A report comparing the use of tropisetron (Navoban), a 5-HT3 antagonist, with a standard antiemetic regimen of dexamethasone and metoclopramide in cisplatin-treated patients under conditions of severe emesis.

This report of a double-blind, randomized study performed to evaluate the comparative antiemetic efficacy of tropisetron (Navoban; Sandoz Pharma Ltd, Basel, Switzerland), a new 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonist, focuses on treatment during stages of chemotherapy when nausea and vomiting are particularly severe. One hundred fifteen chemotherapy-naive patients with malignant disease were administered either tropisetron (n = 58) or a dexamethasone dose plus a metoclopramide dose (n = 57) during 5 days of two successive cycles of chemotherapy. Within the first 24 hours after receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy, 76% of patients in the tropisetron group remained free of vomiting (with 59% of patients free of nausea) compared with 39% of patients free of vomiting in the conventionally treated group (30% of patients free of nausea). Improved control of emesis also was observed over 4 consecutive days of follow-up in the tropisetron group. The difference in incidence of nausea and vomiting between the patient groups was statistically significant (P < .05). The efficacy of tropisetron was well maintained during the second consecutive chemotherapy cycle; during the first 24 hours, 72% and 62% of patients remained free of vomiting and nausea, respectively. Tropisetron appears to be a highly effective, well tolerated, and simple to use antiemetic agent for patients receiving chemotherapy.

Potential role of oral anthracyclines in older patients with cancer.

Two anthracycline analogues, idarubicin and menogaril, have acceptable bioavailability via the oral route of administration. Encouraging antitumour activity of oral idarubicin has been reported in breast cancer, non-lymphocytic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and myeloma. The outlook for menogaril is less clear, given the modest antitumour activity reported so far. Although the oral formulations of idarubicin and menogaril remain investigational, they represent a step forward in the direction of developing new active anticancer drugs with oral bio-availability. Further prospective studies of the orally-active anthracyclines in elderly patients with cancer are justified. These studies should address specific issues such as optimal dosage regimens as a function of 'physiological age', and quality of life.

[Analysis of the effects of physico-chemical factors on the stability of lead and mercury levels in biological specimens. I. Biological specimens with the addition of Pb and Hg standards]. / Analiza wplywu czynników fizykochemiczych na stalosc stezenia olowiu i rteci w materiale biologicznym. Czesc I. Material biologiczny z dodatkiem wzorców Pb I Hg.

For the analysis of the process of precipitation and adsorption in the walls of polyethylene and glass vessels in which biological specimens containing mercury and lead were stored, the techniques of scanning electrone microscopy and X-ray microanalysis were applied. It was observed that the losses of: --lead in stored urine specimens were mainly due to precipitation, --mercury in stored urine specimens occur, among others, through adsorption on vessels' walls. X-ray microanalysis may also facilitate determination of the chemical composition of micro-structural fragments deposited on the surface of vessels.

Effect of prostaglandins on cell function and multiplication of parainfluenza 3 viruses in WISH cells.

Cytotoxic effect of prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha on cells grown in vitro and the influence of these compounds on multiplication of myxovirus parainfluenza 3 were investigated. The prostaglandins were added to culture medium (0-01-10 mug/ml) 24 hr before virus infection, or for 2 and 48 hr after inoculation with viruses. WISH cells and monkey kidney cell cultures were used. No direct cytotoxic effect of prostaglandins at concentrations 0-01-1 mug/ml was found (viability, supravital staining, phase-contrast system, Nitro-BT reduction and succinic dehydrogenase tests), whereas the concentration of 10 mug/ml within 48 hr led to reduction and succinic dehydrogenase tests), whereas the concentration of 10 mug/ml within 48 hr led to partial injury of the cell population with symptoms of damage to mitochondria. Prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha inhibited multiplication of parainfluenza 3 virus at concentrations 0-1-10 mug/ml. The inhibitory effect was most pronounced if prostaglandins were added to medium for the whole period of virus multiplication i.e. for 48 hr but little or no effect was found if they were added prior to inoculation or for 2 hr after it. Inhibitory effect of prostaglandins on replication phase of viruses is suggested.