Common founder BRCA2 pathogenic variants and breast cancer characteristics in Ethiopian Jews.

Purpose: BRCA1/2 founder pathogenic variants (PVs) occur in various populations, but data on the mutational spectrum in Africans are limited. We examined BRCA1/2 PVs in breast cancer patients of Ethiopian Jewish (EJ) origin.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed BRCA1/2 test results and clinical features of EJ breast cancer patients from seven medical institutions.

Postoperative chemoradiation for resected gastric cancer--is the Macdonald Regimen Tolerable? a retrospective multi-institutional study.

Background: Postoperative chemoradiation as per Intergroup-0116 trial ("Macdonald regimen") is considered standard for completely resected high risk gastric cancer. However, many concerns remain with regards to the toxicity of this regimen. To evaluate the safety and tolerability of this regimen in a routine clinical practice setting, we analyzed our experience with its use.

Phase II study of cisplatin, epirubicin, UFT, and leucovorin (PELUF) as first-line chemotherapy in metastatic gastric cancer.

More than two-thirds of patients with gastric cancer present with metastatic disease and their curative options are limited. This phase II study assessed the efficacy and tolerability of cisplatin, epirubicin, tegafur-uracil (UFT) and leucovorin in patients with metastatic gastric cancer (MGC). Thirty-nine patients with previously untreated metastatic or unresectable gastric cancer received intravenous cisplatin 60 mg/m2 and epirubicin 50 mg/m2 on day 1 of a 28-day cycle; UFT 300 mg/m2 was administered with oral leucovorin 30 mg/day in divided doses on days 1-22, followed by a 7-day rest.

[Hormone replacement therapy in breast cancer survivors: the Israeli Society for Clinical Oncology and Radiotherapy policy letter].

The Israeli Society for Clinical Oncology and Radiotherapy appointed experts in breast cancer therapy to assess the Society's policy regarding hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in breast cancer survivors with menopausal symptoms. The first policy letter was published in November 2002, and referred to available literature at that time which included retrospective data alone. The professional literature suggested no increased risk in breast cancer recurrence or cancer specific mortality, and no effect on overall survival with the use of HRT for a limited period (up to 3 years).

Targeting pulmonary metastases of renal cell carcinoma by inhalation of interleukin-2.

Introduction: Pulmonary metastases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are associated with poor prognosis. Inhalation therapy with interleukin-2 (IL-2) is thus an appealing method for palliation. This multicenter study summarizes the national experience of IL-2 inhalation in patients with lung metastases of RCC.

[Hormone replacement therapy in breast cancer survivors: the Israeli Society for Clinical Oncology and Radiotherapy policy letter].

The Israeli Society for Clinical Oncology and Radiotherapy requested that experts in breast cancer therapy assess the Society's policy regarding the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in breast cancer survivors. The following recommendations are based on updated literature, which is limited since it summarizes only retrospective data. There is currently no evidence of an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence, death attributable to cancer, or overall mortality among breast cancer survivors who use HRT.

Clinical and screening implications of the I1307K adenomatous polyposis coli gene variant in Israeli Ashkenazi Jews with familial colorectal neoplasia. Evidence for a founder effect.

Background: The authors previously found the I1307K adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene variant in 5% of Ashkenazi control participants, in 15.4% of those who had familial colorectal neoplasia, but also in 1.6% of non-Ashkenazi control participants.

Vinorelbine-related acute cardiopulmonary toxicity.

Three cases of possible acute cardiopulmonary toxicity following the administration of vinorelbine are reported. The symptoms mimicked acute cardiac ischemia. However, neither ECG changes nor elevations of serum enzymes were observed.

Prevalence of the I1307K APC gene variant in Israeli Jews of differing ethnic origin and risk for colorectal cancer.

Background & Aims: Israeli Jews of European birth, i.e., Ashkenazim, have the highest colorectal cancer incidence of any Israeli ethnic group.

Computed tomography features of cerebral spread of malignant melanoma.

The CT features of cerebral involvement by metastatic malignant melanoma are described in 28 patients. The most common locations of the primary lesion were the trunk and lower limbs. There was a high incidence of extracerebral metastasis at the time of diagnosis of cerebral involvement.