The risk of toxicities from trastuzumab, alone or in combination, in an elderly breast cancer population.

Background: Breast cancer in the elderly is associated with high recurrence and death rates, due mostly to undertreatment. Human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) overexpression is infrequent in older patients. Trastuzumab-based chemotherapy is often withheld from elderly patients because of its cardiotoxicity.

Emerging targeted therapies for castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Until recently, few therapeutic options were available for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Since 2010, four new molecules with a demonstrated benefit (sipuleucel-T, cabazitaxel, abiraterone, and denosumab) have been approved in this setting, and to-date several other agents are under investigation in clinical trials. The purpose of this review is to present an update of targeted therapies for CRPC.

Activity of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in combination with gemcitabine in triple negative breast cancer with skin involvement: two case reports.

Breast carcinoma (BC) is a heterogeneous disease in terms of histology, therapeutic response, dissemination patterns to distant sites and patient outcomes. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), defined by the lack of protein expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors and the absence of HER2 protein overexpression (ER-/PR-/HER2-) has significant clinical implications due to their poor prognosis and the lack of targeted agents. Skin involvement is one of the most distressing presentations of locally recurrent breast cancer and few studies have identified effective agents in this setting.

Hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) in node-negative invasive breast carcinomas: Immunohistochemical analysis and clinico-pathological correlations.

Using immunohistochemistry, we investigated 603 negative lymph nodes from 51 patients affected by invasive breast cancer (BC) to recognize bone marrow-derived hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs). HPC aggregates, revealed by CD34, CD133, VEGFR1, and CD117 antisera, were determined by an intensity-distribution score (ID). Cases with an ID-score >3 at least for one marker were considered to strongly express HPCs.

Gefitinib in lung cancer therapy: clinical results, predictive markers of response and future perspectives.

Over the past few years, epidermal growth factor receptor has emerged as one of the most important targets in tumorgenesis and several drugs targeting signal transduction pathways have been developed. The first among these agents to be approved for the treatment of NSCLC was gefitinib, a potent, selective and reversible inhibitor of HER1/EGFR tyrosine kinase activity. The review summarizes its clinical development and the new therapeutic options, with particular focus on predictive markers of susceptibility to this drug.

Protective effect of leuprolide on ovarian function in young women treated with adjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer: a multicenter phase II study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of concomitant leuprolide treatment on ovarian function in young women undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer. 19 women, median age 36.5 years (range 26-40 years), with operable breast cancer and negative hormonal receptors, received six cycles of FEC 100 regimen as adjuvant chemotherapy and co-treatment with leuprolide.

Oral vinorelbine as first line chemotherapy in unfit elderly patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

Hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) is a rapidly progressive disease which produces considerable morbidity and involves mostly men over 70, often comorbid and with poor tolerance to chemotherapy. Low-toxicity chemotherapy is a reasonable option in this setting. Vinorelbine and a corticosteroid show activity and clinical benefit responses in HRPC.

Current knowledge and future directions on bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in cancer patients.

Background: Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a severe adverse event of long-term use of bisphosphonates that heavily affects the quality of life of cancer patients.

Objective: To review epidemiologic data, pathobiology, risk factors, diagnosis and management of BRONJ.

Methods: Articles were identified by searching the PubMed and MEDLINE databases and recent meetings abstracts.

Overview and new strategies in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) for treatment of tamoxifen-resistant patients.

The treatment with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) and fulvestrant has been demonstrated to be active in a proportion of tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer patients, obtaining, in some cases, a long-term control of tumor growth. Results from clinical trials indicate that treatment with fulvestrant might either precede or follow AIs. However, the AIs are now replacing tamoxifen as first-line advanced and adjuvant therapies, and thus, other options following tamoxifen failure are required.

Mitomycin C plus capecitabine (mixe) in anthracycline- and taxane-pretreated metastatic breast cancer. A multicenter phase II study.

Background: Capecitabine is considered the treatment of choice for anthracycline- and taxane-pretreated metastatic breast cancer. Mitomycin C seems to improve the activity of capecitabine by up-regulation of thymidine phosphorylase.

Patients And Methods: Fifty-five women with metastatic breast cancer previously treated with anthracyclinetaxane were treated with mitomycin C 10 mg/m2 on day 1 every six weeks and capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 on days 2-15 every three weeks.

Mitomycin C and capecitabine combination (MiXe) in heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer patients. A dose-finding study.

Background: No standard chemotherapy has been defined for metastatic breast cancer patients pretreated with anthracyclines and taxanes. In preclinical studies, mitomycin C (MMC) and capecitabine showed a synergistic effect by up-regulation of thymidine phosphorylase, and both drugs were active against breast cancer with a lack of overlapping toxicity, making their combination a well-tolerated regimen.

Patients And Methods: A dose-finding study was carried out in order to determine the maximum tolerable dose of MMC combined with fixed-dose capecitabine and to describe the dose-limiting toxicities.

A modified weekly docetaxel schedule as first-line chemotherapy in elderly metastatic breast cancer: a safety study.

Standard dose docetaxel is burdened by severe toxicity. Weekly schedules have been shown to be active as standard scheme with reduced side effects. In 20-30% of elderly patients (pts) the classic 6-week schedule induces grade 3/4 fatigue and other cumulative toxicities.

Is weekly docetaxel an active and gentle chemotherapy in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer?

Background: Docetaxel is a very active drug against breast cancer, but at the standard dose causes severe myelosuppression. In order to reduce the toxicity while maintaining the activity, weekly docetaxel administration was tested.

Patients And Methods: We enrolled 30 patients with metastatic breast cancer, who had been treated with intravenous infusion of weekly docetaxel 35 mg/m2 in 100 ml of normal saline over 30 minutes for six weeks, followed by two weeks' rest from docetaxel therapy (one cycle).

Venous damage prevention by defibrotide in vinorelbine-treated patients.

Goals: The aim of our study was to evaluate the incidence of venous toxicity induced by vinorelbine administration in patients who received a preventive therapy with defibrotide.

Patients And Methods: From July 1996 to July 2002 we treated 203 patients with vinorelbine, 51 with vinorelbine alone and 152 with vinorelbine in combination with other drugs via peripheral vein infusion. Of the 203 patients, 123 were male and 80 female with a median age of 67 years (range 18 to 82 years), and 118 were chemotherapy-naive.

Oxaliplatin and raltitrexed in the treatment of inoperable malignant pleural mesothelioma: results of a pilot study.

Aims And Background: The treatment of inoperable malignant pleural mesothelioma is a challenge for the oncologist. Available chemotherapy regimens achieve poor results, therefore new agents or combinations are needed. In a phase I study, the combination of oxaliplatin and raltitrexed was shown to be active against malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Influence of 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid on interleukin-18 production in colorectal cancer patients.

Aims And Background: This study was carried out to evaluate the IL-18 blood concentrations of operated colorectal cancer patients and their possible variation in response to combination chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid.

Methods: IL-18 levels were assayed in sera of 18 healthy donors and 18 surgical colorectal cancer patients before and after adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid. An ELISA kit for human IL-18 was used for the assay.

Ipsilateral supraclavicular lymph nodes metastases from breast cancer as only site of disseminated disease. Chemotherapy alone vs. induction chemotherapy to radical radiation therapy.

Background: To define the role of radiotherapy (RT) in the treatment of ipsilateral supraclavicular lymph-nodes metastases (ISLM) from breast cancer as only site of disseminated disease, we started a prospective non-randomized clinical trial in 1989. Here we report the final results with a median follow-up of 8.75 years.

Cisapride and dexamethasone in the prevention of delayed emesis after cisplatin administration.

Management of delayed emesis (DE) remains unsatisfactory, and only 50% of the patients achieve complete protection. Cisapride is a strong prokinetic gastrointestinal drug that could have a role in the prevention of DE. We enrolled 31 adult naive outpatients who were scheduled to receive cisplatin chemotherapy at doses of > or = 75 mg/m2.

[Malignant lymphoma. Epidemiologic review of 150 cases].

In the present paper the incidence of lymphomatous disease in Messina and its province, with growing urbanization and rural limiting areas, is discussed: by analysing 150 cases of malignant lymphoma observed at our Institute from 1990 to 1995. The method proposed, based on data obtained from the medical files of these patients, took into consideration various parameters such as age, sex, residence, profession, clinical and bioptic diagnosis, LDH and disease presentation. The final results showed an increase of the risk for NHL in the rural province where the main profession is agriculture or handicraft (ceramics, forged iron, glasswork, refinery), in subjects above 60 years of age; for the HL instead, over the years, a minor incidence of risk has been observed.

Bleomycin, epirubicin, carboplatin (BECA) in the treatment of recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

The aim of this study was to evaluate three active agents, bleomycin (BLM), epirubicin and carboplatin in a new combination (BECA) in terms of feasibility, activity and toxicity in patients with recurrent and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. From April 1992 to February 1993 15 pts (12M/3F), median age 53 years, all pretreated (6 surgery + radiotherapy; 3 radiotherapy + chemotherapy; 6 radiotherapy), were treated with BLM 15 mg/m2 days 1-14; epirubicin 30 mg/m2 days 1-14 and carboplatin 300 mg/m2 day 1 every 28 days. In the 14 evaluable pts we observed 1 complete response, CR (7.

Ondansetron plus dexamethasone in the control of high dose cisplatin-induced emesis.

Twenty-two patients who underwent chemotherapy with cisplatin (CDDP) at doses > 100 mg/m2 also received antiemetic treatment comprised of the combination of ondansetron plus dexamethasone. The results obtained have shown a good activity from this combination with these high doses of CDDP, with a response of 81.8% (complete+major protection).

[Clodronate and radiotherapy for the treatment of osteolysis caused by metastasis of breast carcinoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma. A retrospective study].

We have retrospectively examined 94 evaluable patients with metastatic osteolysis from breast cancer (BC) and non-small cell lung (NSCLC) cancer, who received RT from Nov. 88 to Nov. 89.

Treatment of advanced and/or metastatic epidermoid carcinoma of the head and neck: an effective combination chemotherapy with bleomycin, methotrexate and ftorafur.

29 evaluable patients with advanced and/or metastatic epidermoid carcinomas of the head and neck were treated with a combination of bleomycin, methotrexate and ftorafur. 3 complete remission, 12 partial remission (objective response 51.7%), 10 stable disease and 4 progressed disease were obtained, with the best responses in the oral cavity and skin carcinomas.

VP16, epirubicin and procarbazine in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

We report the results obtained in the treatment of 52 advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients with the combination chemotherapy VP16 (120 mg/m2 i.v., days 1-2-3), epirubicin (50 mg/m2 i.