In a subset analysis of data from a 6-month, multicenter, non-interventional study, we compared change in symptoms and quality of life (QoL), and treatment tolerability, in men with moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) receiving tamsulosin (TAM, 0.4 mg/day) or the hexanic extract of Serenoa repens (HESr, 320 mg/day) as monotherapy. Symptoms and QoL were assessed using the IPSS and BII questionnaires, respectively. Patients in the treatment groups were matched using two statistical approaches (iterative and propensity score matching). Within the iterative matching approach, data was available from a total of 737 patients (353 TAM, 384 HESr). After 6 months, IPSS scores improved by a mean (SD) of 5.0 (4.3) points in the TAM group and 4.5 (4.7) points in the HESr group (p = 0.117, not significant). Improvements in QoL were equivalent in the two groups. TAM patients reported significantly more adverse effects than HESr patients (14.7% vs 2.1%; p < 0.001), particularly ejaculation dysfunction and orthostatic hypotension. These results show that HESr is a valid treatment option for men with moderate/severe LUTS/BPH; improvements in urinary symptoms and QoL were similar to those observed for tamsulosin, but with considerably fewer adverse effects.
CI-980 is a synthetic mitotic inhibitor that binds to the colchicine binding site of tubulin. It demonstrates broad activity against human and murine tumor models and shows no cross resistance with tumor models whose mechanism of resistance is mediated by P-glycoprotein (MDR-1). A phase I study was completed in 25 patients with solid tumors using a 24-hour infusion schedule, with courses repeated every 3 weeks. Eight dose levels were tested between 1.2 and 15.6 mg/m2. The maximum tolerated dose was 14.4 mg/m2. Neutropenia was dose-related but not dose-limiting; thrombocytopenia was infrequent. CNS toxicities were dose-limiting and consisted of dizziness, headache, loss of coordination, loss of consciousness, nervousness, and other symptoms. These events occurred near the end of the infusion and were reversible, usually within 24 hours. One patient who was to be treated at dose level 8 (intended dose was 19.2 mg/m2; actual dose was 15.6 mg/m2) became encephalopathic prior to completion of the infusion. Other adverse events included gastrointestinal toxicities (nausea, vomiting, anorexia, constipation, stomatitis, dyspepsia, bleeding, cheilitis), IV site erythema, fever, and fatigue. A partial response was observed in one patient with colon cancer and reductions in CA-125 levels were observed in 2 patients with ovarian cancer. Pharmacokinetics were linear and dose-proportional. Results indicate high systemic clearance and wide tissue distribution. Mean pharmacokinetic parameter values: T1/2 = 5.52 hours, plasma clearance 1163 mL/min/m2, and Vdss 376 L/m2.
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