Prophylactic cranial irradiation in small cell lung cancer: a systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis

PURPOSE: A systematic review of the literature was carried out to determine the role of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) . METHODS: To be eligible, full published trials needed to deal with SCLC and to have randomly assigned patients to receive PCI or not. Trials quality was assessed by two scores (Chalmers and ELCWP). RESULTS: Twelve randomised trials (1547 patients) were found to be eligible. Five evaluated the role of PCI in SCLC patients who had complete response (CR) after chemotherapy. Brain CT scan was done in the work-up in five studies and brain scintigraphy in six. Chalmers and ELCWP scores are well correlated (p < 0.001), with respective median scores of 32.6 and 38.8 %. This meta-analysis based on the available published data reveals a decrease of brain metastases incidence (hazard ratio (HR): 0.48; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.39 - 0.60) for all the studies and an improvement of survival (HR: 0.82; 95 % CI: 0.71 - 0.96) in patients in CR in favour of the PCI arm. Unfortunately, long-term neurotoxicity was not adequately described . CONCLUSIONS: PCI decreases brain metastases incidence and improves survival in CR SCLC patients but these effects were obtained in patients who had no systematic neuropsychological and brain imagery assessments. The long-term toxicity has not been prospectively evaluated. If PCI can be recommended in patients with SCLC and CR documented by a work-up including brain CT scan, data are lacking to generalise its use to any CR situations

Place du ganglion sentinelle dans la prise en charge du melanome.

SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

COX-2 expression during early lung squamous cell carcinoma oncogenesis.

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is implicated in the oncogenesis of many cancers, and COX-2 inhibitors are effective in preventing the development of tumours, such as in colon cancer. Its expression is increased in nonsmall cell lung cancer and is associated with poor prognosis. The present study assessed COX-2 expression in normal bronchial epithelium, as well as in all the putative precursors of squamous cell carcinomas. COX-2 expression was studied by immunohistochemistry in 106 biopsies collected during autofluorescence bronchoscopy in consecutive patients at high-risk for lung cancer. All biopsies corresponding to normal epithelium or low-grade lesions (lesions up to moderate dysplasia) did not show increased COX-2 expression. Lesions were positive for COX-2 in eight out of 14 severe dysplasia patients, eight out of 14 in situ carcinomas and five out of eight invasive carcinomas. A strong statistically significant difference in COX-2 expression was found between normal epithelium or low-grade lesions and high-grade lesions (severe dysplasia or worse). The positive and negative predictive values of COX-2 expression for high-grade lesion were 100% and 82.35%, respectively. In conclusion, bronchial precursors of squamous cell carcinoma showed increased cyclooxygenase-2 expression and were segregated into low- versus high-grade with a high positive predictive value. Thus, cyclooxygenase-2 appears as a potential early marker of squamous cell carcinoma.Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Her-2/neu expression in lung cancer: comparison between immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH)

IASLC congres Vancouver 08/03. Lung Cancer 2003: 41 (S2): S126 (p143).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

COX-2 expression during early lung squamous cell carcinomas oncogenesis.

European Respiratory Society (ERS) Annual Congress, Copenhagen, Denmark, September 2005, Abstract P2915, page 456Sinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Nodules sous-cutanés et nodules pulmonaires excavés

An african 22-year old man consulted because of disseminated subcutaneous nodules which appeared two months ago with an increasing number. He also complained from productive cough, wheezing and dyspnea on exertion. A chest CT-scan revealed multiple cavitated nodular lesions in both lungs.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Does c-erbB-2 play a role in the first steps of lung carcinogenesis?

SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Détection de chromosomes 12 surnuméraires par hybridation in situ fluorescente (FISH) dans des tumeurs stromales ovariennes: Étude de 12 cas et revue de la littérature

SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

A comparison between 2 techniques (immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH)) for Her-2/neu detection in lung cancer

ERS Annual Congress, Vienna, Austria ,September 2003. Eur Resp J. 22 (S45) 361s (2284).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Is there a role of c-erbB-2 in the first steps of lung carcinogenesis?

IASLC Barcelone, July 2005info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe