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1.
Br J Cancer ; 107(3): 435-41, 2012 Jul 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22767144

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Docetaxel and irinotecan chemotherapy have shown good efficacy in the treatment of advanced oesophago-gastric cancer. This randomised phase II study evaluated the efficacy and toxicity profile of two non-platinum docetaxel-based doublet regimens in advanced oesophago-gastric cancer. METHODS: Chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced oesophago-gastric cancer were randomised to receive either 3-weekly DI (docetaxel 60 mg m(-2) plus irinotecan 250 mg m(-2) (Day 1)) or 3-weekly DF (docetaxel 85 mg m(-2) (Day 1) followed by 5-fluorouracil 750 mg m(-2) per day as a continuous infusion (Days 1-5)). RESULTS: A total of 85 patients received DI (n=42) or DF (n=43). The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR). The ORR and time to progression (TTP) in the evaluable population (n=65) were 37.5% (DI) vs 33.3% (DF), and 4.2 months vs 4.4 months, respectively. In the intent-to-treat population, the observed ORR, TTP and median overall survival were similar between the two groups. Grade 3-4 neutropenia, febrile neutropenia and diarrhoea were more frequent in the DI arm as compared with the DF arm (83.3% vs 69.8%, 40.5% vs 18.6%, and 42.9% vs 16.3%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Both docetaxel-based doublet regimens show comparable efficacy; however, the DF regimen was associated with a better toxicity profile and is an alternative treatment option for patients in whom platinum-based regimens are unsuitable.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Esophageal Neoplasms/drug therapy , Stomach Neoplasms/drug therapy , Adult , Aged , Camptothecin/administration & dosage , Camptothecin/analogs & derivatives , Disease Progression , Docetaxel , Female , Fluorouracil/administration & dosage , Humans , Irinotecan , Male , Middle Aged , Taxoids/administration & dosage
2.
Invest New Drugs ; 27(2): 166-72, 2009 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18696011

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy (progression free survival (PFS) and response rate) and safety of vinorelbine and trastuzumab combination chemotherapy in patients with HER2-overexpressing, metastatic breast cancer as a first line chemotherapy regimen. Patients with histologically confirmed, HER2-positive (immunohistochemistry (ICH) 3+, or 2+ and FISH+) metastatic breast cancer who had nor received prior vinorelbine or anti-HER2 therapy in the adjuvant setting, received at least eight weeks of vinorelbine i.v. (25 mg/g weekly) and trastuzumab (4 mg/kg on day 1 followed by 2 mg/kg weekly). Forty-one women from six participating centers were enrolled into the trial. The overall response rate, was 43.9% (18 of 41 patients), (CI 28-60.3%), 30% of patients were progression free after 1 year. Four patients reached complete remission, 14 partial remission and five had stable disease for at least 18 weeks. Six patients developed primary progression. 35 patients (85%) experienced progression after a median time of 235 days. Therapy was in general well-tolerated. There were two CTC grade 4 infusion syndromes and two patients experienced cardiotoxicity at least grade 2. This phase II trial of vinorelbine and trastuzumab demonstrated an effective and well-tolerated regimen with a favourable safety profile.


Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/drug therapy , Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Genes, erbB-2 , Vinblastine/analogs & derivatives , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Antibodies, Monoclonal/adverse effects , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized , Breast Neoplasms/genetics , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Humans , Neoplasm Metastasis , Trastuzumab , Vinblastine/administration & dosage , Vinblastine/adverse effects , Vinorelbine
3.
Leukemia ; 31(11): 2398-2406, 2017 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28804124

ABSTRACT

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)-study IV was designed to explore whether treatment with imatinib (IM) at 400 mg/day (n=400) could be optimized by doubling the dose (n=420), adding interferon (IFN) (n=430) or cytarabine (n=158) or using IM after IFN-failure (n=128). From July 2002 to March 2012, 1551 newly diagnosed patients in chronic phase were randomized into a 5-arm study. The study was powered to detect a survival difference of 5% at 5 years. After a median observation time of 9.5 years, 10-year overall survival was 82%, 10-year progression-free survival was 80% and 10-year relative survival was 92%. Survival between IM400 mg and any experimental arm was not different. In a multivariate analysis, risk group, major-route chromosomal aberrations, comorbidities, smoking and treatment center (academic vs other) influenced survival significantly, but not any form of treatment optimization. Patients reaching the molecular response milestones at 3, 6 and 12 months had a significant survival advantage. For responders, monotherapy with IM400 mg provides a close to normal life expectancy independent of the time to response. Survival is more determined by patients' and disease factors than by initial treatment selection. Although improvements are also needed for refractory disease, more life-time can currently be gained by carefully addressing non-CML determinants of survival.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Imatinib Mesylate/therapeutic use , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy , Survival Analysis , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Female , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation , Humans , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/therapy , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult
4.
Bone Marrow Transplant ; 38(7): 493-9, 2006 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16980997

ABSTRACT

Ovarian cancer is chemosensitive, but most patients with advanced disease die from tumor progression. As 25% of the patients can be cured by chemotherapy, it is reasonable to evaluate high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT). Forty-eight patients with untreated ovarian cancer were entered in a multicenter phase I/II trial of multicycle HDCT. Median age was 46 (19-59 years); International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics-stage was III in 79% and IV in 21%; 31% had residual disease >1 cm after surgery. Two courses of induction/mobilization therapy with cyclophosphamide (250 mg/m2) and paclitaxel (250 mg/m2) were used to collect peripheral blood stem cells. HDCT consisted of two courses of carboplatin (area under curve (AUC) 18-22) and paclitaxel followed by one course of carboplatin and melphalan (140 mg/m2) with or without etoposide (1600 mg/m2). Main toxicity was gastrointestinal. Limiting carboplatin to AUC 20 and eliminating etoposide resulted in manageable toxicity (69% without grade 3/4 toxicity). One patient died from treatment-related pneumonitis. At 8 years median follow-up, median progression-free-survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) is 13.3 and 37.0 months. Five-years PFS and OS is 18 and 33%. Multicycle HDCT is feasible in a multicenter setting. A European phase III trial based on this regimen is evaluating the efficacy of HDCT.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy , Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation , Adult , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/toxicity , Carboplatin/administration & dosage , Carboplatin/adverse effects , Combined Modality Therapy/adverse effects , Combined Modality Therapy/methods , Disease-Free Survival , Etoposide/administration & dosage , Etoposide/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Melphalan/administration & dosage , Melphalan/adverse effects , Middle Aged , Paclitaxel/administration & dosage , Paclitaxel/adverse effects , Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects , Treatment Outcome
5.
Leukemia ; 19(8): 1312-7, 2005 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15931265

ABSTRACT

Increased vessel density in the bone marrow of patients with acute myeloid leukemia as well as elevated expression of proangiogenic factors by leukemic cells implies a central role of angiogenesis in hematological malignancies. Endostatin (ES), a fragment of collagen XVIII, is an endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis that has shown therapeutic activity in solid tumors in various preclinical models. Using microencapsulation technology, we studied the therapeutic effect of ES in AML. While ES had no effect on proliferation of M1 murine leukemic cells in vitro, ES producing microbeads significantly inhibited growth of subcutaneous chloromas in SCID mice as compared to controls. In a leukemia model using M1 cells the concomitant treatment of mice with ES microbeads prolonged median survival significantly. Histological analysis revealed a decreased microvessel density and a reduced number of CD31-positive single cells, putatively endothelial progenitor cells, in the bone marrow of treated animals. Taken together, ES has inhibitory effects on neo-angiogenesis in the bone marrow and on progression of leukemia in vivo. These experiments suggest a possible therapeutic role of antiangiogenic gene therapy with ES in AML.


Subject(s)
Angiogenesis Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Endostatins/therapeutic use , Acute Disease , Angiogenesis Inhibitors/pharmacology , Animals , Bone Marrow Examination , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Drug Compounding , Endostatins/pharmacology , Leukemia, Myeloid/drug therapy , Leukemia, Myeloid/pathology , Mice , Mice, SCID , Neoplasms, Experimental , Neovascularization, Pathologic/drug therapy , Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/analysis , Survival Rate
6.
Leukemia ; 19(6): 984-9, 2005 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15830009

ABSTRACT

Gender-related aspects in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) have not been studied well. We therefore analyzed 856 patients with Ph/BCR-ABL-positive CML from the German randomized CML-studies I (interferon alpha (IFN) vs hydroxyurea (HU) vs busulfan) and II (IFN+HU vs HU alone). The median observation time was 8.6 years. A total of 503 patients (59%) were male. Female patients were older (51 vs 46 years; P<0.0001), presented with lower hemoglobin (11.7 vs 12.5 g/dl; P<0.0001), higher platelet counts (459 vs 355 x 10(9)/l; P<0.0001), smaller spleen size (3 vs 4 cm below costal margin; P=0.0097), a lower rate of additional cytogenetic aberrations (9 vs 15%; P=0.018) and a less favorable risk profile (P=0.036). The transplantation rate was 14% for female (n=48) and 22% for male patients (n=113). Median survival was longer in female patients (58 vs 49 months; P=0.035) mainly attributable to better survival in the low- and intermediate-risk groups and, independent from risk groups, in the HU group. These results were confirmed by matched-pair analyses based on German population data (n=496, 59 vs 45 months; P=0.0006). This is the first analysis of gender aspects in CML using randomized trials. It demonstrates the relevance of analyses of gender differences in CML and in malignant disease at large.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/administration & dosage , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/mortality , Sex Characteristics , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects , Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating/administration & dosage , Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating/adverse effects , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Busulfan/administration & dosage , Busulfan/adverse effects , Cause of Death , Female , Humans , Hydroxyurea/administration & dosage , Hydroxyurea/adverse effects , Interferon-alpha/administration & dosage , Interferon-alpha/adverse effects , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/genetics , Male , Middle Aged , Risk Factors , Sex Distribution , Survival Analysis , Treatment Outcome
7.
Aktuelle Urol ; 37(3): 201-4, 2006 May.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16733822

ABSTRACT

Therapy with Docetaxel for hormone-refractory prostatic carcinoma has for the first time led to an increase in the survival time. Docetaxel has become established as a standard therapy for his indication. Since hormone-refractory prostatic carcinoma is not uniformly defined and is thus for prognosis not a homogeneous entity, the prospects at the start of chemotherapy are uncertain. In the summer of 2005 these questions were addressed in an interdisciplinary consensus conference. It was agreed that the 3-week scheme with 75 mg/m (2) as standard and the indication for symptomatic patients were above question. Opinions differed with regard to the use of chemotherapy in asymptomatic patients. In addition, recommendations for the performance and monitoring of the therapy were formulated.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/therapeutic use , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm , Patient Care Team , Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Taxoids/therapeutic use , Docetaxel , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Administration Schedule , Humans , Male
8.
Cancer Res ; 35(10): 2808-13, 1975 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-1098766

ABSTRACT

Chromosomal findings are reported in three patients with acute myelomonocytic leukemia and in one with reticulosarcoma leukemia who had been treated for multiple myeloma with melphalan and X-ray. All four patients had striking chromosomal anomalies. An iatrogenic causation of aneuploidy is suggested. This is supported by chromosomal findings in patients with acute leukemia following polycythemia vera and Hodgkin's disease; practically all of the leukemias have been aneuploid. A comparison is made of such "secondary" acute leukemias with "primary" acute leukemias that are aneuploid in only 40% of the cases. Chromosomal changes are not considered to be the initial event in leukemogenesis.


Subject(s)
Chromosome Aberrations , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/complications , Multiple Myeloma/complications , Aneuploidy , Female , Humans , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/complications , Male , Melphalan/therapeutic use , Middle Aged , Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy , Multiple Myeloma/radiotherapy , X-Rays
9.
Leukemia ; 30(6): 1255-62, 2016 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26859076

ABSTRACT

Treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has been profoundly improved by the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Long-term survival with imatinib is excellent with a 8-year survival rate of ∼88%. Long-term toxicity of TKI treatment, especially carcinogenicity, has become a concern. We analyzed data of the CML study IV for the development of secondary malignancies. In total, 67 secondary malignancies were found in 64 of 1525 CML patients in chronic phase treated with TKI (n=61) and interferon-α only (n=3). The most common malignancies (n⩾4) were prostate, colorectal and lung cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), malignant melanoma, non-melanoma skin tumors and breast cancer. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for all malignancies excluding non-melanoma skin tumors was 0.88 (95% confidence interval (0.63-1.20)) for men and 1.06 (95% CI 0.69-1.55) for women. SIRs were between 0.49 (95% CI 0.13-1.34) for colorectal cancer in men and 4.29 (95% CI 1.09-11.66) for NHL in women. The SIR for NHL was significantly increased for men and women. An increase in the incidence of secondary malignancies could not be ascertained. The increased SIR for NHL has to be considered and long-term follow-up of CML patients is warranted, as the rate of secondary malignancies may increase over time.


Subject(s)
Imatinib Mesylate/adverse effects , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy , Neoplasms, Second Primary/chemically induced , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/adverse effects , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Colorectal Neoplasms/chemically induced , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Imatinib Mesylate/therapeutic use , Incidence , Interferon-alpha/therapeutic use , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/complications , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/chemically induced , Male , Middle Aged , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Sex Factors
10.
Leukemia ; 30(3): 562-9, 2016 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26464170

ABSTRACT

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors represent today's treatment of choice in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is regarded as salvage therapy. This prospective randomized CML-study IIIA recruited 669 patients with newly diagnosed CML between July 1997 and January 2004 from 143 centers. Of these, 427 patients were considered eligible for HSCT and were randomized by availability of a matched family donor between primary HSCT (group A; N=166 patients) and best available drug treatment (group B; N=261). Primary end point was long-term survival. Survival probabilities were not different between groups A and B (10-year survival: 0.76 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.69-0.82) vs 0.69 (95% CI: 0.61-0.76)), but influenced by disease and transplant risk. Patients with a low transplant risk showed superior survival compared with patients with high- (P<0.001) and non-high-risk disease (P=0.047) in group B; after entering blast crisis, survival was not different with or without HSCT. Significantly more patients in group A were in molecular remission (56% vs 39%; P=0.005) and free of drug treatment (56% vs 6%; P<0.001). Differences in symptoms and Karnofsky score were not significant. In the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, HSCT remains a valid option when both disease and transplant risk are considered.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation , Imatinib Mesylate/therapeutic use , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/diagnosis , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/therapy , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Family , Female , Humans , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/mortality , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Prognosis , Prospective Studies , Remission Induction , Risk , Survival Analysis , Tissue Donors , Transplantation, Homologous , Treatment Outcome
11.
J Clin Oncol ; 4(10): 1518-20, 1986 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-3463672

ABSTRACT

This is a case report of a 4 1/2-year-old boy who developed acute monoblastic leukemia 2 1/2 years after he had been treated successfully with combined chemotherapy for neuroblastoma. All analyzable bone marrow-derived metaphases had the karyotype 47,XY, + 8,t(9;11)(p21;q23). The rare occurrence of specific chromosomal translocations in leukemias following prior chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and their possible clinical implications in such cases are discussed.


Subject(s)
Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/drug therapy , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute/chemically induced , Neuroblastoma/drug therapy , Translocation, Genetic , Acute Disease , Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/pathology , Bone Marrow/ultrastructure , Child, Preschool , Humans , Karyotyping , Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute/genetics , Male , Neuroblastoma/pathology
12.
J Clin Oncol ; 12(7): 1468-74, 1994 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8021738

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We used two different methods to administer high-dose etoposide (VP-16) during a myeloablative conditioning chemotherapy regimen before bone marrow transplantation (BMT). VP-16 was administered either diluted (0.5 mg/mL) or undiluted (20 mg/mL), with or without busulfan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood samples were drawn from 17 patients during the infusion (6 hours) and thereafter daily until 2 days after BMT. VP-16 concentrations were measured in all plasma samples by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrochemical detection, and the results were analyzed with a pharmacokinetic data analysis system. RESULTS: All calculated pharmacokinetic parameters in the two patient groups (VP-16 administered diluted or undiluted) were similar. There were no statistically significant differences in half-lives, mean residence time (MRT), volume of distribution, total clearance, or area under the curve (AUC). VP-16 was found in blood samples from eight of 17 patients at the time of BMT. Significant differences in systemic drug exposure and systemic clearance were found when patients were grouped according to treatment with busulfan or with total-body irradiation (TBI). CONCLUSION: The two administration modes for VP-16, either diluted or undiluted, are bioequivalent in pharmacokinetic terms. The terminal half-lives were longer than expected and resulted in significant VP-16 plasma levels at the time of BMT. The biologic significance remains unclear. Busulfan and/or concomitant medication with phenytoin influence plasma clearance (clp) and systemic drug exposure significantly.


Subject(s)
Etoposide/administration & dosage , Etoposide/pharmacokinetics , Hematologic Diseases/metabolism , Adolescent , Adult , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/administration & dosage , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/pharmacokinetics , Busulfan/administration & dosage , Busulfan/pharmacology , Child , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Drug Interactions , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasms/metabolism , Phenytoin/pharmacology , Therapeutic Equivalency
13.
J Clin Oncol ; 10(5): 818-23, 1992 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-1314891

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The antineoplastic activity of carboplatin and etoposide may be improved by the addition of vincristine (CEV) because of its low myelosuppressive potential and its activity in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). A phase II study with CEV was carried out. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty-one untreated patients with SCLC (63 with limited disease [LD], 58 with extensive disease [ED]) were treated with a combination of 300 mg/m2 intravenous (IV) on day 1, etoposide 140 mg/m2 IV daily on days 1 to 3, and vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 8, and 15 every 4 weeks. RESULTS: A 90% rate overall response rate including 56% complete responses (CRs) was achieved in LD and an 83% overall response rate including 35% CRs was observed in ED. Median survival time was 13 months in limited disease and 9.5 months in extensive disease. The 24 and 36 months survival rates were 29% in LD and 9% in ED. Myelosuppression was the main form of toxicity. CONCLUSION: The combination of CEV is a new active and well-tolerated regimen in the treatment of SCLC. Prospective randomized studies of CEV with conventional chemotherapy are warranted.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Small Cell/drug therapy , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Adult , Aged , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Carboplatin/administration & dosage , Carcinoma, Small Cell/pathology , Drug Administration Schedule , Drug Evaluation , Etoposide/administration & dosage , Female , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Survival Analysis , Treatment Outcome , Vincristine/administration & dosage
14.
J Clin Oncol ; 22(12): 2348-56, 2004 Jun 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15197195

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether cisplatin-based chemotherapy (gemcitabine, vinorelbine, and cisplatin [GVP]) prolongs overall survival in comparison to cisplatin-free chemotherapy (gemcitabine and vinorelbine [GV]) as first-line treatment in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between September 1999 and June 2001, 300 patients with NSCLC stage IIIB with malignant pleural effusion or stage IV disease were randomly assigned to receive GV (gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) + vinorelbine 25 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks) or GVP (gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) + vinorelbine 25 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 + cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) on day 2 every 3 weeks). Primary end point of the study was overall survival. RESULTS: Two hundred eighty-seven patients (GV, 143 patients; GVP, 144 patients) were eligible for analysis. At the time of analysis, April 15, 2002, 209 patients (GV, 103 patients; GVP, 106 patients) of 287 patients had died (73%). No statistically significant difference was observed for overall survival (P =.73; median survival, 35.9 versus 32.4 weeks; 1-year survival rate, 33.6% versus 27.5%) as well as for event-free survival (P =.35; median time-to-event, 19.3 versus 22.3 weeks) between GV and GVP. Two hundred fourteen patients were assessable for best response. The overall response rates were 13.0% for GV versus 28.3% for GVP (P =.004; complete responders, 0% versus 3.8%; partial responders, 13.0% versus 24.5%). Hematologic and nonhematologic toxicity was significantly lower in the GV treatment arm compared with GVP. No statistically significant difference in quality of life was observed. CONCLUSION: In this phase III study, the cisplatin-based GVP regimen showed no survival benefit as first-line chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC when compared with the cisplatin-free GV regimen, which was substantially better tolerated.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy , Cisplatin/administration & dosage , Deoxycytidine/analogs & derivatives , Deoxycytidine/administration & dosage , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Vinblastine/analogs & derivatives , Vinblastine/administration & dosage , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Cisplatin/adverse effects , Deoxycytidine/adverse effects , Drug Administration Schedule , Hematologic Diseases/chemically induced , Humans , Middle Aged , Quality of Life , Survival Rate , Vinblastine/adverse effects , Vinorelbine , Gemcitabine
15.
Leukemia ; 4(7): 459-61, 1990 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-2197515

ABSTRACT

To investigate possible mechanisms of growth factor expression in acute myeloid leukemia, genes for granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were analyzed by Southern blots in 20 patients, for M-CSF in 13, for interleukin-6 (IL-6) in 14, for IL-6 receptor in 14 and for G-CSF in five patients. Only in one patient a complex rearrangement of the G-CSF gene with possible amplification was noted indicating rarity of direct alterations of growth factor genes in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Spontaneous m-RNA expression for GM-CSF was found in only one of 20 patients, and for IL-6 in eight of 11 patients. In vitro incubation of AML cells of eight patients with recombinant tumor necrosis factor for 24 hr revealed induction of GM-CSF m-RNA expression in three cases and GM-CSF protein expression in two of them. These data suggest that spontaneous GM-CSF production occurs rarely in AML and that monokines, such as tumor necrosis factor, may induce GM-CSF in AML cells. Therefore, interactions of AML cells with normal or malignant accessory cells may be important for autocrine stimulation in AML. Our data suggest that ectopic growth factor secretion is not the primary cause of generating AML but may contribute to progression of the disease. Alternatively, AML may represent a heterogenous group of leukemias with different etiology but similar phenotype.


Subject(s)
Colony-Stimulating Factors/genetics , Growth Substances/genetics , Interleukin-6/genetics , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics , Blotting, Northern , Colony-Stimulating Factors/metabolism , Culture Media , Gene Expression , Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor , Growth Substances/metabolism , Humans , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Time Factors , Tumor Cells, Cultured , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology
16.
Leukemia ; 8(3): 498-501, 1994 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8127154

ABSTRACT

The proto-oncogenes c-fms and c-kit belong to a family of growth factor receptors possessing protein kinase activity. It has been shown that transfection of a c-fms gene carrying a point mutation at codon 301, leads to a ligand-independent transformation of mouse NIH3T3 cells. In human acute myeloid leukemia (AML), point mutations at codon 301 of the c-fms gene have been observed implying an important role in the transformation process. The possibility of a point mutation of the c-kit proto-oncogene was investigated. We sequenced a segment of the c-kit proto-oncogene coding for a part of the extracellular domain. This segment was 40.7% homologous to the c-fms region encompassing codon 301. c-DNA was prepared from peripheral blood or bone marrow cells from 25 patients with AML, from four patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and from three human myeloid cell lines. The region of interest was amplified with two rounds of polymerase chain reactions (PCR) with nested primers and directly sequenced. No point mutations were found in the investigated samples. Thus, point mutations in this segment of the c-kit gene do not seem to play an important role in the transformation process of human acute leukemia.


Subject(s)
Codon/genetics , Leukemia, Myeloid/genetics , Point Mutation , Proto-Oncogenes/genetics , Acute Disease , Base Sequence , Humans , Molecular Sequence Data , Myelodysplastic Syndromes/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Mas , Sequence Analysis, DNA
17.
Leukemia ; 9(1): 185-8, 1995 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-7845015

ABSTRACT

The GM-CSF receptor belongs to the cytokine receptor superfamily. The high-affinity receptors of this class are lacking intrinsic tyrosine kinase domains. The GM-CSF receptor consists of alpha and beta subunits. The beta subunit is shared with the receptors of IL-3 and IL-5. In addition to the membrane bound forms the receptors have been found to possess soluble isoforms. Since retroviral infection of the human GM-CSF dependent cell line, TF-1, leads to factor independent growth by increased expression of the GM-CSF receptor alpha chain in a subgroup of infected clones, we were interested in studying the role of this chain in human AML. Further considering that a point mutation in the extracellular domain of the erythropoietin receptor, also a member of the cytokine receptor superfamily, resulted in constitutive activation of a murine cell line, we investigated the possibility that a point mutation of the GM-CSF receptor was responsible for autonomous growth of AML cells. We sequenced a segment of the receptor coding for the extracellular domain of the alpha subunit. cDNA was prepared from peripheral blood or bone marrow cells from 24 patients with AML, from four patients with MDS and from three human myeloid cell lines. The region of interest was amplified with two rounds of PCR reactions with nested primers, covering five overlapping fragments, and directly sequenced using a non-radioactive technique. No point mutations were found in the investigated samples. Thus, point mutations in this segment of the GM-CSF receptor gene do not seem to play an important role in the transformation process of human acute leukemia.


Subject(s)
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics , Point Mutation , Receptors, Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/genetics , Base Sequence , Codon , Humans , Molecular Sequence Data
18.
Leukemia ; 4(7): 462-5, 1990 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-1695702

ABSTRACT

Constitutive secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been proposed as a mechanism of transformation in multiple myeloma. We therefore studied 15 patients with this disease for rearrangements of the IL-6 and IL-6 receptor genes. Two patients with altered IL-6 genes were identified. Chromosome analysis revealed aberrations of chromosome 7, where the IL-6 gene resides, in only these two patients, but not in others without IL-6 rearrangements. In one of these patients, constitutive IL-6 m-RNA expression was observed. No alterations of IL-6 receptor genes were detected.


Subject(s)
Gene Rearrangement/genetics , Interleukin-6/genetics , Multiple Myeloma/genetics , Receptors, Immunologic/genetics , Base Sequence , Blotting, Northern , Blotting, Southern , Bone Marrow/metabolism , Bone Marrow/physiology , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7/physiology , Deoxyribonuclease EcoRI/metabolism , Humans , Leukemia, Plasma Cell/blood , Leukemia, Plasma Cell/genetics , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/physiology , Metaphase/physiology , Molecular Sequence Data , Polymerase Chain Reaction , RNA/blood , RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis , Receptors, Interleukin-6
19.
Leukemia ; 11(8): 1234-7, 1997 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9264375

ABSTRACT

FLT4 represents a recently cloned member of class III receptor tyrosine kinases which include receptors for the angiogenic growth factor VEGF, namely FLT1 and KDR. The ligand of FLT4 has been identified as VEGF-C which shares sequence homology with VEGF and P1GF. In the adult FLT4 shows a restricted expression pattern that is limited to lymphatic endothelia and endothelia of some high endothelial venules (HEV). FLT4 has also been detected in some tumor cell lines including the hematopoietic line HEL. We therefore investigated expression of FLT4 and its ligand VEGF-C in fresh samples from patients with AML. Using a sensitive PCR method we detected FLT4 m-RNA in 15 of 41 patients with de novo AML at diagnosis or relapse and in three of 12 patients with secondary AML. FLT4 expression was confirmed by immunocytochemistry in a subgroup of the studied patient population. FLT4 was also found in leukemic cell line U937, but not TF-1 and KG1a. VEGF-C expression was found in leukemic samples of four of seven FLT4-positive and four of six FLT4-negative patients. U937 cells also produced VEGF-C m-RNA. Interestingly, FLT4 expression was not detected in bone marrow samples of 15 normal volunteer donors or in CD34-positive cells from three additional donors. Possible autocrine and paracrine growth stimulation of leukemic blasts by VEGF-C is currently being investigated in our laboratory.


Subject(s)
Endothelial Growth Factors/metabolism , Leukemia, Myeloid/physiopathology , Lymphokines/metabolism , Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism , Receptors, Cell Surface/metabolism , Acute Disease , Bone Marrow/pathology , Gene Expression , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
20.
Leukemia ; 9(12): 2119-22, 1995 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8609726

ABSTRACT

In multiple myeloma, correlations between cytogenetic and morphologic findings are hampered by the relatively scarce chromosomal data and the lack of a widely accepted morphologic classification. The aim of the analysis, comprising 111 patients with multiple myeloma, was to study possible correlations between karyotype and a morphologic classification proposed by Bartl et al. Grade of plasma cell infiltration, predominant cell types (Marschalko, small, cleaved, polymorphous, asynchronous, blastic) and grade of malignancy are the basis of this classification. A pathologic karyotype was found in the bone marrow of 39/111 patients (35%). The incidence of chromosomal anomalies closely correlated with the grade of infiltration, plasma cell type and grade of malignancy. Chromosomal anomalies were rarely detected in patients with low infiltration (16%), but they were frequently found in high-grade infiltration (69%). A low incidence was found in Marschalko (25%) or small cell type (15%); the incidence was much higher in cleaved (75%), asynchronous (65%) and basic cell types (71%). An abnormal karyotype was more frequently found in high (71%) than in intermediate (53%) or low (23%)-grade malignant multiple myeloma. The most consistent structural chromosomal aberration found in five patients was translocation t(11;14)(q13;q32). In four of the five patients small, often cleaved plasma cells were the predominant cell types. These reported correlations between morphological and cytogenetic findings must be confirmed by future studies.


Subject(s)
Multiple Myeloma/pathology , Plasma Cells/pathology , Bone Marrow/pathology , Humans , Karyotyping , Multiple Myeloma/genetics
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