#15# Reviews (all) SOLID TUMORS. December 2013 - January 2014 ONCOLIT oncolit.com -------------------------------------------------------------[1] TITLE: - Incidence and risk of treatment-related mortality with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody in cancer patients: a meta-analysis of 21 randomized controlled trials. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Nov 28;8(11):e81897. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081897. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0081897 AUTHOR: - Li X; ADDRESS: - Department of Biotherapy, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Shan BE AUTHOR: - Wang J AUTHOR: - Xing LP AUTHOR: - Guo XJ AUTHOR: - Zhang YH AUTHOR: - Shi PH AUTHOR: - Wang ZY SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) cetuximab and panitumumab have emerged as an effective targeted therapy in the treatment of cancer patients, but the overall incidence and risk of fatal adverse events (FAEs) associated with these agents is still unclear. METHODS: Databases from PubMed, Web of Science and abstracts presented at ASCO meeting up to May 31, 2013 were searched to identify relevant studies. Eligible studies included prospective randomized controlled trials evaluating MoAbs in cancer patients with adequate data on FAEs. Statistical analyses were conducted to calculate the summary incidence, odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by using either random effects or fixed effect models according to the heterogeneity of included studies. RESULTS: A total of 14,776 patients with a variety of solid tumors from 21 clinical trials were included in our analysis. The overall incidence of MoAbs associated FAEs was 1.7% (95%CI: 1.1-2.5%), and the incidence of cetuximab-related FAEs was higher than that of panitumumab (2.0% versus 0.9%). Compared with the controls, the use of MoAbs was associated with a significantly increased risk of FAEs, with an OR of 1.37 (95%CI: 1.04-1.81, p=0.024). Subgroup analysis based on EGFR-MoAbs drugs, phase of trials and tumor types demonstrated a tendency to increase the risk of FAEs, but the risk did not increase in breast cancer, esophagus cancer and phase II trials. CONCLUSIONS: With present evidence, the use of EGFR-MoAbs is associated with an increased risk of FAEs in patients with advanced solid tumors. -------------------------------------------------------------[2] TITLE: - Treatment-related fatigue with sorafenib, sunitinib and pazopanib in patients with advanced solid tumors: An up-to-date review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Cancer. 2014 Jan 10. doi: 10.1002/ijc.28715. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/ijc.28715 AUTHOR: - Santoni M; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy. AUTHOR: - Conti A AUTHOR: - Massari F AUTHOR: - Arnaldi G AUTHOR: - Iacovelli R AUTHOR: - Rizzo M AUTHOR: - De Giorgi U AUTHOR: - Trementino L AUTHOR: - Procopio G AUTHOR: - Tortora G AUTHOR: - Cascinu S SUMMARY: - Fatigue is the most common symptom associated with cancer and cancer treatment. We performed an up-to-date meta-analysis to determine the incidence and relative risk (RR) of fatigue in patients (pts) with cancer treated with sorafenib (SO), sunitinib (SU) and pazopanib (PZ). PubMed databases were searched for articles published till August 2013. Eligible studies were selected according to PRISMA statement. Summary incidence, RR and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using random-effects or fixed-effects models based on the heterogeneity of selected studies. Fifteen studies were included in our analysis. A total of 6,996 pts was enrolled: 2,260 had renal cell carcinomas (RCC), 1,691 non-small cell lung cancers, 1,290 breast cancers, 823 hepatocellular carcinomas, 362 soft tissue sarcomas, 304 gastrointestinal solid tumors, 165 neuroendocrine tumors and 101 melanomas. When stratified by drug, SO registered lower incidence and RR of all and high-grade fatigue when compared to SU, whereas the difference between SO and PZ was significant only for all-grade fatigue (p < 0.001). The difference between SU and PZ was significant for high-grade (p < 0.001) but not for all-grade fatigue (p = 0.52). In RCC pts, PZ showed the lower incidence and RR of all and high-grade fatigue. The differences were significant for SU vs. SO (p < 0.001), SU vs. PZ (p < 0.001) and SO vs. PZ (p < 0.001). Treatment with SO, SU and PZ is associated with an increased incidence of fatigue in pts with cancer. Early and appropriate management is required to avoid unnecessary dose reductions and transitory or definitive treatment discontinuations. -------------------------------------------------------------[3] TITLE: - Cancer survivorship: cardiotoxic therapy in the adult cancer patient; cardiac outcomes with recommendations for patient management. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Semin Oncol. 2013 Dec;40(6):690-708. doi: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2013.09.010. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1053/j.seminoncol.2013.09.010 AUTHOR: - Steingart RM; ADDRESS: - Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Electronic address: steingar@mskcc.org. AUTHOR: - Yadav N; ADDRESS: - Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. AUTHOR: - Manrique C; ADDRESS: - Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. AUTHOR: - Carver JR; ADDRESS: - Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA. AUTHOR: - Liu J; ADDRESS: - Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. SUMMARY: - Many types of cancer are now curable or, if not cured, becoming a chronic illness. In 2012, it was estimated that there were more than 13,500,000 cancer survivors in the United States. Late outcomes of these survivors are increasingly related to cardiovascular disease, either as a consequence of the direct effects of cancer therapy or its adverse effects on traditional cardiac risk factors (eg, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus). This article describes the therapies that have led to advances in cancer survival and the acute and chronic cardiovascular toxicities associated with these therapies. Recommendations are made for the surveillance and management of cancer survivors. Published guidelines on the subject of cardio-oncology are reviewed in light of clinical experience caring for these patients. To supplement this cancer-related knowledge base, appropriateness criteria and guidelines for cardiac care in the general population were extrapolated to cancer survivors. The result is a series of recommendations for surveillance and management of cardiovascular disease in cancer survivors. -------------------------------------------------------------[4] TITLE: - Risk of interstitial lung disease with gefitinib and erlotinib in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Lung Cancer. 2014 Feb;83(2):231-9. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2013.11.016. Epub 2013 Nov 27. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.lungcan.2013.11.016 AUTHOR: - Shi L; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 101149 P. R. China. AUTHOR: - Tang J; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 101149 P. R. China. AUTHOR: - Tong L; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 101149 P. R. China. AUTHOR: - Liu Z; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 101149 P. R. China. Electronic address: lza@vip.163.com. SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVES: Gefitinib and erlotinib are oral epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) widely used in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Interstitial lung disease (ILD) events have been described with these agents, although the overall risk remains unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the incidence and the relative risk (RR) associated with the use of gefitinib and erlotinib. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed databases were searched for articles published from January 2000 to October 2012, and abstracts presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the European Society of Medical Oncology meetings held between 2000 and 2012 were searched for relevant studies. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials with gefitinib and erlotinib in advanced NSCLC patients. Summary incidence rates, relative risks, and 95% CIs were calculated using fixed-effects or random-effects models, depending on the heterogeneity of the included studies. RESULTS: 15,618 patients from 29 randomized controlled trials were selected for this meta-analysis. The overall incidence for allgrade ILD events was 1.2% (95% CI, 0.9-1.6%) among patients receiving gefitinib and erlotinib, with a mortality of 22.8% (95% CI, 14.6-31.0%). Compared with controls, the RR of all-grade ILD events associated with gefitinib and erlotinib was 1.53 (95% CI, 1.13-2.08; P=0.006) using a fixed-effects model. The RR of fatal ILD events associated with EGFR TKIs treatment was 1.96 (95% CI, 1.03-3.72, P=0.041) compared with control patients. The analysis was also stratified for drug type, study location, treatment arm, and treatment line, but no significant differences in RRs were observed. CONCLUSION: Treatment with EGFR TKIs gefitinib and erlotinib is associated with a significant increase in the risk of developing both all-grade and fatal ILD events in advanced NSCLC. -------------------------------------------------------------[5] TITLE: - Toremifene and tamoxifen have similar efficacy in the treatment of patients with breast cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized trials. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Mol Biol Rep. 2014 Feb;41(2):751-6. doi: 10.1007/s11033-013-2914-7. Epub 2014 Jan 4. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s11033-013-2914-7 AUTHOR: - Ye QL; ADDRESS: - Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China, yeqianling@163.com. AUTHOR: - Zhai ZM SUMMARY: - A meta-analysis of randomized trials was performed to compare the efficacy of toremifene (TOR) with tamoxifen (TAM) in patients with breast cancer. A total of 4,768 intention-to-treat patients from nine randomized trials were identified, with 2,587 patients in TOR group and 2,181 patients in TAM group. The primary outcomes were objective response rate (ORR), time to progression (TTP), and overall survival (OS). The ORR for TOR group was 26.2 % (303/1,156), whereas the ORR for TAM group was 25.2 % (284/1,128). The pooled RR suggested that the ORR were not statistically different between the two therapeutic groups (RR 1.04, 95 % CI 0.91-1.20, P = 0.57). The median TTP was 6.7 months for the TOR group and 9.7 months for the TAM group. The median OS was 30.1 months for the TOR group and 31.7 months for the TAM group. There were no significant difference in TTP and OS between two therapeutic groups (for TTP: HR 0.91, 95 % CI 0.82-1.00; for OS: HR 1.02, 95 % CI 0.91-1.15). Adverse events were generally similar in two therapeutic groups, but TOR may cause fewer vaginal bleeding (4.0 vs. 6.7 %, P < 0.01), headache (0.2 vs. 3.1 %, P = 0.02) and thromboembolic events (4.7 vs. 7.0 %, P = 0.04). Sensitivity analyses were performed by deleting a single study each time; all the results were not materially altered. In summary, the results of this meta-analysis suggest that TOR and TAM have similar efficacy in the treatment of patients with breast cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[6] TITLE: - Role of serum VEGFA, TIMP2, MMP2 and MMP9 in monitoring response to adjuvant radiochemotherapy in patients with primary cervical cancer—results of a companion protocol of the randomized NOGGO-AGO phase III clinical trial. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Anticancer Res. 2014 Jan;34(1):385-91. AUTHOR: - Braicu EI; ADDRESS: - Department of Gynecology, Campus Virchow Clinic, Charite Medical University Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. elena.braicu@charite.de. AUTHOR: - Gasimli K AUTHOR: - Richter R AUTHOR: - Nassir M AUTHOR: - Kummel S AUTHOR: - Blohmer JU AUTHOR: - Yalcinkaya I AUTHOR: - Chekerov R AUTHOR: - Ignat I AUTHOR: - Ionescu A AUTHOR: - Mentze M AUTHOR: - Fotopoulou C AUTHOR: - Pop C AUTHOR: - Lichtenegger W AUTHOR: - Sehouli J SUMMARY: - AIM: The aim of the current study was to analyze the type of variations in expression profiles of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP2), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) before and after radiochemotherapy in patients with locally advanced FIGO stage Ib-IIb cervical cancer. We analyzed the role of these biomarkers in monitoring response to treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum from 72 patients with cervical cancer treated within a phase III trial with either simultaneous radiochemotherapy (S-RC) with cisplatin, or systemic paclitaxel and carboplatin followed by percutaneous radiation (PC-R) was analyzed by ELISA. Sera were obtained during surgery and after the end of adjuvant treatment. RESULTS: The median age at time of diagnosis was 46 years (range=30-71 years). The most common histological types were squamous cell (73.6%) and adenocarcinoma (25%). Thirty-five (48.6%) patients underwent surgery followed by S-RC and 37 (51.4%) patients were treated with surgery followed by PC-R. Five patients developed recurrence within six months after radiochemotherapy. VEGFA levels were significantly higher before and after adjuvant treatment in patients who developed early recurrence (p=0.001). An increase of more than 500 pg/ml VEGFA and a decrease of more than 9% of the pre-therapeutic value of TIMP2 were significantly associated with a higher risk of early recurrence (RR=8.5, 95% CI=1.8-39.8 and RR=11.0, 95% CI=2.5-48.2, respectively). TIMP2 expression and risk score for early relapse (which is calculated using values of VEGFA and TIMP2) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival (p=0.043, HR=0.96, 95% CI=0.93-0.99 and p=0.002, HR=1.09, 95% CI=1.031.15, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate a predictive value of VEGFA and TIMP2 in monitoring cervical cancer patients undergoing radiochemotherapy. -------------------------------------------------------------[7] TITLE: - Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized trials of chemotherapy plus cetuximab as first-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Lung Cancer. 2014 Feb;83(2):211-8. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2013.11.006. Epub 2013 Nov 16. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.lungcan.2013.11.006 AUTHOR: - Pujol JL; ADDRESS: - Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Hopital Arnaud de Villeneuve, Montpellier, France. Electronic address: jl-pujol@chu-montpellier.fr. AUTHOR: - Pirker R; ADDRESS: - Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. AUTHOR: - Lynch TJ; ADDRESS: - Smilow Cancer Hospital, Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT, United States. AUTHOR: - Butts CA; ADDRESS: - Cross Cancer Center, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. AUTHOR: - Rosell R; ADDRESS: - Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, España. AUTHOR: - Shepherd FA; ADDRESS: - University Health Network, Princess Margaret Hospital Site, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. AUTHOR: - Vansteenkiste J; ADDRESS: - University Hospital Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Belgium. AUTHOR: - O’Byrne KJ; ADDRESS: - St James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. AUTHOR: - de Blas B; ADDRESS: - Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. AUTHOR: - Heighway J; ADDRESS: - Cancer Communications and Consultancy Ltd., Knutsford, Cheshire, UK. AUTHOR: - von Heydebreck A; ADDRESS: - Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. AUTHOR: - Thatcher N; ADDRESS: - Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester, UK. SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVES: Four randomized phase II/III trials investigated the addition of cetuximab to platinum-based, first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A meta-analysis was performed to examine the benefit/risk ratio for the addition of cetuximab to chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The meta-analysis included individual patient efficacy data from 2018 patients and individual patient safety data from 1970 patients comprising respectively the combined intention-to-treat and safety populations of the four trials. The effect of adding cetuximab to chemotherapy was measured by hazard ratios (HRs) obtained using a Cox proportional hazards model and odds ratios calculated by logistic regression. Survival rates at 1 year were calculated. All applied models were stratified by trial. Tests on heterogeneity of treatment effects across the trials and sensitivity analyses were performed for all endpoints. RESULTS: The meta-analysis demonstrated that the addition of cetuximab to chemotherapy significantly improved overall survival (HR 0.88, p=0.009, median 10.3 vs 9.4 months), progression-free survival (HR 0.90, p=0.045, median 4.7 vs 4.5 months) and response (odds ratio 1.46, p<0.001, overall response rate 32.2% vs 24.4%) compared with chemotherapy alone. The safety profile of chemotherapy plus cetuximab in the meta-analysis population was confirmed as manageable. Neither trials nor patient subgroups defined by key baseline characteristics showed significant heterogeneity for any endpoint. CONCLUSION: The addition of cetuximab to platinum-based, first-line chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC significantly improved outcome for all efficacy endpoints with an acceptable safety profile, indicating a favorable benefit/risk ratio. -------------------------------------------------------------[8] TITLE: - Effects of exercise on treatment-related adverse effects for patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy: a systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Clin Oncol. 2014 Feb 1;32(4):335-46. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2013.49.5523. Epub 2013 Dec 16. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1200/JCO.2013.49.5523 AUTHOR: - Gardner JR; ADDRESS: - All authors: Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. AUTHOR: - Livingston PM AUTHOR: - Fraser SF SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: Androgen-deprivation therapy is a commonly used treatment for men with prostate cancer; however, the adverse effects can be detrimental to patient health and quality of life. Exercise has been proposed as a strategy for ameliorating a range of these treatment-related adverse effects. We conducted a systematic review of the literature regarding the effects of exercise on treatment-related adverse effects in men receiving androgen-deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. METHODS: An online electronic search of the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Health Source databases was performed to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles published between January 1980 and June 2013. Eligible study designs included randomized controlled trials as well as uncontrolled trials with pre- and postintervention data. Information was extracted regarding participant and exercise intervention characteristics as well as the effects of exercise on bone health, body composition, physical performance, cardiometabolic risk, fatigue, and quality of life. RESULTS: Ten studies were included, with exercise interventions involving aerobic and/or resistance training. Exercise training demonstrated benefits in muscular strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, functional task performance, lean body mass, and fatigue, with inconsistent effects observed for adiposity. The impact of exercise on bone health, cardiometabolic risk markers, and quality of life are currently unclear. CONCLUSION: Among patients with prostate cancer treated with androgen-deprivation therapy, appropriately prescribed exercise is safe and may ameliorate a range of treatment-induced adverse effects. Ongoing research of high methodologic quality is required to consolidate and expand on current knowledge and to allow the development of specific evidence-based exercise prescription recommendations. -------------------------------------------------------------[9] TITLE: - Comparison of expected treatment outcome provided by risk models and international guidelines with observed treatment outcome in a cohort of Dutch non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients treated with intravesical chemotherapy. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - BJU Int. 2013 Oct 15. doi: 10.1111/bju.12495. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/bju.12495 AUTHOR: - Lammers RJ; ADDRESS: - Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Dept. of Urology, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Palou J AUTHOR: - Witjes WP AUTHOR: - Janzing-Pastors MH AUTHOR: - Caris CT AUTHOR: - Witjes JA SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: To compare the risks provided by AUA, EAU, EORTC and CUETO classifications with the real outcome in Dutch patients, and to confirm that undertreated patients do have worse outcome than adequately-treated patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Dutch patients treated with complete TURBT and intravesical chemotherapy were included. Nowadays, not all patients would have received intravesical chemotherapy, and thus comparison of observed outcome of Dutch patients versus expected outcome based on the EORTC risk tables and CUETO scoring model was possible. Furthermore, the Dutch cohort was reclassified according to the definitions of five Index patients (IPs) ( AUA-guideline) and three risk groups (EAU-guideline) to compare the outcome of undertreated patients with adequately-treated patients. RESULTS: A total of 1001 patients were available for comparison with the AUA-guideline; 728 patients were available for comparison with the EORTC and CUETO models. There was much overlap between the observed and expected recurrence and progression probabilities when comparing with the EORTC risk tables. The observed recurrence outcome were in general higher than the expected CUETO probabilities, especially on the long term. No differences in progression were found. Patients that were undertreated according to the guidelines showed in general an increased chance of developing recurrences and progression. Limitations are i.a. its retrospective nature and the differences in grading system. CONCLUSION: Comparison between the observed outcome in Dutch patients and the expected outcome based on EAU- and CUETO risk models and the European and American guidelines showed that the lack of adherence to existing guidelines translates into worse outcome. -------------------------------------------------------------[10] TITLE: - New viruses for cancer therapy: meeting clinical needs. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Nat Rev Microbiol. 2014 Jan;12(1):23-34. doi: 10.1038/nrmicro3140. Epub 2013 Dec 2. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1038/nrmicro3140 AUTHOR: - Miest TS; ADDRESS: - 1] Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. [2] Virology and Gene Therapy Track, Mayo Graduate School, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. AUTHOR: - Cattaneo R; ADDRESS: - 1] Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. [2] Virology and Gene Therapy Track, Mayo Graduate School, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. SUMMARY: - Early-stage clinical trials of oncolytic virotherapy have reported the safety of several virus platforms, and viruses from three families have progressed to advanced efficacy trials. In addition, preclinical studies have established proof-of-principle for many new genetic engineering strategies. Thus, the virotherapy field now has available a diverse collection of viruses that are equipped to address unmet clinical needs owing to improved systemic administration, greater tumour specificity and enhanced oncolytic efficacy. The current key challenge for the field is to develop viruses that replicate with greater efficiency within tumours while achieving therapeutic synergy with currently available treatments. -------------------------------------------------------------[11] TITLE: - Familial pancreatic cancer: genetic advances. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Genes Dev. 2014 Jan 1;28(1):1-7. doi: 10.1101/gad.228452.113. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1101/gad.228452.113 AUTHOR: - Rustgi AK; ADDRESS: - Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine and Genetics, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. SUMMARY: - Beset by poor prognosis, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is classified as familial or sporadic. This review elaborates on the known genetic syndromes that underlie familial pancreatic cancer, where there are opportunities for genetic counseling and testing as well as clinical monitoring of at-risk patients. Such subsets of familial pancreatic cancer involve germline cationic trypsinogen or PRSS1 mutations (hereditary pancreatitis), BRCA2 mutations (usually in association with hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome), CDKN2 mutations (familial atypical mole and multiple melanoma), or DNA repair gene mutations (e.g., ATM and PALB2, apart from those in BRCA2). However, the vast majority of familial pancreatic cancer cases have yet to have their genetic underpinnings elucidated, waiting in part for the results of deep sequencing efforts. -------------------------------------------------------------[12] TITLE: - International myeloma working group consensus statement for the management, treatment, and supportive care of patients with myeloma not eligible for standard autologous stem-cell transplantation. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Clin Oncol. 2014 Feb 20;32(6):587-600. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2013.48.7934. Epub 2014 Jan 13. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1200/JCO.2013.48.7934 AUTHOR: - Palumbo A; ADDRESS: - Antonio Palumbo and Alessandra Larocca, University of Torino, Torino; Michele Cavo, Seragnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna University School of Medicine, Bologna, Italy; S. Vincent Rajkumar, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Jesus F. San Miguel, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, España; Ruben Niesvizky, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY; Gareth Morgan, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Ola Landgren, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD; Roman Hajek, University of Ostrava School of Medicine and University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic; Hermann Einsele, University of Wurzburg, Wurzburg, Germany; Kenneth C. Anderson and Paul G. Richardson, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA; Meletios A. Dimopoulos, University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece; Andrew Spencer, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; A. Keith Stewart, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ; Kazuyuki Shimizu, Aichi Gakuin Hospital, Nagoya, Japan; Sagar Lonial, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Pieter Sonneveld, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Brian G.M. Durie, Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA; Philippe Moreau, University Hospital, Nantes, France; and Robert Z. Orlowski, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. AUTHOR: - Rajkumar SV AUTHOR: - San Miguel JF AUTHOR: - Larocca A AUTHOR: - Niesvizky R AUTHOR: - Morgan G AUTHOR: - Landgren O AUTHOR: - Hajek R AUTHOR: - Einsele H AUTHOR: - Anderson KC AUTHOR: - Dimopoulos MA AUTHOR: - Richardson PG AUTHOR: - Cavo M AUTHOR: - Spencer A AUTHOR: - Stewart AK AUTHOR: - Shimizu K AUTHOR: - Lonial S AUTHOR: - Sonneveld P AUTHOR: - Durie BG AUTHOR: - Moreau P AUTHOR: - Orlowski RZ SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: To provide an update on recent advances in the management of patients with multiple myeloma who are not eligible for autologous stem-cell transplantation. METHODS: A comprehensive review of the literature on diagnostic criteria is provided, and treatment options and management of adverse events are summarized. RESULTS: Patients with symptomatic disease and organ damage (ie, hypercalcemia, renal failure, anemia, or bone lesions) require immediate treatment. The International Staging System and chromosomal abnormalities identify high- and standard-risk patients. Proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, corticosteroids, and alkylating agents are the most active agents. The presence of concomitant diseases, frailty, or disability should be assessed and, if present, treated with reduced-dose approaches. Bone disease, renal damage, hematologic toxicities, infections, thromboembolism, and peripheral neuropathy are the most frequent disabling events requiring prompt and active supportive care. CONCLUSION: These recommendations will help clinicians ensure the most appropriate care for patients with myeloma in everyday clinical practice. -------------------------------------------------------------[13] TITLE: - Breast cancer follow-up strategies in randomized phase III adjuvant clinical trials: a systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2013 Nov 11;32(1):89. doi: 10.1186/1756-9966-32-89. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1186/1756-9966-32-89 AUTHOR: - Sperduti I AUTHOR: - Vici P AUTHOR: - Tinari N AUTHOR: - Gamucci T AUTHOR: - De Tursi M AUTHOR: - Cortese G AUTHOR: - Grassadonia A AUTHOR: - Iacobelli S AUTHOR: - Natoli C SUMMARY: - The effectiveness of different breast cancer follow-up procedures to decrease breast cancer mortality are still an object of debate, even if intensive follow-up by imaging modalities is not recommended by international guidelines since 1997. We conducted a systematic review of surveillance procedures utilized, in the last ten years, in phase III randomized trials (RCTs) of adjuvant treatments in early stage breast cancer with disease free survival as primary endpoint of the study, in order to verify if a similar variance exists in the scientific world. Follow-up modalities were reported in 66 RCTs, and among them, minimal and intensive approaches were equally represented, each being followed by 33 (50%) trials. The minimal surveillance regimen is preferred by international and North American RCTs (P = 0.001) and by trials involving more than one country (P = 0.004), with no relationship with the number of participating centers (P = 0.173), with pharmaceutical industry sponsorship (P = 0.80) and with trials enrolling > 1000 patients (P = 0.14). At multivariate regression analysis, only geographic location of the trial was predictive for a distinct follow-up methodology (P = 0.008): Western European (P = 0.004) and East Asian studies (P = 0.010) use intensive followup procedures with a significantly higher frequency than international RCTs, while no differences have been detected between North American and international RCTs. Stratifying the studies according to the date of beginning of patients enrollment, before or after 1998, in more recent RCTs the minimal approach is more frequently followed by international and North American RCTs (P = 0.01), by trials involving more than one country (P = 0.01) and with more than 50 participating centers (P = 0.02). It would be highly desirable that in the near future breast cancer follow-up procedures will be homogeneous in RCTs and everyday clinical settings. Keywords: Breast cancer; Follow-up; Phase III clinical trial; Systematic review. -------------------------------------------------------------[14] TITLE: - Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues for the prevention of chemotherapy- induced premature ovarian failure in cancer women: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cancer Treat Rev. 2013 Dec 8. pii: S0305-7372(13)00264-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2013.12.001. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ctrv.2013.12.001 AUTHOR: - Del Mastro L; ADDRESS: - UO Development of Innovative Therapies, Medical Oncology Department, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, National Institute for Cancer Research, Genova, Italy. Electronic address: lucia.delmastro@hsanmartino.it. AUTHOR: - Ceppi M; ADDRESS: - UO Clinical Epidemiology, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, National Institute for Cancer Research, Genova, Italy. Electronic address: marcello.ceppi@hsanmartino.it. AUTHOR: - Poggio F; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology A, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, National Institute for Cancer Research, Genova, Italy. Electronic address: francesca.poggio.1987@gmail.com. AUTHOR: - Bighin C; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology A, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, National Institute for Cancer Research, Genova, Italy. Electronic address: claudia.bighin@hsanmartino.it. AUTHOR: - Peccatori F; ADDRESS: - Fertility and Reproduction Unit, Department of Medicine, European Institute of Oncology, Milano, Italy. Electronic address: fedro.peccatori@ieo.it. AUTHOR: - Demeestere I; ADDRESS: - Research Laboratory on Human Reproduction, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: idemeest@ulb.ac.be. AUTHOR: - Levaggi A; ADDRESS: - UO Development of Innovative Therapies, Medical Oncology Department, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, National Institute for Cancer Research, Genova, Italy. Electronic address: alessia.levaggi@hsanmartino.it. AUTHOR: - Giraudi S; ADDRESS: - UO Development of Innovative Therapies, Medical Oncology Department, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, National Institute for Cancer Research, Genova, Italy. Electronic address: sara.giraudi@hsanmartino.it. AUTHOR: - Lambertini M; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology A, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, National Institute for Cancer Research, Genova, Italy. Electronic address: matteo.lambertini@hsanmartino.it. AUTHOR: - D’Alonzo A; ADDRESS: - UO Development of Innovative Therapies, Medical Oncology Department, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, National Institute for Cancer Research, Genova, Italy. Electronic address: alessia.dalonzo@hsanmartino.it. AUTHOR: - Canavese G; ADDRESS: - Breast Surgery Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, National Institute for Cancer Research, Genova, Italy. Electronic address: giuseppe.canavese@hsanmartino.it. AUTHOR: - Pronzato P; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology A, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, National Institute for Cancer Research, Genova, Italy. Electronic address: paolo.pronzato@hsanmartino.it. AUTHOR: - Bruzzi P; ADDRESS: - UO Clinical Epidemiology, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, National Institute for Cancer Research, Genova, Italy. Electronic address: paolo.bruzzi@hsanmartino.it. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: The role of temporary ovarian suppression with gonadotropinreleasing hormone analogues (GnRHa) in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian failure (POF) is still controversial. We conducted a systematic review and metaanalysis of randomized trials evaluating the efficacy of GnRHa, given before and during chemotherapy, in the prevention of POF in premenopausal cancer patients. METHODS: Studies were retrieved by searching PubMed, Web of Knowledge database and the proceedings of major conferences. We calculated Odds Ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for POF from each trial and obtained pooled estimates through the random effects model as suggested by DerSimonian and Laird. RESULTS: Nine studies were included in the meta-analysis with 225 events of POF occurring in 765 analyzed patients. The pooled OR estimate indicates a highly significant reduction in the risk of POF (OR=0.43; 95% CI: 0.22-0.84; p=0.013) in patients receiving GnRHa. There was statistically significant heterogeneity among studies (I2=55.8%; p=0.012). There was no evidence of publication bias. Subgroups analyses showed that the protective effect of GnRHa against POF was similar in subgroups of patients defined by age and timing of POF assessment, while it was present in breast cancer but unclear in ovarian cancer and lymphoma patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our pooled analysis of randomized studies shows that the temporary ovarian suppression induced by GnRHa significantly reduces the risk of chemotherapy-induced POF in young cancer patients. -------------------------------------------------------------[15] TITLE: - Use of thiopurines and risk of colorectal neoplasia in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Nov 28;8(11):e81487. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081487. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0081487 AUTHOR: - Gong J; ADDRESS: - Department of General Surgery, Jinling hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China. AUTHOR: - Zhu L AUTHOR: - Guo Z AUTHOR: - Li Y AUTHOR: - Zhu W AUTHOR: - Li N AUTHOR: - Li J SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is commonly treated with thiopurines such as azathioprine and mercaptopurine for the maintenance of remission. Studies examining chemopreventive of these medications on colorectal neoplasm in IBD patients have yielded conflicting results. We performed a meta-analysis to assess the role of thiopurines for this indication. METHODS: We performed a systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and Cochrane to identify studies reporting colorectal neoplasm from IBD patients treated with thiopurines and conducted a meta-analysis of pooled relative risk (RR) using the random effects model. RESULTS: Nine case-control and ten cohort studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The use of thiopurines was associated with a statistically significant decreased incidence of colorectal neoplasm (summary RR=0.71, 95% CI=0.54-0.94, p=0.017), even after adjustment for duration and extent of the disease, but there was high heterogeneity among studies (I(2)=68.0%, p<0.001). The RR of advanced neoplasm (high-grade dysplasia and cancer) was 0.72 (95%CI=0.50-1.03, p=0.070) and that of cancer was 0.70 (95% CI=0.46-1.09, p=0.111) for thiopurine-treated patients. Heterogeneity of the studies was affected by the sample size (</>/= 100 cases) and whether the patients had longstanding colitis (>/= 7 years). CONCLUSION: The current meta-analysis revealed that thiopurines had a chemopreventive effect of colorectal neoplasms and a tendency of reducing advanced colorectal neoplasms in IBD. Due to the heterogeneity of included studies, these results should be interpreted with caution. -------------------------------------------------------------[16] TITLE: - Risk stratification and prognosis determination using F-FDG PET imaging in endometrial cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Gynecol Oncol. 2014 Jan 25. pii: S0090-8258(14)00099-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2014.01.039. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ygyno.2014.01.039 AUTHOR: - Ghooshkhanei H; ADDRESS: - Patient Safety Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. AUTHOR: - Treglia G; ADDRESS: - Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland. Electronic address: giorgiomednuc@libero.it. AUTHOR: - Sabouri G; ADDRESS: - Patient Safety Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. AUTHOR: - Davoodi R; ADDRESS: - Patient Safety Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. AUTHOR: - Sadeghi R; ADDRESS: - Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address: sadeghir@mums.ac.ir. SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVES: In the current study, we systematically searched and analyzed the available literature on the prognostic value of semi-quantitative 18F-FDG PET imaging (SUVmax/mean) in patients with endometrial cancer and presenting the results in a meta- analytic format. METHODS: Pubmed, SCOPUS, and ISI Web of Knowledge were searched using “endometr* AND PET” as the search algorithm. All studies evaluating the 18F-FDG PET performance in pre-operative risk stratification or its prognostic value in patients with endometrial cancer were included. Statistical pooling of diagnostic accuracy indices was performed using random effects model. Cochrane Q test and I2 index were used for heterogeneity evaluation. RESULTS: Ten studies (771 patients) were included in the systematic review. Pooled average SUVmax values in patients with risk factors [grade III, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), cervical invasion (CI), myometrial invasion (MI)>/=50%] were statistically higher than those in patients without risk factors. Pooled HR of pre-operative SUVmax for disease free survival was 7.415 [2.892-19.432] (p=0.000046). CONCLUSION: Despite higher average SUVmax in the high-risk group compared to the low-risk group of patients with endometrial cancer, the usefulness of 18F-FDG PET SUVmax in classifying patients into pre-defined risk groups seems to be limited. However, pre-operative SUVmax of endometrial tumors seems to be an independent prognostic marker of recurrence and death. Further large multicenter studies with adequate follow-up are needed to confirm our findings. -------------------------------------------------------------[17] TITLE: - Phase II Trial of Imatinib in AIDS-Associated Kaposi’s Sarcoma: AIDS Malignancy Consortium Protocol 042. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Clin Oncol. 2014 Feb 10;32(5):402-8. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2012.48.6365. Epub 2013 Dec 30. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1200/JCO.2012.48.6365 AUTHOR: - Koon HB; ADDRESS: - Henry B. Koon and Zhenghe Wang, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University; Kord Honda, University Hospitals; Cleveland, OH; Susan E. Krown, Ariela Noy, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; Jeannette Y. Lee, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR; Suthee Rapisuwon, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC; David Aboulafia, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA; Erin G. Reid, University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center, San Diego, CA; Michelle A. Rudek, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Bruce J Dezube, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA. AUTHOR: - Krown SE AUTHOR: - Lee JY AUTHOR: - Honda K AUTHOR: - Rapisuwon S AUTHOR: - Wang Z AUTHOR: - Aboulafia D AUTHOR: - Reid EG AUTHOR: - Rudek MA AUTHOR: - Dezube BJ AUTHOR: - Noy A SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a disease of multifocal vascular proliferation that requires infection with KS herpes virus (KSHV/HHV-8). Activation of the c-kit and plateletderived growth factor (PDGF) receptors by autocrine/paracrine mechanisms follows endothelial cell KSHV infection. In a pilot study, imatinib, a c-kit/PDGF-receptor inhibitor, induced partial regression of AIDS-associated KS (AIDS-KS) in five of 10 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multicenter phase II study was designed to estimate the response rate to imatinib in AIDS-KS. Secondary objectives included investigation of predictors of response and imatinib pharmacokinetics in patients on antiretrovirals. Patients received imatinib 400 mg/day by mouth for up to 12 months with dose escalation up to 600 mg/day at 3 months if their disease was stable. RESULTS: Thirty patients were treated at 12 AIDS Malignancy Consortium sites. Ten patients (33.3%) achieved partial response, six (20%) had stable disease, and seven (23.3%) exhibited KS progression. Nine patients completed 52 weeks of imatinib therapy. The median treatment duration was 22.5 weeks. Only five patients (16.7%) discontinued therapy owing to adverse events. Antiretroviral regimens did not significantly alter imatinib metabolism. Activating mutations in PDGF-R and c-kit were not found at baseline or at disease progression. We found no correlation with response with changes in any of the candidate cytokines. CONCLUSION: Imatinib has activity in AIDS-KS. Pharmacokinetic interactions with antiretroviral drugs did not correlate with toxicity. Thirty percent of patients showed long-term clinical benefit and remained on imatinib for the entire year. These results suggest imatinib is well tolerated and may be an alternative therapy for some patients with AIDS-KS. -------------------------------------------------------------[18] TITLE: - The prognostic value of micrometastases and isolated tumour cells in histologically negative lymph nodes of patients with colorectal cancer: A systematic review and metaanalysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Surg Oncol. 2014 Mar;40(3):263-269. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2013.12.002. Epub 2013 Dec 14. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ejso.2013.12.002 AUTHOR: - Sloothaak DA; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Gelre Hospital, Albert Schweitzerlaan 31, 7334 DZ Apeldoorn, The Netherlands; Department of Surgery, AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Sahami S; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - van der Zaag-Loonen HJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Epidemiology, Gelre Hospital, Albert Schweitzerlaan 31, 7334 DZ Apeldoorn, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - van der Zaag ES; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Gelre Hospital, Albert Schweitzerlaan 31, 7334 DZ Apeldoorn, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Tanis PJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Bemelman WA; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Buskens CJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: c.j.buskens@amc.uva.nl. SUMMARY: - INTRODUCTION: Detection of occult tumour cells in lymph nodes of patients with stage I/II colorectal cancer is associated with decreased survival. However, according to recent guidelines, occult tumour cells should be categorised in micrometastases (MMs) and isolated tumour cells (ITCs). This meta-analysis evaluates the prognostic value of MMs and of ITCs, separately. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Biosis and the World Health Organization International Trials Registry Platform were searched for papers published until April 2013. Studies on the prognostic value of MMs and ITCs in lymph nodes of stage I/II colorectal cancer patients were included. Odds ratios (ORs) for the development of disease recurrence were calculated to analyse the predictive value of MMs and ITCs. RESULTS: From five papers, ORs for disease recurrence could be calculated for MMs and ITCs separately. In patients with colorectal cancer, disease recurrence was significantly increased in the presence of MMs in comparison with absent occult tumour cells (OR 5.63; 95%CI 2.4-13.13). This was even more pronounced in patients with colon cancer (OR 7.25 95%CI 1.82-28.97). In contrast, disease recurrence was not increased in the presence of ITCs (OR 1.00 95%CI 0.53-1.88). CONCLUSION: Patients with stage I/II colorectal cancer and MMs have a worse prognosis than patients without occult tumour cells. However, ITCs do not have a predictive value. The distinction between ITCs and MMs should be made if the detection of occult tumour cells is incorporated in the clinical decision for adjuvant treatment. -------------------------------------------------------------[19] TITLE: - Predicting and communicating the risk of recurrence and death in women with early- stage breast cancer: a systematic review of risk prediction models. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Clin Oncol. 2014 Jan 20;32(3):238-50. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2013.50.3417. Epub 2013 Dec 16. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1200/JCO.2013.50.3417 AUTHOR: - Engelhardt EG; ADDRESS: - Ellen G. Engelhardt, Mirjam M. Garvelink, Jacobus J.M. van der Hoeven, Arwen H. Pieterse, and Anne M. Stiggelbout, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden; and J. (Hanneke) C.J.M. de Haes and Ellen M. Smets, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Garvelink MM AUTHOR: - de Haes JH AUTHOR: - van der Hoeven JJ AUTHOR: - Smets EM AUTHOR: - Pieterse AH AUTHOR: - Stiggelbout AM SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: It is a challenge for oncologists to distinguish patients with breast cancer who can forego adjuvant systemic treatment without negatively affecting survival from those who cannot. Risk prediction models (RPMs) have been developed for this purpose. Oncologists seem to have embraced RPMs (particularly Adjuvant!) in clinical practice and often use them to communicate prognosis to patients. We performed a systematic review of published RPMs and provide an overview of the prognosticators incorporated and reported clinical validity. Subsequently, we selected the RPMs that are currently used in the clinic for a more in-depth assessment of clinical validity. Finally, we assessed lay comprehensibility of the reports generated by RPMs. METHODS: Pubmed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched. Two reviewers independently selected relevant articles and extracted data. Agreement on article selection and data extraction was achieved in consensus meetings. RESULTS: We identified RPMs based on clinical prognosticators (N = 6) and biomolecular features (N = 14). Generally predictions from RPMs seem to be accurate, except for patients </= 50 years or >/= 75 years at diagnosis, in addition to Asian populations. RPM reports contain much medical jargon or technical details, which are seldom explained in lay terms. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of RPMs’ prognostic estimates is suboptimal in some patient subgroups. This urgently needs to be addressed. In their current format, RPM reports are not conducive to patient comprehension. Communicating survival probabilities using RPM might seem straightforward, but it is fraught with difficulties. If not done properly, it can backfire and confuse patients. Evidence to guide best communication practice is needed. -------------------------------------------------------------[20] TITLE: - Risk Assessment, Genetic Counseling, and Genetic Testing for BRCA-Related Cancer in Women: A Systematic Review to Update the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Ann Intern Med. 2013 Dec 24. doi: 10.7326/M13-1684. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 7326/M13-1684 AUTHOR: - Nelson HD AUTHOR: - Pappas M AUTHOR: - Zakher B AUTHOR: - Mitchell JP AUTHOR: - Okinaka-Hu L AUTHOR: - Fu R SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Mutations in breast cancer susceptibility genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) are associated with increased risks for breast, ovarian, and other types of cancer. PURPOSE: To review new evidence on the benefits and harms of risk assessment, genetic counseling, and genetic testing for BRCA-related cancer in women. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE and PsycINFO between 2004 and 30 July 2013, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from 2004 through the second quarter of 2013, Health Technology Assessment during the fourth quarter of 2012, Scopus, and reference lists. STUDY SELECTION: English-language studies about accuracy of risk assessment and benefits and harms of genetic counseling, genetic testing, and interventions to reduce cancer incidence and mortality. DATA EXTRACTION: Individual investigators extracted data on participants, study design, analysis, follow-up, and results, and a second investigator confirmed key data. Investigators independently dual-rated study quality and applicability by using established criteria. DATA SYNTHESIS: Five referral models accurately estimate individual risk for BRCA mutations. Genetic counseling increases the accuracy of risk perception and decreases the intention for genetic testing among unlikely carriers and cancer-related worry, anxiety, and depression. No trials evaluated the effectiveness of intensive screening or risk-reducing medications in mutation carriers, although false-positive rates, unneeded imaging, and unneeded surgeries were higher with screening. Among high-risk women and mutation carriers, risk-reducing mastectomy decreased breast cancer by 85% to 100% and breast cancer mortality by 81% to 100% compared with women without surgery; risk-reducing salpingooophorectomy decreased breast cancer incidence by 37% to 100%, ovarian cancer by 69% to 100%, and all-cause mortality by 55% to 100%. LIMITATION: The analysis included only English-language articles; efficacy trials in mutation carriers were lacking. CONCLUSION: Studies of risk assessment, genetic counseling, genetic testing, and interventions to reduce cancer and mortality indicate potential benefits and harms that vary according to risk. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.This article was published online first at www.annals.org on 24 December 2013. -------------------------------------------------------------[21] TITLE: - Risk Assessment, Genetic Counseling, and Genetic Testing for BRCA-Related Cancer in Women: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Ann Intern Med. 2013 Dec 24. doi: 10.7326/M13-2747. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 7326/M13-2747 AUTHOR: - Moyer VA SUMMARY: - DESCRIPTION: Update of the 2005 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on genetic risk assessment and BRCA mutation testing for breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility. METHODS: The USPSTF reviewed the evidence on risk assessment, genetic counseling, and genetic testing for potentially harmful BRCA mutations in asymptomatic women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer but no personal history of cancer or known potentially harmful BRCA mutations in their family. The USPSTF also reviewed interventions aimed at reducing the risk for BRCA-related cancer in women with potentially harmful BRCA mutations, including intensive cancer screening, medications, and risk-reducing surgery. POPULATION: This recommendation applies to asymptomatic women who have not been diagnosed with BRCA-related cancer. RECOMMENDATION: The USPSTF recommends that primary care providers screen women who have family members with breast, ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal cancer with 1 of several screening tools designed to identify a family history that may be associated with an increased risk for potentially harmful mutations in breast cancer susceptibility genes (BRCA1 or BRCA2). Women with positive screening results should receive genetic counseling and, if indicated after counseling, BRCA testing. (B recommendation)The USPSTF recommends against routine genetic counseling or BRCA testing for women whose family history is not associated with an increased risk for potentially harmful mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. (D recommendation). -------------------------------------------------------------[22] TITLE: - Is HPV DNA testing specificity comparable to that of cytological testing in primary cervical cancer screening? Results of a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Cancer. 2013 Dec 3. doi: 10.1002/ijc.28640. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/ijc.28640 AUTHOR: - Pileggi C; ADDRESS: - Department of Health Sciences, Chair of Hygiene, Medical School, University of Catanzaro “Magna Graecia”, Catanzaro, Italy. AUTHOR: - Flotta D AUTHOR: - Bianco A AUTHOR: - Nobile CG AUTHOR: - Pavia M SUMMARY: - Human-papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing has been proposed as an alternative to primary cervical cancer screening using cytological testing. Review of the evidence shows that available data are conflicting for some aspects. The overall goal of the study is to update the performance of HPV DNA as stand-alone testing in primary cervical cancer screening, focusing particularly on the aspects related to the specificity profile of the HPV DNA testing in respect to cytology. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Eight articles were included in the meta-analysis. Three outcomes have been investigated: relative detection, relative specificity, and relative positive predictive value (PPV) of HPV DNA testing versus cytology. Overall evaluation of relative detection showed a significantly higher detection of CIN2+ and CIN3+ for HPV DNA testing versus cytology. Meta-analyses that considered all age groups showed a relative specificity that favored the cytology in detecting both CIN2+ and CIN3+ lesions whereas, in the >/=30 years’ group, specificity of HPV DNA and cytology tests was similar in detecting both CIN2+ and CIN3+ lesions. Results of the pooled analysis on relative PPV showed a not significantly lower PPV of HPV DNA test over cytology. A main key finding of the study is that in women aged >/=30, has been found an almost overlapping specificity between the two screening tests in detecting CIN2 and above-grade lesions. Therefore, primary screening of cervical cancer by HPV DNA testing appears to offer the right balance between maximum detection of CIN2+ and adequate specificity, if performed in the age group >/=30 years. -------------------------------------------------------------[23] TITLE: - Treatment of depression in patients with breast cancer: a critical review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumori. 2013 Sep-Oct;99(5):623-33. doi: 10.1700/1377.15313. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1700/1377.15313 AUTHOR: - Callari A AUTHOR: - Mauri M AUTHOR: - Miniati M AUTHOR: - Mancino M AUTHOR: - Bracci G AUTHOR: - Dell’Osso L AUTHOR: - Greco C SUMMARY: - AIMS AND BACKGROUND: To summarize current knowledge on psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic options for patients with breast cancer and comorbid depression, starting from the psychiatric viewpoint. Issues on diagnostic boundaries of depression and outcome measures are raised. METHODS: We completed a literature review from the last 30 years (until March 2012) using PubMed by pairing the key words: ‘breast cancer and depression treatment’ (about 1431 works, including 207 reviews), ‘breast cancer and antidepressants’ (about 305 works, including 66 reviews), and in particular ‘selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and breast cancer’ (38 works, including 10 reviews) and ‘breast cancer and psychotherapy’ (603 works, including 84 reviews). Papers in the English language were selected, including recent reviews. RESULTS: There is little evidence for the superiority of any one specific intervention with pharmacological options or psychotherapy. The heterogeneity of assessment criteria, the small number of subjects collected in systematic studies, the difficulty in adopting standardized outcome measures, and the limited numbers of available drugs with a favorable side effect profile are the main limitations that emerge from the literature. No conclusive findings are available on mid-term/long-term treatment strategies, or when depression is part of a bipolar disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is necessary to define the most appropriate approach to depression when it occurs in comorbidity with breast cancer. A more accurate definition of the clinical phenotypes of depression in the special population of patients with breast cancer is suggested as a key issue. -------------------------------------------------------------- [24] TITLE: - Relationship between everolimus exposure and safety and efficacy: Meta-analysis of clinical trials in oncology. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Cancer. 2014 Feb;50(3):486-95. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2013.11.022. Epub 2013 Dec 9. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ejca.2013.11.022 AUTHOR: - Ravaud A; ADDRESS: - Department of Medical Oncology, Hopital Saint Andre, Bordeaux, France. AUTHOR: - Urva SR; ADDRESS: - Oncology Clinical Pharmacology, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Florham Park, NJ, USA. AUTHOR: - Grosch K; ADDRESS: - Oncology Biometrics and Data Management, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland. AUTHOR: - Cheung WK; ADDRESS: - Oncology Clinical Pharmacology, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Florham Park, NJ, USA. AUTHOR: - Anak O; ADDRESS: - Oncology Clinical Development, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland. AUTHOR: - Sellami DB; ADDRESS: - Oncology Clinical Development, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Florham Park, NJ, USA. Electronic address: dalila.sellami@novartis.com. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: In patients with solid tumours, daily everolimus dosing demonstrated dose proportionality and linear pharmacokinetics. A meta-analysis was conducted to characterise the relationship between everolimus Cmin and efficacy and safety and the effect of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein (PgP) substrate/inhibitor/inducer coadministration on everolimus trough concentration (Cmin). METHODS: Individual patient data from five phase 2/3 studies, in which steady state, predose pharmacokinetic samples were taken from patients with solid tumours administered everolimus 10mg/day, were pooled. FINDINGS: Efficacy and safety were evaluable for 945 and 938 patients, respectively. A 2-fold increase in everolimus Cmin increased the likelihood of tumour size reduction (odds ratio 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-1.60), was associated with a trend for reduced risk of progression-free survival events (risk ratio [RR] 0.90, 95% CI 0.69-1.18) and increased the risk of grade 3 pulmonary (RR 1.93, 95% CI 1.12-3.34), stomatitis (RR 1.49, 95% CI 1.052.10) and metabolic (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.02-1.65) events. Coadministering everolimus with strong CYP3A4 and PgP inhibitors increased everolimus Cmin by 10% and 20%, respectively; coadministration with CYP3A4 inducers reduced Cmin by 7%. INTERPRETATION: A 2-fold increase in everolimus Cmin was associated with improved tumour size reduction and increased risk of high-grade pulmonary, metabolic and stomatitis events. FUNDING: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. -------------------------------------------------------------[25] TITLE: - Radiofrequency ablation versus hepatic resection for small hepatocellular carcinomas: a meta-analysis of randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2014 Jan 3;9(1):e84484. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084484. eCollection 2014. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0084484 AUTHOR: - Wang Y; ADDRESS: - The Chinese Cochrane Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China ; Department of Medical Administration, 363 Hospital, Chengdu, China. AUTHOR: - Luo Q; ADDRESS: - National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, West China Hospital, Chengdu, China. AUTHOR: - Li Y; ADDRESS: - The Chinese Cochrane Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. AUTHOR: - Deng S; ADDRESS: - West China Medical School, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. AUTHOR: - Wei S; ADDRESS: - West China Medical School, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. AUTHOR: - Li X; ADDRESS: - The Chinese Cochrane Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) versus hepatic resection (HR) for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) meeting the Milan criteria. METHODS: A meta-analysis was conducted, and PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI and VIP databases were systematically searched through November 2012 for randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials (RCTs and NRCTs). The Cochrane Collaboration’s tool and modified MINORS score were applied to assess the quality of RCTs and NRCTs, respectively. The GRADE approach was employed to evaluate the strength of evidence. RESULTS: Three RCTs and twenty-five NRCTs were included. Among 11,873 patients involved, 6,094 patients were treated with RFA, and 5,779 with HR. The pooled results of RCTs demonstrated no significant difference between groups for 1- and 3-year overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and disease-free survival (DFS) (p>0.05). The 5-year OS (Relative Risk, RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.88) and RFS (RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.78) were lower with RFA than with HR. The 3- and 5-year recurrences with RFA were higher than with HR (RR 1.48, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.94, and RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.97, respectively), but 1-year recurrence and in-hospital mortality showed no significant differences between groups (p>0.05). The complication rate (RR 0.18, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.53) was lower and hospital stays (Mean difference -8.77, 95% CI -10.36 to -7.18) were shorter with RFA than with HR. The pooled results of NRCTs showed that the RFA group had lower 1-, 3- and 5-year OS, RFS and DFS, and higher recurrence than the HR group (p<0.05). But for patients with very early stage HCC, RFA was comparable to HR for OS and recurrence. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of RFA is comparable to HR, with fewer complications but higher recurrence, especially for very early HCC patients. -------------------------------------------------------------[26] TITLE: - Association between thiopurine use and nonmelanoma skin cancers in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Am J Gastroenterol. 2014 Feb;109(2):163-9. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2013.451. Epub 2014 Jan 14. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1038/ajg.2013.451 AUTHOR: - Ariyaratnam J; ADDRESS: - 1] Department of Molecular Gastroenterology, Leeds Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, St James University Hospital, Leeds, UK [2] Department of Gastroenterology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, UK. AUTHOR: - Subramanian V; ADDRESS: - 1] Department of Molecular Gastroenterology, Leeds Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, St James University Hospital, Leeds, UK [2] Department of Gastroenterology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, UK. SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVES: Thiopurines are the mainstay of treatment for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Thiopurine therapy increases the risk of nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) in organ transplant patients. The data on NMSC in patients with IBD on thiopurines is conflicting. METHODS: We searched electronic databases for full journal articles reporting on the risk of developing NMSC in patients with IBD on thiopurine and hand searched the reference lists of all retrieved articles. Pooled adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined using a random-effects model. Publication bias was assessed using Funnel plots and Egger’s test. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q and the I(2) statistic. RESULTS: Eight studies involving 60,351 patients provided data on the risk of developing NMSC in patients with IBD on thiopurines. The pooled adjusted hazards ratio of developing NMSC after exposure to thiopurines in patients with IBD was 2.28 (95% CI: 1.50 to 3.45). There was significant heterogeneity (I(2)=76%) between the studies but no evidence of publication bias. Meta regression analysis suggested that the population studied (hospital-based vs. population-based) and duration of follow-up contributed significantly to heterogeneity. Grouping studies based on population studied and duration showed higher hazard rations in hospital-based and shorter duration studies. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of developing NMSC in patients with IBD on thiopurines is only modestly elevated. The difference in pooled risk between population-based and hospital-based studies suggests the possibility that ascertainment bias could have contributed to this increased risk. -------------------------------------------------------------[27] TITLE: - The roles of K(+) channels in cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Nat Rev Cancer. 2014 Jan;14(1):39-48. doi: 10.1038/nrc3635. Epub 2013 Dec 12. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1038/nrc3635 AUTHOR: - Pardo LA; ADDRESS: - Oncophysiology Group, Max-Planck-Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Gottingen, Germany. AUTHOR: - Stuhmer W; ADDRESS: - Department of Molecular Biology of Neuronal Signals, MaxPlanck-Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Gottingen, Germany. SUMMARY: - Potassium channels are transmembrane proteins that selectively facilitate the flow of potassium ions down an electrochemical gradient. These molecules have been studied in great detail in the context of cell excitability, but their roles in less cell type-specific functions, such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis or cell migration, have only recently been assessed. Moreover, the importance of these channels for tumour biology has become evident. This, coupled with the fact that they are accessible proteins and that their pharmacology is well characterized, has increased the interest in investigating potassium channels as therapeutic targets in cancer patients. -------------------------------------------------------------[28] TITLE: - The impact of the pathological lymph node status on adjuvant systemic treatment recommendations in clinically node negative breast cancer patients. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2014 Feb;143(3):469-76. doi: 10.1007/s10549-013-2822-5. Epub 2014 Jan 4. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s10549-013-2822-5 AUTHOR: - van Roozendaal LM; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center+, P.O. Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands, lorivanroozendaal@gmail.com. AUTHOR: - Schipper RJ AUTHOR: - Van de Vijver KK AUTHOR: - Haekens CM AUTHOR: - Lobbes MB AUTHOR: - Tjan-Heijnen VC AUTHOR: - de Boer M AUTHOR: - Smidt ML SUMMARY: - Several independent randomized controlled trials are initiated to investigate whether sentinel lymph node biopsy can be safely omitted in clinically node negative breast cancer patients with negative axillary ultrasound findings, who are treated with breast conserving therapy. A consequence of omitting sentinel lymph node biopsy is absence of pathological lymph node status information. We aimed to investigate the impact of omitting sentinel lymph node biopsy on adjuvant systemic treatment recommendations. Data from all consecutive patients with invasive breast cancer and negative axillary ultrasound findings treated with breast conserving therapy and sentinel lymph node biopsy between 2008 and 2012 were collected from a prospective database. Two methods, Adjuvant! Online and the Dutch breast cancer guideline 2012, were used to determine the adjuvant systemic treatment recommendations of every patient. At first, each patient was considered to be lymph node negative, and secondly the patients’ true pathological lymph node status was used. A total of 303 patients were consecutively included. Pathological lymph node status was pN0 in 72.3 %, pN0(i+) in 12.9 %, pN1mi+ in 5.6 %, pN1 in 7.3 %, and pN2 in 2.0 % of the patients. The decision to recommend adjuvant systemic treatment changed due to the pathological lymph node status in 1.0 % of the patients (3/303) when using Adjuvant! Online and in 3.6 % (11/303) when using the 2012 Dutch breast cancer guideline. The impact of the pathological lymph node status on adjuvant systemic treatment recommendations in clinically node negative breast cancer patients with negative axillary ultrasound findings treated with breast conserving therapy is limited. The safety of omitting the sentinel lymph node biopsy should be confirmed by the initiated randomized controlled trials. -------------------------------------------------------------[29] TITLE: - Central venous catheter-related infections in hematology and oncology: 2012 updated guidelines on diagnosis, management and prevention by the Infectious Diseases Working Party of the German Society of Hematology and Medical Oncology. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Ann Oncol. 2014 Jan 7. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1093/annonc/mdt545 AUTHOR: - Hentrich M; ADDRESS: - Department of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Harlaching Hospital and Neuperlach Hospital, Munich. AUTHOR: - Schalk E AUTHOR: - Schmidt-Hieber M AUTHOR: - Chaberny I AUTHOR: - Mousset S AUTHOR: - Buchheidt D AUTHOR: - Ruhnke M AUTHOR: - Penack O AUTHOR: - Salwender H AUTHOR: - Wolf HH AUTHOR: - Christopeit M AUTHOR: - Neumann S AUTHOR: - Maschmeyer G AUTHOR: - Karthaus M SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Cancer patients are at increased risk for central venous catheter- related infections (CRIs). Thus, a comprehensive, practical and evidence-based guideline on CRI in patients with malignancies is warranted. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A panel of experts by the Infectious Diseases Working Party (AGIHO) of the German Society of Hematology and Medical Oncology (DGHO) has developed a guideline on CRI in cancer patients. Literature searches of the PubMed, Medline and Cochrane databases were carried out and consensus discussions were held. RESULTS: Recommendations on diagnosis, management and prevention of CRI in cancer patients are made, and the strength of the recommendation and the level of evidence are presented. CONCLUSION: This guideline is an evidence-based approach to the diagnosis, management and prevention of CRI in cancer patients. -------------------------------------------------------------[30] TITLE: - Systematic review with meta-analysis: malignancies with anti-tumour necrosis factor- alpha therapy in inflammatory bowel disease. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2014 Mar;39(5):447-58. doi: 10.1111/apt.12624. Epub 2014 Jan 20. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/apt.12624 AUTHOR: - Williams CJ; ADDRESS: - Leeds Gastroenterology Institute, St. James’ University Hospital, Leeds, UK. AUTHOR: - Peyrin-Biroulet L AUTHOR: - Ford AC SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) antibodies are efficacious in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These drugs carry the theoretical risk of malignancy, particularly lymphoma, but no systematic review and meta-analysis has examined this issue. AIM: To pool data from all available placebo-controlled studies to estimate risk of malignancy with anti-TNFalpha therapy in IBD. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane central register of controlled trials were searched to November 2013. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing anti-TNFalpha therapy with placebo in adults with Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) were eligible. Data were pooled to obtain a relative risk (RR) of malignancy with a 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: The search strategy identified 25 338 citations, of which 22 RCTs were eligible (11 infliximab, six adalimumab, four certolizumab and one golimumab) involving 7054 patients (4566 CD and 2488 UC). In total, there were 16 (0.39%) malignancies in 4135 IBD patients allocated to anti-TNFalpha, compared with 13 (0.45%) in 2919 patients randomised to placebo. There were no cases of lymphoma in the active treatment group, compared with three (0.1%) in the control group. The RR of malignancy for patients receiving anti-TNFalpha therapy compared with placebo was 0.77 (95% CI 0.37-1.59). When seven individuals with nonmelanoma skin cancer were excluded from the analysis, the RR was 0.90 (95% CI 0.40-2.02). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-TNFalpha therapy was not associated with an increased risk of malignancy in patients with IBD. However, no trials provided data for risk of malignancy beyond 1 year of treatment, meaning that an increased risk in the longer term cannot be excluded. -------------------------------------------------------------[31] TITLE: - [[[Traitements locoregionaux des sites metastatiques chez des patients atteints d’un melanome pauci-metastatique (hors metastase cerebrale) : recommandations nationales francaises<td:inline-figure xmlns:td=”thomsondigital.com/xml/common/dtd”><td:link locator=”fx1” /></td:inline-figure><td:inline-figure xmlns:td=”thomsondigital.com/xml/common/dtd”><td:link locator=”fx2” /></td:inline-figure> TITLE: - Loco-regional treatments of the metastatic sites for patients with pauci-metastatic cutaneous melanoma (without brain metastasis): French national guidelines. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Bull Cancer. 2014 Jan 1;101(1):9-16. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1684/bdc.2013.1868 AUTHOR: - Sassolas B; ADDRESS: - Hopital Cavale Blanche, boulevard Tanguy-Prigent, 29609 Brest, France. AUTHOR: - Mourregot A; ADDRESS: - Institut du Cancer de Montpellier Val-d’Aurelle, parc Euromedecine, 208, avenue des Apothicaires, 34298 Montpellier, France. AUTHOR: - Thariat J; ADDRESS: - Centre Antoine-Lacassagne, 33, avenue de Valombrose, 06189 Nice, France. AUTHOR: - Tiffet O; ADDRESS: - Centre hospitalier universitaire de Saint-Etienne, 42055 SaintEtienne, France. AUTHOR: - Dygai-Cochet I; ADDRESS: - Centre Georges-Francois-Leclerc, 1, rue du ProfesseurMarion, BP 77980, 21079 Dijon, France. AUTHOR: - Mirabel X; ADDRESS: - Centre Oscar-Lambret, 3, rue Frederic-Combemale, BP 307, 59020 Lille, France. AUTHOR: - Truc G; ADDRESS: - Centre Georges-Francois-Leclerc, 1, rue du Professeur-Marion, BP 77980, 21079 Dijon, France. AUTHOR: - Cupissol D; ADDRESS: - Institut du Cancer de Montpellier Val-d’Aurelle, parc Euromedecine, 208, avenue des Apothicaires, 34298 Montpellier, France. AUTHOR: - Modiano P; ADDRESS: - Hopital Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, boulevard de Belfort, BP 387, 59020 Lille, France. AUTHOR: - Combemale P; ADDRESS: - Centre Leon-Berard, 28, rue Laennec, 69008 Lyon, France. AUTHOR: - Bedane C; ADDRESS: - Hopital Dupuytren, 2, avenue Martin-Luther-King, 87042 Limoge, France. AUTHOR: - Derrey S; ADDRESS: - Hopital Charles-Nicolle, 1, rue de Germont, 76000 Rouen, France. AUTHOR: - Lamant L; ADDRESS: - Hopital Purpan, place Baylac, 31059 Toulouse, France. AUTHOR: - Lubrano V; ADDRESS: - Hopital de Rangueil, 1, avenue du Professeur-Jean-Poulhes, TSA 50032, 31059 Toulouse, France. AUTHOR: - Siegrist S; ADDRESS: - Cabinet medical, 3, rue Saint-Sigisbert, 57050Le Ban-SaintMartin, France. AUTHOR: - Rouge-Bugat ME; ADDRESS: - Cabinet medical, 59, rue de la Providence, 31500 Toulouse, France. AUTHOR: - Mazeau-Woynar V; ADDRESS: - Institut national du cancer, 52, avenue Andre-Morizet, 92513 Boulogne-Billancourt, France. AUTHOR: - Verdoni L; ADDRESS: - Institut national du cancer, 52, avenue Andre-Morizet, 92513 Boulogne-Billancourt, France. AUTHOR: - Planchamp F; ADDRESS: - Institut national du cancer, 52, avenue Andre-Morizet, 92513 Boulogne-Billancourt, France. AUTHOR: - Leccia MT; ADDRESS: - Hopital Michallon, 38043 Grenoble, France. SUMMARY: - the last years are marked by the emergence of new molecules for the treatment of metastatic cutaneous melanoma with a significant benefit on the survival. Besides, some techniques are in development for the loco-regional treatment of the metastatic sites, bringing new therapeutic perspectives. However, their respective use and place in the therapeutic strategy are debated by healthcare professionals. the French National Cancer Institute leads a national clinical practice guidelines project since 2008. It realized a review of these modalities of treatment and developed recommendations. the clinical practice guidelines development process is based on systematic literature review and critical appraisal by a multidisciplinary expert workgroup. The recommendations are thus based on the best available evidence and expert agreement. Prior to publication, the guidelines are reviewed by independent practitioners in cancer care delivery. this article presents recommendations for loco-regional treatments of the pulmonary, bone, cutaneous, hepatic and digestive metastatic sites for patients with pauci-metastatic cutaneous melanoma. -------------------------------------------------------------[32] TITLE: - Effect of implementing the European guidelines for functional evaluation before lung resection on cardiorespiratory morbidity and 30-day mortality in lung cancer patients: a casecontrol study on a matched series of patients. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2014 Jan 14. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1093/ejcts/ezt596 AUTHOR: - Novoa N; ADDRESS: - Thoracic Surgery Service, Salamanca University Hospital, Salamanca, España. AUTHOR: - Jimenez MF AUTHOR: - Aranda JL AUTHOR: - Rodriguez M AUTHOR: - Ramos J AUTHOR: - Gomez Hernandez MT AUTHOR: - Varela G SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that postoperative cardiorespiratory morbidity and/or 30-day death rates decreased after implementing the new European ERS/ESTS guidelines for functional evaluation before lung resection and tested the hypothesis by means of a case-control study. METHODS: The analysis included a series of 916 consecutive patients who underwent an anatomical pulmonary resection for non-small-cell lung cancer in our centre. Patients were divided into cases (September 2009-August 2012) and controls (December 2002-August 2009). We reviewed the records from a prospective computerized database; the final dataset included no missing data. The primary studied outcomes were the occurrence of cardiorespiratory morbidity or 30-day death after surgery. The patients were 1:1 propensityscore matched according to the following variables age, ppoFEV1% and the need of pneumonectomy. RESULTS: After the matching process, 670 cases (335 cases and 335 controls) entered into the study. The rates of pneumonectomy in cases and controls were 5.7 and 13.2%, respectively, (P < 0.0001) in the whole series and 5.7 and 6.9% after matching (P = 0.52). Cardiorespiratory morbidity was 8.1% (27 of 308) in cases and 9.8% (33 of 335) in controls [odds ratio (OR): 0.8; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.4-1.4]. Thirty-day mortality was 0.90% (3/335) in cases and 1, 2% (4 of 335) in controls (OR: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.1-4.4). CONCLUSIONS: Although we have observed a trend towards lower cardiorespiratory morbidity and 30-day mortality after implementing ERS/ESTS guidelines, the benefit of the guidelines remains unclear. Multicentric analysis including a very large number of cases is needed to demonstrate statistically the effectiveness of the guidelines to reduce operative mortality and cardiorespiratory morbidity. Maybe the effect could be easier demonstrated in series with higher operative mortality or morbidity. -------------------------------------------------------------[33] TITLE: - Empirical antibiotics targeting Gram-positive bacteria for the treatment of febrile neutropenic patients with cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Jan 14;1:CD003914. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003914.pub3. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/14651858.CD003914.pub3 AUTHOR: - Paul M; ADDRESS: - Unit of Infectious Diseases, Rambam Health Care Center, Haifa, Israel and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, 49100. AUTHOR: - Dickstein Y AUTHOR: - Borok S AUTHOR: - Vidal L AUTHOR: - Leibovici L SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: The pattern of infections among neutropenic cancer patients has shifted in the last decades to a predominance of Gram-positive infections. Some of these Gram-positive bacteria are increasingly resistant to beta-lactams and necessitate specific antibiotic treatment. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of empirical antiGram-positive (antiGP) antibiotic treatment for febrile neutropenic cancer patients in terms of mortality and treatment failure. To assess the rate of resistance development, further infections and adverse events associated with additional antiGP treatment. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2013, Issue 7), MEDLINE (1966 to 2013), EMBASE (1982 to 2013), LILACS (1982 to 2013), conference proceedings, and the references of the included studies. First authors of all included and potentially relevant trials were contacted. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing one antibiotic regimen to the same regimen with the addition of an antiGP antibiotic for the treatment of febrile neutropenic cancer patients. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias, and extracted all data. Risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. A random-effects model was used for all comparisons showing substantial heterogeneity (I(2) > 50%). Outcomes were extracted by intention to treat and the analysis was patient-based whenever possible. MAIN RESULTS: Thirteen trials and 2392 patients or episodes were included. Empirical antiGP antibiotics were tested at the onset of treatment in 11 studies, and for persistent fever in two studies. The antiGP treatment was a glycopeptide in nine trials. Seven studies were assessed in the overall mortality comparison and no significant difference was seen between the comparator arms, RR of 0.82 (95% CI 0.56 to 1.20, 852 patients). Ten trials assessed failure, including modifications as failures, while six assessed overall failure disregarding treatment modifications. Failure with modifications was significantly reduced, RR of 0.76 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.85, 1779 patients) while overall failure was the same, RR of 1.00 (95% CI 0.79 to 1.27, 943 patients). Sensitivity analysis for allocation concealment and incomplete outcome data did not change the results. Both mortality and failure did not differ significantly among patients with Gram-positive infections, but the number of studies in the comparisons was small. Data regarding other patient subgroups likely to benefit from antiGP treatment were not available. Glycopeptides did not increase fungal superinfection rates and were associated with a reduction in documented Gram-positive superinfections. Resistant colonisation was not documented in the studies. AUTHORS’ CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence shows that the empirical routine addition of antiGP treatment, namely glycopeptides, does not improve the outcomes of febrile neutropenic patients with cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[34] TITLE: - Four genetic polymorphisms of lymphotoxin-alpha gene and cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Dec 12;8(12):e82519. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082519. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0082519 AUTHOR: - Huang Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. AUTHOR: - Yu X; ADDRESS: - Ningbo Medical Center, Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. AUTHOR: - Wang L; ADDRESS: - Bank of Blood Products, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. AUTHOR: - Zhou S; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. AUTHOR: - Sun J; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. AUTHOR: - Feng N; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. AUTHOR: - Nie S; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. AUTHOR: - Wu J; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. AUTHOR: - Gao F; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. AUTHOR: - Fei B; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. AUTHOR: - Wang J; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. AUTHOR: - Lin Z; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. AUTHOR: - Li X; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. AUTHOR: - Xu L; ADDRESS: - Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. AUTHOR: - Gao X; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. AUTHOR: - Ye M; ADDRESS: - The Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. AUTHOR: - Duan S; ADDRESS: - Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. SUMMARY: - Lymphotoxin-alpha (LTA) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in the inflammatory and immunologic response. Numerous studies have shown LTA polymorphisms as risk factors for cancers, but the results remain inconclusive. The goal of the present meta-analyses is to establish the associations between cancers and four LTA variants (rs1041981, rs2239704, rs2229094 and rs746868). A total of 30 case-control studies involving 58,649 participants were included in the current meta-analyses. Our results showed significant associations with increased cancer risk for rs1041981 (odd ratio (OR) = 1.15, 99% confidential interval (CI) = 1.07-1.25, P < 0.0001, I(2) = 12.2%), rs2239704 (OR = 1.08, 99% CI = 1.01-1.16, P = 0.021, I(2) = 0.0%) and rs2229094 (OR = 1.28, 99% CI = 1.09-1.50, P = 0.003, I(2) = 0.0%). No evidence was found for the association between rs746868 and cancer risk (OR = 1.01, 99% CI = 0.93-1.10, P = 0.771, I(2) = 0.0%). Subgroup meta-analysis suggested that rs2239704 was likely to increase the risk of hematological malignancy (OR = 1.10, 99% CI = 1.01-1.20, P = 0.023, I(2) = 0.0%), and rs2229094 was specific for the increased risk of adenocarcinoma (OR = 1.33, 99% CI = 1.11-1.59, P = 0.002, I(2) = 0.0%). In conclusion, our meta-analyses suggested that the LTA rs1041981, rs2239704 and rs2229094 polymorphisms contributed to the increased risk of cancers. Future functional studies were needed to clarify the mechanistic roles of the three variants in the cancer risk. -------------------------------------------------------------[35] TITLE: - Red flags to screen for malignancy and fracture in patients with low back pain: systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - BMJ. 2013 Dec 11;347:f7095. doi: 10.1136/bmj.f7095. AUTHOR: - Downie A; ADDRESS: - George Institute for Global Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia. AUTHOR: - Williams CM AUTHOR: - Henschke N AUTHOR: - Hancock MJ AUTHOR: - Ostelo RW AUTHOR: - de Vet HC AUTHOR: - Macaskill P AUTHOR: - Irwig L AUTHOR: - van Tulder MW AUTHOR: - Koes BW AUTHOR: - Maher CG SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence on diagnostic accuracy of red flag signs and symptoms to screen for fracture or malignancy in patients presenting with low back pain to primary, secondary, or tertiary care. DESIGN: Systematic review. DATA SOURCES: Medline, OldMedline, Embase, and CINAHL from earliest available up to 1 October 2013. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Primary diagnostic studies comparing red flags for fracture or malignancy to an acceptable reference standard, published in any language. REVIEW METHODS: Assessment of study quality and extraction of data was conducted by three independent assessors. Diagnostic accuracy statistics and post-test probabilities were generated for each red flag. RESULTS: We included 14 studies (eight from primary care, two from secondary care, four from tertiary care) evaluating 53 red flags; only five studies evaluated combinations of red flags. Pooling of data was not possible because of index test heterogeneity. Many red flags in current guidelines provide virtually no change in probability of fracture or malignancy or have untested diagnostic accuracy. The red flags with the highest post-test probability for detection of fracture were older age (9%, 95% confidence interval 3% to 25%), prolonged use of corticosteroid drugs (33%, 10% to 67%), severe trauma (11%, 8% to 16%), and presence of a contusion or abrasion (62%, 49% to 74%). Probability of spinal fracture was higher when multiple red flags were present (90%, 34% to 99%). The red flag with the highest post-test probability for detection of spinal malignancy was history of malignancy (33%, 22% to 46%). CONCLUSIONS: While several red flags are endorsed in guidelines to screen for fracture or malignancy, only a small subset of these have evidence that they are indeed informative. These findings suggest a need for revision of many current guidelines. -------------------------------------------------------------[36] TITLE: - A systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies on the efficacy of extended pelvic lymph node dissection in patients with clinically localized prostatic carcinoma. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2014 Feb;140(2):243-56. doi: 10.1007/s00432-013-1574-2. Epub 2013 Dec 27. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s00432-013-1574-2 AUTHOR: - Gao L; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, China. AUTHOR: - Yang L AUTHOR: - Lv X AUTHOR: - Bu S AUTHOR: - Wan F AUTHOR: - Qian S AUTHOR: - Wei Q AUTHOR: - Han P AUTHOR: - Fan T SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) has been performed during radical prostatectomy in nearly all patients with clinically localized prostatic carcinoma (PCa), while the specific regions that needed to be removed demonstrated bifurcation among urologist. However, clinical studies comparing extended PLND (ePLND) with standard PLND (sPLND) and limited PLND (lPLND) reveal conflicting, or even opposing results. METHODS: All controlled trials comparing ePLND with sPLND or lPLND were identified through comprehensive searches of the PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase databases. A systematic review and meta- analysis of these studies were then performed. RESULTS: Eighteen studies with a total of 8,914 patients were included. Regardless of being compared with sPLND or lPLND, ePLND significantly improved LN retrieval [ePLND vs. sPLND: weighted mean difference (WMD) 11.93, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 9.91-13.95, p < 0.00001; ePLND vs. lPLND: WMD 8.27, 95 % CI 3.53-13.01, p = 0.0006] and the detection of more LNs positive of metastasis [risk ratio (RR) 3.51, 95 % CI 2.14-5.75, p < 0.00001; RR 3.50, 95 % CI 2.20-5.55, p < 0.00001, respectively]. EPLND decreased the complication rate, but the differences were not statistically significant (RR 1.52, 95 % CI 0.87-2.65, p = 0.14; RR 1.52, 95 % CI 0.67-3.45, p = 0.32, respectively). Operating time, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay and biochemical recurrence (BCR) were statistically insignificant between techniques. CONCLUSIONS: ePLND shows benefits associated with increased LNs yield, LNs positivity, and safety, significantly with no risk of side effects. However, ePLND did not decrease BCR. Additional high-quality, welldesigned randomized controlled trials and comparative studies with long-term follow-up results are required to define the optimal procedure for patients with clinically localized PCa. -------------------------------------------------------------[37] TITLE: - Cisplatin and gemcitabine for advanced biliary tract cancer: a meta-analysis of two randomised trials. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Ann Oncol. 2014 Feb;25(2):391-8. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdt540. Epub 2013 Dec 18. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1093/annonc/mdt540 AUTHOR: - Valle JW; ADDRESS: - Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. AUTHOR: - Furuse J AUTHOR: - Jitlal M AUTHOR: - Beare S AUTHOR: - Mizuno N AUTHOR: - Wasan H AUTHOR: - Bridgewater J AUTHOR: - Okusaka T SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Two recent studies (ABC-02 [UK] and BT22 [Japan]) have demonstrated the superiority of cisplatin and gemcitabine (CisGem) chemotherapy over gemcitabine (Gem) alone for patients with pathologically proven advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC: cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder and ampullary cancers). This pre-planned analysis evaluates the efficacy of CisGem with increased statistical power. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a meta-analysis of individual patient-level data of these studies to establish the effect of CisGem versus Gem on progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and carried out exploratory subgroup analyses. RESULTS: CisGem demonstrates a significant improvement in PFS [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53-0.76, P < 0.001] and OS (HR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.54-0.78, P < 0.001) over Gem. This effect is most marked among patients with good performance status (PS 0-1): HR for PFS is 0.61 (95% CI 0.51-0.74), P < 0.001 and OS HR = 0.64 (95% CI 0.53-0.77), P < 0.001. CisGem resulted in improved PFS and OS for intra- and extra-hepatic cholangiocarcinomas and gallbladder cancer. The treatment effect between UK and Japanese patients was consistent with respect to OS (HR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.53-0.79 and 0.65, 95% CI 0.42-1.03, respectively); with similar OS in the combination arms (median 11.7 and 11.1 months, respectively). Subgroups least likely to benefit included patients with ampullary tumours and poor performance status (PS2). CONCLUSIONS: CisGem is the standard of care for the first-line treatment of good-PS patients with advanced BTC regardless of ethnicity. Future studies should aim to enhance the effectiveness of this regimen in the first-line setting, establish the role of subsequent (second-line) therapy and assess the role of rationally developed molecular-targeted therapies. -------------------------------------------------------------[38] TITLE: - Effect of methylphenidate in patients with cancer-related fatigue: a systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2014 Jan 8;9(1):e84391. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084391. eCollection 2014. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0084391 AUTHOR: - Gong S; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Institute of Neurosurgery, PLA Institute of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. AUTHOR: - Sheng P; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Institute of Neurosurgery, PLA Institute of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China ; Neuroscience Center, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. AUTHOR: - Jin H; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Institute of Neurosurgery, PLA Institute of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. AUTHOR: - He H; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Institute of Neurosurgery, PLA Institute of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. AUTHOR: - Qi E; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Institute of Neurosurgery, PLA Institute of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. AUTHOR: - Chen W; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Institute of Neurosurgery, PLA Institute of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. AUTHOR: - Dong Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Institute of Neurosurgery, PLA Institute of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China ; Neuroscience Center, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. AUTHOR: - Hou L; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Institute of Neurosurgery, PLA Institute of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common symptom affecting patients with cancer. There are an increasing number of trials examining potential treatments for CRF. Methylphenidate represents one of the most researched drugs and an up-to-date assessment of the evidence for its use is needed. Trials of methylphenidate for CRF provided inconsistent results. This meta-analysis was aimed at assessing the effect and safety of methylphenidate on CRF. METHODS: We comprehensively searched the Pubmed, EMBASE, PSYCHInfo and the Cochrane databases in order to identify published studies on the effect of methylphenidate on CRF. Primary outcomes included fatigue. Secondary outcomes included depression, cognition and adverse effects. FINDINGS: A meta-analysis was conducted on five randomized controlled trials and 498 patients were enrolled. Despite a large placebo effect observed in the studies included, pooled data suggested therapeutic effect of methylphenidate on CRF. Subgroup Analyses showed that the efficacy of methylphenidate on CRF is getting better with prolonging treatment duration, with a MD of -3.70 (95% CI -7.03- 0.37, p = 0.03) for long-time group and a MD of -2.49 (95% CI -6.01-1.03, p = 0.17) for shorttime group. In general, there was no impact of methylphenidate on depression and cognition associated with CRF. Adverse events were similar between methylphenidate and placebo groups except that more patients reported vertigo, anxiety, anorexia and nausea in methylphenidate group compared to placebo group. CONCLUSION: Existing trials of methylphenidate on CRF provided limited evidence for the use of methylphenidate to treat CRF. The absolute numbers still remain small, and further confirmation is needed before firm recommendations on their usage and safety can be made in the treatment of CRF. -------------------------------------------------------------[39] TITLE: - Intraperitoneal chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer. Meta-analysis of randomized trials. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Surg Oncol. 2014 Jan;40(1):12-26. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2013.10.019. Epub 2013 Nov 5. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ejso.2013.10.019 AUTHOR: - Coccolini F; ADDRESS: - General Surgery Dept., Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy; General Surgery Dept., Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon and EMR 3738, Universite Lyon 1, France. Electronic address: federico.coccolini@gmail.com. AUTHOR: - Cotte E; ADDRESS: - General Surgery Dept., Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon and EMR 3738, Universite Lyon 1, France. AUTHOR: - Glehen O; ADDRESS: - General Surgery Dept., Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon and EMR 3738, Universite Lyon 1, France. AUTHOR: - Lotti M; ADDRESS: - General Surgery Dept., Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy. AUTHOR: - Poiasina E; ADDRESS: - General Surgery Dept., Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy. AUTHOR: - Catena F; ADDRESS: - General Surgery Dept., Ospedale Maggiore, Parma, Italy. AUTHOR: - Yonemura Y; ADDRESS: - General Surgery Dept., Kusatsu General Hospital, Yabase 1660, Japan. AUTHOR: - Ansaloni L; ADDRESS: - General Surgery Dept., Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy. SUMMARY: - INTRODUCTION: An important component of treatment failure in gastric cancer (GC) is cancer dissemination within the peritoneal cavity and nodal metastasis. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) is considered to give a fundamental contribute in treating advanced GC. The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of IPC in patients with advanced GC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of IPC + surgery vs. control in patients with advanced GC was performed. RESULTS: Twenty prospective RCTs have been included (2145 patients: 1152 into surgery + IPC arm and 993 into control arm). Surgery + IPC improves: 1, 2 and 3-year mortality (OR = 0.31, 0.27, 0.29 respectively), 2 and 3-year mortality in patients with loco-regional nodal metastasis (OR = 0.28, 0.16 respectively), 1 and 2-year mortality rate in patients with serosal infiltration (OR = 0.33, 0.27 respectively). Morbidity rate was increased by surgery + IPC (OR = 1.82). The overall recurrence and the peritoneal recurrence rates were improved by surgery + IPC (OR = 0.46 and 0.47 respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in lymph-nodal recurrence rate. The rate of haematogenous metastasis was improved by surgery + IPC (OR = 0.63). CONCLUSIONS: 1, 2 and 3-year overall survival is incremented by the IPC. No differences have been found at 5-year in overall survival rate. 2 and 3-year mortality rates in patients with nodal invasion and 1 and 2-year mortality rates in patients with serosal infiltration are improved by the use of IPC. IPC has positive effect on peritoneal recurrence and distant metastasis. Morbidity rate is incremented by IPC. Loco-regional lymph-nodes invasion in patients affected by advanced gastric cancer is not a contraindication to IPC. -------------------------------------------------------------[40] TITLE: - The association of CXCR4 expression with prognosis and clinicopathological indicators in colorectal carcinoma patients: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Histopathology. 2013 Nov 6. doi: 10.1111/his.12321. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/his.12321 AUTHOR: - Lv S; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. AUTHOR: - Yang Y AUTHOR: - Kwon S AUTHOR: - Han M AUTHOR: - Zhao F AUTHOR: - Kang H AUTHOR: - Dai C AUTHOR: - Wang R SUMMARY: - AIMS: The clinical relevance of expression of chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) remains controversial; our aim was to identify the precise relationship of CXCR4 to prognosis and clinicopathological features. METHODS AND RESULTS: A meta-analysis was performed. Original data included the hazard ratios (HRs) of recurrencefree survival (RFS), overall survival (OS) and odds ratio (OR) in CRC patients. We pooled HR/OR with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to estimate the hazard. A total of 20 published studies (including 2253 patients) were eligible. RFS and OS were related significantly to CXCR4 expression, with HRs 1.62 (95% CI 1.24-2.11; P < 0.0001) and 1.68 (95% CI 1.31-2.14; P < 0.0001), respectively. In addition, a significant association was revealed between positive CXCR4 expression and age (less than median age: OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.62-0.98; P = 0.03), stage (I and II: OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.32-0.66; P < 0.0001), grade (well/moderately differentiated: OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.56-0.98; P = 0.04), location (colon: OR: 0.73, 95% CI 0.57-0.95; P = 0.02), lymph node invasion (present: OR2.14, 95% CI 1.36-3.37; P = 0.001),and distant metastasis (present: OR 2.40; 95% CI 1.36-4.23; P = 0.003). Heterogeneity was observed among the included studies with regard to stage (I2 = 58 %), lymph node invasiveness (I2 = 74%) and distant metastasis (I2 = 56%). No publication bias was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Chemokine receptor 4 expression indicates poorer prognosis in older patients and advanced stage or poor differentiation in CRC, and also serves as an indicator of lymph node and distal organ metastasis. Surprisingly, high CXCR4 expression may indicate that the location of the tumour is the rectum. Thus, CXCR4 could help to predict outcome and guide clinical therapy. -------------------------------------------------------------[41] TITLE: - The current and future role of the medical oncologist in the professional care for cancer patients: a position paper by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Ann Oncol. 2014 Jan;25(1):9-15. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdt522. Epub 2013 Dec 13. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1093/annonc/mdt522 AUTHOR: - Popescu RA; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology, Hirslanden Medical Center, Aarau, Switzerland, on behalf of the ESMO National Representatives and Membership Committee. AUTHOR: - Schafer R AUTHOR: - Califano R AUTHOR: - Eckert R AUTHOR: - Coleman R AUTHOR: - Douillard JY AUTHOR: - Cervantes A AUTHOR: - Casali PG AUTHOR: - Sessa C AUTHOR: - Van Cutsem E AUTHOR: - de Vries E AUTHOR: - Pavlidis N AUTHOR: - Fumasoli K AUTHOR: - Wormann B AUTHOR: - Samonigg H AUTHOR: - Cascinu S AUTHOR: - Cruz Hernandez JJ AUTHOR: - Howard AJ AUTHOR: - Ciardiello F AUTHOR: - Stahel RA AUTHOR: - Piccart M SUMMARY: - The number of cancer patients in Europe is rising and significant advances in basic and applied cancer research are making the provision of optimal care more challenging. The concept of cancer as a systemic, highly heterogeneous and complex disease has increased the awareness that quality cancer care should be provided by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) of highly qualified healthcare professionals. Cancer patients also have the right to benefit from medical progress by receiving optimal treatment from adequately trained and highly skilled medical professionals. Built on the highest standards of professional training and continuing medical education, medical oncology is recognised as an independent medical specialty in many European countries. Medical oncology is a core member of the MDT and offers cancer patients a comprehensive and systemic approach to treatment and care, while ensuring evidence-based, safe and cost-effective use of cancer drugs and preserving the quality of life of cancer patients through the entire ‘cancer journey’. Medical oncologists are also engaged in clinical and translational research to promote innovation and new therapies and they contribute to cancer diagnosis, prevention and research, making a difference for patients in a dynamic, stimulating professional environment. Medical oncologists play an important role in shaping the future of healthcare through innovation and are also actively involved at the political level to ensure a maximum contribution of the profession to Society and to tackle future challenges. This position paper summarises the multifarious and vital contributions of medical oncology and medical oncologists to today’s and tomorrow’s professional cancer care. -------------------------------------------------------------[42] TITLE: - Disparities in breast cancer stage at diagnosis in urban and rural adult women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Ann Epidemiol. 2014 Mar;24(3):228-235. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2013.12.002. Epub 2013 Dec 28. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.annepidem.2013.12.002 AUTHOR: - Nguyen-Pham S; ADDRESS: - School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. AUTHOR: - Leung J; ADDRESS: - School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. AUTHOR: - McLaughlin D; ADDRESS: - School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Electronic address: d.mclaughlin@sph.uq.edu.au. SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: Survival from breast cancer is dependent on stage at diagnosis and some evidence suggests that rural women are more likely than urban women to be diagnosed with advanced stage disease. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the stage of breast cancer at diagnosis between women residing in urban and rural areas. METHODS: PubMed (1951-2012), EMBASE (1966-2012), CINAHL (1982-2012), RURAL (1966-2012), and Sociological abstracts (1952-2012) were systematically searched in November 2012 for relevant peer reviewed studies. Studies on adult women were included if they reported quantitative comparisons of rural and urban differences in staging of breast cancer at diagnosis. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies were included in the systematic review and 21 studies had sufficient information for inclusion in the meta-analysis (N = 879,660). Evidence indicated that patients residing in rural areas were more likely to be diagnosed with more advanced breast cancer. Using a random effects model, the results of the meta-analysis showed that rural breast cancer patients had 1.19 higher odds (95% confidence interval, 1.121.27) of late stage breast cancer compared with urban breast cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: Rural women were more likely than urban women to be diagnosed at a later stage. Preventive measures may need to target the rural population. -------------------------------------------------------------[43] TITLE: - Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of chemokine receptor CXCR4 overexpression in patients with esophageal cancer: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Dec 11. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1490-8 AUTHOR: - Wu J; ADDRESS: - Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, 55 Zhenhai Road, Xiamen, Fujian, 361000, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Wu X AUTHOR: - Liang W AUTHOR: - Chen C AUTHOR: - Zheng L AUTHOR: - An H SUMMARY: - The prognostic significance of CXC chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) for survival of patients with esophageal cancer remains controversial. To investigate its expression impact on clinicopathological features and survival outcome, a meta-analysis was performed. A comprehensive search in the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science (up to October 8, 2013) was performed for relevant studies using multiple search strategies. Correlation between CXCR4 expression and clinicopathological features and overall survival (OS) was analyzed. A total of 1,055 patients with esophageal cancer from seven studies were included. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) which indicated CXCR4 expression was associated with tumor depth (OR = 0.35, confidence interval (CI) = 0.27-0.47, P < 0.00001), status of lymph node (OR = 0.36, CI = 0.21-0.61, P < 0.0002), TNM (tumor, node, metastasis) stage (OR = 0.38, CI = 0.25-0.56, P < 0.00001), and histological type (OR = 1.81, CI = 1.07-3.05, P = 0.03). Poor overall survival of esophageal cancer was found to be significantly related to CXCR4 overexpression (hazard ratio (HR) 1.49, 95 % CI = 1.24-1.80, P < 0.0001), whereas combined ORs exhibited that CXCR4 expression has no correlation with gender or tumor differentiation. Based on the published studies, CXCR4 overexpression in patients with esophageal cancer indicated worse survival outcome and was associated with common clinicopathological poor prognostic factors. -------------------------------------------------------------[44] TITLE: - Alcohol Drinking and Second Primary Cancer Risk in Patients with Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2014 Feb;23(2):324-31. doi: 10.1158/10559965.EPI-13-0779. Epub 2013 Dec 4. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1158/1055-9965.EPI-13-0779 AUTHOR: - Druesne-Pecollo N; ADDRESS: - Authors’ Affiliations: Sorbonne Paris Cite Research Center, Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team, Inra, Inserm, Cnam, Paris 13 University; Department of Public Health, Avicenne Hospital, Bobigny, France; and Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom. AUTHOR: - Keita Y AUTHOR: - Touvier M AUTHOR: - Chan DS AUTHOR: - Norat T AUTHOR: - Hercberg S AUTHOR: - Latino-Martel P SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing data from observational studies to assess the strength of the association of alcohol drinking with second primary cancer risk in patients with upper aerodigestive tract (UADT; oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus) cancer. METHODS: PubMed and Embase were searched up to July 2012 and the reference lists of studies included in the analysis were examined. Randomeffects models were used to estimate summary relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Nineteen studies, 8 cohort and 11 case-control studies, were included. In highest versus lowest meta-analyses, alcohol drinking was associated with significantly increased risk of UADT second primary cancers (RR, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.96-4.50). Significantly increased risks were also observed for UADT and lung combined (RR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.16-3.11) and all sites (RR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.22-2.10) second primary cancers. For an increase in the alcohol intake of 10 grams per day, dose-response meta-analysis resulted in a significantly increased RR of 1.09 (95% CI, 1.04-1.14) for UADT second primary cancers. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol drinking in patients with UADT cancer is associated with an increased risk of second primary cancers. Studies conducted in alcohol drinking patients with UADT cancer and evaluating the effect of alcohol cessation on second primary cancer and other outcomes are needed. IMPACT: Our results emphasize the importance of prevention policies aiming to reduce alcohol drinking. Health-care professionals should encourage alcohol drinking patients with UADT cancer to reduce their consumption and reinforce the surveillance of this at-risk subpopulation. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(2); 324-31. ©2013 AACR. -------------------------------------------------------------[45] TITLE: - Meta-analysis: prognostic value of survivin in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Dec 26;8(12):e83350. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083350. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0083350 AUTHOR: - Liu JL; ADDRESS: - Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China ; Department of General Surgery 1, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College, Chengde City, China. AUTHOR: - Zhang XJ; ADDRESS: - Department of General Surgery 1, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College, Chengde City, China. AUTHOR: - Zhang Z; ADDRESS: - Department of General Surgery 1, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College, Chengde City, China. AUTHOR: - Zhang AH; ADDRESS: - Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China. AUTHOR: - Wang W; ADDRESS: - Department of Vascular Surgery, The People’s Liberation Army 252 Hospital, Baoding City, China. AUTHOR: - Dong JH; ADDRESS: - Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: The expression of survivin is a promising prognostic indicator for some carcinomas. However, evidence for the prognostic value of survivin with respect to survival in hepatocellular carcinoma remains controversial. AIM: To conduct a systematic review of studies evaluating survivin expression in hepatocellular carcinoma as a prognostic indicator. METHODS: The relevant literature was searched using PubMed, EMBASE, and Chinese biomedicine databases, and two meta-analyses were performed. One studied the association between survivin expression and the overall survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, whereas the other studied the association between survivin expression and disease-free survival. Studies were pooled, and summary hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated. Subgroup analyses were also conducted. RESULTS: Fourteen eligible studies with a total of 890 patients were included in this study. Two meta-analyses were performed according to the different outcomes by which prognosis was valued. The combined HR of the overall survival studies was 2.33 (95% CI: 1.65-3.31). The combined HR of disease-free survival studies was 2.13 (95% CI: 1.65-2.75). These data appeared to be significant when stratified by detection method, the language of publication, and HR estimate. The heterogeneities were highly significant (I(2)>50%) when subgroup analyses of overall survival rate were conducted, whereas little heterogeneity was found when subgroup analyses of disease-free survival rate were carried out. The positive expression of survivin in the cytoplasm was significantly correlated with poor prognosis in HCC (HR>1). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that survivin expression was correlated with poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, regardless whether they were assessed by overall survival or disease-free survival. -------------------------------------------------------------[46] TITLE: - Tumor necrosis factor alpha blocking agents as treatment for ulcerative colitis intolerant or refractory to conventional medical therapy: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2014 Jan 27;9(1):e86692. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086692. eCollection 2014. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0086692 AUTHOR: - Lv R; ADDRESS: - School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China ; Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Qiao W; ADDRESS: - Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Wu Z; ADDRESS: - School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Wang Y; ADDRESS: - Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Dai S; ADDRESS: - Emergency Department of Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Liu Q; ADDRESS: - Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Zheng X; ADDRESS: - School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China ; Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Efficacy of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) blockers for treatment of ulcerative colitis that is unresponsive to conventional therapy is unclear due to recent studies yielding conflicting results. AIM: To assess the efficacy and safety of anti-TNFalpha agents for treatment of ulcerative colitis patients who were intolerant or refractory to conventional medical therapy. METHODS: Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane database were searched. Analysis was performed on randomized controlled trials that assessed anti-TNFalpha therapy on ulcerative colitis patients that had previously failed therapy with corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressants. The primary outcome focused on was the frequency of patients that achieved clinical remission. Further trial outcomes of interest included rates of remission without patient use of corticosteroids during the trial, extent of mucosal healing, and the number of cases that resulted in colectomy and serious side effects. RESULTS: Eight trials from seven studies (n = 2122) met the inclusion criteria and were thus included during analysis. TNF-alpha blockers demonstrated clinical benefit as compared to placebo control as evidenced by an increased frequency of clinical remission (p<0.00001), steroid-free remission (p = 0.01), endoscopic remission (p<0.00001) and a decrease in frequency of colectomy (p = 0.03). No difference was found concerning serious side effects (p = 0.05). Three small trials (n = 57) comparing infliximab to corticosteroid treatment, showed no difference in frequency of clinical remission (p = 0.93), mucosal healing (p = 0.80), and requirement for a colectomy (p = 0.49). One trial compared infliximab to cyclosporine (n = 115), wherein no difference was found in terms of mucosal healing (p = 0.85), colectomy frequency (p = 0.60) and serious side effects (p = 0.23). CONCLUSION: TNF-alpha blockers are effective and safe therapies for the induction and maintenance of long-term remission and prevention of treatment by colectomy for patients with refractory ulcerative colitis where conventional treatment was previously ineffective. Furthermore, infliximab and cyclosporine were found to be comparable for treating acute severe steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis. -------------------------------------------------------------[47] TITLE: - Prior autoimmune disease and risk of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and multiple myeloma: a systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2014 Feb;23(2):332-42. doi: 10.1158/10559965.EPI-13-0695. Epub 2014 Jan 22. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1158/1055-9965.EPI-13-0695 AUTHOR: - McShane CM; ADDRESS: - Authors’ Affiliations: Cancer Epidemiology and Health Services Research Group, Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland; Multiple Myeloma Section, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland; and Centre for Population Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AUTHOR: - Murray LJ AUTHOR: - Landgren O AUTHOR: - O’Rorke MA AUTHOR: - Korde N AUTHOR: - Kunzmann AT AUTHOR: - Ismail MR AUTHOR: - Anderson LA SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Several observational studies have investigated autoimmune disease and subsequent risk of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and multiple myeloma. Findings have been largely inconsistent and hindered by the rarity and heterogeneity of the autoimmune disorders investigated. A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to evaluate the strength of the evidence linking prior autoimmune disease and risk of MGUS/multiple myeloma. METHODS: A broad search strategy using key terms for MGUS, multiple myeloma, and 50 autoimmune diseases was used to search four electronic databases (PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Web of Science) from inception through November 2011. RESULTS: A total of 52 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 32 were suitably comparable to perform a meta-analysis. “Any autoimmune disorder” was associated with an increased risk of both MGUS [n = 760 patients; pooled relative risk (RR) 1.42; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.14-1.75] and multiple myeloma (n>2,530 patients; RR 1.13, 95% CI, 1.04-1.22). This risk was disease dependent with only pernicious anemia showing an increased risk of both MGUS (RR 1.67; 95% CI, 1.21-2.31) and multiple myeloma (RR 1.50; 95% CI, 1.251.80). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings, based on the largest number of autoimmune disorders and patients with MGUS/multiple myeloma reported to date, suggest that autoimmune diseases and/or their treatment may be important in the etiology of MGUS/multiple myeloma. The strong associations observed for pernicious anemia suggest that anemia seen in plasma cell dyscrasias may be of autoimmune origin. IMPACT: Underlying mechanisms of autoimmune diseases, general immune dysfunction, and/or treatment of autoimmune diseases may be important in the pathogenesis of MGUS/multiple myeloma. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(2); 332-42. ©2014 AACR. -------------------------------------------------------------[48] TITLE: - The role of functional imaging in the tumor patient. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Epilepsia. 2013 Dec;54 Suppl 9:44-9. doi: 10.1111/epi.12443. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/epi.12443 AUTHOR: - Wehner T; ADDRESS: - Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, Institute of Neurology, University College of London, London, United Kingdom. SUMMARY: - Functional imaging studies complement structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of patients with brain tumor-associated focal epilepsy. (11)CMethionine (MET) and (18) F-fluoro-ethyl-L-tyrosine (FET) are amino acid analogues that highlight metabolically active areas in positron emission tomography (PET). Ictal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) can provide information about perilesional areas of seizure onset and early propagation. Functional MRI (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) allow noninvasive identification of potentially eloquent motor, sensory, and language cortical areas and pathways with an accuracy of 10-15 mm compared to electrocortical stimulation (ECS). Repetitive navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) allows even more precise noninvasive delineation of primary motor cortex. Information from functional imaging studies helps in the planning of brain tumor biopsies, resections, and the planning of intracranial video-electroencephalography (EEG) studies. -------------------------------------------------------------[49] TITLE: - Counseling patients on cancer diets: a review of the literature and recommendations for clinical practice. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Anticancer Res. 2014 Jan;34(1):39-48. AUTHOR: - Huebner J; ADDRESS: - Working Group Integrative Oncology, Dr. Senckenberg Chronomedical Institute, J.W. Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Huebner@med.uni-frankfurt.de. AUTHOR: - Marienfeld S AUTHOR: - Abbenhardt C AUTHOR: - Ulrich C AUTHOR: - Muenstedt K AUTHOR: - Micke O AUTHOR: - Muecke R AUTHOR: - Loeser C SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Many cancer patients use cancer diets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We listed 13 cancer diets simulating an internet search for which we systematically reviewed clinical data. In the next step we derived recommendations on counseling patients using a Delphi process. RESULTS: We evaluated the following diets: raw vegetables and fruits, alkaline diet, macrobiotics, Gerson’s regime, Budwig’s and low carbohydrate or ketogenic diet. We did not find clinical evidence supporting any of the diets. Furthermore, case reports and pre-clinical data point to the potential harm of some of these diets. From published recommendations on counseling on complementary and alternative medicine, we were able to derive 14 recommendations for counseling on cancer diets. CONCLUSION: Considering the lack of evidence of benefits from cancer diets and potential harm by malnutrition, oncologists should engage more in counseling cancer patients on such diets. Our recommendations could be helpful in this process. -------------------------------------------------------------[50] TITLE: - Focal Therapy in Prostate Cancer: International Multidisciplinary Consensus on Trial Design. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur Urol. 2014 Jan 13. pii: S0302-2838(14)00002-5. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2014.01.001. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.eururo.2014.01.001 AUTHOR: - van den Bos W; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, AMC University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: w.vandenbos@amc.uva.nl. AUTHOR: - Muller BG; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, AMC University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Ahmed H; ADDRESS: - Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, London, UK. AUTHOR: - Bangma CH; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Barret E; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Institut Montsouris, Paris, France. AUTHOR: - Crouzet S; ADDRESS: - Hospices Civils de Lyon, Department of Urology, Edouard Herriot Hospital, Lyon, France. AUTHOR: - Eggener SE; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. AUTHOR: - Gill IS; ADDRESS: - Institute of Urology, Hillard and Roclyn Herzog Center for Prostate Cancer Focal Therapy, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA. AUTHOR: - Joniau S; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium. AUTHOR: - Kovacs G; ADDRESS: - Interdisciplinary Brachytherapy Unit, University of Lubeck, Lubeck, Germany. AUTHOR: - Pahernik S; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. AUTHOR: - de la Rosette JJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, AMC University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Rouviere O; ADDRESS: - Hospices Civils de Lyon, Department of Radiology, Hopital E. Herriot, Universite de Lyon, Lyon, France. AUTHOR: - Salomon G; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, University Medical Centre Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany. AUTHOR: - Ward JF; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. AUTHOR: - Scardino PT; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Focal therapy has been introduced for the treatment of localised prostate cancer (PCa). To provide the necessary data for consistent assessment, all focal therapy trials should be performed according to uniform, systematic pre- and post-treatment evaluation with well-defined end points and strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. OBJECTIVE: To obtain consensus on trial design for focal therapy in PCa. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A four-staged consensus project based on a modified Delphi process was conducted in which 48 experts in focal therapy of PCa participated. According to this formal consensus-building method, participants were asked to fill out an iterative sequence of questionnaires to collect data on trial design. Subsequently, a consensus meeting was held in which 13 panellists discussed acquired data, clarified the results, and defined the conclusions. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: A multidisciplinary board from oncologic centres worldwide reached consensus on patient selection, pretreatment assessment, evaluation of outcome, and follow-up. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Inclusion criteria for candidates in focal therapy trials are patients with prostate-specific antigen <15 ng/ml, clinical stage T1c-T2a, Gleason score 3+3 or 3+4, life expectancy of >10 yr, and any prostate volume. The optimal biopsy strategy includes transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsies to be taken between 6 mo and 12 mo after treatment. The primary objective should be focal ablation of clinically significant disease with negative biopsies at 12 mo after treatment as the primary end point. CONCLUSIONS: This consensus report provides a standard for designing a feasible focal therapy trial. PATIENT SUMMARY: A variety of ablative technologies have been introduced and applied in a focal manner for the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa). In this consensus report, an international panel of experts in the field of PCa determined pre- and post-treatment work-up for focal therapy research. -------------------------------------------------------------[51] TITLE: - Systematic review of internet patient information on colorectal cancer surgery. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Dis Colon Rectum. 2014 Jan;57(1):64-9. doi: 10.1097/DCR.0000000000000011. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1097/DCR.0000000000000011 AUTHOR: - Wasserman M; ADDRESS: - 1Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 2Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada 3Keenan Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. AUTHOR: - Baxter NN AUTHOR: - Rosen B AUTHOR: - Burnstein M AUTHOR: - Halverson AL SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer often seek information on the Internet to help them make treatment decisions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of Web-based patient information regarding surgery for colorectal cancer. DESIGN: This study is a cross-sectional survey of patient-directed Web sites. SETTINGS: The search engine Google (Mountain View, CA) and the search terms “colorectal cancer surgery,” “colon cancer surgery,” and “rectal cancer surgery” were used to identify Web sites. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To assess quality, we used the DISCERN instrument, a validated questionnaire developed to analyze written consumer health information on treatment options to aid consumers in evaluating the quality of health-related information on treatment choices for a specific health problem. An additional colorectal cancer-specific questionnaire was used to evaluate Web site content for colorectal cancer surgical treatment. Two independent assessors reviewed each Web site. RESULTS: Searches revealed a total of 91 distinct Web sites, of which 37 met inclusion criteria. Web site affiliation was as follows: 32% open-access general information, 24% hospital/health care organization, and 19% professional medical society. Twelve (32.4%) Web sites had clear aims, 10 (27.0%) had identifiable references to their sources of information, and 9 (24.3%) noted the date of published information. Ten sites (27.0%) provided some description of the surgical procedure, 8 (21.6%) discussed either the risks or the benefits of surgery, and 4 (10.8%) addressed quality-of-life issues. Nineteen (51.4%) Web sites discussed postoperative complications, and 7 (18.9%) discussed stoma-related maintenance/care. LIMITATIONS: The small sample size and interrater reliability bias are limitations of this study. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of online patient information regarding colorectal cancer treatment is highly variable, often incomplete, and does not adequately convey the information necessary for patients to make wellinformed medical decisions regarding treatment for colorectal cancer. An opportunity exists for professional medical societies to create more comprehensive online patient information materials that may serve as a resource to physicians and their patients (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/DCR/A122). -------------------------------------------------------------[52] TITLE: - An individual person data meta-analysis of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and breast cancer recurrence. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Clin Oncol. 2014 Feb 10;32(5):392-401. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2013.52.7515. Epub 2014 Jan 6. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1200/JCO.2013.52.7515 AUTHOR: - Houssami N; ADDRESS: - Nehmat Houssami, Robin Turner, Petra Macaskill, the Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Lindsay W. Turnbull, Centre for Magnetic Resonance Investigations, Hull York Medical School in association with University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom; David R. McCready, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Todd M. Tuttle, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; Neha Vapiwala and Lawrence J. Solin, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Lawrence J. Solin, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. AUTHOR: - Turner R AUTHOR: - Macaskill P AUTHOR: - Turnbull LW AUTHOR: - McCready DR AUTHOR: - Tuttle TM AUTHOR: - Vapiwala N AUTHOR: - Solin LJ SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: There is little consensus regarding preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in breast cancer (BC). We examined the association between preoperative MRI and local recurrence (LR) as primary outcome, as well as distant recurrence (DR), in patients with BC. METHODS: An individual person data (IPD) meta-analysis, based on preoperative MRI studies that met predefined eligibility criteria, was performed. Survival analysis (Cox proportional hazards modeling) was used to investigate time to recurrence and to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for MRI. We modeled the univariable association between LR (or DR) and MRI, and covariates, and fitted multivariable models to estimate adjusted HRs. Sensitivity analysis was based on women who had breast conservation with radiotherapy. RESULTS: Four eligible studies contributed IPD on 3,180 affected breasts in 3,169 subjects (median age, 56.2 years). Eight-year LR-free survival did not differ between the MRI (97%) and no-MRI (95%) goups (P = .87), and the multivariable model showed no significant effect of MRI on LR-free survival: HR for MRI (versus no-MRI) was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.52 to 1.51; P = .65); age, margin status, and tumor grade were associated with LR-free survival (all P < .05). HR for MRI was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.52 to 1.77; P = .90) in sensitivity analysis. Eight-year DR-free survival did not differ between the MRI (89%) and no-MRI (93%) groups (P = .37), and the multivariable model showed no significant effect of MRI on DR-free survival: HR for MRI (v no-MRI) was 1.18 (95% CI, 0.76 to 2.27; P = .48) or 1.31 (95% CI, 0.76 to 2.27; P = .34) in sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSION: Preoperative MRI for staging the cancerous breast does not reduce the risk of LR or DR. -------------------------------------------------------------[53] TITLE: - Post-mastectomy radiotherapy for breast cancer patients with t1-t2 and 1-3 positive lymph nodes: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Dec 3;8(12):e81765. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081765. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0081765 AUTHOR: - Li Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Breast Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, School of Medicine, Ji’nan, Shandong, P. R. China. AUTHOR: - Moran MS AUTHOR: - Huo Q AUTHOR: - Yang Q AUTHOR: - Haffty BG SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: The role of post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) in patients with T1-2 and 1-3 positive lymph nodes remains controversial. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible benefits of PMRT for this subgroup. METHODS: Three electronic databases were systematically quarried (Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and EMBASE) for published studies evaluating the effects of PMRT on breast cancer patients with T1-T2 tumors with 1-3 positive lymph nodes. Of the 334 studies identified, information was available for 3432 patients from 10 clinical studies. Pooled relative risk estimates (RR) and overall survival (OS) were calculated using the inverse variance weighted approach, publication bias and chisquare test were also calculated. RESULTS: From the 10 studies, the pooled RR (RRs) for locoregional recurrence (LRR) with PMRT was 0.348 (95% CI = 0.254 to 0.477), suggesting a significant benefit for PMRT to decrease the risk of LRR in patients with T1-T2 tumors and 1-3 positive nodes (p<0.05). Reporting bias ( Begg’s p = 0.152; Egger’s p = 0.107) or significant heterogeneity (Cochran’s p = 0.380; I(2) = 6.7%) were not detected. For further subset analysis, the RR for T1, N1-3+ tumors was 0.330 (95% CI = 0.171 to 0.639); for T2, N1-3+ tumors the RR was 0.226 (95% CI = 0.121 to 0.424). The pooled RR for overall survival (OS) was not significantly different between PMRT and no-PMRT group (1.051, 95% CI =1.001 to 1.104). CONCLUSIONS: Our pooled analysis revealed that PMRT significantly reduces the risk of LRR in patients with TI-T2 tumors with 1-3 positive nodes, and the magnitude of the LRR risk reduction is slightly greater for larger tumors. Our results suggest that PMRT should be considered for patients with T1/T2 tumors with 1-3 positive nodes to decrease the relatively high risk of LRR. -------------------------------------------------------------[54] TITLE: - Diagnostic performance of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in the assessment of pleural abnormalities in cancer patients: a systematic review and a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Lung Cancer. 2014 Jan;83(1):1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2013.11.002. Epub 2013 Nov 13. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.lungcan.2013.11.002 AUTHOR: - Treglia G; ADDRESS: - Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT Center, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland. Electronic address: giorgiomednuc@libero.it. AUTHOR: - Sadeghi R; ADDRESS: - Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. AUTHOR: - Annunziata S; ADDRESS: - Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. AUTHOR: - Lococo F; ADDRESS: - Unit of Thoracic Surgery, IRCCS Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy. AUTHOR: - Cafarotti S; ADDRESS: - Thoracic Surgery, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland. AUTHOR: - Prior JO; ADDRESS: - Department of Nuclear Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. AUTHOR: - Bertagna F; ADDRESS: - Chair of Nuclear Medicine, University of Brescia and Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. AUTHOR: - Ceriani L; ADDRESS: - Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT Center, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland. AUTHOR: - Giovanella L; ADDRESS: - Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT Center, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland. SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: To systematically review and meta-analyze published data about the diagnostic performance of Fluorine-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and PET/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the assessment of pleural abnormalities in cancer patients. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of studies published through June 2013 regarding the role of (18)F-FDG-PET and PET/CT in evaluating pleural abnormalities in cancer patients was performed. All retrieved studies were reviewed and qualitatively analyzed. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio (LR+ and LR-) and diagnostic odd ratio (DOR) of (18)F-FDG-PET or PET/CT on a per patientbased analysis were calculated. The area under the summary ROC curve (AUC) was calculated to measure the accuracy of these methods in the assessment of pleural abnormalities. Subanalyses considering (18)F-FDG-PET/CT and patients with lung cancer only were carried out. RESULTS: Eight studies comprising 360 cancer patients (323 with lung cancer) were included. The meta-analysis of these selected studies provided the following results: sensitivity 86% [95% confidence interval (95%CI): 80-91%], specificity 80% [95%CI: 73-85%], LR+ 3.7 [95%CI: 2.8-4.9], LR- 0.18 [95%CI: 0.09-0.34], DOR 27 [95%CI: 13-56]. The AUC was 0.907. No significant improvement considering PET/CT studies only and patients with lung cancer was found. CONCLUSIONS: (18)F-FDG-PET and PET/CT demonstrated to be useful diagnostic imaging methods in the assessment of pleural abnormalities in cancer patients, nevertheless possible sources of false-negative and false-positive results should be kept in mind. The literature focusing on the use of (18)F-FDG-PET and PET/CT in this setting remains still limited and prospective studies are needed. -------------------------------------------------------------[55] TITLE: - Glutathione S-transferase polymorphism interactions with smoking status and HPV infection in cervical cancer risk: an evidence-based meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Dec 31;8(12):e83497. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083497. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0083497 AUTHOR: - Zhen S; ADDRESS: - Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China ; Department of Gynecology, The 307 Hospital of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. AUTHOR: - Hu CM; ADDRESS: - Department of Gynecology, The 307 Hospital of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. AUTHOR: - Bian LH; ADDRESS: - Department of Gynecology, The 307 Hospital of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is considered the major cause of cervical cancer (CC), but a number of infected women do not develop invasive lesions, suggesting the role of genetic susceptibility and environmental co-factors for cancer outbreak. Glutathione S- transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional enzymes that play a key role in the detoxification of varieties of both endogenous products of oxidative stress and exogenous carcinogens. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched. All studies evaluating the association between GSTM1 polymorphisms and cervical cancer were included. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using fixed-or random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 23 case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis. The overall result showed that the association between GSTM1 null genotype and risk for cervical cancer was statistically significant (OR = 1.56; 95%CI, 1.391.75). Subgroup analyses were performed based on ethnicity, smoking and HPV infection. Our results showed that smokers with null GSTM1 genotype had higher risk of cervical cancer (OR = 2.27, 95%CI, 1.46-3.54). For the ethnicity stratification, significant increased risk of null GSTM1 genotype was found in Chinese and Indian population, but no increased risk in other population was found. CONCLUSIONS: this meta-analysis provided strong evidence that the GSTM1 genotype is associated with CC development, especially in Chinese and Indian populations. Smoking and HPV infection modified the association between the null GSTM1 genotype and CC. -------------------------------------------------------------[56] TITLE: - For or against adjuvant trastuzumab for pT1a-bN0M0 breast cancer patients with HER2-positive tumors: a meta-analysis of published literatures. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2014 Jan 2;9(1):e83646. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083646. eCollection 2014. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0083646 AUTHOR: - Zhou Q; ADDRESS: - Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. AUTHOR: - Yin W; ADDRESS: - Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. AUTHOR: - Du Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. AUTHOR: - Lu J; ADDRESS: - Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China ; Department of Breast Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Although the prognosis of patients with small (</=1cm) tumors is generally favorable, emerging data suggests that biological behavior varies between intrinsic subtypes in such patients. Furthermore, it still remains unclear whether HER2-positive pT1abN0M0 patients could benefit from adjuvant trastuzumab. For further evaluation, we sought to conduct a meta-analysis so as to get a better understanding of the prognosis for HER2positive pT1a-bN0M0 patients and their survival benefit from adjuvant trastuzumab, accordingly, offering the implications for current practice. METHODS: The PubMed database, the online proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meetings, the online proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, and the CD proceedings of the International St. Gallen Breast Cancer Conference were searched for all relevant studies published before September 2012. Relative risks (RRs) were used to compare the prognosis of different intrinsic subtypes for pT1a-bN0M0 breast cancer. Analyses were also performed to estimate the association between adjuvant trastuzumab and various survival outcomes. RESULTS: With eight eligible studies identified, this meta-analysis demonstrated a deleterious effect of HER2+ phenotype on disease-free survival (DFS; RR = 3.677, 95% CI 2.606-5.189, p <0.001) and distant disease-free survival (DDFS; RR = 3.824, 95% CI 2.249-6.501, p<0.001) as compared to HR+/HER2- subgroup. However, significant difference failed to be achieved in terms of any endpoint between HER2+ and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Besides, a marked improvement in DFS was observed with the addition of trastuzumab for HER2-positive pT1a-bN0M0 patients (RR = 0.323, 95% CI 0.191-0.547, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This metaanalysis clarifies that intrinsic subtypes might be a reliable marker to predict the prognosis in pT1a-bN0M0 breast cancer. Besides, even for such early stage HER2-positive patients, adjuvant trastuzumab might bring significant survival benefit. -------------------------------------------------------------[57] TITLE: - Surgical resection of locally advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutated lung adenocarcinoma after gefitinib and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumori. 2013 Sep-Oct;99(5):e241-4. doi: 10.1700/1377.15324. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1700/1377.15324 AUTHOR: - Marech I AUTHOR: - Vacca A AUTHOR: - Gnoni A AUTHOR: - Silvestris N AUTHOR: - Lorusso V SUMMARY: - Gefitinib is the current first-line treatment for advanced lung adenocarcinoma with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations. The possibility of using gefitinib as neoadjuvant therapy is interesting because of the low toxicity profile of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Here we report the case of a 67-year-old nonsmoking woman affected by locally advanced lung adenocarcinoma, in whom one-year treatment with gefitinib rendered the tumor amenable to surgical removal. The results of ongoing clinical trials exploring the ability of preoperative gefitinib to achieve better results than can be obtained with chemotherapy in patients selected on the basis of EGFR mutations are urgently awaited. -------------------------------------------------------------[58] TITLE: - Treatment-related mortality with aflibercept in cancer patients: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2014 Jan 5. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s00228-013-1633-2 AUTHOR: - Qi WX; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, No. 600, Yishan road, Shanghai, 200233, China. AUTHOR: - Tang LN AUTHOR: - Shen Z AUTHOR: - Yao Y SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: Aflibercept, a fully humanized vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted agent, has emerged as an effective therapy in the treatment of various solid tumors. We carried out an up-to-date meta-analysis to determine the risk of fatal adverse events (FAEs) in cancer patients treated with aflibercept. METHODS: We searched databases such as PubMed and Web of Science, and abstracts presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) meetings for records up to August 2013 to identify relevant studies. Eligible studies included prospective phase II and III trials evaluating aflibercept in cancer patients with adequate data on FAEs. Statistical analyses were conducted to calculate the summary incidence, odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) by using either random effects or fixed-effect models according to the heterogeneity of included studies. RESULTS: A total of 3,060 patients with a variety of solid tumors from ten clinical trials were included in our analysis. The overall incidence of FAEs associated with aflibercept was 5.1 % (95%CI: 3.8-6.8 %). The use of aflibercept significantly increased the risk of FAEs compared to patients treated with control medication (OR 1.81, 95 % CI: 1.20-2.72, p = 0.004). Additionally, the most common causes of FAEs were infection (38.8 %), hemorrhage (5.9 %) and GI perforation (5.9 %), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: With available evidence, the use of aflibercept is associated with an increased risk of FAEs compared to controls. Further studies are still needed to investigate this association. In the appropriate clinical scenario, the use of aflibercept remains justified in its approved indications. -------------------------------------------------------------[59] TITLE: - Improvement of adherence to guidelines for antiemetic medication enhances emetic control in patients with colorectal cancer receiving chemotherapy of moderate emetic risk. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Anticancer Res. 2013 Dec;33(12):5549-56. AUTHOR: - Fujii H; ADDRESS: - Department of Pharmacy, Gifu University Hospital, Yanagido 1-1, Gifu 501-1194, Japan. h_fujii@gifu-u.ac.jp. AUTHOR: - Iihara H AUTHOR: - Ishihara M AUTHOR: - Takahashi T AUTHOR: - Yoshida K AUTHOR: - Itoh Y SUMMARY: - Prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) according to the clinical practice guidelines is particularly important. In the present study, we investigated the adherence to the guidelines for antiemetic medication and the control of CINV in 61 patients with colorectal cancer receiving the first course of chemotherapy of moderate emetic risk at our outpatient cancer chemotherapy clinic. Furthermore, we carried out intervention to improve evidence-based antiemetic medication in another 64 patients. The rate of adherence to the antiemetic guidelines was only 6.6%; non-adherence was due mostly to the lack of dexamethasone treatment on days 2 and 3. In the interventional group, antiemetic medication adherence was markedly enhanced to 89%, which led to a significant enhancement of complete protection from nausea and vomiting during-delayed period (days 2-5 after chemotherapy) from 54% to 74% (p<0.05), although the daily dose of dexamethasone was 4 mg, lower than that recommended by the guidelines (8 mg). Finally, we evaluated the effect of dexamethasone at a daily dose of 4 mg, since little is known about the efficacy of such dose. Dexamethasone at this dose was found to be effective at elevating the rate of complete protection from nausea and vomiting during-delayed period (increase of 20%, p<0.05). These findings suggest that medication intervention to reduce the gap between guidelines and clinical practice improves the emetic control in patients with colorectal cancer receiving moderately-emetic chemotherapy. -------------------------------------------------------------[60] TITLE: - The prognosis and clinicopathology of CXCR4 in gastric cancer patients: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2014 Jan 25. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1603-4 AUTHOR: - Han M; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and Brain Science Research Institute, Shandong University, NO.44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Lv S AUTHOR: - Zhang Y AUTHOR: - Yi R AUTHOR: - Huang B AUTHOR: - Fu H AUTHOR: - Bian R AUTHOR: - Li X SUMMARY: - The chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) has been widely investigated in diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer (GC). However, the impact of CXCR4 on GC patients remains controversial; Here, we conducted a meta-analysis to obtain the precise role of CXCR4 in GC prognosis and clinicopathology. Thirteen published studies with a total of 1,936 patients were included. Original data included the hazard ratio (HR) of overall survival (OS) and odds ratio (OR) in GC patients. We combined HR/OR with 95 % confidence interval (CI) to estimate the hazard. In this study, OS was significantly related to CXCR4 expression, with the HR 2.63 (95 % CI 1.69-4.09; p < 0.0001), and a significant correlation was also revealed between CXCR4 expression and stage (I + II, +) (OR 0.52, 95 % CI 0.32-0.83; p = 0.007), depth of invasion (T1/T2, +) (OR 0.44, 95 % CI 0.27-0.73; p = 0.001), lymph node metastasis (LN, +) (OR 2.30, 95 % CI 1.57-3.36; p < 0.0001), as well as vascular invasion (vas.inv, +) (OR 0.72, 95 % CI 0.53-0.98; p = 0.04). Heterogeneity was observed among the included studies with OS (I 2 = 51 %), stage (I 2 = 78 %), depth of invasion (I 2 = 74 %), lymph node metastasis (I 2 = 64 %), and histology differentiation (I 2 = 79 %). No publication bias was observed. In conclusion, this meta-analysis showed CXCR4 expression indicates poor prognosis in GC patients with advanced stage or deep invasion in GC tissues, which also implied lymph node metastasis and vascular invasion. Thus, CXCR4 could help predict patient prognosis and guide clinical diagnosis and treatment. -------------------------------------------------------------[61] TITLE: - Bone mineral density and incidence of stroke: European prospective investigation into cancer-norfolk population-based study, systematic review, and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Stroke. 2014 Feb;45(2):373-82. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.113.002999. Epub 2014 Jan 7. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1161/STROKEAHA.113.002999 AUTHOR: - Myint PK; ADDRESS: - From the AGEING (Aberdeen Gerontological & Epidemiological INterdisciplinary Research Group), Institute of Applied Health Sciences, School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK (P.K.M., C.S.K.); Norwich Medical School, Norwich Research Park Cardiovascular Research Group, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK (P.K.M., A.B.C., Y.K.L., J.K.-Y.Y.); Clinical Gerontology Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK (P.K.M., R.N.L., K.-T.K.); Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK (C.S.K.); and MRC Epidemiology Unit, Cambridge, UK (N.J.W.). AUTHOR: - Clark AB AUTHOR: - Kwok CS AUTHOR: - Loke YK AUTHOR: - Yeong JK AUTHOR: - Luben RN AUTHOR: - Wareham NJ AUTHOR: - Khaw KT SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The prospective link between osteoporosis and future risk of stroke requires evidence from large-scale population-based long-term studies. METHODS: Calcaneum broadband ultrasound attenuation was measured in the Norfolk cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer-Norfolk between 1997 and 2000. Incident strokes were ascertained by hospital record linkage and death certificates in March 2009 and December 2011, respectively. A search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed to evaluate the relationship between bone mineral density and incident stroke. After data extraction of relevant studies, pooled risk of stroke was estimated using meta-analysis. RESULTS: In 14 290 participants (mean follow-up of 9.3 years; total person-years 132 574), there were 599 incident strokes. Participants in the lowest 10% of the calcaneum broadband ultrasound attenuation distribution had an increased stroke risk (hazard ratio 1.41; 95% confidence intervals, 1.02-1.94) compared with those in the top 30% of the distribution after adjustments. A decrease of ~1 standard deviation in broadband ultrasound attenuation (20 db/MHz) was associated with a 17% increase in relative risk of stroke (95% confidence intervals, 5%-30%). Meta-analysis of 4 studies (25 760 participants, 1237 cases of stroke) found that for every decrease in 1 standard deviation in bone mineral density, there was an increased risk of incident stroke among women (pooled relative risk 1.22; 95% confidence intervals, 1.09-1.37; I(2)=0%, 3 studies) but not in men (pooled relative risk 1.05; 95% confidence intervals, 0.94-1.17; I(2)=0%, 2 studies). CONCLUSIONS: Bone mineral density predicts total stroke risk. The evidence is stronger in women with regard to the continuous relationship. -------------------------------------------------------------[62] TITLE: - Tongue squamous cell carcinoma in young nonsmoking and nondrinking patients: 3 clinical cases of orthodontic interest. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2014 Jan;145(1):103-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2012.09.026. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ajodo.2012.09.026 AUTHOR: - Santos-Silva AR; ADDRESS: - Assistant professor in oral medicine, Department of Oral Diagnosis, Semiology and Pathology Areas, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: alanroger@fop.unicamp.br. AUTHOR: - Carvalho Andrade MA; ADDRESS: - PhD student, Department of Oral Diagnosis, Semiology and Pathology Areas, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil. AUTHOR: - Jorge J; ADDRESS: - Associate professor in oral pathology, Department of Oral Diagnosis, Semiology and Pathology Areas, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil. AUTHOR: - Almeida OP; ADDRESS: - Titular professor in oral pathology, Department of Oral Diagnosis, Semiology and Pathology Areas, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil. AUTHOR: - Vargas PA; ADDRESS: - Associate professor in oral pathology, Department of Oral Diagnosis, Semiology and Pathology Areas, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil. AUTHOR: - Lopes MA; ADDRESS: - Titular professor in oral pathology, Department of Oral Diagnosis, Semiology and Pathology Areas, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil. SUMMARY: - Oral squamous cell carcinoma traditionally affects older men who smoke and drink. A change in this profile has been reported because of an increased incidence in young nonsmoking and nondrinking patients. The purpose of this article was to describe a series of young nonsmoking and nondrinking patients diagnosed with tongue squamous cell carcinoma who had recently received orthodontic treatment or evaluation. Details regarding diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and disease evolution are presented, with a review of the pertinent literature. Orthodontists often treat young adults, who have frequent dental appointments and long-term follow-ups. Thus, practitioners should pay special attention to young patients during dental consultations, since the incidence of malignant oral lesions in this segment of the population seems to be increasing. -------------------------------------------------------------[63] TITLE: - Receipt of guideline-concordant treatment in elderly prostate cancer patients. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2014 Feb 1;88(2):332-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2013.11.004. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ijrobp.2013.11.004 AUTHOR: - Chen RC; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Electronic address: Ronald_chen@med.unc.edu. AUTHOR: - Carpenter WR; ADDRESS: - Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. AUTHOR: - Hendrix LH; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. AUTHOR: - Bainbridge J; ADDRESS: - Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. AUTHOR: - Wang AZ; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. AUTHOR: - Nielsen ME; ADDRESS: - Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Urology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. AUTHOR: - Godley PA; ADDRESS: - Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Division of HematologyOncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: To examine the proportion of elderly prostate cancer patients receiving guideline-concordant treatment, using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)Medicare linked database. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 29,001 men diagnosed in 2004-2007 with localized prostate cancer, aged 66 to 79 years, were included. We characterized the proportion of men who received treatment concordant with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, stratified by risk group and age. Logistic regression was used to examine covariates associated with receipt of guideline-concordant management. RESULTS: Guideline concordance was 79%-89% for patients with low- or intermediate-risk disease. Among high-risk patients, 66.6% of those aged 66-69 years received guideline-concordant management, compared with 51.9% of those aged 75-79 years. Discordance was mainly due to conservative management-no treatment or hormone therapy alone. Among the subgroup of patients aged </=76 years with no measured comorbidity, findings were similar. On multivariable analysis, older age (75-79 vs 66-69 years, odds ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.50-0.57) was associated with a lower likelihood of guideline concordance for high-risk prostate cancer, but comorbidity was not. CONCLUSIONS: There is undertreatment of elderly but healthy patients with high-risk prostate cancer, the most aggressive form of this disease. -------------------------------------------------------------[64] TITLE: - The medical and surgical treatment of tumoral seizures: current and future perspectives. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Epilepsia. 2013 Dec;54 Suppl 9:84-90. doi: 10.1111/epi.12450. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/epi.12450 AUTHOR: - Guerrini R; ADDRESS: - Pediatric Neurology Unit, Neuroscience Department, Children’s Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Firenze, Italy. AUTHOR: - Rosati A AUTHOR: - Giordano F AUTHOR: - Genitori L AUTHOR: - Barba C SUMMARY: - Epilepsy surgery represents the main treatment option for epileptogenic brain tumors. Scalp video-electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may suffice for defining lesional area and seizure-onset zone in discrete, surgically resectable lesions. The choice of timing for surgery requires a multidisciplinary evaluation, especially in children, when a “wait and see” approach is chosen. Discordant electroclinical and neuroimaging data and an ill-defined epileptogenic lesion require invasive investigations. A multimodal integrated approach may maximize the extent of resection while preserving cerebral function in the eloquent cortex. Radical removal of the tumor is the most important predictor of seizure freedom. Additional predictors include histopathology, age at surgery, duration of epilepsy, and seizure type. Patients with brain tumors are highly vulnerable in relation to the frequent drug-resistance of seizures, the potential interactions between antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and chemotherapeutic agents (CMTs), and the risk of AED-related cognitive adverse events (24% higher than in the rest of the epilepsy population), in addition to brain damage resulting from tumor itself, surgery, and radiotherapy. No robust, randomized, controlled evidence supports the choice of AEDs for the treatment of seizures in patients with brain tumors. Newer AEDs have limited or no enzyme-inducing profile, prevalent renal excretion, lower plasma protein binding and, consequently, fewer interactions with CMTs. Enzyme-inducing AEDs can lower serum levels of concomitantly administered CMTs. Class I evidence suggests that in patients with brain tumors who do not have a history of seizures, prophylactic use of AEDs is neutral or ineffective. -------------------------------------------------------------[65] TITLE: - The Changing Landscape of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Etiology, Genetics, and Therapy. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Am J Pathol. 2014 Mar;184(3):574-583. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2013.10.028. Epub 2013 Dec 31. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ajpath.2013.10.028 AUTHOR: - Knudsen ES; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. Electronic address: erik.knudsen@utsouthwestern.edu. AUTHOR: - Gopal P; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. AUTHOR: - Singal AG; ADDRESS: - Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. Electronic address: amit.singal@utsouthwestern.edu. SUMMARY: - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents one of the leading causes of cancer death and has proved to be highly refractory to treatment. Extensive analysis of the disease has demonstrated that it arises predominantly in response to high-risk etiological challenges, most notably hepatitis virus. However, with evolving vaccination and the obesity epidemic, progressively more cases are associated with underlying metabolic dysfunction. Pathologically diverse forms of HCC are observed, and recent sequencing analysis has defined common events that target well-known cancer pathways including beta-catenin/Axin, TP53, and RB/CDKN2A, as well as frequent aberrations in chromatin remodeling factors. However, there are a myriad of low frequency genetic events that make each HCC case unique. Gene expression profiling approaches have successfully been deployed for prognostic assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma and to detect the earliest stages of disease. Despite more extensive research, systemic treatment for HCC is exceedingly limited, with only a handful of drugs providing benefit. Ongoing clinical trials are attempting to exploit specific biological dependencies of HCC to improve the dismal prognosis. Overall, the future of HCC treatment will rely on an understanding of the interplay between etiological factors, molecular features of disease, and rational therapeutic intervention. -------------------------------------------------------------[66] TITLE: - Clinical characteristics of patients who developed hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatitis C virus eradication with interferon therapy: current status in Japan. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Intern Med. 2013;52(24):2701-6. AUTHOR: - Sato A; ADDRESS: - Department of Gastroenterology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Yokohama Seibu Hospital, Japan. AUTHOR: - Sata M AUTHOR: - Ikeda K AUTHOR: - Kumada T AUTHOR: - Izumi N AUTHOR: - Asahina Y AUTHOR: - Osaki Y AUTHOR: - Chayama K AUTHOR: - Kaneko S AUTHOR: - Sakai A AUTHOR: - Onji M AUTHOR: - Hiasa Y AUTHOR: - Omura T AUTHOR: - Ozeki I AUTHOR: - Yokosuka O AUTHOR: - Shiina S AUTHOR: - Itsubo M AUTHOR: - Nishiguchi S AUTHOR: - Hirano K AUTHOR: - Ide T AUTHOR: - Sakisaka S AUTHOR: - Yamasaki T AUTHOR: - Hidaka I AUTHOR: - Tanaka M AUTHOR: - Kim SR AUTHOR: - Ichida T SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: We attempted to elucidate the clinical features of chronic hepatitis C patients who develop hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after achieving a sustained viral response (SVR) to interferon (IFN) therapy. METHODS: The clinical features of 130 patients at 19 hospitals who developed HCC after obtaining an SVR were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Overall, 107 (82%) of the 130 patients were men, with 92 (71%) being >/=60 years of age and 76, 38 and 16 developing HCC within 5, 5-10 and 10-16.9 years after IFN therapy, respectively. Before receiving IFN therapy, 92 (71%) patients had cirrhosis and/or a low platelet count (<15x10(4) cells/muL). Lower albumin (<3.9 g/dL) and higher alpha fetoprotein (AFP) (>/=10 ng/mL) levels were identified in a multivariate analysis to be independent variables of the development of HCC within five years after IFN therapy. Among 4,542 SVR patients, HCC occurred in 109 (2.4%) during a 5.5-year follow-up period, thus resulting in an occurrence rate of 4.6% for men and 0.6% for women. CONCLUSION: SVR patients with lower albumin or higher AFP levels require careful assessments to prevent early HCC development after IFN therapy. HCC occurrence within >10 years of IFN therapy is not uncommon, and the risk factors remain uncertain, thus suggesting that all SVR patients should undergo long-term follow-up examinations for HCC development. -------------------------------------------------------------[67] TITLE: - Prognostic value of sentinel lymph node biopsy compared with that of Breslow thickness: implications for informed consent in patients with invasive melanoma. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Dermatol Surg. 2013 Dec;39(12):1800-12. doi: 10.1111/dsu.12351. Epub 2013 Nov 10. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/dsu.12351 AUTHOR: - Freeman SR; ADDRESS: - Shadyside Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. AUTHOR: - Gibbs BB AUTHOR: - Brodland DG AUTHOR: - Zitelli JA SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) status is reportedly a powerful prognosticator of survival. Breslow thickness alone provides significant prognostic information. OBJECTIVE: To assess overall survival (OS) according to tumor depth based on SLN status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Database were searched for studies. Included studies evaluated overall survival according to SLNB results and were stratified according to Breslow thickness. Meta-analysis was performed if appropriate in each category for which three or more studies reported risk estimates and variability measurement. RESULTS: Twenty-nine articles met inclusion criteria. Six met the criteria for meta-analysis. In individuals with thin melanoma (<1 mm), SLN-negative status conferred no survival advantage (sign test, p > .99). Few studies were available for intermediate depths, and most reported worse survival in SLN-positive patients, although the difference was not statistically significant (p > .05). For thick melanoma (>4 mm), SLN positivity was related to worse prognosis (sign test, p = .004). Based on the pooled results of six studies of patients with tumors 4 mm thick or thicker, SLN-positive patients had a greater likelihood of dying (hazard ratio = 2.42, 95% confidence interval = 2.00-2.92). CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel lymph node biopsy may not provide more-accurate prognostic information than Breslow thickness for most melanomas. -------------------------------------------------------------[68] TITLE: - Treatment of Kaposi sarcoma in children with HIV-1 infection. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Jan 27;1:CD009826. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009826.pub2. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/14651858.CD009826.pub2 AUTHOR: - Anglemyer A; ADDRESS: - Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA, 94105. AUTHOR: - Agrawal AK AUTHOR: - Rutherford GW SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Kaposi sarcoma (KS) remains the second most frequently diagnosed HIV-related malignancy (HRM) worldwide and most common HRM in sub-Saharan Africa where HIV is most prevalent and human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), the precipitating agent for the development of KS, is endemic. The majority of KS patients would likely benefit from systemic chemotherapy in addition to the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, as paediatric staging and treatment criteria are not readily available, there are no uniform treatment criteria. OBJECTIVES: To describe the efficacy and effectiveness of current treatment options for HIV-associated KS in ART-treated paediatric populations. SEARCH METHODS: We used standard Cochrane methods to search electronic databases and conference proceedings with relevant search terms without limits to language. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies of HIVinfected infants and children <18 years old treated with ART and diagnosed with KS. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Abstracts of all studies identified by electronic or bibliographic scanning were examined independently by two authors. We initially identified 920 references and examined 15 in detail for study eligibility. Data were abstracted independently using a standardised abstraction form. MAIN RESULTS: After initially screening 920 titles, 15 full-text articles were closely examined by two authors. We identified four cohort studies that met our inclusion criteria for data extraction, coding, and potential meta-analysis.Using the NewcastleOttawa Scale and Cochrane risk of bias assessments, all observational studies had cohorts that were representative of average (treated and untreated) HIV-infected children with Kaposi sarcoma. For all outcomes of interest, no study adjusted for any other potential confounders. Two of four observational studies either explicitly described complete follow up of the study participants and/or described the characteristics of the participants lost to follow up.The use of ART together with a chemotherapeutic regimen versus ART alone appears to increase the likelihood of KS remission in HIV-infected children diagnosed with KS, although data are sparse and not adequately adjusted for staging of disease and comorbidities. Additionally, though data are sparse, the use of ART together with a chemotherapeutic regimen versus chemotherapy alone in some analyses appears to increase the likelihood of KS remission and reduce the risk of death in HIV-infected children diagnosed with KS.In this analysis, we found that the quality of evidence was very low due to small sample sizes and a paucity of paediatric literature. AUTHORS’ CONCLUSIONS: Data describing the efficacy of different treatment options for pediatric KS, to include chemotherapy and ART, are sparse. However, the use of ART together with a chemotherapy regimen may be superior to the use of ART alone or of chemotherapy alone. -------------------------------------------------------------[69] TITLE: - Interventions for preventing blood loss during the treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Dec 4;12:CD001421. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001421.pub3. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/14651858.CD001421.pub3 AUTHOR: - Martin-Hirsch PP; ADDRESS: - Gynaecological Oncology Unit, Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Sharoe Green Lane, Fullwood, Preston, Lancashire, UK, PR2 9HT. AUTHOR: - Bryant A SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is the most common premalignant lesion. Surgical treatments for CIN are commonly associated with blood loss. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and safety of interventions for preventing blood loss during the treatment of CIN. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Gynaecological Cancer Group Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL up to November 2012. We also searched registers of clinical trials, abstracts of scientific meetings and reference lists of included studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of vasopressin, tranexamic acid, haemostatic sutures, Amino-Cerv or Monsel’s solution in women undergoing surgery for CIN. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently abstracted data and assessed risk of bias. Risk ratios comparing adverse events in women who received one of the interventions were pooled in a random-effects meta-analyses or included in single trial analyses. MAIN RESULTS: Twelve RCTs (N = 1602, of whom 1512 were assessed) were included.Vasopressin significantly reduced perioperative bleeding (mean difference (MD) = 100.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) -129.48 to -72.12) and was associated with a decreased risk of bleeding that required haemostatic sutures or further vasopressin, compared to placebo (risk ratio (RR) = 0.39, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.56).Tranexamic acid significantly reduced risk of secondary haemorrhage (RR = 0.23, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.50), but not primary haemorrhage (RR = 1.24, 95% CI 0.04 to 38.23) after knife and laser cone biopsy, compared with placebo. There was also a statistically significant reduction in postoperative blood loss compared with placebo (MD = -55.60, 95% CI -94.91 to -16.29).Packing with Monsel’s solution resulted in less perioperative blood loss (MD = -22.00, 95% CI -23.09 to -20.91) and decreased the risk of dysmenorrhoea (RR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.84), unsatisfactory colposcopy (RR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.63) and cervical stenosis (RR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.49) compared to routine suturing, but was not statistically different to sutures for risk of primary and secondary haemorrhages.Amino-Cerv antibiotic gel failed to make a difference on secondary haemorrhage but was associated with significantly less vaginal discharge at 2 weeks compared with routine care (RR = 0.27, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.86).There was no significant difference in blood loss between women who received ball electrode diathermy and those who received Monsel’s paste (MD = 4.82, 95% CI -3.45 to 13.09). AUTHORS’ CONCLUSIONS: Bleeding associated with surgery of the cervix appears to be reduced by vasopressin, used in combination with local anaesthetic. Tranexamic acid appears to be beneficial after knife and laser cone biopsy. There are insufficient data to assess the effects on primary haemorrhage. There is some evidence that haemostatic suturing has an adverse effect on blood loss, cervical stenosis and satisfactory colposcopy. -------------------------------------------------------------[70] TITLE: - A meta-analysis of STAT3 and phospho-STAT3 expression and survival of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Surg Oncol. 2014 Mar;40(3):311-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2013.11.012. Epub 2013 Dec 4. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ejso.2013.11.012 AUTHOR: - Xu YH; ADDRESS: - Department of Shanghai Lung Tumor Clinic Medical Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, No. 241, Huaihai West Road, Shanghai 200030, China. AUTHOR: - Lu S; ADDRESS: - Department of Shanghai Lung Tumor Clinic Medical Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, No. 241, Huaihai West Road, Shanghai 200030, China. Electronic address: shunludoctor@gmail.com. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: The prognostic role of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and phospho-STAT3 in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. To clarify its impact on survival, we performed a meta-analysis to quantitatively assess STAT3 and phospho-STAT3 expression on the prognosis of NSCLC. METHODS: Published studies were identified using a systematic and thorough literature search. To be eligible, a study had to investigate STAT3 or phospho-STAT3 expression rates of NSCLC patients in different characteristics and provide patient survival data. RESULTS: A total of 17 retrospective trials were chosen for meta-analysis, including 1793 patients. The estimated pooled log HR (0.67, 95%CI: 0.57-0.77) of 9 trials (STAT3: log HR 0.71, 95%CI 0.38-1.04; phospho-STAT3: log HR 0.67, 95%CI 0.56-0.77) for NSCLC was statistically significant (P < 0.0001), suggesting that high STAT3 or phospho-STAT3 expression is a strong predictor of poor prognosis among patients with NSCLC. For the risk factors, pooled analysis of patients with STAT3 positivity, demonstrated a statistically significant OR (3.82, 95%CI: 2.37-6.16) between poorly differentiated carcinoma and well-moderately, OR (5.68, 95%CI: 3.16-10.21) between stage IIIIV patients and stage I-II patients, and OR (3.41, 95%CI: 2.12-5.49) between patients with lymph node metastasis and patients without lymph node metastasis. However, pooled analysis of patients with phospho-STAT3 positivity only demonstrated a statistically significant OR (4.51, 95%CI: 1.57-12.96) between poorly differentiated carcinoma and well-moderately (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: High STAT3 or phospho-STAT3 expression is a strong predictor of poor prognosis among patients with NSCLC. The conclusion should be confirmed by large prospective studies with long-term follow-up. -------------------------------------------------------------[71] TITLE: - Systems biology of human epilepsy applied to patients with brain tumors. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Epilepsia. 2013 Dec;54 Suppl 9:35-9. doi: 10.1111/epi.12441. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/epi.12441 AUTHOR: - Mittal S; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A; Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. AUTHOR: - Shah AK AUTHOR: - Barkmeier DT AUTHOR: - Loeb JA SUMMARY: - Epilepsy is a disease of recurrent seizures that can be associated with a wide variety of acquired and developmental brain lesions. Current medications for patients with epilepsy can suppress seizures; they do not cure or modify the underlying disease process. On the other hand, surgical removal of focal brain regions that produce seizures can be curative. This surgical procedure can be more precise with the placement of intracranial recording electrodes to identify brain regions that generate seizure activity as well as those that are critical for normal brain function. The detail that goes into these surgeries includes extensive neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and clinical data. Combined with precisely localized tissues removed, these data provide an unparalleled opportunity to learn about the interrelationships of many “systems” in the human brain not possible in just about any other human brain disorder. Herein, we describe a systems biology approach developed to study patients who undergo brain surgery for epilepsy and how we have begun to apply these methods to patients whose seizures are associated with brain tumors. A central goal of this clinical and translational research program is to improve our understanding of epilepsy and brain tumors and to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes of both. -------------------------------------------------------------[72] TITLE: - Evidence-based appraisal of the upfront treatment for unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer patients. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Dec 14;19(46):8474-88. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i46.8474. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3748/wjg.v19.i46.8474 AUTHOR: - Aprile G; ADDRESS: - Giuseppe Aprile, Stefania Eufemia Lutrino, Laura Ferrari, Mariaelena Casagrande, Marta Bonotto, Elena Ongaro, Fabio Puglisi, Department of Oncology, University and General Hospital, 33100 Udine, Italy. AUTHOR: - Lutrino SE; ADDRESS: - Giuseppe Aprile, Stefania Eufemia Lutrino, Laura Ferrari, Mariaelena Casagrande, Marta Bonotto, Elena Ongaro, Fabio Puglisi, Department of Oncology, University and General Hospital, 33100 Udine, Italy. AUTHOR: - Ferrari L; ADDRESS: - Giuseppe Aprile, Stefania Eufemia Lutrino, Laura Ferrari, Mariaelena Casagrande, Marta Bonotto, Elena Ongaro, Fabio Puglisi, Department of Oncology, University and General Hospital, 33100 Udine, Italy. AUTHOR: - Casagrande M; ADDRESS: - Giuseppe Aprile, Stefania Eufemia Lutrino, Laura Ferrari, Mariaelena Casagrande, Marta Bonotto, Elena Ongaro, Fabio Puglisi, Department of Oncology, University and General Hospital, 33100 Udine, Italy. AUTHOR: - Bonotto M; ADDRESS: - Giuseppe Aprile, Stefania Eufemia Lutrino, Laura Ferrari, Mariaelena Casagrande, Marta Bonotto, Elena Ongaro, Fabio Puglisi, Department of Oncology, University and General Hospital, 33100 Udine, Italy. AUTHOR: - Ongaro E; ADDRESS: - Giuseppe Aprile, Stefania Eufemia Lutrino, Laura Ferrari, Mariaelena Casagrande, Marta Bonotto, Elena Ongaro, Fabio Puglisi, Department of Oncology, University and General Hospital, 33100 Udine, Italy. AUTHOR: - Puglisi F; ADDRESS: - Giuseppe Aprile, Stefania Eufemia Lutrino, Laura Ferrari, Mariaelena Casagrande, Marta Bonotto, Elena Ongaro, Fabio Puglisi, Department of Oncology, University and General Hospital, 33100 Udine, Italy. SUMMARY: - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant health problem, with around 1 million new cases and 500000 deaths every year worldwide. Over the last two decades, the use of novel therapies and more complex treatment strategies have contributed to progressively increase the median survival of patients with unresectable advanced CRC up to approximately 30 mo. The availability of additional therapeutic options, however, has created new challenges and generated more complicated treatment algorithms. Moreover, several clinically important points are still in debate in first-line, such as the optimal treatment intensity, the most appropriate maintenance strategy, the preferred biologic to be used upfront in patients with KRAS wild-type CRC, and the need for more detailed information on tumor biology. In this moving landscape, this review analyses why the first-line treatment decision is crucial and how the choice may impact on further treatment lines. In addition, it focuses on results of major phase III randomized trials. -------------------------------------------------------------[73] TITLE: - The prognostic value of metformin for cancer patients with concurrent diabetes- a systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Diabetes Obes Metab. 2014 Jan 27. doi: 10.1111/dom.12267. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/dom.12267 AUTHOR: - Zhang ZJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. AUTHOR: - Li S SUMMARY: - AIM: Emerging evidence from epidemiologic studies and basic science suggest a potential antitumor effect of metformin. However, whether metformin improves survival in cancer patients remains inclusive. METHODS: A literature search was performed using the PubMed, EMbase and SciVerse Scopus databases. Pooled effect estimates were derived using a random-effects meta-analysis model. RESULTS: Of the 28 studies retrieved, the pooled effect estimates showed that metformin was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality in cancer patients with concurrent diabetes, particularly for breast (pooled relative risk (RR) 0.70, 95% CI 0.55, 0.88; P=0.003), colorectal (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.59, 0.84; P<0.001), ovarian (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.30, 0.64; P<0.001) and endometrial cancer (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.32, 0.73; P=0.001). In addition, metformin was associated with lower risks of cancer-specific mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study support the hypothesis that metformin improves the survival for cancer patients with concurrent diabetes, particularly for ovarian, pancreatic and colorectal, and endometrial cancer. Further investigation is warranted. -------------------------------------------------------------[74] TITLE: - The association between the ERCC1/2 polymorphisms and the clinical outcomes of the platinum-based chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Dec 13. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1493-5 AUTHOR: - Yang Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, China, yangyl58@163.com. AUTHOR: - Xian L SUMMARY: - The relationship between the ERCC1/2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the clinical outcomes of the platinum-based chemotherapy in the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still inconsistent and inconclusive despite extensive investigations have been conducted to address this question. In this meta-analysis, we aim to further explore the prognostic value of the ERCC1/2 SNPs in NSCLC by analyzing all currently available evidences. Relevant studies were searched in PubMed, Embase, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. The inclusion criteria were platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC patients and evaluation of clinical outcomes in relation to the ERCC1 C118T, ERCC1 C8092A, ERCC2 Asp312Asn, and ERCC2 Lys751Gln. Clinical outcomes analyzed in this study included the overall response rate, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS). Odds ratio (OR) or hazard ratio (HR) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) were calculated to examine the risk or hazard associated with each SNP. A total of 46 studies including 9,407 NSCLC patients were qualified for this meta-analysis. For ERCC1 C118T, the T allele was associated with a poor OS (HR = 1.35, 95 % CI = 1.04-1.75); for ERCC2 Asp312Asn, the Asn variant was linked to an unfavorable OS (HR = 2.07, 95 % CI = 1.11-3.88); and for ERCC2 Lys751Gln, patients with the Gln variant have a worse OS (HR = 1.22, 95 % CI = 1.05-1.41) and PFS (HR = 1.35, 95 % CI = 1.07-1.71). In addition, the main findings of the ERCC1/2 SNPs on chemotherapy toxicity were also summarized. This meta-analysis suggested that the ERCC1 C118T, ERCC2 Asp312Asn, and Lys751Gln may be useful biomarkers to predict the clinical outcomes of the platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC patients. -------------------------------------------------------------[75] TITLE: - Expert Panel Recommendations for the Use of Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Biologic Agents in Patients with Ocular Inflammatory Disorders. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Ophthalmology. 2013 Dec 17. pii: S0161-6420(13)00893-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2013.09.048. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ophtha.2013.09.048 AUTHOR: - Levy-Clarke G; ADDRESS: - St. Luke’s Cataract and Laser Institute, Tarpon Springs, Florida. AUTHOR: - Jabs DA; ADDRESS: - Departments of Ophthalmology and Medicine, the Mount Sinai Medical School, New York, New York; Department of Epidemiology, the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland. AUTHOR: - Read RW; ADDRESS: - Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama. AUTHOR: - Rosenbaum JT; ADDRESS: - Departments of Ophthalmology and Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; Department of Ophthalmology, Legacy Devers Eye Institute, Portland, Oregon. AUTHOR: - Vitale A; ADDRESS: - Department of Ophthalmology, Moran Eye Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah. AUTHOR: - Van Gelder RN; ADDRESS: - Departments of Ophthalmology, Pathology, and Biological Structure, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington. Electronic address: russvg@u.washington.edu. SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: To provide recommendations for the use of anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) biologic agents in patients with ocular inflammatory disorders. BACKGROUND: Ocular inflammatory diseases remain a leading cause of vision loss worldwide. Anti-TNF-alpha agents are used widely in treatment of rheumatologic diseases. A committee of the American Uveitis Society performed a systematic review of literature to generate guidelines for use of these agents in ocular inflammatory conditions. METHODS: A systematic review of published studies was performed. Recommendations were generated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation group criteria. RESULTS: Numerous studies including controlled clinical trials have demonstrated that antiTNF-alpha biologic agents (in particular infliximab and adalimumab) are effective in the treatment of severe ocular inflammatory disease. Based on these studies, the expert panel makes the following recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab and adalimumab can be considered as first-line immunomodulatory agents for the treatment of ocular manifestations of Behcet’s disease. Infliximab and adalimumab can be considered as second-line immunomodulatory agents for the treatment of uveitis associated with juvenile arthritis. Infliximab and adalimumab can be considered as potential second-line immunomodulatory agents for the treatment of severe ocular inflammatory conditions including posterior uveitis, panuveitis, severe uveitis associated with seronegative spondyloarthropathy, and scleritis in patients requiring immunomodulation in patients who have failed or who are not candidates for antimetabolite or calcineurin inhibitor immunomodulation. Infliximab and adalimumab can be considered in these patients in preference to etanercept, which seems to be associated with lower rates of treatment success. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references. -------------------------------------------------------------[76] TITLE: - Gene-environment interactions on the risk of esophageal cancer among Asian populations with the G48A polymorphism in the alcohol dehydrogenase-2 gene: a metaanalysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2014 Jan 21. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-014-1616-7 AUTHOR: - Zhang L; ADDRESS: - Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China. AUTHOR: - Jiang Y AUTHOR: - Wu Q AUTHOR: - Li Q AUTHOR: - Chen D AUTHOR: - Xu L AUTHOR: - Zhang C AUTHOR: - Zhang M AUTHOR: - Ye L SUMMARY: - The aim of this study is to investigate the gene-environment interactions between the G48A polymorphism in the alcohol dehydrogenase-2 (ADH2) gene and environmental factors in determining the risk of esophageal cancer (EC). A literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases to indentify eligible studies published before November 1, 2013. We performed a meta-analysis of 18 case-control studies with a total of 8,906 EC patients and 13,712 controls. The overall analysis suggested that individuals with the GG genotype were associated with a 2.77-fold increased risk of EC, compared with carriers of the GA and AA genotypes. In a stratified analysis by ethnic group, Japanese, Mainland Chinese, and Taiwan Chinese with the GG genotype had a significantly higher risk of EC, compared with Thai and Iranian populations, indicating ethnic variance in EC susceptibility. An analysis of combined effect indicated that GG genotype of ADH2 G48A was associated with the highest risk of EC in heavy drinkers and smokers. A striking difference was found to exist between males and females, showing gender variance for the association between ADH2 G48A and EC risk. This meta-analysis shows that the GG genotype of ADH2 G48A may be associated with an increased risk of EC in Asian populations. In addition, significant gene-environment interactions were found. Heavy drinkers, smokers, and males with the GG genotype may have a higher EC risk. Thus, our results shed new light on the complex gene-environment interactions that exist between environmental factors and ADH2 G48A polymorphism in EC risk. -------------------------------------------------------------[77] TITLE: - Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma radiology reporting template: consensus statement of the society of abdominal radiology and the american pancreatic association. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Gastroenterology. 2014 Jan;146(1):291-304.e1. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.11.004. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1053/j.gastro.2013.11.004 AUTHOR: - Al-Hawary MM AUTHOR: - Francis IR AUTHOR: - Chari ST AUTHOR: - Fishman EK AUTHOR: - Hough DM AUTHOR: - Lu DS AUTHOR: - Macari M AUTHOR: - Megibow AJ AUTHOR: - Miller FH AUTHOR: - Mortele KJ AUTHOR: - Merchant NB AUTHOR: - Minter RM AUTHOR: - Tamm EP AUTHOR: - Sahani DV AUTHOR: - Simeone DM SUMMARY: - Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is an aggressive malignancy with a high mortality rate. Proper determination of the extent of disease on imaging studies at the time of staging is one of the most important steps in optimal patient management. Given the variability in expertise and definition of disease extent among different practitioners as well as frequent lack of complete reporting of pertinent imaging findings at radiologic examinations, adoption of a standardized template for radiology reporting, using universally accepted and agreed on terminology for solid pancreatic neoplasms, is needed. A consensus statement describing a standardized reporting template authored by a multi-institutional group of experts in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma that included radiologists, gastroenterologists, and hepatopancreatobiliary surgeons was developed under the joint sponsorship of the Society of Abdominal Radiologists and the American Pancreatic Association. Adoption of this standardized imaging reporting template should improve the decision-making process for the management of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by providing a complete, pertinent, and accurate reporting of disease staging to optimize treatment recommendations that can be offered to the patient. Standardization can also help to facilitate research and clinical trial design by using appropriate and consistent staging by means of resectability status, thus allowing for comparison of results among different institutions. -------------------------------------------------------------[78] TITLE: - Sensorineural hearing loss in patients with head and neck cancer after chemoradiotherapy and radiotherapy: A systematic review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Head Neck. 2013 Nov 7. doi: 10.1002/hed.23551. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/hed.23551 AUTHOR: - Theunissen EA; ADDRESS: - Department of Head and Neck Oncology and Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Bosma SC AUTHOR: - Zuur CL AUTHOR: - Spijker R AUTHOR: - van der Baan S AUTHOR: - Dreschler WA AUTHOR: - de Boer JP AUTHOR: - Balm AJ AUTHOR: - Rasch CR SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Both radiotherapy (RT) and cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with head and neck cancer may cause sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The purpose of this review was to provide more insight into SNHL because of CRT compared to RT. METHODS: Comprehensive search of Medline and Embase with the terms “radiotherapy” combined with “ototoxicity,” “head and neck squamous cell carcinoma,” and synonyms. RESULTS: Of the 2507 studies found, 21 were included in this study. Pooled analysis could not be committed because of heterogeneity. Incidence rates of SNHL after RT and CRT varied considerably, with percentages ranging from 0% to 43% and 17% to 88%, respectively. Factors that influenced the risk of SNHL were radiation dose to the cochlea, follow-up time, age, baseline hearing level, and cisplatin dose. CONCLUSION: The wide range of SNHL incidence rates makes it impossible to draw any conclusions on the severity of RT- and CRT-induced ototoxicity. To allow for future comparison of study outcomes, development of uniform criteria is of utmost importance. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2014. -------------------------------------------------------------[79] TITLE: - The effect of nutrition intervention in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy: a systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Nutr Cancer. 2014;66(1):47-56. doi: 10.1080/01635581.2014.847966. Epub 2013 Dec 9. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1080/01635581.2014.847966 AUTHOR: - Kiss NK; ADDRESS: - a Department of Cancer Experiences Research , Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre , Melbourne , Australia. AUTHOR: - Krishnasamy M AUTHOR: - Isenring EA SUMMARY: - The prevalence of malnutrition in lung cancer patients across a variety of treatment modalities and disease stages ranges from 45% to 69%. Malnutrition is associated with poorer clinical outcomes in cancer patients. This systematic review examined whether dietary counseling or oral supplements during chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in patients with lung cancer affect patient or clinical outcomes. Relevant nutrition intervention studies from 1980 to March 2012 were identified. Articles meeting predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria were critically appraised and included in the review. The outcomes of interest included dietary intake, weight, nutritional status, quality of life, functional status, treatment response, and survival. Five eligible studies were identified including 3 randomized controlled trials, 1 historical cohort, and 1 case series. These studies suggest dietary counseling improves energy and protein intake during chemotherapy in patients with lung cancer but has no benefit to other outcomes during chemotherapy. There is insufficient evidence regarding the effect on patient or clinical outcomes during radiotherapy. Randomized trials examining dietary counseling in patients with lung cancer during radiotherapy are required. -------------------------------------------------------------[80] TITLE: - E-cadherin gene promoter hypermethylation may contribute to the risk of bladder cancer among Asian populations. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Gene. 2014 Jan 15;534(1):48-53. AUTHOR: - Li G AUTHOR: - Liu Y AUTHOR: - Yin H AUTHOR: - Zhang X AUTHOR: - Mo X AUTHOR: - Tang J AUTHOR: - Chen W SUMMARY: - There are increasing scientific evidences suggesting that E-cadherin gene promoter hypermethylation may contribute to the development and progression of bladder cancer, but existing studies have yielded inconclusive results. This meta-analysis aims to assess the role of E-cadherin promoter hypermethylation in bladder carcinogenesis. We conducted an extensive literature search for relevant studies on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and CBM databases from their inception through May 1st, 2013. This meta-analysis was performed using the STATA 12.0 software. Crude risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. Ten clinical studies were included in this meta-analysis with a total of 620 bladder cancer samples,199 normal adjacent samples and 131 normal urothelium tissue. Our meta-analysis revealed that the methylation frequencies in bladder cancer tissues were obviously higher than those in normal control tissues (RR = 2.02, 95%CI: 1.00-4.12, P = 0.050). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity indicated that higher methylation frequencies were observed in bladder cancer tissues among Asian populations (RR = 2.35, 95%CI: 1.11-4.95, P = 0.025), but not among Caucasian populations (RR = 1.62, 95%CI: 0.48-5.53, P = 0.439). Univariate and multivariate meta-regression analyses showed that ethnicity may be the major source of heterogeneity (Pb0.05).No publication bias was detected in this meta-analysis (P=0.358). The present meta-analysis indicates that E-cadherin gene promoter hypermethylation may contribute to increased risk of bladder cancer among Asian populations. -------------------------------------------------------------[81] TITLE: - The impact of androgen receptor expression on breast cancer survival: a retrospective study and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Dec 4;8(12):e82650. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082650. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0082650 AUTHOR: - Qu Q; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. AUTHOR: - Mao Y AUTHOR: - Fei XC AUTHOR: - Shen KW SUMMARY: - Recent studies have highlighted the role of androgen receptor (AR) as a prognostic biomarker of breast cancer. However, its predictive role in disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) still remains inconclusive. The present study aimed to retrospectively investigate the association between AR and survival outcomes in breast cancer and also identify this association by a meta-analysis of published researches. Clinical data from 109 patients with breast cancer, who underwent surgery at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, were retrospectively analyzed for immunohistochemical AR expression measured by tissue microarray. For meta-analysis, articles available in Pubmed on the relationship between AR and breast cancer outcomes were included. Data obtained from both were combined and analyzed. Women with AR positive tumors in the retrospective study had a significantly better DFS (HR 0.24, 95% CI 0.07-0.88) and OS (HR 0.19, 95% CI 0.04-0.85) than women with AR negative ones. Meta-analysis showed that AR expression in breast tumors was an indicator of better DFS (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.43-0.64). In subgroup analysis, AR could predict DFS outcome in estrogen receptor (ER) positive (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.34-0.59), ER negative (HR 0.42, 95% CI 0.26- 0.67), and triple negative breast cancer (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.23-0.69). Moreover, in ER positive breast cancer patients, the expression of AR could predict better OS (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.190.82). The present analysis indicated that AR expression was associated with lower risk of recurrence in patients with all breast cancer types and better OS in cases with ER positive. -------------------------------------------------------------[82] TITLE: - Risk factors for febrile neutropenia among patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy: A systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2013 Dec 12. pii: S1040-8428(13)00261-8. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2013.12.006. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.critrevonc.2013.12.006 AUTHOR: - Lyman GH; ADDRESS: - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. Electronic address: glyman@fhcrc.org. AUTHOR: - Abella E; ADDRESS: - Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA, USA. AUTHOR: - Pettengell R; ADDRESS: - St. George’s University of London, London, UK. SUMMARY: - Neutropenia with fever (febrile neutropenia [FN]) is a serious consequence of myelosuppressive chemotherapy that usually results in hospitalization and the need for intravenous antibiotics. FN may result in dose reductions, delays, or even discontinuation of chemotherapy, which, in turn, may compromise patient outcomes. It is important to identify which patients are at high risk for developing FN so that patients can receive optimal chemotherapy while their risk for FN is appropriately managed. A systematic review of the literature was performed to gain a comprehensive and updated understanding of FN risk factors. Older age, poor performance status, advanced disease, certain comorbidities, low baseline blood cell counts, low body surface area/body mass index, treatment with myelosuppressive chemotherapies, and specific genetic polymorphisms correlated with the risk of developing FN. Albeit many studies have analyzed FN risk factors, there are several limitations, including the retrospective nature and small sample sizes of most studies. -------------------------------------------------------------[83] TITLE: - Risk of prostate cancer in Lynch syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2014 Jan 14. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1158/1055-9965.EPI-13-1165 AUTHOR: - Ryan S; ADDRESS: - Centre for MEGA Epidemiology, The University of Melbourne. AUTHOR: - Jenkins MA AUTHOR: - Win AK SUMMARY: - It has been controversial that men carrying a DNA mismatch repair (MMR) gene mutation (Lynch syndrome) are at heightened risk of prostate cancer given that an increased risk is likely to be modest and the prevalence of prostate cancer is high. We used PUBMED to search for “molecular studies” that reported MMR-deficiency status of prostate cancer tumors in men with an MMR gene mutation, and “risk studies” that reported prostate cancer risk for men known or suspected to have an MMR gene mutation relative to that for non-carriers or the general population. Of the six molecular studies, 32 of 44 (73%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 57-85%) prostate cancer tumors in carriers were MMR-deficient, which equates to carriers having a 3.67-fold increased risk of prostate cancer (95%CI 2.32-6.67). Of the 12 risk studies, we estimated a 2.13-fold increased risk of prostate cancer (95%CI 1.45-2.80) for male carriers in clinic-based retrospective cohorts, 2.11 (95%CI 1.27-2.95) for male carriers with a prior diagnosis of colorectal cancer, and 2.28 (95%CI 1.37-3.19) for all men from mutation carrying families. The combination of evidence from molecular and risk studies in the current literature support consideration of prostate cancer as part of Lynch syndrome. -------------------------------------------------------------[84] TITLE: - Systematic review and meta-analysis on vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and cancer risk. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2014 Jan 10. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1544-y AUTHOR: - Xu Y; ADDRESS: - Central Laboratory of Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, 68 Changle Road, Nanjing, 210006, China. AUTHOR: - He B AUTHOR: - Pan Y AUTHOR: - Deng Q AUTHOR: - Sun H AUTHOR: - Li R AUTHOR: - Gao T AUTHOR: - Song G AUTHOR: - Wang S SUMMARY: - The vitamin D receptor (VDR) can influence cancer susceptibility through binding to vitamin D. However, the previous studies were contradictory. Therefore this meta-analysis was conducted to clarify the association between VDR polymorphisms (BsmI, TaqI, FokI, and ApaI) and cancer risk. One hundred twenty-six studies were enrolled through PubMed. For VDR BsmI polymorphism, significantly increased cancer risks were observed in the overall analysis. In the further stratified analysis, increased risks were observed in colorectal and skin cancer, especially in Caucasian population. However, no significant associations were observed in other VDR polymorphisms in the overall analysis. In the further subgroup analysis, increased risks were found in oral, breast, and basal cell cancer while decreased risk was found in prostate cancer in t allele carriers of TaqI polymorphism. For VDR FokI polymorphism, increased risks were found in ovarian and skin cancer while decreased risk in glioma in f allele carriers. For VDR ApaI polymorphism, increased risk was observed in basal cell cancer, especially in Asian population in a allele carriers. In conclusion, these results indicated that b allele of BamI polymorphism was a risk factor for cancer susceptibility. Meanwhile, t allele of TaqI polymorphism was a risk factor for oral, breast, and basal cell cancer and a protective factor for prostate cancer. Moreover, f allele of FokI polymorphism was a risk factor for ovarian and skin cancer and a protective factor for glioma. Finally, a allele of ApaI polymorphism was a risk factor for basal cell cancer in Asian population. -------------------------------------------------------------[85] TITLE: - The incidence of human papillomavirus infection following treatment for cervical neoplasia: A systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Gynecol Oncol. 2014 Jan 7. pii: S0090-8258(14)00003-1. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2013.12.040. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ygyno.2013.12.040 AUTHOR: - Rositch AF; ADDRESS: - Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA. Electronic address: arositch@epi.umaryland.edu. AUTHOR: - Soeters HM; ADDRESS: - Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. AUTHOR: - Offutt-Powell TN; ADDRESS: - Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. AUTHOR: - Wheeler BS; ADDRESS: - Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. AUTHOR: - Taylor SM; ADDRESS: - GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines, Global Vaccine Development, Wavre, Belgium. AUTHOR: - Smith JS; ADDRESS: - Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Linberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the published literature in order to estimate the incidence and describe the variability of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in women following treatment for cervical neoplasia. METHODS: Several scientific literature databases (e.g. PubMed, ISI Web of Science) were searched through January 31, 2012. Eligible articles provided data on (i) baseline HPV infection status within 6months prior to or at time of treatment (pre-treatment); and (ii) HPV test results for women’s first visit after treatment occurring within 36months (post-treatment). We abstracted and summarized the posttreatment incidence of newly detected HPV genotypes that were not present at pretreatment, overall and stratified by study and other population characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 25 studies were included, reporting post-treatment HPV incidence in nearly 2000 women. Mean patient age ranged from 31 to 43years (median 36). Most studies used cervical exfoliated cell specimens to test for HPV DNA (n=20; 80%), using polymerase chain reaction (n=21; 84%). Cervical neoplasia treatment included loop electrical excision procedure (n=11; 44%); laser conization (n=2; 8%); laser ablation, surgical conization, cryotherapy, alphainterferon (n=1; 4% each); or multiple treatment regimens (n=8; 32%). Follow-up times posttreatment ranged from 1.5 to 36months (median 6). More than half of studies (n=17; 68%) estimated the incidence of any HPV type following treatment, while 7 (28%) focused specifically on high-risk (HR) HPV. HPV incidence after treatment varied widely, ranging from 0 to 47% (interquartile range: 0%-15%) in up to 3years of follow-up after treatment. Lower HPV incidence was observed among studies that included relatively younger women, used laser conization, focused on HR-HPV rather than overall HPV infection, and had a lower proportion of recurrent cervical disease. CONCLUSIONS: These modest summary incidence estimates from the published literature can guide clinicians, epidemiologists and health economists in developing best practices for post-treatment cervical cancer prevention. -------------------------------------------------------------[86] TITLE: - KRAS Early Testing: Consensus Initiative and Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation for Metastatic Colorectal Patients in an Italian Setting. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2014 Jan 20;9(1):e85897. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085897. eCollection 2014 Jan 20. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0085897 AUTHOR: - Barone C; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology Unit, Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy. AUTHOR: - Pinto C; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology Unit, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy. AUTHOR: - Normanno N; ADDRESS: - Cellular Biology and Biotherapies Unit, Pascale Foundation, Naples, Italy. AUTHOR: - Capussotti L; ADDRESS: - General and Oncological Surgery, Umberto I Hospital, Turin, Italy. AUTHOR: - Cognetti F; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology Department, Regina Elena Hospital, Rome, Italy. AUTHOR: - Falcone A; ADDRESS: - Oncology, Transplantations and New Medical Technologies Department, Santa Chiara Hospital, Pisa, Italy. AUTHOR: - Mantovani L; ADDRESS: - Clinical Medicine and Surgery Unit, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy. SUMMARY: - KRAS testing is relevant for the choice of the most appropriate first-line therapy of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Strategies for preventing unequal access to the test should be implemented, but their relevance in the practice is related to economic sustainability. The study adopted the Delphi technique to reach a consensus on several topics. Issues related to execution of KRAS testing were identified by an expert’s board and proposed to 108 Italian oncologists and pathologists through two subsequent questionnaires. The emerging proposal was evaluated by decision analyses models employed by technology assessment agencies in order to assess cost-effectiveness. Alternative therapeutic strategies included most commonly used chemotherapy regimens alone or in combination with cetuximab or bevacizumab. The survey indicated that time interval for obtaining KRAS test should not exceed 15 days, 10 days being an optimal interval. To assure the access to proper treatment, a useful strategy should be to anticipate the test after radical resection in patients at high risk of relapse. Early KRAS testing in high risk CRC patients generates incremental cost-effectiveness ratios between 6,000 and 13,000 Euro per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained. In extensive sensitivity analyses ICER’s were always below 15,000 Euro per QALY gained, far within the threshold of 60,000 Euro/QALY gained accepted by regulatory institutions in Italy. In metastatic CRC a time interval higher than 15 days for result of KRAS testing limits access to therapeutic choices. Anticipating KRAS testing before the onset of metastatic disease in patients at high risk does not affect the sustainability and cost-effectiveness profile of cetuximab in first-line mCRC. Early KRAS testing may prevent this inequality in high-risk patients, whether they develop metastases, and is a cost-effective strategy. Based on these results, present joined recommendations of Italian societies of Oncology and Pathology should be updated including early KRAS testing. -------------------------------------------------------------[87] TITLE: - Patients’ experiences of chronic non-malignant musculoskeletal pain: a qualitative systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Br J Gen Pract. 2013 Dec;63(617):e829-41. doi: 10.3399/bjgp13X675412. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3399/bjgp13X675412 AUTHOR: - Toye F; ADDRESS: - Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK. AUTHOR: - Seers K; ADDRESS: - Royal College of Nursing Research Institute, School of Health and Social Studies, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK. AUTHOR: - Allcock N; ADDRESS: - School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK. AUTHOR: - Briggs M; ADDRESS: - Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, UK. AUTHOR: - Carr E; ADDRESS: - Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. AUTHOR: - Andrews J; ADDRESS: - Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK. AUTHOR: - Barker K; ADDRESS: - Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is one of the most predominant types of pain and accounts for a large portion of the primary care workload. AIM: To systematically review and integrate the findings of qualitative research to increase understanding of patients’ experiences of chronic non-malignant MSK pain. DESIGN AND SETTING: Synthesis of qualitative research using meta-ethnography using six electronic databases up until February 2012 (Medline, Embase, Cinahl, Psychinfo, Amed and HMIC). METHOD: Databases were searched from their inception until February 2012, supplemented by hand-searching contents lists of specific journals for 2001-2011 and citation tracking. Full published reports of qualitative studies exploring adults’ own experience of chronic non-malignant MSK pain were eligible for inclusion. RESULTS: Out of 24 992 titles, 676 abstracts, and 321 full texts were screened, 77 papers reporting 60 individual studies were included. A new concept of pain as an adversarial struggle emerged. This adversarial struggle was to: 1) affirm self; 2) reconstruct self in time; 3) construct an explanation for suffering; 4) negotiate the healthcare system; and 5) prove legitimacy. However, despite this struggle there is also a sense for some patients of 6) moving forward alongside pain. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides a theoretical underpinning for improving patient experience and facilitating a therapeutic collaborative partnership. A conceptual model is presented, which offers opportunities for improvement by involving patients, showing them their pain is understood, and forming the basis to help patients move forward alongside their pain. -------------------------------------------------------------[88] TITLE: - Molecularly targeted cancer therapy: some lessons from the past decade. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2014 Jan;35(1):41-50. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2013.11.004. Epub 2013 Dec 19. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.tips.2013.11.004 AUTHOR: - Huang M; ADDRESS: - Division of Anti-tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China. AUTHOR: - Shen A; ADDRESS: - Division of Anti-tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China. AUTHOR: - Ding J; ADDRESS: - Division of Anti-tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China. Electronic address: jding@simm.ac.cn. AUTHOR: - Geng M; ADDRESS: - Division of Anti-tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China. Electronic address: mygeng@simm.ac.cn. SUMMARY: - The tremendous advances achieved in the understanding of cancer biology have delivered unprecedented progress in molecularly targeted cancer therapy in the past decade. The fast growing category of targeted anticancer agents available for clinical use is accompanied by a conceptual revolution in anticancer drug development. Nevertheless, molecularly targeted cancer therapy remains challenged by a high failure rate and an extremely small proportion of patients that can benefit. It is pivotal to take lessons from the past and seek new solutions. This review discusses conceptual progress and remaining challenges in molecularly targeted cancer therapy, and proposes feasible alternatives to increase chances of clinical success in the future. -------------------------------------------------------------[89] TITLE: - Gene markers in brain tumors: what the epileptologist should know. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Epilepsia. 2013 Dec;54 Suppl 9:25-9. doi: 10.1111/epi.12439. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/epi.12439 AUTHOR: - Ostrom Q; ADDRESS: - Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. AUTHOR: - Cohen ML AUTHOR: - Ondracek A AUTHOR: - Sloan A AUTHOR: - Barnholtz-Sloan J SUMMARY: - Gene markers or biomarkers can be used for diagnostic or prognostic purposes for all different types of complex disease, including brain tumors. Prognostic markers can be useful to explain differences not only in overall survival but also in response to treatment and for development of targeted therapies. Multiple genes with specific types of alterations have now been identified that are associated with improved response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, such as O(6)-methylguanine methyltranferase (MGMT) or loss of chromosomes 1p and/or 19q. Other alterations have been identified that are associated with improved overall survival, such as mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and/or isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) or having the glioma CpG island DNA methylator phenotype (GCIMP). There are many biomarkers that may have relevance in brain tumor-associated epilepsy that do not respond to treatment. Given the rapidly changing landscape of high throughput “omics” technologies, there is significant potential for gaining further knowledge via integration of multiple different types of high genome-wide data. This knowledge can be translated into improved therapies and clinical outcomes for patients with brain tumors. -------------------------------------------------------------- [90] TITLE: - Combination versus sequential single agent chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Dec 18;12:CD008792. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008792.pub2. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/14651858.CD008792.pub2 AUTHOR: - Dear RF; ADDRESS: - Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Blackburn Building D06, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 2006. AUTHOR: - McGeechan K AUTHOR: - Jenkins MC AUTHOR: - Barratt A AUTHOR: - Tattersall MH AUTHOR: - Wilcken N SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Combination chemotherapy can cause greater tumour cell kill if the drug dose is not compromised, while sequential single agent chemotherapy may allow for greater dose intensity and treatment time, potentially meaning greater benefit from each single agent. In addition, sequentially using single agents might cause less toxicity and impairment of quality of life, but it is not known whether this might compromise survival time. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of combination chemotherapy compared to the same drugs given sequentially in women with metastatic breast cancer. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Breast Cancer Group Specialised Register, using the search terms “advanced breast cancer” and “chemotherapy”, MEDLINE and EMBASE on 31 October 2013. The World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.gov were also searched (22 March 2012). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials of combination chemotherapy compared to the same drugs used sequentially in women with metastatic breast cancer in the first-, second- or third-line setting. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently extracted data from published trials. Hazard ratios (HR) were derived from time-to-event outcomes where possible, and a fixed-effect model was used for meta-analysis. Response rates were analysed as dichotomous variables (risk ratios (RR)), and toxicity and quality of life data were extracted where available. MAIN RESULTS: Twelve trials reporting on nine treatment comparisons (2317 patients randomised) were identified. The majority of trials (10 trials) had an unclear or high risk of bias. Time-to-event data were collected for nine trials for overall survival and eight trials for progression-free survival. All 12 trials reported results for tumour response. In the 12 trials there were 1023 deaths in 2317 women randomised. There was no difference in overall survival, with an overall HR of 1.04 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93 to 1.16; P = 0.45), and no significant heterogeneity. This result was consistent in the four subgroups analysed (risk of bias, line of chemotherapy, type of schema of chemotherapy, and relative dose intensity). In particular, there was no difference in survival according to the type of schema of chemotherapy, that is whether chemotherapy was given on disease progression or after a set number of cycles. In the eight trials that reported progression-free survival, 678 women progressed out of the 886 women randomised. The combination arm had a higher risk of progression than the sequential arm (HR 1.16; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.31; P = 0.01) with no significant heterogeneity. This result was consistent in all subgroups. Overall tumour response rates were higher in the combination arm (RR 1.13; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.24; P = 0.008) but there was significant heterogeneity for this outcome across the trials. In the seven trials that reported treatment-related deaths, there was no significant difference between the two arms, although the CIs were very wide due to the small number of events (RR 1.53; 95% CI 0.71 to 3.29; P = 0.28). The risk of febrile neutropenia was higher in the combination arm (RR 1.32; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.65; P = 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the risk of neutropenia, nausea and vomiting, or treatment-related deaths. Overall quality of life showed no difference between the two groups, but only three trials reported this outcome. AUTHORS’ CONCLUSIONS: Sequential single agent chemotherapy has a positive effect on progression-free survival, whereas combination chemotherapy has a higher response rate and a higher risk of febrile neutropenia in metastatic breast cancer. There is no difference in overall survival time between these treatment strategies, both overall and in the subgroups analysed. In particular, there was no difference in survival according to the schema of chemotherapy (giving chemotherapy on disease progression or after a set number of cycles) or according to the line of chemotherapy (first-line versus second- or third-line). Generally this review supports the recommendations by international guidelines to use sequential monotherapy unless there is rapid disease progression. -------------------------------------------------------------[91] TITLE: - Intensity-modulated radiation therapy for head and neck cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Radiother Oncol. 2013 Dec 13. pii: S0167-8140(13)00616-6. doi: 10.1016/j.radonc.2013.11.010. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.radonc.2013.11.010 AUTHOR: - Marta GN; ADDRESS: - Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Brazil; Radiation Oncology Department, Instituto do Cancer de Sao Paulo (ICESP), Brazil. Electronic address: gnmarta@uol.com.br. AUTHOR: - Silva V; ADDRESS: - Brazilian Cochrane Center and Discipline of Emergency Medicine and Evidence-Based Medicine, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP-EPM), Brazil. Electronic address: v.silva@ymail.com. AUTHOR: - de Andrade Carvalho H; ADDRESS: - Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital SirioLibanes, Brazil; Radiation Oncology Department, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: heloisa-carvalho@uol.com.br. AUTHOR: - de Arruda FF; ADDRESS: - Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Brazil. Electronic address: fer.freire@ig.com.br. AUTHOR: - Hanna SA; ADDRESS: - Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Brazil. Electronic address: samir.hanna@hsl.org.br. AUTHOR: - Gadia R; ADDRESS: - Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Brazil. Electronic address: rafagadia@yahoo.com.br. AUTHOR: - da Silva JL; ADDRESS: - Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Brazil. Electronic address: jluis@hsl.org.br. AUTHOR: - Correa SF; ADDRESS: - Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Brazil. Electronic address: sf.correa@uol.com.br. AUTHOR: - Vita Abreu CE; ADDRESS: - Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Brazil. Electronic address: cevitabr@yahoo.com.br. AUTHOR: - Riera R; ADDRESS: - Brazilian Cochrane Center and Discipline of Emergency Medicine and Evidence-Based Medicine, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP-EPM), Brazil. Electronic address: rachelriera@hotmail.com. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) provides the possibility of dose-escalation with better normal tissue sparing. This study was performed to assess whether IMRT can improve clinical outcomes when compared with twodimensional (2D-RT) or three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) in patients with head and neck cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Only prospective phase III randomized trials comparing IMRT with 2D-RT or 3D-CRT were eligible. Combined surgery and/or chemotherapy were allowed. Two authors independently selected and assessed the studies regarding eligibility criteria and risk of bias. RESULTS: Five studies were selected. A total of 871 patients were randomly assigned for 2D-RT or 3D-CRT (437), versus IMRT (434). Most patients presented with nasopharyngeal cancers (82%), and stages III/IV (62.1%). Three studies were classified as having unclear risk and two as high risk of bias. A significant overall benefit in favor of IMRT was found (hazard ratio - HR=0.76; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.87; p<0.0001) regarding xerostomia scores grade 2-4, with similar loco-regional control and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: IMRT reduces the incidence of grade 2-4 xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancers without compromising loco-regional control and overall survival. -------------------------------------------------------------[92] TITLE: - Screening for Lung Cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Ann Intern Med. 2013 Dec 31. doi: 10.7326/M13-2771. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 7326/M13-2771 AUTHOR: - Moyer VA SUMMARY: - DESCRIPTION: Update of the 2004 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on screening for lung cancer. METHODS: The USPSTF reviewed the evidence on the efficacy of low-dose computed tomography, chest radiography, and sputum cytologic evaluation for lung cancer screening in asymptomatic persons who are at average or high risk for lung cancer (current or former smokers) and the benefits and harms of these screening tests and of surgical resection of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. The USPSTF also commissioned modeling studies to provide information about the optimum age at which to begin and end screening, the optimum screening interval, and the relative benefits and harms of different screening strategies. POPULATION: This recommendation applies to asymptomatic adults aged 55 to 80 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. RECOMMENDATION: The USPSTF recommends annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography in adults aged 55 to 80 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Screening should be discontinued once a person has not smoked for 15 years or develops a health problem that substantially limits life expectancy or the ability or willingness to have curative lung surgery. (B recommendation). -------------------------------------------------------------[93] TITLE: - A meta-analysis of internal mammary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Onkologie. 2013;36(12):747-52. doi: 10.1159/000356867. Epub 2013 Nov 20. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1159/000356867 AUTHOR: - Li Z; ADDRESS: - Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Lunan District, Tangshan, China. AUTHOR: - Gu X AUTHOR: - Tong J AUTHOR: - Liu B AUTHOR: - Sun L AUTHOR: - Gao X AUTHOR: - Jiang X SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Knowing the status of the internal mammary lymph (IML) nodes is important for accurate staging and appropriate selection of subsequent treatment in breast cancer. We conducted a meta-analysis to clarify the rate of IML node metastasis in breast cancer patients and discussed the importance of this finding. METHODS: We retrieved articles from the literature that reported positive rates of IML node metastasis in breast cancer patients. The quality of the selected articles was assessed using the ‘Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies’. The heterogeneity was tested, and publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot. Finally, the positive rate of IML node metastasis in breast cancer patients was calculated using the random-effects model. RESULTS: 15 articles met the inclusion criteria and a total of 4,248 patients were included in the analysis. Heterogeneity across the studies was statistically significant (p = 0.014); thus, the random-effects model was used and the calculated positive rate of IML node metastasis was 23% (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.210.25). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 23% of the breast cancer patients had IML node metastases, for which the prognosis is generally poor. Accurate staging and integrated treatment are necessary to improve the survival of these patients. -------------------------------------------------------------[94] TITLE: - Systematic review comparing radiofrequency ablation and complete endoscopic resection in treating dysplastic Barrett’s esophagus: a critical assessment of histologic outcomes and adverse events. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Gastrointest Endosc. 2014 Jan 23. pii: S0016-5107(13)02626-6. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2013.11.030. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.gie.2013.11.030 AUTHOR: - Chadwick G; ADDRESS: - Clinical Effectiveness Unit, The Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, United Kingdom. AUTHOR: - Groene O; ADDRESS: - Clinical Effectiveness Unit, The Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, United Kingdom; Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom. AUTHOR: - Markar SR; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery and Cancer, St. Mary’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom. AUTHOR: - Hoare J; ADDRESS: - Department of Gastroenterology, St. Mary’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom. AUTHOR: - Cromwell D; ADDRESS: - Clinical Effectiveness Unit, The Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, United Kingdom; Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom. AUTHOR: - Hanna GB; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery and Cancer, St. Mary’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: With recent advances in endoscopy, endoscopic techniques have surpassed esophagectomy in the treatment of dysplastic Barrett’s esophagus (BE). OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of complete EMR and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of dysplastic BE. DESIGN: Systematic review of literature. PATIENTS: Diagnosis of BE with high-grade dysplasia or intramucosal cancer. INTERVENTION: Complete EMR or RFA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Complete eradication of dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia at the end of treatment and after >12 months’ follow-up. Adverse event rates associated with treatment. RESULTS: A total of 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. Only 1 trial directly compared the 2 techniques; most studies were observational case series. Dysplasia was effectively eradicated at the end of treatment in 95% of patients after complete EMR and 92% after RFA. After a median follow-up of 23 months for complete EMR and 21 months for RFA, eradication of dysplasia was maintained in 95% of patients treated with complete EMR and 94% treated with RFA. Short-term adverse events were seen in 12% of patients treated with complete EMR but in only 2.5% of those treated with RFA. Esophageal strictures were adverse events in 38% of patients treated with complete EMR, compared with 4% of those treated with RFA. Progression to cancer appeared to be rare after treatment, although follow-up was short. LIMITATIONS: Small studies, heterogeneous in design, with variable outcome measures. Also follow-up durations were short, limiting evaluation of longterm durability of both treatments. CONCLUSION: RFA and complete EMR are equally effective in the short-term treatment of dysplastic BE, but adverse event rates are higher with complete EMR. -------------------------------------------------------------[95] TITLE: - Relationship between prostate-specific antigen kinetics and detection rate of radiolabelled choline PET/CT in restaging prostate cancer patients: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Clin Chem. Free access to the article (one year since it is published). *** Link the journal journals.uchicago.edu/ *** Bibliographic Citation Clinical Infectious Diseases: <> Lab Med. 2013 Dec 5:1-9. doi: 10.1515/cclm-2013-0675. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1515/cclm-2013-0675 AUTHOR: - Treglia G AUTHOR: - Ceriani L AUTHOR: - Sadeghi R AUTHOR: - Giovacchini G AUTHOR: - Giovanella L SUMMARY: - Abstract Background: The aim of the article was to systematically review published data about the relationship between prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetics, including PSA doubling time (PSAdt) and PSA velocity (PSAvel), and detection rate (DR) of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) using radiolabelled choline in restaging prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: A comprehensive literature search of studies published through July 2013 regarding the relationship between PSA kinetics and DR of radiolabelled choline PET/CT was carried out. Furthermore, a meta-analysis was performed in order to establish the DR of radiolabelled choline PET/CT using different cut-off values of PSAdt (</= or >6 months) and PSAvel [>1 or </=1 ng/(mL year) and >2 or </=2 ng/(mL year)]. Moreover, a pooled analysis to establish whether PSAdt and PSAvel (using the abovementioned cut-off values) may predict positive PET/CT results was carried out. Results: Fourteen articles were selected. The pooled DR of radiolabelled choline PET/CT in restaging PCa was 58% [95% confidence interval (CI) 5560]. Most articles reported a relationship between PSA kinetics and DR of PET/CT. Pooled DR of radiolabelled choline PET/CT increased to 65% (95% CI 58-71) when PSAdt was </=6 months and to 71% (95% CI 66-76) and 77% (95% CI 71-82) when PSAvel was >1 or >2 ng/(mL year), respectively. PSAdt </=6 months and PSAvel >1 or >2 ng/(mL year) proved to be relevant factors in predicting the positive result of radiolabelled choline PET/CT. Conclusions: Due to the strong relationship between PSA kinetics and DR of radiolabelled choline PET/CT, beyond PSA values, PSAdt and PSAvel should be taken into account in the selection of PCa patients who should undergo radiolabelled choline PET/CT for restaging. -------------------------------------------------------------[96] TITLE: - Optimizing antiepileptic drug treatment in tumoral epilepsy. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Epilepsia. 2013 Dec;54 Suppl 9:97-104. doi: 10.1111/epi.12452. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/epi.12452 AUTHOR: - Perucca E; ADDRESS: - Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia and C Mondino National Neurological Institute, Pavia, Italy. SUMMARY: - Between 30% and 50% of patients with brain tumors first present with a seizure, and up to 30% more will develop seizures later. Therefore, optimal management of these patients requires a rational approach to the use of antiseizure medications. Based on current evidence, prophylactic prescription of long-term antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in patients with brain tumors in patients who did not present with seizures is not justified. Because of the high risk of recurrence, however, AED treatment should be strongly considered after a single seizure considered to be due to a tumor. Because of the lack of well-controlled randomized trials, the decision on which AED provides the best risk-benefit ratio in the individual patient is based mostly on physician’s judgment rather than sound scientific evidence. In patients who may require chemotherapy, a non-enzyme-inducing AED is preferred for initial treatment to minimize the risk of drug interactions that impact adversely on the outcome of anticancer chemotherapy. Several retrospective studies in seizure patients with glioblastoma treated with chemotherapy have provided evidence for a moderately improved survival with the use of valproic acid, possibly due to inhibition of histone deacetylase. However, valproic acid may also increase the hematologic toxicity of antineoplastic drugs, presumably by inhibiting their metabolism, and may independently impair hemostasis, which is of some concern for patients who require surgical intervention. Among newer generation AEDs, levetiracetam has a number of advantageous features, including availability of a parenteral formulation, but other agents such as gabapentin, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, and zonisamide may also be considered. Potentially more effective treatments targeting specific mechanisms of epileptogenesis and ictogenesis are being investigated. Resection of the tumor, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy can bring refractory seizures under control or prolong the duration of seizure freedom, an effect that does not appear to be necessarily related to removal or shrinkage of the tumor mass. In patients with a successfully treated tumor and an overall good prognosis for long-term survival, gradual discontinuation of AEDs may be considered. -------------------------------------------------------------[97] TITLE: - Metastatic basal cell carcinoma: Prognosis dependent on anatomic site and spread of disease. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Cancer. 2014 Mar;50(4):774-783. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2013.12.013. Epub 2014 Jan 9. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ejca.2013.12.013 AUTHOR: - McCusker M; ADDRESS: - Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA. Electronic address: Mccusker.Margaret@gene.com. AUTHOR: - Basset-Seguin N; ADDRESS: - Hopital Saint-Louis, Universite Paris 7, Paris, France. AUTHOR: - Dummer R; ADDRESS: - University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. AUTHOR: - Lewis K; ADDRESS: - University of Colorado Cancer Center, Denver, CO, USA. AUTHOR: - Schadendorf D; ADDRESS: - University HospitalEssen, Essen, Germany. AUTHOR: - Sekulic A; ADDRESS: - Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA. AUTHOR: - Hou J; ADDRESS: - Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA. AUTHOR: - Wang L; ADDRESS: - Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA. AUTHOR: - Yue H; ADDRESS: - Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA. AUTHOR: - Hauschild A; ADDRESS: - University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany. SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: This review provides a description of the epidemiology and survival outcomes for cases with metastatic basal cell carcinoma (mBCC) based on published reports (1981-2011). METHODS: A literature search (MEDLINE via PubMed) was conducted for mBCC case reports published in English: 1981-2011. There were 172 cases that met the following criteria: primary BCC located on skin, metastasis confirmed by pathology and metastasis not resulting from direct tumour spread. From these, 100 mBCC cases with explicit information on follow-up time were selected for analysis. Survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier methods. RESULTS: Among 100 mBCC cases selected for analysis, including one case with Gorlin syndrome, 50% had regional metastases (RM) and 50% had distant metastases (DM). Cases with DM were younger at mBCC diagnosis (mean age, 58.0 versus 66.3years for RM; P=0.0013). Among 93 (of 100) cases with treatment information for metastatic disease, more DM cases received chemotherapy (36.2% versus 6.5% for RM), but more RM cases underwent surgery (87.0% versus 40.4% for DM). Among all 100 cases, median survival after mBCC diagnosis was 54months (95% confidence interval (CI), 24-72), with shorter survival in DM (24months; 95% CI, 12-35) versus RM cases (87months; 95% CI, 63-not evaluable). CONCLUSION: Cases with RM and DM mBCC may have different clinical courses and outcomes. Based on published reports, DM cases were younger at mBCC diagnosis, with shorter median survival than RM cases. This study provides a historical context for emerging mBCC treatments. -------------------------------------------------------------[98] TITLE: - Prognostic factors of oncologic and reproductive outcomes in fertility-sparing management of endometrial atypical hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma: systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Fertil Steril. 2014 Jan 2. pii: S0015-0282(13)03288-3. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.11.028. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.fertnstert.2013.11.028 AUTHOR: - Koskas M; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bichat University Hospital, Paris, France; Paris Diderot University, Paris, France; Unite Mixte de Recherche S938, Universite Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France; Equipe d’accueil 7285, Universite de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France. Electronic address: martin.koskas@wanadoo.fr. AUTHOR: - Uzan J; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bichat University Hospital, Paris, France. AUTHOR: - Luton D; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bichat University Hospital, Paris, France; Paris Diderot University, Paris, France. AUTHOR: - Rouzier R; ADDRESS: - Equipe d’accueil 7285, Universite de Versailles Saint-Quentinen-Yvelines, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France; Department of Gynecology, Institut Curie, Paris, France. AUTHOR: - Darai E; ADDRESS: - Unite Mixte de Recherche S938, Universite Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tenon University Hospital, Paris, France. SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the various possible prognostic factors on the fertilitysparing management of atypical hyperplasia and endometrial cancer; to generate survival curves to estimate remission and recurrence rates according to time. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Registration number: CRD42013004557. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Patients who underwent fertility-sparing management for atypical hyperplasia and endometrial cancer. INTERVENTION(S): All published studies were identified through MEDLINE and reported according to PRISMA guidelines. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Remission, recurrence, progression, and pregnancy rates by age, obesity, infertility, previous pregnancy, histology, and medical treatment. RESULT(S): A total of 370 patients from 24 studies were included. The 12- and 24-month remission probabilities were 78.0% and 81.4%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, previous pregnancy (odds ratio [OR] 2.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-5.89), infertility (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.05-4.87), and treatment with megestrol acetate (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.20-6.02) were associated with higher remission probability. The 12- and 24-month recurrence probabilities were 9.6% and 29.2%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, none of the factors studied was associated with higher recurrence probability. Twenty-two studies totaling 351 patients were used to assess pregnancy rate; 111 subjects (32%) had one pregnancy or more. In multivariate analysis, none of the factors were associated with pregnancy probability. Among the 263 patients used to assess progression rate, 39 (15%) had a tumor with at least myometrial invasion on the hysterectomy specimen. Endometrial cancer and the use of other medical therapies (in comparison with megestrol acetate) were associated with an increased probability of progression. CONCLUSION(S): Fertility-sparing management should not be contraindicated in older patients with previous infertility or obesity. -------------------------------------------------------------[99] TITLE: - Venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing operations for lung cancer: a systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Ann Thorac Surg. 2014 Feb;97(2):394-400. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2013.10.074. Epub 2013 Dec 21. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.athoracsur.2013.10.074 AUTHOR: - Christensen TD; ADDRESS: - Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery and Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark. Electronic address: tdc@ki.au.dk. AUTHOR: - Vad H; ADDRESS: - Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery and Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark. AUTHOR: - Pedersen S; ADDRESS: - Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care and Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark. AUTHOR: - Hvas AM; ADDRESS: - Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark. AUTHOR: - Wotton R; ADDRESS: - Department of Thoracic Surgery, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom. AUTHOR: - Naidu B; ADDRESS: - Department of Thoracic Surgery, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom; University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom. AUTHOR: - Larsen TB; ADDRESS: - Department of Cardiology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark; Aalborg Thrombosis Research Centre, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: The risk of venous thromboembolism is perceived to be high in patients with lung cancer. However, existing studies in patients undergoing operations for lung cancer draw inconsistent conclusions and recommendations in terms of thromboprophylaxis. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of the risk of perioperative and postoperative venous thromboembolism for patients undergoing potential curative surgical procedures for primary lung cancer METHODS: This was a systematic review including studies of patients with primary lung cancer undergoing operations with curative intent. RESULTS: We included 19 studies with a total of 10,660 patients. All studies, except 1, were observational in design. Marked heterogeneity was found between the studies in terms of methodologic aspects, patient characteristics, and findings. The mean risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) was estimated at 2.0 % (range, 0.2%-19%), with a mean observation period of 16 months (range, 0.1-22), and the risk was nearly identical in studies with 1 month of follow-up and studies with a longer follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence for using thromboprophylaxis after lung cancer operations is relatively sparse, and the use is based predominantly on clinical consensus. However, the risk of VTE seems to occur predominantly within the initial postoperative period, and subsequently the risk falls. Future research should focus on identifying patients and surgical procedures that increase the risk of VTE. This could be accomplished by large observational studies in addition to randomized controlled trials evaluating different thromboprophylaxis strategies. -------------------------------------------------------------[100] TITLE: - Risk-based health care, the cancer survivor, the oncologist, and the primary care physician. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Semin Oncol. 2013 Dec;40(6):804-12. doi: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2013.09.004. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1053/j.seminoncol.2013.09.004 AUTHOR: - McCabe MS; ADDRESS: - Survivorship Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. AUTHOR: - Partridge AH; ADDRESS: - Adult Survivorship Program, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA. AUTHOR: - Grunfeld E; ADDRESS: - Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. AUTHOR: - Hudson MM; ADDRESS: - Cancer Survivorship Division, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN. Electronic address: melissa.hudson@stjude.org. SUMMARY: - Cancer survivors face substantial risks for morbidity, reduced quality of life, and premature mortality related to the cancer itself and/or the interventions undertaken to control cancer. Risk-based care that involves a personalized systematic plan of periodic screening, surveillance, and prevention relevant to the cancer experience is recommended to address the comprehensive health needs of the growing population of cancer survivors. Riskbased care and coordination between oncology and primary care providers have been identified as important metrics of quality cancer survivorship care. Various models of survivorship care, treatment summaries, and survivorship care plans have been promoted as methods to facilitate communication among providers across care transitions and improve survivor access to quality survivorship care. However, research supporting the feasibility of implementing these practices and their effectiveness in enhancing health outcomes is limited. This article reviews key concepts underpinning clinical and research initiatives endeavoring to improve access to quality care among long-term survivors and summarizes results of intervention studies implementing these elements in transitioning survivors from oncology to primary care providers for long-term follow-up care. -------------------------------------------------------------[101] TITLE: - Single skull metastasis 15 years after primary treatment of prostate cancer and with undetectable PSA levels: a case report and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumori. 2013 Sep-Oct;99(5):e220-4. doi: 10.1700/1377.15319. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1700/1377.15319 AUTHOR: - Messina M AUTHOR: - Ricci F AUTHOR: - Spina B AUTHOR: - Boccardo F SUMMARY: - Prostate cancer is the first cause of skull metastases in men, accounting for 12-18% of all cases. This condition is generally a late event in the course of the disease, involving patients with disseminated lesions. Quite rarely is skull involvement the first and single site of distant recurrence. We report the case of a patient who developed a single skull lesion 15 years after primary treatment of prostate cancer, in the presence of undetectable PSA levels. Pathological assessment performed after resection of the lesion revealed a metastasis from prostate carcinoma. Basing on this experience the appearance of craniofacial pain or a nerve deficit in patients with a history of prostate cancer should alert the clinician to exclude distant recurrence of disease, even in the presence of undetectable PSA levels and even if many years have elapsed since the treatment of the primary tumor. Knowledge of these manifestations will reduce any diagnostic delay and lead to the effective delivery of appropriate treatment. -------------------------------------------------------------[102] TITLE: - Evaluation of American Joint Committee on Cancer, International Union Against Cancer, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital Tumor Staging for Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Clin Oncol. 2014 Feb 1;32(4):327-34. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2012.48.5326. Epub 2013 Dec 23. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1200/JCO.2012.48.5326 AUTHOR: - Karia PS; ADDRESS: - Pritesh S. Karia, George F. Murphy, Abrar A. Qureshi, and Chrysalyne D. Schmults, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School; David P. Harrington, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA; and Anokhi Jambusaria-Pahlajani, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL. AUTHOR: - Jambusaria-Pahlajani A AUTHOR: - Harrington DP AUTHOR: - Murphy GF AUTHOR: - Qureshi AA AUTHOR: - Schmults CD SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: To compare American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), International Union Against Cancer (UICC), and Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) tumor (T) staging systems for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and validate BWH staging against prior data. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Primary tumors diagnosed from 2000 to 2009 at BWH (n = 1,818) were analyzed. Poor outcomes (local recurrence [LR], nodal metastasis [NM], and diseasespecific death [DSD]) were analyzed by T stage with regard to each staging system’s distinctiveness (outcome differences between stages), homogeneity (outcome similarity within stages), and monotonicity (outcome worsening with increasing stage). RESULTS: AJCC and UICC T3 and T4 were indistinct with overlapping 95% CIs for 10-year cumulative incidences of poor outcomes, but all four BWH stages were distinct. AJCC and UICC high-stage tumors (T3/T4) were rare at 0.3% and 3% of the cohort, respectively. Most poor outcomes occurred in low stages (T1/T2; AJCC: 86% [95% CI, 77% to 91%]; UICC: 70% [61% to 79%]) resulting in heterogeneous outcomes in T1/T2. Conversely, in BWH staging, only 5% of tumors were high stage (T2b/T3), but they accounted for 60% (95% CI, 50% to 69%) of poor outcomes (70% of NMs and 83% of DSDs) indicating superior homogeneity and monotonicity as previously defined. Cumulative incidences of poor outcomes were low for BWH low-stage (T1/T2a) tumors (LR, 1.4% [95% CI, 1% to 2%]; NM, 0.6% [95% CI, 0% to 1%]; DSD, 0.2% [95% CI, 0% to 0.5%]) and higher for high-stage (T2b/T3) tumors (LR, 24% [95% CI, 16% to 34%]; NM, 24% [95% CI, 16% to 34%]; and DSD, 16% [95% CI, 10% to 25%], which validated an earlier study of an alternative staging system. CONCLUSION: BWH staging offers improved distinctiveness, homogeneity, and monotonicity over AJCC and UICC staging. Population-based validation is needed. BWH T2b/T3 tumors define a high-risk group requiring further study for optimal management. -------------------------------------------------------------[103] TITLE: - International expert opinion on patient-tailored management of soft tissue sarcomas. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Cancer. 2014 Mar;50(4):679-689. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2013.11.011. Epub 2013 Nov 29. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ejca.2013.11.011 AUTHOR: - Blay JY; ADDRESS: - Universite Claude Bernard, Lyon, France. Electronic address: jeanyves.blay@lyon.unicancer.fr. AUTHOR: - Sleijfer S; ADDRESS: - Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Schoffski P; ADDRESS: - University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Belgium. AUTHOR: - Kawai A; ADDRESS: - National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. AUTHOR: - Brodowicz T; ADDRESS: - Clinical Division of Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center - MusculoSkeletal Tumors, Medical University Vienna - General Hospital, Austria. AUTHOR: - Demetri GD; ADDRESS: - Center for Sarcoma and Bone Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA. AUTHOR: - Maki RG; ADDRESS: - Mount Sinai Medical Center, NY, USA. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a heterogeneous group of cancers comprising over 50 histological subtypes. Current treatment strategies for sarcomas are increasingly adapted to histological and molecular subtype, and several patient- and tumourrelated factors influence treatment decision. METHODS: Seven oncologists specialising in the management of STS, from Europe, the United States of America and Japan, met to develop a practical model to identify parameters guiding treatment decision-making in advanced STS. Literature searches were carried out to identify key published evidence, in particular phase II and III randomised trials, to validate the model, and extensive clinical experience was used as expert evidence. A document was developed to provide a logical approach to advanced STS management and was analysed critically by a second group of STS specialists. RESULTS: Broad consensus was reached during this exercise and the following parameters were identified as key factors influencing treatment decision: chemosensitivity of histological subtype, natural history of the diagnosis, tumour burden, tumour site, locally advanced primary and/or metastases, patient’s general condition, relevant comorbidities, previous chemotherapy, treatment goal and patient acceptance. These parameters, judged useful for treatment selection, were based on published literature, the selection process within clinical trials and expert opinion (some factors have not been formerly defined in published literature). CONCLUSION: A model describing factors affecting treatment decisions in sarcoma was established. The model requires validation and several of its parameters require standardisation. -------------------------------------------------------------[104] TITLE: - Beyond the standard curriculum: a review of available opportunities for medical students to prepare for a career in radiation oncology. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2014 Jan 1;88(1):39-44. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2013.08.003. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ijrobp.2013.08.003 AUTHOR: - Agarwal A; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiation Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts. AUTHOR: - DeNunzio NJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiation Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts. AUTHOR: - Ahuja D; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiation Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts. AUTHOR: - Hirsch AE; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiation Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts. Electronic address: Ariel.hirsch@bmc.org. SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: To review currently available opportunities for medical students to supplement their standard medical education to prepare for a career in radiation oncology. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Google and PubMed were used to identify existing clinical, health policy, and research programs for medical students in radiation oncology. In addition, results publicly available by the National Resident Matching Program were used to explore opportunities that successful radiation oncology applicants pursued during their medical education, including obtaining additional graduate degrees. RESULTS: Medical students can pursue a wide variety of opportunities before entering radiation oncology. Several national specialty societies, such as the American Society for Radiation Oncology and the Radiological Society of North America, offer summer internships for medical students interested in radiation oncology. In 2011, 30% of allopathic senior medical students in the United States who matched into radiation oncology had an additional graduate degree, including PhD, MPH, MBA, and MA degrees. Some medical schools are beginning to further integrate dedicated education in radiation oncology into the standard 4-year medical curriculum. CONCLUSIONS: To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review of available opportunities for medical students interested in radiation oncology. Early exposure to radiation oncology and additional educational training beyond the standard medical curriculum have the potential to create more successful radiation oncology applicants and practicing radiation oncologists while also promoting the growth of the field. We hope this review can serve as guide to radiation oncology applicants and mentors as well as encourage discussion regarding initiatives in radiation oncology opportunities for medical students. -------------------------------------------------------------[105] TITLE: - Obesity has multifaceted impact on biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer: a dose- response meta-analysis of 36,927 patients. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Med Oncol. 2014 Feb;31(2):829. doi: 10.1007/s12032-013-0829-8. Epub 2014 Jan 5. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s12032-013-0829-8 AUTHOR: - Hu MB; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Wulumuqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China. AUTHOR: - Xu H AUTHOR: - Bai PD AUTHOR: - Jiang HW AUTHOR: - Ding Q SUMMARY: - Obesity is inconsistently related to biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer (PCa) in different epidemiological studies. We conducted a systematic review and doseresponse meta-analysis of published studies from MEDLINE and EMBASE in order to determine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and BCR of PCa. We identified a total of 26 studies including 36,927 individuals. Pooled estimates of relative risk (RR) and confidence interval (CI) were computed, and dose-response meta-analysis was subsequently performed. Based on the random-effects approach, a 5 kg/m(2) increase in BMI was associated with 16 % (RR 1.16, 95 % CI 1.08-1.24) higher risk of BCR for entire set of 26 studies. Significantly higher rates of BCR were also observed in radical prostatectomy series (RR 1.17, 95 % CI 1.07-1.28) and external beam radiation therapy series (RR 1.19, 95 % CI 1.101.28), while no significant correlation was observed in brachytherapy series (RR 0.91, 95 % CI 0.64-1.28). Different BCR outcomes came out for studies held in USA (RR 1.18, 95 % CI 1.101.28), Europe (RR 1.04 95 % CI 0.91-1.17) and Asia (RR 1.83 95 % CI 0.85-3.97), respectively. There was limited evidence of a nonlinear association between BMI and BCR, which showed a critical point of 33 in BMI. The findings from meta-analysis showed that excess BMI was positively correlated with BCR of PCa multifacetedly, indicating good weight control and detailed attention to treating obese patients might improve the prognosis of PCa. -------------------------------------------------------------[106] TITLE: - The effect of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 polymorphisms on gastric cancer risk among different ethnicities: a systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2014 Jan 19. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-014-1620-y AUTHOR: - Xue H; ADDRESS: - Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Institution of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, xue_huiping@126.com. AUTHOR: - Lu Y AUTHOR: - Xue Z AUTHOR: - Lin B AUTHOR: - Chen J AUTHOR: - Tang F AUTHOR: - Huang G SUMMARY: - Potential Cytochrome P450s (CYPs) 1ª1 MspI, 1ª1 Ile462Val, 1ª2*1 F, and/or 1ª2*1C polymorphisms have been implicated in gastric cancer risk among different ethnicities. We aimed to explore the effect of CYP 1ª1 MspI, 1ª1 Ile462Val, 1ª2*1 F, and/or 1ª2*1C polymorphisms on the susceptibility to gastric cancer among different ethnicities through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Each initially included article was scored for quality appraisal. Desirable data were extracted and registered into databases. A number of 11 studies were ultimately eligible for the meta-analysis of CYP1A1 MspI polymorphism, eight studies for the meta-analysis of 1ª1 Ile462Val polymorphism, and two studies for the metaanalysis of 1ª2*1 F polymorphism. None of genetic model was evidently suggested, and thus all the genetic models were presented. Potential sources of heterogeneity were sought out via subgroup and sensitivity analyses, and publication biases were estimated. In our metaanalysis, significant results could be found in mutational heterozygous CT genotype, compared with wild TT genotype, among large sample size subgroup for CYP1A1 MspI polymorphism. Regarding CYP1A1 Ile462Val polymorphism, no statistically significant results could be found. For CYP1A2*1 F polymorphism, mutational heterozygous AC genotype, compared with wildtype AA, has deleterious effects, whereas mutational homozygous CC genotype, compared with mutational heterozygous type AC, has protective effects but lacks statistically significant difference despite its a proximity to 0.05. Combined mutational homozygous CC genotype and wild-type homozygous AA, compared with mutational heterozygous AC genotype, has protective effects. Our meta-analysis suggests no associations between CYP1A1 Ile462Val polymorphism and gastric cancer, but possible associations between CYP1A1 MspI and CYP1A2*1 F polymorphisms and gastric cancer, which needs to be further reinforced or refuted among different ethnicities in well-designed large-scale high-quality studies. -------------------------------------------------------------[107] TITLE: - Fluorescence in situ hybridization for diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma in primary sclerosing cholangitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Gastrointest Endosc. 2013 Dec 19. pii: S0016-5107(13)02532-7. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2013.11.001. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.gie.2013.11.001 AUTHOR: - Navaneethan U; ADDRESS: - Digestive Disease Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio. AUTHOR: - Njei B; ADDRESS: - Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA. AUTHOR: - Venkatesh PG; ADDRESS: - Digestive Disease Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio. AUTHOR: - Vargo JJ; ADDRESS: - Digestive Disease Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio. AUTHOR: - Parsi MA; ADDRESS: - Digestive Disease Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are at risk of developing cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) may aid diagnosis of CCA. OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic utility of FISH for CCA detection in patients with PSC. DESIGN: Meta-analysis. SETTING: Tertiary-care medical center. PATIENTS: Patients in studies where histopathologic correlation of CCA was available; 2 x 2 contingency data were constructed. INTERVENTION: Database search and review of study findings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio, and pooled diagnostic odds ratio. RESULTS: The search yielded 8 studies, involving 828 patients who could be included in our meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of FISH for diagnosis of CCA in patients with PSC were 68% (95% confidence interval [CI], 61%-74%) and 70% (95% CI, 66%-73%), respectively. The pooled positive likelihood ratio was 2.69 (95% CI, 1.84-3.97), and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.47 (95% CI, 0.39-0.58). The pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 7.24 (95% CI, 3.93-13.36). For FISH polysomy (6 studies, n = 690), the pooled sensitivity and specificity of FISH were 51% (95% CI, 43%-59%) and 93% (95% CI, 91%-95%), respectively. The heterogeneity indices of I2 measure of inconsistency was 45.9%. Visual inspection of the funnel plot showed low potential for publication bias. LIMITATIONS: Inclusion of low-quality studies. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that FISH polysomy is highly specific; however, limited sensitivity of FISH highlights that better markers are required for early detection of CCA in PSC. -------------------------------------------------------------[108] TITLE: - The relevance of a geriatric assessment for elderly patients with a haematological malignancy - A systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Leuk Res. 2013 Dec 30. pii: S0145-2126(13)00450-5. doi: 10.1016/j.leukres.2013.12.018. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.leukres.2013.12.018 AUTHOR: - Hamaker ME; ADDRESS: - Department of Geriatric Medicine, Diakonessenhuis Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: mhamaker@diakhuis.nl. AUTHOR: - Prins MC; ADDRESS: - Department of Geriatric Medicine, Diakonessenhuis Utrecht, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Stauder R; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology and Haematology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Geriatric assessment is increasingly used to assess the health status of older cancer patients. We set out to assemble all available evidence on the relevance of a geriatric assessment in the treatment of older patients with haematological malignancies. METHODS: A systematic Medline and Embase search for studies in which a geriatric assessment was used to detect health issues or to address the association between baseline geriatric assessment and outcome. RESULTS: 18 publications from 15 studies were included. The median age of patients was 73 years (range 58-86). Despite generally good performance status, the prevalence of geriatric impairments was high. Geriatric impairments were associated with a shorter overall survival in a relevant proportion of studies (instrumental activities 55%, nutritional status 67%, cognitive capacities 83%, objectively measured physical capacity 100%). Comorbidity, physical capacity and nutritional status retained their significance even in multivariate analyses in 50%, 75%, and 67% of analyses respectively, whereas age and performance status lost their predictive value in most studies. One study found an association between comorbidity and chemotherapy-related non-haematological toxicity. In another study a pronounced association between summarised outcome of geriatric assessment and chemotherapy-related toxicity as well as response to treatment was described. CONCLUSION: This review demonstrates that a geriatric assessment can detect multiple health issues, even in patients with good performance status. Impairments in geriatric domains have predictive value for mortality and also appear to be associated with toxicity and other outcome measures and should thus be integrated in individualised treatment algorithms. -------------------------------------------------------------[109] TITLE: - Mullerian precursor lesions in serous ovarian cancer patients: using the SEE-Fim and SEE-End protocol. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Mod Pathol. 2013 Dec 6. doi: 10.1038/modpathol.2013.212. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1038/modpathol.2013.212 AUTHOR: - Mingels MJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - van Ham MA AUTHOR: - de Kievit IM AUTHOR: - Snijders MP AUTHOR: - van Tilborg AA AUTHOR: - Bulten J AUTHOR: - Massuger LF SUMMARY: - Serous ovarian cancer is suggested to develop from epithelium embryologically derived from the Mullerian ducts. The aim of the current study is to thoroughly, analyze the epithelium derived from the Mullerian ducts (cervix, endometrium and fallopian tubes) in serous ovarian cancer patients. Sixty women diagnosed with serous ovarian carcinoma were included in this multicentre, observational study. Tissues were embedded completely for histological assessment, in accordance with the SEE-Fim and SEE-End protocol (Sectioning and Extensively Examining of the Fimbriated end; and-Endometrium), and prevalence of cervical, as well as endometrial and tubal pathology was analyzed. In 31 (52%) cases, a pathologic lesion was identified, and in 16 (27%) of these cases coexistence of pathologic lesions. In 1 case, severe dysplasia was found in the cervix, in 9 (15%) cases endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma, in 19 (32%) cases atypical hyperplasia, and in 23 (43%) cases serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma. Serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma was seen significantly more often concurrent with endometrial atypical hyperplasia or endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma than with benign endometrium (64 vs 28%; P=0.01). To conclude, histological assessment of epithelium derived from Mullerian ducts of serous ovarian cancer patients resulted in the identification of endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma, serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma and/or endometrial atypical hyperplasia in more than half of cases. Coexistence of these pathologic lesions was common, and might represent an effect of field carcinogenesis or tumor implantation of migrating cells.Modern Pathology advance online publication, 6 December 2013; doi:10.1038/modpathol.2013.212. -------------------------------------------------------------[110] TITLE: - Vascular endothelial growth factor +936C/T polymorphism and breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis of 13 case-control studies. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2014 Jan 5. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1354-2 AUTHOR: - Yan Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China, xueying201120521@163.com. AUTHOR: - Liang H AUTHOR: - Li T AUTHOR: - Guo S AUTHOR: - Li M AUTHOR: - Li S AUTHOR: - Qin X SUMMARY: - The association between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) +936C/T polymorphism and breast cancer risk has been widely reported, but results were inconsistent. In order to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. Eligible articles were identified through search of databases including PubMed, Embase, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM). The association between the VEGF +936C/T polymorphism and breast cancer risk was conducted by odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs). Finally, a total of 13 studies with 6,879 cases and 7,219 controls were included in our meta-analysis. Overall, a significant association was found between VEGF +936C/T polymorphisms and the risk of breast cancer in overall populations under five models (T vs. C: OR = 0.83, 95 % CI = 0.73-0.94, P = 0.002; TT vs. CC: OR = 0.74, 95 % CI = 0.61-0.91, P = 0.004, Fig. 1ª; TC vs. CC: OR = 0.83, 95 % CI = 0.71-0.96, P = 0.014; TT vs. CC/CT: OR = 0.77, 95 % CI = 0.62-0.94, P = 0.010; TT/TC vs. CC: OR = 0.82, 95 % CI = 0.72-0.95, P = 0.006). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, there were also significant associations found between VEGF +936C/T polymorphism and breast cancer risk in Asians and Caucasians. In conclusion, the results of our meta-analysis suggest that the VEGF +936C/T polymorphism is significantly associated with breast cancer development and the VEGF 936T allele carriers may be associated with decreased breast cancer risk. -------------------------------------------------------------[111] TITLE: - Prostatic metastases from testicular nonseminomatous germ cell cancer: two case reports and a review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumori. 2013 Sep-Oct;99(5):e203-7. doi: 10.1700/1377.15315. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1700/1377.15315 AUTHOR: - Torelli T AUTHOR: - Lughezzani G AUTHOR: - Catanzaro M AUTHOR: - Nicolai N AUTHOR: - Colecchia M AUTHOR: - Biasoni D AUTHOR: - Piva L AUTHOR: - Maffezzini M AUTHOR: - Stagni S AUTHOR: - Necchi A AUTHOR: - Giannatempo P AUTHOR: - Fare E AUTHOR: - Salvioni R SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Prostatic metastases from testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are extremely uncommon. To the best of our knowledge, only five cases of prostatic metastases from seminoma have been reported in the literature. Conversely, no cases of metastases to the prostate from nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT) have been previously reported. CASE PRESENTATION: We present two patients who developed prostatic metastases 5 and 21 years after the initial diagnosis. The first case concerned a 28-year-old Caucasian man who underwent a right orchiectomy and right retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for a stage I NSGCT in 1999 and five years later was diagnosed with prostatic metastases. The second case concerned a 30-year-old man treated with a right orchiectomy and right RPLND for stage I NSGCT in 1985 who was diagnosed with prostatic metastases in 2006, 21 years after primary surgery. We reviewed the available literature on the topic. CONCLUSION: Prostatic metastases from TCGTs are highly unusual. Lower urinary tract symptoms in patients treated for previous testicular cancer require immediate clinical attention. However, because of their extreme rarity, specific clinical investigations to screen for possible prostatic involvement from TGCT should not be recommended. -------------------------------------------------------------[112] TITLE: - Transplant benefit for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Dec 28;19(48):9183-8. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i48.9183. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3748/wjg.v19.i48.9183 AUTHOR: - Vitale A; ADDRESS: - Alessandro Vitale, Umberto Cillo, Unita di Chirurgia Epatobiliare e Trapianto Epatico, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universita di Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy. AUTHOR: - Volk M; ADDRESS: - Alessandro Vitale, Umberto Cillo, Unita di Chirurgia Epatobiliare e Trapianto Epatico, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universita di Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy. AUTHOR: - Cillo U; ADDRESS: - Alessandro Vitale, Umberto Cillo, Unita di Chirurgia Epatobiliare e Trapianto Epatico, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universita di Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy. SUMMARY: - Although liver transplantation is theoretically the best treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), it is limited by the realities of perioperative complications, and the shortage of donor organs. Furthermore, in many cases there are available alternative treatments such as resection or locoregional therapy. Deciding upon the best option for a patient with HCC is complicated, involving numerous ethical principles including: urgency, utility, intention-totreat survival, transplant benefit, harm to candidates on waiting list, and harm to living donors. The potential contrast between different principles is particularly relevant for patients with HCC for several reasons: (1) HCC candidates to liver transplantation are increasing; (2) the great prognostic heterogeneity within the HCC population; (3) in HCC patients tumor progression before liver transplantation may significantly impair post transplant outcome; and (4) effective alternative therapies are often available for HCC candidates to liver transplantation. In this paper we suggest that allocating organs by transplant benefit could help balance these competing principles, and also introduce equity between patients with HCC and nonmalignant liver disease. We also propose a triangular equipoise model to help decide between deceased donor liver transplantation, living donor liver transplantation, or alternative therapies. -------------------------------------------------------------[113] TITLE: - A systematic review and meta-analysis of surgical treatments for malignant pleural mesothelioma. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Lung Cancer. 2014 Feb;83(2):240-5. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2013.11.026. Epub 2013 Dec 6. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.lungcan.2013.11.026 AUTHOR: - Cao C; ADDRESS: - The Systematic Review Unit, Collaborative Research (CORE) Group, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia; Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St George Hospital, Sydney, Australia; The Baird Institute for Applied Heart and Lung Surgical Research, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: drchriscao@gmail.com. AUTHOR: - Tian D; ADDRESS: - The Systematic Review Unit, Collaborative Research (CORE) Group, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. AUTHOR: - Park J; ADDRESS: - The Systematic Review Unit, Collaborative Research (CORE) Group, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. AUTHOR: - Allan J; ADDRESS: - The Systematic Review Unit, Collaborative Research (CORE) Group, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. AUTHOR: - Pataky KA; ADDRESS: - The Systematic Review Unit, Collaborative Research (CORE) Group, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. AUTHOR: - Yan TD; ADDRESS: - The Systematic Review Unit, Collaborative Research (CORE) Group, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia; Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive disease of the pleural lining with a dismal prognosis. Surgical treatments of MPM with a curative intent include extrapleural pneumonectomy and extended pleurectomy/decortication (P/D). This meta-analysis aimed to compare the perioperative and long-term outcomes of EPP and extended P/D for selected surgical candidates. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed on six electronic databases to identify all relevant data on comparative outcomes of extended P/D and EPP in a multimodality setting. Endpoints included perioperative mortality and morbidity, as well as long-term overall survival. RESULTS: Seven relevant studies with comparative data on EPP (n=632) versus extended P/D (n=513) were identified from the current literature. Comparison of these two groups demonstrated significantly lower perioperative mortality (2.9% vs 6.8%, p=0.02) and morbidity (27.9% vs 62.0%, p<0.0001) for patients who underwent extended P/D compared to EPP. Median overall survival ranged between 13-29 months for extended P/D and 12-22 months for EPP, with a trend favouring extended P/D. CONCLUSIONS: Although it must be emphasized that patient selection and treatment strategies differ between EPP and extended P/D, a number of comparative studies have recently been conducted to compare these two surgical techniques for patients with resectable MPM. The present study indicated that selected patients who underwent extended P/D had lower perioperative morbidity and mortality with similar, if not superior, long-term survival compared to EPP, in the context of multi-modality therapy. This may represent an important paradigm shift in the surgical management of MPM. -------------------------------------------------------------[114] TITLE: - Reproductive and exogenous hormone factors in relation to risk of meningioma in women: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Dec 27;8(12):e83261. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083261. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0083261 AUTHOR: - Qi ZY; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. AUTHOR: - Shao C; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. AUTHOR: - Huang YL; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. AUTHOR: - Hui GZ; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. AUTHOR: - Zhou YX; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. AUTHOR: - Wang Z; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A number of studies have focused on the association between oral contraceptive (OC), hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) and reproductive factors and meningioma risk, but the results were inconsistent. Thus, a metaanalysis was performed to obtain more precise estimates of risk. METHODS: We conducted a literature search using PubMed and EMBASE databases to July 2013, without any limitations. Random effects models were used to summarize results. RESULTS: Twelve case-control and six cohort studies were included in this meta-analysis. We found that an increased risk of meningioma was associated with HRT use(RR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.01-1.40), postmenopausal women(RR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.07-1.64) and parity(RR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.00-1.40).No significant associations were observed for OC use (RR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.83-1.03), age at menarche(RR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.92-1.21), age at menopause(RR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.81-1.30), or age at first birth(RR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.80-1.10). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the results of our study support the hypothesis that longer exposure to effect of female sex hormones may increase the risk of meningioma in women, yet additional studies are warranted to confirm our findings and identify the underlying biological mechanisms. -------------------------------------------------------------[115] TITLE: - The Value of Adding (18)F-FDG PET/CT to Adrenal Protocol CT for Characterizing Adrenal Metastasis (>/= 10 mm) in Oncologic Patients. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2014 Feb;202(2):W153-60. doi: 10.2214/AJR.13.10873. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 2214/AJR.13.10873 AUTHOR: - Park SY; ADDRESS: - 1 All authors: Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 50 Ilwondong, Kangnam-ku, Seoul 135-710, Korea. AUTHOR: - Park BK AUTHOR: - Kim CK SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to evaluate the value that PET/CT adds to adrenal protocol CT for characterizing adrenal metastasis in oncologic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Sixty-eight oncologic patients with 68 adrenal masses underwent both adrenal protocol CT and (18)F-FDG PET/CT. For adrenal protocol CT, metastasis was diagnosed if a mass measured more than 10 HU on unenhanced CT and if the absolute and relative percentage washouts were less than 60% and 40%, respectively. For PET/CT, metastasis was diagnosed if FDG uptake of the lesion was equal to or greater than that of the liver. Diagnostic accuracies were compared between these two imaging modalities. RESULTS. The accuracy of adrenal protocol CT and PET/CT for a metastatic lesion, defined as a lesion with FDG uptake equal to or higher than that of the liver, was 85.3% (58/68) and 76.5% (52/68), respectively. However, the accuracy of PET/CT increased to 89.7% (61/68) when a lesion with high FDG uptake alone was considered a metastatic lesion. When both adrenal protocol CT and PET/CT were positive for metastasis, the accuracy increased to 91.2% (62/68), but the sensitivity decreased to 70.6% (12/17). CONCLUSION. Adding PET/CT to adrenal protocol CT improves the accuracy for adrenal metastasis in oncologic patients when a lesion with high FDG uptake alone is considered metastasis. -------------------------------------------------------------[116] TITLE: - Coffee consumption and risk of prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Carcinogenesis. 2014 Feb;35(2):256-61. doi: 10.1093/carcin/bgt482. Epub 2013 Dec 16. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1093/carcin/bgt482 AUTHOR: - Cao S; ADDRESS: - Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China and. AUTHOR: - Liu L AUTHOR: - Yin X AUTHOR: - Wang Y AUTHOR: - Liu J AUTHOR: - Lu Z SUMMARY: - Observational studies and animal evidence suggest an association between coffee consumption and the risk of prostate cancer. However, the results are inconsistent. We evaluated the association by conducting a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. PubMed and Embase were searched through June 2013 to identify studies that met predetermined inclusion criterion. A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled risk estimates. Ten prospective cohort studies involving 8973 patients with prostate cancer and 206 096 participants were included in this systematic review. Compared with individuals who seldom or never drink coffee, the pooled relative risk of prostate cancer was 0.88 (95% confidence interval: 0.82-0.95) for regular coffee drinkers. Exclusion of any single study did not materially alter the combined risk estimate. Visual inspection of a funnel plot and Begg’s and Egger’s tests did not indicate evidence of publication bias. In summary, integrated evidence from prospective cohort studies supports the hypothesis that coffee consumption may decrease the risk of prostate cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[117] TITLE: - Bcl-2 expression predicts sensitivity to chemotherapy in breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2013 Dec 27;32:105. doi: 10.1186/1756-9966-32-105. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1186/1756-9966-32-105 AUTHOR: - Yang D AUTHOR: - Chen MB AUTHOR: - Wang LQ AUTHOR: - Yang L AUTHOR: - Liu CY; ADDRESS: - Department of Medical Oncology, Wuxi People’s Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, 299 Qingyang Road, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province 214023, China. liucy@wuxiph.com. AUTHOR: - Lu PH SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have yielded inconclusive results regarding the relationship between anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression and the sensitivity to chemotherapy in the patients with breast cancer. The purpose of the current study was therefore to elaborate their relationship. METHODS, FINDINGS: A total of 23 previously published eligible studies involving 2,467 cases were identified and included in this metaanalysis. Negative Bcl-2 expression was associated with good chemotherapy response in breast cancer patients (total objective response [OR]: risk ratio [RR] = 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-1.32, p = 0.026; total complete response [CR]: RR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.242.24, p = 0.001; pathological CR: RR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.38-2.69, p < 0.001). In further stratified analyses, this association remained for sub-groups of response in neoadjuvant chemotherapy setting, especially pathological CR. Besides, negative Bcl-2 expression was significantly associated with good OR and pathological CR in anthracycline-based chemotherapy subgroup. Furthermore, there were significant links between negative Bcl-2 expression and taxane-based chemotherapy with pathological CR, but not OR. CONCLUSION: The results of the present meta-analysis suggest that Bcl-2 expression is a predictive factor for chemotherapy sensitivity in breast cancer patients. They could also potentially benefit further clinical treatment for breast cancers. -------------------------------------------------------------[118] TITLE: - The Economics of Bladder Cancer: Costs and Considerations of Caring for This Disease. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur Urol. 2014 Jan 21. pii: S0302-2838(14)00018-9. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2014.01.006. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.eururo.2014.01.006 AUTHOR: - Svatek RS; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Division of Urologic Oncology, The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA. AUTHOR: - Hollenbeck BK; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Division of Health Services Research and Division of Urologic Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. AUTHOR: - Holmang S; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. AUTHOR: - Lee R; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology and Division of Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA. AUTHOR: - Kim SP; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. AUTHOR: - Stenzl A; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Klinik fur Urologie, Tubingen, Germany. AUTHOR: - Lotan Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, USA. Electronic address: yair.lotan@utsouthwestern.edu. SUMMARY: - CONTEXT: Due to high recurrence rates, intensive surveillance strategies, and expensive treatment costs, the management of bladder cancer contributes significantly to medical costs. OBJECTIVE: To provide a concise evaluation of contemporary cost-related challenges in the care of patients with bladder cancer. An emphasis is placed on the initial diagnosis of bladder cancer and therapy considerations for both non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and more advanced disease. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic review of the literature was performed using Medline (1966 to February 2011). Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms for search criteria included “bladder cancer, neoplasms” OR “carcinoma, transitional cell” AND all cost-related MeSH search terms. Studies evaluating the costs associated with of various diagnostic or treatment approaches were reviewed. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Routine use of perioperative chemotherapy following complete transurethral resection of bladder tumor has been estimated to provide a cost savings. Routine office-based fulguration of small low-grade recurrences could decrease costs. Another potential important target for decreasing variation and cost lies in risk-modified surveillance strategies after initial bladder tumor removal to reduce the cost associated with frequent cystoscopic and radiographic procedures. Optimizing postoperative care after radical cystectomy has the potential to decrease length of stay and perioperative morbidity with substantial decreases in perioperative care expenses. The gemcitabine-cisplatin regimen has been estimated to result in a modest increase in cost effectiveness over methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin. Additional costs of therapies need to be balanced with effectiveness, and there are significant gaps in knowledge regarding optimal surveillance and treatment of both early and advanced bladder cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of disease severity, improvements in the efficiency of bladder cancer care to limit unnecessary interventions and optimize effective cancer treatment can reduce overall health care costs. Two scenarios where economic and comparative-effectiveness research is limited but would be most beneficial are (1) the management of NMIBC patients where excessive costs are due to vigilant surveillance strategies and (2) in patients with metastatic disease due to the enormous cost associated with late-stage and end-of-life care. -------------------------------------------------------------[119] TITLE: - Urothelial dysplasia of the bladder: diagnostic features and clinical significance. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Anal Quant Cytol Histol. 2013 Jun;35(3):121-9. AUTHOR: - Lopez-Beltran A; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery and Pathology, Cordoba University Medical School, Cordoba, España. em1lobea@uco.es AUTHOR: - Montironi R; ADDRESS: - Institute of Pathological Anatomy and Histopathology, Polytechnic University of the Marche Region, Ancona, Italy. AUTHOR: - Vidal A; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery and Pathology, Cordoba University Medical School, Cordoba, España. AUTHOR: - Scarpelli M; ADDRESS: - Institute of Pathological Anatomy and Histopathology, Polytechnic University of the Marche Region, Ancona, Italy. AUTHOR: - Cheng L; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. SUMMARY: - The 2004 World Health Organization classification system for urothelial neoplasia identifies urothelial dysplasia (low-grade intraurothelial neoplasia) as a premalignant lesion of the urothelium. Although diagnostic criteria of urothelial dysplasia have been improved in recent years, there is a frequent lack of interobserver reproducibility. Follow-up studies suggest that dysplasia is a marker for urothelial instability and disease progression in up to 19% of patients, thus supporting an active clinical follow-up in these patients. The main differential diagnosis of urothelial dysplasia includes flat urothelial lesions with atypia, mainly flat (simple) urothelial hyperplasia, reactive urothelial atypia, urothelial atypia of unknown significance, and urothelial carcinoma in situ (high-grade intraurothelial neoplasia). In most cases, morphologic features alone suffice for diagnosis. Some cases may require a panel of immunohistochemical antibodies consisting of cytokeratin 20, p53 and CD44 for diagnosis. We present pathologic features and clinical significance of urothelial dysplasia with emphasis on differential diagnosis from common flat urothelial lesions with atypia. -------------------------------------------------------------[120] TITLE: - Dietary methionine intake and risk of incident colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of 8 prospective studies involving 431,029 participants. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Dec 10;8(12):e83588. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083588. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0083588 AUTHOR: - Zhou ZY; ADDRESS: - Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. AUTHOR: - Wan XY AUTHOR: - Cao JW SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Methionine is one of the key components of one carbon metabolism. Experimental studies indicate that methionine may reduce inflammation-induced colon cancer. However, epidemiologic findings as to whether dietary methionine intake influences colorectal cancer incidence in humans are inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between dietary methionine intake and risk of colorectal cancer by performing a meta-analysis of prospective studies. METHODS: Eligible studies were identified by searching PubMed and Embase and by reviewing the bibliographies of the retrieved publications. The summary risk estimates were computed using both a random- effects and a fixed-effects model. RESULTS: Eight eligible prospective cohort studies involving 431,029 participants and 6,331 colorectal cancer cases were identified. According to the randomeffects model, the summary relative risks (RRs) for the highest compared with the lowest intake of methionine were 0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.77-1.03) for colorectal cancer, 0.77 (95% CI = 0.64-0.92) for colon cancer, and 0.88 (95% CI = 0.55-1.42) for rectal cancer. In the stratified analysis, a significant inverse association between dietary methionine intake and risk of colorectal cancer was observed in studies with longer follow-up time (RR=0.81, 95% CI= 0.70-0.95), in Western studies (RR= 0.83, 95% CI = 0.73-0.95) and in men (RR = 0.75, 95% CI= 0.57-0.99). We found no indication of publication bias. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis indicates that dietary methionine intake may be associated with decreased risk of colorectal cancer, especially colon cancer. More prospective studies with long follow-up time are needed to confirm these findings. -------------------------------------------------------------[121] TITLE: - The end-of-life phase of high-grade glioma patients: a systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Support Care Cancer. 2014 Mar;22(3):847-57. doi: 10.1007/s00520-013-2088-9. Epub 2013 Dec 14. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s00520-013-2088-9 AUTHOR: - Sizoo EM; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, e.m.sizoo@gmail.com. AUTHOR: - Pasman HR AUTHOR: - Dirven L AUTHOR: - Marosi C AUTHOR: - Grisold W AUTHOR: - Stockhammer G AUTHOR: - Egeter J AUTHOR: - Grant R AUTHOR: - Chang S AUTHOR: - Heimans JJ AUTHOR: - Deliens L AUTHOR: - Reijneveld JC AUTHOR: - Taphoorn MJ SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: High-grade gliomas (HGG) are rare and incurable; yet, these neoplasms result in a disproportionate share of cancer morbidity and mortality. Treatment of HGG patients is directed not merely towards prolonging life but also towards quality of life, which becomes the major goal in the end of life (EOL). The latter has received increasing attention over the last decade. METHODS: We reviewed the literature related to the EOL phase of HGG patients from 1966 up to April 2012. Articles were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Cinahl, PsycINFO and Cochrane database. We then selected papers for analysis using pre-determined inclusion criteria and subtracted information on the topics of interest. RESULTS: The search yielded 695 articles, of which 17 were classified eligible for analysis according to pre-defined inclusion criteria. Reviewed topics were symptoms and signs, quality of life and quality of dying, caregiver burden, organization and location of palliative care, supportive treatment, and EOL decision making. Nearly all identified studies were observational, with only two non-randomized intervention studies. Symptom burden is high in the EOL phase and affects the quality of life of both patient and carer. Palliative care services are more intensively used compared to other cancer patients. Cognitive deficits increase as the disease progresses, hampering communication and decision making. CONCLUSION: The EOL phase of HGG is substantially different from other patient groups, and more clinical studies in HGG on supportive medication, advance care planning and decision making are required. The organization of care, development of guidelines and interventions to decrease caregiver burden in the EOL phase are critical as well. -------------------------------------------------------------[122] TITLE: - Systematic review with meta-analysis: the association between human papillomavirus infection and oesophageal cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2014 Feb;39(3):270-81. doi: 10.1111/apt.12574. Epub 2013 Dec 5. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/apt.12574 AUTHOR: - Li X; ADDRESS: - MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. AUTHOR: - Gao C AUTHOR: - Yang Y AUTHOR: - Zhou F AUTHOR: - Li M AUTHOR: - Jin Q AUTHOR: - Gao L SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection might be one of the potential risk factors for oesophageal cancer. However, the previous epidemiological findings were heterogeneous. AIM: To explore the association between HPV infection and oesophageal cancer risk by means of meta-analysis. METHODS: Studies on HPV infection and oesophageal cancer were identified, the prevalence of HPV infection and its association with oesophageal cancer risk were quantitatively summarised by meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 8990 oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients and 174 oesophageal adenocarcinomas patients were evaluated from 76 included studies. Summarised HPV prevalence in oesophageal SCC was 22.2% [95% confidence interval (CI), 18.3-26.7%], HPV-16 was the most frequently observed subtype with a summarised prevalence of 11.4% (95% CI: 8.2-15.7%). With respect to oesophageal adenocarcinoma, HPV prevalence was 35.0% (95% CI, 13.265.7%) and HPV-16 prevalence was 11.4% (95% CI: 8.2-15.7%). Due to the limited number of included studies on oesophageal adenocarcinoma, association analyses were performed to oesophageal SCC only. Significant association was observed between HPV infection and oesophageal SCC with a summarised odds ratio of 3.32 (95% CI, 2.26-4.87). According to HPV16, the strength of the association was found to be 3.52 (95% CI, 2.04-6.07). CONCLUSIONS: Human papillomavirus infection was observed to be associated with an increased risk of oesophageal SCC in this meta-analysis. However, due to the evident heterogeneity observed between the included studies and the strength of the association not as strong as observed for cervical cancer and laryngeal cancer, further studies are needed to clarify the relation and its underlying mechanisms. -------------------------------------------------------------[123] TITLE: - Tumor necrosis factor-a polymorphisms and colorectal cancer risk: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2014 Jan 3;9(1):e85187. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085187. eCollection 2014. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0085187 AUTHOR: - Min L; ADDRESS: - Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China. AUTHOR: - Chen D; ADDRESS: - Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Departments of Epidemiology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China. AUTHOR: - Qu L; ADDRESS: - Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China. AUTHOR: - Shou C; ADDRESS: - Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) was related to inflammation and involved in the development of colorectal cancer. Polymorphisms located in TNF-a promoter region, such as 308G/A and 238G/A, could affect the risk of various types of cancer by regulating TNF-a production. In this study, a meta-analysis was performed to investigate the association between common polymorphisms of TNF-a promoter region and colorectal cancer susceptibility. METHODS: Searching of several databases was performed for all publications on the association between TNF-a polymorphisms and colorectal cancer. Summary odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using random-effects models. Stratified analyses based on ethnicity and control population source were also conducted. RESULTS: Overall, TNF-a 308ª polymorphism showed a significant association with increased risk of colorectal cancer in worldwide populations under homozygote comparison [AA vs. GG, OR (95% CI) = 1.46 (1.07-1.97)] other than heterozygote comparison [AG vs. GG, OR (95% CI) = 1.05 (0.93-1.19)]. TNF-a 238ª was not associated with colorectal cancer risk under homozygote or heterozygote comparisons. In stratified analysis, significant association was observed only in Western populations [AA vs. GG, OR (95% CI) = 1.39 (1.01-1.91)] other than in Eastern populations under homozygote comparison. No significant difference was observed between population-based subgroup and hospital-based subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: TNF-a 308ª was moderately associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer in Western populations, and TNF-a 238ª polymorphism was not significantly associated with colorectal cancer risk. -------------------------------------------------------------[124] TITLE: - Multiple bone metastases from glioblastoma multiforme without local brain relapse: a case report and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumori. 2013 Sep-Oct;99(5):e237-40. doi: 10.1700/1377.15323. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1700/1377.15323 AUTHOR: - Takanen S AUTHOR: - Bangrazi C AUTHOR: - Caiazzo R AUTHOR: - Raffetto N AUTHOR: - Tombolini V SUMMARY: - Extracranial metastases from glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are a very rare event, even if an increasing incidence has been documented. We report the case of a young woman with primary GBM who developed bone metastases without local brain relapse. Because of persistent headache and visual disturbances, in March 2011 the patient underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidencing a temporoparietal mass, which was surgically resected. Histology revealed GBM. She was given concomitant chemoradiotherapy according to the Stupp regimen. After a 4-week break, the patient received 6 cycles of adjuvant temozolomide according to the standard 5-day schedule every 28 days. In December 2011 she complained of progressive low back pain, and MRI showed multiple bone metastases from primary GBM, confirmed by histology. Cases of metastatic GBM in concurrence with a primary brain tumor or local relapse are more common in the literature; only a few cases have been reported where extracranial metastases from GBM occurred without any relapse in the brain. Here we report our experience. -------------------------------------------------------------[125] TITLE: - Leisure-time physical activity and endometrial cancer risk: Dose-response meta-analysis of epidemiological studies. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Cancer. 2013 Dec 20. doi: 10.1002/ijc.28687. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/ijc.28687 AUTHOR: - Keum N; ADDRESS: - Departments of Nutrition and Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA. AUTHOR: - Ju W AUTHOR: - Lee DH AUTHOR: - Ding EL AUTHOR: - Hsieh CC AUTHOR: - Goodman JE AUTHOR: - Giovannucci EL SUMMARY: - While considerable evidence suggests that leisure-time physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of endometrial cancer(EC), the shape of dose-response relationship has not been investigated and previous meta-analyses have not accounted for differences in measures of physical activity. To address such issues, we conducted linear and non-linear dose-response meta-analyses by metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-hour/week and hour/week, respectively, based on observational studies published up to August 2013 identified from PubMed and Embase databases. Summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. In the linear dose- response analysis, an increase in leisure-time physical activity by 3 MET-hour/week was associated with an approximately 2% reduced risk of EC (summary RR=0.98, P=0.02, 95% CI=0.95-1.00, I2 =53%, Pheterogeneity =0.06, three case-control studies and three cohort studies, 3,460 cases, range of activity=0-50 MET-hour/week) and increase by an hour/week was associated with an approximately 5% reduced risk of EC (summary RR=0.95, P<0.001, 95% CI=0.93-0.98, I2 =31%, Pheterogeneity =0.20, four case-control studies and two cohort studies, 3,314 cases, range of activity=0-15 hour/week). Non-linear dose-response meta-analysis suggested that the curve may plateau at 10 MET-hour/week (Pchange in slope =0.04) but this statistical significance was sensitive to one study. No evidence of a nonlinear association was indicated by hour/week (Pchange in slope >0.69). In conclusion, an increase in leisure-time physical activity may continue to decrease EC risk, within the range of 0-50 MET-hour/week or 0-15 hour/week. Future studies should evaluate possible independent role of intensity of physical activity and effect modification by obesity. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. -------------------------------------------------------------[126] TITLE: - The role of neuroendocrine cells in prostate cancer: a comprehensive review of current literature and subsequent rationale to broaden and integrate current treatment modalities. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Curr Med Chem. 2014;21(9):1082-92. AUTHOR: - Lugnani F AUTHOR: - Simone G AUTHOR: - Biava PM AUTHOR: - Ablin RJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, The Arizona Cancer Center and BIO5 Institute, Tucson, AZ 85724-5043 USA. ablinrj@email.arizona.edu. SUMMARY: - Neuroendocrine prostate carcinoma (NE-PCa) is a heterogeneous disease. Due to a high prevalence of NE (neuroendocrine) differentiation in patients who receive prolonged androgen deprivation treatment, the real incidence of NE-PCa remains unknown. Similarly, the biological steps from prostate carcinoma (PCa) toward NE differentiation are far less than definitive and, consequently, there is a lack of evidence to support any of the treatments as the “gold standard”. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases to identify original articles and review articles regarding NE-PCa . Keywords were “prostate cancer” and “neuroendocrine”. Articles published between 1995 and 2013, were reviewed and selected with the consensus of all of the authors. Results: Fifty-one articles were selected by the authors for the purpose of this review. The principle findings were reported into some subsections: Epidemiology, Biological steps of NE differentiation (with some principle articles on animal and in vitro, since there is very little in the literature on human studies); for the treatment options, we had to expand the search on PubMed to a larger timeframe and selection since very little was specifically found in the first criteria: surgery, radiotherapy, ablative techniques, immunomodulation and epigenetic therapy were then reviewed. A multidisciplinary approach, advocated by many authors, although promising, has failed to demonstrate increased survival rates. Limitations of this review include the lack of a clear definition of NE-PCa and consequently, the lack of strong evidence provided by a large series with long-term follow-up. Conclusions: Supported from this extensive review, we propose it is worthwhile to investigate a new multimodal therapeutic approach to address advanced NE-PCa starting from a debulking (with radical intent) of the disease plus epigenetic therapy with stem cell differentiation stage factors (SCDSFs). In addition immunotherapy can be used to treat the cancer presenting phenotype in association with chemomodulation plus ablative therapies, in case of advanced or recurrent diseases. SCDSFs may be utilized to regulate cancer stem cells and possible new phenotypes could also be associated with ablative therapies. Hormonal deprivation, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, ex vivo vaccines and targeted therapies could also be used and reserved in case of failure. -------------------------------------------------------------[127] TITLE: - Effect of BRAF V600E mutation on tumor response of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies for first-line metastatic colorectal cancer treatment: a meta-analysis of randomized studies. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Mol Biol Rep. 2014 Jan 4. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s11033-013-2974-8 AUTHOR: - Cui D; ADDRESS: - Division of Abdominal Cancer, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China. AUTHOR: - Cao D AUTHOR: - Yang Y AUTHOR: - Qiu M AUTHOR: - Huang Y AUTHOR: - Yi C SUMMARY: - Anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies (anti-EGFR MoAbs) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treatment are still not effective in all patients. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between BRAF V600E mutation and the tumor response of anti-EGFR MoAbs for first-line treatment in mCRC patients. We searched the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, using the key words that included colorectal cancer, cetuximab, panitumumab, and BRAF mutation and retrieved 445 articles. Among them four were included in the systematic review. Relative risks (RRs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for response rate were calculated. BRAF mutation carriers had worse ORR than non-carriers in mCRC patients with KRAS wild-type in first-line treatment whether adding anti-EGFR MoAb to chemotherapy or not (RR = 0.43, [95 % CI 0.16-0.75]; RR = 0.38, [95 % CI 0.20-0.73]). But in the unselected patients whose KRAS mutation were unknown, BRAF mutation carriers had similar ORR whether adding cetuximab to chemotherapy or not (RR = 0.45, [95 % CI 0.18-1.09]; RR = 0.57, [95 % CI 0.15-2.23]). In BRAF mutation carriers adding anti-EGFR MoAb to chemotherapy was similar to chemotherapy alone whether in patients with wild-type KRAS or unselected patients (RR = 1.61, [95 % CI 0.57-4.47]; RR = 0.71, [95 % CI 0.18-2.77]). But in the BRAF mutation noncarriers, adding anti-EGFR MoAb produced a clear benefit in response rate than chemotherapy alone and this advantage was restricted to KRAS wild-type patients (RR = 1.48, [95 % CI 1.281.71]). BRAF mutation decreases tumor response in first-line treatment whether cetuximab was given or not in patients with KRAS wild-type, and anti-EGFR MoAb produces a clear benefit in response rate in patients with BRAF and KRAS wild-type. -------------------------------------------------------------[128] TITLE: - Chemotherapy and immunotherapy of brain tumors: what the epileptologist must know. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Epilepsia. 2013 Dec;54 Suppl 9:105-8. doi: 10.1111/epi.12453. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/epi.12453 AUTHOR: - Rogers LR; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurology, Seidman Cancer Center, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. SUMMARY: - I present an overview of therapy for the most common brain tumors encountered in clinical practice if adult patients. Current therapy paradigms and evolving therapies are reviewed. The introduction of non-enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (NEIADs) has simplified the approach to combined medical treatment of epilepsy and brain tumors, but the major interactions between enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (EIAEDs) are included, to serve as guidance in selecting these medications if they are required. -------------------------------------------------------------[129] TITLE: - Pancreatectomy for metastatic disease: A systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Surg Oncol. 2014 Jan 15. pii: S0748-7983(14)00006-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2013.12.022. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ejso.2013.12.022 AUTHOR: - Adler H; ADDRESS: - National Surgical Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: hugh.adler@gmail.com. AUTHOR: - Redmond CE; ADDRESS: - National Surgical Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland. AUTHOR: - Heneghan HM; ADDRESS: - National Surgical Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland. AUTHOR: - Swan N; ADDRESS: - National Surgical Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland. AUTHOR: - Maguire D; ADDRESS: - National Surgical Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland. AUTHOR: - Traynor O; ADDRESS: - National Surgical Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland. AUTHOR: - Hoti E; ADDRESS: - National Surgical Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland. AUTHOR: - Geoghegan JG; ADDRESS: - National Surgical Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland. AUTHOR: - Conlon KC; ADDRESS: - National Surgical Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland. SUMMARY: - AIM: Tumours rarely metastasise to the pancreas. While surgical resection of such metastases is believed to confer a survival benefit, there is limited data to support such management. We present a systematic review of case series of pancreatic metastasectomy and analysis of survival outcomes. METHODS: A literature search was performed using the PubMed and Cochrane databases and the reference lists of relevant articles, searching for sizeable case series of pancreatic metastasectomy with curative intent. Data extracted included basic demographics, histological primary tumour, presentation, operative management, complications and survival, while the MINORS index was used to assess study quality. RESULTS: 18 studies were found which met our inclusion criteria, involving 399 patients. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was the commonest malignancy metastasising to the pancreas, responsible for 62.6% of cases, followed by sarcoma (7.2%) and colorectal carcinoma (6.2%). While survival data was not uniformly reported, the median survival postmetastasectomy was 50.2 months, with a one-year survival of 86.81% and five-year survival of 50.02%. Median survival for RCC was 71.7 months with 70.4% five-year survival. Median survival was similar in patients with synchronous and metachronous pancreatic metastases, but patients with additional extrapancreatic metastases had a significantly shorter survival than patients with isolated pancreatic metastases (26 versus 45 months). Study quality was poor, with a median MINORS score of 10/16. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of a review of non-randomised case series, it would appear that pancreatic metastasectomy confers a survival benefit in selected patients. Better evidence is required, but may prove difficult to acquire. -------------------------------------------------------------[130] TITLE: - A systematic review of inhaled intranasal therapy for central nervous system neoplasms: an emerging therapeutic option. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Neurooncol. 2014 Feb;116(3):437-46. doi: 10.1007/s11060-013-1346-5. Epub 2014 Jan 8. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s11060-013-1346-5 AUTHOR: - Peterson A; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, 1200 North State Street, Suite 3300, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA, asa.z.peterson@gmail.com. AUTHOR: - Bansal A AUTHOR: - Hofman F AUTHOR: - Chen TC AUTHOR: - Zada G SUMMARY: - The intranasal route for drug delivery is rapidly evolving as a viable means for treating selected central nervous system (CNS) conditions. We aimed to identify studies pertaining to the application of intranasal drug administration for the treatment of primary CNS tumors. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify all studies published in the English language pertaining to intranasal therapy for CNS neoplasms, and/or general mechanisms and pharmacokinetics regarding targeted intranasal CNS drug delivery. A total of 194 abstracts were identified and screened. Thirty-seven studies met inclusion criteria. Of these, 21 focused on intranasal treatment of specific primary CNS tumors, including gliomas (11), meningiomas (1), and pituitary adenomas (4). An additional 16 studies focused on general mechanisms of intranasal therapy and drug delivery to the CNS using copolymer micelles, viral vectors, and nanoparticles. Inhaled compounds/substances investigated included perillyl alcohol, vesicular stomatitis virus, parvovirus, telomerase inhibitors, neural stem and progenitor cells, antimetabolites, somatostatin analogues, and dopamine agonists. Radiolabeling, CSF concentration measurement, imaging studies, and histological examination were utilized to clarify the mechanism and distribution by which drugs were delivered to the CNS. Successful drug delivery and tumor/symptom response was reported in all 21 tumorspecific studies. The intranasal route holds tremendous potential as a viable option for drug delivery for CNS neoplasms. A variety of antitumoral agents may be delivered via this route, thereby potentially offering a more direct delivery approach and ameliorating the adverse effects associated with systemic drug delivery. -------------------------------------------------------------[131] TITLE: - Basal-like breast cancer: update on clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular features. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2014 Jan;138(1):37-43. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2012-0439-RA. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 5858/arpa.2012-0439-RA AUTHOR: - Leidy J; ADDRESS: - From the Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester. AUTHOR: - Khan A AUTHOR: - Kandil D SUMMARY: - CONTEXT: Basal-like breast carcinoma (BLBC) is a distinct molecular subtype of breast carcinoma identified through gene expression profiling studies. OBJECTIVE: To provide the clinical background, the histologic profile, and the immunohistochemical profile of these tumors and discuss the current knowledge of their molecular signature and their implications on targeted molecular therapy. DATA SOURCES: Data were obtained from review of the pertinent peer-reviewed literature. CONCLUSIONS: Basal-like breast carcinomas are aggressive tumors with poor prognosis. Lack of targeted therapy makes their treatment a challenging task. Traditional chemotherapy is still associated with a high risk of relapse and death in a high percentage of patients. Platinum-based chemotherapy has been considered as a candidate for the treatment of BLBCs owing to their BRCA1 phenotype. Approximately 22% of patients treated with single-agent cisplatin show pathologic complete response, which is a comparable rate to that seen with nonplatinum agents. Antiangiogenic agents have been promising, but their currently demonstrated limited response is considered disappointing. Additionally, epidermal growth factor receptor was not shown to be a helpful target for BLBC. A recent study has shown that BLBC appears to be especially sensitive to MEK inhibitors, making it a promising therapeutic possibility. The list of new targets is still evolving and the “magic” therapeutic target is yet to be discovered. -------------------------------------------------------------[132] TITLE: - Lack of association of XRCC1 rs1799782 genetic polymorphism with risk of pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2014 Jan 17. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1598-x AUTHOR: - He G; ADDRESS: - Center of Transplant Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 138 Tongzipo Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Chen G AUTHOR: - Chen W AUTHOR: - Zhang W AUTHOR: - Cao J AUTHOR: - Ye Q SUMMARY: - Emerging evidence suggests that genetic polymorphisms in X-ray repair crosscomplementation group 1 (XRCC1) gene could be associated with pancreatic cancer risk. However, previous published studies on the association between XRCC1 rs1799782 genetic polymorphism and pancreatic cancer risk reported inconsistent results. For better understanding of the effects of XRCC1 rs1799782 genetic polymorphism on pancreatic cancer risk, we conducted a meta-analysis of previous published studies by calculating the pooled odds ratio (OR) with a 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI). A total of five eligible studies with 1,144 pancreatic cancer cases and 2,925 controls were eventually enrolled. Overall, we found that the XRCC1 rs1799782 genetic polymorphism was not associated with pancreatic cancer risk in total population under all genetic models (TT vs. CC: OR = 1.11, 95 % CI 0.76-1.63, P = 0.583; CT vs. CC: OR = 1.39, 95 % CI 0.92-2.10, P = 0.118; TT/CT vs. CC: OR = 1.39, 95 % CI 0.922.10, P = 0.121; TT vs. CT/CC: OR = 1.07, 95 % CI 0.73-1.55, P = 0.743; T vs. C: OR = 1.31, 95 % CI 0.93-1.86, P = 0.125). In the subgroup analysis based on ethnicity, there was no statistically significant association between XRCC1 rs1799782 genetic polymorphism and pancreatic cancer risk in Asians/Caucasians under all genetic models (all P values > 0.05). No publication bias was detected in this study. Our meta-analysis suggests that the XRCC1 rs1799782 genetic polymorphism is not significantly associated with pancreatic cancer risk. Considering the limited sample size and ethnicity enrolled in this meta-analysis, further larger scaled studies are needed to provide a more precise estimation on the association. -------------------------------------------------------------[133] TITLE: - The association of APE1 Asp148Glu gene polymorphisms and lung cancer risk: an updated meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Dec 6. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1474-8 AUTHOR: - Chen W; ADDRESS: - Shanghai Xujiahui Community Medical Service Center, Shanghai, 200030, China. AUTHOR: - Wang Q AUTHOR: - Liu M AUTHOR: - Ding XB SUMMARY: - Many studies have examined the association between APE1 Asp148Glu (rs3136820) polymorphism gene polymorphisms and lung cancer risk in various populations, but their results have been inconsistent. To assess this relationship more precisely, a metaanalysis was performed. PubMed and CNKI databases were searched for case-control studies published up to October 2013. Data were extracted, and pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Ultimately, 14 studies, comprising 4,165 lung cancer cases and 5,438 controls were included. Overall, for Glu carriers (Asp/Glu + Glu/Glu) versus wild-type homozygotes (Asp/Asp), the pooled OR was 1.05 (95 % CI = 0.96-1.15 P = 0.000 for heterogeneity); for Glu/Glu versus Asp/Asp, the pooled OR was 1.07 (95 % CI = 0.95-1.21 P = 0.007 for heterogeneity). In the stratified analysis by ethnicity, the significantly risks were not found among Asians or Caucasians. This updated meta-analysis suggests that the APE1 Asp148Glu polymorphisms are not associated with lung cancer risk among Asians or Caucasians. -------------------------------------------------------------[134] TITLE: - Xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group D (XPD) gene polymorphisms contribute to bladder cancer risk: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Dec 18. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1519-z AUTHOR: - Li SX; ADDRESS: - Department of Tumor Rehabilitation, First Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, No.2 Fuxue Lane, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China. AUTHOR: - Dai QS AUTHOR: - Chen SX AUTHOR: - Zhang SD AUTHOR: - Liao XY AUTHOR: - Deng X AUTHOR: - Chi HB AUTHOR: - Li FJ AUTHOR: - Zhu JH AUTHOR: - Jiang YY SUMMARY: - Numerous epidemiological studies have been conducted to investigate the association between Xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group D (XPD) Asp312Asn (rs1799793 G > A) and Lys751Gln (rs13181 A > C) polymorphisms and bladder cancer risk; however, the conclusions remain controversial. With this in mind, we performed this metaanalysis with 11 studies including 3,797 cases and 5,094 controls for Asp312Asn and 21 studies including 6,360 cases and 7,894 controls for Lys751Gln polymorphism. We searched available literatures from PubMed, Embase, and CBM databases. Crude odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the strength of the associations. Moreover, to validate biological plausibility of our findings, the effects of these two polymorphisms on XPD gene expression within three ethnicities was determine by gene expression analysis based on imputed genotypes from HapMap. Overall, the variant allele of Asp312Asn polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer (Asn/Asn vs. Asp/Asp: OR = 1.51, 95 % CI = 1.19-1.91; Asp/Asn vs. Asp/Asp: OR = 1.23, 95 % CI = 1.121.35; recessive model: OR = 1.33, 95 % CI = 1.10-1.61; dominant model: OR = 1.32, 95 % CI = 1.14-1.52; and allele comparing: OR = 1.26, 95 % CI = 1.11-1.42). We found the Lys751Gln was associated with increased bladder cancer risk only under the recessive model (OR = 1.14, 95 % CI = 1.01-1.29). Stratification analyses demonstrated an increased risk for Asians and hospitalbased studies under all genetic models while only under the dominant model for Caucasians as to the Asp312Asn polymorphism and for Caucasians under the recessive model as to the Lys751Gln polymorphism. We also found the Asp312Asn polymorphism can significantly influence mRNA expression levels among Asians and Caucasians, and the Lys751Gln polymorphism has a similar effect for Caucasians. Despite some limitations, this meta-analysis suggests that polymorphisms in XPD gene may contribute to bladder cancer susceptibility. These findings need further validation by large well-designed prospective studies. -------------------------------------------------------------[135] TITLE: - Polymorphisms of the XPC gene may contribute to the risk of head and neck cancer: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Dec 13. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1520-6 AUTHOR: - Zhang Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 1 Legation Street, Beijing, 100730, China. AUTHOR: - Li Z AUTHOR: - Zhong Q AUTHOR: - Zhou W AUTHOR: - Chen X AUTHOR: - Chen X AUTHOR: - Fang J AUTHOR: - Huang Z SUMMARY: - Polymorphisms of the XPC gene have been reported to be associated with an increased risk of head and neck cancer (HNC), though the exact biological effect is still unclear. Genetic association studies (GAS) investigating the associations between three common polymorphisms (PAT, Lys939Gln, and Ala499Val) of the XPC gene and HNC risk have produced contradictory and inconclusive results. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the contributions of these polymorphisms to the risk of HNC. A literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases to indentify eligible studies. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) were used to evaluate the strength of the associations under a fixed- or random-effect model according to heterogeneity test. Twelve case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis with a total of 3,078 HNC patients and 4,311 healthy controls. For XPC PAT, a significant overall association was found under all major genetic models. Stratified analyses further indicated significant associations in the Caucasian, population-based, non-PCR-RFLP, esophageal cancer and oral cancer subgroups. For XPC Lys939Gln, few significant results were found in either the overall analysis or stratified analyses. For XPC Ala499Val, the combined results revealed a significantly increased risk of HNC for carriers of the 499Val allele. This meta-analysis shows that the XPC PAT and Ala499Val polymorphisms may be associated with an increased risk of HNC, while XPC Lys939Gln may not be associated with HNC risk. Despite some limitations, this meta-analysis establishes solid statistical evidence for an association between XPC genetic polymorphisms and HNC risk that warrants further validation. -------------------------------------------------------------[136] TITLE: - MGMT Leu84Phe gene polymorphism and lung cancer risk: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2014 Jan 5. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1576-3 AUTHOR: - Qiu ZX; ADDRESS: - Department of Emergency, Jiangyin Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Traditional Chinese Medicine University, No. 130 Renmingzhong Road, Jiangyin, 214400, Jiangsu, China. AUTHOR: - Xue F AUTHOR: - Shi XF AUTHOR: - He X AUTHOR: - Ma HN AUTHOR: - Chen L AUTHOR: - Chen PZ SUMMARY: - Many studies have examined the association between the MGMT Leu84Phe polymorphism gene polymorphisms and lung cancer risk in various populations, but their results have been inconsistent. To assess this relationship more precisely, a meta-analysis was performed. The PubMed and CNKI database was searched for case-control studies published up to Nov. 2013. Data were extracted and pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Ultimately, 7 studies, comprising 3,094 lung cancer cases and 4,216 controls, were included. Overall, for (Phe/Phe+Phe/Leu) versus Leu/Leu, the pooled OR for all studies was 1.08 (95 % CI = 0.97-1.21 P = 0.518 for heterogeneity); for Phe/Phe versus Leu/Leu and Phe versus Leu, the pooled OR was 1.10 (95 % CI = 0.99-1.21 P = 0.445 for heterogeneity) and 1.46 (95 % CI = 1.05-2.02 P = 0.352 for heterogeneity), respectively. In the stratified analysis by ethnicity, significantly risks were found among Caucasians not in Asians. This meta-analysis suggests that the MGMT Leu84Phe polymorphisms are associated with lung cancer risk among Caucasians not in Asians. -------------------------------------------------------------[137] TITLE: - Potential increased risk of cancer from commonly used medications: an umbrella review of meta-analyses. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Ann Oncol. 2014 Jan;25(1):16-23. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdt372. Epub 2013 Dec 4. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1093/annonc/mdt372 AUTHOR: - Ioannidis JP; ADDRESS: - Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine and Department of Health Research and Policy, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford. AUTHOR: - Zhou Y AUTHOR: - Chang CQ AUTHOR: - Schully SD AUTHOR: - Khoury MJ AUTHOR: - Freedman AN SUMMARY: - Several commonly used medications have been associated with increased cancer risk in the literature. Here, we evaluated the strength and consistency of these claims in published meta-analyses. We carried out an umbrella review of 74 meta-analysis articles addressing the association of commonly used medications (antidiabetics, antihyperlipidemics, antihypertensives, antirheumatics, drugs for osteoporosis, and others) with cancer risk where at least one meta-analysis in the medication class included some data from randomized trials. Overall, 51 articles found no statistically significant differences, 13 found some decreased cancer risk, and 11 found some increased risk (one reported both increased and decreased risks). The 11 meta-analyses that found some increased risks reported 16 increased risk estimates, of which 5 pertained to overall cancer and 11 to site-specific cancer. Six of the 16 estimates were derived from randomized trials and 10 from observational data. Estimates of increased risk were strongly inversely correlated with the amount of evidence (number of cancer cases) (Spearman’s correlation coefficient = -0.77, P < 0.001). In 4 of the 16 topics, another meta-analysis existed that was larger (n = 2) or included better controlled data (n = 2) and in all 4 cases there was no statistically significantly increased risk of malignancy. No medication or class had substantial and consistent evidence for increased risk of malignancy. However, for most medications we cannot exclude small risks or risks in population subsets. Such risks are unlikely to be possible to document robustly unless very large, collaborative studies with standardized analyses and no selective reporting are carried out. -------------------------------------------------------------[138] TITLE: - MspI and Ile462Val polymorphisms in CYP1A1 and overall cancer risk: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Dec 31;8(12):e85166. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085166. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0085166 AUTHOR: - Wu B; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College, Wuxi, China. AUTHOR: - Liu K; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. AUTHOR: - Huang H; ADDRESS: - The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. AUTHOR: - Yuan J; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College, Wuxi, China. AUTHOR: - Yuan W; ADDRESS: - Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China. AUTHOR: - Wang S; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. AUTHOR: - Chen T; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. AUTHOR: - Zhao H; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College, Wuxi, China. AUTHOR: - Yin C; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Cytochrome P450 1ª1 (CYP1A1) is a member of the CYP1 family, which is a key enzyme in the metabolism of many endogenous substrates and exogenous carcinogens. To date, many studies have examined the association between CYP1A1 MspI and Ile462Val polymorphisms and cancer risk in various populations, but their results have been conflicting rather than consistent. METHODS: To assess this relationship more precisely, a meta-analysis based on 198 publications was performed. Odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the association. The statistical heterogeneity across studies was examined with a chi-square-based Q-test. RESULTS: Overall, a significant elevated risk of cancer was associated with CYP1A1 MspI and Ile462Val polymorphisms for all genetic models studied. Further stratified analysis by cancer types revealed that the MspI polymorphism may increase the risk of lung cancer and cervical cancer whereas the Ile462Val polymorphism may contribute to a higher risk of lung cancer, leukemia, esophageal carcinoma, and prostate cancer. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, obvious associations were found in the Asian population for the MspI polymorphism while an increased risk of cancer was observed in Asians and Caucasians for the Ile462Val polymorphism. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that CYP1A1 MspI and Ile462Val polymorphisms contribute to increased cancer susceptibility among Asians. Additional comprehensive system analyses are required to validate this association and other related polymorphisms. -------------------------------------------------------------[139] TITLE: - Cisplatin or not in advanced gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Dec 27;8(12):e83022. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083022. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0083022 AUTHOR: - Petrelli F; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology Unit, Oncology Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Treviglio, Treviglio (BG), Italy. AUTHOR: - Zaniboni A; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology Unit, Istituto Ospedaliero Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy. AUTHOR: - Coinu A; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology Unit, Oncology Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Treviglio, Treviglio (BG), Italy. AUTHOR: - Cabiddu M; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology Unit, Oncology Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Treviglio, Treviglio (BG), Italy. AUTHOR: - Ghilardi M; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology Unit, Oncology Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Treviglio, Treviglio (BG), Italy. AUTHOR: - Sgroi G; ADDRESS: - Surgical Oncology Unit, Surgery Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Treviglio, Treviglio (BG), Italy. AUTHOR: - Barni S; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology Unit, Oncology Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Treviglio, Treviglio (BG), Italy. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is frequently used to treat advanced gastric cancer (GC). Although it leads to increased overall survival (OS) when added to single agents or chemotherapy doublets, toxicity is also generally increased. The purpose of this meta-analysis study was to compare the efficacy of chemotherapy with and without cisplatin in patients with advanced GC. METHODS: Randomised trials that compared first-line cisplatinbased chemotherapy with regimens in which cisplatin was replaced by other agents were identified by electronic searches of PubMed, EMBASE, the Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Meta-analysis was performed using a fixed or random effects model. OS, reported as a hazard ratio (HR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI), was the primary outcome measure. RESULTS: Fourteen trials (5 phase III and 9 phase II), including 2,981 patients, were identified. Overall, chemotherapy regimens without cisplatin significantly improved OS (HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.68-0.92; p = 0.003), progression-free survival (PFS) (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.66-0.90; p = 0.001), and response rate (RR) (OR, 1.25; p = 0.004) when compared to cisplatin-containing regimens. A subgroup analysis according to histology, site of the primary tumour and extent of disease was not possible due to lack of data. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with cisplatin-based doublets and triplets, combinations in which cisplatin was replaced by new drugs improved outcome and RRs in randomised trials for advanced GC and therefore should be strongly considered in the metastatic setting. A limitation of this meta-analysis is that we cannot identify a subgroup of patients (according to histology, site of primary tumour or burden of metastatic disease) which could derive greater benefit from cisplatin-free chemotherapy. -------------------------------------------------------------[140] TITLE: - Hypothermic machine perfusion reduces delayed graft function and improves one-year graft survival of kidneys from expanded criteria donors: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Dec 10;8(12):e81826. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081826. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0081826 AUTHOR: - Jiao B; ADDRESS: - Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China. AUTHOR: - Liu S AUTHOR: - Liu H AUTHOR: - Cheng D AUTHOR: - Cheng Y AUTHOR: - Liu Y SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Expanded criteria donors (ECDs) are currently accepted as potential sources to increase the donor pool and to provide more chances of kidney transplantation for elderly recipients who would not survive long waiting periods. Hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) is designed to mitigate the deleterious effects of simple cold storage (CS) on the quality of preserved organs, particularly when the donor is in a marginal status. METHODS: We compared the transplant outcomes in patients receiving ECD kidneys with either HMP or CS graft preservation. Articles from the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were searched and all studies reporting outcomes from HMP versus CS methods of kidney preservation were included in this meta-analysis. The parameters analyzed included the incidence of delayed graft function (DGF), primary non-function (PNF) and one-year graft and patient survival. RESULTS: A total of seven studies qualified for the review, involving 2374 and 8716 kidney grafts with HMP or CS preservation respectively, all from ECD donors. The incidence of delayed graft function (DGF) was significantly reduced with an odd ratio(OR) of 0.59 (95% CI 0.54-0.66, P<0.001) and one-year graft survival was significantly improved with an OR of 1.12 (95% CI 1.03-1.21, P = 0.005) in HMP preservation compared to CS. However, there was no difference in the incidence of PNF (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.21-1.40, P = 0.20), and one-year patient survival (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.94-1.02, P = 0.36) between HMP and CS preservation. CONCLUSIONS: HMP was associated with a reduced incidence of DGF and an with increased one-year graft survival, but it was not associated with the incidence of PNF and one-year patient survival. -------------------------------------------------------------[141] TITLE: - Challenges and Recommendations for Early Identification of Metastatic Disease in Prostate Cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Urology. 2014 Jan 8. pii: S0090-4295(13)01371-X. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2013.10.026. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.urology.2013.10.026 AUTHOR: - Crawford ED; ADDRESS: - University of Colorado, Denver-Aurora, CO. Electronic address: edc@edavidcrawford.com. AUTHOR: - Stone NN; ADDRESS: - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. AUTHOR: - Yu EY; ADDRESS: - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA. AUTHOR: - Koo PJ; ADDRESS: - University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO. AUTHOR: - Freedland SJ; ADDRESS: - Durham VA and Duke University, Durham, NC. AUTHOR: - Slovin SF; ADDRESS: - Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. AUTHOR: - Gomella LG; ADDRESS: - Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA. AUTHOR: - Berger ER; ADDRESS: - Oncology Consortium, Scottsdale, AZ. AUTHOR: - Keane TE; ADDRESS: - Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. AUTHOR: - Sieber P; ADDRESS: - Lancaster Urology, Lancaster, PA. AUTHOR: - Shore ND; ADDRESS: - Carolina Urologic Research Center, Myrtle Beach, SC. AUTHOR: - Petrylak DP; ADDRESS: - Yale University Cancer Center, New Haven, CT; Prostate Cancer Radiographic Assessments for Detection of Advanced Recurrence (RADAR) Group, University of Colorado Hospital, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, CO. SUMMARY: - Prostate cancer is often associated with metastases to bone and/or soft tissue. The progression to metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer is a seminal event in disease progression affecting treatment decisions. A multidisciplinary group was convened to review the currently available imaging guidelines for metastatic disease in prostate cancer and found no consensus on eligibility criteria, type of imaging modality, and the frequency of scanning for detecting metastatic disease. The aim of this review was to present the recommendations from the group to identify optimal strategies for early identification of metastases in patients with prostate cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[142] TITLE: - Betel quid chewing and the risk of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: a meta-analysis with implications for cancer control. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Cancer. 2013 Dec 3. doi: 10.1002/ijc.28643. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/ijc.28643 AUTHOR: - Guha N; ADDRESS: - International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France. AUTHOR: - Warnakulasuriya S AUTHOR: - Vlaanderen J AUTHOR: - Straif K SUMMARY: - We conducted a random-effects meta-analysis of 50 publications assessing the relationship between oral/oropharyngeal cancer and chewing betel quid, with (BQ+T) or without added tobacco (BQ-T), a common practice in many parts of Asia and globally among Asian immigrants. Exposure-response, by daily amount and years of BQ chewed, was assessed using spline models. Attributable fractions (PAF%) were calculated to estimate the public health impact if BQ were no longer chewed. The meta-relative risk (mRR) for oral/oropharyngeal cancer in the Indian subcontinent was 2.56 (95%CI, 2.00-3.28; 15 studies) for BQ-T and 7.74 (95%CI, 5.38-11.13; 31 studies) for BQ+T; in Taiwan, China the mRR for BQ-T was 10.98 (95%CI, 4.86-24.84; 13 studies). Restricting to studies that adjusted for tobacco and alcohol use had only a small effect on the risk estimates. For BQ+T in the Indian subcontinent, the mRR was much higher in women (mRR, 14.56; 95%CI, 7.63-27.76) than in men. Exposureresponse analyses showed that the risk of oral/oropharyngeal cancer increased with increasing daily amount and duration (years) of chewing BQ in India and Taiwan, China. Roughly half of oral cancers in these countries could be prevented if BQ were no longer chewed (PAF% = 53.7% for BQ-T in Taiwan, China; PAF% = 49.5% for BQ+T in India). We demonstrate that betel quid chewing, with or without added tobacco, increases the risk of oral/oropharyngeal cancer in an exposure-dependent manner, independently of tobacco and alcohol use. Further work is needed to explain the higher risks associated with chewing BQ-T in Taiwan, China. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. -------------------------------------------------------------[143] TITLE: - Prevalence of human papillomaviruses in semen: a systematic review and meta- analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Hum Reprod. 2013 Dec 22. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1093/humrep/det453 AUTHOR: - Laprise C; ADDRESS: - Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Universite de Montreal, 7101 Avenue du Parc, Montreal, QC, Canada H3N 1X7. AUTHOR: - Trottier H AUTHOR: - Monnier P AUTHOR: - Coutlee F AUTHOR: - Mayrand MH SUMMARY: - STUDY QUESTION: What is the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in semen? SUMMARY ANSWER: HPV is present in the semen of asymptomatic men, with a pooled prevalence in a random effects meta-analysis of populations seeking fertility evaluation/treatment of 16%, versus 10% in other populations. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: The main risk of donor insemination (DI) is known to be contamination with an infectious agent. HPV is the necessary cause of cervical cancer, and plays an etiologic role in other anogenital cancers. Although it is known to be prevalent and sexually transmitted, donor semen specimens are not tested for the presence of HPV. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published between January 1980 and June 2013 were performed. Variables collected included characteristics of study populations, method of semen preparation, HPV DNA detection and genotyping, HPV types targeted and proportion of HPV positivity. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Two investigators independently assessed the studies for inclusion in the review and abstracted the data, while others reviewed the extracted data in detail. Studies were included if they provided data on HPV DNA prevalence in semen and PCR-based methods were used. For the meta-analysis, reports were separated according to the study populations, creating two distinct subgroups: populations seeking fertility evaluation/treatments, and other populations. Data were analysed using a random effects model for each subpopulation. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The literature search identified 285 studies, and in the 27 studies that were included the HPV DNA prevalence in 4029 semen samples varied from 0 to 100%. The three studies focusing on sperm donors identified HPV DNA in 26.3, 7.5 and 16.0% of semen samples. HPV-16 was the most common type overall. The pooled prevalence in a random effects meta-analysis of seven studies focusing on infertile populations was 16% [95% confidence interval (CI): 10-23%] versus 10% (95% CI: 7-14%) in 11 reports focusing on other populations. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: First, despite defining clinically relevant subgroups, substantial heterogeneity remained. Secondly, although we retrieved data from reports in English or French only, after reviewing the five reports in other languages only two more could have been added and, as their prevalence estimates were similar to those of studies included in our review, we do not believe that exclusion of these reports biased our results or conclusions. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: HPV DNA can be found in donor semen and preliminary studies confirm genome activity. For this reason, and although the exact consequences of insemination with HPV-infected semen (cervical infections/lesions, impact on success rate of DI) remain to be clarified, we believe that HPV-infected sperm should be considered a health risk unless well-designed studies prove otherwise. The development and validation of adequate sperm washing techniques before DI appears to be a promising option. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): C.L. and P.M. have no conflicts of interests relevant to the submitted work. H.T. has served as a consultant and on advisory boards and has received speaker fees and travel assistance from Merck-Frosst Canada, Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals, Belgium and Gilead Sciences. F.C. has received grants through his institution from Merck and Roche, as well as honoraria from Merck and Roche for lectures on HPV. M.-H.M. has received grants though her institution from Merck and Qiagen and lecture honoraria from Merck and GSK for conferences on HPV and best practices in cervical cancer prevention. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A. -------------------------------------------------------------[144] TITLE: - Cognitive effects of cancer and its treatments at the intersection of aging: what do we know; what do we need to know? SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Semin Oncol. 2013 Dec;40(6):709-25. doi: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2013.09.006. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1053/j.seminoncol.2013.09.006 AUTHOR: - Mandelblatt JS; ADDRESS: - Departments of Oncology and Population Sciences, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC. Electronic address: mandelbj@georgetown.edu. AUTHOR: - Hurria A; ADDRESS: - Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA. AUTHOR: - McDonald BC; ADDRESS: - Center for Neuroimaging, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences and the Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN. AUTHOR: - Saykin AJ; ADDRESS: - Center for Neuroimaging, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences and the Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN. AUTHOR: - Stern RA; ADDRESS: - Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery and Director, Clinical Core, BU Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. AUTHOR: - VanMeter JW; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC. AUTHOR: - McGuckin M; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC. AUTHOR: - Traina T; ADDRESS: - Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. AUTHOR: - Denduluri N; ADDRESS: - Department of Medicine, Georgetown University; Virginia Cancer Specialists, US Oncology, Arlington, VA. AUTHOR: - Turner S; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC. AUTHOR: - Howard D; ADDRESS: - Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC. AUTHOR: - Jacobsen PB; ADDRESS: - Division of Population Science, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL. AUTHOR: - Ahles T; ADDRESS: - Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY. SUMMARY: - There is a fairly consistent, albeit non-universal body of research documenting cognitive declines after cancer and its treatments. While few of these studies have included subjects aged 65 years and older, it is logical to expect that older patients are at risk of cognitive decline. Here, we use breast cancer as an exemplar disease for inquiry into the intersection of aging and cognitive effects of cancer and its therapies. There are a striking number of common underlying potential biological risks and pathways for the development of cancer, cancer-related cognitive declines, and aging processes, including the development of a frail phenotype. Candidate shared pathways include changes in hormonal milieu, inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA damage and compromised DNA repair, genetic susceptibility, decreased brain blood flow or disruption of the blood-brain barrier, direct neurotoxicity, decreased telomere length, and cell senescence. There also are similar structure and functional changes seen in brain imaging studies of cancer patients and those seen with “normal” aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Disentangling the role of these overlapping processes is difficult since they require aged animal models and large samples of older human subjects. From what we do know, frailty and its low cognitive reserve seem to be a clinically useful marker of risk for cognitive decline after cancer and its treatments. This and other results from this review suggest the value of geriatric assessments to identify older patients at the highest risk of cognitive decline. Further research is needed to understand the interactions between aging, genetic predisposition, lifestyle factors, and frailty phenotypes to best identify the subgroups of older patients at greatest risk for decline and to develop behavioral and pharmacological interventions targeting this group. We recommend that basic science and population trials be developed specifically for older hosts with intermediate endpoints of relevance to this group, including cognitive function and trajectories of frailty. Clinicians and their older patients can advance the field by active encouragement of and participation in research designed to improve the care and outcomes of the growing population of older cancer patients. -------------------------------------------------------------[145] TITLE: - Enterolactone concentrations and prognosis after postmenopausal breast cancer: Assessment of effect modification and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Cancer. 2014 Jan 16. doi: 10.1002/ijc.28729. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/ijc.28729 AUTHOR: - Seibold P; ADDRESS: - Division of Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany. AUTHOR: - Vrieling A AUTHOR: - Johnson TS AUTHOR: - Buck K AUTHOR: - Behrens S AUTHOR: - Kaaks R AUTHOR: - Linseisen J AUTHOR: - Obi N AUTHOR: - Heinz J AUTHOR: - Flesch-Janys D AUTHOR: - Chang-Claude J SUMMARY: - We previously reported that high concentrations of enterolactone, a lignan metabolite, are associated with lower mortality in 1,140 breast cancer patients from Germany. Using an extended set of 2,182 patients aged 50-74 years at diagnosis (2001-2005) and prospectively followed up until 2009, we investigated whether the association with mortality differs by lifestyle factors and tumor characteristics. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using multivariable Cox regression. Potential differential effects by tumor characteristics and lifestyle factors were assessed and a meta-analysis of five studies addressing lignan exposure and breast cancer prognosis was performed to summarize evidence. Median enterolactone concentrations were 17.4 (+/-30.5 standard deviation) and 22.9 nmol L-1 (+/-44.8), respectively, for 269 deceased and 1,913 patients still alive. High enterolactone concentrations were significantly associated with lower all-cause mortality (per 10 nmol L-1 : HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.90-0.98), breast cancer-specific mortality (HR 0.94, 0.89-0.99), and distant disease-free survival (HR 0.94, 0.90-0.98). Associations were found for stage 0-IIIA but not for stage IIIB-IV disease (phet = 0.01) and were stronger in patients with BMI <25 kg m-2 than those with BMI >/=25 (phet = 0.04). In patients with healthy lifestyle (BMI <25, nonsmoker, physically active), the inverse association with all-cause mortality was still apparent (HR 0.92, 0.85-0.99). The meta-analysis yielded significant associations both for allcause (HR 0.57, 0.42-0.78) and breast cancer-specific mortality (HR 0.54, 0.39-0.75). Our findings show that high lignan exposure is associated with reduced mortality in breast cancer patients. The inverse association observed in this study cannot be entirely explained by a healthy lifestyle. -------------------------------------------------------------[146] TITLE: - Reproductive risk factors and breast cancer subtypes: a review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2014 Feb;144(1):1-10. doi: 10.1007/s10549-014-2852-7. Epub 2014 Jan 30. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s10549-014-2852-7 AUTHOR: - Anderson KN; ADDRESS: - Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Dr., #0901, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0901, USA. AUTHOR: - Schwab RB AUTHOR: - Martinez ME SUMMARY: - Aside from age, sex, and family history, risk of developing breast cancer is largely linked to reproductive factors, which characterize exposure to sex hormones. Given that, molecular testing at the tumor level is currently possible, clinical characterization of tumor subtypes is routinely conducted to guide treatment decisions. However, despite the vast amount of published data from observational studies on reproductive factor associations and breast cancer risk, relatively fewer reports have been published on associations specific to breast tumor subtypes. We conducted a review of the literature and summarized the results of associations between reproductive factors and risk or odds of three distinct tumor subtypes: estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor positive (hormone receptor positive, HR+ tumors), tumors overexpressing the human epidermal receptor 2 protein (HER2+), and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), which lacks the three markers. Results show that the most consistent evidence for associations with reproductive risk factors exists for HR+ breast cancers, with nulliparity, current use of menopausal hormone therapy, and prolonged interval between menarche and age at first birth being the strongest risk factors; increased age at first birth and decreased age at menarche were fairly consistently associated with HR+ cancers; and though less consistent, older age at menopause was also positively associated, while lactation was inversely associated with HR+ tumors. Fewer consistent associations have been reported for TNBC. The single protective factor most consistently associated with TNBC was longer duration of breastfeeding. Increased parity, younger age at first birth, older age at menarche, and oral contraceptive use were less consistently shown to be associated with TNBC. No remarkable associations for HER2+ breast cancers were evident, although this was based on relatively scarce data. Findings suggest heterogeneity in reproductive risk factors for the distinct subtypes of breast tumors, which may have implications for recommended prevention strategies. -------------------------------------------------------------[147] TITLE: - Chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel after failure of primary chemotherapy for advanced thymic carcinoma. A report of three cases and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumori. 2013 Jul-Aug;99(4):e172-6. doi: 10.1700/1361.15119. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1700/1361.15119 AUTHOR: - Watanabe K AUTHOR: - Shinkai M AUTHOR: - Goto H AUTHOR: - Yoshikawa S AUTHOR: - Yamaguchi N AUTHOR: - Hara Y AUTHOR: - Shinoda M AUTHOR: - Moriyama Y AUTHOR: - Rubin BK AUTHOR: - Ishigatsubo Y AUTHOR: - Kaneko T SUMMARY: - For patients with inoperable thymic carcinoma, multidrug chemotherapy containing cisplatin and an anthracycline is often used as first-line chemotherapy. A commonly applied regimen is cisplatin + doxorubicin + vincristine + cyclophosphamide (ADOC). There are relatively few reports on the use of carboplatin and paclitaxel as first-line chemotherapy for thymic carcinoma. In addition, little is known about its efficacy as second-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced thymic carcinoma. We here report on three patients with thymic carcinoma who were treated with carboplatin and paclitaxel as second-line chemotherapy after failure of ADOC. According to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1, one patient achieved a partial response and two patients achieved stable disease. The median progression-free survival was 6.7 months and the median overall survival exceeded 3 years. Toxicities were well tolerated. Chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel appears to be effective as second-line chemotherapy for some persons with thymic carcinoma who fail ADOC. -------------------------------------------------------------[148] TITLE: - Resistance to human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2-targeted therapies. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Cancer. 2014 Jan 22. pii: S0959-8049(14)00012-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2014.01.003. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ejca.2014.01.003 AUTHOR: - Thery JC; ADDRESS: - Department of Medical Oncology, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, Paris, France. Electronic address: jean-christophe.thery@psl.aphp.fr. AUTHOR: - Spano JP; ADDRESS: - Department of Medical Oncology, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, Paris, France. AUTHOR: - Azria D; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy CRLC Val d’Aurelle, Montpellier, France. AUTHOR: - Raymond E; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Beaujon-Bichat Inter-Hospital, Clichy, France. AUTHOR: - Penault Llorca F; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, Jean Perrin Center and EA 4677 ERTICa, University of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France. SUMMARY: - The overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER-2) is an independent prognostic factor of poor outcome in patients with breast cancer. Two compounds have been registered for HER-2-positive tumour treatment: trastuzumab, a humanised antibody directed against the HER-2 extracellular domain, and lapatinib, a small molecule acting as a dual EGF-R and HER-2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Although both drugs improve progression-free survival, many patients’ tumours will exhibit primary resistance, or develop secondary resistance, to anti-HER-2 therapies. The recent significant improvement of survival gained with pertuzumab (an antibody disrupting dimerisation of the receptor) or trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1, a cytotoxic drug vectored by trastuzumab binding) opened the way for new registrations. This review describes the molecular mechanisms by which tumour cells may adapt to and evade HER-2 inhibition by HER-2-targeted therapies and discusses strategies to prevent and overcome resistance to trastuzumab and lapatinib. These strategies may include the establishment of predictive markers, exploration of combination therapies and modulation of nodal targets. -------------------------------------------------------------[149] TITLE: - TNF-alpha-308 polymorphism and risk of digestive system cancers: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Dec 28;19(48):9461-71. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i48.9461. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3748/wjg.v19.i48.9461 AUTHOR: - Guo XF; ADDRESS: - Xu-Feng Guo, Jun Wang, Shi-Jie Yu, Jia Song, Meng-Yao Ji, Zhuo Cao, Ji-Xiang Zhang, Jing Wang, Wei-Guo Dong, Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China. AUTHOR: - Wang J; ADDRESS: - Xu-Feng Guo, Jun Wang, Shi-Jie Yu, Jia Song, Meng-Yao Ji, Zhuo Cao, Ji-Xiang Zhang, Jing Wang, Wei-Guo Dong, Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China. AUTHOR: - Yu SJ; ADDRESS: - Xu-Feng Guo, Jun Wang, Shi-Jie Yu, Jia Song, Meng-Yao Ji, Zhuo Cao, Ji-Xiang Zhang, Jing Wang, Wei-Guo Dong, Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China. AUTHOR: - Song J; ADDRESS: - Xu-Feng Guo, Jun Wang, Shi-Jie Yu, Jia Song, Meng-Yao Ji, Zhuo Cao, Ji-Xiang Zhang, Jing Wang, Wei-Guo Dong, Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China. AUTHOR: - Ji MY; ADDRESS: - Xu-Feng Guo, Jun Wang, Shi-Jie Yu, Jia Song, Meng-Yao Ji, Zhuo Cao, Ji-Xiang Zhang, Jing Wang, Wei-Guo Dong, Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China. AUTHOR: - Cao Z; ADDRESS: - Xu-Feng Guo, Jun Wang, Shi-Jie Yu, Jia Song, Meng-Yao Ji, Zhuo Cao, Ji-Xiang Zhang, Jing Wang, Wei-Guo Dong, Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China. AUTHOR: - Zhang JX; ADDRESS: - Xu-Feng Guo, Jun Wang, Shi-Jie Yu, Jia Song, Meng-Yao Ji, Zhuo Cao, Ji-Xiang Zhang, Jing Wang, Wei-Guo Dong, Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China. AUTHOR: - Wang J; ADDRESS: - Xu-Feng Guo, Jun Wang, Shi-Jie Yu, Jia Song, Meng-Yao Ji, Zhuo Cao, Ji-Xiang Zhang, Jing Wang, Wei-Guo Dong, Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China. AUTHOR: - Dong WG; ADDRESS: - Xu-Feng Guo, Jun Wang, Shi-Jie Yu, Jia Song, Meng-Yao Ji, Zhuo Cao, Ji-Xiang Zhang, Jing Wang, Wei-Guo Dong, Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China. SUMMARY: - AIM: To evaluate the association between the tumour necrosis factor alpha-308 (TNF-alpha-308) gene polymorphism and the risk of digestive system cancers. METHODS: All eligible case-control studies published up to December 2012 were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and China National Knowledge Internet without language restrictions. The risk of digestive system cancers associated with the TNF-alpha-308 polymorphism was estimated for each study using odds ratio (OR) together with its 95%CI, respectively. Cochrane Collaboration RevMan 5.1 was used to perform the analysis. A chi(2)test-based Q statistic test and an I(2) test were performed to assess the between-study heterogeneity. When the Q test was significant (P < 0.05) or I(2) > 50%, the random effects model was used, otherwise the fixed effects model was used. RESULTS: Fifty-eight studies from fifty-five publications with a total of 9986 cancer patients and 15511 healthy controls were included. Overall, a significant association was found between the TNF-alpha-308 polymorphism and the risk of digestive system cancers [dominant model: OR = 1.23, 95%CI: 1.09-1.39, (G/A) vs (G/G): OR = 1.15, 95%CI: 1.02-1.28, (A/A) vs (G/G): OR = 1.44, 95%CI: 1.191.73, recessive model: OR = 1.38, 95%CI: 1.15-1.66]. Furthermore, when the analysis was stratified by ethnicity, similar results were observed in both the Asian and Caucasian populations, except for the dominant model and heterozygote comparisons in the Asian population [dominant model: OR = 1.24, 95%CI: 0.99-1.56, (G/A) vs (G/G): OR = 1.09, 95%CI: 0.96-1.24]. When the cancer type subgroups were examined, similar results were detected in gastric and hepatocellular carcinomas; however, no significant association was observed among other digestive system cancers. CONCLUSION: The TNF-alpha-308 gene polymorphism may be significantly associated with the risk of gastric and hepatocellular carcinomas, but not colorectal, pancreatic, or oesophageal cancer, in the Asian population. -------------------------------------------------------------[150] TITLE: - XRCC1 Arg399Gln genetic polymorphism and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Mol Biol Rep. 2014 Feb;41(2):879-87. doi: 10.1007/s11033-013-2929-0. Epub 2014 Jan 4. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s11033-013-2929-0 AUTHOR: - Qi Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Public Health, Qingdao University Medical College, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao, 266021, China, viviangreen@126.com. AUTHOR: - Cui L AUTHOR: - Song Y AUTHOR: - Li N SUMMARY: - The X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) gene, one of over 20 genes that participate in the base excision repair pathway, is thought to account for differences in susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma. To assess the relationship between the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we performed a meta-analysis. All the relevant studies were extracted from PubMed, Embase, the Chinese biomedicine databases, the Chinese national knowledge infrastructure, and the Wanfang databases (prior to August 2012). The meta-analysis was performed using all eligible studies, which covered a total of 2,554 cases and 3,320 controls, to examine the association between XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism and the risk of HCC. Our analysis suggested that the variant genotypes of the XRCC1 Arg399Gln gene were associated with a significantly increased risk of HCC in a co-dominant model (Arg/Gln vs. Arg/Arg, odd ratios [OR] 1.39, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.79; Gln/Gln vs. Arg/Arg, OR 1.26, 95 % CI 1.04-1.52) and a dominant model (Arg/Gln + Gln/Gln vs. Arg/Arg OR 1.36, 95 % CI 1.07-1.72), whereas no association was observed in the recessive model (Gln/Gln vs. Arg/Gln + Arg/Arg, OR 1.05, 95 % CI 0.91-1.21). The results of the subgroup analysis by ethnicity indicated that the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism was associated with increased risk of HCC in Asian populations using the codominant model (Arg/Gln vs. Arg/Arg, OR 1.41, 95 % CI 1.06-1.87) and the dominant model (Gln/Gln vs. Arg/Gln + Arg/Arg, OR 1.35, 95 % CI 1.03-1.76). Our analysis provides evidence that the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism may be associated with a higher risk of HCC, especially among Asian populations. -------------------------------------------------------------[151] TITLE: - Protocol for the examination of specimens from patients with pheochromocytomas and extra-adrenal paragangliomas. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2014 Feb;138(2):182-8. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2012-0551-OA. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 5858/arpa.2012-0551-OA AUTHOR: - Mete O; ADDRESS: - From the Departments of Pathology (Drs Mete and Asa) and Medicine (Dr Ezzat), University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; the Department of Pathology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Tischler); the Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Dr de Krijger); the Department of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, The University of Queensland, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, Australia (Dr McNicol); the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine and Department of Medicine III, University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Dr Eisenhofer); and the Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland (Dr Pacak). AUTHOR: - Tischler AS AUTHOR: - de Krijger R AUTHOR: - McNicol AM AUTHOR: - Eisenhofer G AUTHOR: - Pacak K AUTHOR: - Ezzat S AUTHOR: - Asa SL SUMMARY: - During the last decade there have been revolutionary breakthroughs in understanding the biology of pheochromocytomas and extra-adrenal paragangliomas. Discoveries of new susceptibility genes and genotype-phenotype correlations have led to the realization that appropriate patient care requires a complete integration of clinical, genetic, biochemical, imaging, and pathology findings. Clinical practice has in many cases not kept pace with the rate of discovery, underscoring a need for updated procedures for evaluation of patient specimens and reporting of data. We therefore propose a new synoptic reporting approach for pheochromocytomas and extra-adrenal paragangliomas that will provide clear and uniform information to pathologists and clinicians, in order to advance the diagnosis of these neoplasms and optimize patient care. -------------------------------------------------------------[152] TITLE: - Meta-analysis of the association of glutathione S-transferase T1 null/presence gene polymorphism with the risk of gastric carcinoma. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Mol Biol Rep. 2014 Feb;41(2):639-49. doi: 10.1007/s11033-013-2902-y. Epub 2013 Dec 19. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s11033-013-2902-y AUTHOR: - Meng YB; ADDRESS: - Department of General Surgery, The West District of the First Affiliated Hospital of GuangXi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China. AUTHOR: - Cai XY AUTHOR: - Lu WQ AUTHOR: - Yang LH AUTHOR: - Gan TQ AUTHOR: - Drummen GP SUMMARY: - A possible association of glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) null/presence gene polymorphism and an increased risk of developing gastric carcinoma is still unclear and hotly debated. This investigation was performed to assess the association of the GSTT1 null/presence gene polymorphism with the risk of gastric carcinoma via a meta-analysis to increase sample size and statistical significance. PubMed, Cochrane Library and CBM-disc (China Biological Medicine Database) were searched on March 1, 2013, association reports were identified, and eligible studies were recruited and synthesized. Fifty-two reports were found to be suitable for this meta-analysis for the association of the GSTT1 null genotype with gastric carcinoma risk. The results showed that there was a significantly increased gastric carcinoma risk when the GSTT1 null genotype was present in the overall population (OR 1.21, 95 % CI 1.11-1.32, P < 0.0001), Caucasians (OR 1.25, 95 % CI 1.05-1.48, P = 0.01), East-Asians (OR 1.18, 95 % CI 1.06-1.31, P = 0.003), and Chinese (OR 1.24, 95 % CI 1.07-1.44, P = 0.005). However, no statistically relevant association could be established for the Indian ethnic group (OR 1.33, 95 % CI 0.94-1.90, P = 0.11). In conclusion, the GSTT1 null genotype is associated with an increased gastric carcinoma risk in the overall population, Caucasians, East-Asians, and Chinese. -------------------------------------------------------------[153] TITLE: - The association between fish consumption and risk of renal cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Nov 28;8(11):e81939. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081939. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0081939 AUTHOR: - Bai HW; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Institute of Organ Transplantation of PLA, 309th Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China. AUTHOR: - Qian YY AUTHOR: - Shi BY AUTHOR: - Li G AUTHOR: - Fan Y AUTHOR: - Wang Z AUTHOR: - Yuan M AUTHOR: - Liu LP SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Several case-control studies and cohort studies have investigated the association between fish intake and renal cancer risk, however, they yielded conflicting results. To our knowledge, a comprehensive assessment of the association between fish consumption and risk of renal cancer has not been reported. Hence, we conducted a systematic literature search and meta-analysis to quantify the association between fish consumption and renal cancer. METHODS: A systematic search was performed using the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library Central database for case-control and cohort studies that assessed fish intake and risk of renal cancer. Two authors independently assessed eligibility and extracted data. Fixed-effect and random-effect models were used to estimate summary relative risks (RR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analysis and cumulative meta-analysis were also performed. RESULTS: A total of 12 case-control studies and three cohort studies published between 1990 and 2011 were included in the meta-analysis, involving 9,324 renal cancer cases and 608,753 participants. Meta-analysis showed that fish consumption did not significantly affect the risk of renal cancer (RR=0.99, 95% CI [0.92,1.07]). In our subgroup analyses, the results were not substantially affected by study design, region, gender, and confounder adjustments. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of results. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis suggested that there was no significant association between fish consumption and risk of renal cancer. More in-depth studies are warranted to report more detailed results, including stratified results by fish type, preparation method, and gender. -------------------------------------------------------------[154] TITLE: - Prognostic significance of positive circumferential resection margin in esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Ann Thorac Surg. 2014 Feb;97(2):446-53. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2013.10.043. Epub 2013 Dec 21. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.athoracsur.2013.10.043 AUTHOR: - Wu J; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgical Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China. AUTHOR: - Chen QX; ADDRESS: - Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China. AUTHOR: - Teng LS; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgical Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. Electronic address: lsteng@zju.edu.cn. AUTHOR: - Krasna MJ; ADDRESS: - Meridian Cancer Care, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, New Jersey. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: To assess the prognostic significance of positive circumferential resection margin on overall survival in patients with esophageal cancer, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. METHODS: Studies were identified from PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Survival data were extracted from eligible studies to compare overall survival in patients with a positive circumferential resection margin with patients having a negative circumferential resection margin according to the Royal College of Pathologists (RCP) criteria and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) criteria. Survival data were pooled with hazard ratios (HRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A random-effects model meta-analysis on overall survival was performed. RESULTS: The pooled HRs for survival were 1.510 (95% CI, 1.329-1.717; p < 0.001) and 2.053 (95% CI, 1.597-2.638; p < 0.001) according to the RCP and CAP criteria, respectively. Positive circumferential resection margin was associated with worse survival in patients with T3 stage disease according to the RCP (HR, 1.381; 95% CI, 1.028-1.584; p = 0.001) and CAP (HR, 2.457; 95% CI, 1.902-3.175; p < 0.001) criteria, respectively. Positive circumferential resection margin was associated with worse survival in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy according to the RCP (HR, 1.676; 95% CI, 1.023-2.744; p = 0.040) and CAP (HR, 1.847; 95% CI, 1.226-2.78; p = 0.003) criteria, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Positive circumferential resection margin is associated with poor prognosis in patients with esophageal cancer, particularly in patients with T3 stage disease and patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy. -------------------------------------------------------------[155] TITLE: - Long-term monitoring of brain tumors: when is it necessary? SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Epilepsia. 2013 Dec;54 Suppl 9:50-5. doi: 10.1111/epi.12444. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/epi.12444 AUTHOR: - Kennedy J; ADDRESS: - Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. AUTHOR: - Schuele SU SUMMARY: - Tumors, particularly low grade glioma and glioneuronal tumors, account for 2535% of patients who are undergoing epilepsy surgery for intractable seizures. A comprehensive epilepsy evaluation including video-electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring is useful for most of these patients, to determine the optimal extent of resection for the achievement of seizure-free outcome without causing postoperative deficits. Video-EEG monitoring for patients with brain tumor should also be considered in specific situations, such as patients with new postoperative seizures or advanced tumors with unexplained mental status change. -------------------------------------------------------------[156] TITLE: - Psychosocial interventions for men with prostate cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Dec 24;12:CD008529. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008529.pub3. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/14651858.CD008529.pub3 AUTHOR: - Parahoo K; ADDRESS: - Institute of Nursing and Health Research, University of Ulster, Coleraine, UK, BT52 1SA. AUTHOR: - McDonough S AUTHOR: - McCaughan E AUTHOR: - Noyes J AUTHOR: - Semple C AUTHOR: - Halstead EJ AUTHOR: - Neuberger MM AUTHOR: - Dahm P SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: As the incidence and prevalence of prostate cancer continue to rise, the number of men needing help and support to assist them in coping with disease and treatment-related symptoms and their psychosocial effects is likely to increase. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for men with prostate cancer in improving quality of life (QoL), self-efficacy and knowledge and in reducing distress, uncertainty and depression. SEARCH METHODS: We searched for trials using a range of electronic databases including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO to October 2013, together with handsearching of journals and reference lists. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials of psychosocial interventions for men at any stage of prostate cancer. We included psychosocial interventions that explicitly used one or a combination of the following approaches: cognitive behavioural, psychoeducational, supportive and counselling. Interventions had to be delivered or facilitated by trained or lay personnel. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Pairs of review authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. We analysed data using standardised mean differences (SMDs), random-effects models and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). MAIN RESULTS: Nineteen studies comparing psychosocial interventions versus usual care in a total of 3204 men with prostate cancer were included in this review. All but three of these studies were conducted in the United States.Men in the psychosocial intervention group had a small, statistically significant improvement in the physical component of general health-related quality of life (GHQoL) at end of intervention (1414 participants, SMD 0.12, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.22) based on low-quality evidence. A small improvement in favour of psychosocial interventions (SMD 0.24, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.47) was also seen in the physical component of GHQoL at end of intervention for group-based interventions. No clear evidence of benefit was found for GHQoL scores at end of intervention with individual-based interventions compared with controls. Also, no clear evidence suggested that psychosocial interventions were beneficial in improving the physical component of GHQoL at four to six and at eight to 12 months post-intervention. In addition, no clear evidence showed benefit associated with psychosocial interventions for the mental component of GHQoL at end of intervention (1416 participants, SMD -0.04, 95% CI -0.15 to 0.06) based on moderate-quality evidence. Results for the mental component of GHQoL at four to six and at eight to 12 months post-intervention were compatible with benefit and harm. At end of intervention, cancer-related QoL showed a small improvement following psychosocial interventions (SMD 0.21, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.39), but at eight and 12 months, the effect was compatible with benefit and harm. For prostate cancerspecific and symptom-related QoL, the differences between groups were not significant.No clear evidence indicated that psychosocial interventions were beneficial in improving selfefficacy at end of intervention (337 participants, SMD 0.16, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.38) based on very low-quality evidence in three studies that assessed individual-based interventions. The results for self-efficacy at six to eight and at 12 months post-intervention were compatible with benefit and harm. Men in the psychosocial intervention group had a moderate increase in prostate cancer knowledge at end of intervention (506 participants, SMD 0.51, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.71) based on very low-quality evidence in two studies; this increase was also observed in the subgroups of group-based and individual-based interventions. A small increase in knowledge with psychosocial interventions was noted at three months post-intervention (SMD 0.31, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.58).The results for uncertainty (916 participants, SMD -0.05, 95% CI -0.35 to 0.26) and distress (916 participants, SMD 0.02, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.15) at end of intervention were compatible with both benefit and harm based on very low-quality evidence. No clear evidence suggests that psychosocial interventions were beneficial in reducing uncertainty and distress between groups at six to eight and at 12 months post-intervention. Finally, no clear evidence of benefit is associated with psychosocial interventions for depression at end of intervention (434 participants, SMD -0.18, 95% CI -0.51 to 0.15) based on very low-quality evidence. Individual-based interventions significantly reduced depression when compared with usual care groups. The results for depression at six and at 12 months post-intervention were compatible with benefit and harm.The overall risk of bias in the included studies was unclear or high, primarily as the result of performance bias.No data regarding stage of disease or treatment with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) were extractable for subgroup analysis. Only one study addressed adverse effects. High attrition could indicate that some participants may not have been comfortable with the interventions. AUTHORS’ CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this review shows that psychosocial interventions may have small, short-term beneficial effects on certain domains of well-being, as measured by the physical component of GHQoL and cancer-related QoL when compared with usual care. Prostate cancer knowledge was also increased. However, this review failed to demonstrate a statistically significant effect on other domains such as symptom-related QoL, self-efficacy, uncertainty, distress or depression. Moreover, when beneficial effects were observed, it remained uncertain whether the magnitude of effect was large enough to be considered clinically important. The quality of evidence for most outcomes was rated as very low according to GRADE, reflecting study limitations, loss to follow-up, study heterogeneity and small sample sizes. We were unable to perform meaningful subgroup analyses based on disease stage or treatment modality. Although some findings of this review are encouraging, they do not provide sufficiently strong evidence to permit meaningful conclusions about the effects of these interventions in men with prostate cancer. Additional well-done and transparently reported research studies are necessary to establish the role of psychosocial interventions in men with prostate cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[157] TITLE: - The association between two microRNA variants (miR-499, miR-149) and gastrointestinal cancer risk: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Nov 29;8(11):e81967. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081967. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0081967 AUTHOR: - Li L; ADDRESS: - Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China. AUTHOR: - Sheng Y AUTHOR: - Lv L AUTHOR: - Gao J SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that regulate the expression of corresponding messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNAs may contribute to cancer susceptibility due to changes in the microRNA’s properties and/or maturation. The present study aimed to investigate the association between two miRNA polymorphisms (miR-499 rs3746444 and miR-149 rs2292832) and gastrointestinal (GI) cancer risk. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted a search of case-control studies in PubMed, Wiley Online Library, Web of Science and the CNKI database. Eleven rs3746444 studies and six rs2292832 studies were included in our metaanalysis. The only obvious association between the miR-499 polymorphism and colorectal cancer susceptibility was found in the homozygote comparison (GG vs. AA: OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.02-2.70, P(h) = 0.10, P = 0.04). No signi fi cant association was found in the subgroup analysis for ethnicity and risk of hepatocellular and gastric cancer. A marginally elevated GI cancer risk was discovered in the recessive model for miR-149 (TT vs. TC+CC: OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.03-1.30, P(h) = 0.68, P = 0.02). Stratifying the results by ethnicity revealed a slight association between the recessive model and the Asian population (TT vs. TC+CC: OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01-1.29, P(h) = 0.79, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The present meta-analysis indicates that miR499 may be associated with the risk to colorectal cancer. MiR-149 may confer a marginally increased risk of susceptibility to gastrointestinal cancer, especially for Asians. -------------------------------------------------------------[158] TITLE: - Treatment of infantile haemangiomas with propranolol - clinical guidelines. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Plast Reconstr Surg. 2013 Dec 17. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1097/PRS.0000000000000007 AUTHOR: - Szychta P; ADDRESS: - Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Royal Hospital of Sick Children, Sciennes Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1LF, United Kingdom. AUTHOR: - Stewart K AUTHOR: - Anderson W SUMMARY: - INTRODUCTION:: Infantile haemangioma (IH) is vascular tumour and requires treatment in lesions manifested by potentially dangerous symptoms. Several publications reported that involution of IH could be accelerated by propranolol, but used only invalidated subjective measures of assessment. We aimed to validate objectively the aesthetic results after propranolol treatment for IH, and to produce protocol of therapy, including optimal timing for introduction, pre-treatment preparation, dosage, frequency of visits, duration and patient safety. METHODS:: For the non-randomized comparative cohort study we enrolled 60 patients treated with propranolol. Medical 2D photographs, taken pre- and post-treatment, were analyzed subjectively by three plastic surgery consultants and objectively with computer program. Aesthetic results were analyzed using the following parameters: subjective overall outcome, subjective colour fading and objective colour fading. Reliability of subjective and objective methods were quantified and compared, as described with accuracy and repeatability. Volumetric parameters were obtained from 3D scans taken pre- and posttreatment and analyzed objectively with computer program. Numerous patients’ data were recorded from the medical notes. RESULTS:: Our study proved high efficiency of propranolol in treatment of IH, as assessed with the objective measures for the first time. We outlined optimal protocol of treatment, including introduction, dosage, duration and cessation of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Propranolol is an effective, well tolerated and safe first-line treatment for proliferative haemangioma. Therapy should be commenced early, continued with the target dosage of 2mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses through proliferative phase of IH and stopped gradually. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: II. -------------------------------------------------------------[159] TITLE: - GH1 T1663A polymorphism and cancer risk: a meta-analysis of case-control studies. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2014 Jan 25. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1596-z AUTHOR: - Shi J; ADDRESS: - Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Nanjing Street No. 155, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, People’s Republic of China, cmu1h_sj@163.com. AUTHOR: - Tong JH AUTHOR: - Cai S SUMMARY: - Many studies have demonstrated that the most common polymorphism (T1663A, rs2665802) in the promoter region of growth hormone 1 (GH1) gene might play an important role in cancer development and progression. This meta-analysis aims to investigate a more precise estimation of the relationship between GH1 T1663A polymorphism and cancer risk. We searched CISCOM, CINAHL, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, and CBM databases from inception through October 1st, 2013. Meta-analysis was performed using the STATA 12.0 software. Seven studies were included with a total of 4,018 cancer patients and 5,308 healthy controls. Our meta-analysis results revealed that GH1 T1663A polymorphism was associated with increased cancer risks. Subgroup analysis by cancer type showed significant associations between GH1 T1663A polymorphism and increased colorectal cancer risk, but there was no evidence of any association with breast cancer. Further subgroup analysis based on ethnicity indicated that GH1 T1663A polymorphism might increase cancer risks among Asian populations. However, no statistically significant association was found among Caucasian populations. Meta-regression analyses also suggested that cancer type and ethnicity may be the main sources of heterogeneity. No publication bias was detected in this meta-analysis. The present meta-analysis indicates that GH1 T1663A polymorphism may contribute to the risk of colorectal cancer, especially among Asian populations. -------------------------------------------------------------[160] TITLE: - Hepatitis B virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma: the role of the virus x protein. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Acta Virol. 2013;57(4):389-96. AUTHOR: - Motavaf M AUTHOR: - Safari S AUTHOR: - Saffari Jourshari M AUTHOR: - Alavian SM SUMMARY: - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant diseases and has the fourth highest mortality rate worldwide. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been identified as a major risk factor in HCC. Currently available evidence support a critical role of hepatitis B virus x (HBx) gene and protein in the pathogenesis of HBV-induced HCC. HBx protein is a multifunctional regulator that modulates cellular signal transduction pathways, transcriptional regulations, cell cycle progress, DNA repair, apoptosis, and genetic stability by interacting with different host factors. This review describes the current state of knowledge about the biological roles of this protein in the development of HCC. -------------------------------------------------------------[161] TITLE: - Our recommendations for avoiding exposure to fungi outside the hospital for patients with haematological cancers. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Mycoses. 2014 Jan 22. doi: 10.1111/myc.12167. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/myc.12167 AUTHOR: - Ariza-Heredia EJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, Houston, TX, USA. AUTHOR: - Kontoyiannis DP SUMMARY: - Despite several chemotherapeutic and preventative advances, opportunistic fungal infections remain common unintended consequences of cancer treatment. Currently, cancer patients spend most of their time between treatments at home, where they can inadvertently come across potential hazards from environmental and food sources. Therefore, infection prevention measures are of the utmost importance for these patients. Although clinicians closely observe patients throughout their treatment courses in the hospital, the focus of clinical visits is predominantly on cancer care, and clinicians seldom provide recommendations for prevention of such infections. Herein, we provide practical recommendations for busy clinicians to help them educate patients regarding potential sources of fungal infections outside the hospital. -------------------------------------------------------------[162] TITLE: - Statin use is not associated with reduced risk of skin cancer: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Br J Cancer. 2014 Feb 4;110(3):802-7. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2013.762. Epub 2013 Dec 24. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1038/bjc.2013.762 AUTHOR: - Li X; ADDRESS: - Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. AUTHOR: - Wu XB; ADDRESS: - Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. AUTHOR: - Chen Q; ADDRESS: - Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. SUMMARY: - Background:There is contradictory evidence about the association between statin and skin cancer.Methods:Literature search in PubMed and Web of Science was undertaken up to June 2013. Pooled relative risk (RR) estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.Result:A total of 21 articles with 29 studies were identified. No association was found between statin and skin cancer among neither melanoma (RR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.85-1.04) nor non-melanoma skin cancer (RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.90-1.19).Conclusion:Our meta-analysis does not support a potential role of statin use in the prevention of skin cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[163] TITLE: - Radiofrequency (thermal) ablation versus no intervention or other interventions for hepatocellular carcinoma. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Dec 19;12:CD003046. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003046.pub3. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/14651858.CD003046.pub3 AUTHOR: - Weis S; ADDRESS: - Division of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology Department of Internal Medicine, Neurology and Dermatology, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20, Leipzig, Germany, 04103. AUTHOR: - Franke A AUTHOR: - Mossner J AUTHOR: - Jakobsen JC AUTHOR: - Schoppmeyer K SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Percutaneous interventional therapies, such as radiofrequency (thermal) ablation (RFA), have been developed for early hepatocellular carcinoma. RFA competes with other interventional techniques such as percutaneous ethanol injection, surgical resection, and liver transplantation. The potential benefits and harms of RFA compared with placebo, no intervention, chemotherapy, hepatic resection, liver transplantation, or other interventions are unclear. OBJECTIVES: To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of RFA versus placebo, no intervention, or any other therapeutic approach in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science to September 2012. We handsearched meeting abstracts from ASCO, ESMO, AASLD, EASL, APASL, and references of articles. We also contacted researchers in the field (last search September 2012). SELECTION CRITERIA: We considered for inclusion randomised clinical trials investigating the effects of RFA versus placebo, no intervention, or any other therapeutic approach on hepatocellular carcinoma patients regardless of blinding, language, and publication status. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently performed the selection of trials, assessment of risk of bias, and data extraction. We contacted principal investigators for missing information. We analysed hazard ratios (HR) as relevant effect measures for overall survival, two-year survival, event-free survival, and local recurrences with 95% confidence intervals (CI). In addition, we analysed dichotomous survival outcomes using risk ratios (RR). We used trial sequential analysis to control the risk of random errors (‘play of chance’). MAIN RESULTS: We identified no trials comparing RFA versus placebo, no intervention, or liver transplantation. We identified and included 11 randomised clinical trials with 1819 participants that included four comparisons: RFA versus hepatic resection (three trials, 578 participants); RFA versus percutaneous ethanol injection (six trials, 1088 participants) including one three-armed trial that also investigated RFA versus acetic acid injection; RFA versus microwave ablation (one trial, 72 participants); and RFA versus laser ablation (one trial, 81 participants). Ten of the eleven included trials reported on the primary outcome of this review, overall survival. Rates of major complications or procedure-related deaths were reported in 10 trials. The overall risk of bias was considered low in five trials and high in six trials. For a subgroup analysis, we included only low risk of bias trials. Regarding the comparison RFA versus hepatic resection, there was moderate-quality evidence from two low risk of bias trials that hepatic resection seems more effective than RFA regarding overall survival (HR 0.56; 95% CI 0.40 to 0.78) and two-year survival (HR 0.38; 95% CI 0.17 to 0.84). However, if we included a third trial with high risk of bias, the difference became insignificant (overall survival: HR 0.71; 95% CI 0.44 to 1.15). With regards to the outcomes event-free survival and local progression, hepatic resection also yielded better results than RFA. However, the number of complications was higher in surgically treated participants (odds ratio (OR) 8.24; 95% CI 2.12 to 31.95). RFA seemed superior to percutaneous ethanol or acetic acid injection regarding overall survival (HR 1.64; 95% CI 1.31 to 2.07). The RR for mortality was also in favour of RFA, but did not reach statistical significance (150/490 (30.6%) people in the percutaneous ethanol or acetic acid group versus 119/496 (24.0%) people in the RFA group; RR 1.76; 95% CI 0.97 to 3.22). The proportion of adverse events did not differ significantly between RFA and percutaneous ethanol or acetic acid injection (HR 0.70; 95% CI 0.33 to 1.48). Trial sequential analyses revealed that the number of participants in the included trials was insufficient and that more trials are needed to assess the effects of RFA versus other interventions. AUTHORS’ CONCLUSIONS: The effects of RFA versus no intervention, chemotherapeutic treatment, or liver transplantation are unknown. We found moderate-quality evidence that hepatic resection is superior to RFA regarding survival. However, RFA might be associated with fewer complications and a shorter hospital stay than hepatic resection. We found moderate-quality evidence showing that RFA seems superior to percutaneous ethanol injection regarding survival. There were too sparse data to recommend or refute ablation achieved by techniques other than RFA. More randomised clinical trials with low risk of bias and low risks of random errors assessing the effect of RFA are needed. -------------------------------------------------------------[164] TITLE: - The updated ASCO/CAP guideline recommendations for HER2 testing in the management of invasive breast cancer: a critical review of their implications for routine practice. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Histopathology. 2013 Dec 30. doi: 10.1111/his.12357. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/his.12357 AUTHOR: - Rakha EA; ADDRESS: - Division of Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, UK. AUTHOR: - Starczynski J AUTHOR: - Lee AH AUTHOR: - Ellis IO SUMMARY: - The American Society of Clinical Oncology and the College of American Pathologists have issued joint updated comprehensive guideline recommendations for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) testing in breast cancer. The update not only provides guidelines for the test performance parameters, with the aim of improving test accuracy, reproducibility, and precision, but also provides comprehensive recommendations on the post-analytical interpretation of the results, and requires improved communication among healthcare providers. The updated guidelines are targeted at testing laboratories, pathologists, oncologists, surgeons, and, indirectly, other healthcare providers. Although the guidelines contribute to the improved analytical validity and clinical utility of laboratory assays required for successful molecularly targeted therapy in the era of personalized medicine, the implications of such recommendations have to be acknowledged. Certain recommendations, particularly those related to repeating the test and pathological concordance, have lower levels of supportive evidence than existing key recommendations, and the associated workload implications will be challenging to support in most healthcare systems. In this commentary, we critically address the key updated recommendations and their impact on service provision and patient care. -------------------------------------------------------------[165] TITLE: - Insights into the role of components of the tumor microenvironment in oral carcinoma call for new therapeutic approaches. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Exp Cell Res. 2014 Jan 22. pii: S0014-4827(14)00020-2. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2013.12.029. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.yexcr.2013.12.029 AUTHOR: - Salo T; ADDRESS: - Department of Diagnostics and Oral Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, and Medical Research Center, Oulu, Finland; Oulu University Central Hospital, Oulu, Finland; Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: Tuula.salo@oulu.fi. AUTHOR: - Vered M; ADDRESS: - Institute of Pathology, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel. AUTHOR: - Bello IO; ADDRESS: - Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. AUTHOR: - Nyberg P; ADDRESS: - Oulu University Central Hospital, Oulu, Finland. AUTHOR: - Bitu CC; ADDRESS: - Department of Diagnostics and Oral Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, and Medical Research Center, Oulu, Finland. AUTHOR: - Zlotogorski Hurvitz A; ADDRESS: - Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva, Israel. AUTHOR: - Dayan D; ADDRESS: - Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel. SUMMARY: - The research on oral cancer has focused mainly on the cancer cells, their genetic changes and consequent phenotypic modifications. However, it is increasingly clear that the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been shown to be in a dynamic state of inter-relations with the cancer cells. The TME contains a variety of components including the non-cancerous cells (i.e., immune cells, resident fibroblasts and angiogenic vascular cells) and the ECM milieu [including fibers (mainly collagen and fibronectin) and soluble factors (i.e., enzymes, growth factors, cytokines and chemokines)]. Thus, it is currently assumed that TME is considered a part of the cancerous tissue and the functionality of its key components constitutes the setting on which the hallmarks of the cancer cells can evolve. Therefore, in terms of controlling a malignancy, one should control the growth, invasion and spread of the cancer cells through modifications in the TME components. This mini review focuses on the TME as a diagnostic approach and reports the recent insights into the role of different TME key components [such as carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and inflammation (CAI) cells, angiogenesis, stromal matrix molecules and proteases] in the molecular biology of oral carcinoma. Furthermore, the impact of TME components on clinical outcomes and the concomitant need for development of new therapeutic approaches will be discussed. -------------------------------------------------------------[166] TITLE: - Curcumin nanoformulations: A review of pharmaceutical properties and preclinical studies and clinical data related to cancer treatment. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Biomaterials. 2014 Mar;35(10):3365-83. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.12.090. Epub 2014 Jan 15. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.biomaterials.2013.12.090 AUTHOR: - Naksuriya O; ADDRESS: - Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Suthep Rd, Mueang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, Utrecht 3805 TB, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Okonogi S; ADDRESS: - Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Suthep Rd, Mueang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. AUTHOR: - Schiffelers RM; ADDRESS: - Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Hennink WE; ADDRESS: - Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, Utrecht 3805 TB, The Netherlands. Electronic address: W.E.Hennink@uu.nl. SUMMARY: - Curcumin, a natural yellow phenolic compound, is present in many kinds of herbs, particularly in Curcuma longa Linn. (turmeric). It is a natural antioxidant and has shown many pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-cancer, and antiAlzheimer in both preclinical and clinical studies. Moreover, curcumin has hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, antirheumatic, and antidiabetic activities and it also suppresses thrombosis and protects against myocardial infarction. Particularly, curcumin has demonstrated efficacy as an anticancer agent, but a limiting factor is its extremely low aqueous solubility which hampers its use as therapeutic agent. Therefore, many technologies have been developed and applied to overcome this limitation. In this review, we summarize the recent works on the design and development of nano-sized delivery systems for curcumin, including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles and micelles, conjugates, peptide carriers, cyclodextrins, solid dispersions, lipid nanoparticles and emulsions. Efficacy studies of curcumin nanoformulations using cancer cell lines and in vivo models as well as up-to-date human clinical trials are also discussed. -------------------------------------------------------------[167] TITLE: - Theranostic and molecular classification of breast cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2014 Jan;138(1):44-56. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2012-0442-RA. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 5858/arpa.2012-0442-RA AUTHOR: - Cornejo KM; ADDRESS: - From the Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester. AUTHOR: - Kandil D AUTHOR: - Khan A AUTHOR: - Cosar EF SUMMARY: - CONTEXT: Despite advances in breast cancer management, women continue to relapse and die of breast cancer. Traditionally, evaluation for hormone receptors (estrogen and progesterone), as well as HER2 overexpression, have guided therapy-related decisionmaking because they are both prognostic and predictive indicators. However, there are limitations with those studies, which can lead to improper treatment. Gene signatures have recently been shown to be of value in identifying molecular portraits of breast carcinoma and are beginning to play role in management and treatment algorithms. OBJECTIVE: To provide a summary of the prognostic and predictive indicators of breast cancer, such as hormone receptors, HER2, and molecular gene signatures that currently help guide clinical decision making. DATA SOURCES: Published articles from peer-reviewed journals in PubMed (US National Library of Medicine). CONCLUSIONS: Emerging evidence shows promise that, in addition to hormone receptors and HER2 studies, evaluating tumors with gene expression profiling can provide additional prognostic and predictive information, further aiding clinical management and leading to a more personalized approach to treating breast cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[168] TITLE: - A review on the role of L-carnitine in the management of tamoxifen side effects in treated women with breast cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Dec 12. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1477-5 AUTHOR: - El-Ashmawy NE; ADDRESS: - Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt. AUTHOR: - Khalil RM SUMMARY: - L-carnitine is an antioxidant and is found to be a protective agent against many diseases including cancer. This review illustrates the possible role of L-carnitine as an add-on therapy to breast cancer patients maintained on tamoxifen. The objectives of carnitine treatment are diverse: improving tamoxifen-related side effects, offering better cancer prognosis by reducing the risk of developing cancer recurrence or metastasis, and modulating the growth factors which may be, in part, a prospective illustration to overcome tamoxifen resistance. So, it could be recommended to supplement L-carnitine to breast cancer patients starting tamoxifen treatment. -------------------------------------------------------------[169] TITLE: - Clinical and economical impact of 2010 AASLD guidelines for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Hepatol. 2014 Jan 22. pii: S0168-8278(14)00049-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2014.01.006. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.jhep.2014.01.006 AUTHOR: - Manini MA; ADDRESS: - A.M. & A. Migliavacca Center for Liver Disease and 1st Division of Gastroenterology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. AUTHOR: - Sangiovanni A; ADDRESS: - A.M. & A. Migliavacca Center for Liver Disease and 1st Division of Gastroenterology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: angelo.sangiovanni@policlinico.mi.it. AUTHOR: - Fornari F; ADDRESS: - Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, “G. da Saliceto” Hospital, Piacenza, Italy. AUTHOR: - Piscaglia F; ADDRESS: - Division of Internal Medicine, “Sant’Orsola Malpighi” Hospital, University of Bologna, Italy. AUTHOR: - Biolato M; ADDRESS: - Institute of Internal Medicine, School of Medical, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. AUTHOR: - Fanigliulo L; ADDRESS: - Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, “G. da Saliceto” Hospital, Piacenza, Italy. AUTHOR: - Ravaldi E; ADDRESS: - Division of Internal Medicine, “Sant’Orsola Malpighi” Hospital, University of Bologna, Italy. AUTHOR: - Grieco A; ADDRESS: - Institute of Internal Medicine, School of Medical, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. AUTHOR: - Colombo M; ADDRESS: - A.M. & A. Migliavacca Center for Liver Disease and 1st Division of Gastroenterology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Although contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), dynamic magnetic resonance (MRI) and fine needle biopsy (FNB) are the standard of care to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the clinical and economic benefits of the updated AASLD diagnostic algorithm, including the drop of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), have not been previously evaluated. METHODS: 119 de novo liver nodules detected during ultrasound (US) surveillance in 98 cirrhotics, 7 <1cm, 67 1-2cm, 45 >2cm in size, were sequentially examined by CEUS and CT, using MRI as a rescue approach in patients lacking a typical vascular pattern for HCC by one or both contrast techniques in the 1-2cm nodules and by CT in the >2cm nodules. A FNB was performed when required to meet both 2005 and 2010 AASLD criteria. RESULTS: Eighty-four (70%) nodules were HCC: the radiological diagnosis was done in 38 (88%) of those 1-2cm and in 38 (95%) for those >2cm HCCs according to 2010 AASLD criteria. CT or MRI detected 13 HCC nodules that were missed by unenhanced US. Despite an absolute specificity, CEUS failed to identify any HCC uncharacterized by CT or MRI. By updated AASLD criteria, 6 (17%) FNB procedures were spared in patients with 1-2cm nodules (p=0.025), as compared to 2005 criteria. The 2010 vs. 2005 AASLD per patient cost was similar in 1-2cm nodules, 432 euro vs. 451 euro (p=0.46), but lower in >2cm nodules, 248 euro vs. 321 euro (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A sequential study with either CT or MRI enhances the radiological diagnosis of HCC and reduces costs and liver biopsy need. -------------------------------------------------------------[170] TITLE: - Diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG-PET and PET/CT in the differential diagnosis between malignant and benign pleural lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Acad Radiol. 2014 Jan;21(1):11-20. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2013.09.015. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.acra.2013.09.015 AUTHOR: - Treglia G; ADDRESS: - Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT Center, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, via Ospedale, 12; 6500; Bellinzona, Switzerland. Electronic address: giorgiomednuc@libero.it. AUTHOR: - Sadeghi R; ADDRESS: - Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. AUTHOR: - Annunziata S; ADDRESS: - Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. AUTHOR: - Lococo F; ADDRESS: - Unit of Thoracic Surgery, IRCCS Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy. AUTHOR: - Cafarotti S; ADDRESS: - Thoracic Surgery, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland. AUTHOR: - Bertagna F; ADDRESS: - Chair of Nuclear Medicine, University of Brescia and Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy. AUTHOR: - Prior JO; ADDRESS: - Nuclear Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland. AUTHOR: - Ceriani L; ADDRESS: - Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT Center, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, via Ospedale, 12; 6500; Bellinzona, Switzerland. AUTHOR: - Giovanella L; ADDRESS: - Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT Center, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, via Ospedale, 12; 6500; Bellinzona, Switzerland. SUMMARY: - RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To systematically review and meta-analyze published data about the diagnostic accuracy of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and PET/computed tomography (CT) in the differential diagnosis between malignant and benign pleural lesions. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A comprehensive literature search of studies published through June 2013 regarding the diagnostic performance of (18)F-FDG-PET and PET/CT in the differential diagnosis of pleural lesions was carried out. All retrieved studies were reviewed and qualitatively analyzed. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio (LR+ and LR-) and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of (18)F-FDG-PET or PET/CT in the differential diagnosis of pleural lesions on a perpatient-based analysis were calculated. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated to measure the accuracy of these methods. Subanalyses considering device used (PET or PET/CT) were performed. RESULTS: Sixteen studies including 745 patients were included in the systematic review. The meta-analysis of 11 selected studies provided the following results: sensitivity 95% (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 92-97%), specificity 82% (95%CI: 76-88%), LR+ 5.3 (95%CI: 2.4-11.8), LR- 0.09 (95%CI: 0.05-0.14), DOR 74 (95%CI: 34-161). The AUC was 0.95. No significant improvement of the diagnostic accuracy considering PET/CT studies only was found. CONCLUSIONS: (18)F-FDG-PET and PET/CT demonstrated to be accurate diagnostic imaging methods in the differential diagnosis between malignant and benign pleural lesions; nevertheless, possible sources of false-negative and false-positive results should be kept in mind. -------------------------------------------------------------[171] TITLE: - Soy, red clover, and isoflavones and breast cancer: a systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Nov 28;8(11):e81968. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081968. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0081968 AUTHOR: - Fritz H; ADDRESS: - Department of Research & Clinical Epidemiology, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. AUTHOR: - Seely D AUTHOR: - Flower G AUTHOR: - Skidmore B AUTHOR: - Fernandes R AUTHOR: - Vadeboncoeur S AUTHOR: - Kennedy D AUTHOR: - Cooley K AUTHOR: - Wong R AUTHOR: - Sagar S AUTHOR: - Sabri E AUTHOR: - Fergusson D SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Soy and red clover isoflavones are controversial due to purported estrogenic activity and possible effects on breast cancer. We conducted a systematic review of soy and red clover for efficacy in improving menopausal symptoms in women with breast cancer, and for potential impact on risk of breast cancer incidence or recurrence. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and AMED from inception to March 2013 for human interventional or observational data pertaining to the safety and efficacy of soy and red clover isoflavones in patients with or at risk of breast cancer. RESULTS: Of 4179 records, we included a total of 131 articles: 40 RCTs, 11 uncontrolled trials, and 80 observational studies. Five RCTs reported on the efficacy of soy for hot flashes, showing no significant reductions in hot flashes compared to placebo. There is lack of evidence showing harm from use of soy with respect to risk of breast cancer or recurrence, based on long term observational data. Soy intake consistent with that of a traditional Japanese diet (2-3 servings daily, containing 25-50mg isoflavones) may be protective against breast cancer and recurrence. Human trials show that soy does not increase circulating estradiol or affect estrogen-responsive target tissues. Prospective data of soy use in women taking tamoxifen does not indicate increased risk of recurrence. Evidence on red clover is limited, however existing studies suggest that it may not possess breast cancer-promoting effects. CONCLUSION: Soy consumption may be associated with reduced risk of breast cancer incidence, recurrence, and mortality. Soy does not have estrogenic effects in humans. Soy intake consistent with a traditional Japanese diet appears safe for breast cancer survivors. While there is no clear evidence of harm, better evidence confirming safety is required before use of high dose (>/= 100 mg) isoflavones can be recommended for breast cancer patients. -------------------------------------------------------------[172] TITLE: - CD44 expression is predictive of poor prognosis in pharyngolaryngeal cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tohoku J Exp Med. 2014;232(1):9-19. AUTHOR: - Chai L; ADDRESS: - Department of Otorhinolaryngology, First Affiliated Hospital, Medical School, Zhejiang University. AUTHOR: - Liu H AUTHOR: - Zhang Z AUTHOR: - Wang F AUTHOR: - Wang Q AUTHOR: - Zhou S AUTHOR: - Wang S SUMMARY: - Pharyngolaryngeal cancer is one of the most common head and neck cancer worldwide, and the early diagnosis and prognosis prediction are still difficult because of lacking in reliable cell markers. Although the expression of CD44 has been reported to correlate with poor prognosis of pharyngolaryngeal cancer in most literatures, some controversies still exist. Since the limited patient numbers within independent studies, here we performed a meta-analysis to clarify the correlations between CD44 expression and clinicopathological features and prognosis in pharyngolaryngeal cancer. A search of PubMed, ISI Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases (up to June 2013) was performed. Nineteen studies with 1,405 patients met the inclusion criteria. The expression of pan-CD44, including all variant isoforms, was detected in 58.0% (14.1-79.2%) specimens, while CD44-v6 (variant isoform 6 of CD44) was expressed in 54.8% (12-79.2%). In pooled analysis, CD44 expression was significantly associated with larger tumor size (T category, RR (relative risk) = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.01-1.46), lymph nodes metastasis (N category, RR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.38-2.73) and poor prognosis [3-year overall survival (OS): RR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.53-0.91; 5-year OS: RR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.66-0.94]. In the stratified analysis of CD44 isoforms, high expression of CD44-v6 was related with a poor 5-year OS rate (RR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.37077). We propose that CD44 expression is associated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and poor prognosis in pharyngolaryngeal cancer patients. -------------------------------------------------------------[173] TITLE: - Energy balance and metabolism after cancer treatment. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Semin Oncol. 2013 Dec;40(6):745-56. doi: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2013.09.011. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1053/j.seminoncol.2013.09.011 AUTHOR: - Tonorezos ES; ADDRESS: - Weill Cornell Medical College and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York NY. Electronic address: tonoreze@mskcc.org. AUTHOR: - Jones LW; ADDRESS: - Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC. SUMMARY: - Unfavorable physiological, biological, and behavioral alterations during and following treatment for cancer may lead to chronic energy imbalance predisposing to a myriad of deleterious health conditions including obesity, dyslipidemia, and the metabolic syndrome. In addition to the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal effects of these conditions, energy imbalance and metabolic changes after cancer treatment can also affect cancer-related morbidity and mortality. To this end, lifestyle interventions such as diet and physical activity are especially relevant to mitigate the deleterious impact of chronic energy imbalance in cancer survivors. -------------------------------------------------------------[174] TITLE: - Meta-analysis shows clinically relevant and long-lasting deterioration in health-related quality of life after esophageal cancer surgery. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Qual Life Res. 2013 Dec 3. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s11136-013-0576-5 AUTHOR: - Jacobs M; ADDRESS: - Department of Medical Psychology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 5, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, m.jacobs@amc.uva.nl. AUTHOR: - Macefield RC AUTHOR: - Elbers RG AUTHOR: - Sitnikova K AUTHOR: - Korfage IJ AUTHOR: - Smets EM AUTHOR: - Henselmans I AUTHOR: - van Berge Henegouwen MI AUTHOR: - de Haes JC AUTHOR: - Blazeby JM AUTHOR: - Sprangers MA SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to (1) estimate the direction, clinical relevance, and duration of health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) change in the first year following esophageal cancer surgery and (2) to assess the robustness of the estimates by subgroup and sensitivity analyses, and an exploration of publication bias. METHODS: A systematic literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, and CENTRAL to identify randomized and non-randomized studies was performed. We compared the baseline HRQL data with 3-, 6-, 9-, or 12-month follow-ups to estimate the magnitude and duration of HRQL change. These estimates were then classified as trivial, small, medium, or large. Primary outcomes were role functioning, eating, and fatigue. Secondary outcomes were physical and social functioning, dysphagia, pain, and coughing problems. We conducted subgroup analysis for open surgery, open surgery preceded by neoadjuvant therapy, and minimally invasive surgery. Sensitivity analyses assessed the influence of study design, transformation/imputation of the data, and HRQL questionnaire used. RESULTS: We included the data from 15 studies to estimate the change in 28 HRQL outcomes after esophageal cancer surgery. The main analysis showed that patients’ social functioning deteriorated. Symptoms of fatigue, pain, and coughing problems increased. These changes lasted for 9-12 months, although some symptoms persisted beyond the first year after surgery. For many other HRQL outcomes, estimates were only robust after subgroup or sensitivity analyses (e.g., role and physical functioning), or remained too heterogeneous to interpret (e.g., eating and dysphagia). CONCLUSIONS: Patients will experience a clinically relevant and long-lasting deterioration in HRQL after esophageal cancer surgery. However, for many HRQL outcomes, more and better quality evidence is needed. -------------------------------------------------------------[175] TITLE: - A review of the clinical diagnosis and therapy of cholangiocarcinoma. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Int Med Res. 2014 Feb;42(1):3-16. doi: 10.1177/0300060513505488. Epub 2013 Dec 23. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1177/0300060513505488 AUTHOR: - Yao D; ADDRESS: - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. AUTHOR: - Kunam VK AUTHOR: - Li X SUMMARY: - Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common primary hepatic malignancy worldwide. The incidence of intrahepatic CCA is increasing, whereas that of extrahepatic CCA is decreasing. This review looks at the new advances that have been made in the management of CCA, based on a PubMed and Science Citation Index search of results from randomized controlled trials, reviews, and cohort, prospective and retrospective studies. Aggressive interventional approaches and new histopathological techniques have been developed to make a histological diagnosis in patients with high risk factors or suspected CCA. Resectability of the tumour can now be assessed using multiple radiological imaging studies; the main prognostic factor after surgery is a histologically negative resection margin. Biliary drainage and/or portal vein embolization may be performed before extended radical resection, or liver transplantation may be undertaken in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Though many advances have been made in the management of CCA, the standard modality of treatment has not yet been established. This review focuses on the clinical options for different stages of CCA. -------------------------------------------------------------[176] TITLE: - A systematic review and meta-analysis on the impact of pre-operative neutrophil lymphocyte ratio on long term outcomes after curative intent resection of solid tumours. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Surg Oncol. 2013 Dec 20. pii: S0960-7404(13)00107-2. doi: 10.1016/j.suronc.2013.12.001. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.suronc.2013.12.001 AUTHOR: - Paramanathan A; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Western Health, Footscray, Victoria, Australia. AUTHOR: - Saxena A; ADDRESS: - UNSW Department of Surgery, St. George Hospital, Kogarah, Sydney, New South Wales 2217, Australia. AUTHOR: - Morris DL; ADDRESS: - UNSW Department of Surgery, St. George Hospital, Kogarah, Sydney, New South Wales 2217, Australia. Electronic address: david.morris@unsw.edu.au. SUMMARY: - INTRODUCTION: There is increasing evidence to suggest that cancer-associated inflammation is associated with poorer long-term outcomes. Various markers have been studied over the past decade in an attempt to improve selection of patients for surgery. This meta-analysis explored the association between the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and prognosis following curative-intent surgery for solid tumours. METHODS: Studies were identified from US National Library of Medicine (Medline) and the Exerpta Medica database (EBASE) performed in March 2013. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to generate combined hazard ratios for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS: Forty-nine studies containing 14282 patients were included. Elevated NLR was associated with poorer overall survival [HR: 1.92, 95% CI (1.64-2.24)] (p < 0.001) and diseasefree survival [HR: 1.99, 95% CI (1.80-2.20)] (p < 0.001). Significant heterogeneity was found with an I2 of 77% and 97% for OS and DFS respectively. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that gastro-intestinal malignancies; mainly gastric [HR: 1.97, 95% CI (1.41-2.76)], colorectal [HR: 1.65, 95% CI (1.21-2.26)] and oesophageal [HR: 1.48, 95% CI (0.91-2.42)] cancers were predictive of OS (I2 = 54.3%). A separate analysis for studies using an NLR cutoff of 5 demonstrated significantly poorer outcomes [HR: 2.18, 95% CI (1.74-2.73)] (p = 0.002) with less heterogeneity (I2 = 58%). CONCLUSION: Elevated NLR correlates with poorer prognosis. It potentially represents a simple, robust and reliable measure that may be useful in identifying high-risk groups who could benefit from adjuvant therapy. -------------------------------------------------------------[177] TITLE: - The association between the APE1 Asp148Glu polymorphism and breast cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis based on case-control studies. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2014 Jan 14. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-014-1618-5 AUTHOR: - Zhao Z; ADDRESS: - Chinese PLA General Hospital, Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, zhaoziyong1229@163.com. AUTHOR: - Liu C AUTHOR: - Zeng Y AUTHOR: - Gu L AUTHOR: - Ying M AUTHOR: - Wang N AUTHOR: - Hao B AUTHOR: - Yao H AUTHOR: - Su C AUTHOR: - Wang Y AUTHOR: - Ma Y SUMMARY: - Published data regarding the association between the APE1 Asp148Glu polymorphism and breast cancer susceptibility showed inconclusive results. This meta-analysis of literatures was performed to draw a more precise estimation of the relationship. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Elsevier, and Springer for relevant articles published before December 10. 2013. The strength of association between APE1 Asp148Glu polymorphism and breast cancer susceptibility was assessed by odds ratio (OR) with the corresponding 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) using the software Stata (version 10.0). A total of 7 case-control studies including 3,460 cases and 3,909 controls were included for analysis. Overall, no significant associations were found between the APE1 Asp148Glu polymorphism and breast cancer susceptibility for GG vs TT (OR = 1.00, 95 % CI = 0.87-1.14); TG vs TT (OR = 1.06, 95 % CI = 0.95-1.18); the dominant model GG + TG vs TT (OR = 1.04, 95 % CI = 0.94-1.16) and the recessive model GG vs TG + TT (OR = 0.99, 95 % CI = 0.88-1.11). In subgroup analysis, a significant association was found for TG vs TT in Asian subgroup (OR = 1.17, 95 % CI = 1.00 ~ 1.36) and in population-based subgroup (OR = 1.18, 95 % CI = 1.00 ~ 1.38). This meta-analysis suggested that the APE1 Asp148Glu polymorphism was a risk factor for breast cancer susceptibility among Asian population. -------------------------------------------------------------[178] TITLE: - Image guided surgery for the resection of brain tumours. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Jan 28;1:CD009685. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009685.pub2. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/14651858.CD009685.pub2 AUTHOR: - Barone DG; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, The Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Lower Lane, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK, L9 7LJ. AUTHOR: - Lawrie TA AUTHOR: - Hart MG SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Extent of resection is believed to be a key prognostic factor in neuro-oncology. Image guided surgery uses a variety of tools or technologies to help achieve this goal. It is not clear whether any of these, sometimes very expensive, tools (or their combination) should be recommended as part of standard care for patient with brain tumours. We set out to determine if image guided surgery offers any advantage in terms of extent of resection over surgery without any image guidance and if any one tool or technology was more effective. OBJECTIVES: To compare image guided surgery with surgery either not using any image guidance or to compare surgery using two different forms of image guidance. The primary outcome criteria was extent of resection and adverse events. Other outcome criteria were overall survival; progression free survival; and quality of life (QoL). SEARCH METHODS: The following databases were searched, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (Issue 1, 2013), MEDLINE (1948 to March, week 10, 2013) and EMBASE (1970 to 2013, week 10). Reference lists of all identified studies were searched. Two journals, the Journal of Neuro-Oncology and Neuro-oncology, were handsearched from 1991 to 2013, including all conference abstracts. Neuro-oncologists, trial authors and manufacturers were contacted regarding ongoing and unpublished trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: Study participants included patients of all ages with a presumed new or recurrent brain tumour (any location or histology) from clinical examination and imaging (computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or both). Image guidance interventions included intra-operative MRI (iMRI); fluorescence guided surgery; neuronavigation including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI); and ultrasonography. Included studies had to be randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with comparisons made either with patients having surgery without the image guidance tool in question or with another type of image guidance tool. Subgroups were to include high grade glioma; low grade glioma; brain metastasis; skull base meningiomas; and sellar or parasellar tumours. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed the search results for relevance, undertook critical appraisal according to known guidelines, and extracted data using a pre-specified pro forma. MAIN RESULTS: Four RCTs were identified, each using a different image guided technique: 1. iMRI (58 patients), 2. 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) fluorescence guided surgery (322 patients), 3. neuronavigation (45 patients) and 4. DTI-neuronavigation (238 patients). Meta-analysis was not appropriate due to differences in the tumours included (eloquent versus non-eloquent locations) and variations in the image guidance tools used in the control arms (usually selective utilisation of neuronavigation). There were significant concerns regarding risk of bias in all the included studies, especially for the study using DTI-neuronavigation. All studies included patients with high grade glioma, with one study also including patients with low grade glioma. The extent of resection was increased with iMRI (risk ratio (RR) (incomplete resection) 0.13, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.96, low quality evidence), 5-ALA (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.71) and DTI-neuronavigation (RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.63, very low quality evidence). Insufficient data were available to evaluate the effects of neuronavigation on extent of resection. Reporting of adverse events was incomplete, with a suggestion of significant reporting bias. Overall, reported events were low in most studies, but there was concern that surgical resection using 5-ALA may lead to more frequent early neurological deficits. There was no clear evidence of improvement in overall survival (OS) with 5-ALA (hazard ratio (HR) 0.82, 95% CI 0.62 to 1.07) or DTI-neuronavigation (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.00) in patients with high grade glioma. Progression-free survival (PFS) data were not available in the appropriate format for analysis.Data for quality of life (QoL) were only available for one study and suffered from significant attrition bias. AUTHORS’ CONCLUSIONS: There is low to very low quality evidence (according to GRADE criteria) that image guided surgery using iMRI, 5-ALA or DTI-neuronavigation increases the proportion of patients with high grade glioma that have a complete tumour resection on post-operative MRI. There is a theoretical concern that maximising the extent of resection may lead to more frequent adverse events but this was poorly reported in the included studies. Effects of image guided surgery on survival and QoL are unclear. Further research, including studies of ultrasound guided surgery, is needed. -------------------------------------------------------------[179] TITLE: - Breast cancer and coping among women of color: a systematic review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Support Care Cancer. 2014 Mar;22(3):811-24. doi: 10.1007/s00520-013-2057-3. Epub 2014 Jan 4. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s00520-013-2057-3 AUTHOR: - Yoo GJ; ADDRESS: - Asian American Studies Department, Cancer Disparities Research Group, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway, EP 103, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA, gracey@sfsu.edu. AUTHOR: - Levine EG AUTHOR: - Pasick R SUMMARY: - Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer for women regardless of race/ethnicity. Women of color are diagnosed at later stages and experience greater mortality than their White counterparts. However, there has been comparatively little research on coping with breast among racial/ethnic minorities at time of diagnosis, during treatment, or in the course of survivorship. This is despite the fact that research has repeatedly shown that distress can impact disease progression and survival. The questions asked of this systematic literature review include: (1) What is known about coping with breast cancer among major racial/ethnic groups? (2) What are the strengths and gaps in research to date? Over 120 peer-reviewed published studies (1980-2012) were reviewed. A total of 33 met criteria for inclusion including 15 quantitative, 17 qualitative, and 1 mixed methods study. The majority of studies were small sample cross-sectional studies. Only five studies were longitudinal, and two randomized-controlled intervention trials sought to improve coping among survivors. The most common topic in both quantitative and qualitative studies was spirituality and coping among African American breast cancer patients. Thirteen studies included Latinas only or in combination with other groups. Only one quantitative and one qualitative study solely addressed the Asian American population exploring coping and adjustment. In the course of this systematic literature review, we elucidate what is known about coping with breast cancer among racial/ethnic minority women and identify priorities for future research. -------------------------------------------------------------[180] TITLE: - Rituximab for treating CD20+ prostate cancer with generalized lymphadenopathy: a case report and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Invest New Drugs. 2014 Jan 18. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s10637-014-0063-z AUTHOR: - Dalgleish A; ADDRESS: - Division of Clinical Sciences, St George’s University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, UK, dalgleis@sgul.ac.uk. AUTHOR: - Featherstone P AUTHOR: - Vlassov V AUTHOR: - Rogosnitzky M SUMMARY: - A role for CD20 antibodies in treating prostate cancer has not yet been established. We report a case of advanced prostate cancer presenting with generalized lymphadenopathy that expressed CCR7 and CD20. CCR7 expression in prostate cancer has been previously reported only once; the expression of CD20 has not been reported before. Rituximab therapy was initiated in this case and resulted in a significant biochemical response. This unique metastatic and biochemical pattern may signify a distinct subtype of prostate cancer that may be amenable to treatment with anti-CD20 antibodies. -------------------------------------------------------------[181] TITLE: - Association between cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 +49ª/G, -1722T/C, and -1661ª/G polymorphisms and cancer risk: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Dec 5. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1480-x AUTHOR: - Geng R; ADDRESS: - Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China, njmugengrui@163.com. AUTHOR: - Song F AUTHOR: - Yang X AUTHOR: - Sun P AUTHOR: - Hu J AUTHOR: - Zhu C AUTHOR: - Zhu B AUTHOR: - Fan W SUMMARY: - Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), a key gene that contributes to the susceptibility and clinical course of cancer, is an important down-regulator of T cell activation and proliferation. The +49ª/G polymorphism is commonly studied because of its association with cancer risks. However, other polymorphisms, such as -1722T/C and -1661ª/G, have not been studied in detail. We performed a meta-analysis using 43 eligible case-control studies with a total of 19,089 patients and 21,388 controls to examine the association between CTLA4 +49ª/G, -1722T/C, and -1661ª/G polymorphisms and cancer risk. We searched the PubMed and EMBASE databases for all articles published up to July 17, 2013. Individuals with the +49 A allele (AA/AG vs. GG, odds ratio (OR) = 1.21, 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) = 1.16-1.27) and -1661 G allele (AG/GG vs. AA, OR = 1.52, 95 % CI = 1.34-1.73) had increased cancer risk. However, no significant association between cancer risk and the -1722T/C polymorphism was found (CC/CT vs. TT, OR = 1.04, 95 % CI = 0.92-1.16). In subgroup analysis for the +49ª/G polymorphism, increased cancer risk remained in the subgroups of Asians (OR = 1.25, 95 % CI = 1.18-1.31), patients with breast cancer (OR = 1.28, 95 % CI = 1.15-1.42), and patients with lung cancer (OR = 1.20, 95 % CI = 1.07-1.35). For the -1661ª/G polymorphism, increased cancer risk remained in the subgroups of Asians (OR = 1.52, 95 % CI = 1.34-1.73), patients with breast cancer (OR = 1.48, 95 % CI = 1.07-2.03), and patients with oral cancer (OR = 3.16, 95 % CI = 1.84-5.45). However, no significant increase in cancer risk was found in the subgroups for the 1722T/C polymorphism. In conclusion, the results suggest that +49ª/G and -1661ª/G polymorphisms in CTLA-4 are risk factors for cancers, whereas the -1722T/C polymorphism is not associated with an increased risk of cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[182] TITLE: - Metastatic melanoma to the liver: A contemporary and comprehensive review of surgical, systemic, and regional therapeutic options. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cancer. 2013 Dec 2. doi: 10.1002/cncr.28480. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/cncr.28480 AUTHOR: - Agarwala SS; ADDRESS: - Department of Hematology/Oncology, St. Luke’s University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. AUTHOR: - Eggermont AM AUTHOR: - O’Day S AUTHOR: - Zager JS SUMMARY: - Effective management of hepatic metastases from ocular and cutaneous melanoma remains a major therapeutic challenge. Treatment options include hepatic resection, hepatic intra-arterial (HIA) chemotherapy, chemoembolization, and hepatic perfusions. Evaluating the efficacy of these interventions is limited by the retrospective nature of most of the data, although controlled phase 3 studies are starting to emerge. Studies of hepatic resection are strongly suggestive of a survival benefit following surgery in selected patients. Effective systemic agents for metastatic cutaneous melanoma are available and supported by randomized controlled phase 3 trials. In contrast, no active systemic treatment has yet been identified for metastatic ocular melanoma. HIA and intravenous delivery of fotemustine have been compared in a randomized phase 3 trial in patients with unresectable metastases from melanoma, but no differences between the 2 approaches were observed. Hepatic arterial chemoembolization appears only to be moderately effective according to uncontrolled studies; targeting patients with less liver involvement may improve outcomes. A recent phase 3 study showed a significant improvement in hepatic progression-free survival with percutaneous hepatic perfusion compared with best alternative care in patients with metastatic melanoma; however, the overall survival analysis was confounded by crossover of control patients to active treatment. In conclusion, hepatic resection offers the possibility of long-term survival in carefully selected patients with liver-limited metastases from melanoma. In patients with unresectable cutaneous melanoma, effective systemic therapy is the best treatment option. For patients with unresectable ocular melanoma, regional treatments are likely to assume a greater role until effective systemic treatments are identified. Cancer 2013. Esta es una cita bibliográfica que va por delante de la publicación en papel. La fecha indicada en la cita provista, NO corresponde con la fecha o la cita bibliográfica de la publicación en papel. La cita bibliográfica definitiva (con el volumen y su paginación) saldrá en 1 ó 2 meses a partir de la fecha de la emisión electrónica-online. *** This is a bibliographic record ahead of the paper publication. The given date in the bibliographic record does not correspond to the date or the bibliographic citation on the paper publication. The publisher will provide the final bibliographic citation (with the volume, and pagination) within 1 or 2 months from the date the record was published online. © 2013 American Cancer Society. -------------------------------------------------------------[183] TITLE: - The role of epigenetic modification in tumorigenesis and progression of pituitary adenomas: a systematic review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Dec 18;8(12):e82619. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082619. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0082619 AUTHOR: - Pease M; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America. AUTHOR: - Ling C; ADDRESS: - Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America. AUTHOR: - Mack WJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America ; Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America. AUTHOR: - Wang K; ADDRESS: - Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America ; Department of Psychiatry, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America ; Division of Bioinformatics, Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America. AUTHOR: - Zada G; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America ; Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Pituitary adenomas (PAs) are commonly occurring neoplasms with diverse endocrine and neurological effects. Although somatic gene mutations are uncommon in sporadic PAs, recent studies lend support to epigenetic modification as a potential cause of tumorigenesis and tumor progression. METHODS: A systematic literature review of the PubMed and Google Scholar databases was conducted to identify abstracts (n=1,082) pertaining to key targets and mechanisms implicated in epigenetic dysregulation of PAs published between 1993-2013. Data regarding histopathological subtype, target genes, mode of epigenetic modification, and clinical correlation were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 47 that studies met inclusion criteria and focused on epigenomic assessment of PAs, only 2 were genome-scale analyses. Current evidence supports epigenetic alteration in at least 24 PA genes, which were categorized into four groups based on function and epigenetic alteration: 1) Sixteen tumor suppressor genes silenced via DNA methylation; 2) Two oncogenes overexpressed via histone acetylation and hypomethylation; 3) Three imprinted genes with selective allelic silencing; and 4) One epigenome writer inducing abnormal genome-scale activity and 5) Two transcription regulators indirectly modifying the genome. Of these, 5 genes (CDKN2A, GADD45y, FGFR2, caspase-8, and PTAG) showed particular susceptibility to epigenetic modification, with abnormal DNA methylation in >50% of PA samples. Several genes displayed correlations between epigenetic modification and clinically relevant parameters, including invasiveness (CDKN2A; DAPK; Rb1), sex (MAGE-A3), tumor size (GNAS1), and histopathological subtype (CDKN2A; MEG3; p27; RASSF1A; Rb1). CONCLUSIONS: Epigenetic modification of selected PA genes may play a key role in tumorigenesis and progression, which may translate into important diagnostic and therapeutic applications. -------------------------------------------------------------[184] TITLE: - Surgery for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Dec 4;12:CD001318. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001318.pub3. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/14651858.CD001318.pub3 AUTHOR: - Martin-Hirsch PP; ADDRESS: - Gynaecological Oncology Unit, Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Sharoe Green Lane, Fullwood, Preston, Lancashire, UK, PR2 9HT. AUTHOR: - Paraskevaidis E AUTHOR: - Bryant A AUTHOR: - Dickinson HO SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is the most common premalignant lesion. Atypical squamous changes occur in the transformation zone of the cervix with mild, moderate or severe changes described by their depth (CIN 1, 2 or 3). Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is treated by local ablation or lower morbidity excision techniques. Choice of treatment depends on the grade and extent of the disease. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and safety of alternative surgical treatments for CIN. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Gynaecological Cancer Group Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE and EMBASE (up to November 2012). We also searched registers of clinical trials, abstracts of scientific meetings and reference lists of included studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of alternative surgical treatments in women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently abstracted data and assessed risks of bias. Risk ratios that compared residual disease after the follow-up examination and adverse events in women who received one of either laser ablation, laser conisation, large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ), knife conisation or cryotherapy were pooled in random-effects model meta-analyses. MAIN RESULTS: Twentynine trials were included. Seven surgical techniques were tested in various comparisons. No significant differences in treatment failures were demonstrated in terms of persistent disease after treatment. Large loop excision of the transformation zone appeared to provide the most reliable specimens for histology with the least morbidity. Morbidity was lower than with laser conisation, although the trials did not provide data for every outcome measure. There were not enough data to assess the effect on morbidity when compared with laser ablation. AUTHORS’ CONCLUSIONS: The evidence suggests that there is no obvious superior surgical technique for treating cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in terms of treatment failures or operative morbidity. -------------------------------------------------------------[185] TITLE: - Diagnostic accuracy of serum glypican-3 for hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Clin Biochem. 2014 Feb;47(3):196-200. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2013.12.007. Epub 2013 Dec 19. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.clinbiochem.2013.12.007 AUTHOR: - Liu XF; ADDRESS: - Department of Laboratory Medicine, General Hospital of Ji’nan Military Region of PLA, Ji’nan, 250031 Shandong Province, PR China. AUTHOR: - Hu ZD; ADDRESS: - Department of Laboratory Medicine, General Hospital of Ji’nan Military Region of PLA, Ji’nan, 250031 Shandong Province, PR China. AUTHOR: - Liu XC; ADDRESS: - Department of Ophthalmology, Chinese PLA (People’s Liberation Army) General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China. AUTHOR: - Cao Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Laboratory Medicine, General Hospital of Ji’nan Military Region of PLA, Ji’nan, 250031 Shandong Province, PR China. AUTHOR: - Ding CM; ADDRESS: - Department of Laboratory Medicine, General Hospital of Ji’nan Military Region of PLA, Ji’nan, 250031 Shandong Province, PR China. AUTHOR: - Hu CJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Laboratory Medicine, General Hospital of Ji’nan Military Region of PLA, Ji’nan, 250031 Shandong Province, PR China. Electronic address: hcj6289@163.com. SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: Many individual studies have evaluated the diagnostic efficiency of serum glypican-3 (GPC-3) for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the results have been inconsistent. The aim of present study was to meta-analyze the overall diagnostic accuracy of serum GPC-3 for diagnosing HCC. DESIGN AND METHODS: English language studies which evaluated the diagnostic performance of GPC-3 and published before March 22, 2013 were retrieved. The quality of the studies was assessed by revised QUADAS tools. The performance characteristics were pooled and determined by random-effects models. RESULTS: Twelve studies with a total of 898 HCC patients and 835 non-HCC patients were included. For the studies in which the majority of reference participants had HBV or HCV infections, the overall diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 0.53 (95% CI: 0.49-0.57) and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.74-0.81), respectively. The area under summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) curves (AUC) was 0.82. The major design deficiencies of included studies were differential verification bias, and a lack of clear exclusion and inclusion criteria. CONCLUSIONS: GPC-3 has moderate diagnostic accuracy for HCC. Due to the design limitations, results in published studies should be carefully interpreted. In addition, more welldesigned studies with large sample sizes should be performed to rigorously evaluate the diagnostic value of the GPC-3. -------------------------------------------------------------[186] TITLE: - Seizure characteristics and prognostic factors of gliomas. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Epilepsia. 2013 Dec;54 Suppl 9:12-7. doi: 10.1111/epi.12437. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/epi.12437 AUTHOR: - Kerkhof M; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurology, Medical Center The Hague, The Hague, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Vecht CJ SUMMARY: - Epilepsy in neuroepithelial tumors is highly prevalent. Neurogliomas (dysembryoplastic neuroepitheliomas [DNETs] and gangliogliomas) have a seizure incidence of 80-100%, low-grade gliomas of 60-85%, and glioblastoma of 30-60%. With each type, the appearance of seizures is usually the presenting clinical symptom, and with neuroglial tumors often the only clinical sign. Tumor locations in the temporal and insular cortex are associated with a higher risk of developing epilepsy in both neuroglial tumors and low-grade gliomas. Focal seizures with or without alteration of consciousness and/or secondary generalization are common. Focal seizures with altered consciousness are present in 50-70% of neuroglial tumors, and secondarily generalized seizures in 70% of low-grade gliomas. Surgical treatment, particularly gross tumor resection, contributes strongly to seizure freedom, especially in neuroglial tumors. Refractory epilepsy is more common in low-grade gliomas, occurring in 3035%. Recurrence or worsening of seizures is often associated with tumor recurrence in glioblastomas. Translational studies have revealed a strong prevalence of IDH1 enzyme mutation together with the presence of seizures and long-term survival in low-grade gliomas. Disturbances of glutamate metabolism occur both in low-grade tumors and glioblastomas, and provide insight into mutual cellular pathway abnormalities contributing to both seizure development and tumor growth. Likewise, the recent clinical observations on antitumor activity of the anticonvulsant valproic acid in glioblastoma now provide promising outlooks on single therapies that target both seizures and gliomas. -------------------------------------------------------------[187] TITLE: - Presurgical diagnosis of adnexal tumours using mathematical models and scoring systems: a systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Hum Reprod Update. 2013 Dec 9. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1093/humupd/dmt059 AUTHOR: - Kaijser J; ADDRESS: - Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. AUTHOR: - Sayasneh A AUTHOR: - Van Hoorde K AUTHOR: - Ghaem-Maghami S AUTHOR: - Bourne T AUTHOR: - Timmerman D AUTHOR: - Van Calster B SUMMARY: - BACKGROUNDCharacterizing ovarian pathology is fundamental to optimizing management in both pre- and post-menopausal women. Inappropriate referral to oncology services can lead to unnecessary surgery or overly radical interventions compromising fertility in young women, whilst the consequences of failing to recognize cancer significantly impact on prognosis. By reflecting on recent developments of new diagnostic tests for preoperative identification of malignant disease in women with adnexal masses, we aimed to update a previous systematic review and meta-analysis.METHODSAn extended search was performed in MEDLINE (PubMed) and EMBASE (OvidSp) from March 2008 to October 2013. Eligible studies provided information on diagnostic test performance of models, designed to predict ovarian cancer in a preoperative setting, that contained at least two variables. Study selection and extraction of study characteristics, types of bias, and test performance was performed independently by two reviewers. Quality was assessed using a modified version of the QUADAS assessment tool. A bivariate hierarchical random effects model was used to produce summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity with 95% confidence intervals or plot summary ROC curves for all models considered.RESULTSOur extended search identified a total of 1542 new primary articles. In total, 195 studies were eligible for qualitative data synthesis, and 96 validation studies reporting on 19 different prediction models met the predefined criteria for quantitative data synthesis. These models were tested on 26 438 adnexal masses, including 7199 (27%) malignant and 19 239 (73%) benign masses. The Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI) was the most frequently validated model. The logistic regression model LR2 with a risk cut-off of 10% and Simple Rules (SR), both developed by the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) study, performed better than all other included models with a pooled sensitivity and specificity, respectively, of 0.92 [95% CI 0.88-0.95] and 0.83 [95% CI 0.77-0.88] for LR2 and 0.93 [95% CI 0.89-0.95] and 0.81 [95% CI 0.76-0.85] for SR. A meta-analysis of centre-specific results stratified for menopausal status of two multicentre cohorts comparing LR2, SR and RMI-1 (using a cut-off of 200) showed a pooled sensitivity and specificity in premenopausal women for LR2 of 0.85 [95% CI 0.75-0.91] and 0.91 [95% CI 0.83-0.96] compared with 0.93 [95% CI 0.84-0.97] and 0.83 [95% CI 0.73-0.90] for SR and 0.44 [95% CI 0.28-0.62] and 0.95 [95% CI 0.90-0.97] for RMI-1. In post-menopausal women, sensitivity and specificity of LR2, SR and RMI-1 were 0.94 [95% CI 0.89-0.97] and 0.70 [95% CI 0.62-0.77], 0.93 [95% CI 0.88-0.96] and 0.76 [95% CI 0.69-0.82], and 0.79 [95% CI 0.72-0.85] and 0.90 [95% CI 0.84-0.94], respectively.CONCLUSIONSAn evidence-based approach to the preoperative characterization of any adnexal mass should incorporate the use of IOTA Simple Rules or the LR2 model, particularly for women of reproductive age. -------------------------------------------------------------[188] TITLE: - Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2014 Jan 15. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1579-0 AUTHOR: - Ping W; ADDRESS: - Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jie Fang Avenue, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China. AUTHOR: - Sun W AUTHOR: - Zu Y AUTHOR: - Chen W AUTHOR: - Fu X SUMMARY: - Published literatures on the prognostic value of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) overexpression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are conflicting and heterogeneous. We performed a meta-analysis to more precisely evaluate the clinicopathological and prognostic value of HIF-1alpha in patients with ESCC. Searches were applied to MEDLINE, Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Chinese BioMedical Literature Databases until September 10, 2013, without language restrictions. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the effects. Twelve studies with 942 ESCC patients were selected to evaluate the correlation between HIF-1alpha and overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), response to chemoradiation (RC), and clinicopathological features. HIF-1alpha overexpression was significantly associated with poor OS (HR 1.78, 95 % CI 1.41-2.24), DFS (HR 1.91, 95 % CI 1.15-3.18), and RC (HR 3.56, 95 % CI 1.68-7.53). Besides, HIF-1alpha overexpression was significantly associated with stage (OR 2.90, 95 % CI 1.97-4.27), lymph node metastasis (OR 1.86, 95 % CI 1.39-2.49), depth of invasion (OR 2.45, 95 % CI 1.24-4.86), lymphatic invasion (OR 2.28, 95 % CI 1.46-3.56), distant metastasis (OR 2.04, 95 % CI 1.193.50), and vascular endothelial growth factor (OR 3.67, 95 % CI 1.81-7.46). Our results indicate that HIF-1alpha overexpression can potently predict the poor prognosis and chemoradiation resistance for ESCC. Large prospective studies with multivariable survival analyses are now needed to confirm the clinical utility of HIF-1alpha as an independent prognostic marker. -------------------------------------------------------------[189] TITLE: - Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of HER2 overexpression in gastric cancer: a meta-analysis of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2014 Jan 22. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-014-1636-3 AUTHOR: - Liang JW; ADDRESS: - Department of Gastric Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, 44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042, People’s Republic of China, liangjiwang1985@163.com. AUTHOR: - Zhang JJ AUTHOR: - Zhang T AUTHOR: - Zheng ZC SUMMARY: - Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) plays an important role in the aggressiveness and progression of gastric cancer. With the publication of trial results, we conducted a meta-analysis to investigate its prognostic significance for patients with gastric cancer. PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched. Statistical analysis was carried out by STATA version 12.0 software. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of evidence. Fifteen studies involving 5,290 patients met the inclusion criteria. The results showed that HER2 overexpression was significantly associated with patients’ overall survival (HR = 1.56, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.05-2.07; Z = 6.03; P = 0.000). The results also suggested that HER2 overexpression was associated with Bormann type (odds ratio (OR) = 1.76, 95 % CI 1.19-2.59; Z = 2.85; P = 0.004), tumor differentiation (OR = 3.14, 95 % CI 1.91-5.17; Z = 4.49; P = 0.000), Lauren’s classification (OR = 6.25, 95 % CI 4.299.10; Z = 9.54; P = 0.000), lymph node metastasis (OR = 1.43, 95 % CI 1.15-1.77; Z = 3.23; P = 0.001), venous invasion (OR = 1.69, 95 % CI 1.15-2.48; Z = 2.67; P = 0.008), and lymphovascular invasion (OR = 1.57, 95 % CI 1.21-2.04; Z = 3.4; P = 0.001). However, it had no correlation with tumor size, depth of invasion, and tumor stage. This study showed that HER2 overexpression had an unfavorable prognostic role for patients with gastric cancer. HER2-positive expression was associated with Bormann type, Lauren’s classification, tumor differentiation, lymph node status, venous invasion, and lymphovascular invasion. -------------------------------------------------------------[190] TITLE: - Radiotherapy for the treatment of pain in malignant pleural mesothelioma: A systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Lung Cancer. 2014 Feb;83(2):133-8. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2013.11.004. Epub 2013 Nov 14. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.lungcan.2013.11.004 AUTHOR: - Macleod N; ADDRESS: - Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK; Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, 1053 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 0YN, UK. Electronic address: Nicholas.macleod@ggc.scot.nhs.uk. AUTHOR: - Price A; ADDRESS: - Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK; Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK. AUTHOR: - O’Rourke N; ADDRESS: - Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, 1053 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 0YN, UK. AUTHOR: - Fallon M; ADDRESS: - Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK; Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK. AUTHOR: - Laird B; ADDRESS: - Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK; Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, 1053 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 0YN, UK. SUMMARY: - Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat pain in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The purpose of this systematic review is to examine the evidence for this practice. Medline (1946-2013), Embase (1974-2013) and Central (The Cochrane Library Issue 9, 2012) databases were searched. Eligible studies met the following criteria: MPM (histological or radiological diagnosis), radiotherapy given with the intent of improving pain, response rates to radiotherapy reported, dose and fractionation reported and the relationship between radiotherapy and pain response explored. All studies had independent review and were graded according to evidence level. Eight studies met the eligibility criteria. Two studies were prospective single arm phase II studies while the remainder were retrospective case series. All were graded as either Level 2 or Level 3 evidence. Due to marked heterogeneity among studies, quantitative synthesis of results was not possible. No high quality evidence currently exists to support radiotherapy in treating pain in MPM. Studies focusing on clear pain endpoints and improving target delineation are needed. Such studies should also use modern radiotherapy techniques and concentrate on dose escalation. -------------------------------------------------------------[191] TITLE: - Systematic review of human papillomavirus vaccine coadministration. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Vaccine. 2014 Jan 8. pii: S0264-410X(13)01768-4. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.12.037. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.vaccine.2013.12.037 AUTHOR: - Noronha AS; ADDRESS: - Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States. AUTHOR: - Markowitz LE; ADDRESS: - Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States. AUTHOR: - Dunne EF; ADDRESS: - Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States. Electronic address: dde9@cdc.gov. SUMMARY: - Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is recommended in early adolescence, at an age when other vaccines are also recommended. Administration of multiple vaccines during one visit is an opportunity to improve uptake of adolescent vaccines. We conducted a systematic review of safety and immunogenicity of HPV vaccines coadministered with other vaccines. Our review included 9 studies, 4 of quadrivalent HPV vaccine and 5 of bivalent HPV vaccine; coadministered vaccines included: meningococcal conjugate, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, combined hepatitis A and B, tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis, and inactivated poliovirus vaccines. Studies varied in methods of data collection and measurement of immunogenicity and safety. Noninferiority of immune response and an acceptable safety profile were demonstrated when HPV vaccine was coadministered with other vaccines. -------------------------------------------------------------[192] TITLE: - Association of IL-6 polymorphisms with hepatocellular carcinoma risk: evidences from a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Dec 8. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1469-5 AUTHOR: - Liu Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 415 Fengyang Road, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Gao SJ AUTHOR: - Du BX AUTHOR: - Wang JJ SUMMARY: - The associations between IL-6 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to provide more credible evidence. We searched for relevant studies published up to 2013 by performing an efficient searching strategy. Odds ratios (OR) with 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) was used to estimate the strength of the associations between IL-6 polymorphisms and HCC risk. We identified eight case-control studies involving 1,448 HCC cases and 3,160 controls. Our estimation specifically focused on two SNPs of the IL-6 gene, -174 G/C and -572 G/C. The combined results showed that association between IL-6-174 G/C polymorphism and risk of HCC was significant under additive model (CC vs. GG: OR 0.36; 95 % CI, 0.16, 0.85) and recessive model (GG+CG vs. CC: OR 2.82; 95 % CI 1.26, 6.28). However, the IL-6-572 G/C polymorphism was not associated with HCC risk. In conclusion, IL-6-174 G/C, but not -572 G/C polymorphism could be a candidate for susceptibility to HCC. However, the results should be cautiously interpreted due to the limited number of the included studies. -------------------------------------------------------------[193] TITLE: - MDM2 SNP309T>G polymorphism and hepatocellular carcinoma risk: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Dec 31. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1543-z AUTHOR: - Chen QW; ADDRESS: - Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China. AUTHOR: - Chen H AUTHOR: - Cheng JS AUTHOR: - Meng ZQ SUMMARY: - Case-control studies on the association between mouse double-minute 2 homolog (MDM2) SNP309T>G polymorphism and hepatocellular carcinoma have provided either controversial or inconclusive results. To clarify the effect of MDM2 SNP309T>G polymorphism on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, a meta-analysis of all case-control observational studies was performed. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) for various polymorphisms were estimated using random and fixed effects models. The Q-statistic was used to evaluate the homogeneity, and Egger and Begg tests were used to assess publication bias. Overall, the MDM2 SNP309T>G polymorphism was associated with a risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (OR = 0.68; 95 % CI = 0.54-0.85 for allele contrast, p = 0.0005, p het = 0.004). The contrast of homozygotes and the recessive and dominant models produced the same pattern of results as the allele contrast. In the analysis stratified by ethnicity, significant associations were found in the Caucasian population in all of the genetic models. In addition, heterogeneity disappeared in subgroups of Caucasian subjects. Our pooled data suggest evidence for a major role of MDM2 SNP309T>G polymorphism in the carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma, especially among Caucasian populations. -------------------------------------------------------------[194] TITLE: - DNA repair pathway genes and lung cancer susceptibility: A meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Gene. 2014 Apr 1;538(2):361-5. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.12.028. Epub 2013 Dec 22. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.gene.2013.12.028 AUTHOR: - Li W; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110023, China. AUTHOR: - Li K; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110023, China. AUTHOR: - Zhao L; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110023, China. AUTHOR: - Zou H; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110023, China. Electronic address: stroller100@163.com. SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: DNA repair pathway genes have been implicated to play an important role in the development of lung cancer. However, contradictory results are often reported by various studies, making it difficult to interpret them. So in this meta-analysis, we have assessed the association between lung cancer risk and two DNA repair pathway genes. XRCC1 and ERCC2, by analyzing 67 published case-control studies. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase and Web of Science using terms “XRCC1” or “XPD” or “ERCC2” and “lung cancer” on August 1, 2012. Three criteria were applied to select included studies for resulting studies. Information was carefully extracted by two investigators independently. We used pooled odds ratio (OR) to assess the effect of a polymorphism, and a dominant model was applied where genotypes that contain the non-reference allele were combined together. All the calculations were performed using STATA version 11.0. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS: Three common nonsynonymous polymorphisms in XRCC1, codon 194, codon 280 and codon 399, and two common nonsynonymous polymorphisms in ERCC2, codon 312 and codon 751, were analyzed. The result showed in total population, Lys751Gln in ERCC2 is associated with an increase of lung cancer risk, with a summary OR as 1.15. No association was found for any other polymorphisms. When studies were stratified by ethnicity, the risk effect of Lys751Gln in ERCC2 was found only in Caucasians, not in Asians. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, Lys751Gln in ERCC2 is associated with lung cancer, and the risk effect probably exists in Caucasians. By contrast, polymorphisms in XRCC1 are less likely to be susceptible to lung cancer risks. -------------------------------------------------------------[195] TITLE: - GSTM1 null genotype is associated with increased risk of gastric cancer in both ever- smokers and non-smokers: a meta-analysis of case-control studies. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Dec 8. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1454-z AUTHOR: - Gu J; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200092, China. AUTHOR: - Zou H AUTHOR: - Zheng L AUTHOR: - Li X AUTHOR: - Chen S AUTHOR: - Zhang L SUMMARY: - Previous studies have suggested that the glutathione S-transferases M1 (GSTM1) null genotype is associated with the risk of gastric cancer. However, the interaction between GSTM1 null genotype and smoking for the risk of gastric cancer is still elusive. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to ascertain this issue. Databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched to retrieve relevant studies. Smokers were categorized as “ever-smokers” and “non-smokers.” Odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) were calculated to estimate the association strength. Subgroup analyses according to ethnicity, source of control, and sample size were also conducted. A total of 15 eligible studies, including 4,687 gastric cancer cases and 7,002 controls, were identified. We found that the GSTM1 null genotype was associated with increased risk of gastric cancer among ever-smokers (OR = 1.460, 95 % CI 1.064-2.003, heterogeneity: P = 0.019). The null genotype also significantly increased the risk of gastric cancer among non-smokers (OR = 1.777, 95 % CI 1.301-2.426, heterogeneity: P < 0.01). Stratified analysis according to ethnicity showed that the GSTM1 null genotype was associated with increased risk of gastric cancer among Asians both in ever-smokers (OR = 1.841, 95 % CI 1.184-2.861) and non-smokers (OR = 1.773, 95 % CI 1.382-2.275). In conclusion, the GSMT1 null genotype significantly increased the risk of gastric cancer both in ever-smokers and non-smokers. -------------------------------------------------------------[196] TITLE: - Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the spleen: recurrence eight years after splenectomy—report of a case and literature review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Coll Antropol. 2013 Sep;37(3):1007-10. AUTHOR: - Rakic M; ADDRESS: - University of Zagreb, University Hospital Dubrava, Department of Surgery, Zagreb, Croatia. AUTHOR: - Pogorelic Z AUTHOR: - Lambasa S AUTHOR: - Patrlj L AUTHOR: - Perko Z AUTHOR: - Rakic M AUTHOR: - Mrklic I AUTHOR: - Jukic M SUMMARY: - Primary intraabdominal malignant mesenchymal tumors are very rare. There are just few cases of intraabdominal visceral malignant fibrous histiocytoma in the literature. We report a case of primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the spleen in a 57-year-old man, with a recurrence eight years after the splenectomy. After the initial surgery the patient was without complaints, and refused to receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Eight years after the surgery the patient reported due to general weakness and malaise when the diagnosis of disease relapse was established. Radical surgery was performed although the tumor involved large curvature of the stomach, left crus of the diaphragm, splenic flexure of the colon and tail of pancreas. Four months after the surgery patient died. To the best of our knowledge, to date, only 18 cases have been reported in the literature, describing malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the spleen. -------------------------------------------------------------[197] TITLE: - Clinical protocols for (31)P MRS of the brain and their use in evaluating optic pathway gliomas in children. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Radiol. 2014 Feb;83(2):e106-12. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2013.11.009. Epub 2013 Nov 25. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ejrad.2013.11.009 AUTHOR: - Novak J; ADDRESS: - School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom; Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Electronic address: j.novak@bham.ac.uk. AUTHOR: - Wilson M; ADDRESS: - School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom; Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Electronic address: martin@pipegrep.co.uk. AUTHOR: - Macpherson L; ADDRESS: - Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Electronic address: lesley.macpherson@bch.nhs.uk. AUTHOR: - Arvanitis TN; ADDRESS: - Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom; School of Electronic, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Electronic address: t.arvanitis@bham.ac.uk. AUTHOR: - Davies NP; ADDRESS: - School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom; Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom; University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Medical Physics RRPPS, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Electronic address: nigel.davies@nhs.net. AUTHOR: - Peet AC; ADDRESS: - School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom; Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Electronic address: a.peet@bham.ac.uk. SUMMARY: - INTRODUCTION: In vivo (31)P Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) measures phosphorus-containing metabolites that play an essential role in many disease processes. An advantage over (1)H MRS is that total choline can be separated into phosphocholine and glycerophosphocholine which have opposite associations with tumour grade. We demonstrate (31)P MRS can provide robust metabolic information on an acceptable timescale to yield information of clinical importance. METHODS: All MRI examinations were carried out on a 3T whole body scanner with all (31)P MRS scans conducted using a dual-tuned (1)H/(31)P head coil. Once optimised on phantoms, the protocol was tested in six healthy volunteers (four male and two female, mean age: 25+/-2.7). (31)P MRS was then implemented on three children with optic pathway gliomas. RESULTS: (31)P MRS on volunteers showed that a number of metabolite ratios varied significantly (p<0.05 ANOVA) across different structures of the brain, whereas PC/GPC did not. Standard imaging showed the optic pathway gliomas were enhancing on T1-weighted imaging after contrast injection and have high tCho on (1)H MRS, both of which are associated with high grade lesions. (31)P MRS showed the phosphocholine/glycerophosphocholine ratio to be low (<0.6) which suggests low grade tumours in keeping with their clinical behaviour and the histology of most biopsied optic pathway gliomas. CONCLUSION: (31)P MRS can be implemented in the brain as part of a clinical protocol to provide robust measurement of important metabolites, in particular providing a greater understanding of cases where tCho is raised on (1)H MRS. -------------------------------------------------------------[198] TITLE: - VEGF +405G/C (rs2010963) polymorphisms and digestive system cancer risk: a meta- analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2014 Jan 29. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-014-1655-0 AUTHOR: - Guo Q; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiotherapy, Taizhou People’s Hospital, South Hailing Road 395, Taizhou, 225300, China. AUTHOR: - Dai SB AUTHOR: - Shen F AUTHOR: - Yu D AUTHOR: - Shen ST AUTHOR: - Zhang Q AUTHOR: - Huang JX AUTHOR: - Wu ZD SUMMARY: - Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) polymorphisms, specifically +405G/C (rs2010963), reportedly influence the risk for various digestive cancers. However, the consequences of these polymorphisms remain controversial and ambiguous. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis of 11 studies with VEGF +405G/C genotyping on 2,862 patients and 3,028 controls using the random effects model. We obtained a pooled odds ratio (OR) of 1.04 (95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.86-1.26) for the recessive genetic model, 1.07 (95 % CI = 0.81-1.42) for the dominant genetic model, 1.09 (95 % CI = 0.81-1.47) for the homozygote comparison, and 1.03 (95 % CI = 0.83-1.27) for the heterozygote comparison. In the subgroup analysis of the recessive model, the OR was 1.20 (95 % CI = 1.02-1.40) in colorectal cancer. These results show that VEGF +405G/C polymorphisms are unlikely to be a major determinant of susceptibility to digestive cancer. Furthermore, the subgroup analysis of recessive model indicates that VEGF +405G/C polymorphisms increase the risk for colorectal cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[199] TITLE: - HIF-1alpha P582S and A588T polymorphisms and digestive system cancer risk-a meta- analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Nov 30. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1375-x AUTHOR: - Yang X; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Guangzhou Road 300, Nanjing, 210029, China. AUTHOR: - Zhang C AUTHOR: - Zhu HC AUTHOR: - Qin Q AUTHOR: - Zhao LJ AUTHOR: - Liu J AUTHOR: - Xu LP AUTHOR: - Zhang Q AUTHOR: - Cai J AUTHOR: - Ma JX AUTHOR: - Cheng HY AUTHOR: - Sun XC SUMMARY: - Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) influences cancer progression and metastasis through various mechanisms, and HIF-1alpha polymorphisms are reportedly associated with many cancers; however, the associations of HIF-1alpha P582S and A588T polymorphisms with the risk of digestive system cancer remain inconclusive. To understand the role of HIF-1alpha P582S and A588T genotypes in digestive cancer development, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis involving 1,517 cases and 3,740 controls. Overall, the P582S polymorphism was not significantly associated with digestive system cancers in all genotypes. By contrast, the A588T polymorphism was significantly associated with digestive system cancers in the dominant model (TT/AT vs. AA: OR = 3.17, 95 % CI: 1.21, 8.25; P heterogeneity < 0.001). In subgroup analysis for cancer types, the two polymorphisms were only associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer (P582S: SS vs. PP: OR = 2.51, 95 % CI: 1.31, 4.81; SS vs. PP/PS: OR = 8.73, 95 % CI: 1.33, 57.1; A588T: TT vs. AA: OR = 9.30, 95 % CI: 1.12, 77.6; P heterogeneity = 0.478; TT vs. AA/AT: OR = 3.14, 95 % CI: 1.99, 4.97; P heterogeneity = 0.098; TT/AT vs. AA: OR = 8.65, 95 % CI: 1.05, 71.6; P heterogeneity = 0.418). According to the source of ethnicity, the P582S and the A588T polymorphisms are both significantly associated with an increased risk of cancer among Caucasians in the homozygote model (SS vs. PP: OR = 2.41, 95 % CI: 1.24, 4.691; P heterogeneity = 0.010; TT vs. AA: OR = 98.6, 95 % CI: 4.37, 2,224; P heterogeneity = 0.040) and the recessive model (SS vs. PP/PS: OR = 9.48, 95 % CI: 1.12, 80.3; P heterogeneity < 0.001; TT vs. AA/AT: OR = 82.7, 95 % CI: 3.79, 1,802; P heterogeneity = 0.041). Our findings suggest that the HIF-1alpha A588T polymorphism is significantly associated with higher cancer risk and the P582S polymorphism is significantly associated with pancreatic cancer risk. Furthermore, the effect of both polymorphisms on digestive system cancer is more pronounced among Caucasians than that among Asians. -------------------------------------------------------------[200] TITLE: - Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) C1772T polymorphism significantly contributes to the risk of malignancy from a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2014 Jan 15. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1538-9 AUTHOR: - Wu G; ADDRESS: - Department of General Surgery, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No.7 Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, China. AUTHOR: - Yan WF AUTHOR: - Zhu YZ AUTHOR: - Sun PC SUMMARY: - Although the association between hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) C1772T polymorphism and risk of malignancy has been widely studied, results from published studies remained controversial. Therefore, the relationship between them was further assessed in this meta-analysis. The databases of PubMed, Embase, and Wanfang were searched, and odds ratio with 95 % confidence interval (OR and 95 % CI) were used to assess the strength of the association. A total of 38 case-control studies with 23,876 participants were included. Overall, the T allele of HIF-1alpha C1772T was significantly associated with increased risk of malignancy development (OR and 95 % CI 1.18 (1.00-1.38), P = 0.048 for T carriers vs. CC; 1.22 (1.05-1.41), P = 0.010 for T carriers vs. C carriers). When subgroup analyses were conducted, T allele was further found to be associated with increased risk of malignancy development for Asians rather than Caucasians (OR and 95 % CI 1.36 (1.10-1.67), P = 0.004 for Asians) and for population-based studies (OR and 95 % CI 1.19 (1.01-1.41), P = 0.040). Between-study heterogeneity existed in genetic comparison models, and metaregression indicated that the participants’ ethnicities and types of malignancy might be the sources of heterogeneity. No publication bias was found. In conclusion, this study indicated that HIF-1alpha C1772T polymorphism was significantly associated with increased risk of malignancy development for Asians. More studies were further required to focus on the relationship between HIF-1alpha C1772T polymorphism and risk of a specific type of tumor. -------------------------------------------------------------[201] TITLE: - CYP1A2 rs762551 polymorphism contributes to risk of lung cancer: A meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Nov 29. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1298-6 AUTHOR: - Ma Z; ADDRESS: - Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Daping Hospital and Institute of Surgery Research, the Third Millitary Medical University, 10# Changjiang Zhilu Road, 400042, Yuzhong Distric, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China, mzcqdoc@163.com. AUTHOR: - Guo W AUTHOR: - Gong T AUTHOR: - Niu HJ AUTHOR: - Wang RW AUTHOR: - Jiang YG SUMMARY: - Previous studies proposed that CYP1A2 rs762551 polymorphism might be associated with risk of lung cancer by influencing the function of CYP1A2. However, previous studies on the association between CYP1A2 rs762551 polymorphism and risk of lung cancer reported inconsistent findings. We performed a meta-analysis of the published case-control studies to assess the association between CYP1A2 rs762551 polymorphism and risk of lung cancer. PubMed and Embase were searched to identify relevant studies on the association between CYP1A2 rs762551 polymorphism and risk of lung cancer, and seven studies with a total of 3,320 subjects were finally included into the meta-analysis. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (95%CI) was calculated to evaluate the association. Metaanalysis of total studies showed that CYP1A2 rs762551 polymorphism contributed to risk of lung cancer under all four genetic models (C versus A: OR = 1.26, 95%CI 1.13 to 1.40, P < 0.001; CC versus AA: OR = 1.61, 95%CI 1.28 to 2.04, P < 0.001; CC versus AA/AC: OR = 1.52, 95%CI 1.11 to 2.09, P = 0.009; CC/AC versus AA: OR = 1.28, 95%CI 1.10 to 1.48, P = 0.001). Subgroup analysis based on ethnicity further suggested that CYP1A2 rs762551 polymorphism was associated with risk of lung cancer in Caucasians. These results from the meta-analysis suggest that CYP1A2 rs762551 polymorphism contributes to risk of lung cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[202] TITLE: - Interleukin-6 -634C/G polymorphism is associated with lung cancer risk: a meta- analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2014 Jan 10. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1602-5 AUTHOR: - Nie W; ADDRESS: - Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China. AUTHOR: - Xue L AUTHOR: - Sun G AUTHOR: - Ning Y AUTHOR: - Zhao X SUMMARY: - Several studies have examined the associations of polymorphisms in interleukin-6 (IL6) with lung cancer (LC) risk. However, the results were conflicting. Thus, a meta-analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between IL6 polymorphisms and LC risk. Databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched. Data were extracted and pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Thirteen studies were included in this metaanalysis. Overall, a significant association between IL6 -634C/G polymorphism and LC susceptibility was observed for GG + CG vs. CC (OR = 1.33, 95 % CI 1.20-1.47, P < 0.00001). This polymorphism was also significantly associated with LC risk in Asians (OR = 1.33, 95 % CI 1.201.47, P < 0.00001), female patients (OR = 1.30, 95 % CI 1.11-1.52, P = 0.0009), male patients (OR = 1.25, 95 % CI 1.03-1.52, P = 0.02), non-small cell lung cancer patients (OR = 1.21, 95 % CI 1.03-1.41, P = 0.02), small cell lung cancer patients (OR = 1.91, 95 % CI 1.23-2.97, P = 0.004), smokers (OR = 1.42, 95 % CI 1.21-1.65, P < 0.0001), and non-smokers (OR = 1.32, 95 % CI 1.131.53, P = 0.0003), respectively. No significant result was found for IL6 -174C/G polymorphism. This meta-analysis suggested that IL6 -634C/G polymorphism was a risk factor for LC. -------------------------------------------------------------[203] TITLE: - Sorafenib-based combination as a first line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2014 Jan 7. pii: S1040-8428(13)00277-1. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2013.12.013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.critrevonc.2013.12.013 AUTHOR: - Abdel-Rahman O; ADDRESS: - Clinical Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. Electronic address: omar.abdelrhman@med.asu.edu.eg. AUTHOR: - Fouad M; ADDRESS: - Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the third most common cause of cancer mortality. Advanced HCC is a distinct disease entity with limited approved treatment options and grave prognosis. So, we will explore in this systematic review the value of using sorafenib-based combination in this poor prognosis subset of HCC. METHODS: PubMed, Medline, the Cochrane Library, trip database and Google Scholar were searched using the terms “Hepatocellular carcinoma” OR “Hepatoma” or “Liver cancer” AND “systemic anticancer therapy” AND “Sorafenib” and specifying only English literature. Outcomes of interest included progression free survival and overall survival (PFS and OS), tumor response, and toxicities. RESULTS: A total of 17 potentially relevant trials was identified, of which 9 studies were excluded. Hence, eight trials involving 272 patients were included. Median PFS was reported in 6 out of the 8 trials ranging from 3.7 to 7.5 months. Median OS was reported in 6 out of the 8 studies ranging from 7.4 to 40.1 months. The DCR was reported in the 8 studies, ranging from 48.7% to 76%. Frequently reported Grade ¾ toxicities were increased AST/ALT, fatigue, hypertension, hand foot skin reaction and diarrhea. However, some chemotherapy-specific side effects were noted in some studies. CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence from the available clinical trials suggests that sorafenib-based combination with some anticancer agents (especially mTOR inhibitors) could be a more effective and tolerable treatment for advanced HCC in the future. However, such sorafenib-based combination cannot be recommended outside the setting of clinical trials. -------------------------------------------------------------[204] TITLE: - FUT11 as a potential biomarker of clear cell renal cell carcinoma progression based on meta-analysis of gene expression data. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Dec 8. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1344-4 AUTHOR: - Zodro E; ADDRESS: - Laboratory of High Throughput Technologies, Institute of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614, Poznan, Poland. AUTHOR: - Jaroszewski M AUTHOR: - Ida A AUTHOR: - Wrzesinski T AUTHOR: - Kwias Z AUTHOR: - Bluyssen H AUTHOR: - Wesoly J SUMMARY: - In this paper, we provide a comprehensive summary of available clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) microarray data in the form of meta-analysis of genes differentially regulated in tumors as compared to healthy tissue, using effect size to measure the strength of a relationship between the disease and gene expression. We identified 725 differentially regulated genes, with a number of interesting targets, such as TMEM213, SMIM5, or ATPases: ATP6V0A4 and ATP6V1G3, of which limited or no information is available in terms of their function in ccRCC pathology. Downregulated genes tended to represent pathways related to tissue remodeling, blood clotting, vasodilation, and energy metabolism, while upregulated genes were classified into pathways generally deregulated in cancers: immune system response, inflammatory response, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. One hundred fifteen deregulated genes were included in network analysis, with EGLN3, AP-2, NR3C1, HIF1A, and EPAS1 (gene encoding HIF2-alpha) as points of functional convergence, but, interestingly, 610 genes failed to join previously identified molecular networks. Furthermore, we validated the expression of 14 top deregulated genes in independent sample set of 32 ccRCC tumors by qPCR and tested if it could serve as a marker of disease progression. We found a correlation of high fucosyltransferase 11 (FUT11) expression with non-symptomatic course of the disease, which suggests that FUT11’s expression might be potentially used as a biomarker of disease progression. -------------------------------------------------------------[205] TITLE: - Coffee consumption and risk of prostate cancer: an up-to-date meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Clin Nutr. 2013 Dec 4. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2013.256. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1038/ejcn.2013.256 AUTHOR: - Zhong S; ADDRESS: - Center of Clinical Laboratory Science, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. AUTHOR: - Chen W AUTHOR: - Yu X AUTHOR: - Chen Z AUTHOR: - Hu Q AUTHOR: - Zhao J SUMMARY: - Background/Objectives:Epidemiologic findings concerning the association between coffee consumption and prostate cancer risk yielded mixed results. We aimed to investigate the association by performing a meta-analysis of all available studies.Subjects/Methods:We searched PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE for studies published up to July 2013. We calculated the summary relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for ever, moderate and highest consumption of coffee vs non/lowest consumption. The dose-response relationship was assessed by restricted cubic spline model and multivariate random-effect meta-regression.Results:A total of 12 case-control studies and 12 cohort studies with 42 179 cases were selected for final meta-analysis. No significant associations were found among overall analysis. A borderline positive association was found for highest drinkers in five small hospital-based case-control (HCC) studies involving 2278 cases. However, compared with non/lowest drinkers, the summary RRs were 0.92 (95% CI=0.85-0.99) for ever drinkers, 0.92 (95% CI=0.85-1.00) for moderate drinkers and 0.83 (95% CI=0.72-0.96) for highest drinkers from 12 cohort studies, comprising a total of 34 424 cases. An increase in coffee intake of two cups/day was associated with a 7% decreased risk of prostate cancer according to cohort studies. A significant inverse relationship was also found for fatal prostate cancers and highgrade prostate cancers.Conclusions:Case-control studies especially HCC ones might be prone to selection bias and recall bias that might have contributed to the conflicting results. Therefore, the present meta-analysis suggests a borderline significant inverse association between coffee consumption and prostate cancer risk based on cohort studies.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition advance online publication, 4 December 2013; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2013.256. -------------------------------------------------------------[206] TITLE: - Treatment outcomes and prognostic factors including human papillomavirus (HPV) for sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma: A retrospective review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Head Neck. 2014 Jan 13. doi: 10.1002/hed.23606. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/hed.23606 AUTHOR: - Gray ST; ADDRESS: - Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Massachusetts General Hospital Cranial Base Center, Boston, MA. AUTHOR: - Herr MW AUTHOR: - Sethi RK AUTHOR: - Diercks G AUTHOR: - Lee L AUTHOR: - Curry W AUTHOR: - Chan A AUTHOR: - Clark J AUTHOR: - Holbrook EH AUTHOR: - Rocco J AUTHOR: - Sadow PM AUTHOR: - Lin DT SUMMARY: - Background: Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a high-grade, aggressive neoplasm. Low incidence and poor outcomes make identification of prognostic factors and treatment standardization difficult. Similarly, little is known regarding the association of human papillomavirus (HPV) with SNUC. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted. Extracted information included treatment received, tumor recurrence, patient survival, p16 expression, and HPV status. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival and disease free survival. Survival trends were compared using the log-rank test. Results: Nineteen patients received multimodality treatment for SNUC. Five-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 45.2% and 50.7%, respectively, with no significant difference between treatment types. Tumors from eleven patients were p16-positive and nine of these were also HPV-positive. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated improved survival. Conclusions: Our series demonstrates a higher prevalence of HPV in SNUC than previously reported. HPVpositive SNUCs may benefit from improved survival and should be investigated further in future studies. Head Neck, 2014. -------------------------------------------------------------[207] TITLE: - Recommendations for management of patients with neuroendocrine liver metastases. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Lancet Oncol. 2014 Jan;15(1):e8-21. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(13)70362-0. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/S1470-2045(13)70362-0 AUTHOR: - Frilling A; ADDRESS: - Imperial College London, London, UK. AUTHOR: - Modlin IM; ADDRESS: - Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. Electronic address: imodlin@optonline.net. AUTHOR: - Kidd M; ADDRESS: - Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. AUTHOR: - Russell C; ADDRESS: - University College London, London, UK. AUTHOR: - Breitenstein S; ADDRESS: - University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. AUTHOR: - Salem R; ADDRESS: - Northwestern University Chicago, Chicago, USA. AUTHOR: - Kwekkeboom D; ADDRESS: - Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Lau WY; ADDRESS: - Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. AUTHOR: - Klersy C; ADDRESS: - IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy. AUTHOR: - Vilgrain V; ADDRESS: - Hopital Beaujon, Clichy, Paris, France. AUTHOR: - Davidson B; ADDRESS: - University College London, London, UK. AUTHOR: - Siegler M; ADDRESS: - University of Chicago, Chicago, USA. AUTHOR: - Caplin M; ADDRESS: - University College London, London, UK; Royal Free Hospital, London, UK. AUTHOR: - Solcia E; ADDRESS: - IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy. AUTHOR: - Schilsky R; ADDRESS: - American Society of Clinical Oncology, Alexandria, VA, USA. SUMMARY: - Many management strategies exist for neuroendocrine liver metastases. These strategies range from surgery to ablation with various interventional radiology procedures, and include both regional and systemic therapy with diverse biological, cytotoxic, or targeted agents. A paucity of biological, molecular, and genomic information and an absence of data from rigorous trials limit the validity of many publications detailing management. This Review represents the views from an international conference, for which 15 expert working groups prepared evidence-based assessments addressing specific questions, and from which an independent jury derived final recommendations. The aim of the conference was to review the existing approaches to neuroendocrine liver metastases, assess the evidence on which management decisions were based, develop internationally acceptable recommendations for clinical practice (when evidence was available), and make recommendations for clinical and research endeavours. This report represents the final clinical statements and proposals for future research. -------------------------------------------------------------[208] TITLE: - Clinical and Demographic Factors Associated With Receipt of Non Guideline-concordant Initial Therapy for Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Am J Clin Oncol. 2014 Jan 1. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1097/COC.0000000000000017 AUTHOR: - Hamilton AS; ADDRESS: - *Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA daggerUniversity of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, KY double daggerDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI section signDepartment of Epidemiology, Emory University School of Public Health **Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA parallelEpidemiology Program, School of Public Health, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA paragraph signAmerican College of Radiology, Clinical Research Center, Philadelphia #Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA. AUTHOR: - Fleming ST AUTHOR: - Wang D AUTHOR: - Goodman M AUTHOR: - Wu XC AUTHOR: - Owen JB AUTHOR: - Lo M AUTHOR: - Ho A AUTHOR: - Anderson RT AUTHOR: - Thompson T SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVES:: To determine the extent to which initial therapy for nonmetastatic prostate cancer was concordant with nationally recognized guidelines using supplemented cancer registry data and what factors were associated with receipt of nonguidelineconcordant care. METHODS:: Initial therapy for 8229 nonmetastatic prostate cancer cases diagnosed in 2004 from cancer registries in 7 states was abstracted as part of the Centers for Disease Control’s Patterns of Care Breast and Prostate Cancer study conducted during 2007 to 2009. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network clinical practice guidelines version 1.2002 was used as the standard of care based on recurrence risk group and life expectancy (LE). A multivariable model was used to determine risk factors associated with receipt of nonguideline-concordant care. RESULTS:: Nearly 80% with nonmetastatic prostate cancer received guideline-concordant care for initial therapy. Receipt of nonguideline-concordant care (including receiving either less aggressive therapy or more aggressive therapy than indicated) was related to older age, African American race/ethnicity, being unmarried, rural residence, and especially to being in the high recurrence risk group where receiving less aggressive therapy than indicated occurred more often than receiving more aggressive therapy (adjusted OR=4.2; 95% CL, 3.5-5.2 vs. low-risk group). Compared with life table estimates adjusted for comorbidity, physicians tended to underestimate LE. CONCLUSIONS:: Receipt of less aggressive therapy than indicated among high-risk group men with >5-year LE based on life table estimates adjusted for comorbidity was a concern. Physicians may tend to underestimate 5-year survival among this group and should be alerted to the importance of recommending aggressive therapy when warranted. However, based on more recent guidelines, among those with low-risk disease, the proportion considered to be receiving less aggressive therapy than indicated may now be lower because active surveillance is now considered appropriate. -------------------------------------------------------------[209] TITLE: - Common variation rs6983267 at 8q24.1 and risk of colorectal adenoma and cancer: evidence based on 31 studies. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Dec 28. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1532-2 AUTHOR: - Wang YP; ADDRESS: - Department of General Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1630 Dongfang Road, Shanghai, 200127, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Zhang J AUTHOR: - Zhu HY AUTHOR: - Qian CL AUTHOR: - Liu H AUTHOR: - Ji F AUTHOR: - Shen ZY SUMMARY: - Genome-wide association studies have identified 8q24.21-rs6983267 as a new colorectal cancer (CRC) and colorectal adenoma (CRA) susceptibility locus in populations of European descent. Since then, the relationship between 8q24.21-rs6983267 and CRC/CRA has been reported in various ethnic groups; however, these studies have yielded inconsistent results. To investigate this inconsistency and derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, we conducted a meta-analysis of 31 studies, including 51,293 cases and 58,962 controls for CRC, and 8,148 cases and 17,065 controls for CRA. Potential sources of heterogeneity and publication bias were also systematically explored. Overall, the summary odds ratio of G variant for CRC was 1.18 (95 % CI, 1.16-1.21; P < 10-5) and 1.17 (95 % CI, 1.111.23; P < 10-5) for CRA. Significant results were observed using dominant or recessive genetic model for the polymorphism. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significantly increased risks were found in East Asians and Caucasian populations; while no significant associations were detected among African Americans. After stratifying by sample size and control source, significant associations were also obtained. This meta-analysis suggests that the 8q24.21rs6983267 polymorphism is associated with CRC/CRA susceptibility, but these associations vary in different ethnic populations. -------------------------------------------------------------[210] TITLE: - Sexual and reproductive health in cancer survivors. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Semin Oncol. 2013 Dec;40(6):726-44. doi: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2013.09.002. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1053/j.seminoncol.2013.09.002 AUTHOR: - Goldfarb S; ADDRESS: - Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY. Electronic address: goldfars@mskcc.org. AUTHOR: - Mulhall J; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. AUTHOR: - Nelson C; ADDRESS: - Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. AUTHOR: - Kelvin J; ADDRESS: - Office of Physician-In-Chief Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. AUTHOR: - Dickler M; ADDRESS: - Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY.; Department of Medicine Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. AUTHOR: - Carter J; ADDRESS: - Departments of Surgery and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. SUMMARY: - As patients live longer after cancer diagnosis and treatment, attention to symptoms and quality of life (QoL) are of increasing importance both during treatment and throughout survivorship. Two complications of multi-modal cancer treatment that can profoundly affect both men and women are sexual dysfunction and infertility. Survivors at highest risk for treatment-related sexual dysfunction are those with tumors that involve the sexual or pelvic organs and those whose treatment affects the hormonal systems mediating sexual function. Sexual dysfunction may not abate without appropriate intervention. Therefore, early identification and treatment strategies are essential. Likewise, multiple factors contribute to the risk of infertility from cancer treatment and many cancer patients of reproductive age would prefer to maintain their fertility, if possible. Fortunately, advances in reproductive technology have created options for young newly diagnosed patients to preserve their ability to have a biologic child. This paper will focus on the sexual and reproductive problems encountered by cancer survivors and discuss some treatment options. -------------------------------------------------------------[211] TITLE: - Detection of residual tumor following radiofrequency ablation of liver metastases using 18F-FDG PET/PET-CT: a systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Nucl Med Commun. 2013 Dec 5. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1097/MNM.0000000000000057 AUTHOR: - Zheng JH; ADDRESS: - Departments of aRadiology bOncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China. AUTHOR: - Chang ZH AUTHOR: - Han CB AUTHOR: - Ma JT AUTHOR: - Liu ZY AUTHOR: - Lu ZM AUTHOR: - Guo QY SUMMARY: - Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), an effective, locally directed therapy for unresectable liver metastases, can improve the survival of patients. As a functional imaging approach, F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (F-FDG PET) or PET-computed tomography (PET-CT) may play a crucial role in the follow-up after RFA. Our objective was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of F-FDG PET or PET-CT for the detection of residual tumor following RFA of liver metastases. Studies reporting the diagnostic value of F-FDG PET or PETCT for patients with residual tumor after RFA of liver metastases were identified. The methodological quality of these studies was systematically evaluated, and the overall sensitivity and specificity of these data sets are reported. Seven studies involving 155 patients were examined. When F-FDG PET or PET-CT was performed within 2 days of RFA, the overall sensitivity and specificity were 79% [95% confidence interval (CI): 70-87%] and 84% (95% CI: 75-91%), respectively. When F-FDG PET or PET-CT was performed 1 week after treatment, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 48% (95% CI: 18-79%) and 94% (95% CI: 70-100%), respectively. Finally, when F-FDG PET or PET-CT was performed 3 months after treatment, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 52% (95% CI: 22-81%) and 94% (95% CI: 70-100%), respectively. Both F-FDG PET and PET-CT are effective in detecting residual tumor following RFA of liver metastases. The ideal time to perform these imaging studies is within 2 days of RFA treatment. -------------------------------------------------------------- [212] TITLE: - Recent aspects of classification and epidemiology of epilepsy-associated tumors. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Epilepsia. 2013 Dec;54 Suppl 9:5-11. doi: 10.1111/epi.12436. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/epi.12436 AUTHOR: - Japp A; ADDRESS: - Department of Neuropathology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany. AUTHOR: - Gielen GH AUTHOR: - Becker AJ SUMMARY: - Epileptic seizures are frequent manifestations of brain tumors. However, biopsy specimens of patients who undergo neurosurgical removal of circumscribed foci to control chronic recurrent pharmacoresistant seizures often reveal tumor entities that are rare in general brain tumor series. The spectrum of these “long-term epilepsy-associated neoplasms” comprises highly differentiated glial and glioneuronal tumors that show a benign biologic behavior and clinical course, and that rarely relapse. Several entities are well recognizable on the basis of histopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics. An intriguing functional aspect of these tumors, sometimes collectively referred to as “epileptomas,” is their prominent epileptogenicity, which may represent a clinical feature indicating rather than causing the generally benign biologic behavior of these tumors. A frequent feature of respective neoplasms is their coincidence with dysplastic lesions in the vicinity of the tumor itself. The recent advent of new molecular markers, including genomic alterations leading to activation of the protooncogene BRAF and impaired function of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1), provides excellent new tools in the differential diagnosis of low grade brain tumors, and provides intriguing implications to further develop the pathogenetic concepts of these neoplasms. Despite this progress, a number of tumors from patients with chronic epilepsy show combinations of cytologic, histologic, and immunohistochemical characteristics that challenge the current neuropathologic classification schemes. Attempts are currently ongoing to develop further classification schemes. -------------------------------------------------------------[213] TITLE: - Comparison of cancer diagnostic intervals before and after implementation of NICE guidelines: analysis of data from the UK General Practice Research Database. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Br J Cancer. 2014 Feb 4;110(3):584-92. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2013.791. Epub 2013 Dec 24. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1038/bjc.2013.791 AUTHOR: - Neal RD; ADDRESS: - Primary Care Medicine, North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University, Gwenfro Unit 5, Wrexham Technology Park, Wrexham LL13 7YP, UK. AUTHOR: - Din NU; ADDRESS: - North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University, Wrexham Technology Park, Wrexham LL13 7YP, UK. AUTHOR: - Hamilton W; ADDRESS: - Primary Care Diagnostics, University of Exeter Medical School, Veysey Building, Salmon Pool Lane, Exeter EX2 4SG, UK. AUTHOR: - Ukoumunne OC; ADDRESS: - Medical Statistics, PenCLAHRC, University of Exeter Medical School, Veysey Building, Salmon Pool Lane, Exeter EX2 4SG, UK. AUTHOR: - Carter B; ADDRESS: - Medical Statistics, North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University, Wrexham Technology Park, Wrexham LL13 7YP, UK. AUTHOR: - Stapley S; ADDRESS: - University of Exeter Medical School, Veysey Building, Salmon Pool Lane, Exeter EX2 4SG, UK. AUTHOR: - Rubin G; ADDRESS: - General Practice and Primary Care, School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Wolfson Research Institute, Durham University, Stockton on Tees TS17 6BH, UK. SUMMARY: - Background:The primary aim was to use routine data to compare cancer diagnostic intervals before and after implementation of the 2005 NICE Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer. The secondary aim was to compare change in diagnostic intervals across different categories of presenting symptoms.Methods:Using data from the General Practice Research Database, we analysed patients with one of 15 cancers diagnosed in either 2001-2002 or 2007-2008. Putative symptom lists for each cancer were classified into whether or not they qualified for urgent referral under NICE guidelines. Diagnostic interval (duration from first presented symptom to date of diagnosis in primary care records) was compared between the two cohorts.Results:In total, 37 588 patients had a new diagnosis of cancer and of these 20 535 (54.6%) had a recorded symptom in the year prior to diagnosis and were included in the analysis. The overall mean diagnostic interval fell by 5.4 days (95% CI: 2.4-8.5; P<0.001) between 2001-2002 and 2007-2008. There was evidence of significant reductions for the following cancers: (mean, 95% confidence interval) kidney (20.4 days, -0.5 to 41.5; P=0.05), head and neck (21.2 days, 0.2-41.6; P=0.04), bladder (16.4 days, 6.6-26.5; P</=0.001), colorectal (9.0 days, 3.2-14.8; P=0.002), oesophageal (13.1 days, 3.0-24.1; P=0.006) and pancreatic (12.6 days, 0.2-24.6; P=0.04). Patients who presented with NICE-qualifying symptoms had shorter diagnostic intervals than those who did not (all cancers in both cohorts). For the 2007-2008 cohort, the cancers with the shortest median diagnostic intervals were breast (26 days) and testicular (44 days); the highest were myeloma (156 days) and lung (112 days). The values for the 90th centiles of the distributions remain very high for some cancers. Tests of interaction provided little evidence of differences in change in mean diagnostic intervals between those who did and did not present with symptoms specifically cited in the NICE Guideline as requiring urgent referral.Conclusion:We suggest that the implementation of the 2005 NICE Guidelines may have contributed to this reduction in diagnostic intervals between 2001-2002 and 2007-2008. There remains considerable scope to achieve more timely cancer diagnosis, with the ultimate aim of improving cancer outcomes. -------------------------------------------------------------[214] TITLE: - Associations between polymorphisms of the XPC gene and lung cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Dec 28. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1377-8 AUTHOR: - Zhu ML; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Xin Hua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, No. 1665, Kong Jiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China. AUTHOR: - Hua RX AUTHOR: - Zheng L SUMMARY: - Xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C (XPC) gene plays a critical role in DNA damage recognition, and its functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may alter DNA repair capacity and cancer susceptibility. Numerous epidemiological studies have investigated the associations between XPC Lys939Gln and Ala499Val polymorphisms and lung cancer susceptibility, but the conclusions are inconclusive. We searched three electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and EBSCO) for eligible publications and performed a metaanalysis assessing the associations between XPC Lys939Gln and Ala499Val polymorphisms and lung cancer risk. We also analysed the genotype-mRNA expression correlation using the data of HapMap phase II release 23 with 270 individuals from 4 ethnicities for exploring biological plausibility of our findings. We included ten published studies of 3,882 cases and 5,219 controls for Lys939Gln, and five studies with 2,605 cases and 3,329 controls for Ala499Val. When all studies were pooled, we found a significantly increased overall lung cancer risk for Lys939Gln polymorphism (recessive model: OR = 1.14, 95 % CI = 1.01-1.29, P = 0.218 for heterogeneity). Stratification analysis also showed a higher lung cancer risk in Asian populations (recessive model: OR = 1.26, 95 % CI = 1.04-1.52, P = 0.263 for heterogeneity). Interestingly, we found significant correlation between Lys939Gln genotypes and XPC mRNA expression for Asian populations as well. However, we did not observe any association between Ala499Val polymorphism and overall lung cancer risk, nor in further stratification analysis. This meta-analysis suggests that XPC Lys939Gln polymorphism may contribute to lung cancer risk, which needs further validation in single larger studies. -------------------------------------------------------------[215] TITLE: - The MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to bladder cancer: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2014 Jan 5. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1395-6 AUTHOR: - Yan Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China, xueying201120521@163.com. AUTHOR: - Liang H AUTHOR: - Li T AUTHOR: - Li M AUTHOR: - Li R AUTHOR: - Qin X AUTHOR: - Li S SUMMARY: - The relationship between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) polymorphisms and bladder cancer risk has become a hot topic and was studied extensively in recent years, but the results are still controversial. In order to estimate the relationship of MMP polymorphisms and the risk of bladder cancer, we performed this meta-analysis. We conducted a comprehensive search of databases; PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM, Chinese) and Wanfang Database (Chinese) were searched for all case-control studies which mainly study the relationship between MMP-1-1607 1G/2G, MMP2-1306 C/T, and MMP-9-1562 C/T polymorphisms and the susceptibility of bladder cancer. The association between the MMP polymorphisms and bladder cancer risk was conducted by odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs). At last, totally five literatures with 1,141 cases and 1,069 controls were contained in the meta-analysis. Among these articles, four articles with 1,103 cases and 1,053 controls were about MMP-1-1607 1G/2G polymorphism and three studies with 839 cases and 775 controls for MMP-2-1306 C/T polymorphism and MMP-9-1562 C/T polymorphism. With regard to MMP-1-1607 1G/2G polymorphism, significant association was found with bladder cancer susceptibility only under recessive model (2G2G vs. 1G2G/1G1G: OR = 1.44, 95 % CI = 1.05-1.97, P = 0.022), and as to the MMP-21306 C/T polymorphism, significant association was found with bladder cancer susceptibility only under homozygote model (TT vs. CC: OR = 2.10, 95 % CI = 1.38-3.10, P = 0), but no associations was found between MMP-9-1562 C/T polymorphism and bladder cancer susceptibility. The results suggest that the MMP-2-1306 C/T and MMP-9-1562 C/T polymorphisms are significantly associated with bladder cancer susceptibility, and no associations were found between MMP-9-1562 C/T polymorphism and bladder cancer susceptibility. -------------------------------------------------------------[216] TITLE: - Prognosis of adenosquamous carcinoma compared with adenocarcinoma in uterine cervical cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2014 Feb;24(2):289-94. doi: 10.1097/IGC.0000000000000063. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1097/IGC.0000000000000063 AUTHOR: - Lee JY; ADDRESS: - *Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University; daggerDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital; and double daggerDepartments of Medicine, and section signPathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. AUTHOR: - Lee C AUTHOR: - Hahn S AUTHOR: - Kim MA AUTHOR: - Kim HS AUTHOR: - Chung HH AUTHOR: - Kim JW AUTHOR: - Park NH AUTHOR: - Song YS SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the survival outcomes of adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) of the cervix. METHODS: We searched PubMed and Embase for observational studies that compared the outcomes of 2 histologic subtypes. Hazards ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with a fixed effects model. RESULTS: A total of 17 studies were included in the analyses. Patients with ASC were associated significantly with poorer overall survival (death HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.12-1.43; I = 0%) and recurrence-free survival (recurrence HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.05-1.95; I = 19.4%) than those with AC. For clinical stages I and II in particular, ASC predicted significantly poorer outcomes compared with AC (death HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.17-1.70; I = 0%). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that ASC may have poorer outcomes compared with AC of the cervix. -------------------------------------------------------------[217] TITLE: - Tumoral epileptogenicity: how does it happen? SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Epilepsia. 2013 Dec;54 Suppl 9:30-4. doi: 10.1111/epi.12440. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/epi.12440 AUTHOR: - Pallud J; ADDRESS: - Neurosurgery Unit, Sainte-Anne Hospital, Paris, France; Paris Descartes University, Paris, France. AUTHOR: - Capelle L AUTHOR: - Huberfeld G SUMMARY: - Gliomas are the most frequent primary brain tumors and most glioma patients have seizures. The origin and mechanisms of human glioma-related epilepsy are multifactorial and an intermix of oncologic and neuronal processes. In this brief review, we show that the infiltrated peritumoral neocortex appears to be the key structure for glioma-related epileptic activity, which depends on the interactions between the tumor per se and the surrounding brain. We shed light on the underlying mechanisms from two different “tumorocentric” and “epileptocentric” approaches, with a special emphasis on the glioma-related glutamatergic and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic changes leading to epileptogenicity. Because gliomas use the neurotransmitter glutamate as a “tumor growth factor” to enhance glioma cell proliferation and invasion with neurotoxic, proinvasive, and proliferative effects, glutamate homeostasis is impaired, with elevated extracellular glutamate concentrations. Such excitatory effects contribute to the generation of epileptic activity in the peritumoral neocortex. GABAergic signaling is also involved both in tumor growth and in paradoxical excitatory effects mediated by alterations in neuronal and tumor cell Cl(-) homeostasis related to cotransporter changes. Local excitability may also be affected by an increase in extracellular K(+) concentration, the alkalization of peritumoral neocortex, and alterations of gap-junction functioning. Finally, the tumor itself may mechanically affect locally neuronal behavior, connections, and networks. Better understanding of glioma-related oncologic and epileptologic processes are crucial for development of combined therapeutic strategies, but so far, the surgical management of gliomas should comprise a maximally safe surgical resection encompassing peritumoral neocortex. -------------------------------------------------------------[218] TITLE: - Depths and grids in brain tumors: implantation strategies, techniques, and complications. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Epilepsia. 2013 Dec;54 Suppl 9:66-71. doi: 10.1111/epi.12447. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/epi.12447 AUTHOR: - Sweet JA; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurological Surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. AUTHOR: - Hdeib AM AUTHOR: - Sloan A AUTHOR: - Miller JP SUMMARY: - Patients with intracranial mass lesions are at increased risk of intractable epilepsy even after tumor resection due to the potential epileptogenicity of lesional and perilesional tissue. Risk factors for tumoral epilepsy include tumor location, histology, and extent of tumor resection. In epilepsy that occurs after tumor resection, the epileptogenic zone often does not correspond precisely with the area of abnormality on imaging, and seizures often arise from a relatively restricted area despite widespread changes on imaging. Invasive monitoring via subdural grids and/or depth electrodes can therefore be helpful to delineate areas of eloquence and localize the epileptogenic zone for subsequent resection. Subdural grids offer excellent contiguous coverage of superficial cortex and allow resection using the same craniotomy, facilitating understanding of anatomic relationships. Depth electrodes offer superior coverage of deep structures, are easier to use in cases where a previous craniotomy is present, are not associated with anatomic distortion due to brain shift, and may be associated with a lower complication rate. We review the biology of focal postoperative epilepsy and invasive diagnostic strategies for the surgical evaluation of medically refractory epilepsy in patients who have undergone resection of intracranial mass lesions. -------------------------------------------------------------[219] TITLE: - Molecular genetics of pancreatic neoplasms and their morphologic correlates: an update on recent advances and potential diagnostic applications. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Am J Clin Pathol. 2014 Feb;141(2):168-80. doi: 10.1309/AJCP0FKDP7ENVKEV. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1309/AJCP0FKDP7ENVKEV AUTHOR: - Reid MD; ADDRESS: - Dept of Pathology, Emory University Hospital, 1364 Clifton Rd, NE, Room H180, Atlanta, GA 30322; nadsay@emory.edu. AUTHOR: - Saka B AUTHOR: - Balci S AUTHOR: - Goldblum AS AUTHOR: - Adsay NV SUMMARY: - Objectives: To summarize the most clinically and biologically relevant advances in molecular/genetic characteristics of various pancreatic neoplasms, with morphologic correlation. Methods: Whole-exome sequencing of numerous benign and malignant pancreatic tumors, along with the plethora of highly sensitive molecular studies now available for analyzing these tumors, provide mounting evidence to support the long-held belief that cancer is essentially a genetic disease. These genetic discoveries have not only helped to confirm the age-old, morphology-based classifications of pancreatic neoplasia but have shed new light on their mechanisms. Many of these molecular discoveries are currently being used in preoperative diagnosis. Results: Mutations in KRAS, P16/CDKN2A, TP53, and SMAD4/DPC4 are commonly seen in ductal neoplasia but not in nonductal tumors; ductal adenocarcinomas with SMAD4/DPC4 loss are associated with widespread metastasis and poor prognosis. GNAS and RNF43 mutations have been discovered in most intraductal pancreatic mucinous neoplasms, providing critical molecular fingerprints for their diagnosis. Mutation in DAXX/ATRX is only seen in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, making it a useful potential marker in distinguishing these tumors from mimics. Conclusions: When combined with morphologic observations, molecular studies will increase our understanding of the pathogenesis and morphomolecular signatures associated with specific neoplasms and provide new horizons for precision medicine and targeted therapies. -------------------------------------------------------------[220] TITLE: - Invasive EEG studies in tumor-related epilepsy: when are they indicated and with kind of electrodes? SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Epilepsia. 2013 Dec;54 Suppl 9:61-5. doi: 10.1111/epi.12446. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/epi.12446 what AUTHOR: - Rosenow F; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center Hessen, University Hospital Marburg and Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany. AUTHOR: - Menzler K SUMMARY: - Patients with tumor-related epilepsy (TRE) represent an important proportion of epilepsy surgery cases. Recently established independent negative predictors of postoperative seizure outcome are long duration of epilepsy, presence of generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and incomplete tumor resection. In temporal lobe cases, additional hippocampectomy or corticectomy may further improve outcome. Invasive electroencephalography (EEG) recordings (IEEG) may be indicated to guide the resection by defining eloquent cortex (EC) or to determine the extent of potentially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-negative epileptogenic tissue. In fact, invasive recordings are reportedly used in up to 10% of patients who are undergoing epilepsy surgery for TRE. Following careful consideration of the concepts underlying epilepsy surgery, the current use of IEEG, and the predictors of outcome in extratemporal and temporal tumors in TRE, we postulate the following> (1) In patients with extratemporal TRE, IEEG is necessary only if the MRI lesion (and if feasible a rim around it) cannot be completely resected because of adjacent or overlapping EC. In these cases, EC should be mapped to determine its relationships to the lesion, the irritative, and seizure-onset zones in order to maximize the extent of the lesionectomy. (2) In patients with nondominant temporal TRE, data suggest that if epileptogenic tumors (ETs) are encroaching on mesial temporal structures, if epilepsy duration is long, and seizures are frequent and disabling, these structures should be included in the resection. (3) In patients with dominant temporal TRE, we suggest leaving the mesial structures in place if they are functionally and structurally intact and to consider resecting these structures only if they are structurally and functionally abnormal. There is insufficient evidence justifying the use of IEEG to define the extent of the epileptogenic zone in such cases. This should be reserved for cases where an initial lesionectomy has failed. -------------------------------------------------------------[221] TITLE: - S-1-based therapy versus S-1 monotherapy in advanced gastric cancer: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2014 Jan 5. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1429-0 AUTHOR: - Wu JR; ADDRESS: - Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. AUTHOR: - Tang WZ AUTHOR: - Chen X AUTHOR: - Xie YT AUTHOR: - Chen SY AUTHOR: - Peng QL AUTHOR: - Xie L AUTHOR: - Deng Y AUTHOR: - Li TJ AUTHOR: - He Y AUTHOR: - Wang J AUTHOR: - Li S AUTHOR: - Qin X SUMMARY: - This study aimed to derive a more precise estimate of the prognostic significance of S-1-based therapy over S-1 monotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC), including overall survival (OS) time, progression-free survival (PFS) time, objective response rate (ORR), and adverse events (AEs). Studies stratifying OS, PFS, ORR, and AEs in AGC patients in an S-1-based therapy versus an S-1 monotherapy setting were eligible for analysis by systematic computerized PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library searches. Data from these studies were pooled using STATA package version 11.0. Six studies that investigated outcomes in a total of 913 AGC cases, of which 443 (48.5 %) received S-1-based therapy and 470 (51.5 %) received S-1 monotherapy, were included in the meta-analysis. Median OS and median PFS were significantly prolonged in AGC patients receiving S-1-based therapy compared with those receiving S-1 monotherapy (hazard ratio [HR] 0.83, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.71-0.96, P = 0.015, and HR 0.69, 95 % CI 0.60-0.80, P = 0.000, respectively). The ORR favored patients with S-1-based therapy (OR 1.65, 95 % CI 1.34-2.06, P = 0.000). Higher incidence of grade ¾ neutropenia was found in patients with S-1-based therapy (P = 0.000). For the Asian population, S-1-based therapy significantly improved OS and PFS and enhanced ORR in comparison to S-1 monotherapy. The safety profile was poorer in patients with S-1-based therapy, but could be considerable between the S-1-based therapy and S-1 monotherapy group. Our conclusion needs to be confirmed via high-quality trials and the results need to be reproduced in other regions and populations. -------------------------------------------------------------[222] TITLE: - Effect of chemoradiotherapy and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in resectable pancreatic cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2013 Dec 27. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s00432-013-1572-4 AUTHOR: - Xu CP; ADDRESS: - Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China. AUTHOR: - Xue XJ AUTHOR: - Liang N AUTHOR: - Xu DG AUTHOR: - Liu FJ AUTHOR: - Yu XS AUTHOR: - Zhang JD SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: Controversy remains existed whether chemoradiotherapy (CRT), especially neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (neoadjuvant CRT) achieves a significant benefit in resectable pancreatic cancer (PC) treatment. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to clarify the benefits of CRT and neoadjuvant CRT in resectable PC. METHODS: Eligible trials were identified from MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane center, China National Knowledge Internet and Wanfang database since their inception to July 31, 2013. Only patients with resectable PC, who underwent tumor resection and received CRT and/or neoadjuvant CRT, were enrolled. The treatment outcomes were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Hazard ratio (HR) with a 95 % confidence interval (CI) was used to measure the pooled effect according to a fixed-effects model. The statistical heterogeneity between trials was detected by chi2 and I 2 test. Sensitivity analyses were also carried out. RESULTS: A total of 28 studies were identified as relevant, but only 17 studies with a total of 3,088 patients were included in the comparison between CRT versus non-CRT, and a total number of three studies with 189 patients included in the comparison between neoadjuvant CRT versus postoperative CRT. The comparison between CRT and non-CRT showed that the overall pooled HR for death was 0.96 (95 % CI 0.89-1.03; P = 0.28). The HR for progress was 0.83 (95 % CI 0.68-1.03, P = 0.09). Comparison between neoadjuvant CRT and adjuvant CRT revealed a pooled HR of 0.93 (95 % CI 0.69-1.25; P = 0.62). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis showed that CRT showed no significant effect on OS and PFS when compared to non-CRT. Neoadjuvant CRT showed no significant effect over postoperative adjuvant CRT. -------------------------------------------------------------[223] TITLE: - The short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic versus open surgery for colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Colorectal Dis. 2014 Jan 21. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s00384-013-1827-1 AUTHOR: - Wang CL; ADDRESS: - The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116021, People’s Republic of China, wangchunli808@126.com. AUTHOR: - Qu G AUTHOR: - Xu HW SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic surgery and conventional open surgery for colorectal cancer. METHODS: Published randomized controlled trial (RCT) reports of laparoscopic surgery and open surgery for colorectal cancer were searched, and short- and long-term factors were extracted to perform meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 15 RCT reports (6,557 colorectal cancer patients) were included in this study. Blood loss of laparoscopic surgery was less by 91.06 ml than open surgery (p = 0.044). Operation time was longer by 49.34 min (p = 0.000). The length of hospital stay was shorter by 2.64 days (p = 0.003). Incisional length was shorter by 9.23 cm (p = 0.000). Fluid intake was shorter by 0.70 day (p = 0.001). Bowel movement was earlier by 0.95 day (p = 0.000). Incidence of complications, blood transfusion, and 30 days death were significantly lower in laparoscopic surgery than in open surgery (p = 0.011, 0.000, 0.01). But there was no significant difference in lymph nodes (p = 0.535) and anastomotic leak (p = 0.924). There was also no significant difference in 3 and 5 years overall survival (p = 0.298, 0.966), disease-free survival (p = 0.487, 0.356), local recurrence (p = 0.270, 0.649), and no difference in 5 years distant recurrence (p = 0.838). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic surgery is a mini-injured approach which can cure colorectal cancer safely and radically, and it is not different from conventional open surgery in long-term effectiveness, so laparoscopic surgery can be tried to widely use in colorectal cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[224] TITLE: - Ovarian cancer stem cells: Are they real and why are they important? SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Gynecol Oncol. 2014 Feb;132(2):483-489. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2013.12.001. Epub 2013 Dec 7. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ygyno.2013.12.001 AUTHOR: - Shah MM; ADDRESS: - Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA. AUTHOR: - Landen CN; ADDRESS: - Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA. Electronic address: clanden@uab.edu. SUMMARY: - The cancer stem cell hypothesis has been put forward as a paradigm to describe varying levels of aggressiveness in heterogeneous tumors. Specifically, many subpopulations have been clearly demonstrated to possess increased tumorigenicity in mice, broad differentiating capacity, and resistance to therapy. However, the extent to which these experimental findings are potentially clinically significant is still not clear. This review will describe the principles of this emerging hypothesis, ways in which it may be appropriate in ovarian cancer based on the clinical course of the disease, and how we might exploit it to improve outcomes in ovarian cancer patients. -------------------------------------------------------------[225] TITLE: - Recurrence due to neoplastic seeding in head and neck cancer: report of two cases and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumori. 2013 Jul-Aug;99(4):e144-7. doi: 10.1700/1361.15112. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1700/1361.15112 AUTHOR: - Nisa L AUTHOR: - Khanfir K AUTHOR: - Giger R SUMMARY: - AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Tumor progression due to seeding of tumor cells after definitive treatment for squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck is an uncommon condition that can considerably worsen the outcome of patients with head and neck cancer. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: We report two cases of recurrence due to neoplastic seeding from oropharyngeal and oral cancer, respectively. We performed a literature review with MEDLINE as the main search engine. RESULTS: Seeding was found to occur most often in tracheotomy scars and gastrostomy sites. The oral cavity, hypopharynx and oropharynx were the primary sites in most cases, and advanced tumor stage seemed to be a risk factor for seeding. Treatment options include salvage surgery, which requires thorough resections, radiotherapy when possible, and palliative management. The prognosis of such events is poor. CONCLUSION: Although neoplastic seeding is a well-known phenomenon in cancer surgery, many questions remain unanswered, especially regarding preventive measures and management strategies. -------------------------------------------------------------[226] TITLE: - Meta-analysis: eating frequency and risk of colorectal cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Dec 5. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1479-3 AUTHOR: - Liu Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China. AUTHOR: - Tang W AUTHOR: - Zhai L AUTHOR: - Yang S AUTHOR: - Wu J AUTHOR: - Xie L AUTHOR: - Wang J AUTHOR: - Deng Y AUTHOR: - Qin X AUTHOR: - Li S SUMMARY: - Eating frequency has been implicated in the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in several epidemiological studies with contradictory and inconclusive findings. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate their relationship. The pooled relative risk (RR) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) was calculated to estimate the effects. A total of 15 eligible studies with 141,431 subjects and 11,248 cases were retrieved after a comprehensive search of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases up to October 2013. The overall metaanalysis revealed no strong significant association between eating frequency and risk of CRC in different eating occasion categories (1 meal/day): RR = 1.01, 95 % CI 0.94-1.09, P = 0.709; 3 vs. <3 daily meals: RR = 1.17, 95 % CI 0.93-1.46; 4 vs. <3 daily meals: RR = 1.13, 95 % CI 0.92-1.38; >/=5 vs. <3 daily meals: RR = 0.95, 95 % CI 0.61-1.47; 4 vs. </=3 daily meals: RR = 1.18, 95 % CI 0.92-1.51; and 1-2 vs. 3 or 4 daily meals: RR = 0.82, 95 % CI 0.63-1.06). However, modest evidence of an increased risk of CRC in case-control studies (RR = 1.30; 95 % CI, 1.11-1.52) and >/=5 vs. </=3 meals group (RR = 1.30; 95 % CI, 1.11-1.52) was observed. Our meta-analysis results do not support the hypothesis that eating frequency strongly reduced or increased the risk of CRC. Clinical randomized trials are required to evaluate this relationship further. -------------------------------------------------------------[227] TITLE: - Meta-analysis of the ADH1B and ALDH2 polymorphisms and the risk of colorectal cancer in East Asians. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Intern Med. 2013;52(24):2693-9. AUTHOR: - Guo XF; ADDRESS: - Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, China. AUTHOR: - Wang J AUTHOR: - Yu SJ AUTHOR: - Song J AUTHOR: - Ji MY AUTHOR: - Zhang JX AUTHOR: - Cao Z AUTHOR: - Wang J AUTHOR: - Dong WG SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) and alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B) genes have been implicated in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the results are inconsistent. In this study, a meta-analysis was performed to assess the associations between the ALDH2 and ADH1B polymorphisms and the risk of CRC. METHODS: Relevant studies were identified using PubMed, Web of Science and CNKI up to February, 2013. The pooled odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using the fixed- or random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 11 case-controlled studies were selected. Of these, 11 studies included 2,893 cases and 3,817 controls concerning the ALDH2 Glu487Lys polymorphism and six studies included 1,864 cases and 3,502 controls concerning the ADH1B polymorphism. The results indicated that there was a statistically significant link between the ALDH2 polymorphism and the risk of CRC (Glu/Lys+Lys/Lys vs. Glu/Glu: OR=0.87, 95%CI: 0.780.96, p=0.10; Glu/Lys vs. Glu/Glu: OR=0.87, 95%CI: 0.77-0.97, p=0.38); however, no significant associations were observed between the ADH1B polymorphism and the risk of CRC win any of the genetic models. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis demonstrated that the ALDH2 polymorphism, but not the ADH1B polymorphism, significantly increases the risk of CRC in East Asians. -------------------------------------------------------------[228] TITLE: - Brain mapping in tumors: intraoperative or extraoperative? SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Epilepsia. 2013 Dec;54 Suppl 9:79-83. doi: 10.1111/epi.12449. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/epi.12449 AUTHOR: - Duffau H; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Gui de Chauliac Hospital, Montpellier, France; Institute of Neuroscience of Montpellier, INSERM U1051, Team “Plasticity of Central Nervous System, Human Stem Cells and Glial Tumors,”, Saint Eloi Hospital, Montpellier, France. SUMMARY: - In nontumoral epilepsy surgery, the main goal for all preoperative investigation is to first determine the epileptogenic zone, and then to analyze its relation to eloquent cortex, in order to control seizures while avoiding adverse postoperative neurologic outcome. To this end, in addition to neuropsychological assessment, functional neuroimaging and scalp electroencephalography, extraoperative recording, and electrical mapping, especially using subdural strip- or grid-electrodes, has been reported extensively. Nonetheless, in tumoral epilepsy surgery, the rationale is different. Indeed, the first aim is rather to maximize the extent of tumor resection while minimizing postsurgical morbidity, in order to increase the median survival as well as to preserve quality of life. As a consequence, as frequently seen in infiltrating tumors such as gliomas, where these lesions not only grow but also migrate along white matter tracts, the resection should be performed according to functional boundaries both at cortical and subcortical levels. With this in mind, extraoperative mapping by strips/grids is often not sufficient in tumoral surgery, since in essence, it allows study of the cortex but cannot map subcortical pathways. Therefore, intraoperative electrostimulation mapping, especially in awake patients, is more appropriate in tumor surgery, because this technique allows real-time detection of areas crucial for cerebral functions—eloquent cortex and fibers—throughout the resection. In summary, rather than choosing one or the other of different mapping techniques, methodology should be adapted to each pathology, that is, extraoperative mapping in nontumoral epilepsy surgery and intraoperative mapping in tumoral surgery. -------------------------------------------------------------[229] TITLE: - Human papillomavirus vaccine administration among medicaid providers who consistently recommended vaccination. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Sex Transm Dis. 2014 Jan;41(1):24-8. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000064. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1097/OLQ.0000000000000064 AUTHOR: - Malo TL; ADDRESS: - From the *Health Outcomes and Behavior Program, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL; daggerDepartment of Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Medicine, and the Institute for Child Health Policy, University of Florida,Gainesville, FL; double daggerDepartment of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; section signCancer Epidemiology Program and paragraph signCenter for Infection Research in Cancer, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL; and parallelDepartment of Oncologic Science, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL. AUTHOR: - Staras SA AUTHOR: - Bynum SA AUTHOR: - Giuliano AR AUTHOR: - Shenkman EA AUTHOR: - Vadaparampil ST SUMMARY: - We examined factors potentially related to providers’ self-reported human papillomavirus vaccine administration to female Medicaid enrollees among providers who consistently recommended vaccination. Some pronounced variability was observed in characteristics among providers who consistently administered vaccination, including provider age, race, and Vaccines for Children enrollment; patient/parent vaccine refusal; patient race/ethnicity; and patient volume. -------------------------------------------------------------[230] TITLE: - miR-92ª family and their target genes in tumorigenesis and metastasis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Exp Cell Res. 2014 Jan 4. pii: S0014-4827(13)00560-0. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2013.12.025. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.yexcr.2013.12.025 AUTHOR: - Li M; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medical Science of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China; Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University Cancer Center, Dalian 116044, China. Electronic address: molin_li@hotmail.com. AUTHOR: - Guan X; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medical Science of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China. AUTHOR: - Sun Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medical Science of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China. AUTHOR: - Mi J; ADDRESS: - Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University Cancer Center, Dalian 116044, China. AUTHOR: - Shu X; ADDRESS: - College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University Cancer Center, Dalian 116044, China. AUTHOR: - Liu F; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116027, China. AUTHOR: - Li C; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116027, China. Electronic address: li_chuangang@sina.com. SUMMARY: - The miR-92ª family, including miR-25, miR-92ª-1, miR-92ª-2 and miR-363, arises from three different paralog clusters miR-17-92, miR-106ª-363, and miR-106b-25 that are highly conservative in the process of evolution, and it was thought as a group of microRNAs (miRNAs) correlated with endothelial cells. Aberrant expression of miR-92ª family was detected in multiple cancers, and the disturbance of miR-92ª family was related with tumorigenesis and tumor development. In this review, the progress on the relationship between miR-92ª family and their target genes and malignant tumors will be summarized. -------------------------------------------------------------[231] TITLE: - Association between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and brain tumour risk: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2013 Dec 17. doi: 10.1111/bcp.12311. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/bcp.12311 AUTHOR: - Liu Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. AUTHOR: - Lu Y AUTHOR: - Wang J AUTHOR: - Xie L AUTHOR: - Li T AUTHOR: - He Y AUTHOR: - Peng Q AUTHOR: - Qin X AUTHOR: - Li S SUMMARY: - AIM: Several epidemiological studies have evaluated the association between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and brain tumour risk. However, results from these studies have been inconsistent. The aim of this detailed meta-analysis is to review and summarize the evidence on this association. METHODS: A comprehensive search for articles published up to September 2013 was performed. Studies evaluating the association between exposure to NSAIDs and risk of brain tumours were included. Random effects meta-analytical models were used to calculate relative risk (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Sensitivity analyses, Galbraith plots, and subgroup analyses were also performed. RESULTS: Ten studies (six case-control studies, three cohort studies, and one randomized controlled trial), published between 2003 and 2013, were included in this analysis. Compared to non-use, ever use of NSAIDs was not statistically significantly associated with brain tumour risk based on the random-effects models (RR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.89, 1.15). No differences were observed when analyses were stratified by gender and brain tumour subtype. Specific analysis for aspirin and non-aspirin NSAID yielded similar results. However, a slight increased risk of brain tumour in NSAIDs users was observed in cohort studies (RR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.64; P = 0.014). Furthermore, our analysis did not show a significant association between frequency and dose of aspirin use and brain tumour risk. CONCLUSIONS: NSAID (aspirin and non-aspirin NSAID) use does not appear to be associated with brain tumour, but larger studies are needed to substantiate this relationship. -------------------------------------------------------------[232] TITLE: - Thiazolidinediones and associated risk of Bladder Cancer: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2013 Dec 10. doi: 10.1111/bcp.12306. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/bcp.12306 AUTHOR: - Turner RM; ADDRESS: - Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3BX, UK; Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, L7 8XP, UK. AUTHOR: - Kwok CS AUTHOR: - Chen-Turner C AUTHOR: - Maduakor CA AUTHOR: - Singh S AUTHOR: - Loke YK SUMMARY: - AIM: To determine whether thiazolidinedione use is associated with a risk of bladder cancer. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE in June 2012 (with PubMed update to July 2013) and conducted meta-analysis on the overall risks of bladder cancer with pioglitazone or rosiglitazone and the risk with different categories of cumulative dose or duration of drug use. RESULTS: We screened 230 citations and included 18 studies: 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 13 observational studies. Meta-analysis showed a significantly higher overall risk of bladder cancer with pioglitazone in RCTs (7,878 participants; OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.09-5.80) and observational studies (>2.6 million patients; OR for ever-users vs. non-users 1.21 (95%CI 1.09-1.35). Subgroup analysis of observational studies by cumulative dose showed the risk of bladder cancer to be greatest with >28.0 grams of pioglitazone (OR 1.64, 95%CI 1.28-2.12). A significant increased risk was found with both 12-24months (OR 1.41, 95%CI 1.16-1.71) and >24months (OR 1.51, 95%CI 1.26-1.81) cumulative durations of pioglitazone exposure. No significant risk was seen with rosiglitazone in RCTs (OR 0.84, 95%CI 0.35-2.04) or ever-users vs. non-users in observational studies (OR 1.03, 95%CI 0.94-1.12); the evidence for any relationship between bladder cancer risk and rosiglitazone cumulative duration is limited and inconsistent. Direct comparison of pioglitazone to rosiglitazone everusers yielded an OR of 1.25 (95% CI 0.91-1.72). CONCLUSIONS: A modest but clinically significant increased risk of bladder cancer with pioglitazone was found that appears related to cumulative dose and duration of exposure. We recommend prescribers limit pioglitazone use to shorter durations. -------------------------------------------------------------[233] TITLE: - Thoracoscopic lobectomy versus open lobectomy in stage I non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Dec 31;8(12):e82366. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082366. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0082366 AUTHOR: - Cai YX; ADDRESS: - Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. AUTHOR: - Fu XN; ADDRESS: - Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. AUTHOR: - Xu QZ; ADDRESS: - Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. AUTHOR: - Sun W; ADDRESS: - Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. AUTHOR: - Zhang N; ADDRESS: - Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. SUMMARY: - The objective of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate the survival, recurrence rate, and complications in patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or open lobectomy. A literature search was conducted on June 31, 2012 using combinations of the search terms video-assisted thoracic surgery, open thoracotomy, lobectomy, and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Inclusion criteria were: 1) Compared video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy with open lobectomy. 2) Stage I NSCLC. 2) No previous treatment for lung cancer. 4) Outcome data included 5-year survival rate, complication, and recurrence rate. Tests of heterogeneity, sensitivity, and publication bias were performed. A total of 23 studies (21 retrospective and 2 prospective) met the inclusion criteria. VATS was associated with a longer 5-year survival (odds ratio [OR] = 1.622, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.272 to 2.069; P<0.001), higher local recurrence rate (OR = 2.152, 95% CI 1.349 to 3.434; P = 0.001), similar distant recurrence rate (OR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.33 to 2.48; P = 0.8560), and lower total complication rate (OR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.84; P = 0.013) compared to open lobectomy. VATS was also associated with lower rates arrhythmias, prolonged air leakage, and pneumonia but it did not show any statistical significance. Patients with stage I NSCLC undergoing VATS lobectomy had longer survival and fewer complications than those who received open lobectomy. -------------------------------------------------------------[234] TITLE: - FASLG T844C polymorphism and susceptibility to breast cancer: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2014 Jan 11. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1145-9 AUTHOR: - Huang O; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200025, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Jiang M AUTHOR: - Zhang X AUTHOR: - Chen X AUTHOR: - Wu J AUTHOR: - Shen K SUMMARY: - Many studies were published to assess the association between FASLG T844C polymorphism and susceptibility to breast cancer, but the data were controversial. A metaanalysis was performed to assess the association comprehensively. We performed a comprehensive search in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science to find eligible studies. Six studies with a total of 6,784 participants were finally included into the meta-analysis. There were a total of 3,382 cases with breast cancer and 3,402 controls in those six studies. Odds ratio (OR) with 95 % confidence interval (95 %CI) was used to evaluate the association. Overall, there was an obvious association between FASLG T844C polymorphism and breast cancer under all four contrast models (for C versus T: OR = 1.26, 95 %CI 1.05-1.50, P OR = 0.011; for CC versus TT: OR = 1.42, 95 %CI 1.11-1.81, P OR = 0.005; for CC versus TT/TC: OR = 1.41, 95 %CI 1.06-1.88, P OR = 0.019; for CC/TC versus TT: OR = 1.16, 95 %CI 1.01-1.33, P OR = 0.038). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, there was an obvious association between FASLG T844C polymorphism and breast cancer in Asians, but there was no obvious association in Caucasians. The meta-analysis suggests that there is an association between FASLG T844C polymorphism and susceptibility to breast cancer, especially in Asians. -------------------------------------------------------------[235] TITLE: - Mismatch repair deficiency in ovarian cancer - Molecular characteristics and clinical implications. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Gynecol Oncol. 2014 Feb;132(2):506-512. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2013.12.003. Epub 2013 Dec 10. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ygyno.2013.12.003 AUTHOR: - Xiao X; ADDRESS: - University of Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh, UK. AUTHOR: - Melton DW; ADDRESS: - University of Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh, UK. AUTHOR: - Gourley C; ADDRESS: - University of Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh, UK. Electronic address: charlie.gourley@ed.ac.uk. SUMMARY: - DNA mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency is associated with increased risk of developing several types of cancer and is the most common cause of hereditary ovarian cancer after BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. While there has been extensive investigation of MMR deficiency in colorectal cancer, MMR in ovarian cancer is relatively under-investigated. This review summarizes the mechanism of MMR, the ways in which MMR deficiency can promote carcinogenesis in general and then assesses the available studies regarding MMR deficiency in ovarian cancers with specific emphasis on implications for disease incidence and therapy. The incidence of germline MMR gene mutations in ovarian cancer is only 2% but other mechanisms of gene inactivation mean that loss of expression of one of the seven main genes (MSH2, MSH3, MSH6, MLH1, MLH3, PMS1 and PMS2) occurs in up to 29% of cases. Both mutational and expression data suggest that MMR deficiency is more common in non-serous ovarian cancer. Some studies suggest an improved survival for patients with MMR deficiency compared to historical controls but these do not account for the preponderance of non-serous tumors. A number of in vitro studies have suggested that MMR deficiency is a cause of platinum resistance. To date this has not been categorically demonstrated in the clinic. Larger studies that account for stage of presentation and immunohistochemical subtype are required to assess the effect of MMR deficiency on survival and chemosensitivity. Investigation of MMR related synthetic lethality in colorectal cancer has identified dihydrofolate reductase, DNA polymerase beta and DNA polymerase gamma and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 as synthetic lethal to certain MMR defects by causing accumulation of oxidative DNA damage. These synthetic lethal targets require tested and others should be sought within the context of MMR deficient ovarian cancer in an attempt to provide novel therapeutic strategies for these patients. -------------------------------------------------------------[236] TITLE: - Aspirin use and melanoma risk: a review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Jan;70(1):187-91. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2013.09.045. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.jaad.2013.09.045 AUTHOR: - Famenini S; ADDRESS: - David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. Electronic address: sfamenini@mednet.ucla.edu. AUTHOR: - Young LC; ADDRESS: - Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. SUMMARY: - In view of the increasing incidence of melanoma, it is critical to find effective preventive approaches. Contradictory evidence has been reported with regard to the possible association of aspirin use and the risk of melanoma. We review these studies and seek to elucidate the mechanism by which aspirin may produce a chemoprotective effect against melanoma. -------------------------------------------------------------[237] TITLE: - Immunology of cancer stem cells in solid tumours. A review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Cancer. 2014 Feb;50(3):649-55. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2013.11.014. Epub 2013 Dec 12. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ejca.2013.11.014 AUTHOR: - Maccalli C; ADDRESS: - Unit of Immuno-Biotherapy of Melanoma and Solid Tumors, Division of Molecular Oncology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. AUTHOR: - Volonte A; ADDRESS: - Unit of Immuno-Biotherapy of Melanoma and Solid Tumors, Division of Molecular Oncology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. AUTHOR: - Cimminiello C; ADDRESS: - Unit of Immuno-Biotherapy of Melanoma and Solid Tumors, Division of Molecular Oncology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. AUTHOR: - Parmiani G; ADDRESS: - Unit of Immuno-Biotherapy of Melanoma and Solid Tumors, Division of Molecular Oncology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: parmiani.giorgio@hsr.it. SUMMARY: - Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a minor subpopulation of tumour cells that share some features with the normal stem cells of the tissue from which tumour derives and have the properties of self-renewal, multiple differentiation and tumour initiation (tumourinitiating cells, TICs). Thus CSCs/TICs need to survive cancer therapies in order to provide new, more differentiated, metastatic-prone tumour cells. This occurs through different signals delivered within the tumour microenvironment. The immune system of cancer patients may recognise CSCs/TICs and kill them though it is unclear whether this may occur in vivo during spontaneous tumour growth. This review summarises findings on the immunological profile of CSCs/TICs as compared with neoplastic non-stem cells and discusses the possible antigens recognised by the patients’ immune system, the in vitro and the potential in vivo immunogenicity of such antigens and the ability of human CSCs/TICs to down-regulate the immune response by the release of a variety of suppressive factors. We conclude that available data on immunological characterisation of CSCs/TICs may be useful in the perspective of designing new translational immunotherapy protocols targeting CSCs/TICs. -------------------------------------------------------------[238] TITLE: - Adults with CNS primitive neuroectodermal tumors/pineoblastomas: results of multimodal treatment according to the pediatric HIT 2000 protocol. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Neurooncol. 2014 Feb;116(3):567-75. doi: 10.1007/s11060-013-1327-8. Epub 2014 Jan 10. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s11060-013-1327-8 AUTHOR: - Friedrich C; ADDRESS: - Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany. AUTHOR: - Muller K AUTHOR: - von Hoff K AUTHOR: - Kwiecien R AUTHOR: - Pietsch T AUTHOR: - Warmuth-Metz M AUTHOR: - Gerber NU AUTHOR: - Hau P AUTHOR: - Kuehl J AUTHOR: - Kortmann RD AUTHOR: - von Bueren AO AUTHOR: - Rutkowski S SUMMARY: - Central nervous system primitive neuroectodermal tumors (CNS-PNET) and pineoblastomas (PBL) are rare in adulthood. Knowledge on clinical outcome and the efficacy and toxicities of chemotherapy in addition to radiotherapy is limited. Patients older than 21 years at diagnosis were followed in the observational arm of the prospective pediatric multicenter trial HIT 2000. After surgery, craniospinal irradiation and maintenance or sandwich chemotherapy were recommended. Radiotherapy was normo- (35.2 Gy; tumor region, 55.0 Gy; metastasis, 49.6 Gy) or hyperfractionated (40.0 Gy; tumor bed, 68.0 Gy; metastasis, 50-60 Gy). Maintenance chemotherapy consisted of eight courses (vincristine, lomustine, cisplatin). Sandwich chemotherapy included two cycles of postoperative chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy, and four courses of maintenance chemotherapy. Seventeen patients (CNS-PNET, n = 7; PBL, n = 10), median age 30 years, were included. Eight patients had a postoperative residual tumor and four patients metastatic disease. The median follow-up of ten surviving patients was 41 months. The estimated rates for 3-year progressionfree survival (PFS) and overall survival were 68 +/- 12 and 66 +/- 13 %, respectively. PBL compared to CNS-PNET tended towards a better PFS, although the difference was not clear (p = 0.101). Both chemotherapeutic (maintenance, n = 6; sandwich, n = 8) protocols did not differ in their PFS and were feasible with acceptable toxicities. Intensified regimens of combined chemo- and radiotherapy are generally feasible in adults with CNS-PNET/PBL. The impact of intensified chemotherapy on survival should be further assessed. -------------------------------------------------------------[239] TITLE: - A systematic review of the characteristics associated with recall rates, detection rates and positive predictive values of computed tomography screening for lung cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Ann Oncol. 2013 Dec 1. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1093/annonc/mdt491 AUTHOR: - Seigneurin A; ADDRESS: - Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK. AUTHOR: - Field JK AUTHOR: - Gachet A AUTHOR: - Duffy SW SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening has been shown to reduce mortality from lung cancer but at a substantial cost in diagnostic activity. The objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics of screening programmes associated with recall rates, detection rates and positive predictive values (PPVs). DESIGN: We conducted a systematic review of randomised trials and observational studies on LDCT screening for lung cancer. A meta-regression using random-effect logistic regressions was carried out to assess factors influencing recall rates for further investigation, cancer detection rates and PPVs of recall. RESULTS: We used data from 63 372 prevalent screens from 16 studies of LDCT screening for lung cancer and 79 302 incident screens from nine studies. In univariable analysis, the use of a cut-off size to define nodules warranting further investigation at prevalent screens reduced recall rates [odds ratio (OR) = 0.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24-0.82 and OR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.21-0.84 for cut-off sizes of 3-4 and 5-8 mm, respectively], without significant changes in detection rates and PPVs. The number of readers (1 or >/=2) was not associated with changes in recall rates, detection rates and PPVs at prevalent and incident screens. Using the volumetry software at incident screens significantly increased the PPV (OR = 5.02, 95% CI 1.65-15.28) as a result of a decrease in recall rates (OR = 0.25, 95% CI 0.12-0.51), without significant changes in detection rates. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the value of using a cut-off size for nodules warranting further investigation with lower recall rates at prevalent screens, whereas the volumetric assessment software at incident screens results in lower recall rates and higher PPVs. The presence of positron emission tomography in the work-up protocol might be associated with lower rates of surgical procedures for benign findings, although this hypothesis deserves further investigation. -------------------------------------------------------------[240] TITLE: - Choosing the tumoral epilepsy surgery candidate. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Epilepsia. 2013 Dec;54 Suppl 9:91-6. doi: 10.1111/epi.12451. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/epi.12451 AUTHOR: - Rheims S; ADDRESS: - Department of Functional Neurology and Epileptology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; INSERM U1028/CNRS UMR5292, Translational and Integrative Group in Epilepsy Research, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, Lyon, France. AUTHOR: - Ducray F AUTHOR: - Ryvlin P SUMMARY: - The management of epilepsy is an essential clinical issue in many patients with brain tumors. Tumoral epilepsy is often drug resistant and is associated with poor quality of life. Surgery represents a key therapeutic option in the management of patients with refractory tumoral epilepsy, with high rates of postoperative seizure freedom, especially when gross total resection can be performed. The selection of surgical candidates first requires extrapolation of the presumed underlying pathology and its potential for malignant transformation from clinical and imaging data, especially MRI characteristics. These data determine the decision for surgery, as well as its timing and technical aspects in relation to the risk of postoperative deficit. In glioneuronal tumors, where seizures are often drug-resistant and risk of malignant transformation is very low, epilepsy surgery is usually recommended to alleviate disabling seizures and side effects of antiepileptic drugs. However, the risk of postoperative deficit may outweigh potential benefits of surgery in tumors located within eloquent cortex. This issue is particularly relevant for glioneuronal tumors located within the dominant mesial temporal structures in patients in whom seizure control might require additional hippocampectomy, associated with a high risk of memory decline. In contrast, in patients with low-grade gliomas or aggressive brain neoplasms, both the decision to perform surgery and selection of the best surgical approach primarily rely on the oncologic imperative rather than epileptologic considerations. In these patients, the extent of tumor resection correlates with improved survival, progression-free survival, as well as with the chances of postoperative seizure control. -------------------------------------------------------------[241] TITLE: - Evaluation of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pulmonary metastases: a meta- analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2014 Jan 9;9(1):e85329. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085329. eCollection 2014. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0085329 AUTHOR: - Dong S; ADDRESS: - Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Zhang L; ADDRESS: - Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Li W; ADDRESS: - Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Du J; ADDRESS: - Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Liu X; ADDRESS: - Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Chen X; ADDRESS: - Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of China. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: To evaluate the evidence comparing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and open thoracotomy in the treatment of metastatic lung cancer using metaanalytical techniques. METHODS: A literature search was undertaken until July 2013 to identify the comparative studies evaluating disease-free survival rates and survival rates. The pooled odds ratios (OR) and the 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated with the fixed or random effect models. RESULTS: Six retrospective studies were included in our metaanalysis. These studies included a total of 546 patients: 235 patients were treated with VATS, and 311 patients were treated with open thoracotomy. The VATS and the thoracotomy did not demonstrate a significant difference in the 1-,3-,5-year survival rates and the 1-year diseasefree survival rate. There were significant statistical differences between the 3-year disease free survival rate (p = 0.04), which favored open thoracotomy. CONCLUSIONS: The VATS approach is a safe and feasible treatment in terms of the survival rate for metastatic lung cancer compared with the thoracotomy. The 3-year disease-free survival rate in the VATS group is inferior to that of open thoracotomy. The VATS approach could not completely replace open thoracotomy. -------------------------------------------------------------[242] TITLE: - A critical review of the analytical approaches for circulating tumor biomarker kinetics during treatment. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Ann Oncol. 2014 Jan;25(1):41-56. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdt382. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1093/annonc/mdt382 AUTHOR: - Almufti R; ADDRESS: - Service d’Oncologie Medicale, Investigational Center for Treatments in Oncology and Hematology of Lyon, Centre Hospitalier Lyon-Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Pierre-Benite, France. AUTHOR: - Wilbaux M AUTHOR: - Oza A AUTHOR: - Henin E AUTHOR: - Freyer G AUTHOR: - Tod M AUTHOR: - Colomban O AUTHOR: - You B SUMMARY: - Changes in serum tumor biomarkers may indicate treatment efficacy. Traditional tumor markers may soon be replaced by novel serum biomarkers, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs) or circulating tumor nucleic acids. Given their promising predictive values, studies of their kinetics are warranted. Many methodologies meant to assess kinetics of traditional marker kinetics during anticancer treatment have been reported. Here, we review the methodologies, the advantages and the limitations of the analytical approaches reported in the literature. Strategies based on a single time point were first used (baseline value, normalization, nadir, threshold at a time t), followed by approaches based on two or more time points [half-life (HL), percentage decrease, time-to-events..]. Heterogeneities in methodologies and lack of consideration of inter- and intra-individual variability may account for the inconsistencies and the poor utility in routine. More recently, strategies based on a population kinetics approach and mathematical modeling have been reported. The identification of equations describing individual kinetic profiles of biomarkers may be an alternative strategy despite its complexity and higher number of necessary measurements. Validation studies are required. Efforts should be made to standardize biomarker kinetic analysis methodologies to ensure the optimized development of novel serum biomarkers and avoid the pitfalls of traditional markers. -------------------------------------------------------------[243] TITLE: - Comparison of CpG Island Methylator Phenotype (CIMP) Frequency in Colon Cancer Using Different Probe- and Gene-Specific Scoring Alternatives on Recommended Multi-Gene Panels. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2014 Jan 21;9(1):e86657. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086657. eCollection 2014 Jan 21. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0086657 AUTHOR: - Berg M; ADDRESS: - Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway ; Centre of Organelle Research, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway. AUTHOR: - Hagland HR; ADDRESS: - Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway. AUTHOR: - Soreide K; ADDRESS: - Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway ; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: In colorectal cancer a distinct subgroup of tumours demonstrate the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP). However, a consensus of how to score CIMP is not reached, and variation in definition may influence the reported CIMP prevalence in tumours. Thus, we sought to compare currently suggested definitions and cut-offs for methylation markers and how they influence CIMP classification in colon cancer. METHODS: Methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA), with subsequent fragment analysis, was used to investigate methylation of tumour samples. In total, 31 CpG sites, located in 8 different genes (RUNX3, MLH1, NEUROG1, CDKN2A, IGF2, CRABP1, SOCS1 and CACNA1G) were investigated in 64 distinct colon cancers and 2 colon cancer cell lines. The Ogino gene panel includes all 8 genes, in addition to the Weisenberger panel of which only 5 of the 8 genes included were investigated. In total, 18 alternative combinations of scoring of CIMP positivity on probe-, gene-, and panel-level were analysed and compared. RESULTS: For 47 samples (71%), the CIMP status was constant and independent of criteria used for scoring; 34 samples were constantly scored as CIMP negative, and 13 (20%) consistently scored as CIMP positive. Only four of 31 probes (13%) investigated showed no difference in the numbers of positive samples using the different cut-offs. Within the panels a trend was observed that increasing the gene-level stringency resulted in a larger difference in CIMP positive samples than increasing the probe-level stringency. A significant difference between positive samples using ‘the most stringent’ as compared to ‘the least stringent’ criteria (20% vs 46%, respectively; p<0.005) was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: A statistical significant variation in the frequency of CIMP depending on the cut-offs and genes included in a panel was found, with twice as many positives samples by least compared to most stringent definition used. -------------------------------------------------------------[244] TITLE: - A systematic review of predictive and prognostic biomarkers for VEGF-targeted therapy in renal cell carcinoma. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cancer Treat Rev. 2013 Dec 4. pii: S0305-7372(13)00261-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2013.11.008. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ctrv.2013.11.008 AUTHOR: - Funakoshi T; ADDRESS: - Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, University Hospital and Manhattan Campus for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address: tfunakoshi@chpnet.org. AUTHOR: - Lee CH; ADDRESS: - Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address: leec4@mskcc.org. AUTHOR: - Hsieh JJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address: hsiehj@mskcc.org. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy is the currently standard treatment for advanced and metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Multiple candidate predictive and prognostic biomarkers have been evaluated. We performed a systematic review and graded the available evidence on the biomarkers for VEGF-targeted therapy in RCC. METHODS: We conducted an independent review of PubMed and ASCO databases up to August 2013. Studies were included if biomarkers obtained from metastatic clear-cell RCC patients treated with the FDA-approved VEGF-targeted therapy were assessed for their correlation with clinical outcomes. We graded the studies and determined the Levelof-evidence for each biomarker using a previously published framework. RESULTS: A total of 50 articles were selected for this review. Seven studies assessed the predictive value of biomarkers using the archived specimens from randomized controlled trials. Five predictive biomarkers, such as VEGF, interleukin (IL)-6, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), osteopontin, single nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-8, satisfied Level II evidence. IL-6 is the most corroborated predictive biomarker based on its consistent predictive value in two different trials. The prognostic value of biomarkers was assessed in 48 studies using the archived specimens from clinical trials, prospective and retrospective observational registries. Three biomarkers, including IL-8, HGF and osteopontin, satisfied Level I evidence for PFS. CONCLUSION: Though several promising predictive biomarkers for VEGF-targeted therapy have been found, none of them has satisfied the determination of Level I evidence. A more focused development of biomarkers with prospective assessment in clinical trials and clear intent of use in clinical practice is needed. -------------------------------------------------------------[245] TITLE: - Meta-analysis on the association of nucleotide excision repair gene XPD A751C variant and cancer susceptibility among Indian population. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Mol Biol Rep. 2014 Feb;41(2):713-9. doi: 10.1007/s11033-013-2910-y. Epub 2013 Dec 22. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s11033-013-2910-y AUTHOR: - Mandal RK; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Raibareli Road, Luknow, India, rajmandalbiot@gmail.com. AUTHOR: - Yadav SS AUTHOR: - Panda AK SUMMARY: - Polymorphism A751C (A>C) in XPD gene has shown susceptibility to many cancers in Indian population; however the results of these studies are inconclusive. Thus, we performed this meta-analysis to estimate the association between XPD A751C polymorphism and overall cancer susceptibility. We quantitavely synthesized all published studies of the association between XPD A751C polymorphism and cancer risk. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % CI were estimated for allele contrast, homozygous, heterozygous, dominant and recessive genetic model. A total of thirteen studies including 3,599 controls and 3,087 cancer cases were identified and analyzed. Overall significant results were observed for C allele carrier (C vs. A: p = 0.001; OR 1.372, 95 % CI 1.172-1.605) variant homozygous (CC vs. AA: p = 0.001; OR 1.691, 95 % CI 1.280-2.233) and heterozygous (AC vs. AA: p = 0.001; OR 1.453, 95 % CI 1.215-1.737) genotypes. Similarly dominant (CC+AC vs. AA: p = 0.001; OR 1.512, 95 % CI 1.244-1.839) and recessive (CC vs. AA+AC: p = 0.001; OR 1.429, 95 % CI 1.151-1.774) genetic models also demonstrated risk of developing cancer. This meta-analysis suggested that XPD A751C polymorphism likely contribute to cancer susceptibility in Indian population. Further studies about gene-gene and gene-environment interactions are required. -------------------------------------------------------------[246] TITLE: - Allergic conditions reduce the risk of glioma: a meta-analysis based on 128,936 subjects. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Dec 18. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1514-4 AUTHOR: - Zhao H; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China, zhaocmu1974@yeah.net. AUTHOR: - Cai W AUTHOR: - Su S AUTHOR: - Zhi D AUTHOR: - Lu J AUTHOR: - Liu S SUMMARY: - Many studies have investigated the association between the allergic conditions and the risk of glioma. However, the evidence is inadequate to draw robust conclusions because most studies were generally small and conducted in heterogeneous populations. To shed light on these inconclusive findings, we conducted a meta-analysis of studies relating the allergic conditions to the risk of glioma. We identified the relevant studies by searching ISI Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases, and Wanfang database by October 2013. We included studies that reported odds ratio (OR) or hazard ratio (HR) with its 95 % confidence interval (CI) for the association between the allergic condition and the risk of glioma. Eighteen independent publications, with 9,986 glioma cases and 118,950 controls, were included. Our results showed that allergic condition was reversely associated with the risk of glioma (OR = 0.78, 95 % CI 0.73-0.83, P < 0.001). The results of our meta-analysis indicated that allergic conditions significantly reduce the risk of glioma. -------------------------------------------------------------[247] TITLE: - Lung, liver, prostate, bladder malignancies risk in systemic lupus erythematosus: evidence from a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Lupus. 2014;23(3):284-92. doi: 10.1177/0961203313520060. Epub 2014 Jan 15. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1177/0961203313520060 AUTHOR: - Ni J; ADDRESS: - 1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China. AUTHOR: - Qiu LJ AUTHOR: - Hu LF AUTHOR: - Cen H AUTHOR: - Zhang M AUTHOR: - Wen PF AUTHOR: - Wang XS AUTHOR: - Pan HF AUTHOR: - Ye DQ SUMMARY: - Objective: The objective of this paper is to examine some solid tumors incidence in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) derived from population-based cohort studies by means of meta-analysis. Methods: Relevant electronic databases were searched for studies characterizing the associated risk of overall malignancy and four site-specific malignancies (lung, liver, prostate, bladder cancer) in patients with SLE. The meta-analysis procedure was used to pool standardized incidence rates (SIRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the association. Results: A total of seven cohort studies were identified, of which six provided the SIR for overall malignancy, seven reported the SIR for lung cancer, five for liver cancer, four for prostate cancer and six for bladder cancer. Overall, lung and liver cancers were more frequently observed in patients with SLE with SIR of 1.16 (95% CI = 1.121.21), 1.68 (95% CI = 1.33-2.13) and 2.44 (95% CI = 1.46-4.05), respectively. However, the risk of prostate cancer appeared to be somewhat reduced in male patients with SLE (SIR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.57-0.89). Conclusions: This meta-analysis shows that SLE patients are at increased risk of developing cancer, particularly of the lung, bladder and liver. However, males with SLE have a decreased risk of prostate cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[248] TITLE: - Comparison of the efficacy and safety of S-1-based and capecitabine-based regimens in gastrointestinal cancer: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2014 Jan 2;9(1):e84230. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084230. eCollection 2014. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0084230 AUTHOR: - Zhang X; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. AUTHOR: - Cao C; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. AUTHOR: - Zhang Q; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. AUTHOR: - Chen Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Nanjing First Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China. AUTHOR: - Gu D; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. AUTHOR: - Shen Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. AUTHOR: - Gong Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. AUTHOR: - Chen J; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. AUTHOR: - Tang C; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: Oral fluoropyrimidine (S-1, capecitabine) has been considered as an important part of various regimens. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of S-1-based therapy versus capecitabine -based therapy in gastrointestinal cancers. METHODS: Eligible studies were identified from Pubmed, EMBASE. Additionally, abstracts presented at American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conferences held between 2000 and 2013 were searched to identify relevant clinical trials. The outcome included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and advent events. RESULTS: A total of 6 studies (4 RCTs and 2 retrospective analysis studies) containing 790 participants were included in this meta-analysis, including 401 patients in the S-1-based group and 389 patients in the capecitabine-based group. Results of our meta-analysis indicated that S-1-based and capecitabine-based regimens showed very similar efficacy in terms of PFS (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.78-1.09, P = 0.360), OS (HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.84-1.21, P = 0.949), ORR (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.87-1.25, P = 0.683) and DCR (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.94-1.10, P = 0.639). There was also no significant difference in toxicity between regimens other than mild more hand-foot syndrome in capecitabine-based regimens. CONCLUSION: Both the S-1-based and capecitabine-based regimens are equally active and well tolerated, and have the potential of backbone chemotherapy regimen in further studies of gastrointestinal cancers. -------------------------------------------------------------[249] TITLE: - Efficacy and safety of talc pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusion: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2014 Jan 27;9(1):e87060. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087060. eCollection 2014. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0087060 AUTHOR: - Xia H; ADDRESS: - Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. AUTHOR: - Wang XJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. AUTHOR: - Zhou Q; ADDRESS: - Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. AUTHOR: - Shi HZ; ADDRESS: - Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China ; Center of Medical Research, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. AUTHOR: - Tong ZH; ADDRESS: - Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Talc pleurodesis has been widely used to control malignant pleural effusion; however, it is still not clear whether talc pleurodesis is more effective than other local therapies. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of talc pleurodesis in the management of malignant pleural effusion. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for English-language studies of clinical controlled trials comparing talc pleurodesis with control therapies until August 8, 2013. Success rate and incidence of adverse events were evaluated. Relative risks were estimated using random- or fixed- effects model and statistical heterogeneity was assessed using I(2) test. RESULTS: Twenty trials involving 1,525 patients with malignant pleural effusion were included. The success rate of talc pleurodesis was significantly higher than that of control therapies (relative risk, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.45; p = 0.035) with similar adverse events. In addition, thoracoscopic talc poudrage was more effective than bedside talc slurry (relative risk, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.23; p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: The current evidences suggested the benefit for talc pleurodesis in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion. Talc pleurodesis, especially thoracoscopic talc poudrage pleurodesis, should be performed in patients with malignant pleural effusion, especially those with life-expectancy longer than one month. -------------------------------------------------------------[250] TITLE: - Hepatoblastoma state of the art: pathology, genetics, risk stratification, and chemotherapy. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Curr Opin Pediatr. 2014 Feb;26(1):19-28. doi: 10.1097/MOP.0000000000000046. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1097/MOP.0000000000000046 AUTHOR: - Czauderna P; ADDRESS: - aDepartment of Surgery and Urology for Children and Adolescents, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland bDepartment of Pathology, Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA cDepartment of Surgery, Natural Science Center for Basic Research and Development, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan dChildren’s Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany eDepartment of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin fDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, Primary Children’s Medical Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. AUTHOR: - Lopez-Terrada D AUTHOR: - Hiyama E AUTHOR: - Haberle B AUTHOR: - Malogolowkin MH AUTHOR: - Meyers RL SUMMARY: - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: As a rare pediatric tumor, hepatoblastoma presents challenges to the individual practitioner as no center will see more than a handful of cases each year. RECENT FINDINGS: The Children’s Hepatic tumor International Collaborative (CHIC) effort has fostered international cooperation in this rare children’s tumor, leading to the establishment of a large international collaborative dataset, the CHIC database, which has been interrogated to refine risk stratification and inform treatment options. Apace with this effort has been the international collaboration of pediatric pathologists working together to establish a new international histopathologic consensus classification for pediatric liver tumors as a whole, with particular focus on the histological subtypes of hepatoblastoma. SUMMARY: International collaborative efforts in hepatoblastoma have led to a new international histopathologic consensus classification, refinements in risk stratification, advances in chemotherapy, and a better understanding of surgical resection options forming the foundation for the development of an upcoming international therapeutic trial. -------------------------------------------------------------- [251] TITLE: - Interventions to improve exercise behaviour in sedentary people living with and beyond cancer: a systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Br J Cancer. 2014 Feb 18;110(4):831-41. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2013.750. Epub 2013 Dec 12. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1038/bjc.2013.750 AUTHOR: - Bourke L; ADDRESS: - Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK. AUTHOR: - Homer KE; ADDRESS: - Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK. AUTHOR: - Thaha MA; ADDRESS: - Academic Surgical Unit, Centre for Digestive Diseases, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University London, London, UK. AUTHOR: - Steed L; ADDRESS: - Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK. AUTHOR: - Rosario DJ; ADDRESS: - Academic Urology Unit, Department of Oncology, E Floor, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, University of Sheffield, Glossop Road, Sheffield, UK. AUTHOR: - Robb KA; ADDRESS: - Department of Physiotherapy, Bart’s Hospital, London, UK. AUTHOR: - Saxton JM; ADDRESS: - School of Allied Health Professions, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK. AUTHOR: - Taylor SJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK. SUMMARY: - Background:To systematically review the effects of interventions to improve exercise behaviour in sedentary people living with and beyond cancer.Methods:Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared an exercise intervention to a usual care comparison in sedentary people with a homogeneous primary cancer diagnosis, over the age of 18 years were eligible. The following electronic databases were searched: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials MEDLINE; EMBASE; AMED; CINAHL; PsycINFO; SportDiscus; PEDro from inception to August 2012.Results:Fourteen trials were included in this review, involving a total of 648 participants. Just six trials incorporated prescriptions that would meet current recommendations for aerobic exercise. However, none of the trials included in this review reported intervention adherence of 75% or more for a set prescription that would meet current aerobic exercise guidelines. Despite uncertainty around adherence in many of the included trials, the interventions caused improvements in aerobic exercise tolerance at 8-12 weeks (SMD=0.73, 95% CI=0.51-0.95) in intervention participants compared with controls. At 6 months, aerobic exercise tolerance is also improved (SMD=0.70, 95% CI=0.45-0.94), although four of the five trials had a high risk of bias; hence, caution is warranted in its interpretation.Conclusion:Expecting the majority of sedentary survivors to achieve the current exercise guidelines is likely to be unrealistic. As with all well-designed exercise programmes, prescriptions should be designed around individual capabilities and frequency, duration and intensity or sets, repetitions, intensity of resistance training should be generated on this basis. -------------------------------------------------------------[252] TITLE: - Intake of vegetables and fruit and risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma: a meta-analysis of observational studies. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Nutr. 2014 Jan 22. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s00394-014-0656-5 AUTHOR: - Li B; ADDRESS: - Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Changhai Hospital of Second Military Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200433, China. AUTHOR: - Jiang G AUTHOR: - Zhang G AUTHOR: - Xue Q AUTHOR: - Zhang H AUTHOR: - Wang C AUTHOR: - Zhao T SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVES: To study the association between the intake of fruit and vegetables and risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), we summarized the evidence from observational studies in categorical and linear dose-response meta-analyses. METHODS: Eligible studies published up to June 2013 were retrieved via computerized searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE. Random-effects models were used to calculate summary relative risks (SRRs) and the corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran’s Q and I 2 statistics. RESULTS: A total of 12 studies involving 1,572 cases of EAC were included in this meta-analysis. Based on the highest versus lowest analysis, inverse associations were observed between intakes of vegetable (SRRs = 0.76, 95 % CIs 0.59-0.96; P heterogeneity = 0.098, I 2 40.4 %; n = 9 studies), intakes of fruit (SRRs = 0.73, 95 % CIs, 0.55-0.98; P heterogeneity = 0.03, I 2 = 52.9 %; n = 9 studies), and intakes of total vegetables and fruit combined (SRRs = 0.68, 95 % CI 0.49-0.93; P heterogeneity = 0.162, I 2 = 38.9 %; n = 5 studies). Similar results were also observed in a linear dose-response analysis. CONCLUSION: These data support the hypothesis that intakes of vegetables and fruit may significantly reduce the risk of EAC. Further investigation with prospective designs, validated questionnaires, and good control of important confounders is warranted. -------------------------------------------------------------[253] TITLE: - Fibroepithelial tumors of the breast: pathologic and immunohistochemical features and molecular mechanisms. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2014 Jan;138(1):25-36. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2012-0443-RA. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 5858/arpa.2012-0443-RA AUTHOR: - Yang X; ADDRESS: - From the Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School and UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester. AUTHOR: - Kandil D AUTHOR: - Cosar EF AUTHOR: - Khan A SUMMARY: - CONTEXT: The 2 main prototypes of fibroepithelial tumors of the breast include fibroadenoma and phyllodes tumor (PT). Although both tumors share some overlapping histologic features, there are significant differences in their clinical behavior and management. Phyllodes tumors have been further divided into clinically relevant subtypes, and there is more than one classification scheme for PT currently in use, suggesting a lack of consistency within different practices. Accurate differentiation between fibroadenoma and PT, as well as the grading of PT, may sometimes be challenging on preoperative core needle biopsy. Some immunohistochemical markers have been suggested to aid in the pathologic classification of these lesions. OBJECTIVE: To discuss the salient histopathologic features of fibroepithelial tumors and review the molecular pathways proposed for the initiation, progression, and metastasis of PTs. Also, to provide an update on immunohistochemical markers that may be useful in their differential diagnosis and outline the practice and experience at our institution from a pathologic perspective. DATA SOURCES: Sources included published articles from peerreviewed journals in PubMed (US National Library of Medicine). CONCLUSIONS: Fibroepithelial tumor of the breast is a heterogenous group of lesions ranging from fibroadenoma at the benign end of the spectrum to malignant PT. There are overlapping histologic features among various subtypes, and transformation and progression to a more malignant phenotype may also occur. Given the significant clinical differences within various subtypes, accurate pathologic classification is important for appropriate management. Although some immunohistochemical markers may be useful in this differential diagnosis, histomorphology still remains the gold standard. -------------------------------------------------------------[254] TITLE: - Sentinel node biopsy in endometrial cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Gynaecol Oncol. 2013;34(5):387-401. AUTHOR: - Ansari M; ADDRESS: - Nuclear Medicine Department, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. AUTHOR: - Rad MA; ADDRESS: - Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. AUTHOR: - Hassanzadeh M; ADDRESS: - Women’s Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. AUTHOR: - Gholami H; ADDRESS: - Meta-analysis Sub-Committee, Evidence Based Medicine Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Masshad, Iran. AUTHOR: - Yousefi Z; ADDRESS: - Women’s Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. AUTHOR: - Dabbagh VR; ADDRESS: - Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. AUTHOR: - Sadeghi R; ADDRESS: - Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a fairly new approach for staging of gynecological malignancies. In the current study, the authors comprehensively reviewed the available reports on sentinel node biopsy of endometrial cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors searched Medline, SCOPUS, ISI web of knowledge, Science Direct, Springer, OVID SP, and Google Scholar with the following search terms: “endometrium OR endometrial OR uterine OR uterus AND sentinel”. The outcomes of interest were detection rate and sensitivity. RESULTS: Overall, 35 studies had enough information for false negative rate evaluation and 51 studies (including the sub-groups of individual studies) for detection rate evaluation (2,071 patients overall). Pooled detection rate was 77.8% (95% CI: 73.5-81.5%) and pooled sensitivity was 89% (95% CI: 83-93%). Cervical injection, as well as using both blue dye and radiotracer, results in higher detection rate and sensitivity. New techniques such as fluorescent dye injection and robotic-assisted surgery showed high detection rate and sensitivity. CONCLUSION: Sentinel node mapping is feasible in endometrial cancer. Using both blue dye and radiotracer and cervical injection of the mapping material can optimize the sensitivity and detection rate of this technique. Larger studies are still needed to evaluate the false negative rate and the factors influencing the sensitivity before considering this method safe. -------------------------------------------------------------[255] TITLE: - The association between polymorphism of P53 Codon72 Arg/Pro and hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility: evidence from a meta-analysis of 15 studies with 3,704 cases. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Dec 11. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1483-7 AUTHOR: - Hu S; ADDRESS: - Department of Geriatrics, Changzhou NO 2 People’s Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 29 Xinglong Road, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu Province, China. AUTHOR: - Zhao L AUTHOR: - Yang J AUTHOR: - Hu M SUMMARY: - Emerging evidence has shown that p53gene participates in human carcinogenesis as tumor suppressors. Polymorphism of p53 gene codon72 arginine (Arg)/proline (Pro) (rs1042522) may influence the function of p53 protein and then affect the processing of carcinogenesis. It has been suggested that p53 codon72 Arg/Pro polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, published results are inconsistent and inconclusive. To examine the validity of the association between the polymorphism and HCC risk, we performed this meta-analysis. We have conducted a search of case-control studies on the associations of p53 codon72 polymorphism with susceptibility to HCC in PubMed, ScienceDirect, BioMed central, Springer, EBSCO, Wanfang databases, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. A total of 15 studies were identified with 3,704 cases and 4,559 controls for codon72 Arg/Pro polymorphism. The result did support a significant genetic association between Pro allele and susceptibility to HCC in all the genetic models. Similarly, subgroup analysis showed significant associations between the Arg/Pro polymorphism and susceptibility to HCC when stratifying by race, gender, source of controls, and hepatitis virus infection status. This meta-analysis suggests that p53 codon72 Arg/Pro polymorphism may be associated with the risk of HCC, especially in subgroup analysis of Asian and Caucasian population, hospital-based population, the female, and the individuals infected with hepatitis virus. However, well-designed studies based on different ethnic groups with larger sample size and more detailed data are needed to confirm these conclusions. -------------------------------------------------------------[256] TITLE: - Diagnostic role of immunohistochemistry in the evaluation of breast pathology specimens. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2014 Jan;138(1):16-24. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2012-0440-RA. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 5858/arpa.2012-0440-RA AUTHOR: - Zhao L; ADDRESS: - From the Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts. AUTHOR: - Yang X AUTHOR: - Khan A AUTHOR: - Kandil D SUMMARY: - CONTEXT: Immunohistochemistry plays a vital role in the evaluation of breast pathology specimens. OBJECTIVE: To discuss the role of myoepithelial cell markers in the evaluation of various breast lesions. Other markers, such as E-cadherin and those used to differentiate mammary carcinoma from metastatic tumors to the breast, and markers used in the differential diagnosis of Paget disease, are also discussed. DATA SOURCES: Data were obtained from review of the pertinent peer-reviewed literature. CONCLUSIONS: Myoepithelial cell markers vary in their sensitivity and specificity, and one should be aware of the potential pitfalls in interpretation. Using panels of 2 or more myoepithelial cell markers is always recommended, either singly or in cocktail forms. Although negative E-cadherin staining supports the diagnosis of lobular origin, positive staining does not rule it out. Immunohistochemistry can be helpful in differentiating Paget disease from its mimics. Although metastatic tumors to the breast are rare, a triple-negative immunophenotype and absence of an in situ component should be a “red flag” for such possibility, especially in patients with clinical history of an extramammary malignancy. -------------------------------------------------------------[257] TITLE: - Does Adherence to National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines Improve Pain- Related Outcomes? An Evaluation of Inpatient Cancer Pain Management at an Academic Medical Center. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Pain Symptom Manage. 2014 Jan 16. pii: S0885-3924(13)00663-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2013.09.016. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.jpainsymman.2013.09.016 AUTHOR: - Mearis M; ADDRESS: - Department of Pharmacy, Advocate Condell Medical Center, Libertyville, Illinois, USA. Electronic address: michael.mearis@advocatehealth.com. AUTHOR: - Shega JW; ADDRESS: - University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA. AUTHOR: - Knoebel RW; ADDRESS: - University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA. SUMMARY: - CONTEXT: Evidence-based guidelines are in place for the management of cancerrelated pain, yet adherence remains problematic throughout health systems because of efficacy and safety concerns. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate adherence to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines on pain management among cancer inpatients and assess whether adherence is associated with pain control. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients admitted to the hematology/oncology service at an academic medical center between April 1, 2011 and September 30, 2011 was conducted, and patients were allocated into groups based on adherence to NCCN guidelines. Pain control and safety outcomes were compared between adherence groups for the first 24 hours of hospital admission. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of regimens nonadherent to guidelines and predictors of inadequate achievement of analgesia. RESULTS: Among a random sample of 193 inpatients, 109 met the inclusion criteria of which 70 were guideline adherent and 39 nonadherent. A total of 63% of the patients initiated on NCCN adherent guidelines obtained analgesia at 24 hours compared with 41% in the nonadherent group (P=0.028). Average pain scores across the 24 hour period were lower in the adherent compared with the nonadherent group (3.5 vs. 4.4, respectively, P<0.001). Naloxone use, respiratory depression, and hypoxia did not significantly vary between adherence groups. Chronic home opioid exposure was significantly associated with nonadherent therapy (vs. adherent; odds ratio=3.04, confidence interval=1.28-7.18, P=0.01) and achievement of analgesia at 24 hours (vs. not; odds ratio=0.30, confidence interval=0.12-0.73, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Adherence to NCCN guidelines remains insufficient, with nonadherence being associated with inadequate analgesia. Opioid-tolerant patients remain at higher risk for guideline nonadherence and inadequate analgesia. Quality improvement initiatives should target opioid-tolerant patients. -------------------------------------------------------------[258] TITLE: - Feto-maternal outcomes of pregnancy complicated by ovarian sex-cord stromal tumor: a systematic review of literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2013 Dec 25. pii: S0301-2115(13)00649-0. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2013.12.025. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ejogrb.2013.12.025 AUTHOR: - Blake EA; ADDRESS: - Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Los Angeles County Medical Center, University of Southern California, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA. AUTHOR: - Carter CM; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgetown/Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA. AUTHOR: - Kashani BN; ADDRESS: - Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Los Angeles County Medical Center, University of Southern California, USA. AUTHOR: - Kodama M; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan. AUTHOR: - Mabuchi S; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan. AUTHOR: - Yoshino K; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan. AUTHOR: - Matsuo K; ADDRESS: - Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Los Angeles County Medical Center, University of Southern California, USA; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address: koji.matsuo@gmail.com. SUMMARY: - Sex-cord stromal tumors (SCSTs) are rare ovarian cancers and their behavior during pregnancy is not well understood. To evaluate the maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancy complicated by ovarian SCST, a systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE using entry key words “pregnancy” and each type of ovarian SCST (“sex cord stromal tumor,” “granulosa cell tumor,” “thecoma,” “Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor,” or “gynandroblastoma”) between 1955 and 2012 that identified 46 cases eligible for the analysis. Clinical characteristics, pregnancy outcome, tumor characteristics, and survival outcomes were evaluated. Serious adverse events were defined as complications related to the SCST that resulted in severe morbidity or mortality for mother, fetus, or both. The most common histology was granulosa cell tumor (22.0%), followed by thecoma (18.6%) and Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor (8.5%). Abdomino-pelvic pain (45.7%), palpable mass (30.4%), and virilization (26.1%) were the three most common symptoms. The majority were stage I (76.1%), tumor size <15cm (64.9%), and underwent unilateral adnexectomy (80.4%). Fetal conservation surgery was seen in 54.3%. Most cases had live births (78.3%) at full term (60.9%). Among cases proceeded expectant delay of delivery (45.7%), most cases resulted in live birth (95.2%) with median expectant interval of 20.7 weeks. Maternal and/or fetal serious adverse events (SAEs) were observed in 41.3% with maternal shock/hemoperitoneum being the most common complication (13.0%). Logistic regression test identified younger age (<30 versus >/=30, 73.3% versus 26.7%, odds ratio [OR] 11.7, 95%CI 1.35-101, p=0.026), large tumor (size >/=15cm versus <15cm, 64.9% versus 35.1%, OR 10.0, 95%CI 1.29-26.2, p=0.004), and advanced-stage (stages II-IV versus I, 76.1% versus 23.9%, OR 5.82, 95%CI 2.05-48.9, p=0.022) as risk factors of increased SAE. Overall survival of patients diagnosed with ovarian SCST during pregnancy was comparable to ovarian SCST not related to pregnancy (5-year rate, stages I and II-IV, 100% and 70.0%, respectively). In conclusion, although the majority of cases resulted in live birth, ovarian SCST-complicated pregnancy falls into the category of high-risk pregnancy. Risk factors for SAE identified in our study will help to guide strategic management of pregnancy complicated by ovarian SCST. -------------------------------------------------------------[259] TITLE: - Metallothionein - immunohistochemical cancer biomarker: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2014 Jan 8;9(1):e85346. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085346. eCollection 2014. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0085346 AUTHOR: - Gumulec J; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathological Physiology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic ; Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic. AUTHOR: - Raudenska M; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathological Physiology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic ; Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic. AUTHOR: - Adam V; ADDRESS: - Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic ; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic. AUTHOR: - Kizek R; ADDRESS: - Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic ; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic. AUTHOR: - Masarik M; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathological Physiology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic ; Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic. SUMMARY: - Metallothionein (MT) has been extensively investigated as a molecular marker of various types of cancer. In spite of the fact that numerous reviews have been published in this field, no meta-analytical approach has been performed. Therefore, results of to-date immunohistochemistry-based studies were summarized using meta-analysis in this review. Web of science, PubMed, Embase and CENTRAL databases were searched (up to April 30, 2013) and the eligibility of individual studies and heterogeneity among the studies was assessed. Random and fixed effects model meta-analysis was employed depending on the heterogeneity, and publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger’s tests. A total of 77 studies were included with 8,015 tissue samples (4,631 cases and 3,384 controls). A significantly positive association between MT staining and tumors (vs. healthy tissues) was observed in head and neck (odds ratio, OR 9.95; 95% CI 5.82-17.03) and ovarian tumors (OR 7.83; 1.09-56.29), and a negative association was ascertained in liver tumors (OR 0.10; 0.030.30). No significant associations were identified in breast, colorectal, prostate, thyroid, stomach, bladder, kidney, gallbladder, and uterine cancers and in melanoma. While no associations were identified between MT and tumor staging, a positive association was identified with the tumor grade (OR 1.58; 1.08-2.30). In particular, strong associations were observed in breast, ovarian, uterine and prostate cancers. Borderline significant association of metastatic status and MT staining were determined (OR 1.59; 1.03-2.46), particularly in esophageal cancer. Additionally, a significant association between the patient prognosis and MT staining was also demonstrated (hazard ratio 2.04; 1.47-2.81). However, a high degree of inconsistence was observed in several tumor types, including colorectal, kidney and prostate cancer. Despite the ambiguity in some tumor types, conclusive results are provided in the tumors of head and neck, ovary and liver and in relation to the tumor grade and patient survival. -------------------------------------------------------------[260] TITLE: - The role of prostatitis in prostate cancer: meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Dec 31;8(12):e85179. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085179. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0085179 AUTHOR: - Jiang J; ADDRESS: - Public Health Institution, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America. AUTHOR: - Li J; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States of America. AUTHOR: - Yunxia Z; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang City, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Zhu H; ADDRESS: - Public Health Institution, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America. AUTHOR: - Liu J; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang City, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Pumill C; ADDRESS: - Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America. SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: Use systematic review methods to quantify the association between prostatitis and prostate cancer, under both fixed and random effects model. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Case control studies of prostate cancer with information on prostatitis history. All studies published between 1990-2012, were collected to calculate a pooled odds ratio. Selection criteria: the selection criteria are as follows: human case control studies; published from May 1990 to July 2012; containing number of prostatitis, and prostate cancer cases. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: In total, 20 case control studies were included. A significant association between prostatitis and prostate cancer was found, under both fixed effect model (pooled OR=1.50, 95%CI: 1.39-1.62), and random effects model (OR=1.64, 95%CI: 1.36-1.98). Personal interview based case control studies showed a high level of association (fixed effect model: pooled OR=1.59, 95%CI: 1.47-1.73, random effects model: pooled OR= 1.87, 95%CI: 1.52-2.29), compared with clinical based studies (fixed effect model: pooled OR=1.05, 95%CI: 0.86-1.28, random effects model: pooled OR= 0.98, 95%CI: 0.67-1.45). Additionally, pooled ORs, were calculated for each decade. In a fixed effect model: 1990’s: OR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.35-1.84; 2000’s: OR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.40-1.79; 2010’s: OR=1.37, 95% CI: 1.22-1.56. In a random effects model: 1990’s: OR=1.98, 95% CI: 1.08-3.62; 2000’s: OR=1.64, 95% CI: 1.23-2.19; 2010’s: OR=1.34, 95% CI: 1.03-1.73. Finally a meta-analysis stratified by each country was conducted. In fixed effect models, U.S: pooled OR =1.45, 95%CI: 1.34-1.57; China: pooled OR =4.67, 95%CI: 3.08-7.07; Cuba: pooled OR =1.43, 95%CI: 1.00-2.04; Italy: pooled OR =0.61, 95%CI: 0.13-2.90. In random effects model, U.S: pooled OR=1.50, 95%CI: 1.25-1.80; China: pooled OR =4.67, 95%CI: 3.08-7.07; Cuba: pooled OR =1.43, 95%CI: 1.00-2.04; Italy: pooled OR =0.61, 95%CI: 0.13-2.90. CONCLUSIONS: the present meta-analysis provides the statistical evidence that the association between prostatitis and prostate cancer is significant. -------------------------------------------------------------[261] TITLE: - Accuracy of multiparametric MRI for prostate cancer detection: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2014 Feb;202(2):343-51. doi: 10.2214/AJR.13.11046. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 2214/AJR.13.11046 AUTHOR: - de Rooij M; ADDRESS: - 1 Department of Radiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, PO Box 9101, Nijmegen, Gelderland 6525 GA, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Hamoen EH AUTHOR: - Futterer JJ AUTHOR: - Barentsz JO AUTHOR: - Rovers MM SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this diagnostic meta-analysis was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of multiparametric MRI for prostate cancer detection using anatomic T2weighted imaging combined with two functional techniques: diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS. We searched electronic databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) up to February 3, 2012. We included diagnostic accuracy studies using a combination of T2-weighted imaging, DWI, and DCE-MRI to detect prostate cancer with histopathologic data from prostatectomy or biopsy as the reference standard. The methodologic quality was assessed with version 2 of the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool by two independent reviewers. Sensitivity and specificity of all studies were calculated from 2 x 2 tables, and the results were plotted in a hierarchic summary receiver operating characteristic plot. RESULTS. Seven studies that met the inclusion criteria (526 patients) could be analyzed. The pooled data showed a specificity of 0.88 (95% CI, 0.82-0.92) and sensitivity of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.66-0.81) for prostate cancer detection, with negative predictive values (NPVs) ranging from 0.65 to 0.94. Subgroup analyses showed no significant difference between the subgroups. CONCLUSION. The high specificity with variable but high NPVs and sensitivities implies a potential role for multiparametric MRI in detecting prostate cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[262] TITLE: - Assessment of asymptomatic microscopic hematuria in adults. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Am Fam Physician. 2013 Dec 1;88(11):747-54. AUTHOR: - Sharp VJ; ADDRESS: - University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA. AUTHOR: - Barnes KT; ADDRESS: - University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA. AUTHOR: - Erickson BA; ADDRESS: - University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA. SUMMARY: - Although routine screening for bladder cancer is not recommended, microscopic hematuria is often incidentally discovered by primary care physicians. The American Urological Association has published an updated guideline for the management of asymptomatic microscopic hematuria, which is defined as the presence of three or more red blood cells per high-power field visible in a properly collected urine specimen without evidence of infection. The most common causes of microscopic hematuria are urinary tract infection, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and urinary calculi. However, up to 5% of patients with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria are found to have a urinary tract malignancy. The risk of urologic malignancy is increased in men, persons older than 35 years, and persons with a history of smoking. Microscopic hematuria in the setting of urinary tract infection should resolve after appropriate antibiotic treatment; persistence of hematuria warrants a diagnostic workup. Dysmorphic red blood cells, cellular casts, proteinuria, elevated creatinine levels, or hypertension in the presence of microscopic hematuria should prompt concurrent nephrologic and urologic referral. The upper urinary tract is best evaluated with multiphasic computed tomography urography, which identifies hydronephrosis, urinary calculi, and renal and ureteral lesions. The lower urinary tract is best evaluated with cystoscopy for urethral stricture disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and bladder masses. Voided urine cytology is no longer recommended as part of the routine evaluation of asymptomatic microscopic hematuria, unless there are risk factors for malignancy. -------------------------------------------------------------[263] TITLE: - S-1-based combination therapy vs S-1 monotherapy in advanced gastric cancer: a meta- analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - World J Gastroenterol. 2014 Jan 7;20(1):310-8. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i1.310. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3748/wjg.v20.i1.310 AUTHOR: - Liu GF; ADDRESS: - Guo-Fang Liu, Su Wang, Ai-Hua Long, Nian-Lan Zhou, Li-Li Zhang, Xiao-Xing Xiang, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Subei People’s Hospital of Jiangsu Province (Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University), Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China. AUTHOR: - Tang D; ADDRESS: - Guo-Fang Liu, Su Wang, Ai-Hua Long, Nian-Lan Zhou, Li-Li Zhang, Xiao-Xing Xiang, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Subei People’s Hospital of Jiangsu Province (Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University), Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China. AUTHOR: - Li P; ADDRESS: - Guo-Fang Liu, Su Wang, Ai-Hua Long, Nian-Lan Zhou, Li-Li Zhang, XiaoXing Xiang, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Subei People’s Hospital of Jiangsu Province (Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University), Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China. AUTHOR: - Wang S; ADDRESS: - Guo-Fang Liu, Su Wang, Ai-Hua Long, Nian-Lan Zhou, Li-Li Zhang, Xiao-Xing Xiang, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Subei People’s Hospital of Jiangsu Province (Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University), Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China. AUTHOR: - Xu YX; ADDRESS: - Guo-Fang Liu, Su Wang, Ai-Hua Long, Nian-Lan Zhou, Li-Li Zhang, Xiao-Xing Xiang, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Subei People’s Hospital of Jiangsu Province (Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University), Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China. AUTHOR: - Long AH; ADDRESS: - Guo-Fang Liu, Su Wang, Ai-Hua Long, Nian-Lan Zhou, Li-Li Zhang, Xiao-Xing Xiang, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Subei People’s Hospital of Jiangsu Province (Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University), Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China. AUTHOR: - Zhou NL; ADDRESS: - Guo-Fang Liu, Su Wang, Ai-Hua Long, Nian-Lan Zhou, Li-Li Zhang, Xiao-Xing Xiang, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Subei People’s Hospital of Jiangsu Province (Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University), Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China. AUTHOR: - Zhang LL; ADDRESS: - Guo-Fang Liu, Su Wang, Ai-Hua Long, Nian-Lan Zhou, Li-Li Zhang, Xiao-Xing Xiang, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Subei People’s Hospital of Jiangsu Province (Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University), Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China. AUTHOR: - Chen J; ADDRESS: - Guo-Fang Liu, Su Wang, Ai-Hua Long, Nian-Lan Zhou, Li-Li Zhang, Xiao-Xing Xiang, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Subei People’s Hospital of Jiangsu Province (Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University), Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China. AUTHOR: - Xiang XX; ADDRESS: - Guo-Fang Liu, Su Wang, Ai-Hua Long, Nian-Lan Zhou, Li-Li Zhang, Xiao-Xing Xiang, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Subei People’s Hospital of Jiangsu Province (Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University), Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China. SUMMARY: - AIM: To assess the efficacy and safety of combination therapy based on S-1, a novel oral fluoropyrimidine, vs S-1 monotherapy in advanced gastric cancer (AGC). METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library for eligible studies published before March 2013. Our analysis identified four randomized controlled trials involving 790 participants with AGC. The outcome measures were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR) and grade 3-4 adverse events. RESULTS: Metaanalysis showed that S-1-based combination therapy significantly improved OS (HR = 0.77, 95%CI: 0.66-0.91, P = 0.002), PFS (HR = 0.58, 95%CI: 0.46-0.72, P = 0.000) and ORR (OR = 2.23, 95%CI: 1.54-3.21, P = 0.000). Sensitivity analysis further confirmed this association. Lower incidence of grade 3-4 leucopenia (OR = 4.06, 95%CI: 2.11-7.81), neutropenia (OR = 3.94, 95%CI: 2.1-7.81) and diarrhea (OR = 2.41, 95%CI: 1.31-4.44) was observed in patients with S-1 monotherapy. CONCLUSION: S-1-based combination therapy is superior to S-1 monotherapy in terms of OS, PFS and ORR. S-1 monotherapy is associated with less toxicity. -------------------------------------------------------------[264] TITLE: - Smoking, alcohol consumption, and the risk of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Dec 14;19(46):8780-8. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i46.8780. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3748/wjg.v19.i46.8780 AUTHOR: - Ye XH; ADDRESS: - Xiao-Hua Ye, Jin Ding, Yan-Ping Chen, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital, Jinhua Hospital of Zhejiang University, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang Province, China. AUTHOR: - Huai JP; ADDRESS: - Xiao-Hua Ye, Jin Ding, Yan-Ping Chen, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital, Jinhua Hospital of Zhejiang University, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang Province, China. AUTHOR: - Ding J; ADDRESS: - Xiao-Hua Ye, Jin Ding, Yan-Ping Chen, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital, Jinhua Hospital of Zhejiang University, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang Province, China. AUTHOR: - Chen YP; ADDRESS: - Xiao-Hua Ye, Jin Ding, Yan-Ping Chen, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital, Jinhua Hospital of Zhejiang University, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang Province, China. AUTHOR: - Sun XC; ADDRESS: - Xiao-Hua Ye, Jin Ding, Yan-Ping Chen, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital, Jinhua Hospital of Zhejiang University, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang Province, China. SUMMARY: - AIM: To assess the association between smoking and alcohol consumption and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC) through a meta-analysis of clinical observational studies. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using Embase and MEDLINE databases from inception to 31 May 2013 without language limitations, and by manually searching the references of retrieved articles. Case-control and cohort studies that investigated the association between smoking or alcohol consumption and ECC were included. The quality of these studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale. Summary relative risks and corresponding 95%CI were calculated using a random-effects model. Publication bias was assessed by Begg’s funnel plot and Egger’s test. RESULTS: A total of 12 eligible articles (11 case-control studies and one cohort study) were included in this metaanalysis. Eleven studies reported the association between smoking and ECC. Pooled analysis indicated that smokers had an increased risk of ECC development as compared with nonsmokers (summary RR = 1.23; 95%CI: 1.01-1.50). This correlation was present in populationbased studies (n = 5; summary RR = 1.47; 95%CI: 1.06-2.05) but not in hospital-based studies (n = 6; summary RR = 1.10; 95%CI: 0.88-1.37) and in non-Asian regions (n = 7; summary RR = 1.39; 95%CI: 1.03-1.87) but not in Asia (n = 4; summary RR = 1.08; 95%CI: 0.85-1.38). Seven studies reported an association between consuming alcohol and ECC. Pooled analysis indicated that alcohol drinkers had a similar risk of ECC development as did individuals who did not drink alcohol (summary RR = 1.09; 95%CI: 0.87-1.37). There was moderate heterogeneity among the studies and no evidence of publication bias. CONCLUSION: Smoking is associated with an increased risk of ECC, but alcohol consumption is not. Further population-based studies, particularly cohort studies, are warranted to enable definitive conclusions. -------------------------------------------------------------[265] TITLE: - Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma radiology reporting template: consensus statement of the Society of Abdominal Radiology and the American Pancreatic Association. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Radiology. 2014 Jan;270(1):248-60. doi: 10.1148/radiol.13131184. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1148/radiol.13131184 AUTHOR: - Al-Hawary MM; ADDRESS: - From the Departments of Radiology (M.M.A., I.R.F.), Surgery (R.M.M., D.M.S.), and Molecular and Integrative Physiology (D.M.S.), University of Michigan Health System, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, University Hospital, Room B1 D502, Ann Arbor, MI 48109; Departments of Internal Medicine (S.T.C.) and Radiology (D.M.H.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn; Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md (E.K.F.); Department of Radiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif (D.S.L.); Department of Radiology, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY (M.M., A.J.M.); Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill (F.H.M.); Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass (K.J.M.); Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn (N.B.M.); Department of Radiology, University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Tex (E.P.T.); and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass (D.V.S.). AUTHOR: - Francis IR AUTHOR: - Chari ST AUTHOR: - Fishman EK AUTHOR: - Hough DM AUTHOR: - Lu DS AUTHOR: - Macari M AUTHOR: - Megibow AJ AUTHOR: - Miller FH AUTHOR: - Mortele KJ AUTHOR: - Merchant NB AUTHOR: - Minter RM AUTHOR: - Tamm EP AUTHOR: - Sahani DV AUTHOR: - Simeone DM SUMMARY: - Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is an aggressive malignancy with a high mortality rate. Proper determination of the extent of disease on imaging studies at the time of staging is one of the most important steps in optimal patient management. Given the variability in expertise and definition of disease extent among different practitioners as well as frequent lack of complete reporting of pertinent imaging findings at radiologic examinations, adoption of a standardized template for radiology reporting, using universally accepted and agreed on terminology for solid pancreatic neoplasms, is needed. A consensus statement describing a standardized reporting template authored by a multi-institutional group of experts in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma that included radiologists, gastroenterologists, and hepatopancreatobiliary surgeons was developed under the joint sponsorship of the Society of Abdominal Radiologists and the American Pancreatic Association. Adoption of this standardized imaging reporting template should improve the decision-making process for the management of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by providing a complete, pertinent, and accurate reporting of disease staging to optimize treatment recommendations that can be offered to the patient. Standardization can also help to facilitate research and clinical trial design by using appropriate and consistent staging by means of resectability status, thus allowing for comparison of results among different institutions. -------------------------------------------------------------[266] TITLE: - Surgical treatment of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint with erosion of the skull base: a case report and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2013 Dec 3. pii: S0901-5027(13)01158-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ijom.2013.10.019. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ijom.2013.10.019 AUTHOR: - Pau M; ADDRESS: - Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria. Electronic address: pauromau@tiscali.it. AUTHOR: - Bicsak A AUTHOR: - Reinbacher KE AUTHOR: - Feichtinger M AUTHOR: - Karcher H SUMMARY: - Synovial chondromatosis (SC) is a rare metaplastic disease of the larger joints. It is rarely observed in smaller joints, especially in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This disease is considered to be metaplastic and shows no malignant tendencies, but can become locally aggressive, erode the cranial base, and even spread intracranially. To date, nine cases of spread into the intracranial space have been reported in the literature; however, the disease remained extradural in all cases. The authors present a review of the literature and report the case of a 70-year-old man with SC of the right TMJ that had eroded the cranial base, reaching the dura mater; a large intracranial mass was not present. The disease was considered to be stage 3 according to Milgram’s classification. The patient was treated surgically, the tumour mass was removed, reconstruction of the cranial base was performed using titanium mesh, and the joint was reconstructed with a temporal muscle interposition flap. Diagnostic images and intraoperative photographs are also presented. -------------------------------------------------------------[267] TITLE: - Thyroid Cancers Incidentally Detected at Imaging in a 10-Year Period: How Many Cancers Would Be Missed with Use of the Recommendations from the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound? SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Radiology. 2014 Jan 16:132002. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1148/radiol.13132002 AUTHOR: - Bahl M; ADDRESS: - From the Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology (M.B., J.K.H.) and Division of Abdominal Imaging (R.C.N.), and the Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology (J.A.S.), Duke University Medical Center, Box 3808, Erwin Rd, Durham, NC 27710; Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Md (H.A.H.); and Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Ill (N.M.W.). AUTHOR: - Sosa JA AUTHOR: - Nelson RC AUTHOR: - Hobbs HA AUTHOR: - Wnuk NM AUTHOR: - Hoang JK SUMMARY: - Purpose To estimate the prevalence of incidental thyroid cancer (ITC) among patients undergoing thyroid surgery and to apply the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound (SRU) guidelines to ITC. Materials and Methods This HIPAA-compliant study was approved by the institutional review board, with waiver of the need to obtain informed consent. A retrospective review of data in patients who underwent thyroid surgery between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2012, was performed. Imaging studies and reports were reviewed for ITCs that were first detected at either ultrasonography (US) or a different imaging modality and that included US as part of the work-up. ITCs were categorized by using the SRU guidelines to determine the characteristics of SRU criteria-positive and SRU criteria-negative malignancies. Patient demographic data, tumor histologic findings, tumor size, and tumor stage were compared for the SRU criteria-positive and SRU criteria-negative cancers by using the unpaired t test and the chi2 test. Results Among 2090 patients who underwent thyroid surgery, 680 had thyroid cancer; of these patients, 101 (15%) had imaging-detected ITC. The SRU recommendations were applied to the findings in 90 of the 101 patients who had undergone US with images or had reports available for review. Sixteen (18%) of the 90 patients had SRU criteria-negative tumors, which represented 2% (16 of 680) of all thyroid cancers. SRU criteria-negative tumors were smaller than SRU criteria-positive tumors (mean, 1.1 cm [range, 0.9-1.4 cm] vs mean, 2.5 cm [range, 1.0-7.6 cm]; P < .001) and were more likely to be stage I (15 [94%] of 16 vs 47 [64%] of 74; P = .02). Conclusion Imaging-detected ITCs are uncommon. Two percent (16 of 680) of malignancies would not undergo fine-needle aspiration biopsy or surgery if the SRU guidelines were used for work-up of incidental thyroid nodules. SRU criteria-negative tumors are lower in stage than SRU criteria-positive tumors. © RSNA, 2014. -------------------------------------------------------------[268] TITLE: - EAU guidelines on prostate cancer. Part II: Treatment of advanced, relapsing, and castration-resistant prostate cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur Urol. 2014 Feb;65(2):467-79. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2013.11.002. Epub 2013 Nov 12. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.eururo.2013.11.002 AUTHOR: - Heidenreich A; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, RWTH University, Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: aheidenreich@ukaachen.de. AUTHOR: - Bastian PJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Klinikum Golzheim, Dusseldorf, Germany. AUTHOR: - Bellmunt J; ADDRESS: - Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Del Mar, Barcelona, España. AUTHOR: - Bolla M; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiation Therapy, CHU Grenoble, Grenoble, France. AUTHOR: - Joniau S; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, University Hospital, Leuven, Belgium. AUTHOR: - van der Kwast T; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Mason M; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology and Palliative Medicine, Velindre Hospital, Cardiff, UK. AUTHOR: - Matveev V; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Russian Academy of Medical Science, Cancer Research Center, Moscow, Russia. AUTHOR: - Wiegel T; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital, Ulm, Germany. AUTHOR: - Zattoni F; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Santa Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Udine, Italy. AUTHOR: - Mottet N; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, University Hospital St Etienne, France. SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: To present a summary of the 2013 version of the European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines on the treatment of advanced, relapsing, and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The working panel performed a literature review of the new data (2011-2013). The guidelines were updated, and levels of evidence and/or grades of recommendation were added to the text based on a systematic review of the literature that included a search of online databases and bibliographic reviews. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists are the standard of care in metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). LHRH antagonists decrease testosterone without any testosterone surge, and they may be associated with an oncologic benefit compared with LHRH analogues. Complete androgen blockade has a small survival benefit of about 5%. Intermittent androgen deprivation results in noninferior oncologic efficacy when compared with continuous androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) in well-selected populations. In locally advanced and metastatic PCa, early ADT does not result in a significant survival advantage when compared with delayed ADT. Relapse after local therapy is defined by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values >0.2 ng/ml following radical prostatectomy (RP) and >2 ng/ml above the nadir and after radiation therapy (RT). Therapy for PSA relapse after RP includes salvage RT (SRT) at PSA levels <0.5 ng/ml and SRP or cryosurgical ablation of the prostate in radiation failures. Endorectal magnetic resonance imaging and 11C-choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) are of limited importance if the PSA is <1.0 ng/ml; bone scans and CT can be omitted unless PSA is >20 ng/ml. Follow-up after ADT should include analysis of PSA and testosterone levels, and screening for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Treatment of CRPC includes sipuleucel-T, abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (AA/P), or chemotherapy with docetaxel at 75mg/m(2) every 3 wk. Cabazitaxel, AA/P, enzalutamide, and radium-223 are available for second-line treatment of CRPC following docetaxel. Zoledronic acid and denosumab can be used in men with CRPC and osseous metastases to prevent skeletal-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge in the field of advanced, metastatic, and castration-resistant PCa is rapidly changing. These EAU guidelines on PCa summarise the most recent findings and put them into clinical practice. A full version is available at the EAU office or at www.uroweb.org. PATIENT SUMMARY: We present a summary of the 2013 version of the European Association of Urology guidelines on treatment of advanced, relapsing, and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists are the standard of care in metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). LHRH antagonists decrease testosterone without any testosterone surge, and they might be associated with an oncologic benefit compared with LHRH analogues. Complete androgen blockade has a small survival benefit of about 5%. Intermittent androgen deprivation results in noninferior oncologic efficacy when compared with continuous androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) in well-selected populations. In locally advanced and metastatic PCa, early ADT does not result in a significant survival advantage when compared with delayed ADT. Relapse after local therapy is defined by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values >0.2 ng/ml following radical prostatectomy (RP) and >2 ng/ml above the nadir and after radiation therapy. Therapy for PSA relapse after RP includes salvage radiation therapy at PSA levels <0.5 ng/ml and salvage RP or cryosurgical ablation of the prostate in radiation failures. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and 11C-choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) are of limited importance if the PSA is <1.0 ng/ml; bone scans, and CT can be omitted unless PSA is >20 ng/ml. Follow-up after ADT should include analysis of PSA and testosterone levels, and screening for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Treatment of castration-resistant CRPC includes sipuleucel-T, abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (AA/P), or chemotherapy with docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) every 3 wk. Cabazitaxel, AA/P, enzalutamide, and radium-223 are available for second-line treatment of CRPC following docetaxel. Zoledronic acid and denosumab can be used in men with CRPC and osseous metastases to prevent skeletal-related complications. The guidelines reported should be adhered to in daily routine to improve the quality of care in PCa patients. As we have shown recently, guideline compliance is only in the area of 30-40%. -------------------------------------------------------------[269] TITLE: - UGT1A1*6 polymorphisms are correlated with irinotecan-induced toxicity: a system review and meta-analysis in Asians. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2014 Jan 22. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s00280-014-2382-3 AUTHOR: - Cheng L; ADDRESS: - Comprehensive Cancer Center of Drum-Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China, leiel_cheng@163.com. AUTHOR: - Li M AUTHOR: - Hu J AUTHOR: - Ren W AUTHOR: - Xie L AUTHOR: - Sun ZP AUTHOR: - Liu BR AUTHOR: - Xu GX AUTHOR: - Dong XL AUTHOR: - Qian XP SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: Previous studies confirmed that genotyping uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1ª1*28 polymorphisms could predict the side effects in cancer patients using irinotecan (IRI) and then reduce IRI-induced toxicity by preventative treatment or decrease in dose. However, the association between UGT1A1*6 polymorphisms and IRIinduced severe toxicity in Asian patients is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between UGT1A1*6 polymorphisms and IRI-induced severe neutropenia as well as diarrhea in Asian patients. METHODS: We searched all papers on PubMed and Embase from February 1998 to August 2013. Then we assessed the methodologies quality, extracted data and made statistics analysis using STATA software. To uncover the sources of heterogeneity, subgroup meta-analysis was conducted according to the dosage of IRI. RESULTS: Eleven papers were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria after searching Pubmed and Embase. Overall, an increased risk of severe toxicity in Asian patients with UGT1A1*6 polymorphisms was found. Patients with heterozygous variant of UGT1A1*6 showed an increased risk [odds ratio (OR) = 1.98, 95 % confidence intervals (CI) 1.45-2.71, P < 0.001], and homozygous mutation showed an even higher risk (OR = 4.44, 95 % CI 2.42-8.14, P < 0.001) for severe neutropenia. For severe diarrhea, heterozygous variant of UGT1A1*6 showed no significant risk, while the homozygous variant performed a notable risk (OR = 3.51, 95 % CI 1.41-8.73, P = 0.007). Subgroup meta-analysis indicated that for patients harboring either heterozygous or homozygous variant, low dose of IRI also presented comparably increased risk in suffering severe neutropenia. CONCLUSION: In this meta-analysis, UGT1A1*6 polymorphisms were revealed as potential biomarkers, predicting IRI-induced severe toxicity in patients from Asia, and increased incidences of severe neutropenia could occur in both high/medium and low doses of IRI. -------------------------------------------------------------[270] TITLE: - Looking back, to the future of circulating tumor cells. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Pharmacol Ther. 2013 Dec 19. pii: S0163-7258(13)00253-2. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2013.12.011. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.pharmthera.2013.12.011 AUTHOR: - Friedlander TW; ADDRESS: - Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States. Electronic address: terence.friedlander@ucsf.edu. AUTHOR: - Premasekharan G; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States. AUTHOR: - Paris PL; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States. SUMMARY: - Detection and analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from patients with metastatic malignancies have become active areas of research in recent years. CTC enumeration has already proven useful in establishing prognosis for patients with metastatic breast, colon, and prostate cancer. More recently, studies are going beyond enumeration, exploring the CTCs as a means to better understand the mechanisms of tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis and the value of CTC characterization for prognosis and tailoring of treatment. Analysis of CTC subpopulations, for example, is highlighting the importance of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process which may be crucial for allowing tumors to invade into and grow at sites distant from the original tumor site. Similarly, the detection of CTCs expressing markers of stemness may also have important implications for treatment resistance. Genomic analysis of CTC and CTC subpopulations may allow for selection of novel therapeutic targets to combat treatment resistance. CTCs become a particularly valuable biospecimen resource when tissue biopsies are unavailable or not feasible and liquid biopsies allow for serial monitoring. Lastly, cultures of patient-derived CTCs may allow for an evaluation of therapeutic strategies performed ex vivo and in real time. This review article will focus on these developments, starting with the CTC pathogenesis, going on to discuss the different platforms available for CTC isolation and their use to date in these arenas, then will explore multiple topics including the existing data concerning CTC subpopulations and their clinical relevance, genomic characterization, and lastly, avenues for future research. -------------------------------------------------------------[271] TITLE: - Pathological T0 Following Radical Cystectomy with or without Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: A Useful Surrogate. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Urol. 2013 Dec 1. pii: S0022-5347(13)06009-6. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2013.10.142. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.juro.2013.10.142 AUTHOR: - Lavery HJ; ADDRESS: - Departments of Urology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, and Dusseldorf University Hospital (GN, PA), Dusseldorf, Germany. Electronic address: hughlaverymd@gmail.com. AUTHOR: - Stensland KD; ADDRESS: - Departments of Urology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, and Dusseldorf University Hospital (GN, PA), Dusseldorf, Germany. AUTHOR: - Niegisch G; ADDRESS: - Departments of Urology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, and Dusseldorf University Hospital (GN, PA), Dusseldorf, Germany. AUTHOR: - Albers P; ADDRESS: - Departments of Urology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, and Dusseldorf University Hospital (GN, PA), Dusseldorf, Germany. AUTHOR: - Droller MJ; ADDRESS: - Departments of Urology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, and Dusseldorf University Hospital (GN, PA), Dusseldorf, Germany. SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: Several large, randomized, controlled trials provide evidence that neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves the outcome of radical cystectomy for muscle invasive urothelial bladder cancer. We analyzed the designs, methods and observations of these trials to identify patient subgroups that appeared most likely to benefit. We also identified distinguishing features compared to groups that did not achieve improved outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed initial and updated methods and results of the 4 main prospective trials of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (SWOG, Medical Research Council, and Nordic I and II) and subsequent meta-analyses. These series are the basis for advocating neoadjuvant chemotherapy in all patients with muscle invasive urothelial bladder cancer who undergo radical cystectomy. RESULTS: The greatest apparent benefit was seen in patients free of cancer at radical cystectomy (pT0). They had markedly improved overall and disease specific survival compared to patients with residual disease. However, improvements occurred regardless of whether there was down-staging from muscle invasive urothelial bladder cancer to pT0 after transurethral resection alone (controls) or after resection plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Thus, the major benefit of chemotherapy appeared to be that more patients achieved pT0. We also explored the study limitations that may have influenced outcomes and considered the potential for overtreatment in patients not likely to benefit from chemotherapy. Finally, we used risk stratification to create a decision tree model for selecting patients for neoadjuvant chemotherapy that could conceivably maximize oncologic outcome and minimize overtreatment. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with pT0 in the 4 main neoadjuvant chemotherapy trials and their subsequent meta-analyses experienced similar survival, far exceeding that in groups that did not achieve pT0. The benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy appears to be the larger number of cases than in the transurethral resection only group that were down-staged to pT0, suggesting that variables other than chemotherapy may have influenced outcomes. Therefore, strategies to selectively administer neoadjuvant chemotherapy to certain patients at risk have the potential to maintain improved bladder cancer outcomes while reducing overtreatment and its associated toxicity. -------------------------------------------------------------[272] TITLE: - A systematic review of non-surgical treatments for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cancer Treat Rev. 2014 Apr;40(3):376-89. doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2013.08.007. Epub 2013 Sep 8. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ctrv.2013.08.007 AUTHOR: - Valle JW; ADDRESS: - Department of Medical Oncology, Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. Electronic address: Juan.valle@christie.nhs.uk. AUTHOR: - Eatock M; ADDRESS: - Department of Medical Oncology, Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, UK. Electronic address: MartinEatock@bch.n-i.nhs.uk. AUTHOR: - Clueit B; ADDRESS: - Pfizer UK, Tadworth, Surrey, UK. Electronic address: Benjamin.Clueit@Pfizer.com. AUTHOR: - Gabriel Z; ADDRESS: - Pfizer UK, Tadworth, Surrey, UK. Electronic address: Zahava.gabriel@pfizer.com. AUTHOR: - Ferdinand R; ADDRESS: - Pfizer UK, Tadworth, Surrey, UK. Electronic address: roxanne.ferdinand@pfizer.com. AUTHOR: - Mitchell S; ADDRESS: - Abacus International, 6 Talisman Business Centre, Talisman Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire OX26 6HR, UK. Electronic address: Stephen.mitchell@abacusint.com. SUMMARY: - INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (pNETs) are rare and the majority of patients present with advanced disease. Such patients have limited treatment options. We conducted a systematic review of published clinical trials of non-surgical interventions in pNET, to understand the efficacy, safety and health related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes from the current evidence base. METHODS: Electronic databases and manual bibliographic searches were conducted to identify relevant studies. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers. RESULTS: Forty seven clinical studies met the predefined inclusion criteria. The following interventions were included: targeted therapies (two RCTs and six single-arm studies), chemotherapy (two RCTs, one prospective nonrandomised, comparative study and 14 single-arm studies);somatostatin analogues (SSA) and radiolabeled SSA therapies (nine single-arm studies), liver-directed therapies (six singlearm studies), mixed treatment regimens (one RCT, four single-arm studies) and other interventions such as interferon and recombinant human endostatin (one single-arm study for each). The paucity of RCT data and lack of consistency in reporting validated study outcomes and differing patient inclusion criteria between studies made it difficult to compare the relative efficacy of therapies. DISCUSSION: The majority of published studies assessing treatment regimens for the management of pNET are single arm, non-randomised studies, often enrolling a small number of patients and not reporting clinically meaningful outcomes. However data from recently conducted studies assessing targeted therapies indicate that it is possible to conduct adequately powered RCTs reporting standardised oncological endpoints in this rare cancer. Further, similarly robust studies should be conducted to define the optimal treatment algorithm. -------------------------------------------------------------[273] TITLE: - Systemic therapy in squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva: Current status and future directions. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Gynecol Oncol. 2013 Dec 1. pii: S0090-8258(13)01352-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2013.11.025. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ygyno.2013.11.025 AUTHOR: - Reade CJ; ADDRESS: - Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Toronto, M700610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5N 2L5, Canada. Electronic address: clare.reade@mail.utoronto.ca. AUTHOR: - Eiriksson LR; ADDRESS: - Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Toronto, M700-610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5N 2L5, Canada; Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juravinski Cancer Centre, McMaster University, 699 Concession St, Hamilton, ON L8V 5C2, Canada. Electronic address: lua.eiriksson@jcc.hhsc.ca. AUTHOR: - Mackay H; ADDRESS: - Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Toronto, Canada; Princess Margaret Hospital, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada. Electronic address: helen.mackay@uhn.ca. SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: The advances achieved in the surgical management of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) have not been mirrored in systemic therapy options. The objective of this paper is to summarize current evidence regarding systemic therapy in vulvar cancer, review the latest research on the biology of this disease, and identify future strategies to improve patient management. METHODS: MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for all relevant English-language articles from inception to December 10, 2012. Existing evidence regarding systemic therapy in vulvar SCC was synthesized descriptively, with an emphasis on prospective studies when available. Single-patient case-reports were excluded. RESULTS: We identified 12 studies of neoadjuvant chemoradiation, 8 studies of neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone, 18 studies of chemoradiation as primary therapy, 4 studies of chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting, and 8 studies of chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic disease. Review of the biology of vulvar cancer was performed, and promising targets for the future were identified based on the two biologic pathways of disease development. New therapeutic strategies such as immune-therapy and targeted agents hold promise for the future. CONCLUSIONS: Advances in systemic therapy for vulvar SCC are urgently needed, especially in the setting of recurrent and metastatic disease. A focus on the investigation of new targeted agents is encouraged and consideration of quality of life and sexual health issues is essential. International cooperation and adaptive trial designs are required to improve outcomes for this group of traditionally under-served women. -------------------------------------------------------------[274] TITLE: - Occult hepatitis B virus infection and hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Viral Hepat. 2014 Mar;21(3):153-62. doi: 10.1111/jvh.12222. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/jvh.12222 AUTHOR: - Huang X; ADDRESS: - Department of Blood Transfusion, The General Hospital of Jinan Military Command, Jinan, China. AUTHOR: - Hollinger FB SUMMARY: - Occult hepatitis B (OHB) infection has been reported to play an important role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this systematic review, a significantly higher prevalence of OHB was observed in patients with HCC in the presence or absence of HCV infection when compared with control populations without HCC. Correspondingly, among adequately designed prospective studies, the cumulative probability of developing HCC was significantly greater among patients with OHB than among HBV DNA-negative patients in the presence or absence of HCV infection. Study design, inclusion criteria, treatment options, methodology and potential confounding variables were evaluated, and immunopathogenic mechanisms that could be involved in OHB as a risk factor in HCC were reviewed. From this analysis, we conclude that although OHB is an independent risk factor in HCC development in anti-HCV-negative patients, a synergistic or additive role in the occurrence of HCC in HCVcoinfected patients is more problematic due to the HCC risk attributable to HCV alone, especially in patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. -------------------------------------------------------------[275] TITLE: - Solid tumor second primary neoplasms: who is at risk, what can we do? SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Semin Oncol. 2013 Dec;40(6):676-89. doi: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2013.09.012. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1053/j.seminoncol.2013.09.012 AUTHOR: - Oeffinger KC; ADDRESS: - Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Electronic address: oeffingk@mskcc.org. AUTHOR: - Baxi SS; ADDRESS: - Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. AUTHOR: - Novetsky Friedman D; ADDRESS: - Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. AUTHOR: - Moskowitz CS; ADDRESS: - Department of Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. SUMMARY: - Eighteen percent of incident malignancies in the United States are a second (or subsequent) cancer. Second primary neoplasms (SPNs), particularly solid tumors, are a major cause of mortality and serious morbidity among cancer survivors successfully cured of their first cancer. Multiple etiologies may lead to a cancer survivor subsequently being diagnosed with an SPN, including radiotherapy for the first cancer, unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, genetic factors, aging, or an interaction between any of these factors. In this article, we discuss these factors and synthesize this information for use in clinical practice, including preventive strategies and screening recommendations for SPNs. -------------------------------------------------------------[276] TITLE: - XPC Lys939Gln and Ala499Val polymorphisms in colorectal cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis of case-control studies. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Mol Biol Rep. 2014 Feb;41(2):1171-8. doi: 10.1007/s11033-013-2964-x. Epub 2014 Jan 3. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s11033-013-2964-x AUTHOR: - Liu C; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200433, People’s Republic of China, chuanliu2005@163.com. AUTHOR: - Yin Q AUTHOR: - Ying M AUTHOR: - Lin J AUTHOR: - Li L AUTHOR: - Jiao G AUTHOR: - Wang M AUTHOR: - Wang Y SUMMARY: - The XPC Lys939Gln and Ala499Val polymorphisms were likely to be involved with the development of colorectal cancer. However, there had been inconsistent reports of association. This meta-analysis of literatures was performed to draw a more precise estimation of the relationship. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and Web of Science for relevant articles with a time limit of December 2012. The strength of association between the XPC Lys939Gln and Ala499Val polymorphisms and colorectal cancer susceptibility were assessed by odds ratio (OR) with the corresponding 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI). This meta-analysis including six case-control studies evaluated the associations between the two XPC polymorphisms (Lys939Gln, Ala499Val) and colorectal cancer susceptibility. For XPC Lys939Gln, no obvious associations were found for all genetic models [CC vs AA: OR (95 % CI) = 1.12 (0.94-1.32); CA vs AA: OR (95 % CI) = 1.08 (0.94-1.24); the dominant model: OR (95 % CI) = 1.09 (0.97-1.23); the recessive model: OR (95 % CI) = 1.07 (0.92-1.25)]. For XPC Ala499Val, no obvious associations were also not found for all genetic models [TT vs CC: OR (95 % CI) = 0.84 (0.65-1.10); CT vs CC: OR (95 % CI) = 1.00 (0.86-1.15); the dominant model: OR (95 % CI) = 0.98 (0.85-1.12); the recessive model: OR (95 % CI) = 0.87 (0.67-1.12)]. This meta-analysis suggested that both the XPC Lys939Gln and Ala499Val polymorphisms were not risk factors for increasing colorectal cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[277] TITLE: - A systematic review of (131)I-meta iodobenzylguanidine molecular radiotherapy for neuroblastoma. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Cancer. 2014 Mar;50(4):801-15. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2013.11.016. Epub 2013 Dec 12. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ejca.2013.11.016 AUTHOR: - Wilson JS; ADDRESS: - Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom. AUTHOR: - Gains JE; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 250 Euston Road, London NW1 2PG, United Kingdom. AUTHOR: - Moroz V; ADDRESS: - Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom. AUTHOR: - Wheatley K; ADDRESS: - Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom. AUTHOR: - Gaze MN; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 250 Euston Road, London NW1 2PG, United Kingdom. Electronic address: mark.gaze@uclh.nhs.uk. SUMMARY: - The optimal use and effectiveness of (131)I-meta iodobenzylguanidine ((131)ImIBG) molecular radiotherapy for neuroblastoma remain unclear despite extensive clinical experience. This systematic review aimed to improve understanding of the current data and define uncertainties for future clinical trials. Bibliographic databases were searched for neuroblastoma and (131)I-mIBG. Clinical trials and non-comparative case series of (131)I-mIBG therapy for neuroblastoma were included. Two reviewers assessed papers for inclusion using the title and abstract with consensus achieved by discussion. Data were extracted by one reviewer and checked by a second. Studies with multiple publications were reported as a single study. The searches yielded 1216 citations, of which 51 publications reporting 30 studies met our inclusion criteria. No randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were identified. In two studies (131)I-mIBG had been used as induction therapy and in one study it had been used as consolidation therapy. Twenty-seven studies for relapsed and refractory disease were identified. Publication dates ranged from 1987 to 2012. Total number of patients was 1121 with study sizes ranging from 10 to 164. There was a large amount of heterogeneity between the studies with regard to patient population, treatment schedule and response assessment. Study quality was highly variable. The objective tumour response rate reported in 25 studies ranged from 0% to 75%, mean 32%. We conclude that (131)I-mIBG is an active treatment for neuroblastoma, but its place in the management of neuroblastoma remains unclear. Prospective randomised trials are essential to strengthen the evidence base. -------------------------------------------------------------[278] TITLE: - Observational study designs for comparative effectiveness research: an alternative approach to close evidence gaps in head-and-neck cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2014 Jan 1;88(1):106-14. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2013.05.050. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ijrobp.2013.05.050 AUTHOR: - Goulart BH; ADDRESS: - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Division of Public Health Sciences, Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research (HICOR), Seattle, Washington; University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. Electronic address: bhg@uw.edu. AUTHOR: - Ramsey SD; ADDRESS: - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Division of Public Health Sciences, Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research (HICOR), Seattle, Washington; University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. AUTHOR: - Parvathaneni U; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. SUMMARY: - Comparative effectiveness research (CER) has emerged as an approach to improve quality of care and patient outcomes while reducing healthcare costs by providing evidence to guide healthcare decisions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have represented the ideal study design to support treatment decisions in head-and-neck (H&N) cancers. In RCTs, formal chance (randomization) determines treatment allocation, which prevents selection bias from distorting the measure of treatment effects. Despite this advantage, only a minority of patients qualify for inclusion in H&N RCTs, which limits the validity of their results to the broader H&N cancer patient population seen in clinical practice. Randomized controlled trials often do not address other knowledge gaps in the management of H&N cancer, including treatment comparisons for rare types of H&N cancers, monitoring of rare or late toxicity events (eg, osteoradionecrosis), or in some instances an RCT is simply not feasible. Observational studies, or studies in which treatment allocation occurs independently of investigators’ choice or randomization, may address several of these gaps in knowledge, thereby complementing the role of RCTs. This critical review discusses how observational CER studies complement RCTs in generating the evidence to inform healthcare decisions and improve the quality of care and outcomes of H&N cancer patients. Review topics include a balanced discussion about the strengths and limitations of both RCT and observational CER study designs; a brief description of design and analytic techniques to handle selection bias in observational studies; examples of observational studies that inform current clinical practices and management of H&N cancers; and suggestions for relevant CER questions that could be addressed by an observational study design. -------------------------------------------------------------[279] TITLE: - T4a laryngeal cancer survival: Retrospective institutional analysis and systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Laryngoscope. 2013 Dec 12. doi: 10.1002/lary.24557. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/lary.24557 AUTHOR: - Francis E; ADDRESS: - Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hotel Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon; Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon. AUTHOR: - Matar N AUTHOR: - Khoueir N AUTHOR: - Nassif C AUTHOR: - Farah C AUTHOR: - Haddad A SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To assess the survival outcomes of a homogeneous group of pT4a laryngeal cancer patients treated at our institution by primary total laryngectomy and neck dissection with adjuvant therapy when indicated, and to systematically review studies reporting overall survival outcomes in T4a laryngeal cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of PubMed and Embase databases. METHODS: Records of 108 laryngeal cancer patients treated by total laryngectomy were reviewed. pT4a cases treated by primary total laryngectomy between 1998 and 2010 were included. Overall and disease-free survival at 2 and 5 years were reported. A systematic review was performed including all published studies reporting overall survival outcomes by treatment modality in T4 laryngeal cancer patients. RESULTS: Thirty cases met the inclusion criteria. At 2 years, overall and disease-free survival were 81.3% and 78%, respectively. The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 60%. The systematic review retrieved 24 articles. Overall survival at 2 years ranged from 12% to 21.2% with radiotherapy, <30% to 65% with chemoradiotherapy, and from 30% to 100% with surgery. At 5 years, it ranged from 0% to 75% with radiotherapy, 16% to 50.4% with chemoradiotherapy, and 10% to 80.9% with surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Primary total laryngectomy provides a high survival rate for pT4a laryngeal cancer patients. Randomized controlled trials including homogenous patients are still needed before shifting to organ preservation protocols in these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 2014. -------------------------------------------------------------[280] TITLE: - Pathologically confirmed malignant syphilis using immunohistochemical staining: report of 3 cases and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Sex Transm Dis. 2014 Feb;41(2):94-7. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000084. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1097/OLQ.0000000000000084 AUTHOR: - Cid PM; ADDRESS: - From the Departments of *Dermatology, daggerInternal Medicine, and double daggerPathology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España. AUTHOR: - Cudos ES AUTHOR: - Zamora Vargas FX AUTHOR: - Merino MJ AUTHOR: - Pinto PH SUMMARY: - Malignant syphilis is a rare ulcerative variety. In the classical description of the disease, the absence of spirochetes in tissue samples was considered as a diagnostic criterion. We report 3 cases of malignant syphilis; in all of them, spirochetes were identified in cutaneous biopsy samples using immunohistochemical staining. -------------------------------------------------------------[281] TITLE: - EURECCA consensus conference highlights about colorectal cancer clinical management: the pathologists expert review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Virchows Arch. 2014 Feb;464(2):129-34. doi: 10.1007/s00428-013-1534-x. Epub 2014 Jan 24. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s00428-013-1534-x AUTHOR: - Quirke P; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Tumour Biology, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK, p.quirke@leeds.ac.uk. AUTHOR: - West NP AUTHOR: - Nagtegaal ID SUMMARY: - Care for patients with colon and rectal cancer has improved in the last 20 years; however, a considerable variation still exists in cancer management and outcome between European countries. Large variation is also apparent between national guidelines and patterns of cancer care in Europe. Therefore, EURECCA, which is the acronym of European Registration of Cancer Care, is aiming at defining core treatment strategies and developing a European audit structure in order to improve the quality of care for all patients with colon and rectal cancer. In December 2012, the first multidisciplinary consensus conference about cancer of the colon and rectum was held. The expert panel consisted of representatives of European scientific organizations involved in cancer care of patients with colon and rectal cancer and representatives of national colorectal registries. -------------------------------------------------------------[282] TITLE: - Clinical, sociodemographic, and service provider determinants of guideline concordant colorectal cancer care for Appalachian residents. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Rural Health. 2014 Winter;30(1):27-39. doi: 10.1111/jrh.12033. Epub 2013 Jun 26. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/jrh.12033 AUTHOR: - Fleming ST; ADDRESS: - Departments of Epidemiology & Health Services Management, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, Kentucky. AUTHOR: - Mackley HB AUTHOR: - Camacho F AUTHOR: - Seiber EE AUTHOR: - Gusani NJ AUTHOR: - Matthews SA AUTHOR: - Liao J AUTHOR: - Yang TC AUTHOR: - Hwang W AUTHOR: - Yao N SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in Appalachia where high mortality from colorectal cancer is more prevalent. Adherence to treatment guidelines leads to improved survival. This paper examines determinants of guideline concordance for colorectal cancer. METHODS: Colorectal cancer patients diagnosed in 2006-2008 from 4 cancer registries (Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina) were linked to Medicare claims (2005-2009). Final sample size after exclusions was 2,932 stage I-III colon, and 184 stage III rectal cancer patients. The 3 measures of guideline concordance include adjuvant chemotherapy (stage III colon cancer, <80 years), >/=12 lymph nodes assessed (resected stage I-III colon cancer), and radiation therapy (stage III rectal cancer, <80 years). Bivariate and multivariate analyses with clinical, sociodemographic, and service provider covariates were estimated for each of the measures. RESULTS: Rates of chemotherapy, lymph node assessment, and radiation were 62.9%, 66.3%, and 56.0%, respectively. Older patients had lower rates of chemotherapy and radiation. Five comorbidities were significantly associated with lower concordance in the bivariate analyses: myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, respiratory diseases, dementia with chemotherapy, and diabetes with adequate lymph node assessment. Patients treated by hospitals with no Commission on Cancer (COC) designation or lower surgical volumes had lower odds of adequate lymph node assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical, sociodemographic, and service provider characteristics are significant determinants of the variation in guideline concordance rates of 3 colorectal cancer measures. -------------------------------------------------------------[283] TITLE: - Physical activity and risk of gastric cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Br J Sports Med. 2014 Jan 16. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2013-092778. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1136/bjsports-2013-092778 AUTHOR: - Abioye AI; ADDRESS: - Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. AUTHOR: - Odesanya MO AUTHOR: - Abioye AI AUTHOR: - Ibrahim NA SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Studies evaluating the relationship of physical activity and stomach cancer risk have yielded inconsistent and largely inconclusive results. We therefore conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies that assessed the relationship between physical activity and risk of gastric cancer. METHODS: Following a standard protocol, we searched medical literature databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Google Scholar) from inception to July 2012, and conducted a random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Seven prospective cohorts and four case-control studies of physical activity and gastric cancer risk, with 1 535 006 people and 7944 cases of gastric cancer were included. We found a modest protective association between sufficient physical activity and gastric cancer risk (relative risk: 0.81 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.96); I2=68.5%) in the prospective studies and (relative risk: 0.78 (95% CI 0.66 to 0.91); I2=0%) in case-control studies. The association appeared weaker in smokers than in non-smokers (p heterogeneity=0.035). The association may also be weaker for gastric cardia cancer relative to the distal non-cardia subtypes. Physical activity type (recreational or occupational), intake of alcohol, total energy intake, consumption of fruits and vegetables and infection with Helicobacter pylori had no influence on the association. The effect measure from cohort studies (relative risk: 0.82 (95% CI 0.70 to 0.97); I2=61.7%) and case-control studies (relative risk: 0.83 (95% CI 0.66 to 1.04); I2=49.8%) did not differ materially at higher physical activity levels. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that a regular physical activity may be protective against stomach cancer risk. -------------------------------------------------------------[284] TITLE: - Compliance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines in the use of radiation therapy for extremity and superficial trunk soft tissue sarcoma in the United States. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Surg Oncol. 2014 Jan 24. doi: 10.1002/jso.23569. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/jso.23569 AUTHOR: - Bagaria SP; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, Florida. AUTHOR: - Ashman JB AUTHOR: - Daugherty LC AUTHOR: - Gray RJ AUTHOR: - Wasif N SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: We sought to examine adherence to National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for use of radiation therapy (RT) in patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) in the United States. METHODS: The surveillance, epidemiology, and end results cancer registry was queried to identify patients undergoing surgery for truncal and extremity STS from 2004 to 2009. RESULTS: Of 5,075 patients, 50% received RT. Although routine RT is not recommended for Stage I patients, 25% still underwent RT. Even though routine RT is recommended for Stage II and III tumors, only 60% underwent RT. On multivariate analysis predictors of RT included age <50 years (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.28-1.91), malignant fibrous histiocytoma histology (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.3-1.92), T2 classification (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.60-2.20), and G3 (OR 6.27, 95% CI 5.10-7.72). Patients with Stage III STS who received RT showed improved disease specific survival at 5 years compared to those who did not, 68% versus 46%, P <0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Underuse of RT is seen for a significant proportion of patients undergoing treatment for STS in the United States. More effort needs to be directed towards compliance with appropriate treatment recommendations, perhaps by regionalizing sarcoma care or remote multidisciplinary tumor boards. J. Surg. Oncol. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. -------------------------------------------------------------[285] TITLE: - Analysis of outcomes in extraskeletal osteosarcoma: a review of fifty-three cases. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2014 Jan 1;96(1):e2. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.M.00339. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 2106/JBJS.M.00339 AUTHOR: - Choi LE; ADDRESS: - Orthopaedic Surgery Service (L.E.C. and J.H.H.), Gastric and Mixed Tumor Service (M.F.B.), Department of Surgery, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (D.K.), Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065. E-mail. AUTHOR: - Healey JH; ADDRESS: - Orthopaedic Surgery Service (L.E.C. and J.H.H.), Gastric and Mixed Tumor Service (M.F.B.), Department of Surgery, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (D.K.), Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065. E-mail. AUTHOR: - Kuk D; ADDRESS: - Orthopaedic Surgery Service (L.E.C. and J.H.H.), Gastric and Mixed Tumor Service (M.F.B.), Department of Surgery, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (D.K.), Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065. E-mail. AUTHOR: - Brennan MF; ADDRESS: - Orthopaedic Surgery Service (L.E.C. and J.H.H.), Gastric and Mixed Tumor Service (M.F.B.), Department of Surgery, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (D.K.), Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065. E-mail. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Extraskeletal osteosarcoma is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma about which little is known. The objectives of this study were to describe the clinical features and natural history of extraskeletal osteosarcoma and to investigate factors affecting outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of patients diagnosed with soft-tissue sarcoma was conducted. Patients with pathologically confirmed extraskeletal osteosarcoma from 1982 to 2012 were identified and were included in the analysis. Medical records were reviewed for clinical features, treatment, and outcomes. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were identified from the database: forty-two presented with localized disease, two presented with metastatic disease, and nine presented with recurrent (local and/or distant) disease. The median patient age at diagnosis was sixty-four years, with a median follow-up time of thirty-four months (range, one to 290 months) for survivors. Of the fifty-three patients who were identified, forty-one had lesions in the extremities, fifty-one had high-grade lesions, forty had lesions >5 cm, and forty-two had deep lesions. For patients presenting with localized disease, the median survival was 45.8 months with a three-year cumulative incidence of death due to disease of 39%. All patients with localized disease were managed with surgical resection of the primary tumor: nineteen with surgery only, ten with adjuvant radiation, five with adjuvant chemotherapy, and eight with both radiation and chemotherapy. Eighteen patients relapsed: two patients had local recurrences, ten patients had distant metastases, and six patients had local recurrences and distant metastases. In logrank analysis, patients with superficial tumors and negative margins at resection had a higher three-year event-free survival. No significant association of disease-specific or event-free survival was found with the addition of radiation, chemotherapy, or both to surgery. CONCLUSIONS: For patients presenting with localized extraskeletal osteosarcoma, three-year event-free survival was higher for patients with superficial tumors and negative margins at resection. Radiation and chemotherapeutic treatment were not associated with a lower incidence of death due to disease or a longer event-free survival. -------------------------------------------------------------[286] TITLE: - Candidate microRNA biomarkers of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: meta-analysis, experimental validation and clinical significance. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2013 Sep 28;32(1):71. doi: 10.1186/1756-9966-32-71. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1186/1756-9966-32-71 AUTHOR: - Ma MZ AUTHOR: - Kong X AUTHOR: - Weng MZ AUTHOR: - Cheng K AUTHOR: - Gong W AUTHOR: - Quan ZW AUTHOR: - Peng CH SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: The diagnostic and prognostic value of microRNA (miRNA) expression aberrations in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been studied extensively in recent years. However, differences in measurement platforms and lab protocols as well as small sample sizes can render gene expression levels incomparable. METHODS: A comprehensive meta-review of published studies in PDAC that compared the miRNA expression profiles of PDAC tissues and paired neighbouring noncancerous pancreatic tissues was performed to determine candidate miRNA biomarkers for PDAC. Both a miRNA votecounting strategy and a recently published Robust Rank Aggregation method were employed. In this review, a total of 538 tumour and 206 noncancerous control samples were included. RESULTS: We identified a statistically significant miRNA meta-signature of seven up- and three down-regulated miRNAs. The experimental validation results showed that the miRNA expression levels were in accordance with the meta-signature. The results from the votecounting strategy were consistent with those from the Robust Rank Aggregation method. The experimental validation confirmed that the statistically unique profiles identified by the metareview approach could discriminate PDAC tissues from paired nonmalignant pancreatic tissues. In a cohort of 70 patients, the high expression of miR-21 (p=0.018, HR=2.610; 95% CI=1.179-5.777) and miR-31 (p=0.039, HR=2.735; 95% CI=1.317-6.426), the low expression of miR-375 (p=0.022, HR=2.337; 95% CI=1.431-5.066) were associated with poor overall survival following resection, independent of clinical covariates. CONCLUSIONS: The identified miRNAs may be used to develop a panel of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for PDAC with sufficient sensitivity and specificity for use in a clinical setting. -------------------------------------------------------------[287] TITLE: - The prognostic role of ERG immunopositivity in prostatic acinar adenocarcinoma: a study including 454 cases and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Hum Pathol. 2014 Mar;45(3):488-97. doi: 10.1016/j.humpath.2013.10.012. Epub 2013 Oct 23. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.humpath.2013.10.012 AUTHOR: - Xu B; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada. AUTHOR: - Chevarie-Davis M; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada. AUTHOR: - Chevalier S; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada. AUTHOR: - Scarlata E; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada. AUTHOR: - Zeizafoun N; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, St Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY, USA. AUTHOR: - Dragomir A; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada. AUTHOR: - Tanguay S; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada. AUTHOR: - Kassouf W; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada. AUTHOR: - Aprikian A; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada. AUTHOR: - Brimo F; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada. Electronic address: fadi.brimo@muhc.mcgill.ca. SUMMARY: - TMPRSS2/ERG fusion is among the most frequent genetic anomalies in prostate adenocarcinomas. Although positive immunostaining for ERG has been shown to tightly correlate with ERG fusion status, the clinical and prognostic significance of a positive ERG stain remains undetermined. The significance of ERG immunostaining in 454 consecutive prostate adenocarcinomas from radical prostatectomies (RPs) using tissue microarrays, herein, is evaluated. A separate set of 59 cases of incidental prostate adenocarcinoma detected on transurethral resection of prostate with a Gleason score of 6 was also included. ERG translocation was significantly more common in peripheral zone cancer in comparison with cancer of the transitional zone (33% in RP versus 5% in transurethral resection of prostate specimens). In the RP cohort, although ERG positivity was significantly associated with younger age at presentation and lower prostate-specific antigen values, it showed no association with Gleason score or with pathologic stage. In multivariate analysis, biochemical recurrence was only associated with the final RP Gleason score and elevated prostate-specific antigen levels and was unrelated to neither ERG positivity or to its staining intensity. In our hands, ERG positivity was unrelated to either aggressive local tumor characteristics or a worse outcome. Our results, as well as an extensive review of the related literature showing conflicting findings, seem to indicate that ERG immunopositivity cannot be considered as an important prognostic factor in prostate cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[288] TITLE: - Cytokines as mediators of chemotherapy-associated cognitive changes: current evidence, limitations and directions for future research. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Dec 5;8(12):e81234. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081234. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0081234 AUTHOR: - Cheung YT; ADDRESS: - Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ; Department of Pharmacy, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. AUTHOR: - Lim SR AUTHOR: - Ho HK AUTHOR: - Chan A SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVES: While various clinical and pharmacological determinants for chemotherapy-associated cognitive impairment have been identified, conflicting evidence suggests that cytokines might play an intermediary role. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the current evidence pertaining to the associations among chemotherapy, cytokines induction and cognitive impairment in cancer patients. METHODS: A literature search with PubMed and SciVerse Scopus was conducted in March 2013 to gather relevant articles and abstracts that fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. This review included studies that had performed objective and/or subjective cognitive assessments and cytokine measurements on defined populations of cancer patients who received chemotherapy. RESULTS: High methodological heterogeneity existed among the selected studies which differed in cancer populations, subject characteristics, cognitive endpoints, types of cytokines tested and their measurement methods. Weak to moderate correlations were observed between IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha levels, and different degrees of cognitive impairment. Different types of chemotherapy treatments might lead to varying presentations and severities of cytokine-induced cognitive impairment. Notably, the time concordance between the onset of cytokine induction and occurrence of cognitive impairment was not well elucidated. A number of confounding factors was identified to interfere with the expression levels of cytokines; these confounders included subjects’ cancer types, ages, genders, genetics and psychosocial characteristics such as anxiety, depression and fatigue. CONCLUSION: Although existing studies observed cognitive impairment and cytokine dysregulation in patients who receive chemotherapy, our results suggest that the intermediary role of cytokines in post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment is still controversial and requires further evaluation. A list of methodological recommendations is proposed to harmonize future studies of this subject matter. -------------------------------------------------------------[289] TITLE: - Folate intake and risk of bladder cancer: a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2013 Dec 16. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3109/09637486.2013.866641 AUTHOR: - He H; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Affiliated Hangzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University , Hangzhou, Zhejiang , China. AUTHOR: - Shui B SUMMARY: - Abstract Epidemiological studies have reported conflicting results between folate intake and bladder cancer risk. We conducted a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies published between 1996 and June 2013 on the relationship between folate intake and bladder cancer. We quantified associations with bladder cancer using meta-analysis of risk estimates (REs) associated to the highest versus the lowest category of folate intake using random effect models. Seven cohort and six case-control studies were eligible for inclusion. A significantly decreased risk with bladder cancer was observed in overall folate intake group (RE = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72-0.96) and subgroup of case-control studies (RE = 0.73; 95% CI, 0.57-0.89), but not in cohort studies (RE = 0.96; 95% CI, 0.81-1.10) when comparing the highest with the lowest category of folate intake. No heterogeneity and publication bias were observed across studies. Although the current evidence, mainly based on data from case-control studies, supports an inverse association between folate intake and bladder cancer, additional large and welldesigned cohort studies are needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn. -------------------------------------------------------------[290] TITLE: - An updated meta-analysis of the association between ADIPOQ rs2241766 polymorphism and colorectal cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Nov 30. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1329-3 AUTHOR: - Li P; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China. AUTHOR: - Liu H AUTHOR: - Li C AUTHOR: - Yang B AUTHOR: - Kong Q AUTHOR: - Zheng W AUTHOR: - Li B AUTHOR: - Jia B SUMMARY: - Adiponectin (ADIPOQ) is a cytokine produced by adipose tissue involved in carcinogenesis. ADIPOQ SNP rs2241766 has been extensively studied in colorectal cancer (CRC) community with contentious and conflicting conclusions. The objective of this study was to comprehensively assess the association between SNP rs2241766 and CRC risk. PubMed, Embase, CNKI, as well as the references of the retrieved articles were searched to identify the eligible studies for this meta-analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the association. We also examined the heterogeneity and publication bias and performed sensitivity analyses. Seven studies with 2,414 cases and 2,796 controls together did not show any significant association between SNP rs2241766 and CRC risk. Subgroup analyses by ethnicity and sample size also failed to provide statistically significant evidence. This meta-analysis demonstrates that ADIPOQ SNP rs2241766 may not represent as an effect modifier for the risk of CRC. -------------------------------------------------------------[291] TITLE: - Risk factors for the development and severity of juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: A systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2014 Feb;78(2):186-97. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2013.11.036. Epub 2013 Dec 6. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ijporl.2013.11.036 AUTHOR: - Niyibizi J; ADDRESS: - Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montreal, Public Health School 7101, Avenue du Parc, 3rd Floor, Montreal, Quebec H3N 1X9, Canada; Sainte Justine Hospital (CHU Sainte-Justine), 3175 Chemin de la Cote Ste-Catherine, Room A-830, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1C5, Canada. AUTHOR: - Rodier C; ADDRESS: - Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montreal, Public Health School 7101, Avenue du Parc, 3rd Floor, Montreal, Quebec H3N 1X9, Canada; Merck Canada Inc., 16711 Route Transcanadienne, Kirkland, Quebec H9H 3L1, Canada. AUTHOR: - Wassef M; ADDRESS: - Sainte Justine Hospital (CHU Sainte-Justine), 3175 Chemin de la Cote Ste-Catherine, Room A-830, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1C5, Canada. AUTHOR: - Trottier H; ADDRESS: - Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montreal, Public Health School 7101, Avenue du Parc, 3rd Floor, Montreal, Quebec H3N 1X9, Canada; Sainte Justine Hospital (CHU Sainte-Justine), 3175 Chemin de la Cote Ste-Catherine, Room A-830, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1C5, Canada. Electronic address: helen.trottier@umontreal.ca. SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVES: Juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JoRRP) is a rare yet aggressive disease caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Although many newborns are likely exposed to HPV, few develop JoRRP and the clinical course of the disease varies from one child to another. This systematic review seeks to provide an up-to-date understanding of the risk factors for acquisition and severity. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive literature search in EMBASE, MEDLINE and EBMR databases using various combinations of keywords related to JoRRP etiology, risk factors and severity. We also searched Google Scholar and the reference lists of eligible studies. Our search was limited to original studies published in French or English between 1995 and July 2012 and to patients under 20 years of age. RESULTS: Of 1362 citations, we retrieved 102 articles and found 14 additional studies. We retained 32 studies meeting inclusion criteria. All were observational and together included 2296 JoRRP cases. Risk factors could be classified mainly as maternal and birth history, viral genotype, and host factors. A history of genital warts during pregnancy and delivery was strongly linked to the development of JoRRP. Depending on ethnicity, specific human leukocyte antigen class II alleles and immune response factors were important determinants of JoRRP acquisition and severity. HPV-11 genotype and younger age at onset of JoRRP were important predictors of severity. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic and immunological profiles underlying the acquisition and clinical course are not readily modifiable. Thus, preventing condylomas in women of childbearing age could reduce the burden of this life-threatening disease. -------------------------------------------------------------[292] TITLE: - Stereotactic body radiotherapy: A critical review for non-radiation oncologists. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cancer. 2013 Dec 30. doi: 10.1002/cncr.28515. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/cncr.28515 AUTHOR: - Kirkpatrick JP; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke Cancer Institute, and the Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. AUTHOR: - Kelsey CR AUTHOR: - Palta M AUTHOR: - Cabrera AR AUTHOR: - Salama JK AUTHOR: - Patel P AUTHOR: - Perez BA AUTHOR: - Lee J AUTHOR: - Yin FF SUMMARY: - Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) involves the treatment of extracranial primary tumors or metastases with a few, high doses of ionizing radiation. In SBRT, tumor kill is maximized and dose to surrounding tissue is minimized, by precise and accurate delivery of multiple radiation beams to the target. This is particularly challenging, because extracranial lesions often move with respiration and are irregular in shape, requiring careful treatment planning and continual management of this motion and patient position during irradiation. This review presents the rationale, process workflow, and technology for the safe and effective administration of SBRT, as well as the indications, outcome, and limitations for this technique in the treatment of lung cancer, liver cancer, and metastatic disease. Cancer 2013. Esta es una cita bibliográfica que va por delante de la publicación en papel. La fecha indicada en la cita provista, NO corresponde con la fecha o la cita bibliográfica de la publicación en papel. La cita bibliográfica definitiva (con el volumen y su paginación) saldrá en 1 ó 2 meses a partir de la fecha de la emisión electrónica-online. *** This is a bibliographic record ahead of the paper publication. The given date in the bibliographic record does not correspond to the date or the bibliographic citation on the paper publication. The publisher will provide the final bibliographic citation (with the volume, and pagination) within 1 or 2 months from the date the record was published online. © 2013 American Cancer Society. -------------------------------------------------------------[293] TITLE: - Prostate needle biopsy: what we do and what should be improved. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Anal Quant Cytol Histol. 2013 Jun;35(3):130-8. AUTHOR: - Fraggetta F; ADDRESS: - Pathology Unit, Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania. AUTHOR: - Pepe P; ADDRESS: - Urology Unit, Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania. AUTHOR: - Improta G; ADDRESS: - Laboratory of Clinical Research and Molecular Diagnostics, Istituto Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Centro di Riferimento Oncologico della Basilicata (IRCCS-CROB) Hospital, Rionero in Vulture, Potenza. AUTHOR: - Aragona F; ADDRESS: - Urology Unit, Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania. AUTHOR: - Colecchia M; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy. SUMMARY: - Prostate cancer (PCa) is the cancer most frequently diagnosed in older men and the second most frequent for incidence of all tumors. With the widespread use of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), the detection rate as well as the incidence of localized tumors has been increasing, thus leading to a drop in PCa-related mortality. However, a corresponding estimated rate of overdiagnosis as high as 50% has been reported, and the adverse side effects related to unnecessary treatments make the overall benefit of PSA mass screening unclear. The lower PSA threshold and extended prostate biopsy protocols have led to a marked increase of small, low-grade tumors that will never threaten a patient’s survival. Sextant biopsy technique, extended biopsy protocols (12-18 cores) and saturation prostate schemes are already familiar terms, together with quantitative histology in the pathology departments. This brief review will try to focus on what usually is done and what should be improved in prostate needle biopsy in order to answer many critical points such as the clinical implication of different modalities of prostate biopsy (transrectal, transperineal or even targeted), the use of quantitative histology and the importance of the new molecular findings in addition to conventional histological parameters in the era of the active surveillance protocols. -------------------------------------------------------------[294] TITLE: - miR-126 in human cancers: Clinical roles and current perspectives. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Exp Mol Pathol. 2014 Feb;96(1):98-107. doi: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2013.12.004. Epub 2013 Dec 22. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.yexmp.2013.12.004 AUTHOR: - Ebrahimi F; ADDRESS: - Cancer Molecular Pathology, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia. AUTHOR: - Gopalan V; ADDRESS: - Cancer Molecular Pathology, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia. AUTHOR: - Smith RA; ADDRESS: - Cancer Molecular Pathology, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia. AUTHOR: - Lam AK; ADDRESS: - Cancer Molecular Pathology, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia. Electronic address: a.lam@griffith.edu.au. SUMMARY: - miR-126 has been implicated in the processes of inflammation and angiogenesis. Through these processes, miR-126 is implicated in cancer biology, but its role there has not been well reviewed. The aim of this review is to examine the molecular mechanisms and clinicopathological significance of miR-126 in human cancers. miR-126 was shown to have roles in cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, genital tracts, breast, thyroid, lung and some other cancers. Its expression was suppressed in most of the cancers studied. The molecular mechanisms that are known to cause aberrant expression of miR-126 include alterations in gene sequence, epigenetic modification and alteration of dicer abundance. miR-126 can inhibit progression of some cancers via negative control of proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell survival. In some instances, however, miR-126 supports cancer progression via promotion of blood vessel formation. Downregulation of miR-126 induces cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via targeting specific oncogenes. Also, reduced levels of miR-126 are a significant predictor of poor survival of patients in many cancers. In addition, miR-126 can alter a multitude of cellular mechanisms in cancer pathogenesis via suppressing gene translation of numerous validated targets such as PI3K, KRAS, EGFL7, CRK, ADAM9, HOXA9, IRS-1, SOX-2, SLC7A5 and VEGF. To conclude, miR-126 is commonly down-regulated in cancer, most likely due to its ability to inhibit cancer cell growth, adhesion, migration, and invasion through suppressing a range of important gene targets. Understanding these mechanisms by which miR-126 is involved with cancer pathogenesis will be useful in the development of therapeutic targets for the management of patients with cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[295] TITLE: - Accuracy of human papillomavirus testing on self-collected versus clinician-collected samples: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Lancet Oncol. 2014 Feb;15(2):172-83. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(13)70570-9. Epub 2014 Jan 14. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/S1470-2045(13)70570-9 AUTHOR: - Arbyn M; ADDRESS: - Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: marc.arbyn@wiv-isp.be. AUTHOR: - Verdoodt F; ADDRESS: - Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium. AUTHOR: - Snijders PJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Verhoef VM; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Suonio E; ADDRESS: - International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France. AUTHOR: - Dillner L; ADDRESS: - Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. AUTHOR: - Minozzi S; ADDRESS: - Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, Department of Oncology, Piedmont Centre for Cancer Prevention, S Giovanni University Hospital, Turin, Italy. AUTHOR: - Bellisario C; ADDRESS: - Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, Department of Oncology, Piedmont Centre for Cancer Prevention, S Giovanni University Hospital, Turin, Italy. AUTHOR: - Banzi R; ADDRESS: - IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy. AUTHOR: - Zhao FH; ADDRESS: - Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. AUTHOR: - Hillemanns P; ADDRESS: - Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. AUTHOR: - Anttila A; ADDRESS: - Finnish Cancer Registry, Helsinki, Finland. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Screening for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is more effective in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer than screening using Pap smears. Moreover, HPV testing can be done on a vaginal sample self-taken by a woman, which offers an opportunity to improve screening coverage. However, the clinical accuracy of HPV testing on self-samples is not well-known. We assessed whether HPV testing on self-collected samples is equivalent to HPV testing on samples collected by clinicians. METHODS: We identified relevant studies through a search of PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they fulfilled all of the following selection criteria: a cervical cell sample was selfcollected by a woman followed by a sample taken by a clinician; a high-risk HPV test was done on the self-sample (index test) and HPV-testing or cytological interpretation was done on the specimen collected by the clinician (comparator tests); and the presence or absence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 (CIN2) or worse was verified by colposcopy and biopsy in all enrolled women or in women with one or more positive tests. The absolute accuracy for finding CIN2 or worse, or CIN grade 3 (CIN3) or worse of the index and comparator tests as well as the relative accuracy of the index versus the comparator tests were pooled using bivariate normal models and random effect models. FINDINGS: We included data from 36 studies, which altogether enrolled 154 556 women. The absolute accuracy varied by clinical setting. In the context of screening, HPV testing on self-samples detected, on average, 76% (95% CI 69-82) of CIN2 or worse and 84% (72-92) of CIN3 or worse. The pooled absolute specificity to exclude CIN2 or worse was 86% (83-89) and 87% (84-90) to exclude CIN3 or worse. The variation of the relative accuracy of HPV testing on self-samples compared with tests on clinician-taken samples was low across settings, enabling pooling of the relative accuracy over all studies. The pooled sensitivity of HPV testing on self-samples was lower than HPV testing on a clinician-taken sample (ratio 0.88 [95% CI 0.85-0.91] for CIN2 or worse and 0.89 [0.83-0.96] for CIN3 or worse). Also specificity was lower in self-samples versus cliniciantaken samples (ratio 0.96 [0.95-0.97] for CIN2 or worse and 0.96 [0.93-0.99] for CIN3 or worse). HPV testing with signal-based assays on self-samples was less sensitive and specific than testing on clinician-based samples. By contrast, some PCR-based HPV tests generally showed similar sensitivity on both self-samples and clinician-based samples. INTERPRETATION: In screening programmes using signal-based assays, sampling by a clinician should be recommended. However, HPV testing on a self-sample can be suggested as an additional strategy to reach women not participating in the regular screening programme. Some PCRbased HPV tests could be considered for routine screening after careful piloting assessing feasibility, logistics, population compliance, and costs. FUNDING: The 7th Framework Programme of the European Commission, the Belgian Foundation against Cancer, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and the German Guideline Program in Oncology. -------------------------------------------------------------[296] TITLE: - Microsurgery for the treatment of primary malignant intracranial melanoma: A surgical series and literature review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Surg Oncol. 2013 Dec 14. pii: S0748-7983(13)00934-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2013.11.024. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ejso.2013.11.024 AUTHOR: - Wang J; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping Ward, Shenyang 110001, China. AUTHOR: - Guo ZZ; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping Ward, Shenyang 110001, China. AUTHOR: - Wang YJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping Ward, Shenyang 110001, China. Electronic address: wyj024@vip.sina.com. AUTHOR: - Zhang SG; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping Ward, Shenyang 110001, China. AUTHOR: - Xing DG; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping Ward, Shenyang 110001, China. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Primary malignant intracranial melanomas are rare tumors of the central nervous system. These tumors are highly malignant and are associated with poor prognosis. The field of neurosurgery has struggled with the diagnosis and treatment of these tumors. METHODS: In this study, we present a surgical series of eight patients with primary malignant intracranial melanomas and retrospectively analyze the clinical features, imaging findings, pathological features and prognoses of these patients. RESULTS: All patients underwent microsurgery. Total and subtotal resection of the tumor was achieved in six and two patients, respectively. Of the eight patients, seven showed improvement while one remained the same at time of discharge. There was no neurosurgical deterioration. Radiotherapy was conducted in six patients after operation. The average follow-up duration was 13.8 months (range = 9-26 months). During the follow-up period, three patients died from this disease. One patient suffered from recurrence at the 16th month and underwent second surgery. The other patients were still alive with no evidence of tumor recurrence. CONCLUSION: Microsurgery and radiotherapy should be the first line managements for patients with primary malignant intracranial melanomas. Improvements in chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapies may provide more effective treatments for malignant intracranial melanomas. -------------------------------------------------------------- [297] TITLE: - Adherence to physician recommendations for surveillance in opportunistic colorectal cancer screening: the necessity of organized surveillance. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - PLoS One. 2013 Dec 6;8(12):e82676. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082676. eCollection 2013. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1371/journal.pone.0082676 AUTHOR: - Stock C; ADDRESS: - Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany ; Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. AUTHOR: - Holleczek B AUTHOR: - Hoffmeister M AUTHOR: - Stolz T AUTHOR: - Stegmaier C AUTHOR: - Brenner H SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Limited evidence exists on the utilization of surveillance colonoscopy in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs. We assessed adherence to physician recommendations for surveillance in opportunistic CRC screening in Germany. METHODS: A follow-up study of screening colonoscopy participants in 2007-2009 in Saarland, Germany, was conducted using health insurance claims data. Utilization of additional colonoscopies through to 2011 was ascertained. Adherence to surveillance intervals of 3, 6, 12 and 36 months, defined as having had colonoscopy at 2.5 to 4, 5 to 8, 10.5 to 16 and 33 to 48 months, respectively (i.e., tolerating a delay of 33% of each interval) was assessed. Potential predictors of non-adherence were investigated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 20,058 screening colonoscopy participants were included in the study. Of those with recommended surveillance intervals of 3, 6, 12 and 36 months, 46.5% (95%-confidence interval [CI]: 37.3-55.7%), 38.5% (95%-CI: 29.6-47.3%), 25.4% (95%-CI: 21.2-29.6%) and 28.0% (95%-CI: 25.5-30.5%), respectively, had a subsequent colonoscopy within the specified margins. Old age, longer recommended surveillance interval, not having had polypectomy at screening and negative colonoscopy were statistically significant predictors of non-adherence. CONCLUSION: This study suggests frequent non-adherence to physician recommendations for surveillance colonoscopy in community practice. Increased efforts to improve adherence, including introduction of more elements of an organized screening program, seem necessary to assure a high-quality CRC screening process. -------------------------------------------------------------[298] TITLE: - The Effect of PNPLA3 on Fibrosis Progression and Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Am J Gastroenterol. 2014 Jan 21. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2013.476. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1038/ajg.2013.476 AUTHOR: - Singal AG; ADDRESS: - 1] Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA [2] Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. AUTHOR: - Manjunath H; ADDRESS: - Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. AUTHOR: - Yopp AC; ADDRESS: - 1] Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA [2] Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. AUTHOR: - Beg MS; ADDRESS: - Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. AUTHOR: - Marrero JA; ADDRESS: - 1] Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA [2] Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. AUTHOR: - Gopal P; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. AUTHOR: - Waljee AK; ADDRESS: - 1] Veterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA [2] Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. SUMMARY: - Objectives:The PNPLA3 rs738409 single-nucleotide polymorphism is known to promote nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), but its association with fibrosis severity and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk is less well-defined. The objectives of this study were to determine the association between PNPLA3 and liver fibrosis severity, HCC risk, and HCC prognosis among patients with liver disease.Methods:We performed a systematic literature review using the Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases through May 2013 and a manual search of national meeting abstracts from 2010 to 2012. Two investigators independently extracted data on patient populations, study methods, and results using standardized forms. Pooled odds ratios (ORs), according to PNPLA3 genotype, were calculated using the DerSimonian and Laird method for a random effects model.Results:Among 24 studies, with 9,915 patients, PNPLA3 was associated with fibrosis severity (OR 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20-1.45), with a consistent increased risk across liver disease etiologies. Among nine studies, with 2,937 patients, PNPLA3 was associated with increased risk of HCC in patients with cirrhosis (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.12-1.75). On subgroup analysis, increased risk of HCC was demonstrated in patients with NASH or alcohol-related cirrhosis (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.27-2.21) but not in those with other etiologies of cirrhosis (OR 1.33, 95% CI 0.96-1.82). Three studies, with 463 patients, do not support an association between PNPLA3 and HCC prognosis but are limited by heterogeneous outcome measures. For all outcomes, most studies were conducted in homogenous Caucasian populations, and studies among racially diverse cohorts are needed.Conclusions:PNPLA3 is associated with an increased risk of advanced fibrosis among patients with a variety of liver diseases and is an independent risk factor for HCC among patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or alcohol-related cirrhosis.Am J Gastroenterol advance online publication, 21 January 2014; doi:10.1038/ajg.2013.476. -------------------------------------------------------------[299] TITLE: - Lymph-node metastasis in stage I and II sex cord stromal and malignant germ cell tumours of the ovary: A systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Gynecol Oncol. 2014 Jan 16. pii: S0090-8258(14)00022-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2014.01.011. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ygyno.2014.01.011 AUTHOR: - Kleppe M; ADDRESS: - Maastricht University Medical Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maastricht, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Amkreutz LC; ADDRESS: - Maastricht University Medical Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maastricht, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Van Gorp T; ADDRESS: - Maastricht University Medical Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maastricht, The Netherlands; GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Slangen BF; ADDRESS: - Maastricht University Medical Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maastricht, The Netherlands; GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Kruse AJ; ADDRESS: - Maastricht University Medical Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maastricht, The Netherlands; GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Kruitwagen RF; ADDRESS: - Maastricht University Medical Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maastricht, The Netherlands; GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: r.kruitwagen@mumc.nl. SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review is to determine the incidence of lymph-node metastasis in clinical stage I and II sex cord stromal tumours and germ cell tumours of the ovary. METHODS: Relevant articles were identified from MEDLINE and EMBASE and supplemented with citations from the reference lists of the primary studies. Eligibility was determined by two authors. Included studies were prospective or retrospective cohort and cross-sectional studies analysing at least ten patients with clinical early-stage non-epithelial ovarian cancer who underwent lymphadenectomy or lymph-node sampling as part of a staging laparotomy. RESULTS: For sex cord stromal tumours, five articles including 578 patients were analysed and lymph-node metastasis was not detected in the 86 patients who underwent lymph-node removal. The median number of removed lymph nodes was 13 (range 9-29). For malignant germ cell tumours, three articles were eligible including 2436 patients of whom 946 patients underwent lymph-node resection. The mean number of removed nodes was 10 (range 2-14) with a mean incidence of lymph-node metastasis of 10.9% (range 10.511.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of lymph-node metastasis in patients with clinical stage I and II sex cord stromal tumours is low, whereas the incidence in patients with clinical stage I-II germ cell tumours is considerable, although limited data are available. -------------------------------------------------------------[300] TITLE: - Synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint: a case report and literature review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cranio. 2013 Oct;31(4):309-13. AUTHOR: - Reed LS; ADDRESS: - University of Tennessee Medical Center, Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 1924 Alcoa Highway, Building A, Suite 335, Knoxville, TN 37920, USA. AUTHOR: - Foster MD AUTHOR: - Hudson JW SUMMARY: - Synovial chondromatosis (SC) is a pathologic condition in which mesenchymal tissue rests in a given synovial membrane undergo a metaplastic process, ultimately producing and secreting cartilaginous bodies into the joint space. It is more commonly discussed in the orthopedic literature, since the axial skeleton is the most frequently affected. Although rare, it does occur within the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), with approximately 100 cases previously being described. Within the TMJ, its presentation can be variable, though most cases will show it to be unilateral with fixed and/or loose cartilaginous bodies confined to the superior joint space. Clinically, patients may present with symptoms similar to that of an internal derangement disorder, including pain, clicking, tenderness, functional limitations, and swelling. A thorough history and physical examination, along with proper radiographic examination, are paramount in properly diagnosing SC. Treatment options consist of arthroscopy, arthrotomy with synovectomy, excision of cartilaginous bodies, and possible discectomy. In the current paper, the authors describe the presentation, diagnosis, and surgical management of a SC case involving the right TMJ in a 31-year-old Caucasian female. -------------------------------------------------------------[301] TITLE: - Osteoid Osteoma Treated by Percutaneous Thermal Ablation: When Do We Fail? A Systematic Review and Guidelines for Future Reporting. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2013 Dec 13. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s00270-013-0815-8 AUTHOR: - Lanza E; ADDRESS: - Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Scuola di specializzazione in Radiodiagnostica, U.O. di Radiologia Diagnostica e Interventistica, Ospedale San Paolo, Universita Degli Studi di Milano, Via Antonio di Rudini, 8, 20142, Milan, Italy, eziolanza@gmail.com. AUTHOR: - Thouvenin Y AUTHOR: - Viala P AUTHOR: - Sconfienza LM AUTHOR: - Poretti D AUTHOR: - Cornalba G AUTHOR: - Sardanelli F AUTHOR: - Cyteval C SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: Osteoid osteoma (OO) is a painful benign bone tumor of the young that is widely treated by percutaneous thermal ablation (PTA) with success rates close to 100 %. Nevertheless, some patients have recurrences. We reviewed the literature to understand whether these are true recurrences or incomplete treatments; to analyze safety and efficacy during long-term follow-up in a extremely large cohort of patients; to detail best-practice suggestions from the largest clinical trials as well as report their complications; and to recommend standards for future reporting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study followed the Cochrane’s guidelines for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) prospective or retrospective cohort study for PTA of OO under computed tomography (CT) guidance; (2) CT or magnetic resonance diagnosis; (3) radiofrequency ablation or interstitial laser ablation technique; (4) English language; (5) population <10 patients; (6) follow-up >/=12 months; and (7) original research. Risk of bias was assessed with a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: Two hundred fourteen articles were initially found. After applying the criteria mentioned previously, 27 PTA articles concerning 1,772 patients were chosen for inclusion. No exclusions were made due to risk of bias. CONCLUSION: The investigators proved the long-term efficacy and superiority of PTA for OO compared with other techniques. In 5 % of patients, however, the technique failed, and the researchers did not offer detailed exhaustive explanations. Future clinical trials for OO ablation should consider reporting essential procedure details and follow-up findings to allow for a metaanalysis. We provide both recommended standards for future reporting and suggestions for the prevention of recurrence. -------------------------------------------------------------[302] TITLE: - Hepatic resection for colorectal metastases. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Surg Oncol. 2014 Jan;109(1):2-7. doi: 10.1002/jso.23371. Epub 2013 Dec 7. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/jso.23371 AUTHOR: - Frankel TL; ADDRESS: - Section of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York. AUTHOR: - D’Angelica MI SUMMARY: - The liver represents a common site for metastasis in colorectal cancer. Improvements in patient selection and surgical techniques has resulted in improved outcomes following hepatic metastasectomy with large series reporting 5- and 10-year overall survival rates of 40% and 20%, respectively. In recent years, criteria for resectability has expanded with the use of forced liver hypertrophy and staged resection. The role of perioperative chemotherapy remains controversial with a slight increase in survival and operative morbidity. -------------------------------------------------------------[303] TITLE: - Diagnostic value of whole-body diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for detection of primary and metastatic malignancies: A meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Radiol. 2014 Feb;83(2):338-44. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2013.11.017. Epub 2013 Dec 4. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ejrad.2013.11.017 AUTHOR: - Li B; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiology, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China. Electronic address: lllb146@163.com. AUTHOR: - Li Q; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiology, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China. AUTHOR: - Nie W; ADDRESS: - Department of Respiratory Disease, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China. AUTHOR: - Liu S; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiology, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China. Electronic address: lsy20112077@163.com. SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: To perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic performance of whole-body diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (WB-DWI) technique in detection of primary and metastatic malignancies compared with that of whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (WB-PET/CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Search Pubmed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library database from January 1984 to July 2013 for studies comparing WB-DWI with WB-PET/CT for detection of primary and metastatic malignancies. Methodological quality was assessed by the quality assessment of diagnostic studies (QUADAS) instrument. Sensitivities, specificities, predictive values, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and areas under the summary receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated. Potential threshold effect, heterogeneity and publication bias were investigated. RESULT: Thirteen eligible studies were included, with a total of 1067 patients. There was no significant threshold effect. WB-DWI had a similar AUC (0.966 (95% CI, 0.940-0.992) versus 0.984 (95% CI, 0.965-0.999)) with WB-PET/CT. No significant difference was detected between AUC of WB-DWI and WB-PET/CT. WB-DWI had a pooled sensitivity of 0.897 (95% CI, 0.8760.916) and a pooled specificity of 0.954 (95% CI, 0.944-0.962). WB-PET/CT had a pooled sensitivity of 0.895 (95% CI, 0.865-0.920) and a pooled specificity of 0.975 (95% CI, 0.9660.981). Heterogeneity was found to stem primarily from data type (per lesion versus per patient), MR sequence (DWIBS only and DWIBS with other sequence), and primary lesion type (single type and multiple type). The Deeks’s funnel plots suggested the absence of publication bias. CONCLUSION: WB-DWI has similar, good diagnostic performance for the detection of primary and metastatic malignancies compared with WB-PET/CT. DWIBS with other MR sequences could further improve the diagnostic performance. More high-quality studies regarding comparison of WB-DWI and WB-PET/CT and combination of them in detecting malignancies are still needed to be conducted. -------------------------------------------------------------[304] TITLE: - The ever-changing role of sentinel lymph node biopsy in the management of breast cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2014 Jan;138(1):57-64. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2012-0441-RA. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 5858/arpa.2012-0441-RA AUTHOR: - Goodman S; ADDRESS: - From the Departments of Pathology (Drs Goodman, Kandil, and Khan) and Surgery (Dr O’Connor), University of Massachusetts Medical School and UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester. AUTHOR: - O’Connor A AUTHOR: - Kandil D AUTHOR: - Khan A SUMMARY: - CONTEXT: Axillary nodal status remains one of the most important prognostic indicators in the management of breast cancer. Axillary node metastases are seen in fewer than half of breast cancer cases, and axillary lymph node dissection is associated with significant morbidity. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has become the gold standard for axillary staging of breast cancer. OBJECTIVE: To present a detailed review of the existing studies on SLNB in relation to the various techniques, the pathologic evaluation of the sentinel node, and special situations that can involve SLNB. We discuss recent trials that have already had an influence on surgical and pathologic management of breast cancer. In this article, we also discuss our practice and experience at UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, from a pathologic and surgical perspective. DATA SOURCES: Published articles from peer-reviewed journals in PubMed (US National Library of Medicine). CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel node biopsy has become standard of care in the surgical management of breast cancer, and emerging data show that the survival benefits of axillary lymph node dissection may not be greater than sentinel node biopsy alone in patients with up to 2 positive sentinel nodes. Therefore, there have been recent changes to the role of intraoperative sentinel node evaluation, and an impact on overall breast cancer management. -------------------------------------------------------------- [305] TITLE: - Breast cancer and dietary patterns: a systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Nutr Rev. 2014 Jan;72(1):1-17. doi: 10.1111/nure.12083. Epub 2013 Dec 13. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/nure.12083 AUTHOR: - Albuquerque RC; ADDRESS: - Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. AUTHOR: - Baltar VT AUTHOR: - Marchioni DM SUMMARY: - This systematic review collates research on the topic of dietary patterns and breast cancer risks. The literature search targeted epidemiological studies published up to December 2012 and was conducted using the Medline (U.S. National Library of Medicine, Bethesda MD, USA) and Lilacs (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences, Sao Paulo, Brazil) databases. The following search terms were used: breast cancer, breast neoplasm, breast carcinoma, diet, food, eating habits, dietary patterns, factor analysis, and principal component analysis. Only studies that used factor analysis techniques and/or principal component analysis were eligible, and a total of 26 studies were included. The findings of these studies suggest the Mediterranean dietary pattern and diets composed largely of vegetables, fruit, fish, and soy are associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer. There was no evidence of an association between traditional dietary patterns and risk of breast cancer, and only one study showed a significant increase in risk associated with the Western dietary pattern. Diets that include alcoholic beverages may be associated with increased risk. -------------------------------------------------------------[306] TITLE: - Esthesioneuroblastoma in children and adolescent: experience on 11 cases with literature review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2014 Mar;36(2):91-5. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000000095. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1097/MPH.0000000000000095 AUTHOR: - El Kababri M; ADDRESS: - Departments of *Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology double daggerRadiation Oncology, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France daggerUnit of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children Hospital of Rabat, University of Mohammed V-Souissi, Rabat, Morocco. AUTHOR: - Habrand JL AUTHOR: - Valteau-Couanet D AUTHOR: - Gaspar N AUTHOR: - Dufour C AUTHOR: - Oberlin O SUMMARY: - Esthesioneuroblastoma is a rare tumor of the olfactory epithelium. This report analyzed 11 children and adolescents treated in a single institution between 1982 and 2002. For 9 patients, therapy consisted of an initial course of chemotherapy before surgical resection and postoperative radiotherapy, for 1 patient an initial course of chemotherapy before radiotherapy and for another resection before radiotherapy with no chemotherapy. Response to chemotherapy was assessed in 9 patients of whom 6 achieved a complete or a partial remission. Ten patients are long-term survivors. The 5-year actuarial disease-free survival and overall survival rate was 91% (95% confidence interval, 62%-98%). Our study indicates that esthesioneuroblastoma is sensitive to chemotherapy and supports the role of combined modalities including neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. -------------------------------------------------------------[307] TITLE: - Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura: a case report and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumori. 2013 Jul-Aug;99(4):e177-83. doi: 10.1700/1361.15120. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1700/1361.15120 AUTHOR: - Mordenti P AUTHOR: - Di Cicilia R AUTHOR: - Delfanti R AUTHOR: - Capelli P AUTHOR: - Paties C AUTHOR: - Cavanna L SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura are rare and slow-growing neoplasms originating from the mesenchymal tissue underlying the mesothelial layer of the pleura. These tumors may have an unpredictable clinical course. Most cases occur in the sixth or seventh decades of life with no gender predilection, and more than 80% of cases are benign. The predominant clinical symptoms and signs are dyspnea, cough, chest pain, finger clubbing and hypoglycemia. However, because many patients are asymptomatic, the incidence rates are affected by the likelihood of its incidental detection, often through medical imaging of the chest. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice and is usually curative, even though local recurrence can occur many years after an adequate resection. METHODS: We reviewed the literature by performing a computerized search of MEDLINE, CANCERLIT and Embase with the terms fibrous tumor, pleura, surgery, immunohistochemical analysis. Articles and s were also identified by back-referencing from other relevant papers. RESULTS: The clinical, radiological and pathological features of a 48-year-old woman with a primary solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura are reviewed and a literature search for other reported cases has been performed. CONCLUSIONS: Although localized fibrous tumors of the pleura are considered histologically benign, there is a risk of recurrence and malignant transformation. Complete surgical resection is mandatory and long-term clinical and radiological follow-up is indicated in all patients. For malignant cases complete surgical resection may not be adequate and studies are needed to define the role of preoperative and postoperative systemic treatment. Diagnosis is very difficult in limited samples such as fine-needle aspiration or needle-core tissue biopsy, and immunohistochemical analysis may be useful to differentiate solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura from mesothelioma and other similar tumors. -------------------------------------------------------------[308] TITLE: - Diagnostic utility of molecular and cytogenetic analysis in lipoblastoma: a study of two cases and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Histopathology. 2013 Oct 28. doi: 10.1111/his.12317. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/his.12317 AUTHOR: - Choi J; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, CHU Sainte Justine, Montreal, QC, Canada. AUTHOR: - Bouron Dal Soglio D AUTHOR: - Fortier A AUTHOR: - Fetni R AUTHOR: - Mathonnet G AUTHOR: - Cournoyer S AUTHOR: - Lallier M AUTHOR: - Isler M AUTHOR: - Beaulieu Bergeron M AUTHOR: - Patey N SUMMARY: - AIMS: Lipoblastoma is a benign neoplasm of embryonic white fat tissue that results from the proliferation of primitive adipocytes, in which histological features can be ambiguous. In order to discriminate between lipoblastoma and other lipogenic and lipomatous tumours, we studied chromosomal alterations and protein expression in two cases of lipoblastoma in infants. METHODS AND RESULTS: Standard cytogenetic analysis, fluorescence in-situ hybridization, array comparative genomic hybridization and Western blotting allowed us to demonstrate the presence of chromosome abnormalities involving the 8q11-13 region containing the pleomorphic adenoma gene 1 (PLAG1), which are classically reported in lipoblastoma, and aberrant expression of PLAG1. CONCLUSIONS: This report illustrates two different tumorigenic pathways implicating PLAG1 in lipoblastoma: amplification through multiple copies of a small marker chromosome derived from chromosome 8, and a paracentric inversion of the long arm of chromosome 8. Both these anomalies induced aberrant expression of PLAG1, emphasizing the role of PLAG1 in tumorigenesis. The aberrant expression of PLAG1 protein has been hypothesized, but this is the first report to demonstrate its occurrence in lipoblastoma. -------------------------------------------------------------[309] TITLE: - Translational evidence on the role of Src kinase and activated Src kinase in invasive breast cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2014 Mar;89(3):343-351. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2013.12.009. Epub 2013 Dec 15. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.critrevonc.2013.12.009 AUTHOR: - Elsberger B; ADDRESS: - Dundee Cancer Centre, Clinical Research Centre, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, United Kingdom. Electronic address: b.elsberger@nhs.net. SUMMARY: - Src kinase is a member of a non-receptor tyrosine kinase family. It has been implicated as a regulator of cell proliferation and survival and plays a complex role in cell adhesion and motility. In vitro evidence for a role for Src in breast cancer is compelling. However, only a few translational clinical studies have been undertaken in this field. This review summarises translational evidence on expression and activation of Src kinase in breast cancer patient cohorts exploring clinical significance and the possibility of identifying key biomarkers. There is strengthened translational proof for a definitive role of Src in breast cancer. Nevertheless, there remains a need to find a robust biomarker to identify patients responsive to Src inhibitors for clinical trials. -------------------------------------------------------------[310] TITLE: - Thymic neoplasms: An update on the use of chemotherapy and new targeted therapies. A literature review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cancer Treat Rev. 2013 Nov 26. pii: S0305-7372(13)00231-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2013.11.003. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ctrv.2013.11.003 AUTHOR: - Berardi R; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology, Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I, GM Lancisi, G Salesi, Ancona, Italy. Electronic address: r.berardi@univpm.it. AUTHOR: - De Lisa M; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology, Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I, GM Lancisi, G Salesi, Ancona, Italy. AUTHOR: - Pagliaretta S; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology, Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I, GM Lancisi, G Salesi, Ancona, Italy. AUTHOR: - Onofri A; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology, Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I, GM Lancisi, G Salesi, Ancona, Italy. AUTHOR: - Morgese F; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology, Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I, GM Lancisi, G Salesi, Ancona, Italy. AUTHOR: - Savini A; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology, Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I, GM Lancisi, G Salesi, Ancona, Italy. AUTHOR: - Ballatore Z; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology, Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I, GM Lancisi, G Salesi, Ancona, Italy. AUTHOR: - Caramanti M; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology, Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I, GM Lancisi, G Salesi, Ancona, Italy. AUTHOR: - Santoni M; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology, Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I, GM Lancisi, G Salesi, Ancona, Italy. AUTHOR: - Mazzanti P; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology, Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I, GM Lancisi, G Salesi, Ancona, Italy. AUTHOR: - Cascinu S; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology, Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I, GM Lancisi, G Salesi, Ancona, Italy. SUMMARY: - Thymic malignancies represent a wide range of clinical, histological and molecular entities, with probably considerable heterogeneity even among tumors of the same histotype. Systemic chemotherapy with cisplatin-based regimens continues to represent the standard of care in metastatic or inoperable refractory/recurrent diseases and ADOC regimen (including cisplatin, doxorubicin, vincristine and cyclophosphamide) demonstrated the longer overall response rate and median survival in the first line setting, although no randomized trial is available; and there is still a lack of standard treatment after first-line failure. To date research efforts are focused on translational studies on molecular pathways involved in thymic tumors carcinogenesis, aimed to better understand and predict the efficacy of chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Recent molecular characterization includes identification of a number of oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, chromosomal aberrations, angiogenic factors, and tumor invasion factors involved in cellular survival and proliferation and in tumor growth. The use of biologic drugs is currently not recommended in a routine practice because there are limited data on their therapeutic role in thymic epitelial tumors. Because of the lack of data from adequate-sized, prospective trials are required for validation and the enrolment of patients with advanced disease into available clinical trials has to be encouraged. -------------------------------------------------------------[311] TITLE: - MDM2 rs2279744 polymorphism and endometrial cancer: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Nov 30. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1413-8 AUTHOR: - Wang LH; ADDRESS: - The First Clinical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210046, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Wang X AUTHOR: - Xu WT AUTHOR: - Hu YL SUMMARY: - Case-control studies on the association between mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) rs2279744 polymorphism and endometrial cancer have provided either controversial or inconclusive results. To clarify the effect of MDM2 rs2279744 polymorphism on the risk of endometrial cancer, a meta-analysis of all case-control observational studies was performed. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) for various polymorphisms were estimated using random and fixed effect models. Q-statistic was used to evaluate the homogeneity, and Egger and Begg tests were used to assess publication bias. Overall, the MDM2 rs2279744 polymorphism was associated with a risk of endometrial cancer (OR = 0.76; 95 % CI = 0.64-0.90 for allele contrast, p = 0.002, P het = 0.003). The contrast of homozygotes and the recessive and dominant models produced the same pattern of results as the allele contrast. In the analysis stratified by ethnicity, significant associations were found in the Caucasian population in all of the genetic models. Our pooled data suggest evidence for a major role of MDM2 rs2279744 polymorphism in the carcinogenesis of endometrial cancer, especially among Caucasian populations. -------------------------------------------------------------[312] TITLE: - Associations between Fas/FasL polymorphisms and susceptibility to cervical cancer: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2013 Dec 28. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1537-x AUTHOR: - Wang GQ; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi-an Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Xi-an, 710061, China. AUTHOR: - Bao L AUTHOR: - Zhao XX AUTHOR: - Zhang J AUTHOR: - Nan KJ SUMMARY: - Genetic polymorphisms in the Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) gene were proposed to be associated with susceptibility to cervical cancer, but previous studies reported controversial findings. We performed a meta-analysis to assess the associations between Fas/FasL polymorphisms and susceptibility to cervical cancer. We carried out a literature search in PubMed and Embase databases for studies on the associations between Fas/FasL polymorphisms and susceptibility to cervical cancer. The associations were assessed by odds ratio (OR) together with its 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Eleven individual studies with a total of 6,919 subjects were finally included into the meta-analysis. Overall, there was no association between Fas 1377G > A polymorphism and susceptibility to cervical cancer (A vs. G: OR = 0.99, 95 % CI 0.88-1.12, P = 0.91; AA vs. GG: OR = 1.00, 95 % CI 0.76-1.32, P = 0.99; AA/GA vs. GG: OR = 0.95, 95 % CI 0.81-1.12, P = 0.54; AA vs. GG/GA: OR = 1.11, 95 % CI 0.851.43, P = 0.45). In addition, there was also no association between FasL 844 T > C polymorphism and susceptibility to cervical cancer (C vs. T: OR = 1.12, 95 % CI 0.91-1.36, P = 0.28; CC vs. TT: OR = 1.17, 95 % CI 0.90-1.51, P = 0.24; CC/TC vs. TT: OR = 1.13, 95 % CI 0.921.39, P = 0.24; CC vs. TT/TC: OR = 1.11, 95 % CI 0.83-1.50, P = 0.47). In subgroup analysis by ethnicity, there were also no associations between Fas/FasL polymorphisms and susceptibility to cervical cancer in Asians and Africans. In conclusion, Fas 1377G > A polymorphism and FasL 844 T > C polymorphism are both not associated with susceptibility to cervical cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[313] TITLE: - Afatinib: a review of its use in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Drugs. 2014 Feb;74(2):207-21. doi: 10.1007/s40265-013-0170-8. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s40265-013-0170-8 AUTHOR: - Keating GM; ADDRESS: - Adis, 41 Centorian Drive, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, North Shore, 0754, Auckland, New Zealand, demail@springer.com. SUMMARY: - Afatinib (Gilotrif, Giotrif(®)) is an orally administered, irreversible inhibitor of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinases. Afatinib downregulates ErbB signalling by covalently binding to the kinase domains of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) 2 and HER4, resulting in irreversible inhibition of tyrosine kinase autophosphorylation; it also inhibits transphosphorylation of HER3. Afatinib is approved as monotherapy for the treatment of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-naive adults with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating EGFR mutations in the EU, and for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumours have EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations as detected by a US FDAapproved test in the US. In two randomized, open-label, multinational phase III trials, progression-free survival was significantly prolonged with afatinib compared with pemetrexed plus cisplatin (LUX-Lung 3) or gemcitabine plus cisplatin (LUX-Lung 6) in treatment-naive patients with advanced NSCLC with activating EGFR mutations. The objective response rate was significantly higher with afatinib than with pemetrexed plus cisplatin or gemcitabine plus cisplatin, and patient-reported outcomes for symptoms such as cough and dyspnoea and certain health-related quality of life measures significantly favoured afatinib versus pemetrexed plus cisplatin or gemcitabine plus cisplatin. Afatinib also showed efficacy in EGFR TKI-naive patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma and activating EGFR mutations who had received no more than one prior chemotherapy regimen for advanced disease, according to the results of the noncomparative, multinational, phase II LUX-Lung 2 trial. Oral afatinib had a manageable tolerability profile. EGFR-mediated adverse events (e.g. diarrhoea, rash/acne) were generally managed using dose reduction and delays. In conclusion, afatinib is a valuable new option for use in treatment-naive or EGFR TKI-naive patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma and activating EGFR mutations. -------------------------------------------------------------[314] TITLE: - The diversity of soft tissue tumours with EWSR1 gene rearrangements: a review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Histopathology. 2014 Jan;64(1):134-50. doi: 10.1111/his.12269. Epub 2013 Nov 6. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/his.12269 AUTHOR: - Fisher C; ADDRESS: - Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK. SUMMARY: - Many soft tissue sarcomas have chromosomal translocations with resultant formation of new fusion genes. Among the genes that can be rearranged, the EWSR1 gene has been identified as a partner in a wide variety of clinically and pathologically diverse sarcomas as well as some non-mesenchymal tumours. The former include Ewing sarcoma and similar (Ewing-like) small round cell sarcomas, desmoplastic small round cell tumour, myxoid liposarcoma, extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma, clear cell sarcoma of soft tissue and clear cell sarcoma-like tumours of the gastrointestinal tract, primary pulmonary myxoid sarcoma, extrasalivary myoepithelial tumours and sporadic examples of low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma, sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma and mesothelioma. EWSR1 is a ‘promiscuous’ gene that can fuse with many different partner genes, but sometimes this results in phenotypically identical tumours. EWSR1 can, conversely, partner with the same genes in morphologically and behaviourally different neoplasms. This paper reviews the diversity of the several soft tissue tumour types that are associated with rearrangement of the EWSR1 gene. -------------------------------------------------------------[315] TITLE: - Diagnostic value of alpha-L-fucosidase for hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2014 Jan 7. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1563-8 AUTHOR: - Gan Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery of Bone Tumour, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Xinjiang, 830000, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Liang Q AUTHOR: - Song X SUMMARY: - Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the primary marker for detecting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and has been used widely in the clinic, but AFP is a biomarker characterized by poor sensitivity and specificity. Alpha-L-fucosidase (AFU) has been proposed as a tumor marker for diagnosis of HCC in many studies. However, conclusions of its diagnostic value are inconsistent. The current review aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of AFU for HCC. After systematic review of 12 related studies, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were pooled using random-effect models. Summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) curve analysis was used to summarize the overall test performance. The pooled sensitivity for AFU was 0.72 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.69-0.76), while the pooled specificity was 0.78 (95 % CI 0.74-0.81). DOR was 10.26 (95 % CI 5.99-17.59), and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.8125. AFU had great value for the diagnosis of HCC as a serum marker. -------------------------------------------------------------[316] TITLE: - Anti-angiogenic therapies for metastatic colorectal cancer: current and future perspectives. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Nov 28;19(44):7955-71. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i44.7955. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3748/wjg.v19.i44.7955 AUTHOR: - Marques I; ADDRESS: - Ines Marques, Ramon Andrade de Mello, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal. AUTHOR: - Araujo A AUTHOR: - de Mello RA SUMMARY: - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States, with about 142820 new cases and 50830 deaths expected in 2013. Metastatic disease (mCRC) remains a challenge for oncologists worldwide due to its potential comorbidities. Recently, chemotherapy regimens containing 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin and irinotecan combinations are a standard of care in the metastatic disease. Currently, biological therapies involving vascular endothelial growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor pathways, such as bevacizumab and cetuximab, have emerged as good option for improving mCRC patient survival. Now, aflibercept plus standard chemotherapy has also been approved in second line regimen for mCRC patients. Our review will discuss novel biological drugs and their indications for mCRC patients and will bring future perspectives in this regard. -------------------------------------------------------------[317] TITLE: - Physical functioning and rehabilitation for the cancer survivor. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Semin Oncol. 2013 Dec;40(6):784-95. doi: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2013.09.008. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1053/j.seminoncol.2013.09.008 AUTHOR: - Stubblefield MD; ADDRESS: - Rehabilitation Medicine Service, Sillerman Center for Rehabilitation, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. AUTHOR: - Schmitz KH; ADDRESS: - Department of Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. AUTHOR: - Ness KK; ADDRESS: - Departments of Epidemiology and Cancer Control and Pediatrics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN. Electronic address: kiri.ness@stjude.org. SUMMARY: - There are more than 13.8 million survivors of cancer living in the United States. Up to 20% of survivors of childhood-onset and 53% of survivors of adult-onset cancer have problems with physical function as a result of their cancer and or its treatment. These problems may be immediately apparent, during, or soon after initial cancer treatment, or may appear days, months, or years later as the cancer survivor ages. Unfortunately, rehabilitation services and providers are not easily or systematically accessible in today’s healthcare system. Rehabilitation services that restore or ameliorate early functional loss or that protect against or minimize the impact of later-onset organ system dysfunction are available, at least in larger comprehensive cancer center settings. This report describes physical function, details the evolution of cancer rehabilitation, and identifies cancer survivors who may benefit from rehabilitation services. Additionally, the evidence for specific approaches to rehabilitation, intervention, and prevention of functional loss are reviewed. Finally, we summarize the mechanisms used to measure physical function and stress the need for additional research to support rehabilitation services for cancer survivors. -------------------------------------------------------------[318] TITLE: - Diagnostic evaluation of sentinel lymph node biopsy in early head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Head Neck. 2013 Oct 25. doi: 10.1002/hed.23526. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/hed.23526 AUTHOR: - Yamauchi K; ADDRESS: - Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan. AUTHOR: - Kogashiwa Y AUTHOR: - Nakamura T AUTHOR: - Moro Y AUTHOR: - Nagafuji H AUTHOR: - Kohno N SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in early head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS: The PubMed database was searched for studies published before October 31, 2012. Pooled values for the sentinel lymph node identification rate, sensitivity, false-negative rate, negative predictive value, and accuracy were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 16 studies (987 patients) was included. The pooled identification rate, sensitivity, false-negative rate, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 95.2%, 86.3%, 13.7%, 94.2%, and 95.0%, respectively. The subgroup with high methodological quality showed a mean identification rate of 95.4% for SLNB validation trials and 94.2% for SLNB alone trials, and mean sensitivity of 91.0% for SLNB validation trials and 84.2% for SLNB alone trials. CONCLUSION: The SLNB procedure has shown a high sensitivity rate, but the pooled sensitivity and false-negative rate were worse in SLNB alone trials than in SLNB validation trials. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2014. -------------------------------------------------------------[319] TITLE: - The Impact of Recent Screening Recommendations on Prostate Cancer Screening in a Large Health Care System. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Urol. 2013 Dec 13. pii: S0022-5347(13)06104-1. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2013.12.010. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.juro.2013.12.010 AUTHOR: - Aslani A AUTHOR: - Minnillo BJ AUTHOR: - Johnson B AUTHOR: - Cherullo EE AUTHOR: - Ponsky LE AUTHOR: - Abouassaly R SUMMARY: - PURPOSE:: The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently recommended against routine prostate cancer screening, stating the risks of screening outweigh the benefits. Our objective was to determine the impact this recommendation had on prostate cancer screening in a large health system. MATERIALS AND METHODS:: We obtained data on all screening prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests performed at University Hospitals Case Medical Center and affiliated hospitals in Northeastern Ohio from January 2008 to December 2012. The total number of PSA tests ordered over time, adjusted for patient volume, was examined by fitting a regression line. The overall trend was examined and stratified by location (urban, suburban, rural), patient age, and provider type (primary care, urology). RESULTS:: Overall, 43,498 screening PSA tests were performed (January 2008December 2012). The majority of these were ordered by internal medicine (64.9%), followed by family medicine (23.7%), urology (6.1%), and hematology/oncology (1.3%). PSA screening increased over time until March 2009 when initial PSA screening trials were published. PSA use decreased significantly and became more dramatic after USPSTF recommendations. Similar patterns were noted in nearly all subgroups. The greatest decrease in PSA screening was observed in urban teaching hospitals, urologists, and patients in the intermediate age group (50-59 years). CONCLUSIONS:: USPSTF recommendations appeared to decrease prostate cancer screening. The greatest impact was seen in urologist and patients in the intermediate age group. Further study is needed to determine the long-term effects of these recommendations on screening, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of this prevalent malignancy. -------------------------------------------------------------[320] TITLE: - Peripheral nerve injuries due to osteochondromas: analysis of 20 cases and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Neurosurg. 2014 Jan 3. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3171/2013.11.JNS13310 AUTHOR: - Gocmen S; ADDRESS: - Departments of Neurosurgery and. AUTHOR: - Topuz AK AUTHOR: - Atabey C AUTHOR: - Simsek H AUTHOR: - Keklikci K AUTHOR: - Rodop O SUMMARY: - Object Nerve compressions due to osteochondromas are extremely rare. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the mechanisms, diagnostic evaluations, and treatment of nerve lesions due to osteochondromas, and to review the literature. Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed their clinic data archive from 1998 through 2008, and 20 patients who were operated on due to peripheral nerve injuries caused by osseous growth were enrolled in the study. Patients’ age, duration of symptoms, localizations, intraoperative findings, and modified British Medical Research Council (MRC) and electromyography data obtained from hospital records were evaluated. The literature on this topic available in PubMed was also reviewed. All 20 patients underwent surgery, which consisted of tumor excision performed by orthopedic surgeons and nerve decompression performed by neurosurgeons. Results There were 17 men and 3 women included in the study, with a mean age of 21 years (range 18-25 years). Three patients had multiple hereditary exostoses, and 17 had a solitary exostosis. All of the patients underwent en bloc resection. The most common lesion site was the distal femur (45%). The peroneal and posterior tibial nerves were the structures that were affected the most frequently. The mean follow-up was 3.9 years (range 27 years). After the surgery, all patients (100%) experienced good sensory recovery (modified MRC Grade S4 or S5). Conclusions To the authors’ knowledge, no large series have reported peripheral nerve compression due to exostoses. The authors have several recommendations as a result of their findings. First, all patients with peripheral nerve compression due to an osteochondroma should undergo surgery. Second, preoperative electromyographic examinations and radiographic evaluation, consisting of MRI and CT to provide optimal information about the lesion, are crucially important. Third, immediate treatment is mandatory to regain the best possible recovery. And fourth, performing nerve decompression first and en bloc resection of osteochondroma consecutively in a multidisciplinary fashion is strongly recommended to avoid peripheral nerve injury. -------------------------------------------------------------[321] TITLE: - Physicians’ human papillomavirus vaccine recommendations, 2009 and 2011. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Am J Prev Med. 2014 Jan;46(1):80-4. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2013.07.009. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.amepre.2013.07.009 AUTHOR: - Vadaparampil ST; ADDRESS: - Health Outcomes and Behavior Program, Tampa, Florida; Center for Infection Research in Cancer, Tampa, Florida; Department of Oncologic Sciences, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida. Electronic address: susan.vadaparampil@moffitt.org. AUTHOR: - Malo TL; ADDRESS: - Health Outcomes and Behavior Program, Tampa, Florida. AUTHOR: - Kahn JA; ADDRESS: - Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio. AUTHOR: - Salmon DA; ADDRESS: - Institute for Vaccine Safety, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland. AUTHOR: - Lee JH; ADDRESS: - Biostatistics Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida. AUTHOR: - Quinn GP; ADDRESS: - Health Outcomes and Behavior Program, Tampa, Florida; Department of Oncologic Sciences, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida. AUTHOR: - Roetzheim RG; ADDRESS: - Department of Family Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida. AUTHOR: - Bruder KL; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida. AUTHOR: - Proveaux TM; ADDRESS: - Institute for Vaccine Safety, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland. AUTHOR: - Zhao X; ADDRESS: - Biostatistics Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida. AUTHOR: - Halsey NA; ADDRESS: - Institute for Vaccine Safety, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland. AUTHOR: - Giuliano AR; ADDRESS: - Center for Infection Research in Cancer, Tampa, Florida; Cancer Epidemiology Program, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida; Department of Oncologic Sciences, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Physician recommendation is a key predictor of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake. Understanding factors associated with recommendation is important for efforts to increase current suboptimal vaccine uptake. PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine physician recommendations to vaccinate female patients aged 11-26 years, in 2009 and 2011, at 3 and 5 years postvaccine licensure, respectively. A second aim was to identify trends in factors associated with vaccine recommendation for ages 11 and 12 years. METHODS: Nationally representative samples of physicians practicing family medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology were randomly selected from the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile (n=1538 in 2009, n=1541 in 2011). A mailed survey asked physicians about patient and clinical practice characteristics; immunization support; and frequency of HPV vaccine recommendation (“always” >/=75% of the time vs other). Analyses were conducted in 2012. RESULTS: Completed surveys were received from 1013 eligible physicians (68% response rate) in 2009 and 928 (63%) in 2011. The proportion of physicians who reported always recommending HPV vaccine increased significantly from 2009 to 2011 for patients aged 11 or 12 years (35% vs 40%, respectively; p=0.03), but not for patients aged 13-17 years (53% vs 55%; p=0.28) or 18-26 years (50% vs 52%; p=0.52). Physician specialty, age, and perceived issues/barriers to vaccination were associated with vaccine recommendation for patients aged 11 or 12 in both years. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest a modest increase in recommendations for HPV vaccination of girls aged 11 or 12 years over a 2year period; however, recommendations remain suboptimal for all age groups despite national recommendations for universal immunization. -------------------------------------------------------------[322] TITLE: - Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: role of inflammatory and immunological state on recurrence and prognosis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Dec 28;19(48):9174-82. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i48.9174. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3748/wjg.v19.i48.9174 AUTHOR: - Cescon M; ADDRESS: - Matteo Cescon, Valentina Rosa Bertuzzo, Giorgio Ercolani, Matteo Ravaioli, Federica Odaldi, Antonio Daniele Pinna, General Surgery and Transplant Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy. AUTHOR: - Bertuzzo VR; ADDRESS: - Matteo Cescon, Valentina Rosa Bertuzzo, Giorgio Ercolani, Matteo Ravaioli, Federica Odaldi, Antonio Daniele Pinna, General Surgery and Transplant Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy. AUTHOR: - Ercolani G; ADDRESS: - Matteo Cescon, Valentina Rosa Bertuzzo, Giorgio Ercolani, Matteo Ravaioli, Federica Odaldi, Antonio Daniele Pinna, General Surgery and Transplant Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy. AUTHOR: - Ravaioli M; ADDRESS: - Matteo Cescon, Valentina Rosa Bertuzzo, Giorgio Ercolani, Matteo Ravaioli, Federica Odaldi, Antonio Daniele Pinna, General Surgery and Transplant Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy. AUTHOR: - Odaldi F; ADDRESS: - Matteo Cescon, Valentina Rosa Bertuzzo, Giorgio Ercolani, Matteo Ravaioli, Federica Odaldi, Antonio Daniele Pinna, General Surgery and Transplant Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy. AUTHOR: - Pinna AD; ADDRESS: - Matteo Cescon, Valentina Rosa Bertuzzo, Giorgio Ercolani, Matteo Ravaioli, Federica Odaldi, Antonio Daniele Pinna, General Surgery and Transplant Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy. SUMMARY: - Criteria for liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and postLT indicators of prognosis are historically based on the measurement of the tumor mass. Recently, high throughput technologies have increased the prediction of recurrence, but these tools are not yet routinely available. The interaction between HCC and the immune system has revealed an imbalance of lymphocyte phenotypes in the peritumoral tissue, and the increase of regulatory T cells with respect to cytotoxic lymphocytes has been linked to a higher rate of post-LT HCC recurrence. Moreover, some inflammatory markers have shown good reliability in predicting cancer reappearance after surgery, as a result of either a systemic inflammatory response or a decreased capacity of the organism to control the tumor growth. Among these markers, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio appears to be the most promising and easily available serum parameter able to predict HCC recurrence after LT and following other types of treatment, although the exact mechanisms determining its elevation have not been clarified. Post-LT immunosuppression may impact on cancer control, and the exposure to high levels of calcineurin inhibitors or other immunosuppressants has recently emerged as a negative prognostic factor for HCC recurrence and patient survival. Despite the absence of prospective randomized trials, inhibitors of the mammalian target of rapamycin have been shown to be associated with lower rates of tumor recurrence compared to other immunosuppressors, suggesting their use especially in patients with HCC exceeding the conventional indication criteria for LT. -------------------------------------------------------------[323] TITLE: - Impact of national guidelines on brachytherapy monotherapy practice patterns for prostate cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cancer. 2013 Dec 2. doi: 10.1002/cncr.28492. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/cncr.28492 AUTHOR: - Tseng YD; ADDRESS: - Harvard Radiation Oncology Program, Boston, Massachusetts. AUTHOR: - Paciorek AT AUTHOR: - Martin NE AUTHOR: - D’Amico AV AUTHOR: - Cooperberg MR AUTHOR: - Nguyen PL SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: In 1999 and 2000, 2 national guidelines recommended brachytherapy monotherapy (BT) primarily for treatment of low-risk prostate cancer but not high-risk prostate cancer. This study examined rates of BT use before and after publication of these guidelines, as compared with 4 other treatment options. METHODS: From 1990 to 2011, 8128 men with localized prostate cancer (</= T3cN0M0) were treated definitively within the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor (CaPSURE) registry with 1 of 5 primary treatments: BT, external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), EBRT with androgen deprivation therapy, EBRT+BT, or radical prostatectomy. Men were categorized into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups based on the guidelines’ risk-group definitions. Within each risk group, logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) comparing BT with other treatment options between the 1990-1998 and 1999-2011 periods, adjusting for age, disease characteristics, and clinic type. RESULTS: In total, 1117 men received BT alone for low- (n = 658), intermediate- (n = 244), or high-risk disease (n = 215). BT comprised 6.1% of all treatments in 1990-1998 versus 16.6% in 1999-2011 (P < .01). The odds of BT use remained increased after adjusting for potential confounders (OR = 3.06; P < .001) and was seen among low- (OR = 4.52; P < .001), intermediate- (OR = 2.67; P < .001), and even high-risk groups (OR = 2.11; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: National guidelines did not appear to influence practice patterns, as BT monotherapy use increased relative to other treatments from the 1990-1998 to 1999-2011 periods in unfavorable risk groups including men with high-risk prostate cancer. Cancer 2013. Esta es una cita bibliográfica que va por delante de la publicación en papel. La fecha indicada en la cita provista, NO corresponde con la fecha o la cita bibliográfica de la publicación en papel. La cita bibliográfica definitiva (con el volumen y su paginación) saldrá en 1 ó 2 meses a partir de la fecha de la emisión electrónica-online. *** This is a bibliographic record ahead of the paper publication. The given date in the bibliographic record does not correspond to the date or the bibliographic citation on the paper publication. The publisher will provide the final bibliographic citation (with the volume, and pagination) within 1 or 2 months from the date the record was published online. © 2013 American Cancer Society. -------------------------------------------------------------[324] TITLE: - Temozolomide and radiotherapy for newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme: a systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cancer Invest. 2014 Feb;32(2):31-6. doi: 10.3109/07357907.2013.861474. Epub 2013 Dec 14. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3109/07357907.2013.861474 AUTHOR: - Yang LJ; ADDRESS: - 1Department of Pharmacology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, P.R. China. AUTHOR: - Zhou CF AUTHOR: - Lin ZX SUMMARY: - To systematically review the efficacy/safety of radiotherapy/temozolomide (TMZ) vs. radiotherapy for treating glioblastoma (GBM), Medline, Current Contents, and Cochrane database were searched. Five studies were reviewed. Median survival ranged from 9.4 to 19.0 months (radiotherapy/TMZ) vs. 7.3-17.1 months (radiotherapy). Survival ranged from 80.2% to 95.0% (radiotherapy/TMZ) vs. 8.3-84.2% (radiotherapy) at 0.5 years and from 20.0% to 61.1% (radiotherapy/TMZ) vs. 5.0-50.6% (radiotherapy) at 1 year. Median progression-free survival (PFS) ranged from 5.5 to 13.0 months (radiotherapy/TMZ) vs. 4.4-7.6 months (radiotherapy). PFS rates at 0.5 years ranged from 53.9-78.0% (radiotherapy/TMZ) vs. 53.9-78.0% (radiotherapy). Radiotherapy/TMZ provides better survival outcomes than radiotherapy alone in treating GBM. -------------------------------------------------------------[325] TITLE: - GOAL: An inverse toxicity-related algorithm for daily clinical practice decision making in advanced kidney cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2014 Mar;89(3):386-393. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2013.09.002. Epub 2013 Nov 13. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.critrevonc.2013.09.002 AUTHOR: - Bracarda S; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), Ospedale San Donato USL-8, Via Pietro Nenni, 20, 52100 Arezzo, Italy. Electronic address: sergio.bracarda@usl8.toscana.it. AUTHOR: - Sisani M; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), Ospedale San Donato USL-8, Via Pietro Nenni, 20, 52100 Arezzo, Italy. AUTHOR: - Marrocolo F; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), Ospedale San Donato USL-8, Via Pietro Nenni, 20, 52100 Arezzo, Italy. AUTHOR: - Hamzaj A; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), Ospedale San Donato USL-8, Via Pietro Nenni, 20, 52100 Arezzo, Italy. AUTHOR: - Del Buono S; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), Ospedale San Donato USL-8, Via Pietro Nenni, 20, 52100 Arezzo, Italy. AUTHOR: - De Simone V; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), Ospedale San Donato USL-8, Via Pietro Nenni, 20, 52100 Arezzo, Italy. SUMMARY: - Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), considered almost an orphan disease only six years ago, appears today a very dynamic pathology. The recently switch to the actual overcrowded scenario defined by seven active drugs has driven physicians to an incertitude status, due to difficulties in defining the best possible treatment strategy. This situation is mainly related to the absence of predictive biomarkers for any available or new therapy. Such issue, associated with the nearly absence of published face-to-face studies, draws a complex picture frame. In order to solve this dilemma, decisional algorithms tailored on drug efficacy data and patient profile are recognized as very useful tools. These approaches try to select the best therapy suitable for every patient profile. On the contrary, the present review has the “goal” to suggest a reverse approach: basing on the pivotal studies, post-marketing surveillance reports and our experience, we defined the polarizing toxicity (the most frequent toxicity in the light of clinical experience) for every single therapy, creating a new algorithm able to identify the patient profile, mainly comorbidities, unquestionably unsuitable for each single agent presently available for either the first- or the second-line therapy. The GOAL inverse decision-making algorithm, proposed at the end of this review, allows to select the best therapy for mRCC by reducing the risk of limiting toxicities. -------------------------------------------------------------[326] TITLE: - Molecular alterations and emerging targets in castration resistant prostate cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Cancer. 2014 Mar;50(4):753-764. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2013.12.004. Epub 2014 Jan 10. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ejca.2013.12.004 AUTHOR: - Lorente D; ADDRESS: - Prostate Cancer Targeted Therapy Group and Drug Development Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research, Downs Road, SM2 5PT Sutton, Surrey, UK. AUTHOR: - De Bono JS; ADDRESS: - Prostate Cancer Targeted Therapy Group and Drug Development Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research, Downs Road, SM2 5PT Sutton, Surrey, UK. Electronic address: Johann.DeBono@icr.ac.uk. SUMMARY: - Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in Western Europe, of which approximately 10-20% presents with advanced or metastatic disease. Initial response with androgen deprivation therapy is almost universal, but progression to castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), an incurable disease, occurs in approximately 2-3years. In recent years, the novel taxane cabazitaxel, the hormonal agents abiraterone and enzalutamide, the immunotherapeutic agent sipuleucel-T and the radiopharmaceutical radium-223 have been shown to prolong survival in large randomised trials, thus widely increasing the therapeutic armamentarium against the disease. Despite these advances, the median survival in the firstline setting of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is still up to 25months and in the post-docetaxel setting is about 15-18months. There is an urgent need for the development of biomarkers of treatment response, and for a deeper understanding of tumour heterogeneity and the molecular biology underlying the disease. In this review, we attempt to provide insight into the novel molecular targets showing promise in clinical trials. -------------------------------------------------------------[327] TITLE: - WITHDRAWN: Corrigendum to “Ring chromosome 21 presenting with sacrococcygeal teratoma: Prenatal diagnosis, molecular cytogenetic characterization and literature review” [Gene 522 (2013) 111-116]. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Gene. 2013 Jun 20. pii: S0378-1119(13)00777-4. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.06.020. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.gene.2013.06.020 AUTHOR: - Chen CP; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical and Community Health Nursing, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: cpc_mmh@yahoo.com. AUTHOR: - Chang SD; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, TaoYuan, Taiwan. AUTHOR: - Lee YX; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan. AUTHOR: - Shih JC; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. AUTHOR: - Chern SR; ADDRESS: - Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan. AUTHOR: - Wu PS; ADDRESS: - Gene Biodesign Co. Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan. AUTHOR: - Su JW; ADDRESS: - Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. AUTHOR: - Chen YT; ADDRESS: - Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. AUTHOR: - Hsieh AH; ADDRESS: - University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. AUTHOR: - Chen TH; ADDRESS: - University of Chicago, IL, USA. AUTHOR: - Chen LF; ADDRESS: - Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. AUTHOR: - Wang W; ADDRESS: - Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Bioengineering, Tatung University, Taipei, Taiwan. SUMMARY: - This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy. -------------------------------------------------------------[328] TITLE: - Cervical cancer control for Hispanic women in Texas: Strategies from research and practice. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Gynecol Oncol. 2014 Jan 4. pii: S0090-8258(13)01429-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2013.12.038. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ygyno.2013.12.038 AUTHOR: - Fernandez ME; ADDRESS: - School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address: maria.e.fernandez@uth.tmc.edu. AUTHOR: - Savas LS; ADDRESS: - School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA. AUTHOR: - Lipizzi E; ADDRESS: - School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA. AUTHOR: - Smith JS; ADDRESS: - Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. AUTHOR: - Vernon SW; ADDRESS: - School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA. SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: Hispanic women in Texas have among the highest rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality in the country. Increasing regular Papanicolaou test screening and HPV vaccination are crucial to reduce the burden of cervical cancer among Hispanics. This paper presents lessons learned from community-based cervical cancer control programs for Hispanics and highlights effective intervention programs, methods and strategies. METHODS: We reviewed and summarized cervical cancer control efforts targeting Hispanic women, focusing on interventions developed by researchers at the University of Texas, School of Public Health. We identified commonalities across programs, highlighted effective methods, and summarized lessons learned to help guide future intervention efforts. RESULTS: Communityacademic partnerships were fundamental in all steps of program development and implementation. Programs reviewed addressed psychosocial, cultural, and access barriers to cervical cancer control among low-income Hispanic women. Intervention approaches included lay health worker (LHW) and navigation models and used print media, interactive tailored media, photonovellas, client reminders, one-on-one and group education sessions. CONCLUSIONS: Small media materials combined with LHW and navigation approaches were effective in delivering Pap test screening and HPV vaccination messages and in linking women to services. Common theoretical methods included in these approaches were modeling, verbal persuasion, and facilitating access. Adaptation of programs to an urban environment revealed that intensive navigation was needed to link women with multiple access barriers to health services. Collectively, this review reveals 1) the importance of using a systematic approach for planning and adapting cervical cancer control programs; 2) advantages of collaborative academic-community partnerships to develop feasible interventions with broad reach; 3) the use of small media and LHW approaches and the need for tailored phone navigation in urban settings; and 4) coordination and technical assistance of community-based efforts as a way to maximize resources. -------------------------------------------------------------[329] TITLE: - Symptom management and psychosocial outcomes following cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Semin Oncol. 2013 Dec;40(6):774-83. doi: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2013.09.001. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1053/j.seminoncol.2013.09.001 AUTHOR: - Given CW; ADDRESS: - Department of Family Medicine, and Institute for Health Care Studies, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. Electronic address: Bill.Given@hc.msu.edu. AUTHOR: - Given BA; ADDRESS: - College of Nursing, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. SUMMARY: - Transition from the completion of cancer treatment to post-treatment is a pivotal first step in survivorship. Following the end of treatment patients may experience lingering symptoms, compromised physical function, and emotional distress. Within the larger survivorship literature less attention has been devoted to this immediate post acute treatment period. To organize this review a post-treatment risk model is presented; it is informed by the emotional health and comorbid conditions patients bring to their treatment. When integrated with the aggressiveness of treatment(s), the side effects experienced, and emotional responses, this profile defines and characterizes patients’ post-treatment needs. Some patients need little more than a standard survivorship care plan with clearly defined shared care responsibilities for the oncologist and primary care physician. Others need more and varied forms of assistance. This review documents the range of physical and psychosocial problems patients’ face as they transition from active treatment to survivorship. We conclude with suggestions for future research tailored to patient’s post-treatment needs for care. -------------------------------------------------------------[330] TITLE: - Cancer and pregnancy: an overview for obstetricians and gynecologists. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Dec 4. pii: S0002-9378(13)02160-1. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2013.12.002. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ajog.2013.12.002 AUTHOR: - Salani R; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH. Electronic address: ritu.salani@osumc.edu. AUTHOR: - Billingsley CC; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH. AUTHOR: - Crafton SM; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH. SUMMARY: - A relatively rare occurrence, pregnancy-associated cancer affects approximately 1 in 1000 pregnancies. Optimizing treatment of the cancer and minimizing harm to the fetus are often dependent on the extent of disease, treatment options required, and the impact on the pregnancy as well as the gestational age of pregnancy. When malignancy is diagnosed, the obstetrician-gynecologist plays a key role in the diagnosis, initial evaluation, and coordination of patient care. Furthermore, the obstetrician-gynecologist may be asked to assist in fertility planning for young women with a new diagnosis of cancer and may be responsible for addressing questions about family-planning needs and the safety of future pregnancy. Therefore, the purpose of this article was to provide the obstetrician-gynecologist with a relevant overview of the current literature regarding concurrent pregnancy and cancer diagnoses, management options, including maternal and neonatal outcomes, as well as the future needs of young women diagnosed with cancer who desire fertility preservation. -------------------------------------------------------------[331] TITLE: - Prolonged disease stability with trabectedin in a heavily pretreated elderly patient with metastatic leiomyosarcoma of the thigh and renal failure: a case report and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Oncol Res. 2013;20(10):483-90. AUTHOR: - Galizia D; ADDRESS: - Medical Oncology Unit, Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Fondazione del Piemonte per l’ Oncologia Candiolo, Turin, Italy. danilo.galizia@ircc.it AUTHOR: - Palesandro E AUTHOR: - Nuzzo AM AUTHOR: - Pignochino Y AUTHOR: - Aliberti S AUTHOR: - Aglietta M AUTHOR: - Grignani G SUMMARY: - Leiomyosarcoma represents about 24% of all soft tissue sarcomas and can originate from retroperitoneum, uterus, or extremities. Adequate local control may be achieved with surgery and radiotherapy. In the presence of unresectable metastases either doxorubicin- or gemcitabine-based chemotherapy is the standard of treatment. Nevertheless, prognosis remains poor regardless of the selected chemotherapy regimen, and new effective therapeutic agents for patients with advanced leiomyosarcoma are needed. Trabectedin, a promising new DNA-damaging agent with a mechanism of action that is different from that of traditional alkylating agents, is approved in Europe for the treatment of patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma, after failure of anthracyclines and ifosfamide, or who are unsuited to receive these agents and in combination with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) for the treatment of patients with relapsed platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer. We present a case of a 76-year-old patient with progressive metastatic lung lesions from a previously resected primary leiomyosarcoma of the thigh and moderate renal failure, who achieved 17 months of disease stability during third-line treatment with trabectedin. Trabectedin was not associated with any cumulative toxicity and was consistently well tolerated for a total of 22 treatment cycles. Current evidence on trabectedin is also presented. -------------------------------------------------------------- [332] TITLE: - EAU Guidelines on Muscle-invasive and Metastatic Bladder Cancer: Summary of the 2013 Guidelines. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur Urol. 2013 Dec 12. pii: S0302-2838(13)01310-9. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2013.11.046. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.eururo.2013.11.046 AUTHOR: - Witjes JA; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: f.witjes@uro.umcn.nl. AUTHOR: - Comperat E; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, Groupe Hospitalier PitieSalpetriere, Paris, France. AUTHOR: - Cowan NC; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiology, The Manor Hospital, Oxford, UK. AUTHOR: - De Santis M; ADDRESS: - 3rd Medical Department and ACR-ITR and LBI-ACR ViennaCTO, Kaiser Franz Josef Spital, Vienna, Austria. AUTHOR: - Gakis G; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Eberhard-Karls-University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany. AUTHOR: - Lebret T; ADDRESS: - Hopital Foch, Department of Urology, University of VersaillesSaint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Suresnes, France. AUTHOR: - Ribal MJ; ADDRESS: - Uro-Oncology Unit, Urology Department, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, España. AUTHOR: - Van der Heijden AG; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Sherif A; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Urology and Andrology, Umea University, Umea, Sweden. SUMMARY: - CONTEXT: The European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines panel on Muscleinvasive and Metastatic bladder cancer (BCa) updates its guidelines yearly. This updated summary provides a synthesis of the 2013 guidelines document, with emphasis on the latest developments. OBJECTIVE: To provide graded recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with muscle-invasive BCa (MIBC), linked to a level of evidence. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: For each section of the guidelines, comprehensive literature searches covering the past 10 yr in several databases were conducted, scanned, reviewed, and discussed both within the panel and with external experts. The final results are reflected in the recommendations provided. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Smoking and work-related carcinogens remain the most important risk factors for BCa. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging can be used for staging, although CT is preferred for pulmonary evaluation. Open radical cystectomy with an extended lymph node dissection (LND) remains the treatment of choice for treatment failures in non-MIBC and T2-T4aN0M0 BCa. For wellinformed, well-selected, and compliant patients, however, multimodality treatment could be offered as an alternative, especially if cystectomy is not an option. Comorbidity, not age, should be used when deciding on radical cystectomy. Patients should be encouraged to actively participate in the decision-making process, and a continent urinary diversion should be offered to all patients unless there are specific contraindications. For fit patients, cisplatinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy should always be discussed, since it improves overall survival. For patients with metastatic disease, cisplatin-containing combination chemotherapy is recommended. For unfit patients, carboplatin combination chemotherapy or single agents can be used. CONCLUSIONS: This 2013 EAU Muscle-invasive and Metastatic BCa guidelines updated summary aims to increase the quality of care and outcome for patients with muscle-invasive or metastatic BCa. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this paper we update the EAU guidelines on Muscle-invasive and Metastatic bladder cancer. We recommend that chemotherapy be administered before radical treatment and that bladder removal be the standard of care for disease confined to the bladder. -------------------------------------------------------------[333] TITLE: - The malignant transformation of oral lichen planus and oral lichenoid lesions: a systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Am Dent Assoc. 2014 Jan;145(1):45-56. doi: 10.14219/jada.2013.10. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 14219/jada.2013.10 AUTHOR: - Fitzpatrick SG; ADDRESS: - Dr. Fitzpatrick is an adjunct assistant professor of oral and maxillofacial pathology, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44106, sarah.fitzpatrick@case.edu. AUTHOR: - Hirsch SA AUTHOR: - Gordon SC SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Determining the potential for malignant transformation of oral lichen planus (OLP) is complicated by difficulties in diagnosis, differentiation from oral lichenoid lesions (OLLs) and the phenomenon of premalignant lesions’ exhibiting lichenoid characteristics. The authors of this systematic review evaluated evidence regarding malignant transformation of OLP and characterized transformation prevalence, clinical characteristics of OLP lesions developing into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and time to transformation. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: The authors searched PubMed, Embase and Thomson Reuters Web of Science in a systematic approach. They evaluated observational English-language studies involving human participants published in peer-reviewed journals. Inclusion required patients to have the diagnosis of OLP or OLL as confirmed with biopsy results on initial enrollment. They excluded all patients who had dysplasia on initial biopsy of OLP or OLL lesions. RESULTS: Sixteen studies were eligible. Among 7,806 patients with OLP, 85 developed SCC. Among 125 patients with OLL, four developed SCC. The rate of transformation in individual studies ranged from 0 to 3.5 percent. The overall rate of transformation was 1.09 percent for OLP; in the solitary study in which investigators evaluated OLL, the rate of transformation was 3.2 percent. Patients’ average age at onset of SCC was 60.8 years. The authors noted a slight predominance of female patients among those who experienced malignant transformation. The most common subsite of malignant transformation was the tongue. The average time from diagnosis of OLP or OLL to transformation was 51.4 months. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: A small subset of patients with a diagnosis of OLP eventually developed SCC. The most common demographic characteristics of patients in this subset were similar to the most common demographic characteristics associated with OLP in general (that is, being female, being older and being affected in areas common to this condition). It is prudent for clinicians to pursue continued regular observation and follow-up in patients with these conditions, even in patients who do not fit a traditional high-risk category for oral SCC. -------------------------------------------------------------[334] TITLE: - A systematic review of symptomatic diagnosis of lung cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Fam Pract. 2013 Dec 17. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1093/fampra/cmt076 AUTHOR: - Shim J; ADDRESS: - Faculty of Health Sciences and. AUTHOR: - Brindle L AUTHOR: - Simon M AUTHOR: - George S SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Lung cancer (LC) is often diagnosed late when curative intervention is no longer viable. However, current referral guidelines (e.g. UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines) for suspected LC are based on a weak evidence base.Aim.The purpose of this systematic review is to identify symptoms that are independently associated with LC and to identify the key methodological issues relating to symptomatic diagnosis research in LC. METHODS: Medline, Ovid and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched for the period between 1946 and 2012 using the MeSH terms ‘lung cancer’ and ‘symptom*’. Quality of each paper was assessed using Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network and Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research Checklists and checked by a second and third reviewer. RESULTS: Evidence regarding the diagnostic values of most symptoms was inconclusive; haemoptysis was the only symptom consistently indicated as a predictor of LC. Generally, evidence was weakened by methodological issues such as the lack of standardized data collection (recording bias) and the lack of comparability of findings across the different studies that extend beyond the spectrum of disease. Qualitative studies indicated that patients with LC experienced symptoms months before diagnosis but did not interpret them as serious enough to seek health care. Therefore, early LC symptoms might be under-represented in primary care clinical notes. CONCLUSION: Current evidence is insufficient to suggest a symptom profile for LC across the disease stages, nor can it be concluded that classical LC symptoms are predictors of LC apart from, perhaps, haemoptysis. Prospective studies are now needed that systematically record symptoms and explore their predictive values for LC diagnosis. -------------------------------------------------------------[335] TITLE: - Personal hair dye use and bladder cancer: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Ann Epidemiol. 2014 Feb;24(2):151-9. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2013.11.003. Epub 2013 Nov 14. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.annepidem.2013.11.003 AUTHOR: - Turati F; ADDRESS: - Struttura Complessa di Statistica Medica, Biometria e Bioinformatica. Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy. AUTHOR: - Pelucchi C; ADDRESS: - Department of Epidemiology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri”, Milan, Italy. AUTHOR: - Galeone C; ADDRESS: - Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. AUTHOR: - Decarli A; ADDRESS: - Struttura Complessa di Statistica Medica, Biometria e Bioinformatica. Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. AUTHOR: - La Vecchia C; ADDRESS: - Department of Epidemiology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri”, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: carlo.lavecchia@marionegri.it. SUMMARY: - Despite considerable research, the issue of hair dyes and bladder cancer is still open to discussion. In January 2013, we searched in PubMed/EMBASE to identify observational studies investigating the association between personal use of hair dyes and bladder cancer incidence/mortality. Pooled relative risks (RRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models. Fifteen case-control and two cohort studies were available for meta-analysis (8504 cases/deaths, 14,102 controls, and 617,937 persons at risk). Compared with no use, the pooled RR of bladder cancer for personal use of any type of hair dyes was 0.93 (95% CI, 0.82-1.05), with moderate heterogeneity among studies (I(2) = 34.1%, P = .07). Similar RRs were found for females (RR = 0.95) and males (RR = 0.81). Based on seven studies, the pooled RR for personal use of permanent hair dyes was 0.92 (95% CI, 0.77-1.09). Compared with no use, no association was observed for the highest categories of duration of use and lifetime frequency of use of both any type of dyes and permanent dyes. The pooled RR from four studies reporting results for use of dark-colored dyes was 1.29 (95% CI, 0.98-1.71). This meta-analysis allows to definitively exclude any appreciable excess risk of bladder cancer among personal hair dye users. -------------------------------------------------------------[336] TITLE: - Helicobacter species infection may be associated with cholangiocarcinoma: a meta- analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Clin Pract. 2014 Feb;68(2):262-70. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.12264. Epub 2013 Dec 22. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/ijcp.12264 AUTHOR: - Xiao M; ADDRESS: - Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Southern Medical University Zhujiang Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China; Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China. AUTHOR: - Gao Y AUTHOR: - Wang Y SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: Since the discovery of Helicobacter species in human biliary system, the association between Helicobacter species infection and cholangiocarcinoma is under debate. This meta-analysis aims to explore this issue. METHODS: Literature search was carried out to identify all eligible articles. We performed overall meta-analysis of all included studies and subgroup analysis based on regional distribution. Subgroup analysis in the light of detection methods and specimens was also conducted. RESULTS: Ten case-control studies were included. Overall meta-analysis favoured a significant association between Helicobacter species infection and cholangiocarcinoma (cumulative OR 8.88, 95% CI 3.67-21.49). Subgroup analysis based on geographic distribution indicated that Helicobacter species infection may serve as a risk factor not only in a region with high cholangiocarcinoma incidence (Asia, OR 6.68, 95% CI 2.29-19.49) but also in low incidence region (Europe, OR 14.90, 95% CI 4.7946.35). The other subgroup analysis showed that PCR was the most effective and efficient method to detect Helicobacter species in surgically resected tissue and bile. There was significant heterogeneity among studies and obvious publication bias. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis supports the possible association between Helicobacter species infection and cholangiocarcinoma. Further investigations are required to clarify the role of Helicobacter species in this malignancy. -------------------------------------------------------------[337] TITLE: - ACMG technical standards and guidelines for genetic testing for inherited colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, and MYH-associated polyposis). SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Genet Med. 2014 Jan;16(1):101-16. doi: 10.1038/gim.2013.166. Epub 2013 Dec 5. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1038/gim.2013.166 AUTHOR: - Hegde M; ADDRESS: - Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. AUTHOR: - Ferber M; ADDRESS: - Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. AUTHOR: - Mao R; ADDRESS: - Mayo Clinic, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. AUTHOR: - Samowitz W; ADDRESS: - Mayo Clinic, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. AUTHOR: - Ganguly A; ADDRESS: - University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. SUMMARY: - Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, and Mut Y homolog (MYH)associated polyposis are three major known types of inherited colorectal cancer, which accounts for up to 5% of all colon cancer cases. Lynch syndrome is most frequently caused by mutations in the mismatch repair genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 and is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Familial adenomatous polyposis is manifested as colonic polyposis caused by mutations in the APC gene and is also inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Finally, MYH-associated polyposis is caused by mutations in the MUTYH gene and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner but may or may not be associated with polyps. There are variants of both familial adenomatous polyposis (Gardner syndrome—with extracolonic features—and Turcot syndrome, which features medulloblastoma) and Lynch syndrome (Muir-Torre syndrome features sebaceous skin carcinomas, and Turcot syndrome features glioblastomas). Although a clinical diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis can be made using colonoscopy, genetic testing is needed to inform at-risk relatives. Because of the overlapping phenotypes between attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis, MYHassociated polyposis, and Lynch syndrome, genetic testing is needed to distinguish among these conditions. This distinction is important, especially for women with Lynch syndrome, who are at increased risk for gynecological cancers. Clinical testing for these genes has progressed rapidly in the past few years with advances in technologies and the lower cost of reagents, especially for sequencing. To assist clinical laboratories in developing and validating testing for this group of inherited colorectal cancers, the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics has developed the following technical standards and guidelines. An algorithm for testing is also proposed. -------------------------------------------------------------[338] TITLE: - Segmentectomy or lobectomy for early stage lung cancer: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2013 Dec 8. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1093/ejcts/ezt554 AUTHOR: - Bao F; ADDRESS: - Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. AUTHOR: - Ye P AUTHOR: - Yang Y AUTHOR: - Wang L AUTHOR: - Zhang C AUTHOR: - Lv X AUTHOR: - Hu J SUMMARY: - Early stage lung cancer is routinely treated by lobectomy whenever clinically feasible, whereas the role of segmentectomy is controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the benefits of segmentectomy vs lobectomy for early stage lung cancer through a meta-analysis of published data. Eligible studies were identified from MEDLINE through February 2013. The manual selection of relevant studies was based on the summary analysis. We used published hazard ratios (HRs) if available or estimates from the published survival data. Lobectomy was chosen as the reference in all HR calculations. We compared the effect of segmentectomy and lobectomy for Stage I, Stage IA, Stage IA with tumours larger than 2 cm but smaller than 3 cm in size and Stage IA with tumours of 2 cm or smaller in 22 observational studies. The HRs of overall and cancer-specific survival indicated significant benefits of lobectomy for Stage I, Stage IA and Stage IA with tumours larger than 2 cm but smaller than 3 cm at 1.20 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.38; P = 0.011), 1.24 (95% CI 1.08-1.42; P = 0.002) and 1.41 (95% CI 1.14-1.71; P = 0.001), respectively. For tumours 2 cm or smaller, segmentectomy provided an effect equivalent to that of lobectomy (HR 1.05; 95% CI 0.891.24; P = 0.550). No significant publication bias was detected in any part of the analysis. These findings should be interpreted in the context of the inherent limitations of meta-analyses of retrospective studies, including the heterogeneity of patient characteristics. -------------------------------------------------------------[339] TITLE: - Management of extremity neurilemmomas: clinical series and literature review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Ann Plast Surg. 2013 Dec;71 Suppl 1:S37-42. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000000042. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1097/SAP.0000000000000042 AUTHOR: - Lai CS; ADDRESS: - From the *Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, and daggerDepartment of Radiology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Chen IC AUTHOR: - Lan HC AUTHOR: - Lu CT AUTHOR: - Yen JH AUTHOR: - Song DY AUTHOR: - Tang YW SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Delicate enucleation of neurilemmoma preserves most of nerve fascicles and causes minimal nerve function impairment. Accurate preoperative diagnosis of neurilemmoma is based on clinical findings and image studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 2003 and February 2013, operations for the treatment of neurilemmoma were performed on 14 patients (12 men and 2 women) at our institution. The image studies in this series were collected. The tumor mass was approached by splitting the epineurium. In a few cases, enucleation of the neurilemmoma caused some fascicles loss, but reconstruction with sural nerve grafts preserved nerve function. RESULTS: Before surgery, 7 patients received computed tomographic scan, 4 patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging, and 3 patients received sonography. Six patients presented with motor or sensory deficits immediately after tumor enucleation. Three patients recovered completely from the neurological defects with or without nerve reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that neurilemmoma can be removed by delicate enucleation with an acceptable risk of injury to the nerve trunk. -------------------------------------------------------------[340] TITLE: - The non-linear threshold association between aspirin use and esophageal adenocarcinoma: results of a dose-response meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2014 Jan 17. doi: 10.1002/pds.3560. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/pds.3560 AUTHOR: - Xiaohua Y; ADDRESS: - School of Public Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China; School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. AUTHOR: - Zhenjiang Y AUTHOR: - Weidong L AUTHOR: - Pengcheng X AUTHOR: - Sidong C SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: The role of aspirin use in chemoprevention of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is still unclear. Previous meta-analyses have reported a beneficial effect of aspirin use, whereas it remains still under debate whether there are non-linear frequency-risk and duration-risk relations, such as a “threshold” effect. METHODS: Nine observational studies reporting the association between aspirin use and EAC risk were selected through a combined search with the PUBMED and EMBASE electronic databases of articles published before June 2013. Overall odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using fixed-effects models, and the cubic spline regression models were performed for the study of frequency-risk and duration-risk relations. RESULTS: A monotonically decreasing relation was observed only for </=4.5 times per week (OR = 0.75, 95%CI 0.64-0.88, for twice per week; OR = 0.59, 95%CI 0.45-0.78, for 4.5 times per week) and </=6 years (OR = 0.82, 95%CI 0.76-0.91, for 1 year; OR = 0.53, 95%CI 0.37-0.75, for 3 years) of aspirin use using the non-users as the reference. Once the frequency is more than 4.5 times/week or the duration is longer than 6 years, no further benefit was observed. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that there may be non-linear threshold relations of frequency and duration of aspirin use with the risk of EAC. Further data from randomized clinical trials are required. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. -------------------------------------------------------------[341] TITLE: - Virus associated malignancies: The role of viral hepatitis in hepatocellular carcinoma. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Semin Cancer Biol. 2014 Jan 20. pii: S1044-579X(14)00011-X. doi: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2014.01.004. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.semcancer.2014.01.004 AUTHOR: - Shlomai A; ADDRESS: - Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, Center for the Study of Hepatitis C, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address: ashlomai@mail.rockefeller.edu. AUTHOR: - de Jong YP; ADDRESS: - Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, Center for the Study of Hepatitis C, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Center for the Study of Hepatitis C, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA. AUTHOR: - Rice CM; ADDRESS: - Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, Center for the Study of Hepatitis C, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address: ricec@rockefeller.edu. SUMMARY: - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading fatal cancer worldwide and its incidence continues to increase. Chronic viral hepatitis involving either hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading etiology for HCC, making HCC prevention a major goal of antiviral therapy. While recent clinical observations and translational research have enhanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving the initiation and progression of HCC, much remains unknown. Current data indicates that HCC tumors are highly complex and heterogeneous resulting from the aberrant function of multiple molecular pathways. This complex biology is responsible, at least in part, for the absence of highly efficient target-directed therapies for this deadly cancer. Additionally, the direct or indirect effect of HBV and HCV infection on the development of HCC is still a contentious issue. Thus, the question remains whether viral hepatitis-associated HCC stems from virus-specific factors, and/or from a general mechanism involving inflammation and tissue regeneration. In this review we summarize general mechanisms implicated in HCC, emphasizing data generated by new technologies available today. We also highlight specific pathways by which HBV and HCV could be involved in HCC pathogenesis. However, improvements to current in vitro and in vivo systems for both viruses will be needed to rigorously define the temporal sequence and specific pathway dysregulations that drive the strong clinical link between chronic hepatitis virus infection and HCC. -------------------------------------------------------------[342] TITLE: - Residential radon and lung cancer in never smokers. A systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cancer Lett. 2014 Apr 1;345(1):21-6. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2013.12.010. Epub 2013 Dec 11. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.canlet.2013.12.010 AUTHOR: - Torres-Duran M; ADDRESS: - Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, España; Service of Neumology, University Hospital Complex of Vigo, España. AUTHOR: - Barros-Dios JM; ADDRESS: - Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, España; CIBER de Epidemiologia y Salud Publica, CIBERESP, España; Service of Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Complex of Santiago de Compostela, España. AUTHOR: - Fernandez-Villar A; ADDRESS: - Service of Neumology, University Hospital Complex of Vigo, España. AUTHOR: - Ruano-Ravina A; ADDRESS: - Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, España; CIBER de Epidemiologia y Salud Publica, CIBERESP, España. Electronic address: alberto.ruano@usc.es. SUMMARY: - Radon exposure is considered the second cause of lung cancer and the first in never smokers. We aim to assess the effect of residential radon exposure on the risk of lung cancer in never smokers through a systematic review applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. 14 Studies were included. Some of them point to a relationship between residential radon and lung cancer while others show no association. Further studies are necessary to test this association and to assess if other risk factors such as environmental tobacco smoke could modify the effect of residential radon exposure on lung cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[343] TITLE: - A systematic review on the safety and efficacy of yttrium-90 radioembolization for unresectable, chemorefractory colorectal cancer liver metastases. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2013 Dec 7. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s00432-013-1564-4 AUTHOR: - Saxena A; ADDRESS: - UNSW Department of Surgery, St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW, 2217, Australia, akshat16187@gmail.com. AUTHOR: - Bester L AUTHOR: - Shan L AUTHOR: - Perera M AUTHOR: - Gibbs P AUTHOR: - Meteling B AUTHOR: - Morris DL SUMMARY: - INTRODUCTION: The management of unresectable, chemorefractory colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) is a clinical dilemma. Yttrium-90 (Y90) radioembolization is a potentially safe and effective treatment for patients with CRCLM who have failed conventional chemotherapy regimens. METHODS: A systematic review of clinical studies before November 2012 was performed to examine the radiological response, overall survival and progressionfree survival of patients who underwent Y90 radioembolization of unresectable CRCLM refractory to systemic therapy. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the safety profile of this treatment and identify prognostic factors for overall survival. RESULTS: Twenty studies comprising 979 patients were examined. Patients had failed a median of 3 lines of chemotherapy (range 2-5). After treatment, the average reported value of patients with complete radiological response, partial response and stable disease was 0 % (range 0-6 %), 31 % (range 0-73 %) and 40.5 % (range 17-76 %), respectively. The median time to intra-hepatic progression was 9 months (range 6-16). The median overall survival was 12 months (range 8.336). The overall acute toxicity rate ranged from 11 to 100 % (median 40.5 %). Most cases of acute toxicity were mild (Grade I or II) (median 39 %; range 7-100 %) which resolved without intervention. The number of previous lines of chemotherapy (>/=3), poor radiological response to treatment, extra-hepatic disease and extensive liver disease (>/=25 %) were the factors most commonly associated with poorer overall survival. CONCLUSION: Y90 radioembolization is a safe and effective treatment of CRCLM in the salvage setting and should be more widely utilized. -------------------------------------------------------------[344] TITLE: - Pancreatic tumor cell metabolism: Focus on glycolysis and its connected metabolic pathways. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Arch Biochem Biophys. 2014 Jan 3;545C:69-73. doi: 10.1016/j.abb.2013.12.019. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.abb.2013.12.019 AUTHOR: - Guillaumond F; ADDRESS: - INSERM U1068, Centre de Recherche en Cancerologie de Marseille, France; Institut Paoli-Calmettes, France; CNRS, UMR7258, F-13009 Marseille, France; Universite Aix-Marseille, F-13284 Marseille, France. AUTHOR: - Iovanna JL; ADDRESS: - INSERM U1068, Centre de Recherche en Cancerologie de Marseille, France; Institut Paoli-Calmettes, France; CNRS, UMR7258, F-13009 Marseille, France; Universite Aix-Marseille, F-13284 Marseille, France. AUTHOR: - Vasseur S; ADDRESS: - INSERM U1068, Centre de Recherche en Cancerologie de Marseille, France; Institut Paoli-Calmettes, France; CNRS, UMR7258, F-13009 Marseille, France; Universite Aix-Marseille, F-13284 Marseille, France. Electronic address: sophie.vasseur@inserm.fr. SUMMARY: - Because of lack of effective treatment, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of death by cancer in Western countries, with a very weak improvement of survival rate over the last 40years. Defeat of numerous conventional therapies to cure this cancer makes urgent to develop new tools usable by clinicians for a better management of the disease. Aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer relies on its own hallmarks: a low vascular network as well as a prominent stromal compartment (desmoplasia), which creates a severe hypoxic environment impeding correct oxygen and nutrients diffusion to the tumoral cells. To survive and proliferate in those conditions, pancreatic cancer cells set up specific metabolic pathways to meet their tremendous energetic and biomass demands. However, as PDAC is a heterogenous tumor, a complex reprogramming of metabolic processes is engaged by cancer cells according to their level of oxygenation and nutrients supply. In this review, we focus on the glycolytic activity of PDAC and the glucose-connected metabolic pathways which contribute to the progression and dissemination of this disease. We also discuss possible therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways in order to cure this disease which still until now is resistant to numerous conventional treatments. -------------------------------------------------------------[345] TITLE: - Elastography for the differentiation of benign and malignant liver lesions: a meta- analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Tumour Biol. 2014 Jan 5. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s13277-013-1591-4 AUTHOR: - Ma X; ADDRESS: - The Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Zhan W AUTHOR: - Zhang B AUTHOR: - Wei B AUTHOR: - Wu X AUTHOR: - Zhou M AUTHOR: - Liu L AUTHOR: - Li P SUMMARY: - The objective of this paper was to evaluate the overall accuracy of elastography in the diagnosis of benign and malignant liver lesions by liver biopsy as the gold standard. Literature databases were searched. The studies which were related to evaluate the diagnostic value of elastography for differentiation in benign and malignant liver lesions in English or Chinese were included. The summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was performed, and the areas under the curve (AUC) were also calculated to present the accuracy of the elastography for the diagnosis of benign and malignant liver lesions. Six studies which included a total of 448 liver lesions in 384 patients were analyzed. The summary sensitivity and specificity of elastography for the differentiation of malignant liver lesions were 85 % (95 % CI, 80 to 89 %) and 84 % (95 % CI, 80 to 88 %), respectively. And the summary diagnostic odds ratio was 46.33 (95 % CI, 15.22 to 141.02), and the SROC was 0.9328. Elastography has a high sensitivity and specificity differentiation for benign and malignant liver lesions. As a noninvasive method, it is promising to be applied to clinical practice. To estimate elastography objectively, a large, prospective, international, and multi-center study is still needed. -------------------------------------------------------------[346] TITLE: - Hepatic resection for metastatic melanoma: a systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Melanoma Res. 2014 Feb;24(1):1-10. doi: 10.1097/CMR.0000000000000032. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1097/CMR.0000000000000032 AUTHOR: - Hameed AM; ADDRESS: - aDepartment of Surgery, Westmead Hospital bDiscipline of Surgery, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. AUTHOR: - Ng EE AUTHOR: - Johnston E AUTHOR: - Hollands MJ AUTHOR: - Richardson AJ AUTHOR: - Pleass HC AUTHOR: - Lam VW SUMMARY: - Melanoma metastatic to the liver has a very poor prognosis, and has traditionally been treated using systemic chemotherapy with limited efficacy. Surgery is increasingly being explored as a therapeutic option for melanoma liver metastases, with varying levels of success. A systematic review was undertaken to explore the short-term and long-term outcomes associated with hepatectomy for melanoma metastases, in addition to identifying prognostic factors favouring increased survival. All eligible studies were identified through an electronic search of Medline and Embase (January 1990-March 2013). Each study was independently analysed by two reviewers, with relevant data extracted and tabulated according to predetermined criteria. Thirteen studies were selected that fulfilled the selection criteria, with a total of 551 patients undergoing hepatic resection for melanoma metastases. Metastases to the liver occurred at a median interval of 54 months. The median perioperative morbidity and mortality were 10% (range 0-28.6%) and 0% (range 0-7.1%), respectively. The median overall survival for operative patients was 24 months, with median survival being greater in the R0 resection group (25 months; range 9.5-65.6 months) compared with the R1/2 resection group (16 months; range 11.7-29 months). Overall median 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 70% (range 39-100%), 36% (range 10.2-53%) and 24% (range 3-53%), respectively. Positive prognostic factors may include single hepatic metastases, a longer time to development of hepatic metastases and R0 resection. Hepatic resection for metastatic melanoma might confer a distinct survival benefit in a select group of patients, although disease recurrence is the norm. -------------------------------------------------------------[347] TITLE: - hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism and lung cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Mol Biol Rep. 2014 Jan 17. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s11033-014-3083-z AUTHOR: - Geng P; ADDRESS: - The Key Lab, Cancer Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, People’s Republic of China. AUTHOR: - Yao J AUTHOR: - Zhu Y SUMMARY: - The Ser326Cys polymorphism in the human 8-oxogunaine glycosylase (hOGG1) gene with lung cancer susceptibility had been investigated by the approaches of PCR-RFLP, PCR-SSCP and ASA. Due to limited specimen and different approaches the conclusion was drawn toughly. To evaluate this correlation comprehensively, a meta-analysis was performed based on 30 case-control studies, including 10,327 cases and 12,148 controls. The randomeffects model was used to estimate the odds ratios and 95 % confidence interval for various contrasts of this polymorphism. The combined results suggested that the hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism was not associated with lung cancer susceptibility in different genetic models. Similarly, in the stratified analyses by ethnicity and source of control, no risk was observed between all the genetic models and lung cancer risk. Our meta-analysis revealed that there was little correlation between the hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism and the risk of lung cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[348] TITLE: - Pediatric thymomas: report of two cases and comprehensive review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Pediatr Surg Int. 2014 Mar;30(3):275-86. doi: 10.1007/s00383-013-3438-x. Epub 2013 Dec 10. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s00383-013-3438-x AUTHOR: - Fonseca AL; ADDRESS: - Department of Pediatric Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, FMB 107, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA, annabelle.fonseca@yale.edu. AUTHOR: - Ozgediz DE AUTHOR: - Christison-Lagay ER AUTHOR: - Detterbeck FC AUTHOR: - Caty MG SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: Thymomas are rare pediatric malignancies with indolent behavior. There are fewer than 50 reported cases and no comprehensive review. We sought to evaluate our recent experience with pediatric thymomas, and comprehensively review the extant literature. METHODS: A systematic search of the PubMed database was performed using keywords: “thymoma”, “pediatric”, “juvenile”, “childhood”, and “child”. Additional studies were identified by a manual search of the reference list. RESULTS: We report two patients with thymomas. We identified 22 case reports or series that described 48 patients; 62 % were male, 15 % presented with myasthenia gravis. Fifty percent were Masaoka Stage I, 15 % were Stage II, 13 % were Stage III, and 23 % were Stage IV. Four patients with early stage (I or II) disease were treated with adjuvant therapies in addition to surgical excision, while five patients with late stage (III or IV) disease treated with surgical excision alone. Of studies reporting at least 2-year follow-up, survival was 71 %. CONCLUSION: Pediatric thymomas are rare tumors with a slight male predominance. Wide variations were observed in the treatment of thymomas across all stages. Our review indicates a need for large database and multiinstitutional studies to clearly elucidate clinical course, prognostic factors and outcome. -------------------------------------------------------------[349] TITLE: - Fast-track rehabilitation vs conventional care in laparoscopic colorectal resection for colorectal malignancy: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Dec 21;19(47):9119-26. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i47.9119. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3748/wjg.v19.i47.9119 AUTHOR: - Li P; ADDRESS: - Ping Li, Fang Fang, Jia-Xun Cai, Dong Tang, Qing-Guo Li, Dao-Rong Wang, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Subei People’s Hospital of Jiangsu Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Yang Zhou University, Yangzhou 225001, Jiangsu Province, China. AUTHOR: - Fang F; ADDRESS: - Ping Li, Fang Fang, Jia-Xun Cai, Dong Tang, Qing-Guo Li, Dao-Rong Wang, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Subei People’s Hospital of Jiangsu Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Yang Zhou University, Yangzhou 225001, Jiangsu Province, China. AUTHOR: - Cai JX; ADDRESS: - Ping Li, Fang Fang, Jia-Xun Cai, Dong Tang, Qing-Guo Li, Dao-Rong Wang, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Subei People’s Hospital of Jiangsu Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Yang Zhou University, Yangzhou 225001, Jiangsu Province, China. AUTHOR: - Tang D; ADDRESS: - Ping Li, Fang Fang, Jia-Xun Cai, Dong Tang, Qing-Guo Li, Dao-Rong Wang, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Subei People’s Hospital of Jiangsu Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Yang Zhou University, Yangzhou 225001, Jiangsu Province, China. AUTHOR: - Li QG; ADDRESS: - Ping Li, Fang Fang, Jia-Xun Cai, Dong Tang, Qing-Guo Li, Dao-Rong Wang, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Subei People’s Hospital of Jiangsu Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Yang Zhou University, Yangzhou 225001, Jiangsu Province, China. AUTHOR: - Wang DR; ADDRESS: - Ping Li, Fang Fang, Jia-Xun Cai, Dong Tang, Qing-Guo Li, DaoRong Wang, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Subei People’s Hospital of Jiangsu Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Yang Zhou University, Yangzhou 225001, Jiangsu Province, China. SUMMARY: - AIM: To evaluate the fast-track rehabilitation protocol and laparoscopic surgery (LFT) vs conventional care strategies and laparoscopic surgery (LCC). METHODS: Studies and relevant literature comparing the effects of LFT and LCC for colorectal malignancy were identified in MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and EMBASE. The complications and re-admission after approximately 1 mo were assessed. RESULTS: Six recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this meta-analysis, which related to 655 enrolled patients. These studies demonstrated that compared with LCC, LFT has fewer complications and a similar incidence of re-admission after approximately 1 mo. LFT had a pooled RR of 0.60 (95%CI: 0.46-0.79, P < 0.001) compared with a pooled RR of 0.69 (95%CI: 0.34-1.40, P > 0.5) for LCC. CONCLUSION: LFT for colorectal malignancy is safe and efficacious. Larger prospective RCTs should be conducted to further compare the efficacy and safety of this approach. -------------------------------------------------------------[350] TITLE: - Nephrotic syndrome associated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors for pediatric malignancy: case series and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Pediatr Nephrol. 2013 Dec 7. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s00467-013-2696-0 AUTHOR: - Ruebner RL; ADDRESS: - Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA, ruebnerr@email.chop.edu. AUTHOR: - Copelovitch L AUTHOR: - Evageliou NF AUTHOR: - Denburg MR AUTHOR: - Belasco JB AUTHOR: - Kaplan BS SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors are increasingly being used to treat a variety of pediatric malignancies. Reports in adult patients describe a range of effects of TK inhibitors on the kidney, including hypertension, proteinuria, acute kidney injury, and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA); however, there are only a few reports of TK-inhibitorassociated nephrotic syndrome. METHODS: We report four pediatric patients with various malignancies (chronic myelogenous leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and glioma/renal cell carcinoma) who developed nephrotic syndrome during treatment with TK inhibitors (imatinib, sunitinib, dasatinib, and quizartinib). One of the four patients also had clinical features of TMA. RESULTS: Three of the four patients achieved complete remission of nephrotic syndrome with discontinuation of the TK inhibitor and have had no additional nephrotic syndrome relapses to date. The temporal relationship of nephrotic syndrome onset to TK-inhibitor therapy and resolution of nephrotic syndrome with cessation of therapy strongly imply an association in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: TK inhibitors are important therapies in pediatric cancer, and their use is expanding. Nephrotic syndrome with or without features of TMA is a potential complication of these therapies in children. -------------------------------------------------------------[351] TITLE: - Regulation of the latent-lytic switch in Epstein-Barr virus. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Semin Cancer Biol. 2014 Jan 20. pii: S1044-579X(14)00009-1. doi: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2014.01.002. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.semcancer.2014.01.002 AUTHOR: - Kenney SC; ADDRESS: - McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, 1400 University Avenue, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706- 1599, USA; Department of Oncology, 1400 University Avenue, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706-1599, USA; Department of Medicine, 1400 University Avenue, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706-1599, USA. Electronic address: skenney@wisc.edu. AUTHOR: - Mertz JE; ADDRESS: - McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, 1400 University Avenue, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 537061599, USA; Department of Oncology, 1400 University Avenue, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706-1599, USA. SUMMARY: - Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection contributes to the development of several different types of human malignancy, including Burkitt lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. As a herpesvirus, EBV can establish latent or lytic infection in cells. EBV-positive tumors are composed almost exclusively of cells with latent EBV infection. Strategies for inducing the lytic form of EBV infection in tumor cells are being investigated as a potential therapy for EBV-positive tumors. In this article, we review how cellular and viral proteins regulate the latent-lytic EBV switch in infected B cells and epithelial cells, and discuss how harnessing lytic viral reactivation might be used therapeutically. -------------------------------------------------------------[352] TITLE: - Osteosarcoma treatment - Where do we stand? A state of the art review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cancer Treat Rev. 2013 Nov 27. pii: S0305-7372(13)00259-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2013.11.006. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ctrv.2013.11.006 AUTHOR: - Luetke A; ADDRESS: - Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Munster, Munster, Germany. AUTHOR: - Meyers PA; ADDRESS: - Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA. AUTHOR: - Lewis I; ADDRESS: - Alder Hey Children’s NHS FT, Liverpool, United Kingdom. AUTHOR: - Juergens H; ADDRESS: - Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Munster, Munster, Germany. Electronic address: jurgh@uni-muenster.de. SUMMARY: - Long-term outcome for patients with high-grade osteosarcoma has improved with the addition of systemic chemotherapy, but subsequent progress has been less marked. Modern, multiagent, dose-intensive chemotherapy in conjunction with surgery achieves a 5year event-free survival of 60-70% in extremity localized, non-metastatic disease. A major, as yet unsolved, problem is the poor prognosis for metastatic relapse or recurrence, and for patients with axial disease. This article reviews the current state of the art of systemic osteosarcoma therapy by focusing on the experiences of cooperative osteosarcoma groups. Also, we shed light on questions and challenges posed by the aggressiveness of the tumor, and we consider potential future directions that may be critical to progress in the prognosis of high-grade osteosarcoma. -------------------------------------------------------------[353] TITLE: - All vertebral body metastases of breast cancer: a case report and literature review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Gynaecol Oncol. 2013;34(5):473-5. AUTHOR: - Cheng P; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, PLA General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region, Chengdu, China. AUTHOR: - Su X; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, PLA General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region, Chengdu, China. AUTHOR: - Gao H; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, PLA General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region, Chengdu, China. AUTHOR: - Zhang T; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncology, PLA General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region, Chengdu, China. SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: Investigating the clinical and imaging features of bone metastasis in breast cancer, in order to raise early diagnosis level and to avoid misdiagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An analysis of imaging of breast cancer bone metastasis by consulting relevant literatures. The authors also performed bone biopsy in the patient presented. RESULTS: Biopsy results show that ductal carcinoma can be seen in bone marrow and in immune markers CK (+) and CD68 (-). CONCLUSION: Multiple systemic metastases are common for breast cancer, but it is rare that one patient has metastasis in all vertebrae. The positive rate of ordinary X-ray is lower than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for detecting bone metastasis, but if an accurate diagnosis is to be made, all the imaging and clinical data should be combined. -------------------------------------------------------------[354] TITLE: - Hepatic tumours in children with biliary atresia: Single-centre experience in 13 cases and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Clin Radiol. 2014 Mar;69(3):e113-9. doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2013.10.017. Epub 2013 Dec 9. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.crad.2013.10.017 AUTHOR: - Yoon HJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. AUTHOR: - Jeon TY; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: hathor97.jeon@samsung.com. AUTHOR: - Yoo SY; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. AUTHOR: - Kim JH; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. AUTHOR: - Eo H; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. AUTHOR: - Lee SK; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. AUTHOR: - Kim JS; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. SUMMARY: - AIM: To establish the risks of developing of hepatic tumours and to investigate their clinical and imaging findings in children with biliary atresia (BA) after Kasai portoenterostomy (Kasai). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 157 children who had undergone Kasai for BA over an 18 year period, patients who had newly developed hepatic tumours were identified. Patient demographics, clinical features, and imaging findings were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Three male and 10 female patients (mean age 3.9 years) all (8%, of 157) had single hepatic tumours, which were confirmed in 10 explanted and three non-explanted livers. Ten (77%) were benign and three (23%) were malignant. Of the benign hepatic tumours, focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH; n = 6) was the most common, followed by regenerative nodules (n = 3) and adenoma (n = 1). All FNH appeared in young children <1 year of age and showed a subcapsular location, bulging contour, and lack of central scar. Malignant tumours included two hepatocellular carcinomas and one cholangiocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Hepatic tumours developed in approximately 8% of children with BA after Kasai. Although benign tumours, including FNHs and regenerative nodules, were more common than malignant tumours, screening with alpha-foetoprotein (AFP) levels and regular imaging studies are the mainstay of malignant tumour detection. -------------------------------------------------------------[355] TITLE: - Lateral neck dissection for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma: A systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Laryngoscope. 2014 Jan 6. doi: 10.1002/lary.24583. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/lary.24583 AUTHOR: - Madenci AL; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston. AUTHOR: - Caragacianu D AUTHOR: - Boeckmann JO AUTHOR: - Stack BC Jr AUTHOR: - Shin JJ SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Management of the lateral neck in well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (WDTC) remains a topic of ongoing debate. A systematic review was performed to determine if patients with WDTC who undergo lateral neck dissection (LND) have significantly different survival, recurrence, or procedure-related complication rates, as compared to those who do not. DATA SOURCES: A computerized search of MEDLINE from 1966 to October 2012 was performed, supplemented with manual searches. REVIEW METHODS: A priori criteria were used to evaluate 924 studies. Data extraction was performed by independent reviewers and focused on survival, recurrence, postoperative complications, study designs, and potential confounders. RESULTS: Forty-seven criterion-meeting studies included 24,153 participants. Stage-specific data were limited. The small volume of data specific to the N0 neck (n = 3 studies, 6.3%) demonstrates no difference in disease-free survival (DFS) or recurrence with versus without LND. The data regarding the N+ neck (n = 14 studies, 29.2%) were mixed with regard to the impact of LND on DFS and recurrence. The preponderance of data was reported in analyses of mixed or unreported nodal status (n =31 studies, 64.6%). Among these studies, the majority reported no difference in overall survival, DFS, disease-specific survival, or recurrence, but overall data were mixed and subject to confounding by indication and limitations in power. CONCLUSIONS: Data regarding the impact of LND on survival, recurrence, and postoperative complications are mixed. Routine prophylactic LND for WDTC does not have a clearly advantageous risk-to-benefit ratio. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3 Laryngoscope, 2014. -------------------------------------------------------------[356] TITLE: - Reflectance confocal microscopy of mucosal pigmented macules : a review of 56 cases including 10 macular melanoma. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Br J Dermatol. 2013 Dec 20. doi: 10.1111/bjd.12803. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/bjd.12803 AUTHOR: - Debarbieux S; ADDRESS: - Dermatology department, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Pierre Benite, France. AUTHOR: - Perrot JL AUTHOR: - Erfan N AUTHOR: - Ronger-Savle S AUTHOR: - Labeille B AUTHOR: - Cinotti E AUTHOR: - Depaepe L AUTHOR: - Cardot-Leccia N AUTHOR: - Lacour JP AUTHOR: - Thomas L AUTHOR: - Bahadoran P SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Although most mucosal pigmented macules are benign, it can be clinically challenging to rule out an early melanoma. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a non-invasive imaging technique useful to discriminate between benign and malignant skin lesions. OBJECTIVES: To describe the confocal aspects of benign and malignant mucosal pigmented macules with histopathological correlations. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the confocal images of 56 labial or genital pigmented macules including 10 macular melanoma. According to the retrospective nature of the study, we evaluated the recorded images chosen by the physicians that performed the RCM examination for each case. RESULTS: In benign macules, the most frequently observed pattern was a ringed pattern characterized by round or polycyclic papillae, with a hyperreflective basal layer; another pattern was characterized by sparse bright dendritic cells in the basal layer, the basal epithelial cells being otherwise usually less reflective. The presence of roundish cells, a high density dendritic cells with atypias, intraepithelial bright cells were clues in favour of malignancy. CONCLUSION: RCM seems to be a valuable tool to non invasively differentiate benign from malignant mucosal pigmented macules and target biopsies in cases of equivocal features. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. -------------------------------------------------------------[357] TITLE: - Multi-step lung carcinogenesis model induced by oral administration of N-nitrosobis(2- hydroxypropyl)amine in rats. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Exp Toxicol Pathol. 2014 Mar;66(2-3):81-88. doi: 10.1016/j.etp.2013.11.006. Epub 2013 Dec 27. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.etp.2013.11.006 AUTHOR: - Tsujiuchi T; ADDRESS: - Division of Cancer Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kinki University, 3-4-1, Kowakae, Higashiosaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan. Electronic address: ttujiuch@life.kindai.ac.jp. AUTHOR: - Nakae D; ADDRESS: - Department of Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health, 3-24-1 Hyakunin-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 1690073, Japan. AUTHOR: - Konishi Y; ADDRESS: - Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 6348501, Japan; Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 N.E. 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. SUMMARY: - N-Nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine (BHP) was first synthesized by Kruger et al. (1974), and has been shown to primarily induce pancreatic duct adenocarcinomas by a subcutaneous injection in Syrian hamsters. By contrast, the carcinogenic effect of BHP has been indicated at the different target organs in rats, namely the lung. When rats are received by an oral administration of BHP in drinking water for 25 weeks, a high incidence of lung carcinomas are induced, which include adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas and combined squamous cell and adenocarcinomas. So many similarities are observed in terms of not only histological appearances but also gene alterations between human and BHP-induced rat lung cancers. Moreover, the step by step development of lung lesions, from preneoplastic lesions to cancers in rat lung carcinogenesis by BHP offers a good model to investigate the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of lung cancers. Because data for genetic and epigenetic alterations have indeed been accumulated during the BHP-induced rat lung carcinogenesis, we will introduce them in this review and hence demonstrate that this lung carcinogenesis model provides a useful opportunity for the research on the pathogenesis of lung cancers of both humans and rats. -------------------------------------------------------------[358] TITLE: - Human papillomavirus prevalence and type-distribution, cervical cancer screening practices and current status of vaccination implementation in Russian Federation, the Western countries of the former Soviet Union, Caucasus region and Central Asia. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Vaccine. 2013 Dec 31;31 Suppl 7:H46-58. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.06.043. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.vaccine.2013.06.043 AUTHOR: - Rogovskaya SI; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Russian Medical Academy of Post-graduate Education, Moscow, Russia. Electronic address: srogovskaya@mail.ru. AUTHOR: - Shabalova IP; ADDRESS: - Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Russian Medical Academy of Post-graduate Education, Moscow, Russia. AUTHOR: - Mikheeva IV; ADDRESS: - Department of Epidemiology, IM Sechenova Moscow Medical University, Moscow, Russia. AUTHOR: - Minkina GN; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Moscow Medical University, Moscow, Russia. AUTHOR: - Podzolkova NM; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Russian Medical Academy of Post-graduate Education, Moscow, Russia. AUTHOR: - Shipulina OY; ADDRESS: - Laboratory PCR Department, Central Institute of Epidemiology, Moscow, Russia. AUTHOR: - Sultanov SN; ADDRESS: - Research Centre of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Ministry of Health, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. AUTHOR: - Kosenko IA; ADDRESS: - Department of Oncogynecology, Research Centre of Oncology of Ministry of Health, Minsk, Belarus. AUTHOR: - Brotons M; ADDRESS: - Institut d’Investigacio Biomedica de Bellvitge - Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Unit of Infections and Cancer (UNIC), Cancer Epidemiology Research Program (CERP), Institut Catala d’Oncologia - Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España. AUTHOR: - Buttmann N; ADDRESS: - Centre for Cancer Registry Data, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany. AUTHOR: - Dartell M; ADDRESS: - Department of International Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. AUTHOR: - Arbyn M; ADDRESS: - Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium; Laboratory for Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. AUTHOR: - Syrjanen S; ADDRESS: - Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology, Institute of Dentistry and Medicine Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. AUTHOR: - Poljak M; ADDRESS: - Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. SUMMARY: - Limited data are available on the burden of human papillomavirus (HPV) and its associated diseases in the Russian Federation, the Western Countries of the former Soviet Union (Belarus, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine), the Caucasus region and Central Asia (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan). Both the incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer are higher in these countries than in most Western European countries. In this article, we review available data on HPV prevalence and type distribution in women with normal cytology, women from the general population, cervical precancerous lesions and cervical cancer, as well as data on national policies of cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination initiatives in these countries. Based on scarce data from the 12 countries, the high-risk HPV (hrHPV) prevalence among 5226 women with normal cytology ranged from 0.0% to 48.4%. In women with low-grade cervical lesions, the hrHPV prevalence among 1062 women varied from 29.2% to 100%. HrHPV infection in 565 women with high-grade cervical lesions ranged from 77.2% to 100% and in 464 invasive cervical cancer samples from 89.8% to 100%. HPV16 was the most commonly detected hrHPV genotype in all categories. As the HPV genotype distribution in cervical diseases seems to be similar to that found in Western Europe the implementation of HPV testing in screening programs might be beneficial. Opportunistic screening programs, the lack of efficient callrecall systems, low coverage, and the absence of quality assured cytology with centralized screening registry are major reasons for low success rates of cervical cancer programs in many of the countries. Finally, HPV vaccination is currently not widely implemented in most of the twelve countries mainly due to pricing, availability, and limited awareness among public and health care providers. Country-specific research, organized nationwide screening programs, registries and well defined vaccination policies are needed. This article forms part of a Regional Report entitled “Comprehensive Control of HPV Infections and Related Diseases in the Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region” Vaccine Volume 31, Supplement 7, 2013. Updates of the progress in the field are presented in a separate monograph entitled “Comprehensive Control of HPV Infections and Related Diseases” Vaccine Volume 30, Supplement 5, 2012. -------------------------------------------------------------[359] TITLE: - Language outcomes following neurosurgery for brain tumours: A systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - NeuroRehabilitation. 2014 Jan 21. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3233/NRE-141053 AUTHOR: - Finch E; ADDRESS: - Division of Speech Pathology, The Unisversity of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Language function is susceptible to the effects of brain tumours during both the tumour growth phase and during neurosurgical resection. AIM: This paper aimed to systematically review existing literature to determine the current status of knowledge about language outcomes following neurosurgery. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted involving a detailed literature search using online databases, quality assessment of relevant articles and data extraction. RESULTS: Of the 1449 articles retrieved, nine articles satisfied the study criteria. Overall, these studies reported variable patterns of language function post-surgery, however, there was a trend towards an early post-surgical decline in language function that greatly improved by 3 months. The likelihood of developing post-surgical communication impairments was influenced by a number of factors including pre-operative aphasia and the identification of sub-cortical language tracts inside the tumour margin, however, further research is required to fully elucidate pertinent predictors. CONCLUSION: These findings have implications for rehabilitation programs following brain tumour surgery and suggest that there are a number of key gaps warranting further investigation. -------------------------------------------------------------[360] TITLE: - Human papillomavirus prevalence and type-distribution, cervical cancer screening practices and current status of vaccination implementation in Central and Eastern Europe. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Vaccine. 2013 Dec 31;31 Suppl 7:H59-70. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.03.029. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.vaccine.2013.03.029 AUTHOR: - Poljak M; ADDRESS: - Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address: mario.poljak@mf.uni-lj.si. AUTHOR: - Seme K; ADDRESS: - Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. AUTHOR: - Maver PJ; ADDRESS: - Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. AUTHOR: - Kocjan BJ; ADDRESS: - Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. AUTHOR: - Cuschieri KS; ADDRESS: - Specialist Virology Centre, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. AUTHOR: - Rogovskaya SI; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Russian Medical Academy of Post-Graduate Education, Moscow, Russia. AUTHOR: - Arbyn M; ADDRESS: - Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium; Laboratory for Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. AUTHOR: - Syrjanen S; ADDRESS: - Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology, Institute of Dentistry and Medicine Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. SUMMARY: - We present a review of current cervical cancer screening practices, the implementation status of vaccination against human papillomaviruses (HPV) and available data concerning the burden of HPV infection and HPV type-specific distribution in 16 Central and Eastern European countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and the Former Yugoslav Republic (FYR) of Macedonia. Since published data were relatively scarce, two detailed surveys were conducted during August-October 2011 and in January 2013 to obtain relevant and updated information. The mean prevalence of HPV infection in 8610 women with normal cervical cytology from the region was 12.6%, with HPV16 being the most frequent HPV type. The overall HPV DNA prevalence in women with high-grade cervical lesions was 78.1%. HPV DNA was found in 86.6% of cervical cancers; the combined prevalence of HPV16/18 among HPV positive cases was 87.5%. The overall HPV DNA prevalence in genital warts and laryngeal papillomas was 94.8% and 95.2%, respectively, with HPV6 and HPV11 being the most frequent types. Opportunistic and organized cervical screening, mainly based on conventional cytology, is performed in nine and seven countries in the region, respectively, with the proposed age of the start of screening ranging from 20 to 30 years and the estimated coverage ranging from a few percent to over 70%. At least one of the current HPV prophylactic vaccines is registered in all Central and Eastern European countries except Montenegro. Only Bulgaria, Czech Republic, FYR Macedonia, Latvia, Romania and Slovenia have actually integrated HPV vaccination into their national immunization programme and currently provide routine vaccination free of charge to the primary target population. The key reasons for lack of implementation of HPV vaccination into the national immunization programme are high vaccine cost and negative public perception. This article forms part of a regional report entitled “Comprehensive Control of HPV Infections and Related Diseases in the Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region” Vaccine Volume 31, Supplement 7, 2013. Updates of the progress in the field are presented in a separate monograph entitled “Comprehensive Control of HPV Infections and Related Diseases” Vaccine Volume 30, Supplement 5, 2012. -------------------------------------------------------------[361] TITLE: - MDM2 SNP309 polymorphism contributes to endometrial cancer susceptibility: evidence from a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2013 Nov 3;32(1):85. doi: 10.1186/1756-9966-32-85. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1186/1756-9966-32-85 AUTHOR: - Peng Q AUTHOR: - Mo C AUTHOR: - Qin A AUTHOR: - Lao X AUTHOR: - Chen Z AUTHOR: - Sui J AUTHOR: - Wu J AUTHOR: - Zhai L AUTHOR: - Yang S AUTHOR: - Qin X AUTHOR: - Li S SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: The SNP309 polymorphism (T-G) in the promoter of MDM2 gene has been reported to be associated with enhanced MDM2 expression and tumor development. Studies investigating the association between MDM2 SNP309 polymorphism and endometrial cancer risk reported conflicting results. We performed a meta-analysis of all available studies to explore this association. METHODS: All studies published up to August 2013 on the association between MDM2 SNP309 polymorphism and endometrial cancer risk were identified by searching electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Chinese Biomedical Literature database (CBM). The association between the MDM2 SNP309 polymorphism and endometrial cancer risk was assessed by odds ratios (ORs) together with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Eight case-control studies with 2069 endometrial cancer cases and 4546 controls were identified. Overall, significant increase of endometrial cancer risk was found when all studies were pooled in the meta-analysis (GG vs. TT: OR = 1.464, 95% CI 1.246-1.721, P < 0.001; GG vs. TG + TT: OR = 1.726, 95% CI 1.251-2.380, P = 0.001; GG + TG vs. TT: OR = 1.169, 95% CI 1.048-1.304, P = 0.005). In subgroup analysis by ethnicity and HWE in controls, significant increase of endometrial cancer risks were observed in Caucasians and studies consistent with HWE. In subgroup analysis according to study quality, significant associations were observed in both high quality studies and low quality studies. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that MDM2 SNP309 polymorphism contributes to endometrial cancer susceptibility, especially in Caucasian populations. Further large and well-designed studies are needed to confirm this association. -------------------------------------------------------------[362] TITLE: - miRNAs with the Potential to Distinguish Follicular Thyroid Carcinomas from Benign Follicular Thyroid Tumors: Results of a Meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Horm Metab Res. 2014 Jan 20. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1055/s-0033-1363264 AUTHOR: - Stokowy T; ADDRESS: - Institute of Automatic Control, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland. AUTHOR: - Wojtas B; ADDRESS: - Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology, M. Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice, Poland. AUTHOR: - Fujarewicz K; ADDRESS: - Institute of Automatic Control, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland. AUTHOR: - Jarzab B; ADDRESS: - Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology, M. Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice, Poland. AUTHOR: - Eszlinger M; ADDRESS: - Division of Endocrinology and Nephrology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. AUTHOR: - Paschke R; ADDRESS: - Division of Endocrinology and Nephrology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. SUMMARY: - The detection of somatic mutations in indeterminate or follicular proliferation fineneedle aspiration cytologies (FNACs) is able to clarify only a subgroup of those FNACs. Therefore, further markers to differentiate this problematic FNAC category by the identification of mutation negative thyroid cancers and benign nodules are urgently needed. Our objective was to evaluate previously published miRNA markers and discover novel ones from all publicly available miRNA expression profiling data sets. By literature review and data repository search we gathered 3 data sets describing human miRNA expression profiles of follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) and follicular adenoma (FA) samples. Literature review summarized 27 previously published miRNAs, which were validated in the 3 available data sets. By means of uniform statistical analysis 6 further miRNAs were identified and tested in an independent, previously published microarray data set. Meta-analysis confirmed 7 out of 27 previously published, and 4 out of 6 de novo identified miRNAs. The low confirmation rate of previously published miRNA markers was induced by low numbers of samples in the analyzed studies and high false discovery rates that were higher than 0.2. Finally, miR-637, miR-181c3p, miR-206, and miR-7-5p were discovered as de novo potential FTC markers and validated in at least one independent, previously published data set. Two out of these new identified miRNAs (miR-7-5p and miR-206) were validated by qPCR in an independent sample set of 32 FTC and 46 FA samples. Especially miR-7-5p was able to differentiate benign and malignant thyroid tumors in several datasets. -------------------------------------------------------------[363] TITLE: - Salvage therapy of small volume prostate cancer nodal failures: A review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2013 Nov 21. pii: S1040-8428(13)00250-3. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2013.11.003. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.critrevonc.2013.11.003 AUTHOR: - De Bari B; ADDRESS: - Radiotherapy Department, Istituto del Radio di Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. AUTHOR: - Alongi F AUTHOR: - Buglione M AUTHOR: - Campostrini F AUTHOR: - Briganti A AUTHOR: - Berardi G AUTHOR: - Petralia G AUTHOR: - Bellomi M AUTHOR: - Chiti A AUTHOR: - Fodor A AUTHOR: - Suardi N AUTHOR: - Cozzarini C AUTHOR: - Nadia DM AUTHOR: - Scorsetti M AUTHOR: - Orecchia R AUTHOR: - Montorsi F AUTHOR: - Bertoni F AUTHOR: - Magrini SM AUTHOR: - Jereczek-Fossa BA SUMMARY: - New imaging modalities may be useful to identify prostate cancer patients with small volume, limited nodal relapse (“oligo-recurrent”) potentially amenable to local treatments (radiotherapy, surgery) with the aim of long-term control of the disease, even in a condition traditionally considered prognostically unfavorable. This report reviews the new diagnostic tools and the main published data about the role of surgery and radiation therapy in this particular subgroup of patients. -------------------------------------------------------------- [364] TITLE: - Liver transplantation for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Dec 28;19(48):9209-15. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i48.9209. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3748/wjg.v19.i48.9209 AUTHOR: - Robles R; ADDRESS: - Ricardo Robles, Francisco Sanchez-Bueno, Pablo Ramirez, Roberto Brusadin, Pascual Parrilla, Department of Surgery and Liver and Pancreas transplantation, Virgen de la Arrixaca Clinic and University Hospital, E-30120 Murcia, España. AUTHOR: - Sanchez-Bueno F; ADDRESS: - Ricardo Robles, Francisco Sanchez-Bueno, Pablo Ramirez, Roberto Brusadin, Pascual Parrilla, Department of Surgery and Liver and Pancreas transplantation, Virgen de la Arrixaca Clinic and University Hospital, E-30120 Murcia, España. AUTHOR: - Ramirez P; ADDRESS: - Ricardo Robles, Francisco Sanchez-Bueno, Pablo Ramirez, Roberto Brusadin, Pascual Parrilla, Department of Surgery and Liver and Pancreas transplantation, Virgen de la Arrixaca Clinic and University Hospital, E-30120 Murcia, España. AUTHOR: - Brusadin R; ADDRESS: - Ricardo Robles, Francisco Sanchez-Bueno, Pablo Ramirez, Roberto Brusadin, Pascual Parrilla, Department of Surgery and Liver and Pancreas transplantation, Virgen de la Arrixaca Clinic and University Hospital, E-30120 Murcia, España. AUTHOR: - Parrilla P; ADDRESS: - Ricardo Robles, Francisco Sanchez-Bueno, Pablo Ramirez, Roberto Brusadin, Pascual Parrilla, Department of Surgery and Liver and Pancreas transplantation, Virgen de la Arrixaca Clinic and University Hospital, E-30120 Murcia, España. SUMMARY: - The most appropriate treatment for Klatskin tumor (KT) with a curative intention is multimodal therapy based on achieving resection with tumour-free margins (R0 resections) combined with other types of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment (the most important factor affecting KT survival is the possibility of R0 resections, achieving 5-year survival rate of 40%50%). Thirty to forty percent of patients with KT are inoperable and present a 5-year survival rate of 0%. In irresectable non-disseminated KT patients, using liver transplantation without neoadjuvant treatment, the 5-year survival rate increase to 38%, reaching 50% survival in early stage. In selected cases, with liver transplantation and neoadjuvant treatment (chemotherapy and radiotherapy), the actuarial survival rate is 65% at 5 years and 59% at 10 years. In conclusion, correct staging, neoadjuvant treatment, living donor and priority on the liver transplant waiting list may lead to improved results. -------------------------------------------------------------[365] TITLE: - Promising roles of mammalian E2Fs in hepatocellular carcinoma. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cell Signal. 2014 Jan 16;26(5):1075-1081. doi: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2014.01.008. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.cellsig.2014.01.008 AUTHOR: - Zhan L; ADDRESS: - School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University (AMU), China. AUTHOR: - Huang C; ADDRESS: - School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University (AMU), China. AUTHOR: - Meng XM; ADDRESS: - School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University (AMU), China. AUTHOR: - Song Y; ADDRESS: - School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University (AMU), China. AUTHOR: - Wu XQ; ADDRESS: - School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University (AMU), China. AUTHOR: - Miu CG; ADDRESS: - School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University (AMU), China. AUTHOR: - Zhan XS; ADDRESS: - School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University (AMU), China. AUTHOR: - Li J; ADDRESS: - School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, China; Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University (AMU), China. Electronic address: lj@ahmu.edu.cn. SUMMARY: - In mammalian cells, E2F family of transcription factors (E2Fs) traditionally modulates assorted cellular functions related to cell cycle progression, proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. Eight members, E2F1 E2F8 have been recognized of this family so far, and the members of this family are generally divided into activator E2F (E2F1--E2F3a), repressor E2F (E2F3b—E2F5) and inhibitor E2F (E2F6--E2F8) subclasses based on their structur-e and function. Studies have showed that the mammalian E2F family members represent a recent evolutionary adaptation to malignancies besides hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and a growing body of evidence has validated that the individual members of the family develop a close relationship with HCC. E2F1 was identified to play overlapping roles in HCC, while E2F2-E2F8 (except E2F6 and E2F7) showed to be tumor-promoter in HCC. However, the mechanism underlying the mammalian E2Fs associated with HCC is still unknown and needs further research. The aim of this review is to sum up the collective knowledge of E2F family and the roles of each member of this family in HCC. Moreover, we will discuss some novel therapeutic target for HCC based on the complicated functions of mammalian E2Fs. -------------------------------------------------------------[366] TITLE: - 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibezo-p-dioxin exposure and prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of cohort studies. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Public Health. 2014 Jan 22. pii: S0033-3506(13)00343-0. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2013.10.006. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.puhe.2013.10.006 AUTHOR: - Leng L; ADDRESS: - Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road No. 22, Heping District, Tianjin 300070, China. Electronic address: lengling19871117@163.com. AUTHOR: - Chen X; ADDRESS: - Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road No. 22, Heping District, Tianjin 300070, China. Electronic address: chenxi@tijmu.edu.cn. AUTHOR: - Li CP; ADDRESS: - Department of Epidemiology & Statistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road No. 22, Heping District, Tianjin 300070, China. Electronic address: lichangping@tijmu.edu.cn. AUTHOR: - Luo XY; ADDRESS: - Department of Epidemiology & Statistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road No. 22, Heping District, Tianjin 300070, China. Electronic address: luoxiaoyanhao@yahoo.com.cn. AUTHOR: - Tang NJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road No. 22, Heping District, Tianjin 300070, China. Electronic address: tangnaijun@tijmu.edu.cn. SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: To perform a meta-analysis of cohort studies and evaluate the association between exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and prostate cancer quantitatively. STUDY DESIGN: Publications before April 2012 about populations exposed to TCDD were searched in PubMed. Only cohort studies were included. Extraction and quality assessment of included articles was performed independently by two authors using the MOOSE guidelines. METHODS: A total of 17 cohort studies on prostate cancer with information about standardized mortality ratios (SMR), risk ratio (RR), standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and TCDD exposure were included. SMRs and RRs were pooled separately after weighing each study by calculating the inverse of the estimated variance. RESULTS: Based on the 13 reported SMRs or SIRs, the meta-analysis yielded a meta-SMR of 1.26 (95% confidence interval 1.00-1.57, P = 0.046). The meta-RR, based on four reported RR from four cohorts, was 1.04 (95% confidence interval 0.85-1.28). Begg’s funnel plot showed little evidence of publication bias (Egger’s test P-value = 0.817). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that exposure to TCDD is associated with increased risk of prostate cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[367] TITLE: - Proceedings from the Third National Institutes of Health International Congress on Advances in Uterine Leiomyoma Research: comprehensive review, conference summary and future recommendations. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Hum Reprod Update. 2014 Jan 8. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1093/humupd/dmt058 AUTHOR: - Segars JH; ADDRESS: - Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. AUTHOR: - Parrott EC AUTHOR: - Nagel JD AUTHOR: - Guo XC AUTHOR: - Gao X AUTHOR: - Birnbaum LS AUTHOR: - Pinn VW AUTHOR: - Dixon D SUMMARY: - BACKGROUNDUterine fibroids are the most common gynecologic tumors in women of reproductive age yet the etiology and pathogenesis of these lesions remain poorly understood. Age, African ancestry, nulliparity and obesity have been identified as predisposing factors for uterine fibroids. Symptomatic tumors can cause excessive uterine bleeding, bladder dysfunction and pelvic pain, as well as associated reproductive disorders such as infertility, miscarriage and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Currently, there are limited noninvasive therapies for fibroids and no early intervention or prevention strategies are readily available. This review summarizes the advances in basic, applied and translational uterine fibroid research, in addition to current and proposed approaches to clinical management as presented at the ‘Advances in Uterine Leiomyoma Research: 3rd NIH International Congress’. Congress recommendations and a review of the fibroid literature are also reported.METHODSThis review is a report of meeting proceedings, the resulting recommendations and a literature review of the subject.RESULTSThe research data presented highlights the complexity of uterine fibroids and the convergence of ethnicity, race, genetics, epigenetics and environmental factors, including lifestyle and possible socioeconomic parameters on disease manifestation. The data presented suggest it is likely that the majority of women with uterine fibroids will have normal pregnancy outcomes; however, additional research is warranted. As an alternative to surgery, an effective long-term medical treatment for uterine fibroids should reduce heavy uterine bleeding and fibroid/uterine volume without excessive side effects. This goal has not been achieved and current treatments reduce symptoms only temporarily; however, a multi-disciplined approach to understanding the molecular origins and pathogenesis of uterine fibroids, as presented in this report, makes our quest for identifying novel targets for noninvasive, possibly nonsystemic and effective longterm treatment very promising.CONCLUSIONSThe Congress facilitated the exchange of scientific information among members of the uterine leiomyoma research and health-care communities. While advances in research have deepened our knowledge of the pathobiology of fibroids, their etiology still remains incompletely understood. Further needs exist for determination of risk factors and initiation of preventive measures for fibroids, in addition to continued development of new medical and minimally invasive options for treatment. -------------------------------------------------------------[368] TITLE: - Ovarian cancer screening-Current status, future directions. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Gynecol Oncol. 2014 Feb;132(2):490-495. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2013.11.030. Epub 2013 Dec 3. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ygyno.2013.11.030 AUTHOR: - Menon U; ADDRESS: - Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, Women’s Cancer, UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7DN, UK. Electronic address: u.menon@ucl.ac.uk. AUTHOR: - Griffin M; ADDRESS: - Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, Women’s Cancer, UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7DN, UK. AUTHOR: - Gentry-Maharaj A; ADDRESS: - Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, Women’s Cancer, UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7DN, UK. Electronic address: a.gentry-maharaj@ucl.ac.uk. SUMMARY: - Evidence of a mortality benefit continues to elude ovarian cancer (OC) screening. Data from the US Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial which used a screening strategy incorporating CA125 cut-off and transvaginal ultrasound has not shown mortality benefit. The United Kingdom Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS) is using the Risk of Ovarian Cancer (ROC) time series algorithm to interpret CA125, which has shown an encouraging sensitivity and specificity however the mortality data will only be available in 2015. The article explores the impact of growing insights into disease aetiology and evolution and biomarker discovery on future screening strategies. A better understanding of the target lesion, improved design of biomarker discovery studies, a focus on detecting low volume disease using cancer specific markers, novel biospecimens such as cervical cytology and targeted imaging and use of time series algorithms for interpreting markers profile suggests that a new era in screening is underway. -------------------------------------------------------------- [369] TITLE: - The association between metabolic syndrome and hepatocellular carcinoma: systemic review and meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Clin Gastroenterol. 2014 Feb;48(2):172-7. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0b013e3182a030c4. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1097/MCG.0b013e3182a030c4 AUTHOR: - Jinjuvadia R; ADDRESS: - *Department of Internal Medicine, Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, Detroit, MI daggerDepartment of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University Medical Center double daggerRoudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN. AUTHOR: - Patel S AUTHOR: - Liangpunsakul S SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) and/or its individual components have been linked to the development of cancer. Recent studies have suggested a similar link to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the direction and magnitude of the association between the MetS and HCC. METHODS: Two reviewers independently conducted a systemic search to identify the available evidence from databases from January 1980 to June 2012. Search terms included “Metabolic syndrome,” “insulin resistance syndrome,” “metabolic abnormalities” combined with “hepatocellular carcinoma,” and “liver cancer.” No language restriction was applied to the search. Only studies reporting an effect measure for the association between MetS and HCC were eligible for inclusion. Publication bias was assessed using the Begg and Egger tests, with a visual inspection of funnel plot. All analyses were performed using Comprehensive Meta-analysis version 2 software. RESULTS: Four studies (3 cohort and 1 case control) with a total of 829,651 participants were included in the analysis. The age range of participants was between 30 and 84 years. The combined analysis showed an overall 81% increased risk of HCC in cases with MetS (relative risk, 1.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.37-2.41). After excluding the single case-control study from analysis, the overall risk ratio remained statistically significant (relative risk, 1.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-1.74). Funnel plot inspection, Begg and Egger tests showed no evidence of publication bias for combined analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Though studies are scarce, currently available epidemiologic data are suggestive of significantly higher risk of HCC among patients with MetS. -------------------------------------------------------------[370] TITLE: - Disseminated spinal myxopapillary ependymoma in an adult at initial presentation: A case report and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Br J Neurosurg. 2014 Jan 24. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3109/02688697.2014.881464 AUTHOR: - Straus D; ADDRESS: - Departments of Neurosurgery, Rush University Medical Center , Chicago, IL , USA. AUTHOR: - Tan LA AUTHOR: - Takagi I AUTHOR: - O’Toole JE SUMMARY: - Disseminated spinal myxopapillary ependymoma (MPE) is extremely rare in adults. We report a 63-year-old man with chronic low-back pain found to have multiple MPEs in the thoracic, lumbar and sacral spine. Diagnostic and management strategies of disseminated MPE are discussed with a review of pertinent literature. -------------------------------------------------------------[371] TITLE: - Laparoscopic versus open resection for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors: a meta- analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Am Surg. 2014 Jan;80(1):48-56. AUTHOR: - Zheng L; ADDRESS: - Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, P.R. China. AUTHOR: - Ding W AUTHOR: - Zhou D AUTHOR: - Lu L AUTHOR: - Yao L SUMMARY: - We conducted our meta-analysis to compare outcomes between laparoscopic resection and open resection for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) from all published comparative studies in the literature. Databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Ovid, Web of Science, and CNKI, were searched to identify studies comparing outcomes after laparoscopic resection and open resection for gastric GISTs. The meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.1. Eleven comparative studies comprising 495 patients were identified. Patients undergoing laparoscopic resection of gastric GISTs were found to have similar operative time (weighted mean difference [WMD], 2.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], -16.01 to 11.43; P = 0.74) and complications rate (odds ratio [OR], 0.76; 95% CI, 0.36 to 1.58; P = 0.46). Less intraoperative blood loss (WMD, -55.91; 95% CI, -90.26 to -21.56; P = 0.001), earlier passing first flatus (WMD, -0.89, 95% CI, -1.60 to -0.18; P = 0.01), earlier having the first liquid diet (WMD, -1.54; 95% CI, -2.44 to -0.64; P = 0.0008), and shorter hospital stay (WMD, -4.25; 95% CI, -5.63 to -2.88; P < 0.00001) were observed in the laparoscopic resection group. The recurrence rate was higher in the group of open resection compared with the group of laparoscopic resection (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.75; P = 0.01). Laparoscopic resection is safe and efficient in the treatment of patients with gastric GISTs as compared with open resection procedure. Laparoscopic resection may be a preferred treatment for gastric GISTs. -------------------------------------------------------------[372] TITLE: - Surgical management of adrenal metastases. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Surg Oncol. 2014 Jan;109(1):31-5. doi: 10.1002/jso.23461. Epub 2013 Oct 21. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/jso.23461 AUTHOR: - Bradley CT; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York. AUTHOR: - Strong VE SUMMARY: - In the presence of a history of cancer, adrenal masses are commonly, but not exclusively, metastases. Depending upon the status of the patient’s ongoing cancer therapy, overall tumor burden, and performance score, adrenalectomy is a viable treatment option. Herein we review the prevalence, diagnostic evaluation, and selection for surgical treatment of adrenal metastases. Additional attention is paid to recent data supporting the safety and oncologic efficacy of laparoscopic adrenalectomy. -------------------------------------------------------------[373] TITLE: - Soy isoflavones and prostate cancer: A review of molecular mechanisms. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2014 Mar;140:116-32. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2013.12.010. Epub 2013 Dec 25. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.jsbmb.2013.12.010 AUTHOR: - Mahmoud AM; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. Electronic address: amahmo4@uic.edu. AUTHOR: - Yang W; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China. AUTHOR: - Bosland MC; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. SUMMARY: - Soy isoflavones are dietary components for which an association has been demonstrated with reduced risk of prostate cancer (PCa) in Asian populations. However, the exact mechanism by which these isoflavones may prevent the development or progression of PCa is not completely understood. There are a growing number of animal and in vitro studies that have attempted to elucidate these mechanisms. The predominant and most biologically active isoflavones in soy products, genistein, daidzein, equol, and glycetin, inhibit prostate carcinogenesis in some animal models. Cell-based studies show that soy isoflavones regulate genes that control cell cycle and apoptosis. In this review, we discuss the literature relevant to the molecular events that may account for the benefit of soy isoflavones in PCa prevention or treatment. These reports show that although soy isoflavone-induced growth arrest and apoptosis of PCa cells are plausible mechanisms, other chemo protective mechanisms are also worthy of consideration. These possible mechanisms include antioxidant defense, DNA repair, inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis, potentiation of radio- and chemotherapeutic agents, and antagonism of estrogen- and androgen-mediated signaling pathways. Moreover, other cells in the cancer milieu, such as the fibroblastic stromal cells, endothelial cells, and immune cells, may be targeted by soy isoflavones, which may contribute to soy-mediated prostate cancer prevention. In this review, these mechanisms are discussed along with considerations about the doses and the preclinical models that have been used. -------------------------------------------------------------[374] TITLE: - A review of the management of recurrent and persistent metastatic lymph nodes in well differentiated thyroid cancer: A multifactorial decision making guide created for the Thyroid Cancer Care Collaborative. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Head Neck. 2014 Jan 17. doi: 10.1002/hed.23615. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/hed.23615 AUTHOR: - Urken ML; ADDRESS: - Beth Israel Medical Center, Department of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery10 Union, Square East; Suite 5B, NY, NY, 10003. AUTHOR: - Milas M AUTHOR: - Randolph GW AUTHOR: - Tufano R AUTHOR: - Bergman D AUTHOR: - Bernet V AUTHOR: - Brett EM AUTHOR: - Brierley JD AUTHOR: - Cobin R AUTHOR: - Doherty G AUTHOR: - Klopper J AUTHOR: - Lee S AUTHOR: - Machac J AUTHOR: - Mechanick JI AUTHOR: - Orloff LA AUTHOR: - Ross D AUTHOR: - Smallridge RC AUTHOR: - Terris DJ AUTHOR: - Clain JB AUTHOR: - Tuttle M SUMMARY: - Purpose: Well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) recurs in up to 30% of patients. Guidelines from the American Thyroid Association (ATA) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) provide valuable parameters for the management of recurrent disease, but fail to guide the clinician as to the multitude of factors that should be taken into account. The Thyroid Cancer Care Collaborative (TCCC) is a web-based repository of a patient’s clinical information. Ten clinical decision making modules (CDMMs) process this information and display individualized treatment recommendations. Methods: A review of the literature and analysis of the management of recurrent/persistent WDTC. Results: Surgery remains the most common treatment in recurrent/persistent WDTC and can be performed with limited morbidity in experienced hands. However, careful observation may be the recommended course in select patients. Re-operation yields biochemical remission rates between 21% and 66%. There is a reported 1.2% incidence of permanent unexpected nerve paralysis and a 3.5% incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism. External beam radiotherapy and percutaneous ethanol ablation have been reported as therapeutic alternatives. RAI as a primary therapy has been reported previously for metastatic lymph nodes, but is currently advocated by the ATA as an adjuvant to surgery. Conclusion: The management of recurrent lymph nodes is a multifactorial decision and is best determined by a multidisciplinary team. The CDMMs allow for easy adoption of contemporary knowledge, making this information accessible to both patient and clinician. Head Neck, 2014. -------------------------------------------------------------[375] TITLE: - Meta-analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for the differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Acta Radiol. 2014 Jan 16. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1177/0284185113517115 AUTHOR: - Hu Q; ADDRESS: - Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound, The People’s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, PR China. AUTHOR: - Wang XY AUTHOR: - Zhu SY AUTHOR: - Kang LK AUTHOR: - Xiao YJ AUTHOR: - Zheng HY SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a non-invasive method for the assessment of breast lesions. The accuracy of CEUS in diagnosing of breast cancer has never been systematically assessed. PURPOSE: To determine the overall performance of CEUS in the differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions using meta-analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and article references published before October 2012 were searched. Published studies that used histopathologic results as golden reference to assess the diagnostic performance of CEUS in patients suspected of having breast cancer and the data necessary to calculate the diagnostic results were included. The qualities of eligible studies for final meta-analysis were assessed by using the quality assessment of diagnostic studies (QUADAS) instrument. Sensitivity, specificity, summary receiver-operating characteristic (sROC) curves, and area under the curve were calculated to examine the diagnostic performance of CEUS. RESULTS: Of 16 eligible studies, 957 breast lesions were included in the original meta-analysis, among which heterogeneity arising from factors other than threshold effect was explored. Meta-regression analysis confirmed the contrast agent was the most significant factor cause of heterogeneity (P = 0.0012, relative diagnostic odds ratio [DOR] = 7.06). The use of perfluoro containing microbubbles (Sonovue or Optison) significantly increased the diagnostic precision compared with Levovist. The pooled weighted estimates of sensitivity and specificity for CEUS in the diagnosis of breast lesions were 0.86 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83, 0.89) and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.75, 0.83), respectively. CONCLUSION: CEUS has good sensitivity and specificity in the characterization of breast lesions and can potentially help to select suspicious breast mass for surgery. -------------------------------------------------------------[376] TITLE: - A review of 218 pediatric cases of hepatocellular carcinoma. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Pediatr Surg. 2014 Jan;49(1):166-71. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2013.09.050. Epub 2013 Oct 5. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.jpedsurg.2013.09.050 AUTHOR: - Allan BJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, DeWittDaughtry Family, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA. AUTHOR: - Wang B; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, DeWittDaughtry Family, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA. AUTHOR: - Davis JS; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, DeWittDaughtry Family, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA. AUTHOR: - Parikh PP; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, DeWittDaughtry Family, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA. AUTHOR: - Perez EA; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, DeWittDaughtry Family, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA. AUTHOR: - Neville HL; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, DeWittDaughtry Family, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA. AUTHOR: - Sola JE; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, DeWitt- Daughtry Family, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA. Electronic address: jsola@med.miami.edu. SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: This study evaluates the incidence trends and clinical outcomes of children with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and assesses factors predictive of patient survival. METHODS: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry was queried from 1973 to 2009 for all patients between ages 0 and 19 with primary HCC. Demographics, tumor histology, surgical intervention, and patient survival were collected. RESULTS: Overall, 218 patients were identified. The annual age-adjusted incidence was 0.05 cases per 100,000 in 2009. Fibrolamellar subtype tumors were exclusive to children >5years old and exhibited greater survival compared to non-fibrolamellar subtype (57% vs. 28%, respectively, p=0.002). Tumor extirpation for patients with resectable disease significantly improved overall survival at 5years compared to no surgery (60% vs. 0%, respectively, p<0.0001). Overall 5-, 10- and 20year survival for the entire cohort was 24%, 23%, and 8%, respectively. Independent prognostic factors of lower mortality according to multivariate analysis were surgical resection (hazard ratio (HR)=0.18), non-Hispanic ethnicity (HR=0.52), and local disease at presentation (HR=0.46). CONCLUSION: Over the past four decades, the incidence of HCC has remained relatively stable. Children of Hispanic ethnicity have high mortality rates. However, HCC resection for curative intent significantly improves outcomes. -------------------------------------------------------------[377] TITLE: - Screening high-risk populations for lung cancer: guideline recommendations. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Thorac Oncol. 2013 Oct;8(10):1232-7. doi: 10.1097/JTO.0b013e31829fd3d5. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1097/JTO.0b013e31829fd3d5 AUTHOR: - Roberts H; ADDRESS: - *Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network, Mount Sinai Hospital, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; daggerDepartment of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; double daggerDivision of Respirology and section signRadiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; ||Division of Thoracic Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; paragraph signNortheast Cancer Centre, Health Sciences North, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada; and #Cancer Care Ontario, Prevention and Cancer Control, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. AUTHOR: - Walker-Dilks C AUTHOR: - Sivjee K AUTHOR: - Ung Y AUTHOR: - Yasufuku K AUTHOR: - Hey A AUTHOR: - Lewis N SUMMARY: - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this practice guideline was to develop evidence-based recommendations for screening high-risk populations for lung cancer. METHODS: The guideline was developed using the methods of Cancer Care Ontario’s Program in EvidenceBased Care. The core methodology of the Program in Evidence-Based Care’s guideline development process is systematic review. A systematic review had recently been completed by a collaboration of the American Cancer Society, the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. The evidence from that systematic review formed the basis of the recommendations, which were reviewed, and amended where necessary, by clinical experts in the fields of medical and radiation oncology, radiology, lung disease, and population health. RESULTS: The systematic review included eight randomized controlled trials and 13 single-arm studies evaluating screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in patients at risk for lung cancer. One large randomized trial reported a statistically significant reduction in lung cancer mortality with LDCT at 6 years compared with chest radiography. The practice guideline recommendations generally align with the parameters of the National Lung Screening Study. Deviations were described and justified by the guideline working group. The recommendations support screening persons at high-risk for lung cancer with advice for determining a positive result on LDCT, appropriate follow-up, and optimal screening interval. CONCLUSION: The benefits of screening high-risk populations for lung cancer with LDCT outweigh the harms if screening is implemented in a strictly controlled manner. -------------------------------------------------------------[378] TITLE: - Unmet psychosocial needs in haematological cancer: a systematic review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Support Care Cancer. 2014 Jan 25. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s00520-014-2123-5 AUTHOR: - Swash B; ADDRESS: - Department of Psychology, University of Chester, Chritchley Building, Parkgate Road, Chester, CH1 4BJ, UK, b.swash@chester.ac.uk. AUTHOR: - Hulbert-Williams N AUTHOR: - Bramwell R SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: Psychosocial need implies a desire or requirement for support that underlies a person’s psychological, social and emotional wellbeing. This is not a new concept in the wider cancer literature, yet remains a relatively unexplored area in relation to haematological malignancies. The well-recognised differences between haematological and other types of cancer diagnosis warrant further investigation to try and highlight the potential differences in the needs of this patient group. METHOD: A systematic review of key online databases and psycho-oncology journals was conducted to identify papers that formally assessed unmet psychosocial needs in adults with a diagnosis of haematological cancer. The breadth of methodologies of included studies made a meta-analytical approach unfeasible, therefore studies were analysed using a narrative synthesis approach. RESULTS: Eighteen studies were found to be relevant and a specific focus was placed on those papers that looked solely at participants with a haematological diagnosis. The key areas of need identified were: psychological need, notably fear of recurrence; information needs; and needs relating to both family and healthcare professionals. Fear of recurrence was the most commonly identified psychosocial need within this literature. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical implications of these findings highlight the need for more widespread access to psychological support for haematology patients and for more to be done to tackle patients’ fears and concerns throughout the course of their illness. Assessment and identification of unmet needs is an important step enabling the development of clinical services that support and maintain psychological wellbeing through treatment and into survivorship. -------------------------------------------------------------[379] TITLE: - Current practice patterns in cervical cancer screening in Indiana. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Jan 8. pii: S0002-9378(14)00012-X. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2014.01.001. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ajog.2014.01.001 AUTHOR: - King NR; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN. AUTHOR: - Kasper KM; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN. AUTHOR: - Daggy JK; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN. AUTHOR: - Edmonds BT; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN. SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe current health care provider cervical cancer screening practice patterns for average-risk women in the state of Indiana in comparison to the 2012 guidelines as well as earlier guidelines. We also aim to describe what factors are associated with increased adherence to guidelines, and what factors may impede adherence. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a vignette-based survey among a convenience sample of obstetricians, gynecologists, midwives, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants attending the Indiana American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Section meeting in January 2013. RESULTS: Questionnaires were returned by 51% (112/218) of attendants. Of the 111 providers with completed surveys, 42 (38%) follow current guidelines. Of providers, 86% start screening at age 21 years. Of providers, 33% screen women aged 21-29 years every 3 years. Of providers, 33% follow recommendations for cotesting every 5 years for patients 30-65 years of age. The majority of providers follow guidelines to stop screening after a benign hysterectomy or age 65 years (75% and 51%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The majority of providers follow the 2012 guidelines for the initiation and cessation of cervical screening; however, most providers screen more frequently than currently recommended for patients between ages 21-65 years. -------------------------------------------------------------[380] TITLE: - Performance validation in anatomic pathology: successful integration of a new classification system into the practice setting using the updated lung non-small cell carcinoma recommendations. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2014 Jan;138(1):105-9. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2012-0750-OA. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 5858/arpa.2012-0750-OA AUTHOR: - Murugan P; ADDRESS: - From the Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City. Dr Murugan is now with MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. AUTHOR: - Stevenson ME AUTHOR: - Hassell LA SUMMARY: - CONTEXT: The new, international, multidisciplinary classification of lung adenocarcinoma, from the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society, presents a paradigm shift for diagnostic pathologists. OBJECTIVE: To validate our ability to apply the recommendations in reporting on non-small cell lung cancer cases. DESIGN: A test based on the new non-small cell lung cancer classification was administered to 16 pathology faculty members, senior residents, and fellows before and after major educational interventions, which included circulation of articles, electronic presentations, and live presentations by a well-known lung pathologist. Surgical and cytologic (including cell-block material) reports of lung malignancies for representative periods before and after the educational interventions were reviewed for compliance with the new guidelines. Cases were scored on a 3-point scale, with 1 indicating incorrect terminology and/or highly inappropriate stain use, 2 indicating correct diagnostic terminology with suboptimal stain use, and 3 indicating appropriate diagnosis and stain use. The actual error type was also evaluated. RESULTS: The average score on initial testing was 55%, increasing to 88% following the educational interventions (60% improvement). Of the 54 reports evaluated before intervention, participants scored 3 out of 3 points on 15 cases (28%), 2 of 3 on 31 cases (57%), and 1 of 3 on 8 cases (15%). Incorrect use of stains was noted in 23 of 54 cases (43%), incorrect terminology in 15 of 54 cases (28%), and inappropriate use of tissue, precluding possible molecular testing, in 4 out of 54 cases (7%). Of the 55 cases after intervention, participants scored 3 out of 3 points on 46 cases (84%), 2 of 3 on 8 cases (15%), and 1 of 3 on 1 case (2%). Incorrect use of stains was identified in 9 of 55 cases (16% of total reports), and inappropriate use of tissue, precluding possible molecular testing, was found in 1 of the 55 cases (2%). CONCLUSIONS: The study results demonstrated marked improvement in the pathologists’ understanding and application of the new non-small cell lung cancer classification recommendations, which was sufficient to validate our use of the system in routine practice. The results also affirm the value of intensive education on, and validation of, pathologists’ use of a classification or diagnostic algorithm. -------------------------------------------------------------[381] TITLE: - Intraventricular neurocytomas: A systematic review of stereotactic radiosurgery and fractionated conventional radiotherapy for residual or recurrent tumors. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2014 Feb;117:55-64. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2013.11.028. Epub 2013 Dec 7. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.clineuro.2013.11.028 AUTHOR: - Garcia RM; ADDRESS: - University of California, Berkeley Department of Epidemiology, 101 Haviland Hall, Berkeley 94720, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, Room M779, San Francisco 94143-0112, USA. Electronic address: roxannamelissa.garcia@ucsf.edu. AUTHOR: - Ivan ME; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, Room M779, San Francisco 94143-0112, USA. AUTHOR: - Oh T; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, Room M779, San Francisco 94143-0112, USA. AUTHOR: - Barani I; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, Room L-08, San Francisco 94143-0226, USA. AUTHOR: - Parsa AT; ADDRESS: - Department of Neurosurgery, Northwestern University, 676 N. St. Clair Street, Suite 2210, Chicago 60611, USA. Electronic address: aparsa@nmff.org. SUMMARY: - To determine optimal treatment for recurrent or residual intraventricular neurocytomas (IVNs), a systematic review of PubMed and EMBASE was conducted comparing fractionated conventional radiotherapy (FCRT) versus stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Inclusion criteria included histological IVN documentation, at least 6 months of follow-up observation and described dose of FCRT or SRS administered. Descriptive statistical and Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed. The literature search yielded 451 articles. Sixteen studies met inclusion criteria. The local tumor control proportion was 93% and 88% in the SRS and FCRT subgroups, respectively. The relative risk (RR) of local recurrence was 0.57 less (95% CI: 0.21-1.57; log-rank p=0.85) and the RR of all-cause mortality was 0.23 less (95% CI: 0.051.05; log-rank p=0.22) in SRS subgroup compared to the FCRT subgroup but did not reach statistical significance. Recurrence was significantly associated with presence of histological atypia (log-rank p<0.001). Severe complications were lower in SRS subgroup (5.5% versus 7.5%, p=0.74); however, distant tumor recurrence was slightly lower in the FCRT subgroup (1.5% versus 5.5%, p=0.24). The role of SRS or FCRT in the management of residual or recurrent IVNs will continue to depend on the balance between the risks and benefits of SRS and FCRT until better quality data are available. -------------------------------------------------------------[382] TITLE: - Gynecologic cancers in pregnancy: guidelines of a second international consensus meeting. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2014 Mar;24(3):394-403. doi: 10.1097/IGC.0000000000000062. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1097/IGC.0000000000000062 AUTHOR: - Amant F; ADDRESS: - *Department of Oncology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and Gynecologic Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium; daggerGynecologic Oncology, 2nd Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; double daggerNeonatal Intensive Care, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; section signRadiotherapy and Clinical Oncology, Vejle Hospital, Vejle, Denmark; parallelGynecological Oncology, Center for Gynecological Oncology Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; paragraph signObstetrics, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium; #Medical Oncology, Cochin Teaching Hospital, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France; **Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ospedale San Gerardo, Monza, Italy; daggerdaggerGynecologic Surgery, Institute de Cancerologie Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France; double daggerdouble daggerMaternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Mt Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; section sign section signObstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia; parallel parallelDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hopital Trousseau, Assistance-Publique Hopitaux de Paris, Universite Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France; paragraph sign paragraph signRadiation Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium; ##Medical Oncology, Radboudziekenhuis, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; ***Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel; and daggerdaggerdaggerClinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Motherisk Program, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. AUTHOR: - Halaska MJ AUTHOR: - Fumagalli M AUTHOR: - Dahl Steffensen K AUTHOR: - Lok C AUTHOR: - Van Calsteren K AUTHOR: - Han SN AUTHOR: - Mir O AUTHOR: - Fruscio R AUTHOR: - Uzan C AUTHOR: - Maxwell C AUTHOR: - Dekrem J AUTHOR: - Strauven G AUTHOR: - Mhallem Gziri M AUTHOR: - Kesic V AUTHOR: - Berveiller P AUTHOR: - van den Heuvel F AUTHOR: - Ottevanger PB AUTHOR: - Vergote I AUTHOR: - Lishner M AUTHOR: - Morice P AUTHOR: - Nulman I SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to provide timely and effective guidance for pregnant women and health care providers to optimize maternal treatment and fetal protection and to promote effective management of the mother, fetus, and neonate when administering potentially teratogenic medications. New insights and more experience were gained since the first consensus meeting 5 years ago. METHODS: Members of the European Society of Gynecological Oncology task force “Cancer in Pregnancy” in concert with other international experts reviewed the existing literature on their respective areas of expertise. The summaries were subsequently merged into a complete article that served as a basis for discussion during the consensus meeting. All participants approved the final article. RESULTS: In the experts’ view, cancer can be successfully treated during pregnancy in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, optimizing maternal treatment while considering fetal safety. To maximize the maternal outcome, cancer treatment should follow a standard treatment protocol as for nonpregnant patients. Iatrogenic prematurity should be avoided. Individualization of treatment and effective psychologic support is imperative to provide throughout the pregnancy period. Diagnostic procedures, including staging examinations and imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging and sonography, are preferable. Pelvic surgery, either open or laparoscopic, as part of a treatment protocol, may reveal beneficial outcomes and is preferably performed by experts. Most standard regimens of chemotherapy can be administered from 14 weeks gestational age onward. Apart from cervical and vulvar cancer, as well as important vulvar scarring, the mode of delivery is determined by the obstetrician. Term delivery is aimed for. Breast-feeding should be considered based on individual drug safety and neonatologist-breast-feeding expert’s consult. CONCLUSIONS: Despite limited evidence-based information, cancer treatment during pregnancy can succeed. State-of-the-art treatment should be provided for this vulnerable population to preserve maternal and fetal prognosis. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data on teratogenic effects, ionizing examinations, sentinel lymph node biopsy, tumor markers during pregnancy, as well as additional references and tables are available at the extended online version of this consensus article, go to http://links.lww.com/IGC/A197. -------------------------------------------------------------- [383] TITLE: - Schizophrenia and cancer: Is angiogenesis a missed link? SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Life Sci. 2014 Mar 3;97(2):91-95. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2013.12.023. Epub 2013 Dec 27. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.lfs.2013.12.023 AUTHOR: - Lopes R; ADDRESS: - Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Al. Prof. Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; Clinic of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Centro Hospitalar de Sao Joao, Al. Prof. Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: rui.lopess@gmail.com. AUTHOR: - Soares R; ADDRESS: - Department of Biochemistry (U38-FCT), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Al. Prof. Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: raqsoa@med.up.pt. AUTHOR: - Figueiredo-Braga M; ADDRESS: - Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Al. Prof. Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: margaridafb@sapo.pt. AUTHOR: - Coelho R; ADDRESS: - Clinic of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Centro Hospitalar de Sao Joao, Al. Prof. Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Al. Prof. Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: rmnscoelho@mail.telepac.pt. SUMMARY: - Cancer prevalence and risk in schizophrenia (SZ) patients, as well as their implicated molecular pathways, is a debate that has become increasingly appreciated, despite lacking evidence. Since angiogenesis is imbalanced in both conditions, a non-systematic review of the existing literature using the PubMed database was performed to summarize current knowledge and to elucidate hypothesis regarding the reduced incidence of cancer in SZ, exploring possible angiogenesis biology aspects that can be interrelated both with SZ and cancer. Some lines of evidence based in epidemiology, genetic, molecular and biochemical studies suggest a putative interplay between SZ pathophysiology and angiogenesis, involving different molecular pathways and also influencing cancer biology. Studying angiogenesis in SZ and its implications to cancer is an unexplored field that could provide more insightful knowledge regarding its pathophysiology and promote the development of treatment applications. -------------------------------------------------------------[384] TITLE: - Positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of lung cancer: current status and future prospects. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Thorac Imaging. 2014 Jan;29(1):4-16. doi: 10.1097/RTI.0000000000000062. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1097/RTI.0000000000000062 AUTHOR: - Yoon SH; ADDRESS: - Departments of *Radiology section signNuclear Medicine double daggerCancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine daggerInstitute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Korea. AUTHOR: - Goo JM AUTHOR: - Lee SM AUTHOR: - Park CM AUTHOR: - Seo HJ AUTHOR: - Cheon GJ SUMMARY: - Various designs of positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) systems have been recently introduced to clinical practice, which have overcome preexisting technical challenges concerning the fusion of PET and MRI systems. Although further improvements are still necessary especially for bony lesions, quantification using current MRI-based attenuation correction techniques has been shown to be comparable to that of PET/computed tomography (CT) systems. On the basis of the results of previous wholebody MRI studies, PET/MRI is expected to show even better performance than PET/CT in Mstaging especially for brain and liver metastases. Another advantage of PET/MRI over PET/CT, in addition to good soft tissue contrast, is the potential reduction in radiation dose. The next important hurdle to overcome for its clinical application is the development of time-efficient protocols for lung cancer evaluation and interpretation of discordant results from both modalities. Multiparametric imaging through PET/MRI will help radiologists better understand tumor biology and better evaluate treatment response. -------------------------------------------------------------[385] TITLE: - Metastatic plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Acta Cytol. 2014;58(1):108-12. doi: 10.1159/000356420. Epub 2013 Dec 10. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1159/000356420 AUTHOR: - Olsen DL; ADDRESS: - Fletcher Allen Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Burlington, Vt., USA. AUTHOR: - Anderson SR SUMMARY: - Plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma is a rare form of invasive urothelial carcinoma first described in 1991 by Sahin et al. [Acta Cytol 1991;35:277-280]. Since this original publication, over 70 cases of plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma have been described. A small number of cytologic descriptions have been published, including cases involving cerebrospinal fluid cytology, bladder washings and urine cytology. To our knowledge, we describe the first fine needle aspiration of metastatic plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma in a 75-year-old man who presented with a pathologic fracture of the L4 vertebral body. One of the diagnostic pitfalls in the cytologic evaluation of this rare malignancy is the positive staining with CD138. While CD138 is a marker for plasma cell differentiation, it is also positive in plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma. In addition to recognizing the cytomorphologic details, a full immunohistochemical panel is helpful in properly characterizing this entity. A brief discussion of long-term prognosis and treatment benefit is provided. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel. -------------------------------------------------------------[386] TITLE: - Laparoscopic vs open total gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a meta-analysis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Nov 28;19(44):8114-32. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i44.8114. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3748/wjg.v19.i44.8114 AUTHOR: - Xiong JJ; ADDRESS: - Jun-Jie Xiong, Chun-Lu Tan, Neng-Wen Ke, Si-Ming Xie, Xun Ran, Hao Zhang, Yong-Hua Chen, Xu-Bao Liu, Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China. AUTHOR: - Nunes QM AUTHOR: - Huang W AUTHOR: - Tan CL AUTHOR: - Ke NW AUTHOR: - Xie SM AUTHOR: - Ran X AUTHOR: - Zhang H AUTHOR: - Chen YH AUTHOR: - Liu XB SUMMARY: - AIM: To conduct a meta-analysis comparing laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) with open total gastrectomy (OTG) for the treatment of gastric cancer. METHODS: Major databases such as Medline (PubMed), Embase, Academic Search Premier (EBSCO), Science Citation Index Expanded and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library were searched for studies comparing LTG and OTG from January 1994 to May 2013. Evaluated endpoints were operative, postoperative and oncological outcomes. Operative outcomes included operative time and intraoperative blood loss. Postoperative recovery included time to first fl atus, time to first oral intake, hospital stay and analgesics use. Postoperative complications comprised morbidity, anastomotic leakage, anastomotic stenosis, ileus, bleeding, abdominal abscess, wound problems and mortality. Oncological outcomes included positive resection margins, number of retrieved lymph nodes, and proximal and distal resection margins. The pooled effect was calculated using either a fixed effects or a random effects model. RESULTS: Fifteen non-randomized comparative studies with 2022 patients were included (LTG - 811, OTG - 1211). Both groups had similar short-term oncological outcomes, analgesic use (WMD -0.09; 95%CI: -2.39-2.20; P = 0.94) and mortality (OR = 0.74; 95%CI: 0.24-2.31; P = 0.61). However, LTG was associated with a lower intraoperative blood loss (WMD -201.19 mL; 95%CI: -296.50--105.87 mL; P < 0.0001) and overall complication rate (OR = 0.73; 95%CI: 0.57-0.92; P = 0.009); fewer wound-related complications (OR = 0.39; 95%CI: 0.21-0.72; P = 0.002); a quicker recovery of gastrointestinal motility with shorter time to fi rst fl atus (WMD -0.82; 95%CI: -1.18--0.45; P < 0.0001) and oral intake (WMD -1.30; 95%CI: -1.84--0.75; P < 0.00001); and a shorter hospital stay (WMD -3.55; 95%CI: -5.13--1.96; P < 0.0001), albeit with a longer operation time (WMD 48.25 min; 95%CI: 31.15-65.35; P < 0.00001), as compared with OTG. CONCLUSION: LTG is safe and effective, and may offer some advantages over OTG in the treatment of gastric cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[387] TITLE: - Reassessment of the current american joint committee on cancer staging system for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Am Coll Surg. 2014 Feb;218(2):188-95. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2013.11.001. Epub 2013 Nov 6. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.jamcollsurg.2013.11.001 AUTHOR: - Qadan M; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Stanford University Hospital and Clinics, Stanford, CA. AUTHOR: - Ma Y; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Stanford University Hospital and Clinics, Stanford, CA. AUTHOR: - Visser BC; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Stanford University Hospital and Clinics, Stanford, CA. AUTHOR: - Kunz PL; ADDRESS: - Department of Medicine-Oncology, Stanford University Hospital and Clinics, Stanford, CA. AUTHOR: - Fisher GA; ADDRESS: - Department of Medicine-Oncology, Stanford University Hospital and Clinics, Stanford, CA. AUTHOR: - Norton JA; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Stanford University Hospital and Clinics, Stanford, CA. AUTHOR: - Poultsides GA; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Stanford University Hospital and Clinics, Stanford, CA. Electronic address: gpoultsides@stanford.edu. SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Adopting a unified staging system for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) has been challenging. Currently, the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) recommends use of the pancreatic adenocarcinoma staging system for PNETs. We sought to explore the prognostic usefulness of the pancreatic adenocarcinoma staging system for PNETs. STUDY DESIGN: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program data were used to identify patients with PNETs who underwent curative-intent surgical resection from 1983 to 2008. The discriminatory ability of the AJCC system was examined and a new TNM system was devised using extent of disease variables. RESULTS: In 1,202 patients identified, lymph node metastasis was associated with worse 10-year overall survival after resection (51% vs 63%; p < 0.0001), as was the presence of distant metastatic disease (35% vs 62%; p < 0.0001). The current AJCC system (recorded by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program in 412 patients since 2004) distinguished 5-year overall survival only between stages I and II (p = 0.01), but not between stages II and III (p = 0.97), or stages III and IV (p = 0.36). By modifying the T stage to be based on size alone (0.1 to 1.0 cm, 1.1 to 2.0 cm, 2.1 to 4.0 cm, and >4.0 cm) and revising the TNM subgroups, we propose a novel TNM system with improved discriminatory ability between disease stages (stages I vs II; p = 0.16; II vs III; p < 0.0001; and III vs IV; p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: In this study evaluating the current AJCC staging system for PNETs, there were no significant differences detected between stages II and III or stages III and IV. We propose a novel TNM system that might better discriminate between outcomes after surgical resection of PNETs. -------------------------------------------------------------[388] TITLE: - KRAS mutation positive mucinous adenocarcinoma originating in mature ovarian teratoma: Case report and review of literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Pathol Int. 2013 Dec;63(12):611-4. doi: 10.1111/pin.12123. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/pin.12123 AUTHOR: - Hershkovitz D; ADDRESS: - Institute of Pathology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel; B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel. AUTHOR: - Vlodavsky E AUTHOR: - Simon E AUTHOR: - Ben-Izhak O SUMMARY: - Mature ovarian teratomas rarely undergo transformation into malignancy. Carcinomas, mostly squamous cell carcinoma, are the most common malignancy arising in mature cystic teratoma. In the present report we describe a 13-year-old girl who developed a large mass in her ovary. Fine needle biopsy identified intestinal type mucinous adenocarcinoma, which was also identified in the full surgical specimen. Extensive sampling of the surgical specimen also identified areas of mature cystic teratoma. Interestingly, molecular analysis of DNA extracted from various components of the lesion identified KRAS mutation in the carcinoma, borderline mucinous tumor and benign intestinal-type epithelium but not in the epidermal component of the teratoma. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of KRAS mutation in mucinous carcinoma originating in mature cystic teratoma. We discuss the importance of extensive tissue sampling to differentiate between carcinoma originating in teratoma and metastatic colorectal carcinoma to the ovary. Additionally, the identification of KRAS mutation in the morphologically benign intestinal-type epithelium indicated that it is an early event in the carcinogenic sequence and that the molecular pathway of carcinogenesis in teratoma is similar to that in the carcinogenic process of somatic tissue. -------------------------------------------------------------[389] TITLE: - Paediatric urachal benign teratoma: a case report and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - APMIS. 2014 Jan 30. doi: 10.1111/apm.12216. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/apm.12216 AUTHOR: - Kingo PS; ADDRESS: - Department of Urology, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark. AUTHOR: - Hoyer S AUTHOR: - Marinovskij E AUTHOR: - Rawashdeh YF SUMMARY: - Urachal anomalies are most often seen in children, seldom in adults, but are in general considered rare. The estimated incidence is one in 5000-7000 live births and appears twice as common in males. Despite their rarity, they need to be considered by clinicians, as diseases in the urachus can mimic many abdominal and pelvic conditions and constitute an important differential diagnosis to these. Diagnosis can be made by clinical examination and imaging modalities (computed tomography, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, voiding cystourethrogram), but some are discovered incidentally. Management of symptomatic urachal anomalies is surgery. Histological examination of the specimen should always be performed to rule out malignancy. We report on the first adolescent described in the literature diagnosed with a urachal sinus harboring a benign teratoma. A combination of the two pathologies is by inference an extremely rare condition, which we here report on and we review the relevant literature on this topic. -------------------------------------------------------------[390] TITLE: - The rationale behind complete mesocolic excision (CME) and a central vascular ligation for colon cancer in open and laparoscopic surgery : Proceedings of a consensus conference. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Colorectal Dis. 2014 Jan 31. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s00384-013-1818-2 AUTHOR: - Sondenaa K; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, Haraldsplass Deaconess Hospital, POB 6165, 5892, Bergen, Norway, kasoende@online.no. AUTHOR: - Quirke P AUTHOR: - Hohenberger W AUTHOR: - Sugihara K AUTHOR: - Kobayashi H AUTHOR: - Kessler H AUTHOR: - Brown G AUTHOR: - Tudyka V AUTHOR: - D’Hoore A AUTHOR: - Kennedy RH AUTHOR: - West NP AUTHOR: - Kim SH AUTHOR: - Heald R AUTHOR: - Storli KE AUTHOR: - Nesbakken A AUTHOR: - Moran B SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: It has been evident for a while that the result after resection for colon cancer may not have been optimal. Several years ago, this was showed by some leading surgeons in the USA but a concept of improving results was not consistently pursued. Later, surgeons in Europe and Japan have increasingly adopted the more radical principle of complete mesocolic excision (CME) as the optimal approach for colon cancer. The concept of CME is a similar philosophy to that of total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer and precise terminology and optimal surgery are key factors. METHOD: There are three essential components to CME. The main component involves a dissection between the mesenteric plane and the parietal fascia and removal of the mesentery within a complete envelope of mesenteric fascia and visceral peritoneum that contains all lymph nodes draining the tumour area (Hohenberger et al., Colorectal Disease 11:354-365, 2009; West et al., J Clin Oncol 28:272-278, 2009). The second component is a central vascular tie to completely remove all lymph nodes in the central (vertical) direction. The third component is resection of an adequate length of bowel to remove involved pericolic lymph nodes in the longitudinal direction. RESULT: The oncological rationale for CME and various technical aspects of the surgical management will be explored. CONCLUSION: The consensus conference agreed that there are sound oncological hypotheses for a more radical approach than has been common up to now. However, this may not necessarily apply in early stages of the tumour stage. Laparoscopic resection appears to be equally well suited for resection as open surgery. -------------------------------------------------------------[391] TITLE: - The mystery of the occluded port that allowed blood withdrawal: Is it safe to use standard needles to access ports? A case report and literature review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Surg Oncol. 2013 Dec 6. doi: 10.1002/jso.23508. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/jso.23508 AUTHOR: - Cataldo R; ADDRESS: - Director of Anesthesia, Dept. of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, University-Hospital School of Medicine Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy. AUTHOR: - Costa F AUTHOR: - Vitiello M AUTHOR: - Brescia F AUTHOR: - Proscia P AUTHOR: - Falco C AUTHOR: - Carassiti M SUMMARY: - A frequent complication of totally implantable central venous access devices (TIVADs) is withdrawal occlusion. We describe a case of rare dysfunction of TIVADs: blood withdrawal was possible, whereas infusion was not. A further investigation demonstrated that during infusion, a silicone core, probably produced by hypodermic needle puncture, occluded the reservoir outlet hole. The silicone septum puncture by standard needles instead of noncoring ones may reduce the device effectiveness and expose patients to serious complications. J. Surg. Oncol. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. -------------------------------------------------------------[392] TITLE: - Prognostic and predictive biomarkers in lung cancer. A review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Virchows Arch. 2014 Jan 14. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s00428-014-1535-4 AUTHOR: - Thunnissen E; ADDRESS: - Departments of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, e.thunnissen@vumc.nl. AUTHOR: - van der Oord K AUTHOR: - den Bakker M SUMMARY: - In lung cancer, clinically relevant prognostic information is provided by staging. Staging forms the basis for the treatment options and this is briefly summarized in the introduction. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase are biomarkers used for prediction of chemotherapy and prediction of targeted treatment. Other driver biomarkers in lung cancer (point mutations and rearrangements in specific genes including Her2, BRAF, NUT, MET, ROS1, DDR2, FGFR1, KRAS, and PTEN) might potentially provide additional information for clinical decision making. Owing to the low prevalence of mutations in predictive markers, patient numbers in studies are usually small, with the exception of EGFR. These mutations increase our understanding of the biology of lung cancer. Mutation analysis as a basis for treatment choice can have an impressive clinical impact with dramatic responses. However, as yet the impact of these approaches to overall survival is less striking. -------------------------------------------------------------[393] TITLE: - Social capital and adherence to cervical and breast cancer screening guidelines: a crosssectional study in rural Crete. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Health Soc Care Community. 2014 Jan 23. doi: 10.1111/hsc.12096. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/hsc.12096 AUTHOR: - Moudatsou MM; ADDRESS: - Department of Medicine, Faculty of Social Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece. AUTHOR: - Kritsotakis G AUTHOR: - Alegakis AK AUTHOR: - Koutis A AUTHOR: - Philalithis AE SUMMARY: - Breast and cervical cancers are among the leading causes of female mortality. The reasons that make women adhere, or not, to screening guidelines are not only related to individual and health characteristics but are also placed in a wider social and cultural context. Social capital might facilitate the dissemination of relevant knowledge of and the adherence to cancer screening guidelines. This cross-sectional study explored the associations of individuallevel social capital with breast and cervical cancer screening and the knowledge for the existence of relevant screening tests (Pap test and mammography) in the municipality of Gorgolaini, a rural area in Crete, Greece. A random sample of 131 of the 592 women of the 2001 electoral register were invited to participate in the study and 125 completed the Social Capital Questionnaire and two questions on self-reported health knowledge and behaviour (participation rate 95.4%). Women were eligible to participate if they were aged 35-75, had lived in the area for the last 10 years and were of Greek origin. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to establish associations among each social capital factor (total, participation in the community, value of life, tolerance for diversity, feelings of safety, family/friends connections) and knowledge of and adherence to breast and cervical cancer screening guidelines after adjustment for confounders. Our results suggest that early detection of breast and cervical cancers may be facilitated when taking into account the social context of the population. -------------------------------------------------------------[394] TITLE: - Is endometrial cancer really a neurophobic tumor? A case report and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Anticancer Res. 2014 Jan;34(1):249-57. AUTHOR: - Nassir M; ADDRESS: - Department of Gynecology, Campus Virchow Clinic, Charite Medical University Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. mani.nassir@charite.de. AUTHOR: - Roth A AUTHOR: - Gasimli K AUTHOR: - Braicu EI AUTHOR: - Fotopoulou C AUTHOR: - Mawrin C AUTHOR: - Badakhshi H AUTHOR: - Warnke JP AUTHOR: - Sehouli J SUMMARY: - Brain metastases due to endometrial cancer are rare and usually occur in the context of widespread disease. We present a rare case of a 74-year-old woman with recurrent endometrial cancer in terms of a solitary brain lesion two years after initial diagnosis. She was treated with local resection of the brain metastasis and subsequent whole-brain radiotherapy. She then experienced relapse twice, presenting two solitary metastases at two different time points at the same location as at initial diagnosis, but never showed any signs of extracranial widespread disease. The patient has been alive for 13 months after detection of her initial brain metastasis. Despite the identification of some risk factors, there is still very limited knowledge why some patients develop brain metastases as the only sign of distant spread. Our review of the literature revealed that the combination of two treatment modalities yields higher survival rates than single treatment-alone, as was the case in the presented patient. Further case reports, as well as large and prospective studies, may contribute to a better understanding of the etiology and dynamics of this disease and allow better evaluation of treatment options. -------------------------------------------------------------[395] TITLE: - Radiological imaging of florid intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia in the mandibule: case report and literature review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Clin Imaging. 2013 Dec 21. pii: S0899-7071(13)00330-6. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2013.12.006. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.clinimag.2013.12.006 AUTHOR: - Xu SS; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China. Electronic address: radiologyxu@163.com. AUTHOR: - Li D; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China. SUMMARY: - Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia was a rare benign vascular proliferative process as a result of papillary proliferation of the endothelial cells within the vessels. To our knowledge, we reported the second case occurring in the madibule, and the first reported in 1984 in the literature. We discussed manifestations of multislice computed tomography and panoramic radiography about the lesion and relevant literature was reviewed. -------------------------------------------------------------[396] TITLE: - Sarcomatoid carcinoma in head and neck: a review of 30 years of experience—clinical outcomes and reconstructive results. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Ann Plast Surg. 2013 Dec;71 Suppl 1:S1-7. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000000069. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1097/SAP.0000000000000069 AUTHOR: - Chang NJ; ADDRESS: - From the *Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou; daggerChang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan; double daggerDepartment of Pathology, and section signDivision of HematologyOncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan. AUTHOR: - Kao DS AUTHOR: - Lee LY AUTHOR: - Chang JW AUTHOR: - Hou MM AUTHOR: - Lam WL AUTHOR: - Cheng MH SUMMARY: - PROBLEM PRESENTED: Sarcomatoid carcinoma (SaCa) is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with sarcomatoid features. This study investigated the clinical presentation and outcomes of head and neck SaCa. In addition, reconstructive outcome for a subset of patients was also evaluated. STUDIES UNDERTAKEN: Seventy-eight SaCa cases including 72 men and 6 women were identified from 13,777 head and neck SCC cases. Clinical outcomes were evaluated based on locoregional control, distant metastases, and multivariate analyses. Reconstructive outcome was evaluated by flap survival rate. RESULT: Of the 78 cases, 71% (55) of cases were located in the oral mucosa; 64% (50) of patients were classified as T3 or T4 at the time of diagnosis. The 5-year survival was only 16%. Multivariate analysis revealed better outcomes only when the patient had a history of previous SCC. Forty-five patients underwent flap reconstruction, with 98% flap survival rate but the functional result varied because of the inevitable adjuvant radiotherapy and advanced stage of tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcomatoid carcinoma is a different entity from the conventional SCC of the head and neck. Sarcomatoid carcinoma carries a poorer prognosis despite aggressive surgical intervention and concurrent adjuvant therapies. It remains a great challenge for clinical oncologists, and the optimal treatment strategy requires further studies. Free flap is still preferred for defect reconstruction but the design should be simplified to avoid complications. -------------------------------------------------------------[397] TITLE: - Evolution of Granuloma Annulare to Mid-dermal Elastolysis: Report of a case and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Cutan Pathol. 2014 Jan 21. doi: 10.1111/cup.12292. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/cup.12292 AUTHOR: - J L; ADDRESS: - Division of Anatomical Pathology, Department of Pathology and. AUTHOR: - S M AUTHOR: - Nm W SUMMARY: - A 55-year-old healthy Caucasian female, on no medication, was seen by a dermatologist because of a patchy, slightly indurated, and violaceous eruption involving her neck and trunk. The clinical impression was of granuloma annulare. Over a period of several months the violaceous lesions became atrophic with loss of colour and eventual wrinkling of lesional skin. Sequential skin biopsies were obtained, which revealed a spectrum of changes. Those from early violaceous lesional zones displayed perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates and interstitial granulomatous inflammation, characteristic of interstitial granuloma annulare. Samples from atrophic lesional areas appeared normal on routine sections but an OrceinGiemsa stain, prompted by the clinical history of atrophy, revealed absence of elastic fibers in the mid-reticular dermis. The combined clinicopathologic findings pointed to development of mid-dermal elastolysis at involutional sites of granuloma annulare. Due to consideration of a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in the differential diagnosis, genotyping in search of T-cell monoclonality was performed and yielded a negative result. Our case supports the existing but scant evidence in the literature that the rare, enigmatic condition termed mid-dermal elastolysis is an end-result of inflammatory destruction of dermal elastic fibers. Granuloma annulare is one form of dermatitis capable of culminating in this entity, but others have also been implicated. -------------------------------------------------------------[398] TITLE: - Nodular secondary syphilis with associated granulomatous inflammation: case report and literature review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Cutan Pathol. 2014 Jan 22. doi: 10.1111/cup.12293. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1111/cup.12293 AUTHOR: - Rysgaard C; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. AUTHOR: - Alexander E AUTHOR: - Swick BL SUMMARY: - A 62-year-old male presented with a 10-day history of a diffuse, erythematous papular rash sparing the palms and soles. Histopathologic examination of a skin lesion showed loose non-caseating granulomas in a lymphoplasmacytic background. Scattered spirochetes were identified by Treponema pallidum immunohistochemistry, in keeping with a diagnosis of secondary syphilis. Granulomatous inflammation in secondary syphilis is uncommon. A review of the literature reveals that the majority of prior reported cases of granulomatous secondary syphilis share similar characteristics to this case; namely, a papular or nodular clinical presentation, sparing of the palms and soles, and collections of epithelioid histiocytes with associated lymphocytes and variable numbers of plasma cells. -------------------------------------------------------------[399] TITLE: - Does positive peritoneal cytology not affect the prognosis for stage I uterine endometrial cancer?: the remaining controversy and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2014 Mar;24(3):549-55. doi: 10.1097/IGC.0000000000000072. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1097/IGC.0000000000000072 AUTHOR: - Shiozaki T; ADDRESS: - *Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine; daggerDepartment of Translational Medical Science, Mie University School of Medicine, Tsu; and double daggerDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ise Red Cross Hospital, Funae, Mie, Japan. AUTHOR: - Tabata T AUTHOR: - Yamada T AUTHOR: - Yamamoto Y AUTHOR: - Yamawaki T AUTHOR: - Ikeda T SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to elucidate factors that affect prognosis in patients with stage I endometrial cancer. METHODS: The study group comprised 265 patients with stage I endometrial cancer treated surgically at either of our facilities between January 1998 and December 2010 (238 patients with negative peritoneal cytology and 27 patients with positive peritoneal cytology). Progression-free survivals were evaluated between the 2 groups, and multivariate analysis was conducted with correlation factors including positive peritoneal cytology, vessel permeation, lymph node dissection, histologic diagnosis, age at diagnosis, adjuvant chemotherapy, and the depth of myometrial invasion. RESULTS: Disease-free survival was significantly poorer for patients with positive peritoneal cytology than those with negative peritoneal cytology on stage I disease (P = 0.000). The stratified log-rank test with vessel permeation shows the similar results. By univariate Cox model, positive peritoneal cytology, vessel permeation, and systemic lymph node dissection at surgery are significant factors on stage I endometrial cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Although this is a small-scale preliminary study with adjustment of other factors, positive peritoneal cytology can contribute to the risk of progression-free survival in patients with stage I endometrial cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[400] TITLE: - Ectopic pituitary adenoma associated with an empty sella presenting with hearing loss: case report with literature review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Clin Neuropathol. 2014 Jan 22. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 5414/NP300702 AUTHOR: - Liang J AUTHOR: - Libien J AUTHOR: - Kunam V AUTHOR: - Shao C AUTHOR: - Rao C SUMMARY: - Ectopic pituitary adenomas are uncommon entities that may pose substantial diagnostic challenges. In the majority of these cases, patients present with endocrine and/or nasal obstruction symptoms. We report the case of an ectopic pituitary adenoma in a 76-yearold man with an empty sella who initially presented with right-sided hearing loss progressing to bilateral hearing loss over the next 4 years. Neuroimaging studies revealed a large, expansile central skull base mass replacing the clivus and sphenoid sinus, and invading the internal auditory canals and inner ear bilaterally. The tumor also involved the floor of the middle cranial fossae and bilateral medial temporal and occipital bones. Histopathologic examination, including immunohistochemical studies, revealed a sparsely granulated lactotroph adenoma. Hearing loss in a patient with ectopic pituitary adenoma constitutes an extremely unusual presentation. This case was further complicated by the presence of an empty sella and the absence of symptoms related to hyperprolactinemia. -------------------------------------------------------------[401] TITLE: - Perfusion CT of head and neck cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Radiol. 2014 Mar;83(3):537-544. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2013.12.008. Epub 2013 Dec 16. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ejrad.2013.12.008 AUTHOR: - Razek AA; ADDRESS: - Diagnostic Radiology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura 13551, Egypt. Electronic address: arazek@mans.edu.eg. AUTHOR: - Tawfik AM; ADDRESS: - Diagnostic Radiology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura 13551, Egypt. Electronic address: ahm_m_tawfik@hotmail.com. AUTHOR: - Elsorogy LG; ADDRESS: - Diagnostic Radiology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura 13551, Egypt. Electronic address: lamia2elsorogy@hotmail.com. AUTHOR: - Soliman NY; ADDRESS: - Diagnostic Radiology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura 13551, Egypt. Electronic address: nermin_eid@hotmail.com. SUMMARY: - We aim to review the technique and clinical applications of perfusion CT (PCT) of head and neck cancer. The clinical value of PCT in the head and neck includes detection of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) as it allows differentiation of HNSCC from normal muscles, demarcation of tumor boundaries and tumor local extension, evaluation of metastatic cervical lymph nodes as well as determination of the viable tumor portions as target for imaging-guided biopsy. PCT has been used for prediction of treatment outcome, differentiation between post-therapeutic changes and tumor recurrence as well as monitoring patient after radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. PCT has a role in cervical lymphoma as it may help in detection of response to chemotherapy and early diagnosis of relapsing tumors. -------------------------------------------------------------[402] TITLE: - MicroRNAs: Suggested role in pituitary adenoma pathogenesis. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Endocrinol Invest. 2013 Nov;36(10):889-895. AUTHOR: - Gadelha MR; ADDRESS: - Division of Endocrinology, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AUTHOR: - Kasuki L AUTHOR: - Denes J AUTHOR: - Trivellin G AUTHOR: - Korbonits M SUMMARY: - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that represent a major class of molecular regulators. miRNAs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several human tumors, including pituitary adenomas. Altered expression of miRNAs has been described in pituitary adenomas, and specific miRNA signatures are related to clinical and therapeutic characteristics of the tumors. The data suggest that miRNAs influence various genes known to be associated with the pathogenesis of pituitary adenomas and in this review we summarize these currently available studies focusing on miRNAs in pituitary adenomas. -------------------------------------------------------------[403] TITLE: - Polypoid endometriosis of the cervix: a case report and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2013 Dec 12. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s00404-013-3112-5 AUTHOR: - Jaiman S; ADDRESS: - Department of Anatomic and Perinatal Pathology and Cytology, Fernandez Hospital, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. AUTHOR: - Gundabattula SR AUTHOR: - Pochiraju M AUTHOR: - Sangireddy JR SUMMARY: - BACKGROUND: Giant and multilobular endocervical polyps are rare and need to be differentiated from cervical neoplastic lesions. CASE REPORT: The authors report a 29-year-old sexually inactive woman presenting with a prolapsed giant endocervical polyp, associated with malodorous discharge and menorrhagia. The wide-based polyp originated in part from the posterior lip of the exocervix and in part from the endocervix. This trilobular pedunculated mass (90 x 50 x 35 mm) had small cysts on the surface and focal areas of haemorrhage. Microscopic examination revealed areas with classic endocervical mucosal polyp histology intimately mixed with expanses of endometrial stroma and occasional endometrial glands. Immunohistochemically the endometrial stroma showed strong CD10 positivity, glands were oestrogen and progesterone receptor positive and Ki-67 proliferation index was low. CONCLUSION: Polypoid endometriosis of the cervix is a distinct form of endometriosis that may be mistaken for a neoplasm. Five earlier reports of this entity have not described a prolapsed polyp assuming gigantic proportions. We conclude that this condition be considered in the differential diagnosis of polypoid lesions of the cervix. -------------------------------------------------------------[404] TITLE: - Cushing’s syndrome secondary to ectopic ACTH secretion from carcinoid tumor within an ovarian mature teratoma: a case report and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Gynecol Endocrinol. 2014 Mar;30(3):192-6. doi: 10.3109/09513590.2013.871518. Epub 2014 Jan 7. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3109/09513590.2013.871518 AUTHOR: - Huang B; ADDRESS: - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University , Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou , China. AUTHOR: - Wu X AUTHOR: - Zhou Q AUTHOR: - Hu Y AUTHOR: - Zhao H AUTHOR: - Zhu H AUTHOR: - Zhang Q AUTHOR: - Zheng F SUMMARY: - Abstract A 46-year-old woman with Cushing’s syndrome secondary to ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion caused by primary ovarian mature teratoma with carcinoid components was presented in our case. The patient manifested sustained hypercortisolemia without circadian rhythm and a lack of suppression of either low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST) or high-dose dexamethasone suppression test (HDDST). There was no evidence of a pituitary mass or secretion of other hormones. After careful clinical evaluation, no other tumor masses were found. Resection of the ovarian tumors led to sharp reduction of serum ACTH and cortisol concentrations. Immunohistochemistry showed positivity in CgA, Syn, CK, NSE. To the best of our knowledge, there are rare reports of an ACTH-secreting carcinoid components located in an ovarian mature teratoma, and bilateral ovarian mature teratoma makes it rarer. -------------------------------------------------------------[405] TITLE: - Metastasizing Ameloblastoma - A perennial pathological enigma? Report of a case and review of literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2013 Nov 15. pii: S1010-5182(13)00308-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jcms.2013.11.009. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.jcms.2013.11.009 AUTHOR: - Jayaraj G; ADDRESS: - Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, 162, P.H. Road, Velappanchavadi, Chennai, India. Electronic address: gifrinaj@gmail.com. AUTHOR: - Sherlin HJ; ADDRESS: - Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, 162, P.H. Road, Velappanchavadi, Chennai, India. AUTHOR: - Ramani P; ADDRESS: - Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, 162, P.H. Road, Velappanchavadi, Chennai, India. AUTHOR: - Premkumar P; ADDRESS: - Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, 162, P.H. Road, Velappanchavadi, Chennai, India. AUTHOR: - Natesan A; ADDRESS: - Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, 162, P.H. Road, Velappanchavadi, Chennai, India. AUTHOR: - Ramasubramanian A; ADDRESS: - Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, 162, P.H. Road, Velappanchavadi, Chennai, India. AUTHOR: - Jagannathan N; ADDRESS: - Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, 162, P.H. Road, Velappanchavadi, Chennai, India. SUMMARY: - The Ameloblastoma is a slow growing locally invasive odontogenic epithelial neoplasm with a high recurrence rate and a low tendency to metastasize. Metastasis in Ameloblastoma was first described by Simmons and Emura in the 1920s. Slootweg and Muller proposed the term Malignant Ameloblastoma to describe a well-differentiated ameloblastoma that metastasizes but maintains the characteristic cytologic features of the original tumour and the term Ameloblastic Carcinoma to an ameloblastoma with malignant cytological features. About 2% of ameloblastomas undergo metastasis. So far there have only been two cases of Metastasizing Ameloblastoma reported from the Indian Subcontinent. We present the case of a 22-year-old male Indian patient, who presented with a diffuse swelling in the left posterior mandible. Radiographs revealed a multilocular radiolucency in the left mandible. On histopathological examination, the lesion was diagnosed as follicular ameloblastoma. Four years later the patient presented with a swelling in the left submandibular region. Histological examination revealed metastatic ameloblastoma within the cervical lymph node. -------------------------------------------------------------[406] TITLE: - Pediatric laryngeal neurofibroma: case report and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2014 Jan;78(1):142-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2013.10.047. Epub 2013 Nov 13. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ijporl.2013.10.047 AUTHOR: - Chinn SB; ADDRESS: - Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, United States. AUTHOR: - Collar RM; ADDRESS: - Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, United States. AUTHOR: - McHugh JB; ADDRESS: - Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States. AUTHOR: - Hogikyan ND; ADDRESS: - Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, United States. AUTHOR: - Thorne MC; ADDRESS: - Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, United States. Electronic address: mthorne@med.umich.edu. SUMMARY: - Presentation of a case of pediatric laryngeal neurofibroma (LNF) and review of the world literature. Comprehensive review of the world literature using Pubmed and Google scholar. Pediatric LNF was identified in 62 cases reported in the world literature. The most common presenting symptom is stridor and the most common location of the tumor in the larynx is the aryepiglottic fold. Recent reports demonstrate increased utilization of endoscopic resection with reduced need for tracheostomy. Pediatric LNF is a rare disorder. Review of the world literature since 1940 suggests a recent trend away from aggressive open resection and toward more conservative endoscopic resection with excellent functional results. -------------------------------------------------------------- [407] TITLE: - Anal canal gastrointestinal stromal tumors: Case report and literature review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - World J Gastroenterol. 2014 Jan 7;20(1):319-22. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i1.319. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3748/wjg.v20.i1.319 AUTHOR: - Carvalho N; ADDRESS: - Nuno Carvalho, Diogo Albergaria, Rui Lebre, Joao Giria, Department of General Surgery, Garcia de Orta Hospital, 2801-951 Almada, Portugal. AUTHOR: - Albergaria D; ADDRESS: - Nuno Carvalho, Diogo Albergaria, Rui Lebre, Joao Giria, Department of General Surgery, Garcia de Orta Hospital, 2801-951 Almada, Portugal. AUTHOR: - Lebre R; ADDRESS: - Nuno Carvalho, Diogo Albergaria, Rui Lebre, Joao Giria, Department of General Surgery, Garcia de Orta Hospital, 2801-951 Almada, Portugal. AUTHOR: - Giria J; ADDRESS: - Nuno Carvalho, Diogo Albergaria, Rui Lebre, Joao Giria, Department of General Surgery, Garcia de Orta Hospital, 2801-951 Almada, Portugal. AUTHOR: - Fernandes V; ADDRESS: - Nuno Carvalho, Diogo Albergaria, Rui Lebre, Joao Giria, Department of General Surgery, Garcia de Orta Hospital, 2801-951 Almada, Portugal. AUTHOR: - Vidal H; ADDRESS: - Nuno Carvalho, Diogo Albergaria, Rui Lebre, Joao Giria, Department of General Surgery, Garcia de Orta Hospital, 2801-951 Almada, Portugal. AUTHOR: - Brito MJ; ADDRESS: - Nuno Carvalho, Diogo Albergaria, Rui Lebre, Joao Giria, Department of General Surgery, Garcia de Orta Hospital, 2801-951 Almada, Portugal. SUMMARY: - Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are an uncommon group of tumors of mesenchymal origin. GIST of the anal canal is extremely rare. At present, only 10 cases of c-kit positive anal GIST have been reported in the literature. There is no widely accepted treatment approach for this neoplasia. Literature is sparse on imaging evaluation of anal canal GIST, usually described as a lesion in the intersphincteric space. We describe the case of a 73-yearold man with a mass in the anal canal, and no other symptoms. Endoanal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging showed a well circumscribed solid nodule in the intersphincteric space. The patient was treated by local excision. Gross pathological examination showed a 7 cm x 3.5 cm x 3 cm mass, and histological examination showed a proliferation of spindle cells, with prominent nuclear palisading. The mitotic count was of 12 mitoses/50 HPF. The tumor was positive for KIT protein, CD34 and vimentin in the majority of cells, and negative for desmin and S100. A diagnosis of GIST, with high risk aggressive behavior was made. An abdomino-perineal resection was discussed, but refused. The follow-up included clinical evaluation and anal ultrasound. After 5 years the patient is well, with maintained continence and no evidence of local recurrence. -------------------------------------------------------------[408] TITLE: - Malignant paraganglioma of the rectum: the first case report and a review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Nov 28;19(44):8151-5. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i44.8151. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3748/wjg.v19.i44.8151 AUTHOR: - Yu L; ADDRESS: - Lin Yu, Jian Wang, Department of Pathology, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. AUTHOR: - Wang J SUMMARY: - Paragangliomas typically develop in the extra-adrenal sites along the sympathetic and/or the parasympathetic chain. Occasionally, the tumors may arise in some exotic sites, including the head and neck region and the urogenital tract. Paraganglioma presenting as a primary rectal neoplasm has not been well described in the literature. Here, we report the first case of malignant paraganglioma arising in the rectum of a 37-year-old male. He presented to the clinic because of hematochezia with tenesmus. The anorectal digital examination and colonoscopic examination revealed a polypoid mass of the rectum, measuring approximately 4 cm in diameter. The overall morphology and immunophenotype were consistent with a typical paraganglioma. However, the tumor exhibited features suggestive of malignant potential, including local extension into adjacent adipose tissue, nuclear pleomorphism, confluent tumor necrosis, vascular invasion and metastases to regional lymph nodes. In conclusion, we present the first case of rectal malignant paraganglioma. Due to the unexpected occurrence in this region, malignant paraganglioma may be misdiagnosed as other tumors with overlapping features; in particular, a neuroendocrine tumor of epithelial origin. Because of the differences in treatment, separating paraganglioma from its mimics is imperative. Combination of morphology with judicious immunohistochemical study is helpful in obtaining the correct diagnosis. -------------------------------------------------------------[409] TITLE: - Pancreatic solid cystic desmoid tumor: case report and literature review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Dec 14;19(46):8793-8. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i46.8793. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3748/wjg.v19.i46.8793 AUTHOR: - Xu B; ADDRESS: - Bin Xu, Ling-Hua Zhu, Xian-Fa Wang, Erik Matro, Jun-Jun Ni, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China. AUTHOR: - Zhu LH; ADDRESS: - Bin Xu, Ling-Hua Zhu, Xian-Fa Wang, Erik Matro, Jun-Jun Ni, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China. AUTHOR: - Wu JG; ADDRESS: - Bin Xu, Ling-Hua Zhu, Xian-Fa Wang, Erik Matro, Jun-Jun Ni, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China. AUTHOR: - Wang XF; ADDRESS: - Bin Xu, Ling-Hua Zhu, Xian-Fa Wang, Erik Matro, Jun-Jun Ni, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China. AUTHOR: - Matro E; ADDRESS: - Bin Xu, Ling-Hua Zhu, Xian-Fa Wang, Erik Matro, Jun-Jun Ni, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China. AUTHOR: - Ni JJ; ADDRESS: - Bin Xu, Ling-Hua Zhu, Xian-Fa Wang, Erik Matro, Jun-Jun Ni, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China. SUMMARY: - Desmoid tumors (DTs) are nonmetastatic, locally aggressive neoplasms with a high rate of postoperative recurrence. Pancreatic DTs are especially rare; only a few cases have been reported to date. This paper describes a case of a sporadic cystic DT of the pancreas managed successfully with central pancreatectomy, with no signs of recurrence 40 mo after surgery. According to the literature, this is the first reported case in China of a pancreatic DT presenting as a solid cystic lesion, as well as the first pancreatic DT managed with central pancreatectomy and pancreaticogastrostomy. We report the case for its rarity and emphasize disease management by concerted application of clinical, pathological, radiological and immunohistochemical analyses. -------------------------------------------------------------[410] TITLE: - Observational cross-sectional study of compliance with the fast track protocol in elective surgery for colon cancer in España. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Colorectal Dis. 2014 Jan 17. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1007/s00384-013-1825-3 AUTHOR: - Alcantara-Moral M; ADDRESS: - General and Digestive Surgery Service, Hospital Universitario Parc Tauli, Parc Tauli s/n, 08208, Sabadell, Barcelona, España, malcantara@tauli.cat. AUTHOR: - Serra-Aracil X AUTHOR: - Gil-Egea MJ AUTHOR: - Frasson M AUTHOR: - Flor-Lorente B AUTHOR: - Garcia-Granero E SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to establish the degree of compliance with the fast track (enhanced recovery) protocol in habitual clinical practice and to determine which measures are fundamental for achieving the results obtained by applying the entire protocol. METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional, multicenter trial was conducted. Participating hospitals prospectively recorded data from at least ten consecutive patients undergoing surgery for colon cancer who were applied some or all of the items comprising the enhanced recovery protocol. The data were analyzed both globally and dividing the sample into the two groups of patients. RESULTS: Data on 363 patients from 25 hospitals were recorded, one hundred seventy-three in the “non-fast track” group and 190 in the “fast track” group. The non-fast track group complied with a mean of 5.4 (+/-1.8) items and the fast track group with a mean of 8.4 (+/-1.8) items. The mean functional hospital stay was 7.3 (+/-5.1) days in the non-fast track group and 6.2 (+/-5.1) days in the fast track group (p < 0.05). Morbidity was 31.1 % in the fast track group and 24.3 % in the non-fast track group, though the differences were not statistically significant. The only prognostic factors that have an impact on improving the results are measures against hypothermia and mobilization before 24 h. CONCLUSION: Compliance with the enhanced recovery protocol is not exhaustive in habitual clinical practice. However, greater compliance was associated with shorter hospital stay without any increase in morbidity. The only items clearly associated with reduced functional hospital stay were measures against hypothermia and mobilization before 24 h. -------------------------------------------------------------[411] TITLE: - Seminal vesicle-rectal fistula secondary to anastomotic leakage after low anterior resection for rectal cancer: a case report and brief literature review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int Surg. 2014 Jan-Feb;99(1):23-7. doi: 10.9738/INTSURG-D-13-00164.1. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 9738/INTSURG-D-13-00164.1 AUTHOR: - Kitazawa M; ADDRESS: - Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery of Iida Municipal Hospital, Masato Kitazawa, Iida, Japan. AUTHOR: - Hiraguri M AUTHOR: - Maeda C AUTHOR: - Yoshiki M AUTHOR: - Horigome N AUTHOR: - Kaneko G SUMMARY: - Abstract We report a case of a patient with seminal vesicle-rectal fistula, an extremely rare complication of low anterior resection of the rectum. A 53-year-old man with rectal adenocarcinoma underwent low anterior resection in our hospital. The patient experienced diarrhea, pneumaturia, and low-grade fever on postoperative day 13. A computed tomography scan showed emphysema in the right seminal vesicle. We concluded that anastomotic leakage induced a seminal vesicle-rectal fistula. The patient underwent conservative therapy with total parenteral nutrition and oral intake of metronidazole. Diarrhea and pneumaturia rapidly improved after metronidazole administration and the patient was successfully cured without invasive therapy such as colostomy or surgical drainage. A seminal vesicle-rectal fistula is a rare complication of low anterior resection, and therapeutic strategies for this condition remain elusive. Our report provides valuable information on the successful conservative treatment of a secondary seminal vesicle-rectal fistula that developed after low anterior resection of the rectum in a patient. -------------------------------------------------------------[412] TITLE: - Splenic littoral cell hemangioendothelioma: Report of a case with hepatic metastases and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Clin Ultrasound. 2014 Jan 13. doi: 10.1002/jcu.22120. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/jcu.22120 AUTHOR: - He P; ADDRESS: - Department of Ultrasound, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China. AUTHOR: - Yan XD AUTHOR: - Wang JR AUTHOR: - Guo RC AUTHOR: - Zhang HB SUMMARY: - Littoral cell tumors are unique to the spleen and are different from all other primary splenic tumors. These tumors may be divided into three types: “littoral cell angioma,” “littoral cell hemangioendothelioma,” and “littoral cell angiosarcoma.” We present a patient with splenic littoral cell hemangioendothlioma accompanied by hepatic metastases. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2014; -------------------------------------------------------------[413] TITLE: - Preparation of Cell Blocks for Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Prediction: Protocol and Experience of a High-Volume Center. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Respiration. 2014 Jan 16. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1159/000357068 AUTHOR: - Kossakowski CA; ADDRESS: - Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. AUTHOR: - Morresi-Hauf A AUTHOR: - Schnabel PA AUTHOR: - Eberhardt R AUTHOR: - Herth FJ AUTHOR: - Warth A SUMMARY: - Minimally invasive diagnostic techniques are increasingly being used to obtain specimens for pathological diagnosis and prediction. Referring to lung cancer, both endobronchial and endoesophageal ultrasound are used worldwide as diagnostic routine methods. Consequently, an increasing number of pathological samples are cytological and fewer are histological. On the other hand, the requirements for specific and sensitive tumor subtyping complemented by predictive analyses are steadily increasing and are an essential basis for evidence-based treatment decisions. In this article we focus on the cell block method as a helpful tool for diagnostic and predictive analyses in lung cancer and point out its advantages and disadvantages in comparison to conventional cytological and biopsy specimens. Furthermore, we retrospectively analyze the diagnostic results of the cell block method in a high-volume center over 5 years. The main advantages of cell blocks are the availability of established and validated protocols, archiving and the opportunity to have serial sections from the same specimens to provide or repeat molecular analyses. Actually, in case of tumor progression, even additional biomarkers can be tested using the original cell block when re-biopsies are not feasible. The cell block method should be considered as a reliable, complimentary approach to conventional cytological or biopsy procedures, which is helpful to fulfill the increasing requirements of high-quality diagnostics and prediction. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel. -------------------------------------------------------------[414] TITLE: - Helicobacter pylori and interleukin-8 in gastric cancer. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Dec 7;19(45):8192-202. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i45.8192. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 3748/wjg.v19.i45.8192 AUTHOR: - Lee KE; ADDRESS: - Ko Eun Lee, Pham Ngoc Khoi, Yong Xia, Jung Sun Park, Young Eun Joo, Kyung Keun Kim, Seok Yong Choi, Young Do Jung, Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 501-190, South Korea. AUTHOR: - Khoi PN; ADDRESS: - Ko Eun Lee, Pham Ngoc Khoi, Yong Xia, Jung Sun Park, Young Eun Joo, Kyung Keun Kim, Seok Yong Choi, Young Do Jung, Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 501-190, South Korea. AUTHOR: - Xia Y; ADDRESS: - Ko Eun Lee, Pham Ngoc Khoi, Yong Xia, Jung Sun Park, Young Eun Joo, Kyung Keun Kim, Seok Yong Choi, Young Do Jung, Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 501-190, South Korea. AUTHOR: - Park JS; ADDRESS: - Ko Eun Lee, Pham Ngoc Khoi, Yong Xia, Jung Sun Park, Young Eun Joo, Kyung Keun Kim, Seok Yong Choi, Young Do Jung, Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 501-190, South Korea. AUTHOR: - Joo YE; ADDRESS: - Ko Eun Lee, Pham Ngoc Khoi, Yong Xia, Jung Sun Park, Young Eun Joo, Kyung Keun Kim, Seok Yong Choi, Young Do Jung, Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 501-190, South Korea. AUTHOR: - Kim KK; ADDRESS: - Ko Eun Lee, Pham Ngoc Khoi, Yong Xia, Jung Sun Park, Young Eun Joo, Kyung Keun Kim, Seok Yong Choi, Young Do Jung, Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 501-190, South Korea. AUTHOR: - Choi SY; ADDRESS: - Ko Eun Lee, Pham Ngoc Khoi, Yong Xia, Jung Sun Park, Young Eun Joo, Kyung Keun Kim, Seok Yong Choi, Young Do Jung, Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 501-190, South Korea. AUTHOR: - Jung YD; ADDRESS: - Ko Eun Lee, Pham Ngoc Khoi, Yong Xia, Jung Sun Park, Young Eun Joo, Kyung Keun Kim, Seok Yong Choi, Young Do Jung, Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 501-190, South Korea. SUMMARY: - Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a major etiological factor in the development of gastric cancer. Large-scale epidemiological studies have confirmed the strong association between H. pylori infection and both cancer development and progression. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is overexpressed in gastric mucosa exposed to H. pylori. The expression of IL-8 directly correlates with a poor prognosis in gastric cancer. IL-8 is multifunctional. In addition to its potent chemotactic activity, it can induce proliferation and migration of cancer cells. In this review, we focus on recent insights into the mechanisms of IL-8 signaling associated with gastric cancer. The relationship between IL-8 and H. pylori is discussed. We also summarize the current therapeutics against IL-8 in gastric cancer. -------------------------------------------------------------[415] TITLE: - Gastric metastasis from renal cell carcinoma with gastrointestinal bleeding: a case report and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int Surg. 2014 Jan-Feb;99(1):86-90. doi: 10.9738/INTSURG-D-13-00115.1. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 9738/INTSURG-D-13-00115.1 AUTHOR: - Sakurai K; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan. AUTHOR: - Muguruma K AUTHOR: - Yamazoe S AUTHOR: - Kimura K AUTHOR: - Toyokawa T AUTHOR: - Amano R AUTHOR: - Kubo N AUTHOR: - Tanaka H AUTHOR: - Yashiro M AUTHOR: - Ohira M AUTHOR: - Hirakawa K SUMMARY: - Abstract A 61-year-old man presented to our hospital with hypercalcemia and elevated C reactive protein (CRP). Evaluation revealed renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with metastasis to lung, bone, and brain. He underwent partial resection of the right kidney and a left nephrectomy. Histopathologic findings of resected tumors were consistent with clear cell RCC. Whole-brain irradiation was performed for management of brain metastasis. Postoperatively, he was treated with molecularly targeted therapy using a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor. Approximately 14 months later, he suffered an episode of upper gastrointestinal bleeding with secondary anemia and melena. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a distinctly protruding lesion in the gastric body. Biopsy of the gastric lesion showed metastatic clear cell RCC. He underwent partial gastrectomy. His postoperative course was uneventful. However, 4 months after surgery, he died from brain metastasis. Metastatic RCC to the stomach, although rare, should be suspected in any patient with a history of RCC who presents with gastrointestinal symptoms. -------------------------------------------------------------[416] TITLE: - Metachronous multiple primary malignant neoplasms of the stomach and the breast: report of two cases with review of literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int Surg. 2014 Jan-Feb;99(1):52-5. doi: 10.9738/INTSURG-D-13-00056.1. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 9738/INTSURG-D-13-00056.1 AUTHOR: - Karthikeyan VS; ADDRESS: - 1 Department of Urology, 2Department of Surgery, 3Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, 4Department of Pathology, and 5Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, India. AUTHOR: - Sistla SC AUTHOR: - Srinivasan R AUTHOR: - Basu D AUTHOR: - Panicker LC AUTHOR: - Ali SM AUTHOR: - Rajkumar N SUMMARY: - Abstract Multiple primary malignant neoplasm is the occurrence of a second primary malignancy in the same patient within 6 months of the detection of first primary (synchronous), or 6 months or more after primary detection (metachronous). Multiple primary malignant neoplasms are not very frequently encountered in clinical practice. The relative risk for a second primary malignancy increases by 1.111-fold every month from the detection of the first primary malignancy in any individual. We present 2 patients treated for carcinoma of the breast who developed a metachronous primary malignancy in the stomach to highlight the rare occurrence of multiple primary malignant neoplasms. These tumors were histologically dissimilar, with distinct immunohistochemical parameters. The importance lies in carefully identifying the second primary malignancies, not dismissing them as metastases, and treating them accordingly. -------------------------------------------------------------[417] TITLE: - Inter-rater reliability of surgical reviews for AREN03B2: A COG renal tumor committee study. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Pediatr Surg. 2014 Jan;49(1):154-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2013.09.047. Epub 2013 Oct 5. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.jpedsurg.2013.09.047 AUTHOR: - Hamilton TE; ADDRESS: - Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston MA. Electronic address: thomas.hamilton@childrens.harvard.edu. AUTHOR: - Barnhart D; ADDRESS: - Primary Children’s Medical Center, Salt Lake City UT. AUTHOR: - Gow K; ADDRESS: - Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle WA. AUTHOR: - Ferrer F; ADDRESS: - Connecticut Children’s Hospital, Hartford CT. AUTHOR: - Kandel J; ADDRESS: - Columbia University Medical Center, New York NY. AUTHOR: - Glick R; ADDRESS: - Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, New York NY. AUTHOR: - Dasgupta R; ADDRESS: - Cinncinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati OH. AUTHOR: - Naranjo A; ADDRESS: - Children’s Oncology Group, University of Florida, Gainesville FL. AUTHOR: - He Y; ADDRESS: - Children’s Oncology Group, University of Florida, Gainesville FL. AUTHOR: - Gratias E; ADDRESS: - T. C. Thompson Children’s Hospital, Chattanooga TN. AUTHOR: - Geller J; ADDRESS: - Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati OH. AUTHOR: - Mullen E; ADDRESS: - Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston MA. AUTHOR: - Ehrlich P; ADDRESS: - C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI. SUMMARY: - PURPOSE: The Children’s Oncology Group (COG) renal tumor study (AREN03B2) requires real-time central review of radiology, pathology, and the surgical procedure to determine appropriate risk-based therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the inter-rater reliability of the surgical reviews. METHODS: Of the first 3200 enrolled AREN03B2 patients, a sample of 100 enriched for blood vessel involvement, spill, rupture, and lymph node involvement was selected for analysis. The surgical assessment was then performed independently by two blinded surgical reviewers and compared to the original assessment, which had been completed by another of the committee surgeons. Variables assessed included surgeon-determined local tumor stage, overall disease stage, type of renal procedure performed, presence of tumor rupture, occurrence of intraoperative tumor spill, blood vessel involvement, presence of peritoneal implants, and interpretation of residual disease. Interrater reliability was measured using the Fleiss’ Kappa statistic two-sided hypothesis tests (Kappa, p-value). RESULTS: Local tumor stage correlated in all 3 reviews except in one case (Kappa=0.9775, p<0.001). Similarly, overall disease stage had excellent correlation (0.9422, p<0.001). There was strong correlation for type of renal procedure (0.8357, p<0.001), presence of tumor rupture (0.6858, p<0.001), intraoperative tumor spill (0.6493, p<0.001), and blood vessel involvement (0.6470, p<0.001). Variables that had lower correlation were determination of the presence of peritoneal implants (0.2753, p<0.001) and interpretation of residual disease status (0.5310, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The inter-rater reliability of the surgical review is high based on the great consistency in the 3 independent review results. This analysis provides validation and establishes precedent for real-time central surgical review to determine treatment assignment in a risk-based stratagem for multimodal cancer therapy. -------------------------------------------------------------[418] TITLE: - Effectiveness of chemotherapy in measurable granulosa cell tumors: a retrospective study and review of literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2014 Mar;24(3):496-505. doi: 10.1097/IGC.0000000000000077. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1097/IGC.0000000000000077 AUTHOR: - van Meurs HS; ADDRESS: - *Department of Gynecology, Center for Gynecologic Oncology Amsterdam, and daggerDepartment of Medical Oncology, Academic Medical Center; and double daggerDepartment of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, and Department of Research, Comprehensive Cancer Centre Netherlands (IKNL), Amsterdam, the Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Buist MR AUTHOR: - Westermann AM AUTHOR: - Sonke GS AUTHOR: - Kenter GG AUTHOR: - van der Velden J SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVE: Patients with irresectable granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) often receive chemotherapy. The effectiveness of this approach, however, is uncertain. The aim of our study was to assess the response rate to chemotherapy for residual and recurrent inoperable GCT. METHODS: All consecutive chemotherapy-naive patients in 3 referral hospitals who were treated with chemotherapy for residual or recurrent GCT between 1968 and 2011 were included. Main outcome was the response according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor criteria. A literature search in MEDLINE through PubMed was performed, from inception to August 19, 2013. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients with a GCT who received chemotherapy were identified. Eighteen patients were not evaluable because they had either no measurable disease, or no imaging was performed before and after chemotherapy. One of the 9 evaluable patients (11%) had a complete response, and 1 patient (11%) had a partial response, resulting in a response rate of 22% (95% confidence interval, 0%-49%). Seven patients (78%) had stable disease (range, 2-50 months), and none had progressive disease. Fifteen studies that assessed response rates to chemotherapy on measurable disease in a total of 224 patients showed a response rate of 50% (95% confidence interval, 44%-57%). Strict criteria of response, however, were not uniformly applied in the majority of these published series. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we present only a moderate beneficial effect of chemotherapy in patients with irresectable GCT with measurable disease. Comparison with previous studies is hampered by a lack of standardized response evaluation in the majority of studies. Given the toxicity of platinum-based chemotherapy, administering this treatment should be a well-considered decision. -------------------------------------------------------------[419] TITLE: - Perforation as a rare presentation of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumours: a case report and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2014 Jan;96(1):96-100. doi: 10.1308/003588414X13824511650010. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1308/003588414X13824511650010 AUTHOR: - Skipworth J; ADDRESS: - West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, UK. AUTHOR: - Fanshawe A AUTHOR: - West M AUTHOR: - Al-Bahrani A; ADDRESS: - ahmed.al-bahrani@whht.nhs.uk. SUMMARY: - INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are the most common connective tissue neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract, the most common clinical presentation of which is with abdominal pain or gastrointestinal bleeding. METHODS: We describe a case of a perforated gastric GIST as well as reviewing the relevant published literature. RESULTS: A 51-year-old woman presented to the acute assessment unit with a 1day history of severe epigastric pain on a background of longstanding reflux symptoms. Radiological investigation demonstrated a perforated mass in the gastric antrum and the patient subsequently underwent an emergency distal gastrectomy. She recovered well postoperatively and was discharged home. Her condition remains stable six months following surgery. Histological analysis revealed the perforated lesion to be a GIST. A PubMed search suggests that this is the first English report to describe a perforated gastric GIST. Six further published reports (written in English or with an English abstract) describing the presentation of small bowel GISTs with perforation are reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: We present the first English report of a perforated gastric GIST. More common presentations include abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding. Although rare, GISTs should be considered in the differential diagnoses of perforated gastrointestinal masses. -------------------------------------------------------------[420] TITLE: - Olfactory neuroblastoma: A 35-year experience and suggested follow-up protocol. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Laryngoscope. 2013 Dec 17. doi: 10.1002/lary.24562. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/lary.24562 AUTHOR: - Rimmer J; ADDRESS: - Department of Otolaryngology, Royal National Throat Nose & Ear Hospital, London, United Kingdom. AUTHOR: - Lund VJ AUTHOR: - Beale T AUTHOR: - Wei WI AUTHOR: - Howard D SUMMARY: - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To validate a follow-up protocol based on the long-term outcomes and recurrence rates in patients who have undergone surgical treatment for olfactory neuroblastoma. METHODS: A prospective review of all patients treated for olfactory neuroblastoma at our institution over a 35-year period. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients were treated from 1978 to 2013, with craniofacial (65 patients) or endoscopic resection (30 patients). Duration of follow-up ranged from 1 to 309 months (mean, 88.66 months). Fifty-six patients were alive and well, and 13 were alive with recurrent disease. Twenty-one patients had died of disease, and three had died of intercurrent disease. Overall survival was 83.4% at 5 years and 76.1% at 10 years. Disease-free survival at 5 years was 80% and at 10 years was 62.8%. A Cox regression analysis showed orbital extension and intracranial involvement to be significant independent factors affecting outcome. Local and regional recurrence occurred after an average of 49 months but with a range of 3 to 233 months. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, olfactory neuroblastoma most commonly recurred within the first 4 years but can recur very late, after 19.4 years in one case. There is currently no universally accepted follow-up regime, but even late recurrence is eminently treatable. We therefore propose a protocol for lifelong follow-up with both clinical examination and serial imaging, including the neck and entire intracranial compartment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 2014. -------------------------------------------------------------[421] TITLE: - Melanoma arising in a tattoo: case report and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cutis. 2013 Nov;92(5):227-30. AUTHOR: - Nolan KA; ADDRESS: - Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Annenberg Bldg, Room 308, 1468 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10029, USA. katherine.nolan@mssm.edu. AUTHOR: - Kling M AUTHOR: - Birge M AUTHOR: - Kling A AUTHOR: - Fishman S AUTHOR: - Phelps R SUMMARY: - Various benign and malignant lesions have been described in relation to tattoos including melanoma. Few cases of malignant melanoma (MM) arising in tattoos have been reported in the literature. We report a 79-year-old man with an MM that arose in a tattoo he had for 60 years on the inferior aspect of the left arm. This case underscores the need for careful examination of tattoos to insure that dysplastic or malignant pigmented lesions are not overlooked. We also discuss the possibility of a pathogenic relationship between MM and tattoos. -------------------------------------------------------------[422] TITLE: - Pigmented basal cell carcinoma of the nipple: a case report and review of the literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Cutis. 2013 Nov;92(5):253-7. AUTHOR: - Brown PJ AUTHOR: - Milch JM; ADDRESS: - Department of Family Medicine, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, 3600 Darnall Loop, Fort Hood, TX 76544, USA. jeffrey.milch@amedd.army.mil. AUTHOR: - Hivnor CM SUMMARY: - Although basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the nipple-areola complex (NAC) is rare, it is important for dermatologists to be aware of this potential malignancy, as it is thought to behave more aggressively than BCC arising in other anatomic locations and also can mimic a number of more serious conditions. A review of the literature failed to generate a consensus regarding staging or treatment of BCC of the NAC; current therapies range from simple excision of the lesion to mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy. We report the case of a 23-year-old man who presented with a pigmented BCC of the nipple to highlight several important aspects of the diagnosis; we also review 49 cases of BCC of the NAC from the literature and give our recommendations for treatment approach. -------------------------------------------------------------[423] TITLE: - Multifocal, recurrent sinonasal leiomyosarcoma: case report and review of literature. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Am J Otolaryngol. 2013 Nov 7. pii: S0196-0709(13)00258-5. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2013.10.011. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.amjoto.2013.10.011 AUTHOR: - Papoian V; ADDRESS: - Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA. Electronic address: Vardan.Papoian@bmc.org. AUTHOR: - Yarlagadda BB AUTHOR: - Devaiah AK SUMMARY: - Leiomyosarcoma is a rare tumor encountered in the sinus and skull base, and can be difficult to control. We present a case of an 83year old female with a recurrent sinonasal leiomyosarcoma. The tumor exhibited variable growth rates of recurrences in non-contiguous sites despite having obtained clear surgical margins and use of adjuvant therapy. This case illustrates unusual characteristics of this rare tumor that are important for clinicians to know. Patient demographics, presenting symptoms, risk factors, treatment options, and prognosis are also reviewed. -------------------------------------------------------------[424] TITLE: - EURECCA consensus conference highlights about colon & rectal cancer multidisciplinary management: The radiology experts review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - Eur J Surg Oncol. 2013 Dec 14. pii: S0748-7983(13)00910-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2013.10.029. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.ejso.2013.10.029 AUTHOR: - Tudyka V; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiology, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Fulham Road, London, UK. AUTHOR: - Blomqvist L; ADDRESS: - European Society of Radiology, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. AUTHOR: - Beets-Tan RG; ADDRESS: - European Society of Radiology, Department of Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Boelens PG; ADDRESS: - Scientific Board CC3, Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands. Electronic address: P.G.Boelens@lumc.nl. AUTHOR: - Valentini V; ADDRESS: - Executive Committee CC3, European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO), Department of Radiation Oncology, Universita Cattolica S. Cuore, Rome, Italy. AUTHOR: - van de Velde CJ; ADDRESS: - Executive Board of ECCO, European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO), Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical center, The Netherlands. AUTHOR: - Dieguez A; ADDRESS: - Diagnostico Medico, Junin 1023, Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina. AUTHOR: - Brown G; ADDRESS: - Department of Radiology, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Fulham Road, London, UK. Electronic address: gina.brown@rmh.nhs.uk. SUMMARY: - Some interesting shifts have taken place in the diagnostic approach for detection of colorectal lesions over the past decade. This article accompanies the recent EURECCA consensus group reccomendations for optimal management of colon and rectal cancers. In summary, imaging has a crucial role to play in the diagnosis, staging assessment and follow up of patients with colon and rectal cancer. Recent advances include the use of CT colonography instead of Barium Enema in the diagnosis of colonoic cancer and as an alternative to colonoscopy. Modern mutlidetector CT scanning techniques have also shown improvements in prognostic stratification of patients with colonic cancer and clinical trials are underway testing the selective use of neoadjuvant therapy for imaging identified high risk colon cancers. In rectal cancer, high resolution MRI with a voxel size less or equal to 3 x 1 x 1 mm3 on T2weighted images has a proven ability to accurately stage patients with rectal cancer. Moreover, preoperative identification of prognostic features allows stratification of patients into different prognostic groups based on assessment of depth of extramural spread, relationship of the tumour edge to the mesorectal fascia (MRF) and extramural venous invasion (EMVI). These poor prognostic features predict an increased risk of local recurrence and/or metastatic disease and should form the basis for preoperative local staging and multidisciplinary preoperative discussion of patient treatment options. -------------------------------------------------------------[425] TITLE: - The integrated role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of soft tissue metastases from melanoma: preliminary report of a single-center experience and literature review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - In Vivo. 2013 Nov-Dec;27(6):827-33. AUTHOR: - Covarelli P; ADDRESS: - Via Degli Olivi 18, 06123, Perugia, Italy. piero.covarelli@med.unipg.it. AUTHOR: - Burini G AUTHOR: - Barberini F AUTHOR: - Caracappa D AUTHOR: - Boselli C AUTHOR: - Noya G AUTHOR: - Castellani E AUTHOR: - Rulli A SUMMARY: - Currently melanoma has the fastest growing incidence of all cancers in men and the second in women (after lung cancer) in Western countries. Since prognosis of skin melanoma is excellent in early stages but dramatically worsens in advanced stages, an early diagnosis is fundamental in granting patients a favorable outcome. Sentinel node (SN) biopsy represents the gold standard for accurately staging melanoma, but other tests are commonly endorsed both in the initial staging work-up and in the follow-up, such as ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT)-scan and positron emission tomography (PET)-CT. PET-CT, among others, has high sensitivity and specificity for the study of distant metastases, the assessment of soft tissues and lymph node involvement, and for the guidance of surgical biopsies. Ultrasonography (US) is a non-invasive procedure whose use has recently expanded in our service, both preoperatively, intraoperatively and postoperatively, thanks to its wide availability, low costs and easy and fast reproducibility; ultrasonography even surpassed the reliability of PET-CT or CT-scan in the seven cases presented herein. US is operator-dependent, and this is probably the major limitation of the procedure, together with lack of prospective studies validating its strength, but our preliminary study demonstrates that ultrasound can assume an important role in melanoma, both for staging and the follow-up of patients, especially with lymph nodal or subcutaneous involvement. -------------------------------------------------------------[426] TITLE: - Fruit-derived phenolic compounds and pancreatic cancer: Perspectives from Australian native fruits. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Ethnopharmacol. 2014 Jan 22. pii: S0378-8741(13)00903-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2013.12.023. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1016/j.jep.2013.12.023 AUTHOR: - Vuong QV; ADDRESS: - Pancreatic Cancer Research, Nutrition Food & Health Research Group, Australia; School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia. AUTHOR: - Hirun S; ADDRESS: - Pancreatic Cancer Research, Nutrition Food & Health Research Group, Australia; School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia. AUTHOR: - Phillips PA; ADDRESS: - Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. AUTHOR: - Chuen TL; ADDRESS: - Pancreatic Cancer Research, Nutrition Food & Health Research Group, Australia; School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia. AUTHOR: - Bowyer MC; ADDRESS: - Pancreatic Cancer Research, Nutrition Food & Health Research Group, Australia; School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia. AUTHOR: - Goldsmith CD; ADDRESS: - Pancreatic Cancer Research, Nutrition Food & Health Research Group, Australia; School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia. AUTHOR: - Scarlett CJ; ADDRESS: - Pancreatic Cancer Research, Nutrition Food & Health Research Group, Australia; School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia; Cancer Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: c.scarlett@newcastle.edu.au. SUMMARY: - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Pancreatic cancer is a devastating cancer that presents late, is rapidly progressive and has current therapeutics with only limited efficacy. Bioactive compounds are ubiquitously present in fruits and numerous studies in vitro are addressing the activity of these compounds against pancreatic cancer, thus studies of specific bioactive compounds could lead to new anti-pancreatic cancer strategies. Australian native fruits have been used as foods and medicines by Australian Aboriginals for thousands of years, and preliminary studies have found these fruits to contain rich and diversified bioactive components with high antioxidant activity. Thus, Australian native fruits may possess key components for preventing or delaying the onset of tumorigenesis, or for the treatment of existing cancers, including pancreatic cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Numerous databases including PubMed, SciFinder, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and Sciencedirect were analysed for correlations between bioactive components from fruits and pancreatic cancer, as well as studies concerning Australian native fruits. RESULTS: In this review, we comprehensively highlight the proposed mechanisms of action of fruit bioactives as anticancer agents, update the potential anti-pancreatic cancer activity of various major classes of bioactive compounds derived from fruits, and discuss the existence of bioactive compounds identified from a selection Australian native fruits for future studies. CONCLUSION: Bioactive compounds derived from fruits possess the potential for the discovery of new anti-pancreatic cancer strategies. Further, Australian native fruits are rich in polyphenols including some flora that contain unique phenolic compounds, thereby warranting further investigations into their anti-cancer properties. -------------------------------------------------------------[427] TITLE: - Minimizing blood loss during hepatectomy: A literature review. SUMMARY: - Link JOURNAL: - J Surg Oncol. 2014 Feb;109(2):81-8. doi: 10.1002/jso.23455. Epub 2013 Oct 4. *** Link to the complete text (free or ppv) 1002/jso.23455 AUTHOR: - Huntington JT; ADDRESS: - Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio. AUTHOR: - Royall NA AUTHOR: - Schmidt CR SUMMARY: - There are numerous techniques surgeons employ to reduce blood loss during partial hepatectomy. In this literature review, prospective studies from the last 20
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