\n\nMETHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 85 consecutive patients with estrogen-receptor-positive, lymph node-negative breast cancer who had an Oncotype DX recurrence score (RS) obtained. Tumor size, tumor grade, and treatment were then compared within each risk category. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA software.\n\nRESULTS: Tumors that were high grade and Her-2/neu positive more frequently had a high RS. Treatment was changed as a result of Oncotype DX in 44% of patients.\n\nCONCLUSIONS:

Oncotype DX RS is significantly related to tumor grade and Her2/neu Status. In this Study. the treatment of 44% of patients was altered as a consequence of Oncotype DX RS. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific T-cell lines generated by repeated stimulation with EBV-immortalized lymphoblastoid Cyclosporine A B-cell lines (LCL) have been successfully used to treat IPI-145 supplier EBV-associated posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. However, PTLD

in solid-organ transplant recipients and other EBV-associated malignancies respond less efficiently to this adoptive T-cell therapy. LCL-stimulated T-cell preparations are polyclonal and contain CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, but the composition varies greatly between lines. Because T-cell lines with higher CD4(+) T-cell proportions show improved clinical efficacy, we assessed which factors might compromise the expansion of this T-cell population. Here we show that spontaneous virus production by LCL and, hence, the presentation of viral antigens varies intra- and interindividually and is further impaired by acyclovir treatment of LCL. Moreover,

the stimulation LB-100 of T cells with LCL grown in medium supplemented with fetal calf serum (FCS) caused the expansion of FCS-reactive CD4(+) T cells, whereas human serum from EBV-seropositive donors diminished viral antigen presentation. To overcome these limitations, we used peripheral blood mononuclear cells pulsed with non-transforming virus-like particles as antigen-presenting cells. This strategy facilitated the specific and rapid expansion of EBV-specific CD4(+) T cells and, thus, might contribute to the development of standardized protocols for the generation of T-cell lines with improved clinical efficacy.”
“Background: In recent years, surgeons have utilized Harmonic instruments to perform breast cancer resection. Retrospective and prospective studies have demonstrated that the use of this surgical device for mastectomy and axillary dissection can reduce perioperative blood loss, seroma formation, and duration and total amount of drainage. No study has analyzed the feasibility of Harmonic instruments in breast-conserving surgery.