Molecular endocrinology and breast cancer--a reed before the wind lives on (a tribute to Professor Mike Reed).

Oestrogens in breast cancers are derived from both uptake from the circulation and in situ synthesis. Third generation aromatase inhibitors (AIs) effectively block aromatase activity within the breast. The effects of AIs on the molecular biology of breast cancers may be monitored in patients given neoadjuvant therapy. Changes in tumour gene expression associated with AIs is influenced by time of drug exposure and gene expression profiles may provide important information on tumour response/ resistance to AIs.

[The scientific career of V. M. Dil'man]. / O nauchnom puti prof. V. M. Dil'mana.

The life and research career of Prof. V.M. Dilman, who would have been 75 in July, 2000, are briefly outlined. V.M. Dilman had been on the staff of the N.N. Petrov Research Institute of Oncology for many years. He contributed much to the development of oncology, endocrinology and gerontology. Among the basic features of the ontogenetic model of development and aging put forward by V.M. Dilman are the age-associated emergence of hormonal-metabolic factors of increased risk for cancer and relevant measures to be taken to retard this process.

Chemotherapy of breast cancer: a historical perspective.

Over the last 30 years, our knowledge about the clinical behavior of breast cancer has increased substantially. Our ability to identify several prognostic subgroups and predict hormone-responsive and hormone-resistant disease has led to more rational utilization of endocrine and cytotoxic treatments. Breast cancer is sensitive to multiple cytotoxic compounds. It has been demonstrated that combination chemotherapy produces higher overall and complete remission rates than sequential single agents, and that doxorubicin-containing combinations are more effective than other regimens. The introduction of new cytotoxic agents, including the taxanes paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) and docetaxel, gemcitabine, anthrapyrazoles, thymidylate synthase inhibitors, antifols, and camptothecin analogues, has added substantially to our antitumor armamentarium. Combinations of new drugs with old agents have resulted in regimens of enhanced activity. A large number of randomized comparative trials will determine which combinations have the highest therapeutic ratio and need to be incorporated into the standard management of metastatic and high-risk primary breast cancer.

[Oncology through the eyes of the endocrinologist: Petrov's school of thought]. / Onkologiia glazami èndokrinologa: vklad "Petrovskoi" shkoly.

The paper deals with the major research trends at the Laboratory since its establishment including fundamental theoretical and applied problems, perspectives and approaches to their solution.