Cancer Detection and Prevention Volume 24 / Issue 2 (Mar-Apr 2000)

Table of Contents and Editor's Notes

The peer review process occasionally results in approval of controversial publications that do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the editors. Readers of the journal are encouraged to critically review and comment on presented data by submitting a "Letter to the Editor" that may be reprinted in a subsequent issue.

Deregulation of the Cell Cycle in Cancer

Charanjit Sandhu and Joyce Slingerland, MD, PhD

Reduced p27 protein in human cancers is strongly associated with increased tumor grade. Loss of p27 is an independent prognostic indicator in breast, colon, gastric and prostate cancer, and may also have a prognostic significance for lung and esophageal carcinomas. >>>

DNA Content of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: An Independent Prognostic Indicator

Mow-Ming Hsu, MD, Chorng-Rong Chiou, DDS, Jenq-Yuh Ko, MD, Tzung-Shiann Sheen, MD, Ruey-Long Hong, MD, and Lai-Lei Ting, MD

In 28 patients with lymphoid hyperplasia, the nuclear DNA content was diploid. In 70 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma the nuclear DNA was diploid in 49% and aneuploid in 51% of the cases. Patients with DNA aneuploidy and high S-phase fraction tended to have a poor prognosis and a good response to chemotherapy. >>>

Dietary Calcium and Growth Modulation of Human Colon Cancer Cells: Role of the Extracellular Calcium-Sensing Receptor

Enikö Kállay MS, Erika Bajna, Friedrich Wrba, MD, Stefan Kriwanek, MD, Meinrad Peterilk, PhD, MD, and Heide S. Cross, PhD

The proliferative response of the human colon adenocarcinoma-derived cell line Caco-2 to withdrawal of Ca2+ from the culture medium was reflected by an increase in the percentage of cells in the S phase. Incremental addition of Ca2+ to the culture medium inhibited cell cycle progression through a G1/S-phase block and reversed the hyperproliferation of Caco-2 cells. >>>

Surveillance Improves Survival of Colorectal Cancer in Patients with Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer

Laura Renkonen-Sinisalo MD, Markku Aarnio, MD, Jukka-Pekka Mecklin, MD PhD, and Heikki J. Järvinen, MD, PhD

In patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, the tumors detected by surveillance were at significantly more favorable stages than those that were not subjected to surveillance. The cumulative colorectal-specific survival was 93% in the surveillance group compared to 68% in the nonsurveillance cases. >>>

α-L-Fucosidase Enzyme in the Prediction of Colorectal Cancer Patients at High Risk of Tumor Recurrence

Julia Fernández-Rodríguez, PhD, Daniel Ayude, BSc, Marfa Páez de la Cadena, PhD, Vicenta S. Martfnez-Zorzano, PhD, Alejandro de Carlos, PhD, Amado Caride-Castro, BSc, Gonzalo de Castro, MD, and Francisco J Rodríguez-Berrocal, PhD

In 123 colorectal patients that were treated by curative surgery, the alpha-1-fucosidase activity in the primary tumors appeared to be a good quantitative biological marker and an independent prognostic indicator of tumor recurrence. >>>

Evaluation of Circulating Activin-A as a Serum Marker of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Mario Pirisi, MD, Carlo Fabris, MD, Ste fano Luish MD, Massimo Santuz, MD, Pierluigi Toniutto, MD, Daniela Vitulli, MD, Edda Federico, MD, Monica Del Forno, MD, Martina Mattiuzzo, MD, Barbara Branca, MD, and Feilce Petraglia, MD

In 55 cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, serum activin-A concentrations were higher than in 44 patients with nonmalignant cirrhosis. The specificity of activin-A as a tumor marker was increased when used in combination with alpha-fetoprotein. >>>

A Measure of Skin Familiarity and Its Role in the Early Detection of Skin Cancer

Kevin P Balanda, PhD, Warren R. Stanton, PhD, Peter D. Baade, MMedSc, John B. Lowe, DrPH, and Alexandra Clavarino, PhD

Skin self-examination was promoted with the aim to familiarize individuals with their skin for improved identification of suspicious changes. A designed measure of skin familiarity was based upon the density of spots on four broad body regions: the front of the legs, the back of the legs, the shoulders and back, and the feet. >>>

Human Meningiomas: Immunohistochemical Localization of Progesterone Receptor and Heat Shock Protein 27 and Absence of Estrogen Receptor and PS2

Martha Assimakopoulou, PhD

Strong progesterone receptor (PgR) nuclear immunity was noted in 80% of meningiomas. Low PgR score values were found in astrocytomas, anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas. Heat shock protein 27 cytoplasmic immunoreactivity was low in 40% of meningiomas irrespective of their histologic type. >>>

Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization Evaluation of Minimal Residual Disease on Stem-Cell Harvests

J. L. Díez-Martín, MD, PhpAb I. Buño, PhD, P Llamas, MD, PhD, J. Gosálvez, PhD, C. López-Fernández, PhD, N. Polo a and C. Regidor, MD

Fluorescence in situ hybridization permitted rapid and accurate quantification of minimal residual disease (MRD) in autologous stem cell harvests. Absence of MRD was considered safe for autologous reinfusion. >>>

Effects of Oral Administration of Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian Ginseng) on Incidence of Spontaneous Leukemia in AKR/J Mice

Takashi Watanabe, PhD, qnd Chizuco Hotta, MS

Oral administration of 750 mg/kg/week of P.paniculata (Brazilian Ginseng) for 8 weeks to 4-yr old female AKR/Y mice resulted in marked reduction of thymic lymphoma enlargement. Authors suggest that clinical application of Brazilian Ginseng may be useful in immunotherapy of cancer patients at an early stage. >>>

Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Patients

A. Ahr, A. Schari, K. Lütke, S. Staszewski, P Z. Y Kacer, and M. Kaufmann

The prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in HIV patients with immunosuppression was 46% compared to 19% of immunocompetent HIV-positive women and to 5% of patients attending the gynecology and obstetrics clinic. >>>

Knowledge of and Attitudes About Cancer Among American Samoans

Shiraz I. Mishra MD, PhD, Pat Luce Aoelua, MS, and F Allan Hubbell, MD, MSPH

American Samoa residents were more likely than others to identify correctly the risk factors for many cancers. Family history as a risk factor for breast cancer was considered by 80% of women in American Samoa compared to 66% of women in Hawaii and 59% of women in Los Angeles. >>>

Herbert E. Nieburgs, MD
Worcester, MA
2000