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Research by N. Nicolai and colleagues in germ cell cancer therapy provides new insights
2009 AUG 3 - (NewsRx.com) -- Data detailed in 'Long-term results of a combination of paclitaxel, cisplatin and gemcitabine for salvage therapy in male germ-cell tumours' have been presented. "To retrospectively review the long-term activity, efficacy and toxicity of the combination of paclitaxel, cisplatin and gemcitabine (TPG) as third-or further-line chemotherapy in patients with germ-cell tumours (GCTs) who are not cured after at least two courses of standard-dose chemotherapy, high-dose chemotherapy or both. We evaluated 22 consecutive men treated between April 1999 and December 2000," scientists writing in the journal Bju International report. "Half of them were classified as absolutely refractory to cisplatin and a further two as refractory. The median (range) number of previous courses of chemotherapy was 8 (5-11). Treatment consisted of paclitaxel 80 mg/m2, cisplatin 50 mg/m2 and gemcitabine 800 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks for four courses, followed by surgery of actual residual resectable masses. The follow-up was updated at August 2007. There were no deaths from toxicity and only one patient needed suspension of therapy for toxicity. There was both grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia and neutropenia in 15 patients (68%), and anaemia in nine (41%). There were partial remissions in eight (36%) patients. Six (27%) patients were rendered disease-free with surgical removal of a residual mass after chemotherapy (two still containing viable cancer). Four (18%) patients are long-term survivors at more than 80, 81, 94 and 99 months. The median (range) overall survival of the whole series was 13.5 (1- >99) months. This combination had a toxicity profile that was acceptable and comparable with other third-line regimens. There were eight (36%) major responses," wrote N. Nicolai and colleagues, . The researchers concluded: "After a 6-year minimum follow-up, four (18%) patients were long-term disease-free survivors." Nicolai and colleagues published their study in Bju International (Long-term results of a combination of paclitaxel, cisplatin and gemcitabine for salvage therapy in male germ-cell tumours. Bju International, 2009;104(3):340-6). Additional information can be obtained by contacting N. Nicolai, Urology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy. The publisher of the journal Bju International can be contacted at: Blackwell Publishing Inc., 350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148, USA. Keywords: Italy, Milan, Germ Cell Cancer Therapy, Antimetabolite, Antineoplastic, Antiviral, Chemotherapy, Cisplatin, Drug Therapy, Drugs, Gemcitabine, Germ Cell Cancer, Germ Cell Carcinoma, Immunosuppressant, Oncology, Paclitaxel, Pharmaceuticals, Radiation-Sensitizing Agent, Surgery, Treatment. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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