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Biomedical subjects

F Casas

Publications and source records attributed to F Casas.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus: a review of the literature with emphasis on therapy and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Few studies of patients with esophageal small cell carcinoma (SCC) have been conducted. Choice of treatment remains controversial. METHODS: The authors analyzed data on 199 evaluable esophageal SCC patients, selected from among 230 patients found in the literature, and a data extraction form that recorded 11 features was completed. To allow for the evaluation of prognostic factors that influenced survival, the patients were grouped according to limited stage (LS), which was defined as disease confined to the esophagus, or extensive stage (ES), which was defined as disease that had spread beyond locoregional boundaries. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Treatment was categorized as either local or local with systemic; for the ES cases, the categories were defined as treatment versus no treatment. RESULTS: The tumor site was described in 178 cases (89%). Mean tumor size was 6.1. Pure SCC was found in 137 cases (68.8%), whereas 62 cases (31.2%) showed mixed SCC; 93 (46.7%) were LS, whereas 95 (47.7%) were ES. In 11 cases (5.5%), the stage was not determined. There was a significant difference in survival between patients with LS and those with ES (P < 0.0001). The median survival was 8 months for patients with LS and 3 months for those with ES. Univariate analysis of LS showed 3 significant prognostic factors: age (for patients age < or =60 years, the median survival was 11 months, whereas for those age >60 years, the median survival was 6 months), tumor size (for those with tumors < or =5 cm, the median survival was 12 months, whereas for those with tumors >5 cm, the median survival was 4 months), and type of treatment (with local plus systemic treatment, the median survival was 20 months, whereas with local it was 5 months). In multivariate analysis, tumor size (P = 0.007) and type of treatment (P < 0.001) were shown to be independent predictive variables. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal SCC is an aggressive type of tumor. This study shows that there are significant differences between LS and ES and that in LS, both tumor size and type of treatment are possible prognostic factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Molecular characterization of two variants of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency: PI Mpalermo and PI Plovel].

BACKGROUND: Alpha 1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a highly polymorphic protein, having more than 75 different variants. In this work two rare AAT deficient variants were characterized by DNA study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Members of three generations of two separate families were studied. In family 1, the index case was affected with pulmonary emphysema and presented AAT deficiency (23 mg/dl). In family 2, the index case had a normal pulmonary function, an AAT serum level of 72 mg/dl and a phenotype heterozygous for an AAT variant migrating in the P variant region. The AAT variants were characterized by polymerase chain reaction amplification of the coding exons and direct sequencing of the amplification products. RESULTS: Direct DNA sequencing from a member of family 1 demonstrates that in the exon II of the normal M1 (Val213) allele there was a 3-bp deletion (TTC), corresponding to Phe51 or Phe52. This mutation is characteristic of the Pl Mpalermo variant. In our study, Pl Mpalermo was detected in six members of three generations of this same family. Sequencing of exon III in a member of family 2, identified in the common M1 (Val213) allele a single base substitution of GAT-GTT, with the resulting amino acid change Asp256 for Val256. This mutation characterizes the Pl Plovel allele. The Pl Plovel was also detected in nine members of five others independent families. All of them have AAT serum levels between 80 and 102 mg/dl. None of the studied subjects had clinical evidence of lung disease. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show the presence of the two AAT deficient variants in Spain and suggest that the Pl Plovel variant might be more common than expected.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Induction of c-Erb A-AP-1 interactions and c-Erb A transcriptional activity in myoblasts by RXR. Consequences for muscle differentiation.

We have previously shown that c-Erb A and v-Erb A display a cell-specific activity in avian myoblasts. In this work, we have compared the molecular basis of thyroid hormone action in HeLa cells and in QM7 myoblasts. The transcriptional activity of c-Erb A alpha 1 through a palindromic thyroid hormone response element (TRE) was similar in both cell types. However, c-Erb A did not activate gene transcription through a direct repeat sequence (DR) 4 TRE in myoblasts in contrast to results obtained in HeLa cells. Moreover, whereas retinoic acid receptor-AP-1 interactions were functional in both cell types, thyroid hormone receptor (T3R)-AP-1 interactions were only functional in HeLa cells. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, functional tests, and Northern blot experiments, we observed that RXR isoforms are not expressed in proliferating myoblasts. Expression of RXR gamma in these cells did not influence T3R transcriptional activity through a palindromic TRE but induced such an activity through a DR4 TRE. Moreover, it restored c-Erb A-AP-1 functionality in QM7 myoblasts and enhanced the myogenic influence of T3. We also observed that c-Jun overexpression in proliferating QM7 cells restored T3R transcriptional activity through a DR4 TRE. Therefore, alternative mechanisms are involved in the induction of T3R transcriptional activity according to the cell status (proliferation: c-Jun; differentiation: RXR). In addition we provide the first evidence that RXR is required to allow inhibition of AP-1 activity by ligand-activated T3R. Lastly, we demonstrate the importance of RXR in the regulation of myoblast differentiation by T3.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Six-year follow-up of primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus showing a complete response: a case report.

Six-year follow-up of a case of small cell carcinoma of the esophagus showing a complete response is reported. The small cell pattern appeared intermingled with areas of invasive squamous cell carcinoma and carcinoma in situ. A neoadjuvant polychemotherapy regimen was used, followed by radiation therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. This therapeutic combination resulted in complete response of the disease, as confirmed by computed tomography, endoscopy and biopsy. The patient is currently still alive, 6 years after the diagnosis, without any sign of relapse. A review of the literature reveals that this patient has survived longer than any others with this disease after treatment by chemoradiotherapy. The authors suggest that this therapy should be considered for patients with limited small cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1995

A CT-based simulation for head and neck tumors in centers without CT-simulator and 3D-planning system.

We present a special CT-based simulation technique to optimize the radiotherapy treatments in head and neck tumors. On an immobilization device, some CT hyperdense markers are placed. Real-size CT slices are performed every 5 mm with the patient in the treatment position with the immobilization system. This study permits a more accurate knowledge of the gross tumoral volume and an optimization of the planning treatment.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed1995

[Brachytherapy in the treatment of prostatic carcinoma].

Radiotheraphy of prostatic cancer began using brachitherapy. In 1910 Paschkis and in 1911 Pasteau reported treatment of prostatic carcinoma with radium needles. In 1952, Flocks began implanting a colloidaly radioactive gold-198 solution into the prostate after surgical exploration. This approach was optimized by Carlton in 1965 using solid gold-198 implants combined with external beam therapy. In 1972 Withmore et al reported the use of iodine-125 seeds for interstitial irradiation. In 1977 Court and Chassagne introduced after loading techniques using iridium-192. This technique has been developed further by Syed et al. In these settings interstitial radiotherapy is used as localized boost in combination with external beam therapy. Prostate brachytherapy can be divided into temporary implantation using high activity sources, or permanent brachytherapy using the interstitial implantation of iodine-125 or palladium-103 sources. We reported an overview.

Brachytherapy↗
PubMed1993

Acquired factor VIII inhibitor preceding chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

An acquired factor VIII inhibitor was found in an 82-year-old woman who presented with numerous spontaneously appearing ecchymoses. Coagulation studies revealed the presence of a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time that was not corrected by 1:1 mixture with normal fresh plasma after a 2-h incubation. Factor VIII:C was 4%, and the titer for factor VIII inhibitor was 9 Bethesda units. Three months later, after a retroperitoneal hemorrhage, a lymphocytosis was found in her peripheral blood with morphological and surface immunophenotype characteristics of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, later confirmed by bone marrow morphological and immunocytochemical examinations. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an autoimmune factor VIII inhibitor associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Centrofacial necrosis secondary to cocaine use].

We report the medical case of a 40-year-old man with a history of years of cocaine abuse. He was admitted to our hospital for a septic process and purulent rhinorrhea. The clinical examination and craniofacial computed tomography revealed severe necrosis of the nasal septum, maxillary sinus, ethmoidal sinus, sphenoidal sinus and soft palate. In our experience, this is unusual, even for longstanding cocaine abusers.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Tumor markers in response monitoring and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer: preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: The significance of tumor markers in lung cancer is not well established. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed level of serum markers as prognostic factor of response and survival in 46 evaluable patients with locally advanced or metastasic non small cell lung cancer. All patients were treated with cisplatin 120 mg/m2 or carboplatin 400 mg/m2 day 1, plus etoposide 80 mg/m2 days 1 to 3. RESULTS: Partial response was obtained in 11 patients (24%), stabilization in 18 and progression in 17. Tumor marker sensitivities were: CEA 37%, CA 125 54.5%, SCC 17.5%, NSE 30.5%, and CYFRA 52%. Higher levels of CEA and NSE correlated with more probability of response (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002). The survival probability of patients with normal pretreatment levels of NSE was significantly better than those with NSE over normal level (15.2 vs 7.2 months) p = 0.02. In patients who achieved partial response, CEA, CA 125 and CYFRA levels decreased significantly with respect to the pretreatment values. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with high CEA and NSE serum level have an increased probability of response than patients with low initial levels; however, patients with high initial level of NSE have poor survival. The decrease in CEA, CA 125 and CYFRA values at the moment of response evaluation could help in response assessment.

Adult↗