European journal of cancer : official journal for European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) [and] European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)
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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cyclo-oxygenase (COX) inhibitors are anti-inflammatory agents that have also shown to be useful in anticancer therapy. In the present study, we show that the specific COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib enhances the inhibitory effect of doxorubicin (dox) on human MDA-MB231 breast tumour growth in vivo and in vitro. We also found that celecoxib increased the intracellular accumulation and retention of dox in vitro. ⋯ We found that celecoxib and PSC833, but not indomethacin or NS398, almost completely inhibited basal- and dox induced NF-kappaB gene-reporter activity and p65 subunit nuclear translocation. Furthermore, the NF-kappaB inhibitor PDTC mimicked the actions of celecoxib and PSC833 on cell growth and on intracellular accumulation of dox, suggesting that NF-kappaB is functionally involved in the actions of these compounds. In conclusion, we show that structurally different compounds, among which are celecoxib and PSC833, increase the intracellular accumulation of dox and enhance dox induced cytotoxicity in MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells most likely via the modulation of NF-kappaB activity.
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To investigate the equivalence of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the Functional Assessment for Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) on the basis of corresponding subscales, and where appropriate to derive a scheme for converting QLQ-C30 scores into FACT-G scores and vice versa for use in oncological research. ⋯ The conversion tables developed in this study (physical, emotional and functional/role domain) appear promising for the comparison between EORTC QLQ-C30 and FACT-G scores of patient samples.
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The completion of the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) [Vogel VG, Costantino JP, Wickerham DL, et al. The Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR): Report of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project P-2 Trial. ⋯ Breast cancer prevention-clinical trials strategies involving aromatase inhibitors. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2003;86(3-5):487-93.] to assess their worth for the chemoprevention of breast cancer, creates an opportunity to consider the realistic future for chemoprevention as an option for women's healthcare and to identify strategies for future progress in an era of targeted therapeutics, managed healthcare and soaring costs.
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This prospective study assessed anxiety, depression and breast cancer-specific distress in recently diagnosed breast cancer patients before and after an active approach for genetic counselling at the beginning of adjuvant radiotherapy (mean: 52 days after surgery). Patients completed the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and the impact of event scale (IES). Psychological distress did not increase after the approach. ⋯ It is concluded that breast cancer patients can be approached for genetic counselling shortly after surgery without additional short-term psychological burden. Patients who are young, single with little social support, less optimistic, use an avoiding coping style, experience a lower quality of life or who are highly distressed prior to approach for genetic counselling, need extra attention. Medical history did not prove to be relevant.
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Improvement of EFS of children older than 3 years with high risk medulloblastoma. ⋯ M1 patients are legitimate high risk patients. Survival rates are still very low for high risk medulloblastoma patients and future trials should therefore focus on more intensive (chemotherapy/radiotherapy) treatment.