Ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm with dynamic aortic regurgitation

The ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) can present with dynamic aortic regurgitation (AR). Hemodynamic changes elicited by induction of general anesthesia can lead to dynamic AR in setting of ruptured SVA. Perioperative echocardiography is critical in understanding the etiology of AR and in guiding surgical decision-making. If the aortic valve is structurally normal, AR may resolve following patch repair of the SVA rupture defect. Conventional measures of assessing AR severity are not accurate with continuous left-to-right flow across a ruptured SVA.

Abdominal CT in the staging of small-cell carcinoma of the lung: incidence of metastases and effect on prognosis

CT studies of the abdomen performed on 72 patients with small-cell carcinoma of the lung were retrospectively reviewed to assess the role of abdominal CT in staging. Forty-four of the 72 patients had extensive disease, defined as disease extending beyond the confines of one hemithorax, plus or minus mediastinal or ipsilateral supraclavicular disease or ipsilateral pleural effusion. Initial-staging abdominal CT revealed one or more sites of metastatic disease in 26 (59%) of these 44 patients, while 18 patients had normal initial CT examinations. Statistical analysis of patients with extensive disease revealed a significant increase in complete therapeutic response (p = .0054) and in the length of survival (p = .001) among those who had extensive disease without abdominal metastases as compared with those who had abdominal metastases on their initial abdominal CT examination. The development of new or recurrent abdominal metastases in general or in specific organs on follow-up scans obtained in 35 patients did not significantly decrease their survival time as compared with that of patients without such metastases. Our findings suggest that CT of the abdomen is beneficial in the initial staging of patients with small-cell carcinoma of the lung and provides prognostic information concerning response to therapy and length of survival.

Small cell carcinoma of the lung: influence of age on treatment outcome

Two hundred twenty-three patients between 29 and 78 years of age with small cell cancer of the lung were studied in serial protocols at the University of Maryland Cancer Center from 1975 to 1982. Each of these patients received chemotherapy consisting of doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide. In this paper we explore age and its interaction with the patient's extent of disease as it relates to clinical outcome variables such as the achievement of a complete response (CR), survival times, and various measures of toxicity. Preliminary evidence is found to suggest that an age-extent of disease interaction affects both the probability of obtaining a CR and the length of survival. Patients of all ages can benefit from treatment of small cell carcinoma of the lung, with CR as the treatment goal. However, increased toxicity and early death remain as barriers to successful treatment of the elderly.

Doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, etoposide and platinum, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and etoposide for small-cell carcinoma of the lung

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a disseminated disease regardless of our ability to document all sites. Chemotherapy is thus the cornerstone of treatment. There are multiple active single agents, resulting in many combination chemotherapy regimens. Optimal combinations are probably derived from the use of synergistic drug interactions. A three drug combination of doxorubicin (Adriamycin), cyclophosphamide, and etoposide (ACE) has been used at the University of Maryland Cancer Center (UMCC) for more than a decade in sequential studies. Two hundred four patients, 143 men and 61 women, were treated on these studies. Eighty-five had limited disease (LD) and 119 had extensive disease (ED). The complete response (CR) frequencies were 65% and 43% for LD and ED, respectively, and the median survivals were 15 and 9.5 months, respectively. Twenty-two percent of the LD patients were alive at 2 years. To improve upon response or survival, and because of synergy, cisplatin was added to ACE (PACE). PACE chemotherapy was administered in two studies--study 1 at UMCC for both LD and ED, and study 2 by Cancer and Acute Leukemia Group B (CALGB) for ED only. Preliminary review suggests that CR frequencies for LD (53%, study 1) and ED (44%, study 1; 37%, study 2) were similar to prior studies, but median survivals (LD, 18+ months, study 1; ED, 15 months, study 1, 10.5 months, study 2) appears superior to previous studies. However, PACE is more toxic than ACE. Further studies of PACE are needed to assess if the additional toxicities are warranted.

Serum thyroid hormone changes during whole body hyperthermia

In order to elucidate changes in thyroid hormone metabolism during acute heat stress, we measured sequentially serum thyroxine (T4), triiothyronine (T3), and reverse T3 (rT3) levels in 5 patients with neoplasia during treatment with whole body hyperthermia. The core temperature was raised from 37.0 degrees C to 42.0 degrees C over a 2-hour period, maintained at 42.0 degrees C for 2 hours, and then cooled to 37.0 degrees C over 2 hours. This short period of severe hyperthermia produced a fivefold rise in rT3 and a fall in T3 levels to one half of baseline levels. T4 and free T4 levels increased slightly, but thyrotropin (measured in two patients) did not change. These changes in T3 and rT3 levels were detectable at the fourth hour after onset of hyperthermia, were maximal at 24 and 48 hours, and in one patient were uncorrected after 4 days. We conclude that this reciprocal change in T3 and rT3 levels is a response to stress and may represent in part adaptation to a high environmental temperature by the suppression of theromengic T3. Whole body hyperthermia of short duration for cancer therapy produces profound changes in the peripheral degradation of thyroxine, which last for several days. This must be considered in the management of patients receiving hyperthermia, and the technique itself may prove to be a useful model for the study of adaptation to heat stress.

Doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and whole body hyperthermia for treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcoma

Eleven patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma were treated with whole body hyperthermia (41.8 degrees C-43.0 degrees C) for 2 hours, doxorubicin (45 mg/m2) at the beginning of peak temperature and cyclophosphamide (1000 mg/m2) 6 hours after doxorubicin. Warming was accomplished with a nylon and vinyl mesh water perfused suit and heating blankets under barbiturate anesthesia. Thirty-five thermochemotherapy treatments were administered after an initial baseline euthermic course. There were two complete and two partial responses including three of three liposarcomas and one of two leiomyosarcomas, and there were two disease stabilizations . Morbidity included anasarca, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, myalgias, mild surface burns, perioral herpes simplex, reversible neuropathy, hypotension, and cardiac arrythmias . Hyperglycemia and hypophosphatemia were found during heating, and normalized at 24 hours. Liver enzyme elevations occurred 24 hours after heating and normalized within 1 week. A uniform platelet decrease (mean, 107,000/microliter) was found at 24 hours. Thermochemotherapy was found to be a feasible approach for selected patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma for the subset of liposarcomas and leiomyosarcomas.

Computed tomography of the chest in small cell lung cancer: potential new prognostic signs

Computed tomography (CT) of the chest was performed as part of the initial and subsequent staging evaluations in 33 patients with small cell lung carcinoma. In 25 of the 33 patients, CT demonstrated findings not observed on standard radiography. Eleven of the 33 would have been staged higher using CT. Before treatment, CT revealed more mediastinal and nodal involvement than conventional films. After chemotherapy, CT demonstrated areas of residual or early recurrent disease in nine of 28 patients that were not apparent on chest films. Initially thickened pericardium in patients with limited disease and persistent bronchial narrowing after chemotherapy were demonstrated to be associated with early relapse in the chest and short survival. These initial data suggest that the CT scan, in addition to more accurately assessing the extent of disease, can provide a new risk classification for early chest relapse. Initial thickened pericardium in limited disease and continued bronchial narrowing after chemotherapy may allow patient selection for future treatment trials with radiation as an adjuvant to chemotherapy.

Renal failure and platinum pharmacokinetics in three patients treated with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) and whole-body hyperthermia

Three patients with advanced refractory malignancies were treated with whole-body hyperthermia (WBH: 42-42.3 degrees C) for 2 h during which time they also received an infusion of 60 or 80 mg/m2 of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II (DDP). Each patient developed an elevated serum creatinine (2.7-13.6 mg/dl), with maximum creatinine occurring between days 7 and 12 after treatment. WBH did not alter plasma or urinary pharmacokinetics of total or ultrafilterable platinum compared with pharmacokinetic data of the same or other patients given DDP euthermically. Although the mechanism of the renal damage is unclear, it appears that WBH can potentiate the nephrotoxic actions of DDP and that further study of this combination is not warranted.

CCNU, vincristine, methotrexate, and procarbazine treatment of relapsed small cell lung carcinoma

Thirty-two patients with refractory relapsed small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL) were treated with a combination of CCNU (lomustine), vincristine, methotrexate, and procarbazine (COMP); 29 were evaluable for response. Nine patients (31%) had responses: five complete responses (CR) and four partial responses. Patients with CR had a median survival of 11 months (range, 51/2-141/2) from the start of COMP. Patients with less than CR had a median survival of approximately 3 months (range, less than 1-7). The comparison of CR versus less than CR is significant (P = 0.003). Patients achieving CR usually had limited disease and four of the five who achieved CR survived greater than 6 months. The regimen was well-tolerated, but myelosuppression was seen in all patients. COMP appears to be a useful combination in patients with relapsed SCCL. Aggressive retreatment should be considered in relapsed patients with this disease since some may achieve a second CR, with the associated potential survival benefit.

Diaziquone, 2,5-diaziridinyl-3,6-biscarboethoxyamino-1,4-benzoquinone, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid kinetics

Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) kinetics of diaziquone, 2,5-diaziridinyl-3,6-biscarboethoxyamino-1,4-benzoquinone (AZQ), were evaluated after intravenous injection in patients with implanted Ommaya reservoirs. After a 30-min infusion plasma disappearance was very rapid, with a disposition half-life of 2 to 6 min and on elimination half-life of 25 to 35 min. Area under the concentration-time curve for CSF was 22% to 42% of the corresponding plasma area. Based upon total plasma AZQ concentration, volume of distribution for AZQ was 2.0 to 10.0 l/m2. Plasma binding of AZQ was 79% in one normal subject. When the effect of plasma binding is considered, distribution volumes are more plausible and it appears that free plasma AZQ is completely available to the CSF.

Plasma kinetics of aclacinomycin A and its major metabolites in man

The plasma pharmacokinetics of the antineoplastic anthracycline antibiotic aclacinomycin A (Acm) and its metabolites were studied in 12 patients treated with 60-120 mg/m2 during a phase I clinical trial. Total plasma drug fluorescence initially declined very rapidly, but from 2 to 24 h after injection, fluorescence rose progressively to intensities greater than those measured 1 min after Acm injection. Plasma total drug fluorescence slowly declined from 24 to 72 hours after Acm administration. These events reflected the rapid disappearance of Acm and the subsequent appearance of two highly fluorescent metabolites. One metabolite co-chromatographed with and had a fluorescence spectrum identical to known metabolite F1 (bisanhydroaklavinone). The other metabolite did not co-chromatograph with any previously described Acm metabolite. This metabolite had a fluorescence spectrum unlike any previously described Acm metabolite and was not altered by treatment for 60 min with 0.2 N HCl at 100 degrees C or by treatment for 24 h at 37 degrees C with bacterial beta-glucuronidase or limpet aryl sulfatase.

A phase I trial of continuous infusion VP16-213 (etoposide)

Since there appears to be a schedule dose relationship for VP16-213, the current dose seeking study of 5 day continuous infusion was initiated. Patients not candidates for other treatments were started at 75 mg/m2/day X 5. Eight patients had prior chemotherapy, eight had radiotherapy plus chemotherapy and one patient had prior interferon. The median age was 53 (range 23-65) and the median performance status was 60 (range 50-90). Seventeen patients received 20 courses; two at 75 mg/m2/day, seven at 100 mg/m2/day, ten at 125 mg/m2/day, and six at 150 mg/m2/day. The major toxicity was hematologic and median WBC count nadirs (ranges) were respectively: 3.5 (2.3-4.7) X 10(3)/microliters, 1.6 (0.2-3.4) X 10(3)/microliters, 2.4 (0.1-3.6) X 10(3)/microliters, 0.4 ( less than 0.1-0.7) 10(3)/microliters. Platelet count nadirs were respectively: 150, 78 (20-189), 138 (26-326), 16 (9-88) X 10(3)/microliters. The median days to WBC nadir and recovery and did not vary with dose and were 15 (9-21) and 24 (19-38) respectively. Median days to platelet count nadir were 12 (10-29) the recovery 24 (20-38) and did not vary with dose. Non-hematologic toxicities included mild nausea and vomiting, mild mucositis on six courses, diarrhea with two courses and fever during granulocytopenia during seven courses. Three patients manifested evidence of myocardial diseases two with infarction and one with congestive failure during treatment. Two patients showed objective evidence of tumor regression, one patient with seminoma and one patient with renal cell carcinoma. The latter response was short. The current studies demonstrate that high dose continuous infusion VP16-213 is tolerable with acceptable toxicity using doses up to 125 mg/m2/day (625 mg/m2 over 5 days).

Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide and VP16-213 (ACE) in the treatment of small cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer requires aggressive combination chemotherapy. The three active agents, doxorubicin (A) 45 mg/m2 i.v. day 1, cyclophosphamide (C) 1.0 mg/m2 i.v. day 1 and VP16-213 (E) 50 mg/m2/day i.v. days 1-5 were given together. The combination (ACE) was given every 21 days without chest irradiation. One hundred and seventy-four patients have been stratified for extent of disease and randomized on three sequential studies testing ACE vs ACE + MER immunotherapy (38 patients), or ACE vs ACE alternating with CCNU, methotrexate, vincristine and procarbazine (109 patients), or ACE vs ACE II (ACE with continuous VP16-213 - 100 mg/m2/day X 5 days - 27 patients - ongoing). The immunotherapy and the alternating non-cross resistant combination have not proven beneficial with respect to response or survival. The ACE combination, regardless of additional treatments, has produced greater than 90% response overall. In limited disease the complete response (CR) frequency is 65%. The median survival for limited disease overall is 14 months and 18 months for patients achieving CR. In extensive disease the CR frequency is 40% with a median survival of 9 months overall and 13 months for patients achieving CR. Response frequency and survival are identical in the first two studies and 20-30% of patients with limited disease are long-term survivors with one late relapse (greater than 3 years). Patients who achieved CR had a significantly longer survival regardless of other factors such as performance status or extent of disease. Prophylactic cranial irradiation was demonstrated to be useful in prevention or delaying CNS metastases in patients who achieved CR. The third generation study of high-dose VP16-213 infusion seeks to increase the CR frequency. ACE chemotherapy without chest irradiation is a highly effective treatment for all patients with small cell lung cancer and compares favorably with all other studies with or without adjuvant radiotherapy.

Combination chemotherapy for small cell carcinoma of the lung: continuous versus alternating non-cross-resistant combinations

After stratification for extent of small cell lung cancer, 109 patients were randomized to receive cycles of chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and VP-16-213 [CAVP16 (regimen I)] or to receive CAVP16 to maximum response (minimum of three courses) and then chemotherapy with CCNU, methotrexate, vincristine, and procarbazine (COMP) alternating with CAVP16 (regimen II). A group of patients who achieved complete remission were randomized to receive whole-brain irradiation or to have observation only. Of the 44 patients with limited disease, 28 (64%) achieved a complete remission and 11 (26%) achieved a partial remission. Of the 65 patients with extensive disease, 26 (40%) achieved a complete remission and 28 (46%) achieved a partial remission. There were no significant differences between the regimens in response or survival. The projected median survival times are 14 and 10 months for limited and extensive disease, respectively. Nearly 30% of patients with limited disease will be 2-year, disease-free survivors. Twenty-nine patients were randomized to receive cranial irradiation or observation only; none of the 15 irradiated patients developed cerebral metastases, but five of 14 randomized to observation relapsed in the brain (P = 0.02). One patient died with necropsy evidence of only intracranial disease. The principal hematologic toxic effect was leukopenia. There were 31 febrile episodes (21 infectious) during neutropenia and four toxic deaths. Nonhematologic toxicity was mild. Cranial irradiation in patients who achieve complete remission delays or reduces the incidence of CNS metastases. Although alternating chemotherapy is not beneficial, combination chemotherapy with CAVP16 alone is highly effective treatment modality for small cell.

Lung cancer as a complication of prolonged survival in patients with lymphoma

As a result of successful therapy with radiation, chemotherapy, or both, patients with lymphoma are living longer. The improved survival has led to an increased awareness of long term complications including second or subsequent malignancies. We have recently seen six cases of lung cancer--three adenocarcinomas, one squamous cell carcinoma, and two small cell carcinomas--among 655 patients with Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma suggesting a possible association, although other carcinogenic or cocarcinogenic factors cannot be eliminated.

Carcinomatous leptomeningitis in small cell lung cancer: a clinicopathologic review of the National Cancer Institute experience

CLM developed in 60 of 526 patients (11%) with SCLC seen at the NCI between August 1969 and June 1980. Life table analysis revealed an overall 25% risk of CLM at 3 years. CLM was diagnosed during all phases of the patients' clinical course, but the majority (83%) were cases diagnosed at the time of progressive systemic disease. Univariate log rank analysis indicated that pretreatment factors associated with the development of CLM included: involvement of the brain, spinal cord, bone marrow, liver or bone; extensive disease; and male sex. Patients who did not obtain a complete response to systemic therapy were at greater risk of developing CLM than complete responders. Multivariate analysis of these factors indicated that liver metastases were most strongly associated with the time to development of CLM, followed in order of importance by bone and CNS metastases. Patients usually presented with signs and symptoms reflecting involvement of multiple areas of the neuraxis including the cerebrum, cranial nerves and spinal cord; 51 of the 60 patients had intracerebral metastases and 27 had spinal cord lesions during their clinical course. Autopsy features including focal or diffuse involvement of the leptomeninges with infiltration of the Virchow-Robin spaces were similar to meningeal lymphoma and leukemia, except that CLM was rarely the sole manifestation of CNS tumor. Median survival following the diagnosis of CLM was 7 weeks. However, most deaths were attributed to systemic disease, and treatment with intrathecal chemotherapy and irradiation often provided palliation. With the increased awareness of this complication, an antemortem diagnosis increased from 39% prior to 1977, to 88% of patients after 1977.

Physiologic response and toxicity in patients undergoing whole-body hyperthermia for the treatment of cancer

Seven patients with advanced cancer underwent whole-body hyperthermia using a nylon and vinyl mesh, water-perfused suit. Treatments were given at 41.8 degrees C for 4 hours. Five patients received concomitant cyclophosphamide with hyperthermia. Compared to baseline (37 degrees C) conditions, there was a significant rise in pulse rate (P less than 0.001), a fall in diastolic pressure (P less than 0.02), and an increase in respiratory rate (P less than 0.001). Toxic effects included fatigue, extremity edema, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and respiratory depression in a patient with cerebral metastases. Compared to baseline values, there was a significant increase in serum glucose (P less than 0.02) and decreases in serum calcium (P less than 0.01) and phosphorus (P less than 0.01). Significant elevations in serum LDH and SGOT values occurred 24 hours following hyperthermia, suggesting hepatic sensitivity to heat. The methods used to induce whole-body hyperthermia, as described in this paper, are feasible, permit relatively easy access to the patient, and are potentially applicable in diverse hospital settings such as intensive care units, radiation therapy areas, and conventional rooms. The physiologic alterations that were observed and the toxic effects that were documented indicate that careful monitoring of patients is necessary.