[Glioblastoma treatment in 2010]. / Traitement des glioblastomes à l'aube de 2010.

The treatment of glioblastomas requires a multidisciplinary approach because despite the progresses in surgical and iconographic managements associated with research knowledge this disease presently remains incurable and progresses during the 6 months after its diagnose. Current recommendations are that patients with glioblastoma should undergo maximum surgical resection followed by concurrent radiation and chemotherapy with the alkylating drug temozolomide, followed subsequently by additional adjuvant temozolomide for a period of up to 6 months. Temozolomide mechanism of action is complex and we have recently evidenced a temozolomide-associated anti-angiogenic activity in vitro and in vivo on preclinical human glioblastoma models. We describe in the current review the temozolomide-associated antiangiogenic activity. We also describe here the major signaling pathways that can be constitutively activated in migrating glioma cells, and which render these cells resistant to proapoptotic insults such as conventional chemotherapies. In light of this resistance, we therefore describe the targeted therapies and local drug delivery systems which could be used to complement conventional treatments. We have reviewed more than 400 ongoing clinical trials with respect to these new targeted therapy approaches alone or in combination for glioblastoma therapy and we also emphasize the importance of vaccinotherapy. We conclude our review with a therapeutic model that could be used in the light of the present knowledge.

[Sotos syndrome: follow-up of a case with precocious puberty]. / Sindrome di Sotos: follow-up di un caso con pubertà anticipata.

Sotos syndrome is a rare disorder of statural overgrowth in children. Peculiar facies, pre- and post-natal overgrowth and advanced bone age are the main clinical findings; developmental delay may be present. The Authors report a case of Sotos syndrome followed until adult height and describe the pattern of growth. The girl showed the typical findings of the syndrome together with premature pubarche and premature pubertal development. Since precocious puberty determines an increase of growth during childhood, the Authors suggest that Sotos syndrome should be considered and excluded in girls with premature pubertal development.