Management of Patients with Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer: From Theory to Integrated Clinical Path- ways Implementation in the Real World

Introduction: Best care of esophagogastric junction and gastric cancer (EGC) requires a complex, timely interaction between members of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT). An integrated clinical pathway (ICP) is necessary to achieve this goal as well as the implementation of its use in daily practice. The objective of this study was to elaborate on an integrated clinical pathway for the multi-disciplinary management of ECG. Authors also put in act an implementation program to improve adherence to guidelines thought an ICP. Method: This prospective work carried out by a multi-institutional MDT in Italy identified expert panel extracted relevant recommendations and/or statements from published pa…

In vivo effects of tumor necrosis factor-α or flavone acetic acid in combination with doxorubicin on multidrug-resistant B16 melanoma

Having observed that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and doxorubicin (DXR) produce a synergistic inhibition of melanoma B16 and also of its multidrug resistant (MDR) variant in vitro, we tested whether this interaction would occur in vivo as well. C57BL/6 mice with s.c. tumors were treated with TNF or flavone acetic acid (FAA), a biological response modifier, in simultaneous or sequential combination with DXR. The agents were administered systemically. Overall, the results were negative, apart from a trend towards slight synergy, found in the chemosensitive melanoma, when TNF was given 1 or 2 days before DXR. The effects of FAA and DXR were found to be subadditive or antagonistic. However…

FOLFIRI regimen in advanced colorectal cancer: the experience of the Gruppo Oncologico dell'Italia Meridionale

Carboplatin in combination with raltitrexed in recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A multicentre phase II study of the Gruppo Oncologico Dell'Italia Meridionale (G.O.I.M.)

ackground: The combination of cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a standard regimen for the treatment of recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This combination shows a relevant toxicity and new chemotherapy associations with a more favourable toxicity profile are awaited. Carboplatin (CB) is a platinum derivative with less toxicity than CDDP. Raltitrexed (R) is a potent and specific thymidylate synthase inhibitor with activity comparable to that of 5-FU in colorectal cancer; moreover, it showed activity as a single agent in HNSCC. Materials and Methods: Since 2001, a multicentre, phase II trial has been underway to evaluate the efficacy and toxic…