Early magnesium reduction in advanced colorectal cancer patients treated with cetuximab plus irinotecan as predictive factor of efficacy and outcome.

Introduction: Magnesium plays a role in a large number of cellular metabolic reactions. Cetuximab is able to induce hypomagnesemia by interfering with magnesium (Mg(2+)) transport in the kidney. We designed this trial to investigate if Mg(2+) serum level modifications may be related with clinical response and outcome in advanced colorectal cancer patients during treatment with cetuximab plus irinotecan.

In vivo effects of zoledronic acid on peripheral gammadelta T lymphocytes in early breast cancer patients.

Introduction: Amino-bisphosphonates are potent activators of human gammadelta T cells. The aim of our study was to evaluate the immunomodulating properties of a single-dose of zoledronic acid (ZA) on gammadelta T cells in a select group of disease-free breast cancer patients with osteopenia.

Materials And Methods: Blood samples were obtained, from 23 patients, before and 7, 28, 56, 90 and 180 days after a single-dose (4 mg) of ZA and analyzed by flow cyometry.

Survey on learning needs and preferred sources of information to meet these needs in Italian oncology patients receiving chemotherapy.

Cancer patient education can be especially important in topics like side effects of chemotherapy. Information needs of oncology patients are scarcely investigated in Italy. This study aimed to identify the learning needs, the amount of information desired and the preferred methods of information delivery of Italian cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Repeated intermittent low-dose therapy with zoledronic acid induces an early, sustained, and long-lasting decrease of peripheral vascular endothelial growth factor levels in cancer patients.

Purpose: On the basis of stimulating data on animals reporting that weekly regimens of zoledronic acid (ZA) were effective in reducing skeletal tumor burden, we designed a study on humans to investigate the potential antiangiogenic role of a weekly low-dose therapy with ZA in patients with malignancies.

Experimental Design: Twenty-six consecutive patients with advanced solid cancer and bone metastases received 1 mg of ZA every week for four times (days 1, 7, 14, and 21) followed by 4 mg of ZA with a standard 28-day schedule repeated thrice (days 28, 56, and 84). Patients were prospectively evaluated for circulating levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) just before the beginning of drug infusion (0) and again at 7, 14, 21, 28, 56, and 84 days after the first ZA infusion.

Circulating VEGF reduction, response and outcome in advanced colorectal cancer patients treated with cetuximab plus irinotecan.

Objective: We designed this trial to investigate if modifications in levels of circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may be related to clinical response and outcome in advanced colorectal cancer patients during treatment with a weekly combination of cetuximab plus irinotecan.

Methods: A total of 45 heavily pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer patients were prospectively evaluated for circulating levels of VEGF during the treatment with cetuximab plus weekly irinotecan. VEGF circulating levels were assessed at the following time points: just before and at 1, 21, 50 and 92 days after the start of cetuximab plus irinotecan treatment.

Meeting information needs on cancer-related fatigue: an exploration of views held by Italian patients and nurses.

Background: Interest in cancer-related fatigue has been growing over the last two decades and efforts have been dedicated to investigate this topic. However, research addressing the adequacy of educational resources for patients with this distressing and common symptom is lacking. Only one study has been undertaken and this explored Swiss and British patients' views.

Continuous infusion of oxaliplatin plus chronomodulated capecitabine in 5-fluorouracil- and irinotecan-resistant advanced colorectal cancer patients.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to define the feasibility and efficacy of Xelox (capecitabine and oxaliplatin) administered through a new and original schedule in advanced pretreated colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.

Methods: 36 metastatic CRC patients resistant at least to a previous 5-fluorouracil- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy line were included in the study.

Treatment: Oxaliplatin 70 mg/m2 as continuous infusion for 12 h (8.

Zoledronic acid-related angiogenesis modifications and survival in advanced breast cancer patients.

The proven antiangiogenic activity of zoledronic acid, a third-generation bisphosphonate widely used in bone metastatic cancer patients, led us to investigate if the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-related zoledronic acid modifications are correlated with survival advantages in advanced breast cancer patients. Forty-two consecutive breast cancer patients with scintigraphic and radiographic evidence of bone metastases were treated with a single infusion of 4 mg zoledronic acid before anticancer chemotherapy. The patients were prospectively evaluated for circulating levels of VEGF and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) just before and at 1, 2, 7, and 21 days after zoledronic acid infusion.

S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) supplementation for treatment of chemotherapy-induced liver injury.

Background: Liver toxicity can be observed during treatment with most chemotherapic agents, and represents one of the principal causes of dose reduction or chemotherapy delays. S-Adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) plays a critical role in the synthesis of polyamines and provides cysteine for the production of glutathione (GSH), the major endogenous hepatoprotective agent. Our study was aimed at assessing the protective effect of AdoMet supplementation in cancer chemotherapy-induced liver toxicity.

Fever after zoledronic acid administration is due to increase in TNF-alpha and IL-6.

The most common adverse event typically associated with bisphosphonate therapy is transient fever. The aim of this study was to define the role of the main cytokines of the acute-phase reaction interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) involved in the pathogenesis of zoledronic acid-induced fever. Eighteen consecutive cancer patients with bone metastases were treated, for the first time, with a single dose of 4 mg zoledronic acid infusion.

Zoledronic acid induces significant and long-lasting modifications of circulating angiogenic factors in cancer patients.

Purpose: The commercial availability of zoledronic acid, a third generation bisphosphonate, prompted us to evaluate the modifications in angiogenic cytokines levels after a single i.v. infusion of this drug.