13 research outputs found
The Relationship Between Zinc and Quality of Life in Patients With Upper GI Cancer on Chemotherapy
No full textEffects of MDMA on body temperature in humans
No full textHyperthermia is a severe complication associated with the recreational use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine(MDMA, Ecstasy). In this review, the clinical laboratory studies that tested the effects of MDMA on body temperature are summarized. The mechanisms that underlie the hyperthermic effects of MDMA in humans and treatment of severe hyperthermia are presented. The data show that MDMA produces an acute and dose-dependent rise in core body temperature in healthy subjects. The increase in body temperature is in the range of 0.2-0.8C and does not result in hyperpyrexia (>40C) in a controlled laboratory setting. However, moderately hyperthermic body temperatures >38.0C occur frequently at higher doses, even in the absence of physical activity and at room temperature. MDMA primarily releases serotonin and norepinephrine. Mechanistic clinical studies indicate that the MDMA-induced elevations in body temperature in humans partially depend on the MDMA-induced release of norepinephrine and involve enhanced metabolic heat generation and cutaneous vasoconstriction, resulting in impaired heat dissipation. The mediating role of serotonin is unclear. The management of sympathomimetic toxicity and associated hyperthermia mainly includes sedation with benzodiazepines and intravenous fluid replacement. Severe hyperthermia should primarily be treated with additional cooling and mechanical ventilation
A molecular biomarker targeted approach to adjuvant therapy for resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma: Results of a phase II prospective trial.
No full text 230 Background: Standard adjuvant treatment for resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma is gemcitabine (Gem) (CONKO-001 trial: Gem vs placebo DFS 13.4 vs 6.7 mo; p<0.001; OS 22.8 vs 20.2 mo; p=0.01). Adding cisplatin (Cis) to Gem has shown increased response rates in the metastatic setting. This benefit may be inhibited by high expression of excision repair cross-complementing gene–1 (ERCC1), the key enzyme in nucleotide excision repair. This Phase II prospective trial assesses outcomes of patients treated with adjuvant Gem/Cis chemotherapy, stratifying results by tumor ERCC1 expression. Methods: Patients with resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma at a single institution were enrolled from 2010-2013. Initially, patients received Gem (1000 mg/m2) / Cis (50 mg/m2) Day 1/8/15, Q28d for 6 cycles. After enrolling 5 pts, this was modified to Day 1/15 due to toxicity. Two dose reductions were permitted. Intent to treat analyses were conducted. Tumor ERCC1 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and dichotomized into low and high expression groups. Primary outcomes were RFS and OS stratified by ERCC1 expression. Results: Of 22 pts, 16 (73%) had Stage IIB disease, 5 (23%) Stage IIA, and 1 (4%) Stage IA. Thirteen (59%) completed all 6 cycles of therapy, of whom 9 required dose reduction. Of the remaining 9 pts, 4 completed >68% of intended therapy. Grade 3 and 4 toxicity occurred in 13 pts (59%); neutropenia was most common (n=9;41%). Median follow-up was 37.5 mo. Median RFS was 16.7 mo, and OS was 35.5 mo. ERCC1 tumor expression data were available for 20 pts: 15 low (75%) and 5 high (25%). Low compared to high ERCC1 was not associated with improved RFS (12.4 vs 16.7 mo; p=0.68) or OS (Median not reached vs 21.6 mo; p=0.22). Conclusions: Adjuvant gemcitabine/cisplatin is tolerated by patients with resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma. RFS and OS for Gem/Cis appear promising compared to historic control. Tumor ERCC1 expression can be reliably evaluated, and low expression is present in the majority of patients. Further prospective trials evaluating Gem/Cis as an adjuvant regimen and ERCC-1 as a biomarker in resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma are warranted. Clinical trial information: NCT01188109. </jats:p
Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) of the gastrointestinal tract: Patterns of management and experience at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University.
No full text 326 Background: NET are a group of diverse malignancies observed commonly in the gastrointestinal tract. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNET) have been reported to have worse outcomes as compared to neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract (GNET). Our objective was to compare the clinical characteristics, patterns of treatment and survival in PanNET and GNET. Methods: After IRB approval, we identified 379 patients (pts) from 1996-2011 in the Winship registry. A chart review was done. Patients were categorized in mutually exclusive groups of PanNET and GNET. Results: Demographic information and basic characteristics are listed in the table. Treatment modalities for PanNET included surgery (91%), chemotherapy (14%), biologics (sunitinib or everolimus)(6%) and somatostatin analogues (11%). Liver directed therapies were employed in 30 pts with PanNET. Most common modality was radiofrequency ablation (23 pts) followed by Yttrium-90 embolization (5 pts) and chemoembolization (2 pt).Treatment for GNET included surgery (78%), chemotherapy (11%) and somatostatin analogues (17%). Median survival for GNET (all stage) was 11.6 years and PanNET (all stage) was 10.5 years (p=0.063). Using multivariate analysis, only age at diagnosis (p<0.001 for age cohort of <55 yrs) and clinical stage (p=0.002, for local disease) were found to be significant factors. Conclusions: Pts with NET have good prognosis. In our series, both PanNET and GNET, had comparable survival outcomes even in advanced stage. [Table: see text] </jats:p
A Phase 1 Study of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Dose Escalation for Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer After Modified FOLFIRINOX (NCT01446458)
No full textPhase 1b study of pasireotide, everolimus, and selective internal radioembolization therapy for unresectable neuroendocrine tumors with hepatic metastases
No full text
Combination gemcitabine/cisplatin therapy and ERCC1 expression for resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma: Results of a Phase II prospective trial
No full textNivolumab in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Safety Profile and Select Treatment-Related Adverse Events From the CheckMate 040 Study.
No full textBACKGROUND: CheckMate 040 assessed the efficacy and safety of nivolumab in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Understanding the safety profile of nivolumab is needed to support the management of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). This analysis assessed the safety of nivolumab monotherapy in the phase I/II, open-label CheckMate 040 study.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Select TRAEs (sTRAEs; TRAEs with potential immunologic etiology requiring more frequent monitoring) occurring between first dose and 30 days after last dose were analyzed in patients in the dose-escalation and -expansion phases. Time to onset (TTO), time to resolution (TTR), and recurrence of sTRAEs were assessed, and the outcome of treatment with immune-modulating medication (IMM) was evaluated.
RESULTS: The analysis included 262 patients. The most common sTRAE was skin (35.5%), followed by gastrointestinal (14.5%) and hepatic (14.1%) events; the majority were grade 1/2, with 10.7% of patients experiencing grade 3/4 events. One patient had grade 5 pneumonitis. Median (range) TTO ranged from 3.6 (0.1-59.9) weeks for skin sTRAEs to 47.6 (47.1-48.0) weeks for renal sTRAEs. Overall, 68% of sTRAEs resolved, with median (range) TTR ranging from 3.7 (0.1-123.3+) weeks for gastrointestinal sTRAEs to 28.4 (0.1-79.1) weeks for endocrine sTRAEs. Most gastrointestinal and all hepatic events resolved with treatment in accordance with established toxicity management algorithms. In 57 patients (40%), sTRAEs were managed with IMM. Reoccurrence of sTRAEs was uncommon following rechallenge with nivolumab.
CONCLUSION: Nivolumab demonstrated a manageable safety profile in this analysis of patients with advanced HCC. A majority of sTRAEs resolved with treatment.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nivolumab is a viable treatment option for patients with previously treated advanced hepatocellular carcinoma as it has demonstrated durable tumor responses and promising survival. Nivolumab has a manageable safety profile. The most common select treatment-related adverse events (sTRAEs) in this analysis were skin related (35%). Gastrointestinal and hepatic sTRAEs were observed in approximately 14% of patients. The majority of sTRAEs resolved (68%). Safety events are easier to manage if addressed early. Patient education on signs and symptoms to watch out for and the importance of early reporting and consultation should be emphasized
