The nuclear hormone receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) may play a role in prostate carcinogenesis. We examined the association between the PPAR-gamma Pro12Ala polymorphism and prostate cancer risk in a cohort of Finnish male smokers. In a nested case-control analysis that included 193 prostate cancer cases and 188 matched controls, we found no significant association between this polymorphism and prostate cancer risk (odds ratio, OR=1.27, 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.83-1.94), or significant trend or association with tumor stage (OR=1.28, 95% CI: 0.54-3.04 for metastatic disease) or grade (OR=1.57, 95% CI: 0.63-3.91 for poorly differentiated disease). The Pro12Ala polymorphism does not appear to play a significant role in prostate cancer risk in this cohort of men.

Because angiogenesis may play a role in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and thalidomide (Th) has shown significant anti-angiogenic activity, this study was designed to investigate the potential role of Th in the treatment of patients with AML and MDS and the possible role of a non-ara-C-containing regimen.

Different opinions about flow cytometric estimates of DNA aneuploidy and/or S-phase fraction (SPF) as supplementary prognostic markers in colorectal cancer are to some degree associated with methodology. Using univariate DNA analysis, we have previously investigated the DNA ploidy in colorectal cancer, its heterogeneity within and between tumors and its relation to survival. To improve detection of DNA aneuploid subpopulations and particularly estimation of their SPF's we investigated a method for bivariate DNA/cytokeratin analysis on fine-needle aspirates of 728 frozen biopsies from 157 colorectal tumors. Unfixed aspirates were stained with propidium iodide and FITC-conjugated anti-cytokeratin antibody in a saponin-buffer. A significant association between SPF and debris was observed. There were no substantial difference in DNA ploidy patterns between univariate and bivariate measurements (concordance was 92-95%). No new DNA aneuploid subpopulations were detected in cytokeratin-gated compared to ungated or univariate histograms. Debris-adjusted SPF's of cytokeratin-gated histograms were significantly higher than of ungated histograms, also for subpopulations with DI>1.4 (p<0.0001). There was no significant association between SPF and survival.

To study the regulatory effect of Liandai Capsule on p21ras and mutant p53 protein expression in gastrointestinal (GI) neoplasm.

To investigate whether ischemic reperfusion injury induces lung cell apoptosis and the effect of ischemic preconditioning on lung cell apoptosis by altering the expression of bcl-2 protein.

Tumor cell repopulation is still considered to be a major cause of failure in radiotherapy. In this study, we investigated the influence of cell kinetic parameters on the outcome of patients treated in a randomized trial of accelerated fractionation, with or without mitomycin C, vs. conventional fractionation.

Oncogenic human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is the most important risk factor for developing cervical cancer. It is known that serum antibody responses against these viruses are associated with persistent infection. We conducted an epidemiological study of 627 women to detect cervical mucosal immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG responses to oncogenic HPV capsids. Antibody reactivity and cervical HPV infection genotypes were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using HPV types 16, 18, 31, and 45 virus-like particles, and a polymerase chain reaction-based method, respectively. HPV infection was defined as being positive for HPV DNA. Multivariate analysis revealed that a mucosal IgA response was associated with the HPV infection, whereas the IgG response was associated with high-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL)/squamous cell cancer (SCC) and subject age (40-49 years). IgA was positive in 72% of women with oncogenic HPV infections, whereas IgG was positive in 64% of women with high-grade SIL/SCC. The longitudinal study demonstrated that the IgA response was elicited earlier than the IgG response, and the IgG response was barely induced in the preclinical HPV infection. However, once an IgG response was induced, it persisted longer after HPV clearance. The mucosal IgA response reflects current HPV infection, whereas an IgG response may be induced with the development of cervical lesions.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression was found to predict a good response in breast carcinoma patients treated with doxorubicin (Adriamycin [ADM]). Evidence from our recent study indicates that node-positive patients respond to cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF) regardless of HER2 status. We address the issue of whether therapy regimens including CMF and ADM versus CMF alone have the same therapeutic effect in patients with HER2+ and HER2- tumors in terms of relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS).

Studies evaluating the relationship of HER-2/neu breast tumor status and response to adjuvant endocrine therapy have reached conflicting conclusions about resistance of HER-2/neu-positive tumors to this treatment. We studied 282 patients participating in a randomized controlled trial of adjuvant oophorectomy and tamoxifen or observation who had estrogen receptor-positive tumors and whose tumors were evaluated for HER-2/neu overexpression by immunohistochemistry.

Are patients identified from a cancer registry better educated directly or via their physician about screening for an inherited susceptibility for colorectal cancer? Of 974 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer at < or = 60 years from 1987 to 1999 in a five-county area including Rochester, the physicians of 651 patients (67%) forwarded a cancer family history survey to their patient; 459 (71%) completed the survey. Of these 459, 167 (36%) reported having at least one first- or second-degree relative with colon cancer and were sent a set of questionnaires and a more detailed family cancer history form. Of the 167, a total of 101 (60%) continued to qualify by returning the questionnaires. These 101 qualifying patients were randomized to either the patient-education or physician-education group. Of the 101, a total of 47 (47%) came for a free genetic evaluation. Individuals were more likely to accept evaluation if they were parents (p = 0.001), had more cancers of all kinds in their families (p = 0.02), and had a larger social network (p = 0.04). Of the 47 counseled, 36 (77%) chose to have DNA testing at no cost. Of these 47, individuals were more likely to choose DNA testing if they had more cancers in the family (p = 0.04) and fewer symptoms of depression (p = 0.05). Of the 36 tested patients, 6 (20%) were found to have mutations. In summary, acceptance of genetic services was related to the magnitude of the threat (more cancers in the family), perceived ability to deal with the threat (perceived good health and a supportive network), and a desire to inform relatives (being a parent). The two approaches to educating patients, viz. direct patient education vs. education via their physician, did not significantly differ in terms of percentages of patients receiving counseling (42% vs. 51%, respectively) or the percentage choosing DNA testing (32% vs. 37%, respectively).

Conventional therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) includes prednisone and oral 6-mercaptopurine. Prior observations suggested potential advantages for dexamethasone over prednisone and for intravenous (IV) over oral 6-mercaptopurine, which remain to be validated. We report the results of a randomized trial of more than 1000 subjects that examined the efficacy of dexamethasone and IV 6-mercaptopurine. Children with National Cancer Institute standard-risk ALL were randomly assigned in a 2 x 2 factorial design to receive dexamethasone (6 mg/m(2)/d) for 28 days in induction, plus taper, compared with prednisone (40 mg/m(2)/d). The second randomized assignment was for daily oral or weekly IV 6-mercaptopurine during consolidation. During maintenance, 5 days of the randomized steroid was given monthly, at the same dose, and all patients received daily oral 6-mercaptopurine. During delayed intensification, all patients received a dexamethasone dosage of 10 mg/m(2)/d for 21 days, with taper. Intrathecal (IT) methotrexate was the sole central nervous system-directed therapy. Patients randomly assigned to receive dexamethasone had a 6-year isolated central nervous system-relapse rate of 3.7% +/- 0.8%, compared with 7.1% +/- 1.1% for prednisone (P =.01). There was also a trend toward fewer isolated bone marrow relapses with dexamethasone. The 6-year event-free survival (EFS) was 85% +/- 2% for dexamethasone and 77% +/- 2% for prednisone (P =.002). EFS was similar with oral or IV 6-mercaptopurine; however, patients assigned to IV 6-mercaptopurine had decreased survival after relapse.

Mechanisms of anti-tumor action of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are presumed to inhibit DNA synthesis and RNA function, and the balance of these mechanisms is presumed to depend on the modalities of administration. On the other hand, variability of 5-FU sensitivity of the tumors is also presumed to depend on the enzymes of 5-FU metabolism (e.g. dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase; DPD, rate limiting enzyme of catabolism) and action target (e.g. thymidylate synthase; TS). We studied the effects of modalities of administration and enzyme activities related to metabolism and target of 5-FU on the mechanism of anti-tumor action in patients with colorectal cancer. Thirty-eight patients who were diagnosed at stage II to IV preoperatively were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 24-h protracted IV infusion of 5-FU at 320 mg/m(2)/day for 5 days (CIV group: 18 patients) or 10-min bolus IV infusion of 5-FU at the same dosage for 5 days (BIV group: 20 patients) administered from the 5th preoperative day. Specimens from the tumor and non-tumor regions were obtained by operation. F-RNA (fraudulent-RNA, or 5-FU in RNA) concentration, an indicator for action of 5-FU to RNA, and the enzyme activities of DPD and TS, an indicator for action of 5-FU to DNA, in the collected specimens were measured by GC-MS or RI-HPLC. F-RNA concentration (ng/mg-RNA) in the tumor and non-tumor region in the CIV group was 100.58+/-16.88 and 50.11+/-6.03, respectively, with a significant difference between them (P<0.05), and in the tumor and non-tumor region in the BIV group was 195.32+/-16.26 and 121.05+/-10.62, respectively, with a significant difference between them (P<0.01). F-RNA concentration in the tumor and non-tumor regions in the BIV group was significantly higher than those in the CIV group (P<0.05). DPD activity and TS activity were not significantly different between the CIV and the BIV groups in the tumor and non-tumor region, respectively. F-RNA concentration was negatively correlated to DPD activity (r=-0.540, P<0.05) in the tumor region in the CIV group. F-RNA was not correlated to DPD activity in the non-tumor region in the CIV group or in the tumor and non-tumor region in the BIV group. F-RNA was not correlated to TS activity in the tumor or non-tumor region of the two groups. DPD activity was not correlated to TS activity in the tumor or non-tumor region of the two groups. BIV inhibited RNA function more potently than CIV and this was not dependent on TS or DPD activity. As for the inhibition of DNA synthesis, other indicators should be considered further.

Long-term follow-up on Total Therapy I revealed, with a median follow-up of about 10 years, median durations of event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) of 37 and 80 mos in the 88% of patients lacking cytogenetic abnormalities (CA) of chromosome 13 compared to only 28 and 34 mos in those with CA 13. Total Therapy II (TT II) was developed to test whether more intensive remission induction and post-tandem transplant consolidation chemotherapy prior to interferon maintenance could further improve clinical outcome. All patients were also randomized to +/- thalidomide at a starting dose of 400 mg. Results obtained in the first 231 patients enrolled in TT II are presented for the two study arms combined (data for effect of thalidomide still blinded). Three-year projection of EFS and OS are 71% and 77%. On an intent-to-treat basis, 66% achieved complete remission (CR) or near-CR. Major independent adverse features associated with shortened survival included CA and chromosome 13 deletion using interphase FISH. CA identified 29 among 102 patients with FISH 13 deletion who had a very grave prognosis (3 yr EFS, 32%; OS 49%) compared to all remaining patients who enjoyed 3 yr EFS of 79% and OS of 83%. Thus, both cytogenetics and FISH are recommended in the initial evaluation of patients with MM.

Present clinical algorithms assign adjuvant chemotherapy according to prognosis, but clinical decision-making would be greatly improved if reliable predictive markers were available to identify which subsets of patients benefit most from treatment. We examined molecular markers in preserved tissue from patients with Dukes' B or C colon cancer randomised to receive, or not, adjuvant fluorouracil, and assessed each marker's prognostic and predictive value.

A randomized trial was conducted to test the effects of two counseling methods (genetic counseling and group counseling) against a control no-intervention condition on interest in genetic testing in lower risk women.

DNA damage from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and other aromatic/hydrophobic compounds has been implicated in case-control studies as a risk factor for lung cancer, as have common polymorphisms in the glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes involved in carcinogen detoxification. However, their joint effects have not been evaluated in prospective studies, leaving open questions about predictive value of these biomarkers. In this matched case-control study nested within the prospective Physicians' Health Study, we evaluated whether biomarkers measured in white blood cells (WBC) significantly predicted risk, alone and in combination, after controlling for level of smoking. The biomarkers reported here are aromatic/hydrophobic-DNA adducts and polymorphisms in genes coding for the GSTM1 and GSTP1 enzymes. Our study population was composed of 89 cases of primary lung cancer and 173 controls, matched in a 1:2 ratio on smoking, age and duration of follow up. Adducts were measured in WBC DNA by the nuclease P1-enhanced (32)P-post-labeling method. Genotypes (GSTM1 null versus non-null and GSTP1 Val versus GSTP1 Ile) were determined by genomic amplification and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Among current smokers, adducts were significant predictors of lung cancer risk (after adjusting for GST genotypes, OR = 3.10, 95% CI 1.07, 9.01). The combined GSTM1 null/GSTP1 Val genotype was associated with lung cancer overall and especially among former smokers, before and after adjusting for adducts (OR for former smokers = 4.21, CI 1.08, 16.41; adjusted OR = 4.68, CI 1.17, 18.71). Among cases only, adducts were significantly higher among current or former smokers with the GSTM1 non-null/GSTP1 Ile genotype. The two risk factors (adducts and genotypes) appear to be independent predictors of risk. The findings underscore the complex and important role of biological susceptibility as a determinant of risk from carcinogens found in tobacco smoke and other environmental compounds.

Three clinical trials on the use of tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer have reported mixed results. The overall evidence supports a reduction in the risk of breast cancer, but whether this benefit outweighs the risks and side-effects associated with tamoxifen is unclear.

Free radicals and reactive species produced in vivo can trigger cell damage and DNA modifications resulting in carcinogenesis. Dietary antioxidants trap these species limiting their damage. The present study evaluated the role of vitamins C and E in the prevention of potentially premalignant modifications to DNA in the human stomach by supplementing patients who, because of hypochlorhydria and possible depletion of gastric antioxidants, could be at increased risk of gastric cancer. Patients undergoing surveillance for Barrett's oesophagus (n 100), on long-term proton pump inhibitors were randomized into two groups: vitamin C (500 mg twice/d) and vitamin E (100 mg twice/d) for 12 weeks (the supplemented group) or placebo. Those attending for subsequent endoscopy had gastric juice, plasma and mucosal measurements of vitamin levels and markers of DNA damage. Seventy-two patients completed the study. Plasma ascorbic acid, total vitamin C and vitamin E were elevated in the supplemented group consistent with compliance. Gastric juice ascorbic acid and total vitamin C levels were raised significantly in the supplemented group (P=0.01) but supplementation had no effect on the mucosal level of this vitamin. However, gastric juice ascorbic acid and total vitamin C were within normal ranges in the unsupplemented group. Mucosal malondialdehyde, chemiluminescence and DNA damage levels in the comet assay were unaffected by vitamin supplementation. In conclusion, supplementation does not affect DNA damage in this group of patients. This is probably because long-term inhibition of the gastric proton pump alone does not affect gastric juice ascorbate and therefore does not increase the theoretical risk of gastric cancer because of antioxidant depletion.