Efficacy, quality of life, and safety of methotrexate versus interferon in head-to-head treatment in advanced stages of mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome. Prospective trial (NCT02323659).

Introduction: ESMO guidelines recommend interferon (IFN) and methotrexate (MTX) as first-line systemic therapies in mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sezary syndrome (SS). Aim: A prospective, head-to-head trial comparing the efficacy and safety of INF-α and MTX as first-line treatment in MF/SS patients. Material and methods: Forty-three patients were enrolled in the trial. The response to treatment and side effects were assessed. Study variables included mSWAT, DLQI, and VAS scores. Results: The response rate in stage IV including SS was significantly higher in the IFN-α group than in the MTX group (100% vs. 40%; p = 0.03, respectively). No significant differences were found in response rate in stage IIB and III between treatment groups. Patients treated with IFN-α had significantly shorter time to achieve response (TTR). Significantly fewer in the IFN-α group experienced adverse events (AE) in comparison to patients treated with MTX (81% vs. 45%; p = 0.02). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups in terms of time to progression (TTP), progression-free survival (PFS), time on treatment (ToT), and time to next treatment (TTNT). The improvement in quality of life and reduction of pruritus was comparable in both treatment groups. Conclusions: The obtained data suggest that the efficacy of IFN-α as first-line treatment in advanced stage (IV) MF and SS is significantly better than MTX. IFN-α presented significantly better safety and tolerability and shorter TTR than MTX. However, the results should be interpreted with caution due to scarce study groups.

18F-fluoro-ethyl-tyrosine (18F-FET) PET/CT as a potential new diagnostic tool in multiple myeloma: a preliminary study.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to analyse the diagnostic accuracy of "18F-fluoro-ethyl-tyrosine (18F-FET) PET/CT tracer in multiple myeloma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysed group included: patients with newly diagnosed active myeloma (eight patients); in very good partial remission or complete remission (VGPR or CR) after treatment (nine patients); and with active disease after relapse (15 patients). RESULTS: In patients with newly diagnosed myeloma, 64 lesions were found using CT and 83 lesions using 18F-FET. In six patients, the number of lesions using CT and 18F-FET was the same, and two had more lesions with the 18F-FET than with the CT. Patients in VGPR or CR had no FET-positive lesions. Fourteen out of 15 patients with active relapsed myeloma had 47 FET-positive lesions, CT assessment of the same group showed 282 lesions. In one patient with relapse soft tissue mass was found with 18F-FET but not with CT. CONCLUSIONS: 18F-FET can be a promising alternative to 18F-FDG PET/CT for myeloma-related bone disease diagnosis.

Follow-up of patients with mycosis fungoides after interferon α2b treatment failure.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of T cell cutaneous lymphoma( CTCL) is a controversial subject and the effectiveness of treatment is still low. AIM: Report of single center experience of management CTCL after progression after first line treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present 41 patients with CTCL, 29 received interferon α2b in first line, and 12 of them received second line therapy. RESULTS: Overall response rate for second line therapy was 60%. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the follow-up of patients with mycosis fungoides after interferon α2b treatment failure with the literature review and discussion.

Stability of cefuroxime in 1% and 5% buffered eye drops determined with HPLC method.

The aim of the studies was to develop formulary technologies of 1% and 5% eye drops containing cefuroxime with stability of at least 10-12 days. The stability was defined as the time required to reach the cutoff value of 10% degradation of cefuroxime in the drops, as determined using an HPLC assay. The drops should have such properties as optical clarity, pH in the range of 3.5 to 8.5 and osmotic pressure not lower than 280 mOsm/L. Additionally, drops of enhanced viscosity within the range 7-9 mPaxs were developed. Drops (1% and 5%) were prepared under aseptic conditions by dissolving Biofuroksym (Cefuroxime natricum) IBA Bioton--the form of the drug for dry injections--in citrate buffer of pH 6.05-6.28. Polyvinyl alcohol was used to increase the viscosity of the drops. Phenylmercuric borate at the final concentration of 0.001% was used together with beta-phenylethyl alcohol at the final concentration of 0.4% to preserve the drops. The drops were stored for 30 days in tightly closed glass bottles at the temperature of 4 degrees C and 20 degrees C, protected from light. As the course of the infection may differ in intensity, location and the area of the infection in the eye, the composition of the drops was developed at two concentrations (1% and 5%), and five formulary versions for each concentration were prepared. The concentration of cefuroxime in the drops was determined every three days using HPLC. Such properties as pH, osmotic pressure and viscosity were also examined. Additionally, organoleptic analysis (clarity, color, odor) was performed. Physical and chemical properties of all formulations of 1% and 5% drops containing cefuroxime prepared in citrate buffer of pH 6.05-6.28 met the standards set in the objective of the work. The stability of cefuroxime in buffered drops stored at the temperature of 4 degrees C, determined with HPLC as the time of 10% degradation of cefuroxime, was 15 days for 1% and 5% drops. In the drops, which were buffered and of increased viscosity, the times of 10% cefuroxime degradation were 18 days for 1% drops and 30 days for 5% drops. The preservatives added to the buffered drops did not lower their stability. Osmotic pressure, pH and viscosity of the drops during the period of 30-day-storage at the temperature of 4 degrees C met the requirements acceptable for the eye drops. The stability of 1% and 5% buffered drops containing cefuroxime stored at the temperature of 4 degrees C allows preparing the drops in pharmacies on the basis of doctor's prescription. Depending on the character and the course of the infection the drops can be prepared at the concentration of 1% and 5% following the composition of the selected formulation which would meet the individual needs of the patient's therapy.

Comparing radioactive tracers 18F-FDG and 18F-FLT in the staging of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma by PET/CT examination: A single-center prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Positron emission tomography in combination with computer tomography (PET/CT) is a very important method of imaging patients with non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs). It is used to define the initial grade of the disease and to assess early response to treatment and after chemotherapy. The most commonly used radioactive tracer is 18F-FDG, but 18F-FLT seems to be more specific. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to compare the staging of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with PET/CT examination using 18F-FLT and 18F-FDG. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 33 patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL (17 women and 16 men). The median age of the patients was 57 years. In each patient, 2 PET/CT examinations were performed before treatment, one using 18F-FLT and the second using 18F-FDG. RESULTS: The average maximum 18F-FDG uptake in the whole group of patients was higher than the average maximum of 18F-FLT. This was also true of individual patients; however, 3 patients with an aggressive disease course had greater FLT uptake than the other patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis suggests that PET/CT exams using 18F-FLT may be a useful diagnostic tool in patients with DLBCL.

[The microbiological analysis of the air in sewage treatment plant in the summer season]. / Analiza mikrobiologiczna powietrza w oczyszczalni scieków w sezonie letnim.

The aim of this paper was the analysis of microbiological quality of air based on studies made in 2002-2004 in sewage treatment plant in Szczecin. The collection of samples was made with sampling by aspiration method with MAS-100, twice in 2002 and once time in 2003 and 2004. The studies were performed according to Polish Standards PN-89/Z-04111/01-02 and PN-81/C-04615/27 in one season (summer). The points of samples collection were established in individual way for the sewage treatment plant. They were at the ground--on the borders and in 50 and 150 m distance. The studied air was characterized with different level of microbiological pollution--from non-polluted to strongly polluted. The biggest amount of strongly polluted air was received in establishing the total amount of TVC 37 bacteria, Staphylococcus, Actinomycetes but in establishing Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas fluorescens, the air was not strongly contaminated. It was seen that little deterioration quality of air (year 2002) and in 3 years made the possibility of isolating the same bacteria.

Ocular blunt trauma during wood chopping as the reason for serious visual impairments.

AIM: The aim of the study was to present results of blunt ocular trauma with lens luxation to the vitreous during wood chopping. METHODS: A retrospective study of 15 patients treated in the Department of Ophthalmology between 2000-2011 who suffered from serious eye injury during wood chopping. As a standard surgical procedure, pars plana vitrectomy with lens removal and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation was applied in all cases. The analysis includes the age, gender, visual acuity and intraocular pressure before and after surgical procedure, and at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 12 months. The group of patients consisted of 73.3% males (M) and 26.7% females (F). Mean age: 64 years (M - 63 y.o., F - 66.25 y.o.). Mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before treatment: 0.24 on the Snellen chart (< 0.1 - 6 patients, 0.1-0.3 - 5 patients, and > 0.3 - 4 patients). Mean BCVA after surgical treatment: 0.33 (< 0.1 - 4 patients, 0.1-0.3 - 5 patients and > 0.3 - 6 patients). Intraocular pressure (IOP) on the day of admission to hospital varied from 9-52 mmHg (mean - 20.6 mmHg). IOP after surgical procedure: 4-36 mmHg (mean - 20.7 mmHg). SUMMARY: Wood chopping is still present in many homes in rural regions. In some cases, it may lead to serious ocular injury and potential loss of vision.