Morphometric angiogenesis parameters for indolent and aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

There is much evidence about importance of angiogenesis in development and progression of solid tumors. The role of angiogenesis, as an indicator of higher malignant potential in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, is not clear at the moment. Morphometric characteristics of microvessels in lymph node sections, in previously untreated patients with small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia (SLL/CLL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), were studied and relationship between angiogenesis and histological malignancy grade of NHL was also evaluated. Lymph node biopsies samples of 30 newly diagnosed patients with SLL/CLL (n=30) and DLBCL (n=30) were studied. All samples were fixed in 10% buffered formalin solution and embedded in paraffin. Microvessels were visualized by immunohistochemical staining for anti F-8 antibody. In the area showing the most intense vascularization (i.e. the "hot spot"), microvessel density (MVD), total vascular area (TVA), as well as the size related parameters were estimated, by using image analysis program "analysSIS'. Number and size-related microvessels angiogenic morphometric parameters were statistically higher in group with DLBCL compared with SLL/CLL: MVD (p = 0.002), TVA (p < 0.0001), area (p < 0.0001), perimeter (p < 0.0001), minor axis length (p < 0.0001) and major axis length (p < 0.0001). It is to be noted that positive correlation existed between TVA and MVD in DLBCL and SLL/CLL. The present study supports the view that angiogenesis correlate with histological grade of NHL.

Updated phase II study results of capecitabine (X) + irinotecan (I) + bevacizumab (A) as first-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC)

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Background: The oral fluoropyrimidine X has improved efficacy, safety, and convenience vs. 5-FU/LV in MCRC [Van Cutsem et al. Br J Cancer 2004] and early-stage colon cancer [Twelves et al. NEJM 2005]. A recent study showed that I + X q2w is active and well tolerated [Garcia-Alfonso et al. ESMO 2006]. The humanized monoclonal antibody A targets VEGF and limits tumor angiogenesis. The addition of A to 5-FU/LV/I (IFL regimen) improves survival significantly in patients (pts) with MCRC [Hurwitz et al. NEJM 2004]. Replacing 5-FU/LV with X in this combination is a logical step forward. Here we report data from an open-label phase II trial of XIA in MCRC. Methods: Pts with untreated, histologically confirmed MCRC received I 175mg/m2 i.v. d1, X 1,000 mg/m2 orally bid d2–8, and A 5 mg/m2 d1. Treatment was repeated q2w x 12 cycles in the absence of progressive disease (PD) or unacceptable toxicity. Pts without PD after 12 cycles of XIA continued on the same dose of A + X 1,500 mg/m2 bid d2–8, q2w. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS); secondary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR, RECIST), overall survival (OS), safety, and quality of life. Results: 57 pts have been enrolled. Baseline characteristics: M/F 44%/56%; median age 52 years (range 30–70); disease stage at initial diagnosis II/III/IV 16%/9%/75%; no. of metastatic sites 1/>1 47%/53%; most common metastatic site liver. Pts received a median 12 cycles (range 1–12) of XIA. All 57 pts are evaluable for safety and 56 for efficacy. ORR is 46% (3 CR, 13 PR); 5 pts (22%) have stable disease and 35 have PD. Median PFS and OS are 14.9 months (range 1.7–39.2) and 18.3 months (range 2.9–39.2), respectively. Grade 3 adverse events occurring in more than 1 pt are diarrhea (9%), hypertension (9%), hand-foot syndrome (7%), ileus (4%), and hypertriglyceridemia (4%); there is one report of grade 4 leucopenia. Conclusions: The XIA combination appears to be highly active and well tolerated as first-line treatment for MCRC; further studies of XIA are warranted.

[Table: see text]

Preliminary phase II study results of capecitabine (X) + irinotecan (I) + bevacizumab (A) as first-line therapy for patients (pts) with metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC)

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Background: The oral fluoropyrimidine X (Xeloda®) has improved efficacy, safety and convenience compared with 5-FU/LV in MCRC [Van Cutsem et al. Br J Cancer 2004] and early-stage colon cancer [Twelves et al. NEJM 2005]. A recent study showed that I + X q2w is active and well tolerated [Garcia-Alfonso et al. ESMO 2006]. The humanized monoclonal antibody A (Avastin®) targets VEGF and limits tumor angiogenesis. The addition of A to 5-FU/LV/I (IFL regimen) results in significant improvements in survival among pts with MCRC [Hurwitz et al. NEJM 2004]. Replacing 5-FU/LV with X in this combination is a logical step forward. Here we report data from an open-label phase II trial of XIA in MCRC. Methods: Pts with untreated, histologically confirmed MCRC received I 175 mg/m2 i.v. d1, X 1000 mg/m2 orally bid d2–8, and A 5 mg/m2 d1. Treatment was repeated q2w x12 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Pts without progressive disease after 12 cycles of XIA continued on the same dose of A + X 1500 mg/m2 bid d2–8, q2w. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS); secondary endpoints were response rate (RECIST), overall survival (OS), safety, and quality of life. Results: 24 out of a planned total of 32 pts have been enrolled. Baseline characteristics are: M/F 50%/50%; median age 53 years (range 30–70); disease stage at initial diagnosis IIIA/IIIB/IV 29%/21%/50%; no. of metastatic sites 1/>1 50%/50%; most common metastatic site liver; prior adjuvant therapy 33% (Mayo 5-FU/LV). Pts received a median of 12 cycles (range 1–18) of XIA. All 24 pts are evaluable for safety and 22 for efficacy. The overall response rate is 77% (4 CR, 13 PR); 2 pts (9%) have stable disease and 3 have progressed. One pt has died. Median PFS and median OS have not yet been reached. The only grade 3 adverse events are diarrhea (13%), fatigue (4%), mucositis (4%), enteritis (4%), ileus (4%); there is one report of grade 4 leucopenia. All other adverse events are mild-to-moderate. Conclusions: The XIA combination appears to be highly active and well tolerated as first-line treatment for MCRC, providing support for further evaluation of this combination.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

[Review of immunosuppressive drugs in organ transplantation]

In transplantation method, efforts should be made to prevent the patient immunological reaction against the transplantation antigen. In the same time, the patient general immunological reactivity must be kept. With the increasing need for transplantation the interest for new immunosuppressive drugs has become greater. The use of immunosuppressive drugs have dated since early 1950 (azatioprin and steroids). 1960 there was the appearance of the polyclonal ALG/ATG. In 1970 the true advance has been the discovery of the first selective immunosuppressive-cyclosporin (second generation). The third generation of immunosuppressive drugs with high specific place of action, has become available now (tacrolimus, thymoglobulin, zenepax, rapamune). The purpose of this paper was to show the different groups of immunosuppressive drugs, taking into account a different place of effects and different mechanisms of their immunosuppressive action. The aim of the immunosuppressive drugs combination is to achieve the optimal immunosuppression with minimal side-effects.