{"title":"New possibilities for cancer therapy with advances in cancer immunology.","authors":"G D MacLean, B M Longenecker","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>There has been progress over the last decade in addressing three questions: Are there cancer-associated antigens that could be targets for immunotherapy? Can the human immune system recognize cancer-associated antigens? Can an anti-cancer immune response affect cancer cells and lead to increased survival? Results from animal model studies have been interpreted by optimists as encouraging, and by pessimists as being irrelevant to human cancer. Earlier studies on \"cancer vaccines\" utilized heterogeneous cell extracts of cell components. Monoclonal antibodies have enabled identification of relevant cancer-associated antigens or epitopes, such as the ganglioside GM2, the carbohydrates TF and STn, and the peptide sequences of MUC-1. In parallel with research on immune adjuvants and measures designed to inhibit suppressor activity, these epitopes are being tested for their potential in the immunotherapy of solid tumors. It is clear that some of these cancer-associated epitopes are immunogenic in humans. Mixed responses may relate to cancer heterogeneity and may indicate the importance of multi-epitopic vaccines. Responses are encouraging, but are they relevant? Prolonged disease stability challenges us to re-think the goals of cancer therapy. Recent advances in the knowledge of the effect of cytokines on tumor antigen expression and the regulation of the immune response, coupled with advances in active specific immunotherapy, provide hope that biomodulation may become an important part of the therapy of solid tumors in the next century.</p>","PeriodicalId":79379,"journal":{"name":"The Canadian journal of oncology","volume":"4 2","pages":"249-54"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1994-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"18524298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The NCIC/CCS behavioral initiative. National Cancer Institute of Canada Canadian Cancer Society.","authors":"D C Iverson","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The NCIC's behavioral initiative is comprised of three pillars, each of which is designed to make an important independent contribution toward a reduction in cancer incidence, morbidity or mortality rates. It is also expected that the activities in one area will complement those in the other areas, thereby creating a synergistic effect. To determine if the objectives of the Centre for Behavioral Research and Program Evaluation (CBRPE) are being met, the NCIC has committed to an ongoing assessment of the CBRPE's performance, including an independent review of its scientific merit by a site visit conducted at the end of the second year of the CBRPE's operation. Thus, while the behavioral initiative represents a different type of investment by the NCIC, its contributions will be judged via a process that is central to all NCIC activities--the assessment of scientific merit by teams of persons recognized nationally and internationally for their expertise in social and behavioral research as it pertains to cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":79379,"journal":{"name":"The Canadian journal of oncology","volume":"4 2","pages":"255-61"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1994-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"18999280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Molecular genetics of Wilms' tumor: insights into normal and abnormal renal development.","authors":"J Pelletier","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Wilms' tumor is a pediatric malignancy of the kidney. Studies of the genetics of this disease have revealed a limited number of genes implicated in tumor initiation. The identification and characterization of these genes and their products represents an immediate challenge to further our understanding of the molecular events involved in tumor progression. Understanding the events leading to deregulation of cell growth and proliferation in Wilms' tumor has lead to the ability to predict a group of individuals at risk for this malignancy.</p>","PeriodicalId":79379,"journal":{"name":"The Canadian journal of oncology","volume":"4 2","pages":"262-72"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1994-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"18999281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Reduction in the incidence of postradiation dental complications in cancer patients by continuous quality improvement techniques.","authors":"W G Maxymiw, L M Rothney, S B Sutcliffe","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The major dental consequences of radiation treatment to the head and neck are reviewed, and the role of the dentist in the management of these patients outlined. By using a concurrent patient data base and integrating quality assurance (clinical indicators) and quality improvement, a clinical department demonstrates how the risk of dental morbidity can be identified and reduced.</p>","PeriodicalId":79379,"journal":{"name":"The Canadian journal of oncology","volume":"4 1","pages":"233-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1994-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"19146931","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Canadian contributions to cancer control.","authors":"A B Miller","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cancer control comprises prevention, screening, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. Preventive approaches need to be congruent with those adopted for other chronic diseases, with a major impact to be expected from smoking control and dietary modification. Canadian studies have contributed substantially to knowledge in both areas. Increasing interest is now being paid to other environmental causes of cancer, and to gene-environment interactions. Canadian studies have shown that screening for cancer of the cervix is effective, but improved organization of services is required to make it realize its full potential. The National Breast Screening Study has reminded us that a prerequisite for effective screening is effective therapy for the detected abnormalities, yet as therapy improves, so the contribution of screening may fall. Treatment has improved dramatically in recent decades for childhood cancer, where it is the mainstay of control. For adults, Canadian studies have contributed to improved therapy for some solid and hematogenous tumors, but important breakthroughs from molecular biology are still awaited. Finally, Canadians have been at the forefront of palliative care, as well as recognizing the need for improvement in the organization of cancer control.</p>","PeriodicalId":79379,"journal":{"name":"The Canadian journal of oncology","volume":"4 1","pages":"238-42"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1994-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"18521831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Measuring quality of life: apparent benefits, potential concerns.","authors":"J E Till","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Quality of life (QOL) research is reviewed in relation to measurement issues and applications to decision-making. Multidimensional standardized questionnaires provide assessments of different aspects of health-related QOL, including psychological, physical and social functioning as well as symptoms. Formal QOL assessments provide systematic, quantitative answers to the kinds of questions clinicians usually ask informally, such as \"how have you been lately?\" QOL measurements have various uses at different levels of decision-making, from the micro (individual) to the macro (population) level. Examples are applications to clinical trials and to studies of patients' needs for care. Clinical trials have already provided an unexpected result--for patients with advanced disease, pretreatment QOL may predict survival outcome. Such results provide evidence for the validity of QOL measurements, but also raise ethical issues that must be recognized and addressed.</p>","PeriodicalId":79379,"journal":{"name":"The Canadian journal of oncology","volume":"4 1","pages":"243-8"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1994-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"19146932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"What is the Institute?","authors":"J D Beatty","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":79379,"journal":{"name":"The Canadian journal of oncology","volume":"4 1","pages":"X-XIII"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1994-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"19146930","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Behavioral research.","authors":"J. Beatty","doi":"10.1163/1877-5888_rpp_com_025316","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/1877-5888_rpp_com_025316","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":79379,"journal":{"name":"The Canadian journal of oncology","volume":"4 2 1","pages":"VII-IX"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1994-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"64423589","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"What is the Institute?","authors":"J. Beatty","doi":"10.1353/hpu.2010.0312","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2010.0312","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":79379,"journal":{"name":"The Canadian journal of oncology","volume":"4 1 1","pages":"X-XIII"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1975-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1353/hpu.2010.0312","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66328138","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}