Performance and cost efficiency of KRAS mutation testing for metastatic colorectal cancer in routine diagnosis: the MOKAECM study, a nationwide experience.

Purpose: Rapid advances in the understanding of cancer biology have transformed drug development thus leading to the approval of targeted therapies and to the development of molecular tests to select patients that will respond to treatments. KRAS status has emerged as a negative predictor of clinical benefit from anti-EGFR antibodies in colorectal cancer, and anti-EGFR antibodies use was limited to KRAS wild type tumors. In order to ensure wide access to tumor molecular profiling, the French National Cancer Institute (INCa) has set up a national network of 28 regional molecular genetics centers.

When brachytherapy met genetic oncology. Can radiation oncologists improve the detection of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer?

Between January 1994 and December 2004, 696 patients with localized endometrial carcinoma have been treated at the Institute Jean-Godinot. Patients were selected on the following criteria: histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the endometrium; age at onset under 60 years; patient not deceased at the time of the study. One hundred twelve patients met these criteria and received a mailed specific questionnaire to establish their pedigree.

Thalidomide alters nuclear architecture without ABCB1 gene modulation in drug-resistant myeloma cells.

ABCB1 gene overexpression has been described as an important mechanism for resistance to conventional chemotherapy in multiple myelomas. In the refractory multiple myelomas, other drug regimens have been successfully applied, including thalidomide treatments. Besides its well-documented anti-angiogenic effects, thalidomide therapy could result in a decrease in ABCB1 gene expression.

Detection of drug-resistance genes using single bronchoscopy biopsy specimens.

Expression of three major resistance genes MDR1, MRP1 and LRP was investigated in small cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and metastasis. Single biopsies of bronchoscopy from 73 patients were performed to investigate expression of these three resistance genes by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Relations between gene expression and patient age, smoking status, histology, and chemotherapy were evaluated.

Malondialdehyde binding to proteins dramatically alters fibroblast functions.

The regulation of cell metabolism by the surrounding environment is deeply altered by the posttranslational nonenzymatic modifications of extracellular proteins that occur throughout lifespan in vivo and modify their structural and functional properties. Among them are protein adducts formed by components generated from oxidative processes, such as malondialdehyde (MDA). We have investigated here the effects of MDA-binding to proteins on cultured fibroblast functions.