17-ketosteroids and Urinary-Bladder-Neoplasms

Multiple oral doses of alpha-difluoromethyl-ornithine (alpha-DFMO), 18-24 g/day for up to 2 months, were administered to 2 patients with invasive and metastatic carcinoma of the bladder and to 3 patients with metastatic renal cancer in an open study. The moderate antigrowth effect of alpha-DFMO in these patients was concluded from the results of serial kidney, liver and bone scintigrams, from the low frequency of a local recurrence of bladder carcinoma and from the survival rate of 4 of 5 patients after 12 months. Increased excretion of hydroxyproline and beta2-microglobulin were measured 1 month following alpha-DFMO treatment suggesting initial tumor necrosis and degradation. Treatment was poorly tolerated with gastrointestinal side effects (e.g. gastritis, vomiting, diarrhea) in all subjects, erythropenia in 2 subjects (associated with thrombocytopenia and leucopenia in 1 subject each), and audiovestibular symptoms in 2 patients. All side effects were reversible and normal function returned 2-4 months after stopping therapy.

Topics: 17-Ketosteroids; Adenocarcinoma; Adult; Aged; alpha 1-Antitrypsin; Antineoplastic Agents; beta 2-Microglobulin; Beta-Globulins; Eflornithine; Estrogens; Female; Haptoglobins; Humans; Hydroxyproline; Kidney Neoplasms; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Middle Aged; Ornithine; Ornithine Decarboxylase Inhibitors; Testosterone; Transferrin; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

Topics: 17-Ketosteroids; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Chronic Disease; Cystitis; Estrogens; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Male; Menopause; Middle Aged; Sex Factors; Testosterone; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

Topics: 17-Ketosteroids; Adenocarcinoma; Adrenalectomy; Aged; Biopsy; Cystoscopy; Diethylstilbestrol; Humans; Hydronephrosis; Male; Neoplasm Metastasis; Penile Neoplasms; Prognosis; Prostatic Neoplasms; Skin Neoplasms; Testis; Testosterone; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms; Urination Disorders