Evaluation of 39 cases of pediatric cutaneous head and neck melanoma.

Background: Studies examining head and neck (H&N) melanoma in the pediatric population are scarce.

Objective: The goal of this study is to describe pediatric H&N melanoma with the intent of increasing understanding of the course of disease.

Methods: The Duke Melanoma Database and Duke Tumor Registry Database were searched for patients with a diagnosis of melanoma occurring on the H&N before age 18 years, with exclusion of ocular/mucosal/aerodigestive melanomas.

Longitudinal patterns of chemotherapy use in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Multiple agents and combination therapies available to patients with advanced colorectal cancer have significantly improved survival and provided an opportunity for individualization of care, allowing clinicians and patients to prioritize risks and benefits of comparable regimens.

Association between body mass index and mortality in patients with glioblastoma mutliforme.

Purpose: To examine the association between obesity and survival in patients with glioblastoma mutliforme (GBM) METHODS: Using a prospective design, 1,259 patients with previously untreated GBM were recruited between 1991 and 2008. Height and weight were self-reported or abstracted from medical records at study entry and used to calculate body mass index (BMI) [weight (kg)/[height (m)](2). Cox proportional models were used to estimate the risk of death associated with BMI as a continuous variable or categorized using established criteria (normal weight, 18.

Treatment-related toxicity and supportive care in metastatic colorectal cancer.

As survival of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) increases, patients have more exposure to chemotherapy and related toxicity. The objective is to determine how toxicity patterns affect care. Via a population-based strategy, mCRC cases diagnosed between June 2003 and June 2006 were identified from one academic and nine community oncology practices in the southeastern United States.

Total dietary antioxidant index and survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme.

Objectives: The role of antioxidants in survival of cancer patients is controversial. No data on the relationships between antioxidant intake and survival of glioma patients are available. Our objective was to examine such association in a large series of cases.

Comorbidity, age, race and stage at diagnosis in colorectal cancer: a retrospective, parallel analysis of two health systems.

Background: Stage at diagnosis plays a significant role in colorectal cancer (CRC) survival. Understanding which factors contribute to a more advanced stage at diagnosis is vital to improving overall survival. Comorbidity, race, and age are known to impact receipt of cancer therapy and survival, but the relationship of these factors to stage at diagnosis of CRC is less clear.

Tumor angiogenic and hypoxic profiles predict radiographic response and survival in malignant astrocytoma patients treated with bevacizumab and irinotecan.

Purpose: The combination of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -neutralizing antibody, bevacizumab, and irinotecan is associated with high radiographic response rates and improved survival outcomes in patients with recurrent malignant gliomas. The aim of these retrospective studies was to evaluate tumor vascularity and expression of components of the VEGF pathway and hypoxic responses as predictive markers for radiographic response and survival benefit from the bevacizumab and irinotecan therapy.

Patients And Methods: In a phase II trial, 60 patients with recurrent malignant astrocytomas were treated with bevacizumab and irinotecan.

Retinoic acid inhibition of chromatin remodeling at the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 promoter. Uncoupling of histone acetylation and chromatin remodeling.

All-trans retinoic acid (RA) represses HIV-1 transcription and replication in cultured monocytic cells and in primary monocyte-derived macrophages. Here we examine the role of histone acetylation and chromatin remodeling in RA-mediated repression. RA pretreatment of latently infected U1 promonocytes inhibits HIV-1 expression in response to the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA).

Retinoid-dependent restriction of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication in monocytes/macrophages.

Vitamin A deficiency has been correlated with increased severity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-associated disease. Moreover, vitamin A supplementation can reduce AIDS-associated morbidity and mortality. Our group and others have shown that retinoids, the bioactive metabolites of vitamin A, repress HIV-1 replication in monocytic cell lines and primary macrophages by blocking long-terminal-repeat (LTR)-directed transcription.