Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
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Yttrium-90 (90Y) ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin; IDEC Pharmaceutical, San Diego, CA) is an effective therapy for patients with relapsed B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The predominant toxicity of 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan has been myelosuppression, and concern has been expressed about the tolerability of further treatment after this therapy. The goal of this analysis was to evaluate the therapy given to patients who relapsed after 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan. ⋯ We conclude that chemotherapy or autologous stem-cell transplantation after prior therapy with 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan is feasible and reasonably well tolerated. The toxicity with subsequent therapy seems similar to that in patients not treated with 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan.
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Therapy-related myeloid leukemias are observed in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia after treatment with fludarabine and chlorambucil: results of an intergroup study, cancer and leukemia group B 9011.
Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may have disease transformation to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or prolymphocytic leukemia; however, development of therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) is unusual. A series of patients enrolled onto an intergroup CLL trial were examined for this complication. ⋯ Our findings raise the possibility that alkylator-purine analog combination therapy may increase the risk of therapy-related myeloid malignancies, which is of particular relevance with regard to ongoing trials using these combination therapies.
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A number of reports have documented the apparent increasing popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among cancer patients. Unfortunately, there are limited available published data regarding the potential toxicity of a variety of CAM strategies. ⋯ It is important that oncologists are aware of what nonprescription CAM medications are being taking by their patients and have a basic understanding of the potential toxicities of these agents.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Multicenter phase III study of uracil/tegafur and oral leucovorin versus fluorouracil and leucovorin in patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer.
This phase III study was designed to demonstrate equivalence in survival of oral uracil/tegafur (UFT) and oral leucovorin (LV) to conventional intravenous (IV) fluorouracil (5-FU) and LV in previously untreated metastatic colorectal carcinoma. Safety was also compared. ⋯ UFT/LV provided a safer, more convenient oral alternative to a standard bolus IV 5-FU/LV regimen for metastatic colorectal cancer while producing equivalent survival.
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Comparative Study
Communication in end-of-life cancer care: a comparison of team assessments in three European countries.
To compare team assessments of end-of-life communication in three European countries, and to identify factors associated with problematic communication. ⋯ Severe communication problems were reported by team assessments in up to 40% of patients at the end of life. A multiprofessional approach is needed to recognize and improve this.