Journal of surgical oncology
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We present the interim findings of our in-house protocol treating the tumor bed alone after lumpectomy with low-dose-rate (LDR) interstitial brachytherapy in selected patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with breast conserving therapy (BCT). ⋯ Interim results with treatment of the tumor bed alone with an LDR interstitial implant appear promising. Long-term follow-up of these patients and additional studies will be necessary to establish the equivalence of this treatment approach compared to standard BCT.
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We retrospectively examined the effects of epidural analgesia on patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). ⋯ Epidural anesthesia and analgesia following radical retropubic prostatectomy have demonstrated a number of beneficial effects. These include decreased blood loss and shorter hospital stay.
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One reason for the failure of monoclonal antibody (mab) trials in most cancer patients might be the presence of complement resistance factors that inhibit complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and the release of inflammatory mediators (e.g., anaphylatoxins). ⋯ Our study shows that complement resistance is a frequent event in gastrointestinal cancer, limiting the potential of monoclonal antibodies. Mabs, when conjugated with CVF, partially retain complement activating properties by releasing C3a, which in vivo will support a cellular immune response.
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A pharmacokinetic analysis of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (DDP) was conducted comparing low-dose daily bolus infusions, and high-dose drip infusions. Eight patients with gastric cancer were treated with low-dose daily bolus infusions of DDP to a total daily dose of 75 mg/m2 bid for 5 days. Four patients with esophageal cancer and one patient with gastric cancer were treated with high-dose drip infusions of DDP to a total daily dose of 70-80 mg/m2. ⋯ The peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of total and free platinum, and the area under the curve (AUC) of total platinum, were similar with both administration methods, while the AUC of free platinum was higher with the low-dose daily bolus infusions compared to the high-dose drip infusions. The time when the concentration of total platinum was > 1 microgram per ml (holding time) was significantly longer with the high-dose drip infusions than with the low-dose daily bolus infusions. The present study suggests that low-dose daily bolus infusions of DDP would be useful in reducing gastrointestinal toxicity, without reducing the area under the curve which is important for antitumor activity.