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Prevention of hemorrhagic cystitis after high-dose alkylating agent chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow support.

High-dose cyclophosphamide (CY) is associated with a high risk of hemorrhagic cystitis. The reported frequency ranges from 6.5 to 52% despite the use of hydration protocols. The current study reports a hyperhydration and continuous bladder irrigation protocol which resulted in a very low incidence of microscopic hematuria and no reported cases of visible hematuria. Patients received baseline fluids at 200 ml/m2/h during chemotherapy. Additional fluid boluses were given if urine output fell below 200 ml/h. Bladder irrigation was performed at a rate of 1 l/h during and for 24 h after high-dose CY. Three hundred three evaluable patients with solid tumors received high-dose chemotherapy with CY at a dose of 5625 mg/m2 over 3 days. Patients also received cisplatin 165 mg/m2 and carmustine 600 mg/m2. Some patients received thiotepa 300-750 mg/m2 instead of carmustine. The overall incidence of microscopic hematuria (> 15 RBCs per high power field) was 19%, with only 11% of patients experiencing more than 50 RBCs per high power field. No patient developed visible hematuria or symptomatic hematuria requiring intervention. These results using aggressive hyperhydration and high volumes of continuous bladder irrigation are among the best reported following high-dose CY chemotherapy.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗

Degradation and inactivation of antitumor drugs.

Chemical methods for the degradation of 11 antineoplastic drugs [etoposide, teniposide, bleomycin, mitomycin C, cisplatin, cis-dichloro-trans-dihydroxy-bis(isopropylamine) platinum IV (CHIP), cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, carmustine, lomustine, and methotrexate] were investigated. The success of the degradation procedures was assessed by HPLC and degree of biological inactivation by mutagenicity assays. The most widely applicable procedure was oxidation with potassium permanganate or 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution (bleach). Oxidation completely degraded and inactivated etoposide, teniposide, bleomycin, mitomycin C, and methotrexate. In addition, oxidation followed by nucleophilic substitution resulted in the complete degradation and inactivation of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide. Although carmustine and lomustine were chemically degraded by treatment with acidic potassium permanganate, the resulting reaction mixtures remained mutagenic. Therefore, this procedure cannot be recommended. The platinum-containing compounds, cisplatin and CHIP, were rendered nonmutagenic by reaction with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate. These easily performed, relatively safe procedures can be used to prevent exposure to mutagenic wastes and spills in the hospital setting.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Factors affecting mobilization of peripheral blood progenitor cells in patients with lymphoma.

The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with poor mobilization of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) or delayed platelet engraftment after high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with lymphoma. Fifty-eight patients with Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma underwent PBPC transplantation as the "best available therapy" at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (New York, NY) between 1993 and 1995. PBPCs were mobilized with either granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) alone (n = 19) or G-CSF following combination chemotherapy (n = 39). Forty-eight of these patients underwent a PBPC transplant, receiving a conditioning regimen containing cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and either total body irradiation, total lymphoid irradiation, or carmustine. A median number of 4.6 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg were obtained with a median of three leukapheresis procedures. Mobilization of PBPCs using chemotherapy plus G-CSF was superior to G-CSF alone (6.7 x 10(6) versus 1.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg; P = 0.0002). Poorer mobilization of progenitor cells was observed in patients who had previously received stem cell-toxic chemotherapy, including (a) nitrogen mustard, procarbazine, melphalan, carmustine or > 7.5 g of cytarabine chemotherapy premobilization (2.0 x 10(6) versus 6.0 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg; P = 0.005), or (b) > or = 11 cycles of any previous chemotherapy (2.6 x 10(6) versus 6.7 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg; P = 0.02). Platelet recovery to > 20,000/microliter was delayed in patients who received < 2.0 x 10(6) CD34+ cells (median, 13 versus 22 days; P = 0.06). Patients who received > or = 11 cycles of chemotherapy prior to PBPC mobilization tended to have delayed platelet recovery to > 20,000/microliter and to require more platelet transfusions than less extensively pretreated patients (median, 13.5 versus 23.5 days; P = 0.15; median number of platelet transfusion episodes, 13 versus 9; P = 0.17). These data suggest that current strategies to mobilize PBPCs may be suboptimal in patients who have received either stem cell-toxic chemotherapy or > or = 11 cycles of chemotherapy prior to PBPC mobilization. Alternative approaches, such as ex vivo expansion or the use of other growth factors in addition to G-CSF, may improve mobilization of progenitor cells for PBPC transplantation.

Analysis of Variance↗

Malignant melanoma. Treatment with high-dose combination alkylating agent chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow support.

Nineteen patients with metastatic malignant melanoma were treated with 20 courses of high-dose combination alkylating agent chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow support. All 20 treatment courses were evaluable for toxic reactions and 17 of 20 courses were assessable for response. Twelve of the 20 courses were given at the phase 2 dose per square meter of cyclophosphamide (5.625 g), cisplatin (165 mg), and carmustine (600 mg). Marrow reconstitution occurred with a median time to recovery of 21 and 24 days for more than 500 neutrophils and more than 20,000 platelets, respectively. The overall response rate was 65%, with one patient achieving a complete response with chemotherapy alone. Ten additional patients achieved partial responses following chemotherapy, of which three were subsequently rendered disease free by surgical resection of single areas of residual tumor. Two of these patients are alive and disease free more than 22 months following chemotherapy and one remains relapse free. The median survival for responding patients was 15.2 months and 8.6 months for the entire group.

Adult↗

Treatment of malignant glioma. A controlled study of chemotherapy and irradiation.

Thirty-three patients with malignant glioma were randomly divided into two groups after extensive tumor resection. Those in group A received, every five to eight weeks, a course of chemotherapy consisting of intravenously administered carmustine, 80 mg/sq m/day for three days, and vincristine sulfate, 1.4mg/sq m on days 1 and 8. Patients in group B were treated identically and received radiation therapy (RT) as well, 4,500 rads whole brain plus 1,500 rads to the side of the tumor. The median survival time of group A was 30 weeks, while that of group B was 44.5 weeks, but the overall survival curves were not significantly different. The median survival times exceeded the 17 weeks reported elsewhere in comparable patients not receiving postoperative therapy. Estimates of the quality of survival suggested (1) the two groups were not comparable following randomization, possibly influencing the results; and (2) postoperative radiation and chemotherapy do not increase morbidity and offer a longer period than other treatments during which patients' conditions remain stable or improve.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Adjuvant nitrosourea therapy for glioblastoma.

An attempt was made to evaluate the potential advantages of chemotherapy in the treatment of 62 patients with glioblastoma. Twenty-four of the 62 patients received adjuvant nitrosourea chemotherapy with carmustine (BCNU), lomustine (CCNU), or semustine (methyl CCCNU) in addition to surgery and radiotherapy. Thirty-three of the 62 patients were involved in a controlled, prospective, randomly allocated study. Quality or quantity of survival was not prolonged in patients who received chemotherapy. Age greater than 64 years, a severe postoperative neurological deficit, or the onset of symptoms less than 12 months prior to surgery were associated with a worse prognosis. The valid evaluation of the effect of a form of treatment on survival in patients with glioblastoma is contingent on the regorous avoidance of preselected factors that may predispose the treated group to a more favorable prognosis.

Adolescent↗

Dementia improvement with cytotoxic chemotherapy. A case of Alzheimer disease and multiple myeloma.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a patient with Alzheimer disease and multiple myeloma (with Bence Jones proteinuria) with improvement of both conditions following cytotoxic chemotherapy, and to present issues related to the pathogenesis and management of Alzheimer disease. DESIGN: Report of a case. SETTING: Progressive dementia and myeloma developed in a 64-year-old man. Cytotoxic chemotherapy for the myeloma resulted in maintained improvement of the dementia. Clinical, neuropsychological, pathological, and laboratory data are presented. MAIN OUTCOME AND RESULTS: For 2 years, vincristine sulfate, carmustine, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone were administered cyclically, and the patient's dementia and lambda light chain production improved. Severe dementia recurred before death and cessation of therapy, although light chain production remained decreased. CONCLUSION: Dementia improvement with cytotoxic (ie, immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory) therapy may offer insight into the pathogenesis and management of Alzheimer disease.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Prolonged nausea and vomiting after high dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation in the treatment of high risk breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Nausea and vomiting immediately after chemotherapy is a well recognized complication of cancer drug treatment; it is usually short-lived and controllable by modem antiemetics. The authors report a high incidence of prolonged nausea and vomiting after high dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation (PSCT) in the treatment of high risk breast carcinoma patients. METHODS: Patients with high risk breast carcinoma were conditioned with high dose carmustine, cisplatin, and cyclophosphamide followed by autologous PSCT. In Part I of the study, patients who received PSCT at UCLA Medical Center were identified if they were either readmitted with dehydration secondary to nausea and vomiting or referred to a gastroenterology specialist for the treatment of intractable nausea and vomiting. In Part II of the study, the authors examined a series of 38 women treated at UCLA Medical Center in 1993 for high risk breast carcinoma to determine the incidence of prolonged postchemotherapy nausea and vomiting (PPNV) after PSCT. These women were followed at 2-week intervals with a quality of life evaluation that included questions about nausea and vomiting. RESULTS: In Part I of the study, the authors identified 9 women with more than 1 month of significant nausea and vomiting after PSCT without evidence of obstruction or mucositis. Hospitalization was frequently required for hydration. Gastroparesis was found in all four patients who underwent gastric emptying studies. The nausea and vomiting responded to the promotility drug cisapride and high dose corticosteroids. In Part II of the study, the authors found that PPNV was frequent; 24% of patients had significant nausea and 18% had significant vomiting 6 weeks after PSCT, despite treatment with standard antiemetics. CONCLUSIONS: PPNV is a frequent complication of high dose chemotherapy with the aforementioned regimen. It may be due to gastroparesis and represents a form of gastrointestinal toxicity to chemotherapy not previously reported.

Adult↗

Systemic chemotherapy alone for patients with non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related central nervous system lymphoma: a pilot study of the BOMES protocol.

BACKGROUND: Anecdotal reports have suggested that systemic chemotherapy with agents that better cross the blood-brain barrier may result in long term disease remission in some patients with central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma. This treatment strategy has the advantage of sparing patients the late neurologic complications from brain irradiation. METHODS: Eligible patients were required to 1) have tissue-proven and measurable non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)- related primary or metastatic CNS lymphoma; 2) have normal hemogram, renal function, and hepatic function; 3) be age < or = 75 years; and 4) have provided informed consent. Patients with lymphoblastic lymphoma or patients who previously had been exposed to nitrosoureas, etoposide, or high dose methotrexate were not eligible. The systemic chemotherapy (BOMES regimen) included carmustine, 65 mg/m2/day, intravenously (i.v.) on Days 1-2; vincristine, 2 mg/day, i.v. on Days 1 and 8; methotrexate, 1.5 g/m2, i.v. on day 15 followed by leucovorin rescue; etoposide, 50 mg/m2/day, i.v. on Days 1-5; and methylprednisolone, 200 mg/day, i.v. on Days 1-7; repeated every 4 weeks (BOMES regimen). Four doses of intrathecal methotrexate were given to patients who had involvement in the cerebrospinal fluid. RESULTS: Between March 1991 and March 1997 a total of 19 patients were enrolled on the study. There were 13 men and 6 women, with a median age of 57 years. Fourteen patients had primary CNS lymphoma and 5 patients had concurrent extra-CNS lymphoma. Nine patients previously had been treated by radiotherapy (four patients), chemotherapy (three patients), or both (two patients). There were 11 complete remissions (CR) (57.9%) and 5 partial remissions (26.3%), with a total remission rate of 84.2%. One patient had had progressive brain lymphoma during systemic chemotherapy with the conventional cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone regimen, but achieved CR soon after the regimen was changed to BOMES. The median time to progression of the responders was 6 months. At last follow-up, 4 patients were alive without lymphoma at 10, 47, 64, and 66 months, respectively. There were two treatment-related deaths due to sepsis. Another two patients died of fulminant hepatitis that most likely was chemotherapy-related reactivation of chronic B viral hepatitis. CONCLUSIONS: The authors believe systemic chemotherapy alone may result in long term disease remission in some select patients with non-AIDS-related CNS lymphoma. Further investigation for better protocols is mandatory.

Adult↗

Combination therapy for multiple myeloma.

The effect of six different chemotherapy regimens were evaluated in 462 previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma. In comparison with other treatments, drug combinations that included vincristine and were given at 3-week intervals were associated with higher response rates and longer survival times. No gain was noted from the use of Adriamycin or from combinations of alkylating agents unless vincristine was given and the treatment intervals were short. Seventy-one responding patients were allocated at random to maintenance treatment with intermittent courses of either azathioprine--prednisone or a combination of melphalan--cyclophosphamide--carmustine (BCNU)--prednisone. The survival time was not prolonged with either maintenance treatment in comparison with that for responding patients continued on other therapies or on no therapy in previous studies. Attempts to reduce tumor was maximally with a change in the therapeutic modality, such as with immunotherapy or radiotherapy, remain to be evaluated.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Pharmacokinetic studies in lung cancer patients.

Pharmacokinetic measurements to monitor and design cytotoxic treatments in cancer patients are being used more and more in order to optimize dosage and administration schedules. Ideally, information on drug concentrations over time should help reveal dose-response correlations. The cytotoxic drugs carmustine, etoposide, cyclophosphamide, iphosphamide, cis-diammineplatinum, Adriamycin (doxorubicin), and 4'-epi-Adriamycin have been monitored on different treatment programs of patients with advanced lung cancers. The collected experience emphasizes the many individual variables encountered in clinical practice complicating the effort of correlating pharmacokinetic data with clinical results. The examples, presented on the basis of the authors' experiences, pertain to drug instability, gastrointestinal absorption, enzymatic induction in the liver, drug interaction, and drug tissue concentrations.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗

Successful non-neurotoxic therapy (without radiation) of a multifocal primary brain lymphoma with a methotrexate, vincristine, and BCNU protocol (DEMOB).

A 3.5-year-old boy with a multifocal primary lymphoma of the brain was treated successfully without neurotoxicity with a treatment regimen that did not include radiation. The protocol of Dexacort (dexamethasone), methotrexate, Oncovin (vincristine), and BCNU (carmustine) (DEMOB), which was developed with the use of MTX pharmacokinetic studies, was given over 7.5 months, and resulted in tumor disappearance on computerized tomography scans and marked improvement in clinical status. The patient remains in good health 3 years after diagnosis (March 1985).

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer with hepatic artery combination chemotherapy.

Treatment of patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer using hepatic artery floxuridine (FUDR) has been reported to induce high partial remission rates and perhaps prolonged survival. However, several investigators, including our own group, have obtained response rates of only 30%. Alkylating agents can increase the efficacy of antimetabolites. Based on clinical data and pharmacokinetic considerations the authors have combined FUDR with mitomycin C and carmustine (BCNU) by the arterial route. Thirty-six patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer received FUDR 0.3 mg/kg/day 2 weeks of 4, mitomycin C 15 mg/M2 over 1 hour every 8 weeks, and BCNU 150 mg/M2 over 1 hour every 8 weeks--all via the hepatic artery using Infusaid pumps (Infusaid, Sharon, MA). The mitomycin C and BCNU were alternated monthly at the start of each FUDR cycle. The patient characteristics were as follows: 78% hepatomegaly, 44% also extrahepatic tumor, 42% prior systemic 5-fluorouracil. Combined partial and complete response rates were independent of prior chemotherapy: 71% if untreated, 67% with prior 5-fluorouracil. Median survival for the combined response/stable disease group was 13.7 months from the start of hepatic artery chemotherapy, and 4.5 months for the six nonresponders. Based on these data the authors have begun a randomized trial comparing single-agent FUDR to the FUDR, mitomycin C, BCNU combination.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

The importance of tamoxifen to a cisplatin-containing regimen in the treatment of metastatic melanoma.

The combination of dacarbazine (DTIC, 220 mg/m2) and cisplatin (DDP, 25 mg/m2) IV daily for 3 days every 3 weeks, carmustine (BCNU, 150 mg/m2) IV every 6 weeks, and tamoxifen (TAM, 10 mg orally twice daily) produced a 50% objective response rate in patients with metastatic melanoma. Associated with this treatment, there was a high incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). In an effort to reduce this toxicity, this regimen minus TAM was studied, and the results are reported. Twenty of twenty patients are evaluable for response and toxicity. There was one complete response (CR) lasting 5+ months and one partial response (PR) lasting 4+ months for an overall response rate of 10% (95% confidence limits, 1.23% to 31.70%). Two patients exhibited a mixed response and three patients developed disease stabilization lasting 4 to 10 months. Toxicity was similar to the original study except that no patients developed DVT or PE. This statistically significant (Fisher's exact test [two-tail] P = 0.008) decrease in the response rate by comparison with that achieved with the TAM-containing regimen may signal an essential role of TAM in this regimen. TAM may be acting in synergy with cisplatin through its calcium channel-blocking properties. TAM should be included as described in the initial reports, and the patients should be carefully observed for vascular complications.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Long-term endocrine toxicity of myeloablative treatment followed by autologous bone marrow/blood derived stem cell transplantation in patients with malignant lymphohematopoietic disorders.

The effect of myeloablative treatment with autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT)/autologous blood derived stem cell transplantation (ABSCT) in patients with acute leukemias or lymphomas was studied in 32 adult patients with a mean observation time of 15.8 months after transplantation. The conditioning regimen consisted of hyperfractionated total-body irradiation (TBI) and high-dose cyclophosphamide or the cyclophosphamide, carmustine, and etoposid (CBV) regimen. In all of the female patients, we observed primary ovarian failure requiring estradiol replacement therapy. In all of the male patients, testosterone levels were normal but follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were increased, suggestive of germinal aplasia which was proved by semen analysis in several patients. In contrast to the reports of other groups, we did not find any abnormalities in thyroid function, most likely because TBI was hyperfractionated. Moderate toxicity to the adrenal cortex was noticed and was more pronounced in women than in men. Our results are similar to findings reported after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, with the exception of normal thyroid function in our patients. These results should be taken into consideration when counseling patients about the long-term consequences of myeloablative treatment. Cryopreservation of semen should be offered to men before myeloablative treatment. Estrogen replacement should be initiated after transplantation in women to prevent adverse effects of long-term ovarian failure.

Adult↗

High-dose chemotherapy and unpurged autologous bone marrow transplantation for acute leukemia in second or subsequent remission.

The authors administered high-dose chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, BCNU (carmustine) and VP-16 (etoposide) plus autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) to 22 adult patients with relapsed acute leukemia in second or subsequent remission. The marrow was not treated ex vivo. The long-term, disease-free survival rate was 14%. Comparison of results with other treatments can be difficult because of patient selection biases. The concept of inversion (achievement of a longer remission with salvage therapy than with prior treatments) is proposed to compare treatment results. Three patients remain in complete remission beyond 4 years, with inversions. More intensive cytoreductive regimens will be needed to improve results.

Adult↗

Intensive combination chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation leads to the reappearance of Philadelphia chromosome-negative cells in chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Fifteen patients with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) who were ineligible for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) or alpha-interferon therapy were included in this study. Eight patients were in the first late chronic phase, five were in the second chronic phase, one was in the accelerated phase, and one was in the blastic phase. Autologous bone marrow cells (median, 2.5 x 10(8) nucleated cells/kg) were stored at a median of 30 months after diagnosis. Patients were treated with cyclophosphamide (1.5 g/m2 daily for 4 days), carmustine (BCNU) (300 mg/m2), and etoposide (VP-16) (250 mg/m2 daily for 3 days) (CBV), followed by reinfusion of autologous bone marrow. Hematopoietic recovery was rapid, and toxicity was mild to moderate in 14 patients. One patient died of cytomegalovirus pneumonitis. Eight of 15 patients showed Ph suppression to less than 90% Ph-positive metaphases after autologous BMT. Major cytogenetic responses (Ph suppression to less than 35% Ph-positive metaphases) developed in four patients. Cytogenetic responses were observed in 4 of 11 patients infused with 100% Ph-positive marrows, and in all 4 patients infused with Ph-mosaic marrows (mixture of diploid and Ph-positive cells). Better results were observed when autologous BMT was performed in the chronic phase compared with the advanced phases. The major cytogenetic responses have lasted for 3, 4, 12, and 15+ months, whereas minor cytogenetic responses lasted for only a short time (less than 2 months). Three of seven patients (43%) in the chronic phase with previous resistance to alpha-interferon therapy became sensitive to alpha-interferon therapy after autologous BMT. The authors concluded that intensive chemotherapy followed by autologous BMT produced cytogenetic remissions in patients with Ph-positive CML and reinduced disease sensitivity to alpha-interferon therapy in patients previously resistant to it. This is particularly useful when treatment is given during the chronic phase and stem cells are collected at a time of previous cytogenetic remission.

Adult↗

Effective chemotherapy for melanoma after treatment with interleukin-2.

Twenty patients with biopsy-proven metastatic malignant melanoma, previously treated with interleukin-2 (IL-2), received combination chemotherapy for progressive disease. Treatment included carmustine, cisplatin, dacarbazine, and tamoxifen (BCDT). Nausea was the most common toxicity (100%) and usually was mild. Persistent thrombocytopenia was the most frequent toxicity limiting further treatment. Eleven patients (55%) had an objective partial response, three patients (15%) had a minor response, and six patients (30%) had no change or progressive disease in response to this treatment. These results were comparable to the high response rates (21 of 40, 53%) achieved with BCDT in previously untreated patients with melanoma. It was concluded that prior therapy using IL-2 does not significantly alter the response rate of metastatic melanoma to BCDT, thus suggesting that immunomodulators (e.g., IL-2) and chemotherapeutic agents are not cross-resistant treatments.

Adult↗