Response level and survival after conventional chemotherapy for multiple myeloma: a Finnish Leukaemia Group study.

The relation between overall survival time (OS) and response level (CR, 75%R, PR, MR, SD) was analysed in 432 multiple myeloma patients from 4 prospective Finnish Leukaemia group trials, treated with conventional chemotherapy. The primary regimen was either melphalan and prednisolone or combination chemotherapy with melphalan as a main component. Both the influence of the pre-treatment factors in patients with different levels of responses and the aspects related to chemotherapy were analysed.

Human plasma antioxidant capacity during radiotherapy for lung cancer: a clinical study.

Even though it is well established that oxygen-free radicals are the main mechanism responsible for the cytotoxicity produced during radiotherapy, the role of the human antioxidant defense system in clinical radiation oncology is still to be clarified. Changes in the human plasma total peroxyl radical trapping capacity (TRAP) and its individual components were followed during clinical radiotherapy for lung cancer. Sixteen patients receiving radical-aimed radiotherapy provided blood samples nine times during the treatment.

Effects of surgical removal of lung cancer on total plasma antioxidant capacity in lung cancer patients.

Previous evidence suggests that malignant tumors cause an oxidative burden to human antioxidative defense systems. We followed the plasma total radical-trapping antioxidant parameters (TRAP) and their main antioxidant components (alpha-tocopherol, uric acid, protein sulfhydryl groups, and unidentified antioxidant proportions) in 13 lung cancer patients and 7 control patients scheduled for thoracotomy. Plasma samples were collected 9 times during a 5 month follow-up period in the cancer patients.

Dosage of adjuvant G-CSF (filgrastim)-supported FEC polychemotherapy based on equivalent haematological toxicity in high-risk breast cancer patients. Scandinavian Breast Group, Study SBG 9401.

Background: Conventional dosages of cytostatics in mg/m2 will cause marked variations in systemic exposure, resulting in over- and under-treatment, at least with respect to side effects.

Patients And Methods: We are conducting a randomized adjuvant study for breast cancer patients younger than 60 years of age with > or = 70% risk of recurrence within five years. The first 89 consecutive patients who have received nine courses q three weeks of individually dose-escalated and G-CSF (filgrastim)-supported FEC (5-fluorouracil (5-FU), epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide) therapy given with ciprofloxacin prophylaxis were included in this analysis.

p53 expression and cell proliferation as prognostic factors in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: To investigate the prognostic significance of p53 expression and proliferation markers in primary laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Patients And Methods: Primary tumors for analyses were obtained from 103 patients, with complete follow-up data. All patients were treated between the years 1975 and 1990.

Biomarker evidence of DNA oxidation in lung cancer patients: association of urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine excretion with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and response to treatment.

Ratios of urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine to urinary creatinine (8-OHdG/creatinine) have been considered as a good biological indicator of DNA oxidation. Urinary 8-OHdG/creatinine levels of lung cancer patients were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a monoclonal antibody N45.1 during radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Single-agent gemcitabine versus cisplatin-etoposide: early results of a randomised phase II study in locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer.

Background: This randomised study was designed to determine the response rate survival and toxicity of single-agent gemcitabine and cisplatin-etoposide in chemo-naïve patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer.

Patients And Methods: Gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 was given as a 30 min intravenous infusion on days 1, 8, 15 of a 28-day cycle, cisplatin 100 mg/m2 on day 1, and etoposide 100 mg/m2 on days 1 (following cisplatin), 2 and 3. Major eligibility criteria included histologically confirmed non-small-cell lung cancer, measurable disease, Zubrod PS 0-2; no prior chemotherapy, no prior radiation of the measured lesion, and no CNS metastases.

A randomized study of gemcitabine monotherapy versus etoposide/cisplatin in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

This randomized, multinational, multicenter study was designed to determine the response rate of gemcitabine monotherapy and cisplatin/etoposide combination therapy in chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced, recurrent, and/or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (stage IIIA [if inoperable], IIIB, or IV). One group of patients received gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 intravenously once a week for 3 weeks (days 1, 8, and 15) followed by a 1-week rest period. The second group received cisplatin 100 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1 of each 28-day cycle in combination with etoposide 100 mg/m2, administered on days 1, 2, and 3 following the cisplatin infusion.

Plasma peroxyl radical trapping capacity in lung cancer patients: a case-control study.

Increasing evidence suggests that cancer patients express oxidative disturbances. The main objective of this cross-sectional case-control study (n = 57 + 76) was to explore whether lung cancer patients, when compared to healthy controls, have alterations in their plasma peroxyl radical trapping capacity (TRAP). Group matching was used with respect to age, sex and smoking history.

A practical prognostic index for inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer.

Radical radiotherapy is widely used to treat inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) although only a small number of patients benefit in the long run from this intensive treatment. There is a small proportion of long-term survivors who might derive advantage from even more aggressive radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. In order to support optimal treatment selection we have carried out univariate and multivariate analyses of possible prognostic variables in the retrospective data of 502 NSCLC patients treated at one institute with external radiotherapy, both with curative and palliative intent.

Serum levels of interleukins 2, 6 and 8, soluble interleukin-2 receptor and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 during treatment with interleukin-2 plus interferon-alfa.

In the present study we evaluated the haematological and immunological changes in 4 patients with advanced melanoma and 6 patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma treated with subcutaneous interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-alfa-2b. Serum samples taken before and during six weeks' courses of IL-2 plus IFN-alfa were assayed for the presence of IL-2, soluble IL-2-receptor (sIL-2R), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), IL-6 and IL-8. In addition, whole blood counts were taken.

Prophylactic filgrastim (G-CSF) during mitomycin-C, mitoxantrone, and methotrexate (MMM) treatment for metastatic breast cancer. A randomized study.

Patients with metastatic breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive as second-line chemotherapy either MMM (mitomycin 8 mg/m2 day 1; mitoxantrone 8 mg/m2 days 1 and 22; methotrexate 35 mg/m2 days 1 and 22) alone or in combination with filgrastim (5 micrograms/kg s.c. days 4-17, 24-37).

Leukemia-inhibitory factor stimulates breast, kidney and prostate cancer cell proliferation by paracrine and autocrine pathways.

Leukemia-inhibitory factor (LIF) is an inflammatory cytokine with pleiotropic activities. LIF was originally described as a differentiation factor of a murine leukemia cell line and was subsequently found to possess a broad spectrum of biological functions. Although LIF has been extensively studied in the hematopoietic system, little is known about its effects in solid tumors.

Effects of anthracyclin-based chemotherapy on total plasma antioxidant capacity in small cell lung cancer patients.

Plasma total peroxyl radical trapping antioxidant parameters (TRAP) and their main antioxidant components (vitamin E, uric acid, protein sulfhydryl groups, and unidentified antioxidant proportions) were measured in 12 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients receiving combined chemotherapy consisting of vincristine, adriamycin and cyclophosphamide for SCLC. Plasma samples were collected ten times during the first two cycles of chemotherapy. There is previous evidence that many anticancer drugs exert their cytotoxity via free oxygen radicals.

Leukemia inhibitory factor binds to human breast cancer cells and stimulates their proliferation.

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a cytokine that was originally described as a differentiation factor of a murine myeloid leukemia cell line and subsequently found to be an important mediator of embryonic development. Although extensively studied in the hematopoietic system, its effects on solid tumors are generally unknown. In the present study we investigated the role of LIF in human breast cancer cells.

Action of recombinant interferons and interleukin 2 in modulating radiation effects on viability and cytotoxicity of large granular lymphocytes.

We have evaluated in vitro the modulating effect of interferon (IFN) alpha, beta and gamma as well as interleukin 2 (IL-2) on the radiosensitivity of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) having natural killer cell activity. LGL were treated with IFNs or IL-2 in concentrations from 1 to 1000 U/ml before or after a single or a split dose of irradiation. The viability of LGL was measured by intracellular ATP, and cytotoxicity by a 51Cr release assay.

Intermittent interferon and polychemotherapy in metastatic melanoma.

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and the tolerability of a four-drug chemotherapy regimen combined with interferon alpha (IFN) in metastatic melanoma. Between March 1991 and August 1993, 55 patients with advanced melanoma were enrolled for the present multicentre phase II study. Forty-nine patients were eligible and evaluable for toxicity; 48 patients were evaluable for response.

Evaluating the response to antioestrogen toremifene treatment in DMBA induced rat mammary carcinoma.

Evaluation of the treatment response to hormonal therapy in experimental mammary carcinoma models usually consists of recording the changes in tumour volume or in number of tumours. We performed quantitative histology on dimethylbenz[a]anthracene(DMBA) induced rat mammary carcinoma treated with the antioestrogen toremifene. The inhibition of growth of the treated regressing tumours was not only associated with inhibition of mitosis and reduction of the neoplastic epithelium, but toremifene seemed to reduce all main tissue components.

A combination of subcutaneous recombinant interleukin-2 and recombinant interferon-alpha in the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma or melanoma.

In this phase II study, we have evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of low-dose subcutaneous (s.c.) recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) and recombinant interferon (IFN)-alpha in 16 patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and in 4 patients with advanced melanoma.

Evaluation of plasma levels of thymidine kinase and mutated p53 in 81 patients with newly diagnosed malignant lymphoma.

We analysed diagnostic phase plasma levels of thymidine kinase (TK) and mutated p53 in 81 patients with malignant lymphoma. Forty-three (53%) patients had increased (> 10 U/l) TK activity whereas 30 (37%) were positive for the mutated p53 gene product. In general, patients with p53 mutation positive tumors tended to have higher TK activity than those without.

Ultrastructural effects of therapeutic irradiation on human epithelial tumors.

Irradiation induces several cellular changes leading to death of cancer cells and normal cells which is followed by repairing processes of normal cells. We have studied the effects of therapeutic irradiation on head and neck cancers. Tissue samples taken before and during the radical irradiation (50-80 Gy) of the squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region were examined by light and electron microscopy.

Radical radiotherapy of inoperable non-small cell lung cancer. Irradiation techniques and tumor characteristics in relation to local control and survival.

The relation between tumor characteristics, irradiation technique, local tumor control and survival was retrospectively studied in 323 patients with non-small cell lung cancer who started radical radiotherapy in 1974-1981. At that time three non-randomized different fractionation schedules were used: 16 x 3.25 Gy, total dose 52 Gy, 3 fractions/week (schedule 1), 11 x 4 Gy, total dose 44 Gy, 2 fractions/week (schedule 2) and 25 x 2 Gy, total dose 50 Gy, 5 fractions/week (schedule 3).

Uptake of 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-[U-14C]-glucose during chemotherapy in murine Lewis lung tumor.

Mice bearing intramuscular Lewis lung tumor were treated with BCNU and doxorubicin (ADM) to study chemotherapy-induced changes in the uptake of 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-[U-14C]glucose (FDG). A decreased FDG uptake, tumor regression and a diminished proportion of aneuploid versus diploid cells as evaluated by DNA flow cytometry were seen after treatment with BCNU but not with ADM; HPLC indicated that most of the 14C activity in tumors was from FDG6-phosphate. The results suggest that changes in FDG uptake reflect the effectiveness of antitumor therapy.