Advances in Cancer Research at Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Canada

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Canada have made significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of various forms of cancer. A recent study published in Clinical Cancer Research explored the intratumor heterogeneity in gene expression profiles from patients with cervical cancer. The study used gene expression profiling to identify high intratumor heterogeneity in 448 ProbeSets, indicating that more than six biopsies would be required to minimize this heterogeneity. This finding has significant implications for the development of targeted therapies.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital have made significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of various forms of cancer.
  • A study published in Clinical Cancer Research explored the intratumor heterogeneity in gene expression profiles from patients with cervical cancer.
  • The study used gene expression profiling to identify high intratumor heterogeneity in 448 ProbeSets, indicating that more than six biopsies would be required to minimize this heterogeneity.
  • A novel phantom has been developed for quantitative and qualitative study of advanced X-ray imaging modalities.
  • The phantom addresses shortcomings of existing phantoms by incorporating criteria such as 3D-spherical symmetry and the ability to manipulate devices in an accessible module.
  • The phantom has been proven a valuable tool in investigations throughout the institution, including low-dose CT, dual-energy radiography, and cone-beam CT for image-guided radiation therapy and surgery.
  • A study published in Leukemia Research investigated the treatment of elderly patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and found that BCR-ABL positive patients could be treated with imatinib.
  • The study analyzed 53 patients, 45 of whom received multiagent induction chemotherapy, and found that the overall complete remission rate was 56% with a 27% induction-related mortality rate.
  • The study suggests that BCR-ABL positive ALL is becoming a more favorable prognosis disease in the elderly due to the influence of imatinib therapy.

Statistics:

  • 448 ProbeSets had high intratumor heterogeneity in gene expression profiles from patients with cervical cancer.
  • 14,473 ProbeSets had higher intertumor than intratumor heterogeneity.
  • 25% of patients with ALL over age 60 years seen at Princess Margaret Hospital received imatinib mesylate either during induction or post-remission therapy.
  • The overall complete remission (CR) rate of all 45 induction patients was 56%.
  • The CR rate was not influenced by induction regimen, age, initial WBC, LDH, or BCR-ABL status.
  • The estimated overall survival (OS) at 3 years was 18.4% (95% CI: 9.8-34.3%).

Sources:

  • "Gene expression profiling in cervical cancer: an exploration of intratumor heterogeneity." Clinical Cancer Research, 2006;12(19):5632-40.
  • "An innovative phantom for quantitative and qualitative investigation of advanced x-ray imaging technologies." Phys Med Biol, 2005;50(21):N287-N297.
  • "Treatment of elderly patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia - Evidence for a benefit of imatinib in BCR-ABL positive patients." Leuk Res, 2005;29(12):1381-1386.