Phase II evaluation of paclitaxel and carboplatin in the treatment of carcinosarcoma of the uterus: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

Purpose: Platinum and taxane compounds have demonstrated activity in uterine carcinosarcoma (malignant mixed Mullerian tumor). Ifosfamide plus paclitaxel is the regimen with established superiority based on a randomized phase III trial conducted through the Gynecologic Oncology Group. However, the toxicity, multiday schedule, and limited activity of this regimen support further development of novel regimens.

Experiences of follow-up after treatment in patients with prostate cancer: a qualitative study.

Objective: To develop an understanding of experiences of follow-up in patients with prostate cancer, to seek explanations as to why men's needs might not be well met, and explore views on the possible role of primary care in follow-up. The experiences of these patients, and views on the delivery of follow-up care, have been relatively neglected compared to those diagnosed with other cancers.

Patients And Methods: In all, 35 patients were recruited from 20 practices across three regions in the UK.

Validity of diagnostic coding within the General Practice Research Database: a systematic review.

Background: The UK-based General Practice Research Database (GPRD) is a valuable source of longitudinal primary care records and is increasingly used for epidemiological research.

Aim: To conduct a systematic review of the literature on accuracy and completeness of diagnostic coding in the GPRD.

Design Of Study: Systematic review.

Assessment of tumor response as a surrogate endpoint of survival in recurrent/platinum-resistant ovarian carcinoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

Purpose: We investigated whether tumor response rate (TRR), disease control rate (DCR), or progression-free survival (PFS) was a valid surrogate for overall survival (OS) in phase II trials of second-line therapies for patients with platinum-resistant ovarian carcinoma (PROC).

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated data from 11 second-line phase II trials conducted for PROC by the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG). TRR included complete response and partial response (CR/PR) and DCR was defined as either tumor response or stable disease (CR/PR+SD).

Views of primary care physicians and oncologists on cancer follow-up initiatives in primary care: an online survey.

Introduction: Primary care physicians (PCPs) are playing an increasing role in the follow-up of cancer in England. In 2003 a Cancer Care Review (CCR) was introduced to ensure contact between PCPs and cancer patients within 6 months of diagnosis. The NHS also intends to introduce survivorship care plans (SCP).

Impact of hydronephrosis on outcome of stage IIIB cervical cancer patients with disease limited to the pelvis, treated with radiation and concurrent chemotherapy: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

Objectives: To estimate the significance of hydronephrosis and impact of ureteral obstruction relief on outcome in patients with stage IIIB cervical cancer treated with radiation and concurrent chemotherapy.

Methods: We retrospectively studied stage IIIB cervical cancer patients treated on GOG trials 56, 85, 120 and 165 evaluating radiation and concurrent chemotherapy. Eligible patient records were reviewed to assess the presence of hydronephrosis and treatment of ureteral obstruction.

Phyto-bioconversion of hard coal in the Cynodon dactylon/coal rhizosphere.

Fundamental processes involved in the microbial degradation of coal and its derivatives have been well documented. A mutualistic interaction between plant roots and certain microorganisms to aid growth of plants such as Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass) on hard coal dumps has recently been suggested. In the present study coal bioconversion activity of nonmycorrhizal fungi was investigated in the C.

Adaptation and validation of the Charlson Index for Read/OXMIS coded databases.

Background: The Charlson comorbidity index is widely used in ICD-9 administrative data, however, there is no translation for Read/OXMIS coded data despite increasing use of the General Practice Research Database (GPRD). Our main objective was to translate the Charlson index for use with Read/OXMIS coded data such as the GPRD and test its association with mortality. We also aimed to provide a version of the comorbidity index for other researchers using similar datasets.

The surgical management of sacral chordomas.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors that contribute to improved local control and survival. In addition, we sought to define the expected morbidity associated with treatment.

Stage I, grade 3 endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium: an analysis of clinical outcomes and patterns of recurrence.

Objective: To study patterns of recurrence and survival outcomes in patients with surgical stage I, grade 3 endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium (EA) treated with various treatment modalities.

Methods: A retrospective multi-institutional study of surgical stage I, grade 3 EA patients diagnosed between 1988 and 2006 was performed. Demographic, clinicopathologic, treatment and outcome data were collected.

Trial design for evaluation of novel targeted therapies.

Objectives: The vast number of novel targeted therapies available for testing in the United States dictates that a more efficient system aimed at identifying promising agents for phase III testing needs to be developed. Alternatives to traditional phase II trial design including alternative end points, randomized designs, biomarkers, and imaging tools are discussed.

Methods: Novel techniques for phase II trials were researched in the literature.

Protective effects of cysteine analogues on acute myocardial ischemia: novel modulators of endogenous H(2)S production.

The current study was designed to evaluate the pharmacologic effects of three novel cysteine-containing compounds: S-propyl-l-cysteine (SPC), S-allyl-l-cysteine (SAC), and S-propargyl-l-cysteine (SPRC) on H(2)S production and antioxidant defenses in an acute myocardial infarction (MI) rat model. The enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), as well as glutathione redox status and malonaldehyde (MDA) content, also were determined. All three compounds were found to preserve SOD and GPx activities and also tissue GSH levels while reducing the formation of the lipid peroxidation product MDA in ventricular tissues.

Retrospective analysis of concomitant Cisplatin during radiation in patients aged 55 years or older for treatment of advanced cervical cancer: a gynecologic oncology group study.

Hypothesis: Patients with stages II to IVa cervical cancer aged 55 years or older were compared with patients younger than 55 years who received weekly cisplatin during pelvic radiation for differences in chemoradiation administration, toxicity, and outcome.

Methods: Retrospective review included patients enrolled on Gynecologic Oncology Group trial Nos. 120 and 165 (n = 335) who received weekly cisplatin (40 mg/m) during pelvic irradiation (40.

Abraxane for the treatment of gynecologic cancer patients with severe hypersensitivity reactions to paclitaxel.

Background: Paclitaxel is used in the treatment of most gynecologic malignancies. It is solubilized in Cremophor EL, a polyoxyethylated castor oil agent responsible for the high rate of paclitaxel-associated hypersensitivity reactions. Abraxane, a newer, Cremophor-free form of albumin bound paclitaxel has demonstrated an activity and an improved toxicity profile in breast and lung cancers.

The effect of hydrogen sulfide donors on lipopolysaccharide-induced formation of inflammatory mediators in macrophages.

The role of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) in inflammation is controversial, with both pro- and antiinflammatory effects documented. Many studies have used simple sulfide salts as the source of H(2)S, which give a rapid bolus of H(2)S in aqueous solutions and thus do not accurately reflect the enzymatic generation of H(2)S. We therefore compared the effects of sodium hydrosulfide and a novel slow-releasing H(2)S donor (GYY4137) on the release of pro- and antiinflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated murine RAW264.

Risk of fracture after single fraction image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy to spinal metastases.

Purpose: Single-fraction image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IG-IMRT) allows for tumoricidal treatment of traditionally radioresistant cancers while sparing critical adjacent structures. Risk of vertebral fracture after IG-IMRT for spinal metastases has not been defined.

Patients And Methods: We evaluated 62 consecutive patients undergoing single fraction IG-IMRT at 71 sites for solid organ metastases.

An updated clinicopathologic study of early-stage uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC).

Objectives: Stage I-II uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) patients have a significant risk for extrapelvic recurrence. However, clinicopathologic risk factors for recurrence are not well understood. This study was undertaken to define the prognostic factors for recurrence and survival in patients with early-stage UPSC.

Assessment of factors that contribute to decreased quality of life in Gynecologic Oncology Group ovarian cancer trials.

Background: The objective of this study was to assess which quality-of-life (QOL) line items on the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Ovarian (FACT-O) were associated with low QOL in women who were receiving chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.

Methods: Patients with stage III or IV ovarian cancer on Gynecologic Oncology Group Protocols 152 and 172 who underwent primary surgery followed by intravenous paclitaxel and cisplatin completed the FACT-O. The FACT scale includes the 4 domains of physical, functional, social, and emotional well being (PWB, FWB, SWB, EWB, respectively).

S-propargyl-cysteine protects both adult rat hearts and neonatal cardiomyocytes from ischemia/hypoxia injury: the contribution of the hydrogen sulfide-mediated pathway.

In this study, we determined the cardioprotective effects of S-propargyl-cysteine (SPRC), a structural analog of S-allylcysteine (SAC), using in vivo models of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and in vitro hypoxic cardiomyocytes models. MI was created in rats by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. Plasma enzymes levels and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) activities were determined.

Pedicle screw instrumentation for adult idiopathic scoliosis: an improvement over hook/hybrid fixation.

Study Design: A matched cohort comparison of adult idiopathic scoliosis (AdIS) patients treated with all pedicle screw constructs compared to hook/hybrid constructs.

Objective: To compare clinical and radiographic results of AdIS treatment using all pedicle screw constructs versus hook/hybrid constructs.

Summary Of Background Data: Pedicle screw instrumentation has demonstrated excellent clinical efficacy in the treatment of pediatric spinal deformity.