Cancer-related inflammation as predicting tool for treatment outcome in locally advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths and the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents 80% of all cases. In most cases when diagnosed, it is in locally advanced or metastatic stage, when platinum based doublet chemotherapy is the established therapeutic option for majority of the patients. Predictive factors to filter the patients who will benefit the most from the chemotherapy are not clearly defined.

[CANCER PATIENTS FOLLOW-UP – CROATIAN SOCIETY FOR MEDICAL ONCOLOGY CLINICAL GUIDELINES Part V: melanoma, sarcomas, central nerve system tumors, lung cancer].

Treatment of oncological patients must be based upon multidisciplinary approach, and takes place in specialized oncological centers. By the end of a specific oncological treatment further follow-up is being managed mostly by the oncologists, but the role of the general practitioners becomes more important every day and therefore should be precisely defined. Nowadays, most of the existing follow-up guidelines are not being based on prospective studies, yet on the expert’s opinion of a precise oncological center or specialists.

Talc pleurodesis improves survival of patients with malignant pleural effusions: case-control study.

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate whether there was a considerable difference in the survival of patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) depending on the pleural effusion treatment option.

Methods: One hundred and seven patients with proven MPE (metastatic lung and breast cancer) were included in the retrospective study. Fifty six patients were treated with talc pleurodesis and a control group of 51 patients with similar characteristics (in age, sex and disease) were treated with serial thoracentesis.

Waist circumference does not correlate with functional lung capacity in moderate and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Waist circumference is a good predictor of the risk of heart diseases, but data on the relationship between waist circumference and pulmonary diseases are sparse. The aim of this study was to investigate its influence on pulmonary function regarding exercise capacity in moderate and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to Global Initiative for Lung Diseases (GOLD) stages. During 2009, a total of 70 COPD patients aged 33 to 80 years were stratified into GOLD 2 and GOLD 3 stages.

Quality of life in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer given maintenance treatment with pemetrexed versus placebo (H3E-MC-JMEN): results from a randomised, double-blind, phase 3 study.

Background: Pemetrexed maintenance therapy significantly improved overall survival and progression-free survival compared with placebo, and had a good safety profile in a phase 3 placebo-controlled study in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Results for quality of life, symptom palliation, and tolerability are presented here.

Methods: After four cycles of platinum-based induction therapy, 663 patients with stage IIIB or stage IV NSCLC and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1 were randomly assigned (in a 2:1 ratio) from March 15, 2005, to July 20, 2007, using the Pocock and Simon minimisation method to receive pemetrexed (500 mg/m(2) every 21 days; n=441) or placebo (n=222) plus best supportive care until disease progression.

Maintenance pemetrexed plus best supportive care versus placebo plus best supportive care for non-small-cell lung cancer: a randomised, double-blind, phase 3 study.

Background: Several studies have shown the efficacy, tolerability, and ease of administration of pemetrexed-an antifolate antineoplastic agent-in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. We assessed pemetrexed as maintenance therapy in patients with this disease.

Methods: This randomised double-blind study was undertaken in 83 centres in 20 countries.

[Thyroid transcription factor-1 in pulmonary cytology].

Unlabelled: Currently it is necessary to define in almost each case whether a carcinoma is a small or non-small cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, pulmonary or metastatic in origin. Thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) was positive in more than 80% of primary pulmonary adenocarcinomas and in none from the sites other than the thyroid. Mucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinomas are usually negative.

Effects of inbreeding, endogamy, genetic admixture, and outbreeding on human health: a (1001 Dalmatians) study.

Aim: (1001 Dalmatians) research program collects biomedical information from multiple small isolated populations ((metapopulation)) on Adriatic islands, Croatia, and investigates health effects of human population isolation, inbreeding, admixture, and outbreeding.

Methods: We collected random samples of 100 individuals from 9 island settlements and an additional sample of 101 immigrants to the islands, pooled from all study populations. According to their personal genetic histories, the examinees were categorized as inbred, autochthonous, admixed, and outbred.

Cisplatin and gemcitabine first-line chemotherapy followed by maintenance gemcitabine or best supportive care in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a phase III trial.

Purpose: The primary objective of this randomized phase III study was to show significant difference in median time to progression (TTP) in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with single-agent gemcitabine maintenance therapy versus best supportive care following gemcitabine plus cisplatin initial first-line therapy.

Patients And Methods: Chemonaive patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC received gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m(2) (days 1 and 8) plus cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) (day 1) every 21 days. Patients achieving objective response or disease stabilization following initial gemcitabine plus cisplatin therapy were randomized (2:1 fashion) to receive maintenance gemcitabine (1,250 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 every 21 days) plus best supportive care (GEM arm), or best supportive care only (BSC arm).

Gemcitabine in the first and second-line chemotherapy of advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Aim of this study was to estimate efficacy of gemcitabine in first and the second-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (stage III and IV). In first-line chemotherapy, 120 patients were treated with different chemotherapy regimens. Fifty-nine patients were treated with gemcitabine / cisplatin (PG), 41 with cisplatin / etoposide (PE) and 20 with mitomycin / ifosfamide / cisplatin (MIC).