High-dose, single-fraction image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy for metastatic spinal lesions.

Purpose: To report tumor control and toxicity for patients treated with image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy (RT) for spinal metastases with high-dose single-fraction RT.

Methods And Materials: A total of 103 consecutive spinal metastases in 93 patients without high-grade epidural spinal cord compression were treated with image-guided intensity-modulated RT to doses of 18-24 Gy (median, 24 Gy) in a single fraction between 2003 and 2006. The spinal cord dose was limited to a 14-Gy maximal dose.

Epidermal growth factor receptor signaling in adenocarcinomas with bronchioloalveolar components.

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has gained importance in non-small cell lung cancer given impressive responses to agents targeting this molecule, particularly in bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) and adenocarcinomas, mixed subtype, with BAC components (adeno/BAC). This study assesses EGFR signaling in these tumors.

Methods: One hundred fifty tumors were classified as BAC or adeno/BAC.

Prognostic factors in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma at a large tertiary referral center.

Introduction: Most studies describing the natural history and prognostic factors for malignant pleural mesothelioma antedate accurate pathologic diagnosis, staging by computed tomography, and a universal staging system. We conducted a large single-institution analysis to identify prognostic factors and assess the association of resection with outcome in a contemporary patient population.

Methods: Patients with biopsy-proven malignant pleural mesothelioma at our institution were identified and clinical data were obtained from an institutional database.

Duration of second or greater complete clinical remission in ovarian cancer: exploring potential endpoints for clinical trials.

Objective: To explore benchmarks for future consolidation strategies, we evaluated a strictly defined (normal CA-125 and normal CT) second-complete-remission (CR) ovarian cancer population for 1) the median progression-free survival (PFS), 2) the frequency with which second remission exceeds first, and 3) the proportion of patients in remission at given time points.

Methods: Retrospective sampling was carried out at Memorial Sloan-Kettering (10/1993-12/2000) and the Royal Marsden Hospital (1/1995-4/2003) for the following: histological confirmation and elevated CA-125 at diagnosis; primary surgery; first-and second-line platinum-based chemotherapy with CR; and no maintenance therapy.

Results: In 35 patients 1) the duration of first PFS was 17.

A phase II tolerability study of cisplatin plus docetaxel as adjuvant chemotherapy for resected non-small cell lung cancer.

Introduction: We undertook this phase II study to measure postoperative drug delivery and toxicity of cisplatin plus docetaxel in patients with resected stage I-III non-small cell lung cancer.

Methods: The primary endpoint was amount of cisplatin delivered over a planned four cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. Statistical design required a cohort to close if the regimen proved unlikely to improve cisplatin delivery compared with published phase III data.