Biomedical subjects

Claudio Ghimenton

Publications and source records attributed to Claudio Ghimenton.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Correlations between O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase promoter methylation status, 1p and 19q deletions, and response to temozolomide in anaplastic and recurrent oligodendroglioma: a prospective GICNO study.

PURPOSE: To date, no data are available on the relationship between 1p/19q deletions and the response to temozolomide (TMZ) in primary anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AO) and anaplastic oligoastrocytoma (AOA) recurrent after surgery and standard radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate correlations between 1p/19q deletions, O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation, and response rate to TMZ in this setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From June 2000 to February 2005, 67 patients were enrolled; 39 patients (58%) had AO and 28 patients (42%) had AOA. All patients received 150 to 200 mg/m2 of TMZ every 28 days. Chromosome 1p and 19q deletions were detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization and MGMT promoter methylation was analyzed using methylation specific polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 46.3% (17 complete responses and 14 partial responses). The response rate was higher in patients with AO than in those with AOA (61.5% v 25%, P = .003). Combined 1p/19q allelic loss was found in 32 patients (47.8%), while MGMT methylation occurred in 37 (68.5%) of 54 assessable patients. 1p/19q loss was significantly correlated with response rate (P = .04), time-to-progression (P = .003), and overall survival (P = .0001). Despite the significant concordance found between MGMT promoter methylation and 1p/19q deletions (P = .02), MGMT promoter methylation showed only a borderline correlation with overall survival (P = .09). CONCLUSION: TMZ is active in anaplastic oligodendroglial tumors treated at first recurrence. In this setting, 1p/19q allelic loss is an important predictive and prognostic factor. Further studies on MGMT promoter methylation should be performed in randomized trials to test its correlation with survival.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Survival following adjuvant PCV or temozolomide for anaplastic astrocytoma.

We compared survival in patients with anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) treated with adjuvant procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine (PCV) with survival in patients treated with temozolomide. A retrospective analysis was made of patients with newly diagnosed AA treated with adjuvant postradiotherapy chemotherapy. Outcome analysis included progression-free survival and overall survival. The following prognostic factors were taken into account: patient age, extent of resection, performance status, presence of contrast enhancement in presurgical imaging, and type of adjuvant treatment. Among 109 AA patients, 49 were treated with PCV and 60 with temozolomide. The treatment groups were well matched for pretreatment characteristics, except for the presence of contrast enhancement. Age, extent of surgery, performance status, and presence of contrast enhancement were statistically significant prognostic factors according to the Cox model analysis of survival. Type of adjuvant chemotherapy was not a significant factor, either for progression-free survival or for overall survival. Hematological toxicity, nonhematological toxicity grades 3-4, and premature discontinuation due to toxicity were observed in 9%, 3% to 5%, and 37%, respectively, of cases in the PCV group versus 4% to 5%, 0, and 0, respectively, in the temozolomide group. Although the present study was not randomized, it was well designed, and it reports on two homogeneous and consecutive series of patients, for whom histology was verified to obtain survival data only for patients with AA following the recent WHO 2000 classification. Even if no survival advantage has been demonstrated for temozolomide versus PCV, we conclude that temozolomide should be preferred because of its greater tolerability.

Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic↗

PubMed2006

Microwave processing and ethanol-based fixation in forensic pathology.

An ethanol-based fixative (FineFIX) has been used, together with rapid microwave-stimulated processing, in postmortem material, resulting in a rapid fixation and processing of the tissues with morphology, histochemical stains, and immunocytochemistry comparable to formalin-fixed material. Furthermore, this alternative fixation gives better DNA recovery in higher amounts if compared with DNA extracted from formalin-fixed tissue, particularly advantageous in forensic pathology.

Brain↗

PubMed2004

Intraparenchymal renal artery aneurysms. Case report with review and update of the literature.

Increased interest in aneurysms involving the renal artery and its branches has occurred during the past 3 decades. The prevalence of renal artery aneurysms is approximately 0.01%-1% in the general population as well as 2.5% in hypertensive patients undergoing angiography. Intraparenchymal renal artery aneurysms (IPRAAs) are rare since being detected in less than 10% of patients with renal artery aneurysms. The Authors report an unusual case of multiple small intrarenal artery aneurysms associated with a large IPRAA located in the mid portion of the right kidney. Usually, IPRAAs are secondary to diseases or injuries of the kidney vascular network. They are classified as true, false, saccular, fusiform, dissecting, and microaneurysms. Potential complications of IPRAAs include peripheral dissection, thrombosis, hypertension, renal infarction and rupture. IRAAs may be detected incidentally as well as present with urologic symptoms and signs related to complications. Actually, IRAAs are investigated by non invasive modalities including duplex ultrasound, magnetic resonance angiography, spiral three-dimensional computed tomography angiography, and three-dimensional reconstructed rotational digital substraction angiography of the segmental and distant branches of the renal artery. Angiography with intrarterial injection of contrast material is the gold standard in diagnosing IPRAAs. Treatment options for IPRAAs include observation, aneurysmectomy with surgical repair, endovascular procedures, nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy. Observation is indicated for asymptomatic intraparenchymal renal artery aneurysms measuring less than 2 cm in diameter. Surgical repair of IPRAAs includes aneurysmectomy and reconstruction of the renal artery by in vivo or ex vivo technique. The procedure is indicated for IPRAAs causing renovascular hypertension, dissection, urologic symptoms, embolization, local expansion and women of childbearing age with a potential for pregnancy. In recent years, transcatheter arterial embolization has emerged as a simple, useful and effective technique in managing IRAAs. The procedure is performed by transfemoral catheterization as well as by superselective catheterization and embolization of interlobar arteries with 3F microcatheters. Endovascular occlusion is obtained by using gelatin sponge, steel coils, detachable baloons, and conventional non-detachable microcoils delivered through a microcatheter. Nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy are reserved for conditions precluding renal revascularization which include overt RAA rupture, covert RAA rupture, artery-to-vein fistula, renal cell carcinoma, end stage nephropaty, renal infarction, severe ischemic renal atrophy or complex intrarenal aneurysms. Recently, partial nephrectomy by the laparoscopic approach has been proposed for managing IPRAAs and the procedure is considered feasible and safe.

Adolescent↗