>We present evidence that cervical cancer cells express a functional IL−2 receptor (IL−2R). In fact, by RT−PCR we obtained that the IL−2R is present in CALO, and INBL cells, and that it consisted of the alphaIL−2R, betaIL−2R, and gammaIL−2R chains. »
03/12/10

The histopathologic interpretation of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is subject to a high level of interobserver variability and a substantial number of false−positive and false−negative results. We assessed the impact of the conjunctive interpretation of p16(INK4a)−immunostained slides on the accuracy of community−based pathologists in diagnosing high−grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN; CIN 2 and CIN 3) in biopsy specimens. »
03/01/10

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF−kappaB), a transcriptional factor that has been shown to be constitutively active in cervical cancer, is part of an important pathway leading to treatment resistance in many tumor types. The purpose of our study was to determine whether expression of NF−kappaB in pretreatment specimens and specimens taken shortly after treatment initiation correlated with outcome in cervical cancer patients treated with definitive chemoradiation. »
03/13/10

In addition to neurologic symptoms, fatigue is commonly reported in patients with primary brain tumors during radiation therapy and in long−term survivors of low−grade brain tumors. Other factors have not been explored. The aim of this study was to identify demographic and clinical factors that predict fatigue severity and to evaluate the association of fatigue with other symptoms throughout the disease trajectory. »
03/16/10

The study aimed to examine the tolerability of the combination of radiotherapy and tamoxifen and the effect on median and event free survival as well as collecting data on the use of steroids in this population. 31 patients with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, diagnosed on clinical and radiological criteria, were treated with high−dose oral tamoxifen (120 mg/m(2)/day) given concomitantly with standard dose radiotherapy (54 Gy in 1.8 Gy fractions over 6 weeks). »
03/19/10

Because resection followed by timely stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is becoming a standard strategy for skull base meningiomas, the role of initial surgical tumor reduction in this combined treatment should be clarified. »
03/12/10

Tumor necrosis factor−like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) has been shown to induce colon cancer cell apoptosis in the presence of interferon−gamma. We hypothesized that co−treatment using TWEAK with other pro−apoptosis agents could sensitize death receptor−resistant colon cancer cells. »
01/01/10

Deregulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) is involved in several malignancies. Its role in colorectal cancer has not been assessed before. »
03/16/10

The validation of KRAS mutations as a negative marker of response to anti−epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies has meant a seminal advance towards treatment individualisation of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. However, as a KRAS wild−type status does not guarantee a response to anti−EGFR antibodies, a current challenge is the identification of other biomarkers of response. On the basis of pre−clinical evidence, we hypothesised that mitogen−activated protein kinase phosphatase−1 (MKP−1), a phosphatase that inactivates MAPKs, could be a mediator of resistance to anti−EGFR antibodies.Methods:Tumour specimens from 48 metastatic CRC patients treated with cetuximab−based chemotherapy were evaluated for KRAS and BRAF mutational status and MKP−1 expression as assessed by immunohistochemistry. »
03/16/10

Although 5−fluorouracil (5−FU)−based adjuvant chemotherapy is widely used in the treatment of colorectal cancer, novel therapeutic strategies need to be explored. It has been reported that autophagy is extensively implicated in cancer. »
03/13/10