bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High Erk activity suppresses expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p27Kip1 in colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Kress Theresia R , Raabe Thomas , Feller Stephan M 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
The molecular heterogeneity of human cancer cells at the level of signaling protein activities remains poorly understood. Using a panel of 64 colorectal (CRC) cancer cell lines the activity status of the MAP kinases Erk1 and Erk2 was investigated. Erk1/2 activity varied greatly within the CRC cell line panel and was not detectably associated with the speed of cell growth in 10 CRC lines analyzed. As expected, mutations in K-Ras or B-Raf were often, albeit not always, linked to high Erk1/2 activity. The phosphorylation of several known Erk1/2 targets investigated did not generally reflect Erk1/2 activity in the 10 CRC lines analyzed. However, the reduction of Erk1/2 activity with MEK inhibitors generally abolished cell growth but only led to an increase of cellular p27Kip1 levels in CRC cells with high Erk1/2 activity levels. The results indicate that high Erk1/2 activation is utilized by some CRC lines to override the cell cycle brake p27Kip1, while others presumably rely on different mechanisms in order to inactivate this important cell cycle brake. Such detailed knowledge of the molecular diversity of cancer cell signaling mechanisms may eventually help to develop molecularly targeted, patient-specific therapeutic strategies and treatments.
The STRIPES Trial - Support to Rural India's Public Education System
Authors: Eble Alex , Mann Vera , Bhakta Preetha , Lakshminarayana Rashmi , Frost Chris , Elbourne Diana , Boone Peter 
Published: February 2010

Abstract

Background
Performance of primary school students in India lags far below government expectations, and major disparity exists between rural and urban areas. The Naandi Foundation has designed and implemented a programme using community members to deliver after-school academic support for children in over 1,100 schools in five Indian states. Assessments to date suggest that it might have a substantial effect. This trial aims to evaluate the impact of this programme in villages of rural Andhra Pradesh and will compare test scores for children in three arms: a control and two intervention arms. In both intervention arms additional after-school instruction and learning materials will be offered to all eligible children and in one arm girls will also receive an additional 'kit' with a uniform and clothes.

Methods/Design
The trial is a cluster-randomised controlled trial conducted in conjunction with the CHAMPION trial. In the CHAMPION trial 464 villages were randomised so that half receive health interventions aiming to reduce neonatal mortality. STRIPES will be introduced in those CHAMPION villages which have a public primary school attended by at least 15 students at the time of a baseline test in 2008. 214 villages of the 464 were found to fulfil above criteria, 107 belonging to the control and 107 to the intervention arm of the CHAMPION trial. These latter 107 villages will serve as control villages in the STRIPES trial. A further randomisation will be carried out within the 107 STRIPES intervention villages allocating half to receive an additional kit for girls on the top of the instruction and learning materials. The primary outcome of the trial is a composite maths and language test score.

Discussion
The study is designed to measure (i) whether the educational intervention affects the exam score of children compared to the control arm, (ii) if the exam scores of girls who receive the additional kit are different from those of girls living in the other STRIPES intervention arm. One of the goals of the STRIPES trial is to provide benefit to the controls of the CHAMPION trial. We will also conduct a cost-benefit analysis in which we calculate the programme cost for 0.1 standard deviation improvement for both intervention arms.

Trial Registration
Current controlled trials ISRCTN69951502
Neoadjuvant radiotherapy of primary irresectable unicentric Castleman's disease: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: de Vries Iris AC , van Acht Marjolein MS , Demeyere Thomas BJ , Lybeert Marnix LM , de Zoete Jean-Paul , Nieuwenhuijzen Grard AP 
Published: February 2010

Abstract

Background
Castleman disease (CD) is a rare benign disorder characterised by hyperplasia of lymphoid tissue that may develop at a single site or throughout the body. The etiology of this disorder is unclear, although the histopathological presentation can be differentiated into a hyaline vascular variant, a plasma cell variant and a mixed variant. Clinically, it has been recorded that 3 manifestations of CD are characterized: a localized unicentric type, a generalized multicentric type and a mixed form. Surgery remains the main treatment for resectable unicentric CD, since removal of the large node is possible without further complications. No consensus has been reached concerning the most adequate treatment for irresectable unicentric CD.

Methods
Case report of a 67 year old woman.

Results
This report, describes the case of a 67-year-old woman with unicentric Castleman disease located in the right lower abdomen. The patient had symptoms of fatigue, dyspnoea and pain in the right lower abdomen. Computed tomography (CT)- examination revealed a tumour, which had grown to form a close relationship with the common iliac vessels and the sacral bone. A Laparotomy procedure revealed that the tumour was an irresectable mass. Neo-adjuvant radiotherapy (40 Gy) was administered in order to downsize the tumour. Six weeks later a new CT-scan revealed a major reduction of the tumour, which enabled a successful radical resection of the tumour to be performed. Histopathological analysis of the tumour showed the hyaline vascular type of CD.

Conclusions
Neo-adjuvant radiotherapy should be considered in case of an irresectable unicentric CD.
A distinctive gene expression fingerprint in mentally retarded male patients reflects disease-causing defects in the histone demethylase KDM5C
Authors: Jensen Lars R , Bartenschlager Heinz , Rujirabanjerd Sinitdhorn , Tzschach Andreas , Nümann Astrid , Janecke Andreas R , Spörle Ralf , Stricker Sigmar , Raynaud Martine , Nelson John , Hackett Anna , Fryns Jean-Pierre , Chelly Jamel , de Brouwer Arjan PM , Hamel Ben , Gecz Jozef , Ropers Hans-Hilger , Kuss Andreas W 
Published: February 2010

Abstract

Background
Mental retardation is a genetically heterogeneous disorder, as more than 90 genes for this disorder has been found on the X chromosome alone. In addition the majority of patients are non-syndromic in that they do not present with clinically recognisable features. This makes it difficult to determine the molecular cause of this disorder on the basis of the phenotype alone. Mutations in KDM5C (previously named SMCX or JARID1C), a gene that encodes a transcriptional regulator with histone demethylase activity specific for dimethylated and trimethylated H3K4, are a comparatively frequent cause of non-syndromic X-linked mental retardation (NS-XLMR). Specific transcriptional targets of KDM5C, however, are still unknown and the effects of KDM5C deficiency on gene expression have not yet been investigated.

Results
By whole-mount in situ hybridisation we showed that the mouse homologue of KDM5C is expressed in multiple tissues during mouse development.
We present the results of gene expression profiling performed on lymphoblastoid cell lines as well as blood from patients with mutations in KDM5C. Using whole genome expression arrays and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) experiments, we identified several genes, including CMKOR1, KDM5B and KIAA0469 that were consistently deregulated in both tissues.

Conclusions
Our findings shed light on the pathological mechanisms underlying mental retardation and have implications for future diagnostics of this heterogeneous disorder.
Intranodal palisaded myofibroblastoma: a case report
Authors: Karvouni Helen , Yiallourou Anneza I , Kyriazi Maria , Stafyla Vaia , Smyrniotis Vassilis , Kondi-Pafiti Agathi 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
Intranodal palisaded myofibroblastoma is a rare benign soft tissue tumor, almost always arising from inguinal lymph nodes. It usually presents as a painless, slow-growing inguinal mass. We report herein a case of an intranodal palisaded myofibroblastoma occurring in a 36-year-old man. The salient clinicopathologic features of this unusual tumor are presented and the literature is briefly reviewed.
Autophagy induction and CHOP under-expression promotes survival of fibroblasts from rheumatoid arthritis patients under endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Shin Yong-Joo , Han Song-Hee , Kim Do-Sung , Lee Geum-Hwa , Yoo Wan-Hee , Kang Yong-Mo , Choi Je-Yong , Lee Yong Chul , Park Seoung Ju , Jeong Seul-Ki , Kim Hyung-Tae , Chae Soo-Wan , Jeong Hyun-Ja , Kim Hyung-Ryong , Chae Han-Jung 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
Introduction
Synovial fibroblasts from rheumatoid arthritis show resistance to apoptotic stimuli, indicating they may be difficult to treat. To clearly understand these mechanisms of resistance, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASF and OASF) were exposed to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress such as thapsigargin, Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor.

Methods
Fibroblasts were assessed microscopically for cell viability by trypan blue exclusion and for autophagic cells by LC-3II formation. Caspase-3 activity was measured as aminomethyl-coumarin (AMC) liberated from AC-DEVD-AMC. Immunoblotting was performed to compare protein expression in OASF and RASF.

Results
ER stress caused cell death in OASF but not in RASF. Thapsigargin, a Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor, did not change the expression of GRP78, an ER chaperone in OASF and RASF, but induced another ER stress protein, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) homologous protein (CHOP) differently, showing high levels in OASF and low levels in RASF. Thapsigargin increased the autophagy response in RASF, with autophagosome formation, beclin expression, and LC3-II conversion. Transfection with beclin siRNA inhibited autophagy and increased the susceptibility to ER stress-induced cell death. On the other hand, CHOP siRNA increased autophagy and improved cell survival, especially in RASF, indicating that CHOP is involved in regulation of autophagy and cell death, but that low expression of CHOP protects RASF from apoptosis.

Conclusions
Autophagy induction and CHOP under-expression increases cell resistance against ER stress-induced cell death in fibroblasts from rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Open-Label, Phase II, Multicenter, Randomized Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Two Dose Levels of Pertuzumab, a Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Dimerization Inhibitor, in Patients With Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2–Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Gianni Luca , Lladó Anna , Bianchi Giulia , Cortes Javier , Kellokumpu-Lehtinen Pirkko-Liisa , Cameron David A. , Miles David , Salvagni Stefania , Wardley Andrew , Goeminne Jean-Charles , Hersberger Veronica , Baselga José 
Published: February 2010

Purpose Pertuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody inhibiting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) dimerization. The aim of this phase II trial was to assess the antitumor activity and safety profile of pertuzumab monotherapy in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. The utility of biomarkers detected in paraffin-embedded tissue as predictors of response was also explored. Patients and Methods This was an international, multicenter, open-label, randomized phase II study. Patients (n = 79) with centrally confirmed HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive pertuzumab once every 3 weeks with a loading dose of 840 mg followed thereafter by either 420 mg (arm A) or 1,050 mg (arm B). Patients were stratified by country and prior taxane therapy. Results Of 79 patients who were randomly assigned, 78 were included in the intent-to-treat population. In arm A (n = 41), two patients had partial responses, and 18 patients (44%) experienced stable disease (SD) lasting ≥ 12 weeks. In arm B (n = 37), SD was observed in 14 patients (38%). Overall, six of 78 patients responded or had SD ≥ 6 months. Pertuzumab was generally well tolerated, and most adverse events were mild to moderate. Decline in left ventricular ejection fraction of ≥ 10% and/or to less than 50% was observed in eight patients, with one case of congestive heart failure in arm A. Pharmacokinetic data supported a fixed dose of pertuzumab once every 3 weeks. Conclusion The limited efficacy observed in this study, generally SD of relatively short duration, suggested little benefit of further investigation of single-agent pertuzumab in unselected patients with HER2-negative disease.
Positron Emission Tomography With [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose Improves Staging and Patient Management in Patients With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Multicenter Prospective Study
Authors: Lonneux Max , Hamoir Marc , Reychler Hervé , Maingon Philippe , Duvillard Christian , Calais Gilles , Bridji Boumédiène , Digue Laurence , Toubeau Michel , Grégoire Vincent 
Published: February 2010

Purpose To address the impact of positron emission tomography with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (PET-FDG) on the initial staging and management of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Patients and Methods This multicenter, prospective study included 233 patients with newly diagnosed and untreated HNSCC. TNM stage and therapeutic decision were first determined based on the conventional work-up (including physical examination, computed tomography [CT]/magnetic resonance imaging of the head and neck region, and thoracic CT) and sealed in envelope 1. Whole-body PET-FDG was then performed, and subsequent TNM stage and therapeutic decision were written in envelope 2. Changes in TNM stages and in patient management as a result of PET-FDG imaging were recorded. Clinical outcome and histopathology were used as gold standards to validate the TNM stage. Conventional and PET stages were compared using the McNemar test. Results Conventional and PET stage were discordant in 100 (43%) of 233 patients. PET proved to be accurate in 47 patients and inaccurate in 13 patients. TNM status was left unconfirmed in 40 patients because no therapeutic change was expected from the stage difference. Conventional + PET TNM classification (envelope 2) was significantly more accurate than conventional classification (envelope 1; P < .0001, McNemar test). PET-FDG altered the therapeutic plan in 32 (13.7%) of 233 patients. Conclusion Adding whole-body PET-FDG to the pretherapeutic conventional staging of HNSCC improved the TNM classification of the disease and altered the management of 13.7% of patients. These findings support the implementation of PET-FDG in the routine imaging work-up of HNSCC.
Cytokine Working Group Study of Lymphodepleting Chemotherapy, Interleukin-2, and Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor in Patients With Metastatic Melanoma: Clinical Outcomes and Peripheral-Blood Cell Recovery
Authors: Gunturu Krishna S. , Meehan Kenneth R. , Mackenzie Todd A. , Crocenzi Todd S. , McDermott David , Usherwood Edward J. , Margolin Kim A. , Crosby Nancy A. , Atkins Michael B. , Turk Mary Jo , Ahonen Cory , Fuse Shinichiro , Clark Joseph I. , Fisher Jan L. , Noelle Randolph J. , Ernstoff Marc S. 
Published: February 2010

Purpose Recovery of lymphocyte populations after lymphocyte depletion is implicated in therapeutic immune pathways in animal models and in patients with cancer. We sought to evaluate the effects of chemotherapy-induced lymphodepletion followed by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy on clinical response and the recovery of lymphocyte subcompartments in patients with metastatic melanoma. Patients and Methods This was a two-stage phase II trial design. Patients with measurable metastatic melanoma were treated with intravenous cyclophosphamide (60 mg/kg, days 1 and 2) and fludarabine (25 mg/m2, day 3 through 7) followed by two 5-day courses of intravenous high-dose bolus IL-2 (600,000 U/kg; days 8 through 12 and 21 through 25). GM-CSF (250 μg/m2/d beginning day 8) was given until granulocyte recovery. Lymphocyte recovery profiles were determined by flow cytometric phenotyping at regular intervals, and clinical outcome was assessed by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Results The trial was stopped at the end of stage 1 with four of 18 objective responses noted. Twelve patients had detailed lymphocyte subcompartments evaluated. After lymphodepletion, we observed an induction of regulatory cells (CD4+ T regulatory cells; CD8+ T suppressor cells) and of T memory cells (CD8+ T central memory cells; T effector memory RA+ cells). Expansion of circulating melanoma-specific CD8+ cells was observed in one of four HLA-A2-positive patients. Conclusion Chemotherapy-induced lymphodepletion modulates the homeostatic repopulation of the lymphocyte compartment and influences recovering lymphocyte subpopulations. Clinical activity seems similar to standard high-dose aldesleukin alone.
Significant Effect of Polymorphisms inCYP2D6andABCC2on Clinical Outcomes of Adjuvant Tamoxifen Therapy for Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Kiyotani Kazuma , Mushiroda Taisei , Imamura Chiyo K. , Hosono Naoya , Tsunoda Tatsuhiko , Kubo Michiaki , Tanigawara Yusuke , Flockhart David A. , Desta Zeruesenay , Skaar Todd C. , Aki Fuminori , Hirata Koichi , Takatsuka Yuichi , Okazaki Minoru , Ohsumi Shozo , Yamakawa Takashi , Sasa Mitsunori , Nakamura Yusuke , Zembutsu Hitoshi 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe clinical efficacy of tamoxifen is suspected to be influenced by the activity of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters involved in the formation, metabolism, and elimination of its active forms. We investigated relationships of polymorphisms in transporter genes and CYP2D6 to clinical outcome of patients receiving tamoxifen.Patients and MethodsWe studied 282 patients with hormone receptor–positive, invasive breast cancer receiving tamoxifen monotherapy, including 67 patients who have been previously reported. We investigated the effects of allelic variants of CYP2D6 and haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (tag-SNPs) of ABCB1, ABCC2, and ABCG2 on recurrence-free survival using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis. Plasma concentrations of tamoxifen metabolites were measured in 98 patients receiving tamoxifen 20 mg/d.ResultsCYP2D6 variants were significantly associated with shorter recurrence-free survival (P = .000036; hazard ratio [HR] = 9.52; 95% CI, 2.79 to 32.45 in patients with two variant alleles v patients without variant alleles). Among 51 tag-SNPs in transporter genes, a significant association was found at rs3740065 in ABCC2 (P = .00017; HR = 10.64; 95% CI, 1.44 to 78.88 in patients with AA v GG genotypes). The number of risk alleles of CYP2D6 and ABCC2 showed cumulative effects on recurrence-free survival (P = .000000055). Patients carrying four risk alleles had 45.25-fold higher risk compared with patients with ≤ one risk allele. CYP2D6 variants were associated with lower plasma levels of endoxifen and 4-hydroxytamoxifen (P = .0000043 and .00052), whereas no significant difference was found among ABCC2 genotype groups.ConclusionOur results suggest that polymorphisms in CYP2D6 and ABCC2 are important predictors for the prognosis of patients with breast cancer treated with tamoxifen.
Randomized Trial Comparing Conventional-Dose With High-Dose Conformal Radiation Therapy in Early-Stage Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate: Long-Term Results From Proton Radiation Oncology Group/American College of Radiology 95-09
Authors: Zietman Anthony L. , Bae Kyounghwa , Slater Jerry D. , Shipley William U. , Efstathiou Jason A. , Coen John J. , Bush David A. , Lunt Margie , Spiegel Daphna Y. , Skowronski Rafi , Jabola B. Rodney , Rossi Carl J. 
Published: February 2010

PurposeTo test the hypothesis that increasing radiation dose delivered to men with early-stage prostate cancer improves clinical outcomes.Patients and MethodsMen with T1b-T2b prostate cancer and prostate-specific antigen ≤ 15 ng/mL were randomly assigned to a total dose of either 70.2 Gray equivalents (GyE; conventional) or 79.2 GyE (high). No patient received androgen suppression therapy with radiation. Local failure (LF), biochemical failure (BF), and overall survival (OS) were outcomes.ResultsA total of 393 men were randomly assigned, and median follow-up was 8.9 years. Men receiving high-dose radiation therapy were significantly less likely to have LF, with a hazard ratio of 0.57. The 10-year American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology BF rates were 32.4% for conventional-dose and 16.7% for high-dose radiation therapy (P < .0001). This difference held when only those with low-risk disease (n = 227; 58% of total) were examined: 28.2% for conventional and 7.1% for high dose (P < .0001). There was a strong trend in the same direction for the intermediate-risk patients (n = 144; 37% of total; 42.1% v 30.4%, P = .06). Eleven percent of patients subsequently required androgen deprivation for recurrence after conventional dose compared with 6% after high dose (P = .047). There remains no difference in OS rates between the treatment arms (78.4% v 83.4%; P = .41). Two percent of patients in both arms experienced late grade ≥ 3 genitourinary toxicity, and 1% of patients in the high-dose arm experienced late grade ≥ 3 GI toxicity.ConclusionThis randomized controlled trial shows superior long-term cancer control for men with localized prostate cancer receiving high-dose versus conventional-dose radiation. This was achieved without an increase in grade ≥ 3 late urinary or rectal morbidity.
Choice of Starting Dose for Molecularly Targeted Agents Evaluated in First-in-Human Phase I Cancer Clinical Trials
Authors: Le Tourneau Christophe , Stathis Anastasios , Vidal Laura , Moore Malcolm J. , Siu Lillian L. 
Published: February 2010

Purpose One tenth of the lethal dose to 10% of mice is one of the conventional parameters used to derive a safe starting dose in phase I trials of cytotoxic agents. There is no consensus on which preclinical models and parameters should define the starting dose for molecularly targeted agents. Patients and Methods Reports of 81 first-in-human phase I trials evaluating 60 different molecularly targeted agents administered as monotherapy were reviewed. The maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) was defined as the highest safe dose administered to patients, whereas the maximum-administered dose (MAD) was recorded if the MTD was not reached. Results Fifty-seven of the 81 trials specified the animal model used to determine the starting dose, with 29 (51%) of 57 based on rodent data and 28 (49%) of 57 based on non-rodent data. A wide range of toxicologic parameters was used to select the starting dose. The starting dose exceeded the human MTD in three (3.7%) of 81 trials, and in all three trials, nonhematologic toxicity was dose limiting. The median number of dose levels to reach MTD or MAD from starting dose was five (range, one to 14 dose levels), and the median ratio of MTD or MAD to starting dose was 12 (range, < 1 to 300). Hypothetical doubling of the starting dose appeared to be safe, whereas tripling of the starting dose was unsafe. Conclusion The derivation of starting dose for first-in-human phase I trials of molecularly targeted agents in patients with cancer is safe but is based on diverse practices using a variety of preclinical toxicologic parameters.