ASCO 2011 abstract: A North American population-based outcome for early-stage ovarian clear cell (stages 1-11) carcinoma (OCCC). - ASCO 2011 (including w/wo irradiation)

Abstract:

Background: OCCC is regarded as having a poor outcome and being relatively treatment resistant. Recent Japanese data instead have demonstrated high survival in early stage and radiation sensitivity. This study was carried out to reproduce/refute these findings in a North American setting.

Methods: Women with OCCC who had attended one of the four British Columbia Cancer Agency (BCCA) centers have staging, pathological, treatment, and outcome data recorded in a computerized database. Irradiation (XRT) plus platin-based chemotherapy was the standard treatment. XRT usage mandated all such women provincially attending a BCCA centre. However, individual physicians within BCCA differed in their uptake of XRT. Outcomes with or without XRT could be compared. Univariate and multivariate (decision-tree analysis) analyses for disease-free survival (DFS) were performed.

Results: 241 Stage I-II women attended between January 2000 and December 2008 (IA/IB n=64; Ic n=147; II n=30). 5 year and 10 year DFS for stage IA/B; IC and II were 85 and 70%; 64 and 58%; and 43 and 43% respectively. IC subsets faired differently: rupture alone (spontaneous and surgical were equivalent) - 5 yr DFS 80% versus 34% if cytologically positive and 43% with surface involvement. Decision-tree analysis identified cytologic positivity as the most important factor (recurrence 27% if negative, 72% if positive). Surface involvement then further subdivided the cytologically positive: surface involved 93% recurrence, if not involved 60%. XRT had no effect in stage IA (85% DFS at 5 yrs with or without it) but was superior to chemotherapy alone in IC (5 yr DFS 68% vs 58%, 10 yr DFS 63% vs 52%, HR 0.59).
Conclusions: Stage IA OCCC has an excellent long-term outcome as does IC (rupture only). IC otherwise has a poor outcome as does stage II. XRT and chemotherapy improves outcome in stage IC versus chemotherapy alone.

medical news: Protection Against Cell Damage From Antioxidant Formula Prior To Radiation Exposure

"A unique formulation of antioxidants taken orally before imaging with ionizing radiation minimizes cell damage, noted researchers at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 36th Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago, Ill. In what the researchers say is the first clinical trial of its kind, as much as a 50 percent reduction in DNA injury was observed after administering the formula prior to CT scans.

"In our initial small study, we found that pre-administering to patients a proprietary antioxidant formulation resulted in a notable dose-dependent reduction in DNA injury," said Kieran J. Murphy, M.D., FSIR, professor and vice chair, director of research and deputy chief of radiology at the University of Toronto and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. "This could play an important role in protecting adults and children who require imaging or a screening study," he added.

"Pre-administering this formula before a medical imaging exam may be one of the most important tools to provide radioprotection and especially important for patients in the getting CT scans," said Murphy. The study's data support the theory about a protective effect during these kinds of exposure, he explained....."cont'd

link to abstract:

"Purpose:  

We examine use of the free radical scavengers vitamin C (VC), glutathione (GL) and uric acid (UA) as a pre-medication strategy prior to radiation exposures typical of medical imaging studies. Our intent was to develop a simple cocktail of antioxidants to be taken orally prior to X-Ray exposures that can protect a patient’s DNA against free radical mediated radiation injury"

link to meeting:

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