Relationship between neurocognitive function and quality of life after whole-brain radiotherapy in patients with brain metastasis.

Purpose: To examine the relationship between neurocognitive function (NCF) and quality of life (QOL) in patients with brain metastases after whole-brain radiotherapy.

Patients And Methods: A total of 208 patients from the whole-brain radiotherapy arm of a Phase III trial (PCI-P120-9801), who underwent regular NCF and QOL (ADL [activities of daily living] and FACT-Br [Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain-specific]) testing, were analyzed. Spearman's rank correlation was calculated between NCF and QOL, using each patient's own data, at each time point.

Phase II study of doxercalciferol for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome.

We conducted a phase II trial of doxercalciferol, a vitamin D2 analogue, in 15 patients with MDS. Each received doxercalciferol 12.5 microg orally daily for 12 weeks.

A 5-drug regimen maximizing the dose of cyclophosphamide is effective therapy for adult Burkitt or Burkitt-like lymphomas.

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and Burkitt-like lymphomas (BLL) are clinically and biologically aggressive B-cell malignancies. Brief-duration, high intensity multidrug regimens with central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis have proven to be effective, with published series of adult patients documenting complete response (CR) rates of 80 to 100 percent and 2-year event-free survival (EFS) rates ranging from 60 to 90 percent. Based upon the known sensitivity of BL to cyclophosphamide and favorable results reported from the Dana Farber Cancer Center using high-dose CHOP in diffuse aggressive lymphomas, we tested a regimen designed to maximize the administered dose of cyclophosphamide while eliminating other agents commonly used in BL protocols.

Prostate cancer immunotherapy.

Purpose Of Review: Basic immunology research over several decades has led to an improved understanding of tumor recognition by components of the immune system and mechanisms of tumor evasion from immune detection. These findings have ultimately led to four phase III trials, currently underway, evaluating antitumor active immunotherapies in patients with prostate cancer. This article reviews recent published findings in the area of prostate cancer immunotherapies, focusing on both passive and active immunotherapy approaches that have entered clinical trials.

Regression after whole-brain radiation therapy for brain metastases correlates with survival and improved neurocognitive function.

Purpose: Brain metastasis (BM) is a major cause of suffering and health costs in cancer patients. Whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) offers tumor shrinking and palliation in many cases, but it has been speculated that these benefits may be outweighed by adverse effects on neurocognitive function (NCF).

Patients And Methods: Two hundred eight BM patients from the WBRT arm of phase III trial PCI-P120-9801 evaluating motexafin gadolinium were analyzed.

What causes cancer? Reports from sixth-grade girls.

Background: We evaluated students' perception of cancer causation among sixth-grade girls living in Wisconsin.

Method: We asked female students to list up to 3 causes of cancer in a cross-sectional health survey.

Results: A total of 141 answers were given by 53 students.

Cellular immunotherapies for prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is currently the most commonly diagnosed malignancy, and the second leading cause of cancer-related death, in men in the United States. Most deaths from prostate cancer are due to metastatic disease that no longer responds to androgen deprivation. There have been several advances within the last decade leading to the approval of new agents for treating patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Therapeutic advances for glioblastoma multiforme: current status and future prospects.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common central nervous system malignancy. It is rapidly progressive with rare opportunity for cure. After three decades of laboratory and clinical research, a newly evolved chemoradiotherapy approach using the alkylating agent temozolomide during and after radiotherapy has resulted in the first significant impact on this disease.

Pharmacogenetics and irinotecan therapy.

Purpose: Irinotecan metabolism, irinotecan pharmacogenetic research, and the role of genetic testing before administration of the drug are reviewed.

Summary: Irinotecan is approved worldwide for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer but causes dose-limiting neutropenia and diarrhea. When severe, these can lead to dehydration, infection, patient discomfort, additional medication requirements, hospitalization, and death.

Phase II study of daily oral perifosine in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma.

Background: A multicenter Phase II study was performed to evaluate the clinical activity of an initial loading (150 mg every 6 hours x 4 doses) dose followed by continuous daily oral dosing (100 mg/day) of perifosine in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STSs).

Methods: Patients with measurable metastatic STS received perifosine as first-, second-, or third-line treatment and underwent disease assessment every 8 weeks until disease progression, excessive toxicity, or patient refusal.

Results: Twenty-three patients received 66 cycles (1 cycle = 4 weeks) of perifosine.

Novel antioxidant technology for prostate cancer chemoprevention and treatment.

The mechanisms underlying prostate carcinogenesis are not firmly elucidated. An exciting area of research in this regard asks whether prostate cancer results from the consequences of lifelong exposure of prostate tissue to oxidative stress. This article reviews the laboratory-based literature on oxidative stress and its possible role in prostate carcinogenesis.

From menarche to menopause: trends among US Women born from 1912 to 1969.

The authors investigated secular trends in age at menarche, age at menopause, and reproductive life span within a population-based cohort of US women. Study subjects were 22,774 women selected randomly as controls for a case-control study. Eligible controls were residents of Wisconsin, Massachusetts, or New Hampshire born between 1910 and 1969.

In-vivo activation of Raf-1 inhibits tumor growth and development in a xenograft model of human medullary thyroid cancer.

Apart from surgical resection, there are no effective therapies for medullary thyroid cancer, a neuroendocrine tumor derived from parafollicular C cells. We have previously shown that activation of raf-1 in TT-raf cells by estradiol suppresses tumor cell growth and calcitonin secretion in vitro. TT-raf cells are a human medullary thyroid cancer cell line that contains an estrogen-inducible raf-1 construct.

Duration of sleep and breast cancer risk in a large population-based case-control study.

One important function of sleep may be its contribution to the maintenance of the immune system and regulation of the circadian rhythms by melatonin. Researchers have speculated that disruption of immune functions involving cortisol levels and natural killer cell activity may increase breast cancer risk whereas increased melatonin exposure may protect against breast cancer. We conducted a multistate population-based case-control study of 4,033 women with invasive breast cancer and 5,314 community women without breast cancer in which we inquired about women's sleep habits in the recent past and during adult lifetime.

Risk of breast cancer for women living in rural areas from adult exposure to atrazine from well water in Wisconsin.

Research has suggested possible human health effects from low-level widespread exposure to environmental contaminants. We employed a novel exposure estimation technique using a publicly available data set to examine atrazine exposure, a suspected endocrine disruptor, in relation to breast cancer risk for women living in rural areas of Wisconsin. Incident breast cancer cases who were 20-79 years of age from 1987 to 2000 (n=3,275) and living in rural areas of Wisconsin at the time of interview were identified from Wisconsin's statewide cancer registry.

Cadmium exposure and breast cancer risk.

Cadmium, a highly persistent heavy metal, has been categorized as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Phase I study of docetaxel and topotecan in patients with advanced malignancies.

Background: Docetaxel and topotecan are drugs with different mechanisms of action and significant activity against various tumour types. Topotecan may influence docetaxel metabolism by inhibiting the CYP3A4 enzyme. We designed a phase I study to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose of this combination and to assess the impact of pharmacokinetic interactions of the two drugs on toxicity.

Results from a pilot Phase I trial of gefitinib combined with docetaxel and estramustine in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

Background: Gefitinib, which is an orally active epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated activity against hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) in preclinical studies. In this pilot Phase I trial, the authors evaluated the tolerability, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of gefitinib combined with estramustine and docetaxel in patients with HRPC.

Methods: Patients received gefitinib (at a dose of 250 mg/day or 500 mg/day) on each day of a 21-day treatment cycle.

Target practice: figuring out which, when, and why to use systemic therapies for metastatic colon cancer.

There have been many recent advances in the field of systemic chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. Each treatment affects a different target, including thymidylate synthase, topoisomerase, DNA, the epidermal growth factor receptor, and vascular endothelial growth factor. These treatments have been used in multiple combinations, schedules, and as first-line, second-line, and third-line therapies.

Domestic violence against women with cancer: examples and review of the literature.

Over a recent 3-month period in our oncology practice, we became aware of multiple patients reporting domestic abuse. We present three selected cases, review the literature on domestic violence, and explore issues of diagnosis and management in a cancer population. Domestic violence against cancer patients may be more common than initially appreciated, and further awareness and research are indicated.

Hairy Enhancer of Split-1 (HES-1), a Notch1 effector, inhibits the growth of carcinoid tumor cells.

Background: The Notch1-signaling pathway has been shown to regulate the differentiation and growth of carcinoid tumor cells. However, the molecules that mediate Notch1 signaling, as well as their potential roles in regulating the growth of carcinoid tumors, have not been characterized. We and others have shown previously that the transcription factor Hairy Enhancer of Split-1 (HES-1) is upregulated in response to Notch1 signaling, demonstrating that it is a Notch1 effector.

Phase I study of piritrexim and gemcitabine in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Objectives: In this phase I study, the combination of piritrexim and gemcitabine was given to establish the maximum tolerated dose and the recommended phase II dose, and to determine a toxicity and efficacy profile.

Methods: Fifty-two patients with normal and impaired renal function were enrolled on this phase I study. The starting dose was piritrexim 10 mg 3 times daily (5 days of the week for 3 weeks and 1 week off each 28-day cycle) and gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15.