Reirradiation + hyperthermia for recurrent breast cancer en cuirasse.

Background And Purpose: Patients with irresectable locoregional recurrent breast cancer en cuirasse (BCEC) do not have effective curative treatment options. Hyperthermia, the elevation of tumor temperature to 40-45 °C, is a well-established radio- and chemotherapy sensitizer. A total of 196 patients were treated with reirradiation and hyperthermia (reRT+HT) at two Dutch institutes from 1982-2005.

Reirradiation and hyperthermia for irresectable locoregional recurrent breast cancer in previously irradiated area: Size matters.

Background/purpose: Treatment options for irresectable locoregional recurrent breast cancer in previously irradiated area are limited. Hyperthermia, elevating tumor temperature to 40-45°C, sensitizes radio-and-chemotherapy. Four hundred and fourteen patients treated with reirradiation+hyperthermia (reRT+HT) in the AMC(n=301) and the BVI(n=113), from 1982 to 2005 were retrospectively analyzed for treatment response, locoregional control (LC) and prognostic factors for LC and toxicity.

Improvement of in vivo transfer of plasmid DNA in muscle: comparison of electroporation versus ultrasound.

Plasmid-based gene delivery to muscle is a treatment strategy for many diseases with potential advantages above viral-based gene delivery methods, however, with a relative low transfection efficiency. We compared two physical methods - electroporation and ultrasound - that facilitate DNA uptake into cells. Mice (C57Bl/6) were injected intramuscular using plasmid DNA encoding an intracellular protein (p53) followed by electroporation or ultrasound.

Circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in advanced stage cancer patients compared to normal controls and diabetes mellitus patients with critical ischemia.

Anti-angiogenic therapy is emerging as a valuable tool in the treatment of patients with cancer. As VEGF is a central target in anti-angiogenic therapy, its levels in the circulation might be relevant in selecting tumor types or patients likely to respond to this treatment. Additional VEGF has been recognized as a key factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.

Systemic VEGF levels after coronary artery bypass graft surgery reflects the extent of inflammatory response.

Background: Circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was studied as a substitute endpoint for treatment response after VEGF plasmid therapy. The effect of coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on systemic VEGF levels are however largely unknown, therefore, we studied the effect of this procedure to measure VEGF levels after surgery alone.

Methods: Fourteen patients requiring CABG were included.

Circulating vascular endothelial growth factor during the normal menstrual cycle.

Background: The purpose of the study was to investigate whether cycle-related variations in circulating Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) levels would increase the metastatic potential at specific times during the menstrual cycle.

Materials And Methods: VEGF levels in serum and whole blood were evaluated during the normal menstrual cycle in premenopausal women. Determination of the menstrual phase was based on hormonal measurements.

Platelets and granulocytes, in particular the neutrophils, form important compartments for circulating vascular endothelial growth factor.

The measurement of circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels as a prognostic factor will gain increasing relevance in the diagnosis and evaluation of treatment in cancer patients. Angiogenesis is an absolute requirement in tumour growth and metastatic disease. In the present study data are presented which indicate that circulating VEGF mainly resides in peripheral blood cells.