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Biomedical subjects

R D Rubens

Publications and source records attributed to R D Rubens.

213 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1975

Augmentation of cytotoxic drug action and X-irradiation by antibodies.

The effect of an antiserum containing antibodies against cell surface components of PyBHK cells on the action of certain anticancer agents has been studied using a colony formation inhibition assay. The effects of x-rays, chlorambucil, CCNU and possibly ICRF 159 are augmented by the antiserum whereas methotrexate and vinblastine are not.

Antibodies, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1975

Chemotherapy of advanced breast cancer: a controlled randomized trial of cyclophosphamide versus a four-drug combination.

Ninety-nine patients with advanced breast cancer were randomized to receive either cyclophosphamide continuously or a combination of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil and vinblastine given intermittently. The number and duration of objective responses were greater in patients receiving the combination but the differences between the two treatments did not achieve formal significance. The combination was logistically easier to manage and produced less toxicity.

Adult↗
PubMed1972

The homeostatic function of the colon in acute gastroenteritis.

Infants and young children with acute gastroenteritis have been studied with regard to stool electrolyte composition, external electrolyte balance, and aldosterone excretion. At the height of fluid depletion the stool sodium concentrations are low (median 8 m-equiv/1, range 3-58 m-equiv/1). The results indicate that in gastroenteritis the colon is responding homeostatically to a state of secondary hyperaldosteronism, thus assisting in sodium conservation.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Adjuvant chemotherapy for premenopausal breast cancer: a meta-analysis using quality-adjusted survival.

PURPOSE: Adjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer has been shown to offer an improvement in recurrence-free and overall survival, especially for younger women, but the acute toxic effects of this treatment discourage some physicians from prescribing it. The purpose of this analysis was to determine whether the benefit of 6 months of adjuvant CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, fluorouracil) treatment outweighs its costs in terms of toxic effects. METHODS: A meta-analysis of quality-adjusted survival was performed based on data from 1229 patients, aged 49 years or younger, randomized in eight trials comparing CMF versus no adjuvant systemic therapy. The eight trials were included in the worldwide overview conducted by the Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group. The Q-TWiST method was used in a meta-analysis that provided treatment comparisons incorporating differences in quality of life associated with the amount of time patients spend with subjective toxic effects, after relapse, and without symptoms of relapse. RESULTS: Within 6 years of follow-up evaluation for patients with node-positive disease, the benefit in terms of increased relapse-free and overall survival balanced the costs in terms of acute toxic side effects. This was true even for the extreme case in which a zero value was assigned to all 6 months during which patients might receive adjuvant CMF chemotherapy. Within 10 years of follow-up evaluation, treated patients gained an average of 1.5 years of relapse-free survival time, almost 1 year of overall survival time, and 1 year of time without symptoms and toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant chemotherapy for younger women with node-positive breast cancer provided substantial amounts of quality-adjusted survival time, even after accounting for costs associated with toxic effects of the treatment. The Q-TWiST method represents a valuable tool for comparing treatments because it incorporates patients' perceptions of their quality of life for therapeutic decision-making.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗