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Biomedical subjects

M Bannink

Publications and source records attributed to M Bannink.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Influence of pegylated interferon-alpha therapy on plasma levels of citrulline and arginine in melanoma patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG-IFN-alpha) on the plasma citrulline/arginine ratio, regarded as an index of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, in patients with high-risk melanoma. Forty patients were randomly assigned to either PEG-IFN-alpha treatment (n = 22) or to observation only (control group, n = 18). The treatment group received 6 microg PEG-IFN-alpha/kg once a week during 8 weeks, followed by a maintenance dose of 3 microg/kg/wk. Blood was collected at different time points, plasma concentrations of citrulline and arginine were measured and the ratio of citrulline/arginine was calculated. Patients treated with PEG-IFN-alpha showed a significant decrease in the concentrations of citrulline and in the citrulline/arginine ratio during the whole study period, both compared to baseline values and to the control group. The data suggest that therapy with PEG-IFN-alpha results in a marked decrease in the synthesis of NO in melanoma patients.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed2005

Clinical experience with venlafaxine in the treatment of hot flushes in women with a history of breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain practical experience with venlafaxine for hot flushes in breast cancer patients and incorporate this in a treatment protocol. METHOD: Twenty-two women with a history of breast cancer (mean age 49.2 years, range 35-65) were referred for consideration of treatment with venlafaxine for hot flushes. Patients received extensive information on treatment with venlafaxine and were advised to self-monitor the frequency of their hot flushes. RESULTS: Eight women did not start venlafaxine because they had no postmenopausal complaints, were lost to follow-up, had too low a frequency of hot flushes, or refused treatment. Eventually 14 women started venlafaxine. Two of them did not tolerate venlafaxine, four reported some effect but stopped because of side effects, two women had no effect whatsoever. Six women observed a clear ( > 50%) reduction in their hot flush frequency that was maintained at a median follow-up of 13 months. CONCLUSION: The group of patients referred for treatment was more heterogeneous and more patients dropped out because of side effects than expected. Extensive patient education, patient selection and evaluation of the treatment effect (by self-monitoring of hot flush frequency) are mandatory to avoid useless (continuation of) treatment and to prepare patients for side effects. Under these conditions, a substantial minority of patients benefit from venlafaxine.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Serum activity of prolyl endopeptidase, but not of dipeptidyl peptidase IV, is decreased by immunotherapy with IFN-alpha in high-risk melanoma patients.

Immunotherapy with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) induces neuropsychiatric side effects, most notably depression. In hepatitis patients treated with IFN-alpha, severity of depression correlates with a decrease in serum activity of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV, EC 3.4.14.5), a membrane-bound protease involved in the cleavage of cytokines and neuroactive peptides. Abnormal serum activity of the cytosolic peptidase prolyl endopeptidase (PEP, EC 3.4.21.26, postprolyl cleaving enzyme, prolyl oligopeptidase) has been documented in patients with a variety of psychiatric disorders, most consistently in mood disorders. The serum activity of PEP and DPP-IV was measured before and after 4 weeks of high-dose induction treatment with IFN-alpha in 18 patients with high-risk melanoma. In this exploratory study, we show a clear decrease in the serum activity of PEP after 4 weeks of treatment with IFN-alpha. This decrease was not related to changes in hematologic parameters. In contrast, serum activity of DPP-IV did not change. Further studies focusing on a possible role of PEP in the pathophysiology of IFN-alpha-induced depression are warranted.

Depression↗
PubMed2000

Psychiatric consultation and quality of decision making in euthanasia.

The role of undiagnosed psychiatric disorders in patients requesting euthanasia is an important ethical and professional issue. From June, 1997, until June, 1999, we included a psychiatric consultation as part of our standard procedure for handling euthanasia requests. Of 22 cancer patients who requested euthanasia at short notice: ten had their longstanding and well-considered wish for euthanasia granted; six were denied euthanasia because they did not have such a wish; five were denied because of psychiatric problems; and one was granted the wish despite minor psychiatric symptoms. Our findings suggest that a psychiatrist should be consulted if the treatment team has doubts about a patient's state of mind.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Side effects of interferon alfa].

Interferons are a class of glycoproteins whose properties include antiviral, immunomodulatory and antiproliferative effects. Immunotherapy with interferons is used in a variety of diseases, such as haemato-oncological disorders, solid tumours, viral hepatitis and multiple sclerosis. Due to their involvement in the regulation of a large number of physiological functions, many different side effects can occur. Flu-like syndromes, gastrointestinal complaints, fatigue, pain, increased susceptibility to infections, thyroid dysfunction and psychiatric side effects occur frequently with alfa-interferon. Side effects frequently necessitate interruption and dose reduction. Severe or even life-threatening side effects are not frequent but do occur. Patient education is an important promotor of patient compliance, as are proper detection and symptomatic treatment of the side effects.

Antineoplastic Agents↗