Validation of a breast cancer assay for radiotherapy omission: an individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background: There are currently no molecular tests to identify individual breast cancers where radiotherapy (RT) offers no benefit. Profile for the Omission of Local Adjuvant Radiotherapy (POLAR) is a 16-gene molecular signature developed to identify low risk cancers where RT will not further reduce recurrence rates.

Methods: An individual participant data meta-analysis was performed in 623 cases of node-negative ER+/HER2-negative early breast cancer enrolled in three RT randomized trials for whom primary tumor material was available for analysis.

Postoperative radiotherapy in women with early operable breast cancer (Scottish Breast Conservation Trial): 30-year update of a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial.

Background: Breast-conserving surgery, adjuvant systemic therapy, and radiotherapy are the standard of care for most women with early breast cancer. There are few reports of clinical outcomes beyond the first decade of follow-up of randomised trials comparing breast-conserving surgery with or without radiotherapy. We present a 30-year update of the Scottish Breast Conservation Trial.

Mitochondrial DNA Is a Pro-Inflammatory Damage-Associated Molecular Pattern Released During Active IBD.

Background: Due to common evolutionary origins, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) shares many similarities with immunogenic bacterial DNA. MtDNA is recognized as a pro-inflammatory damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) with a pathogenic role in several inflammatory diseases. We hypothesised that mtDNA is released during active disease, serving as a key pro-inflammatory factor in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Benchmarking a large regional UK HER2 testing service against current practice guidelines.

Aims: To critically evaluate HER2 testing data for 3500 consecutive cases over 28 months for a single laboratory and review these findings in the light of current UK reporting guidelines.

Methods: We have reviewed all data relating to the HER2 testing service including reagents and analytical machine, HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescent hybridisation (FISH) scoring profiles. We have examined the place of double counting and rapid screening of FISH and when it is and is not safe to do so.

Use of a genetically engineered mouse model as a preclinical tool for HER2 breast cancer.

Resistance to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapies presents a major clinical problem. Although preclinical studies have identified a number of possible mechanisms, clinical validation has been difficult. This is most likely to reflect the reliance on cell-line models that do not recapitulate the complexity and heterogeneity seen in human tumours.

Grading of breast cancer on needle core biopsy: does a reduction in mitotic count threshold improve agreement with grade on excised specimens?

Background: Accurate assessment of invasive breast cancer grade on needle core biopsy (NCB) is important as it guides treatment.

Aim: To assess the agreement between grade of invasive cancer on NCB and excision and determine whether altering the mitotic count score threshold on NCB improves it.

Methods: Pathology slides from patients with an NCB diagnosis of invasive breast cancer who underwent subsequent breast conservation surgery in 2012 were reviewed.

Looking for similarities in movement between and within homes using cluster analysis.

In this article we examine data from eight purpose-built aware homes over a six-month period, looking at presence in rooms to try to determine patterns among the older residents. We look for homes that have similar movement patterns using cluster analysis. We also examine how movement over days clusters within individual homes.

The efficacy of corticosteroid therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: analysis of a 5-year UK inception cohort.

Background: Corticosteroids remain the mainstay of first-line therapy in active inflammatory bowel disease.

Aims: To determine the clinical outcome after the first corticosteroid-therapy and to identify factors which predict response/failure.

Methods: 216 (136 ulcerative colitis and 80 Crohn's disease) patients were identified in this 5-year inception cohort.

A pilot study of adalimumab in infliximab-allergic patients.

The anti-TNF-alpha antibody infliximab (Remicade) is highly effective in the treatment of Crohn's disease. A subset of patients experience allergic reactions as a result of antibodies to infliximab (ATIs). The purpose of the current study is to describe the safety and efficacy of adalimumab (Humira) in patients previously allergic or intolerant to infliximab.

Analysis of key cell-cycle checkpoint proteins in colorectal tumours.

Aberrations in the components of cell-cycle checkpoints are a common feature of many tumours and several have been shown to have prognostic significance in colorectal cancer. In this study, seven components of cell-cycle control [cyclin D1, retinoblastoma (pRb), p21, p27, p16, p53, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)] were examined in a large series of well-characterized colorectal adenocarcinomas using immunohistochemistry to ascertain co-regulation and influence on survival. The majority (92%) of the tumours had abnormal staining of > or =2 cell-cycle control factors.

c-erbB-2 is not a major factor in the development of colorectal cancer.

We have investigated c-erbB-2 protein expression in a large cohort of well-characterized colorectal tumours, and in a subset of lymph node metastases. We have also evaluated a Val(655)Ile single nucleotide polymorphism, which is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, in a subset of the colorectal cancer patients and in healthy control subjects. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that while 81.

Tissue viral load variability in chronic hepatitis C.

Objective: Liver biopsy is regarded as the gold standard for assessing disease activity in chronic hepatitis C, but sampling error is a potential limitation. Whether sampling variability applies equally to viral load assessment as it does to histology is uncertain. To examine this, we compared viral load between right- and left-lobe biopsy specimens from patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis and Wegener's granulomatosis: a case report and literature review.

This report presents a case of eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis in a man with Wegener's granulomatosis, the first report of a possible association between the two conditions. This association suggests a possible mechanism for its pathogenesis.

Expression of cell cycle control proteins in primary colorectal tumors does not always predict expression in lymph node metastases.

Analysis of tumor markers focuses on expression in primary tumors with the assumption that this is representative of metastatic tumor, against which treatment is targeted. Few studies have compared the expression of such markers in primary and secondary tumors. In this study, several key genes involved in cell cycle regulation were investigated in colorectal tumors and corresponding lymph node metastases.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus, coeliac disease, and lymphoma: a report of four cases.

Introduction: Patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus have a high prevalence of coeliac disease, symptoms of which are often mild, atypical, or absent. Untreated coeliac disease is associated with an increased risk of malignancy, particularly of lymphoma. We describe four patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus and coeliac disease who developed lymphoma.

Perianal hidradenoma papilliferum occurring in a male: a case report.

Hidradenoma papilliferum is a rare apocrine gland tumour, described only once previously in a male. We present the second such case.

One week triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori: does high-dose clarithromycin confer additional benefit?

Background: Clarithromycin, a new acid stable macrolide antibiotic with proven efficacy against Helicobacter pylori, has been widely incorporated into eradication regimens but its optimal dosage schedule remains controversial. The standard dose of clarithromycin is 250 mg twice daily.

Methods: In a prospective study designed to evaluate the helicobactericidal efficacy, patient acceptability, and ulcer healing efficacy of a triple therapy regimen incorporating high dose clarithromycin, 100 consecutive patients with H.