Gene expression profiles help identify the tissue of origin for metastatic brain cancers.

Background: Metastatic brain cancers are the most common intracranial tumor and occur in about 15% of all cancer patients. In up to 10% of these patients, the primary tumor tissue remains unknown, even after a time consuming and costly workup. The Pathwork Tissue of Origin Test (Pathwork Diagnostics, Redwood City, CA, USA) is a gene expression test to aid in the diagnosis of metastatic, poorly differentiated and undifferentiated tumors.

Selective tumor targeting by the hypoxia-activated prodrug AQ4N blocks tumor growth and metastasis in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer.

Purpose: The antitumor activities and pharmacokinetics of the hypoxia-activated cytotoxin AQ4N and its metabolites were assessed in several preclinical models of pancreatic cancers.

Experimental Design: The cytotoxic effects of AQ4N prodrug and its bioreduced form, AQ4, were tested against multiple human tumor cell lines using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays. Nude mice bearing s.

A New Formulation of Calcitriol (DN-101) for High-Dose Pulse Administration in Prostate Cancer Therapy.

Although the antineoplastic activity of calcitriol in prostate cancer has been known for many years, the agent's use in oncology has been prevented because of the occurrence of hypercalcemia with daily administration. High-dose pulse administration of calcitriol has the potential to improve the therapeutic index of calcitriol. Results of a phase II study of calcitriol and docetaxel (Taxotere(R)) suggest that this combination may have utility in androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC).

Polymorphisms of GSTT1 and related genes in head and neck cancer risk.

Background: Glutathione S-transferase T1 detoxifies some environmental carcinogens while activating others and is deleted in 15% to 38% of humans. We sought to determine whether GSTT1 genotype and genotypes of several related genes are associated with risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC).

Methods: Somatic genotypes for GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTP1, and CYP1A1 were determined in 283 individuals with HNSCC and 208 population-based controls.

Phase I study of TLK286 (glutathione S-transferase P1-1 activated glutathione analogue) in advanced refractory solid malignancies.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), the maximum tolerated dose, and the pharmacokinetics of the novel glutathione analog TLK286 administered by i.v. infusion.