1.
Sensitization of prostate cancer to radiation therapy: Molecules and pathways to target.
Yao, M, Rogers, L, Suchowerska, N, Choe, D, Al-Dabbas, MA, Narula, RS, Lyons, JG, Sved, P, Li, Z, Dong, Q
Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. 2018;(2):283-300
Abstract
Radiation therapy is used to treat cancer by radiation-induced DNA damage. Despite the best efforts to eliminate cancer, some cancer cells survive irradiation, resulting in cancer progression or recurrence. Alteration in DNA damage repair pathways is common in cancers, resulting in modulation of their response to radiation. This article focuses on the recent findings about molecules and pathways that potentially can be targeted to sensitize prostate cancer cells to ionizing radiation, thereby achieving an improved therapeutic outcome.
2.
Lack of association between vitamin D receptor gene FokI and BsmI polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk: an updated meta-analysis involving 21,756 subjects.
Guo, Z, Wen, J, Kan, Q, Huang, S, Liu, X, Sun, N, Li, Z
Tumour biology : the journal of the International Society for Oncodevelopmental Biology and Medicine. 2013;(5):3189-200
Abstract
The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a crucial mediator for the cellular effects of vitamin D. The polymorphisms in the VDR gene have been hypothesized to alter the risk of prostate cancer. However, studies investigating the association between VDR polymorphisms (BsmI and FokI) and prostate cancer (PCa) risk report conflicting results , therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to re-examine the controversy. Published literatures from PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched (updated to March 9, 2013). According to our inclusion criteria, studies that observed the association between VDR BsmI and FokI polymorphisms and PCa risk were included. The principal outcome measure was the odds ratio (OR) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) for PCa risk associated with VDR BsmI and FokI polymorphisms. Thirty-four studies involving 10,267 cases and 11,489 controls were recruited. Overall, we did not find evidence to support an association between any of the VDR polymorphisms and PCa risk. For BsmI, the pooled OR was 0.894 (95 % CI 0.773 to 1.034) for the Bb vs. bb genotypes, 1.002 (95 % CI 0.869 to 1.157) for the BB vs. bb genotypes, 0.922 (95 % CI 0.798 to 1.065) for the dominant model (BB/Bb vs. bb), and 1.018 (95 % CI 0.936 to 1.107) for the recessive model (BB vs. Bb/bb). ORs for the FokI polymorphisms were similar. The results suggest that the VDR BsmI and FokI polymorphisms are not related to PCa risk. Further large and well-designed studies are required to confirm this conclusion.
3.
Experimental measurements of dosimetric parameters on the transverse axis of a new 125I source.
Li, Z, Fan, JJ, Palta, JR
Medical physics. 2000;(6):1275-80
Abstract
Permanent prostate implant using 125I or 103Pd sources is a common treatment choice in the management of early prostate cancer. As sources of new designs are developed and marketed for application in permanent prostate implants, it is of paramount importance that their dosimetric characteristics are carefully determined, in order to maintain a high accuracy of patient treatment. This report presents the results of experimental measurements of the dosimetric parameters performed for a newly available 125I seed source, the model MED3631-A/M source (IoGold), manufactured by North American Scientific, Inc. The measurements were performed in a large scanning water phantom, using a diode detector. The positioning of the source and the diode detector was achieved by a computer-controlled positioning mechanism in the scanning water phantom. The dose rate constant in water for the new 125I source was measured in comparison with an existing 125I source of similar design and verified using thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) measurement. The radial dose function values for the source were measured using the diode detector. The measurement technique and the results are compared with the dose distribution parameters for the 125I sources discussed in the AAPM TG43 report and elsewhere [Med. Phys. 26, 570-573 (1999)]. For the dose rate constant in water of the new source, it is recommended that a value of 0.950 cGy/U-hr be used based on the NIST 1985 air-kerma strength calibration standard, or 1.060 cGy/U-hr based on the 1999 NIST air-kerma strength standard. The measured radial dose function values for the MED3631-A/M source agree closely with those of the model 6702 source. It is therefore recommended that the radial dose function values for the model 6702 125I source, as recommended by the AAPM TG43 report, be adopted for the new source as well.