Articles by Anthony J. Cmelak, MD
Infusion reactions are a well-known phenomenon in cancer treatment, occurring with both cytotoxic and biologic agents. The severity, symptomatology, and time course of these hypersensitivity events differ significantly among agents, ranging from simple cutaneous manifestations and urticaria to life-threatening hypotension, bronchospasm, and vascular collapse. They can occur despite adequate preparation and premedication.
Infusion reactions (IRs) can be broadly categorized by their immunologic mechanism. Anaphylaxis is a systemic, immediate hypersensitivity reaction mediated by factors released from interactions between immunoglobulin E (IgE) and mast cells that produce an antigen-antibody reaction.[1] Anaphylactoid reactions can be differentiated from anaphlaxis by the fact that they are not IgE-mediated but rather cytokine-mediated.
Topoisomerase I Inhibitors in the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer
ByBarbara A. Murphy, MD,Anthony J. Cmelak, MD,Brian Burkey, MD,James Netterville, MD,Yu Shyr, PhD,Stacey Douglas, RN Traditionally, the role of chemotherapy in the treatment ofsquamous carcinoma of the head and neck has been confined to patients with
Traditionally, treatment for locally advanced resectable head and neck cancer has been surgical resection followed by postoperative radiation. In unresectable patients, primary radiation has been the mainstay of
Obliteration of the tumor vasculature is an effective means of achieving tumor regression. Antiangiogenic agents have begun to enter cancer clinical trials. Ionizing radiation activates the inflammatory cascade and increases the
