Faculty Bibliography

We hypothesized that cyclophosphamide and cis-platinum, without adriamycin, which had been used in previous studies, may be equally efficacious, but less toxic. We treated 27 patients with non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma with the combination of cyclophosphamide and cis-platinum. We report six responses (25% response rate), with median survival of 79 weeks as compared to 28 weeks in nonresponders (p less than 0.01). Our regimen had acceptable hematologic toxicity and tolerable gastrointestinal toxicity. However, cumulative nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity were observed. We conclude that cyclophosphamide and cis-platinum may compare favorably to the cyclophosphamide, adriamycin and cis-platinum combination, with respect to response and toxicity

Twenty-nine patients (two with small bowel cancer and 27 with colorectal cancer) were treated with a sequential 5-FU-hydroxyurea combination following the suggestion of schedule-dependent synergism in experimental systems. No enhanced toxicity was observed, but the response rate was only 4%. Seven additional patients manifested greater than or equal to 50% declines in CEA, but caution must be used in interpreting such changes as antitumor activity

An epidemic of disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma in male homosexuals has recently been described. Forty-one evaluable patients with epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma were treated with etoposide. The majority of these patients had early stage disease, no prior opportunistic infections, and no prior therapy. Twelve patients (30%) achieved complete remission, 19 (46%) partial remission, and ten (24%) no response. With follow-up time to 31 months, the median response duration is nine months. The median survival of patients with complete and partial remissions has not been reached. A combination of doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Adria Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio), bleomycin, and vinblastine (ABV) was used in 31 evaluable patients with epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma. The majority of these patients had late stage disease, prior opportunistic infections, or had failed prior treatment. Seven patients (23%) achieved complete remission, 19 (61%) partial remission, and five (61%) no response. With follow-up time to 24 months, the median response duration is eight months. The projected median survival for all patients treated with ABV is nine months. Both regimens were well tolerated, with an overall response rate of 76% for etoposide and 84% for ABV. However, while successfully treating the Kaposi's sarcoma, the underlying immune deficiency in these patients has persisted. Future treatments of Kaposi's sarcoma will need to focus on reversing the underlying immune incompetence as well as controlling the malignant manifestations of Kaposi's sarcoma arising in relation to the acquired immune deficiency syndrome

The Tumor Board constitutes the control area where multidisciplinary protocols are created and where each patient's circumstance is thoroughly reviewed from the perspective of all pertinent clinical disciplines. Such input is an essential component of quality control at all levels of management of the cancer patient. This pertains whether in a community hospital or in a specialized cancer center. Cooperative groups and other research organizations have recognized the essential nature of this input, especially for the integration of new measures with those therapeutic modalities that are already established. Thus treatment may show a logical evolution by continuously updating standard approaches through clinical trials posing the most relevant question from the point of view of all modalities, while maintaining stringent quality control. Examples of questions being posed by therapeutic advances in testicular and ovarian cancer are described. The key element in accomplishing these advances is multidisciplinary participation.

Eighteen patients with malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis have been previously reported. These and the six patients reported here are reviewed for natural history and response to treatment. This tumor should be considered in men of any age with scrotal masses that include a hydrocele. Staging procedures should include computerized tomography scanning of the chest and abdomen. Inguinal orchiectomy appears to be the optimal primary surgical approach. Intraabdominal disease found at diagnostic laparotomy may be effectively treated by surgery and/or abdominal radiotherapy. Clinical features such as a long asymptomatic interval from initial presentation to clinical recurrence were observed and are also worthy of emphasis. Thus, serial follow-up is advised. Upon recurrence, treatment remains unsatisfactory but some responsiveness to chemotherapy has been noted. Doxorubicin-containing regimens were administered to five patients with measurable pulmonary nodules resulting in two partial regressions by standard criteria.

Antitumor activity has been documented in this pilot study utilizing mitolactol in patients with advanced carcinoma of the cervix. These results may in part be explained by optimal patient selection; however, the results do encourage further testing of this hexitol in this disease.

A phase II trial of PALA in malignant lymphoma was carried out by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. The occurrence of hematologic toxicity in 17 of 35 patients in the study was noteworthy and was possibly related to prior therapy and/or marrow involvement. The finding of thromboembolic phenomena in four of five autopsied patients was also noteworthy. No antitumor activity was recorded. This experience discourages further trials of PALA in patients with malignant lymphoma.