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Biomedical subjects

E J Stephens

Publications and source records attributed to E J Stephens.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1986

AIDS therapy.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1983

Levamisole in primary breast cancer. A controlled study in conjunction with l-phenylalanine mustard.

Between September 1976 and May 1980, 135 patients with operable breast cancer and positive axillary nodes received l-phenylalanine mustard, adjunct to surgery, 0.15 mg/kg for five days, six weekly, and were randomised prospectively to levamisole 150 mg for three days, two weekly, or a placebo. Treatment was continued for two years or until evidence of treatment failure, whichever was the sooner. At 4 1/2 years, for all patients, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.09), but in a subgroup of women less than or equal to 50 with 1-3 positive nodes, levamisole had a negative effect (P = 0.05). Although an analysis of the same age group, independent of the nodal status, did not reach significance, there was a trend in favor of placebo (P = 0.08) which was also apparent in premenopausal women (P = 0.15). In postmenopausal patients, however, and in those with more advanced disease with four or more positive nodes, although the results also failed to reach significance the trend in these subgroups favored levamisole. The results of this study suggest that levamisole has no place in the primary therapy of breast cancer in younger women and those with more favorable disease. The value of this agent in older patients and those with more advanced primary disease, remains unproven, but the favorable trends are in accord with a number of other studies with levamisole in metastatic breast and resectable lung cancer. Retrospective analysis confined to those women who received 75% or more of the total dose of l-phenylalanine mustard showed no evidence for a dose-responsive effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on the described pattern of results.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1979

The first year of metroprolol (Lopresor): an analysis of a newly released drug in general practice.

In 95 hypertensive patients treated in general practice, metoprolol given once daily was as effective as other beta-blockers given in an equivalent daily dose two or three times daily (P less than 0.001) and was well tolerated. Follow-up a year later produced no evidence of unusual side effects but there was a reduction in the mean daily dosage without loss of efficacy. Problems associated with surveys carried out in general practice and with the retrieval of information on the effects of long term administration in an identifiable patient population are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Levamisole: as adjuvant to cyclic chemotherapy in breast cancer.

The addition of levamisole, administered in adjunctive manner between the cycles of conventional high dose chemotherapy in patients with hormone resistant end state breast cancer substantially improved the survival of treated patients. Analysis of this double-blind study in 60 such patients suggests that improvement in remission status and survival is related to better tolerability of such cytotoxic therapy as regards both specific and nonspecific cytotoxicity. This improved tolerability enabled patients to receive higher doses of cytotoxic drugs over a shorter time period resulting in an improved remission rate and ultimate survival.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Comparison of a slow release formulation of oxprenolol with conventional oxprenolol in the treatment of hypertension.

Patients with moderate to severe hypertension were studied during a 12-week period, during which they were given a slow release formulation of oxprenolol once daily, in a dosage equal to their previous total daily dose of oxprenolol given in divided doses. There were no systematic differences between blood pressures at the beginning and end of the 12-week period. The once-daily dosage was well tolerated and was preferred by the patients. This regime offers advantages in terms of patient compliance with lifelong therapy in what is usually a symptomless condition.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Comparison of a slow-release formulation of oxprenolol with conventional oxprenolol in the treatment of hypertension.

1. Patients with moderate to severe hypertension were studied during a 12 weeks period, while taking a slow-release formulation of oxprenolol once daily, in a dose equal to their previous total daily dose of oxprenolol given in divided doses. 2. There were no significant differences between blood pressure at the beginning and end of the 12 weeks period. 3. Once-daily dosage offers advantages of patient compliance.

Adult↗