Low-dose radiotherapy (2×2 g) versus low doses and rituximab in the treatment of marginal zone b-cell lymphoma previously untreated.

Unlabelled: Radiotherapy (RT)is considered the treatment of choice in patients with Extra-nodal marginal zone lymphoma (EMZL) at early stage, but the presence of late toxicities has been limited the acceptance. Recently, low doses of RT LDR) (2 x 2 Gy) and the use of limited fields has been observed that retain the efficacy but eliminate toxicities; rituximab is considered as a single agent useful in these setting of patients. Thus, we conducted a open label study to evaluate the use of LDR compared with LDR and rituximab, in a large number of patients without previous treatment.

Retracted article: Adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in advanced stage (III/IV) improves the outcome in the rituximab era.

We, the Editor[s] and Publisher of Hematology, have retracted the following article: Avilès, A, Nambo, M-J, Calva, A, et al. Adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in advanced stage (III/IV) improves the outcome in the rituximab era. Hematology.

Prolonged Use of Zoledronic Acid (4 Years) Did Not Improve Outcome in Multiple Myeloma Patients.

Background: Bisphosphonates, especially zoledronic acid (ZA), show antitumor effects in multiple myeloma (MM) and other neoplasms. The standard time for ZA administration has been 2 years. However, with improvement in overall survival (OS) in MM with new agents, it unclear whether ZA could be administered for a prolonged time to improve OS.

Hemodiafiltration Decreases Serum Levels of Inflammatory Mediators in Severe Leptospirosis: A Prospective Study.

Background: Leptospirosis is a health problem worldwide. Its most severe form is a classic model of sepsis, provoking acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute kidney injury (AKI), with associated mortality that remains unacceptably high. We previously demonstrated that early initiation of sustained low-efficiency dialysis (SLED) followed by daily SLED significantly decreases mortality.

Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography to Detect Cardiac Toxicity in Children Who Received Anthracyclines During Pregnancy.

Cardiac toxicities remain a possible risk to fetuses that received anthracyclines during pregnancy. The introduction of new echocardiographic techniques will improve the detection of early cardiac damage. Thus, we began a observational study using speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in children who had received anthracyclines during pregnancy, including the first trimester.

Early identification of leptospirosis-associated pulmonary hemorrhage syndrome by use of a validated prediction model.

Objective: To identify prediction factors for the development of leptospirosis-associated pulmonary hemorrhage syndrome (LPHS).

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study. The study comprised of 203 patients, aged > or =14 years, admitted with complications of the severe form of leptospirosis at the Emílio Ribas Institute of Infectology (Sao Paulo, Brazil) between 1998 and 2004.

Rituximab and dose-dense chemotherapy in primary testicular lymphoma.

Background: Treatment of primary testicular lymphoma (PTL) remains unsatisfactory even in patients with good prognosis, as < 30% of patients are alive at 3 years.

Patients And Methods: We began a phase II study to assess efficacy and toxicity of a dose-dense cyclophosphamide/epirubicin/vincristine/prednisone (CEOP14) regimen with rituximab (CEOP14R) in 38 previously untreated patients with PTL with early-stage (I or II) and low-risk disease, followed by adjuvant radiation therapy and central nervous system prophylaxis.

Results: Complete response was 86% (similar to historical controls), but improvement in outcome was observed; with actuarial curves at 5 years, event-free survival was 70%, and overall survival was 66%.

Rituximab and chemotherapy in primary gastric lymphoma.

Purpose: We performed a phase II clinical trial to assess the efficacy and toxicity of the addition of rituximab and conventional chemotherapy in primary gastric lymphoma (PGL).

Methods: Forty-two (42) patients with PGL, stage IE and IIE, and with low- or low-intermediate clinical risk were treated in a prospective longitudinal study with standard CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) chemotherapy and rituximab (375 mg/m2, intravenously) on day 1 of each cycle administered every 21 days, for 6 cycles. The endpoint was to assess improvement in outcome measured by prolongation in event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results of a phase III clinical trial: CHOP versus CMED in peripheral T-cell lymphoma unspecified.

We performed a controlled clinical trial to define the use of a brief therapy: CMED (cyclophosphamide, etoposide, methotrexate, and dexamethasone) compared with standard CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) in the treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma unspecific (PTCLu). The end point to the study was to assess efficacy, measured from complete response rate (CRR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival in 217 previously untreated patients with PTCLu. In an intent-to treat analysis all patients were evaluable.

Interferon and low dose methotrexate improve outcome in refractory mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome.

Treatment of refractory mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome remain unsatisfactory. In this study, we assessed the efficacy and toxicity of low-dose methotrexate (10 mg/m(2), biweekly) and interferon (9.0 MU, three times a week) as induction therapy by 6 or 12 months, followed, if patients achieved a complete remission, by interferon maintenance until toxicity or relapse.

Antitumor effect of zoledronic acid in previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma.

Bisphophonates are the treatment of choice to prevent skeletal events in patients with multiple myeloma. Some preclinical studies suggested that bisphophonates can be useful as antitumor drugs in some malignancies. We conducted a controlled clinical trial to assess if zoledronic acid can have this clinical activity.

Door-to-dialysis time and daily hemodialysis in patients with leptospirosis: impact on mortality.

Background: Leptospirosis is a public health problem, the severe form of which (Weil's disease) includes acute respiratory distress syndrome, typically accompanied by acute kidney injury (AKI), and is associated with high mortality rates. Recent evidence suggests that dialysis dosage affects outcomes in critically ill patients with sepsis-induced AKI. However, this population varies widely in terms of age, gender, and concomitant conditions, making it difficult to determine the appropriate timing (door-to-dialysis time) and dialysis dosage.

Dose dense (CEOP-14) vs dose dense and rituximab (CEOP-14 +R) in high-risk diffuse large cell lymphoma.

To assess efficacy and toxicity of rituximab and dose chemotherapy in high-risk diffuse large cell lymphoma, we conducted a controlled clinical trial to assess efficacy and toxicity of a dose-dense regimen CEOP- 14 (cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, vincristine, and prednisone every 14 d) compared to CEOP-14 plus rituximab. One hundred and ninety-six patients were randomized to received CEOP-rituximab (cyclophosphamide 1500 mg/m2, epirubicin 120 mg/m2, vincristine, and prednisone at standard dose and rituximab at 375 mg/m2) compared with the same chemotherapy administered every 14 d (CEOP-14). In an intent-to-treat analysis all patients were available for efficacy and toxicity.

Rituximab and dose dense chemotherapy in primary breast lymphoma.

Treatment of primary breast lymphoma (PBL) remains unsatisfactory. We assess a clinical study to evaluate efficacy and toxicity of a dose dense regimen (CEOP-14) and rituximab in 32 previously untreated female patients with PBL in early stage. There was no difference in complete response rate (87%), event free-survival (75%) and overall survival (63%) compared with historical patients.

Rituximab and escalated chemotherapy in elderly patients with aggressive diffuse large-cell lymphoma: a controlled clinical trial.

The treatment of elderly patients with aggressive malignant lymphoma has not been defined. The addition of rituximab to conventional chemotherapy has been reported to improve the outcome, but most patients have good prognostic factors (performance status < 2, no severe associated diseases, low or low-intermediate clinical risk). Thus, we developed a combined regimen, including escalated doses of anthracycline and rituximab.

CMED in the treatment of nasal natural killer cell lymphoma with distant metastases.

Introduction: Nasal natural killer (NK) cell lymphoma that showed distant metastases generally showed an poor prognosis. We described a group of patients with these atypical presentation and that were treated with an intensive, short chemotherapy/radiotherapy regimen.

Methods: Sixty-one patients fulfilled the criteria for NK cell lymphoma with distant metastases and all have very poor prognostic factors: high clinical risk, multiple extranodal presentation and bulky disease (tumor mass >10 cm).

Addition of a short course of chemotherapy did not improve outcome in patients with localized marginal B-cell lymphoma of the orbit.

Objectives: Primary orbital malignant lymphoma (POML) is a rare malignancy, thus treatment remains to be defined. The present study was designed to define if the use of radiotherapy is sufficient in these patients or if the use of adjuvant chemotherapy would improve the outcome.

Methods: Between 1983 and 1995, 98 previously untreated patients diagnosed with POML, stage IE, were randomly allocated to receive either radiotherapy (34-40 Gy) or the same radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy including anthracycline.

Surgery and chemotherapy versus chemotherapy as treatment of high-grade MALT gastric lymphoma.

Background And Objectives: Treatment of high-grade MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) gastric lymphoma remains uncertain. To assess efficacy and toxicity of the most common therapies--surgery followed by chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone--we began a controlled clinical trial in patients in early stage (I and II 1).

Methods: One hundred and two patients were randomized to be treated with surgery followed by six cycles of CEOP-Bleo (cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, vincristine, prednisone, and bleomycin at standard doses) (52 cases) or with chemotherapy alone (49 cases).

Residual disease after chemotherapy in aggressive malignant lymphoma: the role of radiotherapy.

Residual disease in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after intensive chemotherapy remains a problem. Radiotherapy has been used in some retrospective studies without definitive conclusions. We report the first controlled clinical trial to define the role of radiotherapy in this setting of patients.

Primary breast lymphoma: results of a controlled clinical trial.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and toxicity of the most employed therapeutic approaches in the treatment of primary breast lymphoma (PBL).

Methods: Ninety-six patients with PBL in the early stage (I or II) were enrolled to receive radiotherapy (45 Gy); chemotherapy (six cycles of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP), every 21 days), or combined therapy.

Results: Complete response was achieved in 20 of 30 patients treated with radiotherapy, 19 of 32 who were treated with chemotherapy and 30 of 34 in the combined arm (p<0.

Novel therapy in multiple myeloma.

Treatment in patients with multiple myeloma remain to be defined. Younger patients (defined as a cut-off level < 65 years old) will be treated with chemotherapy and transplant procedures. However, most patients > 65 years old are not candidates for this therapeutic approach and the use of intensive chemotherapy could be associated to severe toxicity.

Late cardiac toxicity secondary to treatment in Hodgkin's disease. A study comparing doxorubicin, epirubicin and mitoxantrone in combined therapy.

Anthracyclines are a group of drugs that are useful in the treatment of Hodgkin's disease, but have been associated with severe, and in some cases lethal, cardiac toxicity. Apparently, cardiac toxicity is more frequent after 10 years of anthracycline therapy, but no longer studies of cardiac toxicity have been reported. Four hundred and seventy-six patients with Hodgkin's disease, stages III and IV, were randomly assigned to receive ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine) compared with EBVD (epirubicin instead of doxorubicin) and MBVD (mitoxantrone instead of doxorubicin) at standard doses.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of the stomach: results of a controlled clinical trial.

Treatment of patients with early stage gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) remains undefined. We began a controlled clinical trial to evaluate efficacy and toxicity of the most common therapies. Two hundred and forty-one patients with gastric low-grade MALT lymphoma in early stage (IE and IIE) were randomized to surgery (80 cases), radiotherapy (78 cases), and chemotherapy (83 cases).

Intensive chemotherapy in the treatment of aggressive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: malignant lymphoma.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate an intensive chemotherapy regimen in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and poor prognosis, as presence of high- or high-intermediate clinical risk, bulky disease, high levels of beta 2 microgloblin, and more than two extranodal sites of involvement at diagnosis. One hundred previously untreated patients were treated with an intensive CEOP-Bleo regimen with increased doses of cyclophosphamide (1000 mg/m(2)) and epirubicin (120 mg/m(2)) in each cycle. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors was employed to ameliorate severe granulocytopenia.