ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are usually treated with ablative procedures. A nonsurgical treatment alternative would be of value in selected patients. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of a new preparation for intralesional sustained-release chemotherapy with MPI 5003, 5-Fluorouracil Therapeutic Implant, for treatment of BCCs. METHODS: Two doses of intralesional MPI 5003 (0.25 and 0.5 ml) were compared in a double-blind study of 20 patients with biopsy-proven BCC. One BCC per patient was treated weekly for up to 6 weeks and followed up monthly for 3 months until excisional biopsy for histologic examination. Before excision the cosmetic appearance of the test site was graded. RESULTS: Eighty percent of 10 BCCs treated with 0.5 ml of MPI 5003 had histologically confirmed cures as compared with 60% of 10 tumors treated with the lower dose (0.25 ml). Cosmetic assessments before excision were typically good to excellent. No systemic side effects occurred. CONCLUSION: Results indicate the potential of MPI 5003 for targeted local chemotherapy for BCC.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Basal Cell/drug therapy , Fluorouracil/administration & dosage , Skin Neoplasms/drug therapy , Adult , Aged , Carcinoma, Basal Cell/pathology , Double-Blind Method , Drug Carriers , Drug Implants , Female , Fluorouracil/adverse effects , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Injections, Intralesional , Male , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Skin Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
The efficacy of treatment with spironolactone for congestive heart failure secondary to congenital heart disease was studied in 21 infants under 1 year of age. All received digoxin and chlorothiazide. In addition, group A (n = 10) was given supplements of potassium and group B (n = 11) received spironolactone. Daily clinical observations of vital signs, weight, hepatomegaly, and vomiting were recorded. Paired t test analysis showed significant reduction in liver size and weight (P less than 0.01) and respiratory rate (P less than 0.05) in group B, and less significant decreases in group A. The incidence of vomiting was slightly lower in group B. We conclude that the addition of spironolactone hastens and enhances the response to standard treatment with digoxin and chlorothiazide in infants with congestive heart failure.