bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prospective investigation of positron emission tomography in lung nodules.
Authors: Lowe V J , Fletcher J W , Gobar L , Lawson M , Kirchner P , Valk P , Karis J , Hubner K , Delbeke D , Heiberg E V , Patz E F , Coleman R E 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE Solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) are commonly identified by chest radiographs and computed tomography (CT). Biopsies are often performed to evaluate the nodules further. An accurate, noninvasive diagnostic test could avoid the morbidity and costs of invasive tissue sampling. We evaluated the ability of fluorine-18 deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) to discriminate between benign and malignant pulmonary nodules in a prospective, multicenter trial. METHODS Eighty-nine patients who had newly identified indeterminate SPNs on chest radiographs and CT were evaluated with FDG-PET. PET data were analyzed semiquantitatively by calculating standardized uptake values (SUVs) as an index of FDG accumulation and also by a visual scoring method. PET results were compared with pathology results. RESULTS Sixty SPNs were malignant and 29 were benign. Using SUV data, PET had an overall sensitivity and specificity for detection of malignant nodules of 92% and 90%. Visual analysis provided a slightly higher, but not statistically significant, sensitivity of 98% and lower specificity of 69%. For SPNs < or = 1.5 cm (34 of 89), the sensitivity and specificity of SUV and visual analysis were 80% and 95% and 100% and 74%, respectively. CONCLUSION FDG-PET can accurately characterize indeterminate SPNs. PET imaging provides a noninvasive method to evaluate indeterminate SPNs, which can reduce the need for invasive tissue biopsy.
Phase II study of vinorelbine in advanced and recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.
Authors: Morris M , Brader K R , Levenback C , Burke T W , Atkinson E N , Scott W R , Gershenson D M 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of intravenous vinorelbine as single-agent chemotherapy in patients with advanced or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between August 1993 and July 1995, 35 patients with advanced or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix were entered onto this study. Patients had received no prior therapeutic chemotherapy. The initial dose of vinorelbine 30 mg/m2 was administered as a weekly intravenous infusion. Subsequent doses were unchanged, reduced, escalated, or omitted according to observed toxicity. Patients were evaluated for response and toxicity using standard Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) and World Health Organization criteria, respectively. RESULTS Thirty-three of 35 patients were assessable for response and 35 of 35 for toxicity. The overall response rate was 18% (one complete response [CR], five partial responses [PR]). The mean response duration was 5.2 months and the median survival from treatment for all patients was 11.0 months. The major toxicity was leukopenia, with 61% of patients who had grade 3 or 4. Gastrointestinal and neurotoxicity were infrequent and mild. CONCLUSION Vinorelbine has moderate activity in advanced or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Further studies of combination regimens with this agent are justified in this patient population.
Phase II trial with dose titration of paclitaxel for the therapy of human immunodeficiency virus-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.
Authors: Welles L , Saville M W , Lietzau J , Pluda J M , Wyvill K M , Feuerstein I , Figg W D , Lush R , Odom J , Wilson W H , Fajardo M T , Humphrey R W , Feigal E , Tuck D , Steinberg S M , Broder S , Yarchoan R 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE To investigate the antitumor activity and safety of paclitaxel in patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-nine patients with advanced HIV-associated KS were enrolled. The patients were overall quite immunosuppressed (median CD4 count, 15 cells/microL). Paclitaxel was initially administered at 135 mg/m2 over 3 hours every 3 weeks without filgrastim support; the dose was increased as tolerated to a maximum of 175 mg/m2. Patients who failed to respond or progressed could then receive filgrastim support or paclitaxel administered over 96 hours. RESULTS Of 28 assessable patients, 20 had major responses (18 partial responses [PRs], one clinical complete response [CR], and one CR), for a major response rate of 71.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 51.3% to 86.8%). Each of the five patients with pulmonary KS responded, as did all four assessable patients who had previously received anthracycline therapy for KS. Of six patients who went on to receive a 96-hour infusion of paclitaxel, five had major responses. Neutropenia was the most frequent dose-limiting toxicity; possible novel toxicities included late fevers, late rash, and eosinophilia. Two patients developed an elevated creatinine concentration and one cardiomyopathy. CONCLUSION Paclitaxel has substantial activity against advanced HIV-associated KS as a single agent, even in patients with pulmonary involvement or who had previously received anthracyclines. Further research is needed to define the optimal treatment schedule and its role vis-a-vis the other available therapies for this disease.
Use of dexamethasone and granisetron in the control of delayed emesis for patients who receive highly emetogenic chemotherapy. National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group.
Authors: Latreille J , Pater J , Johnston D , Laberge F , Stewart D , Rusthoven J , Hoskins P , Findlay B , McMurtrie E , Yelle L , Williams C , Walde D , Ernst S , Dhaliwal H , Warr D , Shepherd F , Mee D , Nishimura L , Osoba D , Zee B 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE To evaluate the roles of granisetron and dexamethasone for emesis control on days 2 through 7 after the administration of cisplatin in doses of 50 mg/m2 or greater to patients who had not previously received chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Four hundred thirty-five eligible and assessable patients were randomized to one of two arms in a double-blind fashion: arm A; granisetron 3 mg intravenous (i.v.) plus dexamethasone 10 mg i.v. prechemotherapy followed by granisetron 1 mg orally at 6 and 12 hours, then granisetron 1 mg orally and dexamethasone 8 mg orally twice daily on days 2 through 7 (219 patients); arm B; as in arm A but with placebo substituted for granisetron on days 2 through 7 (216 patients). All patients completed diaries in which episodes of emesis and severity of nausea were recorded. RESULTS The addition of granisetron on days 2 through 7 had no discernable impact on nausea and vomiting during this period. CONCLUSION The administration of a 5-hydroxytryptamine3, receptor (5-HT3) antagonist, in this case granisetron, after 24 hours conferred no benefit. This negative result needs to be assessed in light of conflicting literature, but at present it does not appear that the routine use of these drugs in this setting is justified.
Progress of clinical oncology guidelines development using the Practice Guidelines Development Cycle: the role of practitioner feedback.
Authors: Browman G P , Newman T E , Mohide E A , Graham I D , Levine M N , Pritchard K I , Evans W K , Maroun J A , Hodson D I , Carey M S , Cowan D H 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE To present an update on the development of oncology practice guidelines (PGs) using the Practice Guidelines Development Cycle (Cycle), and to present the results of surveys of oncologists on the first 10 guidelines from the Cancer Care Ontario Practice Guidelines Initiative. METHODS Practitioners' opinions about guidelines in development were sought using a mail survey method with systematic follow-up. Practitioners were identified by cancer center representatives. Survey packages included evidence-based recommendations (EBRs) and a one-page, nine-item feedback questionnaire. Data were collected between February 1995 and February 1996. RESULTS Nine hundred fourteen surveys that pertained to 10 guidelines were mailed to 423 practitioners in Ontario. Practitioners included 112 medical oncologists/hematologists, 34 radiation oncologists, 195 surgeons, and 82 practitioners from other medical specialities. One hundred practitioners were located in cancer centers and 323 had community-based practices. The overall response rate by practitioner was 72% and by survey questionnaire, 70%. For the five questionnaire items that assessed guideline quality, approval ratings ranged from 86% to 92%. For the 10 recommendations, 77% ( 63% to 82%) of respondents agreed that the EBR could be approved as a PG. Response and approval rates were consistent across medical specialities and locations of practice. CONCLUSION The process of obtaining practitioner feedback in the development of PGs is both feasible and useful. The high response rates to the survey indicate that it is possible to obtain broad participation in evidence-based guidelines development throughout Ontario. The changes made to the EBRs in response to feedback suggest that practitioners' opinions can be valuable in shaping evidence-based guidelines.
Meta-analysis of chemotherapy versus combined modality treatment trials in Hodgkin's disease. International Database on Hodgkin's Disease Overview Study Group.
Authors: Loeffler M , Brosteanu O , Hasenclever D , Sextro M , Assouline D , Bartolucci A A , Cassileth P A , Crowther D , Diehl V , Fisher R I , Hoppe R T , Jacobs P , Pater J L , Pavlovsky S , Thompson E , Wiernik P 
Published: February 2017

DESIGN To perform a meta-analysis of all randomized trials that compared chemotherapy (CT) alone versus combined modality treatment (CT + radiotherapy [RT]) for which individual patient data could be made available. PATIENTS AND METHODS Data on 1,740 patients treated on 14 different trials that included 16 relevant comparisons have been analysed. Eight comparisons were designed to evaluate the benefit of additional RT after the same CT (CT1 v CT1 + RT; additional RT design). Eight comparisons were designed to evaluate whether RT in a combined modality setting can be substituted by CT using either more cycles of the same CT or regimens that contain additional drugs (CT1 + CT2 v CT1 + RT or CT1 v CT2 + RT; parallel RT/CT design). RESULTS Additional RT showed an 11% overall improvement in tumor control rate after 10 years (P = .0001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4% to 18%). No difference could be detected with respect to overall survival (P = .57; 95% CI, -10% to 4%). In contrast, when combined modality treatment was compared with CT alone in the parallel-design trials, no difference could be detected in tumor control rates (P = .43; 95% CI, -6% to 9%), but overall survival was significantly better after 10 years in the group that did not receive RT (P = .045; 8% difference; 95% CI, 1% to 15%). There were significantly fewer fatal events among patients in continuous complete remission (relative risk [RR], 1.73; 95% CI, 1.17 to 2.53; P = .005) if no RT was given. CONCLUSION Combined modality treatment in patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin's disease overall has a significantly inferior long-term survival outcome than CT alone if CT is given over an appropriate number of cycles. The role of RT in this setting is limited to specific indications.
Long-term survival in primary CNS lymphoma.
Authors: Abrey L E , DeAngelis L M , Yahalom J 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE We have previously reported on 31 patients with primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) treated between 1986 and 1992 with methotrexate (MTX), cranial radiotherapy (RT), and high-dose cytarabine who remained free of disease longer than historical controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed a follow-up analysis of our original cohort and now report their long-term survival and late treatment-related toxicity. RESULTS The median cause-specific survival was 42 months, with a five-year survival of 22.3% compared with 3% to 4% in historical controls treated with RT alone. Age less than 50 years at diagnosis was a significant prognostic factor for survival (P = .01). Median disease-free survival was 40.3 months; 15 patients relapsed, all but one in the CNS. Late treatment-related toxicity was observed in nearly one third of patients and those more than 60 years of age were at substantially higher risk (P < .0001). CONCLUSION Combined modality therapy for PCNSL has improved survival, but relapse is common and late neurologic toxicity is a significant complication. Although this approach is highly effective for younger patients, efficacious but less neurotoxic regimens need to be developed for older patients.
High-dose methotrexate for the treatment of primary cerebral lymphomas: analysis of survival and late neurologic toxicity in a retrospective series.
Authors: Blay J Y , Conroy T , Chevreau C , Thyss A , Quesnel N , Eghbali H , Bouabdallah R , Coiffier B , Wagner J P , Le Mevel A , Dramais-Marcel D , Baumelou E , Chauvin F , Biron P 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE The impact of treatment options on survival and late neurologic toxicity was investigated in a series of patients with primary cerebral lymphoma (PCL) and no known cause of immunosuppression. PATIENTS AND METHODS Prognostic factors for survival and treatment-induced late neurotoxicity were investigated in a retrospective series of 226 patients with PCL. RESULTS With a median follow-up of 76 months, the median overall survival was 16 months and 5-year survival was 19%. In a univariate analysis, age greater than 60 years, performance status, CSF protein level greater than 0.6 g/L, involvement of corpus callosum or subcortical grey structures, detectable lymphoma cells in CSF, increased serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), but not histological subtype, were significantly correlated with a poor survival. Treatment with chemotherapy versus radiotherapy alone (P = .05), high-dose methotrexate (HDMTX; P = .0007), and cytarabine (P = .04) correlated with a better survival in univariate analysis. Using the Cox model, age, performance status, and CSF protein were independently correlated with survival. After adjustment of these factors, treatment with an HDMTX-containing regimen remained the only treatment-related factor independently correlated with survival (P = .01). The projected incidence of treatment-induced late neurotoxicity was 26% at 6 years in this series, with a median survival from the diagnosis of late neurotoxicity of 12 months. Treatment with radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy was the only parameter correlated with late neurotoxicity in multivariate analysis (relative risk, 11.5; P = .0007). CONCLUSION Patients with PCL treated with regimens that included HDMTX followed by radiotherapy have an improved survival, but not a higher risk of late neurotoxicity as compared with other treatment modalities in this series.
Early treatment decisions with interferon-alfa therapy in early chronic-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Authors: Sacchi S , Kantarjian H M , Smith T L , O'Brien S , Pierce S , Kornblau S , Beran M , Keating M J , Talpaz M 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE To determine, in patients with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) on interferon alfa (IFNalpha), whether combining pretreatment characteristics and early response profiles would distinguish patients with differential benefits that would allow better decisions on subsequent therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 274 patients treated from 1982 through 1990 with IFNalpha regimens were analyzed. A second group of 137 patients treated with IFNalpha and low-dose cytarabine (ara-C) between 1990 and 1994 was later used to confirm the guidelines derived from the original study group analysis. Patients' pretreatment factors and response to IFNalpha therapy at 3, 6, and 12 months were analyzed in relation to subsequent achievement of major cytogenetic response. After univariate analysis of prognostic factors, a multivariate analysis selected, at 6 months, independent pretreatment factors that added to the response status in predicting subsequent outcome. The results were then applied at the 3- and 12-month periods and confirmed in the subsequent population. RESULTS Response to IFNalpha therapy at 3, 6, and 12 months was a significant predictor of later major cytogenetic response. The presence of splenomegaly > or = 5 cm below the costal margin (BCM) or thrombocytosis > or = 700 x 10(9)/L pretreatment added significant independent prediction to response. At 6 months, patients with a partial hematologic response (PHR) or resistant disease had a less than 10% chance of achieving a later major cytogenetic response, as were those in complete hematologic response (CHR) and who had pretreatment splenomegaly and thrombocytosis. Applying the model at 3 months showed that only patients with < or = PHR and pretreatment splenomegaly or thrombocytosis at 3 months had such a low major cytogenetic response rate. Finally, at 12 months, patients with CHR still had a 15% to 25% chance of having a major cytogenetic response later if they did not have pretreatment splenomegaly and thrombocytosis. CONCLUSION This analysis allows better selection of patients with Ph-positive CML on IFNalpha therapy for continuation of IFNalpha versus changing therapy early in the course of CML. For treatment programs that choose to change patients to other investigational therapies (eg, intensive chemotherapy and/or autologous stem-cell transplantation [SCT]), baseline outcome expectations are provided for patients continued on IFNalpha therapy, against which the results of new approaches can be compared.
Allogeneic peripheral-blood progenitor-cell transplantation for poor-risk patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Authors: Ueno N T , Rondón G , Mirza N Q , Geisler D K , Anderlini P , Giralt S A , Andersson B S , Claxton D F , Gajewski J L , Khouri I F , Körbling M , Mehra R C , Przepiorka D , Rahman Z , Samuels B I , van Besien K , Hortobagyi G N , Champlin R E 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE To evaluate the feasibility of allogeneic peripheral-blood progenitor-cell (PBPC) transplantation and to assess graft-versus-tumor effects in patients with metastatic breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Ten patients with metastatic breast cancer that involved the liver or bone marrow were treated with high-dose chemotherapy and allogeneic PBPC transplantation. The median age was 42 years (range, 29 to 55). The median number of metastatic sites was three (range, one to five). The conditioning regimen was cyclophosphamide (6,000 mg/m2), carmustine (BCNU; 450 mg/m2), and thiotepa (720 mg/m2) (CBT regimen). Patients received graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis using cyclosporine- or tacrolimus-based regimens. RESULTS All patients had engraftment and hematologic recovery. Three patients developed grade > or = 2 acute GVHD and four patients had chronic GVHD. After transplantation, one patient was in complete remission (CR), five achieved a partial remission (PR), and four had stable disease (SD). In two patients, metastatic liver lesions regressed in association with skin GVHD after withdrawal of immunosuppressive therapies. The median follow-up time was 408 days (range, 53 to 605). The median progression-free survival duration was 238 days (range, 53 to 510). CONCLUSION We conclude that allogeneic PBPC transplantation is a feasible procedure for patients with poor-risk metastatic breast cancer. The regression of tumor associated with GVHD provides suggestive clinical evidence that graft-versus-tumor effects may occur against breast cancer. Compared with autologous transplantation, allogeneic PBPC transplantation is associated with the additional risks of GVHD and related infections. Allogeneic transplantation should only be performed in the context of clinical trials and its ultimate role requires demonstration of improved progression-free survival.
EWS-FLI1 fusion transcript structure is an independent determinant of prognosis in Ewing's sarcoma.
Authors: de Alava E , Kawai A , Healey J H , Fligman I , Meyers P A , Huvos A G , Gerald W L , Jhanwar S C , Argani P , Antonescu C R , Pardo-Mindan F J , Ginsberg J , Womer R , Lawlor E R , Wunder J , Andrulis I , Sorensen P H , Barr F G , Ladanyi M 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE More than 90% of Ewing's sarcomas (ES) contain a fusion of the EWS and FLI1 genes, due to the t(11;22)(q24;q12) translocation. At the molecular level, the EWS-FLI1 rearrangements show great diversity. Specifically, many different combinations of exons from EWS and FLI1 encode in-frame fusion transcripts and result in differences in the length and composition of the chimeric protein, which functions as an oncogenic aberrant transcription factor. In the most common fusion type (type 1), EWS exon 7 is linked in frame with exon 6 of FLI1. As the fundamental pathogenetic lesion in ES, the molecular heterogeneity of these fusion transcripts may have functional and clinical significance. PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed a clinical and pathologic analysis of 112 patients with ES in which EWS-FLI1 fusion transcripts were identified by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Adequate treatment and follow-up data were available in 99 patients treated with curative intent. Median follow-up in these 99 patients was 26 months (range, 1 to 140 months). Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed that included other prognostic factors, such as age, tumor location, size, and stage. RESULTS Among the 99 patients suitable for survival analysis, the tumors in 64 patients contained the type 1 fusion and in 35 patients contained less common fusion types. Stage at presentation was localized in 74 patients and metastatic in 25. Metastases (relative risk [RR] = 2.6; P = .008), and type 1 EWS-FLI1 fusion (RR = 0.37; P = .014) were, respectively, independent negative and positive prognostic factors for overall survival by multivariate analysis. Among 74 patients with localized tumors, the type 1 EWS-FLI1 fusion was also a significant positive predictor of overall survival (RR = 0.32; P = .034) by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION EWS-FLI1 fusion type appears to be prognostically relevant in ES, independent of tumor site, stage, and size. Further studies are needed to clarify the biologic basis of this phenomenon.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and bladder-sparing surgery for invasive bladder cancer: ten-year outcome.
Authors: Herr H W , Bajorin D F , Scher H I 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE To evaluate the 10-year outcome of patients with invasive (T2-3N0M0, staged according to the tumor, node, metastasis system) bladder cancer who responded completely to a combination of methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin, and cisplatin (MVAC) chemotherapy followed by bladder-sparing surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS Of 111 surgical candidates who received neoadjuvant MVAC, 60 (54%) achieved a complete clinical response (T0) on transurethral resection (TUR) of the primary tumor site. Of these, 28 requested follow-up with TUR alone, 15 had a partial cystectomy, and 17 elected a radical cystectomy. The patients were followed up for a median of 10 years (range, 8 to 13 years). RESULTS Of 43 patients who had bladder-sparing surgery, 32 (74%) are alive, which includes 25 (58%) with an intact functioning bladder. Twenty-four patients (56%) developed bladder tumor recurrences from 5 to 96 months, which were invasive in 13 (30%) and superficial in 11 (26%). Thirteen patients required a salvage cystectomy, of whom 6 died, which includes 4 (9%) from a new invasive neoplasm. Of the 17 patients who had radical cystectomy, 11 (65%) are alive. CONCLUSION The majority of patients with invasive bladder tumors who achieve T0 status after neoadjuvant MVAC chemotherapy preserve their bladders for up to 10 years with bladder-sparing surgery. The bladder remains at risk for new invasive tumors. Cystectomy salvages the majority, but not all, of relapsing patients.