A nomogram derived from pretreatment parameters that are measured on a routine basis was constructed. It can be used to predict the median, 1-year, and 2-year survival of patients with progressive castrate metastatic disease with reasonable accuracy. The information is useful to assess prognosis, guide treatment selection, and design clinical trials.

Studies of adolescent and young adult males sustaining primary anterior shoulder dislocations reveal the likelihood of recurrence to be virtually always above 50% and as high as 79% to 94%. Common among these investigations is the lack of a specific, rigidly adhered to rehabilitation program. During a 3 1/2 year period, 20 midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy sustained primary anterior shoulder dislocations. All participated in an identical treatment regimen which included a restrengthening program emphasizing the muscles of internal rotation and adduction, plus rigid restrictions of activities until the goals of their rehabilitation program were satisfied. Exercises progressed from isometrics through isotonics and isokinetics. Goals included return to full active, unrestricted duty and athletic participation which included participation in the sport that resulted in the original dislocation. Patients were followed for an average of 35.8 months (with a range of 17 to 45 months). During the period of study there were five recurrences (25%). A success rate of 75% would suggest that adherence to a specific, aggressive postdislocation rehabilitation program, plus rigid restrictions of activities until the goals of the program are satisfied, can substantially improve the likelihood of a full return to activity without recurrent shoulder dislocation.

TEC has significant antitumor activity and is well tolerated in patients with progressive androgen-independent prostate cancer.

G3139 is a BCL-2 antisense oligonucleotide whose antitumor effects in preclinical models are enhanced when combined with taxane-based chemotherapy. This trial determined the safety and biologic activity of G3139 given with paclitaxel and docetaxel for the treatment of progressive solid tumors. Three cohorts of patients received weekly paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15 concurrently with a 21-day continuous infusion of G3139 at 4.1, 5.3, and 6.9 mg/kg/d, depending on the cohort. Two subsequent cohorts received docetaxel (75 mg/m2) on day 5 of a 5-day infusion of G3139 at 5 or 7 mg/kg/d. Bcl-2 protein levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were assayed on an exploratory basis. Fifteen patients were treated. Eight received a total of 14 cycles of G3139 and paclitaxel; seven received a total of 22 cycles of G3139 and docetaxel. Eight patients required dose modifications for either grade 4 neutropenia (6 patients) or grade 1-2 reversible transaminitis (2 patients). No radiographic responses were seen, although two of the six taxane-naive prostate cancer patients exhibited a prostate-specific antigen decline greater than 50%. Bcl-2 protein levels in PBMCs declined with treatment as assessed by immunohistochemistry. The authors conclude that G3139, whether given as a 5- or 21-day infusion, is well tolerated with taxane chemotherapy and is biologically active by immunohistochemistry at doses up to and including 7 mg/kg/d, using weekly paclitaxel (100 mg/m2) or docetaxel every 3 weeks (75 mg/m2). These data support the dose selection of ongoing phase 2 studies of G3139 at 7 mg/kg/d and docetaxel 75 mg/m2.

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