Publications (2)7.31 Total impact
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Article: The role of haemoglobin level in predicting the response to first-line chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer patients.
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of baseline haemoglobin level in predicting response to 5-fluorouracil (5FU)-based first-line chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer patients. Data from 631 patients were collected from three different institutions. Globally, overall response rate was 35.8% (226 out of 631). Factors influencing response rate were 5FU dose intensity (high: 43.1%, low: 34.0%, P = 0.03); oxaliplatin (yes: 45.8%, no: 22.9%, P < 0.0001), performance status (PS 0: 46.1%, 1: 28.8%, 2: 26.7%, P < 0.0001), and haemoglobin levels (> or = 12 g dl(-1): 40.4%, < 12 g dl(-1): 29.2%, P = 0.004). In subgroup analysis significant differences in response rate between anaemic and nonanaemic patients were recorded in those patients treated with infusional chemotherapies (45.7 vs 25.5%, P < 0.0001), with high 5FU dose intensity (50.3 vs 32.7%, P = 0.005), with PS = 0 (49.8 vs 37.9%, P = 0.03), and with liver metastases (44.8 vs 33.8%, P = 0.002), whereas no difference was evident in those subjects treated with bolus schedules or according to gender. Anaemia was a strong predictor for activity of first-line 5FU-based chemotherapy especially in those groups that showed the best responses, for example high performance status, infusionally treated, higher 5FU dose and those with liver secondaries. Patients with higher haemoglobin levels recorded a greater response rate and a longer time to progression and survival than anaemic subjects. Prospective evaluation of role of correcting anaemia on response to therapy is justified by these results.British Journal of Cancer 07/2006; 95(1):13-20. · 5.04 Impact Factor -
Article: Phase II trial of primary radiation therapy and concurrent chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.
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ABSTRACT: Primary chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) may improve local control, curative resection rate and long-term survival. We performed a phase II study to evaluate toxicity and activity of primary radiation therapy and concurrent chemotherapy with gemcitabine (GEM) twice weekly in patients (pts) with LAPC. From 6/1999 to 6/2003, 23 LAPC pts received GEM 100 mg/m2 twice weekly in the first 15 pts and 50 mg/m2 in the last 8 pts, concurrently with radiotherapy (1.8 Gy/day for a total dose of 45 Gy). The treatment was completed in 19/23 pts. Toxicities: G3-4 hematological toxicity occurred in 35 and 4% respectively; G3 nausea and vomiting and gastrointestinal toxicity in 30%. Clinical benefit was found in 10/18 pts (55%). Overall response: partial response rate 4/18 (22%); stable disease 13/18 (72%); progressive disease 1/18 (6%). Six pts underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with extended lymphadenectomy (5/6 pts pT3, 1/6 pts microscopic cancer foci, 1/6 N+, 5/6 negative retroperitoneal margin). MEDIAN SURVIVAL: 14 months for the entire group, 12 months for unresected pts, 20 months for resected pts. The treatment with GEM twice weekly at 50 mg/m2 associated with radiotherapy (45 Gy) is feasible and permits to obtain clinical benefit in a good percentage of pts. Objective response, median survival, and local and systemic control are similar to other studies and need further improvement.Oncology 02/2005; 68(4-6):493-9. · 2.27 Impact Factor
