20 research outputs found
Risk factors and predictors for tumor site origin in metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown primary site
Emerging treatments for HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer: focus on neratinib
Hampig Raphael Kourie,1 Elie El Rassy,1 Florian Clatot,2,3 Evandro de Azambuja,4 Matteo Lambertini3,4 1Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon; 2Department of Medical Oncology and IRON/U1245, Centre Henri Becquerel, Rouen, France; 3Breast Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, 4Department of Medicine, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium Abstract: Over the last decades, a better understanding of breast cancer heterogeneity provided tools for a biologically based personalization of anticancer treatments. In particular, the overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) by tumor cells provided a specific target in these HER2-positive tumors. The development of the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab, and its approval in 1998 for the treatment of patients with metastatic disease, radically changed the natural history of this aggressive subtype of breast cancer. These findings provided strong support for the continuous research in targeting the HER2 pathway and implementing the development of new anti-HER2 targeted agents. Besides trastuzumab, a series of other anti-HER2 agents have been developed and are currently being explored for the treatment of breast cancer patients, including those diagnosed with early-stage disease. Among these agents, neratinib, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that irreversibly inhibits HER1, HER2, and HER4 at the intracellular level, has shown promising results, including when administered to patients previously exposed to trastuzumab-based treatment. This article aims to review the available data on the role of the HER2 pathway in breast cancer and on the different targeted agents that have been studied or are currently under development for the treatment of patients with early-stage HER2-positive disease with a particular focus on neratinib. Keywords: breast cancer, HER2-positive, neratinib, early-stage, targeted therap
Influence of three different types of physical training programs on bone mineral density in a group of elderly subjects
An Unusual Case of Oral Metastasis from Rectal Adenocarcinoma Precipitated by Iatrogenicity
Influence of Sarcopenia on Bone Health Parameters in a Group of Elderly Lebanese Men
International audienceSarcopenia is a disease characterized by the loss of muscle mass and strength. The aim of the current study was to explore the influence of sarcopenia on bone health parameters in a group of elderly Lebanese men. To do so, we compared bone health parameters (Bone Mineral Content (BMC), Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and femoral neck geometry indices) in a group of elderly men with sarcopenia and a group of elderly men with normal Skeletal Muscle mass Index (SMI). 23 sarcopenic men (SMI 7 kg/m 2) participated in our study. Body composition and bone variables were measured by Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). DXA measurements were completed for the Whole Body (WB), Lumbar spine (L1-L4), Total Hip (TH) and Femoral Neck (FN). Hip geometry parameters including Cross-Sectional Area (CSA), Cross-Sectional Moment of Inertia (CSMI), section modulus (Z), Strength Index (SI) and Buckling Ratio (BR) were derived by DXA. Age and height were not significantly different between the two groups. Weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), lean mass, fat mass, appendicular lean mass, SMI, WB BMC, TH BMD, FN BMD, CSA, CSMI and Z were significantly higher in non-sarcopenic men compared to sarcopenic men. In the whole population , lean mass was the strongest determinant of bone health parameters. After adjusting for lean mass, there were no significant differences regarding bone health parameters between the two groups. In conclusion, the present study suggests that sarcopenia negatively influences bone health parameters in elderly Lebanese men
Relationships Between Muscular Power and Bone Health Parameters in a Group of Young Lebanese Adults
International audienceThe aim of the current study was to explore the relationships between lower limb muscular power and bone variables (bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), hip geometry indices and trabecular bone score (TBS)) in a group of young Lebanese adults. 29 young Lebanese men and 31 young Lebanese women whose ages range between 18 and 32 years participated in this study. Body weight and height were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Body composition and bone variables were measured by DXA. DXA measurements were completed for the whole body (WB), lumbar spine (L2–L4), total hip (TH) and femoral neck (FN). Hip geometry parameters including cross-sectional area (CSA), cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI), section modulus (Z), strength index (SI) and buckling ratio (BR) were derived by DXA. Trabecular bone score was also derived by DXA. Horizontal jump (HJ), vertical jump, vertical jump maximum power, force-velocity maximum power and 20-m sprint performance were measured or calculated by using validated fitness tests. In men, fat mass percentage was negatively correlated to TH BMD, FN BMD, CSA, CSMI, Z and SI. In women, weight, BMI, lean mass and fat mass were positively correlated to WB BMC, CSMI and Z. Regarding physical performance variables, horizontal jump performance and force-velocity maximal power were positively correlated to TH BMD, FN BMD, CSA and Z in men. Vertical jump maximal power was positively correlated to WB BMC in women. 20-m sprint performance was negatively correlated to FN BMD, CSA, Z and SI in men. In conclusion, the current study suggests that force-velocity maximum power is a positive determinant of BMD and hip geometry indices in men but not in women
Characterisation of the inhomogeneity of sol-gel-derived SiO2-CaO bioactive glass and a strategy for its improvement
Sol-gel derived bioactive glasses are one of the most promising materials for bone regeneration. The nanostructure of the glasses is critical regarding their interaction with the physiological environment. Composition is one of the most important factors affecting the nanostructure. In this study, inhomogeneity (a translucent component surrounded by an opaque component) was found within sol-gel derived bioactive glass monoliths (70 mol% SiO2 and 30 mol% CaO) produced by a standard procedure. The nanostructure and composition of the two components were characterised by electron microscopy, nitrogen sorption, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence and solid state nuclear magnetic resonance. Results showed that calcium concentration and nanoscale porosity were much higher in the opaque region than in the translucent component. This is believed to be caused by calcium nitrate accumulation on the outer surface of the monoliths during the drying stage of the sol-gel process. The homogeneity of monoliths was successfully improved by using Teflon moulds. These findings are important for the large scale commercial production of homogeneous sol-gel glasses