| 1. |
- Boström, Martina, et al.
(författare)
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A role for endothelial cells in radiation-induced inflammation
- 2018
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Ingår i: International Journal of Radiation Biology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0955-3002 .- 1362-3095. ; 94:3, s. 259-271
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: To unravel the role of the vasculature in radiation-induced brain tissue damage.Materials and methods: Postnatal day 14 mice received a single dose of 10Gy cranial irradiation and were sacrificed 6h, 24h or 7 days post-irradiation. Endothelial cells were isolated from the hippocampus and cerebellum using fluorescence-activated cell sorting, followed by cell cycle analysis and gene expression profiling.Results: Flow cytometric analysis revealed that irradiation increased the percentage of endothelial cells, relative to the whole cell population in both the hippocampus and the cerebellum. This change in cell distribution indicates that other cell types are more susceptible to irradiation-induced cell death, compared to endothelial cells. This was supported by data showing that genes involved in endothelial cell-specific apoptosis (e.g. Smpd1) were not induced at any time point investigated but that genes involved in cell-cycle arrest (e.g. Cdkn1a) were upregulated at all investigated time points, indicating endothelial cell repair. Inflammation-related genes, on the other hand, were strongly induced, such as Ccl2, Ccl11 and Il6.Conclusions: We conclude that endothelial cells are relatively resistant to ionizing radiation but that they play an active, hitherto unknown, role in the inflammatory response after irradiation. In the current study, this was shown in both the hippocampus, where neurogenesis and extensive cell death after irradiation occurs, and in the cerebellum, where neurogenesis no longer occurs at this developmental age.
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| 2. |
- Boström, Martina, et al.
(författare)
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Chronic disturbance in the thalamus following cranial irradiation to the developing mouse brain
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 9:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Better survival rates among pediatric brain tumor patients have resulted in an increased awareness of late side effects that commonly appear following cancer treatment. Radiation-induced changes in hippocampus and white matter are well described, but do not explain the full range of neurological late effects in childhood cancer survivors. The aim of this study was to investigate thalamus following cranial irradiation (CIR) to the developing brain. At postnatal day 14, male mice pups received a single dose of 8Gy CIR. Cellular effects in thalamus were assessed using immunohistochemistry 4 months after CIR. Interestingly, the density of neurons decreased with 35% (p=0.0431) and the density of astrocytes increased with 44% (p=0.011). To investigate thalamic astrocytes, S100β+ cells were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and genetically profiled using next-generation sequencing. The phenotypical characterization indicated a disrupted function, such as downregulated microtubules' function, higher metabolic activity, immature phenotype and degraded ECM. The current study provides novel insight into that thalamus, just like hippocampus and white matter, is severely affected by CIR. This knowledge is of importance to understand the late effects seen in pediatric brain tumor survivors and can be used to give them the best suitable care.
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| 3. |
- Bull, Cecilia, 1977, et al.
(författare)
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A novel mouse model of radiation-induced cancer survivorship diseases of the gut
- 2017
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Ingår i: American journal of physiology. Gastrointestinal and liver physiology. - : American Physiological Society. - 1522-1547 .- 0193-1857. ; 313:5, s. G456-G466
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A deeper understanding of the radiation-induced pathophysiological processes that develop in the gut is imperative to prevent, alleviate, or eliminate cancer survivorship diseases after radiotherapy to the pelvic area. Most rodent models of high-dose gastrointestinal radiation injury are limited by high mortality. We therefore established a model that allows for the delivering of radiation in fractions at high doses while maintaining long-term survival. Adult male C57/BL6 mice were exposed to small-field irradiation, restricted to 1.5 cm of the colorectum using a linear accelerator. Each mouse received 6 or 8 Gy, two times daily in 12-h intervals in two, three, or four fractions. Acute cell death was examined at 4.5 h postirradiation and histological changes at 6 wk postirradiation. Another group was given four fractions of 8 Gy and followed over time for development of visible symptoms. Irradiation caused immediate cell death, mainly limited to the colorectum. At 6 wk postirradiation, several crypts displayed signs of radiation-induced degeneration. The degenerating crypts were seen alongside crypts that appeared perfectly healthy. Crypt survival was reduced after the fourth fraction regardless of dose, whereas the number of macrophages increased. Angiogenesis was induced, likely as a compensatory mechanism for hypoxia. Four months postirradiation, mice began to show radiation-induced symptoms, and histological examination revealed an extensive crypt loss and fibrosis. Our model is uniquely suitable for studying the long-term trajectory and underlying mechanisms of radiation-induced gastrointestinal injury. NEW & NOTEWORTHY A novel mouse model for studying the long-term trajectory of radiation-induced gut injury. The method allows for the use of high doses and multiple fractions, with minor impact on animal health for at least 3 mo. Crypt loss and a slow progression of fibrosis is observed. Crypt degeneration is a process restricted to isolated crypts. Crypt degeneration is presented as a convenient proxy endpoint for long-term radiation-induced gut injury.
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| 4. |
- Kalm, Marie, 1981, et al.
(författare)
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Serum concentrations of the axonal injury marker neurofilament light protein are not influenced by blood-brain barrier permeability
- 2017
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Ingår i: Brain Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0006-8993. ; 1668, s. 12-19
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A blood biomarker to monitor individual susceptibility to neuronal injury from cranial radiotherapy could potentially help to individualize radiation treatment and thereby reduce the incidence and severity of late effects. An important feature of such a blood biomarker is that its concentration is not confounded by varying degrees of release from the brain into the blood across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In this study, we investigated serum neurofilament light protein (NFL) concentrations in 21-day old mice following a single dose of cranial irradiation (8 Gy). Cranial irradiation resulted in acute cell injury measured as a 12.9-fold increase in caspase activity 6 h after irradiation; activation of inflammation measured by levels of CCL2 and increased BBB permeability measured by C-14-sucrose concentration ratios in brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Serum levels of NFL peaked at 6 h after both anesthesia and cranial irradiation, but no timely correlation of serum NFL concentration with BBB permeability was found. Further, three groups of patients with different degrees of BBB impairment (measured as the CSF/serum albumin ratio) were investigated. There was no correlation between serum NFL concentration and CSF/serum albumin ratio (r = 0.139, p = 0.3513), however a strong correlation was found for NFL concentration in serum and NFL concentration in CSF (r = 0.6303, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, serum NFL appears to be a reliable blood biomarker for neuronal injury, and its concentration is not confounded by BBB permeability. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 5. |
- Langegård, Ulrica, 1969, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of quality of care in relation to health-related quality of life of patients diagnosed with brain tumor : a novel clinic for proton beam therapy
- 2019
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Ingår i: Supportive Care in Cancer. - : Springer. - 0941-4355 .- 1433-7339. ; 27:7, s. 2679-2691
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Patients with brain tumors constitute a vulnerable group, and it is important that they receive the highest quality of care (QoC). The study aim was to describe the perceptions of QoC and its association with health-related quality of life in brain tumor patients undergoing proton beam therapy in a newly established clinic.Method: Data were collected at the start of treatment and after 3 and 6weeks. Adult patients (18years old) with brain tumors (n=186) completed two self-administered questionnaires: a modified Quality from the Patients' Perspective, which measures perceived reality and subjective importance of care, and the EORTC QLQ-C30. Data were analyzed using parametric and non-parametric statistical tests.Results: The perceived QoC was highest for treatment information and lowest for dietician and smoking information, whereas interaction with doctors and nurses was rated as the most important aspect of quality of care. Subjective importance ratings were significantly higher than perceived reality ratings for 60% of items. A better global health was moderately correlated with a higher perceived support for fatigue.Conclusions: A need for quality improvement was identified for several aspects of patient care. Greater symptom distress during the treatment period led to greater perceived importance of symptom support. Ensuring QoC is complex and collaboration with other health care professionals is essential.Relevance to clinical practice: The clinic could improve QoC regarding information about possible symptoms, adjust care according to patient perceptions of importance, and involve patients in care decisions.
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| 6. |
- Abel, Edvard, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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Impact on quality of life of IMRT versus 3-D conformal radiation therapy in head and neck cancer patients: A case control study
- 2017
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Ingår i: Advances in Radiation Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 2452-1094. ; 2:3, s. 346-353
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective The purpose of this study was to prospectively and longitudinally compare the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes between head and neck (HN) cancer patients treated with parotid-sparing intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and patients treated with 3-dimensional conventional radiation therapy (3D-CRT). Methods and materials Before and up to 12 months after treatment, HRQOL was recorded in patients with HN cancer who were referred to the Department of Oncology at Sahlgrenska University Hospital for curative IMRT. The study group's HRQOL was compared with a matched group of patients from previous descriptive HRQOL studies treated with 3D-CRT. Both groups' HRQOL was measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment for Cancer QLQ-C30 and European Organization for Research and Treatment for Cancer QLQ-HN35 at 6 time points in the first year after diagnosis. Results Two hundred and seven patients were included, 111 treated with IMRT and 96 matched controls treated with 3D-CRT. Both groups' HRQOL deteriorated during and after treatment. Just after treatment, worse HRQOL scores were observed in the IMRT group regarding insomnia (38 vs 27; P = .032), appetite loss (64 vs 50; P = .019), senses (54 vs 41; P = .017), and coughing (39 vs 26, P = .009). At 12 months, however, significantly better HRQOL scores were observed in the IMRT group regarding problems with dry mouth (72 vs 62; P = .018), pain (28 vs 20; P = .018), sexuality (37 vs 23; P = .016), social contacts (10 vs 6; P = .026), cognitive functioning (79 vs 87; P = .0057), and financial difficulties (12 vs 20; P = .0019). Conclusions This study further supports the hypothesis that the introduction of IMRT has improved the long-term quality of life of HN cancer patients who have been treated with radiation therapy, but might cause more acute side effects. Longer follow-up is needed to study late complications.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Fernström, Erik, et al.
(författare)
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Results of preoperative chemoradiotherapy for patients with advanced cancer of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
- 2017
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Ingår i: Acta oto-laryngologica. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1651-2251 .- 0001-6489. ; 137:12, s. 1292-1300
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Curative treatment of nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer is challenging due to the proximity to critical anatomical structures. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of trimodality therapy with preoperative chemotherapy and reduced-dose radiotherapy followed by organ-preserving surgery for treating patients with nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer.This retrospective study included all 156 patients diagnosed with sinonasal cancer in western Sweden between 1986 and 2009. We determined the treatment selection pattern and treatment outcomes for 79 patients treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy.Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histology. The five-year overall survival was 54%, and 85% of these patients had T3 or T4 tumors. The five-year cumulative incidence rate of local recurrence was 32%. The five-year overall survival in patients with squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma was 45% and 76%, respectively. The median preoperative radiation dose was 48Gy. Orbital exenteration was performed in 7% of patients.Preoperative chemoradiotherapy may be beneficial for patients with advanced sinonasal cancer when primary radical surgery is challenging. Survival outcomes were comparable to outcomes reported in the literature despite conservative surgery and relatively low radiation doses in patients with locally advanced tumors.
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| 9. |
- Gasic, D., et al.
(författare)
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Retrospective estimation of heart and lung doses in pediatric patients treated with spinal irradiation
- 2018
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Ingår i: Radiotherapy and Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-8140. ; 128:2, s. 209-213
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether treatment information from medical records can be used to estimate radiation doses to heart and lungs retrospectively in pediatric patients receiving spinal irradiation with conventional posterior fields. Material and methods: An algorithm for retrospective dosimetry in children treated with spinal irradiation was developed in a cohort of 21 pediatric patients with available CT-scans and treatment plans. We developed a multivariable linear regression model with explanatory variables identifiable in case note review for retrospective estimation of minimum, maximum, mean and V-10%-V-80% doses to the heart and lungs. Doses were estimated for both linear accelerator (Linac) and Co-60 radiation therapy modalities. Results: Age and spinal field width were identified as statistically significant predictors of heart and lung doses in multivariable analyses (p < 0.01 in all models). Models showed excellent predictive performance with R-2 = 0.70 for mean heart dose and 0.79 for mean lung dose, for Linac plans. In leave-one-out cross-validation analysis the average difference between predicted and actual mean heart dose was 6.7% and 7.6% of the prescription dose for Linac and Co-60 plans, respectively, and 5.2% and 4.9% for mean lung dose. Due to the small sample size and large inter-patient variation in heart and lung dose, prospective studies validating these findings are highly warranted. Conclusions: The models presented here provide retrospective estimates of heart and lung doses for historical cohorts of pediatric patients, thus facilitating studies of long-term adverse effects of radiation. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 10. |
- Kalm, Marie, 1981, et al.
(författare)
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C3 deficiency ameliorates the negative effects of irradiation of the young brain on hippocampal development and learning.
- 2016
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Ingår i: Oncotarget. - : Impact Journals, LLC. - 1949-2553. ; 7:15, s. 19382-94
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Radiotherapy in the treatment of pediatric brain tumors is often associated with debilitating late-appearing adverse effects, such as intellectual impairment. Areas in the brain harboring stem cells are particularly sensitive to irradiation (IR) and loss of these cells may contribute to cognitive deficits. It has been demonstrated that IR-induced inflammation negatively affects neural progenitor differentiation. In this study, we used mice lacking the third complement component (C3-/-) to investigate the role of complement in a mouse model of IR-induced injury to the granule cell layer (GCL) of the hippocampus. C3-/- and wild type (WT) mice received a single, moderate dose of 8 Gy to the brain on postnatal day 10. The C3-/- mice displayed 55 % more microglia (Iba-1+) and a trend towards increase in proliferating cells in the GCL compared to WT mice 7 days after IR. Importantly, months after IR C3-/- mice made fewer errors than WT mice in a reversal learning test indicating better learning capacity in C3-/- mice after IR. Notably, months after IR C3-/- and WT mice had similar GCL volumes, survival of newborn cells (BrdU), microglia (Iba-1) and astrocyte (S100β) numbers in the GCL. In summary, our data show that the complement system contributes to IR-induced loss of proliferating cells and maladaptive inflammatory responses in the acute phase after IR, leading to impaired learning capacity in adulthood. Targeting the complement system is hence promising for future strategies to reduce the long-term adverse consequences of IR in the young brain.
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