Hexamethylmelamine chemotherapy for persistent or recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer

Article Abstract:

In spite of the use of cisplatin, other powerful anti-cancer drugs, and the development of chemotherapy using multiple drugs, the survival rate of women with ovarian cancer in later stages (from IIC to IV) is still under 25 percent. Recurrent ovarian cancer is often resistant to drugs and radiation, even if the tumor is small, and no therapy is known to be curative in the majority of these cases. Hexamethylmelamine is an anti-cancer drug that has been used since 1964. Over 30 percent of patients with new ovarian cancer, and up to 20 percent of those previously treated, respond to this agent. However, its use in ovarian cancer is not standardized, as it has not been rigorously evaluated. Eight years of experience in treating 49 patients with recurrent or persistent ovarian cancer is described. The average patient age was 59 years old, and 40 had stage III to IV disease at diagnosis. Forty-six of the 49 patients had previously received cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Of 24 women with non-measurable tumors, seven were alive at 10 to 35 months after start of hexamethylmelamine, five without sign of disease. Of 25 the women with measurable tumors, three had complete and two had partial responses to treatment, a response rate of 20 percent. Patients who did not respond to cisplatin-based chemotherapy did not respond to hexamethylmelamine. Side effects were mild and included numbness or tingling on arms or legs, nausea, weakness, muscle aches, and herpes zoster infections. The results indicate that hexamethylmelamine is generally well tolerated and is active against ovarian cancer. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Hexamethylmelamine

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Immunohistochemical analysis of alpha1-integrins in cervical cancer

Article Abstract:

Certain integrins that control the growth of tumors may be missing in cancerous cervical tumors. Integrins are cell receptors that control cell reproduction and differentiation. Researchers analyzed 18 tissue samples from cervical tumors and four normal samples and found that the integrins alpha-3, -4, and -5 were missing in the cells lining the cervical tumors. The greater the lack of integrin alpha-5, the greater the number of cancerous cells. Future cancer treatments may be based on manipulating the activity of integrins, perhaps with fibronectin, a natural cell adhesive.

Analysis, Physiological aspects, Cervical cancer, Cell adhesion molecules

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Inhibition of ovarian cancer growth and implantation by paclitaxel after laparoscopic surgery in a mouse model

Article Abstract:

An experimental mouse model is used to evaluate the influence of intraperitoneal chemotherapy on the generation of laparoscopy-associated metastases and the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Intraoperative intraperitoneal administration of paclitaxel is found to reduce the occurrence of port-size metastasis and intraperitoneal dissemination in an animal study.

Usage, Dosage and administration, Laparoscopic surgery, Paclitaxel, Clinical report

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