RNF8 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition of breast cancer cells.

Background: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial step for solid tumor progression and plays an important role in cancer invasion and metastasis. RNF8 is an ubiquitin E3 ligase with RING domain, and plays essential roles in DNA damage response and cell cycle regulation. However the role of RNF8 in the pathogenesis of breast cancer is still unclear.

Safety and clinical activity of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors after programmed cell death 1 inhibitor treatment in patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Emerging agents blocking the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) pathway show activity in metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy after PD-1 inhibition.

Patients And Methods: Patients with mRCC treated with anti-PD-1 antibody (aPD-1) monotherapy or in combination (with VEGFR-TKI or ipilimumab) that subsequently received VEGFR-TKI were retrospectively reviewed.

Development and characterization of two human triple-negative breast cancer cell lines with highly tumorigenic and metastatic capabilities.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a group of cancer with high diversity, limited therapies, and poor prognosis. TNBC cell lines and animal models provide effective tools for studies and drug discovery. Here, we report the development of two TNBC cell lines (XtMCF and LmMCF) based on our existing cell model that consists of normal breast epithelial cell line MCF10F, estradiol-transformed cells trMCF, and Boyden chamber-selected tumorigenic cells bsMCF.

Advanced small cell carcinoma of the bladder: clinical characteristics, treatment patterns and outcomes in 960 patients and comparison with urothelial carcinoma.

To describe the clinical characteristics, treatment patterns and outcomes in advanced small cell bladder cancer (aSCBC) patients and compare to those with urothelial carcinoma (UC). Individuals in the National Cancer Data Base with a diagnosis of either nodal (TxN+M0) or distant metastatic (TxNxM1) disease were identified from 1998 to 2010. We assessed the relationships between stage, treatment modalities and survival in the aSCBC cohort and compared these to UC patients.

Muscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer: an update on systemic therapy.

Urothelial carcinoma is a common malignancy that carries a poor prognosis when the disease includes muscle invasion. Metastatic urothelial carcinoma is almost uniformly fatal. The evidence behind treatment options in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant and metastatic settings are discussed in this manuscript, with a focused review of standard and investigational cytotoxic, targeted, and immunotherapy approaches.

Novel Method for Recruiting Representative At-Risk Individuals into Cancer Prevention Trials: Online Health Risk Assessment in Employee Wellness Programs.

Participation in cancer prevention trials (CPT) is lower than 3 % among high-risk healthy individuals, and racial/ethnic minorities are the most under-represented. Novel recruitment strategies are therefore needed. Online health risk assessment (HRA) serves as a gateway component of nearly all employee wellness programs (EWPs) and may be a missed opportunity.

Clinically localized type 1 and 2 papillary renal cell carcinomas have similar survival outcomes following surgery.

Purpose: We aimed to determine incidence, pathologic findings, prognostic factors and clinical outcomes for patients with clinically localized papillary RCC.

Methods: Demographic, clinical and pathologic findings were collected on all patients with PRCC undergoing surgery at four academic medical centers. The primary endpoint was cancer-specific survival (CSS).

Cognitive-behavioral intervention to promote smoking cessation for pregnant and postpartum inner city women.

This study evaluated a theory-guided cognitive-behavioral counseling (CBC) intervention for smoking cessation during pregnancy and postpartum. It also explored the mediating role of cognitive-affective variables on the impact of CBC. Underserved inner city pregnant women (N = 277) were randomized to the CBC or a best practice (BP) condition, each of which consisted of two prenatal and two postpartum sessions.

Perceptions of Primary Care Among Breast Cancer Survivors: The Effects of Weight Status.

Background: Obese breast cancer survivors (BCSs) are impacted by diminished quality of life (QOL), multiple comorbid conditions, and poor disease outcomes. Despite national guidelines recommending a healthy weight to improve QOL and outcomes posttreatment, support and education are not routinely provided to BCSs in primary care. To fill this gap, we assessed perceptions of primary care received among BCSs by weight status.

Treatment of the Primary Tumor in Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Current Concepts and Future Perspectives.

Context: Multimodal treatment for men with locally advanced prostate cancer (PCa) using neoadjuvant/adjuvant systemic therapy, surgery, and radiation therapy is being increasingly explored. There is also interest in the oncologic benefit of treating the primary tumor in the setting of metastatic PCa (mPCa).

Objective: To perform a review of the literature regarding the treatment of the primary tumor in the setting of mPCa.

Small renal mass management in the elderly and the calibration of risk.

Due to the increased utilization of cross-sectional imaging and prolonged life expectancy, the incidence of incidentally diagnosed renal tumors continues to rise. While partial nephrectomy is currently recommended as the gold standard treatment of cT1a small renal mass whenever technically feasible, the perceived benefits of partial nephrectomy may not be applicable to all patient groups. Selecting between treatment options in elderly and the infirm can present a significant challenge.

Achieving optimal delivery of follow-up care for prostate cancer survivors: improving patient outcomes.

Background: Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the US, and the second most prevalent cancer in men worldwide. High incidence and survival rates for prostate cancer have resulted in a large and growing population of long-term prostate cancer survivors. Long-term follow-up guidelines have only recently been developed to inform approaches to this phase of care for the prostate cancer population.

Is anatomic complexity associated with renal tumor growth kinetics under active surveillance?

Introduction: Linear growth rate (LGR) is the most commonly employed trigger for definitive intervention in patients with renal masses managed with an initial period of active surveillance (AS). Using our institutional cohort, we explored the association between tumor anatomic complexity at presentation and LGR in patients managed with AS.

Methods And Materials: Enhancing renal masses managed expectantly for at least 6 months were included for analysis.

Development and preliminary testing of PROGRESS: a Web-based education program for prostate cancer survivors transitioning from active treatment.

Purpose: This formative research study describes the development and preliminary evaluation of a theory-guided, online multimedia psycho-educational program (PROGRESS) designed to facilitate adaptive coping among prostate cancer patients transitioning from treatment into long-term survivorship.

Methods: Guided by the Cognitive-Social Health Information Processing Model (C-SHIP) and using health communications best practices, we conducted a two-phase, qualitative formative research study with early stage prostate cancer patients (n = 29) to inform the Web program development. Phase 1 included individual (n = 5) and group (n = 12) interviews to help determine intervention content and interface.

Altered blood proteome in girls with high urine concentrations of bisphenol a, genistein, mono-ethyl hexylphthalate and mono-benzyl phthalate.

Children exposed to endocrine disruptors are hypothesized to be susceptible for cancer development later in life. Identifying functional biomarkers of specific exposures may indicate predisposition for this disease. The objectives of this study were to identify protein biomarkers of 1) effect and 2) susceptibility for cancer from the blood of girls exposed to select environmental chemicals.

Immune checkpoint blockade as a novel immunotherapeutic strategy for renal cell carcinoma: a review of clinical trials.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common genitourinary malignancy; when metastatic, it is almost uniformly fatal. For many years non-specific immunotherapy was the mainstay of treatment for metastatic RCC, but led to only modest success and significant side-effects. More recently, seven targeted therapy drugs have been approved to treat metastatic RCC; these drugs impede RCC cell growth, proliferation, and angiogenesis and have had a significant impact on patient outcomes, but with infrequent long term responders.

Temporal trends and factors associated with systemic therapy after cytoreductive nephrectomy: an analysis of the National Cancer Database.

Purpose: We evaluated temporal trends in systemic therapy use in patients undergoing cytoreductive nephrectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. We used data from a large national cancer registry and assessed characteristics associated with the receipt of systemic treatment.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed the NCDB to identify patients with stage IV renal cell carcinoma who underwent cytoreductive nephrectomy between 1998 and 2010.

Heterogeneity and renal mass biopsy: a review of its role and reliability.

Increased abdominal imaging has led to an increase in the detection of the incidental small renal mass (SRM). With increasing recognition that the malignant potential of SRMs is heterogeneous, ranging from benign (15%-20%) to aggressive (20%), enthusiasm for more conservative management strategies in the elderly and infirmed, such as active surveillance (AS), have grown considerably. As the management of the SRM evolves to incorporate ablative techniques and AS for low risk disease, the role of renal mass biopsy (RMB) to help guide individualized therapy is evolving.

Variation in pelvic lymph node dissection among patients undergoing radical prostatectomy by hospital characteristics and surgical approach: results from the National Cancer Database.

Purpose: Clinical practice guidelines recommend pelvic lymph node dissection at the time of surgery for intermediate or high risk prostate cancer. Therefore, we examined the relationship of pelvic lymph node dissection and detection of lymph node metastasis with hospital characteristics and surgical approach among patients with prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: Using the National Cancer Data Base we identified surgically treated patients with pretreatment intermediate or high risk disease from 2010 to 2011.

Is radical nephrectomy a legitimate therapeutic option in patients with renal masses amenable to nephron-sparing surgery?

The decision to perform a radical nephrectomy (RN) or a partial nephrectomy (PN), not unlike most decisions in clinical practice, ultimately hinges on the balance of risk. Do the higher risks of a more complex surgery (PN) justify the theoretical benefits of kidney tissue preservation? Data suggest that for patients with an anatomically complex renal mass and a normal contralateral kidney, for whom additional surgical intensity may be risky, such as the elderly and comorbid, RN presents a robust treatment option. Nevertheless, PN, especially for small and anatomically simple renal masses in young patients without comorbidities should remain the surgical reference standard, as preservation of renal tissue can serve as an 'insurance policy' not only against future renal functional decline, but also against the possibility of tumour development in the contralateral kidney.

Hypoalbuminaemia is associated with mortality in patients undergoing cytoreductive nephrectomy.

Objective: To evaluate whether poor nutrition is associated with mortality in patients undergoing cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

Patients And Methods: A multi-institutional review of prospective databases identified 246 patients meeting inclusion criteria who underwent CN for mRCC from 1993 to 2012. Nutritional markers evaluated were: body mass index <18.