[Prevalence and management of pain in patients with metastatic cancer in Franche-Comté].

Introduction: Pain management is a major public health problem, especially in oncology. In order to assess professional practice, the IRFC-FC conducted a survey amongst patients with metastatic osteophilic solid tumor in Franche-Comté. The aims were to assess the pain prevalence, and its characteristics, its management and its impact on patients' quality of life in patients in pain.

Age, Neurological Status MRC Scale, and Postoperative Morbidity are Prognostic Factors in Patients with Glioblastoma Treated by Chemoradiotherapy.

Introduction: Temozolomide and concomitant radiotherapy followed by temozolomide has been used as a standard therapy for the treatment of newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiform since 2005. A search for prognostic factors was conducted in patients with glioblastoma routinely treated by this strategy in our institution.

Methods: This retrospective study included all patients with histologically proven glioblastoma diagnosed between June 1, 2005, and January 1, 2012, in the Franche-Comté region and treated by radiotherapy (daily fractions of 2 Gy for a total of 60 Gy) combined with temozolomide at a dose of 75 mg/m(2) per day, followed by six cycles of maintenance temozolomide (150-200 mg/m(2), five consecutive days per month).

[Economic assessment of the routine use of Oncotype DX® assay for early breast cancer in Franche-Comte region].

Oncotype DX® has been validated as quantifying the likelihood of distant recurrence at 10 years and overall chemotherapy benefit in patients with estrogen-receptor-positive and HER-2-negative early breast cancer. In 2012, this genomic signature was routinely available for patients in Franche-Comté, France. Patients eligible for Oncotype DX(®) testing had a ER-positive, HER-2-négative early breast cancer with a nodal involvement limited to 0 or 1 positive-node without extracapsular spread; an adjuvant chemotherapy was indicated based on usual prognostic factors.

Organizing medical oncology care at a regional level and its subsequent impact on the quality of early breast cancer management: a before-after study.

Background: One of the main measures of the French national cancer plan is to encourage physicians to work collectively, and to minimize territorial inequities in access to care by rethinking the geographical distribution of oncologists. For this reason, cancer care services are currently being reorganized at national level. A new infrastructure for multidisciplinary cancer care delivery has been put in place in our region.

Long-term follow-up of patients with metastatic breast cancer treated by trastuzumab: impact of institutions.

Purpose: Trastuzumab in Human Epidermal growth Receptor 2-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) was established as standard therapy since 2001. The objective of this study was to search for significant prognostic factors in patients with HER2+ MBC treated by trastuzumab taking into account the institution where the treatment was given.

Patients & Methods: All patients with HER2+ MBC treated by trastuzumab between 2001 and 2010 in the 8 hospitals of Franche Comte region were analysed.

Study design: two long-term observational studies of the biosimilar filgrastim Nivestim™ (Hospira filgrastim) in the treatment and prevention of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.

Background: Nivestim™ (filgrastim) is a follow-on biologic agent licensed in the EU for the treatment of neutropenia and febrile neutropenia induced by myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Nivestim™ has been studied in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials where its efficacy and safety was found to be similar to its reference product, Neupogen®. Follow-on biologics continue to be scrutinised for safety.

Discordances in estrogen receptor status, progesterone receptor status, and HER2 status between primary breast cancer and metastasis.

Background: The primary aim of this retrospective study was to investigate intraindividual correlation of estrogen receptor (ER) status, progesterone receptor (PR) status, and HER2 status between primary breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer (mBC). Secondary aims included patients' characteristics, overall survival, feasibility of histopathological evaluation in the metastatic setting, and predictive factors associated with receptors status discordance.

Methods: Patients with either biopsy of metastatic relapse or surgery of metastasis were identified.

Chemoradiation in anaplastic thyroid carcinomas.

Background: ATC represents 1-2% of all thyroid carcinomas. Median survival is poor (3-10 months). Our goal is to update recommendations for RT in the context of new irradiation techniques.

Is extracapsular tumour spread a prognostic factor in patients with early breast cancer?

Background: This study searched for extra capsular tumour spread (ECS) as a prognostic factor for recurrence in terms of Disease Free Survival (DFS) and Overall Survival (OS).

Patients And Methods: For this study, from a retrospective database of the Doubs cancer registry, 823 eligible women with node positive breast cancer treated from February 1984 to November 2000 were identified. The following factors were evaluated: ECS, numbers of involved nodes, histological tumour grade, tumour size, status of estrogen and progesterone receptors, and age of patient.

Management of anemia in advanced breast and lung cancer patients in daily practice: results of a French survey.

Introduction: The purpose of this French survey was to evaluate the adherence to the guidelines (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer [EORTC]; American Society of Clinical Oncology [ASCO]; French Standards, Options, and Recommendations [SOR]; European Society of Medical Oncology [ESMO]; Food and Drug Administration [FDA]; and National Comprehensive Cancer Network [NCCN]) for the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in the management of chemotherapy- induced anemia for patients with advanced breast and lung cancers.

Methods: Two-hundred patients were recruited for each malignancy. The collected items were characteristics of ESA initiation, treatment, adjustment, and discontinuation.

Incidence and risk factors of anemia in patients with early breast cancer treated by adjuvant chemotherapy.

Background: The study's objective was to assess the predictive factors of anemia induced by chemotherapy in early breast cancer patients.

Patients And Methods: Patients treated by adjuvant or neo-adjuvant anthracyclin-based regimens with or without taxanes between 1998 and 2006 in a French university hospital were studied. Chemotherapy included.

Myotax: a phase II trial of docetaxel plus non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin as first-line therapy of metastatic breast cancer previously treated with adjuvant anthracyclines.

Aim: Non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (NPLD) has demonstrated equivalent antitumour activity to conventional doxorubicin and a significantly lower risk of cardiotoxicity when given as a single agent or in combination with cyclophosphamide. This phase II trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of NPLD and docetaxel combination in patients with metastatic breast cancer previously exposed to adjuvant anthracyclines.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-four patients received NPLD 60 mg/m(2) and docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) in a 21-day cycle as first-line therapy of metastatic breast cancer.

[Follow-up in patients with early breast cancer].

Breast cancer incidence remains the highest among gynaecologic neoplasms. Once they have achieved their treatments, patients should undergo careful follow-up. It aims at detecting early local recurrence or controlateral breast cancer.

Cabazitaxel: a novel microtubule inhibitor.

The development of drug resistance is a major obstacle to effective cancer therapy. Several agents are in clinical development with the goal of overcoming resistance. Among them is cabazitaxel, a semisynthetic taxoid that is able to overcome a common mechanism of resistance that limits the efficacy of other chemotherapeutic agents, including the older taxanes.

[Locally advanced head and neck cancers: recommendations of an expert panel and perspectives for the use of TPF regimen (docetaxel, cisplatin and fluoro-uracil) as induction therapy].

Purpose: The purpose of the present article was to evaluate indications, regimens, treatment modalities, and predictive factors of response to treatment in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

Methods: An expert panel including otolaryngology and head and neck surgery specialists, oncologists, radiotherapists and biologists analyzed the literature providing a synthesis and giving some recommendations.

Synthesis: Findings from the main randomized phase III trials highlight that the TPF regimen (docetaxel, cisplatin, fluorouracil) represent a preferential option when induction chemotherapy is indicated in either operable or non-operable patients.

Cetuximab in combination with irinotecan/5-fluorouracil/folinic acid (FOLFIRI) in the initial treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer: a multicentre two-part phase I/II study.

Background: This study was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor cetuximab combined with irinotecan, folinic acid (FA) and two different doses of infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the first-line treatment of EGFR-detectable metastatic colorectal cancer.

Methods: The 5-FU dose was selected on the basis of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) during part I of the study. Patients received cetuximab (400 mg/m2 initial dose and 250 mg/m2/week thereafter) and every 2 weeks irinotecan (180 mg/m2), FA (400 mg/m2) and 5-FU (either low dose [LD], 300 mg/m2 bolus plus 2,000 mg/m2 46-hour infusion, n = 7; or, high-dose [HD], 400 mg/m2 bolus plus 2,400 mg/m2; n = 45).

[Edifice program: analysis of screening exam practices for cancer in France].

Introduction: The practices of screening and the parameters influencing these practices are not well known in France. The objectives of the Edifice study were to analyze a large cohort of patients and doctors in order to further characterize these parameters.

Patients And Methods: The study was performed by the Institute TNS Healthcare-SOFRES, and included 2 parallel studies: 1) on 1 609 healthy persons representative of the global French population and aged 40 to 75 years (N = 1 509), with an over representation of patients aged 50 to 74 years living in the 22 pilot French departments pilots; 2) on 600 generalist practitioners.

Breast cancer screening in France: results of the EDIFICE survey.

Background: The EDIFICE survey aimed to investigate the compliance of the general population to the screening tests available in France for the 4 most common cancers: breast, colorectal, prostate and lung. Implementation of breast cancer screening has been generalized in France since 2003: women aged between 50 and 74 years are systematically invited to perform a mammography every second year. Results pertaining to breast cancer are reported hereafter.

Impact of organised programs on colorectal cancer screening.

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening has been shown to decrease CRC mortality. Organised mass screening programs are being implemented in France. Its perception in the general population and by general practitioners is not well known.

Cancer screening in France: subjects' and physicians' attitudes.

Objective: Since screening for cancer has been advocated, funded, and promoted in France, it is important to evaluate the attitudes of subjects in the general population and general practitioners (GPs) toward cancer screening strategies.

Methods: EDIFICE is a nationwide opinion poll that was carried out by telephone among a representative sample of 1,504 subjects living in France and aged between 40 and 75 years and among a representative sample of 600 GPs. The questionnaire administered to subjects queried about previous screening for cancer.

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity and the IVS14+1G>A mutation in patients developing 5FU-related toxicity.

Aims: To examine retrospectively the relationship between DPD phenotype/genotype and the intensity of 5FU toxicity.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-one case-reports (81 women, 50 men) with 5FU-related toxicity were analyzed.

Results: The lower the DPD activity (10-504 pmol min(-1) mg(-1)), the higher the toxicity grade was scored (P < 0.

Weekly combination of docetaxel and vinorelbine in metastatic breast cancer: a phase I/II study.

Objective: A phase I/II study was carried out to determine the recommended dose (RD) and to assess the efficacy and safety of a weekly docetaxel-vinorelbine combination in advanced breast cancer (ABC) patients.

Methods: Twenty-four female patients with histologically proven ABC received intravenous vinorelbine (20 min) followed by intravenous docetaxel (1 h) on days 1, 8 and 15 of a 4-week cycle. Starting doses were 20 mg/m2 docetaxel and 15 mg/m2 vinorelbine.

Dose-finding study of weekly 24-h continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil associated with alternating oxaliplatin or irinotecan in advanced colorectal cancer patients.

Purpose: To determine maximum tolerated dose, safety and efficacy of weekly 24 h infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) combined alternately with oxaliplatin and irinotecan.

Patients And Methods: Advanced colorectal carcinoma patients in first- or second-line chemotherapy received increasing doses of 5-FU (weekly 24 h continuous intravenous infusion without leucovorin) on days 1, 8, 15 and 22, irinotecan days 1 and 15; and oxaliplatin days 8 and 22, every 35 days.

Results: Thirty-four patients received 175 cycles.

Pemetrexed disodium in recurrent locally advanced or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

This phase II study determined response rate of patients with locally advanced or metastatic head and neck cancer treated with pemetrexed disodium, a new multitargeted antifolate that inhibits thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyl transferase. 35 patients with local or metastatic relapse of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (31 male, 4 female; median age 53 years) were treated with pemetrexed 500 mg m(2)administered as a 10-minute infusion on day 1 of a 21-day cycle. Patients received 1 to 8 cycles of therapy.