Clinical Trial Protocol

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Clinical Trial Protocol Clinical trial protocol Title Phase III Randomized Study of Standard Chemoradiotherapy With Versus Without High-Dose Methotrexate in Pediatric Patients With Newly Diagnosed, Malignant High- Grade Glioma or Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma Inclusion Criteria Ages Eligible for Study: 3 Years - 18 Years, Genders Eligible for Study: Both DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: • Newly diagnosed tumors of the brain or spinal cord, meeting one of the following criteria: • Histologically* confirmed diagnosis of 1 of the following high-grade gliomas: • Glioblastoma (WHOº IV) • Anaplastic astrocytoma (WHOº III) • Gliosarcoma (WHOº III or IV) • Anaplastic oligo-astrocytoma NOTE: *Histological requirement may be waived for other types of brainstem glioma • Radiologically proven diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma • Second malignancy or disseminate metastases or multifocal tumors are allowed if the field of irradiation is not too large • No diffuse metastases making craniospinal irradiation necessary PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: • No cardiorespiratory insufficiency requiring medical respiration • No low blood pressure requiring systemic catecholamines • No severe neurological damage (e.g., coma) • No tetraplegia without possibility to communicate • No other poor clinical condition • Not pregnant • Fertile patients must use effective contraception • No hypersensitivity to methotrexate, cisplatin, vincristine, lomustine, or ifosfamide • No other malignancy preceding radiotherapy that does not allow further radiation PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: • No prior chemotherapy for brain tumor • The following prior therapies are allowed: • Mistletoe • H15 (extract of Boswellia serrata) • Homeopathy therapy with dilution > 4D • Alternative medicine without proven efficacy • No prior radiotherapy for brain tumor • No concurrent alcohol or tobacco consumption • No concurrent participation in another study Expected number of patients 150 Trial phase Phase III Orphanet Database. Clinical trial 2006 - 1 http://www.orpha.net/data/eth/DE/ID39846Eng.pdf Drug Drug: cisplatin Drug: etoposide Drug: ifosfamide Drug: lomustine Drug: methotrexate Drug: prednisone Drug: vincristine International multicenter study Purpose OBJECTIVES Primary • Determine if the addition of high-dose methotrexate prior to standard treatment improves survival of patients with malignant high-grade glioma or diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma as compared to standard treatment only. Secondary • Determine if the addition of high-dose methotrexate, as compared to standard treatment only, improves the tumor response of these patients. • Determine if high-dose methotrexate, compared to standard treatment only, improves the progression-free or event-free survival of these patients. • Determine if high-dose methotrexate, as compared to standard treatment only, improves the health status (quality of life) of these patients. • Determine if consolidation therapy improves the overall, progression-free, or event-free survival rates as compared to the historical control group. OUTLINE: This is a randomized, open-label, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to tumor location includes pons (yes vs no) and complete or nearly complete resection (yes vs no). • Surgery: All patients are encouraged to undergo radical resection of the tumor to reduce intracranial pressure, remove as much tumor tissue as possible, and obtain tumor tissue for histological diagnosis. Within 14 days after surgery, patients proceed to induction chemotherapy. • Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms. • High-dose methotrexate with leucovorin calcium: Patients receive high-dose methotrexate IV over 24 hours on days 1 and 15 and leucovorin calcium IV every 6 hours on days 2-3 an 16-17. Patients proceed to chemoradiotherapy 4 weeks later. • Chemoradiotherapy (course 1): Patients undergo external beam radiotherapy once daily, 5 days a week, for approximately 6 weeks. Beginning on the first day of radiotherapy, patients receive cisplatin IV over 1 hour on days 1-5, etoposide IV over 2 hours on days 1-3, and vincristine IV on days 5, 12, 19, 26, and 33. Patients proceed to course 2 of chemoradiotherapy 7 days prior to completion of radiotherapy. • Chemoradiotherapy (course 2): Patients receive ifosfamide IV over 1 hour and cisplatin IV over 1 hour on days 1-5, etoposide IV over 2 hours on days 1-3, and vincristine IV on day 5. Patients proceed to consolidation chemotherapy 4 weeks later. • Arm II: Patients receive chemoradiotherapy courses 1 and 2 as in arm I and proceed to consolidation chemotherapy 4 weeks later. • Consolidation chemotherapy: Patients receive vincristine IV on days 1, 8, and 15, oral lomustine once on day 2, and oral prednisone once daily on days 1-17. Treatment repeats every 6 weeks for up to 8 courses. Quality of life is assessed 1 week after surgery, after completion of chemoradiotherapy, at 1, 4, and 13 months after completion of consolidation chemotherapy, and then annually for 3 years. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed periodically for 3 years Orphanet Database. Clinical trial 2006 - 2 http://www.orpha.net/data/eth/DE/ID39846Eng.pdf .
Recommended publications
  • Cancer Drug Pharmacology Table
    CANCER DRUG PHARMACOLOGY TABLE Cytotoxic Chemotherapy Drugs are classified according to the BC Cancer Drug Manual Monographs, unless otherwise specified (see asterisks). Subclassifications are in brackets where applicable. Alkylating Agents have reactive groups (usually alkyl) that attach to Antimetabolites are structural analogues of naturally occurring molecules DNA or RNA, leading to interruption in synthesis of DNA, RNA, or required for DNA and RNA synthesis. When substituted for the natural body proteins. substances, they disrupt DNA and RNA synthesis. bendamustine (nitrogen mustard) azacitidine (pyrimidine analogue) busulfan (alkyl sulfonate) capecitabine (pyrimidine analogue) carboplatin (platinum) cladribine (adenosine analogue) carmustine (nitrosurea) cytarabine (pyrimidine analogue) chlorambucil (nitrogen mustard) fludarabine (purine analogue) cisplatin (platinum) fluorouracil (pyrimidine analogue) cyclophosphamide (nitrogen mustard) gemcitabine (pyrimidine analogue) dacarbazine (triazine) mercaptopurine (purine analogue) estramustine (nitrogen mustard with 17-beta-estradiol) methotrexate (folate analogue) hydroxyurea pralatrexate (folate analogue) ifosfamide (nitrogen mustard) pemetrexed (folate analogue) lomustine (nitrosurea) pentostatin (purine analogue) mechlorethamine (nitrogen mustard) raltitrexed (folate analogue) melphalan (nitrogen mustard) thioguanine (purine analogue) oxaliplatin (platinum) trifluridine-tipiracil (pyrimidine analogue/thymidine phosphorylase procarbazine (triazine) inhibitor)
    [Show full text]
  • The Synergic Effect of Vincristine and Vorinostat in Leukemia in Vitro and In
    Chao et al. Journal of Hematology & Oncology (2015) 8:82 DOI 10.1186/s13045-015-0176-7 JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY & ONCOLOGY RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access The synergic effect of vincristine and vorinostat in leukemia in vitro and in vivo Min-Wu Chao1, Mei-Jung Lai2, Jing-Ping Liou3, Ya-Ling Chang1, Jing-Chi Wang4, Shiow-Lin Pan4*† and Che-Ming Teng1*† Abstract Background: Combination therapy is a key strategy for minimizing drug resistance, a common problem in cancer therapy. The microtubule-depolymerizing agent vincristine is widely used in the treatment of acute leukemia. In order to decrease toxicity and chemoresistance of vincristine, this study will investigate the effects of combination vincristine and vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA)), a pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor, on human acute T cell lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Methods: Cell viability experiments were determined by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and cell cycle distributions as well as mitochondria membrane potential were analyzed by flow cytometry. In vitro tubulin polymerization assay was used to test tubulin assembly, and immunofluorescence analysis was performed to detect microtubule distribution and morphology. In vivo effect of the combination was evaluated by a MOLT-4 xenograft model. Statistical analysis was assessed by Bonferroni’s t test. Results: Cell viability showed that the combination of vincristine and SAHA exhibited greater cytotoxicity with an IC50 value of 0.88 nM, compared to each drug alone, 3.3 and 840 nM. This combination synergically induced G2/M arrest, followed by an increase in cell number at the sub-G1 phase and caspase activation.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Drugs Not Repackaged by Safecor Health
    Drugs Not Repackaged by Safecor Health The following tables list specific medications that are not repackaged by Safecor Health due to regulatory restrictions or specific manufacturer requirements. The items not repackaged are alphabetically listed below, both by brand name (table 1) and generic name (table 2). Please note: Safecor Health cannot repackage any beta lactam antibiotics (such as penicillins, amoxicillin and cephalosporins) or potent chemotherapeutic agents. Also, due to FDA restrictions, we cannot repackage half- or quarter-tabs, compounded or diluted drugs, powders, and ointments or creams. Safecor Health can repackage most hazardous drugs on the NIOSH list. Contact us for a complete list of hazardous drugs repackaged by Safecor Health. Table 1. Do Not Repackage Drugs Sorted Alphabetically by Brand Name Brand Name(s) Generic Name(s) Reason Item Cannot Be Repackaged Adrucil Fluorouracil Potent chemotherapy agent Aspirin and Extended-Release Specific manufacturer recommendations for very Aggrenox Dipyridamole limited expiration dating Albenza Albendazole Cost per dose prohibitive Alkeran Melphalan Potent chemotherapy agent Augmentin Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium Safecor Health does not repackage this drug class Manufacturer states, "dispense in original container," Belsomra Suvorexant on the drug label Manufacturer states, "dispense in original container," Biktarvy Bictegravir, Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Alafenamide on the drug label Bion Tears Dextran, Hypromellose Ophthalmic Drops Sterile and unpreserved CeeNU Lomustine
    [Show full text]
  • How Chemotherapy Drugs Work
    cancer.org | 1.800.227.2345 How Chemotherapy Drugs Work Many different kinds of chemotherapy or chemo drugs are used to treat cancer – either alone or in combination with other drugs or treatments. These drugs are very different in their chemical composition (what they are made of), how they are prescribed and given, how useful they are in treating certain types of cancer, and the side effects they might have. It's important to know that not all medicines and drugs to treat cancer work the same way. Other drugs to treat cancer work differently, such as targeted therapy1, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy2. The information below describes how traditional or standard chemotherapy works. Chemotherapy works with the cell cycle Every time any new cell is formed, it goes through a usual process to become a fully functioning (or mature) cell. The process involves a series of phases and is called the cell cycle. Chemotherapy drugs target cells at different phases of the cell cycle. Understanding how these drugs work helps doctors predict which drugs are likely to work well together. Doctors can also plan how often doses of each drug should be given based on the timing of the cell phases. Cancer cells tend to form new cells more quickly than normal cells and this makes them a better target for chemotherapy drugs. However, chemo drugs can’t tell the difference between healthy cells and cancer cells. This means normal cells are damaged along with the cancer cells, and this causes side effects. Each time chemo is given, it means trying to find a balance between killing the cancer cells (in order to cure or control the disease) and sparing the normal cells (to lessen side effects).
    [Show full text]
  • The Antitumor Effects of an Arsthinol–Cyclodextrin Complex in A
    The antitumor effects of an arsthinol–cyclodextrin complex in a heterotopic mouse model of glioma Selma Becherirat, Marie-Claire Lanhers, Marie Socha, Mehdi Yemloul, Alain Astier, Caroline Loboda, Nathalia Aniceto, Stéphane Gibaud To cite this version: Selma Becherirat, Marie-Claire Lanhers, Marie Socha, Mehdi Yemloul, Alain Astier, et al.. The antitumor effects of an arsthinol–cyclodextrin complex in a heterotopic mouse model of glioma. Eu- ropean Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, Elsevier, 2013, 83 (3 Pt A), pp.560-568. 10.1016/j.ejpb.2013.06.021. hal-01169157 HAL Id: hal-01169157 https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01169157 Submitted on 5 Jul 2015 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. The antitumor effects of an arsthinol-cyclodextrin complex in an heterotopic mouse model of glioma Selma Becherirata, Marie-Claire Lanhersb, Marie Sochaa, Mehdi Yemloulc, Alain Astierd, Caroline Lobodaa, Nathalia Anicetoa and Stéphane Gibauda* a : EA 3452 – CITHEFOR – Université de Lorraine - 5, rue Albert Lebrun (Faculté de pharmacie) – 54000 Nancy - France b : EA 4421 – SIGRETO – Université de Lorraine - 9, avenue de la forêt de Haye (Faculté de médecine) – 54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy - France c : Méthodologie RMN (CRM2, UMR 7036 CNRS-Nancy-Université), Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, BP 70239, 54506 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France d : Pharmacy –Toxicology Department, CHU Henri Mondor, 51 avenue du Maréchal de Lattre, 94010, Créteil, France *Corresponding author.
    [Show full text]
  • Chemotherapy Medications
    UnityPoint at Home Specialty Pharmacy Chemotherapy & Supportive Care Agents This is an alphabetical listing of specialty medications that UnityPoint at Home Specialty Pharmacy can provide or facilitate access to and is subject to change Last Reviewed: February 2019 BREAST LUNG OVARIAN Afinitor® (Everolimus) Hycamtin® (Topotecan) Hexalen® (Altretamine) Afinitor Disperz® Iressa® (Gefitinib) Lynparza™ (Olaparib) (Everolimus) Lorbrena® (Lortatinib) Aromasin® (Exemestane) Mekinist® (Trametinib) OTHER Exemestane Tafinlar® (Dabrafenib) Afinitor® (Everolimus) ® Fareston (Toremifene) Tagrisso™ (Osimertinib) Capecitabine Faslodex® (Fulvestrant) Talzenna® (Talazoparib) Gleevec® (Imatinib) Ibrance® (Palbociclib) Tarceva® (Erlotinib) Gleostine (Lomustine) Nerlynx® (Neratinib) Vizimpro® (Dacomitinib) Imatinib Kisqali® (Ribociclib) Xalkori® (Crizotinib) Lomustine Kisqali-Femara Co-Pack® Zykadia® (Ceritinib) Lysodren® (Mitotane) (Ribociclib-Letrozole) Stivarga® (Regorafenib) Tykerb® (Lapatinib) MELANOMA/BASAL CELL Sutent® (Sunitinib) Verzenio® (Abemaciclib) Odomzo® (Sonidegib) Tarceva® (Erlotinib) Xgeva® (Denosumab) Mekinist® (Trametinib) Temodar® (Temozolomide) Zortress® (Everolimus) Sylatron™ (Peginterferon alfa Temozolomide 2b) Votrient® (Pazopanib) HEMATOLOGIC Tafinlar® (Dabrafenib) Xeloda® (Capecitabine) Bosulif® (Bosutinib) Zejula® (Niraparib) Calquence® (Acalabrutinib) PROSTATE & RENAL CELL Zortress® (Everolimus) Farydak® (Panobinostat) Afinitor® (Everolimus) Daurismo® (Glasdegib) Afinitor Disperz® SUPPORTIVE CARE AGENTS Gleevec® (Imatinib) (Everolimus)
    [Show full text]
  • Therapeutic Options in Recurrent Glioblastoma – an Update
    Impact Factor Therapeutic options in recurrent glioblastoma – an update Standards of care are not yet defined for patients with recurrent glioblastoma. In this critical review, Katharina Seystahl and colleagues summarise the available literature for patients with recurrent (progressive) glioblastoma treated with repeat surgery, re-irradiation, chemotherapy or immunotherapy approaches. This is an abridged version of K Seystahl et al (2016) Therapeutic options in recurrent glioblastoma –an update. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology 99: 389-408. It was edited by Janet Fricker and is published with permission ©2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2016.01.018 lioblastoma is a devastating temozolomide (TMZ) during and after bias, small sample sizes and disease disease with a median overall radiotherapy compared to radiotherapy heterogeneity. Gsurvival (OS) of 8.1 months for alone (12.1 months) (N Engl J the period 2000–2003 and 9.7 months Med 2005, 352:987–96). Promoter for 2005–2008 in population-based methylation of the O6-methylguanine- Diagnosis of progression and studies in the US (J Neurooncol 2012, DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) response 107:359–64). gene is a predictive biomarker for The current standard of care in benefit of TMZ in newly diagnosed The RANO (Response Assessment in newly diagnosed glioblastoma was glioblastoma (N Engl J Med 2005, Neuro-Oncology) criteria are considered established based on the trial of the 352:997–1003). Currently, no to be the most accepted approach for European Organisation for Research standard of care is established for diagnosis of progression and response and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)/ recurrent or progressive glioblastoma in recurrent glioblastoma (J Clin Oncol National Cancer Institute of Canada (Lancet Oncol 2014, 15:e395–403).
    [Show full text]
  • Interstitial Photodynamic Therapy Using 5-ALA for Malignant Glioma Recurrences
    cancers Article Interstitial Photodynamic Therapy Using 5-ALA for Malignant Glioma Recurrences Stefanie Lietke 1,2,† , Michael Schmutzer 1,2,† , Christoph Schwartz 1,3, Jonathan Weller 1,2 , Sebastian Siller 1,2 , Maximilian Aumiller 4,5 , Christian Heckl 4,5 , Robert Forbrig 6, Maximilian Niyazi 2,7, Rupert Egensperger 8, Herbert Stepp 4,5 , Ronald Sroka 4,5 , Jörg-Christian Tonn 1,2, Adrian Rühm 4,5,‡ and Niklas Thon 1,2,*,‡ 1 Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany 2 German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany 3 Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria 4 Laser-Forschungslabor, LIFE Center, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany 5 Department of Urology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany 6 Institute for Clinical Neuroradiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany 7 Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany 8 Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +49-89-4400-0 † Both authors contributed equally. ‡ This study is guided by AR and NT equally thus both serve as shared last authors. Citation: Lietke, S.; Schmutzer, M.; Schwartz, C.; Weller, J.; Siller, S.; Simple Summary: Malignant glioma has a poor prognosis, especially in recurrent situations. Intersti- Aumiller, M.; Heckl, C.; Forbrig, R.; tial photodynamic therapy (iPDT) uses light delivered by implanted light-diffusing fibers to activate Niyazi, M.; Egensperger, R.; et al. a photosensitizing agent to induce tumor cell death. This study examined iPDT for the treatment Interstitial Photodynamic Therapy of malignant glioma recurrences.
    [Show full text]
  • Current FDA-Approved Therapies for High-Grade Malignant Gliomas
    biomedicines Review Current FDA-Approved Therapies for High-Grade Malignant Gliomas Jacob P. Fisher 1,* and David C. Adamson 2,3 1 Division of Biochemistry, Southern Virginia University, Buena Vista, VA 24416, USA 2 Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; [email protected] 3 Atlanta VA Healthcare System, Decatur, GA 30033, USA * Correspondence: Jacob.fi[email protected] Abstract: The standard of care (SOC) for high-grade gliomas (HGG) is maximally safe surgical resection, followed by concurrent radiation therapy (RT) and temozolomide (TMZ) for 6 weeks, then adjuvant TMZ for 6 months. Before this SOC was established, glioblastoma (GBM) patients typically lived for less than one year after diagnosis, and no adjuvant chemotherapy had demonstrated significant survival benefits compared with radiation alone. In 2005, the Stupp et al. randomized controlled trial (RCT) on newly diagnosed GBM patients concluded that RT plus TMZ compared to RT alone significantly improved overall survival (OS) (14.6 vs. 12.1 months) and progression-free survival (PFS) at 6 months (PFS6) (53.9% vs. 36.4%). Outside of TMZ, there are four drugs and one device FDA-approved for the treatment of HGGs: lomustine, intravenous carmustine, carmustine wafer implants, bevacizumab (BVZ), and tumor treatment fields (TTFields). These treatments are now mainly used to treat recurrent HGGs and symptoms. TTFields is the only treatment that has been shown to improve OS (20.5 vs. 15.6 months) and PFS6 (56% vs. 37%) in comparison to the current SOC. TTFields is the newest addition to this list of FDA-approved treatments, but has not been universally accepted yet as part of SOC.
    [Show full text]
  • In Vitro Elucidation of the Metabolic Fate of the Anticancer Drug Busulfan
    Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports 2008 In vitro elucidation of the metabolic fate of the anticancer drug busulfan Islam Rasem Younis West Virginia University Follow this and additional works at: https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd Recommended Citation Younis, Islam Rasem, "In vitro elucidation of the metabolic fate of the anticancer drug busulfan" (2008). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 2719. https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/2719 This Dissertation is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by the The Research Repository @ WVU with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Dissertation in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you must obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Dissertation has been accepted for inclusion in WVU Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports collection by an authorized administrator of The Research Repository @ WVU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. IN VITRO ELUCIDATION OF THE METABOLIC FATE OF THE ANTICANCER DRUG BUSULFAN Islam Rasem Younis A Dissertation Submitted to The School of Pharmacy At West Virginia University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for The degree of Doctor of Philosophy In Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences Patrick S. Callery, Ph.D., Chair William P. Petros, Pharm.D. Robert Griffith, Ph.D. Lisa L. Holland, Ph.D. Paula Jo. Stout, Ph.D. Department of Basic Pharmacuetical Sciences Morgantown , West Virginia 2008 Keywords: Busulfan, glutathione, sulfonium ion, dehydroglutathione, β-lyase, cytstathionine γ-lyase, N,N-dimethylacetamide.
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of Rituximab in the Treatment of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma
    cancers Review The Role of Rituximab in the Treatment of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Ruben Van Dijck 1 , Jeanette K. Doorduijn 1 and Jacoline E.C. Bromberg 2,* 1 Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; [email protected] (R.V.D.); [email protected] (J.K.D.) 2 Department of Neuro-Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands * Correspondence: [email protected] Simple Summary: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare form of cancer and the treatment of newly diagnosed patients is challenging. Many chemotherapy regimens are being used, and methotrexate is an important component in most. The role of the immunotherapy rituximab is not as clear. This review focuses on the available evidence for the use of this monoclonal antibody in the treatment of patients with PCNSL. Abstract: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma limited to the central nervous system. It has a poor prognosis. Consensus has been reached on the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with high-dose methotrexate-based chemotherapy, but whether the addition of the monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody rituximab improves survival, as it does in systemic B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, remains disputed. In this review, we reflect on the available evidence of the use of rituximab in PCNSL. Whether rituximab has any beneficial effect Citation: Van Dijck, R.; Doorduijn, remains uncertain. J.K.; Bromberg, J.E.C. The Role of Rituximab in the Treatment of Keywords: primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL); non-Hodgkin lymphoma; ritux- Primary Central Nervous System imab; high-dose methotrexate Lymphoma.
    [Show full text]
  • Cancer Drug Costs for a Month of Treatment at Initial Food
    Cancer drug costs for a month of treatment at initial Food and Drug Administration approval Year of FDA Monthly Cost Monthly cost (2013 Generic name Brand name(s) approval (actual $'s) $'s) Vinblastine Velban 1965 $78 $575 Thioguanine, 6-TG Thioguanine Tabloid 1966 $17 $122 Hydroxyurea Hydrea 1967 $14 $97 Cytarabine Cytosar-U, Tarabine PFS 1969 $13 $82 Procarbazine Matulane 1969 $2 $13 Testolactone Teslac 1969 $179 $1,136 Mitotane Lysodren 1970 $134 $801 Plicamycin Mithracin 1970 $50 $299 Mitomycin C Mutamycin 1974 $5 $22 Dacarbazine DTIC-Dome 1975 $29 $125 Lomustine CeeNU 1976 $10 $41 Carmustine BiCNU, BCNU 1977 $33 $127 Tamoxifen citrate Nolvadex 1977 $44 $167 Cisplatin Platinol 1978 $125 $445 Estramustine Emcyt 1981 $420 $1,074 Streptozocin Zanosar 1982 $61 $147 Etoposide, VP-16 Vepesid 1983 $181 $422 Interferon alfa 2a Roferon A 1986 $742 $1,573 Daunorubicin, Daunomycin Cerubidine 1987 $533 $1,090 Doxorubicin Adriamycin 1987 $521 $1,066 Mitoxantrone Novantrone 1987 $477 $976 Ifosfamide IFEX 1988 $1,667 $3,274 Flutamide Eulexin 1989 $213 $399 Altretamine Hexalen 1990 $341 $606 Idarubicin Idamycin 1990 $227 $404 Levamisole Ergamisol 1990 $105 $187 Carboplatin Paraplatin 1991 $860 $1,467 Fludarabine phosphate Fludara 1991 $662 $1,129 Pamidronate Aredia 1991 $507 $865 Pentostatin Nipent 1991 $1,767 $3,015 Aldesleukin Proleukin 1992 $13,503 $22,364 Melphalan Alkeran 1992 $35 $58 Cladribine Leustatin, 2-CdA 1993 $764 $1,229 Asparaginase Elspar 1994 $694 $1,088 Paclitaxel Taxol 1994 $2,614 $4,099 Pegaspargase Oncaspar 1994 $3,006 $4,713
    [Show full text]