Real-time on-line automated edge detection provides accurate estimation of manually drawn cavity areas. Although the method is gain dependent, measurements are reproducible. The system should have clinical application in settings in which measurements of left ventricular function are important.

Background: There is no standard second-line therapy for advanced pancreatic cancer (APC). We evaluated the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor gefitinib and docetaxel in a phase II study following gemcitabine failure. Methods: EGFR overexpression was not required. The initial docetaxel dose was 75 mg/m² on day 1 every 21 days. Due to febrile neutropenia in 8 of the first 18 patients, the dose was reduced to 60 mg/m². Gefitinib, 250 mg/day orally, was given continuously. Results: Forty-one patients received treatment and were evaluable. Febrile neutropenia was seen in 11 patients (27%), with most events occurring at the docetaxel dose of 75 mg/m² (8 of 18 patients). Common treatment-related grade 3/4 toxicities were: fatigue (7%), nausea (7%), diarrhea (5%) and vomiting (2%). There was 1 partial response and stable disease in 19 patients. Time to progression was 1.8 months and median survival was 4.5 months (95% CI 2.9–5.7). Conclusion: The tolerability and feasibility of second-line therapy for APC was demonstrated. The combination of gefitinib and docetaxel showed evidence of limited efficacy.

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Purpose Combining cytotoxic agents with bevacizumab has yielded significant benefits in a number of solid tumors. Combining small-molecule kinase inhibitors of VEGFR with chemotherapy has yet to demonstrate clinical benefit. The dose, schedule and agents used may be critical to the development of this combinatorial therapy. Methods We performed a phase I trial of sunitinib and gemcitabine in patients with advanced solid tumor malignancies based on strong preclinical rationale. Results Two different MTDs were determined. The schedule of gemcitabine 800 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, 15 and sunitinib 25 mg daily was considered to be a MTD. However, omission of day 15 gemcitabine was common, and thus, a second MTD of gemcitabine of 675 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 with sunitinib 25 mg daily was determined to be the recommended phase II dose. Grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 33 and 6 %, respectively. Grade 3/4 non-hematological toxicities were uncommon. Four of 33 patients had a partial response. Another 11 patients had stable disease ranging from 3 to 36 months. Thus, the recommended phase II dose of this combination is gemcitabine 675 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 on an every 21-day schedule along with sunitinib 25 mg continuous daily. Conclusions This combination is well-tolerated and has significant clinical activity.