117 research outputs found
Gemcitabine and carboplatin in intensively pretreated patients with metastatic breast cancer
Background: Patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) are increasingly exposed to anthracyclines and taxanes either during treatment of primary breast cancer or during initial therapy of metastatic disease. The combination of gemcitabine and carboplatin was therefore investigated as an anthracycline- and taxane-free treatment option. Patients and Methods: MBC patients previously treated with chemotherapy were enrolled in a multicenter phase II study. Treatment consisted of gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m(2) i.v. on days 1 and 8) and carboplatin (AUC 4 i.v. on day 1) applied every 3 weeks. Results: Thirty-nine patients were recruited, and a total of 207 treatment cycles were applied with a median of 5 cycles per patient. One complete response and 11 partial responses were observed for an overall response rate of 31% (95% CI: 17-48%). Twelve patients (31%) had stable disease. Median time to progression was 5.3 months (95% CI: 2.6-6.7 months) and median overall survival from start of treatment was 13.2 months (95% CI: 8.7-16.7 months). Grade 3/4 hematological toxicity included leukopenia (59%/5%), thrombo-cytopenia (26%/23%) and anemia (10%/0%). Nonhematological toxicity was rarely severe. Conclusion: Combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine and carboplatin is an effective and generally well-tolerated treatment option for intensively pretreated patients with MBC. Due to a considerable incidence of severe thrombocytopenia it would be reasonable to consider starting gemcitabine at the lower dose level of 800 mg/m(2). Copyright (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel
PEG Branched Polymer for Functionalization of Nanomaterials with Ultralong Blood Circulation
Nanomaterials have been actively pursued for biological and medical
applications in recent years. Here, we report the synthesis of several new
poly(ethylene glycol) grafted branched-polymers for functionalization of
various nanomaterials including carbon nanotubes, gold nanoparticles (NP) and
gold nanorods (NRs), affording high aqueous solubility and stability for these
materials. We synthesize different surfactant polymers based upon
poly-(g-glutamic acid) (gPGA) and poly(maleic anhydride-alt-1-octadecene)
(PMHC18). We use the abundant free carboxylic acid groups of gPGA for attaching
lipophilic species such as pyrene or phospholipid, which bind to nanomaterials
via robust physisorption. Additionally, the remaining carboxylic acids on gPGA
or the amine-reactive anhydrides of PMHC18 are then PEGylated, providing
extended hydrophilic groups, affording polymeric amphiphiles. We show that
single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), Au NPs and NRs functionalized by the
polymers exhibit high stability in aqueous solutions at different pHs, at
elevated temperatures and in serum. Morever, the polymer-coated SWNTs exhibit
remarkably long blood circulation (t1/2 22.1 h) upon intravenous injection into
mice, far exceeding the previous record of 5.4 h. The ultra-long blood
circulation time suggests greatly delayed clearance of nanomaterials by the
reticuloendothelial system (RES) of mice, a highly desired property for in vivo
applications of nanomaterials, including imaging and drug delivery
Gemcitabine and carboplatin in intensively pretreated patients with metastatic breast cancer
Background: Patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) are increasingly exposed to anthracyclines and taxanes either during treatment of primary breast cancer or during initial therapy of metastatic disease. The combination of gemcitabine and carboplatin was therefore investigated as an anthracycline- and taxane-free treatment option. Patients and Methods: MBC patients previously treated with chemotherapy were enrolled in a multicenter phase II study. Treatment consisted of gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m(2) i.v. on days 1 and 8) and carboplatin (AUC 4 i.v. on day 1) applied every 3 weeks. Results: Thirty-nine patients were recruited, and a total of 207 treatment cycles were applied with a median of 5 cycles per patient. One complete response and 11 partial responses were observed for an overall response rate of 31% (95% CI: 17-48%). Twelve patients (31%) had stable disease. Median time to progression was 5.3 months (95% CI: 2.6-6.7 months) and median overall survival from start of treatment was 13.2 months (95% CI: 8.7-16.7 months). Grade 3/4 hematological toxicity included leukopenia (59%/5%), thrombo-cytopenia (26%/23%) and anemia (10%/0%). Nonhematological toxicity was rarely severe. Conclusion: Combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine and carboplatin is an effective and generally well-tolerated treatment option for intensively pretreated patients with MBC. Due to a considerable incidence of severe thrombocytopenia it would be reasonable to consider starting gemcitabine at the lower dose level of 800 mg/m(2). Copyright (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel
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