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F Maloisel

Publications and source records attributed to F Maloisel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Update of clinical findings in cobalamin deficiency: personal data and review of the literature].

PURPOSE: During last decades, several progresses have been made in the diagnosis of cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency. Routine used of cobalamin standardized assays have potentially modified the frequency and the type of hematologic abnormalities. CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS: Current studies on cobalamin deficiency, including more precise definitions and the description of new etiologies of cobalamin deficiency in adults, as the food-cobalamin malabsorption syndrome, show that hematological abnormalities are generally incomplete compared to historical descriptions of megaloblastic anemia. Nevertheless, they include severe manifestations in 10% of the patients: pancytopenia, severe anemia (hemoglobin < 6 g/dl) or hemolytic anemia and pseudo thrombotic microangiopathy related to cobalamin deficiency. These studies also show the efficacy of new treatment modalities including oral cobalamin administration. PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS: Future studies will confirm these data with the routine use of the new cobalamin assay: holotranscobalamin and validate the usefulness of oral cobalamin therapy.

Administration, Oral↗

Extramedullary relapse in acute promyelocytic leukemia treated with all-trans retinoic acid and chemotherapy.

We analyzed the incidence, presenting features, risk factors of extramedullary (EM) relapse occurring in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and chemotherapy by using a competing-risk method. In total, 740/ 806 (92%) patients included in three multicenter trials (APL91, APL93 trials and PETHEMA 96) achieved CR, of whom 169 (23%) relapsed, including 10 EM relapses. Nine relapses involved the central nervous system (CNS) and one the skin, of which two were isolated EM relapse. In patients with EM disease, median WBC count was 26950/mm3 (7700-162000). The 3-year cumulative incidence of EM disease at first relapse was 5.0%. Univariate analysis identified age <45 years (P=0.05), bcr3 PML-RARalpha isoform (P= 0.0003) and high WBC counts (> or = 10,000/ mm3) (P<0.0001) as risk factors for EM relapse. In multivariate analysis, only high WBC count remained significant (P= 0.001). Patients with EM relapse had a poorer outcome since median survival from EM relapse was 6.7 months as compared to 26.3 months for isolated BM relapse (P=0.04). In conclusion, EM relapse in APL occurs more frequently in patients with increased WBC counts (> or = 10,000/mm3) and carries a poor prognosis. Whether CNS prophylaxis should be systematically performed in patients with WBC > or = 10,000/mm3 at diagnosis remains to be established.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Current hematological findings in cobalamin deficiency. A study of 201 consecutive patients with documented cobalamin deficiency.

With the introduction of automated assays for measuring serum cobalamin levels over the last decades, the hematological manifestations related to cobalamin deficiency have been changed from the description reported in 'old' studies or textbooks. We studied the hematological manifestations or abnormalities in 201 patients (median age: 67 +/- 6 years) with well-documented cobalamin deficiency (mean serum vitamin B12 levels 125 +/- 47 pg/ml) extracted from an observational cohort study (1995-2003). Assessment included clinical features, blood count and morphological review. Hematological abnormalities were reported in at least two-third of the patients: anemia (37%), leukopenia (13.9%), thrombopenia (9.9%), macrocytosis (54%) and hypegmented neutrophils (32%). The mean hemoglobin level was 10.3 +/- 0.4 g/dl and the mean erythrocyte cell volume 98.9 +/- 25.6 fl. Approximately 10% of the patients have life-threatening hematological manifestations with documented symptomatic pancytopenia (5%), 'pseudo' thrombotic microangiopathy (Moschkowitz; 2.5%), severe anemia (defined as Hb levels <6 g/dl; 2.5%) and hemolytic anemia (1.5%). Correction of the hematological abnormalities was achieved in at least two-thirds of the patients, equally well in patients treated with either intramuscular or oral crystalline cyanocobalamin. This study, based on real data from a single institution with a large number of consecutive patients with well-documented cobalamin deficiency, confirms several 'older' findings that were previously reported before the 1990s in several studies and in textbooks.

Aged↗

[Idiosyncratic drug-induced agranulocytosis].

BACKGROUND: Agranulocytosis is a life-threatening disorder that frequently occurs as an adverse reaction to drugs. CURRENT DATA: Idiosyncratic drug-induced agranulocytosis is characterized by a neutrophil count <0.5x10(9)/l, in serious forms <0,1x10(9)/l that currently occurs especially in association with antibiotics, antithyroid drugs ant ticlopidine (>60% of the incriminated drugs). The overall incidence of idiosyncratic agranulocytosis ranges from 2.4 to 15.4 cases per million patients exposed to drugs per year. Although patients experiencing idiosyncratic agranulocytosis may be asymptomatic (50%), the severity of the neutropenia usually leads to severe sepsis: fever of unknown origin, septicemia, septic shock or localized documented infections such as sore throat, various cutaneous infections or pneumonia. Nevertheless, the mortality rate of idiosyncratic agranulocytosis is now around 5% with appropriate management. PERSPECTIVES: In the future, management of drug-induced agranulocytosis may include pre-established procedures using in critically situations, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and hematopoietic growth factors (G-CSF).

Agranulocytosis↗

Pegylated recombinant interferon alpha-2b vs recombinant interferon alpha-2b for the initial treatment of chronic-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia: a phase III study.

Recombinant interferon alpha-2b (rIFN-alpha2b) is an effective therapy for chronic-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Polyethylene glycol-modified rIFN-alpha2b is a novel formulation with a serum half-life ( approximately 40 h) compatible with once-weekly dosing. This open-label, noninferiority trial randomized 344 newly diagnosed CML patients: 171 received subcutaneous pegylated rIFN-alpha2b (6 microg/kg/week); 173 received rIFN-alpha2b (5 million International Units/m2/day). Primary efficacy end point was the 12-month major cytogenetic response (MCR) rate (<35% Philadelphia chromosome-positive cells). Modified efficacy analysis included all MCRs >12 months, except for patients discontinuing treatment after 6 months and achieving an MCR on other salvage therapy. The MCR rates were 23% for pegylated rIFN-alpha2b vs 28% for rIFN-alpha2b in the primary efficacy analysis and 26 vs 28% in the prospectively modified efficacy analysis. However, a significant imbalance in baseline hematocrit (HCT), a significant predictor of cytogenetic response (P=0.0001), was discovered: 51 (30%) patients treated with pegylated rIFN-alpha2b had low HCT (<33%) vs 33 (19%) rIFN-alpha2b-treated patients. Among patients with HCT >33%, the MCR rate was 33 vs 31%. The adverse event profile of weekly pegylated rIFN-alpha2b was comparable to daily rIFN-alpha2b. Once-weekly pegylated rIFN-alpha2b is an active agent for the treatment of newly diagnosed CML with an efficacy and safety profile similar to daily rIFN-alpha2b, although statistical noninferiority was not demonstrated.

Adult↗

Report of 34 patients with clonal chromosomal abnormalities in Philadelphia-negative cells during imatinib treatment of Philadelphia-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec), an inhibitor of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase, was introduced recently into the therapy of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Several cases of emergence of clonal chromosomal abnormalities after therapy with imatinib have been reported, but their incidence, etiology and prognosis remain to be clarified. We report here a large series of 34 CML patients treated with imatinib who developed Philadelphia (Ph)-negative clones. Among 1001 patients with Ph-positive CML treated with imatinib, 34 (3.4%) developed clonal chromosomal abnormalities in Ph-negative cells. Three patients were treated with imatinib up-front. The most common cytogenetic abnormalities were trisomy 8 and monosomy 7 in twelve and seven patients, respectively. In 15 patients, fluorescent in situ hybridization with specific probes was performed in materials archived before the initiation of imatinib. The Ph-negative clone was related to previous therapy in three patients, and represented a minor pre-existing clone that expanded after the eradication of Ph-positive cells with imatinib in two others. However, in 11 patients, the new clonal chromosomal abnormalities were not detected and imatinib may have had a direct effect. No myelodysplasia was found in our cohort. With a median follow-up of 24 months, one patient showed CML acceleration and two relapsed.

Adult↗

Current management of adult idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in practice: a cohort study of 201 patients from a single center.

To define usefulness and response to therapy and outcome in adults with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in clinical practice. We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of 201 consecutive patients with ITP, diagnosed between 1985 and 1994. In particular, we analyzed the therapies used, their response rates, prognostic indicators of response and outcome. In 62 patients, with minor bleeding episodes and a mean (+/- SD) platelet count of 88 +/- 23 x 10(9)/l, no treatment was used and chronic ITP was diagnosed in 59%. A total of 139 patients, with bleeding episodes in 71.2% cases and a mean platelet count of 20 +/- 13 x 10(9)/l, received at least one treatment. Three patients died (1.5% of the series). Corticosteroids were used in 118 patients, with an initial response rate of 82.2% and a long-term complete response (CR) of only 22.9%. Intravenous immunoglobulin was used in 26 patients, with an initial transient response in more than 60%. A splenectomy was performed in 55 patients, with an initial response rate of 92.5% and a long-term CR in 60%. Young age and prior response to corticosteroids were significant predictors of a durable response to splenectomy. Danazol was given in 37 patients, with a favorable response in 73% of cases. Our results illustrate the guidelines of the American Society of Hematology. Patients with moderate thrombocytopenia do not require treatment. In severe cases, splenectomy is the only treatment giving durable cures in a significant proportion of patients. Despite frequent chronicity, ITP is life-threatening only in a minor subset of patients.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Therapy-related acute promyelocytic leukemia.

PURPOSE: To analyze patient cases of therapy-related acute promyelocytic leukemia (tAPL), occurring after chemotherapy (CT), radiotherapy (RT) or both for a prior disorder, diagnosed during the last 20 years in three European countries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The primary disorder and its treatment, interval from primary disorder to tAPL, characteristics of tAPL, and its outcome were analyzed in 106 patients. RESULTS: Eighty of the 106 cases of tAPL were diagnosed during the last 10 years, indicating an increasing incidence of tAPL. Primary disorders were predominantly breast carcinoma (60 patients), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (15 patients), and other solid tumors (25 patients). Thirty patients had received CT alone, 27 patients had received RT alone, and 49 patients had received both. CT included at least one alkylating agent in 68 patients and at least one topoisomerase II inhibitor in 61 patients, including anthracyclines (30 patients), mitoxantrone (28 patients), and epipodophyllotoxins (19 patients). Median interval from primary disorder to tAPL diagnosis was 25 months (range, 4 to 276 months). Characteristics of tAPL were generally similar to those of de novo APL. With treatment using anthracycline-cytarabine-based CT or all-trans-retinoic acid combined with CT, actuarial survival was 59% at 8 years. CONCLUSION: tAPL is not exceptional, and develops usually less than 3 years after a primary neoplasm (especially breast carcinoma) treated in particular with topoisomerase II-targeted drugs (anthracyclines or mitoxantrone and less often etoposide). Characteristics and outcome of tAPL seem similar to those of de novo APL.

Adult↗

Long-term outcome with pentostatin treatment in hairy cell leukemia patients. A French retrospective study of 238 patients.

With the introduction of new drugs such as alpha-interferon (IFN) and purine analogs, the management of hairy cell leukemia (HCL) patients has changed. However, deoxycoformycin (DCF) produced higher complete remission rates than IFN. The current study was undertaken to provide long-term data on duration of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) and incidence of subsequent malignancies. We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients treated with DCF (4 mg/m2/day, every 2 weeks) from 39 French centers. In 84 of 238 included patients, DCF was the first-line therapy. Pretreatment variables influencing the achievement of complete remission, DFS, and OS were identified by multivariate analysis. Two hundred and thirty-eight patients received a median of nine cycles (range, 1-19 cycles). A complete remission was obtained in 182 of 230 evaluable patients (79%) and a partial response was obtained in 38 patients, for an overall response rate of 95.6%. In the multivariate analysis hemoglobin level less than 100 g/l and leukocytes less than 2 x 10(9)/l were parameters adversely influencing complete remission achievement. With a median follow-up of 63.5 months (range, 0.39-138.4 months), disease recurrence was observed in 34 of 220 responding patients (15%). The estimated 5-years and 10-years DFS was 88.1% and 68.8%, respectively. Hemoglobin level less than 100 g/l and leukocytes less than 2 x 10(9)/l were the pre-treatment variables associated with a shorter DFS. The estimated 5-year and 10-year OS were 89.4% and 88.7%, respectively. Hemoglobin level less than 100 g/l, leukocytes less than 2 x 10(9)/l, and adenopathy were significant factors of reduced survival. Hematologic toxicity was the main side-effect, followed by infection and emesis. During the period of follow-up, 18 patients developed second cancer, but the standardized incidence ratio was 0.95. Pentostatin is a highly effective regimen for hairy cell leukemia that produces durable complete responses. Toxicity of DCF is acceptable. Subsequent malignancies do not appear to be increased with pentostatin treatment.

Adult↗

Primary Sjögren's syndrome associated agranulocytosis: a benign disorder?

OBJECTIVE: To report on an uncommon association of agranulocytosis in primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). METHODS: The clinical, haematological, and immunological features of seven patients with primary SS associated with a chronic (>6 months) agranulocytosis, and the outcome of the patients, were analysed. RESULTS: Patients were white women with an unexplained agranulocytosis. They all had non-erosive arthritis and three had a thrombocytopenia or Evan's syndrome. In three patients, transient or durable expansion of T lymphocytes was present in the peripheral blood or in the bone marrow, but evolved independently from neutrophil counts. There was no paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria clone or antibodies to neutrophil surface antigens. In vitro bone marrow culture was normal (four patients) or showed a decrease in colony forming unit-granulocyte monocyte (CFU-GM) and colony forming unit-erythroblast (CFU-E) (one patient). Serum levels of soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) were normal, and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) concentrations were either normal or raised. One patient was treated with steroids associated with intravenous immunoglobulins and achieved a lasting response. Two other patients were treated with steroids and methotrexate, with poor efficacy. Short courses of subcutaneous G-CSF produced a transient and mild response in all three patients. Complete recovery of the neutrophils occurred temporarily during pregnancy in two patients. After a mean follow up of 34.8 months (range 6-139) all patients were alive and none developed serious infections. CONCLUSION: A subset of patients with primary SS and non-destructive arthritis may develop a chronic but well tolerated agranulocytosis that is usually poorly responsive to steroids and oral methotrexate.

Adult↗

Results of a phase II trial of a combination of oral cytarabine ocfosfate (YNK01) and interferon alpha-2b for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia patients in chronic phase.

Cytarabine ocfosfate (YNK01) is a prodrug analogue of cytarabine which is resistant to systemic deamination after oral administration. Following initial studies indicating significant anti-tumour activity of YNK01 a phase II trial was initiated in order to assess the tolerability and efficacy of a combination of this agent with interferon alpha-2b (IFN-alpha2b) in recently diagnosed chronic phase CML patients (n = 98). The treatment was subdivided into cycles consisting of 4 weeks of continuous administration of IFN-alpha-2b (3 MU/m(2)/day 1st week and then 5 MU/m(2)/day) and 14 days of oral YNK01 (600 mg/day 1st cycle). At the end of each cycle the dose of YNK01 was adjusted according to the blood count observed during the previous 4 weeks. The median time from diagnosis to inclusion in the trial was 2 months (range 6 days to 7.5 months). At 12 weeks, 62 patients (63%; 95% CI, 54-73) achieved a complete hematological response. At 24 weeks, of 98 patients, two achieved a complete cytogenetic response, 14 a partial response (16% major cytogenetic response rate; 95% CI, 9-24) and 34 a minor response; 19 patients were not evaluable for cytogenetic response. During the trial, 20 patients progressed to accelerated (6) or blastic phases (14). The median time to progression was 15 months (range 2-38 months). At 3 years the overall survival was 79% (95% CI, 70-88). Although the complete hematological response rate compared favorably with the 40% response rate previously obtained with the subcutaneous formulation of Ara-c, the cytogenetic response rate was less than expected. Most of the patients experienced side-effects and all permanently stopped YNK01. Although the combination seems attractive the initial dose of 600 mg per day is probably too high and should be reconsidered in further trials.

Administration, Oral↗

Nonchemotherapy drug-induced agranulocytosis: experience of the Strasbourg teaching hospital (1985-2000) and review of the literature.

Agranulocytosis is a life-threatening disorder that frequently occurs as an adverse reaction to drugs. The overall incidence of nonchemotherapy drug-induced agranulocytosis (DIA) ranges from 2.6 to 10 cases per million patients exposed to drugs per year. Although patients experiencing DIA may initially be asymptomatic, the severity of the neutropenia usually leads to severe sepsis, requiring intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. In this setting, old age, septicaemia, shock, and the metabolic complications of infection, such as renal failure, are poor prognostic variables. The severity of neutropenia (< 0.1 x 10(9))/l) and its duration (> 10 days) may also impact negatively on the outcome. With appropriate management using pre-established procedures, the mortality rate is now around 5%. Haematopoietic growth factors have been shown to shorten the duration of neutropenia in DIA. However, it has yet to be determined whether their use translates into a better outcome in DIA patients experiencing sepsis. DIA still remains a rare event. However, given the increased life expectancy and subsequent longer exposure to drugs, as well as the development of new agents, physicians should be aware of this complication and its management.

Aged↗

Multicenter, randomized comparative trial of fludarabine and the combination of cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin-prednisone in 92 patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia in first relapse or with primary refractory disease.

Few reports are available on the treatment of patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) and primary or secondary resistance to alkylating-agent-based regimens. From December 1993 through December 1997, 92 patients with WM resistant to first-line therapy (42) or with first relapse (50) after alkylating-agent therapy were randomly assigned to receive fludarabine (25 mg/m(2) of body-surface area on days 1-5) or cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), and prednisone (CAP; 750 mg/m(2) cyclophosphamide and 25 mg/m(2) doxorubicin on day 1 and 40 mg/m(2) prednisone on days 1-5). The first end point evaluated was the response rate after 6 treatment courses. Forty-five patients received CAP and 45 received fludarabine. Two patients died before the first course of chemotherapy. No statistical differences were observed between the 2 treatment arms with respect to hematologic toxicity or infections. Mucositis and alopecia occurred significantly more often in patients treated with CAP. Partial responses were obtained in 14 patients (30%) treated with fludarabine and 5 patients (11%) treated with CAP (P =.019). Responses were more durable in patients treated with fludarabine (19 months versus 3 months), and the event-free survival rate was significantly higher in this group (P <.01). Forty-four patients died, 22 in the fludarabine group and 22 in the CAP group. There was no statistical difference in the median overall survival time in the 2 study arms. Fludarabine was thus more active than CAP in salvage therapy of WM and should be tested as first-line therapy in a randomized comparison with alkylating agents.

Adult↗

Oral cobalamin therapy for the treatment of patients with food-cobalamin malabsorption.

BACKGROUND: The standard treatment for cobalamin (vitamin B(12)) deficiency involves regular intramuscular cobalamin injection. It has been suggested that oral cobalamin therapy may be effective for treating patients who have food-cobalamin malabsorption. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We prospectively studied 10 patients with cobalamin deficiency and well-established food-cobalamin malabsorption who received 3000 microg or 5000 microg of oral crystalline cyanocobalamin once a week for at least 3 months. Complete blood counts and serum cobalamin, homocysteine, and folate levels were determined at baseline and after 3 months of treatment. Patients were reexamined after 6 months. RESULTS: After 3 months of treatment, all patients had increased hemoglobin levels (mean increase, 1.9 g/dL; 95% confidence interval: 0.9 to 3.9 g/dL;P <0.01 compared with baseline) and decreased erythrocyte cell volume (mean decrease, 7.8 fL; 95% confidence interval: 0.9 to 16.5 fL;P<0.001). However, 2 patients had only minor, if any, responses. Serum cobalamin levels were increased in all 8 patients in whom it was measured. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that moderate doses of crystalline cyanocobalamin given orally may be an effective treatment for food-cobalamin malabsorption.

Administration, Oral↗