| 1. |
- Lönnerholm, Gudmar, et al.
(author)
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In vitro cellular drug sensitivity at diagnosis is correlated to minimal residual disease at end of induction therapy in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
- 2009
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In: Leukemia research. - Oxford : Elsevier BV. - 0145-2126 .- 1873-5835. ; 33:1, s. 46-53
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Leukemic cells from 85 children with newly diagnosed precursor B-lineage ALL were tested for in vitro drug sensitivity to a panel of anti-cancer drugs. Minimal residual disease (MRD) was measured by RQ-PCR. There was a significant correlation between MRD day 29 and in vitro sensitivity to prednisolone (p<0.001) and doxorubicin (p=0.017), drugs administered during induction therapy. In patients with t(12;21) (n=20), in vitro sensitivity to doxorubicin was an independent factor for MRD <0.1% (p=0.031; R(2)=0.66). Thus, data show that in vitro drug sensitivity at diagnosis is correlated to cell kill during induction therapy as measured by MRD day 29.
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| 2. |
- Osorio, A., et al.
(author)
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Evaluation of a candidate breast cancer associated SNP in ERCC4 as a risk modifier in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. Results from the consortium of investigators of modifiers of BRCA1/BRCA2 (CIMBA)
- 2009
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In: British Journal of Cancer. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 0007-0920 .- 1532-1827. ; 101:12, s. 2048-2054
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: In this study we aimed to evaluate the role of a SNP in intron 1 of the ERCC4 gene (rs744154), previously reported to be associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer in the general population, as a breast cancer risk modifier in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. Methods: We have genotyped rs744154 in 9408 BRCA1 and 5632 BRCA2 mutation carriers from the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 (CIMBA) and assessed its association with breast cancer risk using a retrospective weighted cohort approach. Results: We found no evidence of association with breast cancer risk for BRCA1 (per-allele HR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.93-1.04, P0.5) or BRCA2 (per-allele HR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.89-1.06, P0.5) mutation carriers. Conclusion: This SNP is not a significant modifier of breast cancer risk for mutation carriers, though weak associations cannot be ruled out.
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| 3. |
- Molassiotis, Alex, et al.
(author)
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Nausea and vomiting
- 2006. - 1
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In: Nursing patients with cancer. - : Elsevier Churchill Livingstone. - 9780443072888 - 0443072884 ; , s. 415-437
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This title is directed primarily towards health care professionals outside of the United States. Nurses are in the vanguard of the international fight against cancer. National policies on reducing or eradicating cancer highlight the vital contribution nurses make in its prevention, identification, treatment and management. This book, which is based on the internationally acclaimed Core Curriculum for a Post-Registration Course in Cancer Nursing developed by the European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS), covers all the key areas nurses caring for patients in this demanding specialty will need to consider. Focusing on the needs of the patient, it provides the essential scientific, psychological and sociological information necessary for nurses to provide care that minimises the trauma of cancer, and maximises outcomes for
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| 4. |
- Sorbe, Bengt, et al.
(author)
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Treatment of primary advanced and recurrent endometrial carcinoma with a combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel-long-term follow-up
- 2008
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In: International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. - : Blackwell Publishing Ltd. - 1048-891X .- 1525-1438. ; 18:4, s. 803-808
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is no generally accepted standard chemotherapy in treatment of advanced and recurrent endometrial carcinoma. Cisplatin and doxorubicin with or without cyclophosphamide are widely used. Response rates have improved with combination chemotherapy compared with single-agent therapy. A platinum analog seems to be an important part of the chemotherapy regimen. Since few patients are cured from their disease and since the duration of response is short, further improvement of this therapy is warranted. During the past years, the taxanes (paclitaxel) are being added to prior evaluated regimens and not only improved response rates are reported but also increased toxicity is observed. In a prospective, phase II, multicenter study, carboplatin (area under the curve = 5) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2)) were evaluated in treatment of primary advanced and recurrent endometrial carcinoma. In total, 66 patients were recruited during the years 2000-2004. Eighteen primary advanced tumors and 48 recurrences were treated. All histologic types and tumor grades were allowed. The median follow-up was 57 months (range 37-69 months). The overall response rate was 67% (95% CI 55-78). The complete response rate was 29% and the partial response rate 38%. Primary advanced and recurrent tumors as well as endometrioid and nonendometrioid tumors showed similar response rates. The median response duration was 14 months. The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 82% and 33%, respectively. The main toxicities were hematologic and neurologic (sensory neuropathy). The response rates were encouraging, superior to prior platinum-containing regimens, but response duration and the long-term survival rate were still short. The neurologic toxicity was frequent and was a substantial problem in this series of patients. Further research is highly needed to improve the treatment of advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer.
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| 5. |
- Setlur, Sunita R., et al.
(author)
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Estrogen-dependent signaling in a molecularly distinct subclass of aggressive prostate cancer
- 2008
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In: Journal of the National Cancer Institute. - Oxford : Oxford University Press. - 0027-8874 .- 1460-2105. ; 100:11, s. 815-825
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The majority of prostate cancers harbor gene fusions of the 5'-untranslated region of the androgen-regulated transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) promoter with erythroblast transformation-specific transcription factor family members. The common fusion between TMPRESS2 and v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog (avian) (ERG) is associated with a more aggressive clinical phenotype, implying the existence of a distinct subclass of prostate cancer defined by this fusion. METHODS: We used complementary DNA-mediated annealing, selection, ligation, and extension to determine the expression profiles of 6144 transcriptionally informative genes in archived biopsy samples from 455 prostate cancer patients in the Swedish Watchful Waiting cohort (1987-1999) and the United States-based Physicians(') Health Study cohort (1983-2003). A gene expression signature for prostate cancers with the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion was determined using partitioning and classification models and used in computational functional analysis. Cell proliferation and TMPRSS2-ERG expression in androgen receptor-negative (NCI-H660) prostate cancer cells after treatment with vehicle or estrogenic compounds were assessed by viability assays and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: We identified an 87-gene expression signature that distinguishes TMPRSS2-ERG fusion prostate cancer as a discrete molecular entity (area under the curve = 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.792 to 0.81; P < .001). Computational analysis suggested that this fusion signature was associated with estrogen receptor (ER) signaling. Viability of NCI-H660 cells decreased after treatment with estrogen (viability normalized to day 0, estrogen vs vehicle at day 8, mean = 2.04 vs 3.40, difference = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.12 to 1.62) or ERbeta agonist (ERbeta agonist vs vehicle at day 8, mean = 1.86 vs 3.40, difference = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.39 to 1.69) but increased after ERalpha agonist treatment (ERalpha agonist vs vehicle at day 8, mean = 4.36 vs 3.40, difference = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.68 to 1.23). Similarly, expression of TMPRSS2-ERG decreased after ERbeta agonist treatment (fold change over internal control, ERbeta agonist vs vehicle at 24 hours, NCI-H660, mean = 0.57- vs 1.0-fold, difference = 0.43-fold, 95% CI = 0.29- to 0.57-fold) and increased after ERalpha agonist treatment (ERalpha agonist vs vehicle at 24 hours, mean = 5.63- vs 1.0-fold, difference = 4.63-fold, 95% CI = 4.34- to 4.92-fold). CONCLUSIONS: TMPRSS2-ERG fusion prostate cancer is a distinct molecular subclass. TMPRSS2-ERG expression is regulated by a novel ER-dependent mechanism.
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| 6. |
- Krzemieniecki, Krzysztof, et al.
(author)
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Targeting of solid tumors and blood malignancies by antibody-based therapies - EGFR-pathway as an example
- 2006
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In: Central European Journal of Biology. - : Versita. - 1895-104X .- 1644-3632. ; 1:2, s. 167-182
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A well-coordinated interaction between extracellular signals and intracellular response forms the basis of life within multicellular organisms, with growth factors playing a crucial role in these interactions. Discoveries in recent years have shown that components of the Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) signaling system have frequently been used by cancer cells to autonomously provide survival and proliferation signals. The main focus of this review is the ErbB epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family of receptor tyrosine kinases including ErbB1/EGFR, ErbB2/HER2/neu, ErbB3/HER3, and ErbB4/HER4 as therapeutic targets. Since the ErbB receptor family regulates cell proliferation through the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase (RAS/MAPK) pathway, and cell survival and transformation through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K/AKT) pathway, pharmacological targeting of these pathways is also discussed. We will also address the clinical studies that have been conducted to evaluate antibody-based therapies mostly on solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. (c) Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. All rights reserved.
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| 7. |
- Baumann, Pia, et al.
(author)
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Stereotactic body radiotherapy for medically inoperable patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer - a first report of toxicity related to COPD/CVD in a non-randomized prospective phase II study.
- 2008
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In: Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-8140 .- 1879-0887. ; 88:3, s. 359-67
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In a retrospective study using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in medically inoperable patients with stage I NSCLC we previously reported a local control rate of 88% utilizing a median dose of 15Gyx3. This report records the toxicity encountered in a prospective phase II trial, and its relation to coexisting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardio vascular disease (CVD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty patients were entered in the study between August 2003 and September 2005. Fifty-seven patients (T1 65%, T2 35%) with a median age of 75 years (59-87 years) were evaluable. The baseline mean FEV1% was 64% and median Karnofsky index was 80. A total dose of 45Gy was delivered in three fractions at the 67% isodose of the PTV. Clinical, pulmonary and radiological evaluations were made at 6 weeks, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 36 months post-SBRT. Toxicity was graded according to CTC v2.0 and performance status was graded according to the Karnofsky scale. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 23 months, 2 patients had relapsed locally. No grade 4 or 5 toxicity was reported. Grade 3 toxicity was seen in 12 patients (21%). There was no significant decline of FEV1% during follow-up. Low grade pneumonitis developed to the same extent in the CVD 3/17 (18%) and COPD 7/40 (18%) groups. The incidence of fibrosis was 9/17 (53%) and pleural effusions was 8/17 (47%) in the CVD group compared with 13/40 (33%) and 5/40 (13%) in the COPD group. CONCLUSION: SBRT for stage I NSCLC patients who are medically inoperable because of COPD and CVD results in a favourable local control rate with a low incidence of grade 3 and no grade 4 or 5 toxicity.
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| 8. |
- Cronfalk, Berit, et al.
(author)
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The existential experiences of receiving soft tissue massage in palliative home care-an intervention
- 2009
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In: Supportive Care in Cancer. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0941-4355 .- 1433-7339. ; 17:9, s. 1203-1211
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Soft tissue massage is currently used in palliative care for the relief of anxiety and pain. Only few studies have focused on patients' deeper experience of receiving the massage. Aim The purpose of this study was to explore how patients with cancer in palliative home care experienced soft tissue massage. Materials and methods Twenty-two patients received soft tissue massage (hand or foot) nine times over a period of 2 weeks. Each session lasted for 25 min. Following the last massage session, a qualitative interview was conducted. The analysis was performed using a hermeneutic approach. Findings Soft tissue massage generated feelings of existential respite with perceptions of being released from illness for a while. Two categories constituted the basis of the experiences: (1) "an experience of thoughtful attention" and (2) "a sensation of complete tranquility" resulting in the overarching theme "A time of existential respite." Conclusion The patients experienced the massage to give meaning and to be important as it generated feelings of an inner respite. Relevance to clinical practice Soft tissue massage appears to be an appreciated source of support to dying patients in palliative home care. The method is easy to comprehend and relatively short (25 min) which may imply that it is a suitable complement in nursing care for this patient group.
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| 9. |
- Rydén, Lisa, et al.
(author)
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Reproducibility of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 analysis in primary breast cancer: a national survey performed at pathology departments in Sweden.
- 2009
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In: Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden). - : Informa UK Limited. - 1651-226X .- 0284-186X. ; 48:6, s. 860-6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- HER2 is a treatment predictive factor for the effect of trastuzumab and associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer. The analysis of HER2 must be performed with good quality, with regard to both the immunohistochemical (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) analysis.A tissue microarray (TMA) including 11 breast cancer samples was sent twice (once in 2005 and again in 2006) to 24 pathology departments in Sweden. A questionnaire was also sent to the departments in 2006.With IHC, all departments reported the same results (0/1+ vs. 2+ vs. 3 + ) for three (2005) and six samples (2006). The mean kappa-value increased from 0.67 to 0.77, indicating a good reproducibility at both occasions. With fluorescence-ISH (FISH), the 11 departments using this technique reported the same results (amplified vs. normal) for nine (2005) and ten samples (2006). The mean kappa-value showed very good reproducibility both 2005 and 2006 (0.92 and 0.96, respectively). Based on the answers from the participating departments, the questionnaire revealed that 31% of primary breast cancer diagnosed in 2006 (n = 5 043) were 2 + /3+. FISH analysis of 2+ confirmed 12% of the samples to be amplified. The corresponding figure for 3 + was 90%. In total, 14.3% of the samples were HER2 positive (2+ and amplified, or 3 + ).The results obtained in this study indicate that the reproducibility for HER2 analysis is good (IHC) and very good (FISH) between the pathology departments in Sweden using TMA-based tumor samples. In 2006, 14.3% of invasive breast cancers were HER2 positive.
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| 10. |
- Fall, Katja, et al.
(author)
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Reliability of death certificates in prostate cancer patients
- 2008
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Urology and Nephrology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0036-5599 .- 1651-2065. ; 42:4, s. 352-357
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability of cause-of-death diagnoses among prostate cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Information from death certificates obtained from the Swedish Death Register was compared with systematically reviewed medical records from the population-based Swedish Regional Prostate Cancer Register, South-East Region. In total, 5675 patients were included who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1987 and 1999 and who had died before 1 January 2003. RESULTS: The proportion of prostate cancer cases classified as having died from prostate cancer was 3% higher in the official death certificates than in the reviewed records [0.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02 to 0.04]. Overall agreement between the official cause of death and the reviewed data was 86% (95% CI 85 to 87%). A higher accuracy was observed among men with localized disease (88%, 95% CI 87 to 89%), aged 60 years or younger at death (96%, 95% CI 93 to 100%), or who had undergone curative treatment (91%, 95% CI 88 to 95%). This study indicates a relatively high reliability of official cause-of-death statistics of prostate cancer patients in Sweden. CONCLUSION: Mortality data obtained from death certificates may be useful in the evaluation of large-scale prostate cancer intervention programmes, especially among younger patients with localized disease.
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