Long-term results of a randomised phase III trial of weekly versus three-weekly paclitaxel/platinum induction therapy followed by standard or extended three-weekly paclitaxel/platinum in European patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: Weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin might improve survival in platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). We compared efficacy of first-line weekly to three-weekly paclitaxel/cis- or carboplatin (PCw and PC3w) induction therapy, followed by either three or six PC3w cycles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this multicentre, randomised phase III trial with 2×2 design, patients with FIGO stage IIb-IV EOC were randomised to six cycles PCw (paclitaxel 90mg/m(2), cisplatin 70mg/m(2) or carboplatin AUC 4) or three cycles PC3w (paclitaxel 175mg/m(2), cisplatin 75mg/m(2) or carboplatin AUC 6), followed by either three or six cycles PC3w. Primary endpoints were progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints were response rate (RR) and toxicity. RESULTS: Of 267 eligible patients, 133 received PCw and 134 PC3w. The first 105 patients received cisplatin, after protocol amendment the subsequent 162 patients received carboplatin. Weekly cisplatin was less well tolerated than weekly carboplatin. All PC3w cycles were well tolerated. At the end of all treatments, RR was 90.8% with no differences between the treatment arms. After a follow-up of median 10.3years (range 7.1-14.8), median PFS was 18.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 15.9-21.0) months for PCw and 16.4 (95% CI 13.5-19.2) months for PC3w (p=0.78). Median OS was 44.8 (95% CI 33.1-56.5) months for PCw and 41.1 (95% CI 34.4-47.7) months for PC3w (p=0.98). CONCLUSIONS: There was no benefit in terms of OS, PFS or RR for a weekly regimen nor for extended chemotherapy as first-line treatment for EOC in European patients.

Cisplatinum combined with etoposide. Effective therapy for metastasised squamous-cell carcinoma of the cervix.

Three patients with metastasising squamous-cell carcinoma of the cervix are presented who entered long-term complete remission after treatment with cisplatinum and etoposide.

Phase II study of lomustine, cytarabine, mitoxantrone, and prednisone (CAMP) combination chemotherapy for doxorubicin-resistant intermediate- and high-grade malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

A phase II study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of lomustine, cytarabine, mitoxantrone and prednisone (CAMP) chemotherapy in doxorubicin-resistant intermediate- and high-grade malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). Among 30 patients, the complete remission rate was 27% (duration: 10, 16, 22, 35, 35+, 42+, 51+, 55+ months) and the partial remission rate was 20%. Median survival for complete responders was more than 4 years. The best responses were seen in patients with relapsed NHL compared to those with primary refractory NHL. Toxicity was mainly related to myelosuppression. The results suggest that the CAMP schedule can be applied on an outpatient basis with satisfactory efficacy in patients with relapsing intermediate- and high-grade malignant NHL.

Reversal of sign of long spinal reflexes dependent on the phase of the step cycle in the high decerebrate cat.

Reversal of the sign of long ascending and descending spinal reflexes dependent on the phase of the step cycle has been shown in the high decerebrate cat. Electrical stimuli were applied to the skin over the dorsum of the metacarpals and metatarsals and the effects were recorded in the corresponding hindlimb or forelimb of the same side. Stimulation generally evoked an increase in activity of flexor or extensor muscles shortly before, and during, activity of the muscle. Inhibition of a muscle occurred when its activity overlapped with the activity of an antagonist muscle. From the latencies it was concluded that at least the early components of the long reflex responses are due to spinal mechanisms. In the stimulated limb the activity of flexor and extensor muscles was also modulated in a phase dependent manner. No consistent long spinal responses to skin stimulation were obtained in high spinal cats during stepping. Electrical stimulation of cutaneous nerve trunks in decerebrate preparations during stepping gave variable though phase dependent long spinal reflex effects.