Wilms' tumor: prognostic factors and survival

A statistical analysis of 38 cases of Wilms' tumor treated and followed by the Pediatric Oncology Group of Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, from 1977 to 1984, is presented. The two-year survival rate was 67% and the five-year survival rate was found to be 63%. There was a strong correlation between the stage and age of the patients and prognosis. The median age was 16 months in stages I and II of the disease and the two-year survival rate was 87%. The median age was found to be 5 years in advanced stages and the survival rate at 2 years was 43%. No correlation was found between survival and initial symptoms of the tumor or its localization. The effects of histological grade on prognosis of disease were also investigated.

Use of ornidazole in fractionated radiotherapy: dose tolerance, serum and tumour tissue concentration

Sensitizing and neurotoxic effect of ornidazole, was tested in a double-blind randomized study in patients with carcinoma of the cervix and larynx. Ornidazole or placebo were given orally, two times weekly, for 3 weeks. Dose was 2.5 g/m2 for each administration. Total dose given was 15 g/m2. Radiation therapy was given 3 h after the drug administration. Ornidazole was well tolerated in the majority of the patients. No neurotoxic side effects, such as peripheral neuropathy or convulsion, were observed with a total dose of up to 30 g. Dizziness, somnolence and nausea were the prominent acute side effects, seen mostly (70%) in women. In the placebo group this rate was 17% (p less than 0.01). No important side effect was observed in men receiving ornidazole. Serum concentration of ornidazole reached the maximum level in 2-4 h after oral administration and ranged (23 patients) from 65.1 to 139.8 micrograms/ml. Mean half-life was 15.6 +/- 2.8 h. Peak concentration in tumour tissue was achieved 1-3 h after the administration, ranging from 13.0 to 78.0 micrograms/g. Tumour concentration of ornidazole ranged from 14 to 93% of the serum concentration at the time of irradiation.

The radiosensitizing effect of ornidazole in hypoxic mammalian tissue: an in vivo study

In this study the sensitizing effect of ornidazole is investigated in vivo. The selected test system is the acute killing effect of radiation within 4-6 days after abdominal irradiation ranging from 9 to 24 Gy, in groups of C57 black mice. Ornidazole is given intraperitoneally in 500 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg doses prior to irradiation of animals breathing air, oxygen or nitrogen. A decrease of LD50 dose is observed from 24.39 +/- 5.66 to 16.38 +/- 1.86 and 18.04 +/- 2.48 Gy, respectively, in nitrogen breathing animals. No sensitizing effect was observed in doses of 20 mg/kg. Enhancement Ratio (ER) was found to be 1.48 +/- 0.25 and 1.35 +/- 0.27; relative sensitizing efficiency (RSE) was 40% and 29% respectively. No sensitizing effect was observed in animals irradiated in oxic conditions. These results showed that ornidazole (Ro-7-0207) has a sensitizing effect on hypoxic cells in vivo. It is worthwhile to try this drug in a clinical study.