Implications of cancer-associated systemic inflammation for biomarker studies.

Highly sensitive molecular technologies provide new capacities for cancer biomarker research, but with sensitivity improvements marker specificity is significantly decreased, and too many false-positive results should disqualify the measurement from clinical use. Hence, of the thousands of potential cancer biomarkers only a few have found their way to clinical application. Differentiating false-positive results from true-positive (cancer-specific) results can indeed be difficult, if validation of a marker is performed against inadequate controls.

Squamous cell carcinoma antigen 1 and 2 expression in cultured normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) is expressed in normal squamous cell epithelia and in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Two nearly identical genes encode the inhibitory serpins SCCA1 (SERPINB3) and SCCA2 (SERPINB4). Serum levels of SCCA are elevated in patients with benign skin diseases and in patients with SCC.

Treatment of advanced dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with imatinib mesylate with or without surgical resection.

Background: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma of the skin characterized by the presence of specific COL1A1-PDGFB fusion protein, which appears as a consequence of the t(17;22) (q22;q13) translocation.

Objective: The aim of the study was to perform an analysis of patients with advanced DFSP treated with imatinib, with or without surgery, in clinical practice outside trials.

Patients And Methods: We analysed the data of 15 patients (6 male, 9 female; median age 56 years) with locally advanced/initially inoperable and/or metastatic DFSP treated with imatinib 400-800 mg daily between 12/2004 and 06/2009.

The frequency of human papillomavirus infection in polish patients with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma.

Introduction: Vulvar cancer is a rare condition representing about 4% of all female genital tract tumors. In contrast to the established relationship of virtually all cervical cancer cases with the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, the reported HPV positivity in vulvar carcinoma ranges widely.

Methods: Using the Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test, we investigated the HPV incidence in a group of 46 Polish patients with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (age range, 37-93 years; median age, 70.

Germinal mutations of RET, SDHB, SDHD, and VHL genes in patients with apparently sporadic pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas.

Introduction: Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas are derived from neural crest cells and are localized mainly in adrenal medulla and sympathetic or parasympathetic ganglia. They can be inherited (25%) and be part of multi-endocrine syndromes such as MEN2 syndrome, von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1, and Sturge-Weber syndrome. Clinical presentation can sometimes be atypical and does not always allow proper diagnosis.

The quality of pathological reports of postoperative specimens in rectal cancer: an audit from the Mazovia region.

Background: Recently, pathologists have recommended new standards of post operative specimen evaluation in rectal cancer. These new standards include: macroscopic assessment of the quality of surgical excision of mesorectum, microscopic measurement of circumferential resection margin and the assessment of at least 12 mesorectal lymph nodes regarding the presence of metastases. The purpose of our study was to find out whether those standards have been implemented into a routine practice in Poland.

Simultaneous integrated boost radiotherapy for thyroid cancer.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of using Simultaneous Integrated Boost (SIB) radiotherapy for thyroid cancer treatment.

Background: At our hospital a 3D Conformal RadioTherapy (3D-CRT) technique involving photon and electron beams for the treatment of thyroid cancer was often used.(1) High dose to the spinal canal was limiting the total dose of such a treatment.

Energy dependence of radiochromic dosimetry films for use in radiotherapy verification.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to examine the energy dependence of Gafchromic EBT radiochromic dosimetry films, in order to assess their potential use in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) verifications.

Materials And Methods: The film samples were irradiated with doses from 0.1 to 12 Gy using photon beams from the energy range 1.

Comparison of 2D- and 3D-guided implantation in accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI).

Purpose: In this study two different pre-planning methods (2D vs. 3D) were compared in respect to the implant quality as judged by volumetric and dose parameters of the treatment plans. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of the imaging modalities used for pre-planning purpose to the treatment plan quality.

The accuracy of the sentinel lymph node concept in early stage squamous cell vulvar carcinoma.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the feasibility and accuracy of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification in vulvar carcinoma patients.

Methods: Sixty-two patients with clinical early stage vulvar cancer underwent SLN detection procedure, followed by a complete inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy. The SLN was identified intraoperatively using lymphoscintigraphy with technetium-99m as well as patent blue V staining.

Breast cancer brain metastases: differences in survival depending on biological subtype, RPA RTOG prognostic class and systemic treatment after whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT).

Background: Patients with breast cancer brain metastasis are a heterogeneous group in relation to tumor biology and outcome.

Materials And Methods: The group of 222 breast cancer patients with brain metastasis was divided into three biological subgroups. The propensity of biological subtypes for metastases to the brain and survivals depending on biological subtype, recursive partitioning analysis of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RPA RTOG) prognostic class and the use of systemic treatment after whole-brain radiotherapy were assessed.

Ionizing radiation-induced bystander effects, potential targets for modulation of radiotherapy.

Cells exposed to ionizing radiation show DNA damage, apoptosis, chromosomal aberrations or increased mutation frequency and for a long time it was generally accepted that these effects resulted from ionization of cell structures and the action of reactive oxygen species formed by water radiolysis. In the last few years, however, it has appeared that cells exposed to ionizing radiation and other genotoxic agents can release signals that induce very similar effects in non-targeted neighboring cells, phenomena known as bystander effects. These signals are transmitted to the neighboring non-hit cells by intercellular gap-junction communication or are released outside the cell, in the case of cultured cells into the medium.

Efficacy of radionuclide treatment DOTATATE Y-90 in patients with progressive metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas (GEP-NETs): a phase II study.

Background: To evaluate the clinical and radiological effectiveness of [DOTA(0), D-Phe(1), Tyr(3)]-octreotate (DOTATATE) Y-90 in patients with extensive progressive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas (GEP-NETs).

Materials And Methods: Sixty patients with histologically proven GEP-NETs were treated with DOTATATE Y-90. Clinical responses were assessed 6 weeks after completing therapy and then after each of the 3- to 6-month intervals.

Trastuzumab treatment in patients with breast cancer and metastatic CNS disease.

Background: Patients with metastatic central nervous system (mCNS) disease progression from breast cancer have a poor prognosis and often develop associated neurological complications. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positivity status increases the risk of developing mCNS disease. Trastuzumab is an mAb that targets HER2 and is known to extend survival across all stages of HER2-positive breast cancer.

Her2, EGFR and TOPIIA gene amplification and protein expression in synovial sarcoma before and after combined treatment.

Synovial sarcoma (SyS) occurs mostly in young adults and is characterized by an aggressive course. Combined treatment including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical excision of the tumour is still not satisfactory, with mean 5-year survival of 30-50%. New targeted treatment options have appeared recently, e.

Molecular signature of cell cycle exit induced in human T lymphoblasts by IL-2 withdrawal.

Background: The molecular mechanisms of cell cycle exit are poorly understood. Studies on lymphocytes at cell cycle exit after growth factor deprivation have predominantly focused on the initiation of apoptosis. We aimed to study gene expression profile of primary and immortalised IL-2-dependent human T cells forced to exit the cell cycle by growth factor withdrawal, before apoptosis could be evidenced.

Preoperative radiotherapy and local excision of rectal cancer with immediate radical re-operation for poor responders.

Background And Purpose: To report an early analysis of prospective study exploring preoperative radiotherapy and local excision in rectal cancer.

Materials And Methods: Mucosa at tumour edges was tattooed. Patients with cT1-3N0 tumour <3-4 cm were treated with either 5x5Gy+4Gy boost (N=31) or chemoradiation (50.

Cytokines as potential tumour markers.

Background: Cytokines and cytokine receptors contribute importantly to each step of cancer development and progression, and deregulated levels of cytokines and cytokine receptors can be detected in cancer patients locally and systemically.

Objective: This review aims to outline and discuss the current status of cytokines and their receptors as potential diagnostic, prognostic, predictive and risk indicators, exemplified in cervical, ovarian, breast, prostate, colorectal, gastric, and non-small cell lung cancers and in sarcomas.

Methods: The Medline database was searched for articles on the relevant cancers, published in the English language, using combinations of the following keywords: cytokine, interleukin, growth factor, diagnostic, prognostic, predictive, serum, ascitic and expression.

Influence of local peripheral temporary ischaemia on biochemical and histological effects in small intestine and serum of rats following abdominal irradiation.

The local temporary ischaemia effect on radiation-induced lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase isoenzyme activities, and intestinal crypt number was estimated in male WAG-strain rats in vivo. The animals were irradiated in the abdomen area with doses of 2 Gy for ten consecutive days using a Philips 60Co source. The calculated dose rate was 0.

Quality of life, anorectal and sexual functions after preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer: report of a randomised trial.

Background And Purpose: Patients (N=316) with resectable cT3-4 low-lying and mid-rectal cancer were randomised to receive either preoperative 5x5Gy irradiation with subsequent surgery performed within 7 days or chemoradiation (50.4, 1.8Gy per fraction plus boluses of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin) followed by surgery after 4-6 weeks.

Trends in cervical cancer survival in Europe, 1983-1994: a population-based study.

Objective: To evaluate trends in survival from cervical cancer in Europe and in European countries participating in the EUROCARE study as a function of age, morphology and stage at diagnosis.

Methods: Relative survival and relative excess risk of death within 5 years of diagnosis, as a function of age, morphology and stage, among 73,022 women aged 15-99 years diagnosed during 1983-1994 and followed up to 1999 in each of 18 European countries participating in the EUROCARE study, using data from 34 population-based cancer registries.

Results: Overall five-year relative survival was 62%, rising by 2% during the period 1983-1994.

Resources and management strategies for the use of radiotherapy in the treatment of lung cancer in Central and Eastern European countries: results of an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) survey.

Purpose: To assess resources and management strategies for the use of radiotherapy (RT) in the treatment of lung cancer in developing Central and Eastern European countries.

Materials/methods: Questionnaires on patterns of care of NSCLC and SCLC were sent to radiation oncologists of Central and Eastern Europe. Comparisons were made between two groups of countries-ex-USSR states and other Eastern and Central European countries.

The relevance of RT-PCR detection of disseminated tumour cells is hampered by the expression of markers regarded as tumour-specific in activated lymphocytes.

Marker genes, commonly used to detect circulating tumour cells in RT-PCR-based tests: squamous-cell carcinoma antigen, epidermal growth factor receptor, mammaglobin, small breast epithelial mucin, but not carbonic anhydrase 9, were shown to be expressed in normal, mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC). Thus, considering the inflammatory reactions often accompanying cancer development, to reduce false-positive results of the metastatic tumour cell tests, molecular markers should be validated not against normal peripheral blood, but against activated lymphoid cells, such as in vitro mitogen-stimulated PBMNC.

Risk of malignant tumors in first-degree relatives of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer -- a hospital based study.

In presented study the risk of incidence of familial differentiated thyroid cancer as well as the risk of other malignant tumors in families of DTC patients was evaluated. 999 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer and 825 persons without any history of malignant disease were evaluated on the occurrence of malignant neoplasm within their families. Information about 6614 first degree relatives of DTC index patients and 4939 first degree relatives of control persons were recorded.