COLLEGIO DI DIREZIONE - Azienda Ospedaliera di Parma

7) Boni, C; Tiseo, M; Boni, L; Baldini, E; Recchia, F; Barone, C; Grossi, F; Germano, D; Matano, E;
Marini, G; Labianca, R; Di Costanzo, F; Bagnulo, A; Pennucci, C; Caroti, C; Mencoboni, M; Zanelli, F;
Prochilo, T; Cafferata, MA; Ardizzoni, A (2012) Triplets versus doublets, with or without cisplatin, in the
first-line treatment of stage IIIB-IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients: a multicenter randomised
factorial trial (FAST) BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER 106(4):658-665 IF=4.831 [Article]
BACKGROUND: The FAST is a 2 x 2 factorial trial addressing two questions: (1) the role of replacing cisplatin (P)
with a non-platinum agent, vinorelbine (N), and (2) the role of adding a third agent, ifosfamide (I), in a doublet based on
gemcitabine (G). METHODS: A total of 433 stage IIIB-IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients were
randomised to one of four arms: gemcitabine-cisplatin (GP), gemcitabine-vinorelbine, gemcitabine-ifosfamide-cisplatin
or gemcitabine-ifosfamide-vinorelbine. Two comparisons were performed: N- vs P-containing regimens and I-triplets
vs non-I doublets. RESULTS: For N- vs P-containing regimens, adjusted overall survival was 9.7 vs 11.3 months
(P=0.044), progression-free survival was 4.9 vs 6.4 months (P=0.020) and response rate was 24% vs 31% (P=0.124),
respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed between doublets and triplets. Grade 3-4
haematological toxicity was significantly more frequent in P-containing therapy; grade 3-4 leucopenia was significantly
more common in triplets. Concerning non-haematological toxicity, grade 3-4 nausea-vomiting was significantly
increased in P-containing regimens. CONCLUSIONS: This trial provides evidence of a slight survival superiority of
GP-containing regimens over platinum-free N- containing chemotherapy. This trial also confirms that the addition of a
third chemotherapy agent (I) to a standard G-based doublet does not improve treatment outcome.
8) Borrelli, O; de' Angelis, G (2012) Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome: It's Time to Think About It
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY AND NUTRITION 54(2):167-168 IF=2.18
[Editorial Material]
9) Buti, S; Rovere, RK; Donini, M; Passalacqua, R; Pezzuolo, D; Buzio, C (2012) Changes in lymphocyte
count induced by repeated cycles with low-dose interleukin-2 and interferon-alpha in 146 patients with renal
cell carcinoma TUMORI 98(1):45-52 IF=1.014 [Article]
Aims and background. The exact mechanism by which recombinant interleulcine-2 and interferon-alpha modulate the
immunological response, inducing long-term responses in metastatic renal cell carcinoma, is still not clear. The aim of
the study was to analyze the modifications in peripheral blood lymphocytes during cycles of low-dose immunotherapy
as a marker of the biological response to the treatment in 146 patients with renal cell carcinoma (advanced and localized
disease). Methods and study design. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were evaluated before and after every cycle of
treatment. Results. We found a statistically significant overall difference between pre- and post-cycle values (mean
increase of 39%). The differences between pre- and post-cycle lymphocyte counts for each cycle were significant. Also,
the post-cycle lymphocyte count of each cycle remained higher than the baseline value. Furthermore, pre-cycle
lymphocyte counts of each cycle were still higher than the baseline value, with no difference between a pre-cycle
lymphocyte mean value and the other one (except that between the first and second cycle). From the end of each cycle,
but before starting the next one, the absolute value of lymphocytes fell on the average by 15-30%, concurring with the
fact that, even starting from pre-cycle values higher than baseline, the immune system remains sensitive to chronically