New England Journal of Medicine - 07/17/03
Volume 349, Number 3
Tumor Microsatellite-Instability Status as a Predictor of Benefit from Fluorouracil-Based Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer Christine M. Ribic, M.Sc., Daniel J. Sargent, Ph.D., Malcolm J. Moore, MD, Stephen N. Thibodeau , Ph.D., Amy J. French, BA, Richard M. Goldberg, MD, Stanley R. Hamilton, MD, Pierre Laurent-Puig, MD, Ph.D., Robert Gryfe, MD, Ph.D., Lois E. Shepherd, MD, Dongsheng Tu, Ph.D., Mark Redston, MD, and Steven Gallinger, MD
Section : Original Articles
Areas of interest : Gastroenterology. Oncology.
In some colorectal cancers, a loss of DNA repair function causes a defect called microsatellite instability. In this study, it was unexpectedly observed that adjuvant treatment with fluoracil did not benefit patients whose tumors had a higher degree of microsatellite instability. These results have no immediate practical implication, but should be taken into account when planning new clinical trials on adjuvant therapy for colorectal cancer.
Evaluation of Impermeable Covers for Bedding in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Ingrid Terreehorst, MD, Eelko Hak, Ph.D., Albert J. Oosting, MD, Ph.D., Zana Tempels-Pavlica, MD, Jan GR de Monchy, MD, Ph.D., Carla AFM Bruijnzeel-Koomen, MD, Ph.D., Rob C. Aalberse, Ph.D., and Roy Gerth van Wijk, MD, Ph.D.
Section : Original Articles
Areas of interest : Otorhinolaryngology. Family medicine. Internal Medicine. Otorhinolaryngology. Allergology.
Multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, one-year clinical trial that aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using waterproof mattress covers in the bedrooms of patients with rhinitis who had sensitization to house dust mites to control the symptoms of the disease. 279 patients with allergic rhinitis were studied. Disease severity was measured with a rhinitis-specific visual analogue scale and by daily symptom scoring and provocation testing. Der p1 concentrations were also measured. The results revealed the effectiveness of waterproof covers in reducing the concentration of mites, but not in reducing clinical symptoms.
Control of Exposure to Mite Allergen and Allergen-Waterproof Bed Covers for Adults with Asthma Ashley Woodcock, MD, Louise Forster, Ph.D., Edward Matthews, BA, Jeannett Martin, MA, Louise Letley, RGN, Madge Vickers, Ph.D ., John Britton, MD, David Strachan, MD, Peter Howarth, MD, Daniel Altmann, D.Phil., Christopher Frost, Dip.Stat., Adnan Custovic, MD, and The Medical Research Council General Practice Research Framework Section
: Original Articles
Areas of interest : Respiratory. Family medicine. Internal Medicine. Pneumology. Allergology.
This is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of allergen-impermeable bed covers that included 1,122 adults with asthma. Response variables were mean morning peak expiratory flow rate over four weeks at baseline and at six months, and the proportion of patients who discontinued inhaled corticosteroid treatment as part of a tapering program over months. 7 and 12. At the time of entry into the study and at 6 and 12 months, the concentration of Der p1 in mattress dust was measured in 10 percent of the homes. The percentage of patients with sensitivity to the dust mite allergen was 65.4 percent in the group provided with allergen-impermeable bed covers (active intervention group) and 65.1 percent in the group of control provided with non-waterproof bed covers. The concentration of Der p1 in mattress dust was significantly lower in the active intervention group at six months, but not at one year. Morning peak mean expiratory flow significantly improved in both groups
The Influence of Finasteride on the Development of Prostate Cancer Ian M. Thompson, MD, Phyllis J. Goodman, MS, Catherine M. Tangen, Dr.PH, M. Scott Lucia, MD, Gary J. Miller, MD, Ph.D ., Leslie G. Ford, MD, Michael M. Lieber, MD, R. Duane Cespedes, MD, James N. Atkins, MD, Scott M. Lippman, MD, Susie M. Carlin, BA, Anne Ryan, RN, Connie M. Szczepanek, RN, BSN, John J. Crowley, Ph.D., and Charles A. Coltman, Jr., MD
Section : Original Articles
Areas of interest : Oncology. Urology.
This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of finasteride, which inhibits androgen production within the prostate, in preventing prostate cancer. Participants were randomly assigned to receive finasteride or placebo for seven years. 18.4% of the participants who received active treatment developed prostate cancer, while in the placebo group this percentage was 24.4. Cancers at a more advanced stage were observed in the finasteride group. Sexual dysfunction was more common in the finasteride group.
Mechanisms of Disease: Nuclear Transplantation, Embryonic Stem Cells, and the Potential for Cell Therapy K. Hochedlinger and R. Jaenisch
Section : Review Articles
Areas of interest : Bioethics. Genetics.
The authors of this review discuss the difference between reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning. They explain the reasons why reproductive cloning cannot be practiced, while therapeutic cloning has a promising future to treat some degenerative diseases.
Medical Progress: Prometheuss Vulture and the Stem-Cell Promise N. Rosenthal
Section : Review Articles
Areas of interest : Bioethics. Genetics.
The author of this article reviews the current state of stem cell research
Allergen Avoidance in the Treatment of Asthma and Rhinitis TAE Platts-Mills
Section : Perspective
Areas of interest : Respiratory. Otorhinolaryngology. Family medicine. Internal Medicine. Pneumology. Otorhinolaryngology. Allergology.
This article discusses two clinical trials published in this same issue of the journal whose conclusion is that mite-impermeable mattress covers as the only measure for allergy control do not appear clinically effective in adults with asthma nor do they produce a significant improvement. in the clinical symptoms of patients with allergic rhinitis. The author states that avoiding the allergen is a therapeutic option as valid as immunotherapy in the treatment of asthma and rhinitis. Changes in diet, lifestyle and cleaning habits have led to an increase in the prevalence of asthma.
