Optimization of droplet digital PCR assays for the type-specific detection and quantification of five HPV genotypes, including additional data on viral loads of nine different HPV genotypes in cervical carcinomas.

The droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) system enables high-sensitivity detection of nucleic acids and direct absolute quantification of the targets. The aim of this research was to evaluate this system for viral load (VL) analysis of the human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes HPV31, 35, 39, 51 and 56 measured in number of viral particles per cell. The sample types used for the optimization of the ddPCR assay were formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues and cervical liquid cytology samples.

Combined external pelvic chemoradiotherapy and image-guided adaptive brachytherapy in treatment of advanced cervical carcinoma: experience from a single institution.

Purpose: External pelvic chemoradiotherapy and image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) were studied in advanced cervical carcinomas. Treatment modalities were defined and related to outcomes and side effects.

Material And Methods: From a single cancer center, 138 patients with advanced cervical cancer were recruited.

HPV-negative Tumors in a Swedish Cohort of Cervical Cancer.

Despite the common perception that the human papilloma virus (HPV) is a requirement for the development of cervical cancer (CC), a considerable number of CCs test HPV negative. Presently, many countries are shifting to HPV primary CC screening, and it is of importance to increase the knowledge about the group of CCs that test HPV negative. The aim of this study was to reinvestigate a proportion of cervical tumors with a primary negative or invalid test result.

Findings of multiple HPV genotypes in cervical carcinoma are associated with poor cancer-specific survival in a Swedish cohort of cervical cancer primarily treated with radiotherapy.

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common cancers in women and virtually all cases of CC are a result of a persistent infection of human papillomavirus (HPV). For disease detected in early stages there is curing treatment but when diagnosed late with recurring disease and metastasis there are limited possibilities. Here we evaluate HPV impact on treatment resistance and metastatic disease progression.

3D image-based adapted high-dose-rate brachytherapy in cervical cancer with and without interstitial needles: measurement of applicator shift between imaging and dose delivery.

Purpose: Using 3D image-guided adaptive brachytherapy for cervical cancer treatment, it often means that patients are transported and moved during the treatment procedure. The purpose of this study was to determine the intra-fractional longitudinal applicator shift in relation to the high risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) by comparing geometries at imaging and dose delivery for patients with and without needles.

Material And Methods: Measurements were performed in 33 patients (71 fractions), where 25 fractions were without and 46 were with interstitial needles.

Differences in outcome for cervical cancer patients treated with or without brachytherapy.

Purpose: To compare the clinical outcome of cervical cancer patients treated with primary radiotherapy with and without the addition of brachytherapy.

Methods And Materials: In all, 220 patients with cervical cancer stage I-IV treated between 1993 and 2009 were included. Three or five 6.

Prognostic impact of the expression of Wnt-signaling proteins in cervical carcinoma FIGO stage I-IV treated with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy.

Wnt signaling proteins were assessed in patients with primary cervical carcinomas who received chemoradiation. The associations between three Wnt signaling proteins and prognosis were assessed. Specimens from 122 patients with cervical carcinomas (FIGO stage I-IV) were immunohistochemically (IHC) analyzed for β-catenin, APC and axin protein expression.

Prognostic impact of the expression of Hedgehog proteins in cervical carcinoma FIGO stages I-IV treated with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy.

Objective: Hedgehog signaling proteins were assessed in patients with cervical carcinoma receiving chemoradiation. Associations between five Hedgehog proteins and prognosis were studied.

Methods: In all, 131 cases of cervical carcinomas (FIGO stages I-IV) were immunohistochemically (IHC) analyzed for Patched (PTCH), Smoothened (SMO), and GLI1, GLI2 and GLI3 protein expression.

Combined external and intracavitary irradiation in treatment of advanced cervical carcinomas: predictive factors for treatment outcome and early and late radiation reactions.

Objective: The objective of this study was to find out predictive factors of tumor control as well as acute and late radiation reactions in treatment of advanced cervical carcinomas.

Methods: In a series of 134 primary cervical carcinomas in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages I to IV treated with combined external pelvic and intraluminal cervical-vaginal brachytherapy, predictive and prognostic factors were analyzed with regard to tumor control, recurrences, survival data, and adverse effects. Concomitant chemotherapy was given to 48 patients (35.

A study of serum biomarkers associated with relapse of cervical cancer.

Background/aim: To discover candidate protein biomarkers in the serum of patients with cervical cancer that differentiate between patients with relapse from those who are tumor-free after primary treatment with (platinum-based chemo-) radiation.

Patients And Methods: Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) with cation exchange (CM10) and hydrophobic/reverse-phase (H50) was used to examine 44 serum samples from patients with advanced cervical cancer, primarily treated with (platinum-based chemo-) radiation.

Results: Ten candidate biomarkers were identified in the serum of 34 patients.