PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Henry-Amar

Publications and source records attributed to M Henry-Amar.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Is neuro-ectodermal differentiation of Ewing's sarcoma of bone associated with an unfavourable prognosis?

Among Ewing's sarcoma (ES) of bone and related entities are tumours with neuro-ectodermal features that could represent a biologically distinct type. In order to assess the prognostic significance of the various forms of ES, a retrospective joint study involving three cancer centres in Europe and the U.S.A. was initiated. The material from 315 primary ES was reviewed by a panel of five pathologists and classified as typical ES (220 cases), atypical ES (48 cases) or ES with neuro-ectodermal features (47 cases). Prognostic factor analysis on treatment failure-free survival was performed using the Cox model. It included histopathological classification, initial patient characteristics, clinical presentation and treatment type. After multivariate analysis, in addition to treatment type (P < 0.001), metastases (P = 0.003) and proximal tumour location (P = 0.006), two histopathological parameters correlated with poor treatment failure-free survival, the presence of filigree pattern (P = 0.044) and dark cells (P = 0.043). We conclude that ES with neuro-ectodermal features does not appear to have a different outcome to the other subtypes.

Adolescent↗

DNA cytometric abnormalities in human esophageal squamous intraepithelial and invasive carcinomas.

DNA ploidy abnormalities of 21 archival human esophageal intraepithelial neoplasia samples were assessed, using image cytometry of deparaffinized samples, with reference to invasive squamous cell carcinoma and corresponding uninvolved squamous epithelium. Cytometric parameters investigated were proportion of G0G1 aneuploid cell population, histogram typing, proportion of G0G1 diploid nuclei, coefficient of variation, mean DNA content, crude 5c exceeding proportion, 2c deviation index, malignancy index and grade, and entropy. The distributions of the above parameters were compared using the paired t test and Fisher's exact test. Among 10 parameters used, Auer typing of DNA histograms, crude 5c exceeding rate, 2c deviation index and malignancy grade according to Böcking allowed discrimination between uninvolved epithelium and invasive squamous cell carcinoma as well as intraepithelial neoplasia. In particular, the distribution of 2c deviation index in the uninvolved epithelium did not overlap that of intraepithelial and invasive carcinomas. The above four parameters, however, were unable to discriminate intraepithelial neoplasia from invasive carcinoma.

Aneuploidy↗

Second primary cancers in patients continuously disease-free from Hodgkin's disease: a protective role for the spleen?

Second primary cancers are a serious late occurrence for patients surviving Hodgkin's disease (HD). In addition to previously described risk factors such as age, gender, clinical stage, and treatment modalities, splenectomy was found to correlate with an increase in risk for secondary acute leukemia. We assumed that splenic irradiation inducing functional hyposplenia and splenectomy could have similar consequences on second cancer risk. We studied a series of 892 continuously disease-free HD adult patients treated at a single institution between 1960 and 1984. The risk of second cancer was analyzed (1) relative to the general population and (2) between risk subgroups using the Cox proportional hazards model. Fifty-six patients developed a second cancer (8 acute leukemias, 3 myelodysplastic syndromes, 8 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, and 37 solid tumors; basal cell and in situ cervix carcinomas were excluded). The 15-year cumulative incidence rate (with 95% confidence limits) was 13.2% (9.3% to 17.2%). Relative to the general population incidence data, the risk of second cancer was multiplied by 4.68 (3.51 to 6.12; P < .001); it was multiplied by 2.80 (1.63 to 4.48; P < .001) in patients whose spleen was not treated and multiplied by 6.87 (4.81 to 9.51; P < .001) in splenectomized patients or patients whose spleen was irradiated. Multivariate regression analysis that controlled for confounding variables (age, gender, clinical stage, extent of radiation therapy, and chemotherapy regimen) showed that, in addition to age above 40 years (relative risk [RR] = 3.72; P < .001), combination of MOPP chemotherapy and regional irradiation (RR = 4.99; P = .015) and combination of MOPP chemotherapy and extended irradiation (RR = 10.86; P < .001), splenic irradiation (RR = 3.67; P = .003), and splenectomy (RR = 2.54; P = .018) also significantly correlated with an increased risk. The results of this hospital-based registry study strongly suggest that splenic irradiation and splenectomy might increase the risk for treatment-related second cancer. These findings, if confirmed, have to be considered in future HD treatment policies.

Adolescent↗

Pathologic assessment of tumor regression after preoperative chemoradiotherapy of esophageal carcinoma. Clinicopathologic correlations.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of preoperative chemotherapy and radiation for esophageal carcinoma are under investigation. A pilot study was undertaken to determine if pathologic assessment of tumor regression correlated with disease free survival. METHODS: Ninety-three resected specimens from patients treated with cis-dichloro-diamino cisplatin and irradiation before surgery were examined on semiserial sections. Patients selected for surgery were all Status 1 according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. Histologic typing was based on the WHO classification. Tumor regression grade (TRG) was quantitated in five grades: TRG 1 (complete regression) showed absence of residual cancer and fibrosis extending through the different layers of the esophageal wall; TRG 2 was characterized by the presence of rare residual cancer cells scattered through the fibrosis; TRG 3 was characterized by an increase in the number of residual cancer cells, but fibrosis still predominated; TRG 4 showed residual cancer outgrowing fibrosis; and TRG 5 was characterized by absence of regressive changes. Survival curves were estimated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. A quantification of the relationship between treatment failure and confounding variables (age, tumor location, tumor size, esophageal wall involvement by residual cancer and/or regressive changes, histology, treatment, adequacy of surgery, pathologic lymph node status, and tumor regression grade) was done using Cox's proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Forty-two percent of specimens were TGR 1-2; 20%, TGR 3; and 33%, TGR 4-5. Univariate analysis found that tumor size, pathologic lymph node status, tumor regression grade, and esophageal wall involvement were highly correlated with disease free survival (P < 0.05). After multivariate analysis, only tumor regression (i.e., TRG 1-3 versus TRG 4-5) remained a significant (P < 0.001) predictor of disease free survival. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of tumor regression in the survival of patients with esophageal carcinoma treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy. These findings suggest that tumor regression grade should be considered when evaluating therapeutic results.

Adult↗

Secondary solid malignant tumors occurring after bone marrow transplantation for severe aplastic anemia given thoraco-abdominal irradiation.

PURPOSE: We have evaluated irradiation doses received at location of secondary solid tumors occurring after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in five of 147 patients grafted for severe aplastic anaemia. RESULTS: All 5 tumors occurred within the radiation field penumbra. The estimated received dose varied from 6 Gy for one inner field secondary tumor, to 2.5 Gy for the remaining secondary tumors. CONCLUSION: Tumors may arise in the zone where the delivered radiation dose drops dramatically. Irradiation, with associated cofactors, may promote the development of epidermoid carcinoma in irradiated patients for BMT.

Abdomen↗

Nebulized versus intravenous albuterol in hypercapnic acute asthma. A multicenter, double-blind, randomized study.

In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind study, we compared the effects of nebulized (5 mg x 2) and intravenous (0.5 mg) albuterol (salbutamol) over 1 h in 47 patients admitted to hospital with severe acute asthma defined as a peak expiratory flow (PEF) below 150 L/min and hypercapnia (Pa(CO2) > or = 40 mm Hg). Additional treatment included nasal oxygen and hydrocortisone succinate. The efficacy was assessed after 1 h. In the group treated by nebulization (NEB group, n = 22) 19 (86%) patients (95% confidence interval: 65 to 97%) had been treated successfully according to predefined criteria, versus 12 (48%) patients (95% confidence interval: 28 to 69%) in the intravenously treated group (i.v. group, n = 25), p = 0.006. The mean increase in PEF was greater in the NEB group than in the i.v. group (+107 +/- 94 L/min versus +42 +/- 66 L/min, p = 0.01) as well as the decrease in Pa(CO2) values (-10 +/- 5 mm Hg versus -2 +/- 12 mm Hg, p < 0.01). Beta agonist-induced hypokalemia was more pronounced in the i.v. group than in the NEB group. We conclude that, in hypercapnic acute asthma, the nebulized route has a greater efficacy and fewer side effects than the intravenous route.

Acute Disease↗

A randomized study in stage IIIB and IV Hodgkin's disease comparing eight courses of MOPP versus an alteration of MOPP with ABVD: a European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Lymphoma Cooperative Group and Groupe Pierre-et-Marie-Curie controlled clinical trial.

PURPOSE: We report a prospective randomized study comparing the relative efficacy of alternating chemotherapy mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone/doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (MOPP/ABVD) with the standard MOPP chemotherapy in patients with stage IIIB and IV Hodgkin's disease (HD). The purpose is to study the influence of time of remission on clinical outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After two courses of MOPP, patients were randomized to receive six further courses of MOPP, or two courses of ABVD followed by two courses of MOPP and two courses of ABVD. Radiotherapy was given to areas presenting with masses > or = 5 cm and to residual masses after course no. 4. Evaluation of response (complete remission [CR]) took place after two courses (CR2), after four courses (CR4), at the end of chemotherapy (CR8), and after additional radiotherapy (CR(CT + RT)). Logistic regression analysis was used to study prognostic factors for response at the end of chemotherapy. Cox analysis was used to study prognostic factors for survival. Two hundred seven patients were registered, 192 (93%) of whom were randomized. RESULTS: The CR rate at the end of chemotherapy (CR8) was similar in both arms (57% v 59%). However, there were more progressions in the MOPP arm compared with the MOPP/ABVD arm (23% v 8%, P = .014). A significantly higher failure-free survival (FFS) rate was found in the MOPP/ABVD arm (60% v 43% at 6 years, P = .025). There was no difference in the relapse-free survival (RFS) or survival rate. Of patients not in CR4, only 28% still reached a CR8. RFS at 6 years of patients with CR4 (69%) was not different from that of patients with CR8 (68%); patients with a CR(CT + RT)) had a lower RFS rate (48%). CR4 (P < .001) predicted strongly for final remission at the end of chemotherapy. Cox analysis showed that age more than 50 years, six or more involved lymph node areas, no CR by the fourth cycle, chemotherapy with MOPP alone, and no radiotherapy were unfavorable factors for survival. CONCLUSION: MOPP/ABVD chemotherapy significantly improved response and FFS rates, but had no influence on RFS and survival rates. Early CR (CR4) is an important factor for final remission and might be used to select a group of patients with a good prognosis.

Adolescent↗

Hodgkin's disease management and follow-up revisited.

Modern therapy of Hodgkin's disease (HD) has contributed to improve long term survival for most patients. However, the problem of HD therapy cannot be considered as solved, since in large scale studies the proportion of individuals who after a period of complete remission die from intercurrent causes yields evidence of an increased mortality rate. In 1989, the establishment of an international data base on HD comprising more than 14,000 cases allowed analysis of survival and causes of death in these patients. Overall, the 10-year, 15-year and 20-year survival rates were 68%, 60% and 51% respectively. Compared with the general population, the increase in mortality was 31% at 15 years, giving a standardized mortality ratio of 7.68 (p < 0.001). Death was related to disease progression in 67.1% of subjects. Among patients who died from causes unrelated to HD or its treatment, second cancer deaths represented the first cause with 38%, followed by infections with 21% and acute myocardial infarction with 13%. This picture justifies the current increasing concern to refine the treatment of HD in order to minimize complications without reducing the overall chance of survival. Treatment choice should take into account the short and long term consequences of each available strategy and Hodgkin's disease patients should be submitted to routine follow-up for the rest of their lives.

Adult↗

Malignant diseases after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: an updated overview.

Among late effects occurring after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation malignant diseases are of particular clinical concern as more patients survive the early phase after transplantation and remain free of their original disease. In this paper we briefly review data on the three malignant complications that have been described after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: leukemias, lymphoma and solid tumours.

Anemia, Aplastic↗

Malignant tumors occurring after treatment of aplastic anemia. European Bone Marrow Transplantation-Severe Aplastic Anaemia Working Party.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Recent studies have shown that long-term survivors of acquired aplastic anemia may be at high risk for malignant diseases. We assessed the risk of cancer after aplastic anemia was treated with immunosuppression or bone marrow transplantation and sought to identify risk factors according to treatment. The study population consisted of 860 patients treated by immunosuppression and 748 patients who had received bone marrow transplants for the treatment of severe aplastic anemia. The risk of cancer was analyzed overall and according to treatment relative to the risk in the general population. In calculating relative risk, we excluded patients with myelodysplastic syndromes or acute leukemias arising less than 6 months after treatment, and solid cancers arising less than 12 months after treatment, because of a possible association with aplastic anemia itself rather than with the treatment received. RESULTS: Forty-two malignant conditions were reported in the 860 patients who received immunosuppressive therapy: 19 cases of myelodysplastic syndrome, 15 cases of acute leukemia, 1 case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and 7 solid tumors. Nine were reported in the 748 patients who received bone marrow transplants: two cases of acute leukemia and seven solid tumors. After the exclusions listed above, the overall relative risk of cancer was 5.50 (P < 0.001) as compared with that in the general European population; the risk was 5.15 (P < 0.001) after immunosuppressive therapy and 6.67 (P < 0.001) after transplantation. The 10-year cumulative incidence rate of cancer was 18.8 percent after immunosuppressive therapy and 3.1 percent after transplantation. The risk factors for myelodysplastic syndrome or acute leukemia after immunosuppressive therapy included the addition of androgens to the immunosuppressive treatment (relative risk = 0.28), older age (relative risk = 1.03), treatment in 1982 or later, as compared with 1981 or earlier (relative risk = 3.01), splenectomy (relative risk = 3.65), and treatment with multiple courses of immunosuppression (relative risk = 2.26). Risk factors for solid tumors after bone marrow transplantation were age (relative risk = 1.11 per year) and the use of radiation as a conditioning regimen before transplantation (relative risk = 9.56); such tumors occurred only in male patients. CONCLUSIONS: Survivors of aplastic anemia are at high risk for subsequent malignant conditions. Myelodysplastic syndrome and acute leukemia tend to follow immunosuppressive therapy, whereas the incidence of solid tumors is similar after immunosuppression and after bone marrow transplantation.

Acute Disease↗

Analysis of T-cell-receptor variable gene segment usage in peripheral-blood lymphocytes of advanced cancer patients.

Advanced cancer patients generally display impaired T-cell immune functions. The underlying mechanisms are not well understood. The aim of this study was to analyze whether major alterations of TCR variable gene segment usage could be detected in the blood of these patients. Seventeen individuals with various malignancies were tested using PCR and a panel of V-gene-segment-sub-family-specific (V alpha 1-w29/V beta 1-w24) oligonucleotide primers. The results indicate that these cancer patient lymphocytes expressed most V alpha and V beta sub-family specificities, similarly to the lymphocytes of healthy donors (n = 10). This suggests that immunodepression in advanced cancer patients is not related to major deletions in their T-cell repertoires. We also compared the mean relative expression of each V-sub-family specificity of patients and healthy donors by quantitative densitometric analysis. We found significant differences in 4 V beta specificities (and no V alpha). Our analysis identified unique T-cell sub-sets putatively involved in the mechanisms leading to immunodepression in advanced cancer patients. Alternatively, the observed differences in terms of V beta specificity expression may reflect the host response against the tumor.

Adolescent↗

Follow-up thallium-201 scintigraphy after mantle field radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease.

PURPOSE: Assessment of the long-term cardiac effects of mediastinal radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease, by Thallium scintigraphy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: 32 patients (14 males and 18 females) who underwent mantle field radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease were included in this study. Twenty patients received 4 fractions of 2.5 Gy per week and 12, five fraction of 2 Gy per week, delivered on alternate days. All the patients, except three, performed exercise testing electrocardiogram and Thallium-201 tomoscintigraphy. The average time interval from completion of treatment to the study was 7 years (range 3-13 years). No patients had clinical symptoms of cardiac disease. Mean age at the time of the study was 35 years (range 23-48 years). RESULTS: Two electrocardiograms revealed left bundle branch block and the patients were excluded from the study. Only one out of 27 exercise electrocardiograms was abnormal in a patient with mitral valve prolapse, who was also excluded from the study. Twenty-six scintigraphies were evaluable. Twenty-two (85%) were clearly abnormal with partial or complete redistribution on delayed images. The anterior region was affected in 19 of these cases (86%). Four explorations were undoubtedly normal. Coronary angiography was not performed for ethical reasons in these asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSION: Despite possible false positive tests, the high rate of abnormality (85%) in this small series is striking. These preliminary data justify larger studies and a close long-term follow-up of these patients.

Adult↗

Late relapse in early-stage Hodgkin's disease patients enrolled on European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer protocols.

PURPOSE: The great majority of relapses after the treatment for early-stage Hodgkin's disease are observed within 4 to 5 years after treatment completion. This study describes the characteristics and outcome of patients who had late relapses, which was defined as relapses that occurred 5 or more years after initial treatment start. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 1,082 adult patients with early clinical stage Hodgkin's disease were enrolled on three consecutive European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) protocols (H1, H2, and H5 trials) from 1964 to 1981. Of these, 1,044 patients satisfied the eligibility criteria with a supradiaphragmatic localization, age greater than 15 years, and initial complete remission. Overall, 341 patients (32.6%) relapsed, 304 (29.1%) early and 37 (3.5%) late. For each of these 37 late relapsers, questionnaires were sent to the participating centers and detailed information for 34 relapses was obtained. Cumulative probabilities for developing a late relapse were estimated using the Kaplan and Meier method. Quantification of the relationship between late relapse and several confounding variables was performed using the Cox's proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The 10- and 15-year cumulative probabilities of late relapse in patients who were disease-free at 5 years were 4.8% and 8.3%, respectively. Patients treated on more recent protocols had a higher incidence of late relapse, possibly due to an attempt to tailor therapy to the specific prognostic factors (10-year cumulative probabilities, 4.6%, 2.6%, and 7.5% in trials H1, H2, and H5, respectively). Incidence of late relapses significantly correlated with male sex, B symptoms, mediastinal involvement, and treatment modality. Salvage treatment induced a complete response in 27 patients (79%) and a prolonged complete remission in 24 patients (71%). Twenty years after initial treatment start, similar overall survival rates were observed for late relapsing (72%) and nonrelapsing patients (75%). CONCLUSION: Late relapses of Hodgkin's disease are uncommon, but may be more frequent with recent protocols tailored to specific prognostic factors. If treated, their outcome is favorable. Late relapse is therefore another factor indicating that careful, long-term follow-up is needed for patients with Hodgkin's disease.

Adolescent↗

Acute leukemia after the treatment of Hodgkin's disease.

The risk of developing a secondary acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome after the treatment of Hodgkin's disease is discussed on the basis of the results reported from large series with prolonged follow-up. It appears that the risk mainly depends upon the treatment strategy and certain host-related factors such as older age. Radiation therapy used alone is associated with the lowest risk, combination mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (MOPP) chemotherapy plus irradiation with the highest risk, and the risk of MOPP chemotherapy alone being in between the two. Splenectomy and probably splenic irradiation may also add to the risk. In long-term, surviving patients continuously free of Hodgkin's disease, the cumulative probability of second leukemia is low, with a high risk period which can be limited to the 10 years following the end of curative therapy. Finally, the impact of secondary leukemia on long-term survival is limited and far less than that of second tumors.

Acute Disease↗

Analysis of T-cell receptor variability in transplanted patients with acute graft-versus-host disease.

T lymphocytes play a pivotal role in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and largely contribute to the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. Most mature T lymphocytes specifically recognize antigens through the alpha/beta T-cell receptor (TCR). Each alpha/beta TCR chain includes a constant region and a variable region, the latter being encoded by V-J alpha or V-D-J beta rearranged gene segments. To better characterize T cells involved in GVHD, V alpha and V beta gene segment usage was analyzed, after cDNA amplification, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and skin samples from three patients with grade II cutaneous GVHD. At time of GVHD diagnosis (days 11, 22, and 25), when first signs of engraftment were detectable, virtually all V alpha and V beta subfamilies were represented in PBMC RNAs of the three recipients. These results suggest that diversified TCR gene segment expression is observed early after allogenic bone marrow transplantation (alloBMT). Lymphocytes infiltrating GVHD skin also expressed a large series of V alpha and V beta subfamily specificities. However, analysis of the V alpha and V beta amplified products showed substantial differences between PBMC and the skin lymphocyte RNAs. These observations indicate that a large variety of T lymphocytes are present at the disease site, while some of them may be specifically amplified or decreased in response to minor histocompatibility antigens (miHA). Further characterization of the latter T-cell subpopulations should lead to a better understanding of human in vivo responses directed at miHA.

Acute Disease↗

Does malignant small round cell tumor of the thoracopulmonary region (Askin tumor) constitute a clinicopathologic entity? An analysis of 30 cases with immunohistochemical and electron-microscopic support treated at the Institute Gustave Roussy.

The morphology and clinical outcome of 30 patients with malignant small round cell tumors located in the thoracopulmonary region (Askin tumor) are reported. Histologically, all tumors had similar patterns, with small round-to-oval cells and a lobulated stroma. Immunohistochemical analysis always resulted in positive staining for one or several neural markers. No significant differences were found compared with the immunomarkers in 26 typical Ewing's sarcomas located outside the thoracic wall. In three specimens, electron microscopy confirmed the presence of membrane-bound neurosecretory granules. It was confirmed that there is a remarkable similarity among all malignant small round cell tumors, including Askin tumor and Ewing's sarcoma. Overall survival was poor with a 2-year rate of 38% and a 6-year rate of 14%.

Adolescent↗