Osteonecrosis of the jaw in prostate cancer patients with bone metastases treated with zoledronate: a retrospective analysis.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) has recently been reported as a potentially serious complication of prolonged treatment with intravenous bisphosphonates. We studied its frequency in prostate cancer patients receiving intravenous zoledronate. The medical and dental records of 52 consecutive patients with prostate cancer and bone metastases treated at our institute between January 2002 and October 2005 were reviewed.

Outcome of metastatic colorectal cancer: analysis of a consecutive series of 229 patients. The impact of a multidisciplinary approach.

Purpose: New chemotherapy agents and integrated treatments have improved the prognosis of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Methods: From January 2000 to December 2002, 229 consecutive metastatic patients were prospectively followed and their outcomes were analyzed. They were divided initially into four treatment groups: A, palliative chemotherapy for extensive extrahepatic disease with or without hepatic disease (97 patients); B, palliative chemotherapy as in Group A for extensive hepatic disease unlikely to become resectable (36 patients); C, neoadjuvant chemotherapy for potentially resectable liver metastases if responsive to therapy (33 patients); D, immediate surgery for liver metastases (63 patients).

Neoadjuvant oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for liver metastases from colorectal cancer. An Italian survey.

Background: Only 10% to 25% of patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer are suitable for resection. Methods for increasing the resectability of liver metastases are based on specific surgical techniques and neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods: We collected retrospective data on patients from various Italian hospitals from 1996 to 2002.

A phase II study of three-weekly docetaxel and weekly trastuzumab in HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer.

Background: To test safety and activity of 3-weekly doses of docetaxel and a weekly dose of trastuzumab in women with HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer.

Patients And Methods: Forty-two women, median age 53 years (range 36-73 years), with HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer were enrolled in a study of docetaxel, 75 mg/m(2) q3w for 6 cycles, and trastuzumab, 4 mg/kg loading dose, 2 mg/kg weekly thereafter. Thirty-four patients (81%) had visceral metastatic involvement.

Safety and activity of docetaxel and trastuzumab in HER2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer: a pilot phase II study.

We conducted a pilot phase II trial of trastuzumab administered concurrently with docetaxel in women with HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer. Twenty-five women with HER2-positive (3+ by immunohistochemistry = 16, 2+ = 9) metastatic breast cancer received docetaxel (75 mg/m every 3 weeks for 6 cycles) and trastuzumab (4 mg/kg loading dose, 2 mg/kg weekly thereafter). Twenty-three patients (92%) had visceral metastatic involvement.