[Ultrasmall nanoparticles for radiotherapy: AGuIX]. / Nanoparticules ultrafines en radiothérapie : le cas des AGuIX.

Since twenty years, many nanoparticles based on high atomic number elements have been developed as radiosensitizers. The design of these nanoparticles is limited by the classical rules associated with the development of nanoparticles for oncology and by the specific ones associated to radiosensitizers, which aim to increase the effect of the dose in the tumor area and to spare the health tissues. For this application, systemic administration of nanodrugs is possible. This paper will discuss the development of AGuIX nanoparticles and will emphasize on this example the critical points for the development of a nanodrug for this application. AGuIX nanoparticles display hydrodynamic diameters of a few nanometers and are composed of polysiloxane and gadolinium chelates. This particle has been used in many preclinical studies and is evaluated for a further phase I clinical trial. Finally, in addition to its high radiosensitizing potential, AGuIX display MRI functionality and can be used as theranostic nanodrug for personalized medicine.

[Skin sensitisation profiles of outpatients with symptoms of respiratory allergies]. / Profils de sensibilisation cutanée aux pneumallergènes des patients consultant pour allergie respiratoire.

AIM: The main objective of the survey was to determine the frequency of the mono and polysensitizations in patients consulting for respiratory allergy, rhinitis or/and asthma. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the severity, the number and the type of the sensitizations, the frequency of the asthma or rhinitis as a function of the sensitizations, the evolution of the sensitizations with age, and identify the principal responsible pneumallergens. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The multicentric survey included a patient questionnaire allowing the collection and anonymous treatment of data on socio-demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, cutaneous tests and sensitizations. RESULTS: A sample of 505 patients, mean age 24 years, consulting for rhinitis or asthma, monosensitized (36%) or polysensitized (64%), was evaluated. The percentage of polysensitized patients was similar in asthmatics, patients with rhinitis, and patients with both asthma and rhinitis (60%, 65%, and 63%, respectively). The mean number of the sensitizations was 2.4 for patients with asthma, 2.6 for those with rhinitis, and 2.6 for patients with both asthma and rhinitis. The greater the severity of the rhinitis or asthma, the higher the number of the sensitizations. Sensitizations to acarids, gramineae and cat were the most frequent. When practioners were asked about their intention to undertake desensitization in polysensitized patients, 52% of them replied positively. CONCLUSION: Data collected during this survey showed that a large proportion of the patients who consulted for rhinitis or asthma were monosensitized (36%). Sensitization to acarids was the most frequent. Even in polysensitized patients, more than half the practioners said they would use desensitization.