Background: The rate of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline during chemotherapy can be used to predict overall survival probability among HRPC patients (pts). Using a pharmacokinetic principle, we were able to define a new potential predictive factor: Corrected Area Under Serum PSA Curve. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis to validate the PSA c-AUC concept, defined as total Area Under serum PSA Curve (PSA AUC) value per unit

Background: The PSA half-time (PSA HT) dynamics and corrected area under PSA curve (PSA c-AUC) during chemotherapy (CT) predict overall survival (OS) probability among metastatic HRPC patients (ASCO 2003, abstract 1673; ASCO 2004, abstract 9579). This has motivated the search of a new prognostic classification to identify these patients (pts) at risk, with a poor outcome. The manner in which these parameters were combined could have a major survival

Background: Predicting outcome for men with PC, treated with curative intent, remains imprecise and further evaluation of accepted and potential predictive factors is needed. Methods: The PSA exposure (PSA dynamics during lifetime) was estimated by corrected area under PSA curve [(PSA c-AUC), ASCO 2004]. Based on their PSA c-AUC values (< 60 vs > 60 ng/mL) and Gleason score (5-7 vs 8-10), patients were analyzed according to time from primary diagnosis

Background: Docetaxel (DTX) based chemotherapy is considered the standard treatment for metastatic HRPC patients (pts), with a median survival advantage of 2 months, compared to mitoxantrone (MT). DTX advantage at long term is not defined and further evaluations are needed. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the effect of DTX chemotherapy (CT) on overall survival (OS) compared to MT for metastatic HRPC pts. OS probabilities at 12, 18,

Background: Most individual trials have been to small to show clear benefit of gemcitabine (GEM) combination therapy comparing to GEM alone. Previously published meta-analysis exploring this hypothesis (Fung, ASCO 2003) included 1503 patients in 7 studies and failed to demonstrate any additional benefit of GEM combination on overall survival (OS). Methods: The end points were the effect on OS of GEM-based combination comparing to GEM alone in pts

Background: The concentration of serum hemoglobin (Hb) during rHuEpo treatment can be used to predict Hb response probability among patients (pts) treated by chemotherapy (CT). We were able to determine whether Hb dynamics over time correlate with rHuEpo efficacy defining a new predictive factor: Hb c-AUC. Methods: Our retrospective analysis validated the Hb c-AUC concept, defined as total Area Under serum Hb Curve (Hb AUC) per unit of time. Pts

Background: Several studies suggest a causal relationship between platelets activation and cancer metastasis. Activated platelets release PMP, VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor) which could play a role in patient outcome. Methods: Eligible chemonaive HRPC patients (pts) were required to have: ECOG performance status (PS) 2, progressive disease after antiandrogen withdrawal. Before chemotherapy, we

Background: Some studies suggest a causal relationship between the early placenta insuline-like peptide encoded by the insulin-like 4 gene and cancer invasiveness. Methods: Serum concentrations of pro-EPIL were measured by ELISA using a novel two-site "sandwitch" assay, based on two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) raised against synthetic peptides analogous to two distinct regions of the pro-Epil polypeptide: mAb EPIL15, and biotinylated mAb EPIL02,

Background: MUC1 is a glycoprotein often over-expressed and underglycosylated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) making it an attractive antigenic target for tumor-specific immunotherapy. TG4010 is a cancer vaccine based on a modified vaccinia virus, strain MVA, expressing both MUC1 and Interleukin 2 (MVA-MUC1-IL2). The objective of this phase II, non-randomized study was to determine the efficacy of TG4010 alone and in combination with cytokines. Methods:

Background: Immunotherapy is rarely effective in patients (pts) with Bellini duct carcinoma (BDC), a rare (< 1% off all renal cancers) and aggressive variant of kidney cancer. Gemcitabine (GEM) and platinum salt combination was considered as a potential regimen (Oudard, J Urol. 2003). Methods: We conducted a prospective, multicenter, phase II study to assess the efficacy and safety of GEM-platinum association in metastatic BDC pts. Central pathology