[Prognostic value of EGFR in colorectal cancer].

The prognostic value of EGFR expression in colorectal cancer, usually evaluated by immunohistochemistry, is actually based on heterogeneous data, considering tumour stage or survival rates. Results are variable due to differences in evaluation criteria between studies. The development of standardized scoring systems and the evaluation of expression variability in tumour led to reconsider this question.

Proteasome inhibition: a new approach for the treatment of malignancies.

Since last years, the proteasome has emerged as a real and exciting target for anticancer therapy. Velcade (bortezomib, formerly known as PS341) remains the first selective proteasome inhibitor that has demonstrated significant preclinical activity in several tumor models and a significant efficacy in patients with refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma, resulting in an accelerated approval in US and Europe in such a setting. The major biological effect of bortezomib is the inhibition of the nuclear transcription factor NFkappaB, with subsequent inhibition of the growth tumor cells, induction of apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis and of cellular adhesion.

Molecularly targeted agents: their promise as cancer chemopreventive interventions.

Molecular medicine has fully entered in to the oncology arena. The development of targeted therapies is one of the major ongoing efforts in cancer treatment. Targeted therapy refers to treatment strategies directed against molecular targets considered to be involved in neoplastic transformation.

Influence of cervical preflaring on apical file size determination.

Aim: To investigate the influence of cervical preflaring with different instruments (Gates-Glidden drills, Quantec Flare series instruments and LA Axxess burs) on the first file that binds at working length (WL) in maxillary central incisors.

Methodology: Forty human maxillary central incisors with complete root formation were used. After standard access cavities, a size 06 K-file was inserted into each canal until the apical foramen was reached.

[Anemia and colorectal cancer].

Colorectal cancers are classically revealed by a low digestive bleeding, which can be occult or exteriorized. They commonly present anemia at the diagnosis leading to particular outcomes. Perioperative blood transfusions are frequently indicated for the treatment of localized tumors and for hepatic resection of metastatic lesions but transfusions seem to have a negative impact on prognosis by increasing infections and potentially recurrence.

[Cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors and lung carcinoma].

Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox2) may play a crucial role in lung carcinogenesis. In fact, overexpression of Cox2 is common in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and seems to be associated with tumor progression, invasion and metastasis. In experimental animal models Cox2 has been shown to be involved in tumor angiogenesis, suggesting that Cox2 is a potential target for NSCLC therapy.

[Aromatase inhibitors in adjuvant setting in breast cancer].

For more than twenty years, tamoxifen represents the gold standard treatment in adjuvant setting for breast cancer patients. However, the tamoxifen activity remains complex, with its agonist effects, sometimes a poor tolerance and a certain number of patients become refractory to treatment. The aromatase inhibitors, such as progestatifs, were developed to challenge tamoxifen efficacy, along with improved tolerability.

In vitro evaluation of the thermal alterations on the root surface during preparation with different Ni-Ti rotary instruments.

The present study evaluated, in vitro, the temperature alterations on the external root surface during instrumentation with four different rotary systems. A total of 20 extracted human maxillary lateral incisors were instrumented using either the ProFile, MicroMega, Quantec or K3 systems and the thermal alterations on the root surface were recorded by means of three thermocouples attached to the coronal, middle and apical portions of the root. Mean temperature increases no higher than 0.

Molecular prognostic factors in resectable non-small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer retains the leading position in cancer-related deaths in the western countries. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) comprises more than 80% of lung cancers, and complete surgical resection of primary tumors in early-stage disease is the only potentially curative treatment. One area of intense research on early-stage NSCLC is the identification of molecular markers to complement TNM staging to fully assess the prognosis of patients and to define innovative strategies.

[HPV and cancer].

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been largely demonstrated involved in the pathogenesis of several intraepithelial lesions and cancers. The role of HPV in the carcinogenesis of intraepithelial and invasive anogenital lesions is currently well established, characterized by integrated DNA HPV inside the lesions. HPV genotypes are classified according to their risk of oncogenesis and HPV16 remains the most common and higher oncogenic types.

Sequential administration of docetaxel followed by cisplatin-vindesine: a pilot study in patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

In this phase II study, the feasibility and efficacy of sequential chemotherapy were tested with agents shown to be active as monotherapy. Patients with chemotherapy-naive, locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer were selected for the study. Treatment involved four cycles of docetaxel (100 mg/m(2) on day 1, every 3 weeks) (sequence A), followed by four cycles of cisplatin-vindesine (cisplatin 120 mg/m(2) on day 1 and vindesine 3 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, 15, and 22, every 4 weeks) (sequence B).

Epidermal growth factor receptor signaling in colorectal cancer: preclinical data and therapeutic perspectives.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) belongs to a family of receptors known as the ErbB family (ErbB tyrosine kinase receptors) which comprises four proteins encoded by the c-erbB proto-oncogene. EGFR is known to activate a cascade of multiple signaling pathways that facilitate tumor growth process. EGFR has been shown to be overexpressed in colorectal cancer patient populations but its prognostic value in colorectal cancer progression remains unclear.

Chemoprevention of lung cancer.

Lung cancer remains a major cause of mortality worldwide, despite advances in surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Most patients present with advanced disease, and early detection approaches are still experimental. Chemoprevention strategies are therefore essential.

Impact of EGFR expression on colorectal cancer patient prognosis and survival.

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in many types of cancers, especially colorectal cancer (CRC), and seems to reflect more aggressive histological and clinical behaviors. The aim of this study was to evaluate EGFR immunohistochemical reactivity in CRC biopsies, and to analyze its relationship with various histological and clinical characteristics and survival.

Patients And Methods: A composite EGFR score, obtained by multiplying the grade (% positive cells) by the intensity of labeling (0-9) was used to define patients with low or high EGFR expression whose clinicopathological features were then compared.

Nuclear localization of apoptosis protease activating factor-1 predicts survival after tumor resection in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer.

The proapoptotic protein apoptosis protein activating factor-1 (Apaf-1), which is normally located in the cytoplasm, can translocate to the nucleus before non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells manifest signs of apoptosis such as mitochondrial damage, caspase activation, or chromatin condensation. This may indicate a stage of imminent apoptosis. Importantly, we found that 24% (15 of 62) of resected stage I NSCLC (T(1)N(0)M(0) or T(2)N(0)M(0)), manifested a marked nuclear localization of Apaf-1 (Apaf-1(Nuc)), as compared with the mostly cytoplasmic localization of Apaf-1 found in the remaining tumors (Apaf-1(Cyt)).

Breast cancer with synchronous metastases: trends in survival during a 14-year period.

Purpose: Although new drugs were approved during the 1990s for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, it is not clear whether their use has changed the outcome of patients in daily practice. This study sought to determine whether survival has improved over time for breast cancer patients who had metastases at diagnosis.

Patients And Methods: A total of 724 patients have been treated in three French cancer centers for an initially metastatic breast cancer between 1987 and 2000; 343 were diagnosed between 1987 and 1993, and 381 were diagnosed between 1994 and 2000.

Lung cancer in patients with HIV Infection and review of the literature.

Background: The improved survival of patients since the use of highly active antiretroviral treatments has lead to the reporting of non-AIDS defining tumors, such as lung cancer.

Methods: Analysis of the records of 22 HIV-infected patients with lung cancer (LC) diagnosed in three hospitals located in the Paris area (France).

Results: Twenty-one patients were smokers.

[Cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors and lung carcinoma].

Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox2) may play a crucial role in lung carcinogenesis. In fact, overexpression of Cox2 is common in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and seems to be associated with tumor progression, invasion and metastasis. In experimental animal models Cox2 has been shown to be involved in tumor angiogenesis, suggesting that Cox2 is a potential target for NSCLC therapy.

Phase II study of paclitaxel combined with vinorelbine in patients with advanced breast cancer.

Paclitaxel and vinorelbine are two drugs active against breast cancer. A phase II study was initiated with the aim of assessing the efficacy and feasibility of the combination. Twenty-six patients presenting with advanced breast cancer with a taxane- and vinorelbine-free line of chemotherapy were included and treated with vinorelbine (20 mg/m2 on D1, D15), followed by paclitaxel (175 mg/m2 on D1), every 3 weeks.

Oxaliplatin plus irinotecan and FU-FOL combination and pharmacokinetic analysis in advanced colorectal cancer patients.

This phase I-II trial was designed to assess the effect of irinotecan on oxaliplatin pharmacokinetics and to determine the MDT of both drugs when administered in combination. Treatment was repeated every 2 weeks. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed on cycle 1 and 2 to assess the best sequence and detect any interaction between the two drugs.

Chemokine receptor CXCR4 and early-stage non-small cell lung cancer: pattern of expression and correlation with outcome.

Background: The expression of CXCR4 has been implicated in metastatic dissemination in different models of breast cancer and melanoma. In the present study, we evaluated CXCR4 expression in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the relationship between CXCR4 expression and the prognosis of stage I disease.

Patients And Methods: Using immunohistochemical analysis, we retrospectively analyzed CXCR4 expression in specimens from 61 patients with completely resected pathologically confirmed stage I NSCLC for whom clinical follow-up data were available.

Loss of PTEN expression is not uncommon, but lacks prognostic value in stage I NSCLC.

The PTEN gene is a tumor-suppressor gene that is inactivated in several types of human tumors. The loss of PTEN expression has been supported as a prognostic marker. Using immunohistochemical analysis, we retrospectively analyzed PTEN expression in specimens from 53 patients with completely resected stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for whom clinical follow-up data were available.

[Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer: an overview].

The clinical benefits of endocrine therapy for patients with hormonosensitive breast cancer remains perfectly established. For instance, tamoxifen, the gold standard of the adjuvant treatment, has largely contributed of the effectiveness of such a therapy. The recent development of new endocrine agents (the third-generation aromatase inhibitors, selective estrogen receptors modulators), provides to physicians the opportunity of a more effective and tolerable therapeutic approach, in the metastatic disease setting or likely in adjuvant setting for breast cancer patients.