Role of thoracic radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy in limited stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC). A randomized multicenter phase III trial.

We initiated a prospective randomized multicenter trial to clarify the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of the primary tumor in small cell lung cancer stage limited disease. Patients were randomized to receive only chemotherapy (n = 27), or chemotherapy and radiotherapy of 30 Gy (n = 34) or chemotherapy and radiotherapy of 50 Gy (n = 30). Radiotherapy was administered after the third chemotherapy cycle.

Activation of sodium transport in human erythrocytes by beta-adrenoceptor stimulation in vivo.

Beta-adrenoceptor stimulation in vivo shifts potassium into the cells. To examine whether human erythrocytes participate in this process, we measured, along with serum or plasma potassium, the concentrations of potassium and sodium in erythrocytes. Beta-adrenoceptor stimulation was obtained by infusion of either fenoterol or hexoprenaline into 6 volunteers at rest or by endogenous amines provoked in 14 volunteers during ergometric exercise.

[Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy of head and neck cancer].

Pre-operative chemotherapy with vincristine, moderately high doses of methotrexate plus "rescue", and bleomycin for six weeks was administered to 26 patients with untreated carcinoma of the head and neck. Treatment was well tolerated and compliance was very good. Objective side effects necessitated ending treatment in ten patients.