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Biomedical subjects

R Pazdur

Publications and source records attributed to R Pazdur.

143 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Multimodal therapy for limited small-cell lung cancer: a randomized study of induction combination chemotherapy with or without thoracic radiation in complete responders; and with wide-field versus reduced-field radiation in partial responders: a Southwest Oncology Group Study.

In 1979 we initiated a phase III study in the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) which was designed to determine the value of chest radiation in limited-stage small-cell lung cancer patients achieving complete response after induction chemotherapy, and to test the use of wide-field v more limited-volume radiation in patients with partial responses (PRs) and patients with stable disease (SD). The induction chemotherapy (VMV-VAC) consisted of vincristine, 2 mg intravenously (IV) every week for six doses; methotrexate, 60 mg/m2 IV days 1 and 43; VP-16, 50 mg/m2/d IV days 1 to 5 and 43 to 47; doxorubicin, 60 mg/m2 IV days 22 and 64; and cyclophosphamide, 1,000 mg/m2 IV days 22 and 64. Four hundred ninety-four patients were registered, of whom 473 were eligible. Of 466 response-evaluable patients, 153 (33%) achieved complete disease remission (CR) with chemotherapy. A total of 387 patients entered the consolidation phase of treatment after chemotherapy and response determination. CR patients were prospectively randomized to receive chest radiation, consisting of 4,800 rad administered in a split-course scheme, or to continue chemotherapy without interruption. The treatment volume was based on tumor extent before the induction chemotherapy. Maintenance chemotherapy consisted of cyclophosphamide and VP-16 administered for four cycles before a period of reinduction chemotherapy consisting of VMV-VAC as described above. Patients receiving chest radiation therapy were given the same maintenance and reinduction chemotherapy programs following completion of the chest radiation. One hundred ninety-one eligible patients achieving PR or SD status after induction chemotherapy were randomized to a preinduction treatment volume or to a postinduction reduced tumor volume, with treatment portals designed according to tumor extent before or after induction chemotherapy, respectively. After completion of the entire treatment plan, there were 218 (47%) CRs and 121 (26%) PRs. These figures represent the greatest response achieved at any point in the treatment program. The median survival for all eligible patients was 57 weeks (74 weeks for CRs). Overall survival for CR patients was not different for patients who did or did not receive chest radiation. However, patterns of tumor relapse were affected by the chest radiation, as 38 of 42 relapsing patients who did not receive radiation had intrathoracic recurrences in comparison to only 20 of 36 radiated patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗

Colonic small cell undifferentiated carcinoma: a distinct pathological diagnosis with therapeutic implications.

A case of metastatic primary small cell undifferentiated carcinoma of the colon responding to combination chemotherapy is reported. A review of small cell undifferentiated carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract with attention to the colon is discussed. Recommendations for the management of this rare neoplasm are presented based on its similarity to the more common bronchogenic small cell undifferentiated carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

CBDCA: phase II evaluation in advanced colorectal carcinoma.

Carboplatin (CBDCA) (NSC-241240) was administered to 25 consecutive patients with measurable colorectal carcinomas. Twenty-four patients were previously untreated, with a median performance status of 80. The dose schedule was 400 mg/m2 every 28 days and was escalated to 450 mg/m2 if no side effects or grade I toxicities occurred. All patients are assessable for toxicity and response. No complete response was observed; one partial response, lasting 23 weeks, was noted. Toxicity was primarily hematological. Neither auditory nor renal toxicities were observed. CBDCA administered in the above schedule has little therapeutic efficacy in previously untreated colorectal carcinoma patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Phase I study of echinomycin.

Echinomycin was administered to patients with advanced carcinoma in escalating doses ranging from 60 to 1500 micrograms/m2 given weekly by 15-minute iv infusions for four doses, with a subsequent 2-week rest period. Dose-limiting nausea, vomiting, and anorexia associated with varying degrees of renal and hepatic dysfunction proved dose-limiting at the 1500-micrograms/m2 level. Thrombocytopenia was noted in 15% of patients receiving greater than or equal to 700 micrograms/m2 and was severe in 11% without an evident dose-response relationship. Leukopenia was rare and mild when encountered. Allergic reactions were observed. Phase II trials are feasible using a dose schedule of 1200 micrograms/m2/week X 4 weeks.

Carcinoma↗

Phase II trial of mitomycin, vindesine, and hexamethylmelamine in metastatic non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma.

Mitomycin (10 mg/m2 iv on Day 1), vindesine (3 mg/m2 iv on Days 1 and 8), and hexamethylmelamine (100 mg/m2/day orally on Days 1-14) was administered to 32 patients with metastatic non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma. No patient had been previously treated with chemotherapy and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status was 0-1 in 21 of 32 patients. Eleven partial responses (34%) were observed, with a median duration of 9 weeks. No complete responses were observed in this group of patients, whose median survival duration was 22 weeks. Moderate leukopenia (median leukocyte count nadir, 2500/mm3) was the major toxic effect. Although this regimen is active and relatively nontoxic, it will not be utilized in future ECOG trials because it has not produced an apparent improvement in survival duration.

Adult↗

Phase II evaluation of aclacinomycin-A in patients with adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma of the lung.

Aclacinomycin-A (ACLA-A), the new anthracycline antibiotic that produces substantially less cardiotoxicity relative to doxorubicin, was evaluated in a phase II trial for advanced large cell and adenocarcinoma of the lung patients. Twenty-three patients with measurable disease were entered into the trial and received ACLA-A in doses of a weekly infusion of 65 mg/m2 and 85 mg/m2. Eighteen patients were evaluable for response and toxicity. Two patients were evaluable for toxicity only, one died before completion of a full course of therapy, and two did not receive the drug. There were no complete or partial remissions in this study. Three patients had disease stabilization for a median of 10 weeks (range 6-17). Toxicity was mainly hematologic. Nausea and vomiting were moderate. ACLA-A, in the dose schedules used, appears to have no activity in large cell and adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Aclarubicin↗

Effect of initial resection of small-cell carcinoma of the lung: a review of Southwest Oncology Group Study 7628.

The role of surgery in small-cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL) has been recently re-evaluated. We reviewed the records of 262 patients with limited SCCL on Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) protocol 7628. Fifteen patients were identified who presented after surgical resection (12 lobectomy, three pneumonectomy). All patients were subsequently treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy +/- immunotherapy (BCG). Median survival time was 10.5 months. Median survival time of patients with initial surgical resection was 25 months (P = .004). Forty-five percent of the surgical patients were alive at two years v 13.7% of the nonsurgical patients (P less than .05). A second subgroup of 33 patients was identified with small primary tumors who did not undergo surgical resection. Median survival time in this group was ten months (P = .03). Site of initial relapse was clearly documented in 142 patients. Fifty-six percent of patients not receiving surgery had initial relapse within the chest compared to 13% of patients undergoing surgery (P = .002). Whether the survival benefit identified was caused by or was incidental to surgical resection of the primary lesion remains to be determined in randomized prospective trials of operable candidates.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Vindesine: phase II evaluation in colon cancer and description of its platelet stimulating activity.

Fifteen previously treated patients with measurable metastatic colon carcinoma were entered into a phase II study of vindesine, 3 mg/m2/week IV. Fourteen patients were evaluable for response. No objective tumor response was observed; however, seven patients experienced stable disease lasting 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, 19, and 26 weeks. Neurologic toxicity was the most common nonhematologic side-effect noted, manifesting as abdominal pain, constipation, paralytic ileus, or paresthesias. Leukopenia was observed in 16% of the 104 weekly courses. Nine patients had a 50% increase of their platelet counts above their pretreatment platelet counts; six patients had a doubling of their pretreatment platelet counts. Mean platelet counts revealed a linear increase with successive treatments during the initial 8 weeks of therapy. Serial CEA determinations demonstrated a parallel relationship with clinical progression in six of seven patients.

Adult↗

Cytotoxic chemotherapy for cancer in Felty's syndrome: role of lithium carbonate.

A 61-yr-old white man with Felty's syndrome, who had previously undergone splenectomy, presented for cytotoxic chemotherapy. Random granulocyte counts remained low, prohibiting the initiation of such treatment. A trial of lithium carbonate was instituted, resulting in prompt elevation of granulocyte counts into the normal range. Cytotoxic chemotherapy was then administered, and fluctuations of neutrophil counts similar to those of hematologically normal individuals were observed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Phase II trial of 9-aminocamptothecin (NSC 603071) administered as a 120-hr continuous infusion weekly for three weeks in metastatic colorectal carcinoma.

9-Aminocamptothecin (9-AC) is a camptothecin derivative with broad antitumor activity in preclinical studies. Prior investigations suggested that prolonged maintenance of 9-AC lactone plasma concentrations above 10 nmol/l and frequent administration of the drug are important determinants of antitumor activity. Our phase II study, therefore, examined a 5-day continuous infusion of 9-AC weekly for 3 weeks in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Eighteen patients previously untreated for metastatic disease received 480 microg/m2/day of 9-AC. No responses were observed in 17 evaluable patients. Severe toxicities included granulocytopenia, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The median absolute granulocyte count (AGC) nadir was 2,300/microl (range 0-9,000/microl) and occurred on day 10. Eight patients received an escalated dose of 600 microg/m2/day. The median AGC nadir at the escalated dose was 1,500/microl (range: 300-2,700/microl) and occurred on day 22. The median number of courses given was 2 (range: 1-8); and the median time to disease progression was 8 weeks (range: 1-40 weeks). 9-AC administered by this schedule lacked antitumor activity in patients with advanced colorectal carcinomas.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Clinical pharmacology of combined oral uracil and ftorafur.

Phase I clinical trials of the combination of oral uracil with ftorafur (Ft) were conducted in patients with solid tumors over either a 5-day (345 mg/m2/day) or a 28-day (160 mg/m2/day) period. The uracil dose, which was four times the Ft dose (molar basis), was previously shown to be optimal at inhibiting the degradation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Pharmacology was performed on the first dose of the first day of therapy. Ft was measured by HPLC, whereas uracil and 5-FU were measured using GC/MS. Plasma levels were highest for Ft, followed by uracil and 5-FU at all time points. Peak and trough levels after selected subsequent doses were also measured; these varied in the individual from day to day. Maximum plasma levels (Cpmax) for Ft, uracil, and 5-FU except in one patient were achieved at 0.6-2.1 hr, 0.6-4.1 hr, and 0.7-2.0 hr, respectively. Generally, lower doses yielded more rapid decay of 5-FU and uracil levels than did higher doses. No correlation was observed between myelotoxicities (granulocytopenia and leukopenia) and the Cpmax and AUC0-6hr of Ft (p > 0.2). However, after the highest uracil and Ft dose (approximately 300 mg/m2/Ft study dose), the Cpmax and AUC0-6hr values of 5-FU revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in three patients each with and without myelotoxicity. These associations were similarly observed with uracil. Our findings thus indicate that measuring plasma uracil and more importantly, the 5-FU levels, may predict hematological toxicity and enable subsequent dose adjustments.

Administration, Oral↗

5-Fluorouracil and recombinant interferon alfa-2a: review of activity and toxicity in advanced colorectal carcinomas.

Improved response rates in metastatic colorectal carcinoma recently have been observed for the combination of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and recombinant interferon alfa-2a (rIFN), compared to those obtained in historical trials of single-agent 5-FU. The mechanism of interaction between these agents has not been explored adequately but may relate to biochemical modulation of 5-FU by rIFN. Toxicities resulting from this combination have included fever, chills, myalgias, granulocytopenia, mucositis, diarrhea, skin rash, neurological symptoms, and hand-foot syndrome. Future studies of 5-FU with rIFN should investigate schedules aimed at reducing toxicity without compromising efficacy and also should explore mechanisms of enhanced activity.

Aged↗

Clinical pharmacology of 11-acetyl-8-carbamoyloxymethyl-4-formyl-14-oxa-1,11-diazatetracyclo (7.4.1.0(2,7).0(10,12) tetradeca-2,4,6-trien-6,9-diyl diacetate (FK 973).

FK 973, a novel substituted dihydrobenzoxazine structurally similar to mitomycin C, is a derivative of the product isolated from Streptomyces sandaensis. In vitro and in rodents, it is a potent antitumor agent. During Phase I clinical trials, we evaluated the pharmacologic properties of FK 973 in eight adenocarcinoma patients after a 30-min i.v. infusion of doses ranging from 7 to 45mg/m2. An established enzyme immunoassay that measures the stable deacetylated active metabolite FR66980 showed that the plasma drug levels declined biphasically with a terminal half life (t1/2 beta) of 4.7 +/- 1.6hr (mean +/- S.D.) The total clearance rate was 438 +/- 113ml/(min/m2). Both the maximum plasma drug concentrations (Cmax) and the area under the concentration-versus-time curve (AUC) were dose related. In addition to nausea and vomiting, alopecia, and myelosuppression, three patients experienced a delayed vascular-leak syndrome. The 3 patients had received doses among the highest studied, and the toxicity appeared to be dose related and cumulative. The evidence suggests that higher doses generated higher Cmax and AUC values, which may be correlated with toxic effects.

Acetylation↗

Phase II study of Taxol in patients with advanced gastric carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Taxol (paclitaxel) represents a new class of anticancer agent with activity against a wide variety of solid tumors. It has been found to be active in patients with adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. To determine its activity against gastric adenocarcinoma, we conducted a phase II trial of Taxol in chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with measurable, unresectable, metastatic gastric carcinoma with performance status < or = 2 by Zubrod scale were eligible. Patients had to have normal liver, renal, and bone marrow functions. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients. The starting dose of Taxol was 200 mg/m2 infused over either 3 hours (in the first 15 patients) or 24 hours (in the subsequent 18 patients). Taxol was repeated every 21 days. Response was evaluated after two courses. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were registered. The median number of courses was two (range, 1 to 12; total, 112 courses). Thirty patients were evaluable for response and toxicity. Among the first 15 patients (two inevaluable) receiving Taxol over 3 hours, there were one partial response (PR) (one of 13 patients, or 8%; 95% confidence interval, 0% to 36%) and three minor responses (MRs). However, among the 18 patients (one inevaluable) receiving Taxol over 24 hours, there were four PRs (four of 17 patients or 23%; 95% confidence interval, 7% to 50%) and three MRs. The overall PR rate was 17% (five of 30 patients; 95% confidence interval, 6% to 35%). The median duration of PR was 6.5 months (range, 2.3 months to 11.3+ months. There were no treatment-related deaths. Myelosuppression was more severe with the 24-hour schedule than with the 3-hour schedule. CONCLUSIONS: Taxol has a modest degree of activity against gastric carcinoma. It is well tolerated by the patients. Further studies of Taxol in combination with other active agents against gastric carcinoma should be considered.

Adenocarcinoma↗