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At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources

Randomized trial of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil chemotherapy added to tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy in postmenopausal women with node-positive estrogen and/or progesterone receptor-positive breast cancer: a report of the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group. Breast Cancer Site Group.

PURPOSE AND METHODS: By the mid 1980s, tamoxifen alone was considered standard adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with node-positive, estrogen receptor (ER)- or progesterone receptor (PgR)-positive breast cancer. From 1984 through 1990, 705 eligible postmenopausal women with node-positive, ER- or PgR-positive breast cancer were randomized to a National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group (NCIC CTG) study that compared tamoxifen 30 mg by mouth daily for 2 years (TAM) versus TAM plus chemotherapy with all-intravenous cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2, methotrexate 40 mg/m2, and fluorouracil 600 mg/m2 given every 21 days for eight cycles (CMF). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in overall survival, recurrence-free survival, locoregional recurrence-free survival, or distant recurrence-free survival between the two treatment arms. However, there was significantly greater severe toxicity, which included leukopenia (P < .0001), nausea and vomiting (P < .0001), and thromboembolic events (P < .0001), as well as significantly more mild or greater toxicity, which included thrombocytopenia (P = .04), anemia (P = .02), infection (P = .0004), mucositis (P = .0001), diarrhea (P = .0001), and neurologic toxicity (P = .006), in women who received TAM plus CMF. CONCLUSION: The addition of CMF to TAM adds no benefit and considerable toxicity in this group of women.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Final results of a randomized phase III trial of sequential high-dose methotrexate, fluorouracil, and doxorubicin versus etoposide, leucovorin, and fluorouracil versus infusional fluorouracil and cisplatin in advanced gastric cancer: A trial of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer Cooperative Group.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of etoposide, leucovorin, and bolus fluorouracil (ELF) or infusional fluorouracil plus cisplatin (FUP) with that of the reference protocol of fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and methotrexate (FAMTX) in advanced gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 399 patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the stomach were randomized and analyzed for toxicity, tumor response, and progression-free and overall survival. Only reviewed and confirmed responses were considered. The analysis of remission was based on assessable patients with documented measurable lesions. The intent-to-treat principle, log-rank test, and Cox regression model were used for the statistical analysis of time-to-event end points. RESULTS: The overall response rate for 245 eligible patients with measurable disease was 9% with ELF, 20% with FUP, and 12% with FAMTX, with no significant differences. One hundred twelve patients were eligible for efficacy in assessable, nonmeasurable disease. No change was observed in 66% of patients treated with ELF, 56% with FUP, and 55% with FAMTX. Two patients achieved a complete tumor regression (one each for ELF and FAMTX). With a median follow-up time of 4.5 years, the median survival times were 7.2 months with ELF, 7.2 months with FUP, and 6.7 months with FAMTX, respectively, with no significant differences. Nonhematologic and hematologic toxicities of ELF, FUP, and FAMTX were acceptable, with neutropenia being the major toxicity for all three regimens. Seven treatment-related deaths occurred (two with FUP and five with FAMTX). CONCLUSION: All three investigated regimens demonstrate modest clinical efficacy and should not be regarded as standard treatment for advanced gastric cancer. New strategies should be considered to achieve a better clinical efficacy in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of marimastat after response to first-line chemotherapy in patients with small-cell lung cancer: a trial of the National Cancer Institute of Canada-Clinical Trials Group and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer.

PURPOSE: Increased expression of metalloproteinases is associated with poor prognosis in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). This trial was undertaken to determine whether adjuvant treatment with the metalloproteinase inhibitor marimastat could prolong survival in responding patients with SCLC after chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: SCLC patients in complete or partial remission were eligible. They were stratified by radiotherapy (early, late, or none), stage (extensive or limited), response (complete or partial), and cooperative group (National Cancer Institute of Canada-Clinical Trials Group or European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer). They were randomized to receive marimastat 10 mg or placebo orally bid for up to 2 years. RESULTS: There were 532 eligible patients (266 marimastat and 266 placebo). Stage was limited for 279 patients (52%) and extensive for 253 (48%). Best response to induction therapy was complete remission for 176 patients (33%), partial remission for 341 (64%), and 15 patients (3%) had undergone surgical resection. The median time to progression for marimastat patients was 4.3 months compared with 4.4 months for placebo patients (P =.81). Median survivals for marimastat and placebo patients were 9.3 months and 9.7 months, respectively (P =.90) Toxicity was generally limited to musculoskeletal symptoms (18% grade 3/4 for marimastat). Dose modifications for musculoskeletal toxicity were required in 90 patients (33%) on the marimastat arm, and 87 (32%) permanently stopped marimastat because of toxicity. Patients on marimastat had significantly poorer quality of life at 3 and 6 months. CONCLUSION: Treatment with marimastat after induction therapy for SCLC did not result in improved survival and had a negative impact on quality of life.

Adult↗

Adjuvant therapy for stage II colon cancer: a systematic review from the Cancer Care Ontario Program in evidence-based care's gastrointestinal cancer disease site group.

PURPOSE: To develop a systematic review that would address the following question: Should patients with stage II colon cancer receive adjuvant therapy? METHODS: A systematic review was undertaken to locate randomized controlled trials comparing adjuvant therapy to observation. RESULTS: Thirty-seven trials and 11 meta-analyses were included. The evidence for stage II colon cancer comes primarily from a trial of fluorouracil plus levamisole and a meta-analysis of 1,016 patients comparing fluorouracil plus folinic acid versus observation. Neither detected an improvement in disease-free or overall survival for adjuvant therapy. A recent pooled analysis of data from seven trials observed a benefit for adjuvant therapy in a multivariate analysis for both disease-free and overall survival. The disease-free survival benefits appeared to extend to stage II patients; however, no P values were provided. A meta-analysis of chemotherapy by portal vein infusion has also shown a benefit in disease-free and overall survival for stage II patients. A meta-analysis was conducted using data on stage II patients where data were available (n = 4,187). The mortality risk ratio was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.75 to 1.01; P =.07). CONCLUSION: There is preliminary evidence indicating that adjuvant therapy is associated with a disease-free survival benefit for patients with stage II colon cancer. These benefits are small and not necessarily associated with improved overall survival. Patients should be made aware of these results and encouraged to participate in active clinical trials. Additional investigation of newer therapies and more mature data from the presently available trials should be pursued.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer: the experience of the Lung Cancer Cooperative Group of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer.

The Lung Cancer Cooperative Group of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer was founded in 1981. During the past 15 years, the group has participated in the development of treatment of non-small cell lung cancer with chemotherapy. The group performed standard phase II studies of new drugs and phase III studies with new and active drugs. Furthermore, the group performed studies combining chemotherapy with treatment for localized disease.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Cancer, Cancer Risk Factors, and Community-Based Cancer Control Trials in Vietnamese Americans.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this paper is to describe the epidemiology of cancer in Vietnamese Americans and reviews some of the successful intervention strategies that have been accomplished in Northern California. FINDINGS: Preventable cancers are among the leading causes of death in Vietnamese Americans, who have higher than average rates of smoking and lower than average rates for breast and cervical cancer screening, and lower rates of hepatitis B vaccination. Community&shy;based intervention trials have shown good success in reducing these risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Despite successes, more work needs to be done. Continuing research and dissemination of successful intervention strategies will help improve the health of Vietnamese Americans, one of the fastest growing populations in the U.S.

Journal Article↗

Relationships among Internet health information use, patient behavior and self efficacy in newly diagnosed cancer patients who contact the National Cancer Institute's NCI Atlantic Region Cancer Information Service (CIS).

This NCI funded study examined the relationship between the use of Internet health information by people newly diagnosed with cancer (N=500), with patient task behavior and perceived self efficacy. Study variables were compared among Direct users of Internet health information (people using the Internet themselves), Indirect users of Internet health information (people receiving Internet health information from friends or family members), and Non-users of Internet health information (people not using the Internet or receiving health information from the Internet). The subjects were recruited from persons who called the Atlantic Region of the NCI's Cancer Information Service (CIS), located at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA. Follow up phone interviews were done with participants six weeks after initial contact to assess impact of the use of the Internet on perceived patient task behavior and self efficacy. Results show significant relationships between Internet use and all study variables.

Health Education↗

Replacement of cisplatin with carboplatin in combination chemotherapy against ovarian cancer: long-term treatment results of a study of the Gynaecological Cancer Cooperative Group of the EORTC and experience at The Netherlands Cancer Institute.

Carboplatin-based chemotherapy has been evaluated in three studies of ovarian cancer patients. In the first, combination cisplatin and carboplatin plus doxorubicin/hexamethylmelamine/cyclophosphamide were compared as first-line treatment of ovarian cancer in 341 women with stage IIB to IV disease. There were no observed differences in results between the two treatment groups. In the second study, conventional doses of intravenous carboplatin (350 mg/m2, given on day 1) plus oral cyclophosphamide (100 mg/m2 days 2 to 6) were given to late-relapsing patients (12 to 72 months) previously treated with cisplatin. Mature data showed a 55% overall response rate, acceptable toxicity, and an absence of additive neurotoxicity. Finally, 65 patients with refractory disease or in early relapse after cisplatin therapy (within 12 months) were treated with high-dose carboplatin (800 mg/m2). Toxicity was severe, but the 45% combined response rate was considered encouraging and worthy of further evaluation. It was concluded that carboplatin is an appropriate replacement for cisplatin in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Adult↗

Quality of life of head and neck cancer patient: validation of the European organization for research and treatment of cancer QLQ-C30 and European organization for research and treatment of cancer QLQ-H&N 35 in Indian patients.

AIMS: To present the first cross-culture validation of the European organization for research and treatment of cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaires, the EORTC-QLQ-C30, and the QLQ-H&N 35 in India. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: These questionnaires were translated into two vernacular languages and pilot test was done on 15 patients. Two hundred head and neck cancer patients completed the QLQ-C30 and the QLQ-H&N 35 at two time points during their treatment. Psychometric evaluation of the structure, reliability, and validity of the questionnaire was undertaken. RESULTS: The data supports the reliability of the scales. Validity was tested by item-scale, scale--scale correlation and by performing known group comparisons. The results demonstrated that the items correlated with their respective scale and no significant correlation was found between scales. The questionnaire was responsive to change over a period of time. SUMMARY: This data suggests that the EORTC QLO-C30 and the QLQ-H&N 35 are reliable and valid questionnaires when applied to a sample of head and neck cancer patients in India.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

[Multicenter phase II trial of thrice-weekly docetaxel and weekly trastuzumab as preoperative chemotherapy in patients with HER 2-overexpressing breast cancer--Japan East Cancer Center Breast Cancer Consortium (JECBC) 02 Trial].

The efficacy and safety of combination therapy of 4 cycles with docetaxel 70 mg/m(2)every 3 weeks and trastuzumab as primary chemotherapy for operable breast cancer was determined in 21 patients (pts) by assessing the pathological complete response (pCR) rate, clinical response rate (RR), breast conservation surgery (BCS) rate and toxicities. To date, 19 pts have completed surgery. The pCR rate was 21% [95% CI 6%-46%] . The overall RR was 90% [95% CI 67%-99%] , with 5 CR, 12 PR, 2 SD and 0 PD. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events were leukopenia 48%, neutropenia 67%, hemoglobin 5%, and febrile neutropenia 10%. All non-hematological toxicities were mild and manageable. The pCR rate is not as low as that achieved in previous international studies. The combination of docetaxel and trastuzumab was a well-tolerated and very active regimen for the treatment of patients with HER 2-overexpressing operable breast cancer. This regimen promises to be one of the leading future treatments for progressive breast cancer.

Adult↗

Septicemia in patients with solid cancers in a Japanese cancer hospital--the significance of candidemia for cancer patients.

Episodes of septicemia (114) in patients with solid cancers at Nagoya Memorial Hospital were analyzed from April 1985 to June 1986. The underlying malignancies were predominantly gastric and colon cancers. Almost all the cancers were in advanced stages, the most frequent patient performance status being 4. Hypogammaglobulinemia and granulocytopenia were not, however frequent among these patients. The major microbes detected from blood cultures were Candida sp., Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Preceding chemotherapies were mainly combination chemotherapies containing Cisplatin (CDDP). The major pathogen, Candida sp., was detected frequently from Hickman's catheter. Thirty-one percent of patients died within 14 days of the septicemia diagnosis (two were cases of septic shock).

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Life-style and cancer prevention. Activities of the Department of Cancer Prevention, Osaka Cancer Prevention and Detection Center].

The role of the Department of Cancer Prevention, Osaka Cancer Prevention and Detection Center which was established in 1987 is to conduct practical research works in the area of primary prevention of cancer through life-style modification. We have so far examined the applicability and efficacy of such tools as population-based smoking cessation contest, nicotine gum, health risk appraisal and "Know Your Body" program. The outline of our activities and future plans are introduced.

Alcohol Drinking↗

[The role of epidemiologic research of the natural history of cancer for evaluating cancer screening programs--a prospective study of colorectal polyps on the occurrence of colorectal cancer].

In order to elucidate the natural history of colorectal polyps and to examine the effectiveness of endoscopic polypectomy in reducing the incidence of colorectal cancer, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients who had undergone endoscopic examination at the Center for Adult Diseases, Osaka in 1970-82. The study subjects consist of 653 non-polyp cases and 431 colorectal polyp cases including 222 cases treated by endoscopic polypectomy. These were followed up until the end of 1985 by the method of a record linkage with the Osaka Cancer Registry's file. The colorectal polyp group and the endoscopic polypectomy group experienced 4.4 and 2.9 times, respectively, as much incidence of colorectal cancer as the non-polyp group. The magnitude of the prevented fraction by the use of endoscopic polypectomy was estimated at 31.3%. A large-scale and long-term study is necessary to elucidate the original study purpose.

Adult↗

[Hypotheses: The adaptation of cancer strategy to progress in tumor immunology. General cancer prevention, metastasis prevention and the combination of classical cancer therapies with O2 multistep immunostimulation].

The numerical development of cancer cells during tumor growth and under current forms of therapy is quantitatively described as a fundament of a scientifically founded anticancer strategy. As to general cancer prevention, suppression of metastasis and reduction of recurrencies, figures for orientation are derived, which allow to assess the minimal number of malignant cells to be killed. The killing potency of current tumor immunological measures has been not so far sufficient enough to have a good chance for achieving these pretentious goals. The mean reyason for this to be supposed the neglection of the oxygen status of the body and its dynamics. This is a surprising fact, since all immunological mechanisms are known to be energy-, i.e., oxygen-dependent. The experimentally confirmed correlation between the effectiveness of body defense and the quality of the oxygen status was the origin of several variants of the oxygen multistep immunostimulation concept (application of immunostimulators combined with the oxygen multistep therapy). Clinical results reflect the remarkable increase of the cell-killing potency achievable by these measures and give reasons for the adaptation of anticancer strategies to progress in tumor immunology. Furthermore, real methodological proposals are made for general cancer prevention, suppression of metastasis, and reduction of recurrencies, and the concept of a combined therapy is developed. This therapy comprises the currently accepted measures, such as surgery, irradiation and drugs, and the adjuvant O2 multistep immunostimulation, which is applied three-fold according to a specific schedule. The advantage of this combination is that the patient comes first into the enjoyment of all the beneficial effects that established regimens can offer for the particular case. Then and moreover, the patient gains better quality of life, because the adverse side-effects of radiation and drugs are attenuated and, finally, the individual gets a fair chance of stopping the progression of the disease.

Cell Transformation, Neoplastic↗

[Fatigue and cancer--indivisible twins? A comparison between cancer patients, patients with diseases other than cancer and healthy people].

Fatigue has been described as a major distressing symptom in cancer patients. Its multidimensional concept can not be fully explained yet. The lack of valid, reliable measurement tools is one of the problems which inhibited further development of assessment in nursing as well as medical care. It was the aim of this study to 1) create and test a simple, easy to use Visual Analogue Fatigue Scale, 2) to explore levels and manifestations of fatigue in three sub-samples, 3) to analyse the expression of fatigue and to discern therapeutic, physiological and psychological factors linked with subjective ratings of fatigue. A prospective, non-randomised, descriptive design was used. The study-population included three sub-samples: 20 hospitalised cancer patients, 12 hospitalised patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease and 30 healthy individuals. Subjects documented their levels and expression of fatigue with a Visual Analogue Fatigue Scale and the Yoshitake Symptom Checklist. Cancer patients demonstrated clearly different symptoms of fatigue than gastroenterology patients and than healthy individuals. Peak-levels of fatigue were highest in healthy individuals but showed different characteristics and impact on wellbeing. Daily fatigue-evolution profiles were subsample-specific and demonstrated the difference between fatigue as a healthy phenomenon and fatigue as a distressing symptom.

Fatigue↗

The relationship between social ties and survival among black and white breast cancer patients. National Cancer Institute Black/White Cancer Survival Study Group.

The relationship between social ties, stage of disease, and survival was analyzed in a population-based sample of 525 black and 486 white women with newly diagnosed breast cancer. There were significant differences between the two race groups in reported social ties. Using logistic regression to adjust for the effects of age, race, study area, education, and the presence of symptoms, there was little or no evidence for an association between individual network measures of social ties and stage of disease. However, a summary measure of social networks was found to be associated modestly with late stage disease, attributable in part to significantly more advanced disease among black, but not white, women reporting few friends and relatives [relative risk (RR) = 1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1-3.0]. With adjustments for differences in stage of disease and other covariates, and with the use of Cox proportional hazards modeling to estimate hazard ratios, the absence of close ties and perceived sources of emotional support were associated significantly with an increased breast cancer death rate. White women in the lowest quartile of reported close friends and relatives had twice the breast cancer death rate of white women in the highest quartile (RR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.1-4.4). Notably, both black and white women reporting few sources of emotional support had a higher death rate from their disease during the 5-year period of follow-up (RR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.3-2.5).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[Biology of solid cancers: breast cancer as an example. Second part: gene disregulation in breast cancer].

Several studies have been conducted to identify and determine the nature of genetic anomalies leading to breast cancer. The most frequent genetic anomalies observed in breast cancer are genetic amplification of proto-oncogenes, and mutations and deletions which inactivate suppressor genes. Abnormal protein expression has also been detected. All these modifications of the cell genome could be useful in screening, diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer, and in the long-term, in developing new therapeutic strategies.

Breast Neoplasms↗