No abstract

The increase of plasma deoxycorticosterone (DOC) levels after administration of spironolactone is a real effect and not due to cross-interference of the drug or its metabolites with the DOC-assay. This is proved by in vitro and in vivo results. Of all the metabolites only canrenone interferes to some extent with DOC after liquid-liquid-extraction and paper chromatography. The antiserum, however, is so highly specific, that the final cross-interference of the total procedure amounts to less than 2% of the DOC plasma levels. Moreover, in patients with Addison's disease only a very small increase of DOC plasma levels can be observed after administration of spironolactone in contrast to normal subjects.

No abstract

S -YPharma) twice daily respectively for a further 7 days.Before breakfast, each morning at 08.00 hours, blood was drawn for the determination of steroids, plasma renin activity, angiotensin I1 and

The incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is increasing, with approximately 2 million new cases diagnosed worldwide and about 1.2 million patients dying per year. In Europe, about 500 ,000 people per year are newly diagnosed with GI cancer. The most frequent cancer types that undergo chemotherapy include cancer of the oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, biliary tract and colorectum. In the last years, various new agents and combinations have been demonstrated to improve the prognosis of patients with GI cancer. However, with the introduction of new and more effective systemic treatments, the need for supportive treatment has become more complex. There has been significant improvement in the management of nausea and vomiting arising from highly and moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. Nevertheless, vomiting and especially nausea continue to be two of the most distressing side effects of antineoplastic treatment. For the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in highly emetogenic therapy, a triple therapy including a 5-HT3-receptor antagonist (RA), dexamethasone and an NK1-RA, aprepitant or fosaprepitant are recommended. In moderately emetogenic regimens, updated guidelines recommend the combination of the second-generation 5-HT3-RA palonosetron with dexamethasone, providing improved protection against acute nausea and vomiting, and demonstrating superior prevention in the delayed phase. This review provides an update of the revised clinical guidelines for antiemetic treatment and prophylaxis in GI cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.