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K Sulek

Publications and source records attributed to K Sulek.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

An evaluation of factors predicting long-term response to thalidomide in 234 patients with relapsed or resistant multiple myeloma.

The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of pretreatment clinical and laboratory parameters in refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma (MM) patients who have a long-term response to thalidomide (THAL), lasting at least 18 months. The study was carried out on 234 patients who received THAL for relapsed/refractory myeloma. Out of the 234 patients, 129 patients (55.1%) responded to THAL with a mean response duration of 11.9 months (ranging from 1 to 48) and an overall survival rate of 20.3 months (ranging 1-55 months). In 64 patients (27.4% of the whole group), the response to THAL lasted > or =18 months with a mean response lasting 24 months. Statistical analysis of the group of nonresponders and patients with long-term response to THAL showed a significantly higher serum albumin level (P=0.0003) and haemoglobin level (P=0.05), as well as a lower beta2 microglobulin (beta2M) (P=0.022), LDH (P=0.045) serum level in patients with long-term response. In this study, the LDH and serum albumin level were predictors for response to THAL therapy. The beta2M serum level was not a predictor for response to THAL. The albumin serum level was the best parameter distinguishing the group of patients with long-term response to THAL from the entire responding group (P=0.02).

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Addition of cladribine to daunorubicin and cytarabine increases complete remission rate after a single course of induction treatment in acute myeloid leukemia. Multicenter, phase III study.

To assess the efficacy of an original DAC-7 regimen: daunorubicine (DNR) 60 mg/m2/day, days 1-3; cytarabine (AraC) 200 mg/m2/day, days 1-7; cladribine (2-CdA) 5 mg/m2/day, days 1-5, 400 untreated adult acute myeloid leukemia patients (including 63 with preceding myelodysplastic syndrome), aged 45 (16-60) years were randomized to either DAC-7 (n=200) or DA-7 (without 2-CdA, n=200). The overall CR rate equaled 72% for DAC-7 and 69% for DA-7 arm (P=NS). After a single course of DAC-7 induction, the CR rate equaled 64% and was significantly higher compared to 47% in the DA-7 arm (P=0.0009). Median hospitalization time during the induction was 7 days shorter for DAC-7 compared to the DA-7 group (33 vs 40 days, P=0.002). Toxicity was comparable in both groups. The probability of 3-year leukemia-free survival (LFS) for DAC-7 and DA-7 group equaled 43 and 34%, respectively (P=NS). There was a trend toward higher LFS rate for patients aged >40 years receiving DAC-7 compared with DA-7 regimen (44 vs 28%, P=0.05). This study proves that addition of 2-CdA increases antileukemic potency of DNR+AraC regimen, thus resulting in a higher CR rate after one induction cycle when compared to DA-7, without additional toxicity. It shortens hospitalization time and may improve long-term survival in patients aged >40 years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Outcome and prognostic factors in advanced Hodgkin's disease treated with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation: a study of 341 patients.

BACKGROUND: The reported probability of survival of patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) following high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (HDC/ASCT) is 35-65% at 5 years. The Polish Lymphoma Research Group investigated retrospectively prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS), and the risk of secondary malignancies in a large series of patients who underwent HDC/ASCT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data of 341 consecutive patients treated in 10 centers from 1990 to 2002 were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The actuarial 5-year OS and EFS were 64% [95% confidence interval (CI) 57% to 71%] and 45% (95% CI 39% to 51%), respectively. In the multivariate model, unfavorable prognostic factors for EFS were less than partial response at the time of ASCT [relative risk (RR), 2.92 (95% CI 1.68-5.08); P<0.001] and three or more previous chemotherapy lines (RR, 2.16; 95% CI 1.42-3.30; P<0.001). These two factors were also associated with unfavorable OS (RR, 3.32; 95% CI 1.90-5.79; P<0.001 and RR, 2.34, 95% CI 1.51-3.64; P<0.001). Five-year cumulative risk of secondary malignancy was 8.4% (95% CI 2% to 13%) and the only identified risk factor was splenectomy (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: HDC/ASCT should be considered early in the course of disease for patients with a response after standard therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Biologic effects of microwave exposure. II. Studies on the mechanisms controlling susceptibility to microwave-induced increases in complement receptor-positive spleen cells.

In attempting to evaluate the mechanisms responsible for susceptibility to the inductive increase in splenic complement receptor-positive (CR+) cells following exposure to 2450-MHz microwaves, it was found that sensitivity to microwave-induced CR+ cell increases was under genetic control. In particular, evidence was accumulated suggesting that regulation was under the control of a gene or genes closely associated with but outside of the mouse major histocompatibility complex (H-2). All responsive strains of mice tested were of the H-2k haplotype, while mice of the H-2a, H-2b, H-2d and H-1i5 haplotypes were refractory to the microwave-induced increases in CR+ cells. By utilizing certain H-2k strains of mice that were genetically unable to respond to endotoxin, we were able to show that these strains of mice responded to microwaves, but not to endotoxin, by increasing CR+ cells. Microwave-induced increases in CR+ cells were not mimicked by the intraperitoneal injection of hydrocortisone. Athymic mice responded to microwave exposure, indicating that this event was not regulated by the T-cell population. Mice less than eight weeks old were found not to be susceptible to exposure to 2450-MHz microwaves. These studies indicate that microwaves do induce changes in the population of cells with specific cell-surface receptors, that susceptibility to these changes is under genetic control, and that it is unlikely that endotoxin, corticosteroids, or regulatory T cells play a significant role in the mechanisms regulating these increases.

Aging↗
PubMed1975

Evaluation of the usefulness of nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test (NBT test) for detection of bacterial infection in cancer patients.

False positivity of the NBT test in neoplastic diseases described by some authose may be a limitation in the use of the test for infection screening in cancer patients. For explaining this problem studies were performed in a group of 30 patients with various untreated malignancies without infection and in 20 of these with bacteriologically confirmed infections. The obtained results were compared with those in groups of normal persons without and with infection. Slightly modified Park method for spontaneous and stimulated NBT test was used. No significant differences between patients of both groups without infection were found. The increase in positivity of the test in presence of infection was lower in cancer patients than in normal subjects, however, it was non-significant. We did not observe any false-positive results in our patients, though one case of false negativity in myeloma is described separately. It is concluded that neoplastic disease does not cause, as such positivity of the NBT test. Because of similar response of NBT test to presence of infection, the NBT test is recognized as very useful for infection screening in cancer patients similarly as in normal persons.

Adult↗