Cancer
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Ionizing radiation is a consistently identified and potentially modifiable risk factor for meningioma, which is the most frequently reported primary brain tumor in the United States. The objective of this study was to examine the association between dental x-rays-the most common artificial source of ionizing radiation-and the risk of intracranial meningioma. ⋯ Exposure to some dental x-rays performed in the past, when radiation exposure was greater than in the current era, appears to be associated with an increased risk of intracranial meningioma. As with all sources of artificial ionizing radiation, considered use of this modifiable risk factor may be of benefit to patients.
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O(6) -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status was proposed as a prognostic biomarker for patients with glioblastoma. However, the prognostic impact of MGMT in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma who receive carmustine-releasing wafers (Gliadel) along with temozolomide (TMZ) is still unknown. ⋯ MGMT promoter methylation status and low MGMT expression both were identified as positive prognosticators in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma who underwent surgical resection and received Gliadel wafer implants followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and concomitant oral TMZ chemotherapy (the Stupp protocol).
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Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) are a biologically heterogeneous group in which various gene alterations have been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and prognostic impact of BCL2, BCL6, and MYC rearrangements in cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone plus rituximab (R-CHOP)-treated DLBCL cases. ⋯ Analysis of MYC gene rearrangement along with BCL2 and BCL6 is critical in identifying high-risk patients with poor prognosis.
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Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is a rare central nervous system malignancy with a poor prognosis that affects mostly young children. Although radiotherapy (RT) historically has been delayed in patients aged <3 years, emerging evidence suggests a role for RT to achieve long-term survivorship. Clinical features and age-dependent trends of RT use were evaluated for patients with ATRT. ⋯ The current results indicated that RT may offer a significant survival benefit for patients with ATRT and that patients aged ≤3 years may derive more benefit from initial RT compared with older children. The authors concluded that prospective clinical trials are needed to examine the role of RT in the initial management of ATRT in patients aged <3 years.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 2 study of maintenance enzastaurin with 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin plus bevacizumab after first-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer.
Enzastaurin and bevacizumab have demonstrated synergistic antitumor effects and, in phase 1 studies, the combination was well tolerated. This phase 2 study assessed enzastaurin with 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin plus bevacizumab as maintenance therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC). ⋯ Enzastaurin combined with bevacizumab-based therapy is tolerable, but does not improve PFS during maintenance therapy in patients with MCRC compared with bevacizumab-based therapy alone.