A phase II clinical trial of polyethylene glycol-conjugated L-asparaginase in patients with advanced ovarian cancer: Early closure for safety.

The anti-angiogenic activity of L-asparaginase (L-ASP) and the sensitivity of ovarian cancer cell lines to L-ASP has been previously demonstrated by preclinical findings. The aim of this clinical trial was to translate those findings and evaluate the activity of polyethylene glycol-conjugated L-asparaginase (PEG-ASP or pegaspargase) in advanced ovarian cancer. Women with recurrent ovarian cancer and good end-organ function were enrolled in an open-label phase II trial of PEG-ASP at a dose of 2,000 IU/m by intravenous infusion every 2 weeks.

Feasibility and safety of sequential research-related tumor core biopsies in clinical trials.

Background: There has been increasing interest in serial research biopsies in studies of targeted therapies. Definition of patient characteristics and optimal target tissue for safe research tumor biopsy in the era of antiangiogenic and targeted agents is needed.

Methods: This institutional review board-approved, retrospective study included chart and interventional radiology case review from 6 phase 1/2 studies at the National Cancer Institute.

Adenocarcinoma cells in effusion cytology as a diagnostic pitfall with potential impact on clinical management: a case report with brief review of immunomarkers.

Distinguishing metastatic carcinoma cells from reactive mesothelial cells in effusion samples is often challenging based on morphology alone. Metastatic carcinoma cells in fluid samples may mimic reactive mesothelial cells due to overlapping cytological features. We report a case of a pleural effusion in a 51-year-old female patient with a medical history significant for bilateral ovarian tumors and peritoneal implants diagnosed as serous tumor of borderline malignant potential.

Oncology nursing in Cuba: report of the delegation.

In December 2011, the first delegation of oncology nurses from the United States visited Havana, Cuba. The delegation included oncology nurses, educators, and leaders from across America and provided opportunities to learn about the healthcare system, cancer, and oncology nursing in Cuba. Delegation members attended lectures, toured facilities, and enjoyed Cuban culture.

Anal fissures associated with targeted therapies in ovarian cancer.

Although ovarian cancer remains a leading cause of gynecologic cancer death, targeted therapies are improving patient outcomes. Anal fissures are a side effect of targeted therapies that can disrupt or stop treatment regimens. Diagnosis and management of anal fissures by advanced practice nurses are crucial for maintaining the quality of life of patients with ovarian cancer.

Contribution of disulfide bridging to epitope expression of the dengue type 2 virus envelope glycoprotein.

The individual contributions of each of the six conserved disulfide (SS) bonds in the dengue 2 virus envelope (E) glycoprotein (strain 16681) to epitope expression was determined by measuring the reactivities of a panel of well-defined monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) with LLC-MK(2) cells that had been transiently transformed with plasmid vectors expressing E proteins that were mutant in their SS bonds. Three domain I (DI) epitopes (C1, C3, and C4) were affected by elimination of any SS bond and were essentially the only epitopes affected by elimination of the amino-proximal SS1 formed between Cys 3 and Cys 30. The remaining DI epitope (C2) was sensitive to only SS3-bond (Cys 74-Cys 105) and SS6-bond (Cys 302-Cys 333) elimination.