Bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), has shown antitumor activity, but so far no biomarkers have been identified to predict outcome. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of bevacizumab in patients with multiresistant ovarian cancer and, furthermore, to investigate the possible predictive value of serum VEGF, VEGFR1-2 and VEGF gene polymorphisms. »
05/12/10

The association of invasive ovarian carcinoma risk with the functional polymorphism rs2228570 (aka rs10735810; FokI polymorphism) in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene was examined in 1820 white non-Hispanic cases and 3479 controls in a pooled analysis of five population-based case-control studies within the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium. »
04/29/10

Exposure of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents may result in reduced sensitivity to structurally unrelated agents, a phenomenon known as multidrug resistance, MDR. The purpose of this study is to investigate cell growth inhibition of wild type and the corresponding MDR cells by Tumor Treating Fields - TTFields, a new cancer treatment modality that is free of systemic toxicity. The TTFields were applied alone and in combination with paclitaxel and doxorubicin. »
05/23/10

Radical prostatectomy is potentially curative in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. However, biochemical recurrence affects 15% to 30% of men who undergo radical prostatectomy. We previously reported the prognostic potential of PITX2 gene promoter methylation using conventional assays. In the current study we validated PITX2 methylation status as a biochemical recurrence predictor after radical prostatectomy using a novel microarray based platform in a multi-institutional setting. »
05/15/10

The effect of dutasteride on existing prostate cancer volume is largely unknown. In this study, we assessed the impact of dutasteride on tumor burden and Gleason score. »
05/14/10

Infrared endoscopy combined with indocyanine green injection allows visualization of the vessels in the gastrointestinal tract. The depth of gastric cancer invasion has been diagnosed through evaluation of the submucosal vessels using this method. »
05/19/10

The antiapoptotic protein FLIP(S) is a key suppressor of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis in human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells. We previously reported that a novel phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN)-Akt-atrophin-interacting protein 4 (AIP4) pathway regulates FLIP(S) ubiquitination and stability, although the means by which PTEN and Akt were linked to AIP4 activity were unclear. »
05/18/10

Salvage options for recurrent high-grade gliomas (HGGs) are limited by cumulative toxicity and limited efficacy despite advances in chemotherapeutic and radiotherapeutic techniques. Previous studies have reported encouraging survival results and favorable toxicity with fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy, and small studies have shown similar benefit using a shortened course of hypofractionated stereotactic radiation therapy (H-SRT). We sought to determine the efficacy and toxicity profile of H-SRT alone or in addition to repeat craniotomy or concomitant chemotherapy. »
05/17/10

A novel camptothecin derivative (TLC388) with higher efficacy and reduced toxicity has been synthesized and tested as a novel chemoradiosensitizing agent. This study investigated the mechanisms of the chemoradiosensitizing effects of TLC388 on H23 human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Using the TUNEL assay, a significantly higher percentage of apoptotic cells was observed in the group treated with TLC388 plus X-ray radiation than those in groups treated with drug or radiation alone. »
03/01/10

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the major cause of lung cancer-related deaths in the United States. We are developing cell-based vaccines as a new approach for the treatment of NSCLC. NSCLC is broadly divided into three histologic subtypes: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. »
05/13/10