NKT-like cells are expanded in solid tumour patients.

CD3+ CD56+ NKT-like cells have been shown to produce substantial amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines and to mediate lysis of malignant cells. Using flow cytometry, we evaluated the absolute NKT-like cell count in peripheral blood from individuals in a reference population and the median number was 0.085 x 10(9)/l.

High dose rate versus low dose rate brachytherapy in the treatment of tongue carcinoma - a radiobiological study.

Unlabelled: Low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy is a well established treatment for the early stages of tongue cancer. High dose rate (HDR) afterloading devices have replaced LDR brachytherapy in many radiotherapy departments, but the effect and safety of HDR brachytherapy in comparison with LDR brachytherapy for interstitial applications is an unresolved question. The aim of our radiobiological study was to utilize dose volume histiograms from patients treated in our institution to simulate the risk of complication of LDR and HDR brachytherapy.

Prediction of ovarian cancer prognosis and response to chemotherapy by a serum-based multiparametric biomarker panel.

Currently, there are no effective biomarkers for ovarian cancer prognosis or prediction of therapeutic response. The objective of this study was to examine a panel of 10 serum biochemical parameters for their ability to predict response to chemotherapy, progression and survival of ovarian cancer patients. Sera from ovarian cancer patients were collected prior and during chemotherapy and were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for CA125, kallikreins 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11, B7-H4, regenerating protein IV and Spondin-2.

Preoperative radiotherapy and concomitant capecitabine treatment induce thymidylate synthase and thymidine phosphorylase mRNAs in rectal carcinoma.

This work is intended to study the effect of preoperative capecitabine and radiotherapy treatment on the levels of thymidylate synthase (TS), thymidine phosphorylase (TP) and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) mRNAs in rectal carcinoma. 55 patients with locally advanced rectal carcinoma (cT3-4, N0, M0 or cT2-4,N+, M0) were treated with capecitabine 825 mg/m2 twice a day and pelvic radiotherapy 1,8 Gy daily up to cumulative dose of 45 Gy, boosting up to 50,4 Gy. Patients underwent surgery 6th week after the completion of chemoradiotherapy.

Long-term outcome with interstitial brachytherapy boost in the treatment of women with early-stage breast cancer.

Breast conserving surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and eventually by systemic treatment represent the current trend in therapy of the early-stage breast carcinoma. Local control and the final cosmetic effect are important factors in breast conserving therapeutic approaches. We evaluated 215 patients who underwent breast conserving surgery (BCS) followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) in our institute between October 1996 and February 2004.