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Biomedical subjects

D C Case

Publications and source records attributed to D C Case.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Diffuse well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma: chemotherapy with BCNU, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, melphalan and prednisone.

Twenty patients with stage III and IV diffuse well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma were treated with combination chemotherapy consisting of BCNU, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, melphalan and prednisone (M-2). Treatment was given every 5 weeks for 11 cycles in responding patients. The median age of the patients was 62 years (range 45-76). There were 12 complete remissions and 6 partial remissions for an overall response rate of 90%. The median duration of remission was 24 months (range 12-79 months) and was identical for complete responders and partial responders. All but 2 responding patients have been subsequently retreated for relapse. The median survival was 84 months (range 1-108 months). Myelosuppression was mild. Nausea/vomiting, neuropathy, alopecia and gastrointestinal symptoms from prednisone were seen in the minority of patients. One patient expired from sepsis/neutropenia during the first cycle of therapy. The M-2 protocol produces effective remissions in diffuse well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma. The relapse and survival pattern are similar to the results achieved with other chemotherapy regimens in low-grade lymphoma.

Adult↗

Phase I-II trial of high-dose epirubicin in patients with lymphoma.

High-dose doxorubicin has shown considerable activity in both previously treated and previously untreated patients with lymphoma. Because of the toxicities of doxorubicin at high dose, we elected to study a new anthracycline at doses comparable to doxorubicin at high dose, to assess response and toxicity. Epirubicin was administered at doses of 120 mg/m2, 150 mg/m2, and 180 mg/m2 every 3 weeks (maximum four doses) to groups of six patients with previously treated intermediate- and high-grade lymphoma. Sixteen of the patients had received significant prior therapy with an anthracycline and/or anthracenedione. At all dose levels, myelosuppression was severe, with median granulocyte nadirs less than 504/mm3. Hematological recovery occurred by day 21 at the 120 mg/m2 and 150 mg/m2 dose levels, allowing for the next cycle of therapy. However, at the 180 mg/m2 dose level, the majority of patients failed to have hematological recovery by the day of the next scheduled therapy. Forty-two % of patients (eight patients) had fever/neutropenia, and required antibiotics. One treatment-related septic death occurred (at 150 mg/m2). Alopecia (68%), fever immediately following treatment (63%), mild/moderate stomatitis (58%), and nausea/vomiting (53%) were the most common nonhematological toxicities. These toxicities were independent of the dose levels and were not dose limiting. A significant change (greater than or equal to 0.10) in the radionuclide ejection (EF) was seen in seven patients. The median of the entire group of patients fell from 0.63 to 0.56. No patient developed clinical or radiological evidence of congestive heart failure. A response rate of 58% (two complete responses, nine partial responses) was achieved with a median duration of 5 months (range, 1-15+). High-dose epirubicin can be successfully utilized in patients with previously treated lymphoma. The only dose-limiting toxicity observed at these dose levels was the lack of hematological recovery by day 21 with 180 mg/m2. Since epirubicin at high dose will be incorporated into high-dose anthracycline regimens in previously untreated patients utilizing a 3-week treatment cycle, 150-180 mg/m2 may be the maximally tolerated dose for such studies.

Adult↗

Differentiation between essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera with marked thrombocytosis.

Accurate distinction between essential thrombocythemia and thrombocytotic polycythemia vera requires determination of the red cell mass in the presence of adequate iron stores, but this is not always possible. We therefore compared the clinical and laboratory features at the time of presentation of 50 patients with unequivocal essential thrombocythemia and 27 patients with thrombocytotic polycythemia vera. Univariate analysis failed to identify any single parameter capable of reliably separating the groups. A logistic regression algorithm incorporating hematocrit, white cell count, and spleen size markedly increased the diagnostic accuracy (92%) compared with predictions based on the hematocrit alone (52%). The algorithm's usefulness for patients with intermediate hematocrits was confirmed by analysis of independent samples of essential thrombocythemia and thrombocytotic polycythemia vera patients, and also by analysis of patients with probable essential thrombocythemia in whom the diagnosis could not be confirmed because of inadequate exclusion of polycythemia vera. Furthermore, comparison of survival data suggests that differentiating these disorders is prognostically important. The algorithm is recommended as an alternate method for differentiating essential thrombocythemia from thrombocytotic polycythemia vera whenever the red cell mass is unavailable or iron deficiency cannot be excluded.

Adult↗

Interferon alfa-2b/melphalan/prednisone in previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma: a phase I-II trial.

Interferon alfa-2b (Intron A; Schering Plough) has been shown to be active in advanced previously treated multiple myeloma (MM). Recent in vitro evidence has suggested synergy between cytotoxic agents and interferon alfa-2b. This phase I-II protocol was initiated to study interferon alfa-2b in combination with melphalan and prednisone. Groups of five patients received interferon alfa-2b twice-weekly for two weeks at dose levels of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 and 10.0 X 10(6) IU/m2. During week 2, melphalan (9 mg/m2) and prednisone (40 mg/m2) were administered concurrently with interferon alfa-2b followed by a rest period during nadir myelosuppression, the cycles being repeated every 28 days. Thirty patients were entered of whom 21 were Stage III, 3 Stage II and 6 Stage I. Median nadir WBC/mm3 and platelets/mm3 at the various dose levels are given in the table. Serious adverse reactions while on study included myocardial infarction, renal failure and leukopenia-related sepsis. Early response information is available. Twenty-six patients are evaluable for response. Seven have had progressive disease and 19 (69%) a partial response, the median duration was 11+ months. Interferon alfa-2b does not appear to antagonize melphalan/prednisone effectiveness and may be additive or synergistic. Full evaluation of this combination will be undertaken in randomized controlled trials which are now underway.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Phase II study of aclarubicin in acute myeloblastic leukemia.

Aclarubicin is a new anthracycline antibiotic that produces substantially less cardiotoxicity in animals that does doxorubicin. Based upon prior Phase I and II trials in leukemia, a Phase II study in acute myeloblastic leukemia was developed to assess the response rate and toxicity in previously treated patients. Forty patients received aclarubicin 100 mg/m2 per day X 3 with repeated course on days 14-16 if marrow hypoplasia was not produced. Complete responses were achieved in 27.5% (11/40) with durations of 1.5, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3+, 4, 5+, 32+, 33+, and 34+ months. Toxic effects of this therapy included severe neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, nausea/vomiting, mucositis, and diarrhea. No patient developed significant changes in the left ventricular ejection fraction, as measured by radionuclide angiography, or any clinical cardiac symptoms. Alopecia was minimal. Aclarubicin can produce a significant response rate in previously treated patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia and should be considered for study in initial therapy.

Aclarubicin↗

The m-BACOD combination chemotherapy regimen in the treatment of diffuse large cell lymphoma.

The m-BACOD regimen attempted to lower the dose of methotrexate in the M-BACOD (methotrexate, bleomycin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, dexamethasone) program. Between July 1981 and January 1985, 87 previously untreated or minimally treated patients with diffuse large cell lymphoma were treated with the m-BACOD regimen (methotrexate 200 mg/m2 on days 8 and 15, bleomycin 4.0 mg/m2 on day 1, doxorubicin 45 mg/m2 on day 1, cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 on day 1, vincristine 1.0 mg/m2 on day 1, and dexamethasone 6 mg/m2 on days 1 to 5; leucovorin was given 24 hours after methotrexate at 10 mg/m2 every six hours for eight doses orally). Of 86 evaluable patients, 59 (68.5%) had a complete remission (CR). Partial response was seen in 21 patients with six still surviving (5 to over 15 months). Of the seven patients who had no change, all have died. The median duration of follow-up for the entire series was 30 months (range, 2 to 61). Relapse from CR occurred in 15 of 59 (25%). Currently, 56 of 87 patients (64%) survive; all but 12 are in their first remission. Overall survival was 84% for those achieving an apparent CR. The major toxic effect of the m-BACOD regimen was myelosuppression with severe leukopenia and fever, which required hospitalization for about 33% of patients. Mucositis occurred in 39 patients; 19 had severe mucositis. No significant difference in overall survival was seen between the high-dose methotrexate M-BACOD and the low-dose m-BACOD regimens.

Adult↗

Alpha-2-interferon/melphalan/prednisone in previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma: a phase I-II trial.

Alpha-2-interferon (IFN) has demonstrable activity in advanced, relapsing, or refractory multiple myeloma. Because of the in vitro synergism between the IFNs and cytotoxic agents, we conducted a trial of 30 previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma utilizing various doses of alpha-2-IFN in combination with standard oral doses of melphalan and prednisone. The combination was well-tolerated without unusual or unexpected toxic effects. The limiting toxicity included dose-related myelosuppression, and alpha-2-IFN induced flu-like symptoms and fatigue. Response was seen in at least as many patients as would be expected with melphalan and prednisone alone. The maximal tolerated dose for a phase II-III trial was 5.0 X 10(6) IU/m2 of alpha-2-IFN in combination with standard doses of melphalan and prednisone. Future trials should utilize this dose of alpha-2-IFN with dose de-escalation according to tolerance.

Adult↗

Phase II study of rDNA alpha-2 interferon (INTRON A) in patients with multiple myeloma utilizing an escalating induction phase.

Twenty previously treated patients with multiple myeloma were treated with rDNA human alpha-2 interferon (INTRON A) in a phase II trial. Patients received an induction phase of therapy consisting of 3-100 X 10(6) IU/m2 iv given every other day pending myelosuppression. Patients then received 10 X 10(6) IU/m2 three times a week sc. In patients not responding to the iv and sc protocol, prednisone (20 mg orally) was given with each dose of INTRON A to determine whether additional responses could be produced and whether toxicity could be reduced. During the sc phases of therapy, INTRON A was escalated pending hematologic and nonhematologic toxicity. Three partial remissions were achieved in patients receiving the initial iv/sc therapy, and one additional patient responded when prednisone was added (durations of remission, 5, 6, 8, and 9 months). Myelosuppression was the dose-limiting toxic effect in both the iv and sc phases of therapy. Constitutional symptoms (flu-like) were seen in the majority of patients, but were tolerable. With the utilization of prednisone, flu-like symptoms were reduced in frequency and degree. Escalation of the dose of INTRON A was possible in the majority of patients when prednisone was added; however, only one patient (of seven) responded to combination therapy. INTRON A can produce remissions in 20% of patients with previously treated multiple myeloma. No improvement in the response rate was achieved utilizing a high-dose induction program. Although the dose of INTRON A could be escalated when prednisone was added, the response rate was not enhanced.

Adult↗

Combination chemotherapy for multiple myeloma with BCNU, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, melphalan, and prednisone (M-2 protocol).

54 consecutively referred, previously untreated patients with stage II and III multiple myeloma have been treated with the M-2 protocol. 50% of patients had a performance status of less than 50%. 13% were stage II and 87% stage III. In 50 of 54 patients (90%), and objective response according to the Myeloma Task Force was achieved; 10% of the responses have been complete (9+, 15+, 17+, 18+ and 66+ months). Remissions now range from 1 to 86+ months. The actuarial median survival determined from the initiation of therapy will exceed 4 years. Toxicity was acceptable with mild myelosuppression. These results confirm the efficacy of the M-2 protocol in multiple myeloma with regards to response rate and survival.

Adult↗

Combination chemotherapy with the M-2 protocol (BCNU, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, melphalan, and prednisone) for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (stages III and IV).

The M-2 protocol was administered every 5 weeks to 25 patients with stage III and IV chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Complete remission (CR; absence of all clinical and bone marrow evidence of leukemia including normal immune markers for monoclonal disease) and partial remission (PR; greater than 50% decrease in organ enlargement and reduction of WBC count to below 15,000 X 10(6)/l) were achieved in 20 and 48%, respectively. A median number of 24 cycles of therapy was required to produce a CR. The median duration of unmaintained remission was 12 months. All CR patients are still surviving. The median survival of the PR patients and the overall groups is 21 months. To improve the CR rate and survival in patients with advanced CLL, more effective methods of determining residual leukemic cells and different treatment strategies will be needed.

Adult↗

Phase II study of aclarubicin in patients with lymphoma.

Aclarubicin, a new anthracycline antibiotic with less cardiotoxicity relative to doxorubicin, was utilized in 33 patients with advanced lymphoma at a dose of 100 mg/m2 iv every 3 weeks. Five patients developed partial response (2, 2, 2, 4, and 8+ months). None of the patients who had received prior anthracycline responded to aclarubicin. The dose-limiting toxic effect was hematologic. One of ten patients having serial measurements of cardiac function had a significant reduction in left ventricular function, but cardiac symptoms did not occur.

Aclarubicin↗

Combination chemotherapy for mycosis fungoides with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, methotrexate, and prednisone.

Seven patients with stage IV mycosis fungoides [TNM classification] have been treated with combination chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, methotrexate, and prednisone [COMP]. A complete response rate of 57% was produced with an overall response of 100% in patients having limited prior steroid and/or chemotherapy. Complete responses range from 4+ to 20 months [median, 11 months]. Overall survival ranges from 2 to 40+ months [median, 12+ months]. The protocol was well tolerated except for one treatment-related death. Combination chemotherapy can produce effective remissions in patients with advanced mycosis fungoides. TNM classification should be considered in staging patients with mycosis fungoides for comparison of different treatment regimens.

Adult↗

Comparison of M-2 protocol with COP in patients with nodular lymphoma.

58 consecutively referred, previously untreated patients with nodular lymphomas (stages III and IV) were treated with two different combination chemotherapy regimens-(cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone (COP), and BCNU , cyclophosphamide, vincristine, melphalan and prednisone (M-2) - to compare remission induction and duration as well as survival. The two groups were comparable for age, stage IV and histology. The complete response for each combination was greater than 80%. Median duration of remission for the COP-treated patients is 18 months. Remission duration and survival are superior for M-2-treated patients. The difference in remission duration and survival advantage is statistically significant for the M-2 protocol compared with COP at 5 years (p less than 0.01).

Adult↗

Combination chemotherapy for advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphomas other than diffuse histiocytic or undifferentiated histologies.

A combination chemotherapy program using methotrexate, bleomycin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and dexamethasone (M-BACOD), which resulted in a high complete response rate and prolonged disease-free survival in lymphomas of the unfavorable diffuse histiocytic and diffuse undifferentiated histopathologic subgroups, was administered to 44 patients with advanced favorable and intermediate-prognosis non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, including nodular lymphoma of the poorly differentiated lymphocytic, mixed, and histiocytic subtypes, and diffuse lymphoma of the poorly differentiated lymphocytic or mixed histologic subtypes. High-dose methotrexate (3 g/m2) was given on Day 14 between cycles of bleomycin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and dexamethasone, administered every 3 weeks for ten cycles. Leucovorin factor (10 mg/m2) was given iv 24 hours after the methotrexate infusion was completed, and was continued at 10 mg/m2 by mouth every 6 hours for 72 hours. Therapy was well-tolerated, with predictable myelosuppression in the majority of patients. The complete response rate was 57% (25 of 44 patients), including ten of 18 (56%) patients with nodular and 15 of 26 (58%) patients with diffuse lymphomas. Median overall follow-up among living patients is 65 months, 58 months for patients with nodular and 69 months for patients with diffuse histologic subgroups. Overall survival at 5 years was 64% for patients who achieved complete response, 32% for partial responders, and 0% for those patients who did not respond. Disease-free survival of complete responders was 43% at 5 years, with only one disease-related death noted after 36 months. The nodular and diffuse patient subgroups had similar overall and disease-free survivals. Although initial bone marrow involvement was documented in nine of 18 (50%) nodular patients and in 13 of 26 (50%) diffuse patients, CNS relapse occurred in only one complete and two partial responders. The prolonged disease-free survival observed after M-BACOD therapy demonstrates that durable responses can be achieved with intensive chemotherapy.

Adolescent↗

Therapy of essential thrombocythemia with thiotepa and chlorambucil.

Twenty-seven patients with essential thrombocythemia were treated with combination chemotherapy consisting of weekly intravenous thiotepa (until the platelet count fell below 1,000 X 10(3)/cu mm) and daily chlorambucil (until a sustained remission, platelet count less than 400 X 10(3)/cu mm). All patients responded promptly, platelet counts fell to below 1,000 X 10(3)/cu mm by 1-3 wk, and were less than 400 X 10(3)/cu mm by 2-6 wk. Remission of thrombocytosis was accompanied by an improvement of the patients' symptoms and resolution of the splenomegaly that was present in 21 of the 27 patients. However, daily chlorambucil for more than 1 yr was required to produce a sustained remission in the majority of patients. Nine of 21 patients whose initial treatment was discontinued have required retreatment. To date, 3 patients have expired; 1 patient developed acute leukemia at 36 mo.

Adult↗

m-AMSA: phase II trial in advanced lymphoma and leukemia.

m-AMSA, an acridine dye derivative, has been utilized in 36 patients with advanced hematologic malignancies. In 22 patients with lymphoma receiving 120 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, 10(45%) have achieved remissions. Eight of these remissions have been partial. The median duration of remission in patients with lymphoma was 3 months (range 1-12+ months). In 11 patients with acute leukemia receiving m-AMSA, 40 mg/m2 t.i.d. for 5 days, three (27%) have achieved remissions. Two of the three remissions have been complete. All three remissions in patients with leukemia were sustained for 1 month. Two patients with myeloma and one patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia failed to respond. The major toxicity of m-AMSA has been myelosuppression. The dose-limiting toxic effect in patients with lymphoma was neutropenia. Nausea and vomiting, alopecia, phlebitis, and hepatic dysfunction have been noted in a minority of patients. Phlebitis appeared to be prevented with heparin administration after m-AMSA infusion. One fatal arrhythmia occurred, apparently related to therapy. m-AMSA appears active in advanced leukemia and lymphoma. Further studies are merited, particularly in combination with known effective agents, in order to improve upon remission duration.

Acute Disease↗

Long-term results of patients with advanced diffuse, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone and bleomycin (CHOP-Bleo).

17 patients with diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with unfavorable histologies were treated with cyclophosphamide, hydroxyldaunorubicin (doxorubicin), vincristine (Oncovin), prednisone and bleomycin (CHOP-Bleo). Of the 16 patients entering a complete remission, 8 remain in remission at 46+, 50+, 51+, 61+, 61+, 61+ and 63+ months. There were 2 treatment deaths in elderly patients, both in remission. 2 of the early relapses (less than 12 months) were later characterized as lymphoblastic lymphoma upon review of the original pathology. All 3 patients with late relapses (32, 37, and 44 months), were able to be successfully retreated. The 2 patients with lymphoblastic lymphoma developed central nervous system disease despite prophylactic intrathecal methotrexate; but central nervous system disease has not developed in the 4 other patients with initial bone marrow involvement who received prophylactic intrathecal therapy.

Adult↗