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Biomedical subjects

A Potamianou

Publications and source records attributed to A Potamianou.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Salvage chemotherapy with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin in heavily pretreated patients with metastatic breast cancer: a multicenter phase II study.

PURPOSE: It was the aim of this study to evaluate the activity and tolerance of gemcitabine and oxaliplatin in pretreated metastatic breast cancer patients. METHODS: Thirty-one patients who had disease relapse or progression after completion of an anthracycline- and/or taxane-based front-line regimen were treated with gemcitabine 1,500 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 as a 30-min intravenous infusion and oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2) on day 8 as a 4-hour intravenous infusion, in cycles of 21 days. RESULTS: Complete response occurred in 1 patient (3%) and partial response in 4 patients (13%) (overall response rate 16%; 95% confidence interval 3.2-29.1). Nine patients (29%) had stable disease and 17 (55%) progressive disease. Three partial responses (13%) were achieved among 23 patients receiving the regimen as third-line treatment. The median duration of response was 6 months (range 3-44.8), the median time to tumor progression 4.6 months (range 0.8-43.8), and the median survival 14.4 months (range 2.1-44.8). Grade 3 and 4 neutropenia occurred in 14 patients (45%), grade 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia in 6 patients (20%), and grade 2 and 3 asthenia in 4 patients (13%). There was no episode of febrile neutropenia. CONCLUSION: The gemcitabine-oxaliplatin combination is a relatively active and well-tolerated salvage regimen in patients with heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

A multicenter phase III trial comparing irinotecan-gemcitabine (IG) with gemcitabine (G) monotherapy as first-line treatment in patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Our purpose was to determine the response rate and median and overall survival of gemcitabine as monotherapy versus gemcitabine plus irinotecan in advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer. Patients with histologically or cytologically confirmed adenocarcinoma who were chemotherapy and radiotherapy naive were enrolled. Patients were centrally randomised at a one-to-one ratio to receive either gemcitabine monotherapy (900 mg m(-2) on days 1, 8 and 15 every 4 weeks (arm G), or gemcitabine (days 1 and 8) plus irinotecan (300 mg m(-2) on day 8) (arm IG), repeated every 3 weeks. The total number of cycles administered was 255 in the IG arm and 245 in the G arm; the median number of cycles was 3. In all, 145 patients (71 in arm IG and 74 in arm G) were enrolled; 60 and 70 patients from arms IG and G, respectively, were evaluable. A complete clinical response was achieved in three (4.3%) arm G patients; nine (15%) patients in arm IG and four (5.7%) in arm G achieved a partial response. The overall response rate was: arm IG 15% and arm G 10% (95% CI 5.96-24.04 and 95% CI 2.97-17.03, respectively; P=0.387). The median time to tumour progression was 2.8 months and 2.9 months and median survival time was 6.4 and 6.5 months for the IG and G arms, respectively. One-year survival was 24.3% for the IG arm and 21.8% for the G arm. No statistically significant difference was observed comparing gemcitabine monotherapy versus gemcitabine plus irinotecan in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer, with respect to overall and 1-year survival.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2006

Multicenter phase II study of gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GEMOX) as second-line chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients pretreated with 5-fluorouracil plus irinotecan.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of the gemcitabine/oxaliplatin (GEMOX) combination as second-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) pretreated with an irinotecan (CPT-11)/5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin (LV) regimen. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with documented disease progression during or after first-line treatment with CPT-11 and 5-FU/LV were enrolled. Gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m(2) days 1 and 8) and oxaliplatin (100 mg/m(2) day 1) were administered every 3 weeks. RESULTS: Partial responses were observed in 6 of the 34 (17.7%) patients enrolled (intention-to-treat analysis; overall response rate: 17.7%; 95% confidence interval 4.8-30.5%). Eight (23.5%) patients experienced disease stabilization and 20 (59%) disease progression (tumor growth control rate = 41.2%). The median duration of response was 5.5 months, and the median time to tumor progression 2.7 months. The median overall survival was 9.1 months (1-year survival rate: 44.0%). Grade 3 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 18 and 15% of the patients, respectively. Other severe non-hematologic toxicities were rare. CONCLUSION: The interesting tumor growth control rate and the favorable toxicity profile of the GEMOX regimen in pretreated patients with advanced CRC strongly suggest that this regimen may provide an alternative therapeutic option for this group of patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Combination of irinotecan (CPT-11) plus oxaliplatin (L-OHP) as first-line treatment in locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer: a multicentre phase II trial.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of irinotecan (CPT-11) in combination with oxaliplatin (L-OHP) as first-line treatment in patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (AGC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients with AGC who had not received previous therapy for metastatic disease were enrolled. The median age was 62.5 years and the World Health Organization performance status was 0-1 in 29 patients; 13 (40.6%) patients had previous surgery and three (9.4%) had adjuvant chemotherapy. L-OHP (85 mg/m2 as a 2-h i.v. infusion) followed by CPT-11 (200 mg/m2 as a 30-min i.v. infusion) was given on day 1, in cycles of 21 days. RESULTS: All patients were evaluable for toxicity and 31 were evaluable for response. Complete response was achieved in one (3.1%) patient and a partial response was achieved in 15 (46.9%) [overall response rate = 50% (95% confidence interval 38.7-72.4%)]. Eight (25%) patients had stable disease, and eight (25%) had progressive disease. The median duration of response was 5 months and the median time to disease progression was 5.5 months. After a median follow-up period of 16 months, the median survival time was 8.5 months. Grade 3-4 neutropenia occurred in six (18.6%) patients, febrile neutropenia in two (6.2%) and grade 3 anaemia in one (3.1%). Grade 3 diarrhoea was observed in two (6.2%) patients, grade 1 neurotoxicity in five (15.6%) and grade 3 asthenia in two (6.2%). There was no treatment-related death. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of CPT-11/L-OHP is an active regimen as front-line treatment in AGC with a favourable toxicity profile and deserves further evaluation in randomised studies.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Effect of losartan on insulin plasma concentrations and LPL activity in adipose tissue of hypertensive rats.

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of losartan on insulin and angiotensin II (Ang II) concentrations in plasma as well as on lipoprotein lipase activity (LPL) and angiotensin II content in the adipose tissue of hypertensive rats. Fifty male rats were divided in five groups. Group A served as controls. Group B underwent renal artery stenosis. Group C were administered losartan (10 mg/kg/day) per os, while rats in group D were submitted to renal artery stenosis and were treated with losartan as above. Group E was used as sham-operated control. The animals were sacrificed at day 21. Blood samples were collected, and perirenal adipose tissue was isolated. Furthermore, adrenal's were removed and their relative weight (adrenal weight/body weight) was used as an index of sympathetic stimulation. According to our results, renovascular hypertension resulted in lower insulin concentrations and higher Ang II content in plasma. In hypertensive rats, LPL activity was decreased, while the adrenals' relative weight was elevated. On the other hand, losartan administration resulted in normalization of insulin concentrations in plasma and adrenals' relative weight, with consequent up regulation of LPL activity in adipose tissue. In conclusion, renovascular hypertension interferes in lipid metabolism by reducing LPL activity in adipose tissue, while losartan administration reverses this effect by enhancing insulin release and reducing sympathetic nervous system (SNS) stimulation.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2003

Quinolone levels in serum and maxillofacial tissues under ibuprofen co-administration following surgical trauma.

Administration of antibiotics is considered to be an important factor, during or after operational procedures in the maxillofacial area, in order to avoid post-surgical complications. Furthermore, administration of anti-inflammatory drugs is often prescribed for control of the post-operative pain. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of quinolones in serum and tissues (parotid gland, tongue, mandible), during traumatic injury in the oral cavity, with or without co-administration of ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Four groups of Wistar rats, (A, B control), (C, D experimental) were used. In the experimental group, traumatic injury was performed through the whole length of the cheek. Groups B and D received ibuprofen. The quinolone levels in serum and tissues were estimated by the inhibition zone of B. subtilis. Free fatty acid (FFA) levels and the adrenal weight, considered as a stress index, were increased in trauma groups. Quinolone concentrations in serum and in most of the tissues were significantly higher in the experimental groups compared to the controls. However, the co-administration of ibuprofen caused a higher increase of the quinolone levels in the control animals than in the experimental groups.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Front-line treatment of advanced breast cancer with docetaxel and epirubicin: a multicenter phase II study.

PURPOSE: In a previous phase I trial we evaluated the toxicity and determined the maximum tolerated doses of the docetaxel (D)-epirubicin (Epi) combination. We conducted a multicenter phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of this regimen as front-line treatment in women with advanced breast cancer (ABC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-four women with ABC stage IIIB (4 patients) or IV (50 patients) received front-line treatment with Epi 70 mg/m2 on day 1 and D 90 mg/m2 on day 2. The median age was 55 years, performance status (WHO) was 0-1 in 49 patients and visceral disease was present in 45 (83%). RESULTS: All patients were evaluable for toxicity and 50 for response. In an intent-to-treat analysis complete remission was observed in 5(9%) patients, partial remission in 31 (57%) (overall response rate 66%, 95% confidence interval: 54% 79%), stable disease in 9 (17%) and disease progression in 9 (17%). After a median follow-up of 11.5 months, the median duration of responses was 8 months, the median time to disease progression 11.5 months and the median survival has not yet been reached. The probability of one-year survival was 65%. Three hundred six cycles of treatment were administered (median 6 cycles per patient). Grade 3 and 4 neutropenia was observed in 8 (15%) and 31 (57%) patients, respectively, and febrile neutropenia in 19 (35%). Prophylactic rh-G-CSF was used in 45 (83%) patients or 226 (74%) cycles. Other hematologic or non-hematologic toxicities were usually mild. In five (9%) patients the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was decreased by more than 10% with the treatment. Two patients died during the treatment of respiratory failure without associated neutropenia. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of docetaxel epirubicin is an effective and well tolerated front-line treatment in patients with ABC.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The effect of disease activity related cytokines on the fibrinolytic potential and cICAM-1 expression in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the relation of pro and antiinflammatory cytokines to disease activity, coagulation, and fibrinolytic variables as well as to circulating intercellular adhesive molecule- 1 (cICAM-1), so as to better understand the cascade of events implicated in the inflammatory process in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, cICAM-1, tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor- 1 (PAI-1), and D-dimer antigens were measured by ELISA in the blood of 45 RA patients and 33 healthy subjects (HS). The Stoke Index was used to describe the disease activity in patients, who were divided into subgroups: A: minimal-mild disease activity (n = 23, Stoke Index = 1-7); B: moderate disease activity (n = 12, Stoke Index = 8-11); C: severe disease activity (n = 9, Stoke Index = 12-17). RESULTS: TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-10 were significantly higher in RA patients than in HS. TNF-alpha and IL-6, in contrast to IL-10, have the tendency to increase progressively with the increase of disease activity from subgroup to subgroup, correlating significantly with Stoke Index. TNF-alpha and IL-6 correlated positively with PAI-1 and negatively with t-PA and D-dimer. Moreover, a positive correlation of IL-6 with fibrinogen and of both cytokines with PAI-1/t-PA molar ratio were found in all RA patients, while IL-10 showed a significant negative correlation only with PAI-1. Serum cICAM-1 was significantly elevated in RA compared to HS, showing a tendency to increase with the increase of disease activity from subgroup to subgroup. A positive correlation of cICAM-1 with TNF-alpha and IL-6 and a negative one with IL-10 was observed in RA. CONCLUSION: Proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6 may be implicated in the imbalance of coagulation and fibrinolysis in favor of coagulation and the impairment of the adhesive molecule pathway in RA. This action of TNF-alpha and IL-6 does not seem to be countered by the antiinflammatory cytokine IL-1O action.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Salvage chemotherapy in anthracycline-pretreated metastatic breast cancer patients with docetaxel and gemcitabine: a multicenter phase II trial. Greek Breast Cancer Cooperative Group.

PURPOSE: The activity of the docetaxel-gemcitabine combination in women with disease progression after initial chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) was investigated in a multicenter phase II study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients with metastatic breast cancer who had disease relapse or progression after completion of an anthracycline-based front-line regimen were treated with gemcitabine 900 mg/m2 on day 1 and day 8 and docetaxel 100 mg/m2 on day 8. G-CSF 150 mucg/m2/d s.c. was given from day 9 to day 16 and the treatment was repeated every three weeks. The patients' median age was 57 years and the performance status (WHO) was 0 for 26, 1 for 20 and 2 for 6 patients. The treatment was second-line for 27 (52%) and > or = third-line for 25 (48%) patients. All patients were evaluable for response and toxicity. RESULTS: Complete response occurred in seven (14%) patients and partial response in 21 (40%) for an overall response rate of 54% (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 40%-67%). Fifteen (29%) patients had stable disease and nine (17%) progressive disease. Of 25 patients previously treated with taxanes. 11 (44%) responded (1 CR, 10 PR). Interestingly, in four patients with disease progression while receiving docetaxel or paclitaxel monotherapy, the docetaxel + gemcitabine combination achieved partial responses. Responses were observed at all metastatic sites (local disease 62%, lymph nodes 58%, skin 44%, lung 47% and liver 36%) with a median duration of response of 3.6 months (range 1-16) and a median time to disease progression of eight months (range 2-18.5). Grade 3 neutropenia developed in 10 (19%) and grade 4 in five (10%) patients. Neutropenia was associated with infection in four patients without toxic deaths. Grade 3 thrombocytopenia developed in nine (17%) patients and grade 4 in two (4%). Non-hematologic toxicity was usually mild. CONCLUSION: The docetaxel-gemcitabine combination is an active and well tolerated salvage treatment in patients with MBC. Previous treatment with taxanes does not preclude a good clinical response to this regimen.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Front-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer with docetaxel and epirubicin: a multicenter dose-escalation study. The Greek Breast Cancer Cooperative Group (GBCCG).

PURPOSE: To determine the maximum tolerable dose (MTD) and the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of docetaxel (D) in combination with epirubicin (Epi) in patients with advanced breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-seven chemotherapy-naïve metastatic breast cancer patients aged < 75 years with PS (WHO) 0-2 and adequate bone marrow, renal, liver and cardiac function, were enrolled in the study. Epi was given as a five-min bolus i.v. infusion on day 1 (d1) in escalated doses with increments of 10 mg/m2; D was given in a one-hour infusion after appropriate premedication on either day 1 or on day 2 in escalated doses with increments of 10 mg/m2. The patients' median age was 60 years, 42 (89%) had a PS (WHO) 0-1, 16 (34%) were premenopausal and 25 (53%) had visceral disease. RESULTS: When the two drugs were given on the same day, the MTD1 was reached at the doses of Epi 60 mg/m2 and D 80 mg/m2; administration of G-CSF could not result in a dose intensification. When the drugs were given on two consecutive days, the MTD2 was reached at the doses of Epi 80 mg/m2 (d1) and D 90 mg/m2 (d2). The dose-limiting events were febrile neutropenia and grade 4 neutropenia, which developed in 30 (64%) patients during the study; among 227 delivered cycles grade 3-4 neutropenia occurred in 64 (28%) cycles but only 22 (10%) of them were complicated by fever. There were no septic deaths. Grade 1-2 neurosensory toxicity occurred in nine (19%) patients, mild edema in eight (17%) and allergic reactions in five (11%). Four (9%) patients presented a greater than 10% decrease of LVEF and treatment discontinuation was required in two of them; none of the patients developed congestive heart failure. Nevertheless, one patient suddenly died 10 days after treatment initiation of myocardial ischemia, and this death is considered treatment-related. Five (14.7%) complete and thirteen (38.2%) partial responses (ORR: 53.9%; 95% confidence interval: 36.1%-69.7%) were observed in 34 evaluable patients. Ten (29.4%) and six (17.6%) patients had stable and progressive disease, respectively. The median duration of response and time to tumor progression were five and seven months, respectively. The median survival has not yet been reached. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of epirubicin and docetaxel is a feasible and well tolerated regimen, but the MTD depends on the administration schedule of the drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Comparative study of serum and synovial fluid interleukin-11 levels in patients with various arthritides.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the levels of serum and synovial fluid (SF) interleukin (IL)-11 in patients with various arthritides and estimate the contribution of IL-11 to acute phase response (APR). DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum and SF IL-11 were measured by ELISA in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n = 31), seronegative spondyloarthritis (SSA, n = 23), gout (GT, n = 14) and osteoarthritis (OA, n = 20) and were correlated with ESR and acute phase proteins as well as with cytokines IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF alpha. RESULTS: IL-11 was detected in both serum and SF in each group, with IL-11 being statistically higher in SF than serum in all groups, suggesting reduced catabolism or increased synthesis of IL-11 intra-articularly. Median SF IL-11 levels were higher in OA patients than in other groups and in the treated than in the untreated RA subgroup. Moreover, serum and SF IL-11 were correlated significantly with each other, and moderately with the other cytokines examined in RA, SSA, and GT, but not in OA patients, while a significant negative correlation was found with a few of the inflammatory markers examined in each group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide evidence of extensive intra-articular expression of IL-11 in arthritides, especially in OA and treated RA patients, suggesting a protective role for IL-11 in joints, probably through the induction of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1990

Somatization and dream work.

This paper refers to somatization processes which correspond to organic disorders in the body or illness. In relation to it, the author discusses dream production and its development as major indicators to be used in following the course of treatment, as changes, both positive and negative, are reflected in the form, texture, and content of dreams. These points are illustrated by clinical material.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

["Episkepsis". Thoughts on Anna Freud's visit to Athens].

Describes Anna Freud's visit to Athens, comparing it with Freud's own visit. Refers to the creation of the first psychoanalytic group in Greece. Tells the circumstances and motivations which attended its formation and the role played by Princess M. Bonaparte. Conclusions concern all projects involving efforts to spread psycho-analysis and ensure its survival in today's world.

Greece↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Light induced changes in quinolone levels in rat serum and tissues.

Circadian rhythm may induce alterations of the pharmacokinetic properties of several drugs in clinical use. The aim of the study was to investigate whether lighting conditions alter the quinolone (pefloxacin) levels in serum and tissues and to determine any accumulation of the drug in the skin. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into groups A, B, C, (n=10). The animals of group A were housed under 12h light/12h dark conditions, group B under 24h UV and group C was kept in complete darkness. All animals received 5 doses of 11mg/Kg pefloxacin every 8h for 48h.Pefloxacin levels were determined in serum, skin and femur by the inhibition zone in E.coli. in vitro. Pefloxacin concentrations in serum were increased in 24h darkness living status and decreased in 24h UV conditions as compared to group A animals. Additionally, both skin and femur pefloxacin levels were decreased under dark and UV conditions. In conclusion total light as well as total dark exposure may lead to pefloxacin pharmacokinetic changes which may have implications in the effectiveness of the drug in tissues.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Stress-induced lidocaine modification in serum and tissues.

The aim of this study is to examine the influence of acute (trauma) and chronic (cold swimming and adjuvant rheumatoid arthritis) stress on lidocaine concentrations in plasma. Forty male Wistar rats were used. The animals were divided into four groups. Group A served as control. Group B underwent mandible osteotomy. Group C was submitted to swimming stress in cold water 4 degrees C for ten minutes daily for 15 minutes, while group D underwent experimental arthritis with Freud's adjuvant. All groups received lidocaine i.m (2.5 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected and FFA (free fatty acid), unbound-lidocaine, albumin and a1-acid glycoprotein concentrations were estimated. Furthermore, the adrenals, heart and liver were isolated. The adrenals' relative weight (adrenal weight/body weight) was assessed, while lidocaine concentrations in the heart and the liver incubation medium were measured by intertechnic a-counter. Lidocaine and FFA levels in serum as well as the adrenal weights demonstrated a significant elevation in stress-groups as compared to the control group. Furthermore, in the stress-groups, lidocaine concentrations in heart tissue were significantly increased, whereas in the liver they were significantly reduced as compared to the control group. Our results indicate that stress can alter lidocaine levels in plasma and tissues, suggesting that stress should be considered an important factor when determining the dosage of lidocaine in clinical application.

Adrenal Glands↗