The lancet oncology
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The lancet oncology · Dec 2007
Multicenter StudyUse of 70-gene signature to predict prognosis of patients with node-negative breast cancer: a prospective community-based feasibility study (RASTER).
A microarray-based 70-gene prognosis signature might improve the selection of patients with node-negative breast cancer for adjuvant systemic treatment. The main aims of this MicroarRAy PrognoSTics in Breast CancER (RASTER) study were to assess prospectively the feasibility of implementation of the 70-gene prognosis signature in community-based settings and its effect on adjuvant systemic treatment decisions when considered with treatment advice formulated from the Dutch Institute for Healthcare Improvement (CBO) and other guidelines. ⋯ Use of the prognosis signature is feasible in Dutch community hospitals. Adjuvant systemic treatment was advised less often when the more restrictive Dutch CBO guidelines were used compared with that finally given after use of the prognosis signature. For the other guidelines assessed, less adjuvant chemotherapy would be given when the data based on prognosis signature alone are used, which might spare patients from adverse effects and confirms previous findings. Future studies should assess whether use of the prognosis signature could improve survival or equal survival while avoiding unnecessary adjuvant systemic treatment without affecting patients' survival, and further assess the factors that physicians use to recommend adjuvant systemic treatment.
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The lancet oncology · Dec 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Retracted PublicationValidation of gene signatures that predict the response of breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a substudy of the EORTC 10994/BIG 00-01 clinical trial.
We have previously described gene-expression signatures that predict growth inhibitory and cytotoxic effects of common chemotherapeutic drugs in vitro. The aim of this study was to confirm the validity of these gene-expression signatures in a large series of patients with oestrogen-receptor-negative breast tumours who were treated in a phase III neoadjuvant clinical trial. ⋯ We have validated the use of regimen-specific drug sensitivity signatures in the context of a multicentre randomised trial. The high NPV of both signatures may allow early selection of patients with breast cancer who should be considered for trials with new drugs.
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The lancet oncology · Nov 2007
ReviewGastrointestinal symptoms after pelvic radiotherapy: a new understanding to improve management of symptomatic patients.
Gastrointestinal symptoms after pelvic radiotherapy, which affect quality of life, are substantially more common than generally recognised and are frequently poorly managed. These symptoms develop because radiation can induce change in one or more specific physiological functions in widely separated parts of the gastrointestinal tract that lie in the path of the radiotherapy beam. Radiation-induced changes are not confined by normal anatomical boundaries. ⋯ Simple diagnostic tests that are used in other contexts, if applied appropriately to patients with new gastrointestinal symptoms after radiotherapy, can identify the underlying causes of new-onset symptoms. Starting treatment without knowing the cause of the symptom is commonly ineffective because prediction of the combination of treatments needed is difficult. Evidence suggests that many patients have unusual but highly treatable malfunctions of gastrointestinal physiology, which if correctly diagnosed may enable a patient with difficult symptoms to be helped.