0000000000033880

AUTHOR

Norbert Frickhofen

Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Versus Tandem High-Dose Melphalan for Front-Line Treatment of Deletion 13q14 Myeloma – An Interim Analysis of the German DSMM V Trial.

Abstract Abstract 51 Background Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo SCT), a treatment modality based on transfer of immunocompetent donor lymphocytes offers curative potential to subjects with a variety of hematological cancers. In multiple myeloma (MM), high-dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (auto SCT) is adopted as a standard of care. However, it remains palliative since virtually all patients (pts) relapse and renders allo SCT an option of interest. Deletion of chromosome 13q14 (13q-) in MM has been shown to negatively impact prognosis. Therefore, improvement of therapy for 13q- pts is highly desirable. Patients and methods A prospective two-arm multi…

research product

Successful Treatment of Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (CAPS) Associated With Splenic Marginal-zone Lymphoma With Low-molecular Weight Heparin, Rituximab and Bendamustine

ABSTRACT Case report A 69-year-old woman with splenic marginal-zone lymphoma was admitted with progressive abdominal pain and splenomegaly as the suspected cause of pain. Rituximab treatment (375 mg/m 2 ) had been initiated on the day of admission. Abdominal computerized tomography revealed splenic infarction. Laboratory tests showed elevation of liver enzymes and creatinine, low platelet count, prolonged partial thromboplastin time, and lupus anticoagulant positivity. The diagnosis of catastrophic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome was made. Weight-adjusted low-molecular weight heparin therapy was initiated. Freedom from symptoms and normalization of liver enzymes and creatinine occurred w…

research product

Cetuximab, fluorouracil and cisplatin with or without docetaxel for patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (CeFCiD) : an open-label phase II randomised trial (AIO/IAG-KHT trial 1108)

Abstract Background The combination of cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cetuximab (PFC) is the reference first-line treatment for recurrent/metastatic (R/M) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We analysed whether treatment intensification by the addition of docetaxel to PFC improved efficacy in R/M SCCHN. Methods A total of 180 patients with R/M SCCHN (1:1) were assigned to receive either cisplatin (40 mg/m2), docetaxel (40 mg/m2) and 5-FU (2000 mg/m2) at days 1 and 8 and cetuximab (400/250 mg/m2) at days 1, 8 and 15 (DPFC) or standard cisplatin (100 mg/m2) at day 1, 5-FU (1000 mg/m2) at days 1–4 and cetuximab (400/250 mg/m2) at days 1, 8 and 15 (PFC). Chemotherapy was…

research product

Plerixafor with and without chemotherapy in poor mobilizers: results from the German compassionate use program.

The CXCR4-inhibitor plerixafor mobilizes hematopoietic stem cells amplifying the effects of granulocyte-CSF (G-CSF). Before approval plerixafor was used in a compassionate use program (CUP) for patients who failed a previous mobilization. In the German CUP 60 patients from 23 centers (median age 56.5 years (2-75)) were given 240 μg/kg plerixafor SC 9-11 h before apheresis. A total of 78.3% (47/60) received G-CSF for 4 days before plerixafor administration; 76.6% of those (36/47) yielded at least 2.0 × 10(6) CD34(+) cells/μL. The median cell yield was 3.35 × 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg (0-29.53). Nine patients received plerixafor alone or with G-CSF for less than 4 days mobilizing a median of 3.30 …

research product

Rituximab combined with DexaBEAM followed by high dose therapy as salvage therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphoma: mature results of a phase II multicentre study.

Summary Salvage therapy followed by high-dose therapy (HDT) remains a mainstay for patients with relapsed lymphoma, however no optimal regimen has been defined. Here we report on the results of R-DexaBEAM (rituximab, dexamethasone, carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan) followed by HDT. Patients aged 18–65 years, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score 0–2, with relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) were eligible. R-Dexa-BEAM was given for two cycles followed by stem cell mobilization and HDT. Primary endpoint of the trial was progression-free-survival (PFS). One hundred and three patients were included: aggressive NHL (aNHL): diffuse large B-cell lymphom…

research product

High-dose methotrexate-based immuno-chemotherapy for elderly primary CNS lymphoma patients (PRIMAIN study)

Leukemia : normal and malignant hemopoiesis 31(4), 846-852 (2017). doi:10.1038/leu.2016.334

research product

Cetuximab, fluorouracil (5-FU), cisplatin, and docetaxel as first-line treatment in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN): Interim results of a randomized phase II clinical trial (CeFCiD).

e17021 Background: This study investigates efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel added to cetuximab, cisplatin and 5-FU for patients with R/M SCCHN. We here report a planned second interim analysis to compare response rates between arms in order to decide on continuing to full accrual. Methods: Inclusion criteria were: stage III/IV R/M SCCHN and ECOG 0-1. Patients were randomized to arm A: cetuximab (standard dose) plus a maximum of 6 cycles of docetaxel (40 mg/m², day 1+8), cisplatin (40 mg/m², day 1+8) and 5-FU (2000 mg/m², day 1+8) or to arm B: cetuximab (standard dose), cisplatin (100 mg/m², day 1) and 5-FU (1000 mg/m², day 1-4). Treatment was administered until progression or intolerabil…

research product

Efficacy of Rituximab Combined in Salvage- and High Dose-Therapy (HDT) for Patients with Relapsed NHL; Interim Analysis of a Multicenter Phase II Study.

Abstract The introduction of Rituximab (R) in the treatment of B-NHL resulted in improvement in first line therapies for indolent (ind.) and aggressive (agg.) B-NHL. However, the value of R in intensive chemotherapy relapse strategies has not definitely been demonstrated. In a phase I/II clinical trial we have demonstrated safety of R as an in vivo purging agens in salvage and high dose therapy for relapsed/refractory B-NHL. This led, with promising response rates, to the initiation of a multicenter phase II trial to further prove therapeutic efficacy. Inclusion criteria were: Pt < 65 years, ECOG < 3, relapse or progression for patients with ind. NHL and induction failure or relapse f…

research product

Prevalence of bisphosphonate associated osteonecrosis of the jaws in multiple myeloma patients

Abstract Background Bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaws (BP-ONJ) is an adverse effect of bisphosphonate treatment with varying reported incidence rates. Methods In two neighboring German cities, prevalence and additional factors of the development of BP-ONJ in multiple myeloma patients with bisphosphonates therapy were recorded using a retrospective (RS) and cross-sectional study (CSS) design. For the RS, all patients treated from Jan. 2000 - Feb. 2006 were contacted by letter. In the CSS, all patients treated from Oct. 2006 - Mar. 2008 had a physical and dental examination. Additionally, a literature review was conducted to evaluate all articles reporting on BP-ONJ prevalen…

research product