Clinicopathological significance of mitochondrial D-Loop mutations in head and neck carcinoma

Mitochondrial DNA mutations have been reported in several types of tumours, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The noncoding region of the Displacement-Loop (D-Loop) has emerged as a mutational hotspot and we recently found that they were associated with prognosis and response to 5 fluorouracil (5FU) in colon cancers. In order to evaluate the frequence of D-Loop mutations in a large series of HNSCC and establish correlations with clinicopathologic parameters, we sequenced the D-Loop of 109 HNSCC before a treatment by neoadjuvant 5FU-cisplatin-based chemotherapy and surgery. Then, we correlated these mutations with prognosis and response to chemotherapy. A D-Loop mutation was identified in 21% of the tumors, the majority of them were located in a C-tract (D310). The prevalence of D310 mutations increased significantly with the number of cytosines in the matched normal tissue sequence (P=0.02). Hypopharyngeal cancer was significantly more frequent (P=0.03) and tobacco consumption more important (P=0.01) in the group of patients with D-Loop mutation. The presence of D-Loop mutation was not associated with prognosis or with response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These results suggest that D-Loop mutations should be considered as a cancer biomarker that may be useful for the early detection of HNSCC in individuals at risk of this cancer

Sécurité et efficacité de la phacoémulsification combinée à l'implantation de iStent Inject dans le glaucome chronique à angle ouvert associé à une cataracte

International audienceBackground: The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of phacoemulsification combined with iStent Inject® implantation for the treatment of chronic open-angle glaucoma controlled on topical anti-glaucoma medications and associated with cataract. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent phacoemulsification and implantation of an iStent Inject® for chronic open-angle glaucoma associated with cataract. For all patients, pre- and postoperative characteristics, including number of glaucoma medications and intraocular pressure (IOP), were compared using Paired-sample t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, respectively. Postoperative visits were scheduled at 7 days and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Forty-nine eyes of 39 patients were included in the study. Mean preoperative IOP at baseline was 16.3 ± 4.3 mmHg (range, 10-29 mmHg) with a mean of 2.2 ± 1.0 mmHg antiglaucoma medications. At 1 month, the mean IOP reduction was 16% (P < 0.05) along with an 18.7% reduction in the mean number of medications. At 6 months, the mean IOP was 12.8 ± 2.6, with a mean of 1.1 ± 0.9 antiglaucoma medications. The mean IOP reduction at 6 months was 22% (P < 0.05) along with a 49% reduction in the mean number of medications. At 12 months, the mean IOP was 13.8 ± 2.5 with a mean of 1.1 ± 1.2 medications. The mean IOP reduction at 12 months was 15% (P < 0.05) along with a 47% reduction in the mean number of medications. No severe device-related side effects were observed. Conclusions: iStent Inject® implantation combined with phacoemulsification resulted in effective IOP reduction and medication burden in patients with mild to advanced chronic open-angle glaucoma and preoperative IOP well controlled with topical hypotensive medications

Voice assessment after endoscopic laser cordectomy: a prospective study

International audienceObjectives: Endoscopic laser cordectomy is a minimally invasive surgical technique for T1 glottic carcinoma. The purpose of the study was to evaluate prospectively before and 6 months after surgery i) acoustic and perceptual parameters, ii) quality of life through a self evaluation (VHI) test. Methods: This longitudinal study aims to assess voice in 16 male patients, recorded before and at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. Acoustic parameters (F0, Jitter, Shimmer, Maximal and Minimal F0 and Intensity parameters) were recorded with MDVP and Voice Range Profile (Kay Elemetrics) as well as Maximum Phonation Time (MPT) and speech rate. Voices were perceptually evaluated using the GRBAS scale and the self evaluation was conducted with the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Correlations between the different dimensions of voice assessment were measured. Results: Perceptual and self evaluation data had a favorable evolution between 1 and 6 months for all patients. Acoustic parameters improved less significantly especially for type V cordectomie. Conclusions: The quality of voice is a very important criterion for the patients. During the first 6 months after laser cordectomy, the perceptual vocal function and the self evaluation improved. The type of cordectomie will influence the evolution of acoustic and perceptual data but there is no correlation with self-evaluation