Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0027947 (neutropenia)
 17,527 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In preclinical studies, BCNU, or 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, plus CPT-11 (irinotecan) exhibits schedule-dependent, synergistic activity against malignant glioma (MG). We previously established the maximum tolerated dose of CPT-11 when administered for 4 consecutive weeks in combination with BCNU administered on the first day of each 6-week cycle. We now report a phase 2 trial of BCNU plus CPT-11 for patients with MG. In the current study, BCNU (100 mg/m2) was administered on day 1 of each 6-week cycle. CPT-11 was administered on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 at 225 mg/m2 for patients receiving CYP3A1- or CYP3A4-inducing anticonvulsants and at 125 mg/m2 for those not on these medications. Newly diagnosed patients received up to 3 cycles before radiotherapy, while recurrent patients received up to 8 cycles. The primary end point of this study was radiographic response, while time to progression and overall survival were also assessed. Seventy-six patients were treated, including 37 with newly diagnosed tumors and 39 with recurrent disease. Fifty-six had glioblastoma multiforme, 18 had anaplastic astrocytoma, and 2 had anaplastic oligodendroglioma. Toxicities (grade > or =3) included infections (13%), thromboses (12%), diarrhea (10%), and neutropenia (7%). Interstitial pneumonitis developed in 4 patients. Five newly diagnosed patients (14%; 95% CI, 5%-29%) achieved a radiographic response (1 complete response and 4 partial responses). Five patients with recurrent MG also achieved a response (1 complete response and 4 partial responses; 13%; 95% CI, 4%-27%). More than 40% of both newly diagnosed and recurrent patients achieved stable disease. Median time to progression was 11.3 weeks for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme patients and 16.9 weeks for recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma/ anaplastic oligodendroglioma patients. We conclude that the activity of BCNU plus CPT-11 for patients with MG appears comparable to that of CPT-11 alone and may be more toxic.
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PMID:Phase 2 trial of BCNU plus irinotecan in adults with malignant glioma. 1513 28

We have previously demonstrated successful in vivo selection, chemoprotection, and modulation of donor chimerism in dogs that received myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation with cells expressing the P140K mutant of the DNA repair enzyme methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMTP140K). Here, we wished to investigate whether in vivo selection, chemoprotection, and modulation of donor chimerism could also be achieved after nonmyeloablative transplantation, which could allow for less toxic transplantation regimens for patients with malignant and genetic diseases. Three dogs received a nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen and infusion of allogeneic stem cells transduced with MGMTP140K. All three dogs had stable gene marking and donor chimerism before receiving a course of O(6) -benzylguanine (O(6) BG)/1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) between days 210 and 589 after transplantation. One to four doses led to a marked increase in gene marking in all dogs. Furthermore, the transduced cells conferred chemoprotection and prevented severe neutropenia. Our results suggest that drug resistance gene therapy is feasible and safe in the nonmyeloablative transplantation setting.
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PMID:In vivo selection and chemoprotection after drug resistance gene therapy in a nonmyeloablative allogeneic transplantation setting in dogs. 1753 75

The study objective was to determine plasma concentration of pyrimethamine in 24 infants aged 1-5 months, treated for congenital toxoplasmosis. Pyrimethamine was used in a single daily dose at an amount of 0.35-0.98 mg/kg daily, with sulfadiazine (50-100 mg/kg/day) in divided doses 2-3 times a day, and folinic acid given twice a week (7.5 mg). This regimen was continued for 2-6 months, then Fansidar was administered. Pyrimethamine concentration in plasma was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography method (HPLC). A total of 70 tests were performed. Concentration of pyrimethamine ranged from 0.01 to 1.2 microg/ml. In 14 children (58 tests) the concentration of pyrimethamine achieved therapeutic value. In 7 patients (8 tests) the concentration was below therapeutic level, and in 3 patients (4 tests) above therapeutic level. In 11/24 (46%) children transient moderate neutropenia was observed. Modification of therapy was necessary in 12 patients. Monitoring of pyrimethamine concentration in plasma improves safety and effectiveness of the therapy and is useful in obtaining correct individual dose of the drug. Neutropenia is the most common side-effect of pyrimethamine observed even when using the recommended dose.
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PMID:Monitoring of plasma concentration of pyrimethamine (PYR) in infants with congenital Toxoplasma gondii infection--own observations. 2168 92