Buserelin as primary therapy in advanced prostatic carcinoma.

The effectiveness of buserelin, a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist, was tested in 28 patients with Stages C or D adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Of 24 evaluable patients, there were 13 partial responses (54%) by National Prostatic Cancer Project criteria, median duration greater than 6 months. Nine patients had stable disease (38%), median duration greater than 5 months, and only two patients progressed. Performance status improved in 38%, patient-scored pain improved in 46%, and quality of life improved in 57%. Symptoms occurring during treatment consisted of hot flashes, loss of libido, and impotence. A flare of symptoms was observed in only one patient, despite a transient 25% increase in testosterone in 36% of patients. Buserelin is an effective treatment for inducing frequent and meaningful remissions in advanced prostatic cancer.

An overview of side effects and long-term experience with nomifensine from United States clinical trials.

During the clinical development of nomifensine maleate (Merital), 1319 depressed patients received nomifensine (average doses of 150 mg/day) in 4-6 week trials; treatment was continued for at least 2 months in 170 patients and at least 6 months in 53. Comparison data were provided by 593 patients who received placebo and 612 given the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine HCl (average doses of 150 mg/day). The relationship of therapeutic gain to interfering side effects (the therapeutic index) was rated by the investigators and nomifensine received a more favorable therapeutic index rating than did imipramine. Side effect information was collected at each visit. Nomifensine produced less sedating, anticholinergic, and other discomforting side effects than imipramine and was able to sustain clinical benefit with minimal side effects in patients treated up to 6 months.