Table of contents
September 2006 Volume 3 No 9
Editorial
Viewpoint
Are we taking the right approach in planning chemoprevention studies?
464Evidence gained in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is considered superior to that gained from associated epidemiological studies, but both types of study can be prone to error. Issues such as reproducibility, recall bias and duration are important factors that contribute to these errors, as discussed in this Viewpoint.
Research Highlights
A simplified assay can predict superior outcome in patients with B-lineage ALL
466doi:10.1038/ncponc0569 | Full Text | PDF (101K)
Histamine dihydrochloride and interleukin 2 protect against relapse in AML
466Increasing radiation dose affects risk classification for prostate cancer
466Recurrence score can predict chemotherapy benefit for breast cancer patients
467doi:10.1038/ncponc0572 | Full Text | PDF (101K)
A new standard antiemetic regimen for patients receiving cisplatin chemotherapy
467Quality of life: a new prognostic indicator in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
468doi:10.1038/ncponc0574 | Full Text | PDF (101K)
Immediate androgen deprivation treatment beneficial in men with aggressive prostate cancer
468IMP3: a new prognostic biomarker for renal-cell carcinoma?
469doi:10.1038/ncponc0576 | Full Text | PDF (102K)
Can stereotactic radiosurgery alone be used for the treatment of brain metastases?
469Raloxifene equivalent to tamoxifen in reducing invasive breast cancer risk
469Gene-expression profiling might enable more-accurate diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma
470Support for oral kinase inhibitor therapy in cytokine-refractory metastatic RCC
471doi:10.1038/ncpuro0548 | Full Text | PDF (102K)
Practice Points
It's time to accept that intake of dairy foods is not related to risk of ovarian cancer
472Intravesical bacillus Calmette–Guérin combined with electromotive mitomycin for high-risk superficial bladder cancer
474doi:10.1038/ncponc0588 | Full Text | PDF (100K)
Advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: 'triplets' better than 'doublets'?
476Does chemotherapy given directly to the liver improve survival in patients with hepatic metastasis?
480Reviews
Multimodality therapy for Pancoast tumor
484The importance of positive N2 lymph node staging for prognosis and treatment decisions is now recognized for patients with Pancoast tumors. The authors of this review assert that a multi-disciplinary management strategy is needed for these patients, and that survival advantages have been observed using combined and multimodality regimens. The role of surgery in the context of viable treatment options and the use of imaging for assessing treatment response is critically discussed.
doi:10.1038/ncponc0584 | Full Text | PDF (181K)
Sedation for the care of patients with advanced cancer
492Sedation is used in multiple settings in palliative care, such as transient controlled sedation, respite sedation, and sedation for refractory psychological or existential suffering; however, it is a controversial technique that can diminish the capacity of the patient to interact, function, and, in some cases, to live. Cherny provides a comprehensive account of the risks associated with different sedation approaches and also highlights the controversies and ethical considerations for palliative care medicine.
doi:10.1038/ncponc0583 | Full Text | PDF (173K)
Technology Insight: tuning into the genetic orchestra using microarrays—limitations of DNA microarrays in clinical practice
501Advances in the fields of genetics and gene-expression profiling and the advent of microarray technology have revolutionized the concept of patient tailored treatment. Before microarrays qualify as a useful clinical tool, however, they must demonstrate reliability and reproducibility. Limitations of microarray technology include sample acquisition and methods of biostatistical analysis required to analyze the enormous quantities of data obtained. Abdullah-Sayani et al. overview the current status of microarray technology in clinical practice and propose how advances in this technology will help eliminate some of these limitations and improve patient management.
doi:10.1038/ncponc0587 | Full Text | PDF (502K)
Case Study
High-risk melanoma with nodal involvement in a young woman
517doi:10.1038/ncponc0582 | Full Text | PDF (135K)
