Do p53 mutations predict response to paclitaxel/radiation for nonsmall cell lung carcinoma?
p53 mutations do not predict response of patients with NSCLC to paclitaxel/RT. This finding is in striking contrast to results with other chemotherapeutic agents and ionizing radiation. These clinical data support in vitro data and animal studies regarding the unique mechanism of the action of paclitaxel. Further investigation is needed to determine the mechanism of lung tumor cell death after paclitaxel/RT. These results suggest that paclitaxel/RT may be an active regimen for patients with other locally advanced neoplasms with high rates of p53 gene mutations.
Transfusion of RBC stored for more then 14 days is a risk factor for onset of bacterial infection after trauma, irrespective of the use of prophylactic antibiotics. Transfusion of platelets was not a risk factor. These results may contribute to designing prospective studies on transfusion of fresh RBC only in trauma patients.