bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High-Frequency Phenotypic Reversion and Pathogenicity of an Acyclovir-Resistant Herpes Simplex Virus Mutant
Authors: Griffiths Anthony , Coen Donald M. 
Published: January 2003

ABSTRACT
A double-guanine-insertion mutation within a run of guanines in the herpes simplex virus gene encoding thymidine kinase (TK) was previously found in an acyclovir-resistant clinical isolate. This mutation was engineered into strain KOS, and stocks were generated from single plaques. Plaque autoradiography revealed that most plaques in such stocks exhibited low levels of TK activity, while ∼3% of plaques exhibited high levels of TK activity, indicating a remarkably high frequency of phenotypic reversion. This virus was able to reactivate from latency in mouse ganglia; a fraction of the reactivating virus expressed a high level of TK activity due to an additional G insertion, suggesting that the observed genetic instability contributed to pathogenicity.
Randomized Cross-Over Evaluation of Body-Surface Area–Based Dosing Versus Flat-Fixed Dosing of Paclitaxel
Authors: Smorenburg Carolien H. , Sparreboom Alex , Bontenbal Marijke , Stoter Gerrit , Nooter Kees , Verweij Jaap 
Published: January 2003

Purpose: Despite dose calculation using body-surface area (BSA), pharmacokinetics of most anticancer drugs show wide interindividual variability. In this study, we evaluated the role of BSA in paclitaxel disposition. Patients and Methods: Paclitaxel pharmacokinetics were prospectively studied in 12 patients that were treated in a randomized cross-over design with paclitaxel (3-hour infusion at a 3-week interval) at 175 mg/m2 in cycle 1 (A) and a flat-fixed dose of 300 mg in cycle 2 (B), or vice versa. Blood samples were collected up to 24 hours after dosing and analyzed for total and unbound paclitaxel. Results: The area under the curves (AUC) of unbound paclitaxel were similar in both dosing groups, with mean values ± SD (A v B) of 1.34 ± 0.158 versus 1.30 ± 0.329 μM•h, indicating that BSA-based dosing reduced the coefficient of variation by 53.3%. Unbound and total paclitaxel clearance was also significantly related to various body-size measures, including BSA (R ≥ 0.617; P ≤ .033), weight (R ≥ 0.621; P ≤ .031), and lean-body mass (r ≥ 0.630; P ≤ .028). We hypothesize that this is caused by the association of paclitaxel in the circulation with Cremophor EL, the distribution of which is linked to total blood volume, and thus to BSA. Conclusion: This study indicates that paclitaxel disposition is significantly related to BSA. This provides a pharmacokinetic rationale for BSA-based dosing of this drug.
Osteosarcoma of the Pelvis: Experience of the Cooperative Osteosarcoma Study Group
Authors: Ozaki Toshifumi , Flege Silke , Kevric Matthias , Lindner Norbert , Maas Rainer , Delling Günter , Schwarz Rudolf , von Hochstetter Arthur R. , Salzer-Kuntschik Mechthild , Berdel Wolfgang E. , Jürgens Heribert , Exner G. Ulrich , Reichardt Peter , Mayer-Steinacker Regine , Ewerbeck Volker , Kotz Rainer , Winkelmann Winfried , Bielack Stefan S. 
Published: January 2003

Purpose: To define patients and tumor characteristics as well as therapy results, patients with pelvic osteosarcoma who were registered in the Cooperative Osteosarcoma Study Group (COSS) were analyzed. Patients and Methods: Sixty-seven patients with a high-grade pelvic osteosarcoma were eligible for this analysis. Fifteen patients had primary metastases. All patients received chemotherapy according to COSS protocols. Thirty-eight patients underwent limb-sparing surgery, 12 patients underwent hemipelvectomy, and 17 patients did not undergo definitive surgery. Eleven patients received irradiation to the primary tumor site: four postoperatively and seven as the only form of local therapy. Results: Local failure occurred in 47 of all 67 patients (70%) and in 31 of 50 patients (62%) who underwent definitive surgery. Five-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival rates were 27% and 19%, respectively. Large tumor size (P = .0137), primary metastases (P = .0001), and no or intralesional surgery (P < .0001) were poor prognostic factors. In 30 patients with no or intralesional surgery, 11 patients with radiotherapy had better OS than 19 patients without radiotherapy (P = .0033). Among the variables, primary metastasis, large tumor, no or intralesional surgery, no radiotherapy, existence of primary metastasis (relative risk [RR] = 3.456; P = .0009), surgical margin (intralesional or no surgical excision; RR = 5.619; P < .0001), and no radiotherapy (RR = 4.196; P = .0059) were independent poor prognostic factors. Conclusion: An operative approach with wide or marginal margins improves local control and OS. If the surgical margin is intralesional or excision is impossible, additional radiotherapy has a positive influence on prognosis.
Phase II Trial of Irinotecan in Patients With Metastatic Epithelial Ovarian Cancer or Peritoneal Cancer
Authors: Bodurka Diane C. , Levenback Charles , Wolf Judith K. , Gano Jacalyn , Wharton J. Taylor , Kavanagh John J. , Gershenson David M. 
Published: January 2003

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of irinotecan in patients with metastatic platinum-resistant or platinum-refractory epithelial ovarian cancer or primary peritoneal cancer. Patients and Methods: Thirty-one patients with measurable disease were enrolled in our study at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Twenty-five of these patients were treated with irinotecan at a dose of 300 mg/m2 intravenously for 90 minutes every 3 weeks; the remaining six patients were treated with 250 mg/m2 because their age was greater than 65 years. Median age was 57 years (range, 38 to 74 years). The majority (84%) had a Zubrod performance status of 0. All patients were evaluated for irinotecan toxicity, and 29 (94%) were evaluable for response. Results: The overall response rate was 17.2%. One patient (3%) had a complete response, four (14%) had partial responses, 14 (48%) had stable disease, and 10 had (35%) disease progression. Median progression-free survival was 2.8 months (range, 1.1 to 16 months), median duration of response was 1.4 months (range, 0.7 to 10.1 months); median survival from primary diagnosis was 24.3 months (range, 6.5 to 85.7 months); and median survival from initiation of irinotecan was 10.1 months (range, 2.3 to 34 months). Major toxicities included fatigue (16 patients), neutropenia (11 patients), diarrhea (nine patients), nausea (10 patients), and anorexia (seven patients). Eleven patients required dose reductions because of these toxicities. No treatment-related deaths occurred. Conclusion: Irinotecan has moderate efficacy and substantial toxicity in patients with metastatic platinum-resistant or platinum-refractory epithelial ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer.
Epoetin Alfa Treatment Results in Clinically Significant Improvements in Quality of Life in Anemic Cancer Patients When Referenced to the General Population
Authors: Cella David , Zagari Martin J. , Vandoros Christina , Gagnon Dennis D. , Hurtz Hans-Jürgen , Nortier Johan W.R. 
Published: January 2003

Purpose: Anemia, highly common among cancer patients, is often an underlying cause of cancer-related fatigue and other quality-of-life (QOL) deficits. Although randomized clinical trials have shown that treatment with epoetin alfa increases hemoglobin levels, reduces fatigue, lessens transfusion requirements, and improves overall QOL, cancer-related anemia and fatigue remain undertreated. This is, in part, because scales and measures of QOL are still relatively unfamiliar to most clinicians and because population-based reference ranges are lacking, thus making clinical trial results difficult to interpret. Methods: To aid in the interpretation of QOL results from clinical trials, we administered the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Anemia (FACT-An) QOL instrument to a nationally representative sample of 1,400 people using an Internet survey panel in the United States. We then compared the FACT-An data from the Internet survey with the QOL data of a 375-patient randomized, double-blind clinical trial evaluating epoetin alfa versus placebo in anemic cancer patients. Results: FACT-An, as administered to the survey population, displayed good psychometric properties and was able to discriminate between respondents with histories of specified illnesses, including anemia and cancer, and those without. Comparison of the population norm and clinical trial data showed that treatment with epoetin alfa resulted in clinically meaningful as well as statistically significant improvements in QOL (P < .01). Conclusion: Reliable population norm data are now available to aid in the interpretation of clinical trial results where the FACT-An questionnaire is administered. In the clinical trial, treatment with epoetin alfa overcame much of the QOL deficit seen in anemic cancer patients compared with the norm population sample.
SarCNU, a Nitrosourea Analog on a Day 1, 5, and 9 Oral Schedule: A Phase I and Pharmacokinetic Study in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Panasci L. , Stinson S.F. , Melnychuk D. , Sandor V. , Miller W.H. , Batist G. , Patenaude F. , Bangash N. , Panarello L. , Alaoui-Jamali M. , Sausville E. 
Published: January 2003

Purpose: 2-Chloroethyl-3-sarcosinamide-1-nitrosourea (SarCNU) is a novel chloroethylnitrosourea that demonstrates selective cytotoxicity in athymic mice bearing human glioma. SarCNU demonstrates selective cytotoxicity in vitro against human glioma at least in part because of the selective SarCNU uptake by the extraneuronal monoamine transporter. The purpose of this phase I study was to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), the toxicity profile, the pharmacokinetics profile, and recommended phase II dose. Patients and Methods: Forty-three eligible patients with advanced solid tumors were enrolled. SarCNU was administered orally on days 1,5, and 9 every 28 days. The dose ranged from 30 to 1,075 mg/m2. Pharmacokinetic evaluation was done on the first cycle (one dose was given intravenously on day 1 or 5 of the first cycle to determine bioavailability). Results: Delayed myelosuppression (thrombocytopenia and neutropenia occurring 4 to 6 weeks after administration) was the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). Anemia occurred but was mild. Nonhematologic toxicity was generally mild, but one patient died with pulmonary toxicity that was probably secondary to SarCNU. There were no partial or complete responses, but eight patients had stable disease for 19 to 46 weeks. The oral bioavailability of SarCNU was 80% ± 37%. The terminal phase half-life was similar after intravenous (58.4 ± 23.5 minutes) or oral (64.0 ± 34.8 minutes) administration. The total plasma clearance was 20.4 ± 8.8 L/h/m2, and the apparent volume of distribution was 29.9 ± 17.6 L/m2. The area under the plasma concentration–time profile increased proportionally with the dose, and the pharmacokinetics seemed to be independent of the route of administration and the number of doses. Conclusion: SarCNU was well tolerated and the MTD was 1,075 mg/m2. The recommended starting dose for phase II trials is 860 mg/m2 orally on days 1, 5, and 9 every 6 weeks.
Diagnostic Cerebrospinal Fluid Examination in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Significance of Low Leukocyte Counts With Blasts or Traumatic Lumbar Puncture
Authors: Bürger Britta , Zimmermann Martin , Mann Georg , Kühl Joachim , Löning Lutz , Riehm Hansjörg , Reiter Alfred , Schrappe Martin 
Published: January 2003

Purpose: To determine the significance of leukemic blasts or traumatic lumbar puncture (TLP) in diagnostic CSF of children enrolled in the Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster (BFM) Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia–BFM-95 trial. Patients and Methods: A total of 2,021 patients were retrospectively evaluated according to initial central nervous system (CNS) status. Patients were classified as follows: CNS1 (CNS negative, n = 1,605), CNS2 (≤ 5 WBC/μL CSF with blasts, n = 103), CNS3 (CNS positive, n = 58), TLP+ (TLP with blasts, n = 135), or TLP− (TLP without blasts, n = 111). Patients with CNS2 and TLP+ status were eligible for two additional doses of intrathecal (IT) methotrexate (MTX). CNS3 patients received additional IT MTX and cranial irradiation (18 Gy). Results: CNS2, CNS3, and TLP+ groups contained a higher percentage of patients with unfavorable characteristics. Cox regression analysis identified TLP+ and CNS3 status as prognostically significant (CNS3): risk ratio (RR) = 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4 to 3.6; P = .0005; TLP+: RR = 1.5; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.2; P = .04. Overall 5-year event-free survival (EFS) is 79%, for CNS1 it is 80%, and for TLP− it is 83%. CNS2 patients have an EFS of 80%, but the cumulative incidence of relapses with CNS involvement is higher compared with CNS1 patients (0.10 v 0.04). TLP+ patients have a significantly reduced EFS (73%, P = .003) because of an increased incidence of CNS relapses. CNS3 patients suffer from more systemic and CNS relapses (EFS 50%). Conclusion: CNS2 patients have the same prognosis as patients with CNS1 status, whereas the EFS of TLP+ patients is inferior to CNS1 but superior to CNS3 patients (P = .001). Both subgroups may have benefitted from additional IT MTX.
Brief Physician-Initiated Quit-Smoking Strategies for Clinical Oncology Settings: A Trial Coordinated by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
Authors: Schnoll Robert A. , Zhang Bin , Rue Montserrat , Krook James E. , Spears Wayne T. , Marcus Alfred C. , Engstrom Paul F. 
Published: January 2003

Purpose: Although tobacco use by cancer patients increases the risk of relapse, diminishes treatment efficacy, and worsens quality of life, about one third of patients who smoked before their diagnosis continue to smoke. Because patients have regular contact with oncologists, the efficacy of a physician-based smoking cessation treatment was evaluated. Methods:Cancer patients (n = 432) were randomly assigned to either usual care or a National Institutes of Health (NIH) physician-based smoking intervention. The primary outcome was 7-day point prevalence abstinence at 6 and 12 months after study entry. Results: At the 6-month follow-up, there was no significant difference in quit rates between the usual care (11.9%) and intervention (14.4%) groups, and there was no significant difference between the usual care (13.6%) and intervention (13.3%) groups at the 12-month follow-up. Patients were more likely to have quit smoking at 6 months if they had head and neck or lung cancer, began smoking after the age of 16, reported at baseline using a cessation self-help guide or treatment in the last 6 months, and showed greater baseline desire to quit. Patients were more likely to have quit smoking at 12 months if they smoked 15 or fewer cigarettes per day, had head and neck or lung cancer, tried a group cessation program, and showed greater baseline desire to quit. Finally, there was greater adherence among physicians to the NIH model for physician smoking treatment for patients in the intervention versus the usual care group. Conclusion: While training physicians to provide smoking cessation treatment to cancer patients can enhance physician adherence to clinical practice guidelines, physician smoking cessation interventions fail to yield significant gains in long-term quit rates among cancer patients.
Additional Prognostic Value of Bone Marrow Histology in Patients Subclassified According to the International Prognostic Scoring System for Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Authors: Verburgh E. , Achten R. , Maes B. , Hagemeijer A. , Boogaerts M. , De Wolf-Peeters C. , Verhoef G. 
Published: January 2003

Purpose: The most recent and powerful prognostic instrument established for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS), which is primarily based on medullary blast cell count, number of cytopenias, and cytogenetics. Although this prognostic system has substantial predictive power in MDS, further refinement is necessary, especially as far as lower-risk patients are concerned. Histologic parameters, which have long proved to be associated with outcome, are promising candidates to improve the prognostic accuracy of the IPSS. Therefore, we assessed the additional predictive power of the presence of abnormally localized immature precursors (ALIPs) and CD34 immunoreactivity in bone marrow (BM) biopsies of MDS patients. Patients and Methods: Cytogenetic, morphologic, and clinical data of 184 MDS patients, all from a single institution, were collected, with special emphasis on the determinants of the IPSS score. BM biopsies of 173 patients were analyzed for the presence of ALIP, and CD34 immunoreactivity was assessable in 119 patients. Forty-nine patients received intensive therapy. Results: The presence of ALIP and CD34 immunoreactivity significantly improved the prognostic value of the IPSS, with respect to overall as well as leukemia-free survival, in particular within the lower-risk categories. In contrast to the IPSS, both histologic parameters also were predictive of outcome within the group of intensively treated MDS patients. Conclusion: Our data confirm the importance of histopathologic evaluation in MDS and indicate that determining the presence of ALIP and an increase in CD34 immunostaining in addition to the IPSS score could lead to an improved prognostic subcategorization of MDS patients.
Prognostic Value of Thymidylate Synthase, Ki-67, and p53 in Patients With Dukes’ B and C Colon Cancer: A National Cancer Institute–National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project Collaborative Study
Authors: Allegra Carmen J. , Paik Soon , Colangelo Linda H. , Parr Allyson L. , Kirsch Ilan , Kim George , Klein Pamela , Johnston Patrick G. , Wolmark Norman , Wieand H. Samuel 
Published: January 2003

Purpose: To define the value of thymidylate synthase (TS), Ki-67, and p53 as prognostic markers in patients with stage II and III colon carcinoma. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the prognostic value of TS, Ki-67, and p53 in 706 patients with Dukes’ B (291 patients) or Dukes’ C (415 patients) colon carcinoma who were treated with either surgery alone (275 patients) or surgery plus fluorouracil (FU)-leucovorin chemotherapy (431 patients) in National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) protocols C01-C04. All three markers were assayed using immunohistochemical techniques. Results: Using 5 years of follow-up data, our retrospective analysis demonstrated an association between TS intensity (relapse-free survival [RFS]: risk ratio [RR] = 1.46, P = .01; overall survival [OS]: RR = 1.54, P = .002), Ki-67 (RFS: RR = 0.76, P = .05; OS: RR = 0.62, P = .001), and p53 (RFS: RR = 1.49, P = .01; OS: RR = 1.21, P = .18) for RFS and OS. High TS intensity levels and positive p53 staining were associated with a worse outcome. Tumors containing a high percentage of Ki-67-positive cells enjoyed an improved outcome compared with those patients whose tumors contained relatively few positive cells. An interaction with treatment was not identified for any of the markers. Conclusion: This retrospective investigation demonstrated that TS, Ki-67, and p53 staining each had significant prognostic value for patients with Dukes’ B and C colon carcinoma. However, none of the markers could be used to clearly discern groups of individuals who would be predicted to derive greater or lesser benefit from the use of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Combination of Raltitrexed and Oxaliplatin Is an Active Regimen in Malignant Mesothelioma: Results of a Phase II Study
Authors: Fizazi K. , Doubre H. , Le Chevalier T. , Riviere A. , Viala J. , Daniel C. , Robert L. , Barthélemy P. , Fandi A. , Ruffié P. 
Published: January 2003

Purpose: The aim of this open-label phase II study was to evaluate the activity of raltitrexed (Tomudex; AstraZeneca, Cergy, France) and oxaliplatin combination therapy in patients with diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma. Patients and Methods: Fifteen pretreated and 55 chemotherapy-naive patients (median age, 60 years; World Health Organization performance status of ≤ 2) were enrolled. Most patients (66%) had advanced disease. Patients received raltitrexed 3 mg/m2 followed by oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. Results: Twenty-four patients (34%) were classified as having a poor prognosis. In the overall study population, 14 patients (20%) had a partial response, and 32 patients (46%) had stable disease. The symptomatic response rates were as follows: shortness of breath, 36%; pain, 30%; activity, 23%; appetite, 21%; and asthenia, 20%. Median time to disease progression was 18 weeks (95% confidence interval [CI], 13 to 22 weeks). In chemotherapy-naive patients, median survival was 31 weeks (95% CI, 23 to 40 weeks) from the start of treatment and 49 weeks (95% CI, 40 to 52 weeks) from diagnosis of mesothelioma. In pretreated patients, median survival was 44 weeks (95% CI, 24 to 40 weeks) from the start of treatment and 226 weeks (95% CI, 63 to 292 weeks) from the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Overall 1-year survival was 26% (95% CI, 15.5% to 36.4%), survival was 22% (95% CI, 10.9% to 33.2%) in chemotherapy-naive patients and 40% (95% CI, 15.2% to 64.8%) in pretreated patients. Hematologic toxicity was mild, and there was no alopecia. The most common adverse events were asthenia, nausea/vomiting, and paraesthesia, and no treatment-related deaths were reported. Conclusion: The raltitrexed and oxaliplatin combination is an active outpatient regimen in malignant mesothelioma and has an acceptable tolerability profile.
Cantuzumab Mertansine, a Maytansinoid Immunoconjugate Directed to the CanAg Antigen: A Phase I, Pharmacokinetic, and Biologic Correlative Study
Authors: Tolcher Anthony W. , Ochoa Leonel , Hammond Lisa A. , Patnaik Amita , Edwards Tam , Takimoto Chris , Smith Lon , de Bono Johann , Schwartz Garry , Mays Theresa , Jonak Zdenka L. , Johnson Randall , DeWitte Mark , Martino Helen , Audette Charlene , Maes Kate , Chari Ravi V.J. , Lambert John M. , Rowinsky Eric K. 
Published: January 2003

Purpose: To determine the maximum tolerated dose and pharmacokinetics of cantuzumab mertansine, an immunoconjugate of the potent maytansine derivative (DM1) and the humanized monoclonal antibody (huC242) directed to CanAg, intravenously (IV) once every 3 weeks and to seek evidence of antitumor activity. Patients and Methods: Patients with CanAg-expressing solid malignancies were treated with escalating doses of cantuzumab mertansine administered IV every 3 weeks. The pharmacokinetic parameters of cantuzumab mertansine, the presence of plasma-shed CanAg, and the development of both human antihuman and human anti-DM1 conjugate antibodies also were characterized. Results: Thirty-seven patients received 110 courses of cantuzumab mertansine at doses ranging from 22 to 295 mg/m2. Acute, transient, and reversible elevations of hepatic transaminases were the principal toxic effects. Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and diarrhea were common but rarely severe at the highest dose levels. Dose, peak concentration, and area under the concentration–time curve correlated with the severity of transaminase elevation. The mean (± SD) clearance and terminal elimination half-life values for cantuzumab mertansine averaged 39.5 (±13.1) mL/h/m2 and 41.1 (±16.1) hours, respectively. Strong expression (3+) of CanAg was documented in 68% of patients. Two patients with chemotherapy-refractory colorectal carcinoma had minor regressions, and four patients had persistently stable disease for more than six courses. Conclusion: The recommended dose for cantuzumab mertansine is 235 mg/m2 IV every 3 weeks. The absence of severe hematologic toxic effects, preliminary evidence of cantuzumab mertansine tumor localization, and encouraging biologic activity in chemotherapy-refractory patients warrant further broad clinical development of this immunoconjugate in CanAg-expressing tumors.