bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Relevance of Sentinel Lymph Node Status Examined with Conventional Histology and Molecular Biology
Authors: Micciolo Rocco , Boi Sebastiana , Paoli Loredana , Cristofolini Paolo , Girlando Salvatore , Palma Paolo Dalla , Cristofolini Mario 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background The presence of nodal metastases in patients with primary cutaneous melanoma adversely affects the biological behavior and is related to a poor prognosis. The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy is still debated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic role of sentinel lymph node biopsy with respect to disease-free period and overall survival. Patients and methods Patients with invasive cutaneous melanoma who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy in the Santa Chiara Hospital of Trento between October 1997 and December 2002 were evaluated. The lymph nodes were examined with conventional histology, S100 and tyrosinase in immunohistochemistry, and tyrosinase in molecular biology. Results There were 144 patients with 198 sentinel lymph nodes. A significant association was found in conventional histology with Clark level and Breslow thickness. The prognostic role of sentinel lymph node status was independent of the other considered variables. However, no significant association was found with the molecular biology test. A significant excess of positive results at molecular biology was found. Conclusions Sentinel lymph node biopsy is an important independent prognostic factor for invasive cutaneous melanoma, but only when evaluated with conventional histology. As a result of this study, we stopped performing the tyrosinase test in molecular biology.
Prognostic Implication of Immunohistochemical Runx2 Expression in Osteosarcoma
Authors: Won Kyu Yeoun , Park Hye-Rim , Park Yong-Koo 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone malignancy. Many genetic markers have proven prognostic value in osteosarcoma and studies are under way to determine their potential application as specific therapeutic targets. Runx2, Indian hedgehog (IHH), and Sox9 are proteins that play major roles in bone formation and tumorigenesis. We studied the protein expression of Runx2, IHH, and Sox9 in osteosarcoma and correlated their expression with clinicopathological variables. We also studied the prognostic value of the expression of these three genes in osteosarcoma. Methods and study design We produced 48 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue microarrays containing osteosarcoma tissue cores for immunohistochemical staining of Runx2, IHH and Sox9. We evaluated the expression of each gene by immunohistochemical staining and analyzed the relationship between expression and clinicopathological parameters. Results High expression of Runx2 was significantly related to metastasis (P = 0.015). High expression of Runx2 indicated a trend toward a poor survival rate (P = 0.056). High expression of IHH and Sox9 were not related to any clinicopathological parameters. Conclusions High expression of Runx2 was significantly related to tumor metastasis in osteosarcoma. Our results suggest that overexpression of Runx2 might be a useful prognostic marker in osteosarcoma cases.
DNA Binding and Cleavage Properties of Ponicidin
Authors: Xu Xia , Ke Yu , Zhang Qi , Qi Xiaoyu , Liu Hongmin 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background Ponicidin, an effective component isolated from Isodon rubescens, possesses anticancer properties. In the present study, we proved its ability to bind to and cleave DNA. DNA binding and cleavage properties are important for designing the rational construction of new and more efficient drugs targeted to DNA, because DNA is the biological target with which many anti-tumor drugs and potential antineoplastic agents interact. The characterization of interaction of ponicidin not only provides insights into its biology, but also gives the opportunity for developing effective therapeutic agents for control of gene expression. Methods The interaction of ponicidin with DNA has been explored by using absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosity measurement, thermal denaturation and electrophoresis measurement. Results Firstly, adding ponicidin to a DNA solution could shift the absorption spectra to red. Secondly, ponicidin also raised the melting temperature and viscosity of DNA. Moreover, fluorescence of DNA binding with ethidium bromide was quenched by ponicidin. Finally, ponicidin showed nuclease activity. Conclusions We propose that the DNA binding and cleavage properties of ponicidin may underlie the mechanism of its cell toxic effects.
Limb Sparing Treatment of Bleeding Melanoma Recurrence by Electrochemotherapy
Authors: Snoj Marko , Cemazar Maja , Srnovrsnik Tinkara , Kosir Snezna Paulin , Sersa Gregor 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background Electrochemotherapy is an effective local treatment for tumors that combines administration of a chemotherapeutic drug with the subsequent application of electric pulses to the tumor. In addition, it was also found to have a vascular-disrupting effect. We report a case of limb-sparing treatment of bleeding melanoma recurrence by electrochemotherapy. Methods After intravenous application of bleomycin (15,000 IU/m2), 15 runs of electric pulses were applied by hexagonal needle electrodes (1.7 cm in diameter) in the center of the bleeding melanoma recurrence, and an additional 10 runs of electric pulses were delivered via plate electrodes (8 mm) on the rim of the tumor. Results Immediately after the administration of electric pulses, the bleeding stopped and did not recur. Crust formation was observed and the lesion decreased in size in a matter of weeks. Conclusions We conclude that electrochemotherapy should be considered as a treatment option when dealing with bleeding melanoma recurrences as well as a limb-preserving treatment.
Use of Sorafenib in Two Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer Patients with End-Stage Renal Impairment Undergoing Replacement Hemodialysis
Authors: Ferraris Elisa , Di Cesare Pamela , Lasagna Angioletta , Paglino Chiara , Imarisio Ilaria , Porta Camillo 
Published: February 2018

Patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) may exhibit renal impairment as a more or less direct consequence of their primary disease. Renal impairment may become a severe complication and alter the normal pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior of treatment drugs, thus increasing the risk of side effects. We will discuss the cases of two advanced RCC patients with end-stage renal impairment submitted to dialysis who were treated with sorafenib tosylate in our center. Our experience confirms the scarce literature data available so far that indicate that sorafenib can be used in patients undergoing dialysis. Dialysis cannot be considered per se a contraindication to sorafenib therapy, which can be effective. However, patients must be carefully selected and monitored, since sorafenib administration unquestionably increases the risk of side effects in patients affected by several conditions.
Off-Label Prescription of Antineoplastic Drugs: An Italian Prospective, Observational, Multicenter Survey
Authors: Roila Fausto , Ballatori Enzo , Labianca Roberto , De Braud Filippo , Borgonovo Karen , Martelli Olga , Gallo Ciro , Tinazzi Angelo , Perrone Francesco 
Published: February 2018

Aims and Background An appropriate use of drugs should follow the registered indications. Different reasons can induce oncologists to prescribe drugs off-label. The aim of this study was to describe incidence and characteristics of these prescriptions in Italy. Methods Patients submitted to chemotherapy in 15 Italian oncology centers were evaluated for two randomized non-consecutive days of two weeks in May 2006. Results The study enrolled 644 patients receiving 1,053 drugs. Overall, 199 of 1053 (18.9%) prescriptions were off-label. In 92 of 199 cases (46.2%), the drugs were used for a neoplasm for which they were not approved, but there was scientific evidence (one or more randomized clinical trials or more phase II studies published in a major oncology journal) justifying the prescription. In 27 cases (13.6%), the drugs were prescribed for a rare neoplasm (cisplatin and gemcitabine in mesothelioma). In 20/21 cases (10.1%/10.5%), drugs were used in association/alone in contrast with the approved use (capecitabine in association in colorectal cancer). In 28/11 cases (14.0%/5.6%), the drugs were used in lines of chemotherapy subsequent/previous to that approved. Conclusions Off-label use of antineoplastic drugs, in this observational survey, represents less than 20% of the prescriptions, and most of them are based on scientific evidence of efficacy.
Trends in Cancer Mortality in Spain: 1975-2004
Authors: Bernal Milagros , Gómez Franchesco J , Gómez German 
Published: February 2018

Aims and Background Total cancer mortality rates in the European Union have declined by about 7% over the period 1982-2002. The aim of the present study was to investigate similar trends in Spain over the period 1975 to 2004 by age, sex, and cancer site. Patients and Methods Trends in Spanish mortality rates (standardized to the world standard population) for all cancers and for 14 major cancer sites for the years 1975 to 2004 are analyzed. Join point regression analysis was used to identify points where a significant change in trend occurred. Results The overall cancer mortality rate in Spain in men and women declined by about 1% a year between 1995 and 2004. For the period 1975 to 2004, declines were observed for several neoplasms: lip, −3.62% in men and −3.39% in women; esophagus, −0.28% in men and −2.73% in women; stomach, −2.99% in men and −3.66% in women; liver, −0.52% in men and −3.77% in women. There was a substantial rise in: colon cancer, 3.72% in men and 1.79% in women; pancreas, 2.21% in men and 2.25% in women; lung cancer rose 1.18% in men and 0.97% in women, and between 1999-2004 it rose 5.23% in women. Most of these are tobacco-related neoplasms. Conclusions Cancer mortality in Spain is mainly a tobacco-related problem. More attention needs to be focused on campaigns to decrease and prevent smoking, especially in the young, where smoking rates are higher than in the general population.
Incidence of Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia in Pretreated and Unpretreated Patients Receiving Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin
Authors: Miolo GianMaria , Baldo Paolo , Bidoli Ettore , Lombardi Davide , Scalone Simona , Sorio Roberto , Veronesi Andrea 
Published: February 2018

Aims and Background Association between pegylated liposomal doxorubicin-based regimens and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia have just been emphasized, whereas the relationship between previous treatment and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia is still a matter of discussion. We evaluate the relationship between previous chemotherapy treatments and the development of palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia in patients receiving pegylated liposomal doxorubicin-based regimens. Methods Between January 2005 and November 2006, 92 patients received regimens including pegylated liposomal doxorubicin. Patients were divided into three groups based on pegylated liposomal doxorubicin dosing interval length, different dose chosen, and previous chemotherapy. Results Among pretreated patients receiving regimens including 30 mg/m2 of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin repeated every three weeks, the incidence of palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia was not significantly higher than in unpretreated patients receiving the same weekly schedule ( P = 0.4). There was no difference in the incidence of palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia between pretreated patients with regimens including 30 mg/m2 of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin every three weeks and pretreated patients receiving 20 mg/m2 of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin every two weeks ( P = 0.8). The prevalence of palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia observed in the unpretreated group exposed to 30 mg/m2 every three weeks was comparable to that of the pretreated group receiving 20 mg/m2 biweekly ( P = 0.3). However, excluding all the patients who developed grade 1 palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, the incidence of grade 2 and 3 palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia observed in pretreated patients receiving regimens including 20 mg/m2 of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin biweekly was significantly higher than in unpretreated patients receiving 30 mg/m2 of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin every three weeks ( P = 0.001). Conclusions Our findings indicate that the pretreatment is not involved in the increased incidence of any grade palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia. On the contrary, the study could suggest that the type of previous treatment may be an important factor in the development of more severe forms of palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia.
Paclitaxel-Dependent Prolonged and Persistent Complete Remission Four Years from First Recurrence of Secondary Breast Angiosarcoma
Authors: Gambini Donatella , Visintin Roberto , Locatelli Elisa , Galassi Barbara , Bareggi Claudia , Runza Letterio , Onida Francesco , Tomirotti Maurizio 
Published: February 2018

Among angiosarcomas, radiation-induced breast sarcomas (RIBS) represent a well-known entity generally characterized by a poor outcome, especially in patients with advanced disease. Despite the unfavorable prognosis, some chemotherapeutic agents have been used to treat these malignancies, occasionally with success. Treatments with demonstrated activity against sarcomas include ifosfamide-based regimens and, more recently, taxane derivatives. We report a case of a patient having a secondary breast angiosarcoma recurring early after surgery, who achieved complete remission following treatment with weekly paclitaxel. After 4 years of maintenance therapy, with an interval between consecutive administrations of no longer than 3 weeks, the patient is still in complete remission. A locoregional recurrence was documented twice during this period, the first as a consequence of a brief treatment interruption and the second because of a treatment delay. Nonetheless, in both instances a new complete remission was rapidly achieved with the resumption of the same treatment, without evidence of any significant adverse effects. We discuss the highly unusual behavior of this malignancy and the possible role of the two different mechanisms of action of paclitaxel-antiangiogenic versus cytotoxic-depending on the schedule of administration, with evidence of “false” drug-resistance.
Beta-Catenin Mutations are not Observed in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Sercan Zeynep , Pehlivan Melek , Gokturk Dilek , Sercan Hakki Ogun 
Published: February 2018

Aims and Background Studies reporting activated Wnt signaling in all stages of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) have demonstrated that deregulation of the pathway plays a role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Several reports have suggested mechanisms for the deregulated Wnt signaling and beta-catenin stabilization observed in CML. One possible mechanism for beta-catenin stabilization could be the acquisition of mutations at its N-terminal domain, especially in the third exon where it is marked via phosphorylation for degradation. We sought to determine whether mutations in the third exon of the beta-catenin gene are responsible for the observed Wnt activation in CML Material and Methods We screened bone marrow specimens from 33 patients with CML in the chronic phase and also examined the K562 cell line for beta-catenin mutations. Results None of the patients nor the K562 cell line were found to carry mutations. Conclusion Beta-catenin amino-terminal mutations are not observed or very rare and therefore are not the underlying mechanism of activated Wnt signaling in CML.
Expression of the Transcription Factor HEY1 in Glioblastoma: A Preliminary Clinical Study
Authors: Gaetani Paolo , Hulleman Esther , Levi Daniel , Quarto Micaela , Scorsetti Marta , Helin Kristian , Simonelli Matteo , Colombo Piergiuseppe , Baena Riccardo Rodriguez y 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background The hairy/enhancer of split (E(spl))-related family of transcription factors (HES and HEY) are established targets of the notch signaling pathway, which has been implicated in different developmental processes, tumor formation and the self-renewal of neural stem cells. We determined the expression of HEY1 in human malignant gliomas to investigate whether its expression might be related to prognosis. Methods The expression of HEY1 was studied by in situ hybridization on 62 cases of glioblastoma. Patients were treated with surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We considered as end points of the study the overall survival time and progression-free interval. Correlations between HEY1 expression and tumor grade/patient overall survival and free interval before recurrence were analyzed using univariate analysis. Results Based on the in situ hybridization results, HEY1 expression rate was reported as negative staining in 13 cases (20.6%), as weak staining in 11 cases (17.3%), as moderate staining in 21 cases (33.3%), and as strong staining in 17 cases. We considered in the analysis the cumulative expression of HEY1 at in situ hybridization (Hey Index) as negative in 13 cases and positive in 49 cases (77.78%). The overall survival (P = 0.002) and the free-interval (P = 0.012) were significantly longer in patients who were negative for HEY1 expression. Conclusions Our data suggest that expression of HEY1 might be used as a marker to distinguish glioblastoma patients with a relatively good prognosis from those at high-risk, and that, in the future, HEY1 might represent a therapeutic target.
Alexithymia and Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Controlled Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Gritti Paolo , Lombardi Salvatore , Nobile Barbara , Trappoliere Paola , Gambardella Antonio , Di Caprio Ester Livia , Resicato Gianluca 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background The study aims to investigate the alexithymia construct in patients with a recent or longtime diagnosis of cancer as well as in healthy people, and whether alexithymia and fatigue are linked in the mentioned groups. Methods A first group, diagnosed less than 3 months previously (n = 63), and a second group whose cancer diagnosis dated back more than 30 months (n = 53), matched for sex, age, educational level and cancer site were assessed. Matched healthy controls (n = 50) were also evaluated. Alexithymia was assessed with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20, while fatigue was assessed with the Brief Fatigue Inventory. Results Alexithymia scores were higher in the recently diagnosed group than in the group with a longtime cancer diagnosis (t = 2.18, P <0.05). Both groups had higher scores than controls (t = 4.3, P <0.001; t = 2.01, P <0.05). Alexithymic subjects were 45.6% in the recently diagnosed and 21.4% in the longtime diagnosed group (χ2 = 6.3, P <0.05) and 18% in controls. Fatigue was more severe in patients with a longtime diagnosis compared with recently diagnosed patients (t = 7.079, P = 0.000). A weak but significant association between fatigue and alexithymia was found in recently diagnosed patients (r = 0.27.2; P <0.05). Conclusions Our study confirms that alexithymia scores are higher in cancer patients than in controls. The study suggests that alexithymia could be considered a dynamic reaction to illness in recently diagnosed patients, declining during subsequent phases. High fatigue rates in patients with a longtime diagnosis of cancer underline the role of the long course of illness in the perception of fatigue. The association between fatigue and alexithymia was weak in the recently diagnosed group and not significant in patients with a longtime diagnosis, in whom fatigue was an important complaint.
Two Cases of Pediatric High-Grade Astroblastoma with Different Clinical Behavior
Authors: Mastrangelo Stefano , Lauriola Libero , Coccia Paola , Puma Nadia , Massimi Luca , Riccardi Riccardo 
Published: February 2018

Astroblastoma is a rare glial tumor occurring in older children and defined by histological criteria as low or high-grade. We describe two children with high-grade astroblastoma. The first patient, with multiple recurrences of a frontoparietal tumor, died 10 years from diagnosis after progression of the disease despite surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The second patient underwent subtotal resection of a temporal mass; the residual tumor progressed five months after radiotherapy, but after a subsequent gross total resection the patient is now in complete remission 54 months from diagnosis. Although both patients had high-grade astroblastomas, there were histological differences between the two tumors, in particular regarding the proliferative index, which was 30% and 5–10%, respectively. High-grade astroblastoma is usually treated with surgery and radiotherapy, but may have an unpredictable behavior even when tumor excision is deemed complete. The two cases reported here illustrate the variable clinical course of this rare tumor. The proliferative index may be a useful tool to better define prognosis.
Cancer Mortality in Córdoba, Argentina, 1986–2006: An Age-Period-Cohort Analysis
Authors: Pou Sonia Alejandra , Osella Alberto Rubén , Eynard Aldo Renato , Del Pilar Diaz María 
Published: February 2018

Aims and background Cancer is the second main cause of death in Argentina, surpassed only by cardiovascular disease. However, analytical approaches isolating some of the known effects, such as age at death, period of death and birth cohort, have never been performed in cancer mortality studies in Argentina. The aim of this study was to analyze cancer mortality trends in a representative region of the country, the Córdoba province (1986–2006). Methods and study design Overall age-standardized (world population) mortality rates for cancer (all sites) were computed by a direct method. Joinpoint regression was fitted to the age-standardized mortality rates for both sexes to provide estimated and 95% confidence intervals of the annual percentage changes. The effects of age (15 age groups), period of death (1986–90, 1991–95, 1996–00 or 2001–06), and birth cohort (18 overlapping 10-year birth cohorts) covariates on mortality rates were estimated using a sequentially fitted Poisson regression model. Results During the study period, 102,737 people died of cancer in Córdoba, with the age-standardized mortality rates decreasing from 139.3 to 118.7/100,000 person-years. Although this reduction was more noticeable in men, the joinpoint regression model showed a significant change of the age-standardized mortality rates after 1996 in both sexes. Age-period-cohort analysis suggested that the cancer mortality trends may be linked with a strong age effect and a moderate or mild period and cohort effect, related to sex and place of residence. Conclusions Based on the observed cohort effect, it maybe argued that there has been a lower exposure level to some risk factors, such as diet and other environmental factors, in Cordoba over the last decades.