bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A pilot study of rituximab in patients with recurrent, classic Hodgkin disease
Authors: Younes Anas , Romaguera Jorge , Hagemeister Frederick , McLaughlin Peter , Rodriguez Maria Alma , Fiumara Paolo , Goy Andre , Jeha Sima , Manning John T. , Jones Dan , Abruzzo Lynne V. , Medeiros L. Jeffrey 
Published: July 2003

AbstractBACKGROUNDTo explore the potential role of infiltrating benign B cells in classic Hodgkin disease (HD) lesions in supporting the survival of malignant Hodgkin and Reed–Sternberg (H/RS) cells, the authors initiated a pilot study of rituximab. Rituximab is used to primarily deplete normal B cells from HD lesions.METHODSPatients with recurrent, classic HD who had received a minimum of two prior treatment regimens, regardless of whether H/RS cells expressed CD20, were treated with 6 weekly doses of 375 mg/m2 rituximab to selectively deplete infiltrating benign B cells. Objective tumor response was determined 3 weeks after completion of the last dose of rituximab and every 3 months thereafter. Serum samples were collected from patients before they started rituximab therapy and 3 weeks after the final course of rituximab. Serum cytokine levels of interleukin 6 (IL‐6), IL‐10, IL‐12, IL‐13, and interferon γ were determined using commercially available enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits.RESULTSTwenty‐two patients with nodular sclerosis histology were evaluable for treatment response. Five patients (22%) achieved partial or complete remission that lasted for a median of 7.8 months (range, 3.3–14.9 months). Remissions were observed in patients only at lymph node and splenic sites, but not at extranodal sites, and were irrespective of CD20 expression by H/RS cells. Furthermore, systemic (B) symptoms resolved in six of seven patients after therapy. In two patients, partial remissions were associated with a decline in serum IL‐6 levels.CONCLUSIONSThe current data suggest that rituximab therapy in patients with recurrent, classic HD can alter serum IL‐6 cytokine levels, can improve B symptoms, and may result in clinical remissions. Cancer 2003;98:310–4. © 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11511
High‐dose ifosfamide with mesna and granuloctye–colony‐stimulating factor (recombinant human G‐CSF) in patients with unresectable malignant mesothelioma
Authors: Talbot Susan M. , Rankin Cathryn , Taub Robert N. , Balcerzak Stanley P. , Bhoopalam Nirmala , Chapman Robert A. , Baker Laurence H. , Middleman Edward L. , Antman Karen H. 
Published: July 2003

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe current study was conducted to assess the activity and toxicity of high‐dose ifosfamide and mesna with recombinant human granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (rhG‐CSF), given in an outpatient setting, in the treatment of patients with unresectable malignant mesothelioma.METHODSBetween September 1994 and September 1996, 41 patients with histologically verified, unresectable malignant mesothelioma were registered, 38 of whom were analyzable (2 were ineligible and 1 was nonanalyzable). Patients received intravenous ifosfamide at a dose of 2.8 g/m2 over 3 hours (total dose of 14 g/m2), plus mesna at a dose of 0.56 g/m2 prior to and at 4 hours and 8 hours after ifosfamide infusion daily for 5 days every 21 days. rhG‐CSF at a dose of 5 μg/kg/day was administered subcutaneously on days 6–15.RESULTSResponse assessment could be determined adequately in 21 patients. Two patients obtained responses; 1 was a confirmed partial response (3%; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0–14%) and 1 was an unconfirmed response (3%; 95% CI, 5–14%). Eleven patients had stable disease (29%), 7 patients developed disease progression (18%), 1 patient had an early death (3%), and 17 patients had inadequate assessment (45%). At the time of last follow‐up, 36 of the 38 eligible patients had developed disease progression, with a median progression‐free survival of 5 months (95% CI, 3–7 months) and 34 patients had died with a median survival of 7 months (95% CI, 6–9 months). Twenty‐four patients (63%) and 7 patients (18%), respectively, had Grade (according to Southwestern Oncology Group Toxicity Criteria) 4 hematologic toxicities and Grade 4 nonhematological toxicities. There was one treatment‐related death, the result of infection, pulmonary edema, and renal failure.CONCLUSIONSThis regimen demonstrated a low overall objective response rate with substantial toxicity, and in the opinion of the authors does not warrant further investigation in the treatment of patients with unresectable malignant mesothelioma. Cancer 2003;98:331–6. © 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11512
Symptoms and signs of primary melanoma
Authors: Negin Benjamin P. , Riedel Elyn , Oliveria Susan A. , Berwick Marianne , Coit Daniel G. , Brady Mary S. 
Published: July 2003

AbstractBACKGROUNDOperative management of patients with cutaneous melanoma is guided primarily by the pathologic determination of Breslow depth. Differentiating early from more advanced melanoma is not always straightforward and may be complicated by pathologic misdiagnosis, inappropriate biopsy techniques, or poor specimen handling. Inconsistencies between the patient's history and the pathologist's interpretation may alert the physician to the possibility of misdiagnosis. In this setting, awareness of the signs and symptoms (S/S) of thin versus intermediate or deep melanoma may be helpful in guiding management. The authors performed a prospective evaluation of the S/S reported by patients who presented at Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center with invasive primary melanoma.METHODSThe authors prospectively evaluated 369 patients with a detailed questionnaire regarding their S/S at the time of their initial visit. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to study the association between S/S reported by the patient and Breslow depth of the primary lesion, adjusting for gender, age, and anatomic site. Patients were grouped by the Breslow depth of their primary tumors into three categories for analysis: those with thin (≤ 1.0 mm), intermediate (1.0–4.0 mm), and thick (≥ 4.0 mm) lesions.RESULTSGender, age, and primary site were not significantly predictive of increasing category of Breslow depth. Most patients reported at least one S/S (n= 278 [75%]). The most common S/S reported was an increase in size (n= 187 [51%]), followed by a change in color (n= 147 [40%]). Bleeding (n= 95 [26%]), lump (n= 86 [23%]), itching (n= 83 [22%]), skin breakdown (n= 66 [18%]), and pain (n= 24 [7%]) were less common. In a multivariate analysis, the S/S most strongly associated with an increased category of Breslow depth was bleeding (odds ratio [OR] 7.5), followed by pain (OR 3.3), lump (OR 2.2), itching (OR 1.9), and change in size (OR 1.7). The only S/Ss not independently associated with an increasing category of Breslow depth were a change in color and skin breakdown. The presence of one or more S/S was associated significantly with an increased category of Breslow depth of the primary melanoma (1 or 2 S/S vs. no S/S: OR, 4; ≥ 3 S/S vs. no S/S: OR, 24).CONCLUSIONMost S/Ss of cutaneous melanoma are associated with an increasing risk of a deep primary lesion. Understanding this relationship can be valuable in patient management, especially when pathologic data are incomplete or inconsistent with the patient's history. Cancer 2003;98:344–8. © 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11513
Targeted filgrastim support in patients with early‐stage breast carcinoma
Authors: Rivera Edgardo , Erder M. Haim , Moore Timothy D. , Shiftan Thomas L. , Knight Chris A. , Fridman Moshe , Brannan Carol , Danel‐Moore Laurence , Hortobagyi Gabriel N. ,   for the Risk Model Study Group
Published: July 2003

AbstractBACKGROUNDSevere neutropenia, a common consequence of chemotherapy, may result in infectious complications and hospitalizations. Preventive treatment with colony‐stimulating factors is limited because of the inability to predict which patients will develop neutropenic complications. To the authors' knowledge, the current study is the first large prospective validation of a risk model in patients with early‐stage breast carcinoma.METHODSPatients with Stage I–III breast carcinoma who were receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 624) were assigned to risk groups based on first‐cycle absolute neutrophil count (ANC) nadirs of < 0.5 × 109/L. Filgrastim (a recombinant human granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor) was administered from Cycle 2 onward to high‐risk patients. Dose intensity and rates of neutropenic complications, including febrile neutropenia and hospitalization resulting from it, were calculated for each group and compared. High‐risk patients were matched by chemotherapy regimen, stage of disease, age, and baseline ANC to historic‐control patients and outcomes were compared within the matched pairs.RESULTSBoth risk groups were found to have a similar proportion of patients receiving > 85% of the dose intensity (95.8% vs. 94.4%). The rate of febrile neutropenia and hospitalization in the low‐risk group (n = 264) was 2.6% (95% confidence interval [95% CI[], 0.7–4.5%) and 0.8 (95% CI, ‐0.3–1.9%), respectively. The high‐risk group was 2.6 times more likely to receive a full dose of chemotherapy, but no higher risk of neutropenic complications was reported compared with the matched controls.CONCLUSIONSThe risk‐related prophylactic administration of filgrastim facilitated the delivery of planned chemotherapy to the high‐risk group of patients. However, further research is needed to confirm the results obtained in the current study in a randomized trial, if feasible, and in other chemotherapy and disease settings. Cancer 2003;98:222–8. © 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11516
High‐dose 131I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine therapy for 12 patients with malignant pheochromocytoma
Authors: Rose Brian , Matthay Katherine K. , Price David , Huberty John , Klencke Barbara , Norton Jeffrey A. , Fitzgerald Paul A. 
Published: July 2003

AbstractBACKGROUND131I‐Metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I‐MIBG) can be used systemically to treat malignant pheochromocytoma. To improve outcome, the authors used higher levels of activity of 131I‐MIBG than previously reported. The authors reported the response rates and toxicity levels in patients with malignant pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma who were treated with high‐dose 131I‐MIBG.METHODSFollowing debulking surgery and stem cell harvest, 12 patients with malignant pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma were treated with 131I‐MIBG. Five had received previous external beam radiation and/or chemotherapy. The median single treatment dose was 800 mCi (37 gigabecquerels; range, 386–866 mCi) or 11.5 mCi/kg (range, 5.6–18.3 mCi/kg). The median cumulative dose was 1015 mCi (range, 386–1690 mCi).RESULTSThree patients had a complete response, two of whom had soft tissue and skeletal metastases. Their median follow‐up was 45 months (range, 23–101 months). Seven patients had a partial response (PR), with a median follow‐up 43 months (range, 6–47 months). Two patients without a response died with progressive disease (PD) and 2 patients with an initial PR died of PD at 13 and 11 months, respectively. Grade 3 thrombocytopenia occurred after 79% (15 of 19) of treatments had been administered. Grade 3 and 4 neutropenia followed 53% (10 of 19) and 19% (4 of 19) of treatments, respectively. One patient required stem cell infusion, and one developed primary ovarian failure.CONCLUSIONSThe single and cumulative doses of 131I‐MIBG were approximately 2–3.5 times higher than those used at other centers. Unlike previous reports, two patients with both skeletal and soft tissue metastases had a complete response. Hematologic toxicity was significant but tolerable. High‐dose 131I‐MIBG may lead to long‐term survival in patients with malignant pheochromocytoma. Cancer 2003;98:239–48. © 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11518
18‐Fluoro‐2‐deoxyglucose positron emission tomography in detecting residual/recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinomas and comparison with magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Yen Ruoh‐Fang , Hung Rey‐Long , Pan Mei‐Hsiu , Wang Yao‐Hung , Huang Kou‐Mou , Lui Louis T. , Kao Chia‐Hung 
Published: July 2003

AbstractBACKGROUNDIt is known that 18‐fluoro‐2‐deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) is effective in the early detection of residual/recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC). To compare FDG‐PET with the conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of residual/recurrent NPC, the authors studied 67 follow‐up cases of patients with NPC using both FDG‐PET and MRI.METHODSFrom February 1997 to February 2001, 67 NPC patients (14 women, 53 men; age range, 16–67 years; mean age, 46.6 ± 12.5 years) were recruited. Both FDG‐PET and MRI of the head and neck area for each patient were performed at least 4 months (duration range, 4–70 months; mean, 14 ± 13.5 months) after radiotherapy or radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy. The final diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy or clinical follow‐up for at least 6 months.RESULTSThe sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of FDG‐PET images were 100%, 93.4%, 95.5%, 87.5%, and 100%, respectively. In contrast, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV of the MRI scans were 61.9%, 43.5%, 49.3%, 33.3%, and 70.0%, respectively.CONCLUSIONSThe results of the current study suggest that FDG‐PET is much more effective than MRI in detecting residual/recurrent NPC. Cancer 2003;98:283–7. © 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11519
Neuroblastoma in adolescents
Authors: Gaspar Nathalie , Hartmann Olivier , Munzer Caroline , Bergeron Christophe , Millot Frédéric , Cousin‐Lafay Lucie , Babin‐Boilletot Annie , Blouin Pascale , Pajot Christine , Coze Carole 
Published: July 2003

AbstractBACKGROUNDLess than 5% of neuroblastomas are diagnosed in adolescent patients. Previous studies of patients who were treated with less intensive chemotherapy regimens relative to currently available regimens suggested that adolescents survived longer than younger children, and this finding was related to a lack of myc‐N amplification. Those reports prompted the authors to study a cohort of adolescent patients who had been included in more recent trials.METHODSThe authors investigated the presentation, treatment, and outcome in 28 adolescent patients who were enrolled in studies of the French Society of Pediatric Oncology during the period from 1987 to 1999 and who were older than age 10 years at the time they were diagnosed with neuroblastoma. The results were used to compare this subpopulation with a control group of children.RESULTSNone of the six patients with Stage I–II disease either developed recurrent disease or died. At 5 years, disease progression was high (progression‐free survival [PFS], 28%) for the 9 adolescents with Stage III disease, but so was survival (overall survival [OS], 86%). The 13 adolescent patients with metastatic neuroblastoma had very poor outcomes (PFS, 18%; OS, 27%). Despite intensive therapy, advanced neuroblastoma appeared to carry a poorer prognosis in adolescent patients compared with children, although patients with Stage III disease had a more indolent course. No difference was found between adolescent patients and children regarding the clinical presentation, treatment schedule, or doses and tolerance of chemotherapy. The incidence of elevated urinary catecholamine metabolite secretion was lower in adolescents compared with children.CONCLUSIONSAdolescent patients with advanced neuroblastoma had less favorable outcomes compared with children, even if survival in adolescents with Stage III disease seemed longer. Cancer 2003;98:349–55. © 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11521
Brain metastasis from prostate carcinoma
Authors: Tremont‐Lukats Ivo W. , Bobustuc George , Lagos George K. , Lolas Konstantinos , Kyritsis Athanassios P. , Puduvalli Vinay K. 
Published: July 2003

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe objective of this study was to estimate the incidence and describe distribution, clinical presentation, and prognosis of brain metastases in patients with prostrate carcinoma who were seen at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC).METHODSThe authors reviewed the charts of 16,280 patients with prostate carcinoma in the MDACC patient data base. Of 131 patients with craniospinal metastases confirmed by neuroimaging (n = 53 patients) or autopsy (n = 78 patients), 103 of 16,280 patients (0.63%) had parenchymal metastases.RESULTSThe median patient age at diagnosis was 64 years (range, 16–85 years). The median interval from the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma to the detection of brain metastasis was 35 months for patients with adenocarcinoma and 48 months for patients with small cell carcinoma (SCC). Confusion, headache, and memory deficits were the most frequent initial symptoms. Eighty‐six percent of patients had single lesions, and 14% of patients had ≥ 2 lesions. Metastases were supratentorial in 81 of 103 patients (76%), infratentorial in 22 of 103 patients (21%), and both supratentorial and infratentorial in 3 of 103 patients (3%). SCC and cribriform subtypes were more likely than adenocarcinoma to metastasize to the brain (relative risk, 20.36; 95% confidence interval, 9.91–41.84). Regardless of histology, the median survival in untreated patients was 1 month compared with 3.5 months in patients who were treated with radiotherapy. Patients who underwent stereotactic radiosurgery (n = 5 patients) had a longer median survival (9 months). Survival was not affected by supratentorial or infratentorial location of metastases.CONCLUSIONSBrain metastasis from prostate carcinoma is a rare, terminal event with death in < 1 year frequently due to advanced, systemic disease. The majority of metastases were single and supratentorial. The most common clinical presentation was nonfocal neurologic symptoms related to intracranial hypertension. A better understanding of the biology of prostate carcinoma will help clarify the basis for its metastasis to the brain. Cancer 2003;98:363–8. © 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11522
Improved radiation protection of the thyroid gland with thyroxine, methimazole, and potassium iodide during diagnostic and therapeutic use of radiolabeled metaiodobenzylguanidine in children with neuroblastoma
Authors: van Santen Hanneke M. , de Kraker Jan , van Eck Berthe L. F. , de Vijlder Jan J. M. , Vulsma Thomas 
Published: July 2003

AbstractBACKGROUNDDuring radiolabeled metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) administration in children with neuroblastoma, the thyroid is protected from 123/131I uptake by potassium iodide. Despite this protection, up to 64% of patients develop thyroid dysfunction. The authors introduce a new method of radiation protection for the thyroid gland.METHODSIn a prospective cohort study, 34 children with neuroblastoma who received MIBG were given thyroxine, methimazole, and potassium iodide for protection of the thyroid gland. Protection started 1 day before the start of diagnostic 123I‐MIBG and was continued until 4 weeks after the last therapeutic 131I‐MIBG dose. Follow‐up measurements were performed every 3 months after the protection was stopped. Visualization of the thyroid on MIBG images was reviewed by three nuclear medicine physicians. Results were compared with a historic control group of children who had received potassium iodide for thyroid protection during MIBG administration.RESULTSAfter a mean follow‐up of 19 months, there were 23 evaluable patients. Thyroid function was normal in 86% of survivors compared with 44% of children in the historic control group (P = 0.011; Pearson chi‐square test). Scintigraphic visualization of the thyroid diminished substantially after the new protection (21.5% vs. 5.3%, respectively; P = 0.000).CONCLUSIONSThe results of the current study indicate that compared with potassium iodide alone, combined thyroxine, methimazole, and potassium iodide protect the thyroid more effectively against radiation damage from 123/131I during diagnostic and therapeutic MIBG administration in children with neuroblastoma. Cancer 2003;98:389–96. © 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11523
Numerical representation of the quality measures of triangles and triangular meshes
Authors: Sarrate J. , Palau J. , Huerta A. 
Published: July 2003

AbstractIn this note a new procedure to represent the quality measure for triangles is proposed. The triangles are identified by their three angles and are represented in a bounded domain, called angle representation region, according to the area co‐ordinates, which are common and well known by finite element users. The developed representation can also be used in order to visualize the characteristics of any quality measure. This new procedure is extended to graphically represent triangular meshes in the angle representation region. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interpolation requirements for implicit gradient‐enhanced continuum damage models
Authors: Simone A. , Askes H. , Peerlings R. H. J. , Sluys L. J. 
Published: July 2003

AbstractSome properties of a gradient‐enhanced continuum damage model were discussed by means of a numerical and theoretical study. In particular, it is demonstrated that the discretization of this model does not belong to the class of mixed finite element formulations (although the model has the format of a general coupled problem). Hence, the Babuška–Brezzi condition does not apply to this type of models. Consequently, the use of linear interpolation functions for displacements as well for non‐local equivalent strains yields excellent performance in terms of rate of convergence and of convergence of the numerical procedure. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Error estimates in 2‐node shear‐flexible beam elements
Authors: Singh Gajbir , Venkateswara Rao G. 
Published: July 2003

AbstractThe objective of the paper is to report the investigation of error estimates/or convergence characteristics of shear‐flexible beam elements. The order and magnitude of principal discretization error in the usage of various types beam elements such as: (a) 2‐node standard isoparametric element, (b) 2‐node field‐consistent/reduced integration element and (c) 2‐node coupled‐displacement field element, is assessed herein. The method employs classical order of error analyses that is commonly used to evaluate the discretization error of finite difference methods. The finite element equilibrium equations at any node are expressed in terms of differential equations through the use of Taylor series. These differential equations are compared with the governing equations and error terms are identified. It is shown that the discretization error in coupled‐field elements is the least compared to the field‐consistent and standard finite elements (based on exact integration). Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Homogenization technique for transient heat transfer in unidirectional composites
Authors: Kamiński Marcin 
Published: July 2003

AbstractThe article presented is devoted to the homogenization of transient heat transfer problems in unidirectional composites. Mathematical model is based on the effective modules method applied to unidirectional periodic composites—the effective heat conductivity is calculated in the closed form; the effective volumetric heat capacity for the entire composite is obtained by simple spatial averaging. Such a homogenization scheme makes it possible to significantly simplify numerical analysis of transient heat phenomena in various types of unidirectional composites with complicated microgeometry. The comparison of transient heat transfer problem for the composite in real and homogenized configuration is carried out using a specially adopted finite element method computer program. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.