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Tam et al report long-term data from 300 CLL patients treated with the fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) regimen. Complete and overall response rates were 72% and 95%, respectively. The median time to progression was 80 months, and six-year overall survival was 77%. Late infection occurred in 10% after the first year of treatment, and almost 19% had persistent cytopenias after treatment. After adjusting for pre-treatment factors, FCR was associated with prolonged survival compared to other fludarabine regimens for initial treatment at the same center. The high activity and prolonged remissions suggest FCR as an excellent front-line regimen for CLL in select patients.
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Some women with DVT may stop warfarin after six months; Vytorin and cancer; preventing recurrent stroke; and FDA news.
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Hauschild et al present the results of a phase II trial of pegylated interferon and dacarbazine for metastatic melanoma. The combination appeared well tolerated, and 7 of 25 patients either had stable disease, partial or complete remission. This combination is worthy of additional study in larger, randomized clinical trials for the treatment of melanoma.
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Chemotherapy for advanced biliary tract cancers has been of only marginal value, in terms of objective response rates and improved survival. To assess whether chemotherapy with gemcitabine and capecitabine could effect improved quality of life and diminished symptoms, Koeberle et al performed a phase II trial using patient reported outcomes such as pain relief, physical performance and change in body weight, as outcome measures. The gemcitabine/ capecitabine combination did result in a significant improvement in these measures in about one-third of cases, and stability in those measures in another one-third. In terms of palliation, this combination appears to an effective choice.
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A prospective analysis of an established epidemiological cohort indicated a significant risk of developing subsequent malignancy among those with compared to those without established non-melanoma skin cancers. The increased risk was apparent even after adjustment for confounding variables such as age, sex, smoking history, socioeconomic status, and sun exposure.
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Some women with DVT may stop warfarin after six months; Vytorin and cancer; preventing recurrent stroke; and FDA news.
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The anti-angiogenic monoclonal antibody, bevacizumab, shows great promise in the treatment of malignant gliomas.
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The Babinski sign continues to be a valid bed-side test for pyramidal tract lesions.
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Platelet function testing identifies patients who do not respond to antiplatelet therapy and are at increased risk for acute stent thrombosis after neurointerventional procedures.
