Consolidation chemotherapy consisted of same regimen, repeated every 4 weeks for maximum 4 cycles.
We retrospectively evaluated this role in patients enrolled in a phase III study comparing standard FEC21 (5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide, administered every 3 weeks) vs dose-dense FEC14 (the same regimen repeated every 2 weeks).
The cumulative dose of etoposide is 75% of that in the standard cisplatin and etoposide regimen repeated every 3 weeks for a total of four cycles, but the dose intensity of etoposide is the same as that in the standard regimen (Noda et al, 2002).
With the aim of further exploring this aspect, and of reducing the duration of the treatment, the Italian Melanoma Inter-group planned a spontaneous randomized study to determine if the intensive intravenous induction regimen repeated for 4 times could improve relapse-free and overall survival compared with the standard 1-year HDI regimen.
In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that use of a simple oral chemotherapy regimen repeated every 8 weeks sequentially following the failure of oestrogens and steroids in the management of androgen independent prostate cancer produces evidence of antitumour activity in nearly 2/3rds of such end stage patients based on slowing of tumour doubling time despite a low PSA response rate.
The new statement covers wide-ranging issues including the use of rituximab in earlier RA and impact on structural progression, and aspects particularly pertinent to rituximab such as co-medication, optimal dosage regimens, repeat treatment cycles and how to manage non-response.
Among these, 81 metabolites displayed age-associated trends under both dietary regimens (repeated one-way ANOVA, p<0.05) and were associated with biosynthesis of amino acids, lipids, energy homeostasis, and damage production.
A phase II study comparing 25 mg lenalidomide daily for 20 days vs 50 mg daily for 10 days (both regimens repeated every 28 days) in relapsed, refractory MM patients reported that the 25 mg dosing schedule produced a greater response rate.
The regimen was repeated at 42-day intervals.
This regimen was repeated (third and fourth doses) at 24 to 29 weeks.
