Peter Bojko

Characterization of 35 new cases with four different MPLW515 mutations and essential thrombocytosis or primary myelofibrosis

Recently, mutations of MPL , the gene coding for the thrombopoetin receptor, were demonstrated in ~5% of cases of primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and in ~1% of all cases of essential thrombocytosis (ET).[1][1],[2][2] They represent gain-of-function mutations that confer constitutive activation of the

Metronomic Oral Cyclophosphamide in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors

Background: Cure is rarely achieved in patients with advanced metastatic solid tumors, and quality of life including times without burdening therapies is an important endpoint. Metronomic oral cyclophosphamide (Cy) has been studied before and is a reasonable option. Patients and Methods: 24 patients with a mean age of 64.4 years (range 36–82 years) were studied. 18 patients had breast cancer, 4 prostate cancer, 1 uterine carcinoma, and 1 carcinoma of unknown primary. Results: All patients had advanced disease with a mean of 2 metastatic sites. Cy was given at a mean dosage of 52 mg daily. Time from diagnosis to start of Cy was 108.6 ± 7.6 months, and from occurrence of metastatic disease to Cy 45.8 ± 45.6 months. Patients had received a mean of 4.2 ± 2.1 prior regimens for metastatic disease. The mean time to treatment failure was 6.4 ± 5.4 months, and mean overall survival was 12.7 ± 7.3 months. Patients received 2.1 ± 1.4 further treatments upon progression. Main toxicities were grade 1 and 2 (n = 25); 3 patients had grade 3 nausea, leucopenia, and elevated gamma glutamyl transferase, respectively. Conclusion: Low-dose oral Cy is a reasonable, generally well tolerated, and inexpensive option for patients with advanced solid tumors.

Mutations in the JAK2 and MPL Genes and their Correlation to Clinical Parameters in Patients with Chronic Myeloproliferative Disease

Background: The objective of this study was to correlate the V617F mutation of the JAK2gene and the W515 mutation of the MPLgene in patients with chronic myeloproliferative disease (CMPD) with clinical parameters. Patients and Methods: 51 patients were analyzed: 31 with essential thrombocythemia (ET), 20 with polycythemia vera (PV) and 2 with primary myelofibrosis (PMF). 1 patient had unclassifiable CMPD (CMPD-U). 3 patients had overlapping features of ET and PV. Results: 31 patients (14 with PV, 19 with ET, 3 with concomitant ET and PV, and 1 with PMF) showed the JAK2mutation, and 2 patients with ET the W515 mutation. There were no significant differences in hematocrit at diagnosis in JAK2-nonmutated versus -mutated patients with PV. Also, patients with ET had comparable platelet counts at diagnosis. The mean time from diagnosis to initiation of first therapy was similar for all patients with non-mutated versus mutated JAK2. Patients with ET and mutated JAK2were significantly older at diagnosis than those with the wildtype gene (65.5 years vs. 54.4 years; p = 0.016). Conclusions: JAK2V617F or MPLW515 mutations do not seem to correlate with simple clinical parameters. ET patients with wild-type JAK2were significantly younger at diagnosis.

Consultation Program for Patients with Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Systematic Evaluation of the Experiences of the Bavarian Cancer Society

a Institut fur Tumor-Fatigue-Forschung, Emskirchen, Germany; b AG Tumor-Fatigue in der BKG e.V., Munich, Germany; c Deutsche Fatigue Gesellschaft e.V., Cologne, Germany; d Krebsberatungsstelle am Tumorzentrum Munchen in Kooperation mit der Bayerischen Krebsgesellschaft e.V., Munich, Germany; e Rotkreuzklinikum Munchen, Munich, Germany; f Gesundheitszentrum Bodensee, Klinik Sokrates, Guttingen, Switzerland; g Bayerische Krebsgesellschaft e.V., Munich, Germany; h Psycho-Onkologie Medizinische Klinik III und CCC LMU, Klinikum der LMU-Groshadern, Munich, Germany; i Facharztzentrum Furstenfeldbruck, Furstenfeldbruck, Germany; j Klinik Herzoghohe, Bayreuth, Germany; k Praxis fur Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Psychoonkologie, Traumatherapie, Wangen, Germany; l Zentrum fur Klinische Studien, Universitatsklinikum Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany

Targeting Both Tumor and Stroma Cells to Treat Melanoma: NIPAWILMA

All patients enrolled in either phase I or phase II will be treated according to the following treatment plan: Week 1–24: Chemotherapy with paclitaxel combined with nintedanib/placebo Week 25–48: Extended monotherapy with nintedanib/placebo Week 52 (or approximately 4 weeks after last treatment dose): End-of-treatment visit. Follow up: After end of treatment the survival, disease status and further therapies of each patient will be assessed every 3 months until death, progression of disease or end of study, whichever occurs first. Description