European Journal of Cancer: Highlights of Issue 39:09

Physical activity not reduced in testicular cancer survivors

Levels of physical activity are not reduced in long-term testicular cancer survivors

Long-term cancer survivors showed significantly higher levels of physical activity than men in the general population. In this issue, Thorsen and colleagues compared 1276 testicular cancer survivors- treated with surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy (with or without surgery)- and 20391 males from the general population of a Norwegian county. Their levels were assessed 12 years after treatment by the use of a questionnaire investigating 2 sub-levels of physical activity. 43% versus 37% were "highly active" in the cancer survivors and general population, respectively (adjusted odds ratio 1.32(95% Confidence Intervals 1.10-1.58)). This suggests that levels of physical activity are not reduced in testicular cancer survivors and may even be increased. Their paper is discussed in an accompanying Editorial by Drs. Sleijfer and de Wit who state the results are "encouraging". However, the commentary points out that most patients in the study were not physically active on a regular basis and such patients should be encouraged to follow the example of Lance Armstrong, the famous cyclist and a testicular cancer survivor.

Oestrogen receptor beta in colorectal cancer carcinogenesis

In this issue, Panagiotis and colleagues found immunohistochemical levels of oestrogen receptor beta declined in colon tissues when compared with their normal counterparts. Levels also declined with dedifferentiation. This decline occurred in samples from both genders and regardless of the tumour localisation. The authors speculate that oestrogen receptor beta may have a protective role against colon carcinogenesis possibly by the suppression of AP-1-mediated gene transcription.

Use of trastuzumab and anti-oestrogens in endometrial cancers?

Treeck and colleagues show in this issue that trastuzumab (Herceptin^TM) inhibits cell proliferation and HER2 signalling through modulating (and reducing) ERK1/2 phosphorylation in HER2-positive endometrial cells. The authors also demonstrated that these effects of trastuzumab are interfered with by oestradiol -again through changes in ERK1/2 phosphorylation.  The interference by oestradiol was independent of the oestrogen receptor (ER) status of the cells. An anti-oestrogen, ICI 182,780, was able to restore the effects of trastuzumab (in the presence of oestradiol) in ER-positive cells. This led the authors to suggest that "combinations of trastuzumab and anti-oestrogens may be effective in the treatment of endometrial cancers with a positive ER and HER2 receptor status".

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