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Biomedical subjects

H Olsson

Publications and source records attributed to H Olsson.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma in relation to use of sunbeds: further evidence for UV-A carcinogenicity.

In a population-based, matched, case-control study from southern Sweden of 571 patients with a first diagnosis of cutaneous malignant melanoma and 913 healthy controls aged 16-80 years, the association between sunbed use and malignant melanoma was evaluated. A total of 250 (44%) cases and 372 (41%) controls reported ever having used sunbeds. A significantly elevated odds ratio for developing malignant melanoma after regular exposure to sunbeds was found, adjusted for hair colour, raised naevi, skin type and number of sunburns (odds ratio (OR) 1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-2.7). A dose-response relationship between total number of sunbed uses and melanoma risk was only found up to the level of 250 times. The OR was higher in individuals younger than age 36 years (adjusted OR 8.1, 95% CI 1.3-49.5 for regular vs. never use). The association seemed to be true only for subjects with black/dark brown or light brown hair and among females. Lesions of the extremities showed the strongest association of increased risk with sunbed use. An increased risk was related to commercial exposure and to exposure during the winter. The results substantiate the hypothesis that exposure to sunbeds might increase the risk of developing malignant melanoma.

Adolescent↗

hMLH1, hMSH2 and hMSH6 mutations in hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer families from southern Sweden.

We have screened 17 Southern Sweden individuals/families with suspected hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) for mutations in the DNA-mismatch repair genes hMLH1, hMSH2 and hMSH6 using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, protein truncation test and direct DNA sequencing. The families were selected on the basis of a family history of HNPCC-related tumors or the occurrence of metachronous colorectal cancer/endometrial cancer at young age in an individual with a weak family history of cancer. Furthermore, we required that tumor tissue from at least one individual in the family had to display microsatellite instability. We identified germ-line mutations in 9 individuals from 8 families. Five families had mutations in hMLH1, 4 of which were splice site mutations, 2 had frameshift mutations in hMSH2 and 1 patient with metachronous endometrial and rectal cancer but with a weak family history of cancer had a nonsense mutation in hMSH6. Our results present novel germ-line DNA-repair gene mutations, one of these in hMSH6, and demonstrate the diversified mutation spectrum in Sweden, where no founder mutation has so far been identified.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Immunologic proliferation marker Ki-S2 as prognostic indicator for lymph node-negative breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Proper treatment of lymph node-negative breast cancer depends on an accurate prognosis. To improve prognostic models for this disease, we evaluated whether an immunohistochemical marker for proliferating cells, Ki-S2 (a monoclonal antibody that binds to a 100-kd nuclear protein expressed in S, G2, and M phases of the cell cycle), is an accurate indicator of prognosis. METHODS: We studied 371 Swedish women with lymph node-negative breast cancer; the median follow-up time was 95 months. The fraction of tumor cells in S phase was assessed by flow cytometry, and tumor cell proliferation was measured immunohistochemically with the monoclonal antibodies Ki-S2 and Ki-S5 (directed against the nuclear antigen Ki-67). A combined prognostic index was calculated on the basis of the S-phase fraction, progesterone receptor content, and tumor size. RESULTS: In multivariate analyses that did or did not (263 and 332 observations, respectively) include the S-phase fraction and the combined prognostic index, the Ki-S2 labeling index (percentage of antibody-stained tumor cell nuclei) emerged as the most statistically significant predictor of overall survival, disease-specific survival, and disease-free survival (all two-sided P<.0001). In the risk group defined by a Ki-S2 labeling index of 10% or less, life expectancy was not statistically significantly different from that of age-matched women without breast cancer, whereas the group with a high Ki-S2 labeling index had an increased risk of mortality of up to 20-fold. CONCLUSIONS: Cellular proliferation is a major determinant of the biologic behavior of breast cancer. Prognosis is apparently best indicated by the percentage of cells in S through M phases of the cell cycle. Measurement of the Ki-S2 labeling index of a tumor sample may improve a clinician's ability to make an accurate prognosis and to identify patients with a low risk of recurrence who may not need adjuvant therapy.

Adult↗

Correlation between p53, c-erbB-2, and topoisomerase II alpha expression, DNA ploidy, hormonal receptor status and proliferation in 356 node-negative breast carcinomas: prognostic implications.

Various new prognostic indicators have been identified for mammary carcinomas, but the issue of their significance remains unsettled. The prognostic impact of p53, c-erbB-2, and topoisomerase II alpha expression was investigated in relation to standard prognostic factors for carcinomas of the breast and to the tumour cell growth fraction. Paraffin-embedded specimens of 356 node-negative infiltrating ductal carcinomas were stained immunohistochemically using a polyclonal antiserum to c-erbB-2, and the monoclonal antibodies DO-1 (p53), Ki-S4 (topoisomerase II alpha), and Ki-S5 (Ki-67). The patients were followed for a median duration of 99 months. Both p53 and c-erbB-2 were significantly associated with high tumour grade, large tumour size, DNA aneuploidy, lack of steroid hormone receptors, young age, and increased topoisomerase II alpha and Ki-67 expression levels. The correlation of p53 and c-erbB-2 was not significant. Topoisomerase II alpha and Ki-67 scores closely paralleled each other, indicating that both reflect the proliferative activity of tumour cells. A univariate analysis of overall (OS), specific (SS), and disease-free survival (DFS) revealed all the above-mentioned parameters to be statistically significant except patient age, which was relevant only to overall survival. Multivariate analysis with inclusion of all covariates selected tumour size and proliferation (topoisomerase II alpha and Ki-67) indices as independent predictors of survival in all three models. No additional information was gained by p53 or c-erbB-2. It is concluded that the proliferative activity, as assessed by topoisomerase II alpha or Ki-67 immunostaining, is the most useful indicator of breast cancer prognosis, except for tumour size.

Adult↗

Somatic genetic alterations in BRCA2-associated and sporadic male breast cancer.

The genetic changes underlying the development and progression of male breast cancer are poorly understood. Germline BRCA2 mutations account for a significant part of male breast cancer, but the majority of patients lack a known inherited predisposition. We recently demonstrated that the progression of breast cancer in female carriers of a germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation follows specific genetic pathways, distinct from each other and from sporadic breast cancer. In the present study, we performed a genome-wide survey by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) of somatic genetic aberrations in 26 male breast cancers, including five tumors from BRCA2 mutation carriers. BRCA2 tumors exhibited a significantly higher number of chromosomal aberrations than sporadic tumors. The most common alterations in sporadic male breast cancer were +1q (38%), +8q (33%), +17q (33%), -13q (29%), and -8p (24%). In tumors from BRCA2 mutation carriers, the five most common genetic changes were +8q (100%), +20q (100%), +17q (80%), -13q (80%), and -6q (60%). The CGH results in these two groups of male breast cancers are almost identical to those identified in the corresponding sporadic and BRCA2-associated female breast cancers. The results suggest that despite substantial hormonal differences between females and males, similar genetic changes are selected for during tumor progression. Furthermore, the presence of a highly penetrant germline BRCA2 mutation apparently leads to a characteristic somatic tumor progression pathway, again shared between affected male and female mutation carriers.

BRCA2 Protein↗

PET mapping of extrastriatal D2-like dopamine receptors in the human brain using an anatomic standardization technique and [11C]FLB 457.

The Computerized Brain Atlas (CBA) transforms PET images of individual subjects into a standard brain anatomy. We have previously applied this to PET images with [(11)C]raclopride and confirmed that the D2 dopamine receptors in the striatum can be evaluated accurately with a standard brain anatomy. There is growing evidence that extrastriatal D2 receptors, in spite of their low density, have pathophysiological significance for schizophrenia. We used the CBA to explore the extrastriatal distribution of D2 receptors in 13 healthy subjects using [11C]FLB 457, a substituted benzamide with very high affinity for D2 and D3 receptors. There was good agreement between the specific binding ratios from CBA quantification of standardized images and those from region-of-interest analyses of original images. The highest levels of binding were observed in the putamen and caudate nucleus, followed by the globus pallidus and nucleus accumbens. Besides the basal ganglia, the hypothalamus and nucleus ruber also showed high levels of binding. Intermediate levels were found in the substantia nigra, nucleus subthalami, amygdala, and thalamus. Interestingly, there was very heterogeneous binding among the thalamic nuclei. The anterior and mediodorsal nuclei showed relatively high binding. The cerebral cortices showed lower levels with significant regional differences. Binding was highest in the temporal cortex and hippocampus followed by the anterior cingulate gyrus, and the parietal and frontal cortices, but was lowest in the occipital cortex. The use of CBA for analysis of [11C]FLB 457 binding makes it possible to build a normal database for the extrastriatal D2 receptors in the living human brain. The heterogeneous distribution of D2 receptors provides an attractive opportunity for new research on the pathophysiology and drug treatment of schizophrenia.

Adult↗

A PET study of D(1)-like dopamine receptor ligand binding during altered endogenous dopamine levels in the primate brain.

RATIONALE: Several positron emission tomography (PET) studies have shown that radioligand binding to D(2)-like dopamine receptors competes with endogenous dopamine. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this PET study was to examine the effect of amphetamine and reserpine on D(1)-like dopamine receptor binding. METHODS: Three Cynomolgus monkeys were examined with the radioligands [(11)C]SCH 23390 or [(11)C]NNC 112 at baseline condition and after pretreatment with amphetamine (2 mg/kg IV). The B/F values (binding potential) in the striatum and the neocortex were calculated at transient equilibrium. In two monkeys, the effect of the long-lasting dopamine depletion after reserpine (1 mg/kg IV) was followed by a repeated Scatchard procedure in up to 77 days after drug administration. The Scatchard analysis was based on two PET measurements with high and low specific radioactivity and allowed the calculation of D(1)-like dopamine receptor density (B(max)) and apparent affinity (K(D)(app)). RESULTS: The effect of amphetamine on the B/F values was between -14 and 6%. These changes can be considered as within the range of the test-retest reliability. Thus, there was no evident effect of amphetamine-induced dopamine release on D(1)-like dopamine receptor binding. Five hours after reserpine administration, there was no change in B(max) or K(D)(app). At 3, 23, and 28 days after reserpine administration, the Scatchard analyses indicated a 13-20% reduction in B(max) without any evident change in K(D)(app) in both the striatum and the neocortex. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of evident effects of amphetamine and reserpine on D(1)-like dopamine receptor binding is markedly different from the 20% amphetamine-induced decrease and 50% reserpine-induced increase that has been consistently reported for D(2)-like dopamine receptor binding. The data indicated that D(1)-like dopamine receptor occupancy of endogenous dopamine is low at physiological condition. It is thus unlikely that D(1)-like dopamine receptor radioligands can be used to measure changes in the concentration of endogenous dopamine.

Algorithms↗

Abciximab in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction eligible for primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Results of the Glycoprotein Receptor Antagonist Patency Evaluation (GRAPE) pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to study the effect of early infusion of abciximab on coronary patency before primary angioplasty in patients with acute myocardial infarction. BACKGROUND: Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists have proved to be effective in reducing ischemic events associated with coronary angioplasty. The present study explores whether abciximab alone, without administration of thrombolytic therapy, may induce reperfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: In the Glycoprotein Receptor Antagonist Patency Evaluation pilot study 60 patients with less than 6 h signs and symptoms of acute myocardial infarction eligible for primary angioplasty received in the emergency room a bolus of abciximab 250 microg/kg followed by a 12-h infusion of 10 microg/min. All patients were also treated with an oral dose of 160 mg aspirin and 5,000 IU of heparin intravenously. As soon as possible a diagnostic angiography was performed to evaluate the patency of the infarct-related artery. RESULTS: The median time between onset of symptoms and the administration of the abciximab bolus was 150 min (range 45 to 345), and the median time between abciximab bolus and first contrast injection in the infarct-related artery was 45 min (range 10 to 150). In 24 patients (40%, 95% confidence interval 28% to 52%) Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade 2 or 3 was observed at a median time of 45 min (range 10 to 150) after abciximab bolus; TIMI flow grade 3 was observed in 11 patients (18%, 95% confidence interval 9% to 28%). There was no difference in percentage of TIMI flow grade 2 or 3 between patients who received abciximab within 2.5 h after onset of symptoms or thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Abciximab therapy given in the emergency room in patients awaiting primary angioplasty is associated with full reperfusion (TIMI flow grade 3) in about 20% and with TIMI flow grade 2 or 3 in about 40% of the patients at a median time of 45 min. These figures are higher than those in primary angioplasty trials without such pretreatment. Randomized controlled trials of very early infusion of abciximab, either prehospital or in-hospital, in patients eligible for angioplasty are warranted.

Abciximab↗

Familial and hereditary prostate cancer in southern Sweden. A population-based case-control study.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of family history on prostate cancer risk, to estimate the incidence of hereditary prostate cancer in southern Sweden and to assess the reliability of self-reported family history of prostate cancer. The study included consecutive prostate cancer patients and age-matched control subjects from a geographically defined population. The controls consisted of 1 male patient with malignant melanoma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 1 male from the community per prostate cancer case. Family history was assessed with questionnaires, and diagnoses of fathers and brothers of cases were validated by the Southern Swedish Regional Tumour Registry. Among fathers and brothers whose names and birth dates were available, 56 (92%) of the 61 reported prostate cancer diagnoses were verified. Fifteen per cent of 356 cases and 5.0% of 712 controls reported at least 1 case of prostate cancer among their brothers or fathers, giving a relative risk of 3.2 (95% confidence interval 2.1-5.1). The relative risk increased with decreasing age at diagnosis of the patient. Based on the pedigree, 3.1% of the 356 patients were classified as having hereditary prostate cancer. This proportion was significantly higher among patients diagnosed before the age of 60 years (7.1%) than among older patients (2.2%). We conclude that there is a substantially increased risk of prostate cancer for sons and brothers of prostate cancer patients. The risk increases with decreasing age at diagnosis of the patient as an effect of a higher prevalence of hereditary prostate among early onset cases. Furthermore, we found self-reported family history of prostate cancer to be a valid estimate of the true incidence of prostate cancer in fathers and brothers of men with prostate cancer.

Adult↗

Incidence of malignant tumours in relatives of BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutation carriers.

We investigated cancer incidence between 1958 and 1995 in 1873 individuals belonging to 29 consecutively identified BRCA1 and 20 BRCA2 associated families from Southern Sweden using data from parish and local tax authorities, as well as the Swedish Cancer Registry, Cause of Death Registry and Census Registry. 150 malignant tumours were analysed from 1145 relatives in the BRCA1 families and 87 tumours were analysed from 728 relatives in the BRCA2 families. After excluding index cases which led to the mutation analysis, the incidence for all malignant tumours was significantly increased for both BRCA1- standardised morbidity rate, SMR, 1.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.59-2.45; P < 0.0001 and BRCA2- (SMR 1.79, 95% CI 1.35-2.31; P < 0.0001) associated family members. For women in BRCA1-associated families, the incidence of breast cancer (SMR 3.76, 95% CI 2.29-5.80, P < 0.0001), ovarian cancer (SMR 15.49, 95% CI 9.46-23.92, P < 0.0001), stomach cancer (SMR 5.86, 95% CI 1.60-15.01, P = 0.005) were significantly increased. Amongst men only invasive squamous cell cancer of the skin was significantly increased (SMR 6.02, 95% CI 1.96-14.05, P = 0.002). In BRCA2 associated families, female breast cancer (SMR 3.03, 95% CI 1.61-5.18, P = 0.0005) was increased after exclusion of index cases. If these were included, ovarian cancer (SMR 5.16, 95% CI 1.89-11.24, P = 0.001), invasive cervical cancer (SMR 4.21, 95% CI 1.15-10.79, P = 0.016), male breast cancer (SMR 290.52, 95% CI 125.42-572.43, P < 0.0001), and prostate cancer (SMR 2.21, 95% CI 0.89-4.56, P = 0.042) were significantly increased. The increased risk for ovarian cancer in BRCA2 related families were limited to the cases leading to mutation analysis. Our data suggest that apart from breast and ovarian cancer, the incidence of other cancer types do not appear to be greatly increased in BRCA1- and BRCA2-associated families and does not warrant specific clinical follow-up in carriers.

Adult↗

Carbon-11 epidepride: a suitable radioligand for PET investigation of striatal and extrastriatal dopamine D2 receptors.

Epidepride [(S)-(-)-N-([1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl]methyl)-5-iodo-2,3-dimethoxybenza mide] binds with a picomolar affinity (Ki = 24 pM) to the dopamine D2 receptor. Iodine-123-labeled epidepride has been used previously to study striatal and extrastriatal dopamine D2 receptors with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Our aim was to label epidepride with carbon-11 for comparative quantitative studies between positron emission tomography (PET) and SPECT. Epidepride was synthesized from its bromo-analogue FLB 457 via the corresponding trimethyl-tin derivative. In an alternative synthetic pathway, the corresponding substituted benzoic acid was reacted with the optically pure aminomethylpyrrolidine-derivative. Demethylation of epidepride gave the desmethyl-derivative, which was reacted with [11C]methyl triflate. Total radiochemical yield was 40-50% within a total synthesis time of 30 min. The specific radioactivity at the end of synthesis was 37-111 GBq/micromol (1,000-3,000 Ci/mmol). Human postmortem whole-hemisphere autoradiography demonstrated dense binding in the caudate putamen, and also in extrastriatal areas such as the thalamus and the neocortex. The binding was inhibited by unlabeled raclopride. PET studies in a cynomolgus monkey demonstrated high uptake in the striatum and in several extrastriatal regions. At 90 min after injection, uptake in the striatum, thalamus and neocortex was about 11, 4, and 2 times higher than in the cerebellum, respectively. Pretreatment experiment with unlabeled raclopride (1 mg/kg) inhibited 50-70% of [11C]epidepride binding. The fraction of unchanged [11C]epidepride in monkey plasma determined by a gradient high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was about 30% of the total radioactivity at 30 min after injection of [11C]epidepride. The availability of [11C]epidepride allows the PET-verification of the data obtained from quantitation studies with SPECT.

Autoradiography↗

Reproductive factors in hereditary breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: An early age at menarche, a short menstrual cycle length, and a high age at first full term pregnancy or nulliparity are known risk factors for breast cancer. These risk factors have previously been reported to differ between breast cancer patients with and without a family history of breast cancer and also between breast cancer patients and controls. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires were filled out by 95 women belonging to 24 families with known BRCA1 mutations, 16 women belonging to nine families with known BRCA2 mutations, and 95 women belonging to 65 families with hereditary breast cancer where no BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations could be detected. Thirty-nine women were BRCA1 mutation carriers and 56 women were BRCA1 negative, 11 women were BRCA2 carriers and five BRCA2 negative. All women were born between 1905 and 1979. RESULTS: Age at menarche, physiological menstrual cycle length at age 30 or at current age in younger women (when not using oral contraceptives), age at first full term pregnancy, and nulliparity did not significantly differ between BRCA1 mutation carriers and BRCA1 negative women. Too few women were BRCA2 negative to serve as a control group. BRCA2 mutation carriers were therefore compared with BRCA1 negative and BRCA2 negative women. None of the above reproductive factors did significantly differ between BRCA2 mutation carriers and from BRCA1 and BRCA2 families. Women from non-BRCA1/BRCA2 hereditary breast cancer families had a higher age at menarche, but this was no longer significant after adjustment for other factors in a multivariate model. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that reproductive risk factors of breast cancer are not related to BRCA1 or BRCA2 carrier status. There was also no indication that these factors differ in carriers of unknown susceptibility genes compared with non-carriers from BRCA1 and BRCA2 families.

Adult↗

Hormone replacement therapy before breast cancer diagnosis significantly reduces the overall death rate compared with never-use among 984 breast cancer patients.

Nine hundred and eighty-four breast cancer patients were interviewed regarding exogenous hormonal use. This represents a random sample of breast cancer patients in Southern Sweden referred to the Department of Oncology at Lund for treatment between 1978 and 1997 (excluding 1980 and 1981) with a 100% follow-up. Ever-use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) prior to diagnosis was significantly associated with a longer overall survival in women with their breast cancer diagnosed at ages 45 and above, relative risk (RR) of dying 0.73 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.62-0.87; P = 0.0005). Ever use of HRT prior to breast cancer diagnosis was significantly positively associated with overall longer survival after adjustment for T-stage, N-stage, M-stage, year of diagnosis and age at diagnosis, RR of dying 0.78 (95% CI 0.65-0.93; P = 0.006). Hormone replacement therapy use and oestrogen receptor positivity were independently significantly associated with overall longer survival, P = 0.005 and P < 0.0001, respectively, in one model. HRT use and progesterone receptor positivity were also independently significantly associated with longer overall survival, P = 0.003 and P = 0.0003, respectively, in another model. The mode of diagnosis was known in 705 women. Mammography screening was not more common among HRT users compared with never-users, where this information was available. Both mammography screening and HRT use were independently associated with longer survival, P = 0.002 and P = 0.038 respectively.

Aged↗

CAG repeat length in the androgen receptor gene is related to age at diagnosis of prostate cancer and response to endocrine therapy, but not to prostate cancer risk.

The length of the polymorphic CAG repeat in the N-terminal of the androgen receptor (AR) gene is inversely correlated with the transactivation function of the AR. Some studies have indicated that short CAG repeats are related to higher risk of prostate cancer. We performed a case-control study to investigate relations between CAG repeat length and prostate cancer risk, tumour grade, tumour stage, age at diagnosis and response to endocrine therapy. The study included 190 AR alleles from prostate cancer patients and 186 AR alleles from female control subjects. All were whites from southern Sweden. The frequency distribution of CAG repeat length was strikingly similar for cases and controls, and no significant correlation between CAG repeat length and prostate cancer risk was detected. However, for men with non-hereditary prostate cancer (n = 160), shorter CAG repeats correlated with younger age at diagnosis (P = 0.03). There were also trends toward associations between short CAG repeats and high grade (P = 0.07) and high stage (P = 0.07) disease. Furthermore, we found that patients with long CAG repeats responded better to endocrine therapy, even after adjusting for pretreatment level of prostate-specific antigen and tumour grade and stage (P = 0.05). We conclude that short CAG repeats in the AR gene correlate with young age at diagnosis of prostate cancer, but not with higher risk of the disease. Selection of patients with early onset prostate cancer in case-control studies could therefore lead to an over-estimation of the risk of prostate cancer for men with short CAG repeats. An association between long CAG repeats and good response to endocrine therapy was also found, but the mechanism and clinical relevance are unclear.

Adult↗

Pharmacokinetics of bambuterol during oral administration to asthmatic children.

AIMS: To investigate dose proportionality, dosing frequency, and ethnic aspects of the pharmacokinetics of bambuterol in asthmatic children, and to discuss the relationship with previous observations in adults. METHODS: Forty-eight children in four different studies completed two double-blind bambuterol treatments each (daily doses of bambuterol hydrochloride): 12 preschool (5 mg x 2 vs 10 mg) and 12 school (10 mg vs 20 mg) Caucasians, 12 preschool (2.5 mg vs 5 mg), and 12 school (10 mg vs 20 mg) Orientals. Peak plasma concentrations and dosing interval area under curve (AUC) of bambuterol and the active metabolite terbutaline were assessed at steady state. Treatment differences were analysed statistically within each study. Differences between the studies and the relation to steady-state AUC in adults were described. RESULTS: Dose proportionality was seen for terbutaline but not for bambuterol. Twice-daily dosing (2 x AUC(0,12 h)) could not be shown to differ from once-daily dosing (AUC(0,24 h)) in the preschool Caucasians. Mean AUC of terbutaline was 128 and 242 nmol l-1 h in the preschool Caucasians (5 mg/12 h; 10 mg/24 h), 213 and 406 nmol l-1 h in the Caucasian school children (10 mg; 20 mg), 87.4 and 202 nmol l-1 h in the Oriental preschool children (2.5 mg; 5 mg), and 356 and 640 nmol l-1 h in the Oriental school children (10 mg; 20 mg). Oriental school children had higher plasma concentrations of bambuterol and terbutaline than Caucasian school children. The strict ethnic implication of the difference could not be elucidated, because demographic data were not perfectly matched. Terbutaline AUC was only moderately increased in the Caucasian school children compared with Caucasian adults. The increase was more pronounced in Oriental children and in some preschool Caucasians. The highest concentration of terbutaline, 58 nmol l-1, was seen in an Oriental school child after a 20 mg dose. CONCLUSIONS: Caucasian school children can be given bambuterol hydrochloride very much as Caucasian adults, 10 or 20 mg once daily, but Oriental preschool and school children plus preschool Caucasians should be given lower doses.

Administration, Oral↗

A mechanism-based pharmacokinetic-enzyme model for cyclophosphamide autoinduction in breast cancer patients.

AIMS: This study investigated the pharmacokinetics of cyclophosphamide (CP) and its main metabolite 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide (4-OH-CP) in patients with breast cancer undergoing high dose chemotherapy prior to autologous stem cell transplantation. An enzyme turn-over model was also developed to study the time course of cyclophosphamide induction. METHODS: Fourteen patients received a combination of CP (6 g m-2 ), thiotepum (500 mg m-2 ) and carboplatin (800 mg m-2 ) as a 96 h infusion. Plasma concentrations of CP and 4-OH-CP were determined with h.p.l.c. and a pharmacokinetic and enzyme turn-over model applied to data using NONMEM. RESULTS: CP plasma concentrations were described by a two-compartment model with a noninducible and an inducible pathway, the latter forming 4-OH-CP. In the final enzyme model, CP affects the amount of enzymes by increasing the enzyme production rate. CP concentrations decreased during the infusion with no subsequent change in 4-OH-CP concentrations. CP inducible and noninducible clearance were estimated to 1.76 l h-1 (90% C.I. 0.92-2.58) and 1.14 l h-1 (0.31-1.85), respectively. The induction resulted in an approximately doubled CP clearance through the inducible pathway at the end of treatment. The model predicted the enzyme turn-over half-life to be 24 h. CONCLUSIONS: The presented mechanism-based enzyme induction model where the pharmacokinetics of the inducer and the enzyme pool counterbalance each other successfully described CP autoinduction. It is reasonable to believe that CP affects its own elimination by increasing the enzyme production rate and thereby increasing the amount of enzyme by which CP is eliminated.

Adult↗