Search results for "drug resistance"
showing 10 items of 953 documents
Cancer Stem Cells Sensitivity Assay (STELLA) in Patients with Advanced Lung and Colorectal Cancer: A Feasibility Study.
2015
Background Cancer stem cells represent a population of immature tumor cells found in most solid tumors. Their peculiar features make them ideal models for studying drug resistance and sensitivity. In this study, we investigated whether cancer stem cells isolation and in vitro sensitivity assay are feasible in a clinical setting. Methods Cancer stem cells were isolated from effusions or fresh cancer tissue of 23 patients who progressed after standard therapy failure. Specific culture conditions selected for immature tumor cells that express markers of stemness. These cells were exposed in vitro to chemotherapeutic and targeted agents. Results Cancer stem cells were extracted from liver metas…
Blood flow and oxygenation status of human tumors. Clinical investigations.
1999
There is a large body of evidence suggesting that blood flow and oxygenation of human tumors are important research topics which may explain, in particular, resistance to radiation and to many antineoplastic drugs, which can limit the curability of solid tumors by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.This manuscript reviews the clinical investigations which have been performed regarding blood flow and oxygenation status of human tumors in radiation oncology.The possible uses and limitations of the prognostic significance and the changes under therapy measuring blood flow and oxygenation in human tumors were discussed. In addition, several approaches were summarized, which can improve the microvasc…
Salvage treatment for children with relapsed/refractory germ cell tumors: The Associazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica (AIEOP) experienc…
2020
Background Malignant germ cell tumors (GCTs) are a heterogeneous group of rare neoplasms in children. Optimal outcome is achieved with multimodal therapies for patients with both localized and advanced disease, especially after the introduction of platinum-based chemotherapy regimens. In this respect, data on salvage treatment for children with relapsed or platinum-refractory disease are still limited. Methods Retrospective analysis of data regarding patients affected by malignant GCTs with platinum-refractory or relapsed disease after first-line treatment according to AIEOP TCGM 2004 protocol was conducted. Results Twenty-one patients, 15 females and 6 males, were considered for the analys…
Acquired BRAF inhibitor resistance: A multicenter meta-analysis of the spectrum and frequencies, clinical behaviour, and phenotypic associations of r…
2015
BackgroundAcquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) is a near-universal phenomenon caused by numerous genetic and non-genetic alterations. In this study, we evaluated the spectrum, onset, pattern of progression, and subsequent clinical outcomes associated with specific mechanisms of resistance.MethodsWe compiled clinical and genetic data from 100 patients with 132 tissue samples obtained at progression on BRAFi therapy from 3 large, previously published studies of BRAFi resistance. These samples were subjected to whole-exome sequencing and/or polymerase chain reaction-based genetic testing.ResultsAmong 132 samples, putative resistance mechanisms were identified in 58%, including NRAS o…
Heterogeneity of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA mutations in metastatic colorectal cancer and potential effects on therapy in the CAPRI GOIM trial
2015
Background: Evidence suggests that metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC) has a high level of intratumor heterogeneity. We carried out a quantitative assessment of tumor heterogeneity for KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA mutations, in order to assess potential clinical implications. Patients and methods: Tumor samples (n = 182) from the CAPRI-GOIM trial of first-line cetuximab + FOLFIRI in KRAS exon-2 wild-type mCRC patients were assessed by next-generation sequencing that allows quantitative assessment of mutant genes. Mutant allelic frequency was normalized for the neoplastic cell content and, assuming that somatic mutations usually affect one allele, the Heterogeneity Score (HS) was calculate…
New findings on primary and acquired resistance to anti-EGFR therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer: Do all roads lead to RAS?
2015
Abstract: Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy with the monoclonal antibodies cetuximab and panitumumab is the main targeted treatment to combine with standard chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. Many clinical studies have shown the benefit of the addition of these agents for patients without mutations in the EGFR pathway. Many biomarkers, including KRAS and NRAS mutations, BRAF mutations, PIK3CA mutations, PTEN loss, AREG and EREG expression, and HER-2 amplification have already been identified to select responders to anti-EGFR agents. Among these alterations KRAS and NRAS mutations are currently recognized as the best predictive factors for primary resistance. Liquid b…
Pharmacogenomics of cetuximab in metastatic colorectal carcinoma
2014
Cetuximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that has revolutionized the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Knowledge of the mechanisms that underlie its effectiveness, as well as the primary and secondary resistance mechanisms, have led to important developments in the understanding of cetuximab biology. In light of knowledge gained from recent trials, the efficacy of cetuximab has been clearly demonstrated to depend upon RAS mutational status, moreover cetuximab should only be used in a subset of patients who may benefit. In this article, we critically review clinical and pharmacogenetic issues of cetuximab, focusing on the cost–effectiveness involved with the use of the drug.
NUPR1 works against the metabolic stress-induced autophagy-associated cell death in pancreatic cancer cells.
2013
The incidence of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is increasing with more than 43,000 predicted new cases in the US and 65,000 in Europe this year. Pancreatic cancer patients have a short life expectancy with less than 3–4% 5-y survival, which results in an equivalent incidence and mortality rate. One of the major challenges in pancreatic cancer is the identification of pharmacological approaches that overcome the resistance of this cancer to therapy. Intensive research in the past decades has led to the classification of pancreatic cancers and the identification of the driver key genetic events. Despite the advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for pancreatic cancer patho…
Prediction of paclitaxel resistance in breast cancer: is CYP1B1*3 a new factor of influence?
2008
This article focuses on the recent findings by Marsh and colleagues, and also discusses recent findings with regards to breast cancer. Taxanes are amongst the most active agents in the treatment of breast cancer. However, many tumors are intrinsically resistant. Therefore, it would be an enormous progress, if factors could be identified that reliably differentiate between taxane-sensitive and -resistant patients. Marsh and colleagues analyzed the CYP1B1*3 (Val432Leu) polymorphism in patients with high-risk stage III and IV breast cancer, who received dose-intense paclitaxel in combination with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. They report for the first time that patients with two leucine al…
Experimental techniques for testing the sensitivity of bladder tumours to antineoplastic drugs
1973
A number of laboratory tests can be employed to examine the sensitivity of human bladder tumour cells to various chemotherapeutic agents.-Their principles and methods, and some preliminary results, are described with special reference to certain in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity tests and to heterotransplantation in the hamster. Satisfactory agreement has sometimes been observed between experimental results and clinical responses, but our experience is still very limited.-The employment of several such tests would probably lead to a greater degree of reliability in the laboratory assessment of the sensitivity of bladder tumours to cytotoxic drugs.