Initial romiplostim dosing and time to platelet response in patients with treatment refractory immune thrombocytopenia.

Background/rationale: Romiplostim is a thrombopoietin receptor agonist recommended as a second-line therapy for immune thrombocytopenia. An initial dose of 1 mcg/kg/week subcutaneously with weekly 1 mcg/kg dose escalation is recommended per package labeling. Optimizing romiplostim dosing for hospitalized, corticosteroid- and intravenous immunoglobulin-refractory patients with severe thrombocytopenia secondary to immune thrombocytopenia may be critical for improving platelet responses, reducing the risk of bleeding, and decreasing hospital length of stay.

Increased Foxp3Helios Regulatory T Cells and Decreased Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease after Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation in Patients Receiving Sirolimus and RGI-2001, an Activator of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells.

Regulatory T (Treg) cells play a central role in immune tolerance and prevention of aberrant immune responses. Several studies have suggested that the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) can be ameliorated by increasing Tregs. We have developed an approach of in vivo expansion of Tregs with RGI-2001, a novel liposomal formulation of a synthetic derivative of alpha-galactosylceramide, a naturally occurring ligand that binds to CD1 and activates and expands invariant natural killer cells.

Consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with classic hairy cell leukemia.

Hairy cell leukemia is an uncommon hematologic malignancy characterized by pancytopenia and marked susceptibility to infection. Tremendous progress in the management of patients with this disease has resulted in high response rates and improved survival, yet relapse and an appropriate approach to re-treatment present continuing areas for research. The disease and its effective treatment are associated with immunosuppression.

Outcomes of definitive chemoradiation in patients with esophageal cancer.

The incidence of esophageal cancer has risen dramatically in the Western world. Although surgical resection of esophageal tumors is considered the cornerstone of curative approaches in localized esophageal cancer, approximately 40% of patients who undergo chemoradiation followed by surgery will experience a recurrence. Additionally, surgical resection is not a viable option for many patients with locally advanced unresectable disease, poor general condition or whose condition deteriorated following chemoradiation.

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease mimicking an epidural spinal cord tumor: case report.

The authors report a case of immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) presenting as a paraspinal, epidural mass. This disease encompasses a host of autoimmune conditions that were previously thought to be separate entities. It is characterized by fibrosis, mediated by the aberrant proliferation and tissue invasion of IgG4-positive plasma cells, which can occur in any organ.

Phase 1 Study of CEP-37250/KHK2804, a Tumor-specific Anti-glycoconjugate Monoclonal Antibody, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors.

Background: CEP-37250/KHK2804 is a recombinant, humanized, non-fucosylated, monoclonal antibody directed to sialic acid-containing glycoconjugates frequently found on certain tumor cell types.

Objective: The objective was to determine the safety, tolerability, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), pharmacokinetics, potential immunogenicity, and preliminary clinical efficacy of CEP-37250/KHK2804 monotherapy in patients with advanced cancer in a first-in-human, phase 1 study.

Materials And Methods: In phase 1a, patients (n = 31) with solid tumors received increasing doses of CEP-37250/KHK2804 (0.

Insulin and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway regulate Ribonuclease 7 expression in the human urinary tract.

Diabetes mellitus is a systemic disease associated with a deficiency of insulin production or action. Diabetic patients have an increased susceptibility to infection with the urinary tract being the most common site. Recent studies suggest that Ribonuclease 7 (RNase 7) is a potent antimicrobial peptide that plays an important role in protecting the urinary tract from bacterial insult.

Exceptional Response to Systemic Therapy in Advanced Metastatic Gastric Cancer: A Case Report.

Gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas represent one of the top five most common types of cancer worldwide. Despite significant advancement, it is still not known which first-line chemotherapy option is best matched to an individual patient. The vast advances in molecular biology have led to the discovery of many potential predictive biomarkers, such as HER-2 neu, thymidylate synthase (TS), excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1), and topoisomerase-1 (TOPO1).

Maintenance therapy for colorectal cancer: which regimen and which patients?

The introduction of therapeutic agents such as irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and more recently biologic agents such as vascular endothelial growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors has significantly improved survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. These novel agents have also contributed to added toxicities. Therefore, several studies have evaluated the role of maintenance therapy with less intensive regimens in patients who experienced stable disease or treatment response following induction therapy as a strategy to reduce toxicity and improve quality of life.

Comprehensive Genomic Profiling of Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinomas and Esophageal Adenocarcinomas Reveals Similarities and Differences.

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) and esophageal adenocarcinomas (EACs) account for >95% of esophageal malignancies and represent a major global health burden. ESCC is the dominant histology globally but represents a minority of U.S.

Dosimetric evaluation of intensity-modulated radiotherapy, volumetric modulated arc therapy, and helical tomotherapy for hippocampal-avoidance whole brain radiotherapy.

Background: Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is a vital tool in radiation oncology and beyond, but it can result in adverse health effects such as neurocognitive decline. Hippocampal Avoidance WBRT (HA-WBRT) is a strategy that aims to mitigate the neuro-cognitive side effects of whole brain radiotherapy treatment by sparing the hippocampi while delivering the prescribed dose to the rest of the brain. Several competing modalities capable of delivering HA-WBRT, include: Philips Pinnacle step-and-shoot intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), Varian RapidArc volumetric modulated arc therapy (RapidArc), and helical TomoTherapy (TomoTherapy).

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) may provide effective palliation in the treatment of primary tracheal carcinoma: a small case series.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in primary tracheal carcinomas.

Methods: Data were obtained from patients treated with Photofrin(®) PDT for primary tracheal carcinoma at the Ohio State University. Demographic data as well as survival and response were collected.

Update and review of the multidisciplinary management of stage IV colorectal cancer with liver metastases.

Background: The management of stage IV colorectal cancer with liver metastases has historically involved a multidisciplinary approach. In the last several decades, there have been great strides made in the therapeutic options available to treat these patients with advancements in medical, surgical, locoregional and adjunctive therapies available to patients with colorectal liver metastases(CLM). As a result, there have been improvements in patient care and survival.

Quality of life of adult patients with sickle cell disease.

Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine quality of life (QOL) in adult patients with sickle cell anemia, hemoglobin SC, or hemoglobin S beta thalassemia.

Data Sources: Data were collected from a convenience sample of 62 adult patients (18 years of age and older) with sickle cell disease (SCD) in an outpatient clinic devoted to the care of hematological and oncological disorders. Burckhardt and Anderson's 16-item self-report Quality of Life Scale (QOLS) and a demographic questionnaire were used for data collection.

A phase II study of chloroquinoxaline sulfonamide (CQS) in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (MCRC).

Purpose: Phase II multicenter study investigated the efficacy and toxicity of the novel halogenated derivative of sulfaquixonaline Chloroquinoxaline Sulfonamide (CQS) in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Experimental Design: Eligible patients with metastatic or recurrent colorectal cancer received CQS at a dose schedule of 2000 mg/m2 over an hour weekly for 4 weeks every 42 days. Treatment was continued until unexpected toxicity or disease progression.

Induction paclitaxel in previously untreated, resectable, advanced squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck.

Background: Previous Phase II trials evaluating paclitaxel as a single agent have produced objective response rates of 38-40%. However, in these studies patients had recurrent disease and had received previous treatment with chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or some combination of the same. To the authors' knowledge, the study reported here is the first to examine the role of paclitaxel in affecting objective antitumor response, as a single agent, in a previously untreated patient population.