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Biomedical subjects

P Viens

Publications and source records attributed to P Viens.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Contribution of surgery in patients with bulky residual disease after chemoradiation for advanced cervical carcinoma.

AIM: To report the outcome of 30 patients who underwent surgery after concomitant chemoradiation for locally advanced cervical cancer with residual disease > or = 2 cm. METHODS: From 1988 to 2004, 143 patients with FIGO stage IB2-IVA cervical cancer underwent surgery after concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Among them, 30 had a residual cervical tumour > or = 2 cm prior to surgery. Surgery consisted in a simple or radical hysterectomy (n=15) or in a pelvic exenteration (n=15). Endpoints were recurrence and distant metastasis rates, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) at 3 and 5 years. Analysis included FIGO stage, response to chemoradiation, para-aortic lymphatic status or type of surgery: palliative (remaining disease after surgery) or curative (no evidence of remaining disease after surgery). RESULTS: Surgery has been only palliative in 11 cases. Pelvic recurrences occurred in 8 patients after a median interval of 8.8 months. Distant metastases occurred in 8 patients after a median interval of 13 months. So far, 16 patients have died (53.3%). The 3-year and 5-year OS rates are 64.9% and 55.6%, respectively, for the 19 patients who had a curative surgery. The DFS rate is 50.8% at 3 and 5 years in this latter group. Overall 12 patients (40%) are alive and free of disease after a median follow-up of 32.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant surgery may improve the outcome of patients with bulky residual tumour after chemoradiation for locally advanced cervical cancer, allowing a 5-year OS of 55.6% after curative intervention.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed2006

Correlated break at PARK2/FRA6E and loss of AF-6/Afadin protein expression are associated with poor outcome in breast cancer.

Common fragile sites (CFSs) are regions of chromosomal break that may play a role in oncogenesis. The most frequent alteration occurs at FRA3B, within the FHIT gene, at chromosomal region 3p14. We studied a series of breast carcinomas for break of a CFS at 6q26, FRA6E, and its associated gene PARK2, using fluorescence in situ hybridization on tissue microarrays (TMA). We found break of PARK2 in 6% of cases. We studied the PARK2-encoded protein Parkin by using immunohistochemistry on the same TMA. Loss of Parkin was found in 13% of samples but was not correlated with PARK2 break. PARK2 break but not Parkin expression was correlated with prognosis. Alteration of PARK2/FRA6E may cause haplo-insufficiency of one or several telomeric potential tumor suppressor genes (TSG). The AF-6/MLLT4 gene, telomeric of PARK2, encodes the Afadin scaffold protein, which is essential for epithelial integrity. Loss of Afadin was found in 14.5% of cases, and 36% of these cases showed PARK2 break. Loss of Afadin had prognostic impact, suggesting that AF-6 may be a TSG. Loss of Afadin was correlated with loss of FHIT expression, suggesting fragility of FRA6E and FRA3B in a certain proportion of breast tumors.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗
PubMed2006

Postoperative serum proteomic profiles may predict metastatic relapse in high-risk primary breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy.

A total of 30-50% of early breast cancer (EBC) patients considered as high risk using standard prognostic factors develop metastatic recurrence despite standard adjuvant systemic treatment. A means to better predict clinical outcome is needed to optimize and individualize therapeutic decisions. To identify a protein signature correlating with metastatic relapse, we performed surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry profiling of early postoperative serum from 81 high-risk EBC patients. Denatured and fractionated serum samples were incubated with IMAC30 and CM10 ProteinChip arrays. Several protein peaks were differentially expressed according to clinical outcome. By combining partial least squares and logistic regression methods, we built a multiprotein model that correctly predicted outcome in 83% of patients. The 5-year metastasis-free survival in 'good prognosis' and 'poor prognosis' patients as defined using the multiprotein index were strikingly different (83 and 22%, respectively; P<0.0001, log-rank test). In a multivariate Cox regression including conventional pathological factors and multiprotein index, the latter retained the strongest independent prognostic significance for metastatic relapse. Major components of the multiprotein index included haptoglobin, C3a complement fraction, transferrin, apolipoprotein C1 and apolipoprotein A1. Therefore, postoperative serum protein pattern may have an important prognostic value in high-risk EBC.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[DNA microarrays for gene expression profiling of breast cancer: principles and prognostic applications].

Breast cancer is a major health problem in developed countries. Pathological and clinical heterogeneity, partly responsible of therapeutic failures, reflects its poorly documented complex and combinatory molecular basis. Thorough molecular typing could allow not only better tackling that diversity and improving the current prognostic classifications, but also could help in the identification of new molecular therapeutic targets. The recently developed DNA microarray technology allows the analysis of the RNA expression of several thousands of genes simultaneously in a sample. Recent studies have shown the promising prognostic impact of gene expression profiling in breast cancer by identifying new prognostic subclasses unidentifiable by conventional parameters.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2006

Post-operative sequential high-dose chemotherapy with haematopoietic stem cell support as front-line treatment in advanced ovarian cancer: a phase II multicentre study.

In spite of multimodal management including aggressive surgery and chemotherapy, the prognosis of advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) remains poor. Multicycle high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) with haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) support has been shown to be a promising procedure in various cancers including AOC. We conducted a phase II multicentre study to evaluate feasibility, toxicity and efficacy of post-operative front-line sequential HDC with HSC support in AOC. Thirty four patients with stage IIIC/IV received a post-operative sequential combination of high-dose cyclophosphamide/epirubicin (D1, D21) with HSC harvesting, high-dose carboplatin (D42, D98) followed by HSC infusion, and dose-dense paclitaxel (D63, D77, D119, D133). Rh-G-CSF (filgrastim) was administered following all cycles. Primary endpoint was pathological complete response rate (pCR). Thirty patients received at least 7 of the scheduled 8 cycles. Haematological toxicity was significant but manageable. Grade 3/4 extra-haematopoietic toxicities were relatively uncommon and reversible. No toxicity-related death was observed. The observed pCR was 37% and did not reach the initial endpoint. Post-operative front-line sequential HDC in AOC is feasible and safe in a multicentre setting. The observed pCR does not support a clear advantage over conventional treatment. This approach remains an experimental strategy to further optimise and validate.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Phase I study of high-dose topotecan with haematopoietic stem cell support in the treatment of ovarian carcinomas: the ITOV 01 protocol.

Topotecan has demonstrated activity in ovarian carcinomas. In order to increase the tumour response rate and to define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of topotecan, we decided to develop a high-dose phase I regimen supported by stem cell support. High-doses schedules using a 1-day single administration have MTDs of 10.5 (24 h continuous infusion (CI)) or 22.5 mg/m2 (30 min infusion). Five-day CI induces grade IV mucositis at high doses (MTD<12 mg/m2). We chose to administer topotecan in a 5-day schedule with a 30 min daily infusion. Patients were scheduled to receive one cycle of therapy. The first dose level was 4.0 mg/m2/day x 5 days. Limiting toxicities were defined as toxic death, grade IV non-haematopoietic or haematopoietic toxicity >6 weeks. From August 1998 to April 2002, 49 patients were included. Forty-three patients have completed one course and 15 have received two cycles. One patient treated at level 7 mg/m2/day died of sepsis. Median duration of grade IV neutropenia was 9 days. Two episodes of grade IV diarrhoea were observed at level 9.5 mg/m2/day. Pharmacokinetic data were linear within the dose range of 4-9.0 mg/m2/day. The MTD was reached at 9 mg/m2/day x 5 days.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

A phase II study of a paclitaxel and oxaliplatin combination in platinum-sensitive recurrent advanced ovarian cancer patients.

PURPOSE: A multicentric, phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination paclitaxel and oxaliplatin in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients received 175 mg/m(2) paclitaxel (over 3 h) followed by 130 mg/m(2) oxaliplatin (over 2 h) every 21 days for up to nine cycles without hydration or primary granulocyte colony-stimulating factor prophylaxis. Patients had to have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2 and to have received no more than one prior cisplatin- and/or carboplatin-containing chemotherapy regimen with a platinum-progression-free interval > or =6 months. RESULTS: Of the 105 patients enrolled and treated, 98 were eligible. An overall response rate of 81% (79 of 98 patients) (95% confidence interval 71% to 88%) was observed according to RECIST criteria (third party reviewed), and 88% (86 of 98) when this was complemented with CA-125 response. With a median follow up of 43.6 months (range 30.2-64.2) the median progression-free survival was 10.2 months (range 0.3-21.4) and the overall survival 32.4 months. Seven hundred and eight cycles were administered (median seven per patient; range one to nine). A total of 67% of patients experienced National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria grade 3-4 neutropenia, including 8% with concomitant febrile episode, without treatment-related deaths. Ninety-three per cent of patients experienced neuropathy of grade 1 or more, including 25% with cumulative reversible peripheral neuropathy of grade 3-4. Oxaliplatin doses were reduced in 30 patients due to neurotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: The oxaliplatin/paclitaxel combination can be administered in an outpatient setting every 3 weeks without specific measures. The high level of activity and its duration observed warrants further evaluation of this combination in pretreated platinum-sensitive advanced ovarian cancer patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Sequential high-dose chemotherapy protocol for relapsed poor prognosis germ cell tumors combining two mobilization and cytoreductive treatments followed by three high-dose chemotherapy regimens supported by autologous stem cell transplantation. Results of the phase II multicentric TAXIF trial.

BACKGROUND: High-dose chemotherapy (HD-CT) is able to circumvent platinum resistance of resistant/refractory germ-cell tumors (GCTs), but expectancy of cure remains low. New strategies are needed with new drugs and a sequential approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with relapsed poor-prognosis GCTs were scheduled to receive two cycles combining epirubicin and paclitaxel (Taxol) followed by three consecutive HD-CT supported by stem cell transplantation [one course combining cyclophosphamide, 3 g/m(2) + thiotepa, 400 mg/m(2), followed by two ICE regimens (ifosfamide, 10 g/m(2), carboplatin, AUC 20, etoposide, 1500 mg/m(2))]. RESULTS: From March 1998 to September 2001 (median follow-up, 31.8 months), 45 patients (median age, 28 years) were enrolled in this phase II study. Twenty-two patients received the complete course. Twenty-five patients died from progression and five from toxicity. The overall response rate was 37.7%, including an 8.9% complete response rate. The median overall survival was 11.8 months. The 3-year survival and progression-free survival rate was 23.5%. The 'Beyer' prognostic score predicted the outcome after HD-CT. CONCLUSION: Although our results warrant further studies on HD-CT in relapsed poor prognosis GCTs, patients with a Beyer score >2 did not benefit from this approach and should not be enrolled in HD-CT trials. Better selection criteria have to be fulfilled in forthcoming studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Early administration of recombinant erythropoietin improves hemoglobin recovery after reduced intensity conditioned allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

The use of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) has been controversial after myeloablative allogeneic Stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Reduced intensity conditioning regimens (RIC) offer a novel approach that might translate into a different profile of erythropoietic recovery. We treated 20 consecutive patients with rHuEPO early after matched sibling RIC allo-SCT. Conditioning included fludarabine, busulfan and antithymocyte globulin. EPO treatment was analyzed in terms of toxicity, impact on the frequency of Red blood cell transfusions (RBCT) and kinetics of Hemoglobin recovery within the 60 days post-allo-SCT. Results were compared with 27 matched patients who did not receive rHuEPO. In the first 2 months after allo-SCT all patients receiving rHuEPO (100%) achieved an Hb level > 11 g/dl at a median of 30 (15-35) days post-allo-SCT, as compared to only 63% of the patients not receiving rHuEPO (P = 0.007) at a median of 35 (20-55) days (P = 0.03). A total of 70% (95% CI, 50-90) of rHuEPO patients maintained an Hb over 11 g/dl in the second month as compared to only 19% (95% CI, 4-34) in the other group (P = 0.0004). For patients receiving RBCT, the use of rHuEPO was associated with a trend towards reduced RBCT requirements. This pilot study suggests a potential benefit of early administration of rHuEPO after RIC allo-SCT on early erythropoietic recovery.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Impact of plasmacytoid dendritic cells on outcome after reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

The reconstitution of the plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) compartment might influence outcome after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Thus, we investigated the impact of blood PDCs measured at the third month after reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) in 54 patients who received an HLA-identical sibling allo-SCT. The absence of grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) was associated with an improved PDC count at 3 months after RIC-allo-SCT (P=0.003; OR=6.4; 95% CI, 1.9-22). The CD34+ stem cell dose and other lymphoid subsets infused with the allograft did not affect PDC recovery. Although PDC count could not predict death from progression or relapse, patients with a "high" PDC recovery profile had an improved overall survival (OS; P=0.03), in contrast to patients with a "low" PDC recovery profile who had an increased incidence of nonrelapse mortality (GVHD, infections) (P=0.03). The overall incidence of late infections (viral, fungal and bacterial) was significantly higher in the "low" PDC recovery group as compared to the "high" PDC recovery group (59 vs 19%; P=0.002). In a multivariate analysis, only a "high" PDC count was significantly predictive of a decreased risk of death (P=0.04; RR=0.34; 95% CI, 0.12-0.96). Monitoring of PDCs at 3 months after RIC-allo-SCT may be a useful indicator predictor of long-term outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Molecular alterations in breast cancer: clinical implications and new analytical tools].

PURPOSE: Breast cancer is a complex and heterogeneous disease resulting from various molecular alterations, the identification of which should have profound impact on the management of patients. CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS: The discovery of germline mutations within breast cancer susceptibility genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, which are associated with a major risk of breast cancer during lifetime, has improved the assessment of the individual risk toward the disease, allowing appropriate strategies of screening and prevention. The identification of key molecular actors in the mammary oncogenesis may help to better assess the prognosis of the disease, while providing new therapeutic targets. Large-scale molecular technologies, which allow simultaneous assessment of a high number of molecular parameters in a single assay, should provide new tools to tackle complexity and heterogeneity of breast cancer. Hence, by examining transcriptional profiles of breast cancer using DNA microarrays, it was possible to reveal new prognostic tumor subgroups, previously indistinguishable. Further improvements are awaited with the recent development of high throughput and large-scale technologies investigating the tumor proteome. PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS: Precise knowledge of molecular alterations involved in each individual breast cancer will allow more effective and less toxic, tailored therapies.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2004

Cytomegalovirus-specific immune recovery following allogeneic HLA-identical sibling transplantation with reduced-intensity preparative regimen.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) represents a major cause of morbidity after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Using interferon-gamma-enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay and HLA-peptide tetramers, we analysed 54 patients who received a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen, including fludarabine, busulphan and antithymocyte globulin (ATG), with the aim of defining essential elements of protective immunity to CMV. The cumulative incidence of CMV positive antigenaemia was 37% occurring at a median of 43 days (range, 7-104) after allo-SCT. In univariate analysis, conditioning regimen (ATG dose) and graft characteristics (graft source and CD3+ T-cell dose) significantly influenced CMV-specific immune recovery. A significant correlation (P=0.000002) was found between CMV-specific T cells detected by IFN-gamma ELISPOT assay and pp65-specific CD8+ T-cell frequency quantified by tetramers. CMV-specific CD8+ T cells presented a phenotype of effector cells (perforin and 2B4 positive). In multivariate analysis, bone marrow (BM) as a graft source was the only variable associated with an increased risk of CMV positive antigenaemia (P=0.0001) in line with the ELISPOT assay showing a higher frequency of functional CMV-specific effectors within peripheral blood stem cell grafts as compared to BM. Thus, early monitoring of CMV-specific immune recovery using sensitive new tools might prove useful for patient management after allo-SCT.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Multivariate analysis of survival in inflammatory breast cancer: impact of intensity of chemotherapy in multimodality treatment.

The prognosis of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is poor. We evaluated clinical and biopathological characteristics that could affect survival in 74 women with nonmetastatic IBC consecutively treated in our institution between 1976 and 2000. Patients received primary anthracycline-based chemotherapy at conventional doses (n=20) or high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) with haematopoietic stem cell support (HSCS) (n=54). After chemotherapy, 84% of patients underwent mastectomy, 95% were given radiotherapy and 55% tamoxifen. Immunohistochemistry data (ER, PR, ERBB2, P53) on pre-chemotherapy specimens suggested strong differences between IBC and non-IBC. The rate of pathological complete response to chemotherapy was 26% (27% with HDC and 17% with conventional doses, not significant). No single factor was found predictive of response. With a median follow-up of 48 months after diagnosis, the 5-year projected disease-free survival (DFS) was 24% and overall survival (OS) 41%. In multivariate analysis, the strongest independent prognostic factor was the delivery of HDC. The 5-year DFS and OS of patients were respectively 28 and 50% with HDC and 15 and 18% with conventional chemotherapy. These results and comparisons with other series of patients suggest a role for HDC with HSCS as part of the therapeutic approach in IBC. Further prospective studies are required to confirm it.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Mycophenolate mofetil and cyclosporine for graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis following reduced intensity conditioning allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

The use of reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) can result in a significant decrease in early procedure-related toxicity in patients not eligible for standard myeloablative regimens. However, acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) remains a matter of concern after RIC allo-SCT, and its incidence might be expected to be higher in elderly and high-risk patients. This report investigated mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and cyclosporin A (CsA) combination (n=14) in comparison to CsA alone (n=20) for GVHD prophylaxis in cancer patients aged over 50 years (27 haematological malignancies and seven solid tumours) receiving an HLA-identical sibling antithymocyte-globulin (ATG)-based RIC allo-SCT. Baseline demographic characteristics and risk factors for aGVHD were comparable between both groups. Although MMF administration was not associated with any significant toxicity, the cumulative incidence of any form of GVHD was comparable between both groups (cumulative incidence of grade II-IV aGVHD, 50% (95% CI, 28-72%) for CsA alone, as compared to 64% (95% CI, 39-89%) to CsA and MMF, P=NS), suggesting that adjunction of MMF to CsA is feasible, but does not translate towards a significant reduction of aGVHD, at least in the context ATG-based RIC allo-SCT.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Occult tumor cell contamination in patients with stage II/III breast cancer receiving sequential high-dose chemotherapy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of micrometastatic cells in the apheresis products from patients with breast cancer, and also to determine if repeated infusion of contaminated products had any clinical impact. A total of 94 patients with high-risk breast cancer were enrolled in a prospective single center study to evaluate the use of dose-intensified chemotherapy (doxorubicine 75 mg/m(2) and cyclophosphamide 3000 or 6000 mg/m(2) for four cycles) with repeated (x 2) stem cell reinfusion. All women were monitored for the presence of metastatic cells in aphereses, collected after first course of intensive chemotherapy, and following additional mobilization with rhG-CSF. Epithelial cells were screened with monoclonal antibodies directed to cytokeratin. Eight of the 94 patients had detectable tumor cells in one or several aphereses collected after intensive chemotherapy; this was unrelated to other tumor characteristics, including size, histology, Scarff Bloom and Richardson (SBR) grading (presence or absence of hormone receptors). Hemato-poietic reconstitution was similar in the cells from these eight patients, and in the total patient population. Three of these eight patients relapsed. This study has confirmed that contamination of apheresis products remains a rare event, which does not seem to affect clinical evolution, even when reinfused into the patient.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Infectious complications following allogeneic HLA-identical sibling transplantation with antithymocyte globulin-based reduced intensity preparative regimen.

In the setting of reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT), the epidemiology of transplant-related infections is still poorly defined. In 101 high-risk patients who received an HLA-identical sibling allo-SCT after RIC, including fludarabine, busulfan and antithymocyte globulin (ATG), we report during the first 6 months a cumulative incidence of positive CMV antigenemia of 42% (95% CI 32-52%), developing at a median of 37 (range 7-116) days without evidence of CMV disease (median follow-up, 434 days). The cumulative incidence of bacteremia was 25% (95% CI 17-33%), occurring at a median of 67 (range 7-172) days, while patients had recovered a full neutrophil count. In all, 65% of the bacteremia (95% CI 49-81%) were gram negative. The cumulative incidence of fungal infections was 8% (95% CI 3-13%), with a median onset of 89 (range 7-170) days. In multivariate analysis, stem cell source (bone marrow; P=0.0002) was significantly associated with the risk of positive CMV antigenemia, while higher doses of prednisone (>2 mg/kg) represented the major risk factor for bacteremia (P=0.0001). Infectious-related mortality was 5% (95% CI 1-9%), with aspergillosis being the principal cause. Collectively, these results suggest that prospective efforts are warranted to develop optimal antimicrobial preventive strategies after RIC allo-SCT.

ABO Blood-Group System↗