Citations

AbstractThere is increasing evidence that vitamin D may protect against breast cancer. Some studies have suggested that dietary and supplemental vitamin D is associated with reduced mammographic density, which is highly associated with breast cancer risk, although this evidence is not entirely consistent. We investigated a possible association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), the best indicator of vitamin D status, and quantitative mammographic density in the Minnesota Breast Cancer Family Study. Mean values of mammographic density (both percent and area densities) and circulating levels of 25OHD were compared across categories of covariates using ANOVA. Models were adjusted for age and body mass index, as well as other covariates, and also stratified by dietary calcium intake, menopause, and season. Serum, mammographic density, and questionnaire data were available from 487 women [133 premenopausal and 354 postmenopausal; mean age, 56.4 years (range, 27-85 years)] without breast cancer, and for 73%, the blood was drawn within 1 year of their mammogram. No evidence was found for an association between 25OHD and either percent density or total dense area. There was also no evidence for any association when the data were stratified by season of sample (winter and summer) or menopause. However, both percent density and dense area were lowest among those in the highest vitamin D quartile with calcium intake above the median. Unlike some previous reports, vitamin D does not seem to be related to mammographic density in this cohort. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(10):1988–92)

Abstract Background: Previous epidemiologic studies have shown that regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with decreased colorectal cancer risk. However, few studies have examined associations between NSAID use and subsite-specific colorectal cancer risks. Because tumors of the proximal and distal colon differ with respect to their genetic alterations, clinicopathologic features, and demographic distribution, further investigation of subsite-specific colorectal cancer risks may be rewarding. Methods: Data about aspirin and nonaspirin-NSAID use were recorded by self-report in 1992 among the initially cancer-free cohort of postmenopausal women in the Iowa Women's Health Study (n = 27,160). In total, 637 women developed colorectal cancer during the 11 years of follow-up, including 365 proximal colon, 132 distal colon, and 120 rectal cancer cases (11 overlapping and 9 not specified). Results: For colon cancer, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for women reporting use of aspirin two to five times and six or more times weekly (compared with nonusers of aspirin) were 0.79 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.59-1.04] and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.58-1.00), respectively. The corresponding HRs for nonaspirin NSAIDs were 0.63 (95% CI, 0.41-0.96) and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.63-1.15), respectively. For proximal colon cancer, the multivariable-adjusted HRs for women reporting use of aspirin or nonaspirin NSAIDs two or more times weekly (compared with nonusers of each) were 0.67 (95% CI, 0.51-0.87) and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.52-0.97), respectively. No statistically significant association was found between either distal colon or rectal cancer and aspirin or nonaspirin NSAID use. Discussion: Our study is consistent with a limited number of prior reports that have observed stronger associations between NSAID use and proximal versus distal colorectal cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(10):1785–90)

Concentrations of the naturally occurring alpha-emitting radioelements, radium-226, radium-228, and lead-210, and of stable lead and fluorine were determined in bone specimens from 32 individuals having a verified osteogenic sarcoma. Comparison of these results with those for the average person showed no significant differences in either the absorbed dose (rad) from the accumulated radioisotopes or in the concentrations of the elements studied.

AbstractBuilding on the prior work of use of pentostatin in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), we initiated a trial of combined pentostatin (2 mg/m2), cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m2), and rituximab (375 mg/m2) for 65 symptomatic, previously untreated patients. Of 64 evaluable patients, 34 (53%) were high Rai risk, 71% were nonmutated for the immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable region gene, 34% were CD38+, and 34% were ZAP-70+. Thirty patients (52%) had one anomaly detected by fluorescence in situ (FISH) hybridization, and 21 (36%) had complex FISH defects. Thirty-eight patients (58%) had grade 3+ hematologic toxicity but minimal transfusion needs and no major infections. Responses occurred in 58 patients (91%), with 26 (41%) complete responses (CRs), 14 (22%) nodular partial responses (nodular PRs), and 18 (28%) partial responses (PRs). Many patients with a CR also lacked evidence of minimal residual disease by 2-color flow cytometry. Examination of prognostic factors demonstrated poor response in the 3 patients with del(17p). In contrast, we found this regimen was equally effective in young versus older (> 70 years) patients and in del(11q22.3) versus other favorable prognostic factors. Thus, this novel regimen of pentostatin, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab for previously untreated patients with CLL demonstrated significant clinical activity despite poor risk-based prognoses, achievement of minimal residual disease in some, and modest toxicity.