Post-collection, pre-measurement variables affecting VEGF levels in urine biospecimens.

Angiogenesis, the development and recruitment of new blood vessels, plays an important role in tumour growth and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important stimulator of angiogenesis. Circulating and urinary VEGF levels have been suggested as clinically useful predictors of tumour behaviour, and investigations into these associations are ongoing.

Intrarectal amifostine during external beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer produces significant improvements in Quality of Life measured by EPIC score.

Purpose: To test whether intrarectal amifostine limits symptoms of radiation proctitis, measured by using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity score and the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) score.

Methods And Materials: Patients with localized prostate cancer received amifostine as a rectal suspension 30-45 minutes before daily three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy. The first 18 patients received 1 g of amifostine, and the next 12 patients received 2 g.

Early observed transient prostate-specific antigen elevations on a pilot study of external beam radiation therapy and fractionated MRI guided high dose rate brachytherapy boost.

Purpose: To report early observation of transient PSA elevations on this pilot study of external beam radiation therapy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy boost.

Materials And Methods: Eleven patients with intermediate-risk and high-risk localized prostate cancer received MRI guided HDR brachytherapy (10.5 Gy each fraction) before and after a course of external beam radiotherapy (46 Gy).

Intrarectal amifostine suspension may protect against acute proctitis during radiation therapy for prostate cancer: a pilot study.

Purpose: Our goal was to test the ability of intrarectal amifostine to limit symptoms of radiation proctitis.

Methods And Materials: The first 18 patients received 1 g of intrarectal amifostine suspension placed 30-45 min before each radiation treatment. The following 12 patients received 2 g of amifostine.

Comparing measures of acute bowel toxicity in patients with prostate cancer treated with external beam radiation therapy.

Purpose: This study strives to compare early measures of bowel toxicity in patients with prostate cancer receiving definitive or adjuvant 3D conformal external beam radiation therapy and concurrent daily endorectal application of amifostine.

Methods: Eighteen patients were enrolled in the clinical study with a median follow-up of 12 months. Prescription doses ranged from 66 Gy to 76 Gy with a daily fractionation of 2 Gy.