Resistance gene expression determines the in vitro chemosensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Background: NSCLC exhibits considerable heterogeneity in its sensitivity to chemotherapy and similar heterogeneity is noted in vitro in a variety of model systems. This study has tested the hypothesis that the molecular basis of the observed in vitro chemosensitivity of NSCLC lies within the known resistance mechanisms inherent to these patients' tumors.

Methods: The chemosensitivity of a series of 49 NSCLC tumors was assessed using the ATP-based tumor chemosensitivity assay (ATP-TCA) and compared with quantitative expression of resistance genes measured by RT-PCR in a Taqman Array following extraction of RNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue.

Serological response to chemoprophylaxis in extended contacts in leprosy--a randomized controlled trial.

Chemoprophylaxis was carried out on high risk group of extended contacts of new leprosy cases in Nyaungdon Township, Ayeyarwaddy Division, Myanmar and serological response was followed up for two years. In September 2003, blood samples were collected from 829 contacts after getting informed consent and sera were tested for immunoglobulin M antibodies using NTP-BSA ELISA test. These 300 seropositives were randomized to treated and non-treated groups.

BCG vaccination of children against leprosy: fourteen-year findings of the trial in Burma.

The value of BCG vaccination in preventing leprosy among children was studied in an area of high leprosy endemicity in Burma through a controlled trial; one group of 13 066 children received BCG and another group of 13 176 served as controls. The overall protective effect of BCG, which was only about 20% over the 14-year period, was found to vary with the batch of vaccine, as well as age, sex, and contact status of the children. BCG protection was found to be independent of the initial tuberculin status of the children.