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Biomedical subjects

V Serretta

Publications and source records attributed to V Serretta.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

A pilot study comparing different dose levels and administration schedules of interferon-alpha 2b combined with epirubicin for prevention of recurrence in bladder cancer.

A pilot study in 62 patients has been carried out to evaluate the combination of epirubicin and interferon (IFN)-alpha 2b using different doses and schedules of intravesical administration in the prevention of recurrence of bladder cancer. Preliminary results show greater prophylactic efficacy not only when higher doses of epirubicin and IFN-alpha 2b are used but also when a larger interval between instillation of the compounds was used.

Administration, Intravesical↗
PubMed1992

Intravesical therapy of superficial bladder transitional cell carcinoma with tumor necrosis factor-alpha: preliminary report of a phase I-II study.

A phase I-II trial of intravesical immunotherapy with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in 24 patients affected by superficial bladder tumors is herein presented. Of these, 11 patients were submitted, at weekly intervals, after complete TUR, to 8 instillations of TNF-alpha at increasing doses from 50 to 600 micrograms. Tolerability was excellent, even at the highest dose. In a second group of 13 patients with a histologically proved papillary marker lesion, TNF-alpha was instilled at weekly intervals at the dose of 500 micrograms for 8 weeks. Three complete responses (23%) were obtained.

Administration, Intravesical↗
PubMed1992

The role of epipodophyllotoxin derivatives in bladder cancer.

Past and present experiences with podophyllin derivatives in bladder cancer are described. A preliminary study of teniposide was conducted in 1975 at the Institute of Urology, University of Palermo, in patients with advanced or superficial bladder cancer. In 18 patients with advanced bladder cancer, teniposide was administered intravenously (IV), followed in seven patients by peptichemio or doxorubicin. One complete response (CR) and four partial responses (PRs) were achieved. In 24 patients with superficial tumors, teniposide at a dose of 50 mg dissolved in 30 mL normal saline was administered intravesically as ablative therapy or as prophylaxis following transurethral resection (TUR). Of 12 patients in the ablative therapy group, two CRs and two PRs were achieved. Only 2 patients of 12 in the prophylaxis group relapsed within 6 months. In five cases, teniposide was administered in combination with peptichemio. In recent years, the Urological Group of the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) has performed a phase II study in which teniposide was used in combination with cisplatin given IV in the treatment of advanced bladder cancer. The EORTC group has also performed a randomized study to compare intravesical teniposide versus thiotepa versus no treatment other than initial resection. A brief report on both studies is given. In December 1987, a study was initiated to evaluate intravesical etoposide use in the prophylaxis of recurrences of superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Intravesical etoposide (200 mg dissolved in 50 mL saline solution) was administered at weekly intervals for the first month after TUR and then monthly for 11 months. Of 38 evaluable patients, 20 had recurrences at a mean follow-up of 14 months. No systemic toxicity was noted.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMed1990

Carcinoma of the prostate. Guidelines for treatment: the role of antiandrogens.

Our preliminary experience shows that flutamide is effective in patients with stage C or D prostate cancer. Local and distant response rates are comparable to those obtained with "classic" hormone therapy. Libido and sexual potency generally are unaffected. Palliation of symptoms, which is frequent, is usually accompanied by improved performance status and quality of life. Side effects are slight or moderate, but elevated transaminase levels in patients with borderline liver insufficiency are possible.

Androgen Antagonists↗
PubMed1990

Is there a role for pure antiandrogens in the treatment of advanced prostatic cancer?

Our preliminary experience shows that flutamide is an effective treatment in patients with stage C and D prostate cancer. Local and distant response rates appear to be comparable with those obtained by "classic" hormone therapy. Libido and sexual potency are generally not affected. Palliation of symptoms is frequent and is usually accompanied by improvement of performance status and quality of life. The side effects are slight or moderate, but an elevation of transaminases in patients with borderline liver insufficiency is possible.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Antiandrogens alone or in combination for treatment of prostate cancer: the European experience.

In Europe, antiandrogens have been used for many years to treat prostate cancer, either as monotherapy or as part of a "combination therapy" with either surgical or chemical castration. However, considerable debate still exists regarding the relative benefits of combination therapy versus antiandrogen monotherapy or castration alone. This article reviews the European experience with antiandrogen therapy, including the personal experiences of the authors.

Androgen Antagonists↗
PubMed1989

Vaginal metastasis from renal cell carcinoma: the role of electron microscopy.

A case of vaginal metastasis from a renal cell carcinoma is reported. This rare localization is often the first clue leading to the diagnosis of an occult renal adenocarcinoma. The role of electron microscopy is emphasized, since the histologic aspect of the lesion is similar to that of a primary vaginal mesonephric adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1989

[Antiandrogens in monotherapy or combined therapy for treatment of advanced cancer of the prostate].

This study undertaken on antiandrogens alone or in combination for treatment of prostate cancer shows the efficacy of flutamide in advanced prostate cancer. At 6 and 12 months after beginning treatment, 37% of the patients showed an objective response. Patient follow up at 2 and 3 years revealed a partial response in 33% and 19%, respectively. In one patient with stage C carcinoma, a long-lasting complete response was achieved, with a duration of approximately 3 years. A marked palliative effect was observed. Transrectal ultrasound revealed prostate volume had decreased in 73% of the patients and 86% showed functional improvement. Sexual function was not substantially altered during treatment. Similarly, there was no dramatic increase in serum testosterone. The foregoing findings demonstrate that flutamide monotherapy is an effective treatment for prostatic cancer and can be chosen for younger patients who wish to conserve their sexual potency.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Chronic prostatitis and prostatodynia: ultrasonographic alterations of the prostate, bladder neck, seminal vesicles and periprostatic venous plexus.

Transrectal ultrasonography was performed in 121 patients with the chronic prostatitis syndrome (CPS), and in 20 patients with urological pathology not involving the prostate gland. The ultrasonographic aspects of the seminal vesicles (SV) in normal subjects and in patients with the CPS are described. In the latter group, characteristic ultrasonographic patterns can often be obtained, even in patients affected by prostatodynia, in whom all the other clinical and laboratory findings were absent. They consisted of: (a) dyshomogeneous echo-structure of the prostate; (b) constant dilatation of the periprostatic venous plexus, greater than 150 mm2; (c) dilated, elongated SV, with thickening of their inner septa (they are sometimes asymmetrical), and (d) bladder neck hypertrophy.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

Transurethral ultrasonography, CT scan, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging and pathological control in staging and follow up of invasive bladder carcinoma.

Diagnostic accuracy in clinical staging of bladder cancer, using traditional methods, is still imperfect. Clinical and pathological staging do not always correlate. The accuracy of the new imaging techniques in the staging and in the follow-up of this kind of neoplasia, has yet to be assessed. Our study involved 7 patients with invasive bladder cancer who had undergone transurethral ultrasonography, CT scan, NMR and transurethral resection of the tumour. We have compared the clinical staging accuracy of the three imaging methods with the pathological reports. We conclude that transurethral ultrasonography is superior to the other methods, as far as local staging is concerned. In regional staging, NMR has shown very promising results and, in our preliminary opinion, may be more accurate than CT scan.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed1985

Leiomyosarcoma of the prostate in adults.

Three cases of prostatic leiomyosarcoma and a brief review of the literature are presented. The authors emphasize the differences in clinical features, management and prognosis between the sarcomas occurring in childhood and the rarest leiomyosarcoma of elderly patients.

Aged↗