| 11. |
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| 12. |
- Andersson, Ronny, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of interferon-[alpha], verapamil and dacarbazine in the treatment of advanced malignant melanoma
- 2003
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Ingår i: Melanoma research. - 0960-8931 .- 1473-5636. ; 13:1, s. 87-91
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma with either dacarbazine (DTIC) or interferon-[alpha] (IFN[alpha]) as single drugs, or in combination, results in a response rate of approximately 15–20%. This study evaluated the activity and toxicity following treatment with a combination of DTIC, IFN[alpha]2b and verapamil (VPL). Thirty patients with disseminated metastatic melanoma received DTIC 250 mg/m2 on days 1–5 of a 4 week schedule, IFN[alpha]2b 3 MIU on days 1–5 each week, and VPL 80 mg three times a day throughout the cycle, until either disease progression or serious toxicity was observed. Among the 28 evaluable patients, there were four complete responses (CRs), five partial responses (PRs) and eight patients with stable disease (SD). The overall response rate (CR + PR) was 32%. Two patients with a CR were long-term survivors (45 and 34 months) and a third is still in complete remission after 49 months. The fourth CR patient relapsed and died with progressive brain metastases after 8 months. Among the eight patients with SD, one survived for 22 months and another for 34 months. Despite one toxic death, these results suggest that this treatment regimen is well tolerated and seems to be more effective than DTIC alone in a subset of patients. A controlled randomized study would be required to determine the value of adding VPL and IFN[alpha]2b to DTIC.
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| 13. |
- Andersson, Ulrika, et al.
(författare)
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A comprehensive study of the association between the EGFR and ERBB2 genes and glioma risk
- 2010
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Ingår i: Acta Oncologica. - : Informa Healthcare. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 12, s. 17-17
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Glioma is the most common type of adult brain tumor and glioblastoma, its most aggressive form, has a dismal prognosis. Receptor tyrosine kinases such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, ERBB2, ERBB3, ERBB4) family, and the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), play a central role in tumor progression. We investigated the genetic variants of EGFR, ERBB2, VEGFR and their ligands, EGF and VEGF on glioma and glioblastoma risk. In addition, we evaluated the association of genetic variants of a newly discovered family of genes known to interact with EGFR: LRIG2 and LRIG3 with glioma and glioblastoma risk. Methods. We analyzed 191 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) capturing all common genetic variation of EGF, EGFR, ERBB2, LRIG2, LRIG3, VEGF and VEGFR2 genes. Material from four case-control studies with 725 glioma patients (329 of who were glioblastoma patients) and their 1 610 controls was used. Haplotype analyses were conducted using SAS/Genetics software. Results. Fourteen of the SNPs were significantly associated with glioma risk at p< 0.05, and 17 of the SNPs were significantly associated with glioblastoma risk at p< 0.05. In addition, we found that one EGFR haplotype was related to increased glioblastoma risk at p=0.009, Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.67 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14, 2.45). The Bonferroni correction made all p-values non-significant. One SNP, rs4947986 next to the intron/exon boundary of exon 7 in EGFR, was validated in an independent data set of 713 glioblastoma and 2 236 controls, [OR] = 1.42 (95% CI: 1.06,1.91). Discussion. Previous studies show that regulation of the EGFR pathway plays a role in glioma progression but the present study is the first to find that certain genotypes of the EGFR gene may be related to glioblastoma risk. Further studies are required to reinvestigate these findings and evaluate the functional significance.
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| 14. |
- Andersson, Ulrika, et al.
(författare)
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Epidermal growth factor receptor family (EGFR, ErbB2-4) in gliomas and meningiomas
- 2004
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Ingår i: Acta Neuropathologica. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0001-6322 .- 1432-0533. ; 108:2, s. 135-142
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, ErbB1) correlates with enhanced malignant potential of many human tumor types including glioblastoma multiforme. The significance of EGFR expression in meningiomas is, however, unclear. Reports regarding the other EGFR family members, ErbB2-4, in brain tumors are sparse. In this study, the expression of the EGFR family members was analyzed in relation to various parameters for the clinical importance of these receptors in 44 gliomas and 26 meningiomas. In gliomas, quantitative real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR revealed the highest EGFR mRNA expression in high-grade gliomas, while ErbB2 and ErbB3 mRNA were detected only in a few high-grade gliomas. In contrast, ErbB4 expression was most pronounced in low-grade gliomas. Immunohistochemistry showed significantly higher EGFR protein expression in high-grade gliomas compared to low-grade gliomas (P= 0.004). ErbB2 protein expression was mainly seen in high-grade gliomas. ErbB3 protein expression was low in all gliomas analyzed. ErbB4 protein expression was significantly higher in low-grade gliomas than in high-grade gliomas (P= 0.007). In meningiomas, quantitative real-time RT-PCR revealed expression of EGFR, ErbB2, and ErbB4 mRNA in the majority of the tumors. ErbB3 was detected in only one of the meningiomas analyzed. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated high ErbB2 protein expression in meningiomas. An intriguing observation in astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas grade II, was a significantly decreased overall survival for patients with high EGFR protein expression (P= 0.04). The high ErbB4 expression in low-grade compared to high-grade gliomas might suggest that ErbB4 acts as a suppressor of malignant transformation in brain tumors, which is in line with previous studies in other tumor types.
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| 15. |
- Andersson, Ulrika, 1963-
(författare)
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Experimental studies in brain tumours : with special regard to multidrug resistance and the ErbB-family
- 2005
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Primary brain tumours, and especially the most common form malignant gliomas, usually display a pronounced resistance to other treatment modalities when surgery fails to cure. Growth factors, such as EGF and its receptor, frequently amplified and overexpressed in malignant gliomas, and factors associated with multidrug resistance have been suggested to at least partially explain the poor outcome. The aim of this thesis was to characterise factors in primary brain tumours associated with the development of resistance with focus on the epidermal growth factor receptor (ErbB) family, and multidrug resistance (MDR). Influences of irradiation on the expression and activity of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) in malignant gliomas was evaluated. The effects showed that irradiation increased the efflux activity of Pgp in rat brain vascular endothelial cells, but not in glioma cells. In the intracranial BT4C glioma model, Pgp was detected in the capillary endothelium in the tumour tissue but not in glioma cells. Expression of several factors coupled to MDR (Pgp, MRP1, LRP, and MGMT) in primary brain tumours were analysed and correlated to clinical data. In gliomas, Pgp and MRP1 were predominantly observed in capillary endothelium and in scattered tumour cells, whereas LRP occurred only in tumour cells. In meningiomas, expression of the analysed markers was demonstrated in the capillary endothelium, with a higher expression of Pgp and MRP1 in transitional compared to meningothelial meningiomas. A pronounced expression of MGMT was found independently of the histopathological grade or tumour type. Survival analysis indicated a shorter overall survival for patients suffering from low-grade gliomas with high expression of Pgp. To explore the importance of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), expression levels of the family members (EGFR, ErbB2-4) were analysed and their relations to various clinical parameters were evaluated in gliomas and meningiomas. In gliomas, the highest EGFR expression was observed in high-grade tumours, while ErbB4 expression was most pronounced in low-grade tumours. In meningiomas, expression of EGFR, ErbB2, and ErbB4 was observed in the majority of the tumours. An intriguing observation in low-grade gliomas was a significantly decreased overall survival for patients with high EGFR protein expression. The effects of different time schedules for administration of the selective EGFR inhibitor ZD1839 in relation to irradiation of glioma cells were analysed. The analyses showed a heterogeneity in the cytotoxic effects of ZD1839 between cell lines, and it was obvious that some of the cell lines showed sensitivity to ZD1839 despite no or low expression of EGFR. The study also demonstrated the importance of timing of ZD1839 administration when this agent is combined with irradiation. In conclusion, in order to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy by various drugs in malignant gliomas it may be essential to inhibit drug efflux activity in endothelial cells and to deliver drugs in an optimal timing in relation to radiotherapy. The heterogeneity in expression of drug resistance markers, as well as the ErbB family reflects the complexity in classification of primary brain tumours, and indicates that subgroups of patients with low-grade gliomas expressing Pgp and EGFR might benefit from more aggressive and individualised treatment.
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| 16. |
- Andersson, Ulrika, et al.
(författare)
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Heterogeneity in the expression of markers for drug resistance in brain tumors
- 2004
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Ingår i: Clinical Neuropathology. - 0722-5091. ; 23:1, s. 21-27
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Brain tumors, in general, display a multidrug-resistant phenotype. This study evaluated the immunohistochemical expression and distribution of P-glycoprotein (Pgp), multidrug resistance protein (MRP1), lung resistance protein (LRP) and O6 methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) in low- and high-grade astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma and in different subgroups of meningioma. The results revealed a marked heterogeneity in the expression and distribution among the analyzed tumors. In astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma, Pgp and MRP1 were observed in the capillary endothelium and in scattered tumor cells, whereas LRP occurred only in tumor cells. A pronounced expression of MGMT was found independent of the histopathological grade. An enhanced expression of MRP1 and LRP in astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma were more often evident in older patients (> 50 years). Survival analysis suggested a markedly decreased overall survival for patients suffering from low-grade glioma overexpressing Pgp. In meningioma, a heterogeneous expression of Pgp, MRP1, LRP and MGMT was seen with the most prominent staining localized to the capillary endothelium. Pgp was significantly more often overexpressed (p < 0.05) in transitional compared to meningothelial meningioma. The marked heterogeneity in the expression suggests that analysis of these factors can be of importance in the selection of individualized chemotherapy, regardless of tumor type.
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| 17. |
- Andersson, Ulrika, et al.
(författare)
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MNS16A minisatellite genotypes in relation to risk of glioma and meningioma and to glioblastoma outcome.
- 2009
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Ingår i: International journal of cancer. Journal international du cancer. - : Wiley. - 1097-0215 .- 0020-7136. ; 125:4, s. 968-972
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene is upregulated in a majority of malignant tumours. A variable tandem repeat, MNS16A, has been reported to be of functional significance for hTERT expression. Published data on the clinical relevance of MNS16A variants in brain tumours have been contradictory. The present population-based study in the Nordic countries and the United Kingdom evaluated brain-tumour risk and survival in relation to MNS16A minisatellite variants in 648 glioma cases, 473 meningioma cases and 1,359 age, sex and geographically matched controls. By PCR-based genotyping all study subjects with fragments of 240 or 271 bp were judged as having short (S) alleles and subjects with 299 or 331 bp fragments as having long (L) alleles. Relative risk of glioma or meningioma was estimated with logistic regression adjusting for age, sex and country. Overall survival was analysed using Kaplan-Meier estimates and equality of survival distributions using the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard ratios. The MNS16A genotype was not associated with risk of occurrence of glioma, glioblastoma (GBM) or meningioma. For GBM there were median survivals of 15.3, 11.0 and 10.7 months for the LL, LS and SS genotypes, respectively; the hazard ratio for having the LS genotype compared with the LL was significantly increased HR 2.44 (1.56-3.82) and having the SS genotype versus the LL was nonsignificantly increased HR 1.46 (0.81-2.61). When comparing the LL versus having one of the potentially functional variants LS and SS, the HR was 2.10 (1.41-3.1). However, functionality was not supported as there was no trend towards increasing HR with number of S alleles. Collected data from our and previous studies regarding both risk and survival for the MNS16A genotypes are contradictory and warrant further investigations.
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| 18. |
- Andersson, Ulrika, et al.
(författare)
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Rapid induction of long-lasting drug efflux activity in brain vascular endothelial cells but not malignant glioma following irradiation
- 2002
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Ingår i: Medical Oncology. - 1357-0560 .- 1559-131X. ; 19:1, s. 1-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The influence of radiotherapy on malignant glioma multidrug resistance to chemotherapy was evaluated because patients with glioma often are treated with a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Multidrug resistance gene (MDR1, mdr1a, and mdr1b) transcripts were found in human and rat glioma cell lines. P-Glycoprotein (Pgp) was immunohistochemically detected in glioma cell lines and in the rat brain vascular endothelial cell line (RBE4). A multidrug resistance pump efflux activity assay demonstrated increased calcein efflux of RBE4 endothelial cells, but not glioma cells, 2 h after irradiation and still increased 14 d after irradiation. The increased efflux was equally inhibited by verapamil with or without irradiation. In the rat intracranial glioma model (BT4C), Pgp was demonstrated in capillary endothelial cells of the tumor tissue and surrounding normal brain, but not in tumor cells. The expression of gene transcripts or Pgp was not affected by irradiation. The results indicate that long-lasting verapamil-resistant drug efflux mechanisms are activated in brain endothelial cells after irradiation. The results might explain the poor efficacy of chemotherapy following radiotherapy and contribute to consideration of new treatment strategies in the management of malignant glioma.
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| 19. |
- Asklund, Thomas, et al.
(författare)
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Brain tumors in Sweden : Data from a population-based registry 1999-2012
- 2015
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Ingår i: Acta Oncologica. - : Informa Healthcare. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 54:3, s. 377-384
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. The Swedish brain tumor registry has, since it was launched in 1999, provided significant amounts of data on histopathological diagnoses and on important aspects of surgical and medical management of these patients. The purpose is mainly quality control, but also as a resource for research.Methods. Three Swedish healthcare regions, constituting 40% of the Swedish population, have had an almost complete registration. The following parameters are registered: diagnosis according to SNOMED/WHO classification, symptoms, performance status, pre- and postoperative radiology, tumor size and localization, extent of surgery and occurrence of postoperative complications, postoperative treatment, such as radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, other treatments, complications and toxicity, occurrence of reoperation/s, participation in clinical trials, multidisciplinary conferences and availability of a contact nurse.Results. Surgical radicality has been essentially constant, whereas the use of early (within 72 hours) postoperative CT and MRI has increased, especially for high-grade glioma, which is a reflection of quality of surgery. Survival of patients with high-grade glioma has increased, especially in the age group 60-69. Patients aged 18-39 years had a five-year survival of 40%. Waiting times for the pathological report has been slightly prolonged. Geographical differences do exist for some of the variables.Conclusion. Population-based registration is valuable for assessment of clinical management, which could have impact on patient care. As a result of short survival and/or the propensity to affect cognitive functions this patient group has considerable difficulties to make their voices heard in society. We therefore believe that a report like the present one can contribute to the spread of knowledge and increase the awareness for this patient group among caregivers and policy makers.
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| 20. |
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