Related Articles

Meta-analysis of microRNA-183 family expression in human cancer studies comparing cancer tissues with noncancerous tissues.

Gene. 2013 Sep 15;527(1):26-32

Authors: Zhang QH, Sun HM, Zheng RZ, Li YC, Zhang Q, Cheng P, Tang ZH, Huang F

Abstract
MicroRNA-183 (miR-183) family is proposed as promising biomarkers for early cancer detection and accurate prognosis as well as targets for more efficient treatment. The results of their expression feature in cancer tissues are inconsistent and controversy still exists in identifying them as new biomarkers of cancers. Therefore, to systemically evaluate the most frequently reported cancers in which miR-183 family members were up- or down-regulated is critical for further investigation on physiological impact of its aberrant regulation in specific cancers. The published studies that compared the level of miR-183 family expression in cancer tissues with those in noncancerous tissues were reviewed by the meta-analysis with a vote-counting strategy. Among the 49 included studies, a total of 18 cancers were reported, with 11 cancers reported in at least two studies. In the panel of miR-183 family members' expression analysis, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer ranked at the top among consistently reported cancer types with up-regulated feature. Bladder cancer, lung cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma were the third most frequently reported cancer types with significant over-expression of miR-96, miR-182 and miR-183 respectively. Breast cancer and gastric cancer were presented with inconsistent regulations and the members of this family had their own distinct regulated features in other different cancers. MiR-183 family, either individually or as a cluster, may be useful prognostic markers and/or therapeutic targets in several cancers. Further studies and repeat efforts are still required to determine the role of miR-183 family in various cancer progressions.

PMID: 23791657 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Immunotherapy for lung cancer: ongoing clinical trials.

Future Oncol. 2013 Oct 22;

Authors: Declerck S, Vansteenkiste J

Abstract
Modulation of a patient's immune system so that it acts against lung cancer cells has not been successful in the past decades. Advances in our understanding of the immune response to tumors resulted in the development of different kinds of novel immunotherapeutic agents. This has resulted in the development of two major approaches. First, antigen-specific immunotherapy or cancer vaccination, with the MAGE-A3 vaccine in resected early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the L-BLP25 vaccine in locally advanced NSCLC after chemoradiotherapy and belagenpumatucel-L and the TG4010 vaccine in advanced-stage NSCLC. Second, non-antigen-specific immunotherapy or cancer immunomodulation is reviewed, including how monoclonal antibodies modulate the interaction between antigen-presenting cells, T-lymphocytes and tumor cells (e.g., antibodies against CTLA-4, or against PD-1 receptor or its ligands). Recent Phase II trials with these treatments have shown promising results of efficacy and tolerability, which has led to testing in several large Phase III trials. Some of these are fully recruited, while others are still ongoing, and important results are be expected in the near future.

PMID: 24143916 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Related Articles

VEGF-C in non-small cell lung cancer: Meta-analysis.

Clin Chim Acta. 2013 Oct 18;

Authors: Jiang H, Shao W, Zhao W

Abstract
BACKGROUND: We sought to clarify the prognostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) in survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis of relevant literature to aggregate the available survival results, using studies published in English until May 2013. Eligible studies dealt with VEGF-C assessment in NSCLC patients on primary lesions and reported survival data according to VEGF-C expression.
RESULTS: We aggregated 16 trials, comprising 1988 patients, in this meta-analysis. The overall combined hazard ratio (HR) was 1.65 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.37-1.98) and was calculated using a random-effects model. It associated high VEGF-C expression with poor survival in all NSCLC patients, including those with stage I NSCLC and high VEGF-C expression (HR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.22-3.28). However, VEGF-C expression did not significantly correlate with survival in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) (HR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.01-2.18).
CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis shows VEGF-C expression is associated with poor prognosis for NSCLC patients, including patients with stage I NSCLC. However, VEGF-C expression is not significantly correlated with survival for patients with lung ADC.

PMID: 24144865 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Related Articles

Dose-Limiting Toxicity After Hypofractionated Dose-Escalated Radiotherapy in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

J Clin Oncol. 2013 Oct 21;

Authors: Cannon DM, Mehta MP, Adkison JB, Khuntia D, Traynor AM, Tomé WA, Chappell RJ, Tolakanahalli R, Mohindra P, Bentzen SM, Cannon GM

Abstract
PURPOSE: Local failure rates after radiation therapy (RT) for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain high. Consequently, RT dose intensification strategies continue to be explored, including hypofractionation, which allows for RT acceleration that could potentially improve outcomes. The maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) with dose-escalated hypofractionation has not been adequately defined.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with NSCLC were enrolled on a prospective single-institution phase I trial of dose-escalated hypofractionated RT without concurrent chemotherapy. Escalation of dose per fraction was performed according to patients' stratified risk for radiation pneumonitis with total RT doses ranging from 57 to 85.5 Gy in 25 daily fractions over 5 weeks using intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The MTD was defined as the maximum dose with ≤ 20% risk of severe toxicity.
RESULTS: No grade 3 pneumonitis was observed and an MTD for acute toxicity was not identified during patient accrual. However, with a longer follow-up period, grade 4 to 5 toxicity occurred in six patients and was correlated with total dose (P = .004). An MTD was identified at 63.25 Gy in 25 fractions. Late grade 4 to 5 toxicities were attributable to damage to central and perihilar structures and correlated with dose to the proximal bronchial tree.
CONCLUSION: Although this dose-escalation model limited the rates of clinically significant pneumonitis, dose-limiting toxicity occurred and was dominated by late radiation toxicity involving central and perihilar structures. The identified dose-response for damage to the proximal bronchial tree warrants caution in future dose-intensification protocols, especially when using hypofractionation.

PMID: 24145340 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]