[A specific marker of thrombolysis: DDE complex]. / Un marqueur spécifique de la thrombolyse: le complexe DDE.

A specific determination of fibrin degradation product (FbDP) is essential for the monitoring of thrombolytic therapy. In patients under thrombolytic therapy, even with tpA (tissue type plasminogen activator) fibrinogen is degraded, and fragment D derived from fibrinogen degradation, is evidenced in the plasma of treated patients. In order to determine specifically the FbDP, even in the presence of fragment D, we take into account the fact that FbDP are complexes such as DDE complex. Therefore a new Elisa technique is proposed. FbDP and fragment D are captured from plasma by immobilized anti D neo monoclonal antibody which recognizes an epitope accessible on fragment D but does not react with undegraded fibrinogen. DDE complexes are then detected specifically using a peroxidase-labelled anti E antibody. The advantage of this technique is discussed in this paper.

Fluorouracil (F), Adriamycin (A), and cisplatin (P) (FAP): combination chemotherapy of advanced esophageal carcinoma.

Twenty-one patients with advanced epidermoid carcinoma of the esophagus were treated with a combination of 5-fluorouracil (F) 600 mg/m2 day 1 and day 8; Adriamycin (A) 30 mg/m2 day 1; and cisplatin (P) 75 mg/m2 day 1 (FAP) with hydration and mannitol-induced diuresis. Each course was repeated every 4 weeks. All 21 patients are evaluable for response: 7 patients had an objective response (33%). Two of these responses were complete remissions according to negative endoscopic and pathologic results; five patients had a partial response; all 7 responding patients had metastasis prior to treatment. Median survival of the 21 patients was 8 months. Median survival of 9 months for responders is superior to 4.5 months for nonresponders. No severe myelosuppression or nephrotoxicity was observed. This FAP regimen is useful in the treatment of advanced esophageal tumors.

[Treatment of advanced epidermoid carcinoma of the oesophagus with combined 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin and cis-platinum (FAP)]. / Traitement de cancers épidermoïdes évolués de l'oesophage par l'association 5 fluoro-uracile, adriamycine et cis-platinum (FAP). Analyse préliminaire de 21 cas.

Twenty-one patients with advanced, inoperable epidermoid carcinoma of the oesophagus were treated with combined 5-fluorouracil (F, 600 mg/m2, days 1 and 8), adriamycin (A, 30 mg/m2, day 1) and cis-platinum (C, 75 mg/m2, day 1), together with hydratation and mannitol-induced diuresis. Each course was repeated after 4 weeks. Response could be assessed in all 21 patients and was objective in seven (33%), who had metastasis prior to treatment. Two of these 7 patients went into complete remission confirmed by negative endoscopy and pathology; 5 showed partial response. Median survival of the 21 patients was 8 months; it fell to 4.5 months in non-responders and rose over 9 months in responders. Three patients survived for more than 16 months. No severe bone marrow depression or nephrotoxicity was observed. The 3-drug combination appeared to be more effective than the additive effects of each drug given separately. It is concluded that the FAP regimen is useful in the treatment of advanced oesophageal tumours.

[Non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma: reliability of "typing" using cyto-enzymatic markers. Comparison with immunological markers (author's transl)]. / Lymphomes malins non hodgkiniens: fiabilité du "typage" par les marqueurs cyto-enzymatiques. Comparaison avec les marqueurs immunologiques.

Comparison between membrane markers and enzyme markers was made in 74 cases of non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphomas and a good correlation appears between both methods in order to distinct lymphomas into T and B origin. Enzyme markers are reliable and provide quickly made and easily interpretable documents. As far as T-lymphomas are concerned, three hydrolases namely acid phosphates e, acid esterase and B-glucuronidase give the same good results. As for B-lymphomas, a specific enzyme marker has to be found. Furthermore, typing of malignant lymphomas by enzymatic and/or immunologic methods appears to be quite better than from morphologic features such as convoluted or cleaved nuclei for example.