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R Martinez-Monge

Publications and source records attributed to R Martinez-Monge.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Paclitaxel, cisplatin, and gemcitabine combination chemotherapy within a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach in metastatic nonsmall cell lung carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin-based chemotherapy combinations improve quality of life and survival in advanced nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The emergence of new active drugs might translate into more effective regimens for the treatment of this disease. METHODS: The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility, response rate, and toxicity of a paclitaxel, cisplatin, and gemcitabine combination to treat metastatic NSCLC. Thirty-five consecutive chemotherapy-naive patients with Stage IV NSCLC and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2 were treated with a combination of paclitaxel (135 mg/m(2) given intravenously in 3 hours) on Day 1, cisplatin (120 mg/m(2) given intravenously in 6 hours) on Day 1, and gemcitabine (800 mg/m(2) given intravenously in 30 minutes) on Days 1 and 8, every 4 weeks. Although responding patients were scheduled to receive consolidation radiotherapy and 24 patients received preplanned second-line chemotherapy after disease progression, the response and toxicity rates reported refer only to the chemotherapy regimen given. RESULTS: All the patients were examined for toxicity; 34 were examinable for response. An objective response was observed in 73.5% of the patients (95% confidence interval [CI], 55.6-87.1%), including 4 complete responses (11.7%). According to intention-to-treat, the overall response rate was 71.4% (95% CI, 53. 7-85.4%). After 154 courses of therapy, the median dose intensity was 131 mg/m(2) for paclitaxel (97.3%), 117 mg/m(2) for cisplatin (97.3%), and 1378 mg/m(2) for gemcitabine (86.2%). World Health Organization Grade 3-4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 39.9% and 11.4% of patients, respectively. There was one treatment-related death. Nonhematologic toxicities were mild. After a median follow-up of 22 months, the median progression free survival rate was 7 months, and the median survival time was 16 months. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of paclitaxel, cisplatin, and gemcitabine is well tolerated and shows high activity in metastatic NSCLC. This treatment merits further comparison with other cisplatin-based regimens.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Radioimmunoguided-intraoperative radiation therapy in colorectal carcinoma: a new technique to precisely define the clinical target volume.

PURPOSE: The clinical target volume (CTV) to be irradiated by intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) after resection is generally based on the surgeon's estimation of close margins. We have developed a new technique, radioimmunoguided-intraoperative radiation therapy (RIG-IORT), that uses an intraoperative hand-held gamma-detecting probe to define areas of residual microscopic disease containing radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies to tumor associated antigen, to more precisely delineate the CTV for IORT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients were injected i.v. with 2 mCi 125I- radiolabeled CC49 antibody approximately 3 weeks before surgery. They then underwent radioimmunoguided surgery (RIGS) with maximal resection of tumor. A hand-held gamma-detecting probe (Neoprobe 1000) was used intraoperatively to detect and resect areas of high radioactivity, representing tumor. Areas with persistently high probe counts after resection were the areas of occult residual disease, and represented the CTV to be irradiated. The IORT was given with either 6-9 MeV electron beam from a dedicated linear accelerator, or with high-dose-rate brachytherapy from a remote afterloader. If all RIGS-positive tissue had been resected, or if widely disseminated disease remained, the patient was not considered for IORT. RESULT: This technique was used in 31 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma recurrent into the pelvis (n = 23) or paraortic nodes (n = 8). The CTV for IORT was delineated by increased RIGS count in 13 of 19 patients (68%) with microscopic residual, and in 11 of 12 patients (92%) with gross residual. In the other 7 patients, the tumor area did not accumulate the radiolabeled antibody; therefore, these tumor beds were irradiated based on the surgeon's estimation of close margins. Hence, overall, the RIG-IORT technique was used to define the tumor bed for IORT in 24 of 31 patients (77%). This technical report focuses on the development of the RIG-IORT technique and does not address the outcome results of the treated patients. CONCLUSION: A new technique, RIG-IORT, which uses radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies to precisely determine the CTV for IORT, is described. Whether the use of this technique will lead to improved tumor control will only be known upon the outcome analysis of RIG-IORT-treated patients compared with those obtained using traditional IORT techniques.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Iodine-125 brachytherapy in the treatment of colorectal adenocarcinoma metastatic to the liver.

BACKGROUND: The liver is the site of distant failure in > 33% of patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma. Liver resection is the only potentially curative option in these patients. Patients with incompletely resected liver lesions (due to the proximity to critical vascular structures) are at high risk of dying of progressive disease in the liver. This pilot study was performed to determine whether the intraoperative implantation of iodine-125 (I-125) seeds could reduce the recurrence and improve the survival of patients with incompletely resected liver metastases. METHODS: Fifty-six patients with unresectable or residual disease after surgical resection of liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma underwent permanent implantation with I-125 seeds to deliver 160 gray to the periphery of the target volume. RESULTS: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year actuarial control rates of liver disease were 41%, 23%, and 23%, respectively. The 5-year actuarial control of liver disease was better for patients with a solitary metastasis (39%) than for those with multiple metastases (9%) (P = 0.04). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year actuarial overall survival rates were 71%, 25%, and 8%, respectively (median, 20 months; 95% confidence interval, 17-23). The radiation-related complications were minimal. CONCLUSIONS: I-125 liver brachytherapy is feasible with minimal radiation-related morbidity. Good prognostic factors for long term liver control and survival are the presence of a solitary metastasis, postresection minimal residual disease requiring smaller volume implants, and no prior liver resections. Future prospective trials should be directed toward this patient population, which has the highest probability of obtaining improved results from the local dose escalation provided by brachytherapy. Adjuvant regional chemotherapy clearly is needed due to the high rate of liver recurrence and ultimate death from liver failure observed in spite of liver resection and brachytherapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1999

Intensification regimen 2 for advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility, toxicity, and compliance of an intense treatment regimen for patients with advanced, previously untreated, resectable head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized, controlled (phase 1 or 2) clinical trial; median time at risk, 25 months (range, 7 days to 36 months). SETTING: Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus. PATIENTS: Forty-three patients (median age, 59 years; range, 32-76 years) with resectable, previously untreated stage III or IV squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity, oropharynx, or hypopharynx or stage II squamous cell carcinomas of the hypopharynx (referred sample of patients). INTERVENTIONS: Days 1 to 4, perioperative, slightly accelerated, hyperfractionated radiotherapy (9.1 Gy) to off cord fields; days 1 to 3, cisplatin, 30 mg/m2 per day; day 4, surgical resection and intraoperative radiotherapy boost (7.5 Gy); days 45 to 52, postoperative radiotherapy (40 Gy to the primary site and upper neck and 45 Gy to the supraclavicular areas); days 24, 45, and 66, paclitaxel, 135 mg/m2 per 24 hours, with routine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support; and days 25 and 46, cisplatin, 100 mg/m2. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Toxicity, compliance, local control, and distant metastatic rates. RESULTS: Patient compliance was 91% (39 of 43 patients), but protocol compliance was only 58% (25 of 43 patients), reflecting increased toxicity of the systemic regimen (2 [5%] of the 43 patients experienced grade 5 hematologic toxicity due to the regimen; 16 [37%], grade 4; and 10 [23%], grade 3). Local-regional control was 92% (23 of 25 patients), and the distant metastatic rate was 8% (2 of 25) in patients completing treatment per protocol. One patient had surgical salvage of a second primary tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Local control and patient compliance were encouraging, but systemic toxicity was unacceptable. Thus, the paclitaxel was changed to a weekly regimen.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy in recurrent colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The installation of a dedicated linear accelerator in a shielded operating room in 1992 allowed us to start a feasibility study of intraoperative electron beam radiation therapy (IOERT) in colorectal carcinoma. METHODS: From March 1992 to February 1996, 28 patients with recurrent colorectal carcinoma were treated with maximal surgical resection and IOERT to the pelvis (n = 20) or paraortics (n = 8). IOERT dose ranged from 10 to 20 Gy with electron energies of 6-15 MeV. Postoperative external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) of 45-50 Gy was planned for the previously unirradiated patients. RESULTS: IOERT was well tolerated, but 10 (70%) of 13 patients in the previously unirradiated group did not complete the EBRT per protocol. Eight patients (29%) had some morbidity including surgically related fistula distal from IOERT sites. Two patients developed pelvic pain, which can be attributed to IOERT. Three-year local control at sites treated with IOERT was 40% (53% for previously irradiated patients and 27% for previously unirradiated patients). The 3-year actuarial overall survival was 12% (17% for previously irradiated patients and 8% for previously unirradiated patients). CONCLUSIONS: Our initial experience showed that it was feasible to treat poor prognostic colorectal cancer patients with IOERT. The morbidity observed was mainly related to extensive surgery in high-risk patients. Poor local control was obtained in patients treated with low-dose IOERT alone. Hence, previously unirradiated patients are encouraged to complete the planned EBRT or, alternatively, are considered for EBRT preoperatively or are given a higher IOERT dose (up to 20 Gy) if EBRT will not be given. Since IORT doses >20 Gy are associated with nerve toxicity, we currently add limited dose EBRT in the previously irradiated group. Patients with disease located in multiple abdominal sites are no longer considered candidates for IOERT.

Colonic Neoplasms↗
PubMed1999

Cross-sectional nodal atlas: a tool for the definition of clinical target volumes in three-dimensional radiation therapy planning.

Virtual three-dimensional clinical target volume definition requires the identification of areas suspected of containing microscopic disease (frequently related to nodal stations) on a set of computed tomographic (CT) images, rather than the traditional approach based on anatomic landmarks. This atlas displays the clinically relevant nodal stations and their correlation with normal lymphatic pathways on a set of CT images.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

Use of brachytherapy to preserve function in children with soft-tissue sarcomas.

Pediatric soft-tissue sarcomas are managed with a multimodality treatment program that includes surgery, chemotherapy, and external-beam radiotherapy (teletherapy). The use of teletherapy in young children can result in significant long-term toxicities (especially growth retardation of bones and organs). Brachytherapy, if feasible, is an attractive alternative for the treatment of pediatric soft-tissue sarcomas, since it irradiates small volumes and, thus, may potentially minimize complications. Aggressive chemotherapy is used to achieve systemic control and tumor shrinkage, thereby facilitating conservative surgery and brachytherapy. The brachytherapy techniques used in children are similar to those employed in adults. Low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy with manually afterloaded removable iridium-192 is commonly used, although it is associated with some radiation exposure hazards. Low-energy radionuclides (e.g., iodine-125) and remote afterloading technology have been used to reduce radiation exposure hazards. Brachytherapy, in conjunction with chemotherapy and surgery but without supplementary teletherapy, has produced good local control with acceptable late complications in selected patients with localized tumors. Brachytherapy can also be used as a boost to moderate dose external-beam radiotherapy for more extensive tumors. The use of newer modalities, such as high-dose-rate, pulsed-dose-rate, and intraoperative brachytherapy, has allowed brachytherapy to be given to younger children and infants, but the long-term morbidities of these modalities need to be established.

Brachytherapy↗
PubMed1998

Intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy for previously irradiated advanced head and neck malignancies.

PURPOSE: This is a retrospective review to evaluate the role of surgery and intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy (IOERT) in the treatment of patients with previously irradiated advanced head and neck cancers. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between January 1992 and March 1997, 38 patients (31 males, 7 females; median age of 62 years) with recurrent head and neck cancer were treated with maximal resection and IOERT at the Ohio State University (OSU). All had been previously treated with full-course radiotherapy (median 65.1 Gy, range 50-74.4 Gy). Twenty-nine patients (76%) had previously undergone one or more surgical procedures. After maximal surgery the tumor bed was treated with IOERT (single field in 36 patients and 2 fields in 2 patients), most commonly with 6 MeV electrons (87%). The dose administered (at 90% isodose line) was 15 Gy for close or microscopically positive margins in 34 patients and 20 Gy for gross disease in 1 patient. Further external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) was not given. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 30 months (range 8-39 months), 24 of the 38 patients (66%) recurred within the IOERT field. Median time to IOERT failure was 6 months (95% CI: 4.3-7.7). The 6-month, 1-, and 2-year control rates within the IOERT volume were 41%, 19%, and 13%, respectively. Thirty of the 38 patients (79%) recurred in locoregional areas. Median time to locoregional failure was 4 months (95% CI: 3.3-4.7). The 6-month, 1-, and 2-year locoregional control rates were 33%, 11%, and 4%, respectively. Distant metastases occurred in 7 patients, 5 in association with IOERT failure and 2 with locoregional failure. Median overall survival was 7 months (95% CI: 4.7-9.3). The 6-month, 1-, 2-, and 3-year actuarial survival rates were 51%, 21%, 21%, and 8%, respectively. Major treatment-related complications occurred in 6 patients (16%). CONCLUSION: IOERT alone, at the dose used, is not sufficient for control of recurrent, previously irradiated head and neck cancers. Since higher IOERT doses are associated with high morbidity, we are currently evaluating the addition of limited EBRT dose and/or brachytherapy to improve the local control of these poor prognostic recurrent tumors, with acceptable morbidity.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

Feasibility of intraoperative high-dose rate brachytherapy to boost low dose external beam radiation therapy to treat pediatric soft tissue sarcomas.

PURPOSE: To determine if a single intraoperative high-dose-rate brachytherapy (IOHDR) dose can be used in conjunction with low dose external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) to treat soft tissue malignancies in children with reduced morbidity. METHODS: From March 1992 to February 1995, six pediatric patients (4 boys, 2 girls; ages ranging from 4-13 years; median 10.5 years) were treated with IOHDR in conjunction with EBRT, chemotherapy, and radical surgery at nine sites not treatable by standard intraoperative electron beam radiation therapy techniques. The IOHDR dose was 10 Gy (at 7 sites with microscopic residual disease) or 12.5 Gy (at 2 sites with minimal gross residual disease) prescribed at 0.5 cm depth. The treatment volume varied from 9-96 cc (mean 30.3 cc). IOHDR was used in these patients because the tumor locations prevented positioning and insertion of conventional intraoperative electron beam applicators. The EBRT dose was limited to 27-30.6 Gy (median dose 27.4 Gy) postoperatively in all patients to minimize growth retardation or altered organ function. The median initial EBRT field size was 211 cm2 (range 25-483), with a median of two fields per patient (range 1-2). RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 40 months (range 22-62 months), all the patients were alive, five of them without evidence of disease. The other patient, with stage IV undifferentiated synovial sarcoma developed regrowth of pulmonary metastases at 14 months and local failure at 34 months. Toxicity was seen in two patients. One patient developed recurrent urinary infections and ureteral stenosis after 6 months and required a left nephrectomy. Another developed mild to moderate loss of visual acuity and impaired orbital growth after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Use of IOHDR in conjunction with low dose EBRT to obtain local control and long-term disease-free survival in pediatric soft tissue sarcomas is feasible with acceptable toxicity. Tumor beds not treatable with standard electron beam intraoperative radiation therapy could be satisfactorily encompassed with IOHDR.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Simplified non-looping functional loop technique for HDR brachytherapy.

The loop technique has been employed in interstitial implantation of head and neck cancers for decades. However, cable-driven afterloading sources may be unable to negotiate the curve of the loop. The technique allows separate afterloading of each catheter ensuring a good dose distribution to the surface of the implanted structure.

Brachytherapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Intraoperative high dose rate brachytherapy in recurrent or metastatic colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The survival of patients with recurrent or metastatic colorectal cancer usually is less than 12 months. In an attempt to improve this dismal prognosis, we investigated the role of intraoperative high dose rate brachytherapy (IOHDR) in the management of these patients. METHODS: From April 1992 to December 1996, 26 patients with locally recurrent or metastatic colorectal carcinoma were treated with maximal surgical resection and IOHDR. Intraoperative radiation dose ranged from 10 to 20 Gy, prescribed at 0.5 cm depth. The residual tumor irradiated was microscopic in 16 patients (62%) and gross residual in 10 patients (38%). Six patients received postoperative external beam radiation therapy. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 28 months (range 6 to 54 months), seven of 15 evaluable patients (47%) failed in the area treated with IOHDR. The median time to local failure was 21 months (range 4 to 52 months). The median survival was 23 months (microscopic 24 months; gross 17 months), with a 4-year actuarial survival rate of 36%. Major morbidity was observed in 7 patients (47%) and usually was surgery-related. CONCLUSION: The use of IOHDR in association with radical resection increases local control in patients with recurrent or metastatic colorectal cancer. Patients with microscopic residual disease achieved a better result than do those with gross residual disease. Future strategies include the addition of limited EBRT dose to IOHDR, even for previously irradiated patients.

Actuarial Analysis↗