Micro-Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (Micro ATR FT-IR) Spectroscopic Imaging with Variable Angles of Incidence.

The control of the angle of incidence in attenuated total reflection (ATR) Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy allows for the probing of the sample at different depths of penetration of the evanescent wave. This approach has been recently coupled with macro-imaging capability using a diamond ATR accessory. In this paper, the design of optical apertures for the micro-germanium (Ge) ATR objective is presented for an FT-IR spectroscopic imaging microscope, allowing measurements with different angles of incidence. This approach provides the possibility of three-dimensional (3D) profiling in micro-ATR FT-IR imaging mode. The proof of principle results for measurements of polymer laminate samples at different angles of incidence confirm that controlling the depth of penetration is possible using a Ge ATR objective with added apertures.

Liposomal cytarabine in the prophylaxis and treatment of CNS lymphoma: toxicity analysis in a retrospective case series study conducted at Polish Lymphoma Research Group Centers.

Lymphomas with primary or secondary involvement of central nervous system (CNS) have poor prognosis despite specific treatment protocols which include whole brain radiotherapy and high-dose systemic and/or intrathecal chemotherapy. Toxicity of intrathecal liposomal cytarabine-based regimens collected between November 2006 and January 2012 was assessed retrospectively. Data from 120 adult lymphoma patients with, or at high risk of CNS involvement who received intrathecal liposomal cytarabine-based regimens at six Polish Lymphoma Research Group centres between November 2006 and January 2012 were assessed retrospectively. Patients were divided into three cohorts: A (high risk of CNS disease, n = 88), B (cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis without neurological symptoms or pathological imaging findings, n = 7), and C (CNS disease/neurological involvement; n = 25). In all examined groups, toxicity of treatment was found to be acceptable (including the prophylactic setting). None of the patients in cohorts A or B who took intrathecal liposomal cytarabine 50 mg, repeated every 2-4 weeks (mean 3.8 doses) had experienced a CNS relapse at a median follow-up time of 3 years. Patients in cohort C had a 76 % overall neurological response rate (including a 40 % complete response rate) and median overall survival of 4.8 years. Regimens incorporating liposomal cytarabine seem to be safe and effective treatments for lymphomas with CNS involvement.

Central nervous system prophylaxis with intrathecal liposomal cytarabine in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas.

INTRODUCTION:  Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is a serious and potentially fatal complication in patients with lymphoma because it is associated with a particularly poor prognosis (median progression­free survival [PFS] of 4-6 months). Although CNS prophylaxis is considered necessary, there are no clear guidelines on identifying high­risk patients or selecting treatment regimen.  OBJECTIVES:  The aim of the study was to assess the safety and efficacy of CNS prophylaxis with intrathecal liposomal cytarabine. PATIENTS AND METHODS:  We analyzed the data of 79 patients (46 men and 33 women; median age, 48.5 years [20-79]) with diffuse large B­cell lymphoma (83.5% of the patients) and primary mediastinal large B­cell lymphoma (16.5%). Patients were treated in the departments of hematology in Kraków and Wroclaw, Poland, between the years 2009-2012. They were considered to be at a high risk of developing CNS involvement associated with a lymphoma. RESULTS:  Adverse reactions after intrathecal liposomal cytarabine were reported in 59 patients (74.7%); in 7 cases, the reactions were severe. The most common side effect was headache (67.1%). During antilymphoma therapy and prophylaxis, the functional status assessed by the Karnofsky score improved in 56 patients (70.9%) and remained unchanged in the remaining cases. A median follow­up time did not exceed 28 months (range, 1.4-52.1); during follow­up, neither median overall survival (OS) nor PFS were reached (projected OS and PFS at 48 months are 86.1% and 90.1%, respectively).  CONCLUSIONS:  Our results encourage the use of intrathecal liposomal cytarabine in CNS prophylaxis in patients with lymphoma.