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BACKGROUND: Male breast cancer (MBC) is an uncommon disease, and most of our current knowledge of its biology, natural history and treatment has been extrapolated from data on the disease in women. Information is still needed on the molecular biological properties of male breast tumors and their predictive relevance. Kinase inhibitor proteins (KIPs) p27Kip1 and p21Waf1 negatively regulate cell cycle progression by preventing the passage of cycling cells from G1 to S phase through G1 cyclin-dependent kinase activation. No studies exist on the role of these factors in male breast carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have retrospectively analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of p21Waf1 and p27Kip1 protein in 27 primary MBC and in 101 female breast cancers (FBC) treated at the European Institute of Oncology between 1997 and 2000. We also assessed sex hormone receptors status, p53, bcl-2 and c-erb-B2 protein expression, and Ki-67 labeling index. RESULTS: We observed a statistically significant difference in the immunostaining of KIPs p27Kip1 and p21Waf1 in male patients compared with females. Expression of p21Waf1 was observed in 19 of the 27 (70.3%) primary MBCs versus 29 of 101 FBC (29%). Fourteen of 22 negative c-erbB-2 MBCs cases expressed immunostaining for p21Waf1 (P = 0.05). p27Kip1 immunoreactivity was been detected in 26 of 27 (96.2%) male breast patients versus 39 of 101 FBC (39.3%) (P = 0.000). Highly positive staining for P27Kip1 was found in 21 of 25 androgen receptor-expressing samples. Higher levels of p27Kip1 were expressed in bcl-2-positive samples (17 of 20). Eighteen of 22 c-erbB-2-negative cases were strongly immunoreactive for p27Kip1. CONCLUSIONS: p27Kip1 and p21Waf1 immunoreactivity is higher in MBCs compared with FBCs. The findings of higher p27Kip1 and p21Waf1 immunostaining may be an additional predictive factor in MBC. These biological features could be possible indicators for different biological pathways in the tumorigenesis of MBCs.

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A clinical trial regimen modulating 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with both folinic acid (FA) and recombinant alpha-2a-interferon (ralpha-2a-IFN) was noted to have a response rate of 54% and median survival of 16.3 months (Grem et al., J Clin Oncol 1993, 11: 1737-45). Reported herein is a phase II trial performed to further examine this regimen in metastatic colorectal cancer. Fifty-one patients with histologically proven, measurable advanced colorectal cancer with no prior therapy for metastatic disease were enrolled. ralpha-2a-IFN, 5 MIU/m2/day was given s.c. on days 1-7. FA, 500 mg/m2/day, and 5-FU, 370 mg/m2/day, were given i.v. on days 2-6. Cycles were repeated at 3 week intervals. Three complete and 12 partial responses were observed for an overall response rate of 29% (95% confidence interval: 18-45%). The median time to treatment failure and median survival were 4.6 and 15.5 months, respectively. Dose-limiting toxicities encountered were gastrointestinal, and included diarrhea, stomatitis, nausea and vomiting. These results do not support the concept of using concurrent ralpha-2a-IFN and FA as biochemical modulators of 5-FU. We observed increased toxicity and similar efficacy compared to using either modulator separately with 5-FU.

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BACKGROUND: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) has been previously associated with therapeutic benefit in hormone refractory prostate cancer. However, no previous study has administered 5-FU as a prolonged continuous infusion, which may be the optimal schedule for this cell-cycle specific agent. METHODS: Therefore, 25 patients were treated with 5-FU administered as a continuous intravenous infusion at a dose of 1000 mg/m2/day for 5 days every 28 days. Eligibility required disease defined by bidimensionally measurable lesions or evaluable lesions on bone scan or radiograph with elevated serum levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), no severe cytopenias, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status less than 3. Prior chemotherapy was not allowed. Dose modifications were specified for mucositis and hematologic toxicity. RESULTS: Eighteen of 22 patients were evaluable for response and toxicity, whereas 4 were evaluable for toxicity alone. Toxicity was significant using this dose and schedule and included episodes of sudden death (one patient), paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (one patient), and congestive heart failure (one patient). Other Grade 3 toxicities included stomatitis (two patients) and diarrhea (one patient). Significant myelosuppression did not occur. Objective responses were not observed, but 12 patients experienced stable disease with a median duration of 4 months. CONCLUSIONS: Infusional 5-FU can not be recommended for the treatment of advanced hormone refractory prostate cancer.

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A total of 48 patients with measurable advanced gastric adenocarcinoma (n = 16) or adenocarcinoma of the exocrine pancreas (n = 32) were prospectively treated with iproplatin at a starting dose of 270 mg/m2 intravenously over 2 hours. The dose was repeated every 28 days, and dose escalations or reductions were made on the basis of toxicity in the preceding course. No patient with gastric carcinoma achieved either a complete or partial response. One partial response and two complete responses were seen with pancreatic adenocarcinoma for an overall response rate of 10%. One patient has remained free of disease for more than 2 years. The major toxicities were granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. All toxicities were reversible upon discontinuation of the drug. On the basis of this trial, we conclude that iproplatin has no substantive activity in advanced gastric or pancreatic carcinomas.

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Diaziquone (AZQ), a synthetic quinone with demonstrated activity against acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), primary CNS tumors, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), is virtually devoid of nonhematopoietic toxicity at conventional doses. As a prelude to its inclusion into bone marrow transplant (BMT) preparative regimens, a phase I study of high-dose AZQ with autologous BMT (ABMT) was performed. Patients with refractory solid tumors and lymphomas were treated with a single 24-hour infusion of AZQ at 50 to 355 mg/m2 in dose escalations of 20%. Fifty-six patients received 69 courses. Those receiving greater than 60 mg/m2 had nadir granulocyte and platelet counts less than 500/microL and 20,000/microL, respectively. Nausea, vomiting, stomatitis, and diarrhea were mild, transient, and not dose-related. Transient minimal elevations of liver function tests were seen in five patients and were also not dose-related. The maximally tolerated dose (MTD) of high-dose AZQ was found to be 245 mg/m2, with nephrotoxicity being dose-limiting. Significant azotemia was seen in four of 12 patients treated at 295 and 355 mg/m2, including fatal anuric renal failure in three of these patients. Reversible proteinuria also occurred in 24 of 26 courses above 150 mg/m2, including nephrotic range proteinuria in eight courses, all at doses of 205 to 355 mg/m2. The proteinuria was also associated with multiple proximal tubular defects including generalized aminoaciduria and proximal renal tubular acidosis. There were six early deaths including two of early renal failure (295 and 355 mg/m2), two of sepsis (205 and 245 mg/m2), one of a pulmonary embolus (85 mg/m2), and one of progressive disease (60 mg/m2). Of 50 patients who were assessable for response, there were seven responses including two of 10 with primary CNS tumors, one of 12 with malignant melanoma, one of five with non-small-cell lung carcinoma, two of two with breast carcinoma, and one of one with ovarian carcinoma. Because of its activity in ANLL and NHL and its unique toxicity spectrum, high-dose AZQ may improve the efficacy of current BMT preparative regimens without significantly increasing their nonhematopoietic toxicity.

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The incidence of definite hypertension increases with advancement of age, and one third of the elderly population is affected. Isolated systolic hypertension is frequent in this population (10 to 12 percent in subjects between 65 and 74 years of age). The role of hypertension as a cardiovascular risk factor has been confirmed in the elderly population by the increase in cerebrovascular accidents, and by the incidence of myocardial infarction with the rise in blood pressure. The relationship between elevated diastolic and systolic blood pressure and mortality rates in the elderly is also well documented (Framingham). Effective treatment of hypertension significantly reduces the risk of associated complications: cardiovascular death, congestive heart failure, and stroke. However, the goal of antihypertensive therapy in the elderly should be not only to reduce morbidity and mortality rates, but also to do so without adverse effects on the functional well-being of patients.

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The authors report 2 cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AHA) and Hodgkin disease. The Hodgkin disease often precedes AHA. Most patients are found to have extensive disease; histologic features are classified as being of high grades of malignancy (mixed cellularity and nodular sclerosis types). Anti I, Rh, IgG auto antibody is commonly observed at 37 degrees C. AHA and Hodgkin disease are equally improved by chemotherapy. The prognosis and significance of this pathological association are unclear.

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In light of the variable clinical expression and bone marrow plasmacytosis of multiple myeloma, we studied prospectively the prevalence and clinical correlates of bone marrow plasmacytosis in 133 anemic medical inpatients. Seventeen patients (13%) had 5% or more, and four patients (3%) had 10% or more marrow plasma cells. Only two patients (with plasmacytosis of 7.4% and 46.2%, respectively) had multiple myeloma. Lung infections (pneumonia, tuberculosis, abscess) accounted for 41% of the cases of plasmacytosis. We found that plasmacytosis correlated with the severity of pneumonia and that active pulmonary tuberculosis was usually associated with notable plasmac. ytosis. Cancer and liver disease were not important causes of plasmacytosis in this study. There was a correlation between plasmacytosis and serum hyperglobulinemia. A correlation between advancing age of the patients and increasing prevalence of plasmacytosis was attributed in part to an increasing prevalence of serious illness with age. However, some elderly patients with apparently benign disorders had unexplained plasmacytosis.

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