ViVACCy - a drug schedule based on G2 blockade and prolonged infusion of multiple tubulin-binding agents
Article Abstract:
A drug regimen referred to as ViVACCy was designed to eliminate cancer cells through action on the tumor cell cycle, the series of events causing cell growth and development. Specifically, these agents block the G2 phase, a portion of the cell cycle occurring between the production of cell genetic material and cell division. The agents also bind to tubulin, a protein involved in cell movement. The drug regimen consisted of the anticancer agents doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vinblastine, cisplatin, and vincristine, which was given by continuous intravenous administration for a 12-day period. The regimen was repeated every 28 days. The safety of this regimen was assessed in 18 patients with solid tumors who received 37 courses of treatment. Patients who received prior treatment with the anticancer agent mitomycin-C developed myelosuppression, inhibition of bone marrow function, with increasing doses of the drugs and experienced a greater decrease in platelets, cells involved in blood coagulation. Other toxic effects included mild nausea, vomiting, and brief increases in the serum alkaline phosphatase and serum creatinine. One patient with cancer of the esophagus cells mistakenly received a ten-fold greater dose of vincristine than required. This patient developed muscle pain, intestinal blockage, and transient nerve disease; the patient achieved remission for 15 months, but later died of other complications. A small improvement and prevention of disease progression was observed in two patients with kidney cell cancer, in three patients with colorectal cancer, and in one patient with tongue cancer. These findings suggest that the ViVACCy drug regimen is safe and active against solid tumors. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Cancer
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0008-543X
Year: 1990
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A solitary testicular relapse of a rhabdomyosarcoma in an adult
Article Abstract:
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancer of primitive muscle cells, and occurs primarily in children and adolescents. Rhabdomyosarcoma accounts for 5 to 10 percent of all solid tumors in childhood. In adults, soft tissue tumors represent only one percent of all cancers, and rhabdomyosarcomas account for only three percent of these. The most common site for the occurrence of a rhabdomyosarcoma is the head or neck. The genitourinary tract, trunk and extremities, and behind the peritoneum, are also common sites. When the cancer spreads, the most likely targets are the lungs, bone, bone marrow, and liver. However, in the case of a 36-year-old man, the only site of rhabdomyosarcoma was a testis. The man was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma within the sinuses of the skull. He was treated aggressively with chemotherapy, and achieved complete remission. Fourteen months later, the patient complained of a swollen testis; ultrasonography revealed a solid mass. The testis was removed almost immediately. Prophylactic chemotherapy was also given, although no other signs of cancer could be found. Histologic examination confirmed the testicular mass to be rhabdomyosarcoma. This is the first reported instance of a rhabdomyosarcoma within the testis itself, although some have been reported next to the testes. It is not yet known whether the occurrence of the testicular relapse is an isolate event or whether it presages the appearance of disseminated disease in other parts of the body as well. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Cancer
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0008-543X
Year: 1990
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Clinical and pathologic features of primary gastric rhabdomyosarcoma
Article Abstract:
A rhabdomyosarcoma is a tumor of striated muscle and is generally an aggressive cancer. Rhabdomyosarcoma of the stomach is so rare that only eight cases have been reported in the medical literature. In keeping with other similar tumors, the gastric rhabdomyosarcoma is highly aggressive with a median survival time of 2.5 months. The authors present a ninth case of gastric rhabdomyosarcoma. Although in some cases the correct diagnosis was only made at autopsy, the present case was correctly diagnosed and the patient benefitted from chemotherapeutic treatment with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine, living 26 months past diagnosis. The rhabdomyosarcoma was found to be mixed with an adjacent infiltrating gastric adenocarcinoma. A review of the literature revealed that two of the previous eight reported cases also involved an adjacent gastric adenocarcinoma. Since three out of all nine cases known to exist involved adjacent adenocarcinoma, it would seem that the coincidence is not merely due to chance. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Cancer
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0008-543X
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
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