High-dose cytosine arabinoside and daunorubicin as consolidation therapy for acute nonlymphocytic leukemia in first remission: a pilot study

High-dose (HD) cytosine arabinoside (ARA-C) is more effective treatment than conventional-dose ARA-C regimens for patients with relapsed acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). We report here that HD ARA-C given during the first remission of ANLL has resulted in long remission durations and a high proportion of patients who survive more than three years free of disease. From August 1979 to September 1983, 36 adult patients with ANLL in first remission received one to three courses of HD ARA-C (3 g/m2 by one-hour infusion every 12 hours for 12 doses on days 1 through 6) alone or with daunorubicin (30 mg/m2 for two or three doses on days 7 through 9). Three patients died of sepsis or hemorrhage during consolidation, and 14 patients have relapsed from five to 48 months after diagnosis. The remaining 19 patients are in continued complete remission (CCR) from 11 to 62 months. Denoting all deaths in remission as relapse, the actuarial probability of CCR is 42% at 62 months, with an apparent plateau in the survival curve. Of the first 22 patients treated, ten remain in CCR from 37 to 62 months with no therapy for at least three years. Due to its heightened anti-leukemic activity, HD ARA-C allows brief but effective consolidation of ANLL in first remission, with long-term disease-free survival comparable to other approaches.     

The possibility and prognostic value of secondary lymphatic cancer spread in intrapulmonic metastases of solid tumors

In the period from 1996 to 2007 operations were fulfilled in 120 patients with isolated pulmonary metastases of solid tumors (68 men and 52 women aged from 22 through 77 years): 46 patients with metastases of colorectal cancer, 28 - with cancer of the kidney, 23 - with non-small cell carcinoma of lung, 7 - with breast cancer, 9 - with endometrium cancer, 7 - with melanoma. Altogether there were 128 operations. The operations have revealed lesion of intrathoracic lymph nodes in 29 patients (24%). In most cases (21 patients) they were lesions of lymph nodes of the lung root and intrapulmonary lymph nodes. In 93% of cases (27 patients) localization of the lesion coincided with anatomical pathways of lymph outflow from the affected part of the lung. The survival rate median of the operated patients who had alterations in the lymph nodes was 21 months, in cases with intact lymphatic system it was 37 months. A conclusion is made of possible secondary lymphatic cancer spread from intrapulmonary metastases of solid tumors and its negative influence on results of treatment that allows recommendation of revision of the lymphatic system of the lungs and mediastinum in all cases of surgical treatment of intrapulmonary metastases, and in a number of cases recommendation of anatomical resections of the lung tissue as operation of choice.     

Cytomegalovirus infection and disease after liver transplantation

Cytomegalovirus is the single most important pathogen in clinical transplantation. Although much progress has been made in our understanding of the molecular biology and epidemiology of CMV infection and in our ability to diagnosis and treat CMV disease, it remains a major cause of morbidity but is no longer a major cause of mortality after liver transplantation. Risk factors for CMV disease after liver transplantation include donor and recipient serologic status, the use of antilymphocyte therapy, and retransplantation. CMV disease occurs early after transplantation, and the most frequent site of disease is the hepatic allograft. We have treated 79 patients with intravenous ganciclovir, with ultimate control of disease achieved in 69 patients (87.3%). Preliminary results using intravenous immunoglobulin and oral acyclovir for CMV prophylaxis in high-risk patients have been encouraging. In addition to producing clinical syndromes, CMV may have direct immunologic effects and is a marker of the net state of immunosuppression.