Cancer investigation
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Cancer investigation · Jan 2002
ReviewPegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil) for metastatic breast cancer: the Cancer Research Network, Inc., experience.
Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil) was formulated to improve the safety profile of doxorubicin. The major toxicities, mucositis and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, are dose and schedule dependent, respectively. Anecdotal experience suggests that a dosage of 40 mg/m2 every 4 weeks is well tolerated. ⋯ There was no grade 4 toxicity. The only grade 3 toxicities were leukopenia in seven (18%) patients, mucositis in one (3%), and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia in one (3%). More studies are warranted to confirm our findings, which suggest that pegylated liposomal doxorubicin at a dosage of 40-45 mg/m2 every 4 weeks is clinically active in, and well tolerated by, women with metastatic breast cancer.
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Cancer investigation · Jan 2002
Detecting mediastinal lymph node metastases in non-small-cell lung cancer using a combination of technetium-99m tetrofosmin chest single photon emission computed tomography and chest computed tomography.
The staging of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to detect mediastinal lymph node (MLN) metastases is very important for determining the therapeutic strategy. ⋯ Tc-99m tetrofosmin chest SPECT was more accurate than chest CT in detecting MLN metastases in NSCLC patients. In addition, the combined use of Tc-99m tetrofosmin chest SPECT and chest CT could significantly increase the sensitivity and specificity compared with the single use of either Tc-99m tetrofosmin chest SPECT or chest CT.
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Dexamethasone and histamine antagonists have been employed commonly as premedications for prophylaxis of hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) to paclitaxel. Frequent premedications for weekly administration of paclitaxel are associated with added side-effects and extra cost. We analyzed our experience of HSRs to paclitaxel administered every 3-4 weeks, and designed a treatment algorithm to eliminate premedications in a majority of patients receiving weekly paclitaxel. ⋯ We conclude that this premedication strategy is feasible and worthy of further study for patients receiving weekly paclitaxel.
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Cancer investigation · Jan 2002
Review Comparative StudyThe new bisphosphonate, Zometa (zoledronic acid), decreases skeletal complications in both osteolytic and osteoblastic lesions: a comparison to pamidronate.
Bisphosphonates are the treatment of choice for lytic bone lesions associated with breast cancer. In contrast, bone lesions associated with prostate cancer are predominately osteoblastic. Zoledonic acid (Zol) is a new-generation bisphosphonate that is approximately 2-3 orders of magnitude more potent than pamidronate (Pam) in preclinical models and has demonstrated clinical efficacy in patients with both lytic and blastic lesions. ⋯ In these studies, Zol was well tolerated with a safety profile similar to other IV bisphosphonates. In conclusion, Zol is the first bisphosphonate to demonstrate efficacy in both lytic and blastic disease. The unique properties of this novel agent should be further explored in future clinical trials.