Gemcitabine combined with continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil in advanced and symptomatic pancreatic cancer: a clinical benefit-oriented phase II study

Gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil are the only two compounds with reproducible activity against advanced pancreatic cancer (APC). We have evaluated a novel combination of gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil on the clinical benefit response (CBR) end point. Eleven consecutive patients with symptomatic APC were entered in a two-stage phase II trial. Gemcitabine was administered by intravenous (i.v.) bolus injection at the dose of 1000 mg m−2on days 1, 8, 15 and 5-fluorouracil 500 mg m−2was given by continuous i.v. infusion on days 1–5. Treatment was repeated every 28 days. A CBR was achieved in 7/11 patients. The mean time to loss of CBR was 26.5 weeks (range 14–18, median 22). Toxicity was mild and no APC patient experienced WHO grade 3 toxicity. The gemcitabine/5-fluorouracil combination is well tolerated and produces a symptomatic relief in the majority of APC patients. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaig

A novel point mutation in the intracellular domain of the ret protooncogene in a family with medullary thyroid carcinoma

Specific mutations in the ret protooncogene have been found associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A) and type 2B (MEN 2B) and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC). Mutations in one of five cysteine residues in the extracellular domain have been found in over 95% of families with MEN 2A and 88% of families with FMTC. In MEN 2B patients, a specific mutation at codon 918, substituting a threonine for a methionine, has been found in 95% of cases. In FMTC, in addition to the mutations of the extracellular cysteines, three intracellular base pair changes have been reported at codons 768 and 804. Here we describe a novel intracellular mutation in exon 15 of the rer gene that leads to the substitution of an alanine for a serine at codon 891 in a family with medullary thyroid carcinoma. This amino acid change may be important in determining substrate specificity or, alternatively, may play a role in ATP binding

Clinical Characteristics of Metastatic Prostate Cancer Patients Infected with COVID-19 in South Italy

Background: To date, the clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19)-infected urologic cancer patients are unknown. Methods: We have analyzed all patients with prostate cancer undergoing hormonal or chemotherapy treatment and receiving telephone and in person pre-triage between March 1 and 27, 2020, at the Tortora Hospital, Pagani, Italy. Results: Among 72 patients, 48 and 24 were hormone-sensitive (HS) and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), respectively; 0 HS and 2 (8.3%) CRPC (p < 0.05) were positive for COVID-19. Both patients were receiving LHRH agonist therapy, and 1 patient was receiving enzalutamide. Urgent intensive care unit admission was required due to clinical worsening. Blood tests showed severe lymphopenia, anemia, and an increase in platelets. Retroviral therapy, antibiotics, heparin, and chloroquine were prescribed at the beginning. One patient also received tocilizumab as a salvage treatment. After 3 weeks of hospitalization, the patients were discharged from the hospital. Both patients suffered from an aggressive COVID-19 course due to concomitant comorbidities. Conclusions: Investigating whether hormonal therapy, especially in advanced disease, acts as a protective factor or a risk factor during COVID-19 could be useful