Radiation recall syndrome in a patient with breast cancer,after introduction of everolimus

The addition of everolimus to exemestane is recommended in patients with HR+ advanced breast cancer with disease recurrence or progression following prior non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors. We report a case of radiation recall syndrome in a breast cancer patient, after introduction of everolimus. A woman with a right breast cancer underwent a mastectomy, then adjuvant chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormonotherapy. In a phase III trial (UNIRAD protocol), she received everolimus 5 months after radiation therapy. Seven days after introduction, she was suffering from a radiation recall syndrome with exacerbation skin reactions. The exact pathophysiological mechanism of radiation recall syndrome is unknown. The combination of radiation therapy and mTor inhibitor, even sequentially, should be done with caution as several cases have already been reported.     

Enquête sur la perception des compétences acquises chez des internes de néphrologie de 3e et 4e années en France

Due to a national theoretical training provided to all resident for many years and the ongoing discussions to change the organization of the resident training of specialized study diploma (SSD) of nephrology, a survey was done to assess the perception of skills acquired in the management of different clinical situations in terms of knowledge, expertise and attitudes. The expected results are intended to identify new training procedures for future nephrologists in France. The study was performed in 112 resident from 3rd and 4th year of nephrology resident training attending an educational seminar of the University College of Nephrology Teachers in May 2014. The survey was conducted with a self-administered anonymous questionnaire to assess the perception of the acquisition of different skills. The results show a heterogeneity acquisition between different areas of skills suggesting possible improvement with development of outpatient activity or with training in specialized units such as for peritoneal dialysis or plasma exchange activity. Therefore, these findings suggest further structuring of the regional training and development of the simulation training to acquire the expertise and attitudes. Finally, the use of an evaluation book of skills acquired throughout the training could be interesting in the context of standardization of validating training of nephrologists as proposed in the reform of the SSD of nephrology.     

Nouvelle perspective de traitement dans le cancer bronchique non à petites cellules (CBNPC). Place de l’afatinib : un inhibiteur oral et irréversible de la famille ErbB

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) that block epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway have demonstrated a clinical benefit for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring EGFR mutations. The currently available TKI (gefitinib and erlotinib) are EGFR reversible inhibitors. Afatinib is an oral, irreversible ErbB family blocker that covalently binds and blocks signaling from EGFR (ErbB1), HER2 (ErbB2) and ErbB4. The compound inhibits also the transphosphorylation of ErbB3. With this mode of action, afatinib is thought to have a mechanistic advantage over EGFR blockade alone, in that it provides a sustained, covalent inhibition of ErbB homo- and hetero-dimers. In the pivotal LUX-Lung 3 study, afatinib demonstrated a prolonged progression free survival over standard pemetrexed plus cisplatin chemotherapy (11.1 versus 6.9 months; HR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.43–0.78; P = 0.001) in EGFR mutation positive NSCLC patients. The compound has recently been granted a marketing authorization (MA) for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with activating EGFR mutation(s) and EGFR TKI-naive. In this paper are summarized the efficacy and safety data in this indication.