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Biomedical subjects

B Guillot

Publications and source records attributed to B Guillot.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Randomised phase III trial of fotemustine versus fotemustine plus whole brain irradiation in cerebral metastases of melanoma].

PURPOSE: The main objective of this prospective multicenter randomised phase III study was to compare a combined regimen of fotemustine plus whole brain irradiation versus fotemustine alone in terms of cerebral response and time to cerebral progression in patients with melanoma brain metastases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-six patients (instead of the 106 planned patients; study was stopped after the interim analysis) were randomised receiving either fotemustine (arm A, n = 39) or fotemustine and whole brain irradiation (arm B, n = 37). Fotemustine was administered intravenously at 100 mg m(-2) on day 1, 8 and 15, followed by a 5-week rest period, then every 3 weeks in non-progressive patients. In arm B, a concomitant whole brain irradiation was performed at the total dose of 37.5 Gy (2.5 Gy/d(-1), days 1-5, 3 consecutive weeks). RESULTS: Although patients who received fotemustine alone had worse prognostic factors, there was no significant difference in brain response (arm A: 7.4%, B: 10.0%) or control rates (objective response plus stable disease) after seven weeks (arm A: 30%, B: 47%) and overall survival (arm A: 86d, B: 105d). However, there was a significant difference in favour of arm B for the time to brain progression (p = 0.028, Wilcoxon test). CONCLUSION: Fotemustine plus whole brain irradiation delayed the time to brain progression of melanoma cerebral metastases compared to fotemustine alone but without a significant improvement in terms of objective control or overall survival.

Adult↗

Radiation-induced skin fibrosis after treatment of breast cancer: profilometric analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Treatment of breast cancer involves an association of conservative surgery and radiotherapy. This implies various cutaneous complications, well known for their clinical and histological aspects. Little data are available concerning modifications of the cutaneous microrelief after radiotherapy. We have done a profilometric analysis of the skin of breast cancer patients treated with surgery and radiotherapy. The results obtained on the irradiated breast have been compared with the ones of the controlateral normal breast. METHODS: Twenty women, 43-55 year old were enrolled in the study 6-16 months after the end of a treatment associating conservative surgery and radiotherapy for breast cancer. Imprints using a silicone rubber material were performed over symmetrical areas of the treated breast and the controlateral one. All measures were performed over the upper-medial quadrant of each breast. The imprints are then blindly analysed using an image analyser. The following parameters were measured: RA (average roughness of the skin), RZ (average of the furrows depth), RS (residual length), Rn (number of furrows) and AR (space between the furrows). RESULTS: The comparison of the imprints shows important modifications of the microrelief after irradiation. We observe a slight increase of the skin roughness (RA: 26, 39 +/- 2, 58 versus 21, 84 +/- 1, 59), a significantly increase of the furrows depth (RZ: 121, 66 +/- 10, 46 versus 101, 26 +/- 6, 99) along with an increase of the residual length (RS: 580, 60 +/- 60, 60 versus 450, 46 +/- 48, 43). The number of furrows has not significantly decreased but the space between the furrows has increased on the irradiated breast. CONCLUSION: This study shows a breakdown effect of irradiation on the skin in correlation with the fibrosis inducing by ionising radiation. The imprints modifications are clearly different from those usually observed in the ageing process. Our results can be a basis for studying the effects of treatments on cutaneous complications linked to the radiation-induced fibrosis.

Adult↗

Rare occurrence of CD30+ circulating cells in patients with cutaneous CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma: a study of nine patients.

BACKGROUND: The presence of a significant percentage of circulating atypical lymphocytes in peripheral blood has already been demonstrated in systemic CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), which implies that a leukaemic component may be present in this subset of lymphomas. However, no similar data are available for the cutaneous counterpart of this particular lymphoproliferation. OBJECTIVES: To assess the presence of atypical cells, CD30+ lymphocytes and of a dominant T-cell clone in peripheral blood in a series of patients with cutaneous CD30+ ALCL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine patients with either primary (four) or secondary (five) cutaneous CD4+ CD30+ ALCL were selected. The percentage of CD30+ CD4+ lymphocytes among peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was determined by flow cytometry and the presence of a dominant circulating T-cell clone was assessed by polymerase chain reaction targeting the T-cell receptor gamma chain. A control group composed of apparently healthy individuals was similarly studied at the same time. RESULTS: The mean percentage of CD30+ cells in PBMC was slightly higher in patients than in controls (3.9% vs. 2.7%) but the difference was not statistically significant. Only two patients displayed more than 5% CD30+ cells, both of whom had a minor tumour burden. A dominant circulating T-cell clone was detected in only three cases, including these two latter patients. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of a significant percentage of CD30+ CD4+ circulating cells is rare in active cutaneous CD30+ ALCL, either primary or secondary. This percentage is not related to the apparent skin tumour burden but a significant figure appeared to be correlated with the detection of a dominant T-cell clone in peripheral blood. Overall, these data show that, unlike mycosis fungoides, peripheral blood involvement seems infrequent in cutaneous CD30+ ALCL. The hypothesis that a high percentage of CD30+ circulating cells might be related to the presence of a cryptic systemic disease cannot be ruled out.

Adult↗

The combination of calcipotriol and methotrexate compared with methotrexate and vehicle in psoriasis: results of a multicentre placebo-controlled randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, parallel-group study was carried out to study the effect of the addition of calcipotriol ointment to methotrexate (MTX) therapy in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the addition of calcipotriol to treatment with MTX has an MTX-sparing effect, and whether the combination of treatments is safe. Additionally, to compare the effect of calcipotriol or vehicle on the duration of the relapse-free interval after cessation of MTX. METHODS: Patients on maintenance therapy with MTX with controlled psoriasis were selected. The study was divided into three phases: (i) an MTX-free phase with double-blind treatment with either calcipotriol ointment or vehicle; (ii) an MTX titration phase with open MTX treatment and additional double-blind treatment with either calcipotriol or vehicle until target response; and (iii) follow-up phase: in a group of 97 patients, psoriasis was assessed using the modified psoriasis severity score, patients' assessment and safety parameters were monitored as well. RESULTS: The combined use of calcipotriol with MTX resulted in an MTX-sparing effect of 3.4 mg week-1 (phase (II) and 2.6 mg week-1 (phase I and II taken together), while still maintaining efficacy. Calcipotriol treatment increased the time to relapse of psoriasis following discontinuation of MTX: 113 days vs. 35 days. A decrease in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase was seen during the study of 8% (calcipotriol) and 12% (vehicle). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of calcipotriol and MTX was safe and well tolerated. The combination resulted in lower cumulative dosages of MTX compared with MTX and vehicle. Therefore the risk of side-effects is substantially decreased.

Adult↗

A prospective randomized multicentre phase III trial of fotemustine plus whole brain irradiation versus fotemustine alone in cerebral metastases of malignant melanoma.

The main objective of this prospective multicentre randomized phase III study was to compare a combined regimen of fotemustine plus whole brain irradiation with fotemustine alone in terms of cerebral response and time to cerebral progression in patients with melanoma cerebral metastases. Seventy-six patients were randomized to receive either fotemustine (arm A, n = 39) or fotemustine plus whole brain irradiation (arm B, n = 37). Fotemustine was administered intravenously at 100 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8 and 15, followed by a 5 week rest period, then every 3 weeks in non-progressive patients. In arm B, concomitant whole brain irradiation was performed at a total dose of 37.5 Gy (2.5 Gy/day on days 1-5 for three consecutive weeks). Although patients who received fotemustine alone had worse prognostic factors, there was no significant difference in cerebral response (arm A, 7.4%, arm B, 10.0%) or control rates (objective responses plus stable disease) after 7 weeks (arm A, 30%; arm B, 47%) or in overall survival (arm A, 86 days; arm B, 105 days). However, there was a significant difference in favour of arm B for the time to cerebral progression (P = 0.028, Wilcoxon test). In conclusion, fotemustine plus whole brain irradiation delayed the time to cerebral progression of melanoma cerebral metastases compared with fotemustine alone but without a significant improvement in terms of objective control or overall survival.

Adult↗

[Neurofibromatosis 1: recommendations for management].

Twenty experts, members of a French medical network devoted to neurofibromatosis 1 have elaborated recommendations for the management of the disease. Bibliography was obtained through a Medline of articles from 1966 to 1999 for the terms neurofibromatosis, NF1, neurofibroma and from textbooks. A consensual document was written taking into account extracted data. An annual careful clinical examination is recommended except in cases with complications. Screening investigations are not recommended due to the rarity of complications, generally symptomatic and easily detected during the clinical follow-up. The only controversial exception might be magnetic resonance imaging for early detection of optic pathway gliomas in young children. A co-ordinated follow-up in specialised multidisciplinary centres, providing patients with a rational management, is recommended.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of a 1-h exposure time to mechlorethamine in patients undergoing topical treatment.

BACKGROUND: Mechlorethamine is frequently used in the treatment of cutaneous lymphoma, but its application is limited in 30-80% of cases because of cutaneous intolerance. Reducing the concentration to avoid this side-effect has been only modestly successful. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether a shorter application period could reduce the frequency of intolerance. METHODS: In an open prospective study in 39 patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma or parapsoriasis, mechlorethamine was applied according to the usual practices of the participating physicians (number of weekly applications, treatment confined to lesions or performed over the entire body) and then washed off after 1 h in all cases. RESULTS: Cutaneous intolerance was observed in 19 of 39 patients (49%). Six of these patients showed allergic contact dermatitis to mechlorethamine after a mean period of 9.3 weeks, while the other 13 developed irritant contact dermatitis after a longer period. Cutaneous intolerance did not differ significantly according to the number of applications per week or the extent of body area treated. The therapeutic response rate was 69%, and no difference in therapeutic efficacy was noted between daily and intermittent applications. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison with published studies showed no significant difference in the number of cases of cutaneous intolerance after short-term application, although their occurrence was delayed. Therapeutic response was decreased appreciably by short-term application as compared with results in the literature.

Administration, Topical↗

[Lymphangioma in a patient with Maffuci syndrome of the lower legs].

Maffucci syndrome is a rare dysembryoplasia associating cartilage tumors similar to enchondromas in Ollier's disease and vessel tumors. We report the case of a 50-year-old woman with Maffucci syndrome involving the lower legs who developed a variety of vascular proliferations. This patient had capillary hemangiomas, cavernous angiomas, and lymphangiomas facing the cartilage tumefactions on the thigh. Regular clinical surveillance is required for such patients due to the risk of degeneration of the enchondromas and the angiomas, but also due to the possible occurrence of other malignant tumors besides the cartilage and vessel tumors.

Enchondromatosis↗

[Septic embolism complicating an aorto-duodenal fistula].

INTRODUCTION: Aorto-duodenal fistulas are rare complications of aortal prostheses. We report a case revealed by septic embolism. OBSERVATION: A 63 year-old man with past history of obliterating arteriopathy of the legs and bifemoral aortal bypass was hospitalized in a dermatology unit because of bilateral ecchymotic and purpural lesions of the soles of the feet and fever. Hemocultures were positive for E. coli and alpha hemolytic streptococci. The search for a deep infectious area was negative. Gastro-esophageal fibroscopy revealed an aorto-duodenal fistula showing a fresh blood clot in the second duodenum. DISCUSSION: Aorto-duodenal fistulas are rare complications of aortal prostheses, the high mortality of which is often related to late diagnosis. The initial symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, palpable mass and digestive bleeding are inconstant and the clinical profile polymorphous. Any suspicion of septic embolism in a patient with an aortal vascular prosthesis must lead to the search for prosthetic infection and an aorto-duodenal fistula, notably in the presence of osteomyelitis at distance from the prosthesis. A scan and/or scintigraphy with normal polynuclears do not eliminate the diagnosis of an aortal-duodenal fistula and a gastro-esophageal fibroscopy should be performed.

Abdominal Pain↗