Matrix metalloproteinase-9 decreased after chemotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Aims and background. The aim of the study was to investigate the alteration in serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels after chemotherapy and the association between the changes in serum levels of MMP-9 and response to chemotherapy in patients with advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer

Prognostic and predictive value of vascular endothelial growth factor and its soluble receptors, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 levels in the sera of small cell lung cancer patients

Objectives Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has a rapid growth rate and is characterized by early metastases. Tumor growth is dependent on angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important regulator of angiogenesis. Whether surveillance of pre- and post-treatment serum VEGF and especially its receptors VEGF-1 and VEGF-2 levels in SCLC patients have impact on clinical outcome is unknown. Methods From February 2001 to January 2003, 39 consecutive patients with histological proven SCLC were enrolled into the study. Pre-treatment (n: 39) and post-treatment (n: 25) samples of the same patients were collected at the time of their response evaluation. The levels of VEGF and its receptors VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 were measured in the serum by quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique. Results The median pre-treatment serum VEGF, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2 levels which were significantly higher than the normal controls were 1,200 pg/ml (range, 1,414.3 +/- 956.2 pg/ml), 85 pg/ml (range, 97.8 +/- 70.7 pg/ml), and 11,550 pg/ml (range, 14,481 +/- 6,267 pg/ml), respectively. We detected a poor but positive correlation between VEGF and VEGFR-2 (r: 0.46, p: 0.003). Pre-treatment low serum VEGF (< 728.5 pg/ml) value (p: 0.02) and good response to treatment (p: 0.008) were found as good prognostic factors by multivariate analysis. Conclusions Low serum VEGF concentration is a significant and independent prognostic factor in SCLC patients. Surveillance of VEGF and its receptors to predict chemotherapy response is not useful. Whether the levels of serum VEGF and its receptors VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 have value in detecting treatment modalities of SCLC need further studies

Skull Base Plasmacytoma in a Patient with Light Chain Myeloma

Skull base involvement of plasmacytoma is reported in a patient with light chain myeloma. A 39–year–old man was admitted after experiencing paresthesia on the left side of the face and left arm, intermittent diplopia, and hoarseness for 2 years. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large midline mass extending from the middle and posterior skull base into the upper two cervical vertebrae. An extramedullary plasmacytoma associated with light chain multiple myeloma was diagnosed after biopsy of the mass and laboratory investigations. The imaging findings and clinical features associated with this rare site of extramedullary plasmacytoma involvement are reported

Clinical outcome of rhabdomyosarcoma in adolescent and adult patients: Single center experience from Turkey

USTUNER, Z., BASARAN, M., DIZDAR, Y., AGAOGLu, F.Y., BILGic, B., SAKAR, B., BASARAN, G.A., DARENDELILER, E., OZGER, H., ONAT, H. and BAVBEK, S. Clinical Outcome of Rhadomyosarcoma in Adolescent and Adult Patients: Single Center Experience from Turkey. Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2007, 213 (3), 221-229 - Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is rare disease in adults (age >= 16 years). The data from randomized prospective trials are scarce; the clinical outcome of these patients seems poor with the currently available treatment strategies. In this study, we report a single institution's experience in the treatment of adult RMS. We reviewed the medical records of patients with RMS who were >= 16 years and have been treated in our institution between 1988 and 2003 retrospectively. We analyzed the survival outcome of these patients and the prognostic impact of clinical/ pathological factors on their survival. In total, 23 patients with RMS were identified. Median age was 26 years (range, 16-72 years). Majority of patients were male (n: 17, 73.9%), and had large tumors ( >= 5 cm, n: 13, 56.5%), localized disease (NO, MO, n: 12, 52.2%), and embryonal histology (n: 10, 43.5%). Median overall survival was 31.3 months, and the 3-year progress ion-free survival and overall survival rates were 19.9% and 34.94%, respectively. Patients with smaller tumors (< 5 cm) (p < 0.04), local disease (p < 0.01), and normal lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) level (p < 0.01) at the time of diagnosis were found to have better survival outcome. The tumor size, serum LDH level, and metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis are potential predictors of outcome in patients with adult RMS. Adult RMS is an aggressive disease with poor survival despite treatment. The data from prospective, randomized multicenter trials are necessary in order to improve the clinical outcome of adult RMS patients. - rhabdomyosarcoma; adult; lactic dehydrogenase; survival; adolescent (0 2007 Tohoku University Medical Pres