bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preoperative Plasma Levels of Transforming Growth Factor Beta1 (TGF-β1) Strongly Predict Progression in Patients Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Shariat Shahrokh F. , Shalev Moshe , Menesses-Diaz Andres , Kim Isaac Yi , Kattan Michael W. , Wheeler Thomas M. , Slawin Kevin M. 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: Elevated local and circulating levels of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) have been associated with prostate cancer invasion and metastasis. We tested the hypothesis that preoperative plasma TGF-β1 levels would independently predict cancer stage and prognosis in patients who undergo radical prostatectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 120 consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer (median follow-up, 53.8 months). Preoperative plasma levels of TGF-β1 were measured and correlated with pathologic parameters and clinical outcomes. TGF-β1 levels also were measured in 44 healthy men without cancer, in 19 men with prostate cancer metastatic to regional lymph nodes, and in 10 men with prostate cancer metastatic to bone. RESULTS: Plasma TGF-β1 levels in patients with lymph node metastases (14.2 ± 2.6 ng/mL) and bone metastases (15.5 ± 2.4 ng/mL) were higher than those in radical prostatectomy patients (5.2 ± 1.3 ng/mL) and healthy subjects (4.5 ± 1.2 ng/mL) (P < .001). In a preoperative analysis, preoperative plasma TGF-β1 level and biopsy Gleason sum both were predictors of organ-confined disease (P = .006 and P = .006, respectively) and PSA progression (P < .001 and P = .021, respectively). In a postoperative multivariate analysis, preoperative plasma TGF-β1 level, pathologic Gleason sum, and surgical margin status were predictors of PSA progression (P = .020,P = .020, and P = .022, respectively). In patients who progressed, preoperative plasma TGF-β1 levels were higher in those with presumed distant compared with local-only failure (P = .019). CONCLUSION: Plasma TGF-β1 levels are markedly elevated in men with prostate cancer metastatic to regional lymph nodes and bone. In men without clinical or pathologic evidence of metastases, the preoperative plasma TGF-β1 level is a strong predictor of biochemical progression after surgery, presumably because of an association with occult metastatic disease present at the time of radical prostatectomy.
Ensuring Quality Cancer Care by the Use of Clinical Practice Guidelines and Critical Pathways
Authors: Smith Thomas J. , Hillner Bruce E. 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: We describe the impact of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on improvement in oncology treatment processes or outcomes. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive search of the literature from 1966 to the present and a directed review of the literature. RESULTS: Improvements have been demonstrated in compliance with evidence-based guidelines or evidence-based medicine, and in short-term length of stay, complication rates, and financial outcomes. The data suggest that patient satisfaction can be maintained despite a shorter length of stay. There has been one example of province-wide improvement in disease-free and overall survival of breast cancer patients coincident with the adoption of CPGs. The components of successful guidelines can be summarized as follows: (1) development is based on evidence, with the guideline formulated by key physicians in the group; (2) the guidelines are disseminated to all affected health care professionals for critique; (3) implementation includes direct feedback on performance to physicians or general feedback on system performance; and (4) there is accountability for performance according to the guidelines. This accountability can consist of voluntary peer pressure to conform to evidence-based medicine, and it does not require a financial reward or penalty. CONCLUSION: Some attempts to improve practice have been moderately successful in achievement of reduced health care costs, reduced hospital length of stay, and possibly improved outcomes. Other methods that are still in use have been demonstrated to have little effect. Programs that have not succeeded have relied on voluntary change in practice behavior without incentives to change or have had no accountability component. Further research is needed to assess how guidelines are enacted in organizations other than those demonstrably committed to improvement, ways to improve compliance of health care providers who are not committed to change, and methods to improve accountability.
Paclitaxel and Gemcitabine Chemotherapy for Advanced Transitional-Cell Carcinoma of the Urothelial Tract: A Phase II Trial of the Minnie Pearl Cancer Research Network
Authors: Meluch Anthony A. , Greco F. Anthony , Burris Howard A. , O’Rourke Timothy , Ortega Gregory , Steis Ronald G. , Morrissey Lisa H. , Johnson Valerie , Hainsworth John D. 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of combination chemotherapy with paclitaxel and gemcitabine in patients with advanced transitional-cell carcinoma of the urothelial tract. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients with advanced unresectable urothelial carcinoma entered this multi-centered, community-based, phase II trial between May 1997 and December 1999. All patients were treated with paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 by 1-hour intravenous (IV) infusion on day 1 and gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 8, and 15; courses were repeated every 21 days. Patients who had objective response or stable disease continued treatment for six courses. RESULTS: Twenty-nine of 54 patients (54%; 95% confidence interval, 40% to 67%) had major responses to treatment, including 7% complete responses. With a median follow-up of 24 months, 16 patients (30%) remain alive and nine (17%) are progression-free. The median survival for the entire group was 14.4 months; 1- and 2-year actuarial survival rates were 57% and 25%, respectively. Seven (47%) of 15 patients previously treated with platinum-based chemotherapy responded to paclitaxel/gemcitabine. Grade 3/4 toxicity was primarily hematologic, including leukopenia (46%), thrombocytopenia (13%), and anemia (28%). Ten patients (19%) required hospitalization for neutropenia and fever, and one patient had treatment-related septic death. CONCLUSION: The combination of paclitaxel and gemcitabine is active and well tolerated in the first- or second-line treatment of patients with advanced transitional-cell carcinoma of the urothelial tract. Response rate and duration compare favorably with those produced by other active, first-line regimens. This regimen should be further evaluated in phase II and III studies, as well as in patients with compromised renal function.
Prognostic Value of Initial Fasting Serum Gastrin Levels in Patients With Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Authors: Berger Adam C. , Gibril Fathia , Venzon David J. , Doppman John L. , Norton Jeffrey A. , Bartlett David L. , Libutti Steven K. , Jensen Robert T. , Alexander H. Richard 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To assess the value of the initial fasting serum gastrin (FSG) at presentation in patients with Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (ZES) in predicting primary tumor characteristics and survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 239 patients were treated for ZES between December 1981 and September 1998, with a mean follow-up of 9.1 ± 0.6 years. At initial evaluation, 86 patients (36%) had mild (0 to 499 pg/mL), 61 (25.5%) had moderate (500 to 1,000 pg/mL), and 92 (38.5%) had severe (> 1,000 pg/mL) elevations in FSG. Primary tumor location and size, presence of lymph node or hepatic metastases, and survival were analyzed based on the level of initial FSG. RESULTS: In patients with sporadic ZES, but not in those with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) and ZES, there was a significant relationship between the level of initial FSG and tumor size and location of primary tumor, frequency of lymph node and liver metastases, and survival. The median 5- and 10-year survival decreased with increasing initial FSG (P < .001) in patients with sporadic ZES; MEN-1 patients lived longer than sporadic ZES patients (P = .012), and survival in this group was not associated with the level of initial FSG. Multivariate analysis showed that factors independently associated with death from disease in patients with sporadic ZES were liver metastases (P = .0001), a pancreatic site (P = .0027), and primary tumor size (P = .011) but not initial FSG (P > .30). CONCLUSION: The severity of FSG at presentation is associated with size and site of tumor and the presence of hepatic metastases, factors that are significant independent predictors of outcome. The level of FSG at presentation may be useful in planning the nature and extent of the initial evaluation and management in patients with sporadic ZES.
Late Medical Complications and Fatigue in Hodgkin’s Disease Survivors
Authors: Knobel Heidi , Loge Jon Håvard , Lund May Brit , Forfang Kolbjørn , Nome Ole , Kaasa Stein 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: Long-term medical complications, such as cardiac, pulmonary, and thyroid dysfunction, are frequent among Hodgkin’s disease survivors (HDSs). Chronic fatigue is also highly prevalent among HDSs. Few studies have explored possible etiologic explanations for fatigue. The aim of this study was to explore whether late cardiac, pulmonary, and thyroid complications after curative treatment for Hodgkin’s disease (HD) may explain the high level of fatigue among HDSs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four-hundred fifty-nine patients treated for HD at the Norwegian Radium Hospital from 1971 to 1991 were included in a cross-sectional, follow-up study of subjective health status. Fatigue (physical [PF] and mental), was measured by the Fatigue Questionnaire. A subcohort of the HDSs (116 patients) treated from 1980 to 1988 were included in a separate study in which long-term cardiac, pulmonary, and thyroid complications were assessed. All patients had received radiotherapy, and 63 patients had received additional chemotherapy. The present study comprised 92 patients (mean age, 37 years; range, 23 to 56 years) who participated in both studies. RESULTS: HDSs with pulmonary dysfunction were more fatigued than HDSs with normal pulmonary function (PF 10.9 v 8.9; P < .05). Gas transfer impairment was the most prevalent pulmonary dysfunction, and three times as many patients with gas transfer impairment reported chronic fatigue (duration, 6 months or longer), compared with patients without pulmonary dysfunction (48% v 17%, P < .01). No associations were found between cardiac sequelae or hypothyroidism and fatigue. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary dysfunction is associated with fatigue in HDSs. Cardiac sequelae was not associated with fatigue in HDSs. We question the absence of an association between thyroid complications and fatigue.
Phase I and Pharmacologic Study of OSI-774, an Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, in Patients With Advanced Solid Malignancies
Authors: Hidalgo Manuel , Siu Lillian L. , Nemunaitis John , Rizzo Jinee , Hammond Lisa A. , Takimoto Chris , Eckhardt S. Gail , Tolcher Anthony , Britten Carolyn D. , Denis Louis , Ferrante Karen , Von Hoff Daniel D. , Silberman Sandra , Rowinsky Eric K. 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility of administering OSI-774, to recommend a dose on a protracted, continuous daily schedule, to characterize its pharmacokinetic behavior, and to acquire preliminary evidence of anticancer activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with advanced solid malignancies were treated with escalating doses of OSI-774 in three study parts (A to C) to evaluate progressively longer treatment intervals. Part A patients received OSI-774 25 to 100 mg once daily, for 3 days each week, for 3 weeks every 4 weeks. Part B patients received OSI-774 doses ranging from 50 to 200 mg given once daily for 3 weeks every 4 weeks to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). In part C, patients received this MTD on a continuous, uninterrupted schedule. The pharmacokinetics of OSI-774 and its O-demethylated metabolite, OSI-420, were characterized. RESULTS: Forty patients received a total of 123 28-day courses of OSI-774. No severe toxicities precluded dose escalation of OSI-774 from 25 to 100 mg/d in part A. In part B, the incidence of severe diarrhea and/or cutaneous toxicity was unacceptably high at OSI-774 doses exceeding 150 mg/d. Uninterrupted, daily administration of OSI-774 150 mg/d represented the MTD on a protracted daily schedule. The pharmacokinetics of OSI-774 were dose independent; repetitive daily treatment did not result in drug accumulation (at 150 mg/d [average]: minimum steady-state plasma concentration, 1.20 ± 0.62 μg/mL; clearance rate, 6.33 ± 6.41 L/h; elimination half-life, 24.4 ± 14.6 hours; volume of distribution, 136. 4 ± 93.1 L; area under the plasma concentration-time curve for OSI-420 relative to OSI-774, 0.12 ± 0.12 μg/h/mL). CONCLUSION: The recommended dose for disease-directed studies of OSI-774 administered orally on a daily, continuous, uninterrupted schedule is 150 mg/d. OSI-774 was well tolerated, and several patients with epidermoid malignancies demonstrated either antitumor activity or relatively long periods of stable disease. The precise contribution of OSI-774 to these effects is not known.
Extending Positron Emission Tomography Scan Utility to High-Risk Neuroblastoma: Fluorine-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography as Sole Imaging Modality in Follow-Up of Patients
Authors: Kushner Brian H. , Yeung Henry W.D. , Larson Steven M. , Kramer Kim , Cheung Nai-Kong V. 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: Although positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) has a major impact on the treatment of adult cancer, the reported experience with extracranial tumors of childhood is limited. We describe a role for PET in patients with neuroblastoma (NB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 51 patients with high-risk NB, 92 PET scans were part of a staging evaluation that included iodine-123 or iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan, bone scan, computed tomography (and/or magnetic resonance imaging), urine catecholamine measurements, and bone marrow (BM) examinations. The minimum number of tests sufficient to detect NB was determined. RESULTS: Of 40 patients who were not in complete remission, only 1 (2.5%) had NB that would have been missed had a staging evaluation been limited to PET and BM studies, and 13 (32.5%) had NB detected by PET but not by BM and urine tests. PET was equal or superior to MIBG scans for identifying NB in soft tissue and extracranial skeletal structures, for revealing small lesions, and for delineating the extent and localizing sites of disease. In 36 evaluations of 22 patients with NB in soft tissue, PET failed to identify only two long-standing MIBG-negative abdominal masses. PET and MIBG scans showed more skeletal lesions than bone scans, but the normally high physiologic brain uptake of FDG blocked PET visualization of cranial vault lesions. Similar to MIBG, FDG skeletal uptake was diffusely increased with extensive or progressing BM disease but faint or absent with minimal or nonprogressing BM disease. CONCLUSION: In the absence or after resolution of cranial vault lesions, and once the primary tumor is resected, PET and BM tests suffice for monitoring NB patients at high risk for progressive disease in soft tissue and bone/BM.
Cationic Liposome-MediatedE1AGene Transfer to Human Breast and Ovarian Cancer Cells and Its Biologic Effects: A Phase I Clinical Trial
Authors: Hortobagyi Gabriel N. , Ueno Naoto T. , Xia Weiya , Zhang Su , Wolf Judith K. , Putnam Joe B. , Weiden Paul L. , Willey Jie S. , Carey Mary , Branham Donna L. , Payne Joy Y. , Tucker Stanley D. , Bartholomeusz Chandra , Kilbourn Robert G. , De Jager Robert L. , Sneige Nour , Katz Ruth L. , Anklesaria Pervin , Ibrahim Nuhad K. , Murray James L. , Theriault Richard L. , Valero Vicente , Gershenson David M. , Bevers Michael W. , Huang Leaf , Lopez-Berestein Gabriel , Hung Mien-Chie 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: Preclinical studies have demonstrated that the adenovirus type 5 E1A gene is associated with antitumor activities by transcriptional repression of HER-2/neu and induction of apoptosis. Indeed, E1A gene therapy is known to induce regression of HER-2/neu–overexpressing breast and ovarian cancers in nude mice. Therefore, we evaluated the feasibility of intracavitary injection of E1A gene complexed with DC-Chol cationic liposome (DCC-E1A) in patients with both HER-2/neu–overexpressing and low HER-2/neu–expressing breast and ovarian cancers in a phase I clinical trial.PATIENTS AND METHODS: An E1A gene complexed with DCC-E1A cationic liposome was injected once a week into the thoracic or peritoneal cavity of 18 patients with advanced cancer of the breast (n = 6) or ovary (n = 12).RESULTS: E1A gene expression in tumor cells was detected by immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. This E1A gene expression was accompanied by HER-2/neu downregulation, increased apoptosis, and reduced proliferation. The most common treatment-related toxicities were fever, nausea, vomiting, and/or discomfort at the injection sites.CONCLUSION: These results argue for the feasibility of intracavitary DCC-E1A administration, provide a clear proof of preclinical concept, and warrant phase II trials to determine the antitumor activity of the E1A gene.
Factors Associated With Response to High-Dose Interleukin-2 in Patients With Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: Phan Giao Q. , Attia Peter , Steinberg Seth M. , White Donald E. , Rosenberg Steven A. 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: The present study attempted to identify characteristics that correlated with clinical response to interleukin (IL)-2 therapy in patients with metastatic melanoma.PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated laboratory and clinical characteristics of 374 consecutive patients with metastatic melanoma treated with high-dose intravenous bolus IL-2 (720,000 IU/kg) from July 1, 1988, to December 31, 1999, at the Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute.RESULTS: The overall objective response rate was 15.5%. Pretreatment parameters such as patient demographics, laboratory values, and prior therapy did not correlate with response; however, 53.6% of patients with only subcutaneous and/or cutaneous metastases responded, compared with 12.4% of patients with disease at other sites (P2= .000001). During therapy, patients who were responders tended to have received more doses during course 1 (16.2 ± 0.3 doses v 14.5 ± 0.2 doses; P2= .0095); however, when limited to patients who were able to complete both cycles of course 1, there was no statistically significant difference (P2= .27). Responders had a higher maximum lymphocyte count immediately after therapy compared with nonresponders (P2= .0026). The development of abnormal thyroid function tests and vitiligo after therapy was associated with response (thyroid-stimulating hormone, P2= .01; free T4, P2= .0049; vitiligo, P2< 10−6), although thyroid dysfunction may have been related more to the length of IL-2 therapy than to response.CONCLUSION: The presence of metastases only to subcutaneous and/or cutaneous sites, lymphocytosis immediately after treatment, and long-term immunologic side effects, especially vitiligo, were associated with antitumor response to IL-2 therapy.
Screening Sensitivity and Sojourn Time From Breast Cancer Early Detection Clinical Trials: Mammograms and Physical Examinations
Authors: Shen Yu , Zelen Marvin 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To estimate sensitivities of breast cancer screening modalities and preclinical duration of the disease from eight breast cancer screening clinical trials.PATIENTS AND METHODS: Screening programs invariably lead to diagnosis of disease before signs or symptoms are present. Two key quantities of screening programs are the sensitivity of the disease detection modality and the mean sojourn time (MST). The observed screening histories in a periodically screened cohort make it possible to estimate these quantities of interest. We applied recently developed statistical methods to data from eight randomized breast cancer screening trials to estimate the sensitivities of early detection modalities and MST. Moreover, when a screening trial involved two screening modalities, our methods enabled the estimation of the individual sensitivity of each screening modality.RESULTS: We analyzed breast cancer data from several screening trials and have relatively complete data from the Health Insurance Plan (HIP), Edinburgh, and two Canadian studies. The screening sensitivity for mammography, physical examination, and MST were, respectively, HIP: 0.39, 0.47, and 2.5 years; Edinburgh: 0.63, 0.40, and 4.3 years; Canadian (age 40 to 49 at entry): 0.61, 0.59, and 1.9 years; Canadian (age 50 to 59 at entry): 0.66, 0.39, and 3.1 years.CONCLUSION: The public debate on early breast cancer detection is mainly centered on mammograms. However, the current study indicates that a physical examination is of comparable importance. Cautious interpretation of trial differences is required as a result of various experimental designs and the age dependency of screening sensitivity and MST.
Multicenter Phase II Trial of Paclitaxel, Cisplatin, and Etoposide With Concurrent Radiation for Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Bremnes Roy M. , Sundstrøm Stein , Vilsvik Jan , Aasebø Ulf ,   for the Norwegian Lung Cancer Study Group
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of adding paclitaxel to cisplatin/etoposide chemotherapy and concurrent thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) in treatment of limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LD-SCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients received five courses of chemotherapy (paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 1-hour intravenous [IV] infusion day 1; cisplatin 50 mg/m2 IV day 1; etoposide 100 mg/m2 IV day 1; oral etoposide 100 mg bid days 2 to 5) at 3-week intervals. TRT (42 Gy administered in 15 fractions) was administered concurrent with chemotherapy cycle 3. All patients were evaluated before starting TRT and 4 weeks after termination of chemotherapy. Patients achieving complete remission (CR) were administered prophylactic cranial irradiation. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were included, and the median age was 63 years. The median follow-up was 36 months (range, 19 to 57 months). The overall response rate was 92% (CR, 81%; partial response, 11%), and the median survival was 21 months. The 1- and 2-year disease-specific survival rates were 69% and 37%, respectively. Of 29 CR patients, 83% have relapsed. Brain metastasis was as frequent as local recurrences (42%). Hematologic toxicity included grade 3 to 4 leukopenia in 74% of patients and grade 3 thrombocytopenia in 10%. One treatment-related death occurred as a result of severe neutropenia and septicemia. Hematotoxicity caused dose reductions in 31% of courses. One patient had an anaphylactic reaction during the first paclitaxel infusion. Paclitaxel-related neuropathy and myalgia were reversible. Grade 3 esophagitis was seen in five patients during and shortly after TRT. CONCLUSION: This novel multimodal regimen is effective and well tolerated in patients with LD-SCLC. It compares favorably with previously published phase II studies.