Cancer
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The antiangiogenic CXC chemokines interferon gamma (IFN-gamma)-inducible T-cell alpha chemoattractant (I-TAC) and monokine induced by IFN-gamma (Mig) are known as members of IFN-gamma-inducible antiangiogenic CXC chemokines. However, the expression of these chemokines in highly angiogenic tumors remains poorly understood. The authors examined expression of I-TAC, Mig, and their receptor, CXCR3, in tissue samples from patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). ⋯ The results revealed special feature of vascular mural cells and TECs in RCC. The up-regulated I-TAC and Mig, produced by tumor vessels, may interact with CXCR3 expressed in tumor cells, with possible pathophysiologic significance in RCC progression.
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Comparative Study
The correlation between fatigue, physical function, the systemic inflammatory response, and psychological distress in patients with advanced lung cancer.
Functional disability is reported frequently in fatigued cancer patients, but little is known about the correlation between fatigue and objective physical function. In addition, from previous work, the systemic inflammatory response and psychological distress appear to be related to fatigue. ⋯ Objective physical function (as measured by chair-rise time) in patients with advanced lung cancer was poorer with increasing fatigue. Results of the current study suggest that fatigue is not a result primarily of weight loss or anemia but is related to KPS and psychological distress.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Role of temozolomide after radiotherapy for newly diagnosed diffuse brainstem glioma in children: results of a multiinstitutional study (SJHG-98).
The role of chemotherapy in the treatment of children with newly diagnosed diffuse brainstem glioma is uncertain. In the current study, the authors tested the efficacy of temozolomide treatment after radiotherapy (RT) in this setting. ⋯ The administration of temozolomide after RT did not alter the poor prognosis associated with newly diagnosed diffuse brainstem glioma in children.
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The authors performed a long-term follow-up study to evaluate the efficacy and late toxicity of high-dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy (HDR-ICBT) for cervical carcinoma. ⋯ The results of the current study suggest that the combination of EBRT and HDR-ICBT according to the authors' protocol provided outcomes that were comparable to those of the conventional low-dose rate brachytherapy with acceptable rates of late complications in the treatment of cervical carcinoma.
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Clinical Trial
Opioid switching from transdermal fentanyl to oral methadone in patients with cancer pain.
Patients with cancer often are rotated from other opioids to methadone to improve the balance between analgesia and side effects. To the authors' knowledge, no clear guidelines currently exist for the safe and effective rotation from transdermal fentanyl to methadone. ⋯ The protocol studied provided a safe approach for switching from transdermal fentanyl to oral methadone, improving the balance between analgesia and side effects in patients with cancer.