Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0036572 (seizures)
 80,221 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The safety of intravenous (IV) and oral ondansetron has been evaluated in over 7,000 cancer patients in world-wide clinical trials. In adult patients receiving single-day chemotherapy, the incidence of adverse events was 45% with IV ondansetron (n = 317) and 59% with metoclopramide (n = 279). Headache occurred in 17% of ondansetron patients and 10% of metoclopramide patients, whereas diarrhea symptoms were reported in 15% of the former and 29% of the latter. The incidence and types of adverse events were similar following three 0.15 mg/kg IV ondansetron doses and 8- or 32-mg single IV doses. There was a slight increase in the incidence of headache following a single 32-mg dose (25%) compared with a single 8-mg dose (18%) or three 0.15 mg/kg doses (18%). The safety profile of oral ondansetron was similar to that of the IV formulation. Following an 8-mg oral dose administered three times a day for 3 days, the most frequently reported adverse events were headache (21%), constipation (7%), and abdominal pain (5%). In a group of 209 pediatric patients receiving chemotherapy, the incidence of adverse events following IV and oral ondansetron was 19%. The most commonly reported adverse event was headache (4%). In comparative clinical trials, extrapyramidal symptoms were reported in 5% of the metoclopramide patients but none of the ondansetron patients. In open-label trials, two patients who received ondansetron reported symptoms consistent with, but not diagnostic of, extrapyramidal reactions. The incidence of vascular occlusive events and seizure disorders was identical for ondansetron and comparative agents. Serum transaminase values increased significantly in 6% to 8% of ondansetron patients and 2% of metoclopramide patients who received cisplatin. There was no apparent relationship between the dose of ondansetron administered and the incidence of increased transaminase abnormalities. However, there was an apparent relationship between the dose of cisplatin administered and the incidence of transaminase abnormalities. In patients who received non-cisplatin chemotherapy, there was no difference in serum transaminase values between oral ondansetron and placebo. These data demonstrate that ondansetron is better tolerated than metoclopramide and is safe for IV and oral administration to patients receiving chemotherapy. In addition, ondansetron is well tolerated when administered as a single 32-mg infusion over 15 minutes.
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PMID:Clinical safety of ondansetron. 148 79

16 unselected patients with advanced neuroblastoma were given high-dose consolidation chemotherapy with vincristine, melphalan, etoposide and carboplatin over 5 h followed by autologous bone marrow rescue. 3 patients died from treatment-related toxicity, 2 from disease, 1 is alive with disease and 10 are alive and disease-free a median of 12.5 months (range 2-38 months) after bone marrow rescue. All had bone marrow toxicity, most mucositis and 6 had seizures. Renal failure was unexpectedly severe. In the last 3 patients, administration of carboplatin was delayed by 18 h in an attempt to reduce renal damage. The results show that this regimen produces significant morbidity and has a high mortality. Although the overall outcome is encouraging, too few patients have been studied to gauge its efficacy. Whether such aggressive consolidation is necessary in heavily pretreated children with neuroblastoma remains unknown.
Eur J Cancer 1992
PMID:Toxicity of single-day high-dose vincristine, melphalan, etoposide and carboplatin consolidation with autologous bone marrow rescue in advanced neuroblastoma. 151 36

Involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) is common in patients with advanced disease due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Symptoms range from lethargy and apathy to coma, incoordination and ataxia to hemiparesis, loss of memory to severe dementia, and focal to major motor seizures. Involvement may be closely associated with HIV infection per se, as in the AIDS dementia complex, but is frequently caused by opportunistic pathogens such as Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptococcus neoformans or malignancies such as primary lymphoma of the CNS. The clinical presentations of attendant and direct CNS involvement are remarkably non-specific and overlapping, yet a correct diagnosis is critical to successful intervention. Toxoplasmic encephalitis is one of the most common and most treatable causes of AIDS-associated pathology of the CNS. A great deal has been learned in the last 10 years about its unique presentation in the HIV-infected patient with advanced disease. Drs. Benjamin J. Luft of the State University of New York at Stony Brook and Jack S. Remington of the Stanford University School of Medicine and Palo Alto Medical Foundation's Research Institute have studied T. gondii for many years and are two of the leading experts in the field. This commentary comprises an update of their initial review (J Infect Dis 1988;157:1-6) and a presentation of the current approaches to diagnosing and managing toxoplasmic encephalitis in HIV-infected patients.
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PMID:Toxoplasmic encephalitis in AIDS. 152 Jul 57

The application of recombinant DNA technology to the production of tumor necrosis factor has resulted in the availability of large quantities of a highly purified protein product. This product has been evaluated extensively in preclinical studies, which have documented a direct cytostatic and cytotoxic effect on human tumor cells, as well as a variety of immunomodulatory effects on various immune effector cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and T cells. In addition, a number of anti-infective and metabolic effects have been documented. In addition to its in vitro effects, rTNF has been shown to have antitumor activity in vivo in preclinical studies involving both transplantable murine tumors and human tumor xenografts. Such observations have led to the evaluation of rTNF as a potential antineoplastic agent in humans. Both single- and multiple-dose phase I studies have confirmed that rTNF can be safely administered to patients with advanced malignancies in a dose range associated with anticancer effect without concomitant serious toxicities such as shock and cachexia. The most commonly observed clinical toxicities include constitutional symptoms, such as fever, chills, headache, and fatigue, and toxicities, which can be at least partially controlled with concomitant administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as acetaminophen and meperidine. Hypotension, which occurs at high doses administered by short intravenous infusion, can usually be prevented by prehydration with intravenous fluids or otherwise controlled by the administration. An intense local inflammatory reaction at the injection site as well as thrombocytopenia appear to be the dose-limiting toxicities after subcutaneous and intramuscular administration. Neurologic toxicity is infrequent, except following continuous intravenous infusion, where it may manifest as transient focal neurologic deficits or seizure. Prolonged administration of rTNF at higher doses may be associated with transient, subclinical decreases in diffusing capacity. Patients with underlying cardiopulmonary disease should be excluded from rTNF therapy in future clinical studies until the end-organ toxicities of this agent are better defined. For at least one preparation of rTNF there appears to be no evidence for the formation of antibodies to rTNF in patients who receive multiple administrations of the agent. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown a relatively rapid clearance following intravenous infusion with a half-life of 15 to 30 min and dose-dependent pharmacokinetics. rTNF can be detected in the serum following intramuscular or subcutaneous injection at only relatively high doses, suggesting a decreased bioavailability with the routes of administration. Early phase I studies defined tolerable dose ranges for each route of administration and began to explore immunomodulatory and metabolic effects of rTNF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Recombinant human TNF-alpha: preclinical studies and results from early clinical trials. 155 Aug 75

The pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and toxicity of the antitumour agent N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]acridine-4-carboxamide(AC) were studied after i.v. administration to mice. Over the dose range of 9-121 mumol/kg (3-40 mg/kg), AC displayed linear kinetics with the following model-independent parameters: clearance (C), 21.0 +/- 1.9 1 h-1 kg-1; steady-state volume of distribution (Vss), 11.8 +/- 1.4 l/kg; and mean residence time (MRT), 0.56 +/- 0.02 h. The plasma concentration-time profiles for AC fitted a two-compartment model with the following parameters: Cc, 19.4 +/- 2.3 1 h-1 kg-1; Vc, 7.08 +/- 1.06 l/kg; t1/2 alpha 13.1 +/- 3.5 min; and t1/2Z, 1.60 +/- 0.65 h. AC displayed moderately high binding in healthy mouse plasma, giving a free fraction of 15.9%-25.3% over the drug concentration range of 1-561 microM. After the i.v. administration of 30 mumol/kg [3H]-AC, high radioactivity concentrations were observed in all tissues (especially the brain and kidney), showing a high t1/2c value (37-59 h). At 2 min (first blood collection), the AC concentration as measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) comprised 61% of the plasma radioactivity concentration (expressed as AC equivalents/l). By 48 h, 73% of the dose had been eliminated, with 26% and 47% of the delivered drug being excreted by the urinary and faecal routes, respectively; less than 1% of the total dose was excreted as unchanged AC in the urine. At least five distinct radiochemical peaks were distinguishable by HPLC analysis of plasma extracts, with some similar peaks appearing in urine. The 121-mumol/kg dose was well tolerated by mice, with sedation being the only obvious side effect and no significant alterations in blood biochemistry or haematological parameters being recorded. After receiving a dose of 152 mumol/kg, all mice experienced clonic seizures for 2 min (with one death occurring) followed by a period of sedation that lasted for up to 2 h. No leucopenia occurred, but some mild anaemia was noted. There was no significant change in blood biochemistry. A further 20% increase in the i.v. dose (to 182 mumol/kg) resulted in mortality, with death occurring within 2 min of AC administration.
Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 1992
PMID:Pharmacokinetics and toxicity of the antitumour agent N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]acridine-4-carboxamide after i.v. administration in the mouse. 155 Nov 77

Three cases of patients with unusual neuronal tumors in the cerebral hemisphere are reported. All were associated with long-standing epileptic seizures. Computed tomography disclosed low-density lesions without contrast enhancement, which were interpreted as either arachnoid cysts or a cerebral infarction at initial diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging scans, however, revealed the lesions to be solid tumors. At surgery, the tumors were found to be relatively well demarcated, soft, and gelatinous. Histologically, all tumors were composed of small uniform stellate cells, which proliferated in a loose myxoid fibrillary matrix and resembled either oligodendroglial or astrocytic tumors. Ultrastructurally, however, all tumors showed neuronal differentiation, including numerous clear and occasional dense-core vesicles, microtubules, and a number of synapses. A review of the literature uncovered no other such cases, and therefore it was decided to classify these tumors as a distinct group of benign neuronal tumors, designated as "cerebral" neurocytoma compared with "intraventricular" neurocytoma. Related nosologic problems of neuronal tumors of the central nervous system and their possible histogenesis are also discussed.
Cancer 1992 Jul 15
PMID:Cerebral neurocytoma. A new subset of benign neuronal tumors of the cerebrum. 161 3

Fifteen patients with progressive primary malignant or metastatic brain tumors were treated on a clinical and pharmacokinetic study with intracarotid cisplatin and bleomycin. Toxicity was tolerable and consisted mainly of nausea and vomiting. Neurologic toxicity included focal seizures (1), leukoencephalopathy (1), and motor weakness (1). Five patients had improvement in CT scans and four patients had stabilization of disease. Recommended dosage for future clinical trials are cisplatin 60 mg/m2 and bleomycin 100 units. Pharmacokinetics of intracarotid cisplatin revealed the jugular vein concentration was twice the peripheral vein level at the end of infusion. Cisplatin is a drug which has demonstrated in vitro activity against malignant gliomas (1). Clinical trials with intravenous administration of cisplatin has shown definite, although limited antitumor activity against primary brain tumors (2,3,4) and metastatic brain tumors (5,6). To enhance its antitumor effect, cisplatin has been administered by the intracarotid route (7,8,9). The results appear encouraging, but neurological and ophthalmological toxicity may occur (8). In our initial study with intracarotid cisplatin, 35 patients with malignant brain tumors (23 with primary brain tumors and 12 with brain metastases) progressing after cranial irradiation +/- chemotherapy were treated. Of 20 evaluable patients with primary tumors, 6 responded to therapy and 5 had stable disease. Five of 10 evaluable patients with brain metastases responded and 2 had stable disease. For responding primary brain tumor patients the median time to progression was 33 weeks. The recommended dose for intracarotid cisplatin was 60-75 mg/m2 administered every 3-4 weeks (7,8). Higher cisplatin doses produced more central neurological toxicity. There is limited data on the central nervous system pharmacology of cisplatin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Sel Cancer Ther 1991
PMID:A pilot clinical and pharmacokinetic study of intracarotid cisplatin and bleomycin. 171 23

Of 29 consecutive children treated for malignant primary tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) at this institution, postoperative examination showed radiographic or cytologic evidence of neuraxis dissemination in 10 (34%). Given the historically poor results in disseminated CNS tumors treated with surgery and radiation therapy alone, these ten patients were treated prospectively with an investigational Phase II protocol consisting of preirradiation cisplatin (90 mg/m2 on day 1) and etoposide (150 mg/m2 on days 3 and 4). The diagnoses included medulloblastoma (n = 4), malignant glioma (n = 3), cerebral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (n = 1), pineoblastoma (n = 1), and mixed glioma of the brainstem (n = 1). Postoperative neuraxis scanning with computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or spinal myelography showed measurable intracranial or spinal metastases in all children. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytologic examination was positive for tumor cells in five. The best responses, based on serial imaging of neuraxis metastases, included two complete responses, four partial responses, and three stable disease states. One patient had progressive disease at the primary site despite stable disease in the spine; progressive neuraxis disease was documented in only one patient during chemotherapy. Clearance of tumor cells from the CSF was documented in three patients. The adverse effects of chemotherapy, consisting of transient myelosuppression and mild ototoxicity, were minimal. Reversible neurologic deterioration occurred in two patients; one patient became acutely quadriplegic after a prolonged convulsive seizure without radiographic evidence of tumor progression.
Cancer 1992 Feb 15
PMID:Neuraxis dissemination in pediatric brain tumors. Response to preirradiation chemotherapy. 173 73

Besides general complications of immunosuppression such as increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections or malignancy, individual immunosuppressive agents are associated with specific side effects. Nephrotoxicity is the major side effect of cyclosporine (CsA). Various attempts have been made to minimize this toxicity, such as monitoring drug blood levels, modifying the protocol, and coadministering other agents. Other side effects caused by CsA are hepatotoxicity, hyperkalemia, hypertension, tremor, gum overgrowth, and hirsutism. Azathioprine (AZA) causes dose-related bone marrow suppression, commonly leading to leukopenia. Careful monitoring of complete blood cell count and dosage adjustment according to white blood cell count are usually adequate to prevent serious leukopenia. The side effects of corticosteroids are numerous and include slow wound healing and de novo insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Many complications are dose related, and with low dosage or discontinuation of steroids, their frequency rapidly decreases. Antilymphoblast and antithymocyte globulins (P-ALG) are foreign antibodies and may cause allergic-type reactions such as fever, chill, and hypotension. The initial side effect of monoclonal antibody (muromonab-CD3, OKT3) is similar to that of P-ALG. It includes high fever, shaking chills, headache, rigors, and hypotension. To prevent it, acetaminophen, an antihistamine, and a steroid usually are administered before injection. Because this agent is also associated with high frequency of pulmonary edema, it should not be given to any patient who has more than 3% body weight gain during the week prior to therapy. In rare case, it causes aseptic meningitis or encephalopathy, which is manifested by fever, severe headache, and seizure.
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PMID:Complications associated with immunosuppressive therapy and their management. 174 17

In the immunocompromised patient, even mild forms of any combination of headache, meningismus, altered mental status, or focal neurologic signs should initiate an evaluation for possible CNS infection. The limited signs and symptoms of acute CNS infection are not due to specific organisms but to pathologic changes at the neuroanatomic site of infection. The initial clinical history, examination, laboratory, and neuroradiographic data will narrow the problem to one of several groups of agents, although it may not be possible to specify a single causative agent. It should be remembered that several concurrent infections (i.e., CMV and toxoplasmosis, aspergillosis, and bacterial sepsis) may be present. Thus, the clinician should rely on broad antibiotic coverage appropriate to the suspected causative agent or agents at the site of infection. It may be necessary to offer broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage for a CSF presentation that is subsequently found to result from a viral illness or from a noninfectious cause. However, one should avoid undertreating those infections for which specific therapy can be offered, and broad-spectrum treatment usually will not be regretted. Uncertainty in diagnosis following noninvasive procedures should lead to a brain biopsy. Although many of the infections discussed in this article have a poor prognosis, some of the most common pathogens, such as Cryptococcus, Listeria, and Toxoplasma, have effective specific therapies to which the patient should have access as rapidly as possible. The clinician who has successfully treated a patient with CNS infection should remain vigilant for late sequelae or recurrence of infection. Chronic treatment of some infections, such as toxoplasmosis or aspergillosis, may be necessary. The reintroduction of steroids for the treatment of an underlying cancer may reactivate previously treated disease, such as cryptococcosis, and periodic CSF surveillance is appropriate under these circumstances. Recurrence of the symptoms should raise the suspicion of recurrent or new infection, and the patient also should be evaluated with CT or MRI for the development of hydrocephalus or for new metastatic disease. In patients who have had varicella-zoster infection, postherpetic neuralgia and delayed arteritis may develop. Seizures, hearing loss, and neuropsychologic sequelae may follow any meningoencephalitis. The patient should always be reevaluated for the possibility of infection with a different opportunistic organism. CNS infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed patients with malignancies. In one series, 60% of such patients died as a result of their CNS infection, many at a time when the underlying disease had an otherwise good prognosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Central nervous system infections in cancer patients. 175 29


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