Prostate-specific antigen-producing cells in the bone marrow of a patient with early-stage prostate cancer.

This report describes a clinical case that supports the hypothesis that occult bone marrow disease may exist even in early-stage and low prostate-specific antigen (less than 10 ng/mL) prostate cancer. The concept of adding androgen suppression to definitive local therapy in these patients is discussed.

Randomized trial of estrogen vs. tamoxifen therapy for advanced breast cancer.

Forty-three postmenopausal females with advanced breast cancer were studied in a prospective comparative trial of estrogen vs. an anti-estrogen (tamoxifen) therapy with a crossover to the alternative hormone with progressive disease. Ten of 19 patients (53%) responded to primary tamoxifen therapy and six of 24 (25%) responded to primary estrogen therapy. Crossover responses were observed in seven of 19 (37%) on the secondary tamoxifen therapy and in two of 10 (20%) on secondary estrogen therapy, and were not related to the response to the primary hormonal maneuver. Responses were related to the presence of estrogen receptor protein (ERP), particularly for tamoxifen therapy, although responses were observed in three of six ERP negative patients receiving estrogen and in seven of 25 (28%) of patients with an unknown ERP status. Complications were observed in 35 instances with estrogen therapy and in only five instances with tamoxifen therapy. Initial hormonal therapy with tamoxifen in postmenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer and ERP status positive or unknown is superior to primary estrogen treatment. Secondary therapy and response to estrogen or tamoxifen is not necessarily predicted by the initial hormone response, and crossover to the alternative therapy is generally indicated.

Adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide (VP-16-213) in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.

A three-drug regimen composed of adriamycin, 50 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide, 500 mg/m2 administered on day 1; and VP-16-213, 50 mg/m2 days 1-5, with courses repeated at 3-week intervals, was studied in 24 consecutive patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Twelve of 33 patients (36%) evaluable for toxicity developed life-threatening marrow suppression and 12% died of septicemia following the first course of treatment. Eleven of 24 patients (46%) with extensive disease achieved an objective response and only one was classified as a complete response. Survival was related to performance status and metastatic site but was not influenced by tumor response. The present study is distinctive from that of previous reports of the same or similar three-drug regimen in that the response rate is lower and toxicity is substantial. Nonetheless, survival as measured by median duration (7.9 months) and proportion alive at 1 year (35%) is comparable to that of previous reports.

Assessment of tumor response by computed tomography liver volumetry.

The volumes of hepatic tumors were calculated before and after therapy in 12 patients. The results were compared with clinical response, radionuclide scans, and initial qualitative computed tomography (CT) reports. A strong correlation was found between tumor volume determination and clinical response (9 of 12 patients). In only 4 of 10 patients did radionuclide scans agree with clinical response; the initial qualitative CT report disagreed with clinical response and quantitative CT response in four patients. Quantitative CT measurement was more accurate than qualitative CT evaluation and thus should be refined to offer a clinically useful addition to CT evaluation.