The effectiveness of a scalp cooling cap in preventing chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

Aims And Background: Hair loss is one of the most unpleasant side effects associated with chemotherapy treatments. It causes emotional disturbances and constantly reminds the patient of the disease. This study analyzed the effectiveness of scalp cooling caps in preventing alopecia among 64 patients.

Reduced gamma-catenin expression and poor survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: To investigate whether reduced expression of alpha-, beta-, or gamma-catenin predicts poor survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Design: Immunohistochemical analyses of a retrospective cohort.

Setting: University-affiliated hospital.

Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) predicts tumour recurrence and unfavourable outcome in non-small cell lung cancer.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and its extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to evaluate their significance to predict tumour behaviour. The study consists of 212 patients treated by the resection of the tumour. Tumour samples were stained immunohistochemically, and the expression of MMP-2 and EMMPRIN was evaluated both in tumour cells and in peritumoural stromal tissue.

Long-term outcome of adjuvant chemotherapy cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone, and fluorouracil in women with breast cancer.

The aim of the study is to report the long-term outcome and secondary tumours of early breast cancer patients of adjuvant CNF (cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone, and 5-fluorouracil) chemotherapy. One hundred and ninety four patients, 185 primary early breast cancer and nine locoregionally recurrent breast cancer patients, were entered onto the trial between May 1986 and November 1993. The therapies included surgery, radiation therapy, adjuvant CNF chemotherapy, and tamoxifen according to hormonal status.

High stromal versican expression predicts unfavourable outcome in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Versican, an extracellular matrix proteoglycan, has been noted to be expressed in several malignant tumours and has been suggested to play an important role in cancer development and tumour growth.

Aims: To investigate whether the versican expression level in the peritumoural stromal tissue of primary oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) predicts relapse-free or disease-specific survival. Also, to study the associations between versican expression and several other clinicopathological variables, as well as tumour cell proliferation.

Expression of matrix metalloproteinases 7 and 9 in non-small cell lung cancer. Relation to clinicopathological factors, beta-catenin and prognosis.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been shown to have a significant role in determining cancer cell behaviour. The present study was undertaken to analyze the expression and prognostic value of MMP-7 and MMP-9 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The relationship of MMP-7 with beta-catenin was also evaluated.

Versican in nonsmall cell lung cancer: relation to hyaluronan, clinicopathologic factors, and prognosis.

The aim of the study was to investigate the expression and prognostic role of versican in 212 patients with resected nonsmall cell lung cancer. Tumor samples were stained immunohistochemically, and the versican staining was evaluated both in tumor stroma and cancer cells. The staining results were compared to the clinical data of the patients, the tumor cell proliferation, and the expression of hyaluronan.

Serum tumor marker CA 15.3 and stage are the two most powerful predictors of survival in primary breast cancer.

The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the usefulness of tumor marker CA 15.3 determined at the time of primary diagnosis as a prognostic factor in breast cancer. The power of CA 15.

Adenovirus-mediated herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene therapy in BT4C rat glioma model.

Adenovirus (Adv)-mediated herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (adv/tk) gene therapy combined with ganciclovir (GCV) medication is a promising approach for the treatment of malignant glioma. However, optimal administration and the effect of possible adjuvant treatments have not been fully examined. In the present study, we examined the efficacy of adv/tk/GCV gene therapy in a syngeneic BT4C rat malignant glioma model, either as a single administration or given as three injections during three consecutive days.

Nuclear and cytoplasmic p53 expression in pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: prognostic implications.

Background: The role of p53 expression in human neoplasms is still controversial, and it has been associated with both favorable and unfavorable outcome of the patients. Also cytoplasmic expression of p53 protein has been reported to affect survival in some cancers. Furthermore, an association between p53 and beta-catenin expression has been demonstrated.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: relation to p53 expression, clinicopathological data, and survival.

Objective: To investigate the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and its relation to p53 expression, histologic differentiation, clinical data, and prognosis.

Study Design: A retrospective survey.

Methods: Primary tumors for analyses were obtained from 118 patients diagnosed with SCC of the oropharynx or hypopharynx between 1975 and 1998 in eastern Finland.