[Targeted therapies in digestive oncology]. / Thérapies ciblées en oncologie digestive.

Targeted therapies are relatively new molecules available for the oncologist. These drugs target a specific step of the cellular development and interfere with the intracellular signalization pathways. Amongst all others, EGF- and VEGF-pathways are currently targeted by these selective therapies. Modulating EGF and VEGF significantly improves overall survival and progression-free survival for many advanced or metastatic tumors as colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumors or hepatocellular carcinoma. Targeted therapies have a specific action site, a simple administration mode and are relatively well tolerated. In the future these molecules will probably be used "à la carte" for tumors that appear to be refractory to other drugs.

Quality control of the latex-fixation test.

Standardization of the latex-fixation test for the detection of rheumatoid factor may be achieved by the preparation of a standard reference serum. A number of guidelines for the quality control of precision and sensitivity of the test are suggested. In the use of dilution procedures, a 0.1 log10 or a 0.05 log10 difference between tubes is employed. The end point is defined and titer expressed in terms of a final dilution represented by the amount of antigen-antibody added. For statistical purposes all serologic data are geometrically expressed. Commercial kits may be standardized in terms of minimum detectable units and normalized for titer and unit values to enable laboratories to compare results.

The use of a decremental dose regimen in patients treated with a chronic low-dose step-up protocol for WHO Group II anovulation: a prospective randomized multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: In women with chronic anovulation, the choice of the FSH starting dose and the modality of subsequent dose adjustments are critical in controlling the risk of overstimulation. The aim of this prospective randomized study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a decremental FSH dose regimen applied once the leading follicle was 10-13 mm in diameter in women treated for WHO Group II anovulation according to a chronic low-dose (CLD; 75 IU FSH for 14 days with 37.5 IU increment) step-up protocol. METHODS: Two hundred and nine subfertile women were treated with recombinant human FSH (r-hFSH) (Gonal-f) for ovulation induction according to a CLD step-up regimen. When the leading follicle reached a diameter of 10-13 mm, 158 participants were randomized by means of a computer-generated list to receive either the same FSH dose required to achieve the threshold for follicular development (CLD regimen) or half of this FSH dose [sequential (SQ) regimen]. HCG was administered only if not more than three follicles >or=16 mm in diameter were present and/or serum estradiol (E(2)) values were <1200 pg/ml. The primary outcome measure was the number of follicles >or=16 mm in size at the time of hCG administration. RESULTS: Clinical characteristics and ovarian parameters at the time of randomization were similar in the two groups. Both CLD and SQ protocols achieved similar follicular growth as regards the total number of follicles and medium-sized or mature follicles (>/=16 mm: 1.5 +/- 0.9 versus 1.4 +/- 0.7, respectively). Furthermore, serum E(2) levels were equivalent in the two groups at the time of hCG administration (441 +/- 360 versus 425 +/- 480 pg/ml for CLD and SQ protocols, respectively). The rate of mono-follicular development was identical as well as the percentage of patients who ovulated and achieved pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the CLD step-up regimen for FSH administration is efficacious and safe for promoting mono-follicular ovulation in women with WHO Group II anovulation. This study confirms that maintaining the same FSH starting dose for 14 days before increasing the dose in step-up regimen is critical to adequately control the risk of over-response. Strict application of CLD regimen should be recommended in women with WHO Group II anovulation.

[HIV virus detection in ejaculates collected at different times in seropositive patients]. / Recherche du virus VIH dans des éjaculats recueillis à des temps variables de sujets séropositifs.

Ejaculates from 22 seropositive males were collected at various times 1 to 11 ejaculates for each in one year period of time. After fractionation, no virus is detected in mobile and living spermatozoa. Moreover, HIV is not always found in all ejaculates from the same patient.

[Study of HIV localization in sperm]. / Etude de la localisation du VIH dans le sperme.

The aim of the study was to investigate the presence and the localization of HIV in human ejaculate and its different components. Sixty-three ejaculates from 19 HIV-positive patients have been studied. By using cellular as well as molecular biology methods, we never detected HIV in living and mobile spermatozoa although we sometime found the virus in seminal liquid and in nuclear fractions. Up to date, frozen sperms free of HIV particles from 11 HIV-positive male partners were used to inseminate safely and with success the 11 HIV-negative female partners (no female partner as well as babies contamination). In conclusion, our procedure of HIV-free spermatozoa screening allowed discordant couples to have HIV-negative descendants. In contrast to the natural coïtus in ovulated period or to insemination with washed spermatozoa that are really "Russian roulette", our procedure ensure a total security of no contamination for the pregnant mother.