David V. Gold

A rapid colorimetric assay for the estimation of microgram quantities of DNA.

Abstract The thiobarbituric acid assay, routinely employed for the quantification of sialic acids, has been modified for the estimation of DNA in the range 0.5–500 μg. Neither RNA nor protein interfere in this procedure. The assay, as described, is more sensitive and less time consuming than the diphenylamine reaction.

Antigens Associated with Human Solid Tumors

The detection and diagnosis of cancer is dependent upon the ability to discriminate between normal and neoplastic tissues. At present, this determination relies upon the recognition of abnormal morphologic features associated with neoplasia. The utilization of specific biochemical differences between normal and neoplastic tissues in the development of highly sensitive assays might yield definitive methods for the early detection of tumors. Furthermore, specific biochemical differences may be exploited for preventive and/ or curative measures. These concepts, coupled with the recent advances in the field of immunochemical analysis, have made the search for tumor-specific antigens of great interest.

Radioimmunotherapy of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

This chapter reviews the problems and prospects for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which is the principal type of pancreatic cancer, and the potential role for targeted radionuclide therapy in its management. Most articles begin by characterizing this tumor as “devastating,” “challenging,” or other descriptors of the morbid statistics indicating that it has the worst 1- and 5-year survival of any cancer. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma’s dismal outlook is reflected by the estimated 37,660 deaths from an estimated 44,030 new cases in the USA in 2011 [1]. Because early clinical features are nonspecific, most patients present with surgically unresectable locally advanced or metastatic disease [1], emphasizing its poor prognosis. Indeed, pancreatic adenocarcinoma represents the fourth highest cause of cancer deaths in the USA. On an international scale, the incidence is 213,000 annually [2]. Long-term survival is very poor, with a 5-year survival rate of 0.4 % [3] to 6 % [1]. Resection is the only potential for cure, where survival beyond 10 years is described in 5 % of patients [4]. However, only about 10 % of patients are eligible for complete resection [5].