A phase I trial of weekly paclitaxel plus prolonged oral eniluracil/5-fluorouracil in patients with refractory malignancies.

Purpose: This phase I study was conducted to determine the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), maximum-tolerated doses, and recommended phase II doses of the combination of weekly intravenous paclitaxel and oral eniluracil/5-fluorouracil (5-FU).

Patients And Methods: Patients received paclitaxel i.v.

A controlled trial of acyclovir for chickenpox in normal children.

Background: Chickenpox, the primary infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, affects more than 3 million children a year in the United States. Although usually self-limited, chickenpox can cause prolonged discomfort and is associated with infrequent but serious complications.

Methods: To evaluate the effectiveness of acyclovir for the treatment of chickenpox, we conducted a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 815 healthy children 2 to 12 years old who contracted chickenpox.

Acyclovir treatment of varicella in otherwise healthy children.

Study Objective: To determine whether acyclovir administered orally affects the duration and severity of varicella in otherwise normal children.

Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

Setting: Patients' residence and university hospital clinic.

Therapy of herpes zoster with oral acyclovir.

Oral acyclovir therapy for herpes zoster has been studied in double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of two dosages, 400 mg and 800 mg five times per day for 10 days. Compared with placebo recipients, recipients of the high-dosage acyclovir experienced a significantly shortened period of viral shedding, significantly accelerated time to 50 percent scabbing, significantly accelerated time to 50 percent healing, and after two days of therapy, significantly less frequent formation of new lesions. The duration and severity of acute pain were less in acyclovir recipients, with differences in pain severity achieving statistical significance (p = 0.