Anticancer research
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Anticancer research · Jun 2013
Cytokine changes in response to radio-/chemotherapeutic treatment in head and neck cancer.
Radiation and systemic chemotherapy are standard treatment strategies for advanced or metastatic head and neck cancer. However, little is known about the implications and changes in the tumor microenvironment, including the T-helper (TH)1/TH2 balance in response to these treatment regimens. The aim of the current study was to unravel the effects of chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation on cytokine changes. ⋯ The results suggest complex cytokine changes of the tumor microenvironment and more aberrant expression profiles under treatment with radiation and the chemotherapeutic drugs 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin.
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Anticancer research · Jun 2013
Multicenter StudyPhase II study of a triple combination of oral vinorelbine, capecitabine and trastuzumab as first-line treatment in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.
Chemotherapy plus trastuzumab is the standard first-line treatment for Human Epidermal Receptor 2-positive (HER2-positive) metastatic breast cancer. The aim of this international phase II trial was to determine the efficacy and safety profile of an oral chemotherapy doublet, oral vinorelbine plus capecitabine, and trastuzumab in this setting. ⋯ The triple combination of oral vinorelbine, capecitabine and trastuzumab is highly active in terms of response rate, progression-free survival and overall survival, with a manageable toxicity profile.
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Anticancer research · Jun 2013
Assessment of planning target volume margin for a small number of vertebral metastatic lesions using image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy by helical tomotherapy.
To evaluate an appropriate planning target volume (PTV) margin in for one to three vertebral metastases using megavolt computed tomography (MVCT) images during the course of image-guided and stereotactic intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IGRT-IMRT) by use of helical tomotherapy. ⋯ The PTV margin in hypofractionated IGRT-IMRT, using helical tomotherapy for a few vertebral metastases, was 2 mm or less and our tentative PTV margin of 5 mm was sufficient and reducible.
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Anticancer research · May 2013
The implementation of minimally-invasive esophagectomy does not impact short-term outcome in a high-volume center.
Esophagectomy represents the gold standard in the treatment of resectable esophageal cancer. Despite significant improvements in perioperative care, postoperative morbidity and mortality rates remain high. Minimally-invasive surgical techniques introduced to the surgical treatment of esophageal malignancies have been shown to successfully diminish surgical trauma and postoperative morbidity. ⋯ The implementation of minimally-invasive esophagectomy is feasible, safe and has the potential to reduce perioperative morbidity without compromising oncological outcome.
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Anticancer research · Apr 2013
Combining celecoxib with sorafenib synergistically inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro.
Sorafenib is a promising treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but recent toxicity concerns suggest that new strategies for its use are needed. One approach for reducing toxicity is to use lower doses of sorafenib in combination with other complementary mechanisms. Celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, has been shown to inhibit HCC, and we hypothesized that low-dose sorafenib co-administered with celecoxib could act synergistically in the inhibition of HCC. In this study, the effect of sorafenib was tested in combination with celecoxib on the growth of human HCC cells in vitro. ⋯ This study shows that celecoxib synergistically potentiates the sorafenib-mediated antitumor effect. This finding establishes the foundation for clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of co-administration of soerafenib and celecoxib as a treatment for HCC.