Phase II clinical trial of cis dichlorodiammine platinum (Cis DDP) in metastatic brain tumors.

The aim of this study was to examine antitumorigenic Cis DDP properties in metastatic brain tumors. Thirty-four untreated patients with brain metastases recorded by CAT scans or radionuclide scans plus neurological examinations underwent the treatment. Pathohistology of primary tumors mainly showed breast [8] and lung [8] carcinomas and melanomas [10]. Other localizations of primary tumors were infrequent. Cis DDP was administered in doses of 30 mg/m2 body surface daily over 4 days. All the patients received at least two cycles and 33 have been evaluated. No corticosteroids were administered concurrently. An objective response (seven complete and seven partial remissions) was observed in 14 out of 33 patients (42%). Six stable disease cases were also noted. A complete response (5-14 months) was observed in breast cancer [4], lung cancer [1], and melanoma [2]. Seven partial responses lasted 2-5 months. Antitumorigenic activity of Cis DDP was also noted in extracerebral tumor lesions, especially in breast cancer patients. Toxicity was moderate but tolerable. The results of this study have shown Cis DDP to possess antitumorigenic properties also in patients with metastatic brain tumors, a point that has not been proved so far.

[Computed tomography in the diagnosis of cerebral cysticercosis]. / Computertomographie in der Diagnostik zerebraler Zystizerkose.

Cerebral cysticercosis was diagnosed in 16 patients by CT, both before and after contrast injection. In six patients the findings were confirmed at operation and histologically. In ten patients, the diagnosis was supported by typical findings on conventional radiographs of the thighs, calves and skull. The CT findings permitted classification of the patients into three types of disease.

Large and giant intracranial aneurysms. A radiologico-clinical study.

The brain scans and cerebral angiograms of 13 patients with intracranial aneurysms larger than 15 mm. in diameter are analysed. The radiological findings obtained are compared with clinical symptoms and signs. Twelve patients had genuine aneurysms and one patient a posttraumatic false aneurysm. Post-contrast CT in transversal and coronal plane revealed the real size of the aneurysm in 7 cases of intraluminal thrombosis. Cerebral angiography demonstrated the presence of aneurysms, their anatomic relations and haemodynamic changes.

Preliminary report on antitumorigenic activity of cis-dichlorodiamine platinum in metastatic brain tumors.

In spite of pharmacokinetic studies, which have shown that only cis-DDP traces are found in brain tissue, cytotoxic activity of this drug in primary brain tumors has recently been reported. The purpose of our study was to examine whether cis-DDP aslo has antitumor properties in metastatic brain tumors. Twelve consecutive untreated patients with brain metastases recorded by CAT scans or radionuclide scans plus neurologic examinations underwent the treatment. Histology of primaries revealed 4 bronchial, 3 breast, 1 gastric, 2 colorectal carcinoma, 2 melanomas, and 1 soft tissue sarcoma. Cis-DDP was administered at the doses of 30 mg/m2 body surface daily for 4 days. All the patients were evaluated. Objective response (3 complete and 2 partial remissions) was observed in 5 of 12 patients (response rate 42%). Three stable disease cases were also noted; however, in the remaining 4 patients the disease in the brain progressed. Complete response (5 months) was observed in a breast cancer patient, in a melanoma (4+ months), and in a microcellular bronchial cancer (2+ months). Two partial responses (lung, breast) lasted 2+ and 2+ months. Toxicity was moderate but tolerable for the patients. The preliminary results of this study show that cis-DDP possesses antitumorigenic properties also in patients with metastatic brain tumors, which has not been proved till now.

Comparative study of computed tomography and ventriculography with water-soluble contrast media.

From material of over 10,000 CTs a comparative study of computed tomography and ventriculography with contrast media was carried out. We examined 18 patients with suspected expansive lesions localized in the 3rd ventricle, aqueduct of Sylvius, and 4th ventricle. We have found that CT is the method of choice in these cases and that ventriculography should be reserved for those cases which have clear clinical indications.

[Glioblastoma of the cerebrum. Clinical course of the disease with special reference to tumor site]. / Das Glioblastom des Grosshirns. Klinischer Verlauf der Krankheit mit besonderer Rücksicht auf den Tumorsitz.

Glioblastomas are radiation-resistant tumours which react only rarely to radiotherapy. Radiotherapy was employed in such cases only where the condition was not clinically dramatic or terminal. A certain degree of improvement was noted in the patients who had been selected in this manner. Chemotherapy has not yielded any success to date.