Hypofractionated accelerated radiochemotherapy with cytoprotection (Chemo-HypoARC) for inoperable non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Background: Concurrent radiochemotherapy and altered radiotherapy fractionation are under thorough investigation in locally advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).

Patients And Methods: The efficacy and tolerance of hypofractionated accelerated radiochemotherapy supported with high dose (up to 1000 mg daily) amifostine cytoprotection (hypoARC) was examined in 31 patients. Fifteen fractions of 3.

Triplet chemotherapy with docetaxel, gemcitabine and liposomal doxorubicin, supported with subcutaneous amifostine and hemopoietic growth factors, in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

The activity of a triplet of chemotherapeutic drugs, namely docetaxel, gemcitabine and liposomal doxorubicin, was investigated in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The regimen was supported with amifostine cytoprotection (1000mg injected subcutaneously) and hemopoietic growth factors (rhuG-CSF and rhuEPO) in an attempt to minimize the substantial toxicity reported in previous studies investigating docetaxel/gemcitabine chemotherapy. Twenty chemotherapy- naïve patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (18 with stage IV and 2 with stage IIIb) were recruited.

Application of microarray technology in pulmonary diseases.

Microarrays are a powerful tool that have multiple applications both in clinical and cell biology arenas of common lung diseases. To exemplify how this tool can be useful, in this review, we will provide an overview of the application of microarray technology in research relevant to common lung diseases and present some of the future perspectives.

The clinical significance of serum and bronchoalveolar lavage inflammatory cytokines in patients at risk for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Background: The predictive role of many cytokines has not been well defined in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

Methods: We measured prospectively IL-4, IL-6, IL-6 receptor, IL-8, and IL-10, in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in 59 patients who were admitted to ICU in order to identify predictive factors for the course and outcome of ARDS. The patients were divided into three groups: those fulfilling the criteria for ARDS (n = 20, group A), those at risk for ARDS and developed ARDS within 48 hours (n = 12, group B), and those at risk for ARDS but never developed ARDS (n = 27, group C).

Amifostine before chemotherapy: improved tolerance profile of the subcutaneous over the intravenous route.

Introduction: The i.v. administration of the cytoprotective agent amifostine is associated with reversible clinical hypotension, protracted emesis, and malaise in a various percentage of patients.