Biomedical subjects

R Klasa

Publications and source records attributed to R Klasa.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

A phase II study of bortezomib in mantle cell lymphoma: the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group trial IND.150.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the activity and toxic effects of bortezomib in patients with mantle cell lymphoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients, including 29 eligible patients, were enrolled; 13 had received no prior chemotherapy. The dose of bortezomib was 1.3 mg/m2 given on days 1, 4, 8 and 11 every 21 days. Response was assessed according to the International Workshop Criteria for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and toxicity graded using the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria version 2.0. RESULTS: There were 13 responding patients (46.4%; 95% confidence interval=27.5% to 66.1%), including one unconfirmed complete remission. The median response duration was 10 months. Response rates were similar in previously untreated (46.2%) and treated (46.7%) patients. Neurological toxicity and myalgia led to treatment discontinuation in 10 patients after two to seven treatment cycles. Five serious adverse events (including two deaths) associated with fluid retention were observed in the first 12 patients. We subsequently excluded patients with baseline effusions, dyspnea or edema; no further events were seen. CONCLUSIONS: Bortezomib is active in treating patients with mantle cell lymphoma. While cumulative neuromuscular toxic effects limited therapy duration and specific issues related to fluid retention require further evaluation, continued study of this drug in combination regimens is warranted.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Development and assessment of conventional and targeted drug combinations for use in the treatment of aggressive breast cancers.

Combination chemotherapy has been at the forefront of cancer treatment for over 40 years. However, the rationale for selecting drug combinations and the process used to demonstrate clinical effectiveness has primarily followed trial and error methodology. Typically, the selection and assessment of combined drug therapies has been based on the effectiveness of each agent as monotherapy in treating the neoplasm and avoiding overlapping toxicities, followed by clinical trials to establish dose scheduling, toxicity, and efficacy. Unfortunately, this scheme is inefficient in terms of the time required to complete and revise these clinical trials based on the outcome to optimize the drug combination. A more rational approach for the development of combination oncology products should consider (i) in vitro assays for assessing therapeutic effects of drug combinations (antagonistic, additive or synergistic interactions) when added simultaneously; (ii) methods for measuring these interactions in vivo; (iii) the importance of understanding pharmacokinetic and biodistribution parameters when using drug combinations; (iv) the need to assess pathways known to contribute to cancer cell survival as well as metastasis; and (iv) the need to assess the fate of different cell populations (cancer and stroma) contributing to the development of cancer. Therefore, the goal of this article is to provide a road map for the preclinical development of drug combination products that will have improved therapeutic activity and a high likelihood of providing beneficial therapeutic outcomes in patients with aggressive cancers with a specific focus on patients with breast cancer.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Favorable outcome of primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma in a single institution: the British Columbia experience.

BACKGROUND: Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) is a distinct clinico-pathological subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The optimal treatment is unknown, with some studies suggesting a superior outcome with dose-intensive chemotherapy regimens, and the role of radiotherapy remains ill-defined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The British Columbia Cancer Agency lymphoma database was searched and records reviewed to identify those patients presenting with a prominent mediastinal mass and considered to be PMBCL based on the current REAL/WHO classifications. Patients were treated based on era-specific BCCA guidelines (1980-1992 MACOPB/VACOPB; 1992-2001 CHOP-type; 2001-present CHOP-R). Beginning in January 1998 involved-field radiotherapy was recommended to be routinely administered following chemotherapy. Prior to this, use of radiotherapy was individualized in advanced disease. RESULTS: In total, 153 patients with newly diagnosed PMBCL were identified between 28 July 1980 and 30 June 2003. The median age was 37 years (range 13-82) and the majority had stage I/II (74%), bulky mediastinal disease (75%). Overall (OS) and progression-free (PFS) survival at 5 years for the entire cohort were 75% and 69%, respectively. In direct comparison with a cohort of patients with DLBCL (n = 1273), OS (P = 10(-4)) and PFS (P = 0.0001) favored PMBCL. The age-adjusted International Prognostic Index (aaIPI) was not predictive of survival (P = 0.18). Five-year OS in patients < 65 years old treated with MACOPB/VACOPB, CHOP-R and CHOP-type was 87%, 81% and 71% respectively (P = 0.048). In pair-wise survival comparisons, only MACOPB/VACOPB and CHOP-type treated patients were significantly different (P = 0.016). In Cox multiple regression analysis, poor performance status remained the only predictor of survival, with treatment received demonstrating a trend to worse outcome for patients treated with CHOP-type regimens (P = 0.09). In an intention-to-treat analysis comparing the era before radiotherapy was routinely administered with after, there was no significant difference in 5-year PFS (74% versus 62%; P = 0.09) or OS (78% versus 69%; P = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: In this single institution, population-based retrospective study, we found that PMBCL patients have excellent survival rates and a distinct plateau is observed in PFS, in striking comparison to DLBCL. The aaIPI was not predictive of survival in this population, suggesting that other prognostic models may be better suited for risk stratification. Dose-intensified chemotherapy with MACOPB or VACOPB demonstrated a trend to superior outcome over CHOP-type chemotherapy. However, further randomized studies are needed and the impact of rituximab on these comparisons must be considered. Finally, the routine addition of radiotherapy does not improve survival.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Concurrent translocation of BCL2 and MYC with a single immunoglobulin locus in high-grade B-cell lymphomas.

B-cell leukaemia or lymphoma with a combination of t(8;14)(q24;q32) of Burkitt leukaemia/lymphoma and t(14;18)(q32;q21) of follicular lymphoma may present clinically as de novo acute lymphoblastic leukaemia or transformation of follicular lymphoma to aggressive histology diffuse lymphoma. A number of cell lines have been reported with a complex t(8;14;18) with fusion of MYC, IGH and BCL2 on the same derivative 8 chromosome. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and chromosomal features of this der(8)t(8;14;18) in a series of acute leukaemias and malignant lymphomas. A database of 1350 leukaemia and lymphoma karyotypes was searched for cases with structural alterations affecting both 8q24 and 18q21. A total of 55 cases were identified, of which eight revealed a complex der(8)t(8;14;18) with an MYC-IGH-BCL2 rearrangement resulting from translocation of BCL2 and MYC with a single disrupted IGH allele. Molecular cytogenetic investigation is essential to identify cases of high-grade leukaemia/lymphoma with concurrent translocations affecting the BCL2 and MYC loci.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Patterns of outcome and prognostic factors in primary large-cell lymphoma of the testis in a survey by the International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group.

PURPOSE: To determine clinical features and patterns of outcome of primary testicular diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLCL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective international survey of 373 patients with primary testicular DLCL. RESULTS: Most patients presented with localized disease (stage I to II), and the median age at diagnosis was 66 years (range, 19 to 91 years). Anthracycline-based chemotherapy was administered to 255 patients (68%), and prophylactic intrathecal chemotherapy was given to 68 patients (18%); 133 patients (36%) received prophylactic scrotal radiotherapy. Median overall survival was 4.8 years, and median progression-free survival was 4 years. The survival curves showed no clear evidence of a substantial proportion of cured patients. A favorable international prognostic index score (IPI), no B-symptoms, the use of anthracyclines, and prophylactic scrotal radiotherapy were significantly associated with longer survival at multivariate analysis. However, even for patients with stage I disease and good-risk IPI, the outcome seems worse than what was reported for DLCL at other sites. At a median follow-up of 7.6 years, 195 patients (52%) had relapsed. Extranodal recurrence was reported in 140 cases. Relapses in CNS were detected in 56 patients (15%) up to 10 years after presentation. A continuous risk of recurrence in the contralateral testis was seen in patients not receiving scrotal radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Testicular DLCL is characterized by a particularly high risk of extranodal relapse even in cases with localized disease at diagnosis. Anthracycline-based chemotherapy, CNS prophylaxis, and contralateral testicular irradiation seem to improve the outcome. Their efficacy is under evaluation in a prospective clinical trial.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Limited-stage mantle-cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL) is known to have a poor outcome, however, most patients present with advanced-stage disease. Little information is available on limited-stage MCL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinicopathological information on all patients with limited-stage MCL seen at the British Columbia Cancer Agency since 1984. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients had low bulk (<10 cm) stage IA (12 patients) or IIA (14 patients) MCL. Initial therapy was involved-field radiation therapy (RT) with or without chemotherapy (CT), 17 patients; CT alone or observation, nine patients. Fifteen patients are alive at a median follow-up of 72 months (range 14-194). Progression-free survival (PFS) at 2 and 5 years was 65% and 46%, and overall survival (OS) 86% and 70%, respectively. Five patients surviving beyond 8 years. Only age and initial use of RT significantly affected PFS. Five-year PFS for patients <60 years of age was 83%, compared with 39% for those aged >/= 60 years, P = 0.04. Patients receiving RT with or without CT (n = 17), had a 5-year PFS of 68%, compared with 11% for those not receiving RT (n = 9, P = 0.002). Receiving RT eliminated the impact of age on PFS (with RT the 5-year PFS was 83% for those aged <60 years and 57% for those >/= 60 years, P = 0.17). Although OS for the whole group was 53% at 6 years, it was 71% for those initially treated with RT, but only 25% for those not given RT (P = 0.13). CONCLUSION: In our experience, patients with limited-stage MCL had an improved PFS when treated with regimens including RT, with a trend towards improved OS. These results suggest a potentially important role for RT in limited-stage MCL.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

A phase I dose-finding study of combined treatment with an antisense Bcl-2 oligonucleotide (Genasense) and mitoxantrone in patients with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: Bcl-2 is a negative prognostic indicator in prostate cancer, implicated in the development of androgen independence and treatment resistance, and is overexpressed in hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Genasense is a phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotide complementary to the bcl-2 mRNA open reading frame that in preclinical studies has shown significant activity in inhibiting expression of Bcl-2, delaying androgen independence, and improving chemosensitivity in prostate and other cancer models. In this dose escalation study, we evaluated the combination of Genasense and mitoxantrone, a standard chemotherapy for patients with HRPC. DESIGN: Twenty-six patients with HRPC were treated at seven dose levels receiving Genasense at a dose ranging from 0.6 to 5.0 mg/kg/day and mitoxantrone from 4 mg/m(2) to 12 mg/m(2). Genasense was administered as a 14-day i.v. continuous infusion every 28 days with mitoxantrone given as an i.v. bolus on day 8. RESULTS: No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. Hematological toxicities were transient and included neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and lymphopenia. Nonhematological toxicities included fatigue, fever, nausea, arthralgias, myalgias, and transient elevations in serum creatinine, none of which were severe. Two patients had >50% reductions in prostate-specific antigen. One patient, who received six cycles of Genasense at 1.2 mg/kg/day and a low dose (4 mg/m(2)) of mitoxantrone, also had symptomatic improvement in bone pain. Peripheral blood lymphocyte Bcl-2 protein expression decreased in five of five patients given Genasense at 5mg/kg/day (mean change from baseline, -12.8%; SD, 16.4%) as assessed by flow cytometry. Serum concentrations of Genasense given at doses of 3 mg/kg/day and greater, exceeded 1 microg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: Genasense and mitoxantrone are well tolerated in combination, and mitoxantrone can be delivered at a standard dose with biologically active doses of Genasense without significant additional toxicity. This observation allays concerns about trials that combine Genasense with full doses of other cytotoxic agents seeking greater evidence of activity.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Small noncleaved, non-Burkitt's (Burkit-Like) lymphoma: cytogenetics predict outcome and reflect clinical presentation.

PURPOSE: To correlate cytogenetic abnormalities with clinical presentation and outcome in Burkitt-like, small noncleaved non-Burkitt's lymphoma (SNC-NB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with SNC-NB lymphoma and a clonal karyotype were evaluated between January 1989 and January 1996. All were from British Columbia, Canada, underwent uniform clinical staging, and were treated on investigational protocols by a small group of clinicians. RESULTS: Three groups of patients were identified by clonal karyotype on cytogenetic analysis: (1) those with a c-myc translocation (n = 11); (2) those with dual translocation of c-myc and bcl-2 (n = 13); and (3) those with other cytogenetic abnormalities (n = 15). The c-myc group was younger, presented with earlier stage de nova disease, and had a better clinical prognostic factor profile. The dual-translocation and other groups were older and presented in advanced stage with poorer prognostic features, and a larger proportion of the dual-translocation group patients had transformed from previously diagnosed follicular lymphoma. The median overall survival (OS) time for all patients was 5 months. The median OS time for the dual-translocation group was only 2.5 months, as compared with 7 months and 8 months for the c-myc and other group, respectively (P < .001). There were no survivors beyond 7 months among the dual-translocation group, as opposed to 32% and 25% 2-year OS rates in the c-myc and other group. CONCLUSION: SNC-NB lymphoma is a clinically and cytogenetically heterogenous disease. Dual translocation of c-myc and bcl-2 is characterized by a rapid clinical course and extremely poor outcome. This latter entity may represent the most clinically aggressive lymphoma thus far characterized and warrants intensive investigational treatment where feasible.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Combined results of two phase II studies of Taxol (paclitaxel) in patients with relapsed or refractory lymphomas.

This study was performed to determine the clinical activity and safety of paclitaxel in the treatment of patients with refractory or relapsing aggressive Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Between May 3, 1994 and February 16, 1996, 39 patients with refractory or relapsing NHL consented to be enrolled in two, multicenter, open-labelled studies to evaluate the efficacy, safety, time to progression and overall survival of paclitaxel given at a dose of 175 mg/m2 by a 3-hour IV infusion every three weeks without G-CSF use. Data from the two studies is combined. One patient, although registered, did not receive treatment. Of the remaining 38 patients, 17 men and 21 women aged 26-82 years (median 60) were given 104 courses of paclitaxel [median 2 (range 1-6)]. Seventeen patients had stage IV, 7 stage III, 8 stage II, 5 stage 1 and 1 unknown stage of disease. Histologic grades included 1 low, 33 intermediate, and 4 high. Three patients had bone marrow involvement. Median time from diagnosis to study entry was 19 months (1-160). The median number of previous chemotherapy regimens was 2 (range 1-6). Three of the 35 (8.6%) patients evaluable for response had partial remission (PR) of their disease for 1-7 months (median 2) and 11/35 (31.4%) stable disease (SD) for 1 to 19 months (median 3). All three responders and 3 of the 11 SD patients had received paclitaxel after relapsing from a CR. At analysis, nine of the 38 patients were alive. Median duration of follow up at analysis was 6 months (3 days-29 months). The estimated survival rates for all patients at 1 and 2 years are 34% and 27%, respectively (Kaplan-Meier) from the start of paclitaxel treatment. The median survival time was 5.4 months (3 days to 28+ months). Febrile neutropenia occurred in two patients. Seven (18%) patients developed a neutrophil nadir of < 0.5 x 10(9)/L and 2 (5%) patients developed a platelet nadir of < 50 x 10(9)/L. Six patients received blood transfusions. Non-hematologic toxicity was generally mild to moderate with all patients experiencing some toxicity. Twenty-seven patients experienced grade III toxicity including: alopecia (n = 19), pain (n = 9), fatigue (n = 5), nausea/vomiting (n = 3), diarrhoea (n = 2), pulmonary/shortness of breath (n = 2), anorexia (n = 1) and fluctuating levels of consciousness and somnolence (n = 1). Two patients experienced grade IV toxicity (infection, peripheral neuropathy, pain). No patient discontinued paclitaxel for a severe hypersensitivity reaction. In summary, administered as a 3-hour infusion, paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 results in mild myelotoxicity but minimal antitumor activity in patients with refractory NHL.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Treatment of follicular lymphoma.

Follicular lymphoma is one of the most common neoplastic lymphoproliferative diseases encountered in the western world. Intensive scientific scrutiny has led to detailed understanding of the nature of the malignant cell and the specific genetic abnormalities which are frequently encountered and likely to be etiologic. Clinical research focusing on the treatment of follicular lymphoma continues to reveal new insights into the natural history of the disease. Investigations reported during the past year have focused on a number of important issues with regard to the management of patients with the diseases.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMed1998

Clinicopathological analysis of follicular lymphoma with a polyploid karyotype.

The prognostic significance of specific cytogenetic abnormalities in follicular lymphoma (FL) is an area of ongoing research. A small percentage of FL are characterized by a polyploid karyotype. Several studies have analyzed ploidy level to determine its role as an independent prognostic factor in non-Hodgkins lymphoma, with equivocal results, mostly using DNA flow cytometry to ascertain ploidy status. We have performed cytogenetic analyses on 180 cases of FL with a t(14;18) diagnosed between 1980 and 1995. Cases were divided into a polyploid group (20 cases) and a non-polyploid group (160 cases), polyploidy defined as a modal chromosome number of 58 or greater. Each group included examples of the 3 subtypes of FL, [Working Formulation]: 1) follicular small cleaved cell (FSC), 2) follicular mixed, small and large cell (FM), and 3) follicular large cell (FLC). The median follow-up time was 38.5 months. The histological subclassification of the polyploid group revealed much less FSC (30% vs 66%, p < 0.004) and much more FLC (25% vs 4%, p < 0.003) than the non-polyploid group, implying histological progression may occur in parallel with the development of polyploidy. Recognized clinical prognostic factors were evenly distributed between the two groups and no survival difference was detected. We show that polyploidy as determined by classical cytogenetics is present in different frequencies across the subtypes of FL with a t(14;18), but is not an independent prognostic factor for survival in FL.

Cohort Studies↗

PubMed1998

t(2;5) positive lymphoma with peripheral blood involvement.

We report two cases of CD30 and t(2;5) positive lymphomas with peripheral blood (PB) involvement. Case one demonstrated the histological appearance of a diffuse large cell lymphoma with disease in the bone marrow (BM) and PB. Immunoperoxidase stains of the BM for CD30 proved to be of value in detecting disease. RT-PCR for the t(2;5) translocation product was positive in the PB, BM and lymph node. Case two had a typical anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) morphology, with a suboptimal BM biopsy, but abnormal circulating cells in the PB showing the presence of the NPM/ALK fusion product demonstrated by RT-PCR. The first case demonstrates that not all CD30 positive and t(2;5)-associated lymphomas have an anaplastic appearance. Routine staining for CD30 and EMA in BM biopsies is useful for pathological staging. The significance of the t(2;5) in defining a specific histological subtype is unclear. RT-PCR for the t(2;5) is a more sensitive test to detect disease in PB and BM as compared with light microscopy. The clinical significance of molecular staging for patients with ALCL using RT-PCR needs to be evaluated.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Advanced diffuse large-cell lymphoma treated with 12-week combination chemotherapy: natural history of relapse after initial complete response and prognostic variables defining outcome after relapse.

PURPOSE: To define both the natural history of and prognostic factors affecting outcome post relapse from a complete response in advanced stage diffuse large-cell lymphoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 468 patients aged 17-74 years received the 12-week duration chemotherapy regimens MACOP-B, VACOP-B and ACOP-12 between 1 April 1981 and 31 December 1995 for advanced stage diffuse large, mixed or immunoblastic lymphoma. Of these 402 entered a complete remission, 97 (24%) of whom subsequently relapsed. Initial staging data, follow-up, and relapse information were analyzed to define the natural history of relapse and also subjected to univariate and multivariate correlation with overall (OS) and failure free survival (FFS). RESULTS: Eleven percent of the relapses were low grade. All other relapses were of intermediate grade with 75% occurring within the first two years, the remainder up until the eleventh year. Median and five-year OS from the time of relapse for intermediate grade relapse were 12 months and 20%; for FFS they were eight months and 18% respectively. Adverse independent factors, for both OS and FFS were: less than one year to relapse, decreasing performance status at relapse, and more than three nodal sites at relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Low-grade relapse is not uncommon in patients who initially presented with diffuse large cell lymphoma. As the management of low- and intermediate grade disease is so different biopsy proof of the nature of the relapse is of value. The prognostic factors identified need to be taken into consideration when analyzing results from trials of secondary treatment so as to avoid erroneous conclusions about comparative treatment efficacy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Malignant lymphomas in the elderly.

More than half of all lymphomas occur in patients aged 60 years or older. This article reviews the management of low-grade and aggressive histology lymphomas in patients older than age 65. Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy is well tolerated in patients who have a good performance status and who have aggressive histology lymphoma, but briefer 8-week regimens appear to offer similar benefits more quickly. Age alone is an adverse prognostic factor for lymphomas, but when possible, patients should be offered effective treatment tailored for their age performance status and intercurrent diseases.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Phase II study of subcutaneous rHu-interleukin-2 and rHu-interferon alpha-2a in previously treated patients with multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that interferon alpha as a single agent produces responses in multiple myeloma patients, and may produces responses in multiple myeloma of interleukin-2 (rHu-IL-2) in multiple myeloma models indicate that rHu-IL-2 may have a therapeutic effect. In this phase II clinical trial, we combined rHu-interferon alpha-2a (rHu-IFN-2a) and rHu-IL-2, to assess the feasibility, toxicity and response rate when this treatment was given as subcutaneous injections to previously treated patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients with measurable serum M protein or urine paraprotein were entered on the study. Three patients were refractory to first line treatment; fourteen had relapsed following response to prior treatment. rHu-IFN alpha-2a was given three times per week continuously. rHu-IL-2 was given three times per week for 6 weeks followed by a 2-week break from treatment. Patients were assessed for response and toxicity at 4-week intervals. RESULTS: All patients were eligible and evaluable for toxicity; two patients were invaluable for response because they did not complete 4 weeks of treatment. All response-evaluable patients had a best objective response of stable disease which lasted a median of 22 weeks and was maintained for over one year in 5 patients. Toxicity was tolerable and was typical of rHu-IL-2 and rHu-IFN alpha-2a; fever, chills or rigors and lethargy were nearly universal; local toxicity at the injection site, headache, anorexia, nausea and vomiting were also common. CONCLUSIONS: No objective responses in serum M protein or urine paraprotein levels were noted thus we do not recommend further study of this combination in myeloma.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

In search of an optimal regimen for elderly patients with advanced-stage diffuse large-cell lymphoma: results of a phase II study of P/DOCE chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: The results of a prospective, phase II trial of an 8-week treatment program consisting of epirubicin or doxorubicin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and prednisone (P/DOCE) for elderly patients with advanced large-cell lymphoma are reported and compared with previous phase II studies conducted in similar patients at the same institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between March 1988 and September 1991, 63 previously untreated patients aged 65 to 85 years (median, 75) with advanced-stage diffuse large-cell lymphoma, defined as Ann Arbor stage III or IV or stage I or II with B symptoms or bulky disease, were enrolled on a brief, 8-week protocol consisting of five outpatient chemotherapy treatments. RESULTS: The complete response (CR) rate was 62%. The treatment-related mortality rate was 8%, the actuarial 4-year failure-free survival (FFS) rate was 41%, and the overall survival (OS) rate was 45%. These results were compared with two earlier, 12-week protocols, low-dose doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, bleomycin, and prednisone (LD-ACOB-B) and etoposide, doxorubicin, bleomycin, and prednisone (VABE), performed at the same center. There was no difference in outcome among the three regimens. If all 133 patients treated on any one of these three specially designed regimen for elderly patients are combined, the projected 5-year OS rate is 38%. CONCLUSION: The 8-week P/DOCE chemotherapy regimen is equal in efficacy and similar in toxicity to 3 months of chemotherapy administered on a weekly schedule and similar to the results reported in the literature for longer, anthracycline-based chemotherapy treatments. There does not appear to be any improvement in outcome from more protracted treatment programs compared with the 8-week P/DOCE protocol.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

t(11;18)(q21;q21.1): a recurring translocation in lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)?

A distinct subtype of extranodal malignant lymphoma derived from mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALT) has recently been defined. We have detected an acquired t(11;18)(q21;q21.1) in a patient with a MALT lymphoma of the stomach. This translocation has previously been described in two other patients with extranodal lymphoma. The BCL2 oncogene, which is located at band 18q21.3 and is activated by the t(14;18)(q32;q21) in follicular lymphoma, was not rearranged in this case. This newly identified t(11;18) may be a recurring translocation specifically associated with MALT lymphomas. Genes located at the breakpoint sites of chromosome 11 and/or chromosome 18 may be crucial to the pathogenesis of this type of malignant lymphoma.

Base Sequence↗