Breast cancer chemoprevention phase I evaluation of biomarker modulation by arzoxifene, a third generation selective estrogen receptor modulator.

Purpose: Arzoxifene, a new selective estrogen receptor modulator with strong breast antiestrogen activity and absence of uterine agonist activity, was explored as a potential chemoprevention agent. We performed a multi-institutional evaluation of arzoxifene in women with newly diagnosed ductal carcinoma in situ or T1/T2 invasive cancer.

Experimental Design: In a Phase IA trial, 50 pre- or postmenopausal women were randomized to 10, 20, or 50 mg of arzoxifene daily in the interval between biopsy and re-excision or were enrolled as no-treatment controls.

Treatment options for Merkel cell carcinoma.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) or neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin is uncommon, often aggressive, and has a poor prognosis. Complete surgical excision with histologic documentation of clear resection margins is recommended for the primary cancer. Retrospective analysis of clinical data strongly suggests that adjuvant radiotherapy improves local control of MCC, but no evidence has been published that it prolongs survival.

Therapy for calciphylaxis: an outcome analysis.

Background: Violaceous skin lesions that progress to nonhealing ulcerations and gangrene characterize calciphylaxis. These lesions, which are associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism, are resistant to medical therapy and may lead to amputation, uncontrollable sepsis, and death.

Methods: In this retrospective analysis, patient, disease, and treatment variables were obtained from the patients' medical records.

9cUAB30, an RXR specific retinoid, and/or tamoxifen in the prevention of methylnitrosourea-induced mammary cancers.

Studies were performed in female Sprague-Dawley rats to determine the efficacy of a new RXR specific retinoid (9cUAB30) when combined with tamoxifen in the prevention of mammary cancers and to determine various pharmacokinetic parameters of the retinoid. When administered by gavage, 9cUAB30 was rapidly absorbed and had a serum t(1/2) of 13.5 h.