Publications by authors named "Levitan N"

Purpose: To evaluate whether treatment with single-agent docetaxel would result in longer survival than would best supportive care in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who had previously been treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. Secondary end points included assessment of response (docetaxel arm only), toxicity, and quality of life.

Unlabelled: PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with performance statuses of 0 to 2 and stage IIIB/IV non-small-cell lung cancer with either measurable or evaluable lesions were eligible for entry onto the study if they had undergone one or more platinum-based chemotherapy regimens and if they had adequate hematology and biochemistry parameters.

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Purpose: This article reports findings from a demonstration project funded by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). The purpose of the project was to test a supportive care program on the outcomes of quality of care and quality of life, and costs in patients with advanced cancer.

Methods: The project was conducted between February 2015 and February 2018, enrolling adult, Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries with advanced or progressed solid tumor malignancy.

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In recent years, the field of artificial intelligence (AI) in oncology has grown exponentially. AI solutions have been developed to tackle a variety of cancer-related challenges. Medical institutions, hospital systems, and technology companies are developing AI tools aimed at supporting clinical decision making, increasing access to cancer care, and improving clinical efficiency while delivering safe, high-value oncology care.

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Coupling crop growth models and remote sensing provides the potential to improve our understanding of the genotype x environment x management (G × E × M) variability of crop growth on a global scale. Unfortunately, the uncertainty in the relationship between the satellite measurements and the crop state variables across different sites and growth stages makes it difficult to perform the coupling. In this study, we evaluate the effects of this uncertainty with MODIS data at the Mead, Nebraska Ameriflux sites (US-Ne1, US-Ne2, and US-Ne3) and accurate, collocated Hybrid-Maize (HM) simulations of leaf area index (LAI) and canopy light use efficiency (LUE).

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Adolescents with gender dysphoria (GD) often face various associated social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. In such a marginalized group, it is crucial to identify factors that may impact psychological functioning to better accommodate their needs. Therefore, the present study investigated the impact of two specific risk factors, poor peer relations and general family functioning, on the development of psychological problems in adolescents with GD, and their possible interaction effect.

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Due to its worldwide coverage and high revisit time, satellite-based remote sensing provides the ability to monitor in-season crop state variables and yields globally. In this study, we presented a novel approach to training agronomic satellite retrieval algorithms by utilizing collocated crop growth model simulations and solar-reflective satellite measurements. Specifically, we showed that bidirectional long short-term memory networks (BLSTMs) can be trained to predict the in-season state variables and yields of Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) maize crop growth model simulations from collocated Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 500-m satellite measurements over the United States Corn Belt at a regional scale.

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Patient self-reporting affords the opportunity to better understand the impact of care processes on how patients feel.

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Introduction: To determine the 1-year survival, response rate, and toxicity for patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer treated with the combination of cisplatin plus etoposide plus paclitaxel with delayed concurrent (starting with cycle 3) high dose thoracic radiotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Patients with previously untreated limited stage small cell lung cancer, Easter Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2 and adequate organ function were eligible. Cycles 1 and 2 of chemotherapy consisted of paclitaxel 170 mg/m intravenous day 1, etoposide 80 mg/m intravenous days 1 to 3, and cisplatin 60 mg/m intravenous day 1 followed by filgrastim 5 microg/kg subcutaneously days 4 to 13.

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The designated institution official (DIO) is responsible for monitoring all residency programs within an institution. Although program-evaluation tools have been developed for residency program directors to use, there are currently no such published evaluation tools for DIOs. This manuscript describes the development and implementation of a standardized, dimensional program report card for the more than 60 residency and fellowship programs at our institution.

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Background: Extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive malignancy for which little therapeutic progress has been made over the past 20 years. SCLC is a highly angiogenic tumor and targeting angiogenesis is being investigated. The putative mechanism of action of thalidomide is through inhibition of new blood vessel formation.

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Rebeccamcyin analogue (RA) is an antitumor antibiotic that results in DNA intercalation and topoisomerase I and II inhibition. Phase I trials of the daily x 5 schedule and once every 3 week schedule have been completed. Antitumor activity was observed during the phase I trials.

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Purpose: To assess the overall and progression-free survival, response rate, and toxicity of combined docetaxel and celecoxib in the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer progressing after initial chemotherapy for advanced disease.

Patients And Methods: Patients with non-small cell lung cancer and either measurable or evaluable disease experiencing progression after one or more platinum-based chemotherapy regimens given for advanced or metastatic disease, ECOG performance status 0-2, and adequate hematologic and biochemistry parameters were eligible for study inclusion; exclusion criteria included symptomatic brain metastases and full dose anti-coagulation. Therapy consisted of docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) every 21 days for a maximum of six cycles and celecoxib 400 mg orally twice daily commencing 7 days prior to docetaxel and continuing until disease progression.

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This Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group phase II trial was conducted to study the effectiveness of docetaxel in patients with malignant mesothelioma. Patients were treated with docetaxel 100 mg/m2 intravenously administered as a 1-hour infusion repeated every 3 weeks. The study accrued a total of 20 patients, 1 of whom was considered ineligible.

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Purpose: The purpose of our study was to review and determine the cardiovascular safety profile of combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P) in a Phase I study in 25 patients with advanced solid tumors.

Experimental Design: CA4P was administered in a dose-escalating fashion starting at 18 mg/m(2) i.v.

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Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) typically receive platinum-based combination chemotherapy. In spite of improvements in symptoms and survival, response rates remain low and newer agents are being investigated. The newer agents may offer increased efficacy and reduced toxicity compared with established agents and regimens.

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Background: EUS-measured reduction in tumor size after neoadjuvant therapy has previously been correlated with downstaging and improved survival in patients with esophageal cancer. The aim of this study was to determine whether tumor changes measured by EUS correspond to pathologically assessed chemoradiotherapy-induced tumor regression.

Methods: Forty-one patients with esophageal cancer treated with combined modality treatment were studied.

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Obtaining a complete response (CR) is the most powerful predictor of survival in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Improvements in long-term survival in extensive-stage SCLC can be made if the proportion of complete responders to induction therapy can be increased. We performed a phase II trial of the feasibility of adding paclitaxel to standard cisplatin/etoposide (EP regimen) in extensive-stage SCLC.

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Purpose: In vitro and in vivo preclinical models have demonstrated synergistic activity when topoisomerase I and II inhibitors are administered sequentially. Topoisomerase I inhibitors increase topoisomerase II levels and increase cell kill induced by topoisomerase II poisons. We evaluated this hypothesis in a cohort of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

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Purpose: To evaluate whether treatment with single-agent docetaxel would result in longer survival than would best supportive care in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who had previously been treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. Secondary end points included assessment of response (docetaxel arm only), toxicity, and quality of life.

Patients And Methods: Patients with performance statuses of 0 to 2 and stage IIIB/IV non-small-cell lung cancer with either measurable or evaluable lesions were eligible for entry onto the study if they had undergone one or more platinum-based chemotherapy regimens and if they had adequate hematology and biochemistry parameters.

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Background: Standard endosonographic (EUS) staging criteria are unreliable for staging esophageal carcinoma after neoadjuvant therapy; however, measurement of tumor size reduction can identify patients who have achieved a pathologic response. In the current study the authors prospectively compared survival between patients classified as responders and those classified as nonresponders by EUS.

Methods: The maximal transverse cross-sectional area of the tumor was measured before and after neoadjuvant therapy in patients who were candidates for multimodality treatment.

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Purpose: To determine the feasibility of adding paclitaxel to standard cisplatin/etoposide (EP) and thoracic radiotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-one patients were enrolled onto this study. During the phase I section of this study, the dose of paclitaxel was escalated in groups of three or more patients.

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Increased levels of serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) are found in patients with lung cancer, and it has been shown that this is part of a systemic inflammatory response syndrome. This study was designed to measure IL-6 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of patients with lung cancer and to describe the relationship of BAL fluid IL-6 to the known systemic increase in IL-6. Increased levels of BAL fluid IL-6 can be found in patients with lung cancer as compared with patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who have acute infection (P = .

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Although the association between malignancy and thromboembolic disease is well established, the relative risk of developing initial and recurrent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) among patients with malignancy versus those without malignancy has not been clearly defined. The Medicare Provider Analysis and Review Record (MEDPAR) database was used for this analysis. Patients hospitalized during 1988-1990 with DVT/PE alone, DVT/PE and malignancy, malignancy alone, or 1 of several nonmalignant diseases (other than DVT/PE) were studied.

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To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a brief, intensive cisplatin-based outpatient chemotherapy regimen with filgrastim and megestrol acetate support for patients with stage IIIB and IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and a favorable performance status. Thirty patients with no prior chemotherapy were enrolled in this phase II protocol. Patients received cisplatin 50 mg/m2, ifosfamide 2 g/m2, mesna, and a 7-day course of oral etoposide beginning on days 1, 15, 29, 43.

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Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is established as the most accurate method currently available for determining the depth of primary cancer invasion (T stage). Standard EUS criteria may not be accurate in assessing depth of cancer invasion and nodal status after patients have received chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study to determine whether EUS estimation of tumor size could be used to assess response to preoperative chemoradiation.

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