PHLPP-1 negatively regulates Akt activity and survival in the heart.

Rationale: The recently discovered PHLPP-1 (PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase-1) selectively dephosphorylates Akt at Ser473 and terminates Akt signaling in cancer cells. The regulatory role of PHLPP-1 in the heart has not been considered.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that blockade/inhibition of PHLPP-1 could constitute a novel way to enhance Akt signals and provide cardioprotection.

Transaxillary breast augmentation: two breast cancer patients with successful sentinel lymph node diagnosis.

In recent years, some surgeons have been warned of possible problems with sentinel lymph node diagnosis (SLND) for patients who have undergone transaxillary breast augmentation (TBA), although no scientific studies support this warning. The authors report two additional cases of breast cancer in which the SLND was successfully performed for patients with previous TBA. The surgical anatomy of the axilla, the groups of lymph nodes, and a personal way of performing TBA are described.

Dose received by the sentinel node volume during tangential radiation therapy to the breast.

The dose received by the sentinel node (SN) volume during tangential irradiation was studied on 31 patients. Of the 50Gy prescribed to the breast volume 95% of the SN volume received from 6.9 to 27.

[Breast cancer. current use of the extra-pleural exploration of the internal mammary chain].

The interest to know the Internal Mammary Chain (IMC) Involvement , is that it is a lymphatic filter as primary as the axilla. Anatomic-surgical fundaments, were presented for their exploration. Fifty (50) pectus-sternal, analizing the number of nodes (average 9,7 per specimen), located preferably in the three first intercostal spaces, were studied.

Validation of neuroradiologic response assessment in gliomas: measurement by RECIST, two-dimensional, computer-assisted tumor area, and computer-assisted tumor volume methods.

Significant limitations are associated with the use of standard radiographic measurements as indicators of response in glioma therapy trials. The Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) were recently introduced in an attempt to standardize and simplify assessment of response to treatment in cancer clinical trials. However, their applicability in gliomas has been assessed in only a very small number of patients.

Efficacy and safety analysis of epoetin alfa in patients with small-cell lung cancer: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Purpose: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (N93-004) evaluated the effects of epoetin alfa on tumor response to chemotherapy and survival in patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Patients And Methods: Adult patients with hemoglobin < or = 14.5 g/dL starting chemotherapy received epoetin alfa 150 U/kg or placebo subcutaneously 3 times weekly until 3 weeks after completion of chemotherapy.

Should elderly non-small-cell lung cancer patients be offered elderly-specific trials? Results of a pooled analysis from the North Central Cancer Treatment Group.

Purpose: To answer the question, "should elderly non-small-cell lung cancer patients be offered elderly-specific trials?"

Patients And Methods: The North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) performed a pooled analysis of elderly patients who participated in elderly-specific trials (required age > or = 65 years) and age-unspecified trials (required age > or = 18 years). Between 1998 and 2000, all NCCTG non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with incurable cancer, age > or = 65 years, and receiving first-line chemotherapy were included. A total of 118 elderly patients participated in elderly-specific trials, and 108, in age-unspecified trials.

Oral vinorelbine for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in elderly patients: a phase II trial of efficacy and toxicity.

Purpose: Before now oral vinorelbine has not yet been tested in a cohort of elderly, advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients, even though the intravenous form of this drug provides a reasonable therapeutic option for this group. This trial was conducted to determine the tumor response rate and toxicity profile of oral vinorelbine in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients > or = 65 years of age.

Patient And Methods: Fifty-eight evaluable patients > or = 65 years of age with advanced non-small cell lung cancer were enrolled.