A phase 2 trial of oral imatinib in patients with epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal carcinoma in second or greater remission.

Purpose Of Investigation: To determine the effect of imatinib on progression-free survival in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer in second or greater complete clinical remission (CCR).

Methods: 35 patients were enrolled between 10/2002 and 1/2005. Eligible patients received imatinib at 400 mg daily orally.

American Society of Clinical Oncology 2008 clinical practice guideline update: use of chemotherapy and radiation therapy protectants.

Purpose: To update a clinical practice guideline on the use of chemotherapy and radiation therapy protectants for patients with cancer.

Methods: An update committee reviewed literature published since the last guideline update in 2002.

Results: Thirty-nine reports met the inclusion criteria: palifermin and dexrazoxane, three reports (two studies) each; amifostine, 33 reports (31 studies); and mesna, no published randomized trials identified since 2002.

A phase I trial of pemetrexed plus gemcitabine given biweekly with B-vitamin support in solid tumor malignancies or advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.

Purpose: To determine the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) of biweekly pemetrexed with gemcitabine plus B(12) and folate supplementation in patients with advanced solid tumors and ovarian cancer.

Experimental Design: Patients with no prior pemetrexed or gemcitabine therapy enrolled in cohorts of three, expanding to six if dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was observed. Pemetrexed, escalated from to 700 mg/m(2), was given before gemcitabine 1,500 mg/m(2) every 14 days.

A retrospective assessment of outcomes of chemotherapy-based versus radiation-only adjuvant treatment for completely resected stage I-IV uterine carcinosarcoma.

Purpose: To determine the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in a cohort of patients who received either platinum-based chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy (pelvic or WAI), or RT alone.

Methods: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) electronic medical records from 8/1/1995 to 10/3/2007 were reviewed for patient age, diagnosis date, type of primary surgery, residual disease at the completion of primary surgery, FIGO stage, treatment details, dates of progression and death, and site(s) of first recurrence. PFS and OS by stage (I/II v III/IV) and by treatment type (chemotherapy with or without RT v RT alone) were determined using landmark analyses 8 weeks after surgery.

What is the incidence of isolated paraaortic nodal recurrence in grade 1 endometrial carcinoma?

Objectives: To describe the incidence of isolated paraaortic nodal recurrences in patients with a final diagnosis of grade 1 endometrial carcinoma initially treated with surgery.

Methods: Records from a prospectively maintained endometrial carcinoma database were reviewed to identify sites of recurrence. Patients with any papillary serous or clear cell carcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, endometrial stromal sarcoma, squamous carcinoma, or adenosarcoma were excluded.

A phase II study of cetuximab/paclitaxel/carboplatin for the initial treatment of advanced-stage ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer.

Objective: Determine the safety and efficacy of cetuximab plus paclitaxel and carboplatin as initial treatment of stage III/IV ovarian cancer.

Methods: An initial intravenous [IV] dose of cetuximab (400 mg/m(2)) was administered over 120 min followed by weekly IV infusions of cetuximab (250 mg/m(2)) administered over 60 min. Paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2)) and carboplatin (area under the curve [AUC] of 6) were administered IV every 21 days for 6 cycles.

Fixed-dose rate gemcitabine plus docetaxel as first-line therapy for metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group phase II trial.

Objectives: Fixed-dose rate gemcitabine plus docetaxel is active as second-line therapy for metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma. We sought to determine the activity of this regimen as first-line treatment.

Methods: Eligible women with advanced uterine leiomyosarcoma were treated with gemcitabine 900 mg/m(2) over 90 min, on days one and eight, plus docetaxel 100 mg/m(2) on day eight, with granulocyte growth factor support on day nine of a 21-day cycle.

Safety and immunogenicity study of NY-ESO-1b peptide and montanide ISA-51 vaccination of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer in high-risk first remission.

Purpose: The cancer-testis antigen NY-ESO-1 is expressed by >40% of advanced epithelial ovarian cancers and is a promising immunotherapeutic target. In this study, we describe the effects of vaccination with the HLA-A*0201-restricted NY-ESO-1b peptide on patients with epithelial ovarian cancer in high-risk first remission.

Experimental Design: After primary surgery and chemotherapy, high-risk epithelial ovarian cancer patients in first clinical remission received NY-ESO-1b peptide and Montanide every 3 weeks for five vaccinations.

Loss of spinal cord monitoring signals in children during thoracic kyphosis correction with spinal osteotomy: why does it occur and what should you do?

Study Design: A retrospective review of pediatric kyphosis patients undergoing a spinal cord-level osteotomy for correction.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence, etiology, timing, and intervention related to loss of spinal cord monitoring data during surgical correction of pediatric kyphosis in the spinal cord region.

Summary Of Background Data: Although much has been written regarding the risks inherent to scoliosis surgery, there is less literature available regarding the neurologic outcomes of pediatric kyphosis surgery.

Comparison of radiographic outcomes for the treatment of scoliotic curves greater than 100 degrees: wires versus hooks versus screws.

Study Design: A retrospective comparative study.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of several different anchors in the apical levels of scoliotic curves > or = 100 degrees using radiographic outcomes and clinical complications.

Summary Of Background Data: To the best of our knowledge, no reports have compared various anchors at the apical level for correction of scoliosis curves > or = 100 degrees.

Fixed-dose rate gemcitabine plus docetaxel as second-line therapy for metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group phase II study.

Objective: Doxorubicin-based treatment is standard therapy for metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma. There is no standard second-line therapy. We determined activity of fixed-dose rate gemcitabine plus docetaxel as second-line treatment for metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma.

Validity of the common cold questionnaire (CCQ) in asthma exacerbations.

Background: The common cold questionnaire (CCQ) is used to discriminate those with and without a viral infection. Its usefulness in people with acute asthma is unknown. Our aim was to assess the ability of the CCQ to detect viral infection and to monitor recovery during a viral induced asthma exacerbation and confirmed by virological testing.

A prospective study of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy and longitudinal CA-125 screening among women at increased genetic risk of ovarian cancer: design and baseline characteristics: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

Background: Women who are genetically predisposed to ovarian cancer are at very high risk of developing this disease. Although risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) and various screening regimens are currently recommended to reduce ovarian cancer risk, the optimal management strategy has not been established nor have multiple additional issues been adequately addressed. We developed a collaboration among the Clinical Genetics Branch (National Cancer Institute's Intramural Research Program), the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG), and the Cancer Genetics Network to address these issues.

Applying a conceptual model for examining health-related quality of life in long-term breast cancer survivors: CALGB study 79804.

Objectives: The Survivor's Health and Reaction study used a quality-of-life model adapted for cancer survivors by Dow and colleagues to identify factors related to global health-related quality of life (HRQL) and to document the prevalence of problems and health-oriented behaviors in a follow-up study of breast cancer patients who participated in CALGB 8541.

Methods: A total of 245 survivors (78% of those invited) who were 9.4-16.

Cross-cultural comparison of the Scoliosis Research Society Outcomes Instrument between American and Japanese idiopathic scoliosis patients: are there differences?

Study Design: A comparative study.

Objective: To report a preliminary evaluation of the Scoliosis Research Society Outcomes Instrument (SRS-24) and determine whether differences in baseline scores exist between American and Japanese patients with idiopathic scoliosis.

Summary Of Background Data: Because the SRS outcomes instrument was primarily introduced for the American population, baseline scores in the Japanese population might differ from the American population.

Management of uterine malignancy found incidentally after supracervical hysterectomy or uterine morcellation for presumed benign disease.

Patients who have undergone supracervical hysterectomy or uterine morcellation for presumed benign uterine disease and are found to have malignancy on final pathology represent a management dilemma. Our goal was to analyze our experience and make observations regarding staging, treatment, and outcomes. We performed a retrospective case series of patients referred to our institution with uterine malignancy who previously underwent supracervical hysterectomy or uterine morcellation at the time of original surgery for presumed benign uterine disease.

A phase II evaluation of goserelin and bicalutamide in patients with ovarian cancer in second or higher complete clinical disease remission.

Background: The current study was conducted to determine the effect of goserelin and bicalutamide on progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer who were in second or greater complete disease remission.

Methods: Patients received bicalutamide at a dose of 50 mg orally daily and goserelin at a dose of 3.6 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks.

Pilot study of a heptavalent vaccine-keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugate plus QS21 in patients with epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer.

Purpose: To characterize the safety and immunogenicity of a heptavalent antigen-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) plus QS21 vaccine construct in patients with epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer in second or greater complete clinical remission.

Experimental Design: Eleven patients in this pilot trial received a heptavalent vaccine s.c.

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.

Randomized phase II study of gemcitabine and docetaxel compared with gemcitabine alone in patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcomas: results of sarcoma alliance for research through collaboration study 002 [corrected].

Purpose: Gemcitabine as a single agent and the combination of gemcitabine and docetaxel have activity in patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma. To determine if the addition of docetaxel to gemcitabine improved clinical outcome of patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcomas, we compared a fixed dose rate infusion of gemcitabine versus a lower dose of gemcitabine with docetaxel.

Patients And Methods: In this open-label phase II clinical trial, the primary end point was tumor response, defined as complete or partial response or stable disease lasting at least 24 weeks.

A phase I trial of BMS-247550 (NSC# 710428) and gemcitabine in patients with advanced solid tumors.

The purpose of this study is to establish the maximum tolerated dose and define the dose-limiting toxicity of the investigational epothilone BMS-247550 in combination with fixed dose-rate gemcitabine. Patients with advanced, recurrent solid tumors who had received View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective analysis of tomographic ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy in pulmonary embolism.

Rationale: Ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy is highly sensitive for pulmonary embolism (PE), but its clinical usefulness is limited by its nondiagnostic rate. Objective analysis of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) three-dimensional scintigraphy may improve its diagnostic performance compared with subjective interpretation.

Objectives: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of objective SPECT analysis in PE.

Primary retroperitoneal lymphangioleiomyomatosis in a postmenopausal woman: a case report and review of the literature.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare progressive disease of unknown etiology that typically affects women of childbearing age. It is characterized by an abnormal proliferation of smooth muscle cells causing gradual obstruction of small airways, frequently resulting in respiratory failure and death. While LAM is predominantly a lung disorder, we report a case of retroperitoneal LAM in a patient who had no evidence of pulmonary involvement.