| 1. |
- Amundin, Mats, 1947-, et al.
(author)
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An echolocation visualization and interface system for dolphin research
- 2008
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In: Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. - : Acoustical Society of America (ASA). - 0001-4966 .- 1520-8524. ; 123:2, s. 1188-1194
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The present study describes the development and testing of a tool for dolphin research. This tool was able to visualize the dolphin echolocation signals as well as function as an acoustically operated "touch screen." The system consisted of a matrix of hydrophones attached to a semitransparent screen, which was lowered in front of an underwater acrylic panel in a dolphin pool. When a dolphin aimed its sonar beam at the screen, the hydrophones measured the received sound pressure levels. These hydrophone signals were then transferred to a computer where they were translated into a video image that corresponds to the dynamic sound pressure variations in the sonar beam and the location of the beam axis. There was a continuous projection of the image back onto the hydrophone matrix screen, giving the dolphin an immediate visual feedback to its sonar output. The system offers a whole new experimental methodology in dolphin research and since it is software-based, many different kinds of scientific questions can be addressed. The results were promising and motivate further development of the system and studies of sonar and cognitive abilities of dolphins. © 2008 Acoustical Society of America.
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| 2. |
- Bergman, Vivi, et al.
(author)
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Urinary excretion of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and malondialdehyde after high dose radiochemotherapy preceding stem cell transplantation
- 2004
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In: Free Radical Biology & Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0891-5849 .- 1873-4596. ; 36:3, s. 300-306
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The urinary excretion of the hydroxylated DNA base 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) was monitored in 11 patients with hematological malignancies undergoing total body irradiation and high-dose chemotherapy preceding bone marrow transplantation. Nine patients showed a prompt increase in urinary 8-OHdG (8-25 times the initial baseline level) on days 0-7 after irradiation onset, the excretion then decreased during the aplastic period and increased again when engraftment took place (in 7 patients). A significant positive correlation was found between urinary 8-OHdG and whole blood leukocyte count, both on day 5 (p = .04, r = .72) and on day 22 (p = .009, r = .80) after irradiation onset. One patient who lacked the first peak of 8-OHdG excretion showed low blood leukocyte counts (less than 2×109/l) before therapy onset, this patient, however, later had a successful engraftment and then also showed considerable increases in both 8-OHdG excretion and leukocyte count. These observations suggest leukocytes play a part in the excretion of 8-OHdG after conditioning therapy preceding bone marrow transplantation. As opposed to the biphasic 8-OHdG excretion, the excretion of MDA showed a single peak appearing on days 11-19 after radiochemotherapy onset, i.e., during the period in which the patients suffered from cytopenia, mucositis, and other side effects of the treatment. It is suggested, therefore, that these clinical manifestations are associated with increased lipid peroxidation. Altogether, these findings illustrate the utility of serial urinary samples for monitoring oxidative stress due to conditioning therapy in clinical practice. They also demonstrate that different oxidative stress markers may behave quite differently regarding their appearance in the urine after whole-body oxidative stress.
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| 3. |
- Börjeson, Sussanne, et al.
(author)
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Common Symptoms and Distress Experienced Among Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Qualitative part of Mixed Method Design
- 2012
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In: Open Nursing Journal. - : Bentham Open. - 1874-4346. ; 6:1, s. 100-107
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background :Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of tumour in the world. Treatment side effects, together with the tumour symptoms, can result in a ‘symptom burden’. To understand the patient’s burden during chemotherapy treatment and plan effective symptom relief there is a need for more knowledge about the experience of symptoms from the patients’ perspective.Objectives :The study was designed to qualitatively identify and describe the most common symptoms among patients treated for colorectal cancer, and discover whether there are barriers to reporting symptoms.Methods :Thirteen Swedish patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer and treated with chemotherapy were interviewed face-to-face. The interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were analysed by following the principles of qualitative content analysis.Results :Nine symptoms/forms of distress were identified. Those most frequently expressed were fatigue, changed bowel habits, and affected mental well-being, closely followed by nausea, loss of appetite and neurological problems. Of particular note were the affected mental well-being, the magnitude of the neurological problems described, the symptoms related to skin and mucous membrane problems, and the reports of distressing pain. Barriers to symptom control were only expressed by the patients in passing and very vaguely.Conclusion :This study confirms other reports on most common symptoms in colorectal cancer. It also highlights the early onset of symptoms and provides data on less well-studied issues that warrant further study, namely affected mental well-being, the magnitude of the neurological problems and symptoms related to the skin and mucous membranes. Nurses need to be sensitive to the patients’ need presented and not only noting symptoms/distresses they have guidelines for.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Drott, Jenny, 1976-
(author)
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Neurotoxic side effects and impact on daily life in patients with colorectal cancer with adjuvant oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy
- 2018
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers globally. Chemotherapeutic drugs are frequently used in postoperative treatment. The platinum compound oxaliplatin (OXA) is an option for adjuvant treatment of patients with resected CRC, and has been shown to improve survival. OXA-induced neurotoxic side effects are common (e.g. sensitivity to cold, numbness). Neurotoxicity can interfere with the patient’s daily living and affect ability to carry out activities. Because there is no evidence for effective treatment in terms of eliminating neurotoxic side effects, the most successful approaches include early identification, reduction of dose and interruption of treatment. Current research has identified a need for patient-oriented evidence in terms of long-term follow-up of neurotoxicity.Aim: The overall aim of this thesis was to explore OXA-induced neurotoxic side effects in patients with colorectal cancer, and the influence on patients’ daily lives during and post OXA treatment.Methods: The thesis is based on four studies, and includes an analysis of medical records, as well as prospective quantitative and qualitative approaches with longitudinal data collection through a mobile phone-based system. The studies were performed at oncology departments in four hospitals in Sweden. Inclusion criteria were that patients should be at least 18 years of age, and should have been treated with chemotherapy, including OXA (FOLFOX, XELOX), in an adjuvant setting for CRC stages II-III. Study I had a retrospective design, and data involved (n=61) medical records. A structured protocol was used to evaluate the documentation of patients’ neurotoxic side effects. In studies II and III, ten patients were recruited using a strategy of purposeful and consecutive selection according to the inclusion criteria, where OXA-related neurotoxic side effects were assessed. A total of 10 interviews were carried out when neurotoxic side effects appeared (II), and after completed OXA treatment (3, 6 and 12 month’s follow-up) 25 repeated interviews were conducted (III). The prospective longitudinal study IV aimed to identify and assess patient-reported outcomes in terms of neurotoxic side effects, and their impact on patients’ daily activities (n=46). An Oxaliplatin-associated Neurotoxicity Questionnaire (OANQ) was administered in real time to indicate patientreported outcomes. In total, 370 questionnaire responses were available for analysis.Results: The results from the retrospective study (I) showed that a free description of the degree of neurotoxic side effects was given in the patients’ medical records. No formal assessment had been used in the documentation. The findings of the two qualitative studies contribute knowledge about how patients endure neurotoxic side effects early in the treatment phase, and how they learn to live with neurotoxicity in the long-term perspective. Patients coped with their side effects by developing different self-care strategies to restore normality in their daily lives (II-III). Neurotoxic side effects interferes with the patient’s daily activities in a variety of ways. These side effects change in terms of their character and their location in the body over time. The most frequent side effects during treatment were cold-precipitated tingling in the upper extremities and in the mouth/throat. At the end of treatment, neurotoxicity in the lower extremities was considered high and interfered with the patients’ daily activities. The results show significant differences between baseline data, and nine of the patients had not returned to baseline after one year (IV).Conclusion: Neurotoxic side effects affect patients’ daily activities in different ways, with an impact on their physical, psychological, emotional and social life. Patients endured and coped with their side effects in different ways involving self-care strategies to restore normality. The patients’ daily lives were affected by numbness and tingling in the legs and tingling in upper extremity, and they had learned to live with these side effects. The neurotoxic side effects changed character and localisation over time. These results should be taken into account when patients are informed about treatment, and in the dialogue about the benefits and risks.
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| 7. |
- Drott, Jenny, 1976-, et al.
(author)
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Neurotoxic Side Effects Early in the Oxaliplatin Treatment Period in Patients With Colorectal Cancer
- 2018
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In: Oncology Nursing Forum. - Pittsburgh, PA, United States : Oncology Nursing Society. - 0190-535X .- 1538-0688. ; 45:6, s. 690-697
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: To identify and describe experiences of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) who have neurotoxic side effects early in the oxaliplatin treatment period, and how neurotoxicity affects their daily lives.PARTICIPANTS & SETTING: 10 patients with stage II-III CRC were included. All were treated with adjuvant oxaliplatin postoperatively and assessed neurotoxicity via a platform-independent mobile phone-based system. Patients were recruited from two hospitals in southern Sweden from November 2013 to August 2014.METHODOLOGIC APPROACH: Qualitative interview study conducted through open-ended, face-to-face, qualitative interviews. Thematic analysis was used.FINDINGS: A main theme was identified.IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurses have an obligation to communicate the importance of early detection of neurotoxicity. Mobile phone technology seems to be a valuable tool for monitoring patient-reported neurotoxicity to improve communication and supportive care.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Drott, Jenny, 1976-, et al.
(author)
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Oxaliplatin-Induced Neurotoxic Side Effects and Their Impact on Daily Activities
- 2019
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In: Cancer Nursing. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0162-220X .- 1538-9804. ; 42:6, s. E40-E48
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Oxaliplatin (OXA) is frequently used in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer, and OXA-induced neurotoxic side effects are common. Reports on real-time patient-reported neurotoxic side effects and impact on the patient's daily activities are sparse in existing studies. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify and assess patient-reported OXA-induced neurotoxic side effects and their impact on the patient's daily activities, during and after chemotherapy. Methods: In a multicenter prospective longitudinal study, 46 chemo-naïve patients with colorectal cancer treated with postoperative adjuvant OXA-based chemotherapy were monitored during treatment and at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-ups. Patients were recruited from September 2013 to June 2016. In total, 370 Oxaliplatin-Associated Neurotoxicity Questionnaire responses were available for analysis. A mobile phone-based system was used to receive real-time assessments. Results: All patients reported neurotoxic side effects and impact on daily activities during treatment. The side effects changed in character and body location over time and had an impact on the daily activities. Conclusions: The high prevalence of OXA-induced neurotoxic side effects significantly interfered with the patients' daily activities. We found significant differences between baseline data and follow-up time points for neurotoxicity, and the patients had not returned to baseline after 1 year. Implications for Practice: The real-time assessment using mobile phone technology seems to be a valuable tool for monitoring patient-reported neurotoxicity and interventions for tailored care. Effectively identifying neurotoxicity and its impact on the patient's daily activities is important in supportive cancer care.
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| 10. |
- Drott, Jenny, et al.
(author)
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Oxaliplatin induced neurotoxicity among patients with colorectal cancer : documentation in medical records - a pilot study
- 2014
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In: Open Journal of Nursing. - : Scientific Research Publishing. - 2162-5336 .- 2162-5344. ; 4, s. 265-274
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) can have chemotherapy with oxaliplatin postoperatively.Oxaliplatin can cause acute and chronic neurotoxicity. It is important to be aware of neurotoxicside effects so they can be documented and action taken at an early stage. The study aimed toidentify and explore neurotoxic side effects documented in the medical records of patients withcolorectal cancer treated with oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy. Data in this study weremedical records; presenting documentation about patients treated at the University Hospital inthe south of Sweden between 2009 and 2010. A summative content analysis approach was used toexplore the neurotoxic side effects. Identification and quantification of the content of medical recordswere carried out by using a study-specific protocol. “Cold sensitivity” and “tingling in thehands” were the most frequently documented neurotoxicity-related terms in the medical records.This identification was followed by interpretation. Three categories were identified in the interpretivepart of the study: acute, chronic, and degree of neurotoxicity. The results show the importanceof awareness of neurotoxic side effects so that they can be documented and action taken atan early stage. The documentation could be more reliable if patient-reported structured measurementswere used, combined with free descriptions in the medical records. Being able to followthe progression of the symptoms during and after treatment would improve patient’s safety andalso quality of life. The protocol that we developed and used in this review of medical records maybe helpful to structure the documentation in the electronic system for documentation of neurotoxicityside effects.
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| 11. |
- Drott, Jenny, et al.
(author)
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The trajectory of neurotoxic side effects' impact on daily life: a qualitative study
- 2016
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In: Supportive Care in Cancer. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0941-4355 .- 1433-7339. ; 24:8, s. 3455-3461
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE:The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxic side effects among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and how these side effects influenced their daily lives over time.METHODS:To assess neurotoxic side effects, ten patients were repeatedly interviewed. The patients were recruited from two hospitals in south of Sweden, had stage II-III CRC, and had been treated with adjuvant oxaliplatin postoperatively, from November 2013 to October 2015. They had received FOLFOX and XELOX, with a mean total dose of 791 mg oxaliplatin. After completed chemotherapy, at 3, 6, and 12 months into the post-treatment phase, 25 interviews were conducted and thematic analysis was used according to Braun and Clarke.RESULTS:Oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity affects patients in several ways in the long term. Four themes were identified: Expectation of cure, Dubiety, Normalization, and Learn to live with neurotoxicity. The findings of this study describe the trajectory of neurotoxicity and its impact on these patients' life situation. The findings confirmed that neurotoxicity is multi-faceted and that the experience of it changes over time.CONCLUSION:The desire to survive stimulates adaptations and strategies to manage daily life, and patients learn to live with the neurotoxic side effects. This study provides evidence that these patients need individual attention and support during the trajectory of neurotoxic side effects. Current care provision is inadequate due to a lack of knowledge of the ways in which neurotoxicity impacts the patient's daily life. This study provides insights that could be used to develop a more person-centered care.
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| 12. |
- Glimelius, Bengt, et al.
(author)
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A randomized phase III multicenter trial comparing irinotecan in combination with the Nordic bolus 5-FU and folinic acid schedule or the bolus/infused de Gramont schedule (Lv5FU2) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer
- 2008
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In: Annals of Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0923-7534 .- 1569-8041. ; 19:5, s. 909-914
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: To compare irinotecan with the Nordic 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid (FA) bolus schedule [irinotecan 180 mg/m2 on day 1, 5-FU 500 mg/m2 and FA 60 mg/m2 on day 1 and 2 (FLIRI)] or the Lv5FU2 schedule [irinotecan 180 mg/m2 on day 1, FA 200 mg/m2, 5-FU bolus 400 mg/m2 and infused 5-FU 600 mg/m2 on day 1 and 2 (Lv5FU2-IRI)] due to uncertainties about how to administrate 5-FU with irinotecan. Patients and methods: Patients (n = 567) with metastatic colorectal cancer were randomly assigned to receive FLIRI or Lv5FU2-IRI. Primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Patient characteristics were well balanced. PFS did not differ between groups (median 9 months, P = 0.22). Overall survival (OS) was also similar (median 19 months, P = 0.9). Fewer objective responses were seen in the FLIRI group (35% versus 49%, P = 0.001) but the metastatic resection rate did not differ (4% versus 6%, P = 0.3). Grade 3/4 neutropenia (11% versus 5%, P = 0.01) and grade 2 alopecia (18% versus 9%, P = 0.002) were more common in the FLIRI group. The 60-day mortality was 2.4% versus 2.1%. Conclusions: Irinotecan with the bolus Nordic schedule (FLIRI) is a convenient treatment with PFS and OS comparable to irinotecan with the Lv5FU2 schedule. Neutropenia and alopecia are more prevalent, but both regimens are equally well tolerated. © The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved.
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| 13. |
- Glimelius, Bengt, et al.
(author)
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Adjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer: a joint analysis of randomised trials by the Nordic Gastrointestinal Tumour Adjuvant Therapy Group
- 2005
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In: Acta Oncol. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 44:8, s. 904-12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Due to uncertainties regarding clinically meaningful gains from adjuvant chemotherapy after colorectal cancer surgery, several Nordic Groups in the early 1990s initiated randomised trials to prove or reject such gains. This report gives the joint analyses after a minimum 5-year follow-up. Between October 1991 and December 1997, 2 224 patients under 76 years of age with colorectal cancer stages II and III were randomised to surgery alone (n = 1 121) or adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 1 103) which varied between trials (5FU/levamisole for 12 months, n = 444; 5FU/leucovorin for 4-5 months according to either a modified Mayo Clinic schedule (n = 262) or the Nordic schedule (n = 397). Some centres also randomised patients treated with 5FU/leucovorin to+/-levamisole). A total of 812 patients had colon cancer stage II, 708 colon cancer stage III, 323 rectal cancer stage II and 368 rectal cancer stage III. All analyses were according to intention-to-treat. No statistically significant difference in overall survival, stratified for country or region, could be found in any group of patients according to stage or site. In colon cancer stage III, an absolute difference of 7% (p = 0.15), favouring chemotherapy, was seen. The present analyses corroborate a small but clinically meaningful survival gain from adjuvant chemotherapy in colon cancer stage III, but not in the other presentations.
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| 14. |
- Gnosa, Sebastian, 1984-
(author)
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Astrocyte elevated gene-1 in relation to colorectal cancer development and radiotherapy response
- 2015
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The incidence and death rate for colorectal cancer (CRC) decreased during the last decades as a result of improved diagnosis and treatment. However, CRC is still the third most common cancer in the world, and is responsible for about 700 000 deaths per year worldwide. Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanisms of the disease, and to find molecular markers in order to further improve prognosis, and to develop new treatment strategies. Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1), encoded by the MTDH gene, is upregulated in a variety of cancers. AEG-1 is involved in cell survival, proliferation, migration, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and apoptosis.The aim of this thesis was to investigate the role of AEG-1 in CRC development and the impact of AEG-1 on the response of radiation treatment. The AEG-1 expression, analysed in different CRC patient cohorts in paper I and III, was increased in the tumour tissue compared with the normal mucosa, and higher in the lymph node and liver metastases. Expression analyses in normal and cancer cell lines confirmed these results. In paper II, sequencing of the complete coding sequence of the MTDH gene in 356 patients revealed 50 single nucleotide variants of which 29 were novel. Eight exonic variants were detected, including three frameshift variants which were probably pathogenic, and two missense variants located in functional protein regions. There was no correlation of the MTDH variants or AEG-1 expression with the patient survival. In paper III, we also investigated the impact of AEG-1 on the response to radiation treatment. AEG-1 knockdown decreased the cellular survival upon radiation in several colon cancer cell lines. The AEG-1 expression was furthermore analysed in patients, which were randomised to either surgery alone or preoperative radiotherapy (RT), followed by surgery. The rectal cancer patients with high AEG-1 expression treated with RT had a significantly higher risk of developing distant recurrence and had a worse disease free survival, likely due to the metastasis promoting properties of AEG-1. In paper IV, the impact of AEG-1 knockdown and radiation on migration and invasion was analysed in colon cancer cell lines in vitro and in a novel zebrafish model in vivo. AEG-1 knockdown decreased migration and invasion, and radiation-enhanced migration and invasion in the cell lines tested.In conclusion, our data suggest that AEG-1 is involved in CRC development, while MTDH gene variants probably not have a high clinical importance in CRC. Furthermore, AEG-1 is a promising radiosensitising target and a valuable prognostic marker in CRC. We further showed that AEG-1 knockdown inhibits migration and invasion, as well as radiation-enhanced cell migration and invasion.
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| 15. |
- Hardell, L, et al.
(author)
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Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls in blood and the risk for testicular cancer
- 2004
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In: International Journal of Andrology. - : Wiley. - 0105-6263 .- 1365-2605. ; 27:5, s. 282-290
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An increasing incidence of testicular cancer has been reported from several western countries during the last decades. According to current hypothesis testicular cancer is initiated during the foetal period and exposure to endocrine disruptors such as some persistent organic pollutants has been of concern. We have previously reported the results for concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl-dichloroethylene (pp'-DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and chlordanes in 58 cases with testicular cancer, 61 age-matched controls and 44 case mothers and 45 control mothers. In that report, significant increase of odds ratio (OR) was found for sum of PCBs, HCB, trans- and cis-nonachlordane in case mothers. These data have now been further analysed for 37 congeners of PCBs. No significant differences were found among cases and controls. However, case mothers had significantly increased concentrations of a number of PCB congeners. A priori decided grouping of PCBs yielded for oestrogenic PCBs OR = 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.95-6.0, enzyme-inducing PCBsOR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.03-6.5 and toxic equivalents (TEQ) yielded OR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.3-8.4. These data further elucidate the role of foetal exposure to different PCB congeners in the aetiology of testicular cancer.
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| 16. |
- Hardell, L, et al.
(author)
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Increased concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls, hexachlorobenzene, and chlordanes in mothers of men with testicular cancer
- 2003
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In: Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives. - : Environmental Health Perspectives. - 0091-6765 .- 1552-9924. ; 111:7, s. 930-934
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An increasing incidence of testicular cancer has been reported from several countries in the Western world during the last decades. According to current hypothesis, testicular cancer is initiated during the fetal period, and exposure to endocrine disruptors, i.e., xenoestrogens, has been of concern. In this investigation we studied the concentrations of the sum of 38 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl-dichloroethylene, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and chlordanes, in 61 cases with testicular cancer and 58 age-matched controls. Furthermore, case and control mothers were also asked to participate, and 44 case mothers and 45 control mothers agreed. They were of similar age. In cases only the concentration on lipid basis of cis-nonachlordane was significantly increased, whereas case mothers showed significantly increased concentrations of the sum of PCBs, HCB, trans- and cis-nonachlordane, and the sum of chlordanes. Among case mothers the sum of PCBs yielded an odds ratio (OR) of 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.4-10 was calculated using the median concentration for the control mothers as cutoff value. For HCB, OR = 4.4 (95% CI, 1.7-12), for trans-nonachlordane, OR = 4.1 (95% CI, 1.5-11), for cis-nonachlordane, OR = 3.1 (95% CI, 1.2-7.8), and for sum of chlordanes, OR = 1.9 (95% CI, 0.7-5.0). No consistent different risk pattern was found for seminoma. or nonseminoma testicular cancer.
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| 17. |
- Heedman, Per-Anders, et al.
(author)
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Patterns of referral to a palliative care unit : An indicator of different attitudes toward the dying patient?
- 2002
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In: Journal of Palliative Medicine. - 1096-6218 .- 1557-7740. ; 5:1, s. 101-106
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In 1996 a specialized palliative care unit was opened at the Link÷ping University Hospital in Sweden and different patterns of referral from different parts of the district soon became apparent. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying these patterns. During the first 6 months, 133 referrals were analyzed. The stated reason for referral and the actual content of care were, in each case, classified into five groups: symptom control, terminal care, rehabilitation, respite care, and special treatment and investigations. The stated reason for referral and the content of care coincided in three groups: terminal care, rehabilitation, and special treatment and investigations. When symptom control was the stated reason for referral, it was the main content of care in only 33 of 78 cases, while terminal care was the actual main content in 28 of 78 cases. Variations in patterns of referral were also observed in the different hospital-based home care teams (HBHC). In our study differences in the three HBHC teams regarding knowledge, skill, and attitudes might be reflected in variations in patterns of referral. The results illustrate the need for further education regarding referral indications, improvements in documentation of reason for referral, improved communication between HBHC teams and the palliative care unit, and improved prognostication at the end of life.
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| 18. |
- Heedman, P. A., et al.
(author)
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Variation at presentation among colon cancer patients with metastases: a population-based study
- 2015
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In: Colorectal Disease. - : Wiley: 12 months. - 1462-8910 .- 1463-1318. ; 17:5, s. 403-408
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AimThe study aimed to describe and follow a 2year cohort of colon cancer patients with Stage IV disease from presentation to long-term outcome. MethodThe records of 177 colon cancer patients diagnosed in southeast Sweden during 2009-2010 with disseminated disease at presentation were reviewed retrospectively. ResultsThe patients were heterogeneous with respect to age, performance status and survival. Despite metastatic disease, local symptoms from the primary tumour dominated the initial clinical picture. Forty-one per cent had anaemia. The time from suspicion of colon cancer to established diagnosis of disseminated disease varied from 0 to 231days (emergency cases included, median 12days). The majority (77%) were diagnosed in hospital. In 53% the primary tumour and the metastases were not diagnosed on the same occasion which may increase the risk for misinformation or delays in the care process. The possibility of simultaneous diagnosis was doubled when the patient was investigated as an inpatient. Patients were seen by one to 12 physicians (median three) in the investigation phase, and one to 47 (median 11) from diagnosis until the last record in the hospital notes. The 1-year survival was 46%. ConclusionPatients with metastatic colon cancer at presentation are heterogeneous and warrant an adapted multidisciplinary approach to achieve the goal of individualized treatment for each patient in accordance with the Swedish national cancer strategy.
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| 19. |
- Lyth, Johan, 1980-
(author)
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Clinical-epidemiological studies on cutaneous malignant melanoma : A register approach
- 2015
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is steadily increasing. Most of the patients have thin CMM with a good prognosis and a 5-year survival of about 90%. The prognosis is highly related to tumour thickness and clinical stage at diagnosis. Effective systemic treatment for patients with metastatic disease has only recently been available. This thesis aims to increase knowledge of trends in tumour thickness, prognostic factors, socioeconomic differences and medical costs in patients with CMM.The population-based Swedish melanoma register is the main source of data in all papers in the thesis. Papers I-III include patients from all of Sweden while paper IV is delimited to the County of Östergötland. Cox regression and logistic regression are the main multivariable methods used. Paper IV is focused on stage-specific costs of CMM by comparing direct healthcare costs to a general population.For men, there has been a shift over time towards thinner tumours at diagnosis accompanied by an improved survival. Women are still diagnosed with considerably thinner tumours and they experience a better survival than men. Tumour ulceration, tumour thickness and Clark’s level of invasion all showed significant independent long-term prognostic information in T1 CMMs. By combining these factors, three distinct prognostic subgroups were identified. Lower level of education was associated with reduced CMM-specific survival, which may at least partially be attributed to a more advanced stage at diagnosis. The direct healthcare costs for CMM patients were significantly higher than for the general population, independent of clinical stage. CMM patients diagnosed in clinical stage III-IV were associated with particularly high costs.Even though the survival among Swedish patients with CMM is among the highest in the world and still seems to improve, the results of this thesis emphasise the need of improved early detection strategies. This may be of particular concern in men, older women, and groups with a low level of education. The results also imply that the costs for the management of CMM patients may be reduced if early detection efforts are successful and lead to a more favourable stage distribution. The finding of a better risk stratification of thin CMMs may help to improve the management of this large patient group.
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| 20. |
- Lööf, Jasmine, 1982-, et al.
(author)
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Impact of PINCH expression on survival in colorectal cancer patients
- 2011
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In: BMC CANCER. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2407. ; 11:103
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The adaptor protein PINCH is overexpressed in the stroma of several types of cancer, and is an independent prognostic marker in colorectal cancer. In this study we further investigate the relationship of PINCH and survival regarding the response to chemotherapy in colorectal cancer. Results: Paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 251 primary adenocarcinomas, 149 samples of adjacent normal mucosa, 57 samples of distant normal mucosa and 75 lymph node metastases were used for immunohistochemical staining. Stromal staining for PINCH increased from normal mucosa to primary tumour to metastasis. Strong staining in adjacent normal mucosa was related to worse survival independently of sex, age, tumour location, differentiation and stage (p = 0.044, HR, 1.60, 95% Cl, 1.01-2.52). PINCH staining at the invasive margin tended to be related to survival (p = 0.051). In poorly differentiated tumours PINCH staining at the invasive margin was related to survival independently of sex, age and stage (p = 0.013, HR, 1.90, 95% Cl, 1.14-3.16), while in better differentiated tumours it was not. In patients with weak staining, adjuvant chemotherapy was related to survival (p = 0.010, 0.013 and 0.013 in entire tumour area, invasive margin and inner tumour area, respectively), but not in patients with strong staining. However, in the multivariate analysis no such relationship was seen. Conclusions: PINCH staining in normal adjacent mucosa was related to survival. Further, PINCH staining at the tumour invasive margin was related to survival in poorly differentiated tumours but not in better differentiated tumours, indicating that the impact of PINCH on prognosis was dependent on differentiation status.
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| 21. |
- Pfeiffer, P, et al.
(author)
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Short-time infusion of oxaliplatin in combination with capecitabine (XELOX30) as second-line therapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer after failure to irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil
- 2006
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In: Annals of Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0923-7534 .- 1569-8041. ; 17:2, s. 252-258
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The efficacy of oxaliplatin combined with capecitabine (XELOX) as second-line therapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (ACRC) resistant to irinotecan is not well established. Oxaliplatin induces acute, cold-induced neuropathy in most patients. The incidence is claimed to be infusion rate-dependent and therefore a 2-h infusion is recommended. Patients and methods: For practical and economic reasons, but also for patient's convenience, we performed a phase II study to examine XELOX30 (capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 orally twice daily on days 1-14 and oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 as a 30 min infusion on day 1) in patients with ACRC resistant to irinotecan. In addition the pharmacokinetics of oxaliplatin was studied. Results: From November 2002 to September 2003, 70 patients with ACRC were treated with XELOX30. Median age was 62 (range 33-74 years) years and median performance status was 1 (range 0-2). The median number of courses was four (range 1-12) and median cumulative dose of oxaliplatin was 530 (range 125-1560) mg/m2. The response rate was 17% (95% CI 10-23), median time to progression (TTP) was 5.4 months (95% CI 4.6-6.4) and median survival 9.5 months (95% CI 8.5-11.2). White blood cell count (WBC) and performance status were significantly correlated to TTP. Neurotoxicity was moderate: grade 1 56%, grade 2 17% and grade 3 6%. Other grade 3 toxicities were nausea/ vomiting 9%, diarrhoea 14% and PPE 8%. The maximum blood concentration and total body clearance of oxaliplatin was higher than previously reported in studies examining 2-h infusions, but the volume of distribution and terminal half-life was in close agreement with previous results. Conclusion: XELOX30 is a very convenient second-line regimen in ACRC with an activity and safety profile similar to other oxaliplatin schedules. © 2005 European Society for Medical Oncology.
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| 22. |
- Qvortrup, C., et al.
(author)
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Chronomodulated capecitabine in combination with short-time oxaliplatin : A Nordic phase II study of second-line therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer after failure to irinotecan and 5-flourouracil
- 2008
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In: Annals of Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0923-7534 .- 1569-8041. ; 19:6, s. 1154-1159
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Oxaliplatin in combination with capecitabine prolongs survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Chronomodulation might reduce toxicity and improve efficacy. Patients and methods: A phase II study examining chronomodulated XELOX30 (XELOX30chron): oxaliplatin: 130 mg/m2 on day 1, as a 30-min infusion between 1 and 3 p.m. Capecitabine: total daily dose of 2000 mg/m2, 20% of the dose between 7 and 9 a.m. and 80% of the dose between 6 and 8 p.m. in patients with mCRC resistant to irinotecan. Seventy-one patients were enrolled. Response rate was 18%, median progression-free survival 5.1 months and median overall survival (OS) 10.2 months. Platelet count and performance status were significantly correlated to OS in multivariate analyses. Neurotoxicity grade 2 and 3 was seen in 25% and 2% of patients, respectively, other grade 3 toxic effects were as follows: nausea 6%, vomiting 3%, diarrhoea 12% (3% experienced grade 4) and palmoplantart erytem 9%. Conclusion: XELOX30chron is a convenient second-line regimen with efficacy and safety profile similar to other oxaliplatin schedules. To further investigate chronomodulated XELOX, we have started a Nordic randomised phase II study comparing XELOX30 and XELOX30chron as first-line therapy in patients with mCRC. © The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved.
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| 23. |
- Sandén, Inger, et al.
(author)
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Routinization and sensitivity : Interaction in oncological follow-up consultations
- 2001
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In: Health. - : SAGE Publications. - 1363-4593 .- 1461-7196. ; 5:2, s. 139-163
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The empirical data of this study were gathered in the form of audio-taped recordings of dialogues between 21 patients, who had had operations for testicular cancer and three physicians during follow-up consultations. The aim is to inquire into how routine practices affect the goals of checking up the medical conditions and providing patients with reassurance, and how practices affect the treatment of sensitive topics and the patients’ possibilities of bringing up their own problems are affected. The results show that the routines built up by the medical care programme are used as recurrent opportunities for the parties to confirm that the situation is under control and as resources when they talk about the sensitive topics of sexuality and fertility. How the routinization affected the patients’ possibilities of bringing up their own problems cannot be fully determined. Of the 50 initiatives by patients to present their problems, only nine did so solely on their own initiative.
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| 24. |
- Sjödahl, Rune, et al.
(author)
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Causes of death after surgery for colon cancer-impact of other diseases, urgent admittance, and gender
- 2013
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. - : Informa Healthcare. - 0036-5521 .- 1502-7708. ; 48:10, s. 1160-1165
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. In patients with colon cancer, high age and comorbidity is common. In this population-based retrospective study we have investigated causes of death and the influence of urgent operation, and gender on survival. Material and methods. Medical records of 413 patients with verified colon cancer were reviewed. The diagnosis was made during 2000-2006 and operation was performed in 385 patients (93%). Results. The overall 5-year survival after surgery was 48.3%. At the end of the follow-up, 128 patients (54.9%) had verified colon cancer when they died but 105 patients (45.1%) had no signs of colon cancer. Their 5-year survival was 5.5% and 41.9%, respectively (p andlt; 0.0001). Median survival time was significantly shorter after urgent compared with elective admittance, 20.7 months versus 77.9 months, and the 5-year survival 32.4% versus 57.9% (p = 0.0001). The tumor stage at operation was more favorable in patients dying with no signs of colon cancer than in those dying with cancer regarding stage I-II (66.7% versus 16.4%), and stage IV (1.0% versus 53.1%), but not regarding stage III (30.5% versus 29.7%). The overall survival in women who were operated was longer than in men (p = 0.045) as well as survival after elective admittance (p = 0.013). Conclusion. After a median follow-up of 56.1 months almost half of the patients who were dead had died from other causes than colon cancer. Ten percent of those patients had an incorrectly reported diagnosis of colon cancer as cause of death. Urgent admittance was associated with reduced survival time. The median survival time was longer in women than in men.
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| 25. |
- Starkhammar, Hans
(author)
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Aspects on priority settings in cancer treatment and care
- 2005
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In: Acta Oncologica. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 44:7, s. 667-672
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The widening gap between available resources and increasing possibilities to diagnose and treat different medical conditions has resulted in new attention to priority setting. The issue is complicated and harbours several obstacles because of different valuations concerning the needs of patient groups, the true results ( patient benefit) of medical actions, and also important ethical considerations. Earlier attempts have been unsuccessful in introducing a prioritisation milieu into the medical profession, probably due to vague requests for an open and sharp prioritisation process. With a sharpened competition of allocating resources for different medical actions, the medical profession of the cancer sector needs to have a tool for explaining consequences for the different cancer patient groups and what is achieved by the cancer treatments and the care. A model for ranking lists consisting of pairs of patient conditions and medical actions is presented, and the principle for using these lists for priority setting in medical society is discussed.
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