The dose related effect of steroids on blast reduction rate and event free survival in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

We examined the effect of high-dose methylprednisolone (HDMP) on blast reduction rate and compared it to conventional dose steroid treatment, administered during the first 7+ days of the induction remission period in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In our previous randomized study, the event free survival (EFS) was found to be higher in patients treated with HDMP (Group B) than in patients treated with a conventional dose of steroids (Group A). We used the chemotherapy protocol for ALL patients according to the St Jude Total XI study group. Medical records of all 194 patients who achieved complete remission were reviewed to determine the absolute blast count (ABC) in peripheral blood smears from day 0 of treatment until day 8. A target response of 1,000 blast/mm3 was employed. The time in which ABC remained > or = 1,000/mm3 and the EFS rates were assessed in group A (n = 44) and B (n = 51) of high risk patients. Group A and B patients were branched to chemotherapy schedules (A1, B1: steroid + vincristine + daunorubicine + intrathecal + 3 doses L-asparaginase; A2, B2: steroid + vincristine + daunorubicine + intrathecal; A3, B3: only steroid monotherapy). Number of patients from whom the ABC remained > or = 1,000/mm3 during all 7 days of induction treatment and the median number of days for blasts to reach the target level were significantly lower in group B1 than A1 (p < 0.05), concordantly the 8-year EFS was higher in group B1 (p = 0.01). In comparison of the subgroups, results of A2 and A3 were worse than of group B2 and B3. These findings strongly suggest that the effects of HDMP on blast cytoreduction and EFS are more potent than conventional dose steroids.     

Efficacy of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation versus conventional chemotherapy on anaplastic large-cell lymphoma:a retrospective study of 64 patients from a single center

Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma(ALCL) is characterized by frequently presenting adverse factors at diagnosis.Many groups believed aggressive treatment strategies such as autologous stem cell transplantation brought survival benefit for ALCL patients.However,few compared these approaches with conventional chemotherapy to validate their superiority.Here,we report a study comparing the efficacy of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation(PBSCT) and conventional chemotherapy on ALCL.A total of 64 patients with primary systemic ALCL were studied retrospectively.The median follow-up period was 51 months(range,1-167 months).For 48 patients undergoing conventional chemotherapy only,the 4-year event-free survival(EFS) and overall survival(OS) rates were 70.7% and 88.3%,respectively.Altogether,16 patients underwent PBSCT,including 11 at first remission(CR1/PR1),3 at second remission,and 2 with disease progression during first-line chemotherapy.The 4-year EFS and OS rates for patients underwent PBSCT at first remission were 81.8% and 90.9%,respectively.Compared with conventional chemotherapy,PBSCT did not show superiority either in EFS(P = 0.240) or in OS(P = 0.580) when applied at first remission.Univariate analysis showed that patients with B symptoms(P = 0.001),stage III/IV disease(P = 0.008),bulky disease(P = 0.075),negative anaplastic lymphoma kinase(ALK) expression(P = 0.059),and age ≤ 60 years(P = 0.054) had lower EFS.Furthermore,PBSCT significantly improved EFS in patients with B symptoms(100% vs.50.8%,P = 0.027) or bulky disease(100% vs.52.8%,P = 0.045) when applied as an up-front strategy.Based on these results,we conclude that,for patients with specific adverse factors such as B symptoms and bulky disease,PBSCT was superior to conventional chemotherapy in terms of EFS.     

Intensified and shortened cyclical chemotherapy for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and toxicity of a new treatment program of intensified and shortened cyclical chemotherapy (protocol 8707) in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Previously untreated adults < or = 60 years old with ALL were treated with a four-agent induction chemotherapy regimen. This was followed by cyclical postremission therapy with high-dose cytarabine/etoposide; high-dose methotrexate/6-mercaptopurine; and daunorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, and asparaginase. Maintenance chemotherapy with oral methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine was continued for 30 months. CNS prophylaxis was given with intrathecal methotrexate in addition to the systemic chemotherapy indicated above. RESULTS: Seventy-eight of 84 patients (93%) achieved complete remission. With a median follow-up of 5.6 years, 5-year event-free survival (EFS) of all remission patients is 52%. Patients with high-risk features including adverse cytogenetics, failure to achieve remission with the first cycle of chemotherapy, and B-precursor disease with WBC counts more than 100,000/microL all relapsed unless taken off study for transplantation. For patients without these high-risk features, 5-year EFS was 60%. Compared with our previous treatment regimen, results appear to be improved for patients with standard-risk B-precursor disease (5-year EFS, 66% v 34%; P =.01). CONCLUSION: Intensified and shortened chemotherapy may improve the outcome for patients with ALL with B-precursor disease lacking high-risk features. Further trials of this regimen are warranted.     

Treatment of young children with localized medulloblastoma by chemotherapy alone: results of the prospective, multicenter trial HIT 2000 confirming the prognostic impact of histology

This study was designed to confirm the previously observed favorable survival rates and prognostic factors in young children with nonmetastatic medulloblastoma (MB) treated with postoperative chemotherapy alone. Patients who received a diagnosis during the period January 2001 through December 2005 and who were aged <4 years received 3 cycles of postoperative systemic multiagent chemotherapy and intraventricular methotrexate. In cases of complete remission, treatment was terminated after 2 additional cycles of chemotherapy. Otherwise, secondary surgery, radiotherapy, and consolidation chemotherapy were recommended. At a median follow-up of 4.5 years, the 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) rates (± standard error) for 45 patients (median age, 2.5 years) were 57% ± 8% and 80% ± 6%, respectively. Nineteen patients with desmoplastic/nodular MB variants had better 5-year EFS and OS rates (90% ± 7% and 100% ± 0%, respectively) than did 23 patients with classic MB (30% ± 11% and 68% ± 10%, respectively; P < .001 for EFS; P = .008 for OS). Five-year EFS and OS rates for 3 children with anaplastic MB were 33% ± 27%. Desmoplastic/nodular histology was an independent prognostic factor for EFS. Twenty-nine of 30 patients without postoperative residual tumor remained in continuous complete remission. Our results confirm that histology of MB variants is a strong prognostic factor in this age group. Sustained tumor control can be achieved by this chemotherapy regimen in young children with desmoplastic/nodular MB variants. For children with non-desmoplastic/nonnodular MB variants, for which predominantly local relapses lead to less favorable survival rates, local radiotherapy has been introduced after chemotherapy since 2006.     

Twenty years of Polish experience with three consecutive protocols for treatment of childhood acute myelogenous leukemia.

Until 1983, results of treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in Poland with different regimens were very poor. In 1983, the Polish Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma Study Group introduced a unified treatment protocol--a modified version of BFM-83 protocol. This led to an increase in the curability of AML from 15% to approximately 32%. In 1994, a modification was made: the high-risk patients (>5% blasts in bone marrow on day 15 of therapy and all M5 cases) received two additional cycles with intermediate-dose cytarabine (ID-ARAC). This led to a nonsignificant improvement in the 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rate from 32 to 36%. A new treatment protocol employing idarubicin in place of daunorubicin was introduced in 1998 and produced better initial responses, increase in the number of patients attaining remission after induction therapy and proportional increase of standard-risk patients.The probability of 5-year EFS (pEFS) for the whole group of patients increased from 36 to 47%. In standard- and high-risk groups, the 5-year pEFS was 62 and 33%, respectively. The probability of 5-year disease-free survival was 58% in the whole group, and there were no differences between risk groups. Unsatisfactory treatment results in children classified into the high-risk group are principally due to the low remission rate.     

化放疗序贯治疗局部晚期非小细胞肺癌疗效观察

目的探讨局部晚期非小细胞肺癌的有效治疗方案.方法 105例局部晚期非小细胞肺癌随机分为化、放序贯治疗组(A组)与单纯放疗组(B组).A组采用MVP或NP方案全身化疗2周期,休息1至2周胸部放疗;B组不做化疗,胸部放疗同A组.观察近期疗效,生存期,1、2年生存率及主要毒副反应、并发症.结果 A组有效率高于B组(92.0%对65.5%),中位生存期A组长于B组(15.5个月对11.4个月),A组和B组1,2年生存率分别为68.0%、39.5%和60.0%、17.5%.2年生存率差异有显著性(χ2=4.65,P＜0.05).两组在Ⅲ～Ⅳ级血液学毒性、放射性食管炎、放射性肺炎发生率方面差异无显著性(P＞0.05).结论序贯化、放疗可提高局部晚期非小细胞肺癌局部控制率,延长生存期,毒副反应可以耐受,不增加并发症.     

First isolated extramedullary relapse in children with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: results of the Cooprall-97 study

We report on the efficiency of treatment of first isolated extramedullary relapse of B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Sixty-eight children and adolescents were included in the trial COPRALL-97. Stratification criteria were time to relapse: first complete remission duration of less than 24 months for group G3A (n=35), relapse beyond 24 months for group G3B (n=33). Treatment consisted of risk-adapted alternating short course multiagent systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy and irradiation (18Gy). Event free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) for all registered patients at 6 years were 43% and 55%, respectively. EFS at 4 years for patients of group G3A and G3B were, respectively, 31% and 61% (p=0.0071) while OS at 4 years were, respectively, 40% and 76% (p=0.065). Our analyses highlighted two independent risks factors predictive of decreased EFS: early relapse and age at the initial diagnosis above 6 years. Early central nervous system relapses have a bad prognosis, and new therapeutic strategies are needed.     

Primary extranodal lymphomas of Waldeyer's ring, stage IE and IIE

We reviewed 45 cases of Waldeyer's ring lymphomas (25 stage IE, 20 IIE): 73% had high-grade histology according to Kiel's classification. Fourteen patients received radiotherapy alone and 31 chemotherapy, combined with radiotherapy in 28. Complete remission rate was 95% and relapse rate 32%. At 8 years overall disease-related survival (DRS) and event-free survival (EFS) were 69% and 57% respectively. Combined treatment provided both significantly better DRS (82% vs 42%) and EFS (76% vs 25%) than radiotherapy alone. Most of the patients with high-grade histology (26/33) received the combined treatment and this subgroup achieved a long-term EFS of 78%. Both DRS and EFS were also significantly longer in patients under 60. At multivariate analysis favorable prognostic factors were lower age for DRS and combined treatment for EFS.     

Improved treatment results in high-risk pediatric acute myeloid leukemia patients after intensification with high-dose cytarabine and mitoxantrone: results of Study Acute Myeloid Leukemia-Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster 93.

PURPOSE: To improve outcome in high-risk patients, high-dose cytarabine and mitoxantrone (HAM) was introduced into the treatment of children with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in study AML-BFM 93. Patients were randomized to HAM as either the second or third therapy block, for the purpose of evaluation of efficacy and toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 471 children with de novo AML were entered onto the trial; 161 were at standard risk and 310 were at high risk. After the randomized induction (daunorubicin v idarubicin), further therapy, with the exception of HAM, was identical in the two risk groups and also comparable to that in study Acute Myeloid Leukemia-Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster (AML-BFM) 87. RESULTS: Overall, 387 (82%) of 471 patients achieved complete remission, and 5-year survival, event-free survival (EFS), and disease-free survival rates were 60%, 51%, and 62%, respectively. Idarubicin induction resulted in a significantly better blast cell reduction in the bone marrow on day 15. Estimated survival and probability of EFS were superior in study AML-BFM 93 compared with study AML-BFM 87 (P =.01, log-rank test). This improvement, however, was restricted to the 310 high-risk patients (remission rate and probability of 5-year EFS in study AML-BFM 93 v study AML-BFM 87: 78% v 68%, P =.007; and 44% v 31%, P =.01, log-rank test). Probability of 5-year EFS among standard-risk patients in study AML-BFM 93 was similar to that in study AML-BFM 87 (65% v 63%, P = not significant). Whether HAM was placed as the second or third therapy block was of minor importance. However, patients who received the less intensive daunorubicin treatment during induction benefited from early HAM. CONCLUSION: Improved treatment results in children with high-risk AML in study AML-BFM 93 must be attributed mainly to the introduction of HAM.     

多西紫杉醇联合卡铂或卡培他滨一线治疗乳腺癌肺转移的疗效对比

目的:回顾性对比分析多西紫杉醇分别联合卡铂或卡培他滨一线治疗乳腺癌肺转移的临床效果。方法:收集我院2014年1月至2017年6月间符合乳腺癌切除术后、经蒽环类和／或紫杉类辅助化疗后出现肺转移患者的临床资料，共筛选出65例。其中25例行多西紫杉醇联合卡铂(A组)作为一线解救治疗，40例行多西紫杉醇联合卡培他滨(B组)作为一线解救治疗。每2个疗程后进行效果评价，比较两类不同解救治疗方案对乳腺癌肺转移患者的近期疗效及远期预后。结果:65例乳腺癌肺转移患者中，A组和B组客观有效率（ORR）分别为68.0%和42.5%，差异有统计学意义（P=0.045）。A组和B组平均化疗周期(5.0 vs 4.8)、疾病控制率（DCR）(88.0% vs 82.5%)、中位PFS(13.3 vs 12.2个月)、中位OS(51.4 vs 51.0个月)、肺转移后2年PFS(28.0% vs 24.8%)、5年OS(76.0% vs 43.4%)比较差异均无统计学意义(P=0.577、P=0.377、P=0.978、P=0.989、P=0.955、P=0.672)。两组均出现血液学毒性以及恶心、呕吐、腹泻、手足综合征等不良反应，A组患者中白细胞减少、手足综合征的发生率明显低于B组，差异有统计学意义(P=0.049、P<0.001)。结论:乳腺癌肺转移的预后较差，采用多西紫杉醇联合卡铂化疗方案一线解救治疗乳腺癌肺转移的患者近期疗效较好，不良反应小，是值得推荐的一线化疗方案。但从患者的远期预后来看，两组化疗方案并没有明显改善乳腺癌肺转移患者的预后。     

European intergroup studies (MMT4-89 and MMT4-91) on childhood metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma: final results and analysis of prognostic factors.

PURPOSE: Final results are presented from two consecutive European studies for patients with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) to identify prognostic variables and determine the value of high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) in complete remission. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 174 patients aged 3 months to 18 years participated. From 1989 to 1991, patients received four cycles of intensive multiagent chemotherapy. From 1991 to 1995, patients achieving complete remission received consolidation with HDCT. All received local therapy (surgery, radiation therapy) according to response. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 8 years, 5-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) for the whole group were 24% and 20%, respectively. No statistical difference was found between HDCT and standard chemotherapy (5-year OS, 36% v 27%; EFS 29% v 23%). Univariate analysis identified primary tumor in parameningeal, extremity, or other sites; age younger than 1 year and older than 10 years; bone or bone marrow metastases; multiple metastases; and multiple sites of metastases as unfavorable prognostic factors for OS and EFS. Multivariate analysis identified unfavorable site, bone or bone marrow involvement, and unfavorable age as independently unfavorable factors. Two subgroups were identified. Those with fewer than two unfavorable factors had 5-year EFS and OS of 40% and 47%, respectively. Patients with > or = two unfavorable factors had 5-year EFS and OS of 7.5% and 9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: A minority of patients with metastatic RMS have better survival than overall results for this population suggest. Those in the highest risk group have such poor survival that they are candidates for first-line novel therapies. There is no evidence that consolidation with HDCT improves outcome.     

Postremission therapy for acute myeloid leukemia in the first remission

The medical records of 99 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML; except AML, M3) in the first remission from 1995 to 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. When they achieved complete remission, at first complete remission (CR1), patients received allogeneic (n = 23), autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) (n = 35), or intensive chemotherapy (n = 41) according to prognostic factors and donor availability. There was an advantage in terms of event-free survival (EFS, p = 0.0001) and overall survival (OS, p = 0.0002) with HSCT as compared to those of intensive chemotherapy. However, the EFS and OS were not different between allogeneic HSCT and autologous HSCT. In high-risk patients, the EFS and OS of allogenic or autologous HSCT group were higher compared with those in the intensive chemotherapy group (p < 0.01). However, there was no difference between allogeneic HSCT and autologous HSCT in terms of EFS and OS. In the intermediate- or low-risk group, there was no significant difference in the outcome according to the postremission modalities.     

Whole-brain radiotherapy and high-dose methylprednisolone for elderly patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma: Results of North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) 96-73-51

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, toxicity, and survival of whole-brain radiotherapy-treated (WBRT) and high-dose methylprednisolone (HDMP)-treated in elderly patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients with PCNSL who were 70 years and older received 1 g of methylprednisolone daily for 5 days, 30 days after WBRT. Patients then received 1 g of methylprednisolone every 28 days until progression. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) at 6 months. Results were compared with those in patients on the previous North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) trial who received pre-WBRT cytoxan, adriamycin, vincristine, prednisone (CHOP) and high-dose cytarabine (CHOP-WBRT). A planned interim analysis was performed. The current regimen would be considered inactive if survival was not improved from patients treated with CHOP-WBRT. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were accrued between 1998 and 2003. Median age was 76 years. Interim analysis revealed a 6-month survival of 33%, resulting in closure of the trial. Toxicity, OS, and event-free survival (EFS) were similar to those in patients more than 70 years of age who received CHOP-WBRT. The subgroup of patients who received HDMP had longer OS (12.1 vs. 7.0 months, p = 0.76) and EFS (11.7 vs. 4.0 months, p = 0.04) compared with the CHOP-WBRT patients alive 60 days after the start of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Patients on-study long enough to receive HDMP had prolongation of OS and EFS compared to patients receiving CHOP-WBRT. Although the numbers of patients are too small for statistical conclusions, the HDMP regimen deserves further study.     

Optimal duration of preoperative therapy in unilateral and nonmetastatic Wilms' tumor in children older than 6 months: results of the Ninth International Society of Pediatric Oncology Wilms' Tumor Trial and Study.

PURPOSE: To determine the optimal duration of preoperative chemotherapy to further increase the proportion of stage I tumors by comparison of two regimens in the treatment of patients older than 6 months who have unilateral Wilms' tumor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients (n = 382) initially received four weekly doses of vincristine (VCR) and two courses of actinomycin D (AMD) and were randomized either to be operated on (4-week group [n = 193]) or to receive 4 more weeks of the same chemotherapy regimen (8-week group [n = 189]). The assessment criterion was the observed percentage of stage I tumors. After surgery, patients were assigned according to tumor stage and histology to four different treatment groups: stage I and favorable histology (n = 5) were to have no further treatment (NFT); stage I and standard histology or anaplasia (n = 244), VCR and AMD for 17 weeks (AV); stages II and III and favorable or standard histology, VCR, AMD, and an anthracycline for 27 weeks (AVE) with no abdominal radiotherapy for stage II N0 disease (n = 75) or with a 15-Gy dose of abdominal irradiation (RTH) in case of stages IIN1 and III (n = 56). Anaplastic tumors staged higher than I or clear-cell sarcoma of the kidney (14), AMD, VCR, an anthracycline, and ifosfamide for 36 weeks (DEVI). RESULTS: No advantage was found in favor of prolonged preoperative treatment. The percentages obtained for the 4-week and the 8-week groups, respectively, were as follows: stage I, 64% versus 62%; intraoperative tumor rupture rate, 1% versus 3%; 2-year EFS, 84% versus 83%; and 5-year OS, 92% versus 87%. Two-year EFS and 5-year OS rates, respectively, of the different treatment groups were as follows: NFT, 100% for both EFS and OS; AV, 88% and 93%; AVE, 84% and 88%; AVE RTH, 71% and 85%; and DEVI, 71% and 71%. The rate of abdominal recurrences in stage II N0 nonirradiated patients was 6.6%. CONCLUSION: The 4-week schedule pre-nephrectomy chemotherapy regimen should be considered the standard treatment. Clinical trials should continue to improve the cure rate of high-risk patients and the quality of life of children with a more favorable prognosis.     

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Osseous Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma of the Extremity: Results in 18 Cases and Comparison with 112 Contemporary Osteosarcoma Patients Treated with the Same Chemotherapy Regimen

Abstract

Eigthteen patients with high grade malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of bone and 112 patients with high grade osteosarcoma (OS) of the extremity were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy comprised of methotrexate, cisplatinum, doxorubicin and ifosfamide. For the 18 patients with MFH, surgery involved amputation in 2 cases and limb salvage in 16 (89%); the 112 osteosarcoma patients had amputation in 8 cases and limb salvage procedure in 104 cases (93%). The rate of good histologic response to preoperative chemotherapy (90% or more tumor necrosis) was significantly higher in patients with osteosarcoma than in patients with MFH (74% vs 28%; p<0.003). However, at a median follow-up of 38 months (range 25-61), the 3-year event-free survival (EFS) did not differ in the two groups (MFH 77.8%, OS 70.5%; p=ns). In patients with MFH, no local recurrences were registered, whereas in the osteosarcoma group there were 6 local relapses (5.%).

The effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of osteosarcoma has been assessed during the last 15 years. The results of the present study seem to indicate that, in spite of a usually poor histologic response to preoperative treatment, neoadjuvant chemotherapy is very effective also in MFH of bone.     

Results of 58872 and 58921 trials in acute myeloblastic leukemia and relative value of chemotherapy vs allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in first complete remission: the EORTC Children Leukemia Group report.

The first EORTC (European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer) acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) pilot study (58872) was conducted between January 1988 and December 1991. Out of 108 patients, 78% achieved complete remission (CR), and event-free survival (EFS) and survival rates (s.e., %) at 7 years were 40 (5) and 51% (6%), respectively. It indicated that mitoxantrone could be substituted for conventional anthracyclines in the treatment of childhood AML without inducing cardiotoxicity. The aim of the next EORTC 58921 trial was to compare the efficacy and toxicity of idarubicin vs mitoxantrone in initial chemotherapy courses, further therapy consisting of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (alloBMT) in patients with an HLA-compatible sibling donor or chemotherapy in patients without a donor. Out of 177 patients, recruited between October 1992 and December 2002, 81% reached CR. Overall 7-year EFS and survival rates were 49 (4) and 62% (4%), respectively. Out of 145 patients who received the first intensification, 39 had a sibling donor. In patients with or without a donor, the 7-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 63 (8) and 57% (5%) and the 7-year survival rate was 78 (7) and 65% (5%), respectively. Patients with favorable, intermediate and unfavorable cytogenetic features had a 5-year EFS rate of 57, 45 and 45% and a 5-year survival rate of 89, 67 and 53%, respectively.     

Consolidation radiation after complete remission in Hodgkin's disease following six cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine chemotherapy: is there a need?

PURPOSE: Combined modality treatment using multidrug chemotherapy (CTh) and radiotherapy (RT) is currently considered the standard of care in early stage Hodgkin's disease. Its role in advanced stages, however, continues to be debated. This study was aimed at evaluating the role of consolidation radiation in patients achieving a complete remission after six cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) chemotherapy using event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) as primary end points. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-one patients with Hodgkin's disease attending the lymphoma clinic at the Tata Memorial Hospital (Mumbai, India) from 1993 to 1996 received induction chemotherapy with six cycles of ABVD after initial staging evaluation. A total of 179 of 251 patients (71%) achieved a complete remission after six cycles of ABVD chemotherapy and constituted the randomized population. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either consolidation radiation or no further therapy. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 63 months, the 8-year EFS and OS in the CTh-alone arm were 76% and 89%, respectively, as compared with 88% and 100% in the CTh+RT arm (P =.01; P =.002). Addition of RT improved EFS and OS in patients with age < 15 years (P =.02; P =.04), B symptoms (P =.03; P =.006), advanced stage (P =.03; P =.006), and bulky disease (P =.04; P =.19). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the addition of consolidation radiation helps improve the EFS and OS in patients achieving a complete remission after six cycles of ABVD chemotherapy, particularly in the younger age group and in patients with B symptoms and bulky and advanced disease.     

Influence of postsurgical residual tumor volume on local control in radiotherapy for maxillary sinus cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to study the influence of postsurgical gross residual tumor volume on local control of maxillary sinus cancer treated with radiotherapy combined with debulking surgery. METHODS: Forty-three patients who underwent combined surgery and radiotherapy (50-72 Gy, median 60 Gy) for squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus were reviewed. Gross residual tumor volume (GRTV) after surgery was measured on computed tomograms obtained during the radiotherapy planning. Patients were classified according to GRTV as follows: group AA, GRTV = 0 (microscopic residual, n = 2); group A, GRTV < 10 cm3 (n = 24); group B, 10-40 cm3 (n = 9); and group C, > or = 40 cm3 (n = 8). The relationship between local control and GRTV was analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The 2-year local control rate for all patients was 62%. The differences in local control rates between groups AA, A and B were not significant (P > 0.05), but the rate was significantly lower in group C than in the other groups (69% at 2 years vs 31% at 1 year, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that GRTV (P = 0.002) and histological differentiation (poorly differentiated histology was favorable, P = 0.035) were independent prognostic factors and that intra-arterial chemotherapy and administered total dose were not. Local control in groups A and B significantly depended on the total dose of radiotherapy, with 2-year control rates of patients receiving 50 Gy (n = 6) and > or = 60 Gy (n = 27) of 17% vs 79%, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that adequate, not complete, debulking associated with a total radiotherapy dose of > or = 60 Gy can provide satisfactory local control for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus.     

局部晚期非小细胞肺癌维持化疗的疗效评价

目的:本研究旨在评价初次放化疗有效的局部晚期非小细胞肺癌患者接受维持化疗的疗效.方法:120例ⅢA和ⅢB期非小细胞肺癌患者接受4个周期的诱导化疗联合放疗后,将其中治疗有效的63例患者随机分入维持化疗组(33例患者接受长春瑞滨维持化疗,20 mg/m~2 第1和第8天,以28 d为1个化疗周期)和对照组(30例患者只接受观察,不给予维持化疗),评估这两组患者的疗效、生存期和不良反应.结果:维持化疗组的中位疾病进展时间较对照组延长(分别为8.5和5.0个月),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);维持化疗组的1年和2年生存率分别为66.7%和36.4%,对照组为60.7%和32.1%,差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论:诱导化疗有效的局部晚期非小细胞肺癌患者接受长春瑞滨维持化疗后,可延长疾病进展时间,但对生存期无影响.