The codon 399 Arg/Gln XRCC1 polymorphism is associated with lung cancer in Indians.

Background: The XRCC1 (X-ray repair cross complimenting group-I) gene in BER (base excision repair) pathway is essential for DNA repair process. Polymorphisms in this gene are associated with variations in the repair efficiency which might predispose individuals to development of various cancers. Two variants of XRCC1gene (at codon 399), Gln/Gln and Arg/Gln, have been shown to be related to lowered DNA repair capacity and increased genomic instability in multiple studies.

Survival analysis in advanced non small cell lung cancer treated with platinum based chemotherapy in combination with paclitaxel, gemcitabine and etoposide.

Background: The wide spectrum of clinical features in advanced stages of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) probably contributes to disparities in outcomes because of different prognostic variables significant for stage IIIB/IV patients. Hence the aim of this study was to check for favorable response of patients to various chemotherapeutic combinations with respect to patient survival in stage IIIB and stage IV NSCLC disease. We selected those patients for our study who were receiving treatment with paclitaxel, gemcitabine or etoposide in combination with platinum based drugs.

An interesting case of lung mass.

A 46-year-male smoker presented with cough and fever to a chest physician, who on the basis of chest X-ray started him on antitubercular treatment. However, further evaluation suggested that the patient was suffering from a rare disease, i.e.

Irreversible sensorineural hearing loss due to Imatinib.

Objective: We report probably the first case of bilateral irreversible sensorineural hearing loss caused by Imatinib.

Method: A review of the world literature, concerning Imatinib toxicity is presented.

Results: We report a case of bilateral irreversible sensorineural hearing loss, in a 19-year-old male patient of chronic myeloid leukemia after 3 months of Imatinib therapy.

Treatment outcome and cost-effectiveness analysis of two chemotherapeutic regimens (BEP vs. VIP) for poor-prognosis metastatic germ cell tumors.

Background: In patients with small-volume disseminated disease of germ cell tumors, cure can be achieved with four cycles of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP). However, around 20% of these cases are not curable. Strategies to improve cure rates have shown that none of the currently available modalities were superior to the others.

A case of primary rhabdomyosarcoma of the breast.

Primary rhabdomyosarcoma of the breast is a rarely reported in adults, and it occurrence is mostly observed in children. We report a case of primary rhabdomyosarcoma of breast in a 40-year-old lady, who presented in early stage and is in complete remission after one year of treatment.

Imatinib-induced optic neuritis in a patient of chronic myeloid leukemia.

Imatinib is presently the commonest prescribes drug for patients of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in chronic phase (CP) worldwide. Its ocular side effects are little known. Optic neuritis caused by this drug has not been reported (Medline search).