Cancer
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The high incidence of dose-limiting myelosuppresion using the U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved topotecan dose of 1.5 mg/m(2) for 5 days every 3 weeks may have limited its utility in the treatment of patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma. The objective of the study was to evaluate the treatment results and toxicity of a low-dose topotecan regimen as second-line treatment for patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma. ⋯ Topotecan at a dose of 1.0 mg/m(2) has similar efficacy based on response rate and lower toxicity compared with the approved schedule of 1.5 mg/m(2) for 5 days every 3 weeks in second-line treatment for patients with platinum-resistant and paclitaxel-resistant epithelial ovarian carcinoma. However, a comparison of different topotecan doses and schedules preferably should be made in a randomized setting in well-characterized populations with regard to established prognostic factors.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Interleukin-2, interferon-alpha, 5-fluorouracil, and vinblastine in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a prospective phase II study: the experience of Rambam and Lin Medical Centers 1996-2000.
The current study evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and vinblastine (VBL) in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (MRCC). ⋯ Immunochemotherapy is effective and well-tolerated by patients with MRCC. Surgical intervention for resection of residual disease is justified.
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Few studies have examined the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) associated with parental medication use. As part of a large case-control study conducted by the Children's Cancer Group, we evaluated the association between maternal and paternal medication use and the risk of ALL in offspring. ⋯ The findings of this study suggest that certain parental medication use immediately before and during the index pregnancy may influence risk of ALL in offspring.
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Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody used for the treatment of metastatic breast carcinoma in women whose tumors overexpress the HER2 protein. Cardiotoxicity has been reported to occur with trastuzumab when administered alone and in combination with antineoplastic agents, particularly anthracyclines. The risk of cardiotoxicity with trastuzumab has been reported to be 4% with monotherapy and 27% when administered in combination with an anthracycline and cyclophosphamide, but to the author's knowledge severe outcomes, such as death or permanent disability, are uncommon. ⋯ Current methods for the early detection of cardiotoxicity in trastuzumab-treated patients are similar to those used in anthracycline-treated patients. Cardiac function is established at baseline and monitored regularly during treatment by physical examination and measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction. The majority of patients improve with proper treatment, and some are able to continue to receive trastuzumab.
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The authors conducted a Phase I/II study in patients with a poor prognosis who had locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and who were treated initially with induction chemotherapy. Patients were treated with weekly docetaxel and concurrent daily fractionated radiation therapy to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of docetaxel and the efficacy of the regimen. ⋯ The MTD of weekly docetaxel with concurrent daily radiation therapy in the postinduction setting was 25 mg/m(2). Disease free survival data from this study were good and indicated that this regimen was effective in the treatment of patients with SCCHN who had a poor prognosis.