D. Brattström

Elevated preoperative serum levels of angiogenic cytokines correlate to larger primary tumours and poorer survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients

We have analysed the predictive and prognostic information in preoperatively collected serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in patients clinically evaluated as operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Fifty-eight patients with operable NSCLC were included. VEGF and bFGF levels in serum were analysed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (Quantikine human VEGF and Quantikine HS human FGF basic, R&D Systems). Univariate analysis demonstrated that tumour volume, platelet counts, VEGF and bFGF were significant prognostic factors. However, only bFGF remained significant in the multivariate analysis (P=0.014). Significant correlations were demonstrated between VEGF levels and tumour volume (r=0.33; P=0.012) and platelet count (r=0.43; P=0.001). bFGF levels correlated significant with recurrent disease (r=0.34; P=0.01), platelet count (r=0.53, P<0.001) and performance status (r=0.29; P=0.029). Furthermore, bFGF levels and VEGF levels correlated significantly (r=0.44; P<0.001). We conclude that elevated circulating angiogenic cytokines correlate with tumour volume, higher relapse risk and poorer survival in patients with operable non-small cell lung cancer.

Esophageal cancer: current and emerging therapy modalities

During the last few years, there has been a gradual increase in treatment options for patients with esophageal malignancies. Several clinical studies have been performed, covering not only radiation and chemotherapy, but also the introduction of novel biological agents into the treatment arsenal. Patients with esophageal carcinoma are now offered second-line and sometimes even third-line treatments, and the number of research protocols is increasing. Despite the newly awakened interest in this malignancy, the overall 5-year survival rate has remained at approximately 10% since the 1980s. This review contains a compilation of available studies of esophageal malignancies and discusses current treatment options as well as newly developed therapies targeted at growth factor receptors.

Serum semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) activity correlates with VEGF in non-small-cell lung cancer patients.

Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) is an enzyme associated with vascular systems in mammals. SSAO catalyzes the deamination of primary monoamines and has been suggested to be a risk factor in vascular disorders, e.g., diabetic vascular complications. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate if serum SSAO activity is associated with clinical parameters in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Secondary aims were to investigate if there is a correlation between SSAO activity and the angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).Thirty-three patients donated 231 serum samples. Detectable levels of bFGF, VEGF, and SSAO were observed in all patients. Serum SSAO activity was not statistically associated with survival (p=0.35). A highly significant statistical correlation was found between SSAO activity and VEGF (p<0.0001). No significant correlation between SSAO and bFGF was observed.We conclude that SSAO was not associated with survival in patients with NSCLC. However, a strong correlation between serum SSAO activity and the angiogenic factor VEGF was found that might implicate new aspects of the mechanisms controlling angiogenesis.

The Presence of Anti-p53 Antibodies in Sera Prior to Thoracic Surgery in Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients: Its Implications on Tumor Volume, Nodal Involvement, and Survival

BACKGROUNDnDuring recent years, a correlation between the presence of antibodies in sera against p53 and survival has been reported. The aim of the present study was to analyze anti-p53 antibodies in sera from patients with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) prior to thoracic surgery and their correlation to survival, nodal involvement, and tumor volume.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnSerum samples from 58 patients with NSCLC admitted to the Department of Pulmonary Medicine in Uppsala were collected between 1993 and 1995 and analyzed for the expression of anti-p53 antibodies.nnnRESULTSnAntibodies against p53 were detected in 12 patients (21%). No association was found between increased levels of anti-p53 antibodies and tumor volume (P =.84). There was a numerical trend towards higher levels of anti-p53 antibodies in patients without nodal disease, when compared with patients with nodal involvement, although not statistically significant (P =.136). However, when patients with metastatic disease were included, statistically significantly lower levels of anti-p53 antibodies were demonstrated, in comparison to patients without any sign of nodal engagement or metastatic disease (P =.038). Anti-p53 antibodies and survival showed no correlation between increasing index levels of anti-p53 antibodies and survival (P =.18). Neither was a correlation found between using the cutoff (>1.1) described by the manufacturer and survival.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe presence of anti-p53 antibodies was correlated neither to survival nor to tumor volume in the present study. However, patients with either nodal or metastatic disease had lower levels of anti-p53 antibodies in comparison to patients without signs of either nodal or metastatic disease. These issues are discussed.

Impact of age at diagnosis on prognosis and treatment in laryngeal cancer.

The aims of this study were to analyze how age affects treatment and treatment outcome, and to determine whether tumor characteristics differ between different age groups with laryngeal cancer.

633 p53 gene mutations and p53 nuclear immunostaining in non-small lung cancer associated with clinical data

p53 gene mutations and p53 nuclear immunostaining in non-small cell lung cancer associated with clinical data.

516 Palliative radiation with two fractionation schedules of brain metastases from lung cancer

Palliative radiation with two fractionation schedules of brain metastases from lung cancer.

517 Micronucleus assay as a predictor of radiosensitivity: The results of in vitro studies on 4 cell lines

Micronucleos assay as a predictor of radiosensitivity:the results of In Vitro studies on cell lines.

514 Radiation responsiveness of human lung cancer cell lines measured with a short term semiautomatic assay

BACKGROUNDnFluorometric microculture cytotoxicity assay (FMCA) is a short-term semi-automatic method, based on dye-inclusion of surviving cells. The assay was developed for investigations of drug resistance on tumour cells from biopsy material. In the present study, this short-term assay was evaluated, regarding usefulness in determining radio-sensitivity.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnEight human lung cancer cell lines were used. There were five small cell lung cancer (SCLC and three non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC cell lines. Results were compared with the corresponding data derived from the clonogenic assay and/or the extrapolation method.nnnRESULTSnThe surviving fraction (SF) after 2, 5 and 10 Gy compared with data from the clonogenic assay were not in accordance for 5 of the 8 cell lines. The FMCA assay overestimated SF- values for the SCLC cell lines.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe FMCA assay is not useful as a quick screening method for the radioresponsiveness in vitro of human tumour cell lines.