Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to P Ribaud.
There has been substantial progress in preventing and treating CMV infection. Prophylaxis with CMV screened blood products, IVIG and antiviral drugs (high dose acyclovir and/or Ganciclovir) considerably reduce the incidence of CMV disease and nearly eliminate CMV pneumonia after allogeneic BMT.
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During the past few years major progress has been made in the diagnosis and therapy of CMV infection after allogeneic BMT. The aim of this survey was to investigate the use of diagnostic techniques, use of prophylaxis and the therapeutic strategies among members of the EBMT. Seventy centers from 20 countries responded to the survey. Sixty-seven centers (96%) routinely tried to diagnose CMV from the blood. Fifty-seven centers used standard or rapid isolation techniques. Thirty-seven centers used one of the newly developed techniques, antigenemia detection in leukocytes or PCR together with isolation, while 10 centers used one of these two techniques without standard isolation. Fifty-five centers regularly performed bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage on the suspicion of CMV pneumonia but only 12 centers required detection of CMV in specimens from the lavage or lungs as the indication to start therapy; 31 centers started therapy on symptoms of pneumonia combined with CMV detection from any site. Prophylaxis was used in 54 centers (84%). The most commonly used regimen was high-dose acyclovir which was used by 42 centers, while seven centers used ganciclovir. The strategy of early therapy was used by 53 centers (76%) and was most frequently based on detection of viremia or CMV antigen in the blood. CMV pneumonia was treated by a combination of ganciclovir and i.v. immunoglobulin by 64 centers, by foscarnet and immunoglobulin in 5 centers and by ganciclovir alone in 5 centers. CMV gastrointestinal disease was treated by antiviral therapy alone in 18 centers and by a combination of antiviral therapy and iv immunoglobulin in 46 centers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Of 322 patients undergoing allogeneic BMT, 18 developed invasive pulmonary aspergillosis at a mean of 115 days post-transplant, with a mortality rate of 82%. Pulmonary localization was common but cerebral involvement was seen in 10 of 18 patients. The diagnosis was made ante mortem in 11 patients by direct examination of pathological samples or culture and A. fumigatus was the only species isolated. Specific antibodies were not demonstrated before or at the time of clinical symptoms and Aspergillus antigen was only seen in one patient a few days before death.
The myelodysplastic syndrome (MDPS) provides an opportunity for identifying host factors (genetic, endocrine, immune) involved in initiation and progression of preleukemia into frank acute myeloid leukemia. The aim of this study was to identify bone marrow (BM) cellular and humoral dysfunctions central to the development of MDPS and useful in therapeutic follow-up studies. Our preclinical studies have shown that (1) the characteristic stromal cell composition of the normal BM microenvironment was impaired in MDPS and in AML in 67 and 86% of the cases, respectively; (2) the 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 concentration in BM plasma was abnormal in 50% of MDPS and 30% of AML; and (3) an inverse correlation existed in MDPS between the 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 concentration and the frequency of F-CFU, (r = 0.41, p < 0.02), suggestive of a regulatory interaction between this secosteroid hormone and BM stromal cells. The analysis of clonal extinction of BM blast cells in response to all trans retinoic acid (RA), 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3, and colony stimulating factors (PHA-LCM), either alone or in various combinations, revealed individual patterns of responses in the cases of MDPS or AML. The results indicate the necessity for preclinical studies to select patients for combined differentiation therapy. Our ongoing clinical trials suggest that RA (Roaccutan, 20 mg/day continuously) as induction therapy, followed at weeks 6 to 8 by prednisone (40 mg/day for 15 days) and 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 (Rocaltrol, 3 x 0.25 micrograms/day for 3 months) may induce a long-lasting hematological remission in MDPS.
Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation is widely used for the treatment of leukemias. Relapse is one of the main complications. Various types of conditioning have been used. Most teams use a combination of cyclophosphamide and different modalities of total body irradiation. In some regimens, high dose alkylating drugs like Busulfan are substituted for radiation. None of these regimens has modified significantly the long term disease free survival, indicating the need for prospective randomized trials.
An increasing amount of data provides strong evidence for the complex multifactorial control of primary hemopoietic functions. Here we present a new multicellular functional unit, the Hematon, isolated from the light-density floating fraction of normal human bone marrow (BM) aspirates. The Hematon is organized in a compact, three-dimensional spheroid complex from central adipocytes, fibroblastoid cells, and resident macrophages that compartmentalize myeloid, erythroid, and megakaryocyte progenitor cells and their progenies. The Hematon fraction is more than twofold more abundant in progenitor cells when compared to the mononuclear cell (MNC) fraction as gauged by cytological techniques and by analysis of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming unit (GM-CFU) populations. Individual Hematons may produce, within 2-3 weeks, up to 50,000 hemopoietic cells of different cell lineages in organotypic microcultures. Recombinant human hematopoietic growth factors interleukin 3 (IL-3), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) significantly stimulated the endogenous cell production of some but not all of the individually treated Hematons, indicating the heterogeneity of factor-responsive cells within the Hematon population. Comparative observations of 184 BM aspirates support the hypothesis that the presence of Hematons in a BM aspirate correlates positively with homeostatic blood cell production, because the Hematon was present in normal BM (31/40) and it was rare among patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (15/53), acute myeloblastic leukemia (7/39), and chronic myelocytic leukemia (5/52). We suggest that the Hematon represents a unifying model around which the variability of fundamental BM functions and dysfunctions can be explored.
Twenty-six patients with a PT1 urothelial bladder tumour were treated by transurethral resection and endovesical BCG. The authors compared previously untreated patients with patients with a history of bladder tumour present for an average of 4.6 years. The results of this study show that 72% of bladders in the first group were preserved compared with 53% in the second group. 45% of patients in whom the tumour invaded the superficial lamina propria developed a recurrence compared with 100% of tumours with invasion of the deep lamina propria. 25% of patients who developed a recurrence died in the course of this study.
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The authors report a case of hemangioendothelioma of the penis. They emphasize the value of immunohistochemical markers for precise pathological diagnosis in strictly localised disease. They improvement of the prognosis by adjuvant treatments has not been demonstrated.
Cis-dichloro-trans-dihydroxy-bis(isopropylamine)platinum IV (CHIP) is a second-generation cis-platinum (DDP) derivative with an octahedral conformation of the platinum complex, far more water-soluble than DDP. Tests in numerous murine tumor systems demonstrate a spectrum of activity similar to that of DDP. A phase I study of CHIP using 5 consecutive daily 1-hour infusions without pretreatment hydration or diuretics was completed at Hospital Paul-Brousse, Villejuif, France. 16 patients received a total of 28 courses of CHIP. In 11 of them hematologic toxicity could be assessed. The starting dose, 20 mg/m2/day X 5, was increased to 30, 45 and 50 mg/m2. There was neither renal nor neurotoxicity. Nausea and vomiting were constant but usually mild or moderate. No diarrhea was seen. Myelosuppression was dose-limiting with a mean polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) count nadir of 2.4 X 10(3)/mm3 (range 1 X 10(3)-3 X 10(3)/mm3) and a mean platelet count nadir of 110 X 10(3)/mm3 (range 60 X 10(3)-180 X 10(3)/mm3) at the recommended dosage of 45 mg/m2/day X 5. The drug should be given every 6 weeks because of the late platelet nadir. A total of 13 patients are evaluable for efficacy. One histologically documented complete response lasting more than 12 months was observed in a patient with an ovarian carcinoma.
Oxalato-platinum in a new platinum derivative which was found to be active in experimental tumors and devoid of nephrotoxicity. A phase I study was conducted in cancer patients according to a new design following the recommendations of our Institution's ethical committee to avoid the major drawback of classical phase I studies in which many patients receive the experimental drug at doses far under the potentially active dose extrapolated from experimental studies. The potentially active dose of l-OHP was determined from the Maximally Efficient Dose Range (MEDR) to be between 45 mg/m2 (subcurative dose) and 67 mg/m2 (subtoxic dose). The patients in this study received with increasing intervals 1/100, 1/10, 1/5, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 1, of the low dose of the MEDR, this dose being reached after 90 to 120 days on study. 23 evaluable patients have entered the trial of which 19 reached the low dose of MEDR (45 mg/m2). Gastro-intestinal toxicity, nausea and vomiting, similar to those with CDDP occurred in all patients at or above the dose of 30 mg/m2. Renal toxicity was monitored with creatinine level and did not occur in any patient at any dose nor did significant hematologic toxicity occur. Thus nausea and vomiting appear to be the limiting toxicity of the drug. Responses were observed in this phase I study in lung cancer (1), breast cancer (1), melanoma (1) and perhaps hepatoma (major decrease in alpha FP levels) (1). The proposed starting dose for phase II studies is 45 mg/m2 but we plan to continue dose escalation during the phase II according to the design of Jones and Holland. This new study design allows each patient entering a phase I study to be treated with a potentially active dose of the drug studied.
THP-ADM is a new anthracycline with broad antitumor activity without cardiac toxicity or alopecia in experimental models. Phase I studies had established a proposed dose for phase II trials of 50 mg/m2 every three weeks. This modality gave an insignificant result in breast carcinoma. Cellular pharmacokinetics suggested that a longer time of administration could be more efficient. In this phase II trial oriented to advanced breast cancer, we have used 3 consecutive daily doses of 20 mg/m2/day in monthly cycles with dose escalation in each patient. We have observed 28% partial remissions (PR). Two patients previously treated with adriamycin had PR. Significantly less alopecia and no cardiac toxicity were observed.
The authors developed a therapeutic regimen in which 33 patients aged 11 to 61 years (mean +/- SE, 35.9 +/- 2.3 years) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were given intensive induction chemotherapy with Adriamycin (doxorubicin) (ADM), vincristine (VCR) and cytosine arabinoside (ARA-C). Twenty-nine of these patients (88%) attained a complete remission (CR) after 1, 2, or 3 courses and were then subjected to an early consolidation course of chemotherapy, identical to that for induction. After consolidation, all patients in CR received a long-term continuous maintenance therapy in which 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and methotrexate (MTX) were alternated, associated with periodic reinforcements with daunorubicin (DNR) and VCR. Twenty-five of the 29 patients who achieved a CR were splenectomized soon after the consolidation course. Histologic sections of the spleens, liver biopsy specimens, and lymph nodes, stained routinely and with the naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase (NCA) method, showed mature granulocytes and a few NCA positive mononuclear cells, but no proved leukemic infiltrates. For the 25 splenectomized patients, the probability of remaining in CR at 36 and 54 months was 75% and 66%, respectively; the probability of survival at 36 and 54 months was 85% and 75%, respectively. Age older than 40 years and evidence of extramedullary involvement at presentation appeared to carry a bad prognosis for disease-free survival.
The in vitro sensitivity of peripheral blood myeloblast clonogenic cells (CFU-MLs) to doxorubicin (DOX), aclacinomycin (ACL), and 4'-O-tetrapyranyl-doxorubicin (THP-DOX) was studied to evaluate the individual chemosensitivity of CFU-MLs. CFU-MLs from untreated patients were sensitive to the three tested anthracyclines (in 60% to 69% of the patients). Conversely, CFU-MLs from relapsed patients previously treated with DOX-containing regimens were sensitive to ACL and THP-DOX (in 71% and 75% of the patients, respectively) but resistant to DOX. Six of ten patients who entered complete remission with a combination of DOX, vincristine, and cytosine arabinoside had CFU-MLs in vitro which were sensitive to DOX. Conversely, none of the 13 patients resistant to this chemotherapy regimen displayed CFU-MLs which were sensitive in vitro to DOX. Nine of ten patients who responded to ACL as well as one of three resistant patients had CFU-MLs sensitive to ACL in vitro. No clinical responses were observed with THP-DOX in five of seven patients with CFU-MLs sensitive to this drug. The results indicate that myeloblast clonogenic assays can be used to predict the in vitro sensitivity of CFU-MLs to compounds with established antileukemic activity (ie, DOX, ACL). However, the discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo sensitivity to THP-DOX underlines the importance of knowledge of drug pharmacokinetics and the difficulty of using the CFU-ML test for screening new drugs.
The present AML protocol which only applies one anthracycline associated with arabinosyl-cytosine gives a first remission plateau of 65% and a 75% survival plateau at five years. Contrary to other teams, we do not apply the allogenic bone marrow graft at the first remission but at the second one. The new protocol comprises application of two anthracyclines, adriamycin and aclacinomycin, a possible autologous bone marrow graft at first remission upon reinforcement, a combination of methotrexate and thioguanine as maintenance chemotherapy and immunotherapy with bestatine. The two protocols respectively applied to the ALL good prognosis and reserved prognosis, give 85% global survival. The autologous bone marrow graft is added at first remission to B or T forms or voluminous CALLA + types. The advantage of CNS radiotherapy is compared with its disadvantages. Bestatine is employed in immunotherapy. The immunoprevention protocol applied to CML blastic crisis (vaccination with a pool of CB blasts) from the second year has prolonged survival of patients suffering from this affection and also treated by splenectomy and hydroxyurea. Allogeneic or autologous bone marrow graft is added to the protocol. The same protocol is applied to not very aggressive LLC and LNH (lymphocytic and centrofollicular with small cleaved nucleus cells) and includes maximum remission induced by chemotherapy followed by immunotherapy (by thymuline and then, if immunity disorders are not corrected, by zinc, then bestatine and finally tuftsin). A similar sequence was applied to the myeloma, comprising MLP-PDN-CPM chemotherapy to induce remission, combination of MLP-PDN and CPM and, if there is resistance, CLB, 6-TG, PDN and TNP. Interferon is appropriate with certain cytopenic forms. A protocol comprising VCR, ADM, PDN, CPM and TNP is applied to centrofollicular NHL with small non cleaved nucleus cells or large cells. As Hoerni and Jones have obtained significant benefits with BCG, its terminal application is compared with that of bestatine. Finally a less mutagenic protocol than MOPP and/or ABVD is proposed for Hodgkin's disease. In this protocol, two cycles alternate, and they combine: a) firstly VCR, PDN, THP-ADM and VPS, and b) secondly VLB, DXM, ACM and TNP with alternatively BLM and PPM between the cycles. This chemotherapy is followed by the same immunorestoration protocol as that applied to LLC and myeloma.
Aclarubicin (ACM) was administered as induction treatment to 40 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who were either refractory to initial induction chemotherapy or in relapse. Thirty-eight patients with AML, 2-80 years of age (mean +/- SE, 35.0 +/- 3.2), were evaluated during this study. Seventeen of these patients were given ACM after an unsuccessful attempt had been made to attain a complete remission (CR) with various regimens that included doxorubicin or daunorubicin; this group was considered resistant to these drugs. ACM was administered by rapid iv injection. Thirteen patients received a single course of ACM at a daily dose of 10-30 mg/m2 until a maximum total dose of 300 mg/m2 was reached or until unacceptable toxicity appeared. Of these patients, two (15%) attained a CR. The other 25 patients were given 10-day courses of ACM at a daily dose of 15 mg/m2 with 10-day intervals between courses; courses were repeated until the blast cells were cleared from peripheral blood and bone marrow or until progressive disease became evident. With this regimen, 11 patients (44%) attained a CR. The overall CR rate for the 38 patients was 34%. Total doses necessary to achieve a CR ranged from 150 to 600 mg/m2. A CR was attained by six patients who were previously resistant to a regimen containing moderate doses of doxorubicin. The incidence and severity of the toxic effects were related to the dose of ACM administered per course of therapy. The incidence of mucositis, diarrhea, vomiting, and infection in patients who received doses greater than 150 mg/m2/course was significantly higher than that observed in patients who received a dose of 150 mg/m2/course. In the latter patients, toxicity was within acceptable limits. Alopecia was not observed. Three patients had transient T-wave inversion, and reversible atrial flutter developed in one patient. Our results indicate that ACM is a major new drug for the treatment of AML.
Aclacinomycin A (ACM) was administered for induction treatment to 40 previously treated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. 38 patients aged 2 to 80 years (mean +/- SE, 35.0 +/- 3.2 years) with overt AML were evaluated; of these, seventeen patients were given ACM after an unsuccessful attempt to obtain a complete remission (CR) with various regimens comprising adriamycin (ADM) or daunorubicin (DNR) and were considered resistant to these drugs. Thirteen patients received ACM at a daily dose of 10 to 30 mg/m2 IV bolus until the maximum total dose of 300 mg/m2 per course was reached or until unacceptable toxicity appeared; of these patients, 2 (15%) attained a CR. Twenty-five patients were given 10-day courses of ACM at the daily dose of 15 mg/m2 IV bolus with 10-day intervals between courses; with this regimen 11 patients (44%) attained a CR. The overall CR rate was 34%. Total doses necessary to attain a CR ranged from 150 to 600 mg/m2. CR was attained by 6 patients (35%) of the 17 who were previously resistant to ADM or DNR. The incidence and severity of the toxic effects such as mucositis, diarrhea, vomiting and infection were related to the dose of ACM administered during each course of therapy. However, in patients who received 150 mg/m2 per course the toxicity was within acceptable limits. Alopecia was not observed. Transient T-wave inversion was observed in 3 patients and atrial flutter developed in one patient. Therefore, we conclude that ACM is a new major drug in the treatment of AML.