[Phase II study of lung cancer--evaluation of new drug in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and phase II testing of analogues].

The purpose of this report is to review the problems in the evaluation of new drugs in SCLC and phase II testing of analogues in lung cancer. SCLC is one of the most chemotherapy-sensitive solid tumours and patients (pts) who relapse after their first-line treatment are likely to have resistant tumors, precluding the appropriate evaluation of new drugs, especially analogues. However, it is ethically difficult to evaluate new drugs in untreated pts with SCLC.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the pleural cavity developing from long-standing pyothorax. Summary of clinical and pathological findings in thirty-seven cases.

Our previous study suggested a close relation between a preceding chronic tuberculous pyothorax and the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in the pleural cavity. To confirm this further, 37 cases were collected from Japanese hospitals, and their clinical and pathological findings summarized. The age at first admission for lymphoma of patients ranged from 46 to 81 (mean 63) years, the male to female ratio being 5.

Activation of the cytokine network by muroctasin as a remedy for leukopenia and thrombopenia.

N2-[(N-Acetylmuramoyl)-L-alanyl-D-isoglutaminyl]-N6-stearoyl-L-lysine (MDP-Lys(L18), muroctasin), a derivative of muramyl dipeptide (MDP), is known to promote recovery of peripheral leukocyte and platelet counts by inducing cytokines, especially colony stimulating factor (CSF) in myelosuppression secondary to anticancer therapy. This paper reviews the results of a double-blind comparative study on lung cancer patients, administered either 200 micrograms or 20 micrograms of muroctasin for 6 days post-chemotherapy. It demonstrates the efficacy of muroctasin, at 200 micrograms doses levels only, in promoting early recovery of leukocyte and platelet counts and hence the potential for earlier initiation of chemotherapy cycles.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the pleural cavity developing from long-standing pyothorax.

Malignant lymphomas developing in tissue affected by a long-standing severe inflammatory process of nonautoimmune nature are presented. Two men and a woman aged 50, 58, and 73 years, were admitted after 22 to 30 year histories of pyothorax resulting from artificial pneumothorax for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis or tuberculous pleuritis. The diagnoses at admission were chronic pyothorax associated with a lung mass.