The Use of Magnets, Magnetic Fields, and Copper Devices in a Veteran Population.

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is increasing in the US and throughout the world. The use of magnets, magnetic fields, and copper devices (MMFC) for health care are CAM therapies. Available information suggests significant consumer spending on MMFC therapy, but minimal information exists on usage patterns. Methods: We created a brief questionnaire and distributed it to veteran patients at the Carl T. Hayden Veterans Affairs Medical Center infusion center in Phoenix, Arizona. The questionnaire categorized respondents by age groups, diagnostic groups by specialty (endocrinology, gastroenterology, hematology/oncology, neurology, rheumatology, and other), and whether MMFCs were being used and for what purpose. The questionnaire also asked whether the respondent would consider participating in a clinical study using MMFCs. Results: Analyzing the 206 evaluable surveys, we found an overall use rate of about 1 in 4 respondents. The majority used copper devices, and the endocrinology group showed the highest percentage use. Many veterans reported that they would consider participating in MMFC clinical studies. For interest in clinical trial participation, the age groups with the highest response for magnets in clinical trials was 31 to 50 years (64%), and for magnetic fields 51 to 65 years (52%). Conclusions: About 25% of surveyed veterans reported the use of MMFCs. Veterans reported that they are likely to participate in clinical studies using these CAM therapies.

Capecitabine plus 3-weekly irinotecan (XELIRI regimen) as first-line chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer: phase II trial results.

BACKGROUND: Capecitabine results in superior response rate, improved safety, and improved convenience compared with 5-fluorouracil (FU)/leucovorin (LV) in metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC). Irinotecan in combination with 5-FU/LV has been shown to improve efficacy compared with 5-FU/LV alone in MCRC. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of capecitabine plus irinotecan every 3 weeks (XELIRI regimen) as first-line treatment. METHODS: Patients with MCRC who were <65 years of age received irinotecan 250 mg/m i.v. on day 1 + capecitabine 1000 mg/m orally twice daily on days 1 to 14, every 3 weeks. Patients >or=65 years of age and those with impaired renal function or with a history of prior radiotherapy received lower doses of both agents (200 mg/m and 750 mg/m twice daily, respectively). RESULTS: A total of 52 patients (29 men, 23 women) were enrolled between October 2001 and August 2003. Median age was 57.5 years (range, 30-79 years); median Karnofsky performance status was 90 (range, 70-100). Treatment led to a response rate of 50% (ITT population) and a disease control rate of 71%. With a median cohort follow-up of 30.5 months, median time to progression and overall survival are 7.8 months (95% confidence interval, 5.6-10.0) and 16.8 months (95% confidence, 11.9 to not reached), respectively. Most common treatment-related grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (25%), diarrhea (20%), vomiting (16%), dehydration (10%), nausea (6%), abdominal pain (6%), and hand-foot syndrome (6%). CONCLUSION: XELIRI is an active first-line treatment of MCRC. Implementation of upfront dose reductions for both agents in patients with risk factors for toxicity appears to have produced a safer regimen compared with previous studies of XELIRI without such dose reductions.

Phase I clinical study of a static magnetic field combined with anti-neoplastic chemotherapy in the treatment of human malignancy: initial safety and toxicity data.

We have completed the lowest level of exposure in a Phase I study, designed to establish the safety and toxicity of the combination of a static magnetic field (SMF) and antineoplastic chemotherapy in patients with advanced malignancy. The SMF application is carefully controlled by applying the magnet to the patient only in our clinic during chemotherapy administration. No increase in the severity of chemotherapy toxicity as measured by white blood cell count and platelet count was seen in the participants exposed to SMF compared to the historical control subjects. These data have permitted the next group of subjects to be treated at the next dose level.

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the transverse colon presenting as dermatomyositis: case presentation and literature review.

Primary extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the transverse colon is a rare presentation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or colonic neoplasm. Dermatomyositis is an autoimmune condition of the skin, muscle, and blood vessels that when associated with malignancy is a true paraneoplastic syndrome but is rarely associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We present a case of primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the transverse colon diagnosed after the presentation of dermatomyositis and review the literature on dermatomyositis and hematologic neoplasm.