Oral chemotherapy in hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma patients unwilling to be admitted to hospital.

<i>Objectives:</i> To investigate the safety and efficacy in terms of PSA response of a low-dose oral combination of estramustine phosphate (EMP) and etoposide (VP16) in hormone- refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) patients. Well-tolerated outpatient chemotherapy regimens for patients unfit and/or unwilling to be admitted to hospital are needed. <i>Methods:</i> Fifty-six HRPC patients with metastatic disease (median age 75 years) were randomized between arm A (daily oral EMP 10 mg/kg, in 3 doses) and arm B (28-day cycle with low-dose EMP 3 mg/kg once daily plus VP16 25 mg/m<sup>2</sup> once daily on days 1 through 14). Baseline characteristics between the t…

Environmental Risk Factors in Superficial Bladder Cancer

As a preliminary approach to define the object of larger case-control studies, the distribution of potential risk factors coming from environmental pollution among patients affected by superficial bladder cancer (TCCB) has been analyzed. Material e Methods. The analysis included only patients affected by medium risk superficial TCCB. Forty Italian urological centres joined the study. Detailed information about age, sex, residency, employment, active and passive cigarette smoking, water resource, hair-dye use were centralized. All patients underwent TUR and early intravesical chemotherapy. The distribution of the above mentioned environmental factors was related to tumor characteristics suc…

CHEMIOPROFILASSI PRECOCE CON EPIRUBICINA AD ALTA DOSE NEL CARCINOMA VESCICALE SUPERFICIALE. STUDIO RANDOMIZZATO DEL GSTU

Fattori di rischio ambientali nella storia naturale del carcinoma vescicale superficiale.

Out-patient low-dose oral chemotherapy in hormone refractory prostate carcinoma (HRPC) patients unfit for hospital admittance.

Objectives: Well tolerated out-patient regimens for HRPC chemotherapy in elderly patients with geographical difficulties and/or unwilling hospital admission are needed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of a low-dose oral combination of estramustine phosphate (EMP) and etoposide (VP16). Patients: Fifty-six HRPC patients, median age 75 years, were randomized between daily EMP (10mg/kg) – arm A, and low-dose EMP (3mg/kg) plus VP16 (25mg/mq) 2 weeks monthly – arm B. Randomization ratio was 2:3. Median PSA was 41.1 ng/ml. Baseline characteristics between the 2 groups were similar. LHRH therapy was maintained. Antiandrogen was stopped one month before entry.…

A randomized phase II study of estramustine phosphate versus estramustine phosphate plus etoposide in hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC)

20632 Background: Docetaxel-based regimens represent the treatment of choice of HRPC. However, in some patients toxicity may be a concern and the quality of life may be compromised. The aim of this phase II randomized study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose chemotherapy regimen adopting a combination of EMP and VP16 in patients affected by HRPC. Methods: 54 HRPC patients were randomized between: arm A, daily oral standard dose EMP (10mg/kg) and arm B, low-dose EMP (3mg/kg) plus VP16 (25mg/mq) for 2 weeks followed by 2-weeks’rest. Systemic toxicity and hematologic exams were monitored every 2 weeks. Performance status, pain and analgesic use were evaluated according to WH…