[Docetaxel (TXT) and irinotecan (CPT-11) as a second-line chemotherapy for platinum-pretreated squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck].

Cisplatin(CDDP), combined with 5-fluorouracil, is considered one of the most active chemotherapeutic combinations in the treatment of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck(SCCHN)and is accepted today as a standard regimen. But second-line chemotherapy for platinum-pretreated patients has not yet been established. Eighteen patients with recurrent SCCHN were treated using docetaxel (TXT) and irinotecan (CPT-11). All of them had been pretreated with platinum included regimen. In principle, our regimen consisted of TXT(50-60 mg/m(2), day 1) and CPT-11(60-90 mg/m(2), day 1, 8, 15). The adverse events were significant, including 13(72.2%)of grade 3 and 4 neutropenia, but acceptable. Seventeen patients were eligible for evaluation of response. Two complete responses (CR; 11.8%)and 6 partial responses (PR; 35.3%)were observed with an overall response rate of 47.1%. Patients pretreated with TXT had a 25.0% response rate (1 PR and 3 progressive disease). We conclude that the combination of TXT and CPT-11 is a worthwhile treatment for platinum-pretreated SCCHN as a 2nd-line-chemotherapy.

[Epidemiological survey of allergic diseases in first-year junior high school students in Wakayama Prefecture in 2003].

Allergic diseases have been increasing in prevalence in developed countries, including Japan. The aim of the present report was to determine the prevalence of allergies in Wakayama prefecture using an epidemiological study. In total, 759 first-year students attending junior high school in Hidaka country, Wakayama prefecture, were surveyed. The results for 699 cases were then analyzed. A questionnaire regarding allergic diseases, specific IgE measurements performed using a MAST26 system (Hitachi Co., Ltd.), and total serum IgE levels measured using RIST (Pharmacia Co., Ltd.) were performed. The prevalence (present + past) of various allergic diseases was 37.9%. The prevalence of rhinitis, including pollinosis, was 31.0%, while that of atopic dermatitis was 26.2% and bronchial asthma was 11.3%. The positive rates for specific IgE antibodies against Japanese cedar pollen was 48.6%. The positive rate for Dermatophagoides farinae, timothy and housedust II were 44.2%, 29.6%, and 28.9%, respectively. Statistically significant differences were recognized between the students with allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis or bronchial asthma and positive results for D. farinae, housedust II, cedar pollen, Penicillium, Cladosporium, or Aspergillus-specific antibodies. Regarding family history (two generations), a statistical significant difference between family history and positivity for specific IgE antibodies like D. farinae, housedust II, ragweed, cedar pollen or Cladosporium was observed. The total IgE titer was correlated with the number of positive allergen items. The increasing prevalence of various allergic diseases in developed countries remains a mystery, but the hygienehypothesis has attracted some attention. The findings of this epidemiologic study will contribute to basic data on the increasing prevalence of various allergic diseases.