[Efficacy of cetuximab combined with chemotherapy on advanced colorectal cancer: a report of 53 cases].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Studies showed that cetuximab combined with chemotherapy was effective on advanced colorectal cancer (ACRC) in recent years, however, few reports based on large case cohort are available in China. This study was to analyze the efficacy of cetuximab combined with chemotherapy for 53 chinese patients with ACRC. METHODS: Clinical data of 53 patients with ACRC, treated with cetuximab combined with chemotherapy in Sun Yat-sen Cancer Center from March 2005 to April 2008, were analyzed for short-term efficacy and safety. The efficacy of the regimen used as first-line and non-first-line treatment was compared by Chi-square test; the effect of the regimen on prognosis was analyzed by multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Of the 53 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma, 40 were men and 13 were women, with a median age of 55 years. A total of 572 weeks (median, 8 weeks) of cetuximab treatment were completed. The overall response rate (RR) of the regimen was 39.6% and the disease control rate 66.0%. The disease control rates were similar when the regimen was used as first-line and non-first-line treatment (80.3% vs. 60.5%, P=0.177). For all 53 patients, clinical stage was an independent prognostic factor (P=0.002, OR>1). The most common Grade 3 to 4 adverse events included acne-like rash (7.5%), neutropenia (18.9%), and diarrhea (5.6%). No hypersensitive reaction or treatment-related death was observed. Only one patient discontinued treatment because of Grade 4 diarrhea and neutopenia. CONCLUSIONS: Cetuximab combined with chemotherapy can achieve relatively high disease control rate for ACRC patients, with less adverse events. Whether cetuximab has better effect in first-line treatment than in non-first-line treatment needs further study.

[Short-term efficacy of cetuximab combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy on head and neck cancer: a report of 11 cases].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cetuximab combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy has been used to treat head and neck cancer in recent years, but few reports are available in China now. This study was to summarize our experiences in treating patients with head and neck cancer cetuximab. METHODS: From October 1st, 2005 to September 30th, 2008, six with patients head and neck cancer were treated using cetuximab combined with radiotherapy and five were treated using cetuximab combined with chemotherapy in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. The short-term efficacy and safety were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 82 cycles of cetuximab treatment, with a median of seven cycles, were administered safely. There was no treatment-associated death and no cetuximab-associated discontinuation. In cetuximab combined with radiotherapy group, four patients achieved complete response (CR) and two achieved partial response (PR); all CR patients had hadacne-like rash (three cases were > or = grade III), only one PR patient had grade I rash; five patients had skin reaction in the irradiation field (four cases of skin reaction were > or = grade III); hematological toxicity was slight excepted one case of grade IV. In cetuximab combined chemotherapy group, two patients achieved PR, two had stable disease (SD) and one had progressed disease (PD); the of acne-like rash was low, and three patients experienced bone marrow depression above grade III. CONCLUSION: Cetuximab combined with either radiotherapy or chemotherapy are good options for suitable patients with head and neck cancer.

[Preliminary report of semimonthly 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin combined with paclitaxel in treatment of advanced gastric cancer (AGC)].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Phase II clinical trails showed that paclitaxel is effective in treatment of advanced gastric cancer (AGC). The combination of paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer is effective and safe. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and the toxicity of paclitaxel combined with semimonthly 5-FU/Leucovorin for the AGC patients. METHODS: Twenty-five measurable patients with AGC proved pathologically were enrolled into this study. The chemotherapy regimen was comprised of paclitaxel,75 mg/m(2) i.v. in a 3-hour infusion followed by 2-hour infusion of leucovorin 200 mg/m(2), then 10-minute intravenous bolus of 5-FU 375 mg/m(2), then 48-hour infusion of 5-FU 2.8 g/m(2) using an ambulatory pump. The regimen was given per 14 days. One cycle consisted of twice chemotherapy regimens. All enrolled patients received at least two cycles of treatment. RESULTS: After two cycles of chemotherapy, the complete remission and the partial remission were 8% and 60%, respectively. The median duration of response was 4 months. No treatment-related death occurred. Phlebitis,feeling disorder, and alopecia were main side effects. CONCLUSION: Semimonthly 5-FU/LV combined with paclitaxel has high release rate but comparatively mild toxicity for AGC patients.

[Clinical results of 295 patients with Hodgkin's disease treated by chemotherapy-predominant comprehensive modality].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Hodgkin's disease (HD) is a chemo- and radio-sensitive hematologic malignancy. At present, improvement of cure rate, reduction of long-term toxicity, and maintenance of good quality of life are the major issues in the treatment of HD. The results of long term follow-up from Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University were analyzed retrospectively in terms of efficacy and late side effects in this article. METHODS: The results of 295 patients with histology-proven HD from 1970 to 2000, especially from 1980 to 2000 were analyzed. Meanwhile, multivariant analysis (COX model) was employed to determine the prognostic factor. RESULTS: A total of 295 HD patients were treated by chemotherapy-predominant comprehensive modality. The 5, 10, and 20 years overall survival for 295 HD patients were 63.5%, 55.8%, and 47.1%, respectively, with median survival time of 172.3 months (28-351.9 months) at the median follow-up time of 42.9 months (17-351.9 months). The 5, 10, and 20 years overall survival and disease-free survival were 79.6%, 74.5%, and 66.8% as well as 74.5%, 69.4%, and 69.4% respectively for the patients treated with regular chemotherapy and radiotherapy from 1980 to 2000. The incidence rate of late toxicities was low. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age over 45-year-old, B symptoms and stage III/IV were the main prognostic factors (P = 0.000, P = 0.035, and P = 0.047) in this clinical study. The prognosis of the patients with stage I/II and nodular sclerosis was better in comparison to stages III/IV and other histologic subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: Chemotherapy-predominant combined with involved fields irradiation play an important role in HD treatment with promising long term survival and lower late toxicities. Further investigation for this simplified and convenient comprehensive modality is warranted.