Pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 signaling links cognitive impairments and peripheral metabolic alterations in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with memory impairment and altered peripheral metabolism. Mounting evidence indicates that abnormal signaling in a brain-periphery metabolic axis plays a role in AD pathophysiology. The activation of pro-inflammatory pathways in the brain, including the interleukin-6 (IL-6) pathway, comprises a potential point of convergence between memory dysfunction and metabolic alterations in AD that remains to be better explored.

Insulin and leptin as potential cognitive enhancers in metabolic disorders and Alzheimer's disease.

Recent clinical and epidemiological observations point to a correlation between disorders of energy metabolism, such as obesity and diabetes, and cognitive decline and dementia. Many studies indicate that these age-related conditions closely interact with each other, but the underlying molecular and physiological mechanisms for such correlations are largely unknown. Insulin and leptin, hormones classically implicated in diabetes and obesity, are gaining increasing attention for their participation in cognitive processes and memory.

Refining the optimal chemotherapy regimen for good-risk metastatic nonseminomatous germ-cell tumors: a randomized trial of the Genito-Urinary Group of the French Federation of Cancer Centers (GETUG T93BP).

Background: High cure rates are expected in good-risk metastatic nonseminomatous germ-cell tumor (NSGCT) patients with bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin.

Patients And Methods: Patients received either three cycles of BE500P or four cycles of E500P every 3 weeks. Disease was defined according to the Institut Gustave Roussy prognostic model.

Failure of high-dose cyclophosphamide and etoposide combined with double-dose cisplatin and bone marrow support in patients with high-volume metastatic nonseminomatous germ-cell tumours: mature results of a randomised trial.

Objectives: To assess the impact on survival of high-dose chemotherapy with haematopoietic support in patients with high-volume, metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumours.

Methods: One hundred fifteen patients were randomised to receive either four cycles every 21 d of vinblastine (0.2 mg/kg on day 1), etoposide (100 mg/m2/d on days 1 through 5), cisplatin (40 mg/m2/d on days 1 through 5), and bleomycin (30 mg on days 1, 8, and 15) (arm A), or a slightly modified regimen followed by a high-dose chemotherapy including etoposide (350 mg/m2/d on days 1 through 5), cisplatin (40 mg/m2/d on days 1 through 5), and cyclophosphamide (1600 mg/m2/d on days 2 through 5) (arm B).

Financial requirements of immunisation programmes in developing countries: a 2004-2014 perspective.

Vaccines are a key contributor to public health, especially in developing countries. Despite numerous demonstrations of the cost-effectiveness of immunisation, vaccines spending accounted for only 1.7% of the total pharmaceutical market in 2002, when UNICEF estimated that 34 million children were not reached by routine immunisation, most of them in developing countries.

Sequential high-dose chemotherapy protocol for relapsed poor prognosis germ cell tumors combining two mobilization and cytoreductive treatments followed by three high-dose chemotherapy regimens supported by autologous stem cell transplantation. Results of the phase II multicentric TAXIF trial.

Background: High-dose chemotherapy (HD-CT) is able to circumvent platinum resistance of resistant/refractory germ-cell tumors (GCTs), but expectancy of cure remains low. New strategies are needed with new drugs and a sequential approach.

Materials And Methods: Patients with relapsed poor-prognosis GCTs were scheduled to receive two cycles combining epirubicin and paclitaxel (Taxol) followed by three consecutive HD-CT supported by stem cell transplantation [one course combining cyclophosphamide, 3 g/m(2) + thiotepa, 400 mg/m(2), followed by two ICE regimens (ifosfamide, 10 g/m(2), carboplatin, AUC 20, etoposide, 1500 mg/m(2))].

Subcutaneous interleukin-2 and interferon alpha in the treatment of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma-Less efficacy compared with intravenous interleukin-2 and interferon alpha. Results of a multicenter Phase II trial from the Groupe Français d'Immunothérapie.

Background: The main objective of this trial was to evaluate the combination of subcutaneous (SC) interleukin-2 (IL-2) with interferon alpha-2a (IFN-alpha) in the treatment of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (MRCC) compared with a previous trial that used continuous-infusion IL-2 and IFN-alpha with identical schedules and dosages.

Methods: Between April, 1997 and January, 1998, 66 patients with MRCC received SC IL-2 at a dose of 9 x 10(6) IU/m(2) twice daily for 5 days during 2 induction cycles and during 4 additional cycles, with a 3-week rest between cycles. Each induction cycle consisted of two 5-day courses of IL-2 separated by a 9-day break.

Quality of life in long-term survivors of testicular cancer: a population-based case-control study.

Purpose: To evaluate quality of life and social problems in long-term survivors of testicular cancer.

Patients And Methods: In 1998, 71 testicular cancer survivors (cases) identified from the Calvados General Tumor Registry were enrolled onto a case-control study. One hundred nineteen healthy control subjects (controls), matched by age and location of residence, were selected at random from electoral rolls.

[Infection and cancer: general information and specific questions].

The main risk factors of infectious complications in cancer patients result from immune deficiency more or less related to cancer. Prognosis is related to the type and grade of the underlying disease. Prospective studies should be conducted to update data on the frequency of infections, morbidity and mortality (expert agreement).

Health-related quality of life and sequelae in patients treated with brachytherapy and external beam irradiation for localized prostate cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate late physical and psychosocial sequelae in patients treated with an association of external beam irradiation (EBI) and brachytherapy (BT) for localized prostate cancer.

Patients And Methods: Seventy-one patients free of disease, treated at the Centre François Baclesse from 1988 to 1992, were enrolled in a case-control study. Seventy-one healthy controls, matched on age and residence, were selected at random from electoral rolls.

Recombinant human interleukin-2, recombinant human interferon alfa-2a, or both in metastatic renal-cell carcinoma. Groupe Français d'Immunothérapie.

Background: Recombinant human interleukin-2 (aldesleukin) and recombinant human interferon alfa can induce notable tumor regression in a limited number of patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma. We conducted a multicenter, randomized trial to determine the effect of each cytokine independently and in combination, and to identify patients who are best suited for this treatment.

Methods: Four hundred twenty-five patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma were randomly assigned to receive either a continuous intravenous infusion of interleukin-2, subcutaneous injections of interferon alfa-2a, or both.

[Neuroblastoma arising in testicular teratoma].

One case of neuroblastoma arising in an adult immature testicular teratoma is described, with multiple systemic metastases, a partial response to intensive chemotherapy and a swift recurrence leading to death. Such instances of prevailing neuroblastoma with systemic metastases, have only seldomly been reported hitherto. Because of the teratoma and the focal presence of intratubular germ cell neoplasia of unclassified type, we think this tumor must be indeed of germ cell derivation.

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen distribution in verrucous carcinoma of the skin.

Verrucous carcinoma (VC) of the skin is a rare variety of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) characterized by aggressive local growth and a low metastatic potential. These tumours are known to have histological and virological features similar to classic warts or condylomata. The aim of the present study was to map the proliferative compartment in VC (n = 7) in comparison with warts (n = 10) and typical well-differentiated SCC (n = 10).

[Prostatic specific antigen and prostatic pathology. Value of preoperative blood assay. Preliminary study apropos of 709 case reports].

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a prostate tissue marker detected by immunostaining in 97% of specimens examined. Tissue staining is variable and cancers are more heterogeneous than normal or hyperplastic prostate. Serum PSA levels in patients with normal or hyperplastic lesions are 12 ng/ml + 19 and are positively correlated with the weight of the gland.

[Renal toxicity of 9-hydroxy-2-methyl-ellipticinium].

9-hydroxy-2-methyl-ellipticinium (HME) is an intercaling agent mainly potent in metastatic breast cancer. Its almost complete lack of bone marrow toxicity is of greatest value. However, among 385 patients 20 cases of renal failure were observed: renal failure is gradual, non reversible except in four cases with acute renal failure.