Assessing cumulative acute toxicity of chemoradiotherapy in head and neck cancer with or without induction chemotherapy.

Background: To compare cumulative acute toxicity in head and neck cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone (CCRT) versus induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by CCRT (I/CCRT).

Methods: 77 patients underwent definitive CCRT (30 I/CCRT and 47 CCRT). Toxicity was graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.

Stepwise development of a cancer care delivery research study to evaluate the prevalence of virus infections in cancer patients.

Background: SWOG initiated a cancer care delivery research study of virus infection rates among newly diagnosed cancer patients. This study will inform viral screening guidelines in oncology clinics.

Methods: In a first step 'vanguard' phase, we evaluated the feasibility of multiple study procedures.

Prognostic factors for advanced-stage human immunodeficiency virus-associated classical Hodgkin lymphoma treated with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine plus combined antiretroviral therapy: a multi-institutional retrospective study.

Background: The treatment and outcomes of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) continue to evolve. The International Prognostic Score (IPS) is used to predict the survival of patients with advanced-stage HL, but it has not been validated in patients with HIV infection.

Methods: This was a multi-institutional, retrospective study of 229 patients with HIV-associated, advanced-stage, classical HL who received doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) plus combination antiretroviral therapy.

The influence of limited English proficiency on outcome in patients treated with radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Objective: To evaluate how limited English proficiency affects treatment outcome in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated with curative intent radiation therapy (RT).

Methods: From 2004 to 2010, 131 patients with HNC underwent RT. Patient's self-reported primary language and race/ethnicity were obtained at hospital registration.

Cancer and men who have sex with men: a systematic review.

Disparities in cancer burden between specific populations are widely acknowledged, including differences associated with sexual orientation. We searched PubMed for articles about cancer in men who have sex with men. Of the 410 publications that we identified, 47 reports were eligible for inclusion and review.

Human immunodeficiency virus-associated primary lung cancer in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy: a multi-institutional collaboration.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals are at increased risk for primary lung cancer (LC). We wished to compare the clinicopathologic features and treatment outcome of HIV-LC patients with HIV-indeterminate LC patients. We also sought to compare behavioral characteristics and immunologic features of HIV-LC patients with HIV-positive patients without LC.

HIV-associated bladder cancer: a case series evaluating difficulties in diagnosis and management.

Background: Chronic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with an increased incidence of Non-Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (non-AIDS) defining cancers. To date, only a limited number of cases of bladder cancer have been linked with HIV infection. We sought to describe the clinical characteristics of HIV-associated bladder cancer.

Human immunodeficiency virus-associated prostate cancer: clinicopathological findings and outcome in a multi-institutional study.

Objective: To characterize the clinicopathological findings and the outcome of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients diagnosed and treated for prostate carcinoma, as HIV-positive men being treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) are living longer and thus are more likely to develop cancers such as prostate cancer.

Patients And Methods: We performed a retrospective, multi-institutional study involving HIV-positive men with concomitant prostate carcinoma. We collected data regarding patient demographics (age, race), HIV status (CD4(+) cell count, HIV viral load, HAART), PSA level (at cancer diagnosis), symptoms and signs, radiological findings, pathology (Gleason score, stage), cancer treatment (type, side-effects), and outcome (response, survival).

HIV-associated monoclonal gammopathy: a retrospective analysis of 25 patients.

Background: Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is unusual in the general population aged <60 years. Various reports indicate a much higher incidence of monoclonal gammopathy among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients and a significantly younger age at diagnosis. We sought to describe the laboratory findings and clinical course of MGUS, including association with plasma cell disorders, other malignancies, and infections, in 25 HIV-infected patients with a detectable serum monoclonal protein.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy and viral response in HIV type 2 infection.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2), the second human retrovirus known to cause AIDS, is endemic to West Africa but is infrequently found outside this region. We present a case series of 10 HIV-2--infected individuals treated in the United States. Physicians applied the principles of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), normally used in treating HIV type 1, with modifications considered appropriate for treating HIV-2.

Non-AIDS-defining cancer in HIV-infected people.

Since the advent of HAART, the natural history of HIV disease has been changing, with decreased risk of life-threatening opportunistic infections and prolonged survival. Concurrently, a variety of non-AIDS-defining cancers have been reported with increased incidence in HIV-infected adults, including anal cancer, Hodgkin's disease, head and neck cancer, testicular cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer of the skin, and melanoma. It appears that these tumors may have a more aggressive clinical course in HIV-infected people.

HIV and refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB).

We report the case of a 36 year old man who was hospitalized with pneumonia and pancytopenia with refractory anemia with excess blasts confirmed by bone marrow biopsy. He was subsequently found to have advanced HIV infection. Both the HIV infection and the myelodysplastic syndrome responded to highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) with sustained normalization of his hematologic abnormalities within 79 days.

Phase II evaluation of low-dose oral etoposide for the treatment of relapsed or progressive AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma: an AIDS Clinical Trials Group clinical study.

Purpose: Liposomal anthracyclines and paclitaxel are considered the best available cytotoxic therapies for Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), but relapse is common. To identify new interventions for relapsed or progressive KS, a phase II study of low-dose etoposide to assess its toxicity and efficacy was conducted.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-six patients with high-risk KS were treated with oral etoposide 50 mg/d for 7 consecutive days of every 2-week cycle.

Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor COL-3 in the treatment of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma: a phase I AIDS malignancy consortium study.

Purpose: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in tumor invasion and metastasis and are overexpressed in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) cells. The primary aim was to define the safety and toxicity of the MMP inhibitor COL-3 in patients with AIDS-related KS. Secondary aims were to evaluate tumor response, pharmacokinetics, and changes in blood levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).