Pleurodese: perspectivas futuras / Pleurodesis: future prospects

Apesar de estarmos completando praticamente um século desde a realização da primeira pleurodese, a metodologia não está consensualmente definida. A tendência atual de executarmos procedimentos minimamente invasivos estimulou novas pesquisas com o objetivo de reduzir a agressão, incluindo o uso de novas substâncias, a colocação de drenos mais finos e a redução ou abolição da necessidade de internação hospitalar. Dentre as drogas esclerosantes, o talco tem a preferência mundial. Entretanto, o possível desenvolvimento da síndrome da angústia respiratória, por vezes fatal, fez renascer o interesse por outras drogas. Os quimioterápicos não têm evidente efeito esclerosante e originam importantes efeitos colaterais. Os agentes irritantes hidróxido de sódio e nitrato de prata produzem pleurodese efetiva. Ambos podem ser utilizados em seres humanos

Survival improvement with combined radio-chemotherapy in the primary central nervous system lymphomas

The benefits of radio-chemotherapy in HIV-negative primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphomas were analyzed in 40 patients, who received radiotherapy to the brain or craniospinal axis with the total dose of 4460-5940 cGy to the primary tumor. Radiotherapy was followed by systemic chemotherapy, mainly with the cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone (CHOP) regimen, in 16 of the patients. Follow-up ranged from four to 95 months with a median of 15 months. The relapse rate was 72.5%, and 83% of the relapses occurred within the radiation field. Median survival was 19 months and the two-year survival rate was 41%. Survival was significantly influenced by treatment method and radiation dose when measured by univariate analysis; median survival and the two-year survival rate was 29 months and 63% after radio-chemotherapy, while 13.5 month and 29% after radiotherapy alone (p= 0.027), and 22 months and 49% with doses of 50 Gy or more, but 12.5 months and 13% with doses less than 50 Gy (p=0.009). However, statistical significance was lost in multivariate analysis. These results might suggest the short-term efficacy of radio-chemotherapy, however, cautious observation is needed to confirm long-term effects.

Ineficacia de la mostaza nitrogenada en el tratamiento del síndrome nefrótico corticorresistente / Inefficacy of nitrogen mustard in the treatment of corticoresistant nephrotic syndrome

Introducción. En los niños con síndrome nefrótico idiopático corticorresistente (SNCR) se han utilizado diversos tratamientos en base a antimetabolitos como la ciclofosfamida y la mostaza nitrogenada. Este último tratamiento se ha recomendado particularmente en niños con infecciones recurrentes que impiden la indicación de tratamientos prolongados. Material y métodos. Se revisó la respuesta al tratamiento en 10 niños con SNCR que recibieron mostaza nitrogenada durante el período comprendido entre 1988 y 1996. Resultados. Sólo 2 pacientes presentaron remisión del síndrome nefrótico: uno remisión parcial y el otro completa. Dos pacientes presentaron cuadros infecciosos graves (neumonía), en uno de ellos asociado a leucopenia grave. Conclusiones. El tratamiento con mostaza nitrogenada en niños con SNCR no ofrece ventajas aparentes en relación a otros esquemas terapéuticos

Chemotherapy in Hodgkin's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of primary chemotherapy in patients with clinically staged Hodgkin's disease. DESIGN: Non randomized study. SETTING: Pediatric Oncology Division of Regional Cancer Center. SUBJECTS: Twenty nine children with Hodgkin's disease. INTERVENTIONS: Chemotherapy was given to 21 patients whose parents agreed for the same. Sixteen children received COPP regimen and 5 received MOPP regimen. RESULTS: Complete remission was achieved in 19 patients. The relapse free survival and overall survival in these patients were 76% and 86%, respectively at 5 years. There was no death related to chemotherapy toxicity. CONCLUSION: Combination chemotherapy is an effective modality of treatment for children with Hodgkin's disease.

Alopecía areata: tratamiento / Alopecia areata: treatment

El tratamiento de la alopecía areata ha cambiado notablemente en la última década. Nuevas opciones terapéuticas están disponibles para los pacientes. Es deber del dermatólogo informar al paciente de todas las alternativas posibles para su caso, sus efectos colaterales y sus cifras de éxito. La decisión final es conjunta, entre el paciente, la familia del paciente (cuando corresponda) y el dermatólogo

Methoxyphenyl maleamic acid augments the activity of cytotoxic drugs against murine tumours.

The anti-tumour effects of methoxyphenyl maleamic acid (MPMA) and cytotoxic drugs, in combination were investigated on P388 leukaemia and S180 (ascites) tumours. Simultaneous administration of MPMA with CTX or HN2 resulted in enhancement of anti-tumour activity. The increased activity was observed against P388 leukaemia, whereas S180 (ascites) tumour was not responsive to the combined treatment. The possible mechanism (s) of action, responsible for the modulation of activity of CTX and HN2 against P388 tumour have been postulated.

A new combination chemotherapy for recurrent Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Thirty seven Hodgkin's lymphoma patients with recurrence after first remission induced by radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy with mustine, oncovin, procarbazine and prednisolone (MOPP) were randomised to treat with a new combination chemotherapy comprising of doxorubicin, oncovin, procarbazine and prednisolone (DOPP). While the other group received further cycles of MOPP. Twenty two patients received DOPP and out of them 14 (63.6%) showed complete remission (CR). Other group of 15 patients were treated with further cycles of MOPP and among them two (13.3%) showed CR. However, the overall response rate including CR and partial remission (PR) in both the groups were almost same, 90.9% with DOPP and 86.6% with MOPP. It is concluded that DOPP combination is satisfactory and most likely superior to MOPP for producing CR in patients treated with radiotherapy and/or MOPP.