bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Docetaxel: an active drug for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Authors: Dreyfuss A I , Clark J R , Norris C M , Rossi R M , Lucarini J W , Busse P M , Poulin M D , Thornhill L , Costello R , Posner M R 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE We conducted a phase II study designed to evaluate the activity, safety, and tolerability of docetaxel (Taxotere: Rhône-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals Inc, Collegeville, PA) in patients with advanced, incurable, or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) who had not received prior palliative chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-one patients with measurable, locoregional, or metastatic SCCHN were treated with docetaxel, administered at a dose of 100 mg/m2 as a 1-hour intravenous (i.v.) infusion once every 21 days on an outpatient basis. All patients were premedicated with dexamethasone, diphenhydramine, and cimetidine. Prophylactic administration of growth factors or antiemetics was not permitted. RESULTS Thirty-one patients were treated. Twenty-nine patients were assessable for response and 30 for toxicity. Four of 31 patients (13%) achieved complete response (CR), nine (29%) achieved partial response had stable disease (SD) and seven (23%) experienced progression of disease (PD). The major response rate was 42% (95% confidence interval [CI], 24% to 60%). The median duration of responses was 5 months (range, 2 to 14). The principal toxicity was leukopenia, which occurred with rapid onset and brief duration. Sixteen patients (53%) experienced nadir fever, and 13 required dose reduction. Hypersensitivity reactions occurred in four patients. Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy occurred in two patients; grade 2 or 3 fatigue occurred in six (20%) and 10 (33%), respectively. Minimal edema (grade 1) occurred in five patients (17%). Clinically significant mucositis, diarrhea, or dermatitis were not observed. CONCLUSION Docetaxel has major activity against SCCHN. It appears to be well tolerated in this group of patients and can be safely administered on an outpatient basis. Premedication with dexamethasone, cimetidine, and diphenhydramine is associated with a reduced incidence of significant edema, hypersensitivity reactions, and dermatologic toxicities.
Analysis of prognostic factors in 1,041 patients with localized soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities.
Authors: Pisters P W , Leung D H , Woodruff J , Shi W , Brennan M F 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE To identify specific independent adverse clinicopathologic factors for event-free survival in a cohort of consecutively treated patients with extremity soft tissue sarcomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS Prospectively collected data from a population of 1,041 adult patients with localized (American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC] stage IA to IIIB) extremity soft tissue sarcomas were analyzed. Patients were treated at a single institution between 1982 and 1994. Patient, tumor, and pathologic factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate techniques to identify independent prognostic factors for the end points of local recurrence, distant recurrence, disease-specific survival, and post-metastasis survival. RESULTS The 5-year survival rate for this cohort of patients was 76%, with a median follow-up time of 3.95 years. Significant independent adverse prognostic factors for local recurrence were age greater than 50 years, recurrent disease at presentation, microscopically positive surgical margins, and the histologic subtypes fibrosarcoma and malignant peripheral-nerve tumor. For distant recurrence, intermediate tumor size, high histologic grade, deep location, recurrent disease at presentation, leiomyosarcoma, and nonliposarcoma histology were independent adverse prognostic factors. For disease-specific survival, large tumor size, high grade, deep location, recurrent disease at presentation, the histologic subtypes leiomyosarcoma and malignant peripheral-nerve tumor, microscopically positive surgical margins, and lower extremity site were adverse factors. For post-metastasis survival, only large tumor size ( > 10 cm) was an adverse prognostic factor. CONCLUSION The independent adverse prognostic factors for distant recurrence and disease specific survival differ from those identified for subsequent local recurrence. Patients with microscopically positive surgical margins or patients who present with locally recurrent disease are at increased risk for subsequent local recurrence and tumor-related mortality. Specific histopathologic subtypes are associated with increased risks for local failure and tumor-related mortality.
The CD4+/CD8+ ratio as a prognostic factor in patients with metastatic melanoma receiving chemoimmunotherapy.
Authors: Hernberg M , Muhonen T , Turunen J P , Hahka-Kemppinen M , Pyrhönen S 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE As reported earlier, a chemotherapy regimen that consisted of dacarbazine, vincristine, lomustine, and bleomycin (DOBC) combined with natural leukocyte interferon (IFN) has been administered with favorable results to patients with metastatic melanoma. In this study, lymphocyte subsets (CD4+ and CD8+) were analyzed before and during treatment to elucidate if alterations in the CD4+/CD8+ ratio had any prognostic value. MATERIALS AND METHODS Blood samples were systematically obtained from 54 patients with metastatic melanoma who received this chemoimmunotherapy. The frequencies of peripheral-blood lymphocyte subsets were monitored by flow cytometry using the monoclonal antibodies OKT4 (CD4+, T-helper cells) and OKT8 (CD8+, T-suppressor cells). RESULTS Twenty-seven patients had a constantly increasing ratio, while the remaining 27 patients had a fluctuating or constantly decreasing ratio. The former group had a median survival time of 11.8 months, as compared with 6.5 months for the latter (P = .008, log-rank test). This difference was generated among patients who had an objective response. Responding patients with a constantly increasing ratio had a median survival time of 21.7 months, as compared with 10.2 months for patients with no constant increase in the ratio (P = .038, log-rank test). In nonresponders, no difference in survival was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION The monitoring of early changes in the CD4+/CD8+ ratio can provide valuable information that predicts the prognosis of metastatic melanoma patients receiving chemoimmunotherapy.
A randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, crossover trial comparing the safety and efficacy of oral sustained-release hydromorphone with immediate-release hydromorphone in patients with cancer pain. Canadian Palliative Care Clinical Trials Group.
Authors: Bruera E , Sloan P , Mount B , Scott J , Suarez-Almazor M 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new slow-release preparation of hydromorphone (SRH) in the treatment of cancer pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS Ninety-five adult patients from three Canadian Palliative Care Centers with no evidence of mental impairment received treatment for cancer pain with an oral opioid analgesic. After informed consent was obtained, patients underwent titration to a stable dose of immediate-release hydromorphone (IRH) for 48 hours, and were then randomized to receive IRH or SRH for 5 days in a double-blind basis. During day 6, a crossover took place, and patients received the alternate drug for 5 days. Pain intensity was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) and ordinal scale (OS). Side effects were assessed using VAS. Patients and investigators made a blinded global rating of efficacy a blinded final choice between SRH and IRH. RESULTS In 75 assessable patients, pain intensity of the VAS and OS were (mean +/- SD) 27 +/- 21 and 1.3 +/- 0.6 on IRH, versus 29 +/- 21 (P = .13) and 1.3 +/- 0.6 (P = .19) on SRH, respectively. The total number of extra doses of opioids, global rating, and final blinded choice by both patients and investigators were not significantly different between IRH and SRH. Differences in side effects were not significant. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that SRH is as safe and effective as IRH in the treatment of cancer pain.
Prognostic significance of bone marrow micrometastases in patients with gastric cancer.
Authors: Jauch K W , Heiss M M , Gruetzner U , Funke I , Pantel K , Babic R , Eissner H J , Riethmueller G , Schildberg F W 
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND Monoclonal antibodies (mabs) against components of the cytoskeleton such as cytokeratins allow single disseminated epithelial carcinoma cells to be detected in the bone marrow. The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic relevance of these cells in patients with gastric cancer and to evaluate by multivariate analysis their predictive value compared with conventional risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 1 x 10(6) cells from bone marrow aspirates were screened immunoctochemically for the presence and absolute number of disseminated tumor cells using mab CK2 to cytokeratin component no. 18. Patients were monitored prospectively for 30.6 +/- 15.2 months. RESULTS Between one and 122 CK2-positive cells per 1 million mononuclear bone marrow cells were present in 95 of 180 patients (53%). A similar prevalence of 51% was found in curatively operated patients (55 of 109). Comparison with conventional prognostic risk factors showed a correlation of cell dissemination with pathohistologic tumor (pT) stage (P = .07) and Bormann classification (P = .022). Tumor-cell content in the bone marrow predicted disease-free and overall survival in curatively resected patients (P = .007 and P = .049, respectively). Multivariate analysis, which included established risk factors, showed that extent of tumor-cell dissemination was an independent prognostic parameter for disease-free survival in T1/2 tumors (P = .014; relative risk [RR], 1.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35 to 2.52), in intestinal type carcinomas according to Laurén (P = .008; RR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.12), and in patients without lymph node involvement (P = .004; RR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.22 to 4.82). CONCLUSION Presence of disseminated tumor cells in bone marrow is indicative of systemic disease even in early-stage gastric cancer. The extent of tumor-cell presence in bone marrow correlates with prognosis in curatively resected patients. Therefore, a positive bone marrow finding may be a selection criteria for adjuvant treatment because of minimal residual tumor load.
Palliative effect of metaiodobenzylguanidine in metastatic carcinoid tumors.
Authors: Taal B G , Hoefnagel C A , Valdes Olmos R A , Boot H , Beijnen J H 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE To evaluate the therapeutic effect of iodine-131-labeled metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG) and unlabeled MIBG in patients with carcinoid tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS A therapeutic dose of 7.4 GBq (200 mCi) 131I-MIBG infused over 4 hours was administered to 30 patients with either carcinoid syndrome (n = 20) or tumor symptoms such as pain and fever due to carcinoid tumor (n = 10). In general, two courses were given, 6 weeks apart. Due to radioactivity, patients had to be isolated for 5 to 7 days. Subsequently, we studied the effect of unlabeled MIBG based on the possible pharmaceutic activity of MIBG and to avoid the isolation procedure. A doseescalation study of 8.5, 17, and 34 mg/m2 MIBG infused over 4 hours at 4-week intervals was performed in 20 patients with carcinoid syndrome who were not suitable for treatment with the radioactive compound. RESULTS Following 131I-MIBG treatment, symptomatic responses were observed in 60% of patients (median duration, 8 months; maximum, 2 years). Side effects were mild and rapidly reversible in 16 patients, and were related to the isolation procedure in seven of these patients. Unlabeled MIBG resulted in symptomatic improvement in 60% of patients (median duration, 4.5 months). Side effects, which included changes in blood pressure, were mild and transient. Symptomatic responses were not accompanied by biochemical responses. CONCLUSION Both MIBG treatment regimens were equally effective in the palliation of symptoms, but duration of response tended to be much longer with the radioactive compound. However, the unlabeled compound provided a simpler treatment, eg, in elderly patients and those in poor condition, without the need for isolation.
Amifostine, cisplatin, and vinblastine in metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer: a report of high response rates and prolonged survival.
Authors: Schiller J H , Storer B , Berlin J , Wittenkeller J , Larson M , Pharo L , Larson M , Berry W 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE Based on preclinical and clinical studies that suggested amifostine may potentiate the effects of cytotoxic drugs, we conducted a phase II trial of amifostine, cisplatin, and vinblastine (ACV) in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-five patients with metastatic NSCLC received amifostine (740 or 910 mg/m2) before 120 mg/m2 of cisplatin on day 1, plus weekly 5 mg/m2 of vinblastine without amifostine. Cycles were repeated every 4 weeks. Patients were required to have good performance status, no prior chemotherapy or biologic therapy, adequate organ function, and measurable disease. RESULTS Sixteen of 25 assessable patients had an objective response documented by computed tomographic (CT) scan (64%; 95% confidence interval, 45% to 85%). With a median duration of follow-up of 19.2 months, the estimated median survival is 17 months and 1-year survival is 64% (+/- 10%). Toxicities included grades 3 and 4 neutropenia (8% and 92%, respectively) and nausea and vomiting (32% and 4%, respectively). Reversible grade 3 nephrotoxicity occurred in 12% of patients, although only one of 13 patients (7%) who received > or = four cycles of therapy had > or = 40% reduction in creatinine clearance. Grade 3 neuropathy was observed in seven patients at cumulative cisplatin doses that ranged from 324 to 660 mg/m2; grade 3 ototoxicity occurred in three patients at cumulative cisplatin doses that ranged from 390 to 450 mg/m2. Four patients (16%) required early stopping of an amifostine infusion due to hypotension. CONCLUSION ACV appears to be a highly active regimen in metastatic NSCLC. Acute toxicities were generally reversible and the data suggest that amifostine may protect against long-term renal insufficiency from cumulative doses of cisplatin. Although the sample size of this trial is small, the results are significantly encouraging to warrant confirmation in randomized multiinstitutional trials.
Port site recurrences after laparoscopic and thoracoscopic procedures in malignancy.
Authors: Johnstone P A , Rohde D C , Swartz S E , Fetter J E , Wexner S D 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE AND METHODS A review of the literature was performed to determine the number of cases of port site recurrences (PSR) after laparoscopy or thoracoscopy. CANCERLINE and MEDLINE were searched, as were citings from retrieved and related papers. RESULTS There have been 35 reported cases of PSR after laparoscopic colectomy for colorectal carcinoma, and 23 cases after thoracoscopic procedures for lung neoplasms. All of these have been reported since 1993. Since 1991, 12 cases have been described after laparoscopic cholecystectomy of unsuspected gallbladder carcinoma, and another case after biopsy of a known gallbladder carcinoma. Ten cases of PSR have been reported after laparoscopic procedures for ovarian lesions, often in the presence of peritoneal seeding at diagnosis. Other rare PSRs have been documented after several procedures in various malignancies. CONCLUSION Enrollment of patients onto the ongoing intergroup study evaluating open versus laparoscopic resection of colon cancer should be encouraged. Until valid prospective data on PSR frequency are available, laparoscopic or thoracoscopic resection of malignancy off-protocol should be undertaken with circumspection.
Phase II trial of paclitaxel and cisplatin in women with advanced breast cancer: an active regimen with limiting neurotoxicity.
Authors: Wasserheit C , Frazein A , Oratz R , Sorich J , Downey A , Hochster H , Chachoua A , Wernz J , Zeleniuch-Jacquotte A , Blum R , Speyer J 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE A phase II study of paclitaxel and cisplatin in patients with advanced breast cancer was performed to determine the objective response rate and make further observations about the toxicity of this regimen. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients were required to have histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the breast with no more than one chemotherapeutic treatment for advanced disease. Treatment consisted of paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 administered as a 24-hour intravenous (i.v.) infusion followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m2 i.v. Patients received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) 5 micrograms/kg subcutaneously on day 3 until WBC recovery. Cycles were repeated every 21 days. Patients continued to receive therapy until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. RESULTS Forty-four patients entered the trial. Forty-two patients were assessable for response. Nineteen patients (43%) had no prior chemotherapy and 41 had no chemotherapy for metastatic disease. The median number of cycles administered per patient was five (range, one to seven). There were five complete responses (CRs) (11.9%) and 17 partial responses (PRs) (40.5%), with an overall response rate of 52.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36.4% to 68.0%). Nine patients had stage III disease. The response rate for this group was 66.7% (95% CI, 33.0% to 92.5%), with three CRs and three PRs. Among 35 patients with stage IV disease, there were two CRs and 14 PRs, with an overall response rate of 48.5% (95% CI, 30.8% to 66.5%). Overall, the median response duration was 10.6 months. Thirty patients (68%) developed transient grade 4 neutropenia. Cumulative neuropathy was the major dose-limiting toxicity. After five cycles of chemotherapy, 96% of patients had at least grade 1 neurotoxicity and 52% had at least grade 2 neurotoxicity. One patient had a toxic death after cycle 1 of therapy. CONCLUSION The combination of paclitaxel and cisplatin as first-line chemotherapy for women with advanced breast cancer is an active regimen. However, the cumulative neurotoxicity was significant and dose-limiting in the majority of patients.
Influence of inflammatory bowel disease on the ability of patients to tolerate systemic fluorouracil-based chemotherapy.
Authors: Tiersten A , Saltz L B 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE To evaluate the safety of administering fluorouracil (5FU)-based chemotherapy to cancer patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed all patients entered into the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center clinical data base from 1985 through 1995 who had a diagnosis of IBD, had a gastrointestinal malignancy, and were treated with systemic 5FU-based chemotherapy. A total of 19 patient charts were identified and reviewed. RESULTS Fifty-three percent of patients reviewed experienced severe (grade III/IV) diarrhea on treatment. Sixty percent of patients with a history of active IBD and 40% of patients with a history of inactive IBD experienced severe diarrhea on treatment. The incidence of severe diarrhea did not appear to be substantially influenced by age, schedule of 5FU administration, concurrent radiation, or type of IBD. CONCLUSION While there does appear to be an increased risk of diarrhea exacerbation in IBD patients treated with 5FU, a substantial number of patients tolerate chemotherapy without increased difficulty. The degree of IBD activity or other clinical parameters can not be used to predict accurately the likelihood of toxicity.
Mature results of a randomized trial of two doses of cisplatin for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Scottish Gynecology Cancer Trials Group.
Authors: Kaye S B , Paul J , Cassidy J , Lewis C R , Duncan I D , Gordon H K , Kitchener H C , Cruickshank D J , Atkinson R J , Soukop M , Rankin E M , Davis J A , Reed N S , Crawford S M , MacLean A , Parkin D , Sarkar T K , Kennedy J , Symonds R P 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE In 1992, we reported the first results of a randomized study in ovarian cancer, comprising two doses of cisplatin and indicated a significant difference (P = .0008) in median survival. Four years later, we now describe the results of this trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS After a median follow-up of 4 years and 9 months, 115 of 159 cases of advanced ovarian cancer, originally randomized to receive six cycles of cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 and either a high dose (HD) of 100 mg/m2 cisplatin or a low dose (LD) of 50 mg/m2 (LD) cisplatin, have now died. RESULTS The overall survival for HD and LD patients is 32.4% and 26.6%, respectively, and the overall relative death rate is 0.68 (P = .043). This represents a reduction in overall benefit with longer follow-up compared with the first 2 years (relative death rate of 0.52). Toxicity, particularly neurotoxicity, is still evident in the fourth year (10/31 on HD compared with 1/24 on LD). CONCLUSION Our recommended dose of cisplatin in combination schedule is therefore 75 mg/m2, representing the optimal balance between efficacy and toxicity.
Randomized trial assessing the addition of interferon alpha-2a to fluorouracil and leucovorin in advanced colorectal cancer. Colorectal Cancer Working Party of the United Kingdom Medical Research Council.
Authors: Seymour M T , Slevin M L , Kerr D J , Cunningham D , James R D , Ledermann J A , Perren T J , McAdam W A , Harper P G , Neoptolemos J P , Nicholson M , Duffy A M , Stephens R J , Stenning S P , Taylor I 
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE To determine the effects of interferon alpha-2a (IFN alpha) on the efficacy and toxicity of fluorouracil (FUra) and leucovorin (LV) in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Two hundred sixty chemotherapy-naive patients were randomized to FUra/LV alone or FUra/LV plus IFN alpha. All patients received: LV 200 mg/m2 intravenous (IV) infusion over 2 hours, then FUra 400 mg/m2 i.v. bolus plus 400 mg/m2 i.v. infusion over 22 hours, all repeated on day 2. Treatment was every 2 weeks for up to 12 cycles. Patients randomized to IFN alpha received 6 x 10(6) IU subcutaneously every 48 hours throughout. Objective response (OR) and toxicity were assessed conventionally; in addition, palliative benefit and adverse effects were assessed using quality-of-life (QoL) questionnaires. RESULTS There were no differences in OR rate, progression-free survival, or overall survival. OR rates in assessable patients were as follows: FUra/LV alone (n = 104), complete or partial response (OR) = 27%, no change (NC) = 34%; FUra/LV/IFN alpha (n = 101), OR = 28%, NC = 30%. Median survival was 10 months in both arms. Dose-limiting FUra toxicities were not significantly increased by co-administration of IFN alpha, and the delivered FUra dose-intensity was not significantly reduced. However, QoL was adversely affected: patients on IFN alpha were less likely to report improvement in pretreatment physical and psychologic symptoms, and more likely to report new or worsening symptoms. CONCLUSION IFN alpha, at a dose that impaired QoL, did not improve the efficacy of FUra/LV. The power of this trial is sufficient to exclude with 95% confidence a benefit of 15% in OR or 10 weeks in median survival. Accordingly, we cannot recommend the use of IFN alpha as a clinical modulator of FUra/LV in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer.