An international field study of the reliability and validity of a disease-specific questionnaire module (the QLQ-MY20) in assessing the quality of life of patients with multiple myeloma.

AIM: To test the reliability, validity and sensitivity of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-MY24 questionnaire, designed to assess the quality of life of myeloma patients with the QLQ-C30. METHODS: The study was carried out through the EORTC Quality of Life Group using clinical trials in seven countries. All trials used the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-MY24 at baseline and a follow-up timepoint. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty patients participated. The questionnaires were acceptable to patients. The hypothesised scale structure (disease symptoms, side-effects, body image and future perspective) was confirmed by multi-trait scaling, internal consistency and correlation analysis. Most scales demonstrated sensitivity to change and discriminated between clinically different patients. The social support scale (4 items) was removed due to observed ceiling effects. CONCLUSION: The final questionnaire contains 20 items, QLQ-MY20, and is a reliable and valid instrument recommended for use with the QLQ-C30 in myeloma patients.

Subcutaneous injections of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine for symptomatic hairy cell leukemia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (CdA) when administered by subcutaneous injection to patients with symptomatic hairy cell leukemia (HCL), and to evaluate predictive factors for response. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-three patients were given CdA as a subcutaneous injection once daily for 7 days. Complete remission (CR) required normalized blood counts and the absence of B-ly 7-positive bone marrow cells by flow cytometry. CdA concentrations in plasma following the first injection were analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients (81%) achieved a durable CR after one (n = 55) or two courses, and 10 had a partial remission (PR). With a median follow-up duration of 20 months, no patient had a clinical relapse. Neutropenic fever that required intravenous antibiotics occurred in 28 patients (38%). No toxicity at injection sites was observed. Incomplete response was predicted by an elevated lymphocyte count and serum beta 2-microglobulin level, and by a high percentage of hairy cells in the bone marrow. Plasma CdA levels were similar to those achieved from intravenous administration. CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous injection of CdA is safe and as effective as continuous infusion without problems associated with the mode of administration. Our schedule simplifies CdA treatment and can be generally recommended.

Aclarubicin plus cytosine arabinoside versus daunorubicin plus cytosine arabinoside in previously untreated patients with acute myeloid leukemia: a Danish national phase III trial. The Danish Society of Hematology Study Group on AML, Denmark.

A regimen of aclarubicin (ACR) of 75 mg/m2 daily for 3 days plus a continuous intravenous infusion of cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) of 100 mg/m2 per day for 7 days was compared with daunorubicin (DNR) 45 mg/m2/day for 3 days plus ara-C for 7 days as first-line chemotherapy of de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in a randomized, nationwide Danish study. A total of 180 patients aged between 17 and 65 years were entered onto the protocol. Patients who achieved complete remission (CR) were given five courses of intensive consolidation therapy consisting of two courses of high dose ara-C, two courses of amsacrine plus etoposide, and one course of DNR plus ara-C. Of 174 evaluable patients, 99 achieved CR. The rate of CR was significantly higher on ACR plus ara-C than on DNR plus ara-C [66% versus 50% (p = 0.043)] and decreased significantly with increasing age. The hematological toxicity was identical for the two regimens. A total of 83 patients entered consolidation therapy. At 4 years, 37% of patients with CR following ACR were still in remission compared with 33% following DNR (p = 0.48), and the total survival at 4 years was 29% versus 20% (p = 0.26). The duration of remission and total survival both decreased with increasing age. ACR plus ara-C seem at least as good or better than DNR plus ara-C as first-line chemotherapy of AML.

Long-term survival and development of secondary malignancies in patients with acute myeloid leukemia treated with aclarubicin or daunorubicin plus cytosine arabinoside followed by intensive consolidation chemotherapy in a Danish national phase III trial. Danish Society of Haematology Study Group on AML.

In 1991 we reported the results from a prospective randomised phase 3 trial comparing 7 days continuous infusion of cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) combined with either daunorubicin (DNR) or aclarubicin (ACR) as direct i.v. injection for 3 days as induction chemotherapy (CT) for patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) followed by early intensive consolidation CT with two alternating cycles of high-dose ara-C and two cycles of amsacrine plus etoposide, and finally 3 days of daunomycin plus 7 days of ara-C as administered for induction of remission. A total of 174 patients with de novo AML in the age group 17-65 years were included. The patients have now been followed till death or for at least 7 years, and an evaluation of the long-term survival and the risk of developing secondary neoplasms has been made. The overall survival rate 5-years after diagnosis was 23%, and after 10 years 19%. No difference was found between the two treatment regimens in overall survival or disease-free survival (DFS). For the subgroup of 99 patients who achieved complete remission after one or two induction courses, 5- and 10-year survival rates were 35% and 31% respectively, with the highest survival rates in the age group 17-39 years (57% at 5 years) as compared with 27% in patients aged 40-60 years (P= 0.007). Seven secondary neoplasms were diagnosed simultaneously with or after the diagnosis of AML indicating a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of 3.41, (95% CI: 1.60-7.26). In three cases the secondary neoplasms were diagnosed simultaneously with the AML diagnosis and were for that reason completely unrelated to the chemotherapy administered for AML, as the psammomatous meningeoma diagnosed after only 8 months. The remaining three neoplasms which developed subsequently did not significantly exceed the expected number, with a SIR = 1.46 (0.47-4.57). Thus, no increased risk of solid tumors causally related to the intensive chemotherapy for de novo AML was observed. However, a generally increased risk of solid tumors in patients diagnosed simultaneously with the AML diagnosis seems likely. Over 20% of the patients were alive and in complete remission 5 years after the AML diagnosis, and they have a high probability of surviving the next 5-year period.

Immunoglobulin deposits in peripheral nerve endings detected by skin biopsy in patients with IgM M proteins and neuropathy.

Immunofluorescence studies of sural nerve and skin biopsies from three patients with IgM M proteins and clinical neuropathy showed that IgM M protein was bound to the nerve myelin in two patients and by the peri- and endoneurium in one. It is suggested that immunohistochemical studies of skin biopsies provide a simple effective method of detecting immunoglobulin binding to peripheral nerves in patients suspected of having an autoimmune neuropathy. In contrast to sural nerve biopsy, skin biopsy does not cause sensory loss or pain in a denervated area and can easily be repeated.

A sequential erythropoietin and GM-CSF schedule offers clinical benefits in the treatment of anaemia in myelodysplastic syndromes.

In order to reduce anaemia in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) a stepwise treatment protocol including erythropoietin (EP) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was designed. Thirty-seven MDS patients (stages I-III) with symptomatic anaemia were first given EPO 10,000 U s.c. 3 times weekly for 6 weeks. Those not responding, i.e. increased their haemoglobin levels > 15 g/l, proceeded into the second phase of the study where GM-CSF (200 micrograms/d. s.c. on weeks 1-6) was combined with EPO (10,000 U s.c. 3 times weekly on weeks 5-14). Following the initial EPO treatment phase, 14 of the 37 patients (38%) responded with increased haemoglobin levels. Responders were significantly different from non-responders in that their pre-treatment values of s-EPO, s-LDH and bone marrow blast cell counts were lower, their baseline haemoglobin levels higher and their transfusion dependency less pronounced. Eighteen of the 23 non-responders proceeded into the second phase, 13 of those were evaluable having completed the entire schedule. Three of the 13 initially EPO resistant patients (23%) responded to the GM-CSF/EPO combination with increased haemoglobin levels, suggesting a positive synergy between the two cytokines. Thus, the overall response rate to the present protocol was 46% (17 of 37 cases), but only a limited subset of the patients did clearly benefit from the combined GM-CSF/EPO administration. Therefore, we believe this step-wise approach to multiple growth factor treatment in MDS, starting with EPO alone and reserving the combination for refractory cases, has considerable advantages, taking into account both medical and socio-economical aspects.

Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies in thyroid disorders and non-thyroid autoimmune diseases.

A new commercial method for measurement of anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO DYNOtest, Henning, Berlin) was evaluated in normal subjects and in patients with autoimmune thyroid and non-thyroid diseases, and compared to an immune fluorescence method for measurement of anti-microsomal antibodies (MicAb), and a radioimmunological method for quantifying thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb). The majority of normal subjects had anti-TPO levels below 52 U/ml and patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis had levels above 200 U/ml, with a good correlation to MicAb. In other autoimmune thyroid diseases the correlation was less pronounced. In non-thyroid autoimmune diseases MicAb showed falsely positive reactions in the presence of other autoantibodies, e.g. mitochondrial antibodies. The present study indicates that the anti-TPO method should probably replace measurements of MicAb for routine clinical use, thus providing a sensitive, precise, antigen specific method with the ability to reveal quantitative fluctuations. The study also indicates that TgAb could be abolished in routine diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid diseases and be reserved for special clinical situations, research purposes as well as measurement in sera before evaluation of serum thyroglobulin levels.

Demonstrated Benefit of Continuous Interferon-Alpha-2b Therapy in Hairy Cell Leukemia. A Two-Year Follow-Up.

Interferon-alpha-2b (IFN) was given to a series of 50 patients with hairy cell leukemia (HCL). The IFN dose for both induction and maintenance was 2.0 × 10(6) IU/m(2) s.c. three times weekly. At 24 months 38 patients remained in the study. The proportion of complete responders (CR) increased during the follow-up, and had at 24 months reached 58%, while 28% at the same time had a partial (PR) and 14% a minor response (MR). During the two years of continuous IFN treatment none of the 38 patients showed any signs of relapse. The response rate was similar between splenectomized (n = 15) and non-splenectomized (n = 23) patients, but the rise in platelets was much steeper and reached a significantly higher plateau in patients, who previously had undergone splenectomy. The IFN therapy was generally well tolerated, but when evaluated at 24 months at least some (mostly mild) toxicity was noted in 76% of the patients. None of the patients developed neutralizing antibodies to IFN.

Health-related quality of life in multiple myeloma patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy with autologous blood stem-cell support.

In a population-based study, the Nordic Myeloma Study Group found a survival advantage for high-dose melphalan with autologous blood stem-cell support compared to conventional chemotherapy in myeloma patients under 60 yr of age (risk ratio: 1.62; confidence interval [CI] 1.22-2.15; p = 0.001). A study of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was integrated in the trial, using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Of the 274 patients receiving intensive therapy 221 (81%) were compared to 113 (94%) of 120 patients receiving conventional melphalan-prednisone treatment. Prior to treatment, there were no statistically significant differences in any HRQoL score between the two groups. One month after the start of induction chemotherapy, the patients on intensive treatment had more sleep disturbance than the control patients. At 6 mo, corresponding to a mean of 52 d after high-dose melphalan, the patients on intensive treatment had moderately lower scores for global QoL and role and social functioning and there was also a significantly higher score for appetite loss. At 12 and 24 mo, the HRQoL was similar to that of the control patients. At 36 mo, there was a trend toward less fatigue, pain, nausea, and appetite loss in the intensive-treatment group. Thus, the 18 mo of prolonged survival seem to be associated with a good health-related quality of life. Despite the moderate HRQoL reduction associated with the early intensive chemotherapy phase, this treatment modality must be regarded as an important step forward in the care of multiple myeloma.

[Coagulation factor VII--new physiopathological and therapeutic aspects]. / Koagulationsfaktor VII--nye patofysiologiske og behandlingsmoessige aspekter.

Factor VII (FVII) is a vitamin K dependent coagulation factor that is synthesized in the liver, where clearance of the unactivated protein also takes place. It is a glycoprotein that following activation plays an important role in initiating coagulation after complex formation with tissue factor. A revised hypothesis of blood coagulation implicating the requirement of intact extrinsic and intrinsic pathways is presented. Increased activity of factor VII is associated with atherogenesis, and FVII deficiency may cause bleeding disorders. Recombinant FVIIa (rFVIIa) may be used in the treatment of haemophilic patients with antibodies against factor VIII or factor IX, utilizing its direct action in activation of factor X. Ongoing studies are investigating whether rFVIIa can shorten the bleeding time in patients with thrombocytopenia.

[Renal insufficiency in myelomatosis. Causes and treatment]. / Nyreinsufficiens ved myelomatose. Arsager og behandling.

Renal failure is a frequent complication in multiple myeloma and it is present in about 50% of patients with newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma. Renal failure at the time of diagnosis has earlier been associated with a bad prognosis, but a better prognostic factor is the response to chemotherapy. In general, it is important to distinguish between 1) renal insufficiency at the time of diagnosis, 2) acute renal insufficiency and 3) chronic renal insufficiency developing during the course of the disease. The patients in the first two groups are treated with intensive therapy which is long-lasting (median four to six weeks). The improved function of the kidney is correlated to an improved survival. Patients developing chronic renal insufficiency late in the course of the disease should receive palliative therapy. The most important factors that provoke acute renal insufficiency are dehydration, hypercalcaemia and/or infection, but renal insufficiency is also provoked by the use of nephrotoxic drugs, hyperuricaemia and/or hyperviscosity. Chronic renal insufficiency is provoked by deposits of light chains, infiltration by plasma cells or deposits of amyloid. The treatment consists of elimination of the provoking factors and start of chemotherapy.

[Daily single-dose aminoglycoside administration. Therapeutic and economic benefits]. / Aminoglykosidadministration én gang i døgnet. En terapeutisk og øokonomisk gevinst.

Aminoglycosides are among the most active antimicrobial agents against Gram-negative infections, but they also share the potential for oto- and nephrotoxicity. Animal studies have shown that dosing aminoglycosides once daily is more efficient and less nephrotoxic than the conventional multiple daily dosing regimens. Pharmacokinetic and microbiological data support this finding. Clinical trials confirm that once-daily dosing is more efficient and less toxic than multiple daily dosing. The two most important risk factors for nephrotoxicity seem to be the duration of aminoglycoside treatment and high trough levels of aminoglycoside. Netilmicin and amikacin are the drugs most often used in clinical trials of once-daily dosing regimens. Recommendations for once-daily dosing of netilmicin are given.

[Hematopoietic growth factors in primary and therapy-related bone marrow insufficiency]. / Haemopoietiske vaekstfaktorer ved primaer og terapirelateret knoglemarvsinsufficiens.

This investigation is retrospective and comprises 20 patients with bone-marrow insufficiency. During the period 1.4.1988-1.3.1991, these patients were treated with erythropoietin (Epo), the granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or the granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Thirteen patients had primary bone-marrow insufficiency: six had the myelodysplastic syndrome, three had primary myelofibrosis, two aplastic anemia and two myelomatosis. On account of dominating symptoms of anemia, five patients received Epo while eight received GM-CSF as part of an extensive clinical trial of this preparation. Seven patients with relapse of the haematological malignant disease had bone-marrow insufficiency and pancytopenia secondary to intensive chemotherapy/irradiation: four of these patients received GM-CSF and two received G-CSF with the object of increasing bone-marrow regeneration and to render further chemotherapy possible. One patient received GM-CSF with the object of improving bone-marrow function after autologous bone-marrow transplantation. Treatment with Epo for ten months combined with treatment with interferon for six months resulted in normalization of the haemoglobin concentration in one patient with bone-marrow insufficiency on account of primary myelofibrosis. Treatment with Epo for briefer periods in lower doses was without effect in four other patients with primary bone-marrow insufficiency. Treatment with GM-CSF and G-CSF resulted in neutrophil leukocytosis in 12 out of 15 patients (80%) and, in six out of 14 patients (43%), increased marrow cellularity was demonstrated by means of histological examination of the bone-marrow. One patient showed normal haemoglobin levels during treatment with GM-CSF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Subcutaneous therapy of hairy cell leukemia with 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine]. / Subkutan behandling af hårcelleleukaemi med 2-klordeoxyadenosin.

The efficacy of subcutaneous 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA) was explored in eight patients with symptomatic hairy cell leukemia. This study is an interim report of a larger ongoing internordic multicentre clinical trial of subcutaneous 2-CdA in patients with hairy cell leukemia. The present results strongly indicate that subcutaneous therapy with 2-CdA induces an impressive therapeutic response which is fully comparable to the traditional continuous intravenous treatment with 2-CdA. The morbidity was acceptable, and the patient compliance to subcutaneous 2-CdA was excellent. In terms of the rate of complete remission (70-90%), therapy with 2-CdA in hairy cell leukemia is superior to any other drug. Consequently, 2-CdA is expected soon to displace both interferon alpha and deoxycoformycin as first line therapy in hairy cell leukemia. A long follow-up time is required, though, to decide whether 2-CdA is capable of curing patients with hairy cell leukemia.

[Gastric carcinoid tumor in pernicious anemia]. / Karcinoid tumor i ventriklen ved perniciøs anaemi.

A case of a 39 year-old woman with recently diagnosed PA and a GCT is reported. Recent surveys have shown that GCTs occur far more frequently in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis type A (+/- PA) than previously noted. This may be due to an improved endoscopic technique and the use of specific immunostains, such as chromogranin A, which in our case was essential in avoiding the diagnostic pitfall of an adenocarcinoma. The pathogenesis and the management of type-1 GCT are discussed.

[Pernicious anemia. A study of initial forms of the disease and diagnostic significance of determination of the intrinsic factor antibody and parietal cell antibody]. / Anaemia perniciosa. En undersøgelse af sygdommens debutformer, samt den diagnostiske betydning af påvist indre faktor antistof og parietalcelleantistof.

In a prospective study of thirty five consecutive patients with decreased plasma cobalamine (P-Cbl), twenty-two (63%) were diagnosed as having pernicious anaemia (PA) (no age or sex differences) on basis of the B12-absorption test and/or megaloblastic changes in the bone marrow. In this group ten patients were anaemic (six of whom were characterized as macrocytic), sixteen of nineteen examined had megaloblastic changes in the bone marrow, and all of thirteen examined had achlorhydria with positive correlation to Parietal Cell Antibodies (PCA). Two patients with PA had normal Cbl-absorption and two had malabsorption at the time of diagnosis. Twenty-one patients (95%) had PCA and thirteen (59%) were Intrinsic Factor Antibody (IFAb) positive. Three patients IFAb-seroconverted within a year. Among the remaining thirteen patients (37%), one had PCA but not IFAb and three were IFAb-positive all of whom had normal Cbl-absorption. Of the three patients with IFAb one had also PCA, one IFAb-seroconverted within three months, and one had microcytic anaemia with iron depleted bone marrow due to coecal cancer. Among twenty two healthy adult controls four (18%) had PCA while none had IFAb. This investigation shows that at the debut half of PA patients (55%) do not have anaemia, some have normal Cbl-absorption and some have malabsorption. 95% have PCA and 59% have IFAb. So, IFAb-negative PA is often seen (41%) and seroconversion can take place. Diagnosis is even more reliable, when achlorhydria is present in PCA-positive persons. Healthy PCA-positive persons are probably predisposed to develop PA. Patients with cbl-deficiency, IFAb and/or PCA must be considered as having latent PA even if they have normal haemoglobin and normal Cbl-absorption. These patients should be followed and, in case of anaemia or signs of neuropathia, treated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)