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Tangential breast irradiation with or without internal mammary chain irradiation: results of a randomized trial.

UNLABELLED: A prospective randomized study was made of 270 patients with unilateral stage I or II invasive breast cancer treated by segmental resection, axillary dissection and radiation at the University Hospital of Tampere, Finland, between 1989 and 1991. The aim of the study was to determine whether there is any advantage or disadvantage if the internal mammary chains (IMC) are included in the radiation target volume. The medial and lateral two-field technique was used and the target volumes were determined randomly either to include the internal mammary chain (IMC-RT) or not (no-IMC-RT). The prevalence of radiation pneumonitis was 16% and there was no significant difference between the IMC- and no-IMC-groups (18 vs. 14%). Skin reactions were equal in both groups. Lung fibrosis was more common in the IMC-RT group. IN CONCLUSION: radiation of internal mammary chain after conservative surgery does not lead to an increase in clinically important skin or pulmonary complications. Whether it prevents recurrences or new primaries of the opposite breast is too early to say because of the short follow-up time.

Breast Neoplasms↗

The single-subject randomized trial. A useful clinical tool for assessing therapeutic efficacy in pediatric practice.

The purpose of a single-subject randomized trial is to assess objectively the efficacy of a specific therapeutic intervention in an individual patient. Treatment is randomly alternated with placebo over a number of study periods. Specific outcome measures are recorded blindly and later compared via paired statistical analysis. Single-subject trials have long been successfully performed in adults, but rarely in children. We present single-subject trials of two pediatric patients done to assess the effect of cisapride on symptoms arising from gastroesophageal reflux. In the first patient, the drug affected neither vomiting nor gagging, although stool frequency increased. Since the symptoms of concern were unaffected, cisapride was discontinued. In the second patient, use of cisapride led to a significant decrease in vomiting and wheezing; the drug was therefore incorporated into the therapeutic regimen. Single-subject randomized trials are inexpensive and simple and can be used by the family physician, pediatrician, or pediatric surgeon in daily practice. They permit the rational use of effective therapy and the abandonment of ineffective measures.

Adult↗

Lenograstim after autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation: results of a double-blind, randomized trial.

A phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial was conducted in order to compare the incidence of microbiologically defined infections occurring after high-dose chemotherapy (HDT) and ASCT in 98 patients given lenograstim (Granocyte) and 94 patients given placebo after transplantation. Hematopoietic recovery, the use of i.v. antibiotics, the numbers of red blood cell and platelet transfusions, the days spent in hospital, and the days on parenteral nutrition were also compared. The incidence of infections until neutrophil recovery was significantly less in patients who received lenograstim after HDT and ASCT as compared to patients who received placebo (66 of 98 vs 86 of 94 patients, P<0.001). Lenograstim also significantly reduced the use of i.v. antibiotics (P<0.001) and the median duration of i.v. antibiotic treatment (8 days vs 10 days, P=0.04), improved neutrophil recovery (absolute neutrophil count >0.5 x 10(9)/l: 11 days vs 15 days, P<0.001) and reduced the number of days spent in hospital (15 days vs 17 days, P<0.001). The administration of lenograstim after HDT and ASCT significantly reduces the incidence of microbiologically defined infections until neutrophil recovery. It also leads to less use of antibiotics and earlier discharge from hospital.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Predictors and impact of patients lost to follow-up in a long-term randomized trial of immediate versus deferred antiretroviral treatment.

We studied predictors for losses to follow-up and the impact of such losses in the AIDS Clinical Trials Group 019 protocol, a long-term randomized trial of immediate versus deferred antiretroviral therapy in asymptomatic HIV-1-infected patients with >500 CD4 cells/mm3. The trial was selected because of its key importance in determining guidelines for antiretroviral therapy, and because it had the longest follow-up among all antiretroviral trials and the largest percentage of patients whose vital status was unknown at study end. Younger age, a history of parenteral drug use, and nonwhite race were associated with higher rates of loss to follow-up, but race was not an important predictor after adjusting for clinical site. There was large and statistically significant variability in the rates of losses among different clinical sites (p < 0.001). Patient retention was significantly better in clinical sites that enrolled many participants, with 25% of enrollees lost to follow-up in sites enrolling >100 patients and 44% in sites enrolling <33 patients each. As a group, patients lost to follow-up after the 2nd year had steeper declines of CD4 cell counts, and a significantly larger proportion had reached a CD4 cell count <300/mm3 in the year before being lost, compared with patients remaining in the study. Losses to follow-up probably decreased substantially the observed number of primary endpoints, curtailed the power of the trial to demonstrate any difference between immediate and deferred initiation of antiretroviral therapy, and may have introduced large bias in the estimated hazard ratio for the primary endpoint and its statistical significance.

Adult↗

Abciximab-supported infarct artery stent implantation for acute myocardial infarction and long-term survival: a prospective, multicenter, randomized trial comparing infarct artery stenting plus abciximab with stenting alone.

BACKGROUND: The impact on survival of routine use of abciximab as adjunctive treatment to routine infarct artery stenting for acute myocardial infarction is not defined. We sought to determine the effect of abciximab on 1-year survival and other major adverse cardiac events of patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing routine infarct artery stenting. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Abciximab and Carbostent Evaluation (ACE) Trial is an unblinded, randomized, controlled trial that compared abciximab with placebo in patients undergoing routine infarct artery stent implantation for acute myocardial infarction. At 1 year, the survival rate was 95+/-2% in the abciximab group and 88+/-2% in the stent-alone group (P=0.017). The reinfarction rate was 1% in the abciximab group and 6.0% in the stent-alone group, whereas there were no differences between groups in target vessel revascularization rate (16.5% in the abciximab group, 17.5% in the stent-alone group). CONCLUSIONS: Abciximab as adjunctive treatment to routine infarct artery stenting for acute myocardial infarction resulted in improved 1-year survival and lower reinfarction rates.

Abciximab↗

Nutritional therapy for peripheral arterial disease: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of HeartBar.

We investigated the clinical effects of a food bar enriched with L-arginine and a combination of other nutrients known to enhance the activity of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO) in individuals with claudication from atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease. The study was a 2-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of subjects randomized to three groups (two active bars, one active and one placebo bar, and two placebo bars per day) followed by an 8-week open-label period. Subjects (n=41) were outpatient volunteers with intermittent claudication. Pain-free and total walking distances were measured by variable-grade, treadmill exercise testing. Quality of life was assessed using the Medical Outcome Survey (SF-36). After 2 weeks of treatment, the pain-free walking distance increased 66% while the total walking distance increased 23% in the group taking two active bars/day. The general and emotional/social functioning components of the SF-36 also improved. These effects were not observed in the one active bar/day and placebo groups. The effects were maintained after 10 weeks and, in addition, an improvement in walking distance was observed in the group taking one active bar. These findings reveal that use of a nutrient bar designed to enhance EDNO activity improves pain-free and total walking distance as well as quality of life in individuals with intermittent claudication.

Aged↗

The effect of reperfusion pressure on early outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting. A randomized trial.

Among 60 patients randomly assigned to a reperfusion pressure of 50 mm Hg or one of 75 mm Hg (30 mm Hg during the first 2 minutes in both groups) during initially hyperkalemic, controlled aortic root reperfusion after coronary artery bypass grafting, no in-hospital deaths occurred, no patient received an intraaortic balloon pump, no patient had new Q waves, and creatine kinase MB release was similar in the two groups. Median interval between the beginning of reperfusion and the return of rhythmic cardiac contractions in the 50 mm Hg group was 7 minutes; in the 75 mm Hg group, it was 5 minutes (P = 0.1). The initial reactive hyperemic response was greater in the 75 mm Hg group. There were no believable differences (P < 0.1) between the two groups in postoperative cardiac output, left and right atrial pressure, arterial blood pressure, and prevalence of catecholamine administration.

Cardiac Output↗

Drainage after elective hepatic resection. A randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective randomized study determined the influence of closed-suction drainage on the incidence of postoperative complications after elective hepatic resection. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Routine drainage is no longer advocated after several intra-abdominal surgical procedures. METHODS: A series of 81 patients who underwent elective hepatic resection were randomly allocated to either a nondrainage group (n = 39) and a drainage group with closed-suction drainage (n = 42). Indications for resection were 42 benign lesions and 39 malignant tumors, including 19 with cirrhosis. Major hepatic resection was performed in 25 patients and minor resection, in 56. All patients underwent ultrasonography with puncture for bacteriologic cultures of all fluid collections within the first 5 postoperative days. RESULTS: One patient died in each group. Ultrasonography found a significantly higher rate of subphrenic collections in the drainage group compared with the nondrainage group (respectively, 36% vs. 15%, p < 0.05). These collections were more frequently infected in the drainage group (n = 6) than in the nondrainage group (n = 2). After major liver resection, the rate of intra-abdominal postoperative complications (i.e., subphrenic fluid collections, hematomas, and bilomas) was similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Minor liver resection is safer without drainage. Major liver resection can be performed with or without abdominal drainage.

Adult↗

Chemical splanchnicectomy in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. A prospective randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study was completed comparing intraoperative chemical splanchnicectomy with 50% alcohol versus a placebo injection of saline in patients with histologically proven unresectable pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Standardized assessment of pain, mood, and disability due to pain was completed preoperatively and at 2-month intervals until death. Chemical splanchnicectomy with alcohol was performed in 65 patients, whereas 72 patients received the placebo. The two groups were similar with respect to age, sex, location, and stage of tumor, operation performed, the use of postoperative chemo- and radiation therapy, and initial assessment scores for pain, mood, and disability. RESULTS: No differences in hospital mortality or complications, return to oral intake, or length of hospital stay were observed. Mean pain scores were significantly lower in the alcohol group at 2-, 4-, and 6-month follow-up and at the final assessment (p < 0.05). To further determine the effect of chemical splanchnicectomy, patients were stratified into those with and without preoperative pain. In patients without preoperative pain, alcohol significantly reduced pain scores and delayed or prevented the subsequent onset of pain (p < 0.05). In patients with significant preoperative pain, alcohol significantly reduced existing pain (p < 0.05). Furthermore, patients with preexisting pain who received alcohol showed a significant improvement in survival when compared with controls (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that intraoperative chemical splanchnicectomy with alcohol significantly reduces or prevents pain in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Reduction in cardiovascular events after vascular surgery with atorvastatin: a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: This prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial was performed to analyze the effect of atorvastatin compared with placebo on the occurrence of a 6-month composite of cardiovascular events after vascular surgery. Cardiovascular complications are the most important cause of perioperative morbidity and mortality among patients undergoing vascular surgery. Statin therapy may reduce perioperative cardiac events through stabilization of coronary plaques. METHODS: One hundred patients were randomly assigned to receive 20 mg atorvastatin or placebo once a day for 45 days, irrespective of their serum cholesterol concentration. Vascular surgery was performed on average 30 days after randomization, and patients were prospectively followed up over 6 months. The cardiovascular events studied were death from cardiac cause, nonfatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and stroke. RESULTS: Fifty patients received atorvastatin, and 50 received placebo. During the 6-month follow-up primary end points occurred in 17 patients, 4 in the atorvastatin group and 13 in the placebo group. The incidence of cardiac events was more than three times higher with placebo (26.0%) compared with atorvastatin (8.0%; P =.031). The risk for an event was compared between the groups with the Kaplan-Meier method, as event-free survival after vascular surgery. Patients given atorvastatin exhibited a significant decrease in the rate of cardiac events, compared with the placebo group, within 6 months after vascular surgery (P =.018). CONCLUSION: Short-term treatment with atorvastatin significantly reduces the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events after vascular surgery.

Aged↗

Hormone replacement therapy and secondary cardiovascular prevention: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in women. Several randomized clinical trials of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in women with and without coronary artery disease have found no benefit of HRT in decreasing cardiovascular events. The purpose of this study was to assess the benefits and risks of HRT for prevention of cardiovascular events by conducting a meta-analysis of all randomized trials of HRT, and estimate cardiovascular event rates. METHODS AND RESULTS: All relevant randomized, clinical trials were identified in MEDLINE (1966-2001), HealthSTAR (1975-2001), and Cochrane Library databases. The search terms were hormone replacement or HRT, estrogen, progesterone, women and heart disease. We used all published data of randomized, clinical trials of HRT if they reported cardiovascular endpoints. Meta-analysis of the randomized, clinical trials involving 21,066 patients revealed that HRT did not reduce mortality compared with control group (1.9 vs. 1.9%, odds ratio 1.05, 95% CI 0.86-1.30, p = 0.58) or significantly reduce risk of myocardial infarction (3.7 vs. 3.7%, odds ratio 1.04, 95% CI 0.90-1.21, p = 0.58) or revascularization (6.4 vs. 6.8%, odds ratio 0.95, 95% CI 0.85-1.08, p = 0.50). The rate of acute coronary syndrome rate was 9.1% in the HRT group vs. 9.3% with odds ratio 1.00, 95% CI 0.90-1.12, p = 0.98. CONCLUSION: HRT use is not associated with reduced death, myocardial infarction or revascularization rate. This suggests that HRT is not an effective secondary cardiovascular preventive measure.

Aged↗

Tacrolimus ointment does not affect collagen synthesis: results of a single-center randomized trial.

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the atrophogenicity of tacrolimus ointment. In a combined group of atopic dermatitis patients (n = 14) and healthy volunteers (n = 12), 0.3% tacrolimus, 0.1% tacrolimus, betamethasone-valerate, and a vehicle control were applied in a randomized order to nonsymptomatic, 4 cm x 4 cm regions of abdominal skin. After 7 d of treatment under occlusion, the carboxy- and amino-terminal propeptides of procollagen I (PICP, PINP) and the amino-terminal propeptide of procollagen III (PIIINP) were measured from suction blister fluid with specific radioimmunoassays. In addition, ultrasound measurements of skin thickness were taken. Betamethasone-treated areas showed median PICP, PINP, and PIIINP concentrations of 17.0%, 17.6%, and 39.5% of the vehicle control at the end of the treatment period, respectively, whereas the 0.1% and 0.3% tacrolimus-treated areas showed median concentrations of approximately 100% of the vehicle control (p < 0.001). Betamethasone was also the only treatment to reduce skin thickness; the median decrease in skin thickness was 7.4% relative to 0.1% tacrolimus, 7.1% relative to 0.3% tacrolimus, and 8.8% relative to the vehicle control (p < 0.01). Results for atopic dermatitis patients and healthy volunteers were similar. These findings suggest that tacrolimus does not cause skin atrophy.

Adolescent↗

A causal proportional hazards estimator for the effect of treatment actually received in a randomized trial with all-or-nothing compliance.

Survival data from randomized trials are most often analyzed in a proportional hazards (PH) framework that follows the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. When not all the patients on the experimental arm actually receive the assigned treatment, the ITT-estimator mixes its effect on treatment compliers with its absence of effect on noncompliers. The structural accelerated failure time (SAFT) models of Robins and Tsiatis are designed to consistently estimate causal effects on the treated, without direct assumptions about the compliance selection mechanism. The traditional PH-model, however, has not yet led to such causal interpretation. In this article, we examine a PH-model of treatment effect on the treated subgroup. While potential treatment compliance is unobserved in the control arm, we derive an estimating equation for the Compliers PROPortional Hazards Effect of Treatment (C-PROPHET). The jackknife is used for bias correction and variance estimation. The method is applied to data from a recently finished clinical trial in cancer patients with liver metastases.

Algorithms↗

Efficacy of bile acid therapy for gallstone dissolution: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

To define better the efficacy of bile acid therapy for dissolution of radiolucent gallstones, we performed a meta-analysis of published trials from January 1966 to September 1992. Studies were identified using a MEDLINE computer search followed by an extensive manual search. The inclusion criteria used were: randomized trial, radiolucent gallstones in a visualizing gallbladder on oral cholecystography, and complete stone dissolution confirmed by oral cholecystography or ultrasound. Study results were pooled into 6 groups: placebo: high- and low-dose chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) (> or = 10 mg.kg/day and < 10 mg.kg/day); high- and low-dose ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) (> or = 7 mg.kg/day and < 7 mg.kg/day) and combined CDCA plus UDCA. Homogeneity calculations were performed and the percentage of complete stone dissolution calculated for each group with 95% confidence intervals. Of 66 trials identified, 23 comprising 1949 patients met the inclusion criteria. A total of 1062 patients were treated with CDCA, 819 with UDCA and 78 combination therapy. In studies > 6 months' duration, high-dose UDCA completely dissolved stones in 37.3% of patients (95% C.I. 33-42%), low-dose UDCA in 20.6%) and high-dose CDCA 18.2% (95% C.I. 15-21%). Based on only two studies, combination therapy achieved dissolution in 62.8% (95% C.I. 51-74%) of patients. Stones less than 10 mm dissolved significantly more frequently than stones larger than 10 mm. This analysis shows that UDCA in doses greater than 7 mg.kg/day taken for greater than 6 months will dissolve radiolucent gallstones in 38% of patients. The combination of UDCA and CDCA may be more efficacious but this observation is based upon only 78 patients and requires confirmation in further randomized trials.

Chenodeoxycholic Acid↗

Treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal cancer: impact of complete cytoreductive surgery and difficulties in conducting randomized trials.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is a frequent and very lethal event. However, cure may be possible with maximal cytoreductive surgery associated with early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC). METHODS: Between 1996 and 2000, we conducted a two-center prospective randomized trial comparing EPIC plus systemic chemotherapy with systemic chemotherapy alone, both after complete cytoreductive surgery of colorectal PC. Only 35 patients could be included among the 90 who were theoretically required, mainly because of patient dissatisfaction with the inclusion criteria. For this reason, the trial was stopped prematurely. RESULTS: Analysis of these 35 patients showed that complete resection of PC resulted in a 2-year survival rate of 60%-far above the classic 10% survival rate among patients with colorectal PC treated with systemic chemotherapy and symptomatic surgery. In this small series, EPIC did not demonstrate any advantage for survival. CONCLUSIONS: This supports the use of complete cytoreductive surgery in selected patients and calls for a prospective randomized trial comparing adjuvant systemic chemotherapy with intraperitoneal chemohyperthermia after complete resection.

Adult↗

A randomized trial of adjuvant chemotherapy and immunotherapy in cutaneous melanoma.

In a randomized trial of adjuvant chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or immunochemotherapy, 761 evaluable patients with pathological Stage II cutaneous melanoma anywhere on the body or with pathological Stage I melanoma of the trunk (Clark's level 3 to 5) were studied by the World Health Organization International Melanoma Group. Wide local excision and excisional regional lymphadenectomy alone were performed in 185 patients and the results were compared with those of surgery plus chemotherapy with dacarbazine (in 192 patients), surgery plus immunotherapy with bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine (in 203), and surgery plus chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy (in 181). The rates of disease-free survival and overall survival at 36 months were 30.4 +/- 8.3 per cent (mean +/- S.E.) and 41.6 +/- 10.0 per cent, respectively, after surgical treatment alone; 37.2 +/- 7.9 per cent and 46.5 +/- 8.3 per cent after surgery plus chemotherapy; 34.8 +/- 7.9 per cent and 48.7 +/- 8.7 per cent after surgery plus immunotherapy; and 33.6 +/- 7.9 per cent and 50.0 +/- 8.8 per cent after surgery plus a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. None of the differences between groups was significant, and thus no effect of adjuvant therapy could be demonstrated in this study.

BCG Vaccine↗

A randomized trial comparing ketoconazole and nystatin prophylactic therapy in neutropenic patients.

A randomized trial was conducted comparing ketoconazole and nystatin in the prevention of oral candidiasis and appearance of invasive fungal infections in 51 neutropenic leukemic patients undergoing induction chemotherapy. Ketoconazole was administered in a 200 mg dose twice daily. Nystatin oral suspension was given in doses of 500,000 units four times daily. Surveillance cultures of the throat and urine were obtained prior to treatment and conducted weekly. Patients were enrolled in the study if the absolute granulocyte count was less than 1500/microliter, if physical examination revealed no evidence of oral candidiasis, no evidence of urinary tract infection, and there was no pulmonary infiltrate on chest x-ray. Patients were continued on study until the absolute granulocyte count reached 1500/microliter, evidence of oral candidiasis appeared, or presumed or proven invasive fungal infections appeared. Of the 46 evaluable patients, 22 received ketoconazole, 3 (14%) developed oral candidiasis, and 5 developed suspected systemic fungal infections (23%). Of 24 patients who received nystatin, 4 (17%) developed oral candidiasis and 8 (33%) developed systemic fungal infections, 4 proven and 4 suspected. Significantly more patients on the nystatin arm progressed to invasive fungal infections. Ketoconazole was not superior to nystatin in reducing the frequency of oral candidiasis but possibly reduced the frequency of invasive fungal infections.

Acute Disease↗

Randomized trial of 8 Gy in 1 versus 20 Gy in 5 fractions of radiotherapy for neuropathic pain due to bone metastases (Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group, TROG 96.05).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Despite numerous randomized trials investigating radiotherapy (RT) fractionation schedules for painful bone metastases, there are very few data on RT for bone metastases causing pain with a neuropathic component. The Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group undertook a randomized trial comparing the efficacy of a single 8 Gy (8/1) with 20 Gy in 5 fractions (20/5) for this type of pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eligible patients had radiological evidence of bone metastases from a known malignancy with no change in systemic therapy within 6 weeks before or anticipated within 4 weeks after RT, no other metastases along the distribution of the neuropathic pain and no clinical or radiological evidence of cord/cauda equina compression. All patients gave written informed consent. Primary endpoints were pain response within 2 months of commencement of RT and time to treatment failure (TTF). The hypothesis was that 8/1 is at least as effective as 20/5 and the planned sample size was 270 patients. RESULTS: Between February 1996 and December 2002, 272 patients were randomized (8/1:20/5=137:135) from 15 centres (Australia 11, New Zealand 3, UK 1). The commonest primary cancers were lung (31%), prostate (29%) and breast (8%); index sites were spine (89%), rib (9%), other (2%); 72% of patients were males and the median age was 67 (range 29-89). The median overall survival (95% CI) for all randomized patients was 4.8 mo (4.2-5.7 mo). The intention-to-treat overall response rates (95% CI) for 8/1 vs 20/5 were 53% (45-62%) vs 61% (53-70%), P=0.18. Corresponding figures for complete response were 26% (18-34%) vs 27% (19-35%), P=0.89. The estimated median TTFs (95% CI) were 2.4 mo (2.0-3.3 mo) vs 3.7 mo (3.1-5.9 mo) respectively. The hazard ratio (95% CI) for the comparison of TTF curves was 1.35 (0.99-1.85), log-rank P=0.056. There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of re-treatment, cord compression or pathological fracture by arm. CONCLUSIONS: 8/1 was not shown to be as effective as 20/5, nor was it statistically significantly worse. Outcomes were generally poorer for 8/1, although the quantitative differences were relatively small.

Adult↗