Comparison of elastography based on transvaginal ultrasound and MRI in assessing parametrial invasion of cervical cancer.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of transvaginal elastography (TVES) combined with high-resolution transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) in the detection of parametrial invasion in cervical cancer and to compare the diagnostic performance with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials And Methods: 52 women with histologically confirmed cervical cancer over a 2-year period were staged using International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) criteria and underwent MRI and TVES combined with TVS according to a standardized protocol before treatment. When assessing parametrial involvement with TVS, MRI, and combination of TVES and TVS, the findings were recorded and compared with histopathological results after surgery in early-stage disease (stage⩽IIa).

Minichromosome maintenance protein 7 and geminin expression: Prognostic value in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in patients treated with radiotherapy and cetuximab.

Background: Minichromosome maintenance protein 7 (MCM7) is a downstream of human epidermal growth receptor (HER1) signaling. We examined MCM7, geminin, and HER1 expression in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) treated with radiotherapy and cetuximab.

Methods: MCM7, geminin, and HER1 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry on 61 patients with laryngeal SCC.

Prognostic value of increased KPNA2 expression in some solid tumors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Karyopherin α2 (KPNA2), a member of the Karyopherin α family, has recently been reported to play an important role in tumor progression. However, the association between KPNA2 expression and prognosis in cancer remains controversial. So we performed this meta-analysis to evaluate whether expression of KPNA2 was associated with prognosis in patients with solid tumor.

Identification of biomarker microRNAs for predicting the response of colorectal cancer to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy based on microRNA regulatory network.

Preoperative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy has become a standard procedure for treatment of patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). However, patients' responses to treatment are different and personalized. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are promising biomarkers for predicting personalized responses.

Modelling tumour volume variations in head and neck cancer: contribution of magnetic resonance imaging for patients undergoing induction chemotherapy.

Primary tumour volume evaluation has predictive value for estimating survival outcomes. Using volumetric data acquired by MRI in patients undergoing induction chemotherapy (IC) these outcomes were estimated before the radiotherapy course in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. MRI performed before and after IC in 36 locally advanced HNC patients were analysed to measure primary tumour volume.

Tumor Humor?

An anecdote from a radiation-oncology setting is the underpinning of this recommendation that physicians consider introducing humor into the doctor-patient relationship.

Estimation of second cancer risk after radiotherapy for rectal cancer: comparison of 3D conformal radiotherapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy using different high dose fractionation schemes.

Purpose: To investigate second cancer risk (SCR) comparing volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and 3D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) with different high dose fractionation schemes.

Methods: VMAT and 3DCRT virtual treatment plans for 25 patients previously treated with radiotherapy for rectal cancer were evaluated retrospectively. Doses prescribed were 25 × 1.

Reversal effect of ouabain on multidrug resistance in esophageal carcinoma EC109/CDDP cells by inhibiting the translocation of Wnt/β-catenin into the nucleus.

The incidence of esophageal carcinoma is increasing throughout the world. A major obstacle to its treatment is acquired multidrug resistance (MDR) which results in the failure of chemotherapy and patient relapse. Here, we identified that ouabain is capable of reversing MDR to cisplatin (CDDP) in EC109/CDDP cells and explore the possible mechanisms of action.

Timing of Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy After Breast-Conserving Surgery for Node-Positive Breast Cancer: Long-Term Results From International Breast Cancer Study Group Trials VI and VII.

Purpose: To update the previous report from 2 randomized clinical trials, now with a median follow-up of 16 years, to analyze the effect of radiation therapy timing on local failure and disease-free survival.

Patients And Methods: From July 1986 to April 1993, International Breast Cancer Study Group trial VI randomly assigned 1475 pre-/perimenopausal women with node-positive breast cancer to receive 3 or 6 cycles of initial chemotherapy (CT). International Breast Cancer Study Group trial VII randomly assigned 1212 postmenopausal women with node-positive breast cancer to receive tamoxifen for 5 years, or tamoxifen for 5 years with 3 early cycles of initial CT.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus as a Risk Factor for Female Breast Cancer in the Population of Northern Pakistan.

Background: There has been much research work in the past to ascertain the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and breast cancer, but definitive evidence has been scanty. The present study was carried out to determine the association of type 2 diabetes mellitus with breast cancer in the female population of Northern Pakistan.

Materials And Methods: This casecontrol study was carried out in the Oncology Department of NORI Hospital.

TMPRSS4 as an emerging potential poor prognostic factor for solid tumors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Recent studies have investigated the potential prognostic value of the transmembrane protease serine 4 (TMPRSS4) in various solid tumors. Yet, the results are inconclusive. Here, we performed this meta-analysis to clarify this issue.

Long-term outcome of changes in cognitive function of young rats after various/different doses of whole brain irradiation.

Objective: To characterize the early delayed and late-delayed cognitive dysfunction induced by various doses of whole brain irradiation in young rats.

Methods: One-month-old Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided randomly into the 0 (control), 0 (anesthesia control), 2, 10, 20, and 30-Gy groups. Each group was then subdivided into 4 groups according to the experimental intervals: 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after radiation.

Evaluation of tumour vascular distribution and function using immunohistochemistry and BOLD fMRI with carbogen inhalation.

Aim: To evaluate oxygenation changes in rat subcutaneous C6 gliomas using blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) combined with non-haemodynamic response function (non-HRF) analysis.

Materials And Methods: BOLD fMRI were performed during carbogen inhalation in 20 Wistar rats bearing gliomas. Statistical maps of spatial oxygenation changes were computed by a dedicated non-HRF analysis algorithm.

Concurrent Cisplatin-Based Chemoradiation in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Cervix.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiation in squamous cell carcinoma of cervix and the frequency of acute toxicity.

Study Design: Case series.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Clinical Oncology, Karachi Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (KIRAN), Karachi, from September 2010 to September 2011.

Wilms tumor gene 1 (WT1), TP53, RAS/BRAF and KIT aberrations in testicular germ cell tumors.

Purpose: Wilms tumor gene 1 (WT1), a zinc-finger transcription factor essential for testis development and function, along with other genes, was investigated for their role in the pathogenesis of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT).

Methods: In total, 284 TGCT and 100 control samples were investigated, including qPCR for WT1 expression and BRAF mutation, p53 immunohistochemistry detection, and massively parallel amplicon sequencing.

Results: WT1 was significantly (p < 0.

Radiochemotherapy with Gemcitabine in Unresectable Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Long-term Results of a Phase II Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of patients affected by unresectable extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treated with radiotherapy (ERT) and concurrent gemcitabine-based chemotherapy with or without intraluminal brachytherapy (BT).

Patients And Methods: Twenty-seven patients underwent weekly gemcitabine (100 mg/m(2)) as a 24-h infusion during the course of three-dimensional radiotherapy (50.4 Gy to the tumor and 39.

Impact of Resecting Radiation Necrosis and Pseudoprogression on Survival of Patients with Glioblastoma.

Introduction: Radiation necrosis (RN) and pseudoprogression are known as postradiation treatment effects and may simulate tumor progression. The disease course of glioblastoma patients who had developed RN and the impact of resecting RN on survival have not been evaluated. This study examines the clinical course of patients considered candidates for repeat surgery for a recurring brain mass proven to be RN and compared these with patients who had true tumor recurrence at surgery.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in high-grade glioma: judicious selection of small target volumes improves results.

We present a retrospective review of 55 Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) procedures performed in 47 consecutive patients with high-grade glioma (HGG). Thirty-three (70.2%) patients were diagnosed with glioblastoma and 14 (29.

Increased Notch Signaling Enhances Radioresistance of Malignant Stromal Cells Induced by Glioma Stem/ Progenitor Cells.

Background: Host malignant stromal cells induced by glioma stem/progenitor cells were revealed to be more radiation-resistant than the glioma stem/progenitor cells themselves after malignant transformation in nude mice. However, the mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains unclear.

Methods: Malignant stromal cells induced by glioma stem/progenitor cell 2 (GSC-induced host brain tumor cells, ihBTC2) were isolated and identified from the double color-coded orthotopic glioma nude mouse model.

CogState computerized memory tests in patients with brain metastases: secondary endpoint results of NRG Oncology RTOG 0933.

Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is associated with memory dysfunction. As part of NRG Oncology RTOG 0933, a phase II study of WBRT for brain metastases that conformally avoided the hippocampal stem cell compartment (HA-WBRT), memory was assessed pre- and post-HA-WBRT using both traditional and computerized memory tests. We examined whether the computerized tests yielded similar findings and might serve as possible alternatives for assessment of memory in multi-institution clinical trials.

The Globalization of Cooperative Groups.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI)-supported adult cooperative oncology research groups (now officially Network groups) have a longstanding history of participating in international collaborations throughout the world. Most frequently, the US-based cooperative groups work reciprocally with the Canadian national adult cancer clinical trial group, NCIC CTG (previously the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group). Thus, Canada is the largest contributor to cooperative groups based in the United States, and vice versa.

The key role of miR-21-regulated SOD2 in the medium-mediated bystander responses in human fibroblasts induced by α-irradiated keratinocytes.

Radiation-induced bystander effect (RIBE) is well accepted in the radiation research field by now, but the underlying molecular mechanisms for better understanding this phenomenon caused by intercellular communication and intracellular signal transduction are still incomplete. Although our previous study has demonstrated an important role of miR-21 of unirradiated bystander cells in RIBEs, the direct evidence for the hypothesis that RIBE is epigenetically regulated is still limited and how miR-21 mediates RIBEs is unknown. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been demonstrated to be involved in RIBEs, however, the roles of anti-oxidative stress system of cells in RIBEs are unclear.