Absolute bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of oral teniposide

The absolute bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of orally administered teniposide were investigated in 25 patients. All patients received 50 to 60 mg/m2 teniposide intravenously on day 1, before oral administration. Six patients received 60 mg/m2 as a single oral dose on day 8; 5 patients received 60 mg/m2 and 120 mg/m2 as a single oral dose on days 8 and 15, respectively; 5 patients received 120 mg/m2 and 240 mg/m2 as a single oral dose on days 8 and 15, respectively; 6 patients received 60 mg/m2 as a single oral dose on 5 consecutive days from days 8 to 12; and 3 patients received 50 mg/m2 three times a day at 6-hour intervals on day 8. The mean absolute bioavailability was 41.6% +/- 14.2% with a large interindividual variability (range, 19.7% to 71.4%) and a low intraindividual variability (range, 2.8% to 13.9%). At a dose of 240 mg/m2, the bioavailability was decreased, whereas administration of multiple doses on 1 day or 5 consecutive days increased the overall bioavailability. In conclusion, teniposide can be administered orally with a bioavailability comparable with that of etoposide. The schedule dependency of both drugs warrants investigations of oral administration for 21 or more days. A formulation of teniposide capsules of 50 mg or less would be most helpful to facilitate oral administration.

A phase I study of daily oral teniposide for 20 days

In this phase I study, teniposide was administered orally for 20 consecutive days to patients with refractory cancers. All patients but one were pretreated. When given for 20 consecutive days, the maximum tolerated dose of teniposide was 100 mg/d. Myelosuppression was the dose-limiting toxicity, and occurred between days 17 and 31. In all patients blood counts had sufficiently recovered by day 35 to begin another 20-day course. Gastrointestinal toxicity persisted in 6 of 15 patients despite antiemetics. Total alopecia was observed in 10 of 13 patients at risk. We recommend teniposide 100 mg/d for 20 consecutive days for evaluation of antitumor efficacy in phase II studies.

Therapy for small cell and non-small cell lung cancer

This review addresses means for improving treatment results in small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. In small cell lung cancer lactate dehydrogenase and neuron-specific enolase seem to be important prognostic factors that may reflect not only tumor load but also growth rate. Chemotherapy seems to induce or select differentiated cells in small cell lung cancer, which focuses attention on other treatment modalities such as drugs, which can induce terminally differentiated nonproliferating cells. Scheduling of chemotherapy may improve survival, especially in extensive disease patients. Exciting new techniques for tumor targeting by a radiolabelled somatostatin-analogue and radiolabelled murine anti-epidermal growth factor are reported. The possible adverse effect of heterologous blood transfusions on survival after surgery of stage I and II non-small cell lung cancer remains a very important subject for investigation to solve the essential question whether the need for transfusion or the transfusion itself is the adverse prognostic factor. A possible improvement of survival of non-small cell lung cancer patients by chemotherapy should be investigated in patients with an excellent performance score and a small tumor load, eg, stage IIIa and IIIb patients. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in such patients may improve survival but a better and especially more uniform design of the trials is urgently needed. Finally, the development of techniques to palliate terminally ill patients quickly and easily by reopening a closed bronchial lumen should be encouraged.

The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer experience with teniposide: preliminary results of a randomized study in non-small cell lung cancer

Chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unsatisfactory, and the search for new active drugs has been relatively unsuccessful. Most polychemotherapy regimens in NSCLC include cisplatin with a vinca alkaloid or etoposide. Among the new agents tested in recent years, teniposide produced a 17% response rate in 42 evaluable patients, with a 21% response rate in untreated patients. The Lung Cancer Cooperative Group of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer has started a randomized trial comparing two different schedules of teniposide administration with and without cisplatin. This paper reports the preliminary findings for the initial 80 patients in this randomized study.

The prognostic value of the pathological response to combination chemotherapy before cystectomy in patients with invasive bladder cancer. European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer--Genitourinary Group

The prognostic value of the pathological response to combination chemotherapy of deeply invasive transitional cell cancer of the bladder was retrospectively assessed in 147 patients. Data were collected from 8 different centers. Patients were eligible if they had received intravenous combination chemotherapy followed by partial, total or radical cystectomy, and if they had a minimum followup of 2 years after the start of chemotherapy. Of the patients 90% received methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin (M-VAC) or cisplatin plus methotrexate for a median of 3 courses (range 1 to 6). Of the 83 patients who were alive at analysis actuarial median followup was 30.5 months (range 13.2 to 85.6 months). A major pathological response (stage P0, Pis, Pa or P1) was achieved in 41.5% of the patients. Patients with a major pathological response (p stage less than 2) had a 5-year survival of 75% in contrast to 20% for the remaining nonresponding patients (p stage 2 or more). The survival of patients with a major pathological response was independent of whether the response was induced by 2 or more courses of chemotherapy, or whether it was induced by M-VAC in comparison with cisplatin plus methotrexate. Preoperative clinical assessments can identify nonresponding patients correctly and in these cases alternative treatment programs are required, since 80% will die of the disease. Moreover, if neoadjuvant chemotherapy is proved to increase survival, the data emphasize the importance of the response rate of the primary tumor and the need to investigate the optimal number of courses to induce the best response, preferably in the individual patient.

Extra-uterine endometrial stromal sarcoma with DNA flow cytometric analysis

A case of a primarily extra-uterine low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma is described. The patients clinical course, including various surgical, chemotherapeutical and hormonal therapies, is outlined and discussed. Transition from benign endometriosis to clinically malignant endometrial stromal sarcoma is illustrated by microscopy and DNA flow cytometry. A change in nuclear DNA content is demonstrated. This is possibly a useful aid in identifying the malignant potential of this tumor with such a misleading microscopic appearance.

Comparison of two carboplatin-containing regimens with standard chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer in a randomised phase II study. The EORTC Lung Cancer Cooperative group

The EORTC Lung Cancer Cooperative group performed a randomised phase II study in patients with small cell lung cancer comparing the standard cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/etoposide (CDE) regimen with two regimens containing the new and active cisplatin derivative, carboplatin, 400 mg/m2 in combination with ifosfamide, a drug without important myelotoxicity, at a dose of 5 g/m2 (IMP) or the non-myelotoxic drug vincristine twice 2 mg (VP). Of 178 evaluable patients, 63 received CDE [30 limited disease (LD), 33 extensive disease (ED)], 55 received IMP (22 LD, 33 ED) and 60 (26 LD, 34 ED) were treated with VP. The response duration was not statistically different: CDE 31 weeks, IMP 29 weeks and VP 21 weeks. The time to progression after CEE was 28 weeks, IMP 24 weeks and VP 17 weeks. This was significantly shorter after VP than after CDE (P = 0.017). The 60% response rate of the VP combination was low compared with CDE (83%) and IMP (77%). Toxicity of all three regimens was acceptable, and dose reduction for myelosuppression was necessary in only a minority of the patients. We conclude from this study that the combination of carboplatin, at the maximally tolerated dose of 400 mg/m2, in combination with ifosfamide 5 g/m2, is an active regimen with efficacy comparable with the standard CDE regimen.

Phase II study of ACNU as second-line treatment in small-cell lung cancer. EORTC Lung Cancer Cooperative Group

A total of 24 patients presenting with small-cell lung cancer either resistant to or relapsing within 3 months after first-line treatment were entered in a phase II study of 1-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl)-methyl-(2-chloroethyl)-3- nitrosourea hydrochloride (ACNU). ACNU was given i.v. at a dose of 75 mg/m2 every 6 weeks. We observed a partial response of 7 months' duration in one patient and one case of stable disease that lasted for 6 months; all other subjects exhibited progressive disease. Two patients developed brain metastases during treatment. The toxicity of ACNU consisted mainly of bone marrow suppression, especially thrombocytopenia. At this dose and on this schedule, ACNU shows minimal activity as second-line treatment in small-cell lung cancer.

Multicenter phase II study of spiroplatin

Spiroplatin was investigated in a multicenter phase II study, during which the drug was given over 4 h. 64 Patients with nine different solid tumors received 141 cycles of spiroplatin at a dose of 30 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. Most important side effects included nausea, vomiting, myelosuppression, and renal toxicity. Four of 11 evaluable patients with prior cisplatin developed increases in serum creatinine (3 transient, 1 died of renal failure). Of 51 patients without prior cisplatin 2 had a transient increase in serum creatinine levels, and 2 showed persistent changes, in 1 of them leading to hemodialysis. Pre- and posthydration did not reduce drug-induced nephrotoxicity. Only 3 patients showed a response; 1 with renal cell carcinoma, 1 with ovarian carcinoma, and 1 with malignant melanoma. Based on the absence of striking antitumor activity and on the presence of severe unpredictable renal toxicity, the study was stopped prematurely.

Sarcoid-like lymphadenopathy mimicking metastatic testicular cancer

A case of nonseminomatous testicular cancer and enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes, which were interpreted as metastases, is reported. When there was no change after two courses of chemotherapy, a mediastinoscopy was performed and the results showed sarcoidosis.

Radioiodinated somatostatin analog scintigraphy in small-cell lung cancer

Somatostatin receptors have been characterized on biopsy specimens from small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and on cultured human SCLC cells. We recently described the in vivo visualization of various somatostatin receptor-positive tumors, such as carcinoids and endocrine pancreatic tumors, after injection of 123I-Tyr-3-octreotide, a radiolabeled somatostatin analog. In the present study, this imaging procedure using 123I-Tyr-3-octreotide is reported in 11 patients with lung tumors. In five of eight patients with SCLC (63%), we were able to demonstrate tumor deposits using 123I-Tyr-3-octreotide scintigraphy. Unexpected metastases were found in two patients. In one of three patients with SCLC in whom tumor was not visualized, nonvisualization may have been caused by tumor necrosis and recent radiotherapy. In one of two patients with malignant small-cell tumors as described by Askin, the neoplasm was visualized. Like SCLC, these tumors are thought to derive from neuroendocrine cells. In one patient, a squamous-cell carcinoma and a bronchial adenoma were not visualized. We conclude that in the majority of patients with SCLC, the tumor and its metastases can be visualized using 123I-Tyr-3-octreotide scintigraphy. However, the value of this new technique in terms of specificity and sensitivity requires further studies in a larger group of patients.

Ifosfamide in advanced adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus or oesophageal-gastric junction area. Rotterdam Esophageal Tumor Study Group

25 previously untreated patients with inoperable or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus or oesophageal-gastric junction area were treated with ifosfamide 6 g/m2 over 48 hours, combined with mesna 6 g/m2. 1 complete response and 1 partial response were seen among 23 patients evaluable, with a response duration of 29+ months and 7 months, respectively. Toxicity was not severe: grade 3 infection in 2 patients, grade 3 leucopenia in 3 patients and grade 3 nausea in 4 patients. No life-threatening episodes or central nervous system toxicity were encountered. Ifosfamide has limited activity in adenocarcinoma of the oesophageal-gastric junction area.

Prognostic value of serum thymidine kinase, tissue polypeptide antigen and neuron specific enolase in patients with small cell lung cancer

In a group of seventy patients with small cell lung cancer the prognostic value of serum tumour markers was determined. Thymidine kinase (TK), tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) but not neuron specific enolase (NSE) correlated significantly with survival. Since all markers were strongly interrelated with each other and with the extent of disease, the combined determination of TK, TPA and LDH or the combination of disease extent and a marker yielded no more prognostic information than a single measurement of one of these variables.

Local treatment of liver metastases with recombinant tumour necrosis factor (rTNF): a phase one study

Fifteen patients with therapy-resistant liver metastases were treated in a phase-I study with recombinant human TNF (rTNF). The rTNF was injected into one liver metastasis by ultrasound guidance, using a 50 microgram escalating dose schedule (3 patients/dosage) ranging from 100-350 micrograms/injection. Influenza-like symptoms like fever, chills, nausea and vomiting were the main clinical side effects. Two patients, treated concomitantly with rTNF and morphine, showed mild hypotension. Other toxicities, as reported after systemic use of rTNF, such as decrease in leukocyte and platelet counts, renal or liver toxicity were not observed. In eight patients growth arrest was observed in rTNF-treated metastases, whereas non-injected lesions showed growth progression. The maximum tolerated dose by this route of administration is greater than 350 micrograms/injection. Based on these observations it is concluded that the toxicity of rTNF injected into liver metastases by sonographic control is transient and mild and that intratumoural administration of rTNF might play a role in local tumour control.

Evaluation of CA19-9 serum levels for monitoring disease activity during chemotherapy of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Between 1987 and 1990 21 patients with proven adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were treated with chemotherapy in four different phase II studies. For 14 patients, serial measurements of CA19-9 serum levels and clinical evaluations of response by computed tomography scan and/or ultrasound were available. Clinical stable disease and progressive disease were accompanied by stable or exponentially rising serum levels of CA19-9. One patient with clinical partial remission showed a 90% decline of CA19-9. However, a 75% decline of CA19-9 was also observed in a patient with rapidly progressive disease. These data seem to indicate that the CA19-9 serum level may be used as an easy and sensitive tool to evaluate progressive disease during chemotherapy.

Management of non-small cell and small cell lung cancer

This review addresses means for the improvement of treatment results in small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. In small cell lung cancer prognostic factors such as the distinction between classic and variant type in vivo remain an important subject for further investigations. Data concerning the schedule dependency of etoposide will lead to the investigation of new treatment regimens. The effect of warfarin is intriguing and warrants further research. Investigations of the damaging effects of prophylactic brain irradiation versus the effect on survival should be awaited before the role of prophylactic brain irradiation can be defined. The role of radiotherapy in the improvement of survival of limited-disease patients remains controversial. In non-small cell lung cancer the role of both radiotherapy and chemotherapy is still a matter of a seemingly never-ending debate. A major problem is the selection of patients. Therefore only randomized phase III trials should be performed in carefully defined subgroups of patients, based upon stage, performance status, and presence or absence of symptoms.

Elevated serum tumor markers in patients with testicular cancer after induction chemotherapy due to a reservoir of markers in cystic differentiated mature teratoma

Elevated serum tumor markers in patients with testicular cancer after induction chemotherapy indicate in most instances the presence of residual malignant disease. We describe 2 patients with elevated tumor markers after chemotherapy and before retroperitoneal lymph node dissection who did not prove to have residual malignant disease but cystic differentiated mature teratoma with a high content of alpha-fetoprotein and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, respectively, in the cysts. It is postulated that leakage of the contents of these cysts to the plasma compartment was responsible for maintaining elevated serum tumor marker levels. Recognition of such entities is of consequence since unnecessary salvage chemotherapy in these patients may be avoided.

Phase II study of ACNU in non-small-cell lung cancer: EORTC study 08872

A total of 62 patients with metastatic or locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer were entered in a phase II study of ACNU. Initially, the drug was given i.v. at a dose of 100 mg/m2 every 6 weeks, but due to observed haematological side effects in chemotherapy-pretreated patients, the dose was lowered in this group to 75 mg/m2. We observed one complete response in a subject exhibiting multiple lung metastases and a partial response in two patients, one showing brain metastases and one who experienced local disease recurrence. The toxicity of ACNU mainly consisted of bone marrow suppression especially thrombocytopenia, with one toxic death occurring due to intracerebral haemorrhage. We concluded that at this dose and on this schedule, ACNU has limited activity in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Growing teratoma syndrome successfully treated with lymphoblastoid interferon

In most instances mature teratoma can be successfully resected following chemotherapy for advanced testicular cancer. However, some patients may eventually die because of uncontrollable local growth of an unresectable growing mature teratoma. This is a report on a patient with an unresectable growing mature teratoma in whom a long-lasting disease stabilization was achieved after treatment with lymphoblastoid interferon.

Diagnostic value of anti-neuronal antibodies for paraneoplastic disorders of the nervous system

The diagnostic value of the presence of anti-neuronal antibodies in serum was examined in 21 patients suspected of paraneoplastic disorders of the nervous system (NS) (group 1) and was compared to three control groups; group 2: 25 patients with a neurological disease, without cancer and no sign of paraneoplastic disorder; group 3: 27 patients with neurological disease and cancer and no signs of a paraneoplastic disorder; group 4: 94 patients with cancer and without neurological disease. In group 1, anti-neuronal nuclear antibodies were detected in eight patients (38%), in titres from 1:1000 to 1:32,000. A small cell lung cancer was present in six patients, ovarian cancer in one patient and in one patient no tumour could be detected. The neurological symptoms preceded a diagnosis of cancer in five out of eight patients. Anti-neuronal antibodies were found in the serum of two out of 94 patients (2%) from control group 3 but not in serum from any of the other control groups. These data indicate a moderate sensitivity of 38%, but a high specificity of 98.6% (95% confidence interval 95.5-99.8%) for the presence of anti-neuronal nuclear antibodies if a paraneoplastic NS disorder is suspected.

Choriocarcinoma with lung metastases during pregnancy with successful delivery and outcome after chemotherapy

A patient with an intrauterine pregnancy of 27 weeks had a coexisting pulmonary metastatic choriocarcinoma. On the chest radiograph the lung metastases appeared as pulmonary infiltrates, simulating atypical pneumonia. Serum human chorionic gonadotrophin levels were normal for gestational age. Treatment with methotrexate was successful. This is the first reported case of choriocarcinoma in a woman with a pregnancy of less than 35 weeks in which both mother and child survived. The case emphasises the need to consider choriocarcinoma in any pregnant woman who presents with haemoptysis and pulmonary nodules or infiltrates.