulation with anti-CD3 mAb. They were further assessed over a treatment period of twelve weeks (i.

Pregabalin for opioid-refractory pain in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis.

Background. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a systemic inflammatory disease with chronic back pain as the most common presenting symptom. We present a case of a male patient with AS reporting symptoms of severe low back pain, buttock pain, and limited spinal mobility.

Factors Influencing Survival in Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: The Influence of DNA Ploidy.

Objective. To evaluate the prognostic significance of microscopically assessed DNA ploidy and other clinical and laboratory parameters in stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods.

DNA ploidy: a prognostic factor of response to chemotherapy and survival in metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma.

Background: Metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma confers a dismal prognosis. Several prognostic factors are needed to distinguish patients that will benefit from chemotherapy. In this setting, the prognostic impact of DNA ploidy is still unclear.

Chemotherapy ± cetuximab modulates peripheral immune responses in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Objective: To identify changes in peripheral immune responses in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with irinotecan/5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (IFL) alone or in combination with cetuximab (C-IFL).

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from healthy donors (n = 20) and patients with mCRC receiving treatment with either IFL (n = 30) or C-IFL (n = 30) were tested for cytokine production upon polyclonal stimulation with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, T cell proliferation in the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (auto-MLR) and T regulatory cell (Treg) frequency. The respective results were evaluated over two treatment cycles and further assessed in relation to response to treatment.

Survival in patients with stage IV noncardia gastric cancer - the influence of DNA ploidy and Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background: Palliative surgery followed by postoperative chemotherapy is a challenging approach in the treatment of stage IV gastric cancer yet patients must be carefully selected on the basis of likely clinical benefit.

Methods: The records of 218 patients with histological diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent palliative surgery followed by postoperative chemotherapy were retrospectively reviewed. Twelve potential prognostic variables including tumour DNA index and serum IgG anti- Helicobacter pylori (HP) antibodies were evaluated for their influence on overall survival by multivariate analysis.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma-associated polymyositis treated with corticosteroids along with cancer specific treatment: case report.

Background: Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas only rarely is associated with inflammatory myopathy. In this setting, polymyositis may be treated with glucocorticoids in combination with cancer specific treatment.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 52-year-old man with stage IIA pancreatic tail adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical treatment and six months into therapy with gemcitabine he developed symmetrical, painful, proximal muscle weakness with peripheral oedema.

Pituitary insufficiency after infectious meningitis: a prospective study.

Context: Data from previous retrospective studies and case reports have suggested that infectious diseases of the central nervous system could cause pituitary deficiency.

Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to investigate pituitary function in patients admitted with infectious meningitis during the acute phase and after 12 months.

Design: Sixteen patients were studied.

Predictors of survival in stage IV metastatic colorectal cancer.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to evaluate predictors of survival in stage IV metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC).

Patients And Methods: A total of 541 patients with histologically proven metastatic CRC (UICC stage IV) were retrospectively analysed and 37 variables were tested for their potential relationship to survival.

Results: Mean survival time was recorded at 12.

Hypercalcemia in a patient with cholangiocarcinoma: a case report.

Background: Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy is rarely associated with cholangiocarcinoma (CC).

Case Report: A 77-year-old man was admitted with confusion. Computer tomography showed a large multinodular mass in the right lobe of the liver and smaller lesions in the right lung.

Evaluation of DNA ploidy in relation with established prognostic factors in patients with locally advanced (unresectable) or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Most patients with ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma are diagnosed with locally advanced (unresectable) or metastatic disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of DNA ploidy in relation with established clinical and laboratory variables in such patients.

Methods: Two hundred and twenty six patients were studied retrospectively.

Leishmaniasis, autoimmune rheumatic disease, and anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy, Europe.

We report 2 cases of leishmaniasis in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases in Greece. To assess trends in leishmaniasis reporting in this patient population, we searched the literature for similar reports from Europe. Reports increased during 2004-2008, especially for patients treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor agents.