Dean Lim

City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA

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Publications (16)67.44 Total impact

  • Article: Panitumumab following disease progression on cetuximab in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: A retrospective review.
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    ABSTRACT: Despite advances in treatment options for metastatic colorectal cancer over the past decade, the number of chemotherapy agents available remains limited. We report here a retrospective review of 11 patients who were treated with panitumumab following documented disease progression on cetuximab. Two patients demonstrated minor radiographic responses, albeit only for a short period of time. We conclude that the use of one epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor following failure on the other may be of benefit to patients who would otherwise have no other treatment options. However, studies to help identify the subset of patients who might benefit from this strategy are needed.
    Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice 01/2013;
  • Article: A phase I and pharmacokinetic study of oral 3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (3-AP, NSC #663249) in the treatment of advanced-stage solid cancers: a California Cancer Consortium Study.
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    ABSTRACT: 3-Aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (3-AP) is a novel small-molecule ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor. This study was designed to estimate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and oral bioavailability of 3-AP in patients with advanced-stage solid tumors. Twenty patients received one dose of intravenous and subsequent cycles of oral 3-AP following a 3 + 3 patient dose escalation. Intravenous 3-AP was administered to every patient at a fixed dose of 100 mg over a 2-h infusion 1 week prior to the first oral cycle. Oral 3-AP was administered every 12 h for 5 consecutive doses on days 1-3, days 8-10, and days 15-17 of every 28-day cycle. 3-AP was started at 50 mg with a planned dose escalation to 100, 150, and 200 mg. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) and bioavailability were evaluated. Twenty patients were enrolled. For dose level 1 (50 mg), the second of three treated patients had a DLT of grade 3 hypertension. In the dose level 1 expansion cohort, three patients had no DLTs. No further DLTs were encountered during escalation until the 200-mg dose was reached. At the 200 mg 3-AP dose level, two treated patients had DLTs of grade 3 hypoxia. One additional DLT of grade 4 febrile neutropenia was subsequently observed at the de-escalated 150 mg dose. One DLT in 6 evaluable patients established the MTD as 150 mg per dose on this dosing schedule. Responses in the form of stable disease occurred in 5 (25%) of 20 patients. The oral bioavailability of 3-AP was 67 ± 29% and was consistent with the finding that the MTD by the oral route was 33% higher than by the intravenous route. Oral 3-AP is well tolerated and has an MTD similar to its intravenous form after accounting for the oral bioavailability. Oral 3-AP is associated with a modest clinical benefit rate of 25% in our treated patient population with advanced solid tumors.
    Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology 11/2011; 69(3):835-43. · 2.83 Impact Factor
  • Article: Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid pharmacokinetics of topotecan in a phase I trial of topotecan, tamoxifen, and carboplatin, in the treatment of recurrent or refractory brain or spinal cord tumors.
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    ABSTRACT: This study was designed to ascertain the dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) and maximally tolerated doses of the combination of fixed-dose tamoxifen and carboplatin, with escalating doses of topotecan, and to determine the pharmacokinetics of topotecan in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. Tamoxifen 100 mg po bid, topotecan 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, or 1.0 mg/m(2)/d IV, administered as a 72 h continuous infusion on days 1-3, followed by carboplatin AUC = 3, IV on day 3. Cycles were repeated every 4 weeks. Seventeen patients received 39 cycles of treatment: median 2, (range 1-5). The tumors included glioblastoma (6), anaplastic astrocytoma (2), metastatic non-small cell (3), small cell lung (2), and one each with medulloblastoma, ependymoma, and metastatic breast or colon carcinoma. The median Karnofsky performance status was 70% (range 60-90%) and age: 52 (range 24-75). Eleven patients were female and six male. Toxicities included thrombocytopenia (2), neutropenia without fever lasting 6 days (1), DVT (2), and emesis (1). Topotecan levels, total and lactone, were measured prior to the end of infusion in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). At 1.0 mg/m(2)/d, the median CSF/plasma ratio was 19.4% (range 15.1-59.1%). The total plasma topotecan in two pts with DLTs was 4.63 and 5.87 ng/ml, in three without DLTs at the same dose level the mean total plasma topotecan was 3.4 ng/ml (range 3.02-3.83). Plasma lactone levels were 33% of the total; CSF penetration was 20% of the total plasma levels. 4/8 pts with high-grade gliomas had stable disease (median: 3 cycles (range 2-5)). Two had minor responses. One patient with metastatic non-small cell and one with small cell lung cancer had objective PRs. The recommended phase II doses are: tamoxifen 100 mg po bid, topotecan 0.75 mg/m(2)/d IV continuous infusion for 72 h, followed by carboplatin AUC = 3 IV on day 3. Measurable topotecan levels, both total and lactone, are observed in the CSF.
    Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology 10/2010; 66(5):927-33. · 2.83 Impact Factor
  • Article: Phase I trial of fixed-dose rate gemcitabine in combination with bortezomib in advanced solid tumors.
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    ABSTRACT: Bortezomib demonstrates synergism with gemcitabine via a fixed-dose rate (FDR). The aim of this phase I trial in solid tumors was to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and safety data for this combination. Twenty-nine patients with a median age of 63 (range 36-84) years and median Karnofsky Performance Status of 90 (range 60-100) were enrolled and treated with bortezomib (1.0 or 1.3 mg/m(2)) on days 1, 4, 8 and 11 and FDR gemcitabine (750, 1,000, or 1,250 mg/m(2)) on days 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle. Response was evaluated every two cycles. Dose-limiting toxicities were grade 4 thrombocytopenia and neutropenia and grade 3 liver function test abnormalities. The MTD was bortezomib 1 mg/m2 and FDR gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m(2). The median number of cycles delivered was 3 (range 1-28). There was one partial response and six cases of stable disease. The median duration of response was 8.5 (range 3-20) months. FDR gemcitabine and bortezomib combination can be delivered effectively with acceptable toxicity.
    Anticancer research 01/2010; 30(1):167-74. · 1.73 Impact Factor
  • Article: Image-guided Radiotherapy Of Esophageal Cancer By Helical Tomotherapy: Acute Toxicity And Preliminary Clinical Outcome.
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    ABSTRACT: Helical tomotherapy is a novel intensity-modulated radiotherapy modality with a helical 360° radiation delivery system and CT imaging ability. The purpose of this report is to review our initial experiences and to assess the toxicity and efficacy of helical tomotherapy for esophageal cancer. Twenty patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer (T3-4 and/or N+ and/or M1a/b) were treated with helical tomotherapy. Radiotherapy included simultaneous 50 Gy to gross tumorous areas and 45 Gy to areas of suspected subclinical disease. All received combination chemotherapy. Ten patients underwent surgical resection after completion of chemoradiation. Ten patients were ineligible for surgery. The treatment was well-tolerated. There were no treatment-related deaths or Grade 4 toxicity. Grade 3 toxicities were noted in 9 of 20 patients (45%). Down-staging was noted in 7 of 10 patients (70%) who underwent surgery. The median follow-up time was 24.5 months. Eight patients, including 3 with surgery and 5 without surgery, have died. The 1-year overall survival rates for the entire group, patients with and without surgical resection are 80.0%, 100.0% and 60.0% respectively (log-rank p = 0.244, surgery versus no surgery). The regimen of combined chemoradiation by helical tomotherapy for locally advanced esophageal cancer is well-tolerated. The toxicity profile compares favorably with that of protocols based on conventional approach and the preliminary indications of efficacy are encouraging.
    Journal of thoracic disease. 12/2009; 1(1):11-6.
  • Article: Human papillomavirus infection as a prognostic factor in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas treated in a prospective phase II clinical trial.
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    ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine the presence of high-risk HPV-16 in patients with HNSCC, assess the impact of HPV status on treatment response and survival in this select cohort treated with combined modality therapy and to identify the differences in HIF-1alpha and VEGF expression in HPV-positive and -negative tumors. Patients had resectable, untreated stage III, IV HNSCC of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hyopharynx or larynx, and stage II cancer of the base of tongue, hypopharynx and larynx. HPV status was determined by conventional PCR in fresh frozen biopsy samples and by Taqman PCR assay on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens. HIF-1alpha and VEGF expression were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) based on HPV status. HPV-16 was detected in 14 of 24 evaluable cases. There were no significant differences in response rates after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (86% vs. 90%) in HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients, respectively. There was a trend toward better progression-free (HR=0.15, 95% CI=0.002-12.54; p=0.06) and overall survival (HR=0.14, 95% CI=0.001-14.12; p=0.10) for HPV-positive patients. In a subset of 13 fresh frozen samples, RT-PCR revealed a significant increase in VEGF mRNA levels in HPV-positive tumors (p<0.01). No difference was seen for HIF-1alpha expression. HPV presence portended a better prognosis in patients with oropharyngeal SCC treated with a multimodality treatment in a prospective clinical trial. The level of VEGF mRNA was up-regulated in HPV-16-positive tumors possibly through an HIF-1 independent manner.
    Anticancer research 06/2009; 29(5):1467-74. · 1.73 Impact Factor
  • Article: Phase I trial of GTI-2040, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine in the treatment of advanced metastatic solid tumors: a California Cancer Consortium Study.
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    ABSTRACT: GTI-2040 is a 20-mer antisense oligonucleotide targeting the mRNA of ribonucleotide reductase M2. It was combined with oxaliplatin and capecitabine in a phase I trial in patients with advance solid tumors based on previous studies demonstrating potentiation of chemotherapy with ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors. Patients at least 18 years of age with advanced incurable solid tumors and normal organ function as well as a Karnofsky performance status of > or =60% were eligible. One prior chemotherapy regimen for advanced disease or relapse within 12 months of adjuvant chemotherapy was required. Patients could have received prior fluoropyrimidines, including capecitabine, but not oxaliplatin. Treatment cycles were 21 days. In each cycle, GTI-2040 was given as a continuous intravenous infusion over 14 days, oxaliplatin as a 2-h intravenous infusion on day 1, and capecitabine orally twice a day for 14 days. In cycle 1 only, oxaliplatin and capecitabine were started on day 2 to allow ribonucleotide reductase mRNA levels to be measured with and without oxaliplatin and capecitabine. Doses were escalated in cohorts of three patients using a standard 3 + 3 design until the maximum tolerated dose was established, defined as no more than one first-cycle dose-limiting toxicity among six patients treated at a given dose level. The maximum tolerated dose was estimated to be the combination of GTI-2040 3 mg/kg per day for 14 days, capecitabine 600 mg/m(2) twice daily for 14 days, and oxaliplatin 100 mg/m(2) every 21 days. Dose-limiting toxicities were hematologic. GTI-2040 pharmacokinetics, obtained at steady-state on days 7 and 14, showed the high inter-patient variability previously reported. Two of six patients had stable disease at the maximum tolerated dose and one patient, with heavily pre-treated non-small cell lung cancer, had a partial response at a higher dose level. In samples from a limited number of patients, there was no clear decrease in ribonucleotide reductase expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells during treatment. A combination of GTI-2040, capecitabine and oxaliplatin is feasible in patients with advanced solid tumors.
    Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology 04/2009; 64(6):1149-55. · 2.83 Impact Factor
  • Article: A phase II trial of vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid) in metastatic breast cancer: a California Cancer Consortium study.
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    ABSTRACT: The primary goal of this trial was to determine the response rate of single-agent vorinostat in patients with metastatic breast cancer. The secondary goals included assessment of time to progression, evaluation of toxicities, and overall survival. From June 2005 to March 2006, 14 patients received vorinostat, 200 mg p.o., twice daily for 14 days of each 21 day cycle. Response and progression were evaluated using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria. The median age for all patients was 60.5 years (range, 37-88). Eight patients were estrogen receptor and/or progesterone positive, four were Her-2 positive. Sites of metastatic disease included brain, liver, lungs, bones, pelvis, pleura, chest wall, and distant lymph nodes. Patients received a median of 1.5 prior (range, 0-2) chemotherapeutic regimens for metastatic disease. Fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and lymphopenia were the most frequent clinically significant adverse effects. The median number of cycles delivered was 2 (range, 1-20). There were no complete or partial responses, and the study was terminated after the first stage; however, 4 patients were observed with stable disease with time to progression of 4, 8, 9, and 14 months. The median number of months that patients received treatment on this study was 1.7 (range, 0.5-14). Although not meeting the RECIST response criteria for adequate single-agent activity, the observed tolerable toxicities and the potential for clinical benefit in terms of stable disease suggest that further assessment of vorinostat as a part of combination therapy with either chemotherapeutic or targeted agents in metastatic breast might be undertaken.
    Clinical Cancer Research 12/2008; 14(21):7138-42. · 7.74 Impact Factor
  • Article: A phase I study of oxaliplatin in combination with gemcitabine: correlation of clinical outcome with gene expression.
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    ABSTRACT: Oxaliplatin has in vitro activity similar to or higher than other platinum agents. Preclinically, gemcitabine has demonstrated synergy when combined with platinum compounds. These facts formed the rationale for determining the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of gemcitabine in combination with oxaliplatin. Eligible patients with advanced incurable solid tumors were given oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 as a 2-h infusion on day 1 followed by escalating doses of gemcitabine given over 30 min on day 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle. A total of 43 patients were enrolled, including 30 patients at the MTD in an expanded cohort. At a gemcitabine dose of 800 mg/m2, 1/6 patients had a dose limiting toxicity (DLT) (grade 3 blurred vision and memory loss). At 1,000 mg/m2, 1/6 patients had a DLT (grade 3 increase in AST). At 1,200 mg/m2, 2/3 patients had a DLT (grade 4 thrombocytopenia and grade 3 confusion). The MTD of gemcitabine with 130 mg/m2 of oxaliplatin was therefore 1,000 mg/m2. The clearances of gemcitabine and ultrafilterable platinum are within the ranges previously reported for single agents. A patient with colon cancer had a partial response, and 21 patients had a best response of stable disease. In patients with tumor biopsies treated at the MTD, decreased ribonucleotide reductase M2 expression correlated with response. Treatment with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin was well tolerated with primarily hematologic toxicity at the MTD. Study of biochemical correlates of response remain of interest thought current results remain exploratory.
    Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology 04/2007; 59(4):549-57. · 2.83 Impact Factor
  • Article: Helical tomotherapy for radiotherapy in esophageal cancer: a preferred plan with better conformal target coverage and more homogeneous dose distribution.
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    ABSTRACT: We compare different radiotherapy techniques-helical tomotherapy (tomotherapy), step-and-shoot IMRT (IMRT), and 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT)-for patients with mid-distal esophageal carcinoma on the basis of dosimetric analysis. Six patients with locally advanced mid-distal esophageal carcinoma were treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgery. Radiotherapy included 50 Gy to gross planning target volume (PTV) and 45 Gy to elective PTV in 25 fractions. Tomotherapy, IMRT, and 3DCRT plans were generated. Dose-volume histograms (DVHs), homogeneity index (HI), volumes of lung receiving more than 10, 15, or 20 Gy (V(10), V(15), V(20)), and volumes of heart receiving more than 30 or 45 Gy (V(30), V(45)) were determined. Statistical analysis was performed by paired t-tests. By isodose distributions and DVHs, tomotherapy plans showed sharper dose gradients, more conformal coverage, and better HI for both gross and elective PTVs compared with IMRT or 3DCRT plans. Mean V(20) of lung was significantly reduced in tomotherapy plans. However, tomotherapy and IMRT plans resulted in larger V(10) of lung compared to 3DCRT plans. The heart was significantly spared in tomotherapy and IMRT plans compared to 3DCRT plans in terms of V(30) and V(45). We conclude that tomotherapy plans are superior in terms of target conformity, dose homogeneity, and V(20) of lung.
    Medical Dosimetry 02/2007; 32(3):166-71. · 1.00 Impact Factor
  • Article: Phase I trial of intraperitoneal gemcitabine in the treatment of advanced malignancies primarily confined to the peritoneal cavity.
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    ABSTRACT: To determine the maximally tolerated dose, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics of i.p. gemcitabine. Patients had peritoneal carcinomatosis. Gemcitabine (40, 80, 120, or 160 mg/m(2)) was administered into the peritoneal cavity in 2 L of warmed saline on days 1, 4, 8, and 12 of a 28-day cycle. Thirty patients received 63 (median, 2; range, 0-6) courses. Tumors included ovary (14), uterus (2), colon (6), pancreas (3), and others (5). Dose-limiting toxicity included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspnea, fatal respiratory failure, and grade 3 elevation of alanine aminotransferase in three patients. Hematologic toxicity and pain were </=grade 2. Three patients had decreased or resolved ascites. Of 19 patients evaluable for response, 10 had stable disease (median, 3.5 courses) and 9 had progressive disease. The median peak peritoneal concentration was 1,116-fold (range, 456-1,886) higher than the peak plasma level. Plasma and peritoneal levels were undetectable within 8 to 12 h. At 120 mg/m(2), the median peritoneal area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC) was 82,612 ng/mL x h (range, 53,296-199,830) and the plasma AUC was 231 ng/mL x h (range, 47.6-259.5). The mean peritoneal advantage (AUC(peritoneal)/AUC(plasma)) was 847 (range, 356-1,385). I.p. administration of gemcitabine is tolerated within the tested dosage range. Technical problems with the Porta-Cath device and i.p. therapy per se may have been exacerbated by the enrollment of many patients with a variety of advanced i.p. diseases. Given the significant increase in local dose intensity and the documented activity of this drug, this agent may be an excellent candidate for i.p. therapy in optimally debulked ovarian cancer, either alone or in combination.
    Clinical Cancer Research 02/2007; 13(4):1232-7. · 7.74 Impact Factor
  • Article: Paclitaxel-based high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue for relapsed germ cell cancer.
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    ABSTRACT: We evaluated the antitumor activity of tandem cycles of high-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation (aPSCT) in relapsed germ cell tumors by using high-dose paclitaxel, carboplatin, etoposide, and ifosfamide. Thirty-three patients were entered, and 31 underwent protocol therapy. Paclitaxel 350 mg/m2 (5 patients) or 425 mg/m2 (26 patients) by 24-hour continuous intravenous infusion was followed by 3 daily doses of carboplatin and either etoposide (cycle 1) or ifosfamide/mesna (cycle 2). The carboplatin dose had a calculated area under the curve of 7 mg-min/mL, and the daily dose of etoposide was 20 mg/kg (cycle 1). Ifosfamide 3 g/m2/d for 3 days (with mesna uroprotection) was substituted for etoposide in cycle 2. Each cycle was supported by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized peripheral blood stem cells. Thirty-one patients were evaluable for response, toxicity, and long-term disease control. Two patients did not undergo aPSCT because of rapid disease progression. Nineteen patients received both cycles of aPSCT, 8 progressed after cycle 1, 3 refused the second cycle, and 1 died of fungal infection during cycle 1. Twelve patients remain relapse free at a median of 67 months from the initiation of therapy. Whereas the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group category at the time of initial diagnosis did not seem to predict outcome, the patient's probability of achieving durable remission was significantly associated with the Beyer prognostic score at the time of protocol entry. Regimens containing the most active agents in relapsed nonseminomatous germ cell tumors, including high-dose paclitaxel, are well tolerated and have promising activity even in patients with poor-risk features who do not achieve durable remissions with standard therapy. The Beyer prognostic system is a valuable predictor for patients undergoing aPSCT.
    Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation 12/2005; 11(11):903-11. · 3.87 Impact Factor
  • Article: Phase I trial of menadiol diphosphate (vitamin K3) in advanced malignancy.
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    ABSTRACT: Based on the activity of menadione (M) in the human tumor stem cell assay, we conducted a phase I trial of M in patients with advanced cancer. Forty patients (19 men, 21 women) were treated with 90 courses of M; 82 treatment courses are evaluable for toxicity. The median patient age, Karnofsky performance status, and number of prior chemotherapy regimens were 61 years (range 32-74 years), 80% (range 50-100%), and two, respectively. M was given by a short (1-5 h) intravenous infusion every 3 weeks, starting at 40 mg/m2 and escalating by modified Fibonacci scheme to 1360 mg/m2. Toxicity was graded according to the Southwest Oncology Group toxicity scale with defined hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) scales. No grade > or =2 hematologic toxicity was observed. Non-hematologic toxicity consisted of a HSR syndrome of paresthesiae of the extremities, facial flushing, burning of the eyes and mucous membranes, chest pain and dyspnea. HSR was defined as Grade I toxicity by the presence of facial numbness, flushing, and/or a tingling sensation or burning of the eyes and mucous membranes. Grade II toxicity was defined as the presence of the same above symptoms plus chest tightness, paresthesiae of extremities and/or dyspnea and chest pain. These toxicities were grade 1 in 3 of 4 patients at a dose of 840 mg/m2. At 1360 mg/m2, 2 of 13 patients suffered grade 1 HSR and 7 of 13 grade 2 HSR. No objective partial or complete responses were observed. Plasma menadione concentrations peaked at 1.9-7.4 microM during the infusion in 3 patients receiving 1360 mg/m2. Further phase 1 and 2 combination trials using longer infusion durations have resulted from this trial.
    Investigational New Drugs 06/2005; 23(3):235-9. · 3.36 Impact Factor
  • Article: Feasibility and pharmacokinetic study of infusional dexrazoxane and dose-intensive doxorubicin administered concurrently over 96 h for the treatment of advanced malignancies.
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    ABSTRACT: Dexrazoxane administration prior to short infusion doxorubicin prevents anthracycline-related heart damage. Since delivery of doxorubicin by 96-h continuous intravenous infusion also reduces cardiac injury, we studied delivering dexrazoxane and doxorubicin concomitantly by prolonged intravenous infusion. Patients with advanced malignancies received tandem cycles of concurrent 96-h infusions of dexrazoxane 500 mg/m2 and doxorubicin 165 mg/m2, and 24 h after completion of chemotherapy, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (5 microg/kg) and oral levofloxacin (500 mg) were administered daily until the white blood cell count reached 10,000 microl(-1). Plasma samples were analyzed for dexrazoxane and doxorubicin concentrations. Ten patients were enrolled; eight patients had measurable disease. Two partial responses were observed in patients with soft-tissue sarcoma. The median number of days of granulocytopenia (<500 microl(-1)) was nine and of platelet count <20,000 microl(-1) was seven. Six patients received a single cycle because of progression (one), stable disease (four), or reversible, asymptomatic 10% decrease in cardiac ejection fraction (two). Principal grade 3/4 toxicities included hypotension (two), anorexia (four), stomatitis (four), typhlitis (two), and febrile neutropenia (seven), with documented infection (three). One death from neutropenic sepsis occurred. Dexrazoxane levels ranged from 1270 to 2800 nM, and doxorubicin levels ranged from 59.1 to 106.9 nM. These results suggest that tandem cycles of concurrent 96-h infusions of dexrazoxane and high-dose doxorubicin can be administered with minimal cardiac toxicity, and have activity in patients with recurrent sarcomas. However, significant non-cardiac toxicities indicate that the cardiac sparing potential of this approach would be maximized at lower dose levels of doxorubicin.
    Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology 09/2004; 54(3):241-8. · 2.83 Impact Factor
  • Article: Prognostic indicators and survival in patients with stage IIIB inflammatory breast carcinoma after dose-intense chemotherapy.
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    ABSTRACT: To improve treatment outcome for patients presenting with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), we have sequentially developed and tested single and tandem dose-intense chemotherapy regimens (DICT). Tumor- and treatment-related factors were analyzed to generate a prognostic model. Between May 1989 and April 2002, 120 patients received conventional-dose chemotherapy, surgery, and sequentially developed single- or tandem-cycle DICT. Disease- and treatment-specific features were subjected to univariate and multivariate analysis to correlate with outcome. At a median follow-up of 61 months (range, 21 to 161 months), estimated 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were 44% (95% CI, 34% to 53%) and 64% (95% CI, 55% to 73%), respectively. In an age-adjusted multivariate analysis, RFS was better in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR)-positive tumors (P =.002), for patients with fewer than four involved axillary nodes before DICT (P =.01), and in patients treated with radiation therapy (P =.001) and tandem DICT (P =.049). OS was improved in patients with ER/PR-positive tumors (P =.002), in those with fewer than four involved axillary nodes before DICT (P =.03), and in patients treated with radiation therapy (P =.002). This retrospective analysis suggests that either single or tandem DICT can be administered safely and may benefit selected patients with stage IIIB IBC. Those with receptor-negative IBC and with four or more involved axillary nodes before DICT need improved neoadjuvant and postadjuvant intensification therapy. A prospective randomized trial of single versus tandem DICT would be required to confirm the potential benefit of tandem DICT in the setting of IBC.
    Journal of Clinical Oncology 06/2004; 22(10):1839-48. · 18.37 Impact Factor
  • Article: Phase I trial of intraperitoneal docetaxel in the treatment of advanced malignancies primarily confined to the peritoneal cavity: dose-limiting toxicity and pharmacokinetics.
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    ABSTRACT: The purpose of this Phase I study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of i.p. docetaxel and to determine the peritoneal pharmacokinetics and pharmacological advantage of this agent. Twenty-one patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis received docetaxel administered via an implanted i.p. catheter at doses of 40, 80, 100, 125, or 156 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. DLTs on course 1 were used to define the maximum tolerated dose. Tumor types included gastric adenocarcinoma (n=7), ovarian cancer (n=4), other gastrointestinal primaries (n=3), and other cancers (n=7). Sixty cycles of i.p. docetaxel (median, 2; range, 1-11) were delivered. DLTs occurred in two patients at the 156 mg/m2 dose level; both developed an ileus, and one patient died of neutropenic sepsis. One of five evaluable patients treated with 125 mg/m2 docetaxel i.p. developed grade 4 neutropenic sepsis and stomatitis; another patient developed renal failure attributable to glomerulonephritis and grade 3 thrombocytopenia that was not judged to be dose-limiting. One of six patients receiving 100 mg/m2 D, the recommended Phase II dose, developed grade 4 neutropenia lasting <5 days. Other non-DLT treatment-related toxicities included dehydration requiring i.v. fluids, emesis, stomatitis, constipation, and abdominal pain. Best response on protocol therapy included 7 of 18 patients with stable disease for a median of 5 cycles (range, 2-11); 11 patients progressed by the first evaluation after a median of 2 cycles (range, 1-3). There were three patients inevaluable for response who received only one cycle of i.p. docetaxel (two because of patient preference and one because of adhesion formation). Pharmacokinetic evaluation revealed mean plasma areas under the curves (AUC) at 100 and 125 mg/m2 i.p. docetaxel of 3.14 and 6.33 microM.h (ranges, 1.02-5.88 and 3.97-12.70 microM. h), respectively; the mean peritoneal AUCs were 315 and 1063 microM.h (ranges, 250-373 and 239-2222 microM.h), respectively. The mean peak plasma concentrations at 100 and 125 mg/m2 i.p. docetaxel were 0.46 and 0.66 microM, and the mean peak peritoneal concentrations at those doses were 59 and 81 microM, respectively. The median and mean pharmacological advantage calculations (AUCperitoneal/AUCplasma) across all dose levels were 152 and 181, respectively (range, 18.8-367.4). The mean peritoneal 24- and 96-h concentrations were 0.9 microM (range, 0.2-1.6 microM) and <0.1 nM, respectively. The mean time that the concentration was >0.1 microM was 31.2 h (range, 27-36.5 h). i.p. docetaxel can be safely delivered at a dose of 100 mg/m2 i.p. every 3 weeks. This route of administration provides a significant peritoneal pharmacological advantage while delivering systemic concentrations consistent with the administration of standard i.v. doses.
    Clinical Cancer Research 12/2003; 9(16 Pt 1):5896-901. · 7.74 Impact Factor