Ex vivo organotypic cultures for synergistic therapy prioritization identify patient-specific responses to combined MEK and Src inhibition in colorectal cancer.

Translating preclinical studies to effective treatment protocols and identifying specific therapeutic responses in individuals with cancer is challenging. This may arise due to the complex genetic makeup of tumor cells and the impact of their multifaceted tumor microenvironment on drug response. To find new clinically relevant drug combinations for colorectal cancer (CRC), we prioritized the top five synergistic combinations from a large in vitro screen for ex vivo testing on 29 freshly resected human CRC tumors and found that only the combination of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) and proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (Src) inhibition was effective when tested ex vivo.

Fermented Wheat Germ Extract (FWGE) as a Treatment Additive for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: A Pilot Clinical Trial.

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is a devastating and incurable disease. Combined therapy using conventional anticancer drugs and a proprietary medical nutriment, fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE), also known as Avemar, has been suggested as a treatment for progressing prostate cancer (PCa) patients, who have become resistant to first line hormonal therapy (gonadotropin releasing hormone, GnRH). The primary aim of this study was to test if this combined therapy would slow down disease progression in CRPC patients.

Rhabdomyosarcoma disease spread evaluation on CT scans: Association with primary tumor size and Ki-67 proliferation marker.

Purpose: Ki-67 is a marker of cellular proliferation that is commonly used for the assessment of rhabdomyosarcoma. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between Ki-67 expression and primary tumor diameter with CT evidence of lymph node and solid organ metastatic spread in rhabdomyosarcoma.

Materials And Methods: An institutional review board approval was granted for this study.

Feasibility of Homeopathic Treatment for Symptom Reduction in an Integrative Oncology Service.

Background: Homeopathy has the potential to reduce symptoms related to cancer treatment. The present study examined the feasibility of a homeopathic consultation and treatment program, provided as part of an integrative oncology service.

Methods: The electronic medical files of patients undergoing a homeopathic consultation in an integrative oncology service clinic were examined retrospectively.

Is there a "Trial Effect" on Outcome of Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated with Sunitinib?

Purpose: Studies suggested the existence of a 'trial effect', in which for a given treatment, participation in a clinical trial is associated with a better outcome. Sunitinib is a standard treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). We aimed to study the effect of clinical trial participation on the outcome of mRCC patients treated with sunitinib, which at present, is poorly defined.

Experience with sunitinib treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma in a large cohort of Israeli patients: outcome and associated factors.

Background: The VEGFR/PDGFR inhibitor sunitinib was approved in Israel in 2008 for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), based on an international trial. However, the efficacy of sunitinib treatment in Israeli mRCC patients has not been previously reported.

Objectives: To report the outcome and associated factors of sunitinib treatment in a large cohort of Israeli mRCC patients.

Active smoking may negatively affect response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with sunitinib.

Background: Obesity, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes are risk factors for renal cell carcinoma development. Their presence has been associated with a worse outcome in various cancers. We sought to determine their association with outcome of sunitinib treatment in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

A biologically-based algorithm for companding computerized tomography (CT) images.

Computerized Tomography (CT) images are High Dynamic Range (HDR) images of the X-ray attenuation coefficients of the body's tissues. The inability to see abnormalities in tissues with marked differences in their X-ray attenuation coefficients, in a single CT window, poses a significant clinical problem in radiology. In order to provide proper contrast, which reveals all the required clinical details within each specifically imaged tissue, a single CT slice must be viewed by a radiologist four times: the first viewing focuses on the lung window; the second viewing focuses on the soft tissues window; the third viewing focuses on the liver window; and the fourth viewing focuses on the bone window.

Quantification of human serum procollagen C-proteinase enhancer (hsPCPE) glycopattern.

Background: Procollagen C-proteinase enhancer 1 (PCPE1), a glycoprotein secreted from differentiating osteoblast, enhances the rate-limiting step of collagen type I fibrillar formation. It is expressed and secreted by cells that produce collagen type I and has the potential to be a marker for bone pathologies.

Methods: We developed an assay to quantify PCPE glycopattern based on isoelectric focusing (IEF) and detection with a bio-imaging camera (coefficient of variation within and between assays, 15% and 20%, respectively).

Diagnosing diseases by measurement of electrical skin impedance: a novel technique.

Recently, we have seen the development of diagnostic tools based on the rationale that the measurement of electrical impedance of specific dermal zones might reflect the occurrence of pathological states in corresponding internal organs. Studies published lately have shown the diagnostic potential of this technique. We set out to evaluate the accuracy of this tool in diagnosing cancer.

[Body weight, nutritional factors and physical activity--their influence on prognosis after breast cancer diagnosis].

Numerous studies have examined the association between body weight, nutritional factors, physical activity and the risk for primary breast cancer. Relatively few studies, however, have examined the associations between these issues and the recurrence of the disease and cure of the primary tumor. Today, three areas of focus are actively being researched for breast cancer survivors: body weight, diet composition and physical activity with specific emphasis on the risk for recurrence, survival and quality of life.