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Biomedical subjects

J M Bennett

Publications and source records attributed to J M Bennett.

332 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

Auer rods in the acute myeloid leukemias: frequency and methods of demonstration.

One hundred and twenty-five cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were reviewed for the presence of Auer rods by two peroxidase methods. The percentage of Auer rods recognized by Wright-Giemsa (WG) staining was 20.8% but three times higher by peroxidase staining techniques using either benzidine base as a substrate (PO method) or 3,3'-diaminobenzidine as a substrate (DAB method). Both PO and DAB methods were equally sensitive in identifying Auer rods, the higher percentage being in FAB types M2 and M4 and lower in M1, M3, and M5B, with none in M5A. Cell counts of at least 100 cells were as accurate as counting cells up to a total of 1000 consecutive blasts.

Bone Marrow↗

Refractory acute lymphocytic leukemia: response to aclacinomycin A and VP-16-213.

Twelve patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were treated with aclacinomycin A (60 mg/m2/day for five days) and VP-16-213 (100 mg/m2/day). All were heavily pretreated and had relapsed or were refractory to primary or subsequent treatment. Eight patients were refractory to reinduction therapy given for first, second, third or fourth relapse. One patient was treated in third relapse; one in second relapse (after a short second remission) and two in first relapse-one with the Ph1 chromosome, after a four-month remission, and one patient who relapsed while receiving consolidation therapy. Four patients (33 per cent) responded, three entered complete remission (25 per cent), and one a partial remission (8 per cent). Two of the patients treated for refractoriness to reinduction therapy went into complete remission. Side effects from this treatment were similar to the conventional DAT regimen (daunorubicin, cytosine arabinoside, thioguanine), although the gastrointestinal toxicity and mucositis appeared to be more severe in this study population. One of the patients had severe ventricular arrhythmias which contributed to her death. The complete remission rate (25 per cent) in this group of very heavily pretreated ALL patients warrants further studies to evaluate these preliminary findings.

Aclarubicin↗

The acquisition of granylocytes by leukapheresis: a comparison of continuous flow centrifugation and filtration leukapheresis in normal and corticosteroid-stimulated donors.

Leukapheresis by continuous flow centrifugation (CFC) or filtration (FL) were compared in untreated and corticosteroid-treated donors. The administration of prednisone 60 mg orally 10 to 12 hours before leukapheresis increased significantly both the donor's prepheresis WBC counts and the total granulocyte yields by CFC or FL. Dexamethasone 6 mg iv at the start of FL did not increase granulocyte yields significantly. In untreated donors FL yielded 0.25 x 10(10) granulocytes per liter donor blood processed as compared with 0.05 x 10(10) per liter in CFC donors. Corticosteroid premedication has a greater relative effect in increasing yields by CFC than by FL. Donor reaction rates were between 4 and 6 per cent for both procedures.

Blood Donors↗

Cancer and aging: why not waltz together?

The burden of cancer is felt disproportionately among the elderly with the majority of cancers occurring in adults over the age of 65. Dr. Bennett briefly examines the implications of this fact, and acknowledges the growing evidence that clinicians are ill equipped to handle the complex management issues of their elderly patients. CA will continue this series on geriatric oncology in future issues.

Aged↗

Phase II trials with procarbazine (NSC-77213), streptozotocin (NSC-85998), 6-THIOGUANINE (NSC-752), and CCNU (NSC-79037) in patients with metastatic cancer of the large bowel.

One hundred and ninety-seven patients with measurable metastatic cancer of the colon have been treated with one of four anticancer drugs which have had little prior trial in this disease. Objective tumor responses lasting a median of 9 weeks occurred with 0.5 g/m of streptozotocin given intravenously every week (10 percent), 130 mg/m of CCNU given orally every 6 weeks (10%), 1.0 mg/kg/day of 6-thioguanine given orally (8%), and 3 mg/kg/day of procarbazine given orally (3%). Performance status declined more rapidly with streptozotocin and 6-thioguanine and the median survival time was less (12 and 16 weeks respectively) than with procarbazine and CCNU (23 and 20 weeks respectively). This study suggests that procarbazine given in this way is ineffective but trials of streptozotocin or 6-thioguanine combined with other agents active against colon cancer should ensue as well as further exploration of the usefulness of other nitrosoureas.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Pilot studies and new agent programs of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group.

The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) has established two mechanisms for the study of new agents, including group A and B drugs and innovations in radiation therapy, namely, "pilot studies" and "master protocols." The master protocols allow for rapid accumulation of cases of tumor types of low incidence and the speedy completion of a study of new agents in common tumors. A new agents and pilot studies committee has been organized with responsibility for educational sessions, the introduction of new agents into either pilot studies or master protocols, and the review and monitoring of these programs. During its two years of operation, > 51 new studies have been initiated.

Antineoplastic Agents↗