ABSTRACT
The possible elevation of phosphorous (P) in cancer patients blood serum has been reported in the past. This however seems to have passed unnoticed. One hundred individuals, divided into two groups of fifty each, i.e. cancer patients (group A) and healthy individuals (group B), were included in this retrospective study. The incidence of cancer by site in group A was 24% head and neck, 50% non-small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and 26% cervical cancer. In all cancer patients in group A the serum P was over the normal values, in contrast with the normal values of P measured in group B. The mean value of serum P in group A and B were 7.80 (± 2.24) and 3.38 (± 0.58), respectively (P<0.001, Mann Whitney test). Increased amount of phosphorus in the blood, when other causes justifying the increase were excluded, should be considered as indicative for the existence of unidentified cancerous lesions.
Subject(s)
Neoplasms/diagnosis , Phosphorus/blood , Humans , Neoplasms/blood , Nephelometry and Turbidimetry/methods , Retrospective Studies , Statistics, NonparametricABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the activity and tolerance of vinorelbine (VRL) in combination with gemcitabine (GEM) in pre-treated patients with refractory ovarian cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients with ovarian cancer who had disease progression after a carboplatin and taxane front-line regimen were treated with VRL 30 mg/m(2) IV over 10 min followed by GEM 1,200 mg/m(2) IV over 30 min on days 1 and 15 of each 28 days cycle. Chemotherapy was given in a initial prospective plan of six cycles, unless disease progression or unacceptable toxicity was seen, giving more cycles as consolidation therapy in the case of CR, PR or SD. The median age of patients was 67 years old, and the performance status (WHO) was 1 for 13 and 2 for 4 patients. The treatment was second-line for 11 (65%) and >third-line for 6 (35%) patients. RESULTS: One complete and one partial response were observed (ORR:11%). Stable disease was seen in 4 (24%) patients and progressive disease in 11 (65%). The median time to tumor progression was 4 months (range 2-11), and the median survival has not yet been reached. Myelotoxicity was rare. Grade 1 neutropenia was observed just in one patient and grade 2/3 anemia in four patients (24%). Thrombocytopenia was absent. Non-hematologic toxicity was also predictable and easily manageable. CONCLUSION: The vinorelbine plus gemcitabine combination at the present doses and schedule is a safe but ineffective regimen, and therefore, is not recommended as second-line and beyond treatment in patients with refractory ovarian cancer.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy , Adult , Aged , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Deoxycytidine/administration & dosage , Deoxycytidine/analogs & derivatives , Disease Progression , Drug Administration Schedule , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Vinblastine/administration & dosage , Vinblastine/analogs & derivatives , Vinorelbine , GemcitabineABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To evaluate the activity and tolerance of gemcitabine (GEM) in combination with vinorelbine (VRL) in pretreated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with advanced NSCLC who had disease progression after a cisplatin- or taxane-based front-line regimen were enrolled into a 2-stage design trial and were treated with VRL 30 mg/m² i.v. for 10 min followed by GEM 1,200 mg/m² i.v. for 30 min on days 1 and 15 of each 28-day cycle. Chemotherapy was given for 6 cycles unless disease progression or unacceptable toxicity was seen. The patients' median age was 64 years and the performance status (WHO) was 0 (n = 7), 1 (n = 5), and 2 (n = 3). The treatment was second line for 10 (67%) and third line or more for 5 (33%) patients. RESULTS: No complete or partial responses were observed. Stable disease was seen in 4 (27%) patients and progressive disease in 11 (73%). The median time to tumor progression was 3 months (range 1-12) and the median survival was 4 months (range 2-31). Severe myelotoxicity was infrequent. Grade 2 neutropenia was observed in 2 (13%) patients, grade 2 thrombocytopenia in 1 (7%), and grade 2 anemia in 3 (20%). Nonhematologic toxicities were very mild and easily manageable. CONCLUSION: The GEM plus VRL combination at the present doses and schedule is a safe but ineffective regimen; therefore, it is not recommended as second-line treatment in patients with advanced NSCLC.
