Publications by authors named "Christina Ravera"

Background: Cases of impaired renal function have been reported in patients who had been treated with both zoledronic acid and thalidomide for myeloma. Hence, we conducted a safety study of zoledronic acid and thalidomide in myeloma patients participating in a trial of maintenance therapy.

Methods: Twenty-four patients who were enrolled in a large randomized trial of thalidomide vs no thalidomide maintenance therapy for myeloma, in which all patients also received zoledronic acid, were recruited to a pharmacokinetic and renal safety sub-study, and followed for up to 16 months.

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Purpose: This phase I study was conducted to assess the tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor activity of the oral, selective epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor PKI166 in patients with advanced solid malignancies.

Experimental Design: PKI166 was first given once daily continuously and in the second part of the study once daily for 2 weeks every 4 weeks to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Ten additional patients were studied at MTD to acquire additional safety information and characterize the effect of food intake on PKI166 pharmacokinetics.

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An open-label pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of zoledronic acid (Zometa) was performed in 19 cancer patients with bone metastases and known, varying levels of renal function. Patients were stratified according to creatinine clearance (CLcr) into different groups of normal (CLcr > 80 mL/min), mildly (CLcr = 50-80 mL/min), or moderately/severely impaired (CLcr = 10-50 mL/min) renal function. Three intravenous infusions of 4 mg zoledronic acid were administered at 1-month intervals between doses.

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The pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of zoledronic acid (Zometa), a new-generation bisphosphonate, were evaluated in 36 patients with cancer and bone metastases. Zoledronic acid (by specific radioimmunoassay) and markers of bone turnover were determined in plasma and urine after three consecutive infusions (qx28 days) of 4 mg/5 min (n = 5),4 mg/l5 min (n = 7),8 mg/15 min (n = 12), or 16 mg/15 min (n = 12). Zoledronic plasma disposition was multiphasic, with half-lives of 0.

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Zoledronic acid is a new, highly potent bisphosphonate drug under clinical evaluation. A radioimmunoassay has been developed to determine zoledronic acid concentration in human serum, plasma, and urine. The assay utilizes rabbit polyclonal antisera against a zoledronic acid-BSA conjugate and a [125I]zoledronic acid derivative as tracer in a competitive format adapted to microtiter plates.

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