Feasibility of preoperative chemoradiation in rectal cancer patients aged 70 and older.

In the present study, we report results of 28 rectal cancer patients, aged 70 years and older, treated with preoperative radiotherapy and 5FU concomitant chemotherapy. Twenty-eight out of 136 patients treated in our Department between 1997 and 2004 aged > or = 70 years, mean 73 (range 70-81); 3 T2, 18 T3, 7 T4; 15 N0, 5N1, 8 N2; Radiotherapy (5040 cGy, 28 fractions) was delivered combined with 5FU - based concomitant chemotherapy. Compliance to chemoradiotherapy was excellent.

Raltitrexed-induced hepatotoxicity: multivariate analysis of predictive factors.

Raltitrexed (Tomudex; TOM) hepatotoxicity is usually characterized by a transient and self-limiting increase in transaminase levels. How this may condition daily clinical practice is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate predictive factors of TOM hepatotoxicity.

Down-staging after two different preoperative chemoradiation schedules in rectal cancer.

Aims: To compare preoperative down-staging, toxicity and sphincter-saving procedures obtained with preoperative radiotherapy and two different concomitant chemotherapy schedules.

Methods: From February 1997 to August 2001, 68 consecutive patients were treated with external radiotherapy (5040 cGy in 28 fractions) and concomitant chemotherapy: group a) 36 patients (10 T2, 19 T3, 7 T4, 25 adenocarcinoma and 11 mucinous histology) were treated with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum bolus + 5-fluorouracil continuous infusion; group b) 32 patients (14 T2, 18 T3, 27 adenocarcinoma and 5 mucinous histology) were treated with 5-fluorouracil bolus +/- mitomycin C. The interval between the end of radiotherapy and surgery ranged from 4 to 9 weeks.

Low-dose vincristine-associated bilateral vocal cord paralysis.

Background: Vincristine-associated peripheral neuropathy is a well-described entity. We describe a case of vincristine-induced vocal cord paralysis, which is a rare complication of this drug. We report herein the second case of bilateral vocal cord paralysis in a patient receiving conventional doses of vincristine.

Randomized phase II study of the neurokinin 1 receptor antagonist CJ-11,974 in the control of cisplatin-induced emesis.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy and safety of the neurokinin type 1 receptor antagonist CJ-11,974 for the control of high-dose cisplatin-induced emesis.

Patients And Methods: A double-blind, randomized, phase II design with a group sequential stopping rule was used in this study. Sixty-one patients with cancer who were receiving cisplatin at a dose of at least 100 mg/m2 for the first time were enrolled.

A phase II study of mitomycin C, vindesine and cisplatin combined with alpha interferon in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Aims And Background: MVP chemotherapy (mitomycin C, vindesine or vinblastine, cisplatin) is one of the most commonly used regimens for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSLCLC). Experimental data suggest a synergistic cytotoxic activity of alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) when combined with cisplatin, mitomycin C and vinca alkaloids. In an effort to improve MVP chemotherapy activity, we have combined this regimen with alpha-IFN.

Dacarbazine, cisplatin and carmustine, with or without tamoxifen, for metastatic melanoma: 5-year follow-up.

Metastatic melanoma has a grim prognosis. Response rates and survival of patients treated with combination chemotherapy are not superior to single-agent chemotherapy. This study seeks to evaluate the objective response rate and survival of patients with metastatic melanoma treated with multiagent chemotherapy, with or without tamoxifen.

Mitomycin C, 5fluorouracil and folinic acid in combination with alpha 2b interferon for advanced colorectal cancer.

Aims And Background: This study was conducted to investigate the activity and toxicity of 5fluorouracil folinic acid+mitomycin C combined with alpha 2b interferon in advanced colorectal cancer based upon recent studies suggesting a possible biochemical modulation of 5fluorouracil by interferon.

Patients And Methods: Between June 1990 and April 1991 25 previously untreated patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma were treated with mitomycin C 10 mg/m2 iv bolus on day 1, 5fluorouracil 375 mg/m2 on days 1 to 4 and folinic acid 200 mg/m2 on days 1 to 4 every 4 weeks, combined with alpha 2b interferon 3 million U day continuously.

Response: Of the 25 patients entered into the study, 20 were evaluable for response as 5 patients withdrew due to toxicity (grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia in 4 cases and fatigue in 1).

Atherosclerosis and coronary bypass surgery in hereditary factor VII deficiency.

A 66-year-old man with homozygous deficiency of factor VII (less activity than 4 percent of normal) had a minimal hemorrhagic tendency and severe coronary atherosclerosis, and underwent aortocoronary saphenous vein bypass surgery. Although plasma factor VII coagulant activity and cross-reacting material were markedly reduced, comparable amounts of factor VII antigen were detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of both the patient and of a normal subject by Western blotting techniques. Accelerated coagulation was observed following brief exposure of the patient's phytohemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells to low concentrations of ambient factor VII in vitro.

Cisplatin and radiation therapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

A pilot study was initiated to test the safety and efficacy of the simultaneous administration of high-dose cisplatin and irradiation in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Cisplatin was administered at 100 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 21 and was continued at 20 mg/m2 once a week to the completion of radiation therapy. Irradiation was begun on Day 22 and was administered 5 days a week for 6 weeks at a rate of 200 cGy per day to a total of 6000 cGy to the primary site, using a shrinking field technique.