Analysis of relative effectiveness of high-dose versus standard-dose influenza vaccines using an instrumental variable method

Background

Observational studies of the relative effectiveness of influenza vaccines are essential for public health decision making. Their estimates, however, are subject to bias due to unmeasured confounders. Instrumental variable (IV) methods can control for observed and unobserved confounders.

Malignant lymphoma. Pathology, diagnosis, therapy

Summary Malignant lymphomas can be subdivided into Hodgkin's disease and low- or high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The principal therapeutic options are polychemotherapy and radiotherapy. Besides the histological classification, staging of the disease with particular regard to risk factors is an essential prerequisite for the therapeutic decision. Diagnostic imaging modalities such as computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasonography have improved the accuracy of clinical staging such that invasive pathological staging is only necessary in exceptional cases. A novel therapeutic approach is high-dose chemotherapy with autologous haematopoietic stem-cell support. This treatment improves the survival of patients with relapsed high-grade NHL. The place of high-dose therapy as the primary therapeutic option in malignant lymphoma is now being assessed in prospective studies following encouraging results from single-centre studies, including those involving the treatment of low-grade lymphoma. The effects of antibodies directed against lymphatic cells are currently being examined in experimental treatments. An assessment of the viability and rate of proliferation of lymphoma tissue on completion of therapy using sensitive radiological and nuclear medical methods is an important aim for the future. Eingegangen am 5. November 1996 Angenommen am 12. November 1996     

Marked improvement of delayed methotrexate-induced leukoencephalopathy treated with high-dose folinic acid

We report the case of a patient with delayed methotrexate (MTX)-induced leukoencephalopathy who showed a marked improvement both in clinical and neuroimaging findings after a high-dose of the active form of folinic acid (leucovorin) treatment. The patient developed progressive affective impairment accompanied by headache, nausea and vomiting after treatment with MTX during the chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and diagnosed as delayed type MTX-induced leukoencephalopathy. After an intravenous injection of high-dose folinic acid (total 1920 mg), neurological deficits and white matter changes dramatically improved in a few weeks. Although delayed MTX-induced leukoencephalopathy may cause irreversible brain damage, an early treatment with high dose leucovorin may thus facilitate the marked improvement of clinical findings and white matter abnormalities.     

High dose gammaglobulin therapy in adults with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) clinical effects

Summary This study of the effect of high-dose intravenous gammaglobulins with one or two courses of therapy in 18 adults with idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura showed a platelet rise in thirteen patients. The highest response rates were seen in splenectomized adults. In chronic patients the response was transient only. If therapy was effective, increased values of platelet-associated IgG were reduced, while shortened platelet survival times were prolonged. There was no influence of high-dose gammaglobulins on platelet function. Different 7S-preparations such as -propiolactone modified Ig, pH 4 treated Ig and reduced and alkylated Ig have comparable effects.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Mu 277/9-4)     

高剂量与常规剂量表阿霉素联合化疗初治非小细胞肺癌对比研究

目的本实验为一前瞻性随机化对照研究,以高剂量表阿霉素-丝裂霉素-顺铂,常规剂量表阿霉素-丝裂霉素-顺铂作比较,初治非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC),评价其疗效及毒副作用.方法治疗NSCLC共40例.分高剂量组和常规剂量组(A、B)各20例.男性25例,女性15例.病理类型以腺癌为主(26例),Ⅲa期4例,Ⅲb期17例,Ⅳ期19例.全部为初治病人.结果高剂量组(A)总有效率(65%)高于常规剂量组(B)(45%),中位缓解期A组3.1个月,B组2.2个月;中位生存期A组8.7个月,B组7.1个月.表阿霉素的剂量限制毒性为心脏毒性和骨髓抑制,心脏毒性发生率A、B两组均为5%(1例),骨髓抑制A组较B组稍高,白细胞下降率各为65.0%和55.0%.结论高剂量表阿霉素为主的联合化疗治疗NSCLC的有效率比常规剂量组高,毒性相似,可以耐受,是值得推荐的高效低毒的一种给药途径.     

放疗联合化疗治疗复发直肠癌的临床研究

目的探讨放疗联合化疗治疗复发直肠癌的临床效果。方法对２９例根治术后复发的直肠癌进行了放射治疗，其中１６例同时给予大剂量醛氢叶酸（ＣＦ），氟脲嘧啶（５ＦＵ）的全身化疗（观察组），１３例为单纯放疗（对照组）。结果观察组中局部症状缓解率较对照组高，两组有效率分别为８１．２５％、４６．１６％，有显著性差异（Ｐ＜０．０５），完全缓解分别为１８．７５％、７．６９％。两组放疗引起的局部毒性反应相似。结论ＣＦ／５Ｆｕ配合放射治疗复发直肠癌可提高近期疗效，尤其对于伴远外转移患者为理想、安全的治疗手段。     

经纤维支气管镜插管腔内放射治疗肺癌(附16例报告)

目的高剂量率腔内放射治疗肺癌腔内侵犯疗效观察。方法选择肺癌腔内侵犯患者１６例，经纤维支气管镇插入后装治疗管，与ＳＫ－Ⅱ型近距只后装治疗机连接进行放疗。剂量为每ｄ５Ｇｙ，每周１次，共照４次。结果纤维支气管镜检查示肿瘤消退，管腔通畅１２例，癌肿部分消退，管腔增宽４例。总有效率１００％。结论高剂量率腔内放射治疗肺癌腔内侵犯，可快速消除梗阻，缓解症状，是一种简单、安全、有效的治疗方法。     

High-dose versus standard-dose daunorubicin in induction therapy for young patients with de novo acute myeloid leukaemia: a meta-analysis of randomised trials

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of high-dose versus standard-dose daunorubicin for young patients with de novo acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) using meta-analysis.

Methods: Two trials were taken from 2,481 full-text articles. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² index. Quality assessment was performed with the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk-of-bias tool.

Results: The analysis showed that high-dose daunorubicin induction therapy was associated with higher complete remission (CR) rate (n?=?965; RR?=?1.80; 95% CI?=?1.36–2.38; p?I^2?=?0%) and improved overall survival (n?=?1040; HR?=?0.74; 95% CI?=?0.63–0.87; p?=?0.0003; I^2?=?0%) compared with standard-dose daunorubicin. However, there was no significant interaction between treatment efficacy and prognostic category based on cytogenetics (favourable, intermediate and unfavourable) (p?=?0.44, I^2?=?0%).

Conclusion: High-dose daunorubicin therapy could increase CR rate and improve long-term outcome for young patients with de novo AML. However, further study is needed to identify those who can benefit from high-dose daunorubicin.