A randomized, double-blind trial of famciclovir versus acyclovir for the treatment of localized dermatomal herpes zoster in immunocompromised patients.

In this randomized, double-blind, multicenter, acyclovir-controlled study, the efficacy and safety of famciclovir were evaluated for the treatment of herpes zoster in patients who were immunocompromised following bone marrow or solid organ transplantation or oncology treatment. A total of 148 patients, 12 years or older with clinical evidence of localized herpes zoster, received either oral famciclovir, 500 mg three times daily, or acyclovir, 800 mg five times daily, for 10 days. Famciclovir was equivalent to acyclovir with respect to the numbers of patients reporting new lesion formation while on therapy (77% vs.

Alkylator resistance in human B lymphoid cell lines: (2). Increased levels of topoisomerase II expression and function in a melphalan-resistant B-CLL cell line.

Previous studies have demonstrated alkylating (melphalan) resistance in the B-CLL derived WSU-CLL cell line as compared to WIL2 B lymphocytic cells. Nuclear extracts from WSU-CLL cells demonstrate a highly significant increase in DNA topoisomerase II activity as compared to WIL2 cells. Western blot analysis showed the level of topoisomerase II proteins expressed in WSU-CLL cells to be increased as compared to WIL2 cells.

Alkylator resistance in human B lymphoid cell lines: (1). Melphalan accumulation, cytotoxicity, interstrand-DNA-crosslinks, cell cycle analysis, and glutathione content in the melphalan-sensitive B-lymphocytic cell line (WIL2) and in the melphalan-resistant B-CLL cell line (WSU-CLL).

Two human B lymphoid cell lines WIL2 (melphalan sensitive. ***IC50:8.57 +/- 1.

Dose-dependent hormonal effects of toremifene in postmenopausal breast cancer patients.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare hormonal effects of three toremifene doses, 20 mg (TOR20), 40 mg (TOR40) and 60 mg (TOR60) administered daily, in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer.

Methods: The study was randomized and open label in three parallel groups. Biochemical variables were identified as the serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG).

c-erb-B2 expression and response to treatment in metastatic breast cancer.

The frequency of c-erb-B2 expression, clinical correlates and treatment outcome was investigated in 92 patients with metastatic breast cancer. Positive c-erb-B2 immunostaining was found in 24/92 (26%) of tumours. There was a statistically significant inverse correlation between c-erb-B2 expression and ER status.