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Comparative efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with Dukes' B versus Dukes' C colon cancer: results from four National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project adjuvant studies (C-01, C-02, C-03, and C-04)

PURPOSE: Although the benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy has been clearly established in patients with Dukes' C colon cancer, such benefit has been questioned in patients with Dukes' B disease. To determine whether patients with Dukes' B disease benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy and to evaluate the magnitude of the benefit, compared with that observed in Dukes' C patients, we examined the relative efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy according to Dukes' stage in four sequential National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project trials (C-01, C-02, C-03, and C-04) that compared different adjuvant chemotherapy regimens with each other or with no adjuvant treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The four trials included Dukes' B and C patients and were conducted between 1977 and 1990. The eligibility criteria and follow-up requirements were similar for all four trials. Protocol C-01 compared adjuvant semustine, vincristine, and fluorouracil (5-FU) (MOF regimen) with operation alone. Protocol C-02 compared the perioperative administration of a portal venous infusion of 5-FU with operation alone. Protocol C-03 compared adjuvant 5-FU and leucovorin (LV) with adjuvant MOF. Protocol C-04 compared adjuvant 5-FU and LV with 5-FU and levamisole (LEV) and with the combination of 5-FU, LV, and LEV. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of the patients included in these four trials had resected Dukes' B tumors. In all four studies, the overall, disease-free, and recurrence-free survival improvement noted for all patients was evident in both Dukes' B and Dukes' C patients. When the relative efficacy of chemotherapy was examined, there was always an observed reduction in mortality, recurrence, or disease-free survival event, irrespective of Dukes' stage, and in most instances, the reduction was as great or greater for Dukes' B patients as for Dukes' C patients. When data from all four trials were examined in a combined analysis, the mortality reduction was 30% for Dukes' B patients versus 18% for Dukes' C patients. The mortality reduction in Dukes' B patients occurred irrespective of the presence or absence of adverse prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Patients with Dukes' B colon cancer benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy and should be presented with this treatment option. Regardless of the presence or absence of other clinical prognostic factors, Dukes' B patients seem to benefit from chemotherapy administration.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The adjuvanted influenza vaccines with novel adjuvants: experience with the MF59-adjuvanted vaccine.

Elderly people and subjects with underlying chronic diseases are at increased risk for influenza and related complications. Conventional influenza vaccines provide only limited protection in the elderly population. In order to enhance the immune response to influenza vaccines, several adjuvants have been evaluated. Among these, an oil in water adjuvant emulsion containing squalene, MF59, has been combined with subunit influenza antigens and tested in clinical trials in comparison with non-adjuvanted conventional vaccines. Data from a clinical database of over 10000 elderly subjects immunised with this adjuvanted vaccine (Fluad, Chiron Vaccines, Siena, Italy) demonstrate that, although common postimmunisation reactions are more frequent in recipients of the adjuvanted vaccine, this vaccine is well tolerated, also after re-immunisation in subsequent influenza seasons. Immunogenicity analyses demonstrate a consistently higher immune response with statistically significant increases of postimmunisation geometric mean titres, and of seroconversion and seroprotection rates compared to non-adjuvanted subunit and split influenza vaccines, particularly for the A/H3N2 and the B strains. The higher immunogenicity profile of the MF59-adjuvanted vaccine is maintained also after subsequent immunisations. An even higher adjuvant effect was shown in subjects with low pre-immunisation titre and in those affected by chronic underlying diseases. In conclusion, the addition of MF59 to subunit influenza vaccines enhances significantly the immune response in elderly subjects without causing clinically important changes in the safety profile of the influenza vaccine.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

The mode of action of immunological adjuvants. I. A new method to assess the adjuvant effect of substances as represented by mycobacterial adjuvants.

When mice were sensitized with sheep red blood cells (SRBC), the addition of adjuvant-active substances to the sensitizing antigen resulted in a highly significant increase in the mean diameter of plaques developed by spleen cells as measured by Jerne's plaque technique. The increase in plaque diameter was found to be a good measure for the adjuvant effect of such substances as mycobacterial adjuvants, because the phenomenon is specific, reproducible, sensitive and can be tested using a few number of mice.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Neo-adjuvant and adjuvant hormone therapy for localised and locally advanced prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Hormone therapy for early prostate cancer has demonstrated an improvement in clinical and pathological variables, but not always an improvement in overall survival. We performed a systematic review of both adjuvant and neo-adjuvant hormone therapy combined with surgery or radiotherapy in localised or locally advanced prostate cancer. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to undertake a systematic review and, if possible, a meta-analysis of neo-adjuvant and adjuvant hormone therapy in localised or locally advanced prostate cancer. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched MEDLINE (1966-2006), EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Science Citation Index, LILACS, and SIGLE for relevant randomised trials. Handsearching of appropriate publications was also undertaken. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials of patients with localised or locally advanced prostate cancer, that is, stages T1-T4, any N, M0, comparing neo-adjuvant or adjuvant hormonal deprivation in combination with primary therapy (radical radiotherapy or radical prostatectomy) versus primary therapy alone were included in this review. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted from eligible studies and assessed for quality, and included information on study design, participants, interventions, and outcomes. Comparable data were pooled together for meta-analysis with intention-to treat principle. MAIN RESULTS: Men with prostate cancer have different clinical outcomes based on their risk (T1-T2, T3-T4, PSA levels and Gleason score). However, the majority of studies included in this review did not report results by risk groups; therefore, it was not possible to perform sub-group analysis. Neo-adjuvant hormonal therapy prior to prostatectomy did not improve overall survival (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.85, P = 0.69). However, there was a significant reduction in the positive surgical margin rate (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.42, P < 0.00001) and a significant improvement in other pathological variables such as lymph node involvement, pathological staging and organ confined rates. There was a borderline significant reduction of disease recurrence rates (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.0, P = 0.05), in favour of treatment. The use of longer duration of neo-adjuvant hormones, that is either 6 or 8 months prior to prostatectomy, was associated with a significant reduction in positive surgical margins (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.80, P = 0.002). In one study, neo-adjuvant hormones prior to radiotherapy significantly improved overall survival for Gleason 2 to 6 patients; although, in two studies, there was no improvement in disease-specific survival (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.32, P = 0.97). However, there was a significant improvement in both clinical disease-free survival (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.93 to 2.40, P < 0.00001) and biochemical disease-free survival (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.45 to 2.56, P < 0.00001). Adjuvant androgen deprivation following prostatectomy did not significantly improve overall survival at 5 years (OR 1.50, 95% CI 0.79 to 2.85, P = 0.2); although one study reported a significant disease-specific survival advantage with adjuvant therapy (P = 0.001). In addition, there was a significant improvement in disease-free survival at both 5 years (OR 3.73, 95%CI 2.30 to 6.03, P < 0.00001) and 10 years (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.34 to 3.15, P = 0.0009). Adjuvant therapy following radiotherapy resulted in a significant overall survival gain apparent at 5 (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.83, P = 0.0009) and 10 years (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.84, P = 0.003); although there was significant heterogeneity (P = 0.09 and P = 0.07, respectively). There was also a significant improvement in disease-specific survival (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.53 to 2.88, P = 0.00001) and disease-free survival (OR 2.53, 95% CI 2.05 to 3.12, P < 0.00001) at 5 years. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Hormone therapy combined with either prostatectomy or radiotherapy is associated with significant clinical benefits in patients with local or locally advanced prostate cancer. Significant local control may be achieved when given prior to prostatectomy or radiotherapy, which may improve patient's quality of life. When given adjuvant to these primary therapies, hormone therapy, not only provides a method for local control, but there is also evidence for a significant survival advantage. However, hormone therapy is associated with significant side effects, such as hot flushes and gynaecomastia, as well as cost implications. The decision to use hormone therapy should, therefore, be taken at a local level, between the patient, clinician and policy maker, taking into account the clinical benefits, toxicity and cost. More research is needed to guide the choice, the duration, and the schedule of hormonal deprivation therapy, and the impact of long-term hormone therapy with regard to toxicity and the patient's quality of life.

Androgen Antagonists↗

Time relationships between injection of antigen and adjuvant. 3. Adjuvancy of Bordetella pertussis given at various times after the primary antigenic stimulus.

The adjuvant activity of Bordetella pertussis was investigated, both at the cellular and humoral levels, when the bacterial adjuvant was given at various times after the primary antigenic stimulus of both 2 x 10(7) (suboptimal dose) and 4 x 10(8) (optimal dose) of sheep erythrocytes. In all experiments, both adjuvant and sheep erythrocytes were administered by the intraperitoneal route. Adjuvant activity was measured on the basis of the early and late phases of the primary response and on the degree of priming for the secondary immune reaction. A maximal adjuvant activity was found in mice which had received B. pertussis vaccine simultaneously with the antigen. Adjuvant effectiveness became less as the time interval between the injection of antigen and adjuvant increased. Adjuvancy also depended on the amount of antigen used as the primary antigenic stimulus. With 4 x 10(8) sheep erythrocytes, significantly increased priming for the secondary response was produced only when B. pertussis cells were administered within a period of 24 hr. When the bacterial adjuvant was administered either 48 or 72 hr after the primary antigenic stimulus, adjuvancy was found to be limited to the late phase of the primary response and to the prolonged development of antibody-forming cells during the secondary immune reaction. In contrast, significantly enhanced priming for the secondary response was detectable when the adjuvant was administered as late as 48 hr after primary immunization with 2 x 10(7) sheep erythrocytes. When the bacterial adjuvant was administered either 6, 24, 48, or 72 hr after the primary immunization with 2 x 10(7) sheep erythrocytes, the early phase of the primary 19S and 7S hemolysin response was found to be suppressed, and adjuvancy became detectable only thereafter.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Adjuvant chemotherapy for localised resectable soft tissue sarcoma in adults. Sarcoma Meta-analysis Collaboration (SMAC).

BACKGROUND: Individually, randomised trilas have not shown conclusively whether adjuvant chemotherapy benefits adult patients with localised resectable soft-tissue sarcoma. OBJECTIVES: Adjuvant chemotherapy aims to lessen the recurrence of cancer after surgery with or without radiotherapy. The objective of this review was to assess the effects of adjuvant chemotherapy in adults with resectable soft tissue sarcoma after such local treatment. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, UKCCCR Register of Cancer Trials, Physicians Data Query, EMBASE, MEDLINE and CancerLit. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised trials of adjuvant chemotherapy after local treatment in adults with localised resectable soft tissue sarcoma were included. Only trials in which accrual was completed by December 1992 were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Individual patient data were obtained. Accuracy of data and quality of randomisation and follow-up of trials was assessed. MAIN RESULTS: Fourteen trials of doxorubicin-based adjuvant chemotherapy involving 1568 patients were included. Median follow-up was 9.4 years. For local recurrence-free interval the hazard ratio with chemotherapy was 0.73 (95% Confidence Interval 0.56-0.94). For distant recurrence-free interval it was 0. 70 (95% CI 0.57-0.85). For overall recurrence-free survival it was 0. 75 (95% CI 0.64-0.87). These correspond to significant absolute benefits of 6-10% at 10 years. For overall survival the hazard ratio of 0.89 (95% CI 0.76-1.03) was not significant but potentially represents an absolute benefit of 4% (95% CI -1 to 9) at 10 years. There was no consistent evidence of a difference in effect according to age, sex, stage, site, grade, histology, extent of resection, tumour size or exposure to radiotherapy. However, the strongest evidence of a beneficial effect on survival was shown in patients with sarcoma of the extremities. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Doxorubicin-based adjuvant chemotherapy appears to significantly improve time to local and distant recurrence and overall recurrence-free survival in adults with localised resectable soft tissue sarcoma. There is some evidence of a trend towards improved overall survival.

Adult↗

Adjuvants and antibody production: dispelling the myths associated with Freund's complete and other adjuvants.

Adjuvants have been used for more than 70 yr to enhance the immune response of the host animal to an antigen. Among the mechanisms that adjuvants use to enhance the immune response are the "depot" effect, antigen presentation, antigen targeting, immune activation/modulation, and cytotoxic lymphocyte induction. The immunostimulatory properties of adjuvants result in inflammation, tissue destruction, and the potential for resulting pain and distress in the host animal. The inflammatory lesions produced by adjuvants such as Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) have led some to conclude that pain and distress are present, even in cases where the scientific evidence fails to support this conclusion. Recommendations and regulations in the literature, based on available scientific evidence, provide guidance on total adjuvant volumes, volumes per site, routes of injection, booster injections, and adjuvants used for antibody production. Among the numerous adjuvants that are used for experimental antibody production reviewed in this article, many claim to be less inflammatory, tissue destructive, and painful than FCA while producing equal or superior antibody responses. Although no adjuvant surpasses FCA for experimental antibody production against a wide range of antigenic molecules, many produce excellent antibody responses with less inflammation and tissue destruction. Balancing the requisite degree of immuno-stimulation and the extent of inflammation, necrosis, and potential pain and distress requires consideration of the nature of the antigen, the host immune responsiveness, the adjuvant's mechanisms of action, and the desired end-product. In cases where the antigen is a weak immunogen or has a very limited availability, the type and role of adjuvant becomes a critical component in producing an acceptable immune response and humoral antibody response.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Antibody responses and HIV-1 viral load in HIV-1-seropositive subjects immunised with either the MF59-adjuvanted influenza vaccine or a conventional non-adjuvanted subunit vaccine during highly active antiretroviral therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To study immunological and virological parameters in HIV-1-seropositive adults treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for at least 7 months after immunisation with MF59-adjuvanted (FLUAD, Chiron, Siena, Italy) or with non-adjuvanted (AGRIPPAL, Chiron) trivalent influenza vaccine. DESIGN: Blood samples, collected before and after vaccination, were analysed for the presence of antibodies against the vaccine antigens, for number of CD4+ T lymphocytes and HIV-1 RNA levels. RESULTS: Forty-four volunteers received FLUAD and 40 AGRIPPAL influenza vaccine. Thirty days after vaccination both adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted vaccines induced significant increases of anti-influenza virus antibodies. However, antibody titres found in volunteers receiving adjuvanted vaccine were in general significantly higher when compared with those found in the non-adjuvanted vaccine group. The requirements of the European Commission of influenza vaccine for a non-elderly adult population were always met by recipients of the adjuvanted vaccine, even in those with the lowest CD4+ cell counts (<200 cells/mmc). The subjects receiving the non-adjuvanted vaccine failed to met these requirements. The CD4+ T lymphocytes and plasma HIV-1 RNA levels remained stable in the long term, both in people receiving adjuvanted or non-adjuvanted vaccine. CONCLUSION: MF59-adjuvanted influenza induced a significant higher immune responses as compared with conventional vaccine in HIV-seropositive HAART-treated patients. Both vaccines were safe regarding HIV RNA viral replication and loss of CD4+ T lymphocytes.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Adjuvant synergy: the effects of nasal coadministration of adjuvants.

Modern peptide and protein subunit vaccines suffer from poor immunogenicity and require the use of adjuvants. However, none of the currently licensed adjuvants can elicit cell-mediated immunity or are suitable for mucosal immunization. In this study we explored the immunological effect of nasal co-administration of adjuvants with distinct functions: cholera toxin subunit B, a potent mucosal adjuvant that induces strong humoral responses, muramy di-peptide (MDP), an adjuvant known to elicit cell mediated immunity but rarely used nasally, and chitosan, an adjuvant that achieves specific physiological effects on mucosal membranes that improve antigen uptake. Groups of five female BALB/c mice received on days 1 and 56 nasal instillations of the recombinant Helicobacter pylori antigen urease admixed to single or multiple adjuvant combinations. Serum IgG kinetics were followed over 24 weeks. At the conclusion of the experiment, local antibody responses were determined and antigen-specific recall responses in splenocyte cultures were assayed for proliferation and cytokine production. The combination of adjuvants was shown to further contribute to the increased antigenicity of recombinant H. pylori urease. The data presented here outline and support facilitation of increased immunomodulation by an adjuvant previously defined as an effective mucosal adjuvant (chitosan) for another adjuvant (MDP) that is not normally effective via this route.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Impact of adjuvant chemotherapy and surgical staging in early-stage ovarian carcinoma: European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Adjuvant ChemoTherapy in Ovarian Neoplasm trial.

BACKGROUND: All randomized trials of adjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage ovarian cancer have lacked the statistical power to show a difference in the effect on survival between adjuvant chemotherapy and no adjuvant chemotherapy. They have also not taken into account the adequacy of surgical staging. We performed a prospective unblinded, randomized phase III trial to test the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with early-stage ovarian cancer, with emphasis on the extent of surgical staging. METHODS: Between November 1990 and January 2000, 448 patients from 40 centers in nine European countries were randomly assigned to either adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy (n = 224) or observation (n = 224) following surgery. Endpoints were overall survival and recurrence-free survival, and the analysis was on an intention-to-treat basis. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to perform time-to-event analysis, and the log-rank test was used to compare differences between treatment arms. Statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 5.5 years, the difference in overall survival between the two trial arms was not statistically significant (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.44 to 1.08; P =.10). Recurrence-free survival, however, was statistically significantly improved in the adjuvant chemotherapy arm (HR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.43 to 0.92; P =.02). Approximately one-third of patients (n = 151) had been optimally staged and two-thirds (n = 297) had not. Among patients in the observation arm, optimal staging was associated with a statistically significant improvement in overall and recurrence-free survival (HR = 2.31 [95% CI = 1.08 to 4.96]; P =.03 and HR = 1.82 [95% CI = 1.02 to 3.24] P =.04, respectively). No such association was observed in the chemotherapy arm. In the non-optimally staged patients, adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with statistically significant improvements in overall and recurrence-free survival (HR = 1.75 [95% CI = 1.04 to 2.95]; P =.03 and HR = 1.78 [95% CI = 1.15 to 2.77]; P =.009, respectively). In the optimally staged patients, no benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy was seen. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with statistically significantly improved recurrence-free survival in patients with early-stage ovarian cancer. The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy appeared to be limited to patients with non-optimal staging, i.e., patients with more risk of unappreciated residual disease.

Adult↗

Stable biocompatible adjuvants--a new type of adjuvant based on solid lipid nanoparticles: a study on cytotoxicity, compatibility and efficacy in chicken.

A new type of adjuvant was tested for its ability to initiate antibody production in chickens, and its cellular and tissue compatibility were assessed. The stable biocompatible adjuvants tested are based on surface-modified solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), made from paraffin or biodegradable glycerides, and are simply admixed to the antigens before administration. The tissue-damaging potency of four formulations of the new adjuvants (H1, H2, H3 and H4) were first tested in vitro by using human foreskin fibroblasts and RAW 264.7 macrophages. The adjuvants were well tolerated by both cell types. Immunisation studies in chickens were performed by using a Mycoplasma bovis antigen and mouse immunoglobulin G (IgG). The resulting antibodies were non-invasively extracted from egg yolk. The use of the various adjuvant formulations resulted in a significant production of specific antibodies after the first and second booster immunisations. Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA), considered until now to be the "gold standard" among the adjuvants, revealed the highest antibody titre against mouse IgG. SLNs with a particle size of more than 100 nm exhibited a clear adjuvant activity, whereas SLNs with a particle size below 100 nm, in various concentrations, revealed a lower adjuvant activity. Immunisation of chickens with the mouse IgG alone, dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline, resulted in a slow antibody titre development. At the end of the experiment, the chickens were examined for vaccination-associated tissue damage. In contrast to FCA, the SLN formulations caused only minor tissue irritation at the injection sites. In conclusion, SLNs seem to be a promising alternative to FCA for antibody production in chickens, and potentially in other animals.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Time Relationships Between Injection of Antigen and Adjuvant I. Adjuvancy of Bordetella pertussis Given at Various Times Before the Primary Antigenic Stimulus.

The adjuvant activity of Bordetella pertussis was investigated, both at the cellular and humoral levels, when the bacterial adjuvant was administered at various times before the primary antigenic stimulus of both 8 x 10(6) and 4 x 10(8) sheep erythrocytes. In all experiments, both adjuvant and erythrocyte antigen were given intraperitoneally. Adjuvant activity was measured on the basis of the primary immune response and on the degree of priming for the secondary immune reaction. A maximal effect on the primary immune response was found in mice which had received B. pertussis vaccine simultaneously with the erythrocyte antigen. A significant degree of adjuvancy was also demonstrable when B. pertussis vaccine was administered within a period of 48 hr before antigen. Adjuvant effectiveness was less as the time interval between the injection of antigen and adjuvant increased. The process of priming for the secondary response, however, was found to be equally affected when the adjuvant was given either simultaneously with the antigen or 12, 24, and 48 hr before sheep erythrocytes. On the basis of these and previous findings, it is suggested that adjuvancy of B. pertussis is caused chiefly by additional recruitment of responding cells. It is also suggested that memory-cell production may develop concurrently with, but independently of, the cellular proliferative events which lead to antibody formation during the primary immune response.

Journal Article↗

Adjuvant chemotherapy after radical hysterectomy for cervical carcinoma: a comparison with effects of adjuvant radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy after radical hysterectomy with that of adjuvant radiotherapy. METHODS: One hundred one women with invasive cervical carcinoma (stage IB through early stage IIB) underwent radical hysterectomy at Saga Medical School Hospital. Of these patients, 53 with squamous or adenosquamous carcinoma were classified as high risk, based on the presence of one or more of the following high-risk factors for recurrence: 1) lymph node metastasis, 2) deep cervical stromal invasion (greater than 3/4 thickness), and 3) parametrial invasion. Adjuvant chemotherapy with a combination of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP), vincristine, mitomycin C, and peplomycin (POMP), was prescribed. The outcome was compared with that for 127 patients who were classified as high risk under the same criteria and who received adjuvant radiotherapy at Kyushu University Hospital. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rates were much the same: 83.0% for adjuvant chemotherapy and 81.7% for adjuvant radiotherapy. In the chemotherapy group, intra- and extrapelvic recurrences accounted for 85 and 23% of all recurrences, respectively, whereas recurrences were noted for 38 and 71% in the radiotherapy group, respectively (P < .01). CONCLUSION: The use of adjuvant chemotherapy reduces extrapelvic recurrences. The combination of both adjuvant therapies may improve the prognosis for high-risk patients.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Randomized trial comparing neo-adjuvant versus adjuvant chemotherapy in operable locally advanced breast cancer (T4b N0-2 M0).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) remains a major problem in developing countries. While trials utilizing neo-adjuvant chemotherapy demonstrate superior survival rates compared to historic controls, randomized studies evaluating the precise role of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in LABC are lacking. In the present trial, neo-adjuvant chemotherapy was compared against adjuvant chemotherapy to assess survival advantage in operable T4b N0-2 M0 breast cancer. METHODS: A total of 101 women with operable LABC (T4b N0-2 M0) were randomized. In arm A, 50 patients received 3 cycles of CEF chemotherapy before and 3 cycles following surgery. In arm B, 51 patients had primary surgery followed by 6 cycles of CEF chemotherapy. In both arms, loco-regional radiotherapy was given after completion of CEF. RESULTS: The response of primary tumor to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy was 66%, complete response (CR) 14% and partial response (PR) 52%. Clinical nodal response occurred in 95% of node positive patients. Only two (4%) patients had pathologic CR both in tumor and axilla. There was a significant (P = 0.02) increase in incidence of pathologically negative nodes in arm A. At a median follow up of 25 months, there was no significant difference in overall and disease free survival (DFS) in both arms (P = 0.42 and 0.18). Patients showing a response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy had better DFS (P = 0.04) compared to those who had no response. CONCLUSIONS: Early results of the study indicate no survival benefit with the inclusion of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in LABC (T4b N0-2 M0). Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy resulted in significant down staging; good responders had a better DFS compared to those who did not respond.

Adult↗

Mode of action of immunological adjuvants: some physicochemical factors influencing the effectivity of polyacrylic adjuvants.

The adjuvant effects of different polyacrylic products and monomers were tested. Influenza vaccine was used as a model antigen. Addition of monomers resulted in a decrease in the antibody response, though adjuvant activity of the monomers should be expected according to some theories on adjuvant action. The particle size of the polymer adjuvants proved to be a very important parameter for adjuvant activity. Particles of 0.1 to 0.2 micron yielded a good adjuvant effect, whereas conglomerates or particles bigger than 0.5 micron yielded only poor or no adjuvant effects. The adjuvant effect of 0.1- to 0.2-micron particles was much more reproducible than rat of Al(OH)3. Attention is drawn to the importance of using physiochemically reproducible materials, such as polymer particles, for experimental work.

Acrylates↗