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Biomedical subjects

M Quinn

Publications and source records attributed to M Quinn.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Docetaxel effectively mobilizes peripheral blood CD34+ cells.

We prospectively evaluated docetaxel (100 mg/m2) with G-CSF (10 microg/kg S.C., daily) for mobilization efficiency in 26 patients with breast cancer. The minimum target yield was >4.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg (optimum = 9 x 10(6)/kg), sufficient to support the subsequent three cycles of high-dose therapy (HDT). The peak days for peripheral blood (PB) CD34+ cells were day 8 and day 9. Seven collections began on day 7, 16 on day 8 and three on day 9. The median peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) CD34+ cell content ranged from 1.2 to 5.9 x 10(6)/kg per day during days 7 to 11 with a median CD34+ content of the total 72 PBPC collections of 3.4 x 10(6)/kg (0.07-15.6). Fifteen patients obtained a PBPC collection exceeding 5 x 10(6)/kg on a single day of collection. Following a median 3 days collection for each patient (range 2-4), the median total CD34+ for all individual sets of collections was 9.7 x 10(6)/kg (range 1.0-28.4). We were able to achieve the minimum CD34+ cell target yield in 22 of 26 patients with one cycle of mobilisation chemotherapy and in two of these patients a second collection yielded sufficient cells. Twenty-two patients have subsequently received repetitive HDT and PBPC transplantation with 57 cycles of HDT having been delivered. For all 57 cycles, the median time to absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >0.5 x 10(9)/l and 1.0 x 10(9)/l was 10 days (range 8-22) and 11 days (range 8-23), respectively. The median time to platelets greater than 20 x 10(9)/l, 50 x 10(9)/l and 100 x 10(9)/l was 13 days (range 11-23), 17 days (range 12-53) and 23 days (range 18-70), respectively. We conclude that docetaxel with G-CSF effectively mobilises PBPCs with apheresis needing to be commenced approximately 8 days after docetaxel administration.

Adult↗

Repetitive high-dose therapy with cyclophosphamide, thiotepa and docetaxel with peripheral blood progenitor cell and filgrastim support for metastatic and locally advanced breast cancer: results of a phase I study.

This phase I study was designed to determine the optimal dosages of a novel repetitive high-dose therapy regimen for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The planned treatment was three cycles of high-dose cyclophosphamide, thiotepa and docetaxel delivered every 35 days with progressive dose-escalation in successive cohorts. Each cycle was supported by peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) and filgrastim. Eighteen patients were entered into this trial. Of the planned 54 treatment cycles, 44 were delivered and 11 patients completed all three cycles. The dose-limiting toxicities were interstitial pneumonitis and mucositis with moderately severe diarrhea (n = 3) and rash (n = 3). There were no treatment-related deaths. Of the 17 patients with evaluable disease, 16 patients responded with six patients achieving a complete remission and an additional four patients achieving no detectable disease (negative restaging including PET scan) but a persistently abnormal bone scan. At a median follow-up of 12 months, median progression-free survival was 11 months with the median overall survival not reached. The recommended doses for phase II/III studies are cyclophosphamide (4 g/m2), thiotepa (300 mg/m2) and docetaxel (100 mg/m2).

Adult↗

Trends in prostate cancer incidence, mortality and survival in England and Wales 1971-1998.

OBJECTIVES: To examine trends in prostate cancer incidence and mortality in England and Wales between 1971 and 1998, using a newly developed and validated national cancer database and the national mortality database. METHODS: Age-standardized incidence and death rates were calculated directly and trends in relative survival rates among men with prostate cancer registered during 1971-1990 were examined. RESULTS: The annual number of new cases of prostate cancer registered in England and Wales increased by 179% between 1971 and 1993, from 6174 to 17 210. Directly age-standardized incidence rates increased by 104% between 1971 and 1993, from 29 to 59 per 100 000. The number of deaths from prostate cancer increased by 113% between 1971 and 1998, from 4027 to 8570. Directly age-standardized death rates increased by 49% between 1971 and 1995 and then decreased by 8% between 1995 and 1998, an overall increase of 38% (20 to 27 per 100 000) between 1971 and 1998. The relative survival rate for prostate cancer among men diagnosed during 1986-1990 was 77% at 1 year and 42% at 5 years, compared with 67% and 33%, respectively, for cases diagnosed during 1971-1975. The increase in survival rates was confined to men diagnosed with prostate cancer up to 1985 and no increase was seen for cases diagnosed after 1985. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate cancer is becoming a growing burden on the health service. The explanation for the large increase in prostate cancer incidence and mortality is unclear and needs further investigation. The lack of any improvement in survival rates in cases diagnosed after 1985 is of concern, and suggests that the current management of prostate cancer in both primary and secondary care may need to be reviewed.

Age Distribution↗

The incidence of breast cancer in the General Practice Research Database compared with national cancer registration data.

Breast cancer incidence rates in the UK from 1990 to 1996 among women aged 35-69 estimated from the General Practice Research Database (GPRD) were closely similar to those reported by the Office for National Statistics from cancer registration data (ONS). The GPRD is a valuable and up-to-date resource for further study of the incidence of breast cancer in the UK as well as changes in cancer treatment and their relation to survival trends.

Adult↗

Comparison of three methods of CD34+ cell enumeration in peripheral blood: dual-platform ISHAGE protocol versus single-platform, versus microvolume fluorimetry.

BACKGROUND: Quantitation of peripheral blood (PB) CD34(+) cells is now an established method for timing PBPC harvesting. Recent refinements to the dual-platform ISHAGE gating strategy for CD34(+) cells has seen the introduction of microbeads to enable absolute counting of cells on a single instrument platform. This eliminates the need for total WBCC performed on an automated hematology analyzer and potentially increases the analytical precision of the methodology. At the same time, alternative methods for CD34(+) cell enumeration have started to emerge, notably microvolume fluorimetry, which forms the basis of the fully-automated STELLer CD34 method using the Imagn 2000. METHODS: We performed a three-way evaluation of these methods. Sixty-eight samples of PB from 42 patients undergoing PBPC mobilization were analyzed by all three methods and correlations between all three calculated. The two-platform ISHAGE method was used as the reference method. RESULTS: Precision and linearity of the single-platform and STELLer CD34 assays were excellent. Correlation with the dual-platform reference method was also excellent (single-platform method slope = 1.03, intercept = -0.03 and R(2) = 0.9325, STELLer CD34 assay slope = 0.827, intercept = 4.27, R(2) =0.8215). Bias, determined by Bland-Altman analysis, was 1.16 and -1.62 for single platform and STELLer CD34 assay respectively. CONCLUSION: The three methods of CD34(+) cell enumeration gave equivalent results. The single-platform methodology negated the need for a separate white cell analyzer, while the STELLer CD34 methodology was technically the simplest.

Antigens, CD34↗

Neurovascular injuries in type III humeral supracondylar fractures in children.

Clinical and radiographic records of 210 consecutive children treated for Type III extension humeral supracondylar fractures during a 66-month period were reviewed retrospectively to determine (1) the incidence of neural and vascular injuries associated with this fracture; (2) the frequency of the type of nerve injured; and (3) the relationship of fracture displacement to neural and vascular compromise. Forty patients (19.1%) had neural compromise, vascular compromise, or both. Nerve injuries occurred in 13.3% of patients, combined nerve and vascular compromise occurred in 2.9%, and vascular compromise occurred in 2.9% of patients. Median nerve injuries accounted for 58.9% of nerve injuries followed by radial (26.4%) and ulnar (14.7%) lesions. Eighty percent of the median nerve injuries involved the anterior interosseous nerve. Posterolateral fracture displacement was correlated with median nerve and vascular compromise. Posteromedial fracture displacement strongly correlated with radial nerve injury. Recognition of fracture displacement pattern provides a guide to clinical examination to assess associated neural injury, in particular, the anterior interosseous nerve, which may be difficult to evaluate in a child who is uncooperative.

Blood Vessels↗

Effects of blood resuscitation versus dextran resuscitation after hemorrhage on intrinsic myocardial function.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial function is altered by many factors present in hemorrhaged and resuscitated animals. The purpose of this study was to determine whether resuscitation after a short period of hemorrhagic shock, which by itself did not alter intrinsic cardiac function, causes dysfunction. METHODS: Guinea pigs were instrumented to measure blood pressure and cardiac output, and several days later 50% of their blood volume was removed at a rate of 1 mL/min. Some animals were resuscitated with the shed blood and some with 6% dextran. Hearts were studied 1 or 24 hours after resuscitation. RESULTS: Isolated hearts from animals after 1 hour of resuscitation demonstrated dysfunction whether resuscitated with blood or dextran, although dysfunction was more severe with blood resuscitation. By 24 hours, dysfunction was essentially reversed. CONCLUSIONS: Resuscitation after hemorrhagic shock caused injury to the myocardium independent of the hemorrhage. Blood resuscitation resulted in greater dysfunction than did resuscitation with dextran.

Animals↗

Risk of mortality, cancer incidence, and stroke in a population potentially exposed to cadmium.

OBJECTIVES: To follow up mortality and cancer incidence in a cohort potentially exposed to cadmium and to perform a geographical (ecological) analysis to further assess the health effects of potential exposure to cadmium. METHODS: The English village of Shipham has very high concentrations of cadmium in the soil. A previous cohort study of residents of Shipham in 1939 showed overall mortality below that expected, but a 40% excess of mortality from stroke. This study extends the follow up of the cohort for mortality to 1997, and includes an analysis of cancer incidence from 1971 to 1992, and a geographical study of mortality and cancer incidence. Standardised mortality and incidence ratios (SMRs and SIRs) were estimated with regional reference rates. Comparisons were made with the nearby village of Hutton. RESULTS: All cause cohort mortality was lower than expected in both villages, although there was excess cancer incidence in both Shipham (SIR 167, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 106 to 250) and Hutton (SIR 167, 95% CI 105 to 253). There was an excess of mortality from hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, and nephritis and nephrosis, of borderline significance, in Shipham (SMR 128, 95% CI 99 to 162). In the geographical study, all cause mortality in Shipham was also lower than expected (SMR 84, 95% CI 71 to 100). There was an excess in genitourinary cancers in both Shipham (SIR 160, 95% CI 107 to 239) and Hutton (SIR 153, 95% CI 122 to 192). CONCLUSION: No clear evidence of health effects from possible exposure to cadmium in Shipham was found despite the extremely high concentrations of cadmium in the soil.

Cadmium Poisoning↗

Phase I and pharmacologic study of irinotecan administered as a 96-hour infusion weekly to adult cancer patients.

PURPOSE: We conducted a phase I and pharmacologic study of a weekly 96-hour infusion of irinotecan to determine the maximum-tolerated dose, define the toxicity profile, and characterize the clinical pharmacology of irinotecan and its metabolites. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 26 adult patients with solid tumors, the duration and dose rate of infusion were escalated in new patients until toxicity was observed. RESULTS: In 11 patients who were treated with irinotecan at 12.5 mg/m(2)/d for 4 days weekly for 2 of 3 weeks, dose-limiting grade 3 diarrhea occurred in three patients and grade 3 thrombocytopenia occurred in two patients. The recommended phase II dose is 10 mg/m(2)/d for 4 days given weekly for 2 of 3 weeks. At this dose, the steady-state plasma concentration (Css) of total SN-38 (the active metabolite of irinotecan) was 6.42 +/- 1.10 nmol/L, and the Css of total irinotecan was 28.60 +/- 17.78 nmol/L. No patient experienced grade 3 or 4 neutropenia during any cycle. All other toxicities were mild to moderate. The systemic exposure to SN-38 relative to irinotecan was greater than anticipated, with a molar ratio of the area under the concentration curve (AUC) of SN-38 to irinotecan of 0.24 +/- 0.08. One objective response lasting 12 months in duration was observed in a patient with metastatic colon cancer. CONCLUSION: The recommended phase II dose of irinotecan of 10 mg/m(2)/d for 4 days weekly for 2 of 3 weeks was extremely well tolerated. Further efficacy testing of this pharmacologic strategy of administering intermittent low doses of irinotecan is warranted.

Adult↗

Quantifying GPIIb/IIIa receptor binding using 2 monoclonal antibodies: discriminating abciximab and small molecular weight antagonists.

BACKGROUND: Dosing of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists is frequently based on the inhibition of platelet aggregation, which may be influenced by the agonist used or concurrent medications. Here we describe a monoclonal antibody-based technique to quantify total and ligand-occupied GPIIb/IIIa receptors. METHODS AND RESULTS: In vitro binding of monoclonal antibodies, LYP18 (Mab1) and 4F8 (Mab2), to the GPIIb/IIIa complex, was characterized using purified receptor and to platelets by flow cytometry. Patients undergoing coronary angioplasty received a single 20 mg dose of the oral GPIIb/IIIa antagonist, xemilofiban, or matching placebo, and antibody binding was compared with inhibition of platelet aggregation. Mab1 and Mab2 were bound to purified GPIIb/IIIa and to unoccupied, inactivated receptor on platelets. Mab2 identified the beta3 subunit, whereas Mab1 was complex-specific. Neither antibody interfered with the other's binding, suggesting that they identified distinct sites. Mab1 identified 53 300+/-5423 GPIIb/IIIa sites per platelet, whereas Mab2 identified 50 120+/-5066 sites per platelet. Mab1 binding was inhibited by abciximab in a dose dependent manner (IC50, 0.85+/-0.1 microg/mL), whereas Mab2 binding was unaffected. In contrast, the 2 small molecular weight antagonists, SC-57101A (IC50, 0.22+/-0.06 micromol/L) and eptifibatide (IC50, 0.35+/-0.14 micromol/L) inhibited Mab2 but not Mab1 binding. In patients treated with xemilofiban, Mab1 binding was unaltered but Mab2 binding decreased from 37 930+/-2061 sites per platelet at baseline to 8318+/-870 sites per platelet 6 hours after dosing (P<0.0001). Platelet aggregation to adenosine diphosphate (20 micromol/L) fell to 3+/-3% of baseline in line with the inhibition of Mab2 binding (correlation coefficient 0.8, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Mab1 and Mab2 bind to GPIIb/IIIa and are differentially displaced by abciximab and small molecular weight antagonists. These antibodies may be used to monitor receptor number and occupancy during administration of a GPIIb/IIIa antagonist.

Abciximab↗

Effect of screening on incidence of and mortality from cancer of cervix in England: evaluation based on routinely collected statistics.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of screening on the incidence of and mortality from cervical cancer. DESIGN: Comparison of age specific incidence and mortality before and after the introduction of the national call and recall system in 1988. SETTING: England. SUBJECTS: Women aged over 19 years. RESULTS: From the mid-1960s, the number of smears taken rose continuously to 4.5 million at the end of the 1980s. Between 1988 and 1994, coverage of the target group doubled to around 85%. Registrations of in situ disease increased broadly in parallel with the numbers of smears taken. The overall incidence of invasive disease remained stable up to the end of the 1980s, although there were strong cohort effects; from 1990 incidence fell continuously and in 1995 was 35% lower than in the 1980s. The fall in overall mortality since 1950 accelerated at the end of the 1980s; there were strong cohort effects. Mortality in women under 55 was much lower in the 1990s than would have been expected. CONCLUSIONS: The national call and recall system and incentive payments to general practitioners increased coverage to around 85%. This resulted in falls in incidence of invasive disease in all regions of England and in all age groups from 30 to 74. The falls in mortality in older women were largely unrelated to screening, but without screening there might have been 800 more deaths from cervical cancer in women under 55 in 1997.

Adult↗

Comparison of COBE Spectra software version 4.7 PBSC and version 6.0 auto PBSC program.

Until recently, the collection of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) has been semi-automated by using the COBE Spectra, with the operator manually maintaining the position of the white cells being collected. The COBE Spectra Version 6.0 apheresis device offers the user an automated program for the collection of PBPC. In this study, we compared the new software Version 6.0 to that of Version 4.7. Patients (n = 46) undergoing PBPC collection were allocated to cell processing with either Version 4.7 (n = 24) or Version 6.0 (n = 22). The CD34+ cell count, mononuclear cell (MNC) count, white cell count (WCC), hemoglobin (Hb), and platelet content in the autograft product by using the two versions were compared. We divided the analysis into three subsets according to peripheral blood (PB) CD34 content: <10x10(6)/L, 10-50x10(6)/L and >50x10(6)/L. Analysis of the three subsets showed no statistical difference between results obtained when the starting PB CD34+ cell count was 10-50x10(6)/L (P=0.08) or >50x10(6)/L (P=0.4065). At lower starting PB CD34+ cell counts of <10x10(6)/L, Version 4.7 was superior (P=0.0167). However, autograft platelet contamination of the autograft was significantly higher using Version 4.7 (P=<0.0001).

Antigens, CD34↗

High-efficiency Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda).

Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer is the method of choice for many plant biotechnology laboratories; however, large-scale use of this organism in conifer transformation has been limited by difficult propagation of explant material, selection efficiencies and low transformation frequency. We have analyzed co-cultivation conditions and different disarmed strains of Agrobacterium to improve transformation. Additional copies of virulence genes were added to three common disarmed strains. These extra virulence genes included either a constitutively active virG or extra copies of virG and virB, both from pTiBo542. In experiments with Norway spruce, we increased transformation efficiencies 1000-fold from initial experiments where little or no transient expression was detected. Over 100 transformed lines expressing the marker gene beta-glucuronidase (GUS) were generated from rapidly dividing embryogenic suspension-cultured cells co-cultivated with Agrobacterium. GUS activity was used to monitor transient expression and to further test lines selected on kanamycin-containing medium. In loblolly pine, transient expression increased 10-fold utilizing modified Agrobacterium strains. Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer is a useful technique for large-scale generation of transgenic Norway spruce and may prove useful for other conifer species.

Acetophenones↗

Repetitive high-dose therapy with ifosfamide, thiotepa and paclitaxel with peripheral blood progenitor cell and filgrastim support for metastatic and locally advanced breast cancer: results of a phase I study.

BACKGROUND: This phase I study was designed to determine the optimal dosages of a novel repetitive high-dose therapy regimen for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The planned treatment was three cycles of high-dose ifosfamide, thiotepa and conventional-dose paclitaxel delivered every 28 days with progressive dose-escalation in successive cohorts. Each cycle was supported by peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) and filgrastim. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were entered into this trial. Of the planned 69 treatment cycles, 59 were delivered and fifteen patients completed all three cycles. The dose-limiting toxicities were renal tubular acidosis, encephalopathy, mucositis and enterocolitis. There was one treatment-related hemorrhagic death. CONCLUSIONS: The recommended doses for phase II or III studies are ifosfamide (10 g/m2), thiotepa (350 mg/m2) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m2).

Adult↗

The impact of knowledge and opinions on the implementation of public policies for mentally ill offenders.

New legislation may not always have its intended effect. Agencies targeted by the legislation must be aware of it, understand its demands, develop procedures to insure implementation, and monitor compliance. This paper reports a study of the extent to which several new state statutes impacted policy, procedures, and services for mentally ill offenders in a large urban Texas county. Key informant-interviews, document reviews and surveys of knowledge and opinions were used to assess implementation, understanding, and acceptance of these new statutes. Results were reported to local constituencies, and used to shape recommendations for local action. Following the study, the community formed a council that has made specific improvements in the system.

Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders↗

Estimating relative survival among people registered with cancer in England and Wales.

Because routinely collected survival data for cancer patients in England and Wales do not typically specify cause of death, conventional estimates of survival in cancer patients based on such data are a measure of their mortality from all causes rather than their mortality due to cancer. As a result, trends in survival over time are difficult to interpret because changes in overall survival may well reflect changes in the risk of death from other causes, rather than from the cancer of interest. One way of overcoming this problem is to use some form of 'relative survival' defined as a measure of survival corrected for the effect of other independent causes of death. Since this concept was first introduced, various methods for calculating relative survival have been proposed and this had led to some confusion as to the most appropriate choice of estimate. This paper aims to provide an introduction to the concept of relative survival and reviews some of the suggested methods of estimation. In addition, a particularly simple, but robust approach, is highlighted based on expected and observed mortality. This method is illustrated using preliminary data from the Office for National Statistics on cancer survival in patients born after 1939 and diagnosed with cancer during 1972-84. The examples presented, although limited to analyses on a small number of selected sites, highlight some encouraging trends in survival in people aged under 35 diagnosed with leukaemia, Hodgkin's disease and testicular cancer during this period.

Cohort Studies↗

Ifosfamide in combination with paclitaxel or doxorubicin: regimens which effectively mobilize peripheral blood progenitor cells while demonstrating anti-tumor activity in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

For patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who undergo high-dose therapy with autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplantation, an important prerequisite is a mobilization regimen that efficiently mobilizes PBPCs while producing an effective anti-tumor effect. We prospectively evaluated ifosfamide-based chemotherapy for mobilization efficiency, toxicity and disease response in 37 patients. Patients received two cycles of the ifosfamide-based regimen; ifosfamide (5 g/m2 with conventional-dose cycle and 6 g/m2 with mobilization cycle) with either 50 mg/m2 doxorubicin (if limited prior anthracycline and/or progression more than 12 months after an anthracycline-based regimen) or 175 mg/m2 paclitaxel. For the mobilization cycle, all patients received additional G-CSF (10 microg/kg SC, daily) commencing 24 h after completion of chemotherapy. The target yield was >6x10(6) CD34+ cells/kg, sufficient to support the subsequent three cycles of high-dose therapy. The mobilization therapy was well tolerated and the peak days for peripheral blood (PB) CD34+ cells were days 10-13 with no significant differences in the PB CD34+ cells mobilization kinetics between the ifosfamide-doxorubicin vs. ifosfamide-paclitaxel regimens. The median PBPC CD34+ cell content ranged from 2.9 to 4.0x10(6)/kg per day during days 9-14. After a median of 3 (range 1-5) collection days, the median total CD34+ cell, CFU-GM and MNC for all 44 individual sets of collections was 9.2x10(6)/kg (range 0.16-54.9), 37x10(4)/kg (range 5.7-247) and 7.3x10(8)/kg (range 2.1-26.1), respectively. The PBPC target yield was achieved in 35 of the 37 patients. The overall response rate for the 31 evaluable patients was 68% with 10% having progressive disease. Thirty-three patients have subsequently received high-dose therapy consisting of three planned cycles of high-dose ifosfamide, thiotepa and paclitaxel with each cycle supported with PBPCs. Rapid neutrophil and platelet recovery has been observed. Ifosfamide with G-CSF in combination with doxorubicin or paclitaxel achieves effective mobilization of PBPC and anti-tumor activity with minimal toxicity.

Adult↗