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Pierre Morel

Publications and source records attributed to Pierre Morel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Characteristics and outcome of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in hepatitis C virus-positive patients in LNH 93 and LNH 98 Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte programs.

PURPOSE: Epidemiologic studies show an association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) and B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Treatment and outcome of patients with diffuse large-cell lymphoma (DLCL) and HCV infection are still a matter of debate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied the HCV-positive patients with B-cell DLCL included in the Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte (GELA) programs LNH 93 and LNH 98. They were compared with the other patients with DLCL included in these programs. HCV infection prevalence was 0.5% (26 of 5,586 patients). RESULTS: Histologic types of HCV-positive DLCL were more frequently transformed from low-grade lymphoma than DLCL in HCV-negative patients (32% v 6%, P = .02). This is also supported by more frequent spleen involvement in HCV-positive patients (46% v 17%, P < .001). HCV-positive patients had more frequently elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels than other patients (77% v 55%, P = .02). Outcome of HCV-positive patients was poorer for overall survival (P = .02) but not for event-free survival (P = .13). After matching on age and prognosis factors, at 2 years of follow-up, the overall survival was 56% (95% CI, 33% to 76%) among HCV-positive patients, versus 80% (70% to 89%), and the event-free survival was 53% (33% to 72%) versus 74% (64% to 84%). The short-term hepatic toxicity of chemotherapy was strongly increased among HCV-positive patients. After exclusion of the two subjects with chronic hepatitis B virus infection, the overall proportion of subjects undergoing hepatic toxicity was 65% (15 of 23 patients). CONCLUSION: HCV-positive patients with DLCL differ from other patients both at presentation and during chemotherapy. Specific protocols evaluating antiviral therapy should be designed for these patients.

Adult↗

Update on treatment recommendations from the Third International Workshop on Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia.

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a B-cell disorder characterized by the infiltration of lymphoplasmacytic cells into bone marrow and the presence of an IgM monoclonal gammopathy. As part of the Third International Workshop on WM, held October 7 to 10, 2004 in Paris, France, a consensus panel charged with providing treatment recommendations for WM updated its recommendations on both frontline and salvage therapies. The panel considered encouraging results from recent studies that addressed the use of extended-dose rituximab as well as other treatment options: therapy with either nucleoside analogs and alkylator agents, rituximab in combination with nucleoside analogs, nucleoside analogs plus alkylator agents, or combination chemotherapies, such as CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) or cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone. The panel determined that these were reasonable treatment options for WM patients and such therapeutic approaches were likely to yield results that are at least as good as if not better than the currently recommended use of single-agent alkylator, nucleoside analog, or standard-dose rituximab therapy. Such approaches were deemed to be reasonable treatment for WM patients in both the upfront and salvage settings, though randomized studies addressing the efficacy and toxicity of such novel approaches over previously established standard of care options are needed.

Alkylating Agents↗

Update on recommendations for assessing response from the Third International Workshop on Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia.

This report by an international consensus panel updates current recommendations for defining clinical response in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM). The previously published response criteria incorporated parameters for monoclonal protein reduction and/or improvement of marrow and nodal involvement, and included definitions of complete and partial remissions. The criteria have been updated to include minor response and stable disease categories. In addition, the criteria now recognize that delayed responses after treatment with nucleoside analogues and biologic agents and the time point for assessing response in patients with WM should be considered so as to not miss or miscategorize a response. The new criteria should therefore help in better delineating responses to therapy in patients with WM, particularly with the wide use of nucleoside analogues and biologically based agents for this disease.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Synthesis of ortho- and meta-Re(I)-metallocarboranes in water.

A series of metallocarboranes of the types rac-[M(CO)3(eta(5)-7-R-7,8-C2B9H11)]-, rac-[M(CO)3(eta(5)-7-R-8-R'-7,8-C2B9H11)]-, and rac-[M(CO)3(eta(5)-7-R-7,9-C2B9H11)]- (M=Re) were prepared by reacting [NEt4]2[Re(CO)3Br3] or [Re(CO)3(OH2)3]Br with the corresponding carboranes in the presence of aqueous solutions of either alkali metal or tetraalkylammonium fluoride salts. Carborane derivatives that were investigated included those containing pyridine, amino, carboxylic acid, carbohydrate, and aryl substituents. During the course of the research, it was discovered that Re metallocarboranes can be prepared directly from the respective closo-clusters under similar reaction conditions used with nido-carboranes. Reaction yields ranged from modest to excellent depending on the carborane isomer and the nature of the cage substituent(s). A crystal structure of an amine-substituted Re metallocarborane was obtained where the complex crystallized in the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with a=8.982(2) A, b=11.563(3) A, c=16.811(4) A, alpha=beta=gamma=90 degrees, V=1746.1(7) A3, Z=4, and R1=0.0684.

Boron Compounds↗

Immunoglobulin M monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance and indolent Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia recognize the same determinants of evolution into symptomatic lymphoid disorders: proposal for a common prognostic scoring system.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinicohematologic variables at diagnosis that are prognostically related to neoplastic progression in patients with immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance (MGUS), and indolent Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (IWM), and propose a scoring system to identify subsets of patients at different risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated 217 patients with IgM MGUS and 201 with IWM (male-female ratio, 131:86 and 117:84; mean age, 63.7 and 63.6 years, respectively) diagnosed on the basis of serum monoclonal component (MC) levels and bone marrow lymphoplasmacytic infiltration degree. The variables selected by univariate analyses were multivariately investigated; on the basis of their individual relative hazards, a scoring system was devised to identify subsets of patients at different risk of evolution. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 56.1 and 60.2 months, 15 of 217 MGUS and 45 of 201 IWM patients, respectively, required chemotherapy for symptomatic WM (13 and 36), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (2 and 6) and amyloidosis (0 and 3). The median time to evolution (TTE) was not reached for MGUS and was 141.5 months for IWM. The variables adversely related to evolution were qualitatively the same in both groups: MC levels, Hb concentrations and sex. A scoring system based on these parameters identified three risk groups with highly significant differences in TTE in both groups (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: MGUS and IWM identify disease entities with different propensities for symptomatic neoplastic evolution. As both have the same prognostic determinants of progression, we propose a practical scoring system that, identifying different risks of malignant evolution, may allow an individualized clinical approach.

Adult↗

ACVBP versus CHOP plus radiotherapy for localized aggressive lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Chemoradiotherapy is standard treatment for localized aggressive lymphoma. To determine the optimal therapy for nonelderly persons with low-risk localized lymphoma, we conducted a randomized trial comparing chemoradiotherapy with chemotherapy alone. METHODS: Previously untreated patients less than 61 years old with localized stage I or II aggressive lymphoma and no adverse prognostic factors according to the International Prognostic Index were randomly assigned to three cycles of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) plus involved-field radiotherapy (329 patients) or chemotherapy alone with dose-intensified doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vindesine, bleomycin, and prednisone (ACVBP) plus sequential consolidation (318 patients). RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 7.7 years, event-free and overall survival rates were significantly higher in the group given chemotherapy alone than in the group given CHOP plus radiotherapy (P<0.001 and P=0.001, respectively). The five-year estimates of event-free survival were 82 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 78 to 87 percent) for patients receiving chemotherapy alone and 74 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 69 to 78 percent) for those receiving chemoradiotherapy. The respective five-year estimates of overall survival were 90 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 87 to 93 percent) and 81 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 77 to 86 percent). In a multivariate analysis, event-free and overall survival rates were affected by treatment group, independently of tumor stage and the presence or absence of bulky disease. CONCLUSIONS: In patients under 61 years of age, chemotherapy with three cycles of ACVBP followed by sequential consolidation is superior to three cycles of CHOP plus radiotherapy for the treatment of low-risk localized lymphoma.

Adolescent↗

Prognostic validation of the international classification of immunoglobulin M gammopathies: a survival advantage for patients with immunoglobulin M monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance?

PURPOSE: To verify the reliability of the new criteria for the diagnosis of IgM gammopathies recently proposed by an international panel of experts (Athens, 2002). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A retrospective series of 698 patients with IgM gammopathy was reviewed paying attention to symptoms, serum IgM concentration, bone marrow infiltration, blood cell count and clinical course. Four clinical entities can be identified: IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (IgM-MGUS), asymptomatic and symptomatic Wandenstrom's macroglobulinemia (A-WM and S-WM, respectively), and IgM-related disorders, although this last was excluded from the study because of the scarcity of patients due to probable selection biases. The observed mortality was studied related to that expected in the general population of comparable age and sex and over an equivalent period of follow-up (standardized mortality ratio, SMR). RESULTS: IgM-MGUS, A-WM, and S-WM shared many clinical aspects but, with respect to the general population, patients with IgM-MGUS had a slight but definite survival advantage, those with A-WM had a mortality rate equivalent to that of the general population, whereas the SMR of patients with S-WM was 5.4. Within A-WM and S-WM the SMR values did not vary significantly in relation to marrow lymphocyte counts or serum IgM concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings represent a prognostic validation of the applied diagnostic criteria for three of the four identifiable clinical entities and highlight the importance of symptoms over serum IgM concentration and marrow infiltration.

Adult↗

Preparation of Re(I)- and (99m)Tc(I)-metallocarboranes in water under weakly basic reaction conditions.

A new method for the preparation of Re- and (99m)Tc-metallocarboranes in water under mild reaction conditions was developed. Three nido-carborane ligands were reacted with [Re(CO)(3)Br(3)](2)(-) in the presence of aqueous potassium fluoride to give the corresponding eta(5)-Re(CO)(3)-carborane complexes. The use of KF as a base afforded the desired Re-metallocarboranes in good yields while avoiding the formation of Re clusters, which are byproducts commonly observed when reactions are carried out in the presence of strong aqueous bases. The reaction was also performed at the tracer level producing the first (99m)Tc-carborane complex, which was isolated in 80% radiochemical yield following a simple Sep-Pak purification process. The resulting organometallic complex was stable to cysteine and histidine challenges for more than 24 h.

Journal Article↗

Follicular lymphoma international prognostic index.

The prognosis of follicular lymphomas (FL) is heterogeneous and numerous treatments may be proposed. A validated prognostic index (PI) would help in evaluating and choosing these treatments. Characteristics at diagnosis were collected from 4167 patients with FL diagnosed between 1985 and 1992. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to propose a PI. This index was then tested on 919 patients. Five adverse prognostic factors were selected: age (> 60 years vs < or = 60 years), Ann Arbor stage (III-IV vs I-II), hemoglobin level (< 120 g/L vs > or = 120 g/L), number of nodal areas (> 4 vs < or = 4), and serum LDH level (above normal vs normal or below). Three risk groups were defined: low risk (0-1 adverse factor, 36% of patients), intermediate risk (2 factors, 37% of patients, hazard ratio [HR] of 2.3), and poor risk (> or = 3 adverse factors, 27% of patients, HR = 4.3). This Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI) appeared more discriminant than the International Prognostic Index proposed for aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Results were very similar in the confirmation group. The FLIPI may be used for improving treatment choices, comparing clinical trials, and designing studies to evaluate new treatments.

Adult↗

Second cancers and late toxicities after treatment of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma with the ACVBP regimen: a GELA cohort study on 2837 patients.

The survival of patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is increasing, but the incidence of secondary cancer and late toxicity is poorly defined for those treated with cyclophosphamide-hydroxydaunomycin/doxorubicin-Oncovin-prednisone (CHOP)-like chemotherapy. From February 1984 to January 1998, 2837 patients with aggressive NHL received the control-arm chemotherapy adriamycin-cyclophosphamide-vindesine-bleomycin-prednisone (ACVBP) in 3 consecutive Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte (GELA) studies. With a median follow-up time of 74 months, the 5-year overall and event-free survival rates were 60% and 52%. Two hundred two occurrences of nonneoplastic late toxicity were reported, resulting in a 5.35% cumulative probability of incidence at 7 years. Eighty-one second tumors developed, for which the 7-year cumulative incidence rate was 2.75%; 64 were solid tumors, and 17 were hematologic malignancies. In multivariate analysis, age was the only risk factor for the second development of cancer. Epidemiologic analysis allowed a comparison of this NHL group with the general population. Considering all tumors, no excess of second cancer was observed. In the male population, however, there was an excess of lung cancer (standardized incidence ratio [SIR], 2.45; P <.001) and myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myelocytic leukemia (MDS/AML) (SIR, 5.65; P =.006), and in the female population there was an excess of MDS/AML (SIR, 19.9; P <.001). With a long follow-up, the ACVBP regimen was highly effective for the treatment of aggressive NHL. Increases occurred in secondary MDS/AML and in lung cancer among men.

Adolescent↗

Rituximab plus CHOP (R-CHOP) overcomes bcl-2--associated resistance to chemotherapy in elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

In diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the combination of rituximab and CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicine, vincristine, prednisone; R-CHOP) has been shown to be more effective than CHOP for the treatment of elderly patients. Bcl-2 protein expression has been associated with poor prognosis in patients with DLBCL. To establish whether or not rituximab reduces bcl-2-associated treatment failure, we studied bcl-2 protein expression and clinical outcome in patients included in the Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte LNH-98-5 trial. Patients between 60 and 80 years of age were randomized to receive 8 cycles of either CHOP or R-CHOP every 3 weeks. Of the 399 patients included, 292 with histologically proven DLBCL had material available for bcl-2 study. Tumors were considered positive when at least 50% of tumor cells expressed bcl-2 protein. There were 193 (66%) bcl-2+ patients and 99 (34%) bcl-2- patients. The response rates for R-CHOP and CHOP were, respectively, 78% and 60% (P =.01) in bcl-2+ patients and 76% and 73% (P =.7) in bcl-2- patients. At a median of 2 years of follow-up, R-CHOP was significantly associated with a better overall survival than CHOP in bcl-2+ patients (67% +/- 9% versus 48% +/- 11%, P =.004). In bcl-2- patients there was no statistically significant difference (72% +/- 12% versus 67% +/- 14%, P =.6). In addition, R-CHOP was associated with significantly better event-free survival than CHOP in bcl-2+ patients (58% +/- 10% versus 32% +/- 10%, P <.001) but not in bcl-2- patients (60% +/- 13% versus 40% +/- 15%, P =.13). Multivariate analysis confirmed the significant benefit for survival and event-free survival of R-CHOP in bcl-2+ patients. These results suggest that rituximab is able to prevent chemotherapy failure in patients with bcl-2 protein overexpression.

Aged↗

Prognostic markers and criteria to initiate therapy in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia: consensus panel recommendations from the Second International Workshop on Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia.

This presentation represents consensus recommendations on prognostic markers and criteria to initiate therapy in patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM), which were prepared in conjunction with the Second International Workshop held in Athens, Greece during September 2002. The panel recommended that initiation of therapy should not be based on the IgM level per se since this may not correlate with the clinical manifestations of WM. The consensus panel agreed that initiation of therapy was appropriate for patients with constitutional symptoms such as recurrent fever, night sweats, fatigue due to anemia, or weight loss. The presence of progressive, symptomatic lymphadenopathy or splenomegaly provide additional reasons to begin therapy. The presence of anemia with a hemoglobin value of <or= 10 g/dL or a platelet count < 100 x 10(9)/L due to marrow infiltration also justifies treatment. Certain complications such as hyperviscosity syndrome, symptomatic sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy, systemic amyloidosis, renal insufficiency, or symptomatic cryoglobulinemia may also be indications for therapy. Recommendations for follow-up of watch-and-wait patients are that those with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) should have serum protein electrophoresis repeated each year. Patients with asymptomatic (smoldering) macroglobulinemia should be evaluated every 6 months. Regarding prognostic markers, hemoglobin and beta(2)-microglobulin levels at diagnosis are important prognostic markers in WM: they influence the timing of treatment and survival. Age is a consistently important prognostic factor for survival. However, the panel felt that current data are inadequate to support the use of any prognostic marker to select the timing and type of therapy, and called for studies on the application of prognostic markers in WM.

Age Factors↗

Prognostic factors in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia: description of the complications during the evolution-preliminary results on 101 patients.

Data on clinical features observed in patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) during follow-up remain limited. Therefore, we evaluated 860 follow-up procedures in 101 patients. Median age was 66 years and 5-year overall survival 72%, with a median follow-up of 36 months in surviving patients. Sixteen patients presented at diagnosis with two or three cytopenias lasting for at least 3 months (multiple cytopenias [MC]), and MC improved after treatment in eight patients, 4 to 18 months later. MC was observed during at least 6 consecutive months in 23 other patients, 2 to 73 months (median, 24) after diagnosis. MC occurred off-therapy in 12 patients, and on-therapy in 11. Regression occurred in three of the former patients, and in seven of the latter (6 to 24 months after completion of treatment; median, 7). Finally, the 4-year estimated cause-specific cumulative incidence was 40% in the 101 patients. A second malignancy was observed in 11 patients, histological transformation in three, and rapid rise of M-component in only six patients. In conclusion, the present analysis pointed out a high incidence of long lasting MC during the evolution of WM, and a low frequency of rapid rise of M component.

Adult↗

Unexpected formation of an azetidine-carborane derivative by dehydration of N-(1,12-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran-1-yl)formamide. The first X-ray structure of a 2,3-bis(imino)azetidine.

Efforts to dehydrate (1,12-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran(12)-1-yl)formamide (a = 6.685(2) A, b = 12.877(4) A, c = 12.547(4) A, alpha = gamma = 90 degrees, beta = 90.724(11) degrees, V = 1080.8(6) A(3), Z = 4) resulted in the formation of a series of unexpected products. Addition of the Burgess reagent to the formamide, for example, led to the isolation of the corresponding methyl carbamate (a = 11.529(8) A, b = 11.529(8) A, c = 11.402(12) A, alpha = beta = gamma = 90 degrees, V = 1516(2) A(3), Z = 4), while treatment with triphosgene, a well-known dehydrating agent, resulted in the formation of a highly unusual 2,3-bis(p-carboranylimino)azetidine derivative. This particular compound, in the presence of Re(I), was hydrolyzed to give the corresponding amide, which is the first example of a 2,3-bis(imino)azetidine that has been characterized crystallographically (a = 38.496(13) A, b = 11.920(4) A, c = 27.523(10) A, beta = 127.050(5) degrees, V = 10079(6) A(3), Z = 8).

Journal Article↗

Solvent-metal interactions in bis[1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran(12)-1-yl]mercury(II) dichloromethane solvate and bis[1,12-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran(12)-1-yl]mercury(II) tetrahydrofuran solvate.

The title compounds, bis[1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran(12)-1-yl]mercury(II) dichloromethane solvate, [Hg(C(2)B(10)H(11))(2)].CH(2)Cl(2), (I), and bis[1,12-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran(12)-1-yl]mercury(II) tetrahydrofuran solvate, [Hg(C(2)B(10)H(11))(2)].C(4)H(8)O, (II), were prepared in excellent yields using a robust synthetic procedure involving the reaction of HgCl(2) with the appropriate monolithiocarborane. X-Ray analysis of the products revealed strong interactions between the Hg atoms in both complexes and the respective lattice solvent. The distances between the Hg(II) centers and the Cl atoms of the dichloromethane solvent molecule in the ortho-carborane derivative, (I), and the O atom of the tetrahydrofuran molecule in the para-carborane complex, (II), are shorter than the sums of the van der Waals radii for Hg and Cl (3.53 A), and Hg and O (3.13 A), respectively, indicating moderately strong interactions. There are two crystallographically independent molecules in the asymmetric unit of both compounds, which, in each case, are related by differing relative positions of the cages.

Journal Article↗