Intensive treatment strategies in advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma (HD9 and HD12): analysis of long-term survival in two randomised trials.

Background: Although intensified chemotherapy regimens have improved tumour control and survival in advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma, data on the long-term sequelae are scarce. We did preplanned follow-up analyses of the German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG) trials HD9 and HD12 to assess whether the primary results of these trials-which had shown that intensive initial therapy in advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma has a beneficial effect on treatment outcomes-would continue with longer follow-up.

Methods: In HD9 (Feb 1, 1993, to March 10, 1998), 1282 patients with newly diagnosed, histology-proven, advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma received eight alternating cycles of COPP and ABVD (COPP/ABVD), eight cycles of bBEACOPP, or eight cycles of eBEACOPP.

ASCO update on lymphoma.

s concerning indolent and aggressive lymphoma and multiple myeloma with clinical relevance from the ASCO 2017 meeting are discussed.

A prospective, multicenter pilot study to investigate the feasibility and safety of a 1-year controlled exercise training after adjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients.

Introduction: Despite advances in adjuvant chemotherapy, 20-30% of patients in stages II-III colorectal cancer will eventually relapse. Observational studies showed a reduction in relapse rate, colon cancer-specific mortality, and overall mortality by physical activity. Results from prospective randomized interventional studies to confirm these observational data are lacking.

Oxaliplatin/Irinotecan/Bevacizumab Followed by Docetaxel/Bevacizumab in Inoperable Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric Cancer Patients - AGMT_GASTRIC-3.

Background/aim: Although high response rates using the doublet-chemotherapy of oxaliplatin and irinotecan as well as its combination with cetuximab in advanced gastric cancer were shown in previous trials, time to progression was short, suggesting acquired chemotherapy resistance.

Patients And Methods: Sequential chemotherapy (oxaliplatin and irinotecan followed by docetaxel) combined with bevacizumab was investigated in the GASTRIC-3 trial. Patients achieving at least stable disease were continued on maintenance bevacizumab.

Rituximab maintenance versus observation alone in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia who respond to first-line or second-line rituximab-containing chemoimmunotherapy: final results of the AGMT CLL-8a Mabtenance randomised trial.

Background: In many patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia requiring treatment, induction therapy with rituximab plus chemotherapy improves outcomes compared with chemotherapy alone. In this study we aimed to investigate the potential of rituximab maintenance therapy to prolong disease control in patients who respond to rituximab-containing induction regimens.

Methods: In this randomised, international, multicentre, open-label, phase 3 clinical trial, we enrolled patients who had achieved a complete response (CR), CR with incomplete bone marrow recovery (CRi), or partial response (PR) to first-line or second-line rituximab-containing chemoimmunotherapy and randomly assigned them in a 1:1 ratio (central block randomisation in the electronic case report form system) to either intravenous rituximab 375 mg/m(2) every 3 months, or observation alone, for 2 years.

Cardiotoxicity with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone compared to rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone in frontline treatment of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A randomised phase-III study from the Austrian Cancer Drug Therapy Working Group [Arbeitsgemeinschaft Medikamentöse Tumortherapie AGMT](NHL-14).

Background: Chemoimmunotherapy containing rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP) is the standard treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Doxorubicin may induce early and late cardiotoxicity. Non-pegylated liposomal (NPL) doxorubicin may reduce cardiotoxicity.

Treatment of Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome With Lenalidomide in Clinical Routine in Austria.

Background: Lenalidomide has demonstrated remarkable efficacy for therapy of lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) associated with 5q(-). The present evaluation aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of low-risk MDS patients treated with lenalidomide in Austria.

Patients And Methods: For this retrospective, multicenter, observational analysis of MDS patients who received lenalidomide, data were collected at various hospitals in Austria over a period of 3 years.

Iron metabolism and iron supplementation in cancer patients.

Iron deficiency and iron deficiency-associated anemia are common complications in cancer patients. Most iron deficient cancer patients present with functional iron deficiency (FID), a status with adequate storage iron, but insufficient iron supply for erythroblasts and other iron dependent tissues. FID is the consequence of the cancer-associated cytokine release, while in absolute iron deficiency iron stores are depleted resulting in similar but often more severe symptoms of insufficient iron supply.

Rituximab maintenance for patients with aggressive B-cell lymphoma in first remission: results of the randomized NHL13 trial.

We investigated rituximab maintenance therapy in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (n=662) or follicular lymphoma grade 3b (n=21) in first complete remission. Patients were randomized to rituximab maintenance (n=338) or observation (n=345). At a median follow-up of 45 months, the event-free survival rate (the primary endpoint) at 3 years was 80.

Lapatinib-plus-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in advanced HER2-positive breast cancer following trastuzumab: a phase II trial.

Background: Trastuzumab, one important treatment option for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is limited by its cardiotoxic potential. Lapatinib and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) represent a cardiosparing alternative that can cross the blood brain barrier. This is important, because one third of breast cancer patients develop brain metastases.

A phase 1 dose escalation study of BI 831266, an inhibitor of Aurora kinase B, in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Purpose BI 831266 is a potent, selective, low-molecular-weight inhibitor of Aurora kinase B. This trial aimed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of BI 831266 in patients with advanced solid tumors (NCT00756223; EudraCT 2008-001631-36; 1257.1).

A case of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with an unreported combination of chromosomal abnormalities: gain of isochromosome 5p, tetrasomy 8 and unbalanced translocation der(19)t(17;19)(q23;p13).

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) comprises a spectrum of myeloid malignancies which are often associated with distinct chromosomal abnormalities, and the analysis of such abnormalities provides us with important information for disease classification, treatment selection and prognosis. Some chromosomal abnormalities albeit recurrent are rare such as tetrasomy 8 or isochromosome 5p. In addition, erratic chromosomal rearrangements may occur in AML, sometimes unbalanced and also accompanied by other abnormalities.

Experience with lenalidomide in an Austrian non-study population with advanced myelofibrosis.

Current literature provides conflicting evidence regarding the efficacy of lenalidomide in patients with myelofibrosis (MF). The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of lenalidomide in patients with MF treated within a named patient program in Austria. A total of 22 patients with MF were treated with lenalidomide in 7 different centres throughout Austria.

Rituximab plus subcutaneous cladribine in patients with extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue: a phase II study by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Medikamentose Tumortherapie.

Currently, there is no standard systemic treatment for extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. Both rituximab and cladribine have shown some activity in this disease, but the combination has not been tested so far. In view of this, we initiated a phase II study to assess the activity and safety of rituximab and cladribine in patients with histologically verified mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma.

Rituximab serum concentrations during immuno-chemotherapy of follicular lymphoma correlate with patient gender, bone marrow infiltration and clinical response.

Background: Treatment of follicular lymphoma with rituximab is currently recommended at a dose of 375 mg/m(2). We aimed to provide a rationale for optimal dosing and scheduling of this anti-CD20 antibody based on pharmacokinetics.

Design And Methods: Clinical efficacy of immunochemotherapy with rituximab, fludarabine and mitoxantrone followed by 2-monthly rituximab maintenance was evaluated in 29 patients with previously untreated follicular lymphoma in a prospective phase II trial (AGMT-NHL9).

Prognostic value of number of removed lymph nodes, number of involved lymph nodes, and lymph node ratio in 7502 breast cancer patients enrolled onto trials of the Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group (ABCSG).

Purpose: The number of removed axillary lymph nodes and the ratio of involved to removed lymph nodes are described as independent prognostic factors beside the absolute number of involved lymph nodes in breast cancer patients. The correlation between these factors and prognosis were investigated in trials of the Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group (ABCSG).

Methods: This retrospective analysis is based on the data of 7052 patients with endocrine-responsive breast cancer who were randomized in four trials of the ABCSG in the years 1990-2006 and underwent axillary lymph node dissection.

Oxaliplatin, irinotecan and cetuximab in advanced gastric cancer. A multicenter phase II trial (Gastric-2) of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Medikamentose Tumortherapie (AGMT).

Background: Patients suffering from advanced gastric cancer still have a poor prognosis and treatment options are limited. In our previous phase II trial (AGMT-Gastric-1), we showed that the combination of oxaliplatin and irinotecan was well tolerated and effective. The same chemotherapy regimen was now tested in combination with cetuximab in a multicenter phase II trial.

Sentinel node biopsy after primary chemotherapy in breast cancer: a note of caution from results of ABCSG-14.

Over the past years, experience has been increasing with lymphatic mapping and sentinel node biopsy (SNB) after preoperative chemotherapy for breast cancer, with a wide range of results reported in the literature and final conclusions on the diagnostic value and clinical consequences of this sequential approach still missing. Between 1999 and 2002, the Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group (ABCSG) conducted a prospective randomized multicenter trial comparing three versus six preoperative cycles of epirubicin/docetaxel + granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for operable breast cancer. Of the 292 patients recruited to the trial overall, 111 were enrolled in a prospective subprotocol for performing LM and SNB in addition to obligatory axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) after PC.

First annual report of the Austrian CML registry.

The Austrian chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) registry monitors individual disease courses, treatments applied, clinical outcome, and side effects of CML patients on a nationwide basis to provide data on the "real-life" situation and to complement the information and interpretation gained from the selected patient population observed in clinical trials. This report summarizes the Austrian CML registry data as of March 2009. A total of 179 patients have been registered with a median number of 1012 follow-up visits and median observation duration of 20 months.

Dose-dense therapy improves survival in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

This study aimed to determine whether dose-dense therapy improves 3-year survival over the standard therapy for untreated aggressive lymphoma. One hundred and fifteen patients with untreated aggressive lymphoma were stratified by center, age, and international prognostic index and randomized to one of two treatment arms. One hundred and three were eligible.

Endocrine therapy plus zoledronic acid in premenopausal breast cancer.

Background: Ovarian suppression plus tamoxifen is a standard adjuvant treatment in premenopausal women with endocrine-responsive breast cancer. Aromatase inhibitors are superior to tamoxifen in postmenopausal patients, and preclinical data suggest that zoledronic acid has antitumor properties.

Methods: We examined the effect of adding zoledronic acid to a combination of either goserelin and tamoxifen or goserelin and anastrozole in premenopausal women with endocrine-responsive early breast cancer.

Multicenter phase II study of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in combination with vinorelbine as first-line treatment in elderly patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Background: This multicenter phase II trial was conducted to analyze the clinical activity and toxicity of the combination of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and vinorelbine as first-line treatment in elderly patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Patients And Methods: From August 2002 to August 2004, 42 patients with metastatic breast cancer were recruited for treatment with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin 40 mg/m(2) intravenously (i.v.

Sentinel node mapping performed before preoperative chemotherapy may avoid axillary dissection in breast cancer patients with negative or micrometastatic sentinel nodes.

Background: Sentinel node (SN) biopsy after preoperative chemotherapy (PC) in breast cancer patients is associated with a lower identification rate (IR) and an increased false-negative rate (FNR) compared with SN biopsy in untreated patients. Our aims were to examine the feasibility of SN mapping before PC and the possibility to assess the lymph node status after chemotherapy through a follow-up lymphatic mapping.

Methods: SN biopsy was performed in 45 clinically node-negative breast cancer patients before PC.

Anemia is a significant prognostic factor in local relapse-free survival of premenopausal primary breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant cyclophosphamide/methotrexate/5-fluorouracil chemotherapy.

Purpose: To determine the effects of anemia on local relapse-free, relapse-free, and overall survival (LRFS, RFS, and OS, respectively) in premenopausal, primary breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant polychemotherapy, and to determine which conventional prognostic factors affected these outcomes.

Experimental Design: Four hundred twenty-four premenopausal patients with early-stage primary breast cancer and hormone receptor-expressing tumors were treated with i.v.