Weekly chemotherapy with cisplatin,vincristine, doxorubicin,and etoposide followed by surgery for thymic carcinoma

Objective

We present our experience treating the patients with thymic carcinoma using induction chemotherapy according to weekly chemotherapy with cisplatin, vincristine, doxorubicin, and etoposide (CODE) followed by surgery.

Patients and methods

From January 2001 to December 2010, 17 patients were diagnosed as having thymic carcinoma at our hospital. We performed CODE chemotherapy for induction treatment followed by surgical resection in 7 of these patients.

Results

Seven patients consisted of 6 men and 1 woman, with an average age of 47.3 years (range 25–67 years). Five patients were clinically staged as Masaoka Stage III, and 2 were Stage IVa. A partial response was identified in 5 patients, and stable disease was observed in 2 patients. No cases of progressive disease were seen. Surgical resection was performed in all the patients: 6 underwent an R0 resection and 1 underwent an R1 resection. The estimated overall survival rates at 5 and 10 years were both 80%, and the relapse-free survival rates at 5 and 10 years were 68.6% and 53.6% respectively.

Conclusions

Induction chemotherapy using the CODE regimen, followed by a complete surgical resection can be performed with a promising survival outcome for patients with thymic carcinoma with borderline resectable lesions.     

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with Etoposide, Leucovorin, 5-Fluorouracil and Cisplatin for Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Eighteen patients with invasive periadventitial tissue (T4)or distant lymph node metastatic (M1,LYM) squamous cell carcinomawere entered into a pilot study of neoadjuvant chemotherapywith etoposide (50 mg/m²/day, days 1–5), leucovorin (30mg/body/day, days 2–5), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; 400 mg/m²/day,days 2–5) and cisplatin (100 mg/m²–day, day 1) (ELFP).The overall response rate was 56%. The response rates in theT4 tumor and M1, LYM patients were 56 and 50%, respectively.Radical esophagectomies were performed on six of 17 patientswho had completely recovered from the chemotherapy, a resectabilityof 35%. Histologically, the primary tumor was moderately toslightly effective, and the lymph nodes markedly to moderatelyeffective. Histologic responses in the lymph nodes were differentfrom those in the primary tumors and in each node. There werefour chemo-surgically related deaths. Median survival timesin responding and non-responding patients were nine and threemonths, respectively. In conclusion, neoadjuvant chemotherapywith ELFP appears to be effective against esophageal squamouscell cancer with periadventitial tissue invasion or distantlymph node metastasis. Chemo-surgically related deaths werehowever, 22%, showing neoadjuvant chemotherapy to necessitateextremely careful attention to the medical and surgical managementof patients.     

环磷酰胺等6种药物联合治疗34例晚期乳腺癌

目的：观察环磷酰胺、甲氨蝶呤、氟尿嘧啶、平阳毒素、顺氯氨铂、强的松联合（CMFBDP方案）治疗晚期乳腺癌的疗效和毒副反应。方法：34例临床Ⅲ、Ⅳ期乳腺癌患者行CMFBDP联合方案为主的治疗。结果：初治组有效率80%，复治组有效率65.5%。毒副反应主要为恶心呕吐。结论：CMFBDP联合化疗方案治疗晚期乳腺癌是有效和安全的。     

Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin,cyclophosphamide, and anthracycline (doxorubicin,epirubicin, pirarubicin) for endometrial cancer

Background Doxorubicin and cisplatin are the most commonly used chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of endometrial cancer, but their clinical efficacy is still controversial. The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the efficacy and toxicity of combination chemotherapy using cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, and anthracy-clines in patients with stage III/IV adenocarcinoma of the endometrium.Methods Forty patients with advanced endometrial cancer received postoperative adjuvant combination chemotherapy, using cisplatin (50 or 70mg/m²), cyclophosphamide (500mg/m²), and one of three anthracyclines (10 patients with doxorubicin [50mg/m²], 18 with epirubicin [50mg/m²], and 12 with pirarubicin [40mg/m²]), from 1987 to 1999. All patients underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, with pelvic lymph node dissection in 36 patients and paraaortic lymph node biopsy in 38 patients. Patients were considered eligible if they had adnexal metastasis, paraaortic lymph node metastasis, positive peritoneal cytology, or distant metastasis. The patients were divided into two groups: patients with no measurable lesion (group 1; n = 27), and those with residual measurable lesion (group 2; n = 13) after surgery. The response rate and progression-free survival rate were evaluated in group 2.Results In group 1, 7 patients (26%) had recurrence, and all of them died of the disease. No patients in stage IIIa (n = 10), however, had recurrence. In group 2, 6 of the 13 (46%) showed response to chemotherapy (complete response [CR], 31%; partial response [PR], 15%). Toxicity was moderate: 10 patients had grade 4 neutropenia; and dose reductions were mandated in 12 patients.Conclusion In group 1, the survival of patients receiving chemotherapy was considered favorable, but patients with recurrent lesions had poor prognosis. On the other hand, in group 2, the efficacy of the chemotherapy was almost equal to that reported in the literature; however, this regimen did not contribute to an improvement in the survival rate. In conclusion, a new effective regimen of postoperative adjuvant therapy is highly desirable in patients with measurable residual lesions.     

Scheduling of combination chemotherapy for a murine melanoma,with the subrenal capsular assay

The effect of varying schedules for administration of two drugs, dimethyl triazeno imidazole carboxamide (DTIC) and methylcyclohexyl chloroethyl nitrosourea (MeCCNU), was studied using the Harding-Passey Mouse melanoma in the subrenal capsular assay. The results of the assay indicate that the responses of the tumor varied depending on the schedule of administration. The best response, with a mean decrease in dimensions of 3.0 ocular micrometer units (± 1.12 SD), was noted with administration of DTIC on day 1 after tumor implantation, followed by MeCCNU on day 2. These results are similar to previously reported data in CD2F1 mice bearing intraperitonal Harding-Passey melanoma and suggest that the subrenal capsular assay may be of use in determining the best combinations and schedules of administration for treatment of tumors.     

A randomized phase III study comparing dacarbazine, BCNU, cisplatin and tamoxifen with dacarbazine and interferon in advanced melanoma

The purpose of this study was to compare the response rate, overall and 1-year survival in patients with advanced melanoma treated with a standard therapy, dacarbazine and interferon-alpha (DTIC/IFN), or combination chemotherapy, consisting of dacarbazine, BCNU, cisplatin and tamoxifen (DBCT). Treatment toxicity and time spent in hospital were secondary end points. One hundred and five patients (of whom 100 were eligible) were randomized to receive either DTIC/IFN or DBCT. The trial was designed to detect a 25% absolute difference in response rate or in 1-year survival with 80% power. There was no significant difference in response rate: this was 17.3% with DTIC/IFN and 26.4% with DBCT. Median overall survival was similar at 199 and 202 days respectively. One-year survival rate favoured standard treatment (30.6 vs 22.6%), but did not differ significantly between arms. DBCT was associated with significantly greater haematological toxicity, and a greater need for time spent in hospital (5.75 days/treatment cycle vs 2.29 with dacarbazine and interferon). DBCT combination therapy cannot be recommended as standard treatment for advanced melanoma. Dacarbazine remains the standard chemotherapy for this condition.     

Adjuvant intra-arterial 5-fluoruracil,leucovorin, epirubicin and carboplatin with or without systemic gemcitabine after curative resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Background: The role of adjuvant therapy in pancreatic cancer remains controversial. Gemcitabine given systemically seems to be effective; intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) has a deep rationale. Patients and methods: The goal was to evaluate the impact of postoperative IAC followed or not by systemic gemcitabine in patients after curative resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. 5-fluoruracil 750 mg sqm⁻¹, leucovorin 75 mg sqm⁻¹, epirubicin 45 mg sqm⁻¹, carboplatin 225 mg sqm⁻¹ were administered every 3 weeks into celiac axis for three cycles (FLEC regimen), then gemcitabine at the dosage of 1 g sqm⁻¹ on days 1, 8 and 15 every 4 weeks for 3 months (FLECG regimen). Results: Forty-seven patients entered the study. The first 24 received only IAC (FLEC regimen), the other 23 received the same intra-arterial regimen followed by systemic gemcitabine (FLECG regimen). After a median follow-up of 16.9 months, 29 patients recurred (61.7%). Median disease free survival (DFS) was 18 months and median overall survival (OS) was 29.7 months. One-year DFS was 59.4% and 1-year OS was 75.5%. Main grade 3 toxicity related to IAC was only nausea/vomiting in 4%; regarding gemcitabine, grade 3 toxicities were anaemia 8%, leukopenia 8%, thrombocitopenia 17%, nausea/vomiting 4%. Conclusions: FLEC regimen with or without gemcitabine is active with a very mild toxicity and results are very encouraging in an adjuvant setting.     

Prednisone, etoposide, procarbazine, and cyclophosphamide (PEP-C) oral combination chemotherapy regimen for recurring/refractory lymphoma: low-dose metronomic, multidrug therapy

BACKGROUND: Many patients with recurrent lymphoma are unable to tolerate intensive therapies, or have disease that is refractory. Metronomic chemotherapy offers a novel, potentially less toxic yet effective treatment strategy. METHODS: An analysis was performed on 75 lymphoma patients who were treated with the PEP-C regimen at a single institution. The program consisted of oral prednisone 20 mg after breakfast, cyclophosphamide 50 mg after lunch, etoposide 50 mg after dinner, and procarbazine 50 mg at bedtime with an oral antiemetic. All medications were administered daily until the white blood cell count fell to less than 3.0 x 10(9)/L, whereupon treatment was withheld until recovery from the nadir. Therapy was then reinstituted on a daily, alternate day, or fractionated weekly basis (eg, 5 of 7 days), depending on patient tolerance. Doses given per day were held constant. RESULTS: Eighty percent of patients had previously received 2 or more treatments. Overall, 69% achieved an objective response after PEP-C treatment, with 36% complete responses and 33% partial responses. Subjects with indolent histologies had superior overall responses, complete responses, and time on therapy relative to those with aggressive histologies. The regimen was generally well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Metronomic therapy with low-dose oral agents administered in combination for continuous, prolonged periods with minimal drug-free intervals represents a novel, active, easily tolerated approach to management of patients with recurrent lymphoma, particularly those with indolent histologies.     

Chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, etoposide, vincristine and prednisone (CHOEP) is not effective in patients with enteropathy-type intestinal T-cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Enteropathy-type intestinal T-cell lymphoma (ETCL) is a highly aggressive disease with poor response to conventional CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) chemotherapy. According to promising data with the addition of etoposide (E) to the CHOP regimen (CHOEP) in aggressive lymphomas including T-cell lymphomas, we have treated patients with ETCL with CHOEP chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten consecutive patients (six female, four male) suffering from ETCL were given CHOEP at our institution. Four patients had advanced disease (stage III/IV), while five patients were rated to be in stage II and one in stage I. Treatment consisted of doxorubicin 50 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 and vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 by intravenous infusion on day 1, etoposide 100 mg/m2 intravenously days 1-3 and oral prednisone days 1-5. Cycles were repeated every 3 weeks for a maximum of six courses. Assessment of response was done by means of conventional computed tomography scanning, endoscopy and also [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) in seven patients. RESULTS: A total of 41 cycles (median six, range one to six) were administered to our patients. Leukocytopenia/neutropenia WHO grade IV necessitating granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support occurred in all patients evaluable for toxicity, and febrile neutropenia was seen in two patients. Two patients had to undergo emergency surgery due to intestinal perforation after one and three courses of treatment, respectively. Therapeutic results, however, were disappointing: two patients had complete remission (CR), three had partial remissions and five patients progressed during treatment. Remissions, however, where only short-lasting, as only two patients are alive at a median follow-up of 7 months (range 2-16). One patient is in ongoing CR 10 months after initiation of chemotherapy and the other is currently undergoing second-line treatment for progressive disease as judged by follow-up investigations after three cycles of CHOEP. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that CHOEP chemotherapy results in a high rate of hematotoxicity in patients with ETCL. In spite of this, therapeutic results were disappointing and do not appear to be superior to conventional CHOP chemotherapy. We conclude that CHOEP cannot be recommended for routine use in patients with ETCL.     

Expression of MRP1, LRP and Pgp in breast carcinoma patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy

Our purpose was to determine the expression of the drug resistance factors multidrug resistance protein (MRP1), lung resistance protein (LRP) and P-glycoprotein (Pgp) in breast carcinoma patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy. We have studied the expression of these proteins in breast carcinomas by immunohistochemistry both prior (n = 80) and after (n = 68) preoperative chemotherapy and compared their expression with response to preoperative chemotherapy. In paired samples prior and after chemotherapy expression of drug resistance factors was significantly lower in prechemotherapy samples as compared with postchemotherapy specimens. This was observed for MRP1 (62% vs. 88%, P < 0.001), LRP (65% vs. 97%, P < 0.001) and Pgp (55% vs. 100%, P < 0.001). Prechemotherapy expression of MRP1 was more frequently observed in patients with distant metastases than in those without (50% vs. 8%, P = 0.02). No associations were observed between LRP expression and clinical parameters. Pgp expression was more frequently detected in lobular carcinomas than in ductal carcinomas (93% vs. 46%, P = 0.001) and in patients with positive lymph nodes than in patients with negative lymph nodes (65% vs. 31%, P = 0.008) but was independent of other clinical parameters. No significant associations were found between the prechemotherapy or postchemotherapy expression of either of these three proteins and response to preoperative chemotherapy. However, prechemotherapy MRP1 expression was significantly associated with shorter progression-free survival of the patients (P = 0.02), whereas no such associations were observed for either LRP or Pgp. In conclusion, preoperative chemotherapy increases the expression of MRP1, LRP and Pgp. Response to chemotherapy is not associated with pre- or postchemotherapy expression levels of these drug resistance proteins but time to progression may be influenced by prechemotherapy MRP1 expression.     

High-dose carboplatin,thiotepa, and etoposide with autologous stem cell rescue for patients with previously irradiated recurrent medulloblastoma

Recurrent medulloblastoma is highly lethal in previously irradiated patients. Previously irradiated patients with M-0–M-3 recurrences who achieved a minimal disease state prior to protocol enrollment received carboplatin (Calvert formula with area under the curve = 7 mg/mL min, maximum 500 mg/m²/day) on days −8 to −6, and thiotepa (300 mg/m²/day) and etoposide (250 mg/m²/day) on days −5 to −3, followed by autologous stem cell rescue (ASCR) on day 0. Twenty-five patients, aged 7.6–44.7 years (median 13.8 years) at ASCR, were treated. Three (12%) died of treatment-related toxicities within 30 days of ASCR, due to multiorgan system failure (n = 2) and aspergillus infection with veno-occlusive disease (n = 1). Tumor recurred in 16 at a median of 8.5 months (range 2.3–58.5 months). Six are event-free survivors at a median of 151.2 months post-ASCR (range 127.2–201.6 months). The Kaplan–Meier estimate of median overall survival is 26.8 months (95% CI: 11.9–51.1 months) and of event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival are both 24% (95% CI: 9.8%–41.7%) at 10 years post-ASCR. M-0 (vs M-1 + ) recurrence prior to protocol, lack of tissue confirmation of relapse, and initial therapy of radiation therapy (RT) alone (vs RT + chemotherapy) were not significantly associated with better EFS (P = .33, .34, and .27, respectively). Trends toward better EFS were noted in patients (n = 5) who received additional RT as part of their retrieval therapy (P = .07) and whose recurrent disease was demonstrated to be sensitive to reinduction chemotherapy (P = .09). This retrieval strategy provides long-term EFS for some patients with previously irradiated recurrent medulloblastoma. The use of additional RT may be associated with better outcome.     

Combination Chemotherapy with Tegafur-Uracil (UFT), Etoposide, Adriamycin and Cisplatinum (UFT-EAP) for Advanced Gastric Cancer

Thirty-four patients with advanced gastric cancer were treatedwith combination chemotherapy employing Tegafur-Uracil (UFT),etoposide, Adriamycin, and Cisplatinum (CDDP) (UFT-EAP therapy).An objective partial response was obtained in 16 patients (47%)and the median duration of remission was 12.2 months. The 50%survival time for all 34 patients was 10 months. Patients withmoderately or well differentiated adenocarcinoma responded well(13/19, 68%), while those with undifferentiated adenocarcinomashowed a poor response (3/15, 20%). Six responding patientswere noted to have no evidence of viable cancer at the primarysite by endoscopic biopsy, and underwent gastrectomies. Theresected specimens showed complete disappearances of the primarytumors in four patients. The median survival time for the patientsreceiving gastrectomies was 24 months. The regimen was verywell tolerated, apart from moderate bone marrow suppression.Our results suggest that patients with advanced gastric cancercan be effectively treated with UFT-EAP chemotherapy     

异长春花碱联合顺铂、博莱霉素治疗晚期食管癌30例

观察比较去甲长春花碱(NVB)、博莱霉素(BLM)联合顺铂(DDP)组成的NPB方案与顺铂联合氟尿嘧啶(5-Fu)组成的PF方案治疗晚期食管癌的疗效与毒副作用.60例晚期食管癌患者随机分成NPB和PF两组进行化疗.NPB组有效率56.7%,PF组有效率26.7%,两组比较差异有显著性(P＜0.05),但主要毒副作用差异无显著性.     

Radiotherapy and combination chemotherapy with carmustine,vincristine, and procarbazine (BVP) in primary brain tumors

Summary 26 patients with astrocytoma grade 11–111, and 36 with malignant glioma (astrocytoma grade IV or glioblastoma) were submitted three days after surgery to a cycle of combination chemotherapy, including BCNU, VCR, PCZ (BVP). Eighteen days after surgery, patients received 40 Gy (astrocytoma grade 11–111) or 45 Gy (malignant glioma) of megavoltage whole-brain irradiation, with an additional boost to the tumor bed of 20 Gy, delivered in 6 weeks. Vincristine was injected weekly during radiotherapy. At the end of radiotherapy, patients received BVP every 6 weeks for at least 8 cycles or until a recurrence or progressive disease. Performance status of grade 1 or 2 was achieved in 15 (60%) and in 5 (20%), respectively, of patients with astrocytoma grade 11–111 after 6 months, and in 6 ps. (29%) and in 9 ps. (42%) after 12 months of follow-up. Only 2 (5.5%) and 18 (64%) patients with malignant glioma achieved a performance status of grade 1 or 2 after 6 months, and these proportions are 6% and 35%, respectively, after 12 months. After a 5-year follow-up, 59% of patients with astrocytoma are still alive, with a median survival time of 60+ months, whereas only 4% of patients with malignant glioma are alive, with a median of 11.2 months.     

Combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide,vincristine, procarbazine,and prednisone (COPP) in children with brain tumors

Summary The chemotherapeutic combination of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (COPP) was used to treat 15 children with recurrent central nervous system tumors and seven children with newly diagnosed brainstem tumors. In patients with recurrent tumors, marginal activity was seen in various histologic types. COPP chemotherapy was clearly ineffective in patients with brainstem tumors. Toxicity consisted of mild to moderate myelosuppression and neurotoxicity.     

A pilot study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with mitomycin C,etoposide, cisplatin,and epirubicin for adenocarcinoma of the cervix

Background To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of mitomycin C, etoposide, cisplatin, and epirubicin (MEPA) as neoadjuvant therapy for patients with cervical adenocarcinoma.Methods Fourteen patients with cervical adenocarcinoma received neoadjuvant MEPA therapy followed by radical hysterectomy. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage was: IB1 in 2 patients, IB2 in 5, and IIB in 7. The MEPA regimen consisted of mitomycin C (15mg/m²) on day 1, etoposide (70mg/m²) on days 1 to 3, cisplatin (15mg/m²) on days 1 to 5, and epirubicin (30mg/m²) on day 1, with this course being repeated every 4 weeks. After two or three courses of chemotherapy, all patients underwent radical hysterectomy. Postoperative radiotherapy was given to 6 patients who showed risk factors at surgery.Results Of the 14 patients, 7 had complete remission (CR) clinically, 6 had partial remission, and only 1 showed no change. Examination of surgical material revealed no residual disease in 6 patients, and microscopic residual disease (5mm) in 2 patients. The patients who had no residual disease or microscopic disease in their hysterectomy specimens showed a significantly longer survival than those with macroscopic residual disease (P = 0.012). The dose-limiting toxicity was myelosuppression. Of the 33 treatment cycles administered, leukopenia of grade 3 or more occurred in 70%, and thrombocytopenia of grade 3 or more occurred in 79%. There were no therapy-related deaths.Conclusion Although severe myelosuppression was also observed, there was a satisfactory response rate to MEPA therapy, which showed a good pathological CR rate.     

Feasibility study of intraarterial vs intravenous cisplatin,BCNU, and teniposide combined with systemic cisplatin,teniposide, cytosine arabinoside,glycerol and mannitol in the treatment of primary and metastatic brain tumors

Sixteen patients with intracerebral tumors received intraarterial cisplatin, teniposide, and BCNU combined with intravenous cisplatin, teniposide, and cytosine arabinoside. Oral glycerol and intravenous mannitol were given along with the intravenous chemotherapy in an attempt to increase drug delivery to tumor by augmenting tumor blood flow. Thirteen additional patients were treated with the same regimen, but received all the chemotherapy intravenously. Of the 16 patients receiving intraarterial chemotherapy (median survival, 14 weeks), none responded, 5 (31%) were stable for > 8 weeks, 8 (50%) failed, and 3 (19%) were unevaluable due to early death. Of the 13 patients receiving all their treatment intravenously (median survival, 13 weeks), 3 (23%) responded, 1 (8%) was stable, 7 (54%) failed, and 2 (15%) were unevaluable due to early death. In the patients receiving intraarterial chemotherapy, toxicity included ipsilateral retinal toxicity (2 patients), ocular pain or headache (10), periorbital swelling and flushing (6), increased brain edema with focal neurological deficits and drowsiness (5), and catheter-related carotid artery thrombosis followed by fatal herniation (1). Myelosuppression was worse in patients who received all their treatment intravenously than in those receiving intraarterial chemotherapy (p < 0.05). Neutropenic sepsis developed in 4 patients on the intraarterial arm (1 fatal) and in 5 patients on the intravenous arm (2 fatal). Other toxic effects were similar whether or not patients received intraarterial treatment or only intravenous treatment. Overall, toxicity of this regimen was excessive, and response rates were lower than would have been expected with single agent therapy.     

Treatment of malignant gliomas with surgery,intraarterial chemotherapy with ACNU and radiation therapy

Summary Forty-five patients with malignant gliomas were treated after aggressive surgical resection with alternating intravenous carmustine and cisplatin both during and after radiation therapy. Thirty-three patients were considered evaluable for responses, 17 had glioblastoma multiforme (GBM),14 had anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) and 2 had anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AO). The median age of the evaluable patients was 47 years. The median time to tumor progression was 34.5 weeks, and the median survival for the entire group was 76 weeks. Early progression occurred more frequently in patients with glioblastoma than in those with AA or AO. Seventeen patients (55%) were alive at 18 months (6 GBM, 9 AA, 2 AO). Toxicity was mainly hematologic, otic and tolerable. The results suggest that further trial is warranted to assess the efficacy of alternating carmustine and cisplatin in conjunction with radiation therapy postoperatively in patients with malignant gliomas.     

Neurolymphomatosis: diagnosis,management, and outcomes in patients treated with rituximab

Neurolymphomatosis (NL) is an uncommon syndrome of peripheral or cranial nerve root dysfunction secondary to infiltration by B-cell non-Hodgkin''s lymphoma (NHL). A high index of suspicion is required as presenting symptoms are varied, conventional radiology has only modest sensitivity, and pathological diagnosis is often difficult. Treatment with chemotherapy alone has an objective response rate of 82%, although long-term outcomes are highly variable. This case series describes outcomes in four patients whose management incorporated PET scanning and the use of rituximab in combination with chemotherapy. PET scanning could often diagnose NL where other diagnostic modalities were non-diagnostic. Although combination therapy with rituximab and chemotherapy has been shown to be superior to chemotherapy alone in other forms of NHL, this does not appear to be the case in patients with NL. This may reflect the inability of rituximab to adequately penetrate into the central and peripheral nervous system. This is supported by the common finding that patients will relapse solely with NL despite on-going complete remission at sites outside the nervous system. The prognosis of these patients is poor, with the disease often following a progressive course despite treatment.     

Dose-intense therapy with etoposide, ifosfamide, cisplatin, and epirubicin (VIP-E) in 107 consecutive patients with limited- and extensive-stage non-small-cell lung cancer

Background: We conducted a phase I/II trial to assess the feasibilityand activity of combination chemotherapy with etoposide, ifosfamide,cisplatin, and epirubicin in limited-stage (LS, stage I–IIIB) andextensive-stage (ES, stage IV) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). End-pointswere treatment-related morbidity and mortality, response rate, duration ofresponse, and survival.Patients and methods: Chemotherapy followed by granulocytecolony-stimulating factor was given at a dose of etoposide (500mg/m²), ifosfamide (4000 mg/m²), cisplatin (50mg/m²), and epirubicin (50 mg/m²) (VIP-E) to107 patients with NSCLC. Twenty-five patients with qualifying responsesproceeded to high-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem celltransplantation after etoposide (1500 mg/m²), ifosfamide(12,000 mg/m²), carboplatin (750 mg/m²) andepirubicin (150 mg/m²) (VIC-E) conditioning.Results of conventional-dose VIP-E: 35 of 102 (34%) evaluablepatients responded (2 CR's, 33 PR's), 33/102 patients (33%) showed nochange (NC); the remainder of patients progressed with therapy (PD). Objectiveresponse rate was 68% (4% CR, 64% PR) in LS-NSCLC and23% (1.4% CR, 21.4% PR) in ES-NSCLC. Median duration ofsurvival was 13 months in LS-NSCLC and 5.5 months in ES-NSCLC. Two-yearsurvival was 26% in LS and 2% in ES-NSCLC.Results of high-dose VIC-E: 23 of 24 evaluable patients improved ormaintained prior responses (92%), 1 patient showed NC. Treatmentmortality was 4%. Median duration of survival was 17 months in LS-NSCLCand 10 months in ES-NSCLC. Two-year survival was 30% in LS and8% in ES-NSCLC.Conclusion: Response-rates and survival after conventional-dose VIP-Echemotherapy are comparable to other published trials of combinationchemotherapy in NSCLC. Toxicity and mortality is acceptable in limited stage,but unacceptably high in extensive stage NSCLC. Although better response-rateswere achieved in the high-dose arm, they did not translate into improvedsurvival. Most stage IV NSCLC-patients will neither benefit from VIP-Econventional dose, nor from VIC-E high dose chemotherapy. Whether selectedLS-patients with partial or complete responses to VIP-E induction chemotherapycould benefit from dose intensification in an adjuvant or neo-adjuvant settingremains to be determined.