Gemcitabine/cisplatin versus 5-fluorouracil/mitomycin C chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced pancreatic cancer: a retrospective analysis of 93 patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite of a growing number of gemcitabine based chemoradiotherapy studies in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC), 5-fluorouracil based regimens are still regarded to be standard and the debate of superiority between the two drugs is going on. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the effect of two concurrent chemoradiotherapy regimens using 5-fluorouracil or gemcitabine to compare their effect and tolerance.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We have performed a single centre retrospective analysis of 93 patients treated with conventionally fractionated radiotherapy of 55.8 Gray using either concurrent 5-fluorouracil, 1 g/m² on days 1-5 and 29-33 of radiotherapy and 10 mg/m² of mitomycin C on day 1, 29 of radiotherapy (FM group, 35 patients) versus gemcitabine (300 mg/m²) and cisplatin, (30 mg/m²) on days 1, 8, 22, and 29 (GC group, 58 patients). Primary endpoint was the median overall survival (OS) rate.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The median OS rate was 12.7 months in the GC group and 9.7 months in the FM group. The 1-year OS rate was 53% versus 40%, respectively (p = 0.009). GC led to more grade 3 leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia than FM, but not to more grade 4 myelosuppression. Thrombocytopenia was the most frequently observed grade 4 toxicity in both groups (11% after FM versus 12% after GC). No grade 3/4 febrile neutropenia was observed. Grade 3 nausea was more common in the FM group (20% versus 9%) and grade 4 nausea was observed in one patient per group only.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>GC was superior to FM for overall survival and both regimens were similar in terms of tolerance. We conclude that GC leads to encouraging results and that the use of FM for chemoradiotherapy in LAPC cannot be recommended without concerns.</p

Tumor Treating Fields Concomitant with Sorafenib in Advanced Hepatocellular Cancer: Results of the HEPANOVA Phase II Study

Liver cancer; Solid tumor; SorafenibCàncer de fetge; Tumor sòlid; SorafenibCáncer de hígado; Tumor sólido; SorafenibAdvanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive disease associated with poor prognosis. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy is a non-invasive, loco-regional treatment approved for glioblastoma and malignant pleural mesothelioma. HCC preclinical and abdominal simulation data, together with clinical results in other solid tumors, provide a rationale for investigating TTFields with sorafenib in this patient population. HEPANOVA was a phase II, single arm, historical control study in adults with advanced HCC (NCT03606590). Patients received TTFields (150 kHz) for ≥18 h/day concomitant with sorafenib (400 mg BID). Imaging assessments occurred every 12 weeks until disease progression. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate (ORR). Safety was also evaluated. Patients (n = 27 enrolled; n = 21 evaluable) had a poor prognosis; >50% were Child–Turcotte–Pugh class B and >20% had a baseline Eastern Clinical Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 2. The ORR was higher, but not statistically significant, for TTFields/sorafenib vs. historical controls: 9.5% vs. 4.5% (p = 0.24), respectively; all responses were partial. Among patients (n = 11) with ≥12 weeks of TTFields/sorafenib, ORR was 18%. Common adverse events (AEs) were diarrhea (n = 15/27, 56%) and asthenia (n = 11/27, 40%). Overall, 19/27 (70%) patients had TTFields-related skin AEs; none were serious. TTFields/sorafenib improved response rates vs. historical controls in patients with advanced HCC, with no new safety concerns or related systemic toxicity.This study was funded by Novocure Inc

Correspondence on rajyaguru et al

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Kajian Penerapan Arsitektur Modern pada Bangunan Roger\u27s Salon, Clinic, Spa And Wellness Center Bandung

Salonis a place where people cares for beauty, even thrive in the presence of clinical facilities, spa, and fitness center. Besides selling facility it also sells atmosphere and architectural value of the building. Many salon designs are using particular architectural style in order to attract the attention of the visitors. For examples Roger\u27s Salon, Clinic, Spa, and Wellness Center at jalan Pelajar Pejuang 45 number 76 Bandung use Modern Architecture style.The implementation of Modern Architecture style on Roger\u27s Salon can be seen at the building facade, roof and canopies, walls, openings, ornaments, shape, proportion, choice of material, color, and texture as well as the interior layout in which includes floor plan, sections, zonning, conection between rooms, and circulation.Functionalism and Cubism style as a Modern Architecture is used at Roger\u27s Salon. Forming a cube shape and lengthening as a beam, which its projected at the floor plan can be concluded that the building adopts a form follow function

IP-10/CXCL10 induction in human pancreatic cancer stroma influences lymphocytes recruitment and correlates with poor survival

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by an abundant desmoplastic reaction driven by pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) that contributes to tumor progression. Here we sought to characterize the interactions between pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs) and PSCs that affect the inflammatory and immune response in pancreatic tumors. Conditioned media from mono- and cocultures of PSCs and PCCs were assayed for expression of cytokines and growth factors. IP-10/CXCL10 was the most highly induced chemokine in coculture of PSCs and PCCs. Its expression was induced in the PSCs by PCCs. IP-10 was elevated in human PDAC specimens, and positively correlated with high stroma content. Furthermore, gene expression of IP-10 and its receptor CXCR3 were significantly associated with the intratumoral presence of regulatory T cells (Tregs). In an independent cohort of 48 patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, high IP-10 expression levels correlated with decreased median overall survival. Finally, IP-10 stimulated the ex vivo recruitment of CXCR3+ effector T cells as well as CXCR3+ Tregs derived from patients with PDAC. Our findings suggest that, in pancreatic cancer, CXCR3+ Tregs can be recruited by IP-10 expressed by PSCs in the tumor stroma, leading to immunosuppressive and tumor-promoting effects

Generalised permutation branes

We propose a new class of non-factorising D-branes in the product group GxG where the fluxes and metrics on the two factors do not necessarily coincide. They generalise the maximally symmetric permutation branes which are known to exist when the fluxes agree, but break the symmetry down to the diagonal current algebra in the generic case. Evidence for the existence of these branes comes from a Lagrangian description for the open string world-sheet and from effective Dirac-Born-Infeld theory. We state the geometry, gauge fields and, in the case of SU(2)xSU(2), tensions and partial results on the open string spectrum. In the latter case the generalised permutation branes provide a natural and complete explanation for the charges predicted by K-theory including their torsion.Comment: 33 pages, 6 figures, v2: Extended discussion of K-theory interpretation of our branes for products of higher rank groups in the conclusions; v3: Correction of formula (35) and adjustment of the discussion below equation (45) (no change of result). Footnote 9 points out a previously unnoticed subtlety and provides a reference to a more detailed discussio

Photometric Redshifts of Quasars

We demonstrate that the design of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) filter system and the quality of the SDSS imaging data are sufficient for determining accurate and precise photometric redshifts (``photo-z''s) of quasars. Using a sample of 2625 quasars, we show that photo-z determination is even possible for z<=2.2 despite the lack of a strong continuum break that robust photo-z techniques normally require. We find that, using our empirical method on our sample of objects known to be quasars, approximately 70% of the photometric redshifts are correct to within delta z = 0.2; the fraction of correct photometric redshifts is even better for z>3. The accuracy of quasar photometric redshifts does not appear to be dependent upon magnitude to nearly 21st magnitude in i'. Careful calibration of the color-redshift relation to 21st magnitude may allow for the discovery of on the order of 10^6 quasars candidates in addition to the 10^5 quasars that the SDSS will confirm spectroscopically. We discuss the efficient selection of quasar candidates from imaging data for use with the photometric redshift technique and the potential scientific uses of a large sample of quasar candidates with photometric redshifts.Comment: 29 pages, 8 figures, submitted to A

Primary resection versus neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by resection for locally resectable or potentially resectable pancreatic carcinoma without distant metastasis. A multi-centre prospectively randomised phase II-study of the Interdisciplinary Working Group Gastrointestinal Tumours (AIO, ARO, and CAO)

BACKGROUND: The disappointing results of surgical therapy alone of ductal pancreatic cancer can only be improved using multimodal approaches. In contrast to adjuvant therapy, neoadjuvant chemoradiation is able to facilitate resectability with free margins and to lower lymphatic spread. Another advantage is better tolerability which consecutively allows applying multimodal treatment in a higher number of patients. Furthermore, the synopsis of the overall survival results of neoadjuvant trials suggests a higher rate compared to adjuvant trials. METHODS/DESIGN: As there are no prospectively randomised studies for neoadjuvant therapy, the Interdisciplinary Study Group of Gastrointestinal Tumours of the German Cancer Aid has started such a trial. The study investigates the effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiation in locally resectable or probably resectable cancer of the pancreatic head without distant metastasis on median overall survival time compared to primary surgery. Adjuvant chemotherapy is integrated into both arms. DISCUSSION: The protocol of the study is presented in condensed form after an introducing survey on adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy in pancreatic cancer

Atomic Resonance and Scattering

Contains reports on four research projects.U.S. Air Force - Office of Scientific Research (Grant AFOSR-76-2972)National Science Foundation (Grant CHE79-02967)National Science Foundation (Grant PHY79-09743)Joint Services Electronics Program (Contract DAAG29-78-C-0020)Joint Services Electronics Program (Contract DAAG29-80-C-0104