ABSTRACT
To evaluate treatment results and toxicities in patients who received concomitant chemoradiotherapy [CRT] followed by consolidation with docetaxel and cisplatin in locally advanced unresectable non-small cell lung cancer [NSCLC]. Ninety three patients were included in this retrospective study. The patients received 66 Gy radiotherapy and weekly 20 mg/m[2] docetaxel and 20 mg/m[2] cisplatin chemotherapy concomitantly. One month later than the end of CRT, consolidation chemotherapy with four cycles of docetaxel 75 mg/m[2] and cisplatin 75 mg/m[2] were administered at each 21 days. Median age of the patients was 57 [range, 30-74]. Following concomitant CRT, 14 patients [15%] showed complete and 50 patients [54%] showed partial response [total response rate was 69%]. The median follow-up was 13 months [range: 2-51 months]. The median overall survival was 18 months [95% confidential interval [Cl]: 13.8-22.1 months]; local control was 15 months [95% Cl: 9.3-20.6 months]; progression-free survival was 9 months [95% Cl: 6.5-11.4 months]. Esophagitis in eight [9%] patients, neutropenia in seven [8%] patients and pneumonitis in eight [9%] patients developed as grade III-IV toxicity due to concomitant CRT. Concomitant CRT with docetaxel and cisplatin followed by docetaxel and cisplatin consolidation chemotherapy might be considered as a feasible, and well tolerated treatment modality with high response rates despite the fact that it has not a survival advantage in patients with locally advanced unresectable NSCLC
ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of vitamin B12 in patients with pernicious anemia. This study was conducted prospectively at the Turgut ?zal Medical Center, Department of Hematology, between April and November 2002. Absolute numbers and ratio of the surface antigens of T and B lymphocyte subgroups, CD4/CD8 ratio were calculated in order to evaluate changes in leukocyte and lymphocyte numbers; natural killer [NK] cell count, serum C3, C4, and levels of immunoglobulins G, A, and M were also measured to evaluate vitamin B[12] effect on immunity. Values obtained before treatment with cyanocobalamin were compared with those found during peak reticulocyte count. In vitamin B[12]-deficient patients, absolute numbers of CD4+ and especially CD8+ lymphocytes were found to be decreased; CD4/CD8 ratio increased, and NK cell activity was depressed. After cyanocobalamin treatment, absolute numbers and percentage of lymphocyte subgroups were elevated. Increased CD4/CD8 ratio and depressed NK cell activity were restored and levels of C3, C4, and immunoglobulins were elevated. These findings suggest that vitamin B[12] has important immunomodulatory effects on cellular immunity, and abnormalities in the immune system in pernicious anemia are restored by vitamin B[12] replacement therapy