Phase 2 study of two sequential three-drug combinations containing bortezomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone, followed by bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone as frontline therapy for multiple myeloma

Novel sequential combination therapy for induction may improve the quality of response and therefore prolong survival in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients. We report results from a phase 2 study of two sequential three-drug combinations. Forty-four previously untreated, symptomatic MM patients received: bortezomib 1.3 mg/m(2) (days 1, 4, 8, 11), cyclophosphamide 300 mg/m(2) (days 1, 8), plus dexamethasone 40 mg (day of and day after bortezomib) for three 21-day cycles, followed by bortezomib 1.0 mg/m(2), dexamethasone 40 mg and thalidomide 100 mg daily for three cycles. Overall response rate for 42 evaluable patients was 95%, including 19% stringent complete response (sCR), 26% CR, and 57%>/= very good partial response. Twenty-two patients have undergone stem-cell transplantation. After a median follow-up of 20.9 months, five patients have died; none was induction therapy-related. Median event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) have not been reached; estimated 1-year EFS and OS rates were 81% and 91% respectively. Both three-drug combinations were well tolerated; 82% of patients completed all six cycles. Toxicities were predictable and manageable; the most-commonly reported grade 3/4 toxicity was neuropathy (11%). This novel sequential three-drug combination therapy is effective and well-tolerated in previously untreated MM patients.

Extended follow-up of a phase 2 trial of bortezomib alone and in combination with dexamethasone for the frontline treatment of multiple myeloma

High-quality response to multiple myeloma (MM) therapy can be predictive for improved outcomes. Novel agents may improve the depth of responses and therefore prolong survival. We report on the extended follow-up of a phase II study in frontline MM of bortezomib alone and in combination with dexamethasone. Forty-nine previously untreated, symptomatic MM patients received bortezomib 1.3 mg/m(2), days 1, 4, 8, 11, for up to six 3-week cycles. High-dose dexamethasone was added for patients not reaching either a partial response after cycle 2 or a complete response (CR) after cycle 4. The overall response rate in 48 evaluable patients was 90%, with 42% achieving at least a very good partial response, of which 19% were CR/near CR. Thirty-six patients received high-dose dexamethasone with 28 (77%) showing improved response. Twenty-seven patients have undergone successful stem-cell transplantation (SCT). After median follow-up of 49 months, 15 patients have died; median overall survival has still not been reached, with an estimated survival at 4 years of 67%. Overall survival with and without SCT was not different (P = 0.54). Grade 3/4 adverse events included neutropenia (10%), sensory neuropathy (6% grade 3), neuropathic pain (4% grade 3), and diarrhoea (4% grade 3). Bortezomib +/- dexamethasone is an effective and well-tolerated induction regimen for the frontline treatment of MM.

Handheld computer-assisted self-interviews: user comfort level and preferences

OBJECTIVES

To examine the comfort level and survey preferences of participants who completed handheld computer-assisted self-interviews (H-CASI).

METHODS

Obstetrics patients (N=187) were surveyed about their comfort with the H-C

The quality of life of older people with epilepsy: findings from a UK community study

The impact of epilepsy on the quality of life of older people with epilepsy has rarely been investigated. As part of a large prevalence study of epilepsy conducted in one UK Health Region, we investigated the burden of their condition in older compared with younger people. A second analysis compared quality of life in those men and women diagnosed after the age of retirement from the workforce compared with those diagnosed before that age. Data were collected from men and women with epilepsy and from their primary and secondary care physicians. There were few differences between older and younger people with regard to their reported quality of life, though younger people were more likely to report feeling stigmatized by their condition. Older people with epilepsy diagnosed in later life were more anxious and depressed than those diagnosed earlier and their overall perception of quality of life was more likely to be negative. Our data emphasize that older people do not necessarily experience poorer quality of life than younger people, but those first diagnosed in later life do appear to have a quality of life which is more impaired. Consideration should be paid to the important psychosocial consequences of epilepsy in the older person.

The clinical course of epilepsy and its psychosocial correlates: findings from a U.K. Community study

As part of a large community-based study, we retrospectively examined the clinical course of epilepsy in an unselected population of people who had a recent history of seizures or were receiving antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Clinical information was collected from medial records, and information about psychosocial functioning was obtained by means of postal questionnaires sent to identified subjects. The response rate to the postal questionnaire was 71%. There were some deficiencies in the recording of clinical data, which is not unusual since data were taken from records held by primary physicians rather than from hospital clinics. Nevertheless, findings regarding the clinical course of epilepsy corresponded to those of earlier studies. Fifty-seven percent of the sample had had at least a 2-year seizure-free period and 46% of subjects were currently in a remission of at least 2-year duration. There was a clear relationship between current seizure frequency and levels of anxiety and depression, perceived impact of epilepsy, perceived stigma, and marital and employment status. The relationship of seizure frequency and other clinical variables to psychosocial function was explored by multivariate analysis techniques. The amount of variation in scores on the various measures of function accounted for by the clinical variables was small. The most important predictor was current seizure activity, which was the first variable to enter the regression analyses for six of the eight measures of psychosocial function considered. Age at epilepsy onset also emerged as a significant predictor for depression, stigma, and marital status. In individuals with epilepsy in remission, there was little evidence that psychosocial functioning was associated with length of remission, a finding which may in part reflect the nature of this study population. The results indicate that there are several more important predictors of psychopathology and social dysfunction in epilepsy and suggest several implications for treatment interventions.

Use of c-fos functional mapping to identify the central baroreceptor reflex pathway: advantages and limitations

Prolonged stimulation of many neurons results in the expression of the immediate early gene c-fos, which in turn cause the production of the protein Fos, whose presence in a cell can be detected by immunocytochemistry. This method has been used in both conscious and anaesthetized animals to identify central neurons involved in the baroreceptor reflex. In this paper we review the factors that can influence c-fos expression, with particular emphasis on the effects of different anaesthetic agents. We conclude that the c-fos method of functional mapping, when applied carefully and critically, is a very useful method of identifying central neurons that are activated by cardiovascular stimuli in conscious animals. Anaesthetic agents can significantly alter c-fos expression, and this effect differs greatly according to the type of anaesthetic used.

The effect of glucose on Doppler flow velocity waveforms and heart rate pattern in the human fetus

Twenty-four healthy pregnant women were studied between 36 and 40 weeks gestation to determine the effect of glucose on the Doppler flow velocity waveform in the cerebral and umbilical arteries of the human fetus near term. The Resistance Index (RI), as an index of vascular resistance, was calculated for the anterior cerebral, internal carotid and umbilical arteries during a fasting control period, 45 min and again at 120 min after a 50-g maternal oral glucose drink or an equivalent amount of water. Fetal heart rate (FHR) pattern as determined by FHR variability was monitored as a measure of behavioural state. The RI of both cerebral vessels was significantly lower after the glucose drink, while that of the umbilical artery was little changed subsequent to either of the drinks. However the FHR mean min range, as an index of long term FHR variability was significantly increased when measured 30 to 60 min after the glucose drink and controlling for this change removed the effect of glucose on the RI of the cerebral vessels. We conclude that glucose does have an indirect effect on the cerebral Doppler waveform indices of the human fetus which is mediated through induced changes in behavioural state.

The effect of carbon dioxide on Doppler flow velocity waveforms in the human fetus

Twelve healthy pregnant women were studied between 35 to 40 weeks gestation to determine the effect of carbon dioxide on the Doppler flow velocity waveform in the cerebral and umbilical arteries of the human fetus near term. The Resistance index (RI), as an index of vascular resistance, was calculated for the internal carotid and umbilical arteries during a control period while patients breathed room air followed by three randomized 15-30 min study periods with patients breathing either room air, a prepared gas mixture with 2% carbon dioxide, or undergoing controlled hyperventilation as determined by monitoring end-tidal PCO2. The RI of the internal carotid and umbilical arteries both showed a significant inverse relationship to maternal end-tidal PCO2 with a greater negative slope for RI plotted against end-tidal PCO2 in the internal carotid artery (0.0153) than in the umbilical artery (0.0047). The change in the RI as an index of changing vascular resistance, suggests that carbon dioxide is also an important determinant of cerebral blood flow in the human fetus, as previously described for fetal sheep, with a lesser although significant effect on umbilical blood flow.