Potential role of ultra-sensitive estradiol assays in estimating the risk of breast cancer and fractures.

Radioimmunoassays (RIA) for the measurement of estradiol are sufficiently sensitive to assess the reproductive status of pre-menopausal women but lack sufficient sensitivity for low concentrations found in post-menopausal women. Bioassays have been used in the past to measure low estrogen levels but are impractical for handling high volumes of tests, particularly routine and non-research specimens. In this study, we compared results for estradiol using several different methods including bioassay, RIA, and two tandem mass spectrometry methods.

Superiority of gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry assay (GC/MS/MS) for estradiol for monitoring of aromatase inhibitor therapy.

Currently available radioimmunoassay methods for estradiol in serum lack sufficient sensitivity and precision to monitor estradiol levels in patients placed on third generation aromatase inhibitors. We recently validated a gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry assay (GC/MS/MS) for estradiol and determined estrogen levels in normal post-menopausal women and in women with breast cancer before and during administration of aromatase inhibitors. Validation of the GC/MS/MS assay in human plasma and human serum included determination of assay sensitivity (<0.

Treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer with opioid growth factor: phase I.

Opioid growth factor (OGF) is an endogenous pentapeptide that inhibits growth of human pancreatic cancer cells in culture, as well as xenografts in nude mice. To establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), and determine safety and toxicity of OGF, a phase I trial was performed in patients with advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer. Patients with unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma were treated with escalating doses of OGF for 30 min i.

Elevated dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels as the reproductive phenotype in the brothers of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

There is an inherited susceptibility to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Some investigators have suggested that premature male-pattern balding is a male phenotype in PCOS families, but this remains controversial. We recently reported evidence for an autosomal monogenic abnormality in ovarian and adrenal steroidogenesis in the sisters of women with PCOS.

A comparison of multiple urine markers for interstitial cystitis.

Purpose: We measured several urine markers in 24-hour specimens from patients with interstitial cystitis and healthy controls. For each marker we determined whether the urine level was significantly different in interstitial cystitis and control cases, and whether the marker level correlated with the symptom score.

Materials And Methods: Study participants included 36 female patients with interstitial cystitis and 36 age matched female volunteers.