Phase 1 immunolymphoscintigraphy with an In-111-labeled antimelanoma monoclonal antibody

A phase 1 study was conducted using a monoclonal antimelanoma antibody-DTPA conjugate labeled with indium-111, for immunolymphoscintigraphy in patients with metastatic melanoma. The imaging agent, labeled with 1 mCi (37 MBq) In-111, was administered as an interstitial interdigital injection to six patients scheduled to undergo lymph node dissection for suspected metastatic malignant melanoma. No adverse effects were observed in any of the patients either during or after the infusion as determined by clinical and laboratory parameters. Antibodies to the murine immunoglobulin were produced in some patients. Regional lymph nodes were visualized whether tumor-bearing or not, and light microscopic autoradiography showed In-111 activity associated with histiocytes. One of two patients harboring both tumor-bearing and tumor-free lymph nodes exhibited preferential localization in tumor-bearing nodes. The authors conclude that this study demonstrates safety of the radiopharmaceutical and that further study is needed to improve its usefulness for diagnosis of lymph node metastases.     

A comprehensive analysis of the androgen receptor gene and risk of breast cancer: results from the National Cancer Institute Breast and Prostate Cancer Cohort Consortium (BPC3)

Introduction

Androgens have been hypothesised to influence risk of breast cancer through several possible mechanisms, including their conversion to estradiol or their binding to the oestrogen receptor and/or androgen receptor (AR) in the breast. Here, we report on the results of a large and comprehensive study of the association between genetic variation in the AR gene and risk of breast cancer in the National Cancer Institute Breast and Prostate Cancer Cohort Consortium (BPC3).

Methods

The underlying genetic variation was determined by first sequencing the coding regions of the AR gene in a panel of 95 advanced breast cancer cases. Second, a dense set of markers from the public database was genotyped in a panel of 349 healthy women. The linkage disequilibrium relationships (blocks) across the gene were then identified, and haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (htSNPs) were selected to capture the common genetic variation across the locus. The htSNPs were then genotyped in the nested breast cancer cases and controls from the Cancer Prevention Study II, European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, Multiethnic Cohort, Nurses' Health Study, and Women's Health Study cohorts (5,603 breast cancer cases and 7,480 controls).

Results

We found no association between any genetic variation (SNP, haplotype, or the exon 1 CAG repeat) in the AR gene and risk of breast cancer, nor were any statistical interactions with known breast cancer risk factors observed.

Conclusion

Among postmenopausal Caucasian women, common variants of the AR gene are not associated with risk of breast cancer.     

Ovary teratoma. Report of 91 cases

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the clinical and anatomic aspects of cystic teratomas of the ovary, caracteristics of patients having cystic teratomas and the management trends at our institution. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of 91 cases of cystic teratomas of the ovary diagnosed and treated at Farhat -Hached Hospital (Sousse) between 1 january 1995 and 30 june 2003. RESULTS: Cystic teratomas constituted 12.13% of all ovarian tumors diagnosed and treated at our institution during the study period. The median of age was 33.35 ans. Abdominal or pelvic pain was the most frequent symptom for presentation in 67% of the cases.In addition; incidental finding was noted in 25.3% of the cases and swelling in 23% of the cases.The mean tumor diameter was 10 cm. The rate of bilateral cystic teratomas of the ovary was 14.3%. 19.8% of cystic teratomas has occurred in pregnancy. The operative video-laparoscopy was employed in 9 cases, laparotomy was employed in82 cases. Histopathological evaluation has detected 96.7% cases of mature teratomas, and 3.3% cases of immature teratomas. CONCLUSION: Cystic tertomas are the most common ovarian neoplasms, that occurs most commonly during the reproductive years. The operative laparoscopy is the most common modality of treatment of mature cystic teratomas. Immature teratomas must be treated by laparotomy associated if necessary to chimiothrapiy.     

Comparison of foot orthoses made by podiatrists,pedorthists and orthotists regarding plantar pressure reduction in The Netherlands

Background  

There is a need for evidence of clinical effectiveness of foot orthosis therapy. This study evaluated the effect of foot orthoses made by ten podiatrists, ten pedorthists and eleven orthotists on plantar pressure and walking convenience for three patients with metatarsalgia. Aims were to assess differences and variability between and within the disciplines. The relationship between the importance of pressure reduction and the effect on peak pressure was also evaluated.     

Adjuvant Treatment of Colorectal Cancer: Towards Tumor-specific Immunotherapies

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. After a series of clinical trials, the adjuvant 5-FU based chemotherapy has established a definitive role in the management of stage III colon cancer. The precise role for chemotherapy in stage II disease remains under investigation and less toxic treatment modalities like active specific immunotherapy have emerged as potentially attractive alternatives. It is most likely that the adjuvant treatment of colon cancer will move towards more tumor-specific immunotherapies using antibody- or vaccination-based strategies. Phase II/III clinical trials investigating these different modalities in colorectal cancer are reviewed.