Post-diagnosis serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in women treated for breast cancer participating in a lifestyle trial in Italy.

OBJECTIVE: To report cross-sectionally serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in women living in Italy within 12 months from breast cancer (BC) diagnosis. METHODS: Baseline data were obtained from 394 women diagnosed with primary BC, enrolled from 2016 to 2019 in a lifestyle trial conducted in Italy. Subjects' characteristics were compared between two 25(OH)D concentrations (hypovitaminosis D<20 and ≥20 ng/mL) with the Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test for small-expected counts. Using multiple logistic regression-adjusted models, we estimated odds ratios (ORs) of hypovitaminosis D with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in the total sample and in the unsupplemented subgroup. RESULTS: Hypovitaminosis D was found in 39% of all subjects, 60% in unsupplemented subjects, and 10% in supplemented subjects. Increasing ORs of hypovitaminosis D were found with increasing body mass index, 25-30, >30, and ≥35 versus <25 kg/m2 (ORs: 2.50, 4.64, and 5.81, respectively, in the total cohort and ORs: 2.68, 5.38, and 7.08 in the unsupplemented); living in the most southern Italian region (OR 2.50, 95%CI 1.22-5.13); and with hypertriglyceridemia (OR 2.46; 95%CI 1.16-5.22), chemotherapy history (OR 1.86, 95%CI 1.03-3.38), and inversely with anti-estrogenic therapy (OR 0.43, 95%CI 0.24-0.75) in the total sample. CONCLUSIONS: Hypovitaminosis D in women recently diagnosed with BC and participating in a lifestyle trial in Italy was widespread and highest with obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and chemotherapy use. Considering that hypovitaminosis D is a risk factor for lower efficacy of bone density treatments and possibly BC mortality, our results suggest the need to promptly address and treat vitamin D deficiency.

Weekly docetaxel versus CMF as adjuvant chemotherapy for older women with early breast cancer: final results of the randomized phase III ELDA trial.

BACKGROUND: Evidence on adjuvant chemotherapy in older women with breast cancer is poor. We tested whether weekly docetaxel is more effective than standard chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a multicenter, randomized phase III study. Women aged 65-79, operated for breast cancer, with average to high risk of recurrence, were allocated 1 : 1 to CMF (cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m², methotrexate 40 mg/m², fluorouracil 600 mg/m², days 1, 8) or docetaxel (35 mg/m(2) days 1, 8, 15) every 4 weeks, for four or six cycles according to hormone receptor status. Primary end point was disease-free survival (DFS). A geriatric assessment was carried out. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed with EORTC C-30 and BR-23 questionnaires. RESULTS: From July 2003 to April 2011, 302 patients were randomized and 299 (152 allocated CMF and 147 docetaxel) were eligible. After 70-month median follow-up, 109 DFS events were observed. Unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) of DFS for docetaxel versus CMF was 1.21 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.83-1.76, P = 0.32]; DFS estimate at 5 years was 0.69 with CMF and 0.65 with docetaxel. HR of death was 1.34 (95% CI 0.80-2.22, P = 0.26). There was no interaction between treatment arms and geriatric scales measuring patients' ability or comorbidities. Hematological toxicity, mucositis and nausea were worse with CMF; allergy, fatigue, hair loss, onychopathy, dysgeusia, diarrhea, abdominal pain, neuropathy, cardiac and skin toxicity were worse with docetaxel. One death was attributed to CMF and two to docetaxel. Increasing age, impairment in instrumental daily living activities, number of comorbidities and docetaxel treatment were independently associated with severe nonhematological toxicity. QoL was worse with docetaxel for nausea-vomiting, appetite loss, diarrhea, body image, future perspective, treatment side-effects and hair loss items. CONCLUSIONS: Weekly docetaxel is not more effective than standard CMF as adjuvant treatment of older women with breast cancer and worsens QoL and toxicity. CLINICALTRIALSGOV: NCT00331097.

Bone effect of adjuvant tamoxifen, letrozole or letrozole plus zoledronic acid in early-stage breast cancer: the randomized phase 3 HOBOE study.

BACKGROUND: To measure bone mineral density (BMD) reduction produced by letrozole as compared with tamoxifen and the benefit of the addition of zoledronic acid. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A phase 3 trial comparing tamoxifen, letrozole or letrozole+zoledronic acid in patients with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer was conducted; triptorelin was given to premenopausal patients. Two comparisons were planned: letrozole versus tamoxifen and letrozole+zoledronic acid versus letrozole. Primary end point was the difference in 1-year change of T-score at lumbar spine (LTS) measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. RESULTS: Out of 483 patients enrolled, 459 were available for primary analyses. Median age was 50 (range 28-80). The estimated mean difference (95% confidence interval [CI]) in 1-year change of LTS was equal to -0.30 (95% CI -0.44 to -0.17) in the letrozole versus tamoxifen comparison (P<0.0001) and to +0.60 (95% CI +0.46 to +0.77) in the letrozole+zoledronic acid versus letrozole comparison (P<0.0001). Bone damage by letrozole decreased with increasing baseline body mass index in premenopausal, but not postmenopausal, patients (interaction test P=0.004 and 0.47, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In the HOBOE (HOrmonal BOne Effects) trial, the positive effect of zoledronic acid on BMD largely counteracts damage produced by letrozole as compared with tamoxifen. Letrozole effect is lower among overweight/obese premenopausal patients.

Frequent loss of expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 in epithelial ovarian cancer.

p27Kip1 is a member of the Cip1/Kip1 family of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors and is a potential tumor suppressor gene. Low levels of p27 are associated with poor prognosis in a variety of tumors, including breast, colon, prostate, and lung carcinomas. In the present study, p27 protein expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis in a series of 82 epithelial ovarian tumors [16 classified as low malignant potential (LMP) and 66 classified as primary ovarian adenocarcinomas]. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed frequent loss of p27 expression in primary ovarian adenocarcinomas (33%), with respect to LMP tumors (6%; P = 0.0009). In addition to nuclear staining, cytoplasmic localization of p27 was noted in 45 (55%) of 82 cases. p27 levels inversely correlated with cdk2 kinase activity in a representative subset of tumors. When the clinical outcome of the patients was evaluated in relationship to p27 status, we observed a significant correlation between presence of p27 staining and a longer time to progression (P = 0.032 by log-rank test). These data indicate that loss of p27 is a frequent event in ovarian carcinomas as compared with LMP tumors, suggesting that these tumor types may have different pathogenesis. p27 levels may also represent a useful prognostic marker for predicting disease recurrence in primary ovarian carcinomas.

Constitutive overexpression of cyclin D1 does not prevent inhibition of hormone-responsive human breast cancer cell growth by antiestrogens.

Cyclin D1 is a target for positive regulation by estrogens in growth-responsive cells, in which it mediates their mitogenic effects. Amplification and overexpression of the cyclin D1 gene (CCND1) might thus represent a genetic lesion inducing hormone-independent growth of transformed cells. Indeed, cyclin D1 overexpression has been found in up to 50% of primary breast cancers, and in about one-third of these cases, this is linked to amplification of the 11q13 chromosomal region, which also includes the CCND1 gene. These tumors are predominantly estrogen receptor-positive, and for this reason, these patients are often selected for adjuvant antiestrogen therapy. No information is available, however, as to whether cyclin D1 overexpression due to gene amplification might interfere with and reduce antiestrogen efficacy. This was investigated here by taking advantage of an experimental model that reproduces cyclin D1 overexpression resulting from increased CCND1 gene dosage in hormone-responsive human breast cancer cells. For this, MCF-7 cells stably transfected with a tet-inducible cyclin D1 expression vector were tested for their in vitro response to steroidal (ICI 182,780) and nonsteroidal (trans-4-hydroxytamoxifen) antiestrogens under condition of low (endogenous only) or high (exogenous) cyclin D1 levels. Results show that although cyclin D1 overexpression seems to interfere with the early cell cycle effects of antiestrogens, it does not prevent their cytostatic actions, so that growth of cyclin-overexpressing MCF-7 cells is still efficiently inhibited in vitro by these drugs.

Mutations in the retinoblastoma-related gene RB2/p130 in lung tumors and suppression of tumor growth in vivo by retrovirus-mediated gene transfer.

The retinoblastoma (Rb) family consists of the tumor suppressor pRb/p105 and related proteins p107 and pRb2/p130. Recent immunohistochemical studies of the retinoblastoma family of proteins in 235 specimens of lung cancer show the tightest inverse association between the histological grading in the most aggressive tumor types and pRb2/p130. This led us to study a panel of human lung cancers for mutations in the RB2/p130 gene. Mutations in the Rb-related gene RB2/p130 were detected in 11 of 14 (78.5%) primary lung tumors by single-strand conformation polymorphism and sequence analysis. A Moloney leukemia virus-based retroviral system was set up, and a comparable viral concentration of 1 x 10(7) infectious units/ml was obtained. Retrovirus-mediated delivery of wild-type RB2/p130 to the lung tumor cell line H23 potently inhibited tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo, as shown by the dramatic growth arrest observed in a colony assay and the suppression of anchorage-independent growth potential and tumor formation in nude mice. The tumors transduced with the RB2/p130 retrovirus diminished in size after a single injection, and a 12-fold reduction in tumor growth after RB2/p130 transduction compared with the Pac-transduced tumors (92% reduction, P = 0.003) and lacZ-transduced tumors (93% reduction, P < 0.001) was found to be statistically significant. These findings provide the missing confirmation that RB2/p130 is a "bona fide" tumor suppressor gene and strengthen the hypothesis that it may be a candidate for cancer gene therapy for lung cancer.

Cisplatin, gemcitabine, and vinorelbine combination therapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase II randomized study of the Southern Italy Cooperative Oncology Group.

PURPOSE: In a previous phase I study cisplatin (CDDP), gemcitabine (GEM), and vinorelbine (VNR) combination therapy was safe and very active in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study was aimed at better defining the activity and toxicity of this regimen. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred eleven chemotherapy-naive patients, age < or = 70 years, with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC and a performance status of 0 or 1 (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scale) were randomized to two treatment arms. Patients on arm A received CDDP 50 mg/m2, GEM 1,000 mg/m2, and VNR 25 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 of an every-3-weeks cycle (57 patients). Patients on arm B received CDDP 80 mg/m2, epirubicin 80 mg/m2, and vindesine 3 mg/m2, all delivered on day 1 every 4 weeks, plus lonidamine orally 150 mg three times daily (54 patients). In December 1996, randomization was stopped early, and an additional 30 patients were treated with the experimental regimen to obtain a more accurate estimation of its activity rate. RESULTS: Among 87 patients who received the CDDP-GEM-VNR combination, four complete responses (CRs) and 46 partial responses (PRs) were observed, for an overall response rate of 57% (95% confidence interval [CI], 46% to 68%). Two CRs and 18 PRs were recorded among 54 patients on arm B, giving a 37% activity rate (95% CI , 24% to 51%). After a median follow-up duration of 19 months, the median progression-free and overall survival durations were 32 and 50 weeks in arm A, and 18 and 33 weeks in arm B, respectively. World Health Organization grade 3 to 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 46% and 14% of patients in arm A and in 22% and 11% of those in arm B, respectively. Severe nonhematologic toxicity was uncommon in both arms. CONCLUSION: The CDDP-GEM-VNR combination is a highly effective treatment for patients with advanced NSCLC and has a manageable toxicity. A phase III trial comparing this new combination with both CDDP-VNR and CDDP-GEM regimens is underway.

Estrogen induces early and timed activation of cyclin-dependent kinases 4, 5, and 6 and increases cyclin messenger ribonucleic acid expression in rat uterus.

Cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks) are serine-threonine protein kinases that play a key role in the regulation of the mitotic cycle, in transcription initiation, and in the control of specific metabolic pathways in eukaryotic cells. cdk activity is controlled via phosphode-phosphorylation of the catalytic subunits of these enzymes and their physical association with cyclins and cdk inhibitors. In adult rats, estrogen stimulation results in massive proliferation of endometrial epithelial cells, accompanied by functional and structural modifications in all other tissue components of the uterus. We report here that administration of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) to adult ovariectomized rats induces within the first 25 h significant activation of cdk 4, 5, and 6, but not cdk 2, in the uterus, accompanied by increased expression of D-type (D1-3), A and E cyclin messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Furthermore, expression of the cdk inhibitor p27Kip1, a key regulator of uterine functions, is induced by E2 in this organ. Analysis of RNA extracted from E2-stimulated rat endometria shows early accumulation of D1 and D3, but not D2, cyclin mRNA, preceded by transient accumulation of c-fos mRNA. These results indicate an involvement of cdks and cyclins in estrogen actions in adult rat uterus and suggest that cyclins D1 and D3 are part of the molecular pathway that allows hormonal regulation of G1 progression in endometrial cells.

Gene Transfer Technology in Therapy: Current Applications and Future Goals.

Gene therapy has attracted much interest since the first submissions of phase I clinical trials in the early 1990s, for the treatment of inherited genetic diseases. Preliminary results were very encouraging and prompted many investigators to submit protocols for phase I and phase II clinical trials for the treatment of inherited genetic diseases and cancer. The possible application of gene transfer technology to treat AIDS, cardiopathies, and neurologic diseases is under evaluation. Some viral vectors have already been used to deliver HIV-1 subunits to immunize volunteers who are participating in the AIDS vaccine programs in the USA. However, gene delivery systems still need to be optimized in order to achieve effective therapeutic interventions. The purpose of this review is to summarize the latest achievements in improving gene delivery systems, their current application in preclinical studies and in therapy, and the most pressing issues that must be addressed in the area of vector design.

The antiestrogen ICI 182,780 inhibits proliferation of human breast cancer cells by interfering with multiple, sequential estrogen-regulated processes required for cell cycle completion.

Antiestrogens are widely used for breast cancer treatment, where they act primarily by inhibiting the mitogenic action of estrogens on tumor cells. The effects of the pure antiestrogen ICI 182,780 on estrogen-regulated cell cycle phase-specific events were investigated here in synchronously cycling human breast cancer (HBC) cells. In early G(1)-arrested MCF-7 or ZR-75.1 cells, 17beta-estradiol (E2) induces rapid activation of the cyclin/Cdk/pRb pathway, as demonstrated by D-type G(1) cyclins accumulation during the first few hours of hormonal stimulation, followed by sequential accumulation of E, A and B1 cyclins and progressive pRb phosphorylation, as cells progress through the cell cycle. When added to quiescent cells together with E2, ICI 182,780 prevents all of the above hormonal effects. Interestingly, in mid-G(1) cells (2-8 h into estrogen stimulation) the antiestrogen causes rapid reversal of hormone-induced D-type cyclins accumulation and pRb phosphorylation, and still fully inhibits G(1)-S transition rate, while in late-G(1) cells it does not prevent S phase entry but still inhibits significantly DNA synthesis rate, S-phase cyclins accumulation and pRb hyperphosphorylation. These results indicate that pure antiestrogens prevent multiple estrogen-induced cell cycle-regulatory events, each timed to allow efficient G(1) completion, G(1)-S transition, DNA synthesis and cell cycle completion.

Independent prognostic role of p16 expression in lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The cyclin-dependent kinase p16 (also known as Ink4A, Mts1, Cdkn2, and Cdkn4i) has been proposed as a tumor suppressor gene mapped on chromosome segment 9p21. This study evaluated p16 protein expression in 135 lung cancer specimens and investigated potential genetic alterations occurring in this gene. RESULTS: We found altered p16 immunohistochemical expression to be a frequent event in lung cancer and to be independent of either the histologic type or any other clinical-pathologic feature. Western blot analyses performed on about one third of the specimens correlated highly with these results. In addition, we found p16 immunohistochemical expression to be a favorable prognostic factor in lung cancer in that its reduction or loss correlated with a worse outcome for the patients. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and direct sequencing of p16 exons 1 and 2 revealed no mutations, indicating that p16-altered expression in lung cancer is not necessarily linked to mutational events of these genes. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that p16-altered expression is both an independent and frequent event in lung cancer and may have an important role in tumorigenesis and in malignant progression of a significant proportion of these cancers. However, the actual incidence and relevance of p16 mutations in this neoplasm continues to be debated, and its analysis seems inconclusive. Our results suggest a prognostic role for the immunodetection of this protein on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens. They further suggest its routine use in the evaluation of the frequently unpredictable behavior of lung cancer.

Modification of membrane fluidity and depolarization by some anthracyclines in different cell lines.

One of the major problems in cancer treatment is the progressive desensitization of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. Several hypotheses have been advanced to explain this property of cancer cells. In recent years different calcium channel blockers and other chemosensitizing agents like synthetic progestins have been used to revert drug resistance. In our experiments we evaluated the effects of Doxorubicin and Idarubicin on membrane fluidity and depolarization using normal lymphocytes, chronic lymphatic leukemia lymphocytes, normal breast and hormone dependent breast cancer cells and cardiomyocytes. The drugs were used alone or in combination with Verapamil and Medroxyprogesterone acetate. We showed that MPA enhances DOXO and IDA biochemical effects, acting not only on the membrane lipid bilayer, but also on ion channels. VERA instead does not seem to act through the same mechanism.

Medroxyprogesterone acetate increases anthracyclines uptake in chronic lymphatic leukemia cells: role of nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation.

Anthracyclines are one of the most used drugs in the therapy of several malignant tumors. Unfortunately, its use is still limited by their cardio-toxicity and by the presence of cancer cells resistant to these drugs. In the present study we evaluated the ability of a chemo-sensitizer agent, MPA (Medroxyprogesterone Acetate), to modify anthracyclines intranuclear uptake in normal leukocytes (NL) and in chronic lymphatic leukemia leukocytes (CLL). Moreover we evaluated the role of lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide (NO) production on antracyclines activity and on their combination with MPA. Our data show that MPA significantly increases anthracyclines uptake only in CLL cells and decreases anthracyclines induced lipid peroxidation.

RB growth control evasion in lung cancer.

We evaluated the expression of pRb by immunohistochemistry in 98 lung cancer specimens already characterized for their p16 and cyclin D1 status. We found the absence of pRb expression to be dependent upon the histological type, being more frequent in SCLCs than in NSCLCs (p < .00005). On the other hand, we failed to find any correlation between the expression of pRb and p16. In addition, we found a positive correlation between the expression of pRb and cyclin D1 (p = .0001). Therefore, we hypothesize that pRb growth control may be overcome by two different mechanisms in lung carcinogenesis: loss of pRb expression or overexpression of cyclin D1.

Prognostic role of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in lung cancer: an immunohistochemical analysis.

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a 36 kDa protein acting as a subunit of DNA polymerase delta, and is therefore associated with DNA replication. Its involvement in DNA excision repair after DNA sub-lethal damage has been reported. We assessed the immunohistochemical expression of PCNA in 94 lung cancer specimens in order to evaluate its potential relationship with clinical history and the outcome of the evaluated patients. We found PCNA protein expressed in all the evaluated neoplastic specimens, but with different expression levels. In addition, our results showed a subgroup of patients (high expressors) having a statistically significant worse outcome compared to the other two groups of patients, independently of' any other clinico-pathological feature. In conclusion, our data highlight the central role of PCNA and estimation of the proliferation rate in the prediction of the prognosis of lung cancer patients.

Is epirubicin effective in first-line chemotherapy of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) after an epirubicin-containing adjuvant treatment? A single centre phase III trial.

The aim of the study was to demonstrate the superiority of docetaxel and epirubicin vs docetaxel alone as first-line therapy in metastatic breast cancer patients pretreated with adjuvant or neoadjuvant epirubicin. We compared single agent docetaxel 100 mg m-2 (D) with the combination of docetaxel 80 mg m-2 and epirubicin 75 mg m-2 (ED). The response rate (72 vs 79%), the progression-free survival (median 9 vs 11 months) and the overall survival (median 18 vs 21 months) were not significantly different between the ED (n=26) and D arms (n=25), respectively. Leucopaenia, nausea and stomatitis were significantly worse with ED. In conclusion, epirubicin should not be administered in combination with taxanes in metastatic breast cancer patients relapsed after an anthracycline-based adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy.

Gene transfer technology in therapy: current applications and future goals.

Gene therapy has attracted much interest since the first submissions of phase I clinical trials in the early 1990s, for the treatment of inherited genetic diseases. Preliminary results were very encouraging and prompted many investigators to submit protocols for phase I and phase II clinical trials for the treatment of inherited genetic diseases and cancer. The possible application of gene transfer technology to treat AIDS, cardiopathies, and neurologic diseases is under evaluation. Some viral vectors have already been used to deliver HIV-1 subunits to immunize volunteers who are participating in the AIDS vaccine programs in the USA. However, gene delivery systems still need to be optimized in order to achieve effective therapeutic interventions. The purpose of this review is to summarize the latest achievements in improving gene delivery systems, their current application in preclinical studies and in therapy, and the most pressing issues that must be addressed in the area of vector design.

Follicular thyroid carcinoma and mediastinal goiter in a case of situs inversus viscerum.

A 55-year-old woman with total situs inversus viscerum was subjected to total thyroidectomy for a well-differentiated follicular thyroid carcinoma. After surgery the patient remained euthyroid for two months and serum TSH did not rise. A whole body scan with iodine-131 (131I) showed mediastinal uptake. A chest computed tomography visualized a sequestered substernal goiter. Upon the patient's refusal to undergo surgery, she was treated with 150 mCi of 131I. A further dose of 100 mCi of 131I was administered six months later. Ten years after treatment, the patient is still alive and disease-free.

Latest developments in gene transfer technology: achievements, perspectives, and controversies over therapeutic applications.

Over the last decade, more than 300 phase I and phase II gene-based clinical trials have been conducted worldwide for the treatment of cancer and monogenic disorders. Lately, these trials have been extended to the treatment of AIDS and, to a lesser extent, cardiovascular diseases. There are 27 currently active gene therapy protocols for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in the USA. Preclinical studies are currently in progress to evaluate the possibility of increasing the number of gene therapy clinical trials for cardiopathies, and of beginning new gene therapy programs for neurologic illnesses, autoimmuno diseases, allergies, regeneration of tissues, and to implement procedures of allogeneic tissues or cell transplantation. In addition, gene transfer technology has allowed for the development of innovative vaccine design, known as genetic immunization. This technique has already been applied in the AIDS vaccine programs in the USA. These programs aim to confer protective immunity against HIV-1 transmission to individuals who are at risk of infection. Research programs have also been considered to develop therapeutic vaccines for patients with AIDS and generate either preventive or therapeutic vaccines against malaria, tuberculosis, hepatitis A, B and C viruses, influenza virus, La Crosse virus, and Ebola virus. The potential therapeutic applications of gene transfer technology are enormous. However, the effectiveness of gene therapy programs is still questioned. Furthermore, there is growing concern over the matter of safety of gene delivery and controversy has arisen over the proposal to begin in utero gene therapy clinical trials for the treatment of inherited genetic disorders. From this standpoint, despite the latest significant achievements reported in vector design, it is not possible to predict to what extent gene therapeutic interventions will be effective in patients, and in what time frame.

Cisplatin, gemcitabine and vinorelbine in locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase I study.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine the maximally tolerable doses (MTDs) of vinorelbine (VNR) and gemcitabine (GEM) when combined with a fixed dose of cisplatin (CDDP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Chemotherapy-naive patients with stage IIIB-IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) received a fixed dose of CDDP (50 mg/m2) and escalating doses of VNR (starting from 20 mg/m2) and GEM (starting from 800 mg/m2) on days 1 and 8, every three weeks. The single escalation of GEM alone, by 200 mg/m2 at each step, was initially planned up to a dose of 1,200 mg/m2, to be followed by increments of the VNR dose of 5 mg/m2 at each step. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were enrolled at five different dose levels. The escalation was stopped at level 4 (GEM 1,200 mg/m2 and VNR 25 mg/m2) since two of six patients of this cohort showed dose-limiting neutropenia at treatment cycle 1. Two different dose levels, GEM 1,200 mg/m2 + VNR 20 mg/m2, and GEM 1,000 mg/m2 + VNR 25 mg/m2 were fairly well tolerated. No treatment-related deaths occurred. Neutropenia was the main toxic effect, occurring in 76% of the total of 116 cycles delivered, and in 24% of them was of grades 3 or 4. A total of eight patients (26%) experienced grade 4 neutropenia lasting more than seven days; in five of them it occurred in the first course. Neutropenic fever was observed in four cases. Grade 4 thrombocytopenia occurred in only two patients. Non-hematologic toxicity was a minor problem in all patients but was never dose-limiting. No complete responses were obtained, but sixteen out of 31 (52%) patients achieved partial responses. The median duration of response was 20 (range 6-56+) weeks, while at a nine-month median follow-up, the median survival time has not yet been reached. To date, 18 patients are still alive. The one-year projected survival for all patients was 51%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that CDDP, VNR and GEM can be safely given together without substantial reductions in their individual dose intensities. In our opinion, the dose level of GEM 1,000 mg/m2 + VNR 25 mg/m2 given in combination with CDDP 50 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 of a three-week cycle can be recommended for phase II trials, since it provides a better balance in dose intensity of GEM and VNR. A phase II randomised study is underway to establish the activity of this new regimen (at the above-cited dose level) in chemo-naive NSCLC patients.