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T H Wasserman

Publications and source records attributed to T H Wasserman.

88 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

The hypoxic cell sensitizer programme in the United States.

The initial results of a Phase I evaluation of misonidazole in the U.S.A. are described, as well as the U.S. National Cancer Institute programme for radiosensitizer development. A total of 12 patients have been given 1--6 doses of 1--2 g/m2. Serum levels ranged from 25--87 microgram/ml at 4--6 h. One patient has developed mild peripheral neuropathy. Urinary excretion was chiefly of a demethylated metabolite as measured by HPLC assay.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

Perspectives on research in gynecologic oncology.

Gynecologic cancers present unusual opportunities to explore the fruits of well-designed clinical trials to assess the value of existing treatment using a combined modality approach soon after diagnosis. Cancers of the ovary and uterus have well-defined, familiar natural histories. Pathways of spread are clear and reasons for treatment failure are often blatantly obvious. In the case of ovarian cancer, regional treatment with surgery and radiotherapy has been relatively ineffective and generally has not improved the survival statistics in the last two decades. Spread of tumor cells widely throughout the abdominal cavity outside radiation or surgical fields, even in patients with apparently early disease, is the obvious reason. Studies are underway to assess the impact of long-term postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with L-phenylalanine mustard, an alkylating agent effective in patients with advanced disease, in early stages of ovarian cancer following surgery and or x-irradiation. The search is on for more effective drugs, or combinations of drugs, that could subsequently serve as more effective adjuvant treatments. In carcinoma of the uterine cervix, chemotherapy as an adjunct to surgery and/or radiotherapy in patients with localized, or locally inoperable disease has been poorly evaluated; little data are available and the value of many established drugs in patients with metastatic cervical cancer is undermined. Some recent evidence suggests the use of hydroxyurea, a drug that by itself is not effective in controlling tumor, may enhance the effect of radiotherapy in patients with Stage II disease. Uterine fundal cancer is often successfully treated by surgery alone. The data for the use of pre- or postoperative radiotherapy are open to considerable question. While the relative nontoxic progesterone compounds are effective in a small but significant fraction of patients with advanced uterine cancer, no properly designed clinical trial has truly evaluated their role as postoperative adjuncts in patients who have resectable tumor but a definite high risk of recurrence. Systemic chemotherapy has been rarely used with any consistency against this tumor but, even so, some chemotherapeutic leads, such as the use of adriamycin, are worthy of exploration. The absence of useful information on systemic treatment of gynecologic malignancies can be traced to the excessive rigid compartmentalization of medical practice. Only recently have investigators of all persuasions begun to explore and exploit some of the therapeutic opportunities, which have been available for some time.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1975

The chemotherapy of urologic cancer.

A review of the status of evaluation of chemotherapeutic agents in the urologic malignancies reveals a largely neglected area of investigation. Except for testicular carcinomas, which are highly responsive to drug therapy, active agents have not been clearly established for the other urogenital tumor sites. Published information and data on file in the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program of the National Cancer Institute are reviewed, and studies currently in progress are outlined. Adequate clinical testing of the standard antitumor agents that are active against other human malignancies should receive high priority in future therapeutic trials in urologic cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1975

Clinical comparison of the nitrosoureas.

The nitrosourea group of antitumor agents was developed by the Division of Cancer Treatment of the National Cancer Institute. Three nitrosoureas (BCNU, CCNU, MeCCNU) have undergone extensive clinical trials, and two of them (BCNU, CCNU) will soon become commercially available. This paper briefly considers the preclinical development of the nitrosoureas and provides an overview and comparison of the extensive clinical data. Information is given regarding any clinical differences. We discuss general conclusions drawn from the nitrosourea development.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Initial pharmacology and toxicology of intravenous desmethylmisonidazole.

Since January 1981, 52 patients have entered the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Phase I trial with intravenous (i.v.) desmethylmisonidazole (DMM). DMM is less lipophilic than misonidazole (MISO) and theoretically will be less neurotoxic due to lower penetration into neural tissue and more rapid elimination. The drug is administered intravenously to achieve the maximum drug concentration in tumor for a given dose. The protocol slowly escalates the total dose of drug administered. At this time the planned dose on the three week schedule is 1g/m2 five times per week to a total of 15g/m2, and on the seven week schedule is 1.25g/m2 twice weekly to a total dose of 17.5g/m2. The preliminary plasma pharmacokinetic data demonstrates high peak plasma levels within five minutes of the end of the drug infusion. Compared to MISO the percent of DMM excreted in the urine is increased, 63% vs 10%, and the elimination half-life is decreased: DMM, i.v. 5.3h; MISO, i.v. 9.3h; MISO, oral 10 to 13h. Neurotoxicity has been observed in approximately 30% of patients given a cumulative dose of greater than 11g/m2. This is in comparison to a 50% incidence in the RTOG Phase I study with oral MISO at doses of 12g/m2. There is not sufficient data to evaluate the relationship between neurotoxicity and drug exposure. Further patient accrual on this study is required to better define the properties of DMM.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Therapy for hepatocellular cancer with intrahepatic arterial adriamycin and 5-fluorouracil combined with whole-liver irradiation: a Northern California Oncology Group Study.

Thirteen patients with hepatocellular cancer were treated with intrahepatic arterial Adriamycin and 5-fluorouracil combined with whole-liver irradiation. Six patients (46%) had an objective regression and five (38%) had stable disease. Symptomatic improvement was noted in 81% of the patients. The minimum median survival time was 5.0 months for those patients who responded. Toxicity was acceptable. This is an effective combination for the treatment of this especially aggressive and intractable form of cancer.

Adult↗