Biomedical subjects

P Hoskins

Publications and source records attributed to P Hoskins.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Small cell of the ovary, hypercalcemic type -- analysis of combined experience and recommendation for management. A GCIG study.

UNLABELLED: Small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) is a rare tumor typically affecting young women. It is an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis and few long-term survivors. OBJECTIVE: Investigate the outcome of patients with SCCOHT. METHOD: Data were collected for patients with SCCOHT treated in Australia, Canada and Europe. Information included stage, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, recurrence and survival. RESULTS: The median follow-up is 13 months for all patients and 35.5 months in surviving patients. Ten patients had FIGO stage I tumors, six stage III tumors and one stage unknown. All underwent surgical resection. Adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy was given to all patients. Seven received adjuvant radiotherapy with either pelvic and para-aortic radiotherapy, average dose 46.5 Gy (40 Gy/25# - 50.4 Gy/23#), or pelvic and whole abdominal radiotherapy, average dose 45 Gy to pelvis and 25 Gy (22.5 Gy/22# - 30 Gy/25#) to abdomen. The median survival for stage I tumors was not reached and was 6 months for stage III tumors. For the ten patients with stage I tumors: six received adjuvant radiotherapy with five alive and disease-free; four received no adjuvant radiotherapy with one alive and disease-free, while three have relapsed with one alive and disease-free after resection. Of the seven patients with stage III or unknown stage tumors, all but one have died. Recurrences were most frequent in the pelvis and the abdomen. Patients receiving salvage treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy did poorly. CONCLUSION: We advocate a multi-modality treatment approach including surgery, chemotherapy with the addition of radiotherapy either sequentially or concurrently.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Numerical investigation of physiologically realistic pulsatile flow through arterial stenosis.

Numerical simulations of pulsatile blood flow in straight tube stenosis models were performed to investigate the poststenotic flow phenomena. In this study, three axisymmetrical and three asymmetrical stenosis models with area reduction of 25%, 50% and 75% were constructed. A measured human common carotid artery blood flow waveform was used as the upstream flow condition which has a mean Reynold's number of 300. All calculations were performed with high spatial and temporal resolutions. Flow features such as velocity profiles, flow separation zone (FSZ), and wall shear stress (WSS) distributions in the poststenotic region for all models are presented. The results have demonstrated that the formation and development of FSZs in the poststenotic region are very complex, especially in the flow deceleration phase. In axisymmetric stenoses the poststenotic flow is more sensitive to changes in the degree of stenosis than in asymmetric models. For severe stenoses, the stenosis influence length is shorter in asymmetrical models than in axisymmetrical cases. WSS oscillations (between positive and negative values) have been observed at various downstream locations in some models. The amplitude of the oscillation depends strongly on the axial location and the degree of stenosis.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗

PubMed2000

Phase II feasibility study of sequential couplets of Cisplatin/Topotecan followed by paclitaxel/cisplatin as primary treatment for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: a National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group Study.

PURPOSE: Despite the improved results in advanced ovarian cancer achieved with the addition of paclitaxel to frontline therapy, there remains room for improvement. One approach is to add new agents such as topotecan. Because myelosuppression limits the delivery of topotecan with paclitaxel/cisplatin in a three-drug combination, we explored giving sequential couplets of cisplatin/topotecan followed by paclitaxel/cisplatin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients with residual epithelial ovarian carcinoma after primary surgery were studied. Cisplatin 50 mg/m(2) on day 1 and topotecan 0.75 mg/m(2) on days 1 through 5 were administered at 21-day intervals for four cycles, followed by interval debulking surgery (if optimal debulking was not achieved with primary surgery), and then paclitaxel 135 mg/m(2) over 24 hours on day 1 and cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) on day 2 at 21-day intervals for four cycles. RESULTS: Such sequential couplets are feasible. Myelotoxicity was the major toxic effect, but it was of short duration. The granulocyte nadir with topotecan/cisplatin occurred late (median, day 18), so retreatment on day 21 was not always possible. There was no unexpected nonhematologic toxicity. The regimen was active in this group of patients who had undergone largely suboptimal debulking surgery. In 34 patients with clinically measurable disease, the overall response rate was 78%, and 30 (77%) of the 39 patients with elevated CA 125 levels at baseline had normalization of CA 125 levels by the end of therapy. CONCLUSION: Sequential couplets of cisplatin/topotecan followed by paclitaxel/cisplatin are feasible. The efficacy data in this suboptimal group of patients has encouraged us to proceed with a randomized study based on this approach.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

The relationship between abdominal aortic aneurysm wall compliance, maximum diameter and growth rate.

AIM: Aortic compliance as measured by the pressure-strain elastic modulus (Ep) and stiffness (beta), may allow a more precise estimate of rupture risk. The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between compliance, maximal aneurysm diameter and growth rate. METHODS: Sixty abdominal aortic aneurysm patients of median age 73 years, were studied. Growth rate was derived from repeat ultrasound scans obtained over a median period of 21 months (range 6-48). At the end of follow-up, patients underwent measurement of maximum aortic diameter, Ep and beta using the Diamove echo-tracking system. RESULTS: Growth rate correlated positively (r = 0.6, P < 0.01) with maximum diameter on entry to the study There was a positive correlation between mean arterial pressure and Ep (r = 0.3, P = 0.03), but not between mean arterial pressure and beta (r = 0.8, P = 0.61). A positive correlation was found between final maximum diameter and Ep (r = 0.22, P = 0.04) but not beta (r = 0.16, P = 0.11). There was no significant relationship between growth rate and Ep or beta. CONCLUSION: Large aneurysms tended to be less compliant. Within a population of abdominal aortic aneurysm of similar maximum diameter there was a 10-fold variation in Ep and beta. Compliance and growth rate were not related. If aortic compliance is related to risk of rupture then this predictive information is likely to be largely independent of that currently obtained from size and growth rate.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Patient radiation dose during lithotripsy.

Measurements were made of the radiation dose to patients undergoing lithotripsy. Two groups were studied; patients undergoing ultrasound localization of calculi, and patients undergoing fluoroscopic localization. Dose area product (DAP) measurements were obtained using a Diamentor ionization chamber. Ultrasound localization produced a mean DAP of 137 cGy cm2 equivalent to a mean effective dose of 0.24 mSv. Fluoroscopy localization produced a mean DAP of 552 cGy cm2 equivalent to a mean effective dose of 1.2 mSv. There was no correlation between stone size and fluoroscopy time. We recommend the use of ultrasound localization as a first option whilst restricting the use of fluoroscopy (preferably pulsed) for ureteric and difficult renal calculi.

Female↗

PubMed1998

Factors predictive of survival after first relapse or progression in advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma: a prediction tree analysis-derived model with test and validation groups.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors predictive of overall survival after first relapse or primary progression in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. METHODS: "Tree-structured prediction of survival for censored survival data" was used to identify the independent prognostic factors in the test group (n = 352) who were the patients from the previously reported Canadian OV.8 trial. A prognostic model was developed using these factors and subjected to validation in the Canadian OV.4 trial cohort (n = 282). RESULTS: Based upon three factors, time from diagnosis to first recurrence or progression, tumor grade at diagnosis, and ECOG performance status at original diagnosis, three groups of patients were identified. These were labeled as good, intermediate, and poor prognosis with median survivals post relapse of 18 (12), 6 (5), and 1 (2) months, respectively. The figure in parentheses is the survival in the validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: These prognostic groupings enable us to recommend second-line treatment more logically. The patients in the poor prognosis group have such a limited survival that cancer shrinking therapy should not routinely be offered. In addition the use of the individual predictive factors as stratification factors will help to avoid erroneous conclusions about treatment efficacy.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Relationship between abdominal aortic aneurysm wall compliance and clinical outcome: a preliminary analysis.

BACKGROUND: Aortic compliance, as measured by the pressure-strain elastic modulus (Ep) and stiffness (B), may allow a more precise estimate of abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture risk than size alone. AIM: To determine the relationships between AAA compliance, size, growth, and clinical outcome. METHODS: One-hundred and twelve patients with initially non-operated AAA (86 men, 26 women, mean age 73 years), recruited from five centres, underwent baseline compliance measurements and were then followed for a median of 7 (range 2-18) months; 85 patients underwent repeated measurements (median 3, range 2-5) 3-6-monthly over a median of 12 (range 3-18 months). RESULTS: Seven patients have ruptured and 16 have undergone repair of non-ruptured AAA. AAA that ruptured had significantly lower Ep and B (more compliant). In AAA that ruptured or required repair there was an inverse relationship between diameter and Ep and B. In those undergoing repeated measurements AAA expansion was only associated with a significant increase in Ep and B in non-operated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline AAA compliance was significantly related to rupture and the future requirement for operative repair. Failure of compliance to increase with size may be a marker for rapid growth, developmental symptoms and rupture.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Use of dexamethasone and granisetron in the control of delayed emesis for patients who receive highly emetogenic chemotherapy. National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the roles of granisetron and dexamethasone for emesis control on days 2 through 7 after the administration of cisplatin in doses of 50 mg/m2 or greater to patients who had not previously received chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four hundred thirty-five eligible and assessable patients were randomized to one of two arms in a double-blind fashion: arm A; granisetron 3 mg intravenous (i.v.) plus dexamethasone 10 mg i.v. prechemotherapy followed by granisetron 1 mg orally at 6 and 12 hours, then granisetron 1 mg orally and dexamethasone 8 mg orally twice daily on days 2 through 7 (219 patients); arm B; as in arm A but with placebo substituted for granisetron on days 2 through 7 (216 patients). All patients completed diaries in which episodes of emesis and severity of nausea were recorded. RESULTS: The addition of granisetron on days 2 through 7 had no discernable impact on nausea and vomiting during this period. CONCLUSION: The administration of a 5-hydroxytryptamine3, receptor (5-HT3) antagonist, in this case granisetron, after 24 hours conferred no benefit. This negative result needs to be assessed in light of conflicting literature, but at present it does not appear that the routine use of these drugs in this setting is justified.

Antiemetics↗

PubMed1998

Randomized phase II study of two schedules of topotecan in previously treated patients with ovarian cancer: a National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group study.

PURPOSE: As topotecan is S-phase-specific, its efficacy is likely schedule-dependent. Therefore, a randomized study using a "pick the winner" design was undertaken to compare two schedules in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer previously treated with no more than two separate regimens of chemotherapy, one of which had to be platinum-containing, were randomized to either topotecan 1.5 mg/m2 intravenously (i.v.) over 30 minutes daily for 5 days repeated every 21 days (arm A, the standard arm), or topotecan 1.75 mg/m2 as a 24-hour infusion once a week for 4 weeks repeated every 6 weeks (arm B, the experimental arm). RESULTS: Sixty-six patients were eligible and 63 were assessable for response. The response rate in arm A was 22.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.6% to 41.2%), which was significantly superior to that in arm B, 3.1% (95% CI, 0.1% to 16%) (P = .026). The regimens were not equitoxic, with 94% of patients on arm A experiencing grade 3 or 4 granulocytopenia as opposed to 52% on arm B. CONCLUSION: The weekly 24 hour infusion of topotecan at 1.75 mg/m2 was ineffective in relapsed ovarian cancer. The daily-times-five schedule remains the schedule of choice. As the regimens were not equitoxic, one cannot differentiate between an ineffective schedule and an ineffective dose as the reason for the differing response rates. However, the degree of myelotoxicity that already occurs will preclude any substantially higher dosing with the weekly regimen.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Prognostic significance of Bcl-2 protein expression and Bcl-2 gene rearrangement in diffuse aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The prognostic significance of Bcl-2 protein expression and bcl-2 gene rearrangement in diffuse large cell lymphomas (DLCL) is controversial. Bcl-2 protein expression prevents apoptosis and may have an important role in clinical drug resistance. The presence of a bcl-2 gene rearrangement in de novo DLCL suggests a possible follicle center cell origin and perhaps a distinct clinical behavior more akin to low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of Bcl-2 protein expression and bcl-2 gene rearrangement (mbr and mcr) on survival of a cohort of patients with DLCL who were uniformly evaluated and treated with effective chemotherapy. Patients included the original MACOP-B cohort (n = 121) and the initial 18 patients treated with the VACOP-B regimen (total = 139). All patients had advanced-stage disease, were 16 to 70 years old, and corresponded to Working Formulation categories F, G, or H. No patients had prior treatment, discordant lymphoma, or human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity. Paraffin sections from diagnostic biopsies were analyzed for bcl-2 gene rearrangement including mbr and mcr breakpoints by polymerase chain reaction and Bcl-2 protein expression by immunohistochemistry. With a median follow-up of 81 months, overall (OS), disease-free (DFS), and relapse-free survival (RFS) were measured to determine the prognostic significance of these parameters. Analyzable DNA was present in 118 of 139 (85%) cases, with 14 demonstrating a bcl-2 rearrangement (11 mbr, 3 mcr). All 14 of these bcl-2 gene rearrangement-positive cases were found in the 102 patients with a B-cell immunophenotype, but the presence of this rearrangement had no significant influence on survival. Bcl-2 protein expression was interpretable in 116 of 139 (83%) cases, with immunopositivity detected in 54 of 116 (47%). Using a cut-off of greater than 10% Bcl-2 immunopositive tumor cells for analysis, positive Bcl-2 protein expression was seen in 28 of 116 (24%) patients and the presence of this expression correlated with decreased 8-year OS (34% v 60%, P < .01), DFS (32% v 66%, P < .001), and RFS (25% v 59%, P < .001). Bcl-2 protein expression remained significant in multivariate analysis that included the clinical international prognostic index factors and immunophenotype (P < .02). In conclusion, although bcl-2 gene rearrangement status could not be shown to have an impact on outcome, Bcl-2 protein expression is a strong significant predictor of OS, DFS, and RFS in DLCLs.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

The role of the 5-HT3 antagonists ondansetron and dolasetron in the control of delayed onset nausea and vomiting in patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: 5-HT3 antagonists are effective in reducing the acute nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. However, it is not clear whether continuing these agents beyond twenty four hours is useful in controlling emesis on days two to seven after chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four hundred seven patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy who had been given dexamethasone 8 mg i.v. and either ondansetron 32 mg i.v. or dolasetron 2.4 mg/kg i.v. were randomized to continue either an oral form of their 5-HT3 antagonist (ondansetron 8 mg b.i.d. or dolasetron 200 mg daily) plus dexamethasone 8 mg p.o. daily or dexamethasone alone for days two to seven. Endpoints assessed by self-report were: 1) complete control (no vomiting, no rescue medications, no missing data) of emesis; 2) nausea severity; and 3) quality-of-life as measured by the EORTC QLQ-C30. RESULTS: Continuation of 5-HT3 antagonists improved slightly, but not significantly, the complete control rate (47% vs. 41%: P = 0.24 one-sided) after chemotherapy. However, mean nausea severity was significantly (P = 0.015 one sided) reduced (by 3 mm on a 10 cm scale) on the combined arm. Minimal differences in quality of life were observed. CONCLUSION: The benefit of continuing 5-HT3 antagonists beyond 24 hours is modest and the merits of routine use in these circumstances debatable.

Antiemetics↗

PubMed1997

Phase III double-blind comparison of dolasetron mesylate and ondansetron and an evaluation of the additive role of dexamethasone in the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting due to moderately emetogenic chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of dolasetron and ondansetron in controlling nausea and vomiting in the first 24 hours; to evaluate the efficacy when dexamethasone is added to either drug in the first 24 hours; and to extend these comparisons over 7 days in patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized study with six parallel arms that used a 2 x 2 factorial design in chemotherapy-naive patients. In arm 1, dolasetron (2.4 mg/kg) was given intravenously (I.V.) prechemotherapy, followed 24 hours later by oral dolasetron (200 mg once daily) for 6 days. Arms 2 and 3 consisted of dolasetron and dexamethasone 8 mg I.V., followed 24 hours later by oral dexamethasone (8 mg once daily) in one arm, and oral dexamethasone and dolasetron in the other, also for 6 days. In arms 4, 5, and 6, ondansetron (32 mg I.V. or 8 mg orally twice daily) was administered in a similar manner to arms 1, 2, and 3 before and 24 hours after chemotherapy. Mean nausea severity (MNS) was assessed on a visual analog scale (VAS) in a daily diary. RESULTS: Of 703 patients enrolled, 696 were eligible. There were 343 dolasetron- and 353 ondansetron-treated patients; 57% of dolasetron-treated patients had complete protection in the first 24 hours versus 67% of patients who received ondansetron (P = .013). MNS was also more pronounced on the dolasetron arm (P = .051). Sixty-seven percent of patients who received added dexamethasone in the first 24 hours had complete protection, compared with 55% without dexamethasone (P < .001). MNS was significantly reduced with the addition of dexamethasone (P < .001). At 7 days, dolasetron and ondansetron had equivalent complete protection rates (36% and 39%, respectively). With the addition of dexamethasone, 48% of patients compared with 28% had complete protection (P < .001). MNS was significantly improved with added dexamethasone (P < .001). CONCLUSION: At the doses used, dolasetron was significantly less effective than ondansetron at controlling nausea and vomiting in the first 24 hours in patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy, but there was no demonstrable difference between both drugs over 7 days. The addition of dexamethasone significantly improved the efficacy of both drugs in the first 24 hours and over 7 days.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1997

Malignant lymphomas in the elderly.

More than half of all lymphomas occur in patients aged 60 years or older. This article reviews the management of low-grade and aggressive histology lymphomas in patients older than age 65. Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy is well tolerated in patients who have a good performance status and who have aggressive histology lymphoma, but briefer 8-week regimens appear to offer similar benefits more quickly. Age alone is an adverse prognostic factor for lymphomas, but when possible, patients should be offered effective treatment tailored for their age performance status and intercurrent diseases.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

A phase I study of bi-weekly paclitaxel/cisplatin as initial therapy for advanced ovarian cancer. A study of the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group.

PURPOSE: Given the potential for improved outcomes, a phase I trial was initiated to develop a paclitaxel/cisplatin regimen that could be delivered every two weeks to women with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1992 to 1994, 29 (28 eligible) patients were enrolled in a dose-seeking trial. All received 60 mg/m2 of cisplatin preceded by paclitaxel infused over three hours. The paclitaxel dose was excalated from an initial level of 90 mg/m2 by 10 mg/m2 increments in successive cohorts of patients. RESULTS: At 120 mg/m2 of paclitaxel, the dose-limiting toxicity was granulocytopenia which prevented retreatment on time. The recommended dose level was therefore paclitaxel 110 mg/m2 infused over three hours with cisplatin 60 mg/m2, repeated bi-weekly for eight cycles. CONCLUSION: This bi-weekly schedule of paclitaxel/cisplatin provides no advantage in terms of dose-intensity nor total dose of paclitaxel in comparison to more common regimens given tri-weekly.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Dexamethasone improves the efficacy of granisetron in the first 24 h following high-dose cisplatin chemotherapy.

The object of the study was to determine whether dexamethasone improved the efficacy of the serotonin receptor (5-HT3) antagonist granisetron in controlling acute (within 24 h) emesis in cancer patients receiving high-dose cisplatin chemotherapy and to ascertain whether continuation of granisetron after 24 h reduces the occurrence of delayed emesis. This randomised, double-blind, multicentre, three-arm study was conducted at 21 medical centres. A group of 292 nausea- and emesis-free patients with cancer, who had never had chemotherapy and were scheduled to receive at least 50 mg/m2 cisplatin, were given 3 mg granisetron i.v. in a 15-min infusion with or without 10 mg dexamethasone i.v. completed 5 min prior to high-dose cisplatin and 1 mg granisetron p.o. at +6 h and +12 h. Primary study end-points were control of emesis and nausea. Patients completed a self-report diary every 6 h for the first 24 h. At the end of the 24-h period, the patients who received dexamethasone had a significantly higher complete protection rate from emesis (64% compared to 39%) than those who received no steroid. Similarly, the dexamethasone-treated group had a significantly higher complete plus partial (0-2 emetic episodes) protection rate (84% compared to 64%). This study shows that dexamethasone markedly enhances the antiemetic efficacy of granisetron for acute-onset emesis in high-dose cisplatin chemotherapy.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1994

Effect of schedule and maintenance on the antiemetic efficacy of ondansetron combined with dexamethasone in acute and delayed nausea and emesis in patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy: a phase III trial by the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group.

PURPOSE: This study examines whether the schedule of ondansetron significantly influences its antiemetic efficacy in the first 24 hours after chemotherapy, whether the administration of oral ondansetron after 24 hours is effective in preventing delayed emesis, and whether the efficacy of ondansetron is preserved over multiple courses of moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter double-blind study randomized 302 cancer patients to one of three treatment arms. Arm A received dexamethasone 10 mg intravenously (i.v.) plus ondansetron (Zofran; Glaxo Canada Inc, Toronto, Canada) 8 mg i.v. prechemotherapy plus ondansetron 8 mg orally every 12 hours postchemotherapy for nine doses. Arm B received dexamethasone 10 mg i.v. plus ondansetron 16 mg i.v. prechemotherapy plus placebo orally postchemotherapy in the same schedule as arm A. Arm C received dexamethasone 10 mg i.v. plus ondansetron 8 mg prechemotherapy plus ondansetron 8 mg orally postchemotherapy for one dose followed by placebo orally every 12 hours for eight more doses. Response was assessed by the number of reported episodes of vomiting and by severity of nausea measured on a visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: The two schedules of ondansetron used in the first 24 hours were no different in their antiemetic efficacy, with similar rates for complete responses (76.7% v 72.0%, P = .472), complete plus major responses (90.2% v 82.0%, P = .135), and severity of nausea (P = .348). Oral ondansetron after 24 hours was more effective than placebo in preventing delayed nausea and emesis, with superior rates of complete responses (59.6% v 42.1%, P = .012 by one-sided test), complete plus major responses (80.9% v 66.3%, P = .018 by one-sided test), and less severe nausea (9.2 mm v 18.6 mm on a 100-mm VAS, P = .002). The efficacy of ondansetron was maintained over subsequent courses of chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: The schedule of ondansetron in the first 24 hours does not influence its efficacy. The use of oral maintenance ondansetron is effective in preventing delayed maintenance ondansetron is effective in preventing delayed nausea and emesis after moderately emetogenic chemotherapy.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1993

The effect of introduction of umbilical Doppler recordings to obstetric practice.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect on obstetric practice of clinician access to umbilical artery Doppler ultrasound results. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: A large teaching hospital. SUBJECTS: Two thousand two hundred and eighty-nine pregnancies defined as being at risk by referral for Doppler or fetal monitoring. INTERVENTIONS: Continuous wave Doppler studies of umbilical artery. Results immediately available to clinicians. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fetal outcome: perinatal mortality, Apgar score and admission to the neonatal unit. Obstetric intervention: admission to hospital, induction of labour and caesarean section. Use of of fetal well being: cardiotocography, biophysical profile and ultrasound biometry. RESULTS: The treatment and control groups were comparable in age, parity, gestation at point of entry and risk features. There were no overall differences in perinatal outcome, obstetric intervention or use of fetal monitoring. Examination of a subset recruited only because of hypertension or suspected intrauterine growth retardation (n = 754) similarly showed no difference attributable to group randomisation. Comparison of only those pregnancies retrospectively defined as low risk and high risk showed more use of cardiotocography in the high risk group with access to Doppler (P = 0.007) but no difference in the low risk group. CONCLUSION: Doppler umbilical artery recording has been shown to perform well in prediction power of antenatal fetal compromise. What has been examined in this study is the response of clinicians to the test. The results suggest that obstetricians do not use the test to modify their risk assessment, and, therefore, the need for fetal monitoring in particular pregnancies. There is a real need for accumulation of information from very large data sets, particularly in the prediction power of Doppler for antenatal fetal compromise from apparently chronic utero-placental cause to guide use of monitoring resources. If simply added to existing fetal monitoring techniques in a hospital where these are widely used, then umbilical artery Doppler recordings may at present simply involve extra resources of staff and expenses, without benefit.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

In search of an optimal regimen for elderly patients with advanced-stage diffuse large-cell lymphoma: results of a phase II study of P/DOCE chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: The results of a prospective, phase II trial of an 8-week treatment program consisting of epirubicin or doxorubicin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and prednisone (P/DOCE) for elderly patients with advanced large-cell lymphoma are reported and compared with previous phase II studies conducted in similar patients at the same institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between March 1988 and September 1991, 63 previously untreated patients aged 65 to 85 years (median, 75) with advanced-stage diffuse large-cell lymphoma, defined as Ann Arbor stage III or IV or stage I or II with B symptoms or bulky disease, were enrolled on a brief, 8-week protocol consisting of five outpatient chemotherapy treatments. RESULTS: The complete response (CR) rate was 62%. The treatment-related mortality rate was 8%, the actuarial 4-year failure-free survival (FFS) rate was 41%, and the overall survival (OS) rate was 45%. These results were compared with two earlier, 12-week protocols, low-dose doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, bleomycin, and prednisone (LD-ACOB-B) and etoposide, doxorubicin, bleomycin, and prednisone (VABE), performed at the same center. There was no difference in outcome among the three regimens. If all 133 patients treated on any one of these three specially designed regimen for elderly patients are combined, the projected 5-year OS rate is 38%. CONCLUSION: The 8-week P/DOCE chemotherapy regimen is equal in efficacy and similar in toxicity to 3 months of chemotherapy administered on a weekly schedule and similar to the results reported in the literature for longer, anthracycline-based chemotherapy treatments. There does not appear to be any improvement in outcome from more protracted treatment programs compared with the 8-week P/DOCE protocol.

Aged↗