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M Namer

Publications and source records attributed to M Namer.

179 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Thymidine labeling index and estrogen receptor level in 64 human breast cancers.

Concurrent assays of labeling index (LI) and estrogen receptors (ER) have been performed in 64 human breast cancers. The dipping method of autoradiography has been used for measurements of LI. The LI values are given as a number per hundred of cell nuclei labeled by tritiated thymidine. ER levels were determined by dextran-coated charcoal method followed by Scatchard analysis, and expressed in femtomoles per milligram of cytosol protein. Tumours with ER greater than or equal to 28 fmol/mg were demonstrating a low LI (less than 2.3%) and come all from patients of age over 50 years. LI and ER values have been compared with clinical data. The best clinical outcome have been found among patients with low LI values (less than 2.3%). Patients with borderline ER values (3 fmol/mg less than ER less than 28 fmol/mg) showed a satisfactory clinical outcome in 88% of cases when LI less than 2.3% and 57% of cases when LI greater than or equal to 2.3%.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Epidermal growth factor receptor assay: validation of a single point method and application to breast cancer.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a 6000 kDa peptide which exerts its biological effects by binding to a specific cell membrane receptor (EGF-R). Extensive studies on EGF-R in breast tumors have demonstrated the prognostic value of such assays. EGF-R measurement is also reportedly potentially useful in other tumors. Classically, the EGF-R content of tumor cell membrane preparations is evaluated by competition between a given concentration of labeled ligand and various concentrations of unlabeled ligand. The large quantity of tumor tissue required (approx. 0.5 g) is a serious limitation for wide-spread use of EGF-R assays. In order to validate a miniaturized EGF-R assay method, the principle of a single-dose technique (SD) using a single concentration of labeled ligand (1 nM) was investigated in the present work. Only 100-150 mg wet tissue were required for routine analysis by the SD method. The correlation between the SD method and Scatchard analysis calculated from 41 different breast carcinoma samples was very satisfactory (r = 0.973, p less than 0.001). Analysis of intra-assay and inter-assay reproducibility revealed a comparable EGF-R status in given samples. The correlation between EGF-R levels and steroid receptors was investigated in 105 individual breast tumors. EGF-R levels were inversely correlated with the estradiol receptor values. No correlation was found with progesterone receptors. The simplified SD method for EGF-R measurement appears suitable for large scale clinical studies aimed at investigating the potential utility of this biological tumor marker.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Systemic blood levels after intra-arterial administration of microencapsulated mitomycin C in cancer patients.

Systemic delivery of mitomycin C (MMC) was studied in 6 patients administered microencapsulated MMC (MMC-mc) by an intra-arterial route (IA): 3 IA liver infusions, 3 IA pelvic infusions. Pharmacokinetic data revealed a lower blood MMC availability (peak plasma levels, AUC 0-4 hours) for the pelvis than for the liver; this was attributed to differences in the blood flow infusion rates at these two sites of administration. Direct comparison of systemic MMC exposure was possible for one patient, who received both IA liver MMC (10 mg in standard form, which served as the control) and IA liver MMC-mc (20 mg the day after). The 65% reduction in MMC-mc bioavailability observed for this patient indicates a quantitative local improvement in exposure to the drug and correlates well with the low incidence of systemic side effects noted in preliminary clinical studies.

Aged↗

The prognostic significance of increasing marker levels in metastatic breast cancer patients with clinically complete remission, partial remission or stable disease.

TPS, CA 15-3 and CEA were determined in metastatic breast cancer patients during treatment. After six months of follow-up the patients were divided into four groups according to the UICC criteria for treatment response. Forty-six patients with a more favorable prognosis (complete remission, partial remission or stable disease) were followed for an extended period. In 30 of the 46 patients at least one marker had increased at the end of the six-month period by at least 25% (TPS in 54%, CA 15-3 in 20%, CEA in 20%). All these 30 patients subsequently developed progression. The prognostic sensitivity was 83%, 30% and 30%, respectively, for TPS, CA 15-3 and CEA. The combination of TPS and CA 15-3 showed a sensitivity of 96%. The median lead time was about 8 months for TPS and CA 15-3, but less than 50% of the patients showed a lead time for CA 15-3 as compared to TPS. We conclude that TPS and CA 15-3 determinations are helpful for the prediction of progression during the follow-up of breast cancer patients.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Prognostic value of S-phase fraction in 920 breast cancer patients: focus on T1N0 status.

The aim of this study was to reexamine the prognostic role of tumor cell kinetics measured by S-phase fraction (SPF) and to establish its clinically relevant threshold values. SPF was determined by flow cytometry in a group of 920 consecutive breast cancer patients, all followed at our institute for 10 years (1988 to 1998). Mean age was 60.5 years (27-89 years). Median follow-up was 63 months (3-150 months). All patients had initial surgical treatment. SPF quartiles were: Q1=3.08%, median value = 5.98%, Q3=10.22%. A significant difference in overall specific survival was obtained between two populations divided by a cutoff at Q1 (p < 0.0001). A multifactorial analysis including SPF and known prognostic factors such as tumor size, node status, histological grade, ER and PR status was performed using the Cox model in a population of 719 patients: univariate analysis showed that each of these factors had significant influence on overall survival. Multivariate analysis selected three of them, ranked by decreasing order of hazard ratio (HR) value: SPF (HR: 3.88, p < 0.001), tumor size (HR: 2.49, p < 0.001) and nodal status (HR: 2.28, p < 0.001). In addition, when tumors were stratified according to SPF quartile values, there were statistically different overall survival curves in patients with small tumors (< 2 cm) and in axillary node-negative patients.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

[Tumor markers in the follow-up of colorectal cancers].

The aim of this work was to review the usefulness of tumour markers in the follow-up of colo-rectal cancers after operation. The carcinoembryonic antigen (CAE) is the most sensitive marker for early detection of relapse. It can be combined with CA 19-9 assay, increasing the sensitivity and specificity of the tests. These assays are useful because one half of the relapsing tumours can be resected leading to a survival rate of 40%. CAE and CA 19-9 must be assayed within 2 months to 2 years after surgery to be effective screening tests. Presently, the widespread use of labelled monoclonal antibodies can, in certain tests, localize recurrent tumours before a second look operations.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

C-erb-B2 gene amplification and serum level of c-erb-B2 oncoprotein at primary breast cancer diagnosis.

We studied c-erb-B2 gene amplification of DNA of primary breast tumours without distant metastasis from 236 women admitted to our institute during 1992. For 125 of them, we had a serum sample at diagnosis, before any treatment. C-erb-B2 gene amplification (> or = 2 copies) was observed in 26% (62/236) of the cases. There was a correlation with higher histological grades (p < 0.03) and with absence of hormone receptors: ER-(p < 0.0001). PgR-(p < 0.0001), association ER- and PgR-(p < 0.0000). Large tumours T3 and T4 taken together tended to present more c-erb B2 gene amplifications (p < 0.08). There was no correlation with age, histological type or nodal status. At diagnosis, mean concentration of serum c-erb-B2 oncoprotein was 8.5 +/- 18 U/ml with a median of 4 U/ml (4-150). Choosing a cut-off value of 8 U/ml gave a sensitivity of 21% (26/125). Serum levels of c-erb-B2 oncoprotein were correlated with tumour spread: large tumours T3-T4 (p < 0.001), nodal involvement (N+) (p < 0.01), association T3-T4 and N+(p < 0.0005), high levels of CA 15:3 (normal value < 25 IU/ml) (p < 0.05). There was no other correlation, particularly with age, histological type, hormone receptors or c-erb-B2 gene amplification. c-erb-B2 oncoprotein serum levels could be helpful to detect recurrences. Assessment of c-erb-B2 oncoprotein serum concentration, before treatment, as an independent prognostic factor is necessary.

Adult↗