RRM1 is a biologically and clinically important determinant of malignant behavior in NSCLC. Knowing the level of expression of this gene adds significant information to management decisions independent of the currently used outcome predictors of tumor stage, performance status, and weight loss. Future clinical trials should stratify patients based on expression of this gene to avoid unwanted biases.
Introduction:
In this study we investigated the effect of strength training in patients with limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD).
Methods:
In 2 studies we compared the effect of low‐intensity training (LOIT; n = 8) and high‐intensity training (HIT; n = 4) in muscles of the upper and lower extremities. Patients were tested for maximal strength and endurance before and after the training program.
Results:
LOIT training over 6 months resulted in increased biceps strength and endurance. HIT training increased endurance and strength in wrist flexion and extension and in elbow flexion. One patient discontinued HIT training due to muscle soreness and mildly increased plasma CK levels without strength deterioration.
Conclusions:
Both LOIT and HIT increased muscle strength and endurance in some of the muscles tested and were well tolerated in most patients. Our findings suggest that supervised resistance training may be considered in the management of patients with LGMD2 and BMD. Muscle Nerve, 2013
Among patients with resectable NSCLC treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, we found no evidence that tumor response by PET scan after chemotherapy is prognostic of survival; however, response by CT scan was associated with better survival.
Background
Targeted agents such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been extensively studied in pre-clinical systems as well as in advanced stage patients. Little is known about levels of kinase inhibitors found in tumors as opposed to plasma. Similarly, effects of inhibitors on tumor signaling pathways in patient-based materials is unclear. To explore these questions, we conducted a trial of a brief course of pre-operative gefitinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, in early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Methods
Patient with early stage NSCLC received four weeks of gefitinib 250 mg daily prior to surgical resection. Pre- and post-treatment CT scans and PET scans were used to assess clinical response. Geftinib and surgical toxicity was evaluated. Tumor tissue was evaluated for gefitinib levels and was compared to plasma gefitinib levels. Activated signaling molecules including EGFR, Stat3, ERK, and AKT were examined in surgically resected tumor tissue.
Results
23 patients participated in the study and all had surgical resection of tumors. No toxicities unrelated to known effects of gefitinib or surgery were encountered. 22 patients had stable disease and one had progression in tumor size. There was no correlation with PET response and CT response. Tumor levels of gefitinib were nearly 40-fold higher than plasma levels indicating potential tumor concentration of gefitinib. Tyrosine phosphorylated Stat3 was abundant in the surgically resected tumor tissue indicating potential role in primary resistance in vivo.
Conclusions
This study confirms previous preclinical observations that tumor tissues concentrate gefitinib. Persistent Stat3 may be leading to primary resistance to EGFR inhibitors in vivo.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.