Clofarabine plus cytarabine compared with cytarabine alone in older patients with relapsed or refractory acute myelogenous leukemia: results from the CLASSIC I Trial.

Purpose: To compare the receipt of clofarabine plus cytarabine (Clo+Ara-C arm) with cytarabine (Ara-C arm) in patients ≥ 55 years old with refractory or relapsed acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).

Patients And Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either clofarabine (Clo) 40 mg/m(2) or a placebo followed by Ara-C 1 g/m(2) for five consecutive days. The primary end point was overall survival (OS).

The chemosensitizing activity of inhibitors of glucosylceramide synthase is mediated primarily through modulation of P-gp function.

Glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) is a key enzyme engaged in the biosynthesis of glycosphingolipids and in regulating ceramide metabolism. Studies exploring alterations in GCS activity suggest that the glycolase may have a role in chemosensitizing tumor cells to various cancer drugs. The chemosensitizing effect of inhibitors of GCS (e.

Phase I/II study of vaccination with electrofused allogeneic dendritic cells/autologous tumor-derived cells in patients with stage IV renal cell carcinoma.

In the present study, we assessed the feasibility, toxicity, immunologic response, and clinical efficacy of vaccination with allogeneic dendritic cell (DC)/tumor fusions in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Patients with stage IV RCC with accessible tumor lesions or independent therapeutic indications for nephrectomy were eligible for enrollment. Tumors were processed into single cell suspensions and cryopreserved.

Phase II study of pemetrexed with and without folic acid and vitamin B12 as front-line therapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Purpose: This phase II clinical study evaluated the efficacy of pemetrexed for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).

Patients And Methods: Patients with a histologically proven diagnosis of MPM, chemotherapy-naive measurable lesions, and adequate organ function received pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) intravenously over 10 minutes every 3 weeks. After a protocol change, most patients also received folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation to improve safety.