[Dacarbacinum (DTIC) and bronchogenic carcinoma (author's transl)]. / Dacarbacinum (DTIC) beim Lungenkarzinom.

A pilot study is reported on the results achieved with the cytostatic agent dacarbacinum (DTIC) on previously untreated, inoperable bronchogenic carcinomas which had been histologically and/or cytologically verified. Altogether there were 16 patients, i.e. 13 males and 3 females. DTIC monotherapy was administered to 14 patients; one patient received additionally vitamin A in high dosage and a further patient VP 16 (a podophyllotoxin preparation). The achieved results (a remission rate of 50%) justify the further application of this agent, whereby its relatively limited side effects as well as goood tolerability in elderly patients (over 70 years of age) are emphasized. The inclusion of the preparation in effective combinations is discussed.

Doxycycline in the treatment of upper and lower respiratory tract infections. A field trial.

As part of the Pan-European multi-centre trial of doxycycline in the treatment of respiratory tract infections during the winter of 1973/1974, a field trial was carried out in Austria. 95 physicians provided 540 case reports for evaluation. Very good or good results were obtained in 93.9% of patients and the rate of improvement as indicated by fall in temperature, reduction in cough, sputum and pain, and easing of inflammatory symptoms was rapid; 77.8% of patients showed complete remission of acute symptoms after 3 days of treatment. Only 5.6% of patients suffered from side-effects which were mostly mild. Comparison with a previous field trial in Austria in 1968/1969 showed that doxycycline has retained its efficacy over the years.

[Immunological studies and immunotherapeutic possibilities in inoperable bronchogenic carcinoma (author's transl)]. / Immunologische Untersuchungen und immuntherapeutische Möglichkeiten beim inoperablen Lungenkarzinom.

By establishing an immune profile combined with detailed clinical observation an attempt was made to assess the value of various therapeutic measures, especially immunological methods, in the treatment of inoperable bronchogenic carcinoma. The results indicated that in advanced cases specific immunological measures or stimulation of the immune mechanism only play a supportive role. Toxic side-effects or tumour enhancement were absent.

[Ifosfamide versus ifosfamide + CCNU in the treatment of inoperable small cell carcinoma of the lung. A clinical study]. / Ifosfamid versus ifosfamid + CCNU in der Behandlung des inoperablen kleinzelligen Bronchuskarzinoms. Eine klinische Studie.

55 selected patients with inoperable small cell carcinoma of the lung have been induced in a randomized prospective trial in order to compare the efficacy of ifosfamide monotherapy with the combination of ifosfamid + CCNU. Initially a control group, treated with symptomatic therapy only, was also included but preliminary analysis revealing that results were unfavourable in comparison to those of the chemotherapy group; this treatment arm was omitted. 53 of 55 patients were evaluable. In group 1 (symptomatic therapy) results were better as to patients' quality of life, but no tumor remissions have been observed and survival times were significantly shorter (15 to 122 days; geometric mean 42.35 days). In group 2 (ifosfamide monotherapy) one total remission (lasting 15 months) and 2 partial remissions (lasting from 3 weeks to 4 months) have been achieved; in this group survival was 3 to 473 days (geometric mean 110.15 days). In group 3 (ifosfamide + CCNU) 7 partial remissions have been observed (3 weeks to 4 months), survival was 17 to 477 days (geometric mean 107.32 days). The combination of ifosfamide with CCNU did not reveal any advantage in comparison to ifosfamide monotherapy.

[Immune stimulation with vitamin A therapy in patients with pulmonary neoplasms]. / Immunstimulierung bei Lungenkrebspatienten durch Vitamin-A-Therapie.

Based on a clinical trial, in which patients with unresectable bronchogenic cancer were treated with a combination of vitamin A plus chemotherapy, or vitamin A plus radiotherapy, a study was initiated in which vitamin A alone was given for tumor treatment. 9 male patients with metastatic unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the lung were treated with vitamin A palmitate or 13-cis vitamin A acid. Up to seven treatment courses were given during a period of 60 weeks. Through weekly evaluation of the patients' immune status, an immune potentiating effect of the vitamin A therapy could be demonstrated. An increase of lymphocyte blastogenesis response to PHA which is significant (p less than 0.001) compared with the pretreatment values, was found in all patients at the end of one vitamin A treatment course. Increased delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions were observed also in all patients. The immune potentiating effects of vitamin A therapy, as well as the demonstrated direct effect on the tumor, introduces a wide range of combination therapies.

Stimulation of immune response in lung cancer patients by vitamin A therapy.

Based on a clinical trial, in which patients with unresectable bronchogenic cancer were treated with a combination of vitamin A plus chemotherapy, or vitamin A plus radiotherapy, a study was initiated in which vitamin A alone was given for tumor treatment. 9 male patients with metastatic unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the lung were treated with vitamin A palmitate or 13-cis vitamin A acid. Up to seven treatment courses were given during a period of 60 weeks. Through weekly evaluation of the patients' immune status, an immune potentiating effect of the vitamin A therapy could be demonstrated. An increase of lymphocyte blastogenesis response to PHA which is significant (p less than 0.001) compared with the pretreatment values, was found in all patients at the end of one vitamin A treatment course. Increased delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions were observed also in all patients. The immune potentiating effects of vitamin A therapy, as well as the demonstrated direct effect on the tumor, introduces a wide range of combination therapies.

[Therapy of inoperable bronchial carcinoma]. / Zur Therapie des inoperablen Bronchuskarzinoms (Ergebnis einer Pilote-Study).

The results of a prospective randomized study on carcinoma of the bronchus are reported. In a total of 56 patients polychemotherapy, high-dosage vitamin-A treatment, Endoxan and immunotherapy, as well as the application of proteolytic enzymes in altogether 5 combinations of therapy were tested.