Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Jacobs

Publications and source records attributed to C Jacobs.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

Chemotherapy as a substitute for surgery in the treatment advanced resectable head and neck cancer. A report from the Northern California Oncology Group.

This trial determines the feasibility for patients with resectable Stages III/IV head and neck cancer who achieved a complete response to induction chemotherapy of eliminating surgery from their treatment program. Thirty patients were treated with three cycles of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), followed by reendoscopy and biopsy. Twelve patients achieved a complete pathologic response at the primary and received radiation (interstitial and/or external beam) only. The remainder underwent surgical resection and postoperative radiation. At 2 years, the relapse-free survival was 52%, and the survival was 53% for the entire group. For the 12 complete responders who had surgery eliminated, the relapse-free survival was 60%, and the survival was 70%. This pilot study suggests that for patients with resectable disease who achieve a complete pathologic response to induction chemotherapy at their primary, it is feasible to omit surgery and treat with primary radiation without compromise in survival. This approach warrants further study in a randomized trial.

Adult↗

Alport's syndrome as a cause of renal failure in Europe.

We studied the geographical distribution, male to female ratio, and age at the start of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal failure (ESRF) in 600 patients with hereditary nephritis with nerve deafness (Alport's syndrome) reported to the European Dialysis and Transplant Association Registry since 1975. Annual age- and sex-specific acceptance rates for RRT showed a variable peak incidence according to country, ranging between, 0 and 2.4 patients per million population in males aged 15-24 years, but with only about half this incidence in females. In Scandinavian countries there were very few females who started RRT, and males were older than in the rest of Europe. The overall male to female ratio was 4:1. The median age at the start of RRT was: males (n = 479) 24.3 years (1st quartile 19.5 years; 3rd quartile 31.5 years); females (n = 121) 31.5 years (1st quartile 23.0 years; 3rd quartile 43.2 years). Our study provided confirmation that males reach ESRF earlier than females. In addition, we detected previously unrecognized geographical differences.

Adolescent↗

Combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy with bleomycin and methotrexate for advanced inoperable head and neck cancer: update of a Northern California Oncology Group randomized trial.

Between 1978 and 1984, the Northern California Oncology Group (NCOG) conducted a randomized trial to study the efficacy of combined radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT) for stage III or IV inoperable head and neck cancer. One hundred four patients were randomized to receive: (1) RT alone, or (2) RT plus CT. RT consisted of 7,000 cGy to the involved areas and 5,000 cGy to uninvolved neck at 180 cGy/fraction, five fractions/wk. CT consisted of bleomycin, 5 U intravenously (IV), twice weekly during RT, followed by bleomycin, 15 U IV, and methotrexate, 25 mg/m2 IV weekly for 16 weeks after completion of RT. Fifty-one patients in the RT alone group and 45 in the combined treatment group were evaluable. The local-regional complete response (CR) rate was 45% v 67% (P = .056); the 2-year local-regional control rate, including salvage surgery, was 26% v 64% (P = .001); and the incidence of distant metastasis was 24% v 38% (P greater than .25), for the RT alone and RT plus CT groups, respectively. The relapse-free survival curves were significantly different (P = .041), favoring the combined treatment. However, the survival curves were not significantly different (P = .16). Patient compliance to maintenance CT was poor. Bleomycin significantly increased the acute radiation mucositis, although the difference in late normal tissue toxicity was not statistically significant. Thus, bleomycin and concurrent RT produced a more favorable CR rate, local-regional control rate, and relapse-free survival, but the difference in survival was not statistically significant.

Adult↗

Third-line chemotherapy for resistant Hodgkin's disease with lomustine, etoposide, and methotrexate.

Thirty-two patients with recurrent Hodgkin's disease have been treated with an oral regimen employing lomustine (CCNU, 100 mg/m2 orally on Day 1); etoposide (VP-16, 100 mg/m2 orally on Days 1-3 and 21-23); and methotrexate (30 mg/m2 orally on Days 1, 8, 21, and 28). The regimen was repeated every 6 weeks. Most patients had been treated with MOPP (mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone) and ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine); 20 had had prior irradiation. Lymph node was the predominant site of disease and the majority of patients had B symptoms. Four patients achieved complete response (13%), with a median duration of 33+ months, and 11 achieved partial response (34%), with a median duration of 5 months, for an overall response rate of 47%. The major toxic effect was severe myelosuppression, which occurred in six patients; there were no treatment-related deaths. This oral regimen was easy to administer in heavily pretreated patients with poor venous access and had minimal toxicity.

Administration, Oral↗

The management of extranodal head and neck lymphomas.

The results from 156 patients with extranodal head and neck lymphomas treated at Stanford (Calif) University School of Medicine are combined with the experience of other investigators to recommend the management of these lymphomas. The tonsil and sinuses were the most common sites of presentation, and the most common histology was diffuse histiocytic lymphoma. The histologic classification systems are described as well as the use of immunohistochemistry in diagnosis. The appropriate staging procedures and the Ann Arbor staging system are discussed. Following the staging of 948 patients, 66% were found to have stage I or stage II disease and 34% had more widespread disease. Treatment with radiotherapy is discussed. Patterns of relapse following local radiotherapy for 360 relapsing patients with stage I and II disease showed a 73% distal relapse rate. Various treatment programs are recommended based on site, stage, and histology.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

A phase II study of cisplatin and cytosine arabinoside for recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Based on experimental data suggesting synergy between cisplatin and cytosine arabinoside, 17 patients with recurrent squamous cancer of the head and neck were treated with this combination. The response rate was 18% with no complete responses, and the partial responses were of brief duration. There were moderate hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicities and two therapy-related deaths. The study was stopped early because of low response. When compared to results reported for cisplatin alone, the combination of cisplatin and cytosine arabinoside offered no clear advantage.

Adult↗

Influence of the uremic state on the development of malignancy. An experimental study in the rat.

The effect of chronic uremia on the development of subcutaneously injected malignant tumoral cells was evaluated in 213 male Wistar AG rats made chronically uremic by simultaneous right nephrectomy and partial ligation of the left renal artery. The tumoral cells injected were stemming from a parental rhabdomyosarcoma (9-4/0) induced by intramuscular injection of 20 mg of colloidal nickel suspended in oil to a male Wistar rat. 54 sham-operated rats and 43 nonoperated animals served as control-groups. Renal function and tumoral growth were checked weekly up to the 60th postoperative day, at which time the surviving rats were sacrificed and submitted to autopsy. At day 15 after cell grafting, a tumoral lump could be felt by finger touch in 68% of the uremic rats, but in only 11% of the sham-operated and 14% of the nonoperated controls (p less than 0.0001). Throughout the study, the tumoral lumps which developed in the uremic animals were of significantly larger size than in the nonuremic controls. Pulmonary tumoral metastases were evidenced at autopsy in 95% of the uremic rats, but in only 50% of the sham-operated and in 54% of the nonoperated controls (p less than 0.005). These results indicate an apparently accelerating and amplifying effect of uremia on the development of a malignant tumor in the rat, for which a decrease in cell-mediated immunity associated with the uremic state still remains a questionable hypothesis.

Animals↗

Clinical evaluation of a flat plate dialyzer equipped with a polycarbonate polyether copolymer membrane.

The performances and clinical tolerance of a flat plate dialyzer equipped with a polycarbonate polyether copolymer membrane (surface area 1.13 and 0.80 m2, membrane thickness 16 micron) were evaluated in 10 patients, among whom 7 underwent a total of 523 dialysis sessions performed over a 6-month investigation period. Clinical and biological parameters recorded during the study were compared to those observed during an immediately preceding control period during which the same patients were dialyzed with flat plate or hollow fiber Cuprophan dialyzers. The clearances of the 1.13 m2 polycarbonate dialyzer for urea, creatinine, uric acid and inorganic phosphate determined at 36 +/- 14 min after start of the dialysis sessions were found respectively at 132 +/- 23, 103 +/- 22, 120 +/- 23 and 103 +/- 18 ml/min and at significantly higher values (except for uric acid) at the 4th hour of dialysis. The ultrafiltration rate was 490 ml/h for a 100 mm Hg transmembrane pressure and the residual blood volume at the end of dialysis was found at 1.1 +/- 0.3 ml. The main clinical and biological parameters recorded in the 7 patients treated for 6 months with polycarbonate dialyzers were not significantly different from those observed during the preceding control period, although 71% of the polycarbonate dialyzers had a smaller surface area than in those used during the control period. The overall blood leakage rate recorded in 555 polycarbonate dialyzers was 1.08%. No sign or symptom suggestive of clinical intolerance to the polycarbonate membrane was recorded during the entire course of the study.

Creatinine↗

A controlled family study of anorexia nervosa.

A family study of eating disorders in first and second-degree relatives of anorexia nervosa and nonanorexic psychiatrically ill control probands found increased rates of anorexia-nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and subclinical anorexia nervosa in relatives of anorexic probands. The pattern of familial clustering suggests that these disorders may represent variable expressions of a common underlying psychopathology, although restricter and bulimic subforms of eating disorder may segregate within families. Implications of these findings for understanding factors important to the pathogenesis and subclassification of eating disorders are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of head and neck extranodal sites.

The initial staging, therapy and course of 156 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of head and neck extranodal sites were analyzed to determine whether they have a natural history which differs from primary nodal disease. The sites involved were: Waldeyer's ring-103 patients (tonsil-60, nasopharynx-25, base of tongue-18), and extralymphatic sites-53 patients (salivary gland-20, paranasal sinus-20, oral cavity-10, and larynx-3). Seventy-six percent had unfavorable histologies and 24% had favorable histologies. Fifty-three percent had pathologic Stages I-II and 47% had Stages III-IV. The 5-year survival was influenced by primary sites: salivary gland-61%, oral cavity-57%, tonsil-49%, base of tongue-47%, nasopharynx-36% and paranasal sinus-12%. The 5-year survival was also influenced by histology: unfavorable histologies-39%, favorable histologies-69%. The Ann Arbor staging system was more useful than TNM for determining outcome. For patients with Stage I-II unfavorable histologies treated with radiation alone, the 5-year survival was: involved field-24%, extended field-42%, total lymphoid irradiation-52%. The majority of patients who failed did so in extranodal sites. Forty-one patients with advanced disease received a variety of chemotherapy regimens as the sole treatment. There was a high percentage of CNS recurrence with paranasal sinus lymphoma, and CNS prophylaxis may be necessary. For head and neck extranodal lymphomas, limited radiation is inadequate, and combined modality programs should be considered.

Adolescent↗

The potential benefits of therapeutic splenectomy for patients with Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Thirty-four patients with Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma underwent therapeutic splenectomies to improve hematologic tolerance for chemotherapy. The mean age was 40 years; there were 16 males and 18 females. Fourteen had Hodgkin's disease, 19 had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and 1 had malignant histiocytosis. Nineteen had palpable splenomegaly, 19 had marrow involvement and 20 had splenic involvement by lymphoma. The following data were analyzed before and after splenectomy: mean white blood cell count (WBC) and platelet count on planned first day of cycle, delay ratio of chemotherapy delivery and percent maximal dose rate. Thirteen patients had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, splenomegaly and positive bone marrow and showed significant benefit in all of the aforementioned parameters. Of the patients with prior irradiation, only those who completed their radiation greater than six months prior to splenectomy showed benefit. Ten patients had Hodgkin's disease, negative bone marrow and no splenomegaly. This group showed significant improvement in mean platelet count but more limited benefit in delay ratio and percent maximal dose rate. Thus, selected patients with lymphoma who are experiencing delays in chemotherapy because of poor count tolerance may benefit from splenectomy.

Adolescent↗

Haemodialysis does not affect the pharmacokinetics of nifedipine.

To establish dosage recommendations in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing chronic haemodialysis, nifedipine kinetics were studied between and during haemodialysis sessions. In eight patients, during the interdialytic period, peak plasma concentrations of nifedipine (29-332 ng/ml) were reached 0.5-1.0 h after administration of a single 10 mg oral dose. Elimination half-life and oral plasma clearance were respectively 2.6 +/- 0.5 h and 1 176 +/- 412 ml/min. Nifedipine plasma protein binding was decreased in uraemic patients (88.8 +/- 0.3% vs 94.4 +/- 0.1%) but not affected by haemodialysis. Removal by haemodialysis was low: the dialyser extraction ratio and the dialysis clearance were respectively 2.3 +/- 0.8% and 2.8 +/- 0.9 ml/min.

Adult↗

Treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with human leukocyte interferon.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a human neoplasm closely associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Human leukocyte interferon (IFN) has known antiviral and antineoplastic properties. After initial IFN treatment in one NPC patient demonstrated acceptably low toxicity, 12 additional patients were treated on a protocol with IFN, 10 X 10(6) units intramuscularly (IM) daily for 30 days. IFN did not affect serum anti-EBV antibody titers (IgA and IgG antiviral capsid and early antigens). Of six patients tested, none was found to excrete EBV in saliva before, during, or after IFN. Four patients had measurable tumor regression (two partial responses and two minor responses), three had stable disease, and five patients plus the initial preprotocol patient had progressive disease. Toxicity included fever, fatigue, and myalgias in all patients, thrombocytopenia in two patients, and neutropenia in three patients. Three patients were withdrawn from the study, one each for severe fatigue, neutropenia, and hypotension. This study demonstrates that IFN has sufficient activity in advanced NPC to justify further investigation.

Adult↗