Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0015672 (fatigue)
 51,768 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

High-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) with or without lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells has been reported to have activity in certain solid tumors, but toxicity has usually required hospitalization for administration. The purpose of this trial was to determine the antineoplastic effect and toxicity of IL-2 administered at a lower dose in an outpatient setting. Eligibility criteria included measurable disease, Karnofsky performance greater than or equal to 70%, age greater than 18 years, and adequate bone marrow, renal, and hepatic function. The median age of 35 patients was 56 years (range, 20 to 75). Diagnoses included malignant lymphoma (ML), (nine patients), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) (eight), melanoma (eight), colorectal cancer (six), renal cancer (two), and breast cancer (two). The initial 18 patients were treated with 1 mg/m2 (3 x 10(6) U/m2 intravenous [IV] bolus) for five days every other week for a total of 4 treatment weeks (8 weeks total). The subsequent 17 patients were treated with 0.5 mg/m2 (1.5 x 10(6) U/m2). All patients were evaluable for toxicity, and 26 for tumor response. Toxicities included fatigue (71%), nausea (69%), hypotension (54%), fever (51%), chills (40%), weight gain (37%), pruritus or rash (31%), dyspnea (14%), azotemia (6%), confusion (6%), thrombocytopenia (6%), and myocardial infarction (3%). Four patients died from apparently unrelated causes within the first 2 weeks of treatment. Treatment was discontinued before the completion of 8 weeks of treatment because of progressive disease (12 patients), severe hypotension (three), azotemia (one), myocardial infarction (one), early death (four), and miscellaneous causes (two). IL-2 at 1 mg/m2 IV for five days is associated with moderate toxicity, but a dose of 0.5 mg/m2 is tolerable for outpatient administration. Three partial responses (PR) and one minor response (MR) lasting 1 to 17+ months have been observed in 12 patients with ML and CLL evaluable for response. One additional MR was observed in a patient with melanoma. IL-2 deserves further study in patients with ML and CLL.
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PMID:Phase II trial of outpatient interleukin-2 in malignant lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and selected solid tumors. 278 39

Chemotherapy side effects, patient distress, and patient-practitioner communication were evaluated in an inception sample of 238 patients with breast cancer or malignant lymphoma. Participants were interviewed at five points during their first six cycles of therapy, and a subsample kept brief daily symptom diaries. Nausea, hair loss, and tiredness were each experienced by more than 80% of patients. By cycle 6, 46% of patients had thoughts about quitting therapy, but only a few had told medical staff. Patients' ratings of the objective difficulty of treatment increased over time, varied by treatment regimen, and were predicted by the experience of side effects, with the number of different side effects serving as the best predictor. In contrast, emotional distress was less sensitive to the directly assessable characteristics of treatment. Communication between patient and practitioner was found to be inadequate in a number of respects (i.e., patients did not fully anticipate the toxicities of treatment and did not report their concerns to medical staff). Communication may be impeded by inaccuracies in a patient's recall of treatment difficulties and by a patient's inability or unwillingness to attend to all presented information. More frequent opportunities for patient-practitioner discussion are necessary.
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PMID:Side effects and emotional distress during cancer chemotherapy. 291 36

A phase I-II study of human recombinant interferon gamma (rIFN-gamma) was conducted in patients with various advanced cancer refractory to standard chemotherapies. In the phase I study, seven patients received 14 courses of escalating doses ranging from 2 X 10(6)U/m2 to 64 X 10(6)U/m2 by 1-hour intravenous infusion for 5 consecutive days. The toxicities were high fever with chills, anorexia, occasional nausea and vomiting, elevation of serum GOT, and dose-related leukopenia and neurotoxic symptoms such as heavy fatigue with somnolence or lethargy, both of which were reversible. The pharmacokinetics showed that the peak levels of serum rIFN-gamma activity were dose-related but decreased rapidly to below measurable levels within 6 hours after infusion in patients receiving less than 12 X 10(6)U/m2. Considering these data, the dosage of rIFN-gamma 6 X 10(6) U/m2 by daily intramuscular injection for more than 4 weeks was selected for the early phase II study. There was no partial response out of 11 evaluable patients but a stable condition was observed in 2 cases of renal cell carcinoma and one case each of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. All toxicities seen were similar to those observed in the phase I study, but no tachyphylaxis developed with continued dosage. The antitumor effect of rIFN-gamma remains to be evaluated in a further study employing higher doses.
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PMID:[Phase I-II study of recombinant interferon gamma]. 298 59

A questionnaire has been developed for use as an outcome measure in clinical trials of adjuvant chemotherapy in women with stage II breast cancer. The selection of items for this Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Questionnaire (BCQ) was based on the problems and experiences felt to be most important by women undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. The BCQ consists of 30 questions that focus on loss of attractiveness, fatigue, physical symptoms, inconvenience, emotional distress, and feelings of hope and support from others. The BCQ, other instruments that evaluate quality-of-life (Spitzer, Karnofsky, and Rand), and patient and physician global assessments were administered serially to 418 patients taking part in a randomized trial comparing a 12-week regimen and a 36-week regimen of adjuvant chemotherapy. The validity of the BCQ is supported by its correlation with the Rand Emotional (r = .58), Rand Physical (r = .60), and Spitzer (r = .62) questionnaires. The BCQ correlated more strongly with global ratings of both physical and emotional function by the patients and their physicians than the other instruments. A comparison of the quality-of-life outcomes of patients in the two treatment groups in the period beyond 3 months after initiation of treatment, when one group had completed the treatment course and the other was still on treatment, revealed that the BCQ and Karnofsky were the only instruments able to demonstrate differences between the groups (P less than .0001). Hence, the BCQ is a valid and responsive method of assessing treatment-related morbidity in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II breast cancer.
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PMID:Quality of life in stage II breast cancer: an instrument for clinical trials. 292 75

From 1977 to 1982, 62 patients with various advanced malignant solid tumors were treated by HD-MTX-CFR therapy and totally 129 courses were given. Majority of the patients suffered from malignant lymphoma (10), osteogenic sarcoma (11), lung cancer (16), esophageal cancer (3), breast cancer (3) and malignant melanoma (4). All were confirmed by cytology or pathology except one primary liver cancer. There were clinically measurable lesions in 59 patients for evaluation of the treatment, and 3 osteogenic sarcoma patients without metastasis were given a postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. 33 out of 62 had received chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy before. Dose of MTX ranged from 2 to 3 gm per course in most patients and dose of CF, from 9 to 12 mg every 6 hours for 3 days. 2 (3.4%) patients achieved complete remission (1 osteogenic sarcoma and 1 malignant lymphoma) and 8 (13.6%), partial remission (1 osteogenic sarcoma, 5 malignant lymphoma, 1 esophageal cancer and 1 breast cancer) with a total response rate of 15.9%. No response was observed in all 16 lung cancers. The main side effects of HD-MTX-CFR therapy were leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, elevation of SGPT, nausea, vomiting, mucositis, skin rash, fever and fatigue. All patients were followed more than 3 years. 4 patients are still alive (9, 9, 4 and 7 years, respectively), including 3 osteogenic sarcoma patients who received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and 1 mycosis fungoides.
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PMID:[High-dose methotrexate with citrovorum factor rescue (HD-MTX-CFR) in the treatment of malignant solid tumors--clinical analysis of 62 patients]. 326 85

The combination of Interferon and low-dose cyclophosphamide synergistically inhibits the growth of human breast cancer xenografts, explanted human non-small cell lung carcinoma, and other experimental tumors. To determine whether this combination would demonstrate clinical efficacy against refractory solid tumors, we used recombinant alpha-2b-Interferon, 10 MU/m2 subcutaneously three times per week, and cyclophosphamide, 25 mg orally twice daily, in 42 patients (25 renal cell carcinoma, 17 melanoma). Two patients were inevaluable due to premature removal from the study. The toxicity profile did not differ substantially from that of Interferon alone with malaise, fatigue, fevers, and chills predominating. Sixteen percent of patients experienced an alteration in mental status. Of 40 patients evaluable for response, there were two partial responders (one renal cell carcinoma, one melanoma) and four minor responders (all renal cell carcinoma). The responder with melanoma had previously failed therapy with dacarbazine (DTIC). Seventeen patients remained stable for a median follow-up of 6 months. We conclude that this regimen is well tolerated; however, the combination of Interferon and low-dose cyclophosphamide used in this way does not appear to be superior to the same dose and schedule of Interferon used alone.
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PMID:Phase II trial of recombinant alpha-2b-interferon and low-dose cyclophosphamide in advanced melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. 327 75

Computerised instruction means teaching by computer using a program that alternates information with self-checking multiple choice questions. This system was used to create a fully computerized lesson on the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer which was then tested on a small group of medical students attending the Radiology School of the Milan University Institute of Radiological Sciences. At the end of the test, the students were asked to complete a questionnaire which was then analysed. The computer lesson consisted of 66 text messages and 21 self-checking questions. It aroused considerable interest, though the most common reason was curiosity about a novel system. The degree of fatigue caused was modest despite the fact that the computer lesson was at least as demanding as a traditional lesion, if not more so. The level of learning was considered high and optimised by the use of self-checking questions that were considered an essential element. However no student agreed to sit an official examination, even interactively, using the computer.
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PMID:[Computerized instruction. Preliminary analysis of the experience at the Institute of Radiological Sciences of the University of Milan]. 331 Jan 36

Sixty-one consecutive patients with advanced breast cancer (defined as metastatic disease) and 20 normal age- and sex-matched controls were admitted to a prospective study designed to assess muscle electrophysiology. Nutritional status, lean body mass, and ultrasonographic measurement of the triceps brachialis, sternomastoid, and adductor pollicis muscles were determined in patients and controls. In addition, tumor mass and performance status were determined in the patient group. Electrophysiology of the adductor pollicis muscle was assessed during isometric voluntary maximum effort and during electrical stimulation via the ulnar nerve (80-120 V, 50-100 msec). Nutritional status, lean body mass, and ultrasonographic measurements of the triceps brachialis, sternomastoid, and adductor pollicis were not significantly different between patients and controls. Maximum strength after supramaximal stimulation at 50 Hz was 34 +/- 15 N in patients, versus 40 +/- 9 (P less than .01) N in controls. Relaxation velocity was 336 +/- 149 N/sec in patients, versus 507 +/- 251 (P = .02) N/sec in controls. Fatigue (% of initial strength after 30 sec of stimulation) was 67% +/- 22% in patients, versus 79% +/- 17% (P = .03) in controls. Muscle electrophysiology did not correlate with tumor mass or performance status. It was concluded that patients with advanced breast cancer have abnormal muscle electrophysiology that is not due to abnormal nutritional status or decreased muscle mass. More research is needed to better characterize this disorder and to better define its cause.
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PMID:Muscle electrophysiology in patients with advanced breast cancer. 335 63

Ninety patients with breast cancer refractory to cyclophosphamide/fluorouracil/methotrexate (CMF) have been randomized in their treatment, receiving either doxorubicin or mitoxantrone. Seventy-nine have received two full courses of therapy. Twelve of the 40 (30%) who initially received doxorubicin responded, whereas eight of the 47 (17%) who received mitoxantrone responded. These rates are not statistically different. The degree of myelosuppression was equivalent. Patients who received mitoxantrone had less nausea, vomiting, alopecia, and fatigue. Controllable clinical congestive heart failure developed in seven patients, and four others had a deterioration of noninvasive measures of cardiac function without clinical failure. One patient with clinical heart failure developing received only doxorubicin and one, only mitoxantrone, whereas the others received both agents. The duration of remission and time lapsed before disease progression were almost identical for the two regimens. This study included a crossover design. Two of 22 (10%) patients receiving doxorubicin and five of 24 (21%) receiving mitoxantrone as secondary therapy responded. This suggests that there is not absolute cross-resistance between these agents. We conclude that the efficacy of these two drugs is comparable in patients refractory to CMF, though the nonhematologic side effects of mitoxantrone are less.
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PMID:A comparison of mitoxantrone and doxorubicin in breast cancer. 351 41

Natural killer (NK) cell activity and psychological status were measured at baseline and at 3 months into treatment, as part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Protocol 79-C-111, randomizing breast cancer patients to lumpectomy/radiation v mastectomy. Patients who were found to have positive axillary lymph nodes also received combination chemotherapy (Adriamycin [Adria Laboratories, Columbus, OH], plus Cytoxan [Mead Johnson Pharmaceuticals, Evansville, IN] or methotrexate, plus 5-fluorouracil [5-FU]). Seventy-five patients were entered onto this behavioral immunology protocol at the time of data analysis. We reported in an earlier publication that NK activity was an important predictor of patient baseline prognosis relevant to nodal status. In that study, by using multiple regression analyses, 51% of the baseline NK activity variance could be accounted for by entering three distress indicators into the equation (patient "adjustment," lack of social support, and fatigue/depression symptoms). On reassessment of NK activity after 3 months, it was found that NK activity was not affected by the interim administration of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. However, consistent with our earlier findings, NK activity levels remained markedly lower in patients with positive nodes than in patients with negative nodes (at 60 to 1 effector to target cell [E:T] ratio, mean of 18% lytic activity v mean of 31% lytic activity [t = 1.87, P less than .05]). Even though average levels of NK activity were lower for patients with more tumor burden, there was still a substantial range of NK activity levels within the node positive patient group, as well as within the patient group as a whole. We hypothesized that differences in levels of NK activity could be predicted on the basis of baseline distress factors found to be significant in our earlier report. In fact, we found that we could account for 30% of NK activity level variance at 3 months follow-up on the basis of baseline NK activity, fatigue/depression, and lack of social support. Therefore, although neither radiation nor chemotherapy appeared to affect NK activity, tumor burden was again clearly associated with NK activity levels, and a significant amount of baseline and 3-month NK activity could be predicted on the basis of CNS-mediated effects. At the least, such factors provide a psychological marker of host biological status.
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PMID:Correlation of stress factors with sustained depression of natural killer cell activity and predicted prognosis in patients with breast cancer. 354 12


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