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This article discusses a prospective study conducted in France that aimed to evaluate the feasibility of placing fiducial markers under Endoscopy Ultra-Sound (EUS) guidance for the treatment of esophageal or rectal cancers. The study included 33 patients with rectal or esophageal tumors who required radiation therapy. The results showed a high success rate of fiducial marker placement, with no technical failures reported. The procedure was safe, with no adverse events, and the markers remained visible on imaging throughout the course of radiation therapy. Overall, the study highlights the effectiveness and safety of using fiducial markers under EUS guidance for the treatment of these types of cancers. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: The aim is to assess the outcome of patients treated for vaginal carcinoma with radiation therapy in terms of long-term tolerance and survival. Materials and methods: This single-center retrospective study included patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina treated with pelvic external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) with or without vaginal brachytherapy (VB) between 1990 and 2013. Results: Thirty-seven patients were included with stage I (24%), II (60%), III (8%), or IV (8%) vaginal tumors. Median age was 66 years (range 27–86 years). Median tumor size was 4 cm (range 0.7–12 cm). Seven patients underwent first intention surgery. The 37 patients received pelvic EBRT (45 Gy) with inguinal irradiation in 57% of cases. Fifteen (41%) received concurrent chemotherapy. Low-dose supplemental VB was performed in 31 patients (84%) (median dose: 20 Gy). Median follow-up was 59 months (range 7–322 months). Four patients (11%) had late grade 3–4 complications. Relapse occurred in 11 patients (30%), five of them locally. The 5-year relapse-free and cancer-specific survival rates were 68% and 76%, respectively. Surgery and concurrent chemotherapy did not seem to have an impact on the course of the disease. Conclusion: In our experience, pelvic EBRT leads to prolonged survival with acceptable long-term toxicity in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface waves usually dominate the ambient noise above the microseism frequency (∼0.1 Hz). Their dispersion curves are routinely inverted for shear velocity profiles, while their amplitude is often neglected. Amplitude, however, can also carry useful information. We address the problem of predicting Rayleigh wave amplitude anomalies due to the interaction of incident Rayleigh waves with an embedded elastic inclusion (gas reservoir) between 0.5 and 5 Hz. The proposed method is designed for ambient noise applications, so we use multiple time-windows containing signals from randomly excited sources. Using the spectral-element method in the radial-vertical 2-D plane, we show that frequency-dependent spectral anomalies arise at the surface in the vicinity of the inclusion. The anomalies generated by a deep inclusion are enhanced for the overtones because of their deeper penetration. Depending on the wavefield modal content and the complexity of the background model, the anomalies can reach about 20 per cent of the initial power spectral density. For comparison, the anomalies generated by a structural anticline in a realistic sedimentary basin are one order of magnitude higher in our simulations. The Born-based finite-frequency amplitude sensitivity kernels are useful for the interpretation of the results. The anomalies are most sensitive to Vs inside the inclusion, followed by ρ, as expected for surface waves. The sensitivity is concentrated in slow shallow layers when they are present in the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several days of passive seismic broad-band recordings (vertical component) from a dense 3 × 6 km array installed near Chémery (France), with about 100 seismometers, are analysed for wavefield characterization between 0.1 and 3 Hz. Backazimuth is determined by using the Multiple Signal Characterization (MUSIC) algorithm at frequencies below 1 Hz, and non-coherent cross-correlation beamforming above 1 Hz, since the latter is less sensitive to aliasing issues. A novel method of determining the wavefield velocity is introduced, consisting of processing a cross-correlation common-offset gather by the MUSIC algorithm. The fundamental and three higher modes of Rayleigh waves (R0, R1, R2 and R3) are identified under 1 Hz. Above 1.5 Hz, the L g phase is detected, while R0 and R1 are also present. Roughly between 1 and 1.5 Hz, a quicker phase, probably P g, is detected. Both P g and L g are dominant during night time, suggesting they have a natural origin, which is also consistent with their backazimuth pointing towards the Atlantic. Large scale 2-D spectral-element simulations using deep- and shallow-water ocean sources confirm the possibility of the L g phase excitation. Thus, even above 1 Hz, natural sources can explain the major part of the ambient noise energy during quiet time periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cystic fibrosis (CF), one of the most common fatal hereditary disorders, is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator ( CFTR) gene. The CFTR gene product is a multidomain adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) protein that functions as a chloride (Cl) channel that is regulated by intracellular magnesium [Mg]. The most common mutations in CFTR are a deletion of a phenylalanine residue at position 508 (ΔF508-CFTR, 70-80 % of CF phenotypes) and a Gly551Asp substitution (G551D-CFTR, 4-5 % of alleles), which lead to decreased or almost abolished Cl channel function, respectively. Magnesium ions have to be finely regulated within cells for optimal expression and function of CFTR. Therefore, the melastatin-like transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily M, member 7 (TRPM7), which is responsible for Mg entry, was studies and [Mg] measured in cells stably expressing wildtype CFTR, and two mutant proteins (ΔF508-CFTR and G551D-CFTR). This study shows for the first time that [Mg] is decreased in cells expressing ΔF508-CFTR and G551D-CFTR mutated proteins. It was also observed that the expression of the TRPM7 protein is increased; however, membrane localization was altered for both ΔF508del-CFTR and G551D-CFTR. Furthermore, both the function and regulation of the TRPM7 channel regarding Mg is decreased in the cells expressing the mutated CFTR. Ca influx via TRPM7 were also modified in cells expressing a mutated CFTR. Therefore, there appears to be a direct involvement of TRPM7 in CF physiopathology. Finally, we propose that the TRPM7 activator Naltriben is a new potentiator for G551D-CFTR as the function of this mutant increases upon activation of TRPM7 by Naltriben. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Over the past few years, data have suggested that severe peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) is associated with nilotinib exposure. However, the characteristics of this adverse drug reaction are poorly described since its frequency is low. As far as we know, no study using a spontaneous adverse drug reactions reporting system was performed to describe the characteristics of cases of PAOD related to nilotinib.Objective: We performed a study to describe the cardiovascular risk profile of cases of PAOD in patients treated with nilotinib spontaneously reported to the French Pharmacovigilance Database (FPVD).Patients/methods: We selected all cases of "vascular disorders," as the System Organ Class in MedDRA®, in which nilotinib was "suspected" and recorded in the French Pharmacovigilance Database between 2007 and 21 October 2014. We then identified cases of PAOD with a Low Level Term and through a detailed summary of the clinical description.Results: We identified 25 cases of POAD. Most of the patients were older than 60 years (84 %) or had another cardiovascular risk factor such as hypercholesterolemia, arterial hypertension, overweight/obesity, smoking, or diabetes mellitus (72 %). Females (13 cases) and males (12 cases) were equally represented, but the presence of cardiovascular risk factors was more frequent in females than in males. The mean time from initiation of nilotinib to PAOD onset was 24 months and was significantly longer in patients aged less than 60 years compared with those aged over 60 years (33.8 ± 24.6 months vs. 22.6 ± 17.5 months, p = 0.002). Pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors, especially diabetes mellitus, also seem to accelerate its occurrence.Conclusions: The FPVD is a useful tool in describing the cardiovascular risk profile of patients with PAOD during nilotinib exposure. Physicians have to be particularly vigilant in patients older than 60 years of age; in patients younger than 60 years of age, long-term surveillance has to be maintained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Oncologie (Tech Science Press) is the property of Tech Science Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Oncologie (Tech Science Press) is the property of Tech Science Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background:To compare the accuracy of five major risk stratification systems (RSS) in classifying the risk of recurrence and nodal metastases in early-stage endometrial cancer (EC).Methods:Data of 553 patients with early-stage EC were abstracted from a prospective multicentre database between January 2001 and December 2012. The following RSS were identified in a PubMed literature search and included the Post Operative Radiation Therapy in Endometrial Carcinoma (PORTEC-1), the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG)-99, the Survival effect of para-aortic lymphadenectomy (SEPAL), the ESMO and the ESMO-modified classifications. The accuracy of each RSS was evaluated in terms of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and nodal metastases according to discrimination.Results:Overall, the ESMO -modified RSS provided the highest discrimination for both RFS and for nodal metastases with a concordance index (C-index) of 0.73 (95% CI, 0.70-0.76) and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.80 (0.78-0.72), respectively. The other RSS performed as follows: the PORTEC1, GOG-99, SEPAL, ESMO classifications gave a C-index of 0.68 (0.66-0.70), 0.65 (0.63-0.67), 0.66 (0.63-0.69), 0.71 (0.68-0.74), respectively, for RFS and an AUC of 0.69 (0.66-0.72), 0.69 (0.67-0.71), 0.68 (0.66-0.70), 0.70 (0.68-0.72), respectively, for node metastases.Conclusions:None of the five major RSS showed high accuracy in stratifying the risk of recurrence or nodal metastases in patients with early-stage EC, although the ESMO-modified classification emerged as having the highest power of discrimination for both parameters. Therefore, there is a need to revisit existing RSS using additional tools such as biological markers to better stratify risk for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) is one of the most important predictors of nodal involvement and recurrence in early stage endometrial cancer (EC). Despite its demonstrated prognostic value, LVSI has not been incorporated into the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) classification. The aim of this prospective multicentre database study is to investigate whether it may improve the accuracy of the ESMO classification in predicting the recurrence risk.Methods: Data of 496 patients with apparent early-stage EC who received primary surgical treatment between January 2001 and December 2012 were abstracted from prospective multicentre database. A modified ESMO classification including six risk groups was created after inclusion of the LVSI status in the ESMO classification. The primary end point was the recurrence accuracy comparison between the ESMO and the modified ESMO classifications with respect to the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).Results: The recurrence rate in the whole population was 16.1%. The median follow-up and recurrence time were 31 (range: 1-152) and 27 (range: 1-134) months, respectively. Considering the ESMO modified classification, the recurrence rates were 8.2% (8 out of 98), 23.1% (15 out of 65), 25.9% (15 out of 58), and 45.1% (28 out of 62) for intermediate risk/LVSI-, intermediate risk/LVSI+, high risk/LVSI-, and high risk/LVSI+, respectively (P<0.001). In the low risk group, LVSI status was not discriminant as only 7.0% (14 out of 213) had LVSI+. The staging accuracy according to AUC criteria for ESMO and ESMO modified classifications were of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.68-0.74) and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.71-0.77), respectively.Conclusions: The current modified classification could be helpful to better define indications for nodal staging and adjuvant therapy, especially for patients with intermediate risk EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) is one of the most important predictors of nodal involvement and recurrence in early stage endometrial cancer (EC). Despite its demonstrated prognostic value, LVSI has not been incorporated into the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) classification. The aim of this prospective multicentre database study is to investigate whether it may improve the accuracy of the ESMO classification in predicting the recurrence risk.Methods:Data of 496 patients with apparent early-stage EC who received primary surgical treatment between January 2001 and December 2012 were abstracted from prospective multicentre database. A modified ESMO classification including six risk groups was created after inclusion of the LVSI status in the ESMO classification. The primary end point was the recurrence accuracy comparison between the ESMO and the modified ESMO classifications with respect to the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).Results:The recurrence rate in the whole population was 16.1%. The median follow-up and recurrence time were 31 (range: 1-152) and 27 (range: 1-134) months, respectively. Considering the ESMO modified classification, the recurrence rates were 8.2% (8 out of 98), 23.1% (15 out of 65), 25.9% (15 out of 58), and 45.1% (28 out of 62) for intermediate risk/LVSI−, intermediate risk/LVSI+, high risk/LVSI−, and high risk/LVSI+, respectively (P<0.001). In the low risk group, LVSI status was not discriminant as only 7.0% (14 out of 213) had LVSI+. The staging accuracy according to AUC criteria for ESMO and ESMO modified classifications were of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.68-0.74) and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.71-0.77), respectively.Conclusions:The current modified classification could be helpful to better define indications for nodal staging and adjuvant therapy, especially for patients with intermediate risk EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:To externally validate and assess the robustness of two nomograms to predict the recurrence risk of women with endometrial cancer (EC).Methods:Using an independent, multicentre external patient cohort we assessed the discrimination and calibration of two nomograms - the 3-year isolated loco-regional (ILRR) and distant (DR) recurrence nomograms - in women with surgically treated stage I-III EC.Results:Two hundred and seventy one eligible women were identified from two university hospital databases and the Senti-Endo trial. The median follow-up and initial recurrence time were 38.1 (range: 12-69) and 22.0 (range: 8.3-55) months, respectively. The overall recurrence rate was 13.8% (37 out of 271). Predictive accuracy according to the discrimination was 0.69 (95% CI, 0.58-0.79) and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.60-0.71) for the 3-year ILRR and DR nomograms, respectively. The correspondence between observed recurrence rate and the nomogram predictions suggests a moderate calibration of the nomograms in the validation cohort.Conclusion:The nomograms were externally validated and shown to be partly generalisable to a new and independent patient population. The tools need to be improved by including information on the lymph node status and adjuvant therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minimal residual disease (MRD) quantification is widely used for therapeutic stratification in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A robust, reproducible, sensitivity of at least 0.01% has been achieved for IG/TCR clonal rearrangements using allele-specific quantitative PCR (IG/TCR-QPCR) within the EuroMRD consortium. Whether multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) can reach such inter-center performance in ALL MRD monitoring remains unclear. In a multicenter study, MRD was measured prospectively on 598 follow-up bone marrow samples from 102 high-risk children and 136 adult ALL patients, using IG/TCR-QPCR and 4/5 color MFC. At diagnosis, all 238 patients (100%) had at least one suitable MRD marker with 0.01% sensitivity, including 205/238 samples (86%) by using IG/TCR-QPCR and 223/238 samples (94%) by using MFC. QPCR and MFC were evaluable in 495/598 (83%) samples. Qualitative results (<0.01% or 0.01%) concurred in 96% of samples and overall positivity (including <0.01% and nonquantifiable positivity) was concurrent in 84%. MRD values 0.01% correlated highly (r2=0.87) and 69% clustered within half-a-log10. QPCR and MFC can therefore be comparable if properly standardized, and are highly complementary. MFC strategies will benefit from a concerted approach, as does molecular MRD monitoring, and will contribute significantly to the achievement of 100% MRD informativity in adult and pediatric ALL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myeloproliferative neoplasms are frequently associated with aberrant constitutive tyrosine kinase (TK) activity resulting from chimaeric fusion genes or point mutations such as BCR-ABL1 or JAK2 V617F. We report here the cloning and functional characterization of two novel fusion genes BCR-RET and FGFR1OP-RET in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) cases generated by two balanced translocations t(10;22)(q11;q11) and t(6;10)(q27;q11), respectively. The two RET fusion genes leading to the aberrant activation of RET, are able to transform hematopoietic cells and skew the hematopoietic differentiation program towards the monocytic/macrophage lineage. The RET fusion genes seem to constitutively mimic the same signaling pathway as RAS mutations frequently involved in CMML. One patient was treated with Sorafenib, a specific inhibitor of the RET TK function, and demonstrated cytological and clinical remissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Imatinib mesylate is the sole BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved as first-line treatment of accelerated-phase (AP) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Indication was based on the STI571 0109 study, in which imatinib favorably compared to historical treatments in patients failing prior therapies. The relevance of these results to currently newly diagnosed AP-CML patients remains unknown. We evaluated the benefit of imatinib in 42 newly diagnosed AP-CML patients. In all, 16 patients had hematological acceleration without chromosomal abnormalities in addition to the Philadelphia chromosome (ACAs; HEM-AP), 16 solely had ACAs (ACA-AP) and 10 had hematological acceleration plus ACAs (HEM-AP+ACA). Major cytogenetic responses were achieved in 93.7% of HEM-AP patients, 75% of patients with ACA-AP (P=NS) and 40% of patients with HEM-AP+ACA (P=0.0053). The 24-month failure-free survival rate was 87.5% in HEM-AP patients, 43.8% in ACA-AP patients and 15% in HEM-AP+ACA patients (P=0.022). The 24-month estimate of progression-free survival was 100% in HEM-AP patients, 92.8% in ACA-AP patients and 58.3% in HEM-AP+ACA patients (P=0.0052). In conclusion, frontline imatinib allows favorable outcomes in HEM-AP and ACA-AP patients but appears insufficient for patients with HEM-AP+ACA. Broader-target and/or more potent BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors alone or in combination may be considered in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Oncologie (Tech Science Press) is the property of Tech Science Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To study potential role of smoking and alcohol in lymphoid neoplasms (LN). A case–control study that included 824 cases and 752 hospital controls aged 18–75 years was conducted. Cases were newly diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s or Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or lymphoproliferative syndrome (LPS). Controls were matched with the cases by gender, age, and center. Overall, smoking was not related to LN. However, average tobacco consumption tended to be inversely related to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), LPS, and the hairy cell leukemia (HCL) subtype, with a significant negative trend for the latter (OR of 0.4, 0.2, 0.1 for consumptions of ≤10, 11–20, >20 cig/day). An inverse association between ‘ever drinking’ and Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL: OR = 0.5 [0.3–0.8]) and NHL (OR = 0.7 [0.5–1.0]) was evidenced and restricted to the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma subtype, with significant negative trends. The controls’ smoking and drinking habits were similar to those of French population. The results remained unchanged after adjustment for potential confounding factors and when smoking and drinking were both included in the models. Results are consistent with those of several previous studies and suggest a direct or indirect protective effect of smoking with respect to HCL although based on small numbers. The negative relationship between alcohol consumption and Hodgkin’s and NHL, also previously reported, needs further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented which offers a study on the effectiveness of influenza immunization in lessening the risk of lymphoid neoplasms.

Fifty-four percent of adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who entered the LALA-94 trial experienced a first relapse. We examined the outcome of these 421 adult patients. One hundred and eighty-seven patients (44%) achieved a second complete remission (CR). The median disease-free survival (DFS) was 5.2 months with a 5-year DFS at 12%. Factors predicting a better outcome after relapse were any transplant performed in second CR (P<0.0001), a first CR duration >1 year (P=0.04) and platelet level >100 × 109/l at relapse (P=0.04). Risk groups defined at diagnosis and treatment received in first CR did not influence the outcome after relapse. The best results were obtained in a subset of patients who were eligible for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Geno-identical allogeneic SCT was performed in 55 patients, and 3 patients received donor lymphocyte infusions. Forty-four transplantations were performed from an unrelated donor (of which four were cord blood). We conclude that most adult patients with recurring ALL could not be rescued using current available therapies, although allogeneic SCT remains the best therapeutic option.Leukemia (2007) 21, 1907–1914; doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2404824; published online 5 July 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Oncologie (Tech Science Press) is the property of Tech Science Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Oncologie (Tech Science Press) is the property of Tech Science Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and t(1;19)/E2A-PBX1 or t(4;11)/MLL-AF4 have a poor outcome. We have evaluated the impact of an intensified post-remission therapy using a high-dose chemotherapy course followed by allogeneic or autologous SCT on the outcome of 58 patients with t(1;19)/E2A-PBX1 (E2A group, n=24) or t(4;11)/MLL-AF4 (MLL group, n=34) treated in the LALA-94 multicenter prospective study. Patients in the MLL group had higher WBC counts and more frequent DIC. CR rates achieved by MLL and E2A groups were similar to other B-cell ALL (87, 82 and 86% respectively). While in CR, patients with a donor were assigned to alloSCT (n=22), the remaining patients with were randomized between autoSCT (n=15) or chemotherapy (n=8). Five-year overall survival was 31 and 45% for E2A and MLL groups, respectively. In both groups, DFS was higher in the alloSCT arm as compared to autoSCT and chemotherapy arms. The results of this study show that chemotherapy intensification did not overcome the poor prognosis of adults with t(1;19)/E2A-PBX1. Allogeneic SCT should thus be offered in first CR to patients with t(1;19)/E2A-PBX1 or t(4;11)/MLL-AF4. New therapeutic approaches are needed for patients without donor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the elderly is characterized by its ominous prognosis. On the other hand, imatinib has demonstrated remarkable, although transient, activity in relapsed and refractory Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL), which prompted us to assess the use of imatinib in previously untreated elderly patients. ALL patients aged 55 years or older were given steroids during 1 week. Ph+ve cases were then offered a chemotherapy-based induction followed by a consolidation phase with imatinib and steroids during 2 months. Patients in complete response (CR) after consolidation were given 10 maintenance blocks of alternating chemotherapy, including two additional 2-month blocks of imatinib. Thirty patients were included in this study and are compared with 21 historical controls. Out of 29 assessable patients, 21 (72%, confidence interval (CI): 53–87%) were in CR after induction chemotherapy vs 6/21 (29%, CI: 11–52%) in controls (P=0.003). Five additional CRs were obtained after salvage with imatinib and four after salvage with additional chemotherapy in the control group. Overall survival (OS) is 66% at 1 year vs 43% in the control group (P=0.005). The 1-year relapse-free survival is 58 vs 11% (P=0.0003). The use of imatinib in elderly patients with Ph+ ALL is very likely to improve outcome, including OS.Leukemia (2006) 20, 1526–1532. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2404320; published online 13 July 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway has recently been shown to be crucial to the establishment of leukemic stem cells in chronic myeloid leukemia. We sought to determine whether β-catenin was correlated to clonogenic capacity also in the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) setting. Eighty-two patients were retrospectively evaluated for β-catenin expression by Western blot. β-Catenin was expressed (although at various protein levels) in 61% of patients, and was undetectable in the remaining cases. In our cohort, β-catenin expression was correlated with the clonogenic proliferation of AML-colony forming cells (AML-CFC or CFU-L) in methylcellulose in the presence of 5637-conditioned medium, and more strikingly with self-renewing of leukemic cells, as assessed in vitro by a re-plating assay. In survival analyses, β-catenin appeared as a new independent prognostic factor predicting poor event-free survival and shortened overall survival (both with P<0.05). Furthermore, variations in β-catenin protein levels were dependent on post-transcriptional mechanisms involving the Wnt/β-catenin pathway only in leukemic cells. Indeed, β-catenin negative leukemic cells were found to increase β-catenin in response to Wnt3a agonist in contrast to normal counterparts. Altogether, our data pave the way to the evaluation of Wnt pathway inhibition as a new rationale for eradicating the clonogenic pool of AML cells.Leukemia (2006) 20, 1211–1216. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2404239; published online 11 May 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imatinib combined with high-dose chemotherapy is now becoming the gold standard for treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute leukemias. However, in all studies imatinib dosage was tapered to 400–600 mg per day. We decided to initiate a clinical trial to evaluate an opposite strategy based on high-dose imatinib (800 mg per day) combined with a less intensive chemotherapeutic regimen (vincristine and dexamethasone), which we called the DIV induction regimen. Thirty-one patients (18 relapsing or refractory Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemias and 13 lymphoid blast crisis chronic myelogenous leukemias) were enrolled. Complete remission (CR) was obtained in 28 out of 30 assessable patients. The median bcr-abl/abl ratio after the induction course was 0.1%. Median time to neutrophil recovery was 21 days. Fungus infections were observed in six patients out of 31 and possibly related to dexamethasone. Neuropathy due to vincristine was noted in 14 cases. Nine out of 19 patients under 55 years received allogenic stem cell transplantation after a median time of 78 days post-CR. Patients older than 55 years experienced a 90% CR rate without additional toxicities, suggesting the DIV regimen may also be proposed as a front line therapy in older patients.Leukemia (2006) 20, 400–403. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2404115; published online 26 January 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the results of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in a large population of adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in first complete remission (CR), we performed an individual data-based overview of the last three trials from the LALA group. Overall, 349 patients with ALL prospectively randomized in the consecutive LALA-85, -87, and -94 trials to receive either ASCT or chemotherapy as post-CR treatment were analyzed. Eligibility criteria were 15–50-year-old patients without sibling donors in both LALA-85/87 trials and 15–55-year-old patients with high-risk ALL and no sibling donors in the LALA-94 trial. Intent-to-treat analysis, which compared 175 patients from the ASCT arm to 174 patients from the chemotherapy arm, showed that ASCT was associated with a lower cumulative incidence of relapse (66 vs 78% at 10 years; P=0.05), without significant gain in disease-free or overall survival. Despite a possible lack of statistical power, a nested case–control analysis performed in 85 patient pairs adjusted for time to transplant and prognostic covariates confirmed these intent-to-treat results in patients actually transplanted. Of interest, the reduced relapse risk after ASCT translated in better disease-free survival in the 300 rapid responders who reached CR after the first induction course.Leukemia (2006) 20, 336–344. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2404065; published online 15 December 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internal tandem duplications (ITDs) of the FLT3 gene have been observed in about 35% of APL cases. If FLT3-ITD is associated with a worse outcome in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in general, its prognostic value in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is still a matter of debate. We investigated incidence, associated clinical features, and prognostic implication of FLT3-ITD, but also FLT3-D835 point mutation and N-Ras or K-Ras mutations in 119 APL patients, all prospectively enrolled in the two consecutive APL-93 and APL-2000 trials. Mutation incidences were 38, 20, and 4%, for FLT3-ITD, FLT3-D835, and Ras, respectively. The presence of FLT3-ITD was associated with high white blood cell count, high Sanz index, M3-variant subtype, and V/S PML-RARα isoforms. Complete remission (CR), induction death, and death in CR rates were not affected by FLT3 or Ras mutations, as well as cumulative incidence of relapse. However, a trend for a shorter overall survival (P=0.09) was observed in FLT3-ITD patients, because of a very poor postrelapse survival (P=0.02). This feature, which has been also reported in patients with AML in general, is suggestive of an underlying genetic instability in FLT3-ITD patients, leading to the acquisition of additional unknown bad-prognosis gene mutations at relapse.Leukemia (2005) 19, 1153–1160. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2403790 Published online 12 May 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromosomal translocations with breakpoints in T-cell receptor (TCR) genes are recurrent in T-cell malignancies. These translocations involve the TCRadgene (14q11), the TCRßgene (7q34) and to a lesser extent the TCR?gene at chromosomal band 7p14 and juxtapose T-cell oncogenes next to TCR regulatory sequences leading to deregulated expression of those oncogenes. Here, we describe a new recurrent chromosomal inversion of chromosome 7, inv(7)(p15q34), in a subset of patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia characterized by CD2 negative and CD4 positive, CD8 negative blasts. This rearrangement juxtaposes the distal part of the HOXA gene cluster on 7p15 to the TCRßlocus on 7q34. Real time quantitative PCR analysis for all HOXA genes revealed high levels of HOXA10 and HOXA11 expression in all inv(7) positive cases. This is the first report of a recurrent chromosome rearrangement targeting the HOXA gene cluster in T-cell malignancies resulting in deregulated HOXA gene expression (particularly HOXA10 and HOXA11) and is in keeping with a previous report suggesting HOXA deregulation in MLL-rearranged T- and B cell lymphoblastic leukemia as the key factor in leukaemic transformation. Finally, our observation also supports the previous suggested role of HOXA10 and HOXA11 in normal thymocyte development.Leukemia (2005) 19, 358-366. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2403657 Published online 27 January 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With improved treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) by all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) combined to anthramyelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML, non-APL) occurring cy-cline-aracytin chemotherapy (CT), a larger number of those patients may be at risk of late complications. Recently, the Rome group reported five cases of during the course of 77 APL patients (6.5%) in complete remission (CR). From 1991 to 1998, we treated 677 newly diagnosed cases of APL, and 617 of them achieved CR with ATRA combined to CT (n = 579) or CT alone (n = 38); 246 of them received subsequent maintenance CT with 6 mercapto-purine and methotrexate. With a median follow-up of 51 months, 6 patients (0.97%) developed MDS, 13-74 months after the diagnosis of APL. In all six cases, t(15;17) and PML-RARalpha rearrangement were absent at the time of MDS diagnosis, and karyotype mainly showed complex cytogenetic abnormalities involving chromosomes 5 and/or 7, typical of MDS observed after treatment with alkylating agents, although none of the six patients had received such agents for the treatment of APL. Our findings suggest that MDS can indeed be a long-term complication in APL, although probably at lower incidence than that previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a case of Sweet's syndrome associated with retinoic acid syndrome in a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Sweet's syndrome appeared on day 6 of ATRA therapy for promyelocytic leukemia. It was associated with a mild retinoic acid syndrome, an inflammatory syndrome occurring in 25% of patients treated with ATRA and characterized by features of capillary leakage with systemic inflammatory signs. The ATRA therapy was discontinued for 11 days and treatment with corticosteroids improved the systemic and cutaneous signs. Only 11 cases of Sweet's syndrome associated with ATRA have been previously reported in the literature, involving only the skin in eight cases, the skin and muscles in two cases, and the lung, kidney, fascia, and muscles in one case. Sweet's syndrome was followed by retinoic acid syndrome in one of these cases. The previously reported cases are reviewed, and the mechanisms of Sweet's and retinoic acid syndromes and the link between them are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the efficacy of interferon therapy in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the elderly. Evaluation on the pattern of relapses; Clearance of leukemic cells; Determination of disease-free survival.

The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of stem cell transplantation (SCT) mainly autologous SCT as consolidation therapy in APL patients who relapsed and achieved a second complete remission (CR2). Fifty adult patients with a first relapsed APL, of whom 39 had been previously treated with ATRA, entered a multicenter trial of oral ATRA until complete remission (CR) achievement followed by timed sequential chemotherapy (EMA combining etoposide 200 mg/m2/day for 3 days, mitoxantrone 12 mg/m2/day for 3 days, and cytarabine 500 mg/m2/day for two sequences of 3 days). EMA was started either after CR achievement, or on day 1 of ATRA because of initial white blood cell (WBC) counts >5 x 10(9)/l, or rapidly added to ATRA in order to prevent ATRA syndrome because WBC count increased under ATRA. Forty-five patients (90%, 95% CI 78%-97%) were in CR after induction therapy. Five patients died from infection during aplasia following EMA chemotherapy. Eleven patients who achieved CR had a familial HLA-identical donor and were allografted. The median disease-free survival (DFS) of allografted patients was 8.2 months. The 34 other CR patients were scheduled for autologous peripheral blood (PB) SCT (intent-to-treat group). Actually, autologous transplantation was only carried out in 22 patients (65%) (17 PBSCT and five autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT)). Reasons for not autografting were early relapse (three patients), severe toxicity of EMA chemotherapy (six patients), and refusal or failure of stem cell harvest (three patients). The 3-year DFS rate of patients actually autografted was 77%. Among the 17 autografted patients still in CR2, nine patients have already reached a longer CR2 than first CR (CR1). Results of detection of PML/RARalpha by RT-PCR after autologous transplantation show negative findings in eight of the nine patients tested. We conclude that (1) ATRA combined to EMA chemotherapy is effective in the treatment of relapsed APL; (2) allogeneic BMT may be too toxic after salvage treatment including EMA intensive chemotherapy; (3) clinical outcome of autografted patients and preliminary molecular results regarding detection of PML/RARalpha after autologous PBSCT are encouraging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known and objective Salivary glands tumours are rare neoplasms for which there are few clinical trials. The most common malignant parotid tumour is the mucoepidermoid carcinoma. High-grade mucoepidermoid carcinomas are highly aggressive tumours. The initial therapy of localized disease is known, but when there is a recurrence, several options are possible and chemotherapy is generally reserved for palliative treatment. We comment on published guidelines and report a case of sustained remission with docetaxel. Case summary Our case concerns a 64-year-old woman with a high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland with local recurrence treated with docetaxel 50 mg/m² every 15 days. After the sixth cycle, a complete remission was observed on CT-scan. The tolerability was excellent. After 2 years of docetaxel, the patient was still in complete remission. What is new and conclusion Docetaxel is an active drug for the treatment of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of salivary glands. A prospective study should confirm these data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uptake of MIBG, a scintigraphic agent widely used in the detection of APUD tumors, was studied with a pharmacological approach on an in vitro and an in vivo models. MIBG as well as norepinephrine (NE) was taken up by human blood platelets, a model for presynaptic nerve endings amine uptake, with a thermodependant mechanism. MIBG and NE uptake was inhibited by desimipramine and reserpine. However, MIBG but not NE uptake was inhibited by fluvoxamine, a serotonin (5HT) uptake inhibitor. This suggests that MIBG is a NE and also a 5HT uptake tracer which involves uptake one and vesicular storage mechanisms. In rats treated with 6-hydroxydopamine to induced a chemical sympathectomy, we observed an inhibition of uptake similar for MIBG and NE in the heart, the salivary glands and the spleen, but no effect was observed in the liver. Some clinical inferences to best investigate specific monoamine uptake are drawn from these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the mechanism of uptake of meta-iodobenzylguanidine (mIBG) by the adrenal glands, autoradiographic and pharmacologic studies were performed in mice and dogs receiving radioiodinated mIBG. In mice, on macroautoradiography of whole body sections 48 h afterI-mIBG, most of the radioactivity was focused in the adrenal glands. On microautoradiography, silver grains were exclusively located in the adrenal medulla. Tissue counting after phenoxybenzamine, cocaine, and desipramine treatment resulted in 45%, 35%, and 0% inhibition of mIBG uptake, respectively. Tissue counting and scintigraphic studies demonstrated a more than 50% mIBG release from the adrenal glands after reserpine. These data indicate the high affinity of mIBG for adrenal medulla and suggest that the mIBG and catecholamine uptake mechanisms are only partially the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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