Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B A Lowe

Publications and source records attributed to B A Lowe.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Oral bropirimine immunotherapy of carcinoma in situ of the bladder: results of a phase II trial.

OBJECTIVES: Bropirimine is an orally administered immunostimulant that has been shown to have activity against carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the bladder. To further assess this potential activity, bropirimine was administered to 42 patients for bladder CIS in a Phase II trial. METHODS: Patients were treated with bropirimine 3.0 g/day by mouth for 3 consecutive days each week up to 1 year. Cystoscopy with biopsies and bladder wash cytology were performed quarterly. RESULTS: Twenty (61%) of 33 evaluable patients converted malignant biopsies and bladder wash cytology to negative, including 6 (50%) of 12 who failed prior bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy, 14 (67%) of 21 who had not received prior BCG therapy, and 12 (80%) of 15 with primary CIS. Median response duration exceeds 21 months. Four of the 20 responders did have a papillary tumor recurrence at 3 to 15 months, all Stage Ta or T1. Mild toxicity (grade I or II) suggestive to interferon induction or administration occurred in one third of patients. Headache, transient hepatic enzyme elevations, skin rash, and arthralgias each occurred in 5% to 14% of the patients, with nausea or emesis in 21%. Grade 1 tachycardia/palpitations or chest pain each were noted in 5%. CONCLUSIONS: Oral bropirimine can induce remission of bladder CIS with acceptable toxicity at 3.0 g/day. Bropirimine may be a valuable alternative to cystectomy for some failures of BCG therapy and may have the potential to replace BCG as front-line therapy because of its ease of administration.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1996

Management of stage T1a prostate cancer.

The patient with incidentally discovered prostate cancer by transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) presents a difficult management problem for the clinician. These tumors are small and generally of low biologic potential. Offering aggressive treatment is not necessary in most patients; though in some patients, the tumor is not organ confined. Selecting that patient who may require tumor eradication to optimize survival requires careful analysis of known histological parameters identified at the time of diagnosis, an estimation of projected individual survival, and extensive counseling regarding options.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1994

Neoadjuvant hormonal therapy and radical prostatectomy for clinical stage C carcinoma of the prostate.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether hormonal therapy prior to radical prostatectomy (neoadjuvant hormonal therapy) leads to improved results in patients with stage C prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients received neoadjuvant hormonal therapy for stage C carcinoma of the prostate. Eighteen patients who responded to treatment subsequently underwent extirpative surgery. RESULTS: Fourteen of the 30 patients (47%) were diagnosed as being downstaged to clinical stage B disease following therapy. No major complications occurred. Pathology staging revealed only three patients (10%) to have organ-confined disease after radical prostatectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant hormonal therapy prior to radical prostatectomy offers little probability of rendering patients with clinical stage C carcinoma of the prostate free of disease. Further investigation of the efficacy of this treatment should be accomplished in randomized trials.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1993

Analysis of risk factors associated with prostate cancer extension to the surgical margin and pelvic node metastasis at radical prostatectomy.

We analyzed data from 107 consecutive patients with clinical stage B prostate cancer in an attempt to identify those at high risk for having involved margins or nodal metastasis. Each patient underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided sextant biopsies of the prostate. Patient age, surgical approach to prostatectomy, pre-biopsy prostate specific antigen (PSA) level, and number, location and maximum Gleason score of positive biopsies were statistically evaluated for all patients groups. Prostate volume and PSA density (PSAD) were calculated for all patients undergoing prostatectomy. Of the 101 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy 64 had negative margins, 37 had at least 1 positive margin and 11 of the 37 had more than 1 positive margin. Involved margins were most common at the apex (62%) and mid portion (59%) of the gland. Prostatectomy was not performed on 6 patients with nodal metastases evident on frozen section examination. Therefore, 43 patients are considered to be at high risk for having residual disease after surgery. The mean PSAD, PSA level and number of positive biopsies were significant (p < 0.05) predictors of tumor extension to the surgical margin. The mean number of positive biopsies, biopsy Gleason score and PSA level were significantly greater (p < 0.05) in patients with nodal metastases. Only 15% of the patients with a single positive biopsy had positive margins versus 47% of those with multiple positive biopsies (p < 0.05). Of the patients with tumor positive nodes on frozen section 67% had 5 or more positive biopsies, whereas only 9% of all others had that many positive biopsies (p < 0.05). The number of positive biopsy sites, PSAD and PSA level were significantly associated with tumor at the surgical margin or metastatic to the pelvic nodes.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1993

Surveillance versus nerve-sparing retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy in stage I nonseminomatous germ-cell tumors.

As in any health care situation, treatment for stage I nonseminomatous germ-cell tumor of the testis must be adapted to the needs of the individual patient, and a surveillance protocol may not always provide optimal care. Of concern is the relative paucity of information about relapse rates beyond 4 years, the long-term effects of salvage chemotherapy, and the potential of subclinical disease to become manifest many years after diagnosis. However, for the reliable patient with a stage I tumor demonstrating no histopathologic features indicative of a high risk of relapse, close surveillance may offer the advantages of a high likelihood of survival with less intervention and lower morbidity.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

Paraneoplastic neurological syndrome in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes are well known sequelae of some malignancies but they have never been reported in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. A paraneoplastic neurological syndrome characterized by visual changes, glossal spasm and dysphagia associated with an invasive high grade transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is reported. Neurological symptoms resolved after extirpation confirming a paraneoplastic condition. Recurrent disease was associated with recurrent neurological symptoms and resolved after a complete response to combination chemotherapy.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗
PubMed1992

Malignant transformation of angiomyolipoma.

Angiomyolipomas are well recognized but uncommon tumors that can involve the kidney. To our knowledge a well documented case of malignant change of angiomyolipoma has never been reported. We report a case of renal angiomyolipoma and leiomyosarcoma with a clearly identified transition of benign to malignant elements seen in the resected tissue.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

A randomized comparison of cisplatin alone or in combination with methotrexate, vinblastine, and doxorubicin in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma: a cooperative group study.

PURPOSE: A prospective randomized trial was performed to determine if the addition of methotrexate, vinblastine, and doxorubicin to cisplatin (M-VAC) imparted a response rate or a survival advantage over single-agent cisplatin in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From October 1984 through May 1989, 269 patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma were entered onto this international intergroup trial and randomized to receive intravenous (IV) cisplatin (70 mg/m2) alone or with methotrexate (30 mg/m2 on days 1, 15, 22), vinblastine (3 mg/m2 on days 2, 15, 22) plus doxorubicin (30 mg/m2 on day 2). Cycles were repeated every 28 days until tumor progression or a maximum of six cycles. There were 246 fully assessable patients of whom 126 were randomized to cisplatin alone and 120 were randomized to the M-VAC regimen. RESULTS: As expected, the M-VAC regimen was associated with a greater toxicity, especially leukopenia, mucositis, granulocytopenic fever, and drug-related mortality. Response rates were superior for the M-VAC regimen compared with single-agent cisplatin (39% v 12%; P less than .0001). Similarly, the progression-free survival (10.0 v 4.3 months) and overall survival (12.5 v 8.2 months) were significantly greater for the combined therapy arm. CONCLUSION: Although a more toxic regimen, we found M-VAC to be superior to single-agent cisplatin with respect to response rate, duration of remission, and overall survival in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Prostatic occurrence of transitional cell carcinoma after intravesical chemotherapy.

Thirteen patients with Stage Tis, Ta, or T1 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder treated by transurethral resections and intravesical chemotherapy developed TCC of the prostate. Among the 13 cases, cytology specimens were obtained from 10 at the time prostatic disease was diagnosed; 9 demonstrated TCC. One was treated successfully by transurethral resection of a Ta lesion involving the prostatic urethra only. One of 2 patients declining radical surgery is alive with residual disease at twenty-four months, and the other died of progressive disease at nineteen months. Of the 10 patients who underwent radical cystoprostatectomy, 7 are alive with no evidence of disease eight to forty-two months postoperatively, with 2 of these 7 having received 4 courses of systemic methotrexate, vincristine, Adriamycin, and cisplatinum (MVAC) for metastatic disease. Two of the 10 died of metastatic disease six and thirteen months postoperatively, and one frail patient died of surgical complications. When treating patients with intravesical chemotherapy for superficial TCC, biopsy of the prostate should be done during follow-up examinations, especially in the presence of cytologic or palpable prostatic abnormalities.

Administration, Intravesical↗
PubMed1991

Bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is an uncommon and serious infection associated with gas-forming coliform bacteria. Bilateral involvement is rare with only 10 reported cases in the English literature. Prompt and aggressive management is required to salvage these patients. Preservation of renal function using broad-spectrum antibiotics and surgical drainage provide the greatest benefit to these patients. Three new cases are presented with a brief review of the results of management in the reported cases.

Emphysema↗
PubMed1991

Single-dose, placebo-controlled comparative study of ibuprofen and acetaminophen antipyresis in children.

Ibuprofen was evaluated as an antipyretic agent in 178 children (aged 3 months to 12 years) to compare dosage (5 vs 10 mg/kg), establish absolute efficacy (with a placebo control group), determine relative efficacy (ibuprofen vs acetaminophen), evaluate maximum efficacy, and identify potential confounding variables. Ibuprofen 5 mg/kg was minimally effective in children less than 6 years of age who had an initial temperature of at least 38.8 degrees C (101.9 degrees F). Ibuprofen 10 mg/kg was more effective for febrile children. The area under the curve for temperature (or change in temperature) captured the net effect of each drug and provided the best estimate for efficacy comparison during a defined period. A linear correlation between initial temperature and measures of efficacy was observed. A twofold increase in efficacy was observed for children with an initial temperature less than 38.8 degrees C. A similar effect was noted for each treatment group. Age was also found to have confounding effects on antipyretic response. A complex interaction between antipyretic response, initial temperature, and age raises questions about the pharmacodynamics of the antipyretic response. We conclude that the most important variable in antipyretic study design is initial temperature. The influence of initial temperature on the magnitude of the response to an antipyretic drug is a previously unappreciated finding with potential impact on pharmacodynamic investigations of antipyretic medications. We describe this finding as nonlinear pharmacodynamics.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1991

Usefulness of scanning procedures for diagnosis of fever of unknown origin in children.

During a 5-year study period, 109 patients were referred to a large children's hospital for evaluation of prolonged fever of unknown origin, defined as temperature greater than or equal to 38 degrees C (100.4 degrees F) for 3 weeks or longer and negative findings on initial examination. A two-phase protocol of outpatient followed by inpatient diagnostic studies was instituted for most patients. Confirmed diagnoses were achieved in just 36 of these children (33%) in the following disease categories: infectious, 24 (22%); autoimmune, 7 (6%); and neoplastic, 2 (2%). Scanning or special procedures and the number with positive results (in parentheses) were as follows: abdominal ultrasonography, 43 (8); abdominal computed tomography, 14 (3); indium scan 11 (5); gallium scanning, 4 (1), upper gastrointestinal tract series, 13 (2); technetium bone scanning 15 (2); bone marrow examination, 16 (1); and cranial computed tomography, 7 (0). These studies rarely led to an unsuspected diagnosis. It appears most appropriate in evaluating fever of unknown origin in children to obtain only basic laboratory studies such as a complete blood cell count, urinalysis and culture, chest radiograph, tuberculin skin test, and, in the older child, an antinuclear antibody titer. When these test results are negative, almost all children can be observed clinically for progression of illness or a focus that might then direct specific diagnostic procedures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Physical, Chemical, Developmental, and Genetic Factors that Modulate the Agrobacterium-Vitis Interaction.

Tumor formation in Vitis species and hybrids, incited by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, was altered by chemical, physical, developmental, and genetic variables. Knowledge of the effect of these variables was used to develop a stringent in vitro assay system to select parents for a study of genetic factors that modulate tumor formation. Tumor formation was reduced by short day preconditioning of assay plants and by inoculation of the morphological apex of isolated stem segments. Pretreatment of plants with auxin or cytokinin altered specificity in various combinations of strains and host genotypes. All Vitis species and hybrids formed tumors in response to strains designated as limited host range, but some displayed a necrotic reaction (cell death at and below site of inoculation) or a null response (same as the response to inoculation with an avirulent strain) to strains designated as wide host range (VC Knauf, CG Panagopoulos, EW Nester [1982] Phytopathology 72: 1545-1549). Screens of F(1) progeny, derived from crosses of null, necrotic, and tumor-producing phenotypes, demonstrated that the null and the necrotic phenotypes were modulated by dominant and recessive host genes. The extent of cellular necrosis in the necrotic phenotype was modified by the morphological location of the inoculation site, by the presence of buds on the host stem, and by deletion of the tryptophane monooxygenase locus gene of the Ti-plasmid.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1990

Urodynamic evaluation of patients with continent urinary diversion using cecal reservoir and intussuscepted ileocecal valve.

Patients requiring bladder removal for malignant disease have undergone continent urinary diversion employing the ileocecal segment, using the cecum to construct a reservoir and an intussuscepted ileocecal valve as the continence mechanism. Five of these patients have been studied urodynamically and radiographically in the postoperative period. Incontinence was found to be minimal and related only to a prolonged catheterization interval. Passive filling pressure and peristaltic pressure remained low in all patients and was lower than the nipple valve pressure in 4 of 5 patients. A transient increase in reservoir pressure at capacity with peristalsis exceeded the nipple peristaltic pressure in 1 patient and was associated with a small volume of incontinence. This resolved with a shortened catheterization interval. Reflux was not found in any subject studied. These studies indicate that the cecal segment can be used to construct a continent urinary reservoir that provides satisfactory function for the patient while maintaining an acceptable pressure volume relationship.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Fatal sepsis following intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin administration for bladder cancer.

Intravesical administration of bacillus Calmette-Guerin has been shown to be highly effective treatment of superficial bladder cancer. Complications from bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy are usually minor but serious and even fatal reactions can occur. Five recent cases illustrate the gravity of bacillus Calmette-Guerin sepsis. One man with severe debility and the organic brain syndrome died acutely with a fever of 40 C. Two men had frank sepsis that progressed to multiorgan failure and death. Sepsis progressed despite the use of isoniazid, rifampin and streptomycin. Two men who had equally progressive sepsis with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin survived with the use of cycloserine for the first 72 hours of treatment. Triple antituberculous antibiotics, including cycloserine, may be lifesaving. Sepsis resulted from intravenous absorption through inflamed or disrupted urothelium. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin treatment should not be administered in the presence of severe cystitis or after grossly traumatic catheterization.

Administration, Intravesical↗
PubMed1990

The predictive accuracy of staging transurethral resection of the prostate in the management of stage A cancer of the prostate: a comparative evaluation.

The role of staging transurethral resection of the prostate in the management of stage A prostate cancer is controversial. The accuracy of staging transurethral resection, A1/A2 substaging and probability of progression tables for predicting cancer progression was evaluated in untreated patients with stage A adenocarcinoma of the prostate who were followed for at least 5 years. Survival free of disease was predicted correctly in 93% of 52 patients who underwent staging transurethral resection of the prostate, 92% of 96 with the probability tables and in 85% of 96 using a common criteria for A1 and A2 substaging. Staging transurethral resection of the prostate upgraded patient risk in 7% of the low risk patients predicted by the probability tables and 14% of the stage A1 cancer patients. Staging transurethral prostatectomy and the probability of progression tables were more accurate in predicting survival free of disease than the A1/A2 substaging system. Comparison of the predictive accuracy of staging transurethral prostatectomy to that of the probability of progression tables showed no significant difference. There was no additional benefit from combining the 2 methods. When the probability of progression tables are used to predict cancer progression it may be unnecessary to use staging transurethral resection of the prostate in the patient with stage A prostate cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1990

Evaluation of menogaril in renal cell carcinoma. A Southwest Oncology Group phase II study (8504).

The Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) studied the response rate and toxicity of menogaril (200 mg/m2 i.v. q 28 days) in patients with advanced metastatic renal cell carcinoma. During the early stage of the trial two partial responses were seen in the first 20 treated patients, and an additional 36 evaluable patients were studied. Three of 56 (5%) evaluable patients achieved partial responses. Significant white cell toxicity was observed. Mild or moderate degrees of thrombocytopenia, gastrointestinal side effects, alopecia and phlebitis occurred. No cardiac toxicity was noted. The low response rate suggests that menogaril in this dose schedule has no role in the treatment of patients with advanced metastatic renal cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents↗