Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology
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J. Cancer Res. Clin. Oncol. · Nov 2002
Clinical TrialHigh rates of long-lasting remissions after 5-day bendamustine chemotherapy cycles in pre-treated low-grade non-Hodgkin's-lymphomas.
Since continuous relapse rates are characteristic for advanced low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL), their treatment remains a problem. Previous phase II studies showed that bendamustine induced high remission rates in pre-treated low-grade NHL. To further examine its efficacy and side effects, bendamustine has been studied in a large number of patients with pre-treated low-grade NHL. Follow-up time was 3-8 years. ⋯ Bendamustine proved to be very effective in pre-treated low-grade NHL patients by inducing high rates of long-lasting remissions. Bendamustine combines the pharmacological properties of an alkylating agent with those of a purine analogue and showed no cross-resistance to chlorambucil, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone, and other anthracyclines. The myelosuppressive toxicities were dose limiting, and the non-haematological side effects were moderate.
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J. Cancer Res. Clin. Oncol. · Jun 2002
Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialComparing whole body (18)F-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography and technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate bone scan to detect bone metastases in patients with breast cancer.
At present, bone metastases are usually assessed using conventional technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate whole-body bone scan, which has a high sensitivity but a poor specificity. However, positron emission tomography with (18)F-2-deoxyglucose (FDG-PET) can offer superior spatial resolution and improved specificity. We attempted to evaluate the usefulness of FDG-PET for detecting bone metastases in breast cancer and to compare FDG-PET results with bone scan findings. ⋯ Our findings suggest that FDG-PET shows a similar sensitivity and a better accuracy than bone scan for detecting bone metastases in patients with breast cancer.
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J. Cancer Res. Clin. Oncol. · Jun 2002
Clinical TrialPhase I clinical and pharmacokinetic study of combination chemotherapy with topotecan and ifosfamide in patients with progressive or relapsed solid tumors.
Topotecan and ifosfamide are effective in the treatment of various solid tumors. Up to the time of this study, the two drugs have been combined just once (Smith et al. 1998). Due to its hematotoxicity, topotecan has been used predominantly within monochemotherapy protocols. However, the combination of topotecan and alkylating agents is supra-additive in many preclinical models. This phase-I trial was primarily performed to evaluate the maximum tolerable dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of a combination chemotherapy with topotecan and ifosfamide using a 5-day schedule. A secondary goal was to estimate the response rate in a group of heavily pretreated patients with advanced solid tumors. ⋯ Further trials should not exceed this dose. The pharmacological causes for the pronounced toxicity have to be clarified.
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J. Cancer Res. Clin. Oncol. · Apr 2002
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialTemozolomide and whole brain irradiation in melanoma metastatic to the brain: a phase II trial of the Cytokine Working Group.
To evaluate the antitumor effects and toxicities of whole brain irradiation (WBI) with temozolomide (TMZ) administered by prolonged oral dosing in patients with melanoma metastatic to the brain. ⋯ WBI has lower than expected activity in CNS metastasis of malignant melanoma. Although TMZ can be safely administered with WBI, the combination has limited anti-tumor activity.
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J. Cancer Res. Clin. Oncol. · Mar 2002
Case ReportsComplete remission of a primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma of the lower leg by first-line monotherapy with the CD20-antibody rituximab.
Rituximab is a genetically engineered antibody recognizing the CD20 antigen known to be expressed by more than 95% of B-cell lymphomas. Recently the antibody has been approved for routine administration in primary extracutaneous, treatment-refractory or relapsed low-grade, follicular non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphomas. With regard to the pathogenetically related primary cutaneous lymphomas, the so-called large B-cell lymphoma of the leg represents a distinct, but rare subentity. In an 89-year-old, multimorbid patient who was affected by such a non-resectable CD20+ large B-cell lymphoma limited to the skin of both lower legs, rituximab was used as a first-line monotherapy in order to avoid local or systemic toxicities inevitably linked to conventional treatment modalities, i.e., radio- or chemotherapy. ⋯ Our case observation demonstrates that an intensified, i.e. eightfold, rituximab application in weekly intervals may be a highly effective, tumor target cell-specific first-line monotherapy in the management of primary cutaneous large B-cell lymphoma of the leg. Given the rareness of the disease, the result as well as the possible contribution of the prednisolone premedication will have to be evaluated in a future, controlled, multi-centre study.