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Biomedical subjects

E Lemarie

Publications and source records attributed to E Lemarie.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Predictive value of serum III procollagen for diagnosis of pulmonary involvement in patients with scleroderma.

High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) was recently demonstrated to be as good as open lung biopsy for the diagnosis of pulmonary involvement in patients with scleroderma. Nevertheless, in view of its price and related irradiation, HRCT cannot be recommended as a screening test. Serum III procollagen (sPIIINP) is an aminopropeptide of type III collagen, which is released during conversion into collagen by specific proteases. Increased levels of sPIIINP have been observed in patients with scleroderma. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between sPIIINP measurement and pulmonary involvement defined according to HRCT and pulmonary function tests (PFT) with single-breath carbon monoxide transfer capacity (TL,CO) in 28 patients suffering from scleroderma. Patients were divided into two groups for analysis, Group A comprising 16 patients without pulmonary scleroderma and Group B comprising 12 patients with pulmonary scleroderma. All patients had stable cutaneous disease and normal renal and hepatic function. The level of sPIIINP was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA-gnost P-III-P, Prod. Nr. ODMT; Behring, Marburg, Germany). Mean +/- SD sPIIINP level in Group A was 0.85 +/- 0.21 U.mL-1. Individual values ranged 0.6-1.3 U.mL-1. Mean +/- SD sPIIINP value was 1.30 +/- 0.40 U.mL-1 in Group B and individual values ranged 0.7-1.9 U.mL-1. The difference in mean sPIIINP level between Group A and Group B was significant. Using a cut-off at 1.1 U.mL-1, sensitivity of sPIIINP was 0.66, specificity 0.94, positive predictive value 0.89, negative predictive value 0.79, false positive rate 0.06, and false negative rate 0.33. The value of sPIIINP correlated with HRCT score but not with PFT. This study confirms the relationship between sPIIINP and scleroderma with interstitial lung disease. We suggest that sPIIINP could be measured in patients with scleroderma to screen those patients requiring HRCT. Further studies are necessary to determine the value of sPIIINP in terms of prognosis and follow-up of patients under treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Subcutaneous heparin treatment increases survival in small cell lung cancer. "Petites Cellules" Group.

BACKGROUND: A positive influence of anticoagulant treatment in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has been suggested by experimental and clinical data. METHODS: In a multicenter clinical trial, 277 patients with SCLC were randomized either to receive or not to receive subcutaneous heparin injections for 5 weeks at effective doses, which were monitored by blood coagulation tests. All patients received one of the two chemotherapy regimens studied in this trial, for eight courses in the case of patients with complete or partial response, and subsequently were randomized to receive delayed thoracic radiotherapy after these eight courses. RESULTS: In comparison to the 139 patients who did not receive heparin, the 138 patients who received anticoagulant treatment obtained better complete response rates (37% vs. 23%, P = 0.004), better median survival (317 days vs. 261 days, P = 0.01), and better survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years (40% vs. 30%, 11% vs. 9% and 9% vs. 6%, respectively). At subgroups analysis, the results on survival were obtained for limited forms (P = 0.03) but not for extensive diseases (P = 0.31). No important bleeding or thrombocytopenia was related to heparin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the value of anticoagulant treatment in SCLC, already suspected for warfarin and now proven for heparin, but the modes of administration and the biologic explanations for this activity still warrant further investigation.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Vinorelbine versus vinorelbine plus cisplatin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a randomized trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to assess the possible benefit of the combination vinorelbine (NVB)-cisplatin (DDP) in comparison with NVB alone in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), not treated previously. It also involved confirmation of the efficacy of vinorelbine as monotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this phase III trial, 231 eligible patients were stratified by centre and randomized to receive either NVB alone, 30 mg/m2/week or the combination of NVB 30 mg/m2/week and DDP 80 mg/m2/3 weeks. Patients were to be treated for a minimum of 6 weeks, with the first response assessment performed 9 weeks after the beginning of treatment. RESULTS: The two groups differed in terms of objective response rates (16% and 43%, respectively, p = 0.0001) and median time to progression (10 weeks and 20 weeks, p = 0.0001). However, the difference was not significant for median survival time (32 weeks, 33 weeks, p = 0.48). The addition of DDP resulted in an increase in toxicity, in particular renal, hematologic, neurologic and emetic. This toxicity led to treatment discontinuation in 8% and 21% of patients, respectively. Respectively 3% and 13% of patients stopped treatment early during objective response (toxicity or refusal). CONCLUSIONS: The NVB-DDP combination increased objective response rates and time to progression in comparison with NVB alone, but did not influence the survival of patients. The activity of NVB in the treatment of advanced NSCLC was confirmed.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1994

Imaging of pulmonary disease in scleroderma with J001X scintigraphy.

BACKGROUND: J001X is an acylated poly-galactoside isolated from the membrane of Klebsiella and able to interact with macrophages, mainly in their activated state. The aim of the present study was to determine the ability of 99m-labelled technetium (99mTc)-J001X scintigraphy to image pulmonary disease, defined by high resolution computed tomographic scanning and pulmonary function tests, in patients suffering from scleroderma. METHODS: Patients were considered to have pulmonary disease when they had at least two positive signs on high resolution computed tomography, or a decrease in lung volume and single breath carbon monoxide transfer, or both, with no disease process other than scleroderma in their medical history. Positive J001X scintigraphic imaging was defined by symmetrical bilateral pulmonary fixation three and five hours after inhalation of 99mTc-J001X. J001X scintigraphic results were compared with disease activity as indicated by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid lymphocytosis. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were studied, in 12 of whom J001X scintigraphy was positive. There was no correlation between BAL lymphocytosis and J001X scintigraphic findings, nor between BAL and pulmonary scleroderma. This was not surprising because of the high specificity of macrophage targeting by J001X. CONCLUSIONS: Follow up of a larger population over a longer period is needed to establish whether there is a prognostic value for positive J001X scintigraphic findings in scleroderma.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Quantification of cell loss during bronchoalveolar lavage fluid processing. Effects of fixation and staining methods.

Discrepancies have been reported in differential cell counts according to the diverse processing methods used in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid management. The differences have proved to be mainly the result of selective lymphocyte loss, while the exact mechanisms of the phenomenon remain controversial. Observing a similar variation in differentials from differently stained identical smears, we quantified the cell loss due to staining procedures from 45 consecutive satisfactory BAL procedures. To do this, we compared relative lymphocyte recovery on neat pooled lavage in a hemocytometer with that from smears and cytopreps fixed and stained in different ways. We found (1) A significant lymphocyte loss (p < 0.05) whatever the staining method. (2) Different methods of fixation and staining lead to considerable variation in differentials from slides otherwise identically managed. The loss is higher during air-drying fixation followed by staining with an aqueous medium such as Diff-Quik than on spray-fixed slides stained in an alcohol medium such as Papanicolaou stain. (3) The effect of lymphocyte loss on differentials is more important when the initial lymphocytosis is less than 35%, and decreases to nonsignificance when it exceeds 70%. The role of cytocentrifugation or other manipulations in cell loss probably has been overestimated because unknown effects of staining methods were also attributed to these manipulations. We suggest that lymphocyte loss could arise from poor adherence on slides, which is exacerbated during aqueous staining if no artifice (e.g., spray fixation), is used to hold them. Thus, the definition of the long-awaited standard procedure for an accurate differential count of BAL fluid must take into account fixation and staining methods.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid↗
PubMed1993

Possible interaction between phenobarbital, carbamazepine and itraconazole.

We report a case of a possible interaction between itraconazole, phenobarbital and carbamazepine. The first plasma itraconazole concentration, measured when the patient had been taking phenobarbital for 2 months, was very low. The second measurement, 2 months after withdrawing phenobarbital, was higher but below the therapeutic range. However, carbamazepine, a well known enzyme inducer, had been initiated 15 days before. 20 days after carbamazepine was withdrawn, the itraconazole concentration 4 hours after administration was near the lower end of the therapeutic range. The mechanism of this possible interaction is probably the same for phenobarbital and carbamazepine, involving hepatic microsomal enzyme system induction.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Small cell carcinoma of the ovary. A clinical and anatomo-pathologic entity].

Small cell carcinoma of the ovary is a rare histological form which is highly malignant. We have decided to consider this as an epithelial tumour after studying it with the optical and the electron microscope. It is however difficult to put it in to a definite type because it is highly undifferentiated. On the clinical level small cell carcinoma is different from other ovarian cancers in several respects. Whereas ovarian tumours usually tend to occur in menopausal women in the fifth or sixth decade of life, small cell carcinomas of the ovary occur mainly in younger women of ages between 10 and 38 years. Furthermore, women who are attacked by this kind of a carcinoma tend to die very soon after the diagnosis has been made without receiving any benefit from the many therapies that have been tried to improve the prognosis. We have studied the condition after seeing two cases of small cell carcinoma in the University Gynaecological Department of Tours, and we have made a study of the literature. We have studied the therapeutic angle for these tumours and we have tried to find out what the best technique will be to cope with this awful prognosis. We discuss whether it might be worthwhile in future to intensify therapy in combination with bone marrow autotransplantation.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A phase II study of Navelbine (vinorelbine) in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer.

Navelbine (vinorelbine, NVB) is the first semisynthetic 5'-nor-vinca-alkaloid selected for clinical trial. NVB has been shown to have a good level of activity against different experimental solid tumors in animals, with low neurotoxicity. In the phase II study, 78 patients with an inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were treated with NVB at a weekly dose of 30 mg/m2. No patient had previously received chemotherapy. Twenty-three of the 78 eligible patients showed a partial response (29.4% with a 95% confidence limits: 19.5-39.5). Eight patients were not evaluable and the percentage of partial response were 32.8% in the evaluable patients group. The median response duration was 34 weeks, and the median survival time for the overall population reached 33 weeks. Grade 3-4 leukopenia was seen in 12.5% of cycles. No thrombocytopenia occurred. At the dosage schedule used, NVB seems a very promising agent in the treatment of NSCLC.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1990

[Steroid-sensitive cavitating pulmonary opacity in Horton's disease].

We report the case of a 72 year old woman treated for seven months for Horton's disease presenting with a cavitating pneumonia of the left axillary segment associated with a deterioration of the general state, at the time of which the steroid therapy was in the course of being decreased. The radiological appearance and the clinical context of immune depression had led to a trial of a quadruple anti-tuberculous therapy in spite of the absence of any bacteriological proof. This rapid aggravation of the condition under treatment led to the suggestion of a pulmonary localisation of Horton's disease. The rapid regression of the lesions after increasing the dose of steroids and the negative cultures on Lowenstein medium pleaded in favour of this hypothesis. However the continuation of anti-tuberculous treatment seems justified in such cases in so far as the diagnosis of Horton's disease of the lung often cannot be maintained other than retrospectively in the absence of histological proof.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Pleural effusion induced by bromocriptine].

Bromocriptine, a derivative of ergot of rye, is used in high doses for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and may be responsible for pleuro-pulmonary complications. We report a case of a 72 year old patient treated for 2 years for Parkinson's disease with a daily dose of 30 mgms. of bromocriptine and in whom a pleural effusion, initially unilateral then bilateral, was discovered with a deterioration in the general physical state. The effusion was a transudate and examination did not give any clues as to aetiology, there was a rapidly favourable outcome following the cessation of treatment. Amongst the respiratory complications of bromocriptine it is the pleuro-pulmonary fibrosis which is most frequently reported. The cases of isolated pleural effusions are rare and are generally exudates. Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain the pathogenesis of these disorders: there is a theory that the molecule induces a toxic fibrogenesis, there is a vascular theory analogous with the secondary effects of methysergide and finally immunological theory. The frequency of the disorder is probably underestimated and these drug reactions justify a close follow up for any respiratory problems in patients who are subjected to treatment with bromocriptine.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Primary malignant dysembryoma of the mediastinum].

The primary malignant dysembryomas of the mediastinum are highly malignant tumours, which originate from embryonal cells. This name excludes seminomas and dysgerminomas which derive from non-fecund germinal cells. In this general review only the dysembryomas will be touched on. They are relatively rare tumours found in young men and are characterised by the rapidity of their spontaneous growth. The absence of a gonadal tumour is sufficient to confirm the primary mediastinal character of malignant dysembryomas. There is little specific in the clinical data. The tumour markers, Beta HCG and above all alpha feto-protein play, at the same time, a leading role not only for diagnosis but also for therapeutic decisions and follow up under treatment. In spite of the appalling reputed prognosis of this disease, the malignant dysembryomas have benefited from the considerable therapeutic progress which has been made in recent years. It is vital to achieve a rapid and accurate diagnosis and to start on treatment without delay with a regime incorporating Cisplatin. As radical surgery as possible usually follows the initial chemotherapy. Post operative treatment depends on the anatomical observations made at the time of surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Aortobronchial fistula developing in a pseudoaneurysm of the horizontal aorta].

Amongst the rare causes of haemoptysis rupture of the great vessels is always a possibility. An aorto-bronchial fistula is a rare complication of thoracic aneurysms of the aorta. A fistula starting from a false aneurysm is exceptionally rare. Our observation concerns a patient of 61 with previous vascular problems who was discovered to have a mediastinal tumour following dysphonia and haemoptysis. Aortography and surgical intervention revealed that this was a false aneurysm of the horizontal part of the aorta which had developed a fistula in the bronchus.

Aorta, Thoracic↗
PubMed1987

[Bronchial cancer of several histological components: an additional argument for operating on small-cell cancers].

Analysis of the histological data of the primary lung cancer can now be refined by means of electron microscopy. A particular sub-group has been isolated in this way: composite cell anaplastic cancer. The authors report a case of this type of cancer and present the various histological hypotheses proposed to explain this composite nature; they define the current therapeutic approach based on these data.

Bronchial Neoplasms↗
PubMed1987

[Primary pulmonary sarcoma with spindle-shaped cells. Apropos of a case].

Primary pulmonary sarcoma is a very rare malignant tumour. The authors report a case of a fusiform cell sarcoma simulating a pulmonary metastasis in a woman who previously had a mammary carcinoma. Lymph node invasion is rare. The nature of the tumour was confirmed by histology and aided by immunochemistry or electron microscopy. The primary origin of the tumour can only be confirmed after negative results from careful examination of the marrow, the gastro-intestinal tract, the genito-urinary system and above all the uterus. The prognosis depends on the size of the tumour and the mitotic score. Surgery is the only curative treatment.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1987

[Immunological data furnished by alveolar lavage in bronchopulmonary tumor pathology].

Alveolar lavage is a simple technique giving access to the inner lung. The object of this study is to assess the place of alveolar lavage in pulmonary tumours in man. The systemic changes in the immune system are not touched upon, nor the search for tumour cells. The supernatant has revealed greater than normal levels of carcino-embryonic antigen in primary tumours and metastases. The immunoglobulins (IgE, IgA) are increased also. The ready collection of the alveolar macrophages (MA) around the tumour permits a study of their functional capacity: chemotaxis, phagocytosis, cytotoxicity. The chemotaxis of MA breaks down around a primary cancer even though it is not changed in pulmonary metastases. The data in the literature concerning the capacity for phagocytosis and of anti-tumour cytotoxicity are still fragmentary. Increasing the tumoricidal properties of MA is a prospect for future. Alveolar lavage is an additional diagnostic method. It allows for a progressive scrutiny of the local immunological response in broncho-pulmonary tumours.

Bronchial Neoplasms↗