Retrospective review of pemetrexed with or without platinum in malignant mesothelioma: The Australian 'Special Access Scheme' experience

Background: Pemetrexed and cisplatin have recently been shown to significantly improve survival compared with cisplatin alone. However, there are only limited data reflecting teaching hospital experience outside a clinical trial. Pemetrexed has only been available in Australia on a restricted basis since 2002. We reviewed our experience of patients treated on the Australian ‘Special Access Scheme’ at three major thoracic oncology units. Methods: Charts were reviewed for all patients enrolled on the scheme. Data was extracted on age, World Health Organization (WHO) performance status, histology, prior therapy, time from diagnosis to starting pemetrexed, chemotherapy (pemetrexed alone or with a platinum), cycle number, response rate, actuarial progression‐free and overall survival. Doses were cisplatin 75 mg/m² or carboplatin AUC = 5 and pemetrexed 500 mg/m² every 21 days. Results: 52 patients (32 male and 20 female) were reviewed. Median age was 58 years and 88% were WHO 0–1. Histology included 54% epithelial, 17% biphasic (epithelial and sarcomatoid) and 21% undefined. The median time from diagnosis to administration of pemetrexed was 145 days. Sixty‐five percent had minimal surgical intervention with video assisted thoracoscopy, pleurodesis and biopsy, while 19% had received prior palliative radiation. Seventy‐one percent were chemotherapy naïve, the remaining 29% having received previous platinum and/or gemcitabine regimens. Twenty‐three percent had pemetrexed alone, 35% in combination with carboplatin and 42% with cisplatin. The median number of cycles was 4 (range 1–13). The response rate was 33%. No toxicity was observed in 20% grade 3–4 toxicity in 10% (majority nausea/vomiting). The median progression‐free and overall survival times from starting pemetrexed were 184 days and 298 days, respectively. Conclusions: Pemetrexed‐based regimens are safe and effective in a community setting in malignant mesothelioma.     

毛细管气相色谱法测定人体血液中的游离脂肪酸和总脂肪酸

采用石英毛细管气相色谱法测量人体血液中的游离脂肪酸（FFA）和总脂肪酸（TFA），方法灵敏，可分离血浆中近20种脂肪酸，其中油酸（C18：1）、软脂酸（C16：0），亚油酸（C18：2）、硬脂酸（C18：0）和软脂油酸（C16：1）约占血浆中FFA总量的90％。本方法所需血量少，尤其对采血较困难的婴儿进行脂肪营养研究适用。     

Cerebral seizure following lumbar myelography with iopamidol

This is a report of a case of a serious side effect following lumbar radiculography with the water soluble contrast medium Iopamidol. The complication consisted of a generalized seizure after an episode of myoclonic jerking of the legs. This was the first complication in a series of 1070 lumbar and cervical myelograms with this medium.