Role of gefitinib (G) in heavily pretreated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

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Background: To assess the role of a palliative treatment with gefitinib in advanced and heavily pre-treated NSCLC. Methods: The records of all the consecutive patients treated with G in our department were reviewed; all the patients pre-treated with at least one courses of a platinum-containing regimen were considered eligible and enrolled into the trial. All the patients were treated with G 250 mg/die until progression of the disease or intractable toxicity. All the patients were evaluated every 21 days for toxicity and every 2 months for survival. Primary end point was time to progression (TTP); secondary ones were overall survival (OS) and safety. A sub-analysis comparing TTP and OS on the basis of sex (male/female), smoker status (smoker/never-smoker) and histology (adenocarcinoma/non-adenocarcinoma) was performed using the Log-Rank test. Results: Till today 63 patients were considered eligible and enrolled into the trial; the results are summarised in the table . Toxicity was mild with no haematological side effects, and no grade III-IV non-haematological toxicity. Conclusions: G seems to represent an interesting options in patients with NSCLC heavily pre-treated with chemotherapy. Our data seems to confirm that G is active mainly in female, no-smoker patients with adenocarcinoma, suggesting the need of reintroducing the molecule in the treatment of such a subset of patients.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Risk factors for severe cancer chemotherapy toxicity in the outpatient setting: Results of a nested case control study using a novel patient cohort

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Background: Risk factors for severe cancer chemotherapy-related toxicity (resulting in hospitalization and/or death) in the adult outpatient setting are largely unknown. Between 2003–2006, we identified all chemotherapy patients from a single hospital-affiliated outpatient cancer center who required admission to the hospital, and using a structured process that included monthly peer review meetings, we determined which admissions were due to chemotherapy toxicity. Among 2,082 patients who received chemotherapy, 185 required at least one admission. In this study we describe the development of a prediction model for severe chemotherapy-related toxicity. Methods: We undertook a nested case control study by randomly selecting 98 patients admitted to the hospital within 30 days of their last chemotherapy administration and 173 controls. We selected 33 clinical and demographic variables that we hypothesized might predict severe toxicity, and used standard descriptive, univariate and regression methods to characterize the data and develop a prediction model. Results: We were able to identify the following variables that predicted for severe chemotherapy toxicity: increasing age; increasing Charlson Comorbidity index (CCI); treatment with a prior chemotherapy regimen; prior admission for chemotherapy toxicity; decreasing hemoglobin and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and increasing creatinine, and albumin. Independent variables that did not predict for increased risk for severe toxicity included the following: performance status; chemotherapy intent (curative, adjuvant or palliative); full dose versus reduced dose for cycle I; cisplatin-based chemotherapy; median income (by postal codes). Using logistic regression we created a parsimonious model (ROC AUC of 0.69) that included four clinical independent variables: CCI; prior chemotherapy regimen; ANC; and albumin. Conclusions: This analysis may permit the development of a predictive model which will include CCI, prior chemotherapy regimen, ANC, and albumin to help identify patients prior to the initiation of chemotherapy who are risk for severe toxicity.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Lipoplatin monotherapy: A phase II trial in second line treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

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Background: Lipoplatin is a liposome encapsulated form of cisplatin. Phase I studies on lipoplatin showed an excellent toxicity profile of the compound. Therefore we performed a phase II trial in pre-treated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Nineteen patients with stage IV NSCLC pre-treated with first line chemotherapy were enrolled in our study. Patient selection criteria included: histologically confirmed malignancy type or cytological confirmation of advanced NSCLC, at least one measurable bi-dimensional lesion outside an irradiation field, stage IV disease, a life expectancy of more than 3 months, previous chemotherapy regimens, PS 0–2, age between 18 and 75, good bone marrow function (peripheral absolute granulocyte count of > 2,000/mm3 and platelet count of 100,000/mm3) and liver function (bilirubine less or equal to 1,5 mg/dl). Patients with symptomatic brain metastases or other severe illnesses were excluded from the study. Written informed consent was required from each patient prior to inclusion. The protocol was approved by the Local Ethical Commitee. We administered lipoplatin at the dose of 100 mg/m2 every fourteen days as second line chemotherapy. Primary endpoint was response rate. Results: We enrolled 19 patients, median age 64, with stage IV NSCLC. This was an open label single-arm trial. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS statistical program (version 11.0). Survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. All of the patients completed at least 6 cycles and were evaluated for response and toxicity. After 19 patients were treated we obtained only one partial response (5.2%) and three stable diseases (15.9%) and the study was stopped. Median time to progression was four months and median survival time was 7 months. Conclusions: In this study lipoplatin as second line drug demonstrated a lower activity in comparison to other drugs used in second line treatment. Nevertheless at the light of the excellent safety profile shown we think that the possibility to increase the dose in a new phase I-II study with escalation of the dosage should be considered.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Pemetrexed and carboplatin in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM)

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Background. MPM is a poor prognosis disease, whose clinical negative outcome is due both to it’s aggressiveness and to the lack of active drugs for clinical practice. To assess activity and safety of pemetrexed-carboplatin combination in the treatment of MPM, an open trial has been recently concluded in our departments. Methods. All the consecutive patients with proven diagnosis of MPM admitted to our departments between 2003 and 2005 were considered eligible and enrolled into the trial. All the patients were treated with pemetrexed 500mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC 5mg/ml/minute every 21 days until progression of disease or unacceptable toxicity. All the patients were treated with steroid prophylaxis, folinic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation. Results. 26 patients (18 chemotherapy-naive) were considered eligible and enrolled into the trial. 21 patients were male and 5 female; median age of the patients was 67 years (range 49–77). 22 patients were affected by locally advanced or extensive disease and the other 4 ones by localized disease. All the patients were valuable for response, toxicity and survival. Overall response rate was 19,3%, with 5 partial responses and no complete regression of the disease. A stable disease was observed in 7 patients (26.9%), with an overall disease control rate of 46.2%. 201 complete courses of chemotherapy was performed with a median number of 6 courses/patients. Toxicity was mild with grade 3/4 WHO neutropenia in 4 patients (15.3%), grade 3 anemia and thrombocytopenia in 2 patients (7.6%). No grade 3/4 non-hematological toxicity was observed along all the conduction of the trial. Median survival was 9,3 months, assessed with the Kaplan Meyer non-parametric test. Conclusions. Pemetrexed and carboplatin seem to represent an active and well tolerated schedule against MPM, confirming their priority role in the treatment of the disease; nevertheless, further trials are probably needed to improve the outcome of chemotherapy in this rare poor-prognosis disease. Supported by IOR

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Lysophosphatidic acid enhances antimycobacterial activity both in vitro and ex vivo

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a polar lipid metabolite which is involved in a wide range of biological processes, including cell proliferation and migration, wound healing, and increase of endothelial permeability. The present study reports evidences showing that LPA is able to enhance the antimicrobial activity of human macrophages and of bronchoalveolar lavage cells from tuberculosis patients leading to intracellular growth control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Such antimicrobial activity is mediated by the activation of phospholipase D which in turn induces acidification of M. tuberculosis containing phagosomes and is associated with the enhanced expression of Cathepsin D. These results suggest the possible protective role of this lysophospholipid in the activation of innate antimycobacterial response.

Palliative treatment with gefitinib (G) in advanced and heavy pre-treated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

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Background: G has demonstrated to be active in patients with advanced NSCLC pretreated with chemotherapy. We report our experience about activity and safety of G in patients with advanced, heavily pre-treated NSCLC or chemotherapy-naive patients with a low performance status. Methods: The records of the patients treated with G were reviewed; all the patients pre-treated with at least one course of a platinum-containing regimen or with low performance status were considered eligible and enrolled in the trial. All the patients were treated with G 250 mg/die until progression of the disease or intractable toxicity. All the patients were evaluated every 21 days for toxicity and every 2 months for survival. Primary end point was time to progression (TTP); secondary ones were overall survival (OS) and safety. Results: Till today 56 patients were considered eligible and enrolled in the trial; the results are summarised in the table . *: using Kaplan-Meyer test. No significant differences in OS were observed between the patients chemotherapy-naive with low performance status or pre-treated with one line of chemotherapy vs heavily pretreated ones (respectively 170 days vs 120 days, p = 0.85 using the Log-Rank test). Toxicity was mild with no haematological side effects and grade IV diarrhoea in 1 patient (1.7%). Conclusions: G seems to represent an interesting option in patients with NSCLC with low performance status or heavily pre-treated with chemotherapy. Our data seem to confirm that G is an active and safe treatment in such a subset of patients, opening a novel dimension in the treatment of pre-treated NSCLC (supported by IOR).

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

A randomized phase II trial evaluating standard (50mg/min) versus low (10mg/min) infusion duration of gemcitabine as first-line treatment in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients who are not eligible for platinum-based chemotherapy

PURPOSE

Gemcitabine is one of the most active drugs against non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Preclinical data suggested that gemcitabine efficacy could be improved by increasing the dose or by increasing the infusion duration. This study has been designed in order to explore two different approaches of gemcitabine dose intensification in patients with advanced NSCLC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 121 chemonaive patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC not suitable for a platinum-based chemotherapy were randomly allocated to chemotherapy with gemcitabine 1500 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks by standard 30 min intravenous infusion (arm A), or gemcitabine 10 mg/m2/min for 150 min on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks by intravenous infusion at fixed dose rate (arm B).

RESULTS

One hundred and seventeen patients were fully analyzed. No difference in response rate (16.1% versus 9.9%, p=0.28), median time to disease progression (4 months versus 4.5 months, p=0.34) median survival (9.8 months in both arms), and 1-year survival (42.6% versus 39.0% p=0.98) was detected in arms A and B, respectively. No treatment-related deaths occurred. Main hematological toxicities were grade 3-4 neutropenia observed in 17.9% of patients in group A and in 49.2% of individuals in group B (p=0.0002). The incidence of febrile neutropenia was 3.3% in arm A and 0% in arm B (p=0.17). Grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia was more frequently observed in arm B patients (9.9% versus 1.8%, p=0.057). Non-hematological toxicity was similar in both arms, and consisted in grade 1-2 gastrointestinal toxicity observed in 48.2% of patients in arm A and 41.0% in arm B.

CONCLUSION

Intensification of standard doses or prolonged infusion schedule did not result in efficacy improvement. Gemcitabine infusion duration does not warrant further investigation in patients with advanced NSCLC.

Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor treatment of human chronic ulcers promotes angiogenesis associated with de novo vascular endothelial growth factor transcription in the ulcer bed

Summary Background Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a cytokine with pleiotropic functions, has been successfully employed in the treatment of chronic skin ulcers. The biological effects underlying GM-CSF action in impaired wound healing have been only partly clarified. Objectives To investigate the effects of GM-CSF treatment of chronic venous ulcers on lesion vascularization and on the local synthesis of the angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placenta growth factor (PlGF). Methods Patients with nonhealing venous leg ulcers were treated with intradermal injection of recombinant human GM-CSF, and biopsies were taken at the ulcer margin before and 5 days after administration. Wound vascularization was analysed by immunohistochemistry using antiplatelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1/CD31 and anti-alpha-smooth muscle actin antibodies. VEGF and PlGF transcription was assessed by in situ hybridization. To identify the cell populations transcribing VEGF within the ulcer bed, the VEGF hybridization signal was correlated with the immunostaining for different cell type markers on serial sections. Direct induction of VEGF transcription by GM-CSF was investigated in GM-CSF-treated cultured macrophages and keratinocytes. Results Blood vessel density was significantly increased in the ulcer bed following GM-CSF treatment. VEGF transcripts were localized in keratinocytes at the ulcer margin both before and after GM-CSF treatment, whereas a VEGF hybridization signal was evident within the ulcer bed only following administration. PlGF mRNA was barely detectable in keratinocytes at the ulcer margin and was not visibly increased after treatment. Unlike VEGF, a specific PlGF hybridization signal could not be detected in cells within the ulcer following GM-CSF administration. Monocytes/macrophages were the main cell population transcribing VEGF after GM-CSF treatment. In vitro analysis demonstrated that VEGF transcription can be directly stimulated by GM-CSF in a differentiated monocytic cell line, but not in keratinocytes. Conclusions Our data show that increased vascularization is associated with GM-CSF treatment of chronic venous ulcers and indicate that inflammatory cell-derived VEGF may act as an angiogenic mediator of the healing effect of GM-CSF in chronic ulcers.

Psychosomatic factors in first-onset alopecia areata

Although the onset of alopecia areata has often been anecdotally linked with emotional stress, findings from the few controlled studies have not been univocal. The authors compared outpatients experiencing a recent onset of alopecia areata (N=21) with outpatients affected by skin conditions commonly believed as having a low psychosomatic component (N=102). Participants were administered Paykel's Interview for Recent Life Events, the Experiences in Close Relationships scale, the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Multiple logistic regression was used to control for age and gender. The total number of recent life events (last 12 months) was not different between the alopecia patients and the comparison subjects. Also, the alopecia patients and the comparison subjects did not differ in terms of the number of undesirable or major events. The comparison subjects even experienced a greater number of uncontrollable events. Alopecia areata tended to be associated with high avoidance in attachment relationships, high alexithymic characteristics, and poor social support. The results suggest that personality characteristics might modulate individual susceptibility to alopecia areata.

[Metastasis in submandibular gland from a leiomyosarcoma of the uterus]

Two general types of metastases should be distinguished in metastatic salivary gland tumors: one of them are tumors originating in the head and neck region, and the other are tumors from distant tumor sites. Distant metastasis affecting the submandibular gland are a rare entity. We report a case of the uterus leiomyosarcoma which metastatised in the submandibular gland.

Breast involvement in immunolymphoproliferative disorders: report of two cases of multiple myeloma of the breast

Breast involvement by immunolymphoproliferative disorders is rare. Primary and secondary malignant lymphomas of the breast are much more common than multiple myeloma, of which only 16 cases have been described. We report two cases of patients with an established diagnosis of multiple myeloma in whom breast involvement appeared during the course of the disease. We underline diagnostic difficulties caused by the lack of clinical and radiological features which allow us to differentiate between breast carcinoma and breast involvement by lymphoproliferative disease. Only fine needle aspiration and/or excisional biopsy can differentiate between immunolymphoproliferative disorders and epithelial or mesenchymal tumors of the breast.

Identification and disruption of an Arabidopsis zinc finger gene controlling seed germination

We describe here the Arabidopsis gene DAG1, encoding a zinc finger transcription factor of the Dof family, and show that it is involved in the control of seed germination. By a reverse genetics approach, we isolated an Arabidopsis mutant line with one T-DNA insertion in DAG1. Seeds from homozygous knockout dag1-1 plants do not develop dormancy and germinate also in the absence of light. Segregation analysis indicates that the effect of the mutation is maternal. Accordingly, in situ mRNA hybridizations reveal expression of DAG1 in the vascular tissue of the flower and maturing fruit but not in the seed.

Staging of breast cancer: what standards should be used in research and clinical practice?

BACKGROUND

Bone scan (BS), chest X-rays (CXR), liver ultrasonography (LUS) and laboratory parameters (LP) are frequently used as routine staging procedures for breast cancer patients. These procedures are not always appropriate in either clinical or research settings, regardless of the stage. The aim of this study was to identify groups of patients with differing risks for metastases in order to select more precise standard staging procedures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The staging data relating to 406 breast cancer patients consecutively referred to our institution between November 1989 and October 1996 were analysed including pathological TNN grading and biological parameters. All of the cases with a positive or suspicious pre-operatory staging and who proved to have metastatic disease before surgery or during the first six months of follow-up were considered true-positive; all of the other cases with a positive or suspicious initial staging but with no evidence of distant metastasis before surgery and with a disease-free survival longer then six months were considered false-positive. In the same way all cases with negative initial staging who relapsed during the first six months of follow-up were considered false-negative and those with negative initial staging and with a disease-free survival longer then six months were considered true-negative. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

BS, CXR and LUS, 388, 399 and 398 examinations respectively, were considered available, and 17 (4.38%), six (1.5%) and four (1%), respectively, proved to be true-positive. A statistically significant difference was observed when our cases were grouped according to T status (T4 vs. T1-T2-T3, P < 0.01) and nodal status (N0-N1 cases with less than three involved nodes and N1 with more than three positive lymph nodes N2 patients, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that breast cancer patients can be divided into three subgroups with different detection rates for distant metastases at staging (0.59%, 2.94% and 15.53%), and that the standard practice should be changed. In the first (T1N0 and T1N1 patients with < or = 3 positive lymph nodes--41.13% of the patients) and the second group (T2N0, T2N1 with < or = 3 positive lymph nodes, T3N0 and T3N1 patients with < or = 3 positive lymph nodes--33.49% of the patients) there is no need for a complete set of staging procedures, whereas full procedural staging is needed in the third group of patients (T4, N1 with > 3 lymph nodes and N2, 25.37% of the patients).

In situ labelling of fragmented DNA in cutaneous necrotizing vasculitis

Apoptosis is a biochemically and morphologically gene-regulated distinctive form of cell death playing a pivotal role in tissue homeostatic, viral infections and clearance of damaged cells. The process is initiated by a cascade of intercellular and intracellular signals through an intrinsic cell suicide program resulting in early DNA fragmentation characterized by nuclear and cytoplasmic condensation. Recently some authors have reported apoptosis to occur in several inflammatory skin diseases, such as lichenoid reactions and cutaneous lymphomas. The aim of our study is to investigate the apoptotic phenomenon in two different forms of cutaneous necrotizing vasculitis (CNV) affecting the postcapillary venules such as leukocytoclastic and lymphocytic cutaneous vasculitis. For this purpose, the in situ nick end labelling of fragmented DNA technique has been performed on lesional skin biopsies from patients with acute phase of the disease. In both leukocytoclastic and lymphocytic forms apoptotic bodies were detected, evidencing two different characteristic patterns of distribution, probably related to the different nature of cellular inflammatory infiltrate. Our results seem to account for the involvement of apoptotic phenomena in cutaneous vasculitis; furthermore, the evaluation of in situ DNA fragmentation could be a useful tool to discriminate different forms of the disease.

Livedo vasculopathy vs small vessel cutaneous vasculitis: cytokine and platelet P-selectin studies

OBJECTIVE

To assess the role of platelets and lymphocyte-related immunological mechanisms in livedo vasculopathy (LV) and cutaneous small vessel vasculitis (CSVV). Livedo vasculopathy is thought to be related to the thrombotic occlusion of small and medium-sized dermal vessels. Cutaneous small vessel vasculitis comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders in which the main pathogenetic events could be modulated by circulating cytokines.

DESIGN

Case series study of 2 groups of patients affected respectively with LV and CSVV.

SETTING

A large clinical and research institute for the study and treatment of cutaneous diseases.

PATIENTS

Consecutive patients with clinically and histologically proved idiopathic LV (n = 8) and CSVV (n = 20) were studied and compared with healthy donors (n = 20). Patients with potentially correlated systemic diseases were excluded.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Surface expression of platelet P-selectin and circulating level of interleukin (IL) 1beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-8, IL-2, and soluble IL-2 receptor.

RESULTS

The IL-2 and soluble IL-2 receptor levels were significantly higher in serum samples from patients with both LV (1.24 +/- 0.46 IU/mL [mean +/- SD] vs 0.46 +/- 0.24 IU/mL, P<.001; 899 +/- 368 IU/mL vs 628 +/- 132 IU/mL, P<.02) and CSVV (0.91 +/- 0.57 IU/mL, P<.02; 1087 +/- 451 IU/mL, P<.001) than in those from the healthy controls. The serum levels of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-8 were higher in patients with CSVV than in controls (7.53 +/- 6.7 pg/mL vs 4.58 +/- 2.72 pg/mL; 23.7 +/- 12.6 pg/mL vs 10.82 +/- 2.46 pg/mL, P<.001; 37.8 +/- 46 pg/mL vs 8.25 +/- 3.53 pg/mL, P<.02, respectively). No significant difference in the serum levels of IL-1beta (7.2 +/- 4.9 pg/mL), TNF-alpha (12.9 +/- 3.47 pg/mL), and IL-8 (5.9 +/- 4.13 pg/mL) was observed in patients with LV compared with controls. An increased expression of platelet P-selectin was also detected in patients with LV in comparison with controls and patients with CSVV. The mean +/- SD percentage of positive cells for P-selectin was 43% +/- 5% in the patients with LV, 5.1% +/- 2% in the controls (P<.001), and 5.3% +/- 2% in the patients with CSVV (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these data demonstrate that different pathogenetic mechanisms are operative in LV and CSVV. In fact, platelet and lymphocyte activation is present in LV, whereas the levels of inflammatory mediators are in a normal range. In CSVV, the high serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines suggest that they are actively involved in the pathogenesis of cutaneous vasculitis.

[Mixed mesodermal tumor of the ovary. Description of a case with a small primary neoplastic mass. Anatomo-clinical and histogenetic considerations]

We describe a rare case of small mixed mesodermal tumor of the ovary (cm 1.5 in diameter) with widespread, clinically prevalent, peritoneal metastases. Some histological and immunohistochemical findings according with histogenetical conversion theory are discussed.

Koebner phenomenon in an ANCA-positive patient with pyoderma gangrenosum

A male with pyoderma gangrenosum is reported. The clinical and histological features were typical. The initial lesions resolved with characteristic cribriform scars. A few days after the complete recovery, he developed several necrotizing focal lesions localized to the scarred areas. A further histological examination revealed a granulation tissue rich in neutrophils and signs of necrotizing vasculitis. We found a high titer of circulating perinuclear antineutrophil antibodies (p-ANCA), which are a serological marker for various systemic diseases. An immunological circulating factor has been repeatedly suggested to be the "primum movens" of pyoderma gangrenosum. We discuss the unusual clinical presentation interpreted as a Koebner phenomenon and the possible role of immune factors in enhancing circulating-endothelial cell interactions in relation to the pathogenesis of pyoderma gangrenosum.

Unusual clinical presentation of cutaneous necrotizing vasculitis

The authors present two cases of vasculitis in whom cutaneous atypical manifestations appear strictly correlated to the presence of systemic affections.

X-linked dominant chondrodysplasia punctata (Happle syndrome) with uncommon symmetrical shortening of the tubular bones

We describe the case of a 13-year-old girl suffering from chondrodysplasia punctata, associated with ichthyosis arranged along Blaschko's lines, follicular atrophoderma, cicatricial alopecia and coarse, lusterless hair. The patient also showed a congenital cataract of the right eye, dysplastic facial appearance and symmetrical shortening of the tubular bones. The pathogenetic concept of functional X-chromosome mosaicism is reviewed as well as the recent results obtained by molecular research that have failed, so far, to solve the problem of regional assignment of the underlying X-linked gene.