Compact thermal imager: a flight demonstration of infrared technology for Earth observations.

During 2019, an infrared camera, the compact thermal imager (CTI), recorded 15 million images of the Earth from the International Space Station. CTI is based on strained-layer superlattice (SLS) detector technology. The camera covered the spectral range from 3 to 11 µm in two spectral channels, 3.3-5.4 and 7.8-10.7 µm. Individual image frames were 26×21km2 projected on the ground, with 82 m pixel resolution. A frame time of 2.54 s created continuous image swaths with a 13% along-track image overlap. Upper limits determined on the ground and in flight for the electronic offset, read noise, and dark current demonstrated the stability of the SLS detector and camera over many months. Temperature calibration was established using a combination of preflight and in-flight measurements. A narrowband approximation of temperature as a function of photon counts produced an analytic relationship covering a temperature range of 0°-400°C. Examples of CTI images illustrate temperature retrievals over sea ice, urban and agricultural areas, desert, and wildfires.

Randomized phase III trial of edatrexate versus methotrexate in patients with metastatic and/or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Head and Neck Cancer Cooperative Group study.

PURPOSE: To compared the response rates and the toxicity of the new antifolate edatrexate (EDX) with that of methotrexate (MTX) in a randomized trial in patients with metastatic or recurrent squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCC) and to compare the durations of response and survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred seventy-three patients with SCC were randomized to receive either EDX or MTX as a weekly intravenous (IV) bolus injection. Doses of EDX were initially 80 mg/m2/wk, but because of the toxicity, this was later reduced to 70 mg/m2/wk. MTX was administered at a dose of 40 mg/m2/wk throughout. In both arms, two dose increments of 10% were scheduled in case of no toxicity. RESULTS: Of 264 eligible patients, 131 were treated with EDX and 133 with MTX. There were five treatment-related deaths: four on EDX and one on MTX. Overall, toxicity was similar in both arms; however, stomatitis, skin toxicity, and hair loss were more pronounced on the EDX arm. The overall response rate was 21% (six complete responses [CRs] and 21 partial responses [PRs]) for EDX and 16% (nine CRs and 12 PRs) for MTX (P = .392). Responses were mainly seen in patients with locoregional disease. Tumors that originated from the hypopharynx responded poorly in comparison to tumors from other sites. The median duration of response was 6.1 months for EDX and 6.4 months for MTX (log-rank P = .262). There was no difference in overall or progression-free survival. The median survival duration was 6 months on both treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both EDX and MTX are moderately active against SCC. In this large phase III study, response rates, time to treatment failure, and overall survival appeared to be similar for both antifolates. However, EDX had more side effects than MTX and therefore cannot be recommended for routine palliative treatment of patients with SCC.

Tetracosactrin vs. methylprednisolone in the prevention of emesis in patients receiving FEC regimen for breast cancer.

0.5 mg tetracosactrin is considered to be equivalent to 40 mg methylprednisolone with regard to the induced cortisol secretion. 97 female breast cancer patients who received their first two FEC courses (epirubicin 50-75 mg/m2, 5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2) entered this randomised crossover study (76 had previously received an adjuvant treatment); tetracosactrin was administered intramuscularly and methylprednisolone intravenously immediately before chemotherapy administration. The tolerability was evaluated using a diary card during 5 days and patients were asked for their preference at the end of the two cycles. There was no difference either for vomiting (dry heaves were included) or nausea between the two treatments (the analysis was performed on day 1, the worse day of days 2 and 3 and the worse day of days 4 and 5). At day 1, 49% of the patients experienced no or mild nausea after tetracosactrin and 62% after methylprednisolone (not significant) (first period analysis); a complete control of vomiting (including dry heaves) was observed in 49% of the patients after tetracosactrin and 53% after methylprednisolone (not significant). No difference was observed between patients with or without previous chemotherapy. However, slightly more patients preferred tetracosactrin (P = 0.048).

Phase II study of pirarubicin (THP) in patients with cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancer: study of the Clinical Screening Group of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC).

From 1986 to 1990, a multicentric phase II study was conducted with pirarubicin, a new semi-synthetic anthracyclin[4'-O-tetrahydropyranyl-adriamycin (THP)]. 87 patients with advanced gynaecological cancers were treated: epidermoid cervical carcinoma (n = 31), adenocarcinoma of the endometrium (n = 28) and ovarian adenocarcinoma (n = 28). THP was administered by short intravenous infusion, for 3 consecutive days, every 3 weeks. The initial dose of THP was 25 mg/m2 day (25% of patients) which was then reduced to 20 mg/m2 day. The average number of courses was 3.7 (range 1-10). The cumulative THP dose was 180 mg/m2 (range 56-594) in cervix and endometrial tumours and 121 mg/m2 (range 58-425) in ovarian tumours. Myelosuppression was the major observed toxicity with grade 3-4 leukopenia and thrombocytopenia in 62 and 19% of the patients, respectively. Severe general complications occurred in 6% of the patients with three fatalities due to infections. Gastro-intestinal side-effects were frequent and usually mild (7% of grade 3 vomiting). 48% of the patients showed alopecia, which was complete in 9 cases (10%). 3 patients experienced cardiac events. No significant antitumoral activity was observed in patients who had failed to respond to previous chemotherapy. Promising antitumoral activity was noticed in untreated cervico-uterine carcinomas with 19% partial responses and 12% complete responses (CR). THP activity was lower in endometrial carcinomas (9.5% CR). Results were found to be negligible in ovarian cancer patients, most of them being refractory to previous chemotherapy containing an anthracyclin compound. On the basis of these results, the definite role of THP in gynaecological cancers deserves to be studied in more favourable programmes (e.g. in combined protocols as first-line chemotherapy).

A double-blind, randomised comparison of the anti-emetic efficacy of two intravenous doses of dolasetron mesilate and granisetron in patients receiving high dose cisplatin chemotherapy.

This multicentre, double-blind, double-dummy, randomised trial was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of single intravenous doses of dolasetron mesilate and granisetron in the prevention of acute emesis and nausea due to high-dose (> or = 80 mg/m2) cisplatin. Single intravenous doses of 1.8 or 2.4 mg/kg of dolasetron mesilate or 3 mg of granisetron hydrochloride were administered in a volume of 50 ml over a 5-min period, beginning 30 min prior to cisplatin (> or = 80 mg/m2) administration. The number and timing of emetic episodes, time to administration of escape anti-emetic medication, severity of nausea by visual analogue scale (VAS), and safety were monitored for 24 h after the start of cisplatin-containing chemotherapy. Investigators' evaluations of overall efficacy and patients' satisfaction with therapy were recorded at the end of the 24-h study period. Of the 474 patients evaluable for efficacy, complete responses were achieved by 54, 47 and 48% of patients given dolasetron mesilate 1.8 mg/kg, dolasetron mesilate 2.4 mg/kg and granisetron, respectively. Statistically, treatment groups had comparable complete and complete plus major responses, times to first emesis, and use of escape medication; patient maximum nausea severity and treatment satisfaction ratings; and physician nausea severity and overall efficacy assessments. For the majority of efficacy endpoints, 1.8 mg/kg dolasetron mesilate produced numerically superior responses compared with the 2.4 mg/kg dose. Gender and prior chemotherapy were significant predictors of complete response; males and chemotherapy-naive patients had higher responses. The overall incidences of adverse events were comparable among the treatment groups; headache and diarrhoea were most common. In conclusion, 1.8 and 2.4 mg/kg of dolasetron mesilate and granisetron (3 mg) were equally effective in preventing nausea and vomiting induced by highly emetogenic cisplatin-containing chemotherapy. In addition, because no additional benefit was observed with 2.4 mg/kg of dolasetron mesilate and numerically greater responses were observed with the 1.8 mg/kg dose, the lower dose of 1.8 mg/kg is optimal for further clinical development.

Drug resistance in oncology: from concepts to applications.

The complex problem of drug resistance is discussed with respect to host toxicity, to tumor characteristics (kinetic resistance, heterogeneity of cell subpopulations, hypoxia, mutation and gene amplification), and to the medication itself (pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic resistance: cell membrane, intracellular metabolism, intracellular target). After detailing each type of resistance, the possibilities of fighting against drug resistance are explored (dealing with host toxicity, tumor characteristics and drugs--intensifying therapy, multiple drug therapy, biochemical modulation, particular modalities of drug administration). Finally, perspectives of research and development of new drugs are summarized.

A phase II study of pirarubicin in patients with advanced recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC) is a chemotherapy-sensitive tumour, but this sensitivity is not reflected in an impact on survival. The study of new drugs is therefore indicated. Pirarubicin (4'-O-tetrahydropyranyl-doxorubicin) has a higher preclinical index than doxorubicin, with low cardiotoxicity in animal models. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and documented progression after or during previous chemotherapy were entered into the study. Two patients were ineligible for evaluation. Pirarubicin was given at a dose of 70 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. RESULTS: Partial remission was seen in 1 of the 24 evaluable patients. The predominant toxicity was bone marrow depression, with leucopenia in 62% of the patients. One patient died due to a gastrointestinal haemorrhage during a period with WHO grade IV thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSION: On the basis of these results, pirarubicin cannot be recommended as second-line treatment in patients with recurrent and metastatic HNSCC. Its possible relevance for first-line treatment cannot be judged from these data.

Cisplatinumdiamminodichloride (CPDD) in chemotherapy of cancers: a phase II therapeutic trial.

We have conducted a phase II trial of cisplatinumdiamminodichloride (CPDD) which not only demonstrated its remarkable activity in embryonic carcinoma of the testes, but also in ovarian carcinoma, in melanoma, and in epidermoid carcinoma, especially of the head and of the uterus cervix. Its toxicity, manifested mainly in the digestive and renal tracts, confines its administration to hospitalized patients only. This compound is now indicated in combination therapy for the above-mentioned tumors.

Follow-up results from a randomized trial for T3 and T4 breast cancer patients: previous BCG immunotherapy improves response to chemotherapy in the relapse patient.

Following locoregional treatment, patients were randomized into three groups: The first groups received no complementary treatment; the second group received adjuvant chemotherapy (vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and 5-fluorouracil once a month for 12 months); and the third group was treated by immunotherapy (150 mg BCG once a week for 1 year). Sixty-two of the 82 patients studied were menopausal. No significant difference was observed between the three groups. All patients were followed-up for at least 18 months. The disease-free interval difference between the chemotherapy group and the control and immunotherapy groups is not significant. But it should be noted that only 21.8% of the control group did not relapse compared to 57% in the chemotherapy group. BCG immunotherapy in such patients must be considered ineffective. However, our results suggest that patients first treated with BCG respond better to chemotherapy than patients not receiving any previous therapy.

Mitoxantrone combined with vincristine, cyclophosphamide and fluorouracil for advanced breast cancer. A study of short-term response rate.

50 patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with the combination of Mitoxantrone 10mg/m2 IV day 2, 5-Fluorouracil 400mg/m2 IV and Cyclophosphamide 300mg/m2 IV day 3, 4, 5, 6 of each monthly cycle. 49 patients are evaluable for toxicity and 47 for efficacy after three months of treatment. Hematologic toxicity was substantial and dose-limiting, with one toxic death early in the trial. Other toxicities were moderate and manageable in this short-term study. The response rate after three cycles was 53% +/- 14% with 4 complete remissions, 21 partial remissions, 16 stable disease and 6 progressions. Using the fixed response rate hypothesis of Gehan generalised by Lee and Wesley, with an expected response rate of 60% consistent with the reported response rate of advanced breast cancer to Adriamycin containing regimens, we conclude that the combination studied is not less efficient for the induction of remissions in advanced breast cancer than comparable combinations with Adriamycin. As there is now substantial experimental and clinical evidence of reduced toxicity, mainly on the cardiac muscle, of Mitoxantrone as compared to Adriamycin, we feel that the routine substitution of the latter by the former in chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer is justifiable.

Acute antiemetic efficacy and safety of dolasetron mesylate, a 5-HT3 antagonist, in cancer patients treated with cisplatin. European Dolasetron Study Group.

Dolasetron mesylate (MDL 73,147EF), a new serotonin receptor (5-HT3) antagonist was administered to 164 cancer patients naive or non-naive to chemotherapy, in single, rising doses of 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 mg i.v. 15 minutes prior to an infusion of cisplatin. The severity of nausea and number of episodes of emesis were recorded during the 24-hour period following cisplatin administration. There were significant differences between the dose groups, sex, and naive and non-naive patients. There were also significant dolasetron dose-dependent differences for no emesis (p = .01), less than 3 emetic episodes (p = .01), time-to-onset of nausea (p = .04), and time-to-onset of emesis (p = .003). The severity of symptoms was greater for females, for patients with previous chemotherapy, and with shorter duration of cisplatin infusion. Adjustment for these variables and the study center reduced the associations between the dose of dolasetron mesylate and the outcome variables. The principal adverse events were headache (11%) and diarrhea (6%). Dolasetron mesylate was well tolerated; a single dose of 40 or 50 mg controlled acute nausea and vomiting induced by highly emetogenic chemotherapy in the majority, in particular in chemotherapy-naive and male patients. In conclusion, 50 mg and a larger dose merit study in controlled trials with stratification for sex and previous chemotherapy.

Preparation and release kinetics of microencapsulated cisplatin with ethylcellulose.

Several kinds of microcapsules containing cisplatin were prepared by the ethylcellulose coacervation process in an attempt to administer cisplatin with chemoembolization. Microcapsules made either with mechanical stirring or with sonication showed similar properties; the chemical structure of cisplatin was not affected by the micro-encapsulation process. The release kinetics of cisplatin from ethylcellulose-walled microcapsules followed different patterns, according to the wall thickness. In each case, the release kinetics did not depend on the stirring rate of the surrounding medium. Only microcapsules with a cisplatin release ratio from 80 to 100% within 24 h were selected for later clinical use.

[Resistance and resistances]. / Résistance et résistances.

Drug resistance is a frequent clinical event, induced by more than one mechanism. It is intrinsic and/or acquired by tumoral cell population. But the failure of chemotherapy is also associated to intratumoral drug incorporation and altered drug and/or cell metabolism. Prevention of drug resistance needs integration of pharmacokinetic, biochemical and pathological characteristics of tumoral cell population.

[New agents in chemotherapy and new methods of their administration in the treatment of metastatic cancer of the breast]. / Nouveaux agents de chimiothérapie et nouvelles méthodes d'administration dans le traitement du cancer métastatique du sein.

Chemotherapy of metastatic breast cancer induces temporary tumor responses, without any incidence on vital prognosis. New drugs are sometimes less toxic than previous but are not more efficient. Such findings are observed with other schedules of chemotherapy. It is necessary to adapt treatment to expected goal: optimal efficacy or minimal toxicity.

[Secondary non-Hodgkin's lymphomas]. / Les lymphomes non hodgkiniens secondaires.

Developing a secondary non Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) more than 12 months after treatment for first cancer, is uncommon. Secondary NHL occurs sometimes after chronic lymphatic leukemia or Hodgkin's disease. The 20 years cumulative incidence rate is 3-5% after Hodgkin's disease. Secondary NHL seems less frequent after any childhood cancer. Pertinent features of secondary NHL are a high percentage of patients with extranodal tumor sites (brain, digestive tractus), high grade histological subtype, phenotype B and advanced stage. But for identical histological type and stage, the prognosis of secondary NHL seems the same than de novo NHL ones. The incidence of secondary NHL is associated to individual parameters (age), first cancer (chronic lympho proliferative syndrome, Hodgkin's disease) and previous chemo- and/or radiotherapy. Immunodeficiency is probably the most important cofactor for the subsequent development of secondary NHL. However, secondary NHL differs from NHL of immunosuppressed patients (HIV+, posttransplant) because brain lymphoma are less frequent and immunodeficiency disorders unknown. Secondary NHL are also different of therapy-associated leukemias in the late occurrence after the first treatment and in the questionable role of cytotoxic agents given for the treatment of the first cancer.

[Placental metastasis (author's transl)]. / Les métostases placentaires.

Rarity of placental metastasis is only apparent, for only few placentas of cancerous mothers have been examined histologically. However, it may show biological and immunological conditions which are characteristics of foeto-placental unit. During metastatic spread of solid tumors or hematologic malignancies in the mother, tumor emboli may be localized in intervillous spaces, without being real placental metastasis. Rarely tumor emboli are able to invade the struma of chorionic villi and produce true placental metastases: twelve such observations have been published, seven of which were malignant melanomas. It is even more exceptional that metastatic spread reaches the foetus. In most of the cases, it is thus protected against maternal cancer. This historical observation holds true. The fear of transplacental graft to the foetus is not an argument favorable of terminating a cancer associated pregnancy and foetal metastasis of maternal origin are not among the causes of congenital cancers in children.

[Adjuvant chemotherapy of cancer: immediate costs and long-term risks]. / Chimiothérapie adjuvante des cancers: coûts immédiats et risques à long terme.

Medical, psychologic, socio-professional and economic side effects of adjuvant chemotherapy are frequent. Some of these are not easily recognized with accuracy. They influence directly the life of treated patients and perhaps later their medical future. They involve the quality of life for cancer patients, after initial curative treatments. Indications for adjuvant chemotherapy cannot be extended without comparative evaluation of their advantages and disadvantages. It is necessary to select patients with the highest probability of improvement in the duration and the quality of life and to give them so active but the least toxic treatments possible.

[Pains in cancer patients (author's transl)]. / Less doulers des cancéreux.

Pain is a frequent and complex symptom in cancer patients. For successful treatment, it is necessary to recognize the exact origin. Pain is often the direct or indirect consequence of neoplastic spread to osseous or peripheral nervous tissues. But for one patient out of five, it is induced by previous treatments and rarely is unrelated to the cancer. Surgery, radiotherapy, hormonotherapy and chemotherapy often improve, temporarily at least, painful symptoms induced by tumor growth. For chronic persisting pain, the oncologist may use peripheral analgesics, anxiolytics, morphinics, local and neurosurgical treatment. Moreover the specific indications of each modality must be recognized and if necessary combined if the analgesic effect is inadequate or too brief.

[Cancer of the prostate: therapeutic strategy in 1985]. / Cancer de la prostate: la stratégie thérapeutique en 1985.

After extensive staging, localized prostate carcinomas are treated by radical prostatectomy, external beam radiation therapy or interstitial radioactive implantation therapy combined or not with external radiation. For these patients, it is not demonstrated that adjuvant hormonotherapy increases survival duration. For metastatic carcinomas, orchiectomy or low dose of DES are possible. When carcinoma patients escape to endocrine treatment, there are given chemotherapy. Hormonal associations with central and peripheral action mechanisms could modify, in early future, present treatment options for advanced carcinomas.

[10-year experience in the chemotherapy of epidermoid carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive system (5 protocols - 458 patients)]. / Dix ans d'expérience de la chimiothérapie des carcinomes épidermoïdes des voies aéro-digestives supérieures (5 protocoles - 458 malades).

The authors report protocols and results observed with various palliative chemotherapy, used successively against epidermoid carcinomas of head and neck area. This study was followed up during the last ten years by a group of physicians working in 8 specialized oncological centers. The poor prognosis and efficiency of antimitotic drugs in head and neck carcinomas require analyse of a great number of patients files. The cooperative work of several teams allows for more rapidly significant results. Each protocol was closed after a two year period. The protocols were dropped one after another, in order to provide a greater efficiency and a lower toxicity. It was possible to confirm the limited efficiency of "heavy" protocols and the most useful association. The members of this group now pursue a randomised study comparing the results obtained with cis-platyl used alone or in addition to three other drugs. The aim of this study is to assess which is more efficient and less toxic.