PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Livia Lumbroso

Publications and source records attributed to Livia Lumbroso.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Specific TP53 mutation pattern in radiation-induced sarcomas.

The mutagenic properties of ionizing radiation are well known, but the presence of specific mutations in human radiation-induced tumours is not established. We have studied a series of 36 secondary sarcomas arising in the irradiation field of a primary tumour following radiotherapy. The allelic status and the presence of mutations of the TP53 gene were investigated. The mutation pattern was compared with data from sporadic sarcomas recorded in the IARC TP53 somatic mutations database. A high proportion (58%) of the radiation-induced sarcomas exhibited a somatic inactivating mutation for one allele of TP53, systematically associated with a loss of the other allele. The high frequency (52%) of short deletions observed in the mutation pattern of radiation-induced sarcomas may be related to the induction of DNA breaks by ionizing radiation. The lack of hyper-reactivity of CpG dinucleotides and the presence of recurrent sites of mutation at codons 135 and 237 seem also to be specific for radiation tumorigenesis.

Adult↗

Familial uveal melanoma: a report on two families and a review of the literature.

PURPOSE: A total of 69 families affected by uveal melanoma have been reported in the literature. This report describes two additional families. In addition to presenting these cases, which constitute exceptions, the paper reviews the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two families, each with two affected members, were analysed in this retrospective study. The pedigree of each family has been pieced together. RESULTS: Considering the low incidence of familial uveal melanoma in the general population, it seems unlikely that inherited genetic factors are responsible for the condition; this question remains difficult to resolve. DISCUSSION: The characteristics of each family history are described and compared with the literature data. The mode of possible inheritance is discussed. Both the histopathology and anatomical location are studied, after which we discuss the body of evidence to establish whether there is an inherited cancer predisposition syndrome in patients with familial uveal melanoma. CONCLUSION: The statistical likelihood of such an uncommon tumour occurring independently in two or more family members leads us to believe that some cases of familial uveal melanoma may go unrecognized, and that reports on too few families have been published worldwide to prove the existence of a single mendelien gene. However, appropriate tissue samples, such as blood and tumour samples, should be obtained and conserved for present or future cytogenetic and molecular genetic studies.

Adult↗

Chemothermotherapy in the management of retinoblastoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of chemothermotherapy for the treatment of retinoblastoma. DESIGN: Non-comparative interventional case series. PATIENTS: Fifty-one children (65 eyes and 103 tumors) were treated with chemothermotherapy in a single institution from January 1995 to May 1998. METHODS: Chemothermotherapy consists of a combination of transpupillary thermotherapy delivered shortly after intravenous (IV) injection of carboplatin (560 mg/m(2)). Each tumor is treated separately with a diode laser using a microscope. Laser intensity, spot size, and duration are adapted to the size of each tumor and to the clinical response. After 8 days, thermotherapy alone is repeated. This cycle is performed from one to six times, every 28 days. The treatment data and outcome are analyzed separately. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessment of local tumor control. RESULTS: One hundred three tumors were treated in 65 eyes of 51 children. Age at diagnosis was 0 to 60 months (median, 7 months). Median tumor diameter at the time of treatment was 3.5 mm (range, 1.5-12 mm). Laser modalities were as follows: median intensity, 450 mW (range, 150-1000 mW); median spot size, 1.2 mm (range, 0.3-2.0 mm); and median number of cycles required to obtain tumor control, three. Tumor regression was obtained for 99 tumors (96.1%) after a median follow-up of 30 months (17-61 months). Seven tumors relapsed after initial control (6.8%). Salvage treatment (external beam radiation, iodine plaques, or enucleation) was necessary for a total of 11 tumors (10.7%). The only risk factor for relapse was the initial diameter of the lesion greater than 3.5 mm, whereas the other tumor characteristics or treatment variables were not significantly correlated with relapse. Ninety-seven percent of treated eyes were able to be preserved, and 92% of cases were treated without external beam radiation. CONCLUSIONS: Chemothermotherapy is an effective technique to treat small- to medium-sized retinoblastomas in children, avoiding external beam irradiation.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Functional results after treatment of retinoblastoma.

PURPOSE: Because of the long-term complications associated with external beam radiation in retinoblastoma, alternative treatment methods have been investigated. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the functional results of new treatment modalities. METHODS: Thirty-seven eyes were treated without external beam irradiation in 31 patients. The median diameter of the largest tumor in each eye was 6 mm. Primary chemotherapy was used in 25 cases, chemothermotherapy was used in 32 cases, cryotherapy was used in 28 cases, iodine 125 Plaques were used in 15 cases, diode laser thermotherapy was used alone in 11 cases, and photocoagulation was performed in 5 cases. The median follow-up after diagnosis of retinoblastoma was 41 months. The visual results were evaluated at a median age of 54 months. RESULTS: The median visual acuity of the treated eyes was 20/33. Twenty-four eyes presented a visual acuity better than 20/40, 4 eyes had a visual acuity between 20/200 and 20/40, and 9 eyes had a visual acuity less than 20/200. Maculopathy was observed in 16 cases, associated with papillopathy in 1 case. A cataract was observed in 1 case and a vitreous hemorrhage was observed in another case. Twenty-one eyes did not develop any complications. No corneal dryness and very few lens changes were observed. CONCLUSION: The functional results after local treatments for retinoblastoma are very good. The most frequent complication is maculopathy, particularly when the tumor involves or is situated close to the macula.

Antineoplastic Agents↗