Narządy głowy i szyi

Bone is a common site of metastasis in patients with breast cancer. Skeletal complications associated with bone metastasis are commonly treated with bisphosphonates. However, there are a number of side-effects associated with these, such as renal failure, hypocalcemia and osteonecrosis of the jaw. We aimed to determine the effects of ibandronic and zoledronic acid on serum creatinine (SCr), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR). The objective was to determine the safety of these bisphosphonates, especially zoledronic acid.

Erlotinib and gefitinib are reversible EGFR-TKI administered orally. Results of the phase III study JBR.21 proved the clinical efficacy of erlotinib-based regimens as second- or third-line treatment of advanced NSCLC.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the activities of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and the levels of glutathione (GSH) and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), as potential markers in different histopathologic types of pediatric neoplasms. No studies on this subject have been reported to date.

Gastric cancer is characterized by varying secretion of mucus. Mucin producing gastric carcinoma (MUC) is thought to be a histological subtype with a worse prognosis. The aim of this study was to compare the clinicopathological differences between MUC and other types of gastric carcinoma without secretion of mucus (NMUC).

Lysosomal exoglycosidases, such as α-mannosidases (MAN) and β-galactosidases (GAL), are found in different glycoside hydrolase sequence-based families. Considerable research has proved plays the role of MAN, which play a key role in the modification and diversification of hybrid N-glycans, processes with strong cellular links to cancer. Therefore the study aim was to investigate the activities of MAN and GAL in larynx cancer compared to controls.

Several epidemiological studies have attempted to demonstrate a relationship between increased serum level of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and an augmented risk of developing colorectal cancers (CRC). The human IGF-1 gene is composed of 6 exons and demonstrated expression of 6 different splice variants (isoforms) of mRNA (IA, IB, IC, IIA, IIB and IIC).The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of different isoforms of IGF-1 mRNA in CRC and normal colon tissue.

The need to establish conditions for safe irradiation was noted in Poland back in 1986 in the Atomic Law, but for over 16 years no regulations regarding this aspect were passed. The radiological incident in Bialystok (Poland) in 2001 undeniably accelerated the implementation of new legal regulations. Nevertheless, in the absence of national guidelines until 2002, most health care institutions resorted to the quality management system (QMS) model proposed by the ISO norm 9001:2000. Eventually, practice proved the theory and the aforementioned model was also implemented into Polish acts of law defining basic requirements for QMS in radiotherapy.

Acromegaly is a chronic disease caused by the excessive secretion of growth hormone (GH), and as a result, of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Untreated, the condition reduces the patients’ life expectancy and leads to a series of complications, among which an increased risk of carcinogenesis is considered most important.

The term proteomics was used for the first time in 1995 to describe large-scale protein analyses. At the same time proteomics was distinguished as a new domain of the life sciences. The major object of proteomic studies is the proteome, i.e. the set of all proteins accumulating in a given cell, tissue or organ. During the last years several new methods and techniques have been developed to increase the fidelity and efficacy of proteomic analyses. The most widely used are two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) and mass spectrometry (MS).

W Journal of Clinical Oncology opublikowano zalecenia American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) dotyczące prawidłowego dawkowania cytostatyków u dorosłych otyłych chorych na nowotwór złośliwy. Panel ekspertów ustalił rekomendacje na podstawie badań klinicznych przeprowadzonych głównie u chorych na raka piersi, jajnika, okrężnicy oraz płuca. Zalecenia dotyczą jedynie dawkowania cytostatyków i nie obejmują leków ukierunkowanych molekularnie.

W Lancet opublikowano wyniki analizy zbiorczej, pochodzącej z 51 randomizowanych badań klinicznych, w której wykazano, że codzienne spożywanie aspiryny obniża ryzyko zachorowania na nowotwory oraz zmniejsza ryzyko zgonu z powodu nowotworu.

W Annals of Oncology opublikowano dane dotyczące szacowanej liczby zgonów z powodu nowotworów złośliwych w 27 krajach Unii Europejskiej (UE) w bieżącym roku. Badacze, w celu oszacowania współczynników umieralności oraz określenia trendów posłużyli się danymi epidemiologicznymi pochodzącymi z lat 1970-2007.

Rozpoczęto rekrutację do dwóch badań z zastosowaniem afatynibu* u chorych z miejscowo zaawansowanym lub nawrotowym/przerzutowym rakiem głowy i szyi. Firma Boehringer Ingelheim poinformowała o rozpoczęciu dwóch badań klinicznych fazy III, LUX-Head&Neck 1 oraz LUX-Head&Neck 2, których celem jest ocena zastosowania afatynibu* u chorych z nawrotowym i przerzutowym rakiem głowy i szyi oraz u chorych z nowotworem miejscowo zaawansowanym.

Poniżej zaprezentowano zalecenia European Society of Medical Oncology dotyczące oceny kardiologicznej u chorych poddanych terapii antracyklinami oraz przeciwciałami monoklonalnymi.

Poniżej przedstawiono uzupełnienie wcześniej zamieszczonej listy leków zatwierdzonych w Europie do leczenia nowotworów złośliwych.

Aim of the study: To determine the ad­ded value of computed tomography perfusion (CTP) images combined with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) images in staging of head and neck squamous cell cancer (SCC). Material and methods: Forty-seven consecutive patients with histologically proven squamous cell cancer of the head and neck and qualified for surgical treatment were prospectively evaluated in 2 groups: based on CECT multiplanar reformations (axial, coronal and sagittal), and separately, based on CTP images combined with CECT data. Tumour stage was assessed in each group separately, with special emphasis on T4 stage, and results were compared with histological findings. Five patients underwent endoscopic laser tumour resection, 11 underwent other tumour resection (glossectomy, pharyngectomy) and 31 patients underwent en-bloc resection of the hypopharynx and larynx, allowing detailed pathological evaluation of possible tumour infiltration into surrounding structures. Two experienced head and neck radiologists evaluated the images. Inter-observer agreement was tested with the modified k test. The χ2 test was applied to compare the number of correctly staged tumours for the two methods and readers. Results : Inter-observer agreement was high (k = 0.88-0.90). Significant differences between the two groups were observed; with added CTP assessment more anatomical structures were rated positive for tumour infiltration and diagnostic accuracy of this method was significantly higher when compared to CECT images. Sole evaluation of CECT images in less advanced cases led to overestimation of the disease, since inflammation and slight oedema could not be differentiated from tumour. Conclusions : Contrast-enhanced computed tomography multi-planar images enhanced with CTP images were proven to improve accuracy in head and neck cancer staging. The added value of CTP may help to avoid overestimation of the malignant process and at the same time may facilitate depiction all infiltrated structures.

Amerykańska Agencja ds. Żywności i Leków (U.S. FDA – Food and Drug Administration) zarejestrowała 10 leków stosowanych w leczeniu nowotworów litych.

Każdego roku American Cancer Society publikuje wartości szacunkowe nowych przypadków zachorowania i zgonów z powodu nowotworów złośliwych spodziewanych w Stanach Zjednoczonych w bieżącym roku.

Utrata włosów spowodowana chemioterapią stanowi poważny problem natury psychologicznej chorych leczonych z powodu nowotworów złośliwych. Autor publikacji przedstawia przegląd badań klinicznych oceniających skuteczność m.in. hipotermii i elektrotrichogenezy zastosowanych w celu zapobiegania utraty włosów w następstwie chemioterapii.

Właściwa opieka stomatologiczna jest bardzo ważnym elementem towarzyszącym chemioterapii i radioterapii nowotworów. Autorzy artykułu przedstawiają klasyfikację służącą do oceny stopnia ciężkości zmian w obrębie błony śluzowej jamy ustnej u chorych leczonych onkologicznie, ponadto prezentują najnowsze wytyczne odnośnie profilaktyki i leczenia stanów zapalnych toczących się w obrębie jamy ustnej.