Drug treatment is superior to allografting as first-line therapy in chronic myeloid leukemia.

Early allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been proposed as primary treatment modality for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). This concept has been challenged by transplantation mortality and improved drug therapy. In a randomized study, primary HSCT and best available drug treatment (IFN based) were compared in newly diagnosed chronic phase CML patients. Assignment to treatment strategy was by genetic randomization according to availability of a matched related donor. Evaluation followed the intention-to-treat principle. Six hundred and twenty one patients with chronic phase CML were stratified for eligibility for HSCT. Three hundred and fifty four patients (62% male; median age, 40 years; range, 11-59 years) were eligible and randomized. One hundred and thirty five patients (38%) had a matched related donor, of whom 123 (91%) received a transplant within a median of 10 months (range, 2-106 months) from diagnosis. Two hundred and nineteen patients (62%) had no related donor and received best available drug treatment. With an observation time up to 11.2 years (median, 8.9 years), survival was superior for patients with drug treatment (P = .049), superiority being most pronounced in low-risk patients (P = .032). The general recommendation of HSCT as first-line treatment option in chronic phase CML can no longer be maintained. It should be replaced by a trial with modern drug treatment first.

Poorly differentiated small cell carcinoma of the pancreas. A case report and review of the literature.

Small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the pancreas is a rare malignancy with an extremely poor prognosis. We present the case of a 74-year-old man with a 2-month history of upper abdominal discomfort who was diagnosed with SCC of the pancreas tail, involvement of peripancreatic and mesenteric lymph nodes and multiple liver metastases (extended disease). A CT scan and a positive somatostatin receptor scintigraphy showed no evidence of a primary lung tumour. The diagnosis of a SCC was confirmed by biopsy. Local tumour control could be achieved by gemcitabine once a week and a long-acting somatostatin analogue once a month, but liver metastasis showed progress. Thus, 5-fluorouracil on a weekly basis was started. The patient died 8 months after diagnosis and had not been hospitalised in the meantime.

Adding weekly irinotecan to high-dose 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid (HD-5-FU/FA) after failure for first-line HD-5-FU/FA in advanced colorectal cancer--a phase II study.

UNLABELLED: Irinotecan (CPT-11) has been shown to prolong survival and improve quality of life in comparison to best supportive care in colorectal cancer patients with pretreatment of bolus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). After first-line 24-h high-dose (HD) 5-FU/folinic acid (FA) an objective response rate of 11% with 3-weekly CPT-11 350 mg/m was reported. In the present study we investigated weekly CPT-11 in combination with 24-h HD-5-FU/FA as second-line treatment after prior exposure to 24-h HD-5-FU. Synergy between 5-FU and CPT-11 is the rationale to combine both substances for second-line therapy in order to overcome resistance to 5-FU. Thirty-five patients were recruited in a single institution to receive 6 x weekly CPT-11 80 mg/m(2), FA 200 mg/m(2) and 24-h HD-5-FU 2000 mg/m(2). Treatment was repeated on day 57. PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: M/F=20/15, median WHO performance status 1, range (0-2). Thirty-four patients were evaluable for response: partial response 17% and no change 40%. Median time to progression and overall survival were 3.3 and 8.4 months, respectively. All patients were evaluable for toxicity analysis (National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria grade 3): leukocytopenia 3%, diarrhea 12% and vomiting/nausea 6%. Of the assigned doses, a median 100% of 5-FU and 92% of CPT-11 were administered during the first cycle of chemotherapy. We conclude that weekly CPT-11 and HD-5-FU/FA is an active and safe combination chemotherapy resulting in response rates in the upper range of other CPT-11-based second-line regimen. The toxicity profile in our series compared to 3-weekly CPT-11 seems favorable.