Radioablation by Image-Guided (HDR) Brachytherapy and Transarterial Chemoembolization in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Randomized Phase II Trial.

Background And Aims: The aim of this single-center, open-label phase II study was to assess the efficacy of image-guided high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (iBT) compared with conventional transarterial embolization (cTACE) in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: Seventy-seven patients were treated after randomization to iBT or cTACE, as single or repeated interventions. Crossover was allowed if clinically indicated.

Mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of FLT3 define a new molecular mechanism of acquired drug resistance to PTK inhibitors in FLT3-ITD-transformed hematopoietic cells.

Activating mutations in the juxtamembrane domain (FLT3-length mutations, FLT3-LM) and in the protein tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) of FLT3 (FLT3-TKD) represent the most frequent genetic alterations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and define a molecular target for therapeutic interventions by protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitors. We could show that distinct activating FLT3-TKD mutations at position D835 mediate primary resistance to FLT3 PTK inhibitors in FLT3-transformed cell lines. In the presence of increasing concentrations of the FLT3 PTK inhibitor SU5614, we generated inhibitor resistant Ba/F3 FLT3-internal tandem duplication (ITD) cell lines (Ba/F3 FLT3-ITD-R1-R4) that were characterized by a 7- to 26-fold higher IC50 (concentration that inhibits 50%) to SU5614 compared with the parental ITD cells.

Coping styles of pregnant women after prenatal ultrasound screening for fetal malformation.

Objective: Ultrasound is a widespread noninvasive method of prenatal diagnosis. The detection of fetal abnormalities can provoke anxiety, which needs coping. The coping process of pregnant women with different risk conditions for fetal abnormality were studied in a longitudinal design and compared with a nonrisk control group of women with healthy uncomplicated pregnancies.

Quality of life in rectal cancer patients: a four-year prospective study.

Objective: To assess long-term quality of life in a population-based sample of rectal cancer patients.

Summary Background Data: Quality of life in rectal cancer patients who suffer reduced bowel and sexual function is very important. Few studies, however, have long term follow-up data or sufficient sample sizes for reliable comparisons between operation groups.

Disseminated tumor cells in bone marrow of patients with transitional cell carcinoma: immunocytochemical detection and correlation with established prognostic indicators.

Purpose: Previous investigations have demonstrated the prognostic value of disseminated cytokeratin positive cells in bone marrow of patients with breast, gastric, colon and prostate cancer. We evaluated the potential of an immunocytochemical assay, using a monoclonal antibody against cytokeratin 18 (CK 18), for the detection of disseminated tumor cells in bone marrow aspirates of patients with transitional cell carcinoma.

Materials And Methods: Bone marrow aspiration was performed preoperatively on 128 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of various stages and on 27 controls with nonmalignant disease.