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Results of a newly published study show that initial empiric monotherapy with the antibiotic meropenem (Merrem) has positive clinical benefits, is well-tolerated, and is a realistic alternative to standard combination therapy (ceftazidime plus amikacin) in the treatment of febrile episodes in neutropenic patients, including those with persistent, profound neutropenia who are at high risk of infection. The study was published in a recent issue of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

LOS ANGELES--In the first positive randomized US trial of hyperthermia in cancer, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients who received hyperthermia in addition to bra-chytherapy survived significantly longer than those who did not get the heat treatment, Penny K. Sneed, MD, said at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) meeting.

NeXstar Pharmaceuticals announced that a team of independent investigators has reported the findings of a phase II study in which DaunoXome (liposomal daunorubicin citrate for injection) was evaluated as a treatment for low- and intermediate-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The data, presented November 7, 1996, at the 16th Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium in New York City, included 14 patients whose disease was resistant to conventional chemotherapy or who had relapsed after prior therapy. DaunoXome is NeXstar's proprietary liposomal formulation of the anthracycline chemotherapy agent daunorubicin.

Myth: Cancer patients will become addicted to the morphine doctors prescribe for pain relief.

This paper consists of a review of the literature on carcinoma of the anal margin, as well as the authors' institutional experience with this uncommon malignancy. The authors offer recommendations for treatment based on the size of the tumor, which correlates with the T-stage from the TNM or Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC) staging systems. They recommend radiation alone or local excision for T1 lesions, radiation and elective nodal irradiation for T2 lesions, and chemoradiation, including irradiation of the primary tumor and inguinal and pelvic nodes, for T3 and T4 lesions.

Soft-tissue sarcomas arising from the retroperitoneum are rare tumors, and their successful treatment is problematic. This group of tumors tends to be large at presentation, and they exist in a body cavity with few fascial planes to contain them. They frequently abut vital organs or major blood vessels, which further complicates their complete removal.

The modern pandemic known as AIDS continues to spread at an alarming rate, with approximately 5,000 people becoming infected with HIV daily.[1] The World Health Organization estimated in 1995 that 20 million people worldwide were HIV infected, and that there were more than 4 million cases of AIDS.[1]

PHILADELPHIA--The use of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA, Vesanoid) in-duces a very high incidence of complete remission in patients with acute promye-locytic leukemia (APL) who have not received previous retinoid therapy.

Mendenhall and colleagues provide a useful review of the management of squamous cell carcinoma of the anal margin. Although I generally agree with their conclusions and recommendations for treatment, their paper highlights the continuing difficulties in developing a universally agreed-upon descriptive terminology for the anal region.

WASHINGTON--Navy veterans exposed to nuclear bomb tests at Bikini a half century ago have a higher death rate than sailors not present at the tests. However, this increased mortality does not appear to result from radiation exposure.

DUMONT, NJ--The Berlex Oncology Foundation is accepting applications until January 6, 1997, for a 2-year clinical research training program open to academically oriented physicians specializing in oncology. The intent is to encourage careers in clinical cancer research. For more information, contact Svetlana Lisanti, Berlex Oncology Foundation, 80 W. Madison Ave., Dumont, NJ 07628; or call 201-385-0006.

WASHINGTON-Federal AIDS programs faired well in the budget bill passed by Congress and signed by President Clinton, which included increased funding in fiscal year 1997 for research, prevention, care, and drug assistance.

BETHESDA, Md--The National Cancer Institute has released the latest edition of Cancer Rates and Risks, a 205-page reference book with cancer statistics and brief chapters by NCI experts, written in lay language, on known cancer risk factors. Single copies are available free through the NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).

NEW ORLEANS-A large review with long-term follow-up of patients from Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Seattle, seems to put to rest any fears that short-term use of metronidazole may cause cancer in humans.

ORLANDO-Payers have an obligation to provide the best possible oncology care, and the obligation is fulfilled "as a direct result of having a managed network," said Christine Ngo, capitation network manager for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida/Health Options, Inc., Jacksonville. Further, she said, "the most successful way we have found to develop a managed network is through capitation."

BETHESDA, Md-The National Cancer Institute is urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to replace its current cigarette testing protocol with one that provides the full range of tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide yields in individual cigarette brands.

NEW ORLEANS--The number of presentations and overflowing symposia devoted to antifungal resistance were testament to the concerns of physicians attending the 36th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC).

ROCHESTER, Minn-Use of transdermal fentanyl (Duragesic) in ambulatory cancer pain patients appears to be safe and effective, Julie E. Hammack, MD, and her colleagues from four North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) institutions report.

HOUSTON-A new automated computerized system for analyzing the microvessel density of prostate tumors may help physicians more accurately stage the cancer before surgery, and thus assist physicians and patients in making treatment decisions, say Brian J. Miles, MD, of Baylor College of Medicine, and his colleagues at the Mayo Clinic, Washington University, Laval University, Quebec, University of Colorado, and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

NEW ORLEANS--Ganciclovir (Cytovene) protects allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients in the early postoperative period, but late infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) continues to cause serious problems, Helen C. Maltezou, MD, reported at the 36th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC).

ROCKVILLE, Md-The FDA has postponed a meeting of its Antiviral Drugs Advisory Committee that was to consider Rescriptor (delavirdine), a Pharmacia and Upjohn Co. drug for use in treating HIV infection. The agency said the postponement will allow time to incorporate results of additional study information that recently became available. The FDA said it will reschedule the meeting, but announced no date.

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found that the very population most likely to be affected by legalizing physician-assisted suicide is the group that favors it the least.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va-A new organization, the National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF), has been created to support bills favoring patient access to insurance funding and encourage legislation on issues that threaten cancer patients' coverage for evolving therapies, therapeutic devices, or agents prescribed by their treating physicians.

NEW ORLEANS--Monitoring programs in which hospital pharmacists double-check physicians' orders for antibiotics are proving effective in averting potential problems of safety or efficacy, researchers reported at the 36th Inter-science Conference on Antimicrobials and Chemotherapy (ICAAC).

BETHESDA, Md-The Visible Human Project has become a virtual reality beyond the expectations of many. Already, researchers are experimenting with the computerized anatomies of a man and woman, seeking ways to use them to the benefit of medical education, diagnostics, and surgery.

ORLANDO-"Even with 1.2 million new cancer cases diagnosed each year, 4.5 million cancer patients, and cancer the costliest disease, there are still more oncologists out there than we need," said Harold Wodinsky, vice president of managed care and network development for EquiMed, Inc., a national multispecialty physician practice management firm.

A typical glandular cells detected on cervical Pap smears indicate significant cervical pathology in 17% of cases and require an immediate work-up and biopsy, according to research reported in the October issue of Gynecologic Oncology, the scientific publication of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO).

NEW ORLEANS-Beware the juxtaposition of BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guérin) and other chemotherapeutic agents. Four patients in the same oncology outpatient clinic in Barcelona, Spain, developed disseminated BCG infection around the same time, apparently due to BCG-contaminated intravenous catheters, Dr. Javier Garau reported at the 36th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC).

NEW ORLEANS-High doses of liposomal amphotericin B are no more effective than low doses in the treatment of invasive aspergillosis in neutropenic patients, European researchers reported at the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

TARRYTOWN, NY--An essential step in the life cycle of HIV is entry into the cell, allowing delivery of the viral genetic information to the target cell cytoplasm. Attachment and fusion are the critical events that make this possible.