CD15 (LeuM1) immunoreactivity: Prognostic factor for sporadic and hereditary medullary thyroid cancer?

Patients treated for sporadic and hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) have varying rates of persistent disease, recurrence, and survival. The aim of this study was to correlate the immunoreactivity of the monoclonal antibody CD15 (LeuM1) to initial clinical findings and the outcome of treatment. The primary tumors of 75 patients with sporadic MTC, 7 with hereditary disease, and 3 members of MEN 2A families were studied. Of these subjects 74 (87%) showed no or little immunoreactivity (<15% positive cells; score 0) in most tumors. The remaining 13% had surgery for tumors with more than 15% cells with positive staining (score I). There was no correlation between LeuM1 immunoreactivity and sex, age, and type of MTC. There was, however, a significant correlation with the pTNM classification and UICC staging. The prognosis for patients with score 0 was significantly better than score 1 patients. CD15 immunoreactivity appears to be a predictive factor in sporadic and hereditary MTC. Lymph node dissection seems to be more successful in patients with score 0 tumors than in those with score 1 tumors. The question of reoperation in patients with recurrence of disease (especially with biochemical recurrence or persistence) should be discussed on the basis of CD15 immunoreactivity.

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Resumen Los pacientes tratados para carcinoma medular, esporádico y hereditario, de la glándula tiroides (CMT) exhiben grandes variaciones en las tasas de enfermedad persistente, recidiva y sobrevida. El propósito del presente estudio fue establecer la correlación entre la inmunorreactividad del anticuerpo CD15 (LeuM1) y los hallazgos clínicos iniciales, así como con el resultado final del tratamiento.Se estudiaron los tumores primarios de 75 pacientes con CMT esporádico, de siete con enfermedad hereditaria y de 3 miembros de familias con síndrome NEM2A.Setenta y cuatro pacientes (87%) exhibieron ninguna o muy baja inmunorreactividad (menos de 15% de células positivas; puntaje 0) en la mayoría de los tumores. El 13% restante fue sometido a cirugía por tumores con más de 15% de las células con coloración positiva (puntaje 1). No se evidenció correlación entre la inmunorreactividad LeuM1 y el sexo, edad o tipo del CMT. Sin embargo, sí apareció una correlación significativa con la clasificiación pTNM y la estadificación de la UICC. El pronóstico de los pacientes con puntaje 0 resultó significativamento mejor que el de los pacientes con puntaje 1.La inmunorreactividad CD15 parece ser un factor de predicción de pronóstico en el CMT esporádico y familiar. La disección ganglionar parece ser más exitosa en pacientes con tumores de puntaje 0 que en los que portan tumores con puntaje 1.El interrogante en cuanto a reoperación en pacientes con recidiva de la enfermedad (especialmente cuando hay recidiva o persistencia bioquímica) debe ser considerada con base en la inmunorreactividad CD15.

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Résumé Les taux de maladie persistante, de récidive et de survie chez des patients traités pour cancer médullaire sporadique et héréditaire de la thyroïde (CMT) sont très variables. Le but de cette étude a été de corréler l'immunoréactivité des anticorps monoclonaux CD15 (LeuM1) à des données cliniques initiales et l'évolution finale du traitement des CMT. On a étudié 75 patients ayant un CMT primitif, sept ayant une maladie héréditaire, et trois membres d'une famille MEN 2A. Soixante quatre patients (87%) avaient peu ou pas d'immunoréactivité (moins de 15% de cellules positive: score = 0). Les 13% restants ont eu une chirurgie pour les tumeurs ayant un pourcentage > 15 (score = 1). Il n'y avait aucune corrélation entre l'immunoréactivité LeuM1 et le sexe, l'âge et le type de CMT. Il y avait, en revanche, une corrélation significative entre la classification pTMN et le stage UICC. Le pronostic des patients ayant un score = 0 était significativement meilleur que celui des patients ayant un score = 1. L'immunoréactivité CD15 apparaît comme étant un facteur pronostique des CMT. Le curage lymphatique

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Members and institutions are listed in Table 1.     

Measurement of drug compliance by continuous electronic monitoring: a pilot study in elderly patients discharged from hospital.

OBJECTIVE: A pilot study to assess patient compliance with medication by using a new measurement technique, continuous electronic monitoring. DESIGN: Survey. Compliance monitors were provided to eligible patients at discharge from the hospital to measure drug intake behavior prospectively for a period of 3 weeks. SETTING: Ambulant patient care after discharge from a geriatric hospital, Krankenhaus Bethanien, which is affiliated with the University Clinic, Heidelberg. PATIENTS: A consecutive convenience sample of 18 independently living elderly patients (median age 76 years) completed the study. The patients were on maintenance therapy with cardiac glycosides and/or potassium-sparing diuretics prescribed to be taken once daily. INTERVENTION: The monitoring method provides information about patients' real timing of drug use by continuously recording date and time of openings and closings of the medication containers (monitors). In addition to a standard measure, the percentage of prescribed doses taken, information about regularity of drug use is obtained. RESULTS: Compliance, percentage of prescribed doses taken, was remarkably variable; it ranged from 24% to 100%, 95% CI: 62%-84%. Mean compliance declined from the first to the third week after discharge, 85% vs 69%, 95% CI: 74%-95% and 56%-81%, respectively (P < 0.05). Omissions of doses, the predominant pattern of non-compliance, were observed in 17 of 18 patients. Regularity of dose timing, as defined by the number of interdose intervals within 24 h +/- 15%, varied from 10% to 100%, 95% CI: 46%-76%. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous electronic monitoring revealed highly variable compliance in patients prescribed maintenance therapy. Even with a once-daily regimen, persistent and high compliance cannot be assumed. The monitoring technique may be of great value to research and, possibly, to practical therapeutic management.     

Studies in the radiobiology of osteoradionecrosis and their clinical significance

The radiobiology of osteoradionecrosis is a complex of cellular death and cellular functional impairments from radiation energy transfers. Four studies of irradiated patients and a data base from 536 patients with osteoradionecrosis revealed separate pathophysiologic conditions for osteoradionecrosis induced by early trauma, osteoradionecrosis induced by late trauma, and spontaneous osteoradionecrosis. A large body of data suggested useful clinical guidelines for the management of irradiated patients. The guidelines, in part, include a recommendation for deferring radiation treatment for 21 days after tissue wounding, if possible; a relative contraindication to wounding tissue during a radiation course; a recommendation for the use of hyperbaric oxygen before wounding; and a strong recommendation to provide comprehensive dental care to the irradiated patient.     

Analysis of a protocol for an autologous blood transfusion program for total joint replacement surgery

This retrospective study analysed an autologous blood transfusion program for total joint replacement surgery. A group of 99 patients receiving autologous blood transfusion was compared with a control group of 55 patients. One-unit phlebotomies were done 14 and 7 days before surgery. The whole blood was transfused intraoperatively. Preoperative hemoglobin values were within the normal range for all patient groups except the female autologous blood group for which the mean value was 122 +/- 11.3 g/L. Due to perioperative hemodilution, the postoperative hemoglobin values were substantially lower than preoperative values for all groups. Mean intraoperative blood loss was similar for the autologous and control groups (650 to 750 ml). No adverse reactions were associated with the autologous transfusions and 74% of the autologous group received autologous blood only. From this analysis a 3-week, three-unit preoperative collection was proposed for future use. A standardized protocol will allow logistical ease and implementation of the program for various surgical procedures.     

Élaboration d’un guide d’information SOR SAVOIR PATIENT à l’usage des personnes malades et de leurs proches sur la vie intime et sexuelle pendant et après un cancer : l’étape d’état des lieux

Since 1998, the French National Federation of Comprehensive Cancer Centres (FNCLCC) has led an information program dedicated to patients and their relatives: the SOR SAVOIR PATIENT (SSP) program. The program is provided by the FNCLCC, the twenty French regional cancer centres (CLCC), the National League Against Cancer (LCC), the French National Cancer Institute (INCa), the French Hospital Federation (FHF), the National Oncology Federation of Regional and University Hospitals (FNCCHRU), the French Oncology Federation of General Hospitals (FFCHG), the National Private Hospital Union for Oncology (UNHPC), the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and a large number of learned societies. The methodology of the program adheres to the quality criteria established for publishing documents containing information for patients. Issues related to the sexual health of cancer patients and their partners too often remain underestimated and even completely neglected by health professionals, although healthcare providers are increasingly interested in this area and patients frequently confront them with questions about this aspect of their lives. The development of an SOR SAVOIR PATIENT informational guide on the various issues related to sexuality during and after cancer treatment constitutes a first step in addressing the needs of cancer patients and others concerned. This article describes the first stage in the development of a specific SOR SAVOIR PATIENT guide that focuses on the general availability of informational material in French on the sexual health of patients and their partners during and after cancer treatment.     

Tricyclic antidepressant overdose. A review

Significant advances in diagnosis and management of tricyclic antidepressant overdose have occurred in recent years. This article reviews epidemiologic, pharmacologic, and therapeutic information to provide a systematic approach to these potentially life-threatening overdoses. The tricyclics are discussed as a group, with individual drugs specified when established differences exist.     

Function of the supraspinatus muscle: Abduction of the humerus studied in cadavers

We evaluated the function of the supraspinatus tendon with a dynamic shoulder model. Active glenohumeral joint motion was simulated in 10 cadaveric shoulder specimens with hydrodynamic cylinder forces at the deltoid muscle and at the rotator cuff. Computerized regulation initiated standardized cycles of glenohumeral joint motion, where the isolated effect of the supraspinatus muscle could be studied. The efficacy of the supraspinatus muscle on elevation of the glenohumeral joint was measured with an ultrasonic sensor system. Pressures underneath the coracoa-cromial vault were recorded with capacitive sensors, as an indicator of the impingement at the shoulder. Elimination of force of the supraspinatus muscle led to a 6 percent decrease in elevation of the glenohumeral joint. The deltoid muscle was able to reverse this loss of elevation by a force increase of one third of the lost supraspinatus force. If no force was applied to the supraspinatus muscle, average pressures underneath the coracoacromial vault decreased 8 percent. It was concluded that the supraspinatus produces less torque and more glenohumeral joint compression than the deltoid. However, the supraspinatus has no effect on depression of the humeral head during elevation.

The clinical consequence of our observations is that operative closure of supraspinatus tendon defects is not mandatory.     

The effects of various indwelling ureteral catheter materials on the normal canine ureter

In an attempt to objectively evaluate the biocompatibility of materials commonly used for ureteral stenting, stent-catheters made of four different materials were placed randomly in 31 ureters of 19 mongrel dogs. Animals underwent urography at four weeks and were sacrificed at six weeks. Mild hydronephrosis was noted in eight instances, essentially unrelated to specific material. Silicone, C-flex and polyurethane stents caused a similar, mild degree of ureteral edema, but ureters stented with Silitek demonstrated fairly marked edema. Epithelial ulceration and erosion, often severe, occurred with all polyurethane stents, and rarely with the three other materials. All materials differed statistically from controls, and C-flex caused less reaction overall than polyurethane, indicating differences in biocompatibility of the various materials which may be relevant to their use in patients undergoing long-term ureteral stenting. In practical terms, these suggest that certain materials, notably silicone and C-flex, are more suitable for ureteral stenting than others.