Gremlin 2 is Repressed in Invasive Endometrial Cancer and Inhibits Cell Growth In Vitro.

Background: There exist limited therapeutic opportunities regarding the treatment of endometrial cancer (EC), and novel therapies based on the molecular profiling of EC cells are required.

Materials And Methods: We used microarray analysis of EC tumour samples in order to identify tumour-specific changes regarding gene expression.

Results: It was found that gremlin 2, an inhibitor of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, was repressed in EC samples, and that gremlin 2 inhibited tumour cell growth.

Expression of Hedgehog Signals and Growth Inhibition by Itraconazole in Endometrial Cancer.

Background: There exist limited therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of endometrial cancer (EC). Itraconazole, a common anti-fungal agent and a potent inhibitor of the Hedgehog pathway, has been shown to be clinically effective for various types of cancers, but its clinical efficacy for EC is unknown. Herein, we evaluated the efficacy of itraconazole in treating EC.

Expression of chemokine ligand 18 in stage IA low-grade endometrial cancer.

Background/aim: The identification of novel molecules associated with endometrial cancer (EC) development might offer less invasive surgery, better fertility preservation, and avoidance of unnecessary adjuvant therapy.

Materials And Methods: Microarray analysis was conducted using fresh surgically-obtained specimens from five EC patients and five cases with benign tumours. Additionally, immunohistochemical studies of the most highly expressed molecules were performed on paraffin-embedded tissues from these patients and others with stage IA, grade 1-2 EC (n=3) with or without (n=7) recurrent disease.

Benefit of palliative chemotherapy and hospice enrollment in late-stage ovarian cancer patients.

Aim: The ideal timing for transition to best supportive care (BSC) for ovarian cancer patients is not clear. We retrospectively assessed the survival benefit of continuing chemotherapy and hospice enrollment in late-stage ovarian cancer patients.

Materials And Methods: Eligibility criteria included platinum and taxane treatment, clinical progression within 6 months of the last platinum dose, and progression during chemotherapy.

Prognostic factors for locally advanced cervical cancer treated with neoadjuvant intravenous and transuterine arterial chemotherapy followed by radical hysterectomy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors associated with neoadjuvant transuterine arterial chemotherapy (TUAC) followed by type III radical hysterectomy.

Methods: The medical histories of patients with stage IB2 to IIB cervical cancer who received neoadjuvant TUAC between 1996 and 2009 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Seventy-three patients received TUAC using cisplatin combined with intravenous nedaplatin, irinotecan, paclitaxel, or etoposide administration.

Phase II trial on neoadjuvant intravenous and trans-uterine arterial chemotherapy for locally advanced bulky cervical adenocarcinoma.

Objective: A phase II trial on neoadjuvant trans-uterine arterial chemotherapy (TUAC) followed by type III radical hysterectomy (RH) was conducted for patients with bulky cervical adenocarcinoma (AC).

Methods: Tumors of >4 cm were eligible. The neoadjuvant regimen comprised paclitaxel (60 mg/m(2) intravenously on days 1, 8, and 15) and cisplatin (70 mg/m(2) TUAC followed by transcatheter embolization with gelatin sponge particles on day 2) repeated every 3 weeks for 3 cycles.