Biomedical subjects

Catherine J Cullinane

Publications and source records attributed to Catherine J Cullinane.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Prognostic value of International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification in localized resectable peripheral neuroblastic tumors: a histopathologic study of localized neuroblastoma European Study Group 94.01 Trial and Protocol.

PURPOSE: To assess the prognostic value of clinical, biologic, and morphologic data in peripheral neuroblastic tumors, International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS) stages 2A and 2B MYCN nonamplified, a multinational protocol entitled Localized Neuroblastoma European Study Group trial 94.01, with a trial of surgery as the only treatment, was initiated in 1995. We present the prognostic value of the revised International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification (INPC) applied to the patients included in this protocol until its closure in 1999. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 neuroblastic tumors from trial patients were reviewed by the European International Society of Pediatric Oncology neuroblastoma pathology panel and assigned to a favorable or unfavorable prognostic category according to the INPC guidelines. Overall survival and relapse-free survival (RFS) were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. RESULTS: A total of 115 of 120 patients were assessable and were assigned to the favorable (90 patients; 78.3%) or unfavorable (25 patients; 21.7%) category. The 60-month survival rate was 97.7% in favorable patients compared with 73.8% in unfavorable patients (P = .0002). RFS analysis showed a 60-month relapse rate of 13.4% and 32% in favorable and unfavorable patients (P < .025), respectively. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant association of unfavorable INPC category and high lactate dehydrogenase level (P < .045). CONCLUSION: This European study shows for the first time that the INPC prognostic categorization has a significant impact on outcome prediction in INSS stage 2 localized peripheral neuroblastic tumors.

Disease-Free Survival↗

PubMed2006

Multiple cervical bronchogenic cysts.

Bronchogenic cysts are rare, benign, congenital lesions that occur as a result of aberrant development of the tracheobronchial tree during embryogenesis. They usually present during the first decade of life and are encountered predominantly within the mediastinum or the lung parenchyma. In a few instances, they appear within the neck mimicking a neoplasm and, depending on their size and site, may also cause acute upper respiratory obstruction. We describe a case of two cervical bronchogenic cysts adjacent to the larynx in a child who presented with a hoarse voice.

Bronchogenic Cyst↗

PubMed2005

Vascular endothelial growth factor: a therapeutic target for tumors of the Ewing's sarcoma family.

PURPOSE: We have reported previously that intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) is a significant prognostic indicator of event-free survival in the Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT). Here, the angiogenic growth factor expression profile and its relationship with MVD has been investigated in ESFT. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND RESULTS: Using ESFT model systems, the potential of these factors as therapeutic targets has been evaluated. A significant correlation (P = 0.02) was observed between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and MVD, consistent with the hypothesis that VEGF regulates the development of microvessels in ESFT. There was no correlation between MVD and any of the other growth factors studied. All six ESFT cell lines studied produced and secreted VEGF; five of six cell lines also secreted placental growth factor, one cell line (A673) at high levels. Tumor conditioned medium induced proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Expression of VEGF receptors Flt-1 and Flk-1/KDR was heterogeneous across the cell lines. Both receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors SU6668 (targets Flk-1/KDR, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta, and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1) and SU5416 (targets Flk-1/KDR) as well as anti-VEGF agents rhuMAb-VEGF (bevacizumab) and VEGF Trap delayed s.c. growth of ESFT in mice compared with untreated groups: SU6668 (100 mg/kg/d), SU5416 (25 mg/kg/d), rhuMAb-VEGF (10 mg/kg twice weekly), and VEGF Trap (2.5 or 25 mg/kg twice weekly). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that VEGF is the single most important regulator of angiogenesis in ESFT and may be exploited for therapeutic advantage.

Adolescent↗