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Complete Tumour Response (complete + tumour_response)
Selected AbstractsmTHPC-mediated photodynamic therapy for early oral squamous cell carcinomaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 1 2004Colin Hopper Abstract Surgery and radiotherapy are standard treatments for early oral squamous cell carcinoma, both resulting in good tumour control. However, neither of these modalities is without consequent functional or cosmetic impairment, and there are patients in whom both are contraindicated. Furthermore, there is a significant risk of metachronous tumours developing in the oral cavity, and salvage or retreatment with either surgery or radiotherapy poses difficulties. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers the potential for improved functional and cosmetic outcomes, while achieving comparable tumour control. We conducted an open-label, multicentre study to assess the efficacy and safety of meta-tetrahydroxyphenylchlorin (mTHPC) in patients with early oral cancer. One hundred twenty-one patients received intravenously administered mTHPC, followed 96 hr later by illumination of the tumour surface with 652 nm laser light. Of these patients, 114 were protocol compliant. A complete tumour response was achieved in 85% of protocol-compliant patients (97 of 114 patients). A complete response was maintained in 85% of responders at 1 year and in 77% at 2 years. One- and 2-year actuarial survival rates were 89% and 75%, respectively. In the opinion of the investigators, tumour clearance was accompanied by excellent cosmetic and functional results, without impact on the patients' performance status. Mild-to-moderate pain at the treatment site, a recognised side effect of PDT in the oral cavity, was reported by 82% of patients but was manageable with appropriate analgesia. Mild-to-moderate skin photosensitivity reactions were reported for 13% of patients. mTHPC offers an effective alternative treatment for early oral squamous cell carcinoma. It is associated with excellent functional and cosmetic results and can be used in conjunction with other standard therapies. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Pilot study: rapamycin in advanced hepatocellular carcinomaALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 6 2010M. Schöniger-Hekele Summary Background, The PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway is involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. Rapamycin (=sirolimus), a specific mTOR inhibitor, leads to G(1) arrest of many malignant cell lines and currently, analogues of rapamycin are being investigated as a cancer chemotherapeutic adjuvant. Aim, To study the toxicity and tolerability of rapamycin therapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods, Between June 2005 and February 2007, patients with advanced HCC, not eligible for any established therapy, were included in the study. Results, Eighteen patients (F/M: 5/13) with compensated liver cirrhosis (Child A n = 11, Child B n = 5, Child C n = 2) and histologically proven HCC were included in this study. According to the BCLC staging system, most of the patients enrolled had an advanced HCC: BCLC stage B: n = 2, Barcelona Clinic Liver-Cancer (BCLC) stage C: n = 14, BCLC stage D: n = 2. Overall, therapy with rapamycin was well tolerated. Most common toxicities were thrombocytopaenia and anaemia. We did not observe any partial or complete tumour response. At 3 months, two patients had stable disease and at 6 months, all patients had progressed. The median overall survival was 5.27 months, median time to progression was 3 months. Conclusion, Rapamycin is well tolerated in patients with advanced HCC, but only minimally effective. [source] Outcome of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy in patients with pituitary adenomas resistant to conventional treatments: a 5·25-year follow-up studyCLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Camilla Schalin-Jäntti Summary Objective, To investigate the long-term outcome of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) [45 Gy (range 45,54) in 25 fractions] in patients with pituitary adenomas characterized by tumour progression or hormonally active disease despite surgery and/or medical therapy. Design, This was an observational follow-up study of 5·25 years (median; range 1·7,10·4). Patients and measurements, Pituitary tumour volume, visual acuity/fields, hypersecretion, hypopituitarism, cerebrovascular disease, second brain tumours and mortality were examined at regular intervals after FSRT in 30 patients with pituitary adenomas (20 nonfunctioning macroadenomas, 10 functioning). Prior to FSRT, 83% had been operated 1,3 times, 47% had visual field deficits/impaired vision and 50% pituitary dysfunction. Progressive disease, stable disease, partial and complete tumour response were defined by MRI. Results, Tumour growth control was 100%. At the end of follow-up, 30% had stable disease, 60% partial and 10% complete tumour response. Visual function was preserved and 36% of patients with prior field deficits improved. GH decreased from 4·2 (range, 2·3,6·5) to 1·1 (range, 0·5,1·5) ,g/l (P < 0·001) in patients with acromegaly, and medical therapy could be reduced. In large prolactinomas, partial response or complete tumour response was achieved. FSRT was well tolerated. Pituitary function remained normal in 27%, 33% of patients had stable dysfunction, 17% deteriorated further and 23% developed new dysfunction. There were no cerebrovascular events, second brain tumours or FSRT-related deaths. Conclusion, According to this long-term follow-up study, FSRT is an efficient and safe adjuvant therapy for pituitary adenomas refractory to conventional treatments. [source] | ||||||||||