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Biomedical subjects

J-L Lagrange

Publications and source records attributed to J-L Lagrange.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

[Prostate localization systems for prostate radiotherapy].

The development of sophisticated conformal radiation therapy techniques for prostate cancer, such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy, implies precise and accurate targeting. Inter- and intrafraction prostate motion can be significant and should be characterized, unless the target volume may occasionally be missed. Indeed, bony landmark-based portal imaging does not provide the positional information for soft-tissue targets (prostate and seminal vesicles) or critical organs (rectum and bladder). In this article, we describe various prostate localization systems used before or during the fraction: rectal balloon, intraprostatic fiducials, ultrasound-based localization, integrated CT/linear accelerator system, megavoltage or kilovoltage cone-beam CT, Calypso 4D localization system tomotherapy, Cyberknife and Exactrac X-Ray 6D. The clinical benefit in using such prostate localization tools is not proven by randomized studies and the feasibility has just been established for some of these techniques. Nevertheless, these systems should improve local control by a more accurate delivery of an increased prescribed dose in a reduced planning target volume.

Humans↗

Do minitransplants have minicosts? A cost comparison between myeloablative and nonmyeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplant in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is a widely used, cost-intensive procedure. Although pretransplant nonmyeloablative (NMA) or reduced-intensity conditioning regimens appear very promising, prospective studies comparing this approach with the conventional myeloablative (MA) approach in specific hematologic diseases are necessary, especially in patients in whom the conventional approach is not contraindicated. Cost may be an important factor in the decision-making process. We compared the costs of MA and NMA transplants in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We estimated 1-year resource utilization in 12 consecutive MA patients (median age: 39 years) and in 11 consecutive NMA patients (median age: 58 years) who underwent HLA-identical sibling SCT for AML. Resources care expenses were valued using the average daily rate for personnel costs, supplies, and room costs. Other data were directly collected from the patients' charts. Despite a trend for lower costs in NMA patients during the first 6 months, costs during the 6-12-month period were significantly higher after NMA due to late complications and readmissions (P=0.03). Finally, mean 1-year costs were not different in MA and NMA patients (P=0.75). Prospective studies comparing conventional and NMA approaches in homogeneous populations should include economic items.

Adult↗

[Reappraisal of the role of endobronchial brachytherapy in the management of lung cancer: ten years' experience at the centre Antoine-Lacassagne].

PURPOSE: Intra-operative intertitial brachytherapy has been applied in the curative and palliative treatment of lung cancer. Implantation of radio-active sources offers an advantage over external irradiation because of the limited penetrability from source to prescription point, resulting in rapid dose fall-off and sparing of surrounding normal tissues. The aim of this study was to re-evaluate retrospectively the Antoine-Lacassagne cancer center experience in endobronchial brachytherapy by low dose rate (LDR) or high dose rate (HDR) and to design perspectives for the next decades. Evaluation was based on analysis of toxicities, response rates and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From october 1989 to june 1999, 31 consecutive patients with bronchogenic carcinoma were treated. Thirteen and 18 patients received LDR and HDR, respectively. The mean age was 65 years (range 44 to 79 years). Inclusion criteria were, for palliative treatment, incurable endobronchial cancer, and for curative treatment, residual tumor in the margins after resection, or endobronchial tumor could not be treated surgically. Exclusion criteria were sites of lesion unsuitable for placement of the brachytherapy catheter. Evaluation of complications and clinical response were based on endoscopic evaluation one month after the last session and at less one year after the end of treatment. RESULTS: Eighty-seven courses have been performed: 65 by LDR and 22 by HDR. Thirty-six courses have been performed in the palliative group, 51 courses in the curative group. Seven patients among 31 presented acute complications and 18/31 late complications. Complete global response rate was 14/30 evaluable patients (47%). Mean overall global survival was 23 months with a median follow-up of 3.5 years. CONCLUSION: These results confirm the efficacy of endobronchial brachytherapy as well as palliative or curative treatment, but the improvement of results will essentially depend on our capacity to better define our indications and underlie the necessity to perform phase III international randomised trial.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Sequence-dependent effects of ZD1839 ('Iressa') in combination with cytotoxic treatment in human head and neck cancer.

Elevated levels of epidermal growth factor receptor in head and neck cancer have been extensively reported, and are correlated with poor prognosis. The combination of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil is a standard treatment regimen for head and neck cancer, with radiation representing another therapeutic option. Six head and neck cancer cell lines were used to study the cytotoxic effects of combining ZD1839 ('Iressa'), a new selective epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and radiation. Two of the cell lines were also used to study the combination of ZD1839 and cisplatin/5-fluorouracil. Cytotoxic effects were assessed by the MTT test. The results indicated that ZD1839 applied before radiation gave the best effects (P=0.002); an effect that was strongest in those p53-mutated cell lines that express the highest epidermal growth factor receptor levels. The effects of ZD1839 with cisplatin and/or 5-fluorouracil were sequence dependent (P<0.003), with the best results achieved when ZD1839 was applied first. For the triple combinations, ZD1839 applied before cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil resulted in a slight synergistic effect (P=0.03), although the effect was greater when ZD1839 was applied both before and during cytotoxic drug exposure. In conclusion, ZD1839 applied before radiation and before and/or during cisplatin/5-fluorouracil may improve the efficacy of treatment for head and neck cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents↗