ScienceDaily (Apr. 1, 2012) ? Low oxygen levels in tumors can be used to predict cancer recurrence in men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer even before they receive radiation therapy.
The clinical research, led by radiation oncologists at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) Cancer Program, University Health Network (UHN) was recently published online in Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
"We've not only shown that men do worse if they have low oxygen levels (hypoxia) in their prostate cancer, but that they also do worse over a shorter period of time," says Dr. Michael Milosevic, radiation oncologist in the PMH Cancer Program, UHN. "These patients seem to develop cancer recurrence within only a few years of completing treatment."
"This information could change the way prostate cancer is treated and goes a long way to ensuring that all patients receive the right treatment from the outset -- based on their individual tumour," says Dr. Milosevic, who is also a professor of radiation oncology at the University of Toronto. "At the heart of it, this is what personalized medicine is all about."
Prostate cancer is commonly treated with surgery or radiation therapy, and yet cancer recurs or spreads in about 25% of treated men. The discovery of indicators, such as low oxygen in tumours, enables doctors to better select the most appropriate and effective treatments for each patient even before radiation therapy is delivered.
Dr. Milosevic and colleagues measured oxygen levels in 247 men with localized prostate cancer prior to radiation therapy and followed them for a median of 6.6 years. Low oxygen in the tumors predicted early relapse after radiation treatment. It was also the only identified factor that predicted local recurrence during follow-up.
"We believe that a tumour's genetic signature will be another promising predictor of recurrence," says Dr. Robert Bristow, radiation oncologist in the PMH Cancer Program, UHN, and professor in the departments of radiation oncology and medical biophysics at the University of Toronto. "Combined, these indicators may signal that the cancer has spread at a previously-undetectable level."
Dr. Milosevic and colleagues hope that identifying the factors that influence prostate cancer behavior will lead to the exploration of new drugs to target hypoxia in tumors. The findings may also accelerate the development of new treatment strategies -- informing physicians when complementary treatment may be more effective. .
"Knowing what works for which patient will make treatment more effective and improve outcomes for patients," says Dr. Milosevic.
The research was funded by United States Army Prostate Cancer Research Program, Terry Fox Program Project Grant through the National Cancer Institute of Canada and Terry Fox Foundation New Frontiers Program Project Grant through the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute. Dr. Milosevic's research is also supported by The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation.
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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University Health Network (UHN), via Newswise.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal Reference:
- M. Milosevic, P. Warde, C. Menard, P. Chung, A. Toi, A. Ishkanian, M. McLean, M. Pintilie, J. Sykes, M. Gospodarowicz, C. Catton, R. P. Hill, R. Bristow. Tumor Hypoxia Predicts Biochemical Failure following Radiotherapy for Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer. Clinical Cancer Research, 2012; 18 (7): 2108 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-11-2711
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
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01. Apr, 2012
The FW02 collection was the essence of the overarching trend of casual chic. Earthy inspirations such as North African colours and fabrics were the linchpin of this new vogue. Dolce&Gabbana took it a step further and traditionally, the touched upn the demand, but translated it into its won language.
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The romantic element of the collection- very little house on the prairie was embodied by low cut puff sleeve min flower print dresses and tops- to be worn with skin tight boot leg trousers or with thigh high leather boots.
The ad campaign was shot by Steven Meisel in the LA desert and it starred Dolce&Gabbana favourite Gisele Bundchen. The inspiration behind the campaign took the North African influence further as the ambiance and props, especially the donkey, referenced nomadic cultures. The collection however won some very urbane fans, including Britney, Kylie and Mary J Blige.