Bone marrow BCR-ABL transcript levels were monitored serially by real-time quantitative PCR in 46 imatinib-treated chronic myeloid leukemia patients after achieving complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) for a median of 42 months (range: 9-53). Of 41 patients in continuous CCyR, 32 and nine could achieve a >/=3-log (MMoR group) or 2- to 3-log reduction (non-MMoR group), respectively. The MMoR group had a significantly lower recurrence rate of Ph+ metaphase than the non-MMoR group (6/32 vs. 7/9, P = 0.002), which was not significantly different between patients first achieving CCyR within or after 12 months of imatinib treatment (7/27 vs. 6/14, P = 0.086). Five patients suffered cytogenetic or hematological relapse. For all 46 patients, a >2-log reduction but not time when CCyR was first achieved was related to a lower relapse rate (1/42 vs. 4/4, P < 0.001). We concluded that the depth of BCR-ABL reduction after CCyR is more critical than when CCyR is first achieved. The kinetic pattern of BCR-ABL transcript is a good predictor of disease stability.

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Extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. have possibly fewer side-effects than placebo for the treatment of menopausal women.

ABSTRACT. The 5α-reductase type 2 (SRD5A2) gene plays a significant role in the development of breast cancer. The V89L and TA repeat polymorphisms of the SRD5A2 gene have been considered as risk factors for breast cancer. However, the results have been inconsistent. To resolve this conflict, we performed a meta-analysis of studies with V89L (1144 patients and 808 controls) and with TA repeat genotyping (1952 cases and 1008 controls). The associations were evaluated by calculating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The result showed that there was no relationship between the V89L polymorphism of the SRD5A2 gene (V/V versus V/L + L/L genotypes) and breast cancer susceptibility (OR = 1.21; 95%CI = 0.99-1.47; P = 0.28). In addition, there was no difference between patients with breast cancer and healthy people in the distributions of the L allele (OR = 1.06; 95%CI = 0.75-1.49; P = 0.003). Similarly, no significant association between the SRDA5A2 TA repeat polymorphism and breast cancer risk was discovered. The comparison of (TA) 0 /(TA) 0 versus (TA) 0 /(TA) 9 + (TA) 9 /(TA) 9 genotypes found no difference in the risk of breast cancer (OR = 0.91; 95%CI = 0.66-1.25; P = 0.05). The OR for the (TA) 0 versus (TA) 9 allele was 0.89 (95%CI = 0.67-1.19). In conclusion, the V89L and TA repeat polymorphisms of SRD5A2 gene were found to have no significant associations with breast cancer risk.