bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and Toxicity of Vinorelbine-Carboplatin Combination in the Treatment of Advanced Adenocarcinoma or Large-Cell Carcinoma of the Lung
Authors: Masotti Alessandro , Borzellino Giuseppe , Zannini Guido , Laterza Ernesto , Ricci Francesco , Morandini Giancarlo 
Published: April 2018

Aims and background The aim of the study was to assess the activity and toxicity of the vinorelbine-carboplatin combination in advanced adenocarcinoma or large-cell carcinoma of the lung. The new vinca derivative, vinorelbine, shows promising activity when combined with cisplatin, but toxicity of the combination is substantial. Methods Accordingly, we substituted carboplatin for cisplatin in the combination in order to improve the therapeutic index. From March 1992 to March 1994, 55 untreated patients with undifferentiated unresectable or metastatic adenocarcinoma or large-cell carcinoma of the lung were recruited. The treatment consisted of a course of carboplatin (300 mg/m2) and vinorelbine (25 mg/m2) repeated every 4 weeks. The only grade 3 toxicity observed was 16 cases of grade 3 vomiting and 2 cases of grade 3 stomatitis. Results The positive response rate was 40% (partial response, 22 patients). In conclusion, the vinorelbine-carboplatin combination may be regarded as an active, safe regimen for the palliative treatment of advanced adenocarcinoma or large-cell carcinoma of the lung.
Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Gene Rearrangement in B-Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas Detected by the Polymerase Chain Reaction
Authors: Alaibac Mauro , Paradiso Angelo , Giannella Caterina , Labriola Angela , Marzullo Francesco , Lorusso Vito , De Lena Mario 
Published: April 2018

Aims and background Immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement serves as a marker of clonality and cell lineage in B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. In this study we used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect clonal rearrangements of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene in a group of patients with B-cell lymphomas. Methods DNA was extracted from frozen tissue of 40 B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and subjected to PCR amplification using primers that recognize conserved sequences of the variable and joining regions of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene. Results Monoclonal rearrangements were detected in 23 of 40 malignant B-cell lymphomas. No clonal rearrangements were detected in the 10 control cases. Conclusions We conclude that this PCR-based technique may provide a simplified and rapid approach for the detection of clonal immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements in B-cell lymphomas without recourse to Southern blotting, which can be reserved for cases in which PCR is negative.
Time Trends in Survival of Children with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in Piedmont, Italy: A Report from the Population-Based Cancer Registry
Authors: Magnani Corrado , Pazè Enrica , Terracini Benedetto , Pastore Guido , Mosso Maria Luisa 
Published: April 2018

Aims and Background The Childhood Cancer Registry of Piedmont (RTI) periodically updates the life status of each registered child. Given its size, the RTI is the major (albeit geographically limited) Italian source of population-based survival rates of cancer in children. The present report describes time trends in survival of children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Methods During 1970-87, 429 residents in Piedmont aged 0-14 were diagnosed as having ALL: they have been followed up until 1991. Results Five-year survival rates increased from 21% to 72% for children diagnosed ALL respectively in 1970-72 and 1985-87. Major improvements occurred up to the mid-seventies and again between cases diagnosed in the early and late eighties. Improvement in survival was statistically significant for children belonging to classes comprised between 2 and 10 years of age at diagnosis. Period of diagnosis was unrelated to probability of survival among the 13 cases diagnosed ALL at age 0. Survival was unrelated to sex, even in the early seventies and even after consideration of children dying more than 5 years after diagnosis. Between 1976-81 and 1982-87, an improvement in survival was found in all categories of WBC count at diagnosis: the ratio between the two estimates was somewhat higher for children with more than 50,000 WBC/mm3 at diagnosis than for other children. Conclusions Present data are compared with those resulting from other population-based series: this exercise can be useful for an overall evaluation of delivery of cancer therapy at the population basis.
Short Schedule Intravesical Mitomycin Preceding Transurethral Resection for Recurrent Ta-T1, G1-G2 Bladder Cancer
Authors: Maffezzini Massimo , Simonato Alchiede , Lodolo Cristina , Raber Marco , Carmignani Giorgio 
Published: April 2018

Aims and Background Intravesical instillations commonly follow resection, when all visible lesions have been removed, making impossible any direct assessment of efficacy. The study was conceived to evaluate the ablative effect on the tumor and the efficacy in reducing the risk of recurrence of short schedule intravesical chemotherapy administered before endoscopic resection. Study design Four weekly intravesical instillations of mitomycin C followed by transurethral resection (TUR) were administered to 31 patients with recurrent small volume superficial bladder cancer. Results At TUR no evidence of disease was found in 22 patients (70.9%) and residual disease in the remaining 9 (29.1%). At a median follow-up of 15 months (range, 3-33) 16 of 31 patients (51.6%) had recurrence of disease. The treatment was well tolerated. Conclusions Short-schedule intravesical chemotherapy can completely ablate small volume recurrent superficial bladder cancer in a relevant number of patients but is probably not sufficient to obtain long-term prophylaxis.
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas of the Tonsil: A Retrospective Analysis of Twenty-Eight Patients with Primary Tonsillary Lymphoma
Authors: Barışta İbrahim , Tekuzman Gülten , Güllü İbrahim , Baltalı Eşmen , Kars Ayşe , Özışık Yavuz , Güler Nilüfer , Çelik İsmail , Atahan İ. Lale , Fırat Dinçer 
Published: April 2018

Aims To analyze the clinical and therapeutic aspects of patients with primary tonsillary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Methods Twenty-eight patients with primary tonsillary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who had been followed in the Hacettepe Oncology Institute between 1974 and 1992 were retrospectively analyzed. Fifteen patients were male, 13 were female. Median age was 55 years. Results Constitutional symptoms were present in 10 patients (35.7%). Stages according to the Ann Arbor classification were I and II in 12 and 16 patients, respectively. According to the Rappaport classification, poorly differentiated lymphocytic was the most common pathologic subgroup (42.9%). Grades according to the Working Formulation were low, intermediate and high in 3, 22 and 3 patients, respectively. Twenty-two patients had received chemotherapy. Cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone (CVP), and cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP) were the regimens most commonly employed. Eighteen patients received radiotherapy to Waldeyer's ring and neck. Eight patients achieved remission with chemotherapy plus radiotherapy, 7 patients with chemotherapy alone, and 5 patients with radiotherapy alone. In addition to the 20 patients who achieved complete remission, 3 patients achieved partial remission; the overall response rate was 82.1%. The response rates and survival attained with the combined modality, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy alone were not statistically different (P > 0.05). The median follow-up was 14 months. Overall and disease-free survival at 5 years were 62.6% and 77.6%, respectively. Pathologic grade was the most important prognostic factor influencing overall survival in the Cox multivariate model. Conclusions Poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphomas were the most common pathologic subtype, and pathologic grade was the most important prognostic factor to influence survival in the present study. Although combined modality treatment did not appear to be superior to chemotherapy or radiotherapy alone, a larger number of patients is needed to draw definite conclusions.
Prevention of Highly Emetogenic Chemotherapy-Induced Vomiting: A Double Blind, Randomized Crossover Study to Compare Pancopride (LAS 30451) and Pancopride plus Dexamethasone
Authors: Aranda Enrique , Barneto Isidoro C. , Rubio Ma. Jesus , Gonzalez Rosario , Garcia Antonio , Perez Antonio 
Published: April 2018

Aims Pancopride (PNC) is a new 5HT3 receptor antagonist which has demonstrated complete protection from nausea and vomiting in 25-73% of patients treated with highly emetogenic chemotherapy. A double-blind, randomized crossover study was carried out to assess whether the addition of dexamethasone (DXM) to PNC increases the antiemetic efficacy. Methods PNC (0.2 mg/kg. i.v. 30 min before chemotherapy) plus placebo (PLC) was compared with PNC (same dose and schedule) plus DXM (20 mg. i.v. immediately before PNC). In the second cycle, patients received the alternative antiemetic treatment. Eighty patients were included in the study (PNC+DXM=39, PNC+PLC=41), 29 of whom were women and 51 men. Fifty-four percent of the patients in the PNC+DXM group and 59% of those in the PNC+PLC group received chemotherapy containing cisplatin. Seventy-seven patients completed the first cycle and 70 the second. Results Complete protection was obtained in 19/16 patients (50/46%) with PNC+PLC and in 32/22 (82/63%) with PNC+DXM (P<0.001). Latency was significantly longer in the PNC+DXM group. The efficacy of both treatments was unaffected by the order of administration. Side effects were mild in both groups. Conclusions The combination of PNC+DXM is more efficacious than PNC+PLC in protection against highly emetogenic chemotherapy-induced vomiting.
The Potent Angioinhibin AGM-1470 Stimulates Normal but not Human Tumoral Lymphocytes
Authors: Antoine Nadine , Daukandt Marc , Locigno Roberto , Heinen Ernst , Simar Léon J. , Castronovo Vincent 
Published: April 2018

Background AGM-1470 is a newly synthesized molecule developed as an analog of the potent anti-angiogenic fumagillin. Its efficacy in restraining tumor growth in vivo and the absence of major side effects have already led to phase I clinical trials in patients with solid cancers. However, neither the exact mechanisms of action of AGM-1470 nor its effects on the host of normal cells have been extensively studied. Recently, we showed that AGM-1470 enhanced the proliferation of B lymphocytes in the presence of T cells. Since AGM-1470 could potentially be used in patients with lymphoma, it was urgent to test the effect of the molecule on the proliferation of tumor lymphocytes. Methods The possible effect of AGM-1470 on the proliferation of normal or tumor lymphocytes was evaluated by thymidine-incorporation assays. Normal T and B lymphocytes were purified from human tonsils. The tumor lymphocytes used in the study were Molt 3, Molt 4 and Jurkatt cell lines for the T lineage and Daudi and Radji cell lines for the B lineage. Results As shown previously, AGM-1470 stimulates the proliferation of normal B lymphocytes through an action on normal T cells. The angioinhibin was ineffective on the proliferation of both T and B transformed cells. Moreover, in the presence of the drug, tumor T cells co-cultured with normal B lymphocytes did not induce any increase in B cell proliferation, as previously observed with normal T lymphocytes. Inversely, tumor B cells co-cultured with normal T lymphocytes were insensitive to the drug. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that AGM-1470 is ineffective on lymphoid tumor cell proliferation and could potentially be safely administered to lymphoma patients.
Long-Term Sequelae of Breast Cancer Surgery
Authors: Paci Eugenio , Cariddi Angelo , Barchielli Alessandro , Bianchi Simonetta , Cardona Gaetano , Distante Vito , Giorgi Daniela , Pacini Paolo , Zappa Marco , Del Turco Marco Rosselli 
Published: April 2018

Background Quality of care is today a major issue in oncology, and much attention is given to research on the outcome of breast cancer care. Too little attention has been devoted in the scientific literature to the consequences of treatment in long-term survivors, and in particular to the possible side effects. The specific aim of this contribution is to present population-based data about the long-term impact of breast cancer care in women who had an incident cancer in 1985/1986. Patients and Methods The cases are 476 breast cancers incident in the City of Florence in 1985-86. Women still living 5 years later were invited to have an interview and a physical examination. Lymphedema, peripheral nerve lesions and damage to the shoulder were assessed. Results Of the 346 5-year survivors, 238 accepted our invitation: 35.2% of the women reported some early postoperative sequelae, 30.2% had a chronic lymphedema and 18.9% a shoulder deficit. Comparing breast-conserving surgery with radical mastectomy, the risk of chronic lymphedema (OR=1.62; 95% CI: 0.91-2.88) and other lesions was higher for women who had a radical surgery. Women who had a breast-conserving surgery more often reported an early lymphedema (OR=1.60; 95% CI: 0.88-2.88). Conclusions The proportion of women who complained of (or manifested at the physical examination) a minor or major disability of the arm in our study was high. The impact of these functional problems in terms of quality of life should also be assessed, but it is our impression that there is need for much greater attention to the issue of long-term survivor sequelae.
High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy for Poor-Prognosis, High-Grade Glioma: (Phase II) Preliminary Results
Authors: Micheletti Enrico , La Face Beniamino , Feroldi Piero , Galelli Marco , Buttalo Luciano , Stefini Roberto , Giunta Filippo 
Published: April 2018

Aims and background The purpose of this study was to investigate the palliative effectiveness of an interstitial fractionated high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy regimen in patients with poor-prognosis, high-grade glioma. Methods An after-remote-loading microSelectron HDR Ir-192 370 GBq unit was used. A unique coaxial after-loading catheter was stereotactically inserted through the center of the target volume. The treatment schedule was: 5 fractions, 5 Gy per fraction, or alternatively 7 fractions, 3.85 Gy per fraction, at the dose specification surface, 2 fractions per day. Twenty-four patients have been treated: in 17 of them (T1 G3-4) the catheter was implanted during stereotactic biopsy procedure; in the other 7 cases (T2 G3-4), subjected to partial resection and reduced to yT1, the catheter was implanted following surgery with a mean delay of 15 days. Results The treatment was feasible and well tolerated. The complete course takes no more than 7 days. The acute complication rate (2/24) seems to be acceptable. The median survival was 8 months. No less than 45% of the patients had a WHO grade 2 score or better at any time of follow-up. At 4 months of follow-up, functional status, assessed using a verbally administered Barthel index, had improved from the pretreatment level in 29.1% of the 18 surviving patients and remained stable in another 22.2%. A minimal response or stable disease, according to CT scan, was obtained in about half of the assessable survivors at any time of follow-up. Conclusions The short course of brachytherapy provides a good palliation in terms of functional improvement in a high proportion of patients, with low and acceptable toxicity.
Nuclear Grade and DNA Ploidy in Stage IV Breast Cancer with Only Visceral Metastases at Initial Diagnosis
Authors: De Lena Mario , Barletta Anna , Marzullo Francesco , Rabinovich Mario , Leone Bernardo , Vallejo Carlos , Machiavelli Mario , Romero Alberto , Perez Juan , Lacava Juan , Cuevas Maria Andrea , Rodriguez Ricardo , Schittulli Francesco , Paradiso Angelo 
Published: April 2018

Aims and background The presence of early metastases to distant sites in breast cancer patients is an infrequent event whose mechanisms are still not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biologic and clinical role of DNA ploidy and cell nuclear grade of primary tumors in the metastatic process of a series of stage IV previously untreated breast cancer patients with only visceral metastases. Methods DNA flow cytometry analysis on paraffin-embedded material and cell nuclear grading of primary tumors was performed on a series of 50 breast cancer patients with only visceral metastases at the time of initial diagnosis. Results Aneuploidy was found in 28/46 (61%) of evaluable cases and was independent of site of involvement, clinical response, time to progression and overall survival of patients. Of the 46 cases evaluable for nuclear grade, 5 (11%), 16 (35%) and 25 (54%) were classified as G1 (well-differentiated) G2 and G3, respectively. Nuclear grade also was unrelated to response to therapy and overall survival, whereas time to progression was significantly longer in G1-2 than G3 tumors with the logrank test (P<0.03) and multivariate analysis. Conclusions Our results seem to stress the difficulty to individualize different prognostic subsets from a series of breast cancer patients with only visceral metastases at initial diagnosis according to DNA flow cytometry and nuclear grade.
Effects of the Bethesda System on the Rate of Unsatisfactory Pap Smears in Spontaneous Cervical Screening
Authors: Morini Nori , Bucchi Lauro , Naldoni Carlo , Schincaglia Patrizia , Capacci Nadia , Fantozzi Vilma , Buzzi Gianfranco 
Published: April 2018

Aims In 1990, The Bethesda System (TBS) was introduced into spontaneous cervical screening practice in Ravenna, Italy. Negative/benign reports with the recommendation for early repeat smears (RERS) due to some limitation in sample adequacy were considered no longer acceptable. A monitoring program for the rate of unsatisfactory smears (UNS) was implemented. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of such changes in the screening procedure. Methods The frequency of UNS in 1990 was compared with that of UNS+RERS in 1988 (assumed as a baseline year) by the calculation of the standardized rate ratio with the 95% confidence interval (CI). The trend in the standardized rate of UNS from 1990 to 1994 was evaluated by the calculation of the average annual variation with the 95% CI. Results The immediate effect of TBS (1990:1988 comparison) was a significant increase in the rate of UNS attributable to scant cellularity, poor fixation and thick areas (rate ratio, 2.35; 95% CI, 2.18 to 2.53) and to the absence of endocervical component (1.45; 95% CI, 1.30 to 1.60). The rate of UNS attributable to the presence of cytolysis, inflammation, blood and foreign material decreased by about 6 times (0.16; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.19). The midterm effect of TBS (trend from 1990 to 1994) was a decrease in the total rate of UNS by an average of 2.3% per year. The downward trend was significant for smears showing scant cellularity, poor fixation and thick areas (-1.5% per year) and the absence of endocervical component (-0.7% per year). UNS attributable to the presence of cytolysis, inflammation, blood and foreign material stabilized. Conclusions TBS led to a substantial change in the type of information provided by the cytology report (Immediate effect). The monitoring program according to TBS led to a reduction in UNS attributable to sample taker (midterm effect).
Tobacco Smoking, Alcohol Drinking and Dietary Factors as Determinants of New Primaries among Male Laryngeal Cancer Patients: A Case-Cohort Study
Authors: Russo Antonio , Crosignani Paolo , Berrino Franco 
Published: April 2018

Aims and Background The paper examines the determinants associated with second primary occurrence in laryngeal cancer cases. Methods A series of 220 incident male laryngeal cancer cases was interviewed 10 years ago within the framework of a population-based, case-control study. The occurrence of other primaries among these patients was assessed by means of the Lombardy Cancer Registry, which covers their area of residence. The relationship between tobacco, alcohol, dietary factors and the risk of occurrence of new primaries was analyzed by means of a nested case-control study. Cases were defined as those subjects who developed a new primary, and controls as those without. Results New primaries occurred among 36 subjects during an 8-year follow-up; 147 control cancer patients were matched for age and length of follow-up. A twofold risk increase was associated with the highest tobacco consumption, as registered at time of first primary; a weaker relationship, i.e. risk of 1.2 for the highest tertile, was seen for alcohol drinking. The occurrence of new primaries was also influenced by dietary habits. In particular, those who had a high intake of monosaturated fatty acids had a one-third lower risk of developing a new primary. Conclusions Our results support the hypothesis that a healthy diet is protective among those who experience a laryngeal neoplasm and suggests that diet could be a potential preventive agent against the occurrence of new primaries among these patients.
Preliminary Results of Clinical Evaluation of the Free/Total Prostate-Specific Antigen Ratio in a Multicentric Study
Authors: Mione Riccardo , Aimo Giuseppe , Bombardieri Emilio , Cianetti Alberto , Correale Mario , Barioli Paola , Barichello Mario , Terrone Carlo , Massaron Simonetta , Seregni Ettore , Marcano Domenico , Abbate Ines , Pagliarulo Antonio , Gion Massimo 
Published: April 2018

Aims and Background The free/total (F/T) prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ratio is probably the most promising tool proposed to increase the specificity of PSA in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical value of the F/T ratio in 138 patients with benign hyperplasia, 101 with untreated prostate cancer, and 176 apparently healthy men. Methods We used a new immunometric assay of free PSA (FPSA-RIACT, CIS Diagnostici, Italy) which has shown good analytical performance; sample handling and storage under routine conditions did not affect the antigen stability. Results The diagnostic efficiency of the F/T ratio was significantly better than that of total PSA. In patients with total PSA ranging from 4 to 10 ng/ml, at a specificity level of 95% total PSA showed a sensitivity of 7%, whereas the sensitivity of F/T increased to 70%. Using the F/T ratio as a decision tool in association with total PSA and considering all cases candidate to biopsy (total PSA greater than 3.79 ng/ml corresponding to the 95% level), we demonstrated a 35% reduction of total biopsies that would have been required on the basis of total PSA alone. Conclusions The determination of the percentage of F/T serum PSA significantly improves the specificity of the marker, particularly in the 4-10 ng/ml dose range where unnecessary prostate biopsies can be reduced.