bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Meta‐analysis of sentinel lymph node positivity in thin melanoma (≤1 mm)
Authors: Warycha Melanie A. , Zakrzewski Jan , Ni Quanhong , Shapiro Richard L. , Berman Russell S. , Pavlick Anna C. , Polsky David , Mazumdar Madhu , Osman Iman 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:Despite the lack of an established survival benefit of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy, this technique has been increasingly applied in the staging of thin (≤1 mm) melanoma patients, without clear evidence to support this recommendation. The authors performed a meta‐analysis to estimate the risk, potential predictors, and outcome of SLN positivity in this group of patients.METHODS:MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched for rates of SLN positivity in patients with thin melanoma. The methodologic quality of included studies was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non‐Randomized Studies criteria. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran Q statistic, and publication bias was examined through funnel plot and the Begg and Mazumdar method. Overall SLN positivity in thin melanoma patients was estimated using the DerSimonial‐Laird random effect method.RESULTS:Thirty‐four studies comprising 3651 patients met inclusion criteria. The pooled SLN positivity rate was 5.6%. Significant heterogeneity among studies was detected (P = .005). There was no statistical evidence of publication bias (P = .21). Eighteen studies reported select clinical and histopathologic data limited to SLN‐positive patients (n = 113). Among the tumors from these patients, 6.1% were ulcerated, 31.5% demonstrated regression, and 47.5% were Clark level IV/V. Only 4 melanoma‐related deaths were reported.CONCLUSIONS:Relatively few patients with thin melanoma have a positive SLN. To the authors' knowledge, there are no clinical or histopathologic criteria that can reliably identify thin melanoma patients who might benefit from this intervention. Given the increasing diagnosis of thin melanoma, in addition to the cost and potential morbidity of this procedure, alternative strategies to identify patients at risk for lymph node disease are needed. Cancer 2009. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
The volume to be irradiated during selective neck irradiation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Tang Linglong , Mao Yanping , Liu Lizhi , Liang Shaobo , Chen Yong , Sun Ying , Liao Xinbiao , Lin Aihua , Liu Mengzhong , Li Li , Ma Jun 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:For this report, the authors analyzed the spread pattern of lymph node (LN) metastases in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In addition, the efficacy of selective neck irradiation was assessed based on the volume irradiated.METHODS:This was a retrospective review of data from 924 patients with newly diagnosed and nondisseminated NPC who underwent MRI and treatment between January 2003 and December 2004.RESULTS:According to the criteria for involved LNs detected by MRI, the incidence of LN metastases was 85.1% (786 of 924 patients). An analysis of the distribution of LN metastases in these 786 patients demonstrated that the retropharyngeal LNs (RLN) and Level II LNs were the most frequently involved regions, followed in order by Level III and Level V LNs, Level IV LNs, and supraclavicular fossa (SCF) LNs. In only 4 of 786 patients (0.5%) did metastasis skip LNs in their progression. In addition, 5 of 354 patients (1.4%) who had unilateral, higher level LN metastases (including RLNs and Level II LNs) had contralateral or bilateral, lower level LN involvement (including Level III, Level IV, Level V, and SCF LNs). In patients who had LN‐negative (N0) disease, the risks of regional recurrence and distant metastasis did not differ statistically between patients with inferior border of the neck irradiation field either at the cricoid cartilage or below the cricoid cartilage.CONCLUSIONS:By using MRI, LN metastases spread in an orderly fashion from higher level LNs to lower level LNs. The current results did not support prophylactic irradiation of Level IV and SCF LNs in patients who were negative for LN metastases, and these concepts need to be tested clinically before they may be recommended generally. Cancer 2009. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Phase 1/2 study of intravenous paclitaxel and oral cyclophosphamide in pretreated metastatic urothelial bladder cancer patients
Authors: Di Lorenzo Giuseppe , Montesarchio Vincenzo , Autorino Riccardo , Bellelli Teresa , Longo Nicola , Imbimbo Ciro , Morelli Emilio , Giannarini Gianluca , Mirone Vincenzo , De Placido Sabino 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:To the authors' knowledge, no previous studies have been reported with the combination of paclitaxel and oral cyclophosphamide in patients with metastatic bladder cancer. A phase 1/2 study was conducted of paclitaxel in combination with oral cyclophosphamide for patients with advanced urothelial bladder cancer who had been previously treated with gemcitabine/cisplatin chemotherapy as first‐line metastatic treatment.METHODS:This was a single‐arm phase 1/2 study. Patients were treated with paclitaxel and oral cyclophosphamide at 3‐week intervals until disease progression or irreversible toxicity occurred. Primary endpoints were to determine the maximum tolerated doses (MTD) and objective response rate; secondary endpoints were safety, time to disease progression (TTP), and overall survival (OS).RESULTS:Forty‐four patients were enrolled. Dose levels of paclitaxel of 175 mg/m2 (Day 1) and cyclophosphamide of 50 mg (Days 1‐7 orally) (dose level I) of a 21‐day cycle were tolerated without dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs). At a cyclophosphamide dose of 100 mg (dose level II) the MTD was exceeded; 3 of 6 patients experienced a DLT (grade 3 constipation and grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia [toxicities were graded using National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (version 3.0)]). Dose level I was expanded and determined to be the MTD. A total of 32 patients were treated at dose level I in the phase 2 portion. Partial responses were observed in 31% of patients (10 of 32 patients; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 17%‐45%). Grade 1/2 vomiting, peripheral neuropathy, and neutropenia were the most common side effects, noted in 11 (34%), 8 (25%), and 10 (31%) patients, respectively. The median TTP was 5 months (95% CI, 2 months‐7.5 months) and the median OS was 8 months (95% CI, 4 months‐14 months).CONCLUSIONS:The combination of paclitaxel and cyclophosphamide is well tolerated and associated with promising efficacy. Further trials are needed to confirm these preliminary results. Cancer 2009. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Esophageal tumor length is independently associated with long‐term survival
Authors: Yendamuri Sai , Swisher Stephen G. , Correa Arlene M. , Hofstetter Wayne , Ajani Jaffer A. , Francis Ashleigh , Maru Dipen , Mehran Reza J. , Rice David C. , Roth Jack A. , Walsh Garrett L. , Vaporciyan Ara A. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:Esophageal cancer staging uses tumor depth as the sole criterion for assessment of the primary tumor (pT). To the authors' knowledge the impact of esophageal tumor length on long‐term outcome and the esophageal cancer staging system has not been fully evaluated in the current era.METHODS:All esophageal cancer patients (n = 209) undergoing surgery from 1995 to 2005 who did not receive preoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy were reviewed. Maximum esophageal tumor length along a craniocaudal axis was determined pathologically after surgical resection. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the impact of esophageal tumor length (≤3 cm vs >3 cm) on long‐term survival.RESULTS:Esophageal tumor length was closely associated with long‐term survival (hazards ratio [HR] of 6.14 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 4.1‐9.25]; 5‐year survival: ≤3 cm = 68%, >3 cm = 10% [P < .001]). Multivariate Cox regression analyses demonstrated tumor length (HR of 2.13 [95% CI, 1.26‐3.63]) was found to be a significant independent predictor of long‐term survival even when controlled for sex, age, tumor location, histology, margin positivity, surgical procedure, and current pTNM criteria. The incorporation of tumor length in pTNM staging significantly improves the ability to predict the long‐term survival of patients (5‐year survival for patients with tumors ≤3 cm and stages I, IIA, IIB, and III disease = 86%, 62%, 49%, and 22%, respectively; survival for patients with tumors measuring >3 cm and stages I, IIA, IIB, and III disease = 27%, 22%, 0%, and 8%, respectively [P < .1]).CONCLUSIONS:Esophageal tumor length is an independent predictor of long‐term survival in the current era and should be considered for incorporation into the current esophageal cancer staging system to better predict long‐term survival and identify high‐risk patients for postoperative therapy. Cancer 2009. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Efficacy of imatinib dose escalation in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase
Authors: Kantarjian Hagop M. , Larson Richard A. , Guilhot Francois , O'Brien Stephen G. , Mone Manisha , Rudoltz Marc , Krahnke Tillmann , Cortes Jorge , Druker Brian J. ,   for the International Randomized Study of Interferon and STI571 (IRIS) Investigators
Published: January 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:Imatinib mesylate given orally at a daily dose of 400 mg is the standard of care as initial therapy for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase (CML‐CP). Treatment guidelines propose dose escalation based on clinical assessments of disease response.METHODS:Response and survival were analyzed in a cohort of patients (n = 106) with newly diagnosed CML‐CP who were enrolled on the International Randomized Study of Interferon and STI571 (IRIS) trial, who began treatment with imatinib at a dose of 400 mg daily, and who subsequently underwent dose escalation to either 600 mg or 800 mg daily. Reasons for dose escalation were evaluated retrospectively based on 2 sets of criteria: the IRIS protocol‐defined criteria (n = 39 patients) and the European LeukemiaNet (ELN) recommendations (n = 48 patients).RESULTS:Among all 106 patients who underwent dose escalation, the rates of freedom from progression to accelerated phase or blast phase and overall survival were 89% and 84% at 3 years after dose increase, respectively. A cytogenetic response was obtained in 42% of patients who had their dose escalated based on protocol criteria and in 38% of patients who had their dose escalated according to the ELN recommendations.CONCLUSIONS:The results from this retrospective analysis supported imatinib dose escalation as an appropriate initial option for patients with CML‐CP who were experiencing suboptimal cytogenetic response or resistance. Cancer 2009. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Outcomes of stereotactic radiotherapy for a new clinical stage I lung cancer arising postpneumonectomy
Authors: Haasbeek Cornelis J. A. , Lagerwaard Frank J. , de Jaeger Katrien , Slotman Ben J. , Senan Suresh 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:Resection of second primary lung tumors that arise after previous pneumonectomy is associated with a high risk of complications. In this study, the authors reviewed outcomes after stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) for such patients.METHODS:SRT was undergone by 15 patients who developed a new clinical stage I lung cancer at a median of 8.9 years postpneumonectomy, half of whom had severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). SRT target volumes encompassed all respiratory motion using 4‐dimensional computed tomography (CT) scans, and risk‐adapted radiation schemes that ranged from 3 × 20 grays (Gy) to 8 × 7.5 Gy were used, depending on tumor size, location, and overlap with prior radiation treatment. All schemes had a biologic effective dose >100 Gy. Follow‐up CT scans were obtained at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after SRT and yearly thereafter.RESULTS:At a median follow‐up of 16.5 months, no local failures were observed, and only 2 patients experienced grade ≥3 toxicity. One patient had transient pneumonitis that required steroids, and another patient required an increase in oxygen use. The 1‐year actuarial disease‐free survival rate was 92%. One patient died 10 months post‐SRT after developing regional and distant metastases, and 1 patient developed an isolated regional failure. All other patients remained alive and disease free.CONCLUSIONS:SRT was a safe and effective treatment for stage I lung tumors that arose after prior pneumonectomy, even in patients who had severe COPD. SRT was tolerated well, and the current findings suggest that surveillance for second tumors is indicated in all patients after pneumonectomy. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Survival after hepatic resection of colorectal cancer metastases
Authors: Robertson Douglas J. , Stukel Therese A. , Gottlieb Daniel J. , Sutherland Jason M. , Fisher Elliott S. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:Most estimates of short‐ and long‐term survival after hepatic resection of colorectal cancer metastases are derived from surgical case series. For the current report, the authors used Medicare data to investigate operative mortality and long‐term survival in a national sample and examined the factors associated with survival.METHODS:Data were analyzed from Medicare enrollees (age ≥65 years) who were admitted to hospital between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2004 with a primary diagnosis of colorectal cancer with resection. The sample was restricted to patients who subsequently underwent hepatic resection for liver metastases. The Medicare Denominator File was used to determine operative mortality and long‐term survival and the factors that were associated with those outcomes.RESULTS:Of the 306,061 Medicare beneficiaries who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, 3957 patients were identified who underwent hepatic resection for liver metastases. The crude 30‐day and 90‐day mortality rates were 4% and 8.2%, respectively, and the 5‐year survival rate was 25.5%. Advancing age (hazards ratio [HR], 1.83; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.32‐2.53 for age ≥80 years vs ages 65‐69 years), comorbid disease (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.06‐1.85 for Charlson ≥5 vs Charlson 0), and synchronous colon/hepatic resection (HR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.89‐3.20 for synchronous vs metachronous resection) were associated with worse 90‐day mortality. Similarly, long‐term mortality was associated with age (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.18‐1.56), comorbid disease (HR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.36‐1.69), and synchronous colon/hepatic resection (HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.24‐1.51 for synchronous vs metachronous resection).CONCLUSIONS:In this national study, short‐ and long‐term survival was worse than that reported in surgical case series. Subgroups at high risk for worse outcomes include the extreme elderly and those undergoing synchronous colon and hepatic resection. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Fragile histidine triad protein, WW domain‐containing oxidoreductase protein Wwox, and activator protein 2γ expression levels correlate with basal phenotype in breast cancer
Authors: Guler Gulnur , Huebner Kay , Himmetoglu Cigdem , Jimenez Rafael E. , Costinean Stefan , Volinia Stefano , Pilarski Robert T. , Hayran Mutlu , Shapiro Charles L. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:The expression of fragile histidine triad protein (Fhit) and WW domain‐containing oxidoreductase protein (Wwox), tumor suppressors that are encoded by fragile (FRA) loci FRA3B and FRA16D, are lost concordantly in breast cancers. In the current study, the authors examined correlations among Fhit, Wwox, the activator protein 2 transcription factors AP2α and AP2γ, cytokeratins 5 and 6 (CK5/6), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER‐2) and their associations with breast cancer phenotypes.METHODS:Tissue microarrays constructed from 837 breast cancer blocks were immunostained. Expression in >10% of tumor cells was considered positive for cytoplasmic CK5/6, membranous EGFR, and nuclear AP2α and AP2γ. Cytoplasmic Fhit and Wwox staining was scored according to staining intensity. ER, PR, and HER‐2 status of tumors was derived from records. Correlations among immunohistochemical markers and tumor subtypes were assessed by univariate and multivariate statistical methods.RESULTS:Triple‐negative tumors had more frequent expression of EGFR, CK5/6 (P < .001), and AP2γ (P = .003) and more frequent loss of Fhit and Wwox (P < .001), and an inverse correlation was observed between Fhit, Wwox expression and EGFR, ER, and PR expression (P < .001). Reduced Fhit expression was more common in HER‐2‐positive and AP2γ‐positive cases (P < .001 and P = .002, respectively). There was a direct correlation noted between Fhit and Wwox (P < .001) and a borderline positive relation between AP2α and AP2γ (P = .054).CONCLUSIONS:The results from this investigation suggested that reduced expression levels of Fhit, Wwox, and nuclear AP2γ have roles in the pathogenesis of basal‐like differentiation in breast cancer. Alteration in the expression of fragile site genes occurs in most of these cancers and may contribute to defects in DNA repair, as observed in breast cancer 1 (BRCA1)‐deficient cancers. Thus, DNA damage response checkpoint proteins may be targets for treatment. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Evaluation of the use of prophylactic cranial irradiation in small cell lung cancer
Authors: Patel Shilpen , Macdonald O. Kenneth , Suntharalingam Mohan 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:Prophylactic cranial irradiation has been used in patients with small cell lung cancer to reduce the incidence of brain metastasis after primary therapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) on overall survival and cause‐specific survival.METHODS:A total of 7995 patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer diagnosed between 1988 and 1997 were retrospectively identified from centers participating in the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. Of them, 670 were identified as having received PCI as a component of their first course of therapy. Overall survival and cause‐specific survival were estimated by the Kaplan‐Meier method, comparing patients treated with or without prophylactic whole‐brain radiotherapy. The Cox proportional hazards model was used in the multivariate analysis to evaluate potential prognostic factors.RESULTS:The median follow‐up time was 13 months (range, 1 month to 180 months). Overall survival at 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years was 23%, 11%, and 6%, respectively, in patients who did not receive PCI. In patients who received PCI, the 2‐year, 5‐year, and 10‐year overall survival rates were 42%, 19%, and 9%, respectively (P= <.001). The cause‐specific survival rate at 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years was 28%, 15%, 11%, respectively, in patients who did not receive PCI and 45%, 24%, 17%, respectively, in patients who did receive PCI (P= <.001). On multivariate analysis of cause‐specific and overall survival, age at diagnosis, sex, grade, extent of primary disease, size of disease, extent of lymph node involvement, and PCI were found to be significant (P= <.001). The hazards ratios for disease‐specific and all cause mortality were 1.13 and 1.11, respectively, for those not receiving PCI.CONCLUSIONS:Significantly improved overall and cause‐specific survival was observed in patients treated with prophylactic cranial irradiation on unadjusted and adjusted analyses. This study concurs with the previously published European experience. Prophylactic cranial irradiation should be considered for patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer. Cancer 2009. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Real time monitoring of BMP Smads transcriptional activity during mouse development
Authors: Monteiro Rui M. , de Sousa Lopes Susana M. Chuva , Bialecka Monika , de Boer Sophie , Zwijsen An , Mummery Christine L. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractSagittal section of a 5‐day‐old mouse kidney expressing a bone morphogenetic protein‐response element:green fluorescent protein (BRE:gfp) transgene. GFP expression detected by immunofluorescence (green) reveals BMP Smad transcriptional activity in the glumeruli and adjacent collecting tubules. See the paper by Monteiro et al., in this issue. (Image provided by Monika Bialecka).
Embryological development of Caiman latirostris (Crocodylia: Alligatoridae)
Authors: Iungman Josefina , Piña Carlos I. , Siroski Pablo 
Published: January 2009

AbstractDiagram of the head of a day 48 embryo of Caiman latirostris (Crocodylia: Alligatoridea). See the paper by Iungman et al. in this issue.
Macrophages in the embryo and beyond: Much more than just giant phagocytes
Authors: Ovchinnikov Dmitry A. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractMacrophages in a “MacBlue” mouse embryo at 12 days post coitus, visualized by the expression of enhanced cyan fluorescent protein (ECFP) from a bi‐partite (Csf1r‐Gal4/UAS‐ECFP) transgene. Macrophages are interspersed throughout the embryo, with the highest concentration in the embryonic liver; they are also abundant around the developing heart, brain and eyes. See the review by Ovchinnikov in this issue.
Restraint, hunger, and disinhibition following treatment for binge‐eating disorder
Authors: Downe Kristina A. , Goldfein Juli A. , Devlin Michael J. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractObjective:To examine changes in total, flexible and rigid restraint, hunger, and disinhibition in obese individuals with Binge‐Eating Disorder (BED), and assess whether these variables are associated with binge abstinence at post‐treatment and during two‐year follow‐up.Method:A total of 116 obese individuals with BED were randomized to a 20‐week treatment trial plus two‐year follow‐up. Using the Eating Inventory (EI), we assessed these factors at pretreatment, post‐treatment, and follow‐up time‐points and examined their relationship to binge abstinence at post‐treatment, 12‐ and 24‐month follow‐up.Results:Low disinhibition and high‐total restraint are associated with post‐treatment binge abstinence. There are no significant relationships between post‐treatment EI variables and binge abstinence at 12‐ and 24‐month follow‐up.Discussion:Reducing disinhibition as well as increasing EI dietary restraint during BED treatment may be important for short‐term success. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2009
D6 and the atypical chemokine receptor family: Novel regulators of immune and inflammatory processes
Authors: Graham Gerard J. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractChemokines are key regulators of leukocyte migration and play important roles in a number of physiological and pathological immune and inflammatory contexts. In addition to the classical signalling chemokine receptors there has emerged, recently, a new subclass of atypical chemokine receptors. This subfamily is characterised by an apparent lack of signalling and, in some cases, by an ability to internalise and degrade chemokine ligands. This review describes the family of atypical chemokine receptors with particular emphasis on the D6 receptor. Thein vitroandin vivobiology of D6 is described, which indicates that D6 is active as a scavenger of inflammatory CC‐chemokines and appears to play essential roles in the regulation of inflammatory responses.