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The articles referenced in this Highlights section will be available online in HTML and PDF formats to all interested users at no charge until the next issue of Clinical Cancer Research is published. Click on the article title to view the complete article.
View the Table of Contents for the February 15 issue of Clinical Cancer Research.
Vanaja et al. Page 1128
To identify biomarkers of prostate cancer, Vanaja et al. performed gene expression profiling using HG-U133 microarrays. Deregulation in the expression levels of PRIMA1, TU3A, PDLIM4, FLJ14084, SVIL, SORBS1, C21orf63, KIAA1210, FABP5, SOX4 and MLP was confirmed by real-time PCR. To assess transcriptional inactivation, promoter methylation of genes was analyzed by quantitative methylation-specific PCR. The combined use of methylation levels of PDLIM4 with GSTP1 and PTGS2 improved the detection rate of prostate adenocarcinoma to 95% to 100%. These findings emphasize that hypermethylation of PDLIM4 could be used as a molecular marker in detection of prostate tumorigenesis.
Dysvik et al. Page 1109
Using microarrays, Dysvik et al. examined a possible range of gene expression profiles in 117 head and neck cancers from patients with differences in race and lifestyle (Sudanese vs. Norwegians), and correlated the findings with clinicopathologic parameters. Differences in gene expressions were identified. Analysis of the two population groups showed a common set of 73 genes within three main biological pathways indicating that the development of this cancer is mediated by similar biological pathways, regardless of race and life style. Of particular interest, a valuable association of gene expression signature with toombak (Sudanese snuff) use and anatomic site of the tumors was found.
Linke et al. Page 1175
To maximize both the life expectancy and quality of life of patients with operable breast cancer, it is important to predict adjuvant treatment outcome. Linke et al. report the usage of a machine learning–based methodology to develop a cross-validated model to predict the outcome of tamoxifen treatment. This model includes standard clinicopathologic features, as well as six common molecular markers collected using standard immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization. The model significantly outperformed the 2005 St. Gallen Consensus guidelines and the Nottingham Prognostic Index and has the potential to provide a clinically useful and cost-effective prognostic for breast cancer patients.
Arlen et al. Page 1260
Docetaxel has activity against androgen-insensitive prostate cancer (AIPC). Arlen et al. designed a randomized Phase II study in AIPC patients to compare a prostate-specific antigen vector–based vaccine vs. vaccine plus docetaxel. Patients in the vaccine alone arm were allowed to receive docetaxel at progression. Median progression-free survival rates on docetaxel was 6.1 months after crossover from vaccine vs. 3.7 months with the same drug regimen and patient population in a previous trial. Larger prospective studies will be required to validate these findings. This was the first study to show that patients in both arms (vaccine ± docetaxel) developed equal T-cell responses to prostate-specific antigen showing that docetaxel (with steroid) did not inhibit immune responses.