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Interferon-alpha plus capecitabine and thalidomide in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: To assess the activity and toxicity of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), capecitabine, and thalidomide in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (MRCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients were enrolled in a pilot study to receive oral capecitabine 1,900 mg/m2/day in 2 daily doses, 2 weeks on, l week off; daily subcutaneous IFN-alpha 1 mIU without interruption; and daily oral thalidomide 200 mg/day for the first seven days, then escalated to 400 mg/day without interruption. Dosages were reduced for toxicity as necessary. RESULTS: Two patients discontinued treatment during the first week of the study, leaving 25 patients evaluable. There were 5 (20%) partial responses (PRs), 1 (4%) minor response (MR), 6 (24%) cases of stable disease (SD) > or = 6 months, and 13 (52%) cases of progressive disease (PD). The interval from first response to disease progression varied from 0-23 months: 17 patients progressed in 0-6 months; 4 progressed in 7-12 months; and 4 progressed in 12-24 months. Median survival was > 22 months, 14 months, and 1 month, respectively, for patients with PR, SD, and PD. Grade 3/4 toxicities consisted of hand-foot syndrome, neuropathy, fatigue, anemia, and deep venous thrombosis were common. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates antitumor activity of combination IFN-alpha/capecitabine/thalidomide in MRCC. The 20% PR rate was notable, as the patient population had advanced disease and inferior performance status. Treatment was generally well tolerated, and further research is warranted to explore the efficacy of this combination for treating MRCC.

Adult↗

Communicative competence in parents of children with autism and parents of children with specific language impairment.

While the primary language deficit in autism has been thought to be pragmatic, and in specific language impairment (SLI) structural, recent research suggests phenomenological and possibly genetic overlap between the two syndromes. To compare communicative competence in parents of children with autism, SLI, and down syndrome (DS), we used a modified pragmatic rating scale (PRS-M). Videotapes of conversational interviews with 47 autism, 47 SLI, and 21 DS parents were scored blind to group membership. Autism and SLI parents had significantly lower communication abilities than DS parents. Fifteen percent of the autism and SLI parents showed severe deficits. Our results suggest that impaired communication is part of the broader autism phenotype and a broader SLI phenotype, especially among male family members.

Adult↗

Comparison of surgical outcome using the prediction scoring system of E-PASS for thoracic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine if our predictive scoring system, E-PASS, can estimate the surgical outcome. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter cohort study for 3 years in four national hospitals. A consecutive series of 731 patients who underwent elective thoracic operations were analyzed. The preoperative risk score (PRS) and the comprehensive risk score (CRS) of the E-PASS were determined preoperatively and immediately after the operation, respectively. The cost of the surgical admission and the severity of the postoperative complications were recorded at the time of discharge. RESULTS: The CRS significantly correlated with the severity of the postoperative complications (rs = 0.728, P < 0.0001) and the charge (rs = 0.530, P< 0.0001). When the estimated/real morbidity ratio (MR) among the hospitals was compared, it varied from 0.16 to 0.59. A significant increase in the cost was observed according to the CRS. CONCLUSION: The E-PASS scoring system may be useful for standardizing the patient population and surgical severity to compare the surgical outcome.

Adolescent↗

Successful and unsuccessful sites of radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory atrioventricular connections.

Local electrograms from 47 consecutive patients who underwent successful radiofrequency catheter ablation of 49 accessory atrioventricular (AV) connections were analyzed. One hundred twenty-two local electrograms were recorded at 27 successful and 95 unsuccessful sites immediately before radiofrequency catheter ablation of 27 manifest accessory AV connections during preexcited sinus rhythm or atrial pacing. Continuous electric activity was found in 96% of successful sites versus 71% of unsuccessful sites (p < 0.01). Possible accessory pathway (AP) potentials were present only in 15% of successful and 2% of unsuccessful sites, respectively (p < 0.05). All measured time intervals were significantly shorter for successful sites as compared to unsuccessful sites of ablation of manifest accessory AV connections. Unipolar electrograms from the tip of the ablation catheter of each successful and unsuccessful ablation site were available for the last 16 patients with manifest accessory AV connections. A PQS pattern of the unipolar electrogram was associated with a higher success rate, whereas a PrS pattern never resulted in successful ablation of an accessory AV connection. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of the local electrogram characteristics of rapidly conducting, concealed accessory AV connections revealed the interval between the onset of the local ventricular and atrial electrogram (VoAo interval) as the only independent variable associated with successful sites for radiofrequency catheter ablation. The only study patient with a slowly conducting, concealed accessory AV connection underwent successful ablation with the first lesion of radiofrequency energy at the site with the shortest VoAo interval. We conclude that (1) the shortest local AV intervals and local ventricular electrograms preceding the earliest onset of the delta wave in any surface lead are predictive of successful ablation of manifest accessory AV connections; (2) the shortest local VA intervals during orthodromic AV reentry tachycardia or right ventricular pacing are predictive of successful ablation of concealed accessory AV connections; and (3) unipolar recordings from the tip of the ablation catheter should be recorded routinely during mapping of manifest accessory AV connections to identify appropriate target sites for radiofrequency energy applications.

Action Potentials↗

Sex differences in estrogen receptor and progestin receptor induction in the guinea pig hypothalamus and preoptic area.

Quantitative in vitro autoradiography was used to determine if regional sex differences in estrogen receptor (ER) content and/or estrogen responsiveness, as indicated by an increase in progestin receptor (PR), are present in the adult guinea pig brain. Adult male and female guinea pigs were gonadectomized 1 week before subcutaneous injection of 25 micrograms estradiol benzoate (EB)/kg body wt or the sesame oil vehicle. Animals were killed by decapitation 44 h after injection. Unoccupied PRs, and unoccupied and occupied ERs, were measured in discrete brain regions by quantitative in vitro autoradiography using [3H]R5020 and [3H]estradiol as ligands, respectively. In vehicle-injected controls, a higher level of ER was found in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), dorsal medial nucleus (DMN) and ventrolateral nucleus (VLN) of females as compared to males. At 44 h after EB injection, 32-55% of the ERs were occupied; however, EB treatment caused a marked down-regulation of total receptor (calculated as occupied+ unoccupied receptor) in most of the brain regions examined, including the periventricular preoptic area (PVP), medial preoptic area (MPO), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, paraventricular nucleus, ARC, ventrolateral hypothalamus (VLH), VLN, and DMN. In EB-treated animals, PR binding was detectable in the PVP, MPO, ARC, VLH, and VLN, with higher levels of binding observed in the PVP, MPO, and VLN of the female as compared to the male. No PR binding was observed in oil-injected control animals. These results demonstrate region-specific sex differences in ER as well as estrogen-induced regulation of progestin and ERs in the guinea pig brain. The discordance between the regional distributions of sex differences in ER and estrogen-induced PR implies that sex differences in ER and estrogen-induced PR implies that sex differences in estrogen response may not be clearly linked to a sex difference in receptor number. Instead, sex differences in response may involve differences in receptor number within specific subpopulations of estrogen target cells or may involve differences in ER dynamics.

Animals↗

Progestin and antiprogestin interactions with progesterone receptors in human myomas.

Progesterone receptors (PRs) in human fibromyomata (myomas) and normal myometrium were characterized by gel filtration, sucrose gradient sedimentation analysis, isoelectrofocusing and ligand specificity. The PR population in myoma tissues, 1242 +/- 505 fmol/mg protein, was 3-fold higher than normal myometrial tissues under similar hormonal milieu. The increased PR concentration in myomas appears to be of potential importance in physiopathology of fibromyoma.

Chromatography, Gel↗

5 alpha-reduced progesterone metabolites are essential in hamster VTA for sexual receptivity.

Progesterone's (P) actions in the ventral medial hypothalamus (VMH) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are essential for sexual receptivity in hamsters. This study investigates the notion that P works in the VTA in the absence of intracellular P receptors (PRs) by 5 alpha-reduction to progestins, which would subsequently bind to membrane gamma-Aminobutyric Acid receptor complexes (GBRs). To test the importance of P metabolism, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, 17 beta-N, N-diethylcarbamoyl-4-methyl-4aza-5 alpha-androstan-3-one (4MA) was administered SC (0, 3, 9, 15, 24, or 30 mg/kg) to ovx estradiol benzoate(EB)-primed hamsters, followed by one of six doses of SC P (0, 25, 50, 100, 200, or 500 micrograms) and sexual receptivity testing. 200 micrograms P-treated animals administered higher (24 and 30 mg/kg) doses of 4MA had significantly decreased total lordosis durations (TLDs) compared to 0 mg/kg 4MA controls (exp 1). In exp 2, 4MA was aimed bilaterally at the VTA prior to SC P. After 200 micrograms P, animals had significantly lower TLDs than after 500 micrograms P, 3 hours following bilateral VTA implantation of 4MA, but not cholesterol. In exp 3, cycling female hamsters were infused with 1.0 microgram 4MA or vehicle unilaterally into the VTA on diestrus, proestrus, and estrus. 4MA, but not vehicle, infusions into the VTA interrupted receptivity in estrus and proestrus animals, but had no effect on diestrus animals. 4MA's reduction of receptivity when given systemically and intracranially strongly supports the hypothesis that 5 alpha-reduced P metabolites, possibly interacting with GBRs in the VTA, are essential for sexual receptivity in hamsters.

5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors↗

The relationship between oxime-induced reactivation of carbamylated acetylcholinesterase and antidotal efficacy against carbamate intoxication.

The efficacy of the oximes pyridinium-2-aldoxime methochloride (2-PAM) and 1-[[[(4-aminocarbonyl)pyridinio]methoxy]methyl]-2-[(hydro xyimino) methyl]pyridinium dichloride (HI-6), in combination with atropine (At), against lethality by either carbaryl (CA) or physostigmine (Phy) was investigated in rats. The protection by At, 8 mg/kg, iv, against CA intoxication was reduced by 2-PAM (22 mg/kg, iv) and HI-6 (50 mg/kg, iv) from a protective ratio (PR) of 6.6 to 3.5 and 2.3, respectively. However, in Phy-intoxicated rats, the administration, iv, of At alone, At + 2-PAM, or At + HI-6 at 1 min following Phy provided good protection and resulted in PRs of 7.2, 8.8, and 23.3, respectively. In experiments on decarbamylation of inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE), HI-6 and 2-PAM accelerated (p less than 0.05) the decarbamylation of Phy-inhibited AChE in vitro, and HI-6 decreased (p less than 0.05) the inhibition of whole blood AChE in Phy-intoxicated rats. These findings show that the protection was increased substantially by the use of either 2-PAM or HI-6 against Phy-induced lethality, whereas the use of oximes against carbaryl poisoning was contraindicated. Furthermore, even though CA and Phy are both N-methyl carbamates, the data indicate that there is no adverse interaction between 2-PAM or HI-6 and Phy.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Endocrine manipulation of meningiomas with medroxyprogesterone acetate. Effect of MPA on receptor status of meningioma cytosols.

Fifteen patients with intracranial or spinal meningiomas have been treated with the semisynthetic progestational agent medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA, Depo-Provera) prior to surgical removal of the tumors in order to investigate the influence of MPA on the progesterone receptor (PR) status of meningioma cytosols. MPA acted as a competitive binder to meningioma-PR: The mean PR values were 15.6 fmol/mg protein (range 0-69) and 338.3 fmol/g tumor (range 0-1190), respectively. In comparison, mean PR values of our untreated meningioma series (n = 58) were 54.9 fmol/mg protein (range 0-586) and 2813 fmol/g tumor (range 0-17,168), respectively. In cases of two-stage resection of meningiomas MPA significantly decreased PR activity in the cytoplasm of meningioma cells. We conclude that MPA binds to meningioma PRs, however, its effect on the growth rate of meningiomas has still to be elucidated.

Cytosol↗

Photodynamic therapy of human choriocarcinoma transplanted to the hamster cheek pouch. II. Intra-lesional photosensitization.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses light-activated compounds, such as hematoporphyrins, to produce cytotoxic effects after illumination. Human choriocarcinoma cells were transplanted into the hamster cheek pouch to study PDT. The transplanted choriocarcinoma secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in proportion to tumor volume. Red light (630 nm) from an argon-pumped dye laser (100-200 J/cm2) was used to illuminate tumors sensitized with dihematoporphyrin ether (DHE). Previous work has demonstrated complete regression (CR) of 90% of tumors (18/20) after one or two PDT sessions, while contralateral cheek pouch tumors continued to grow despite intraperitoneal DHE. Neither DHE nor laser light alone resulted in significant CRs. In this study we evaluated intratumoral injection of DHE followed in 2 hr by laser treatment. In all tumors, localization of DHE was demonstrated by induced fluorescence with ultraviolet light or He:Cd laser. After a single treatment, 14 of 38 tumors (37%) completely regressed (hCG less than mIU/ml); 4 tumors regressed grossly with low-level hCG [partial regression (PR)]. After repeat treatment there were 10 additional CRs in 19 rapidly enlarging tumors. After a third treatment 3 CRs and 3 PRs were achieved in 6 tumors. Because of large volumes, 2 of 3 progressing tumors failed to fluoresce uniformly after intratumoral DHE and were treated after intraperitoneal DHE injection; both completely responded. Overall, 29 of 38 tumors (76%) completely responded to PDT, and 7 partially responded (18%) with no gross tumor remaining in 5 of the 7. Only 5% of tumors (2/38) were non-responders. Photodynamic therapy results in gross elimination of 90% of tumors (52/58) in this model after intraperitoneal or intratumoral DHE sensitization (P less than 0.0001). DHE in chorio-carcinomas is easily detected and may enable detection of occult foci of malignancy. Choriocarcinoma transplanted into the hamster cheek pouch is highly responsive to photodynamic therapy. Clinical trials of PDT in gynecologic cancers are warranted to confirm the high response rates observed in refractory nongynecologic cancers.

Animals↗

Platinum-based combination chemotherapy for malignant mixed mesodermal tumors of the ovary.

Although considerable clinical data are available to guide treatment decisions for patients with ovarian epithelial malignancies, therapy for the rare malignant mixed mesodermal (mullerian) tumor (MMMT) of the ovary is poorly studied. Ten untreated patients diagnosed with primary ovarian MMMT were managed with cis-platinum-based combination chemotherapy from 1980 to 1985. Six of the 10 patients were stage III suboptimal with evaluable residual disease; 4 of these 6 had CRs with a median duration of response of 13 months. The remaining 2 patients had PRs, of 2 and 11 months duration. Four patients had stage III optimal disease; 1 progressed at 7 months, 1 progressed at 16 months and the other 2 patients have no clinical evidence of disease at 12+ and 22+ months. Despite impressive initial response rates, survival overall was poor, with a median survival for all 10 patients of 16+ months.

Adult↗

Prospective randomized trial of topical alpha-interferon (alpha-interferon gels) for the treatment of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia III.

Twenty-one patients were prospectively randomized into a blinded double-armed crossover study comparing alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN, 10(6) IU in a 3.5% aqueous methylcellulose base) with and without 1% nonoxynol-9. Nine and twelve patients were randomized to arms with (+N) and without (-N) 1% nonoxynol-9, respectively. Patients applied the gel to affected areas every 8 hr and were evaluated biweekly. Including those crossed over, 14 patients were treated with -N. Six of fourteen (43%) achieved complete responses: biopsy proven with at least 1 year follow-up (CR). One patient achieved a partial response with at least a 50% reduction in the total surface area of all lesions present (PR). Similarly, 13 patients were treated with +N. Two patients in this group were found to have invasive cancer and one to have HIV and thus were eliminated from statistical analysis. Of the remaining 10 patients, 3 had CRs (30%), 5 had PRs (50%), and 2 failed to respond. There was no significant difference in responses between the two groups. Overall, 14 of 18 (67%) patients demonstrated some response to alpha-IFN applied topically. These data support the conclusion that alpha-IFN is an active agent in the treatment of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia III.

Administration, Topical↗

Phase II trial of high-dose cisplatin with sodium thiosulfate nephroprotection in patients with advanced carcinoma of the uterine cervix previously untreated with chemotherapy.

Cisplatin is one of the most active single agents in the treatment of advanced cancer of the cervix. The concurrent administration of the nephroprotective agent, sodium thiosulfate, has enabled exploitation of the therapeutic potential of cisplatin. To explore the role of cisplatin dose intensity in the treatment of patients with cancer of the uterine cervix, patients with persistent/recurrent measurable disease were treated with cisplatin at 200 mg/m2 as a 2-hr infusion with sodium thiosulfate given at 3.3 g/m2 1 hr prior to cisplatin and 6.6 g/m2 during the cisplatin infusion. Treatment was repeated monthly. Due to the known cumulative toxicity of cisplatin, treatment beyond two cycles (400 mg/m2) was given only to those patients who had at least demonstrated a PR. Audiologic evaluation was done prior to each cycle of treatment. Eleven patients were entered with a median age of 43 years (range, 25-57), a median KPS of 80% (range, 60-90%), and nine epidermoid and two adenocarcinoma, and all patients had received previous pelvic irradiation. Twenty-eight cycles of treatment were given: 1, five cycles; 3, three cycles; 7, two cycles. No greater than or equal to 3+ hematologic, neurologic, or renal toxicity was demonstrated. Ototoxicity was demonstrated in the mild to moderate hearing loss range (3000-8000 Hz). The greatest threshold shift occurred after the first course of cisplatin. There were three PRs with a maximum duration of 4 months. Due to the significant toxicities encountered, the low response rate, and the limited duration of responses, this trial was closed early to accrual.

Adult↗

Continuous infusion of low-dose 5-fluorouracil and radiation therapy for poor-prognosis squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Ten patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix metastatic to periaortic lymph nodes were treated with external-beam radiation therapy and synchronous infusion of intravenous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy at doses of 350 mg/m2/day. The overall response rate was 90% with four complete responses (CR) and five partial responses (PR). The median duration of response was 11.8 months for CRs and 3.6 months for PRs. Toxicity was tolerable, with gastrointestinal symptoms and myelosuppression being noted most frequently. No patient experienced life-threatening toxicity. Median survival was 7.6 months, with only one patient being alive and free of disease at 2 years. In this pilot study we were unable to demonstrate a beneficial effect of continuous infusion of low doses of 5-FU chemotherapy concurrent with radiation therapy when compared to conventional radiotherapy in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

A software for the description of workplaces.

Three softwares have been designed, the first for job histories, the second for job-exposure matrices, and this, the third and latest, for workplace descriptions. The first two softwares were presented in earlier articles while the current article presents the software for workplace descriptions. Workplace description has been based on the idea that a job is best described by listing its constituent tasks so as to determine associated risks better. The three softwares, the job history software (JHS), the job-exposure software (JES) and the workplace description software (WDS) are interfaced and constitute an integrated professional risk surveillance (PRS) system.

Algorithms↗

A computerized patient registration and treatment randomization system for multi-institutional clinical trials.

Computerized registration and randomization for a cooperative clinical trials group is a useful addition to its data gathering and managing process. An automated system eliminates unnecessary paperwork, allows more sophisticated randomization algorithms to be implemented, and makes available a variety of computer-generated reports such as confirmation of registration forms, accrual results, and other statistical tables. This paper describes the design and implementation of such a system for a relatively large cooperative group, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), as well as gives general recommendations for conversion of a manual registration and randomization process to an automated one. Our general interactive system, known as PRS for Patient Randomization System, was designed to be easily expandable as its functions increase over time, and transportable to other clinical trials settings.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Assessing pyridostigmine efficacy by response surface modeling.

The therapeutic efficacy of atropine sulfate/pralidoxime chloride (ATR/2-PAM) treatment (im) therapy, and pyridostigmine bromide (PYR) pretreatment (oral) therapy were evaluated in soman-challenged guinea pigs. ATR/2-PAM efficacy was assessed as protective ratio (PR = treated soman LD50/control soman LD50); PYR efficacy was assessed both as PR and by response surface modeling (RSM) techniques. The optimal ATR/2-PAM treatment gave a PR of 3.78. PYR pretreatment (1 hr) produced a dose(log)-dependent (r = 0.96) inhibition of whole blood AChE and afforded significant (p less than 0.05) increases in PR (with doses greater than 0.12 mg/kg PYR) against soman when followed by 64 mg/kg ATR/100 mg/kg 2-PAM treatment. These PRs, however, were poorly correlated (r = 0.45) with the corresponding level of PYR-induced AChE inhibition. In contrast, RSM analysis of efficacy indicated that the optimal ATR/2-PAM dose combination varied as a function of both the soman-challenge level and the PYR pretreatment dose. Efficacy was therefore evaluated for varying PYR pretreatment doses in combination with the appropriate optimal ATR/2-PAM treatment (as determined by RSM for each soman challenge dose and PYR dose evaluated). When assessed in this manner, PYR efficacy (PYR) was found to be highly correlated (r = 0.97) with PYR-induced AChE inhibition. Since percentage of AChE inhibition was directly correlated with PYR dose (log), these results indicate that PYR pretreatment efficacy is a highly correlated, dose-dependent phenomenon, providing ATR/2-PAM treatment is optimized.

Animals↗

Aminoglutethimide for the treatment of advanced postmenopausal breast cancer.

Two hundred and thirteen unselected postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer were treated with aminoglutethimide and hydrocortisone. There were 6 complete responses (CR), 47 partial responses (PR), 25 stable disease (SD) and 3 mixed response. Overall objective response rate was 28%, and with SD 41%. Median duration of objective response was 14 months. Years after menopause, age and tumour-free interval did not affect response rates. Main side-effects were drowsiness and lethargy (33%), rash (23%) and nausea (15%). Eleven patients (5%) stopped treatment because of toxicity. Median survival from start of treatment was 28 months and was the same for CRs, PRs and SD, compared with 10 months for progressive disease (P less than 0.001). Median survival from first metastasis was 43 months for PR/CR, 40 months for SD (not significantly different) and 22 months for progressive disease (P less than 0.001). Aminoglutethimide is an effective endocrine therapy in advanced postmenopausal breast cancer, particularly for bone deposits. Disease stabilization is associated with symptomatic and survival benefit similar to CR/PR.

Adult↗