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Biomedical subjects

V Facchini

Publications and source records attributed to V Facchini.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Percutaneous nephrostomy in patients with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer.

Thirteen percutaneous nephrostomies were performed in 10 patients with advanced (no = 4) (group A) or recurrent (no = 6) (group B) cervical cancer. Urinary diversion was unilateral in 7 patients and bilateral in 3 patients. The catheter was kept in place for 4 months in mean (range: 1-7 months). A normalization of renal function was achieved in 4 out of 4 patients of group A, and in 3 out of 6 patients of group B. Of the 4 patients of group A, who afterwards underwent antineoplastic integrated treatments, 2 patients are currently alive with no evidence of disease after 48 and 20 months from the diagnosis, respectively, while the other 2 died of disease after 10 and 14 months, respectively. Of the 6 patients of group B, 5 patients died within 7 months, while another patient is currently undergoing chemotherapy. The present data seem to confirm that percutaneous nephrostomy can be of clinical benefit for patients with advanced cervical cancer, having a chance of prolonged palliation or cure. Conversely, this technique seems to be of little use for patients with recurrent disease, for whom no effective salvage therapy is generally available.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Pretreatment plasma levels of fibrinopeptide-A (FPA), D-dimer (DD), and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in patients with operable cervical cancer: influence of surgical-pathological stage, tumor size, histologic type, and lymph node status.

The preoperative plasma levels of fibrinopeptide A (FPA), D-dimer (DD), and von Willebrand Factor (vWF) were measured in 38 patients with cervical cancer undergoing radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. The surgical-pathological stage of disease was Ib in 17 patients, IIa in 9 patients, and IIb in 12 patients. The tumor size was < or = 4 cm in 20 patients and > 4 cm in 18 patients. The histologic type was squamous cell carcinoma in 32 patients and adenocarcinoma in 6 patients. Positive pelvic lymph nodes were found in 10 patients. When compared to controls, FPA, DD, and vWF levels were significantly raised in patients with surgical-pathological stage IIb disease but not in patients with stage Ib or IIa disease. The values of FPA, DD, and vWF were related to surgical-pathological stage (stage IIb vs stage Ib-IIa: P < 0.005, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively) and tumor size (> 4 cm vs < or = 4 cm: P < 0.05, P < 0.005, and P < 0.02, respectively), but not to histologic type. vWF values were also related to lymph node status (positive vs negative lymph nodes: P < 0.02). FPA and DD levels were higher in patients with positive lymph nodes than in patients with negative lymph nodes, but the difference did not reach the statistical significance even due to the small number of patients involved. In conclusion, increased fibrin production and degradation seem to occur in patients with stage IIb cervical cancer. The biological meaning of this hemostasis activation deserves further investigation.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1993

Serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor assay in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Preoperative serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and CA 125 levels were measured in 183 patients with ovarian masses undergoing laparotomy. Serum sIL-2R levels were higher in the 54 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer than in the 129 patients with benign ovarian diseases (p < 0.0001). Elevated serum levels of sIL-2R (> or = 71 U/ml) and CA 125 (> or = 83 U/ml) were found in 79.6 and 77.8% of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, respectively. Serum sIL-2R and CA 125 positivity rates correlated with the FIGO stage (p = 0.0033 and p = 0.0001, respectively). Raised serum levels of sIL-2R and CA 125 were detected in 11.6 and 7.0% of patients with benign ovarian diseases, respectively. The combination sIL-2R or CA 125 had a sensitivity of 88.9%, and the association sIL-2R and CA 125 had a specificity of 98.4% for epithelial ovarian cancer. As for the 16 patients with this malignancy who were serially monitored during and after chemotherapy, changes in sIL-2R and CA 125 levels correlated with the clinical course of disease in 62.3 and 94.3% of 53 instances, respectively. In conclusion, the serum sIL-2R assay could represent a useful adjunctive tool for the differential diagnosis of ovarian masses, while it seems to be of limited benefit for monitoring the response to chemotherapy and follow-up of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

The concomitant determination of different serum tumor markers in epithelial ovarian cancer: relevance for monitoring the response to chemotherapy and follow-up of patients.

The levels of CA125, CA19.9, CA15.3 CA72.4, and TATI were serially measured during and after chemotherapy in 43 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer having elevated concentrations of one or more of the antigens before initial surgery. The value of 35 U/ml was chosen as cutoff level of CA125 for the monitoring of disease. Changes in the serum levels of CA125, CA19.9, CA15.3, CA72.4, and TATI correlated with the clinical course of disease in 87.4% of 215, 76.3% of 80, 71.3% of 122, 76.0% of 167, and 48.5% of 101 instances, respectively. After the sixth course of monthly primary chemotherapy, elevated antigen levels were strong predictors of persistent disease, while normal antigen values were associated with both positive and negative second-look findings. It is worth noting that antigen levels above the cut-off limits before the third course, but still in the normal range after the sixth course, seemed to be predictive of positive second-look findings. Among patients with elevated antigen levels at diagnosis, clinical detection of neoplastic progression after treatment was stopped was preceded by an elevation of serum CA125 in 93.3% of 15 patients, of serum CA19.9 in 80.0% of 5 patients, of serum CA15.3 in 66.7% of 9 patients, of serum CA72.4 in 81.8% of 11 patients, and of serum TATI in 40% of 10 patients. In patients with positive CA125 assay at diagnosis, the concomitant evaluation of the other antigens did not seem to be of additional benefit for monitoring epithelial ovarian cancer. However, the measurement of the other tumor markers could represent an interesting biochemical tool for the management of patients with negative CA125 assay. In particular the evaluation of serum CA19.9 or CA72.4 could be very useful in the monitoring of patients with mucinous ovarian cancer, which often fails to express CA125 antigen.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗
PubMed1992

Comparison between serum CA 125 and CA 19-9 assays and tissular OC 125 and 1116NS 19-9 reactivity in malignant and benign ovarian tumors.

This preliminary study included 25 patients with primary epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) (18 serous, 3 serous-mucinous, 1 endometrioid, 2 undifferentiated carcinomas and 1 malignant Brenner carcinoma); 2 patients with borderline ovarian tumors and 20 patients with benign ovarian tumors (9 benign cystic teratomas, 6 serous cystoadenomas and 5 mucinous cystoadenomas). Blood samples for the measurement of CA 125 and CA 19-9 were drawn from all patients before surgery. Serum CA 125 (Reference Value-RV = 65 U/ml) and CA 19-9 (RV = 40 U/ml) were measured with IRMAs using the monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) OC 125 and 1116NS 19-9. The same antigens were detected on paraffin-embedded tissue sections by immunocytochemistry with the avidin-biotin complex method employing the same MoAbs used for serum IRMAs. Among the 25 patients with EOC serum CA 125 levels were elevated in 20: tissular OC 125 reactivity was observed in 15 (75%) of them. Of the 5 EOC patients with normal CA 125 levels, 4 showed OC 125 reactivity. Only 2 of the 25 EOC patients had elevated serum CA 19-9 levels: one of them had tissular 1116 NS 19-9 reactivity. Among the 23 patients with normal serum CA 19-9 levels only 5 had immunocytochemical reactivity for this antigen. The 2 patients with borderline ovarian tumors had negative serum CA 125 and CA 19-9 assay: tissular OC 125 reactivity was observed in both patients, while 1116 NS 19-9 reactivity was detected in only one.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1992

The influence of some prognostic factors on the clinical outcome of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.

The present paper examined the influence of patient age, surgical T stage, tumor size, tumor differentiation and lymphnodal status on the clinical outcome of 29 patients with primary vulvar squamous cell carcinoma treated with radical surgery. Eighteen patients underwent radical vulvectomy with bilateral inguinal-femoral lymphadenectomy alone; 10 patients had additional bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy; another patient had additional bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy and anterior pelvic exenteration for a carcinoma of the clitoris involving the urethra. Nine patients developed relapsing disease; the site of recurrence was local in 4 patients, inguinal in 2, both local and inguinal in one patient, pelvic in one, both pelvic and distant in one. Eight recurrences occurred within 24 months from surgery; another patient developed an inguinal recurrence 45 months after operation. The actuarial 5-year disease-free survival rates were as follows: 64% for patients younger than 70 years and 63% for patients 70 years of age or older (p = not significant); 79% for patients with surgical T1-T2 stage disease and 30% for those with surgical T3 stage disease (p = 0.01); 88% for patients with tumor size less than 3 cm and 31% for those with tumor size greater than 3 cm (p less than 0.001); 66% for patients with well or moderately differentiated tumor and 51% for those with poorly differentiated tumor (p = not significant); 82% for patients with negative groin lymph nodes and 39% for those with positive groin lymph nodes (p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Carboplatin, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide versus cisplatin, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide: a randomized trial in stage III-IV epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

One hundred sixty-four patients with stage III-IV epithelial ovarian carcinoma were randomized to receive cisplatin (CDDP) 50 mg/mq, doxorubicin 45 mg/mq, and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/mq (PAC) or carboplatin 200 mg/mq, doxorubicin 45 mg/m2, and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/mq (CAC). To administer equitoxic doses at each cycle, the drug dosages were adjusted according to the hematologic toxicities experienced after the previous course; 44.7% of CAC and 21.1% of PAC patients required a dosage reduction at the second course (P = .002). Neither CAC nor PAC caused any clinically relevant neuro-nephrotoxicity; however, CDDP was administered with hydration and forced diuresis, while carboplatin was administered by rapid intravenous (IV) infusion. After six cycles, response rates were superimposable: 62.5% and 66.6% for CAC and PAC, respectively; pathologic complete responses (pCRs) were 16.7% for CAC and 23.2% for PAC; among patients with more than 2 cm residual disease, PAC induced more pCRs than CAC (eight of 52 or 15.4% v one of 42 or 2.4%, P = .07). Median survivals and progression-free survivals (PFSs) were 22.6 and 13.2 months for PAC, and 23.1 and 15.5 months for CAC, respectively; these differences are not significant. In conclusion, this trial demonstrates that equitoxic doses of PAC or CAC result in a similar response rate, PFS, and survival.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Evaluation of some hemostatic parameters in patients with cervical carcinoma.

It is well known that cancer induces changes in hemostasis. Plasma levels of Fibrinopeptide A (FPA), D-Dimer (DD), von Willebrand Factor (FvW) and fibrinogen were-assayed at diagnosis in 66 patients with cervical carcinoma and in 67 healthy women as controls. FPA, DD and fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in patients with FIGO stage I b-IIa cervical carcinoma than in controls (2.25 +/- 0.25 vs 1.19 +/- 0.15 p less than 0.001; 307 +/- 35 vs 112 +/- 8 p less than 0.001; 375 +/- 23 vs 280 +/- 17 p less than 0.001 respectively). A further increase of DD, FPA but not of fibrinogen concentrations was observed in advanced stages of disease (3.52 +/- 0.81 vs 2.25 +/- 0.25 p less than 0.1; 943 +/- 98 vs 307 +/- 35 p less than 0.001; 407 +/- 26 vs 375 +/- 23 p = NS respectively). FvW levels in patients with early stage cervical carcinoma were in the normal range, while in patients with advanced cancer, they were significantly higher (175 +/- 8 vs 104 +/- 2 p less than 0.001). A significant correlation was found between plasmatic levels of FPA and DD, FPA and FvW, DD and FvW (r = 0.57 p less than 0.01; r = 0.76 p less than 0.01; r = 0.54 p less than 0.01 respectively). Our data seem to indicate that in patients with cervical carcinoma, and in particular in those with advanced cancer, there is an activation of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

A comparison of the usefulness of serum measurements of CA 125, CA 50 and TATI in patients with malignant and benign gynecological pathology.

CA 125, CA 50 and Tumor Associated Trypsin Inhibitor (TATI) levels were assayed in blood samples drawn at diagnosis from 149 patients with malignant or benign gynecological pathology. CA 125 serum levels greater than 35 U/ml and 65 U/ml were respectively found in 34/38 (89.5%) and in 33/38 (86.8%) patients with ovarian carcinoma, in 17/61 (27.9%) and in 6/61 (9.8%) with benign ovarian pathology, in 6/30 (20.0%) and in 1/30 (3.3%) with cervical carcinoma, in 6/20 (30.0%) and in 6/20 (30.0%) with endometrial carcinoma. TATI serum levels greater than 22 ng/ml were observed in 17/38 (44.7%) patients with ovarian carcinoma, in 3/61 (4.9%) with benign ovarian pathology, in 1/30 (3.3%) with cervical carcinoma and in 3/20 (15.0%) with endometrial carcinoma. CA 50 serum levels greater than 20 U/ml were found in 11/38 (28.9%) patients with ovarian carcinoma, in 19/61 (31.1%) with benign ovarian pathology, in 7/30 (23.3%) with cervical carcinoma and in 6/20 (30%) with endometrial carcinoma. This study confirmed that CA 125 is the most reliable marker for ovarian carcinoma; however TATI could have a role in the diagnostic evaluation of adnexal masses, because of its very good specificity, CA 125 and CA 50, but not TATI, could be of some benefit in the management of endometrial and cervical carcinoma.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗
PubMed1990

A comparative evaluation of the ability of serum CA 125, CA 19-9, CA 15-3, CA 50, CA 72-4 and TATI assays in reflecting the course of disease in patients with ovarian carcinoma.

The Authors compared the ability of serum CA 125, CA 19-9, CA 15-3, CA 50, CA 72-4 and Tumor-Associated Trypsin Inhibitor (TATI) assays in reflecting the disease course in a group of 27 patients with ovarian carcinoma. Before initial surgery, elevated levels of CA 125 (greater than 65 U/ml) were found in 27 patients, of CA 19-9 (greater than 40 U/ml) in 7, of CA 15-3 (greater than 32 U/ml) in 17, of CA 50 (greater than 20 U/ml) in 7, of CA 72-4 (greater than 3.8 U/ml) in 20, and of TATI (greater than 22 ng/ml) in 13. For each marker, only patients with elevated antigen levels at diagnosis were considered. CA 125, CA 19-9, CA 15-3, CA 50, CA 72-4 and TATI levels correlated with disease regression, stability or progression in 123/147 (83.7%), 24/34 (70.6%), 57/87 (65.5%), 26/38 (68.4%), 87/120 (72.5%), 33/75 (44.0%) instances respectively. Alterations in CA 125 levels correlated with disease status better than alterations in each other antigen levels. However serial measurement of the other tumor markers could be of help in the monitoring of patients with normal CA 125 values before initial surgery.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗
PubMed1989

Determination of 2-n-octadecylindole-5-carboxylic acid in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A method is described for the determination of the novel hypocholesterolaemic drug, 2-n-octadecylindole-5-carboxylic acid (I) in plasma. A homologue of I is used as the internal standard. Methanol is added to the plasma sample in order to precipitate the plasma proteins, followed by centrifugation and removal of the supernatant. This is reduced to dryness by heating under oxygen-free nitrogen, prior to reconstitution in the chromatographic mobile phase. The solution is assayed by injection on to a 5 micron particle size ODS2 analytical column, protected by a disposable RP-18 packed guard column, using an isocratic mobile phase of acetonitrile-water-isopropyl alcohol-formic acid (75:275:150:2.5, v/v). Detection is by ultraviolet absorbance at 276 nm. At a flow-rate of 1.5 ml min-1 and ambient temperature, the retention time of the drug is 16 min, whilst that for the internal standard is 21 min. This method has been validated and successfully used to assay clinical trial plasma samples. Basic pharmacokinetic parameters are presented.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1989

[Activity of topical flunoxaprofen in nonspecific vaginitis. Comparison with meclocycline sulfosalicylate].

A trial was performed in 30 patients affected by non-specific vaginitis. The results show that the topical application (by vaginal washings) of flunoxaprofen produces a high therapeutic activity like that of meclocycline. Contrary to meclocycline, flunoxaprofen does not possess bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties. Therefore, the normalization of vaginal flora, with a remarkable increase of Döderlein bacillus, is exclusively due to local antiphlogistic activity of flunoxaprofen. Contrary to meclocycline, flunoxaprofen induces a precocious increase of Döderlein bacillus, necessary for a definitive normalization and to limit the possibility of relapses.

Administration, Intravaginal↗
PubMed1989

Metabolism and disposition studies with a [35S]-labelled growth promotor: bis(N1-methyl-N2-methylsulphonyl) guanidinylethyl] disulphide.

The disposition and metabolism of the [35S]-labelled growth promotor bis[N1-methyl- N2-methylsulphonyl) guanidinylethyl] disulphide was studied in the rat following oral administration. There was rapid and significant absorption of drug-derived products evidenced by maximum concentrations for plasma and the majority of sampled tissues at 1 h post dose, and extensive renal clearance, with greater than 62% of dose voided in urine in 12 h. Analysis of urine revealed that the administered compound had been completely metabolised to five metabolites of which the two major products have been characterised. A metabolic pathway involving reductive cleavage of the disulphide bond, followed by S-methylation and sulphoxidation would appear to be involved in the biotransformation of the compound.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

The topical administration of steroids in the treatment of typical vulvar dystrophies.

Sixty-eight patients with histologically diagnosed typical vulvar dystrophies were treated with local administration of steroids. Twenty-three patients with hyperplastic dystrophies received topical fluorinated corticosteroids twice a day for 4 weeks and once a day for another 2 weeks. Thirty-five patients with lichen sclerosus were given local 2% testosterone propionate in vaseline twice a day for 8 weeks, once a day for another 8 weeks and then 3 times a week for another 8 weeks. Ten patients with mixed dystrophy first received topical fluorinated corticosteroids twice a day for 4 weeks and once a day for another 2 weeks, and then local 2% testosterone propionate in vaseline twice a day for 4 weeks and once a day for another 4 weeks. A relief of symptomatology and a regression of gross appearance were obtained in 82.6% and 69.6% of patients respectively with hyperplastic dystrophy, in 82.9% and 65.7% of those with lichen sclerosus and in 80% and 40% of those with mixed dystrophy. A recurrence of symptomatology often occurred at various times after the end of therapy.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1989

Surgery and radiotherapy in the treatment of early stage uterine sarcomas.

Twenty-three patients with early stage uterine sarcomas underwent surgery (5 patients) or surgery and pelvic irradiation (18 patients). Twelve (52%) of the patients developed a recurrence: relapsing disease was pelvic in 3 (25%) of them, extrapelvic in 8 (66.7%) and both pelvic and extrapelvic in one (8.3%). Out of the whole series the 2- and 5-year actuarial survival rates were 61% and 33% respectively. Among the patients with leiomyosarcoma the 2- and 5-year actuarial survival rates were 54% and 39% respectively. Among the patients with carcinosarcoma the 2- and 5-year actuarial survival rates were 66% and 23% respectively. The high incidence of extrapelvic recurrences after locoregional treatment seems to suggest the use of an adjuvant chemotherapy in the management of patients with early stage uterine sarcomas.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The therapy of verrucous carcinoma of the vulva. Observations on three cases.

Vulvar verrucous carcinoma is a distinct variant of squamous cell carcinoma, with a very low biological aggressiveness. Surgery is considered to be the elective treatment, even if there is no agreement in literature about the extent of surgical resection. Radiotherapy cannot be used in the management of this neoplasia. Sometimes this therapeutic modality induces an anaplastic transformation of the tumor, which can turn into a more aggressive malignancy. In this paper the clinical histories of 3 patients with vulvar verrucous carcinoma are discussed, in particular as regards therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

The association of ultrasonography and CA-125 test in the preoperative evaluation of ovarian carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to verify the role of the association of pelvic ultrasonography and CA-125 assay in the preoperative evaluation of ovarian carcinoma. The Authors examined 119 patients undergoing laparotomy for adnexal masses. Thirty-six had an ovarian carcinoma, the other 83 patients were affected by benign ovarian pathologies. Before surgery every patient underwent a pelvic ultrasonography. The data resulting from ultrasonography were processed on the basis of a personal scoring morphologic echostructural evaluation system. Furthermore in every patient the preoperative serum levels of CA-125 were measured. In the group of patients with ovarian carcinoma the ultrasonography score was greater than or equal to 10 in 26, while serum CA-125 was greater than or equal to 65 U/ml in 30 and greater than or equal to 35 U/ml in 31. In the group of patients with benign ovarian pathology the ultrasonography score was found to be greater than or equal to 10 in 2, while serum CA-125 was greater than or equal to 65 U/ml in 4 and greater than or equal to 35 U/ml in 20. Fixing 10 as reference value of ultrasonography score for ovarian carcinoma diagnosis, pelvic ultrasonography and a sensitivity of 72.2%, a specificity of 97.9%, a diagnostic accuracy of 89.9%. With a reference value of 65 U/ml CA-125 had a sensitivity of 83.3%, a specificity of 95.2%, a diagnostic accuracy of 91.9%. With a reference value of 35 U/ml CA-125 had a sensitivity of 86.1%, a specificity of 75.9%, a diagnostic accuracy of 79.0%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗