Biomedical subjects
L Barnouin
Publications and source records attributed to L Barnouin.
Phase II trial of a paclitaxel-carboplatin combination in recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
OBJECTIVE: Twenty-seven patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were entered in a multicenter study to determine the efficacy of the paclitaxel-carboplatin association. METHODS: Standard eligibility criteria applied, i.e. measurable disease, and chemotherapy given as induction treatment or concomitant chemoradiotherapy was allowed if completed more than 6 months prior to the study. Every 21 days, paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2) and carboplatin AUC 6 were administered. The patient group included 3 females and 24 males with a median age of 61 years (range 39-75 years). RESULTS: All patients were assessable for toxicity and 24 for responses. Main grade 3-4 toxicities were: neutropenia (62.9%), febrile neutropenia (18.5%), anemia (11.1%), thrombocytopenia (14.8%), mucositis (7.4%) and vomiting (7.4%). Among the intent-to-treat population, 29.6% of patients had an objective response, with a median response duration of 4.2 months (range 1-5.7 months). Stable and progressive disease were observed in 11.1 and 48.1% of patients, respectively. The median overall survival was 7.2 months (range 0.5-10.9 months). CONCLUSION: From these data, paclitaxel-carboplatin seems to have an activity in recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, but the high level of toxicity highlights the need to search for a safer chemotherapy combination.
[Diffuse alveolar pertussis with major hyperleukocytosis with "pseudocentrocytic" contingent].
A 21 month-old unvaccinated boy was admitted for an acute respiratory distress episode associated with major leukocytosis (maximum = 146 G/l). Transient heart failure and pneumomediastinum occurred but the outcome was favourable. Coughing attacks then occurred and the diagnosis of pertussis was serologically confirmed. This case report is reminiscent of the possible severity of pertussis pneumoniae, the mechanisms of haematologic abnormalities, and stresses to the benefit of pertussis vaccination.