[Yersinia enterocolitica septicemia associated with idiopathic hemochromatosis and deferoxamine therapy. A case]. / Association d'une septicémie à Yersinia enterocolitica, d'une hémochromatose idiopathique et d'un traitement par déferoxamine. Un cas.

Yersinia enterocolitica septicaemia is an infrequent condition. We report a case in which septicaemia developed after an infusion of desferrioxamine in a man with idiopathic haemochromatosis. According to the literature, the association of idiopathic haemochromatosis, liver disease and desferrioxamine therapy is extremely favourable to the development of Yersinia septicaemia because iron intake is known to enhance the virulence of this organism, and desferrioxamine, acting like a chelator, enables Yersinia to incorporate iron, which it does not normally do.

M-VAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin) for advanced carcinoma of the bladder. The French Federation of Cancer Centers experience.

70 patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder received methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin (M-VAC). Complete responses (CR) were obtained in 13 of the 67 (19%) evaluable patients and partial responses (PR) in 25 patients for an objective response rate of 57% (95% CI 45-69%). Of the 54 patients who have had a minimum follow-up of 2 years, 8 patients (15%) are disease-free or have stable residual disease. Median survival of the 70 patients was 13 months. Toxicity was acceptable with no drug-related deaths. Because of myelosuppression, only 15 patients (21%) received treatment without delays in drug administration or modifications from the planned schedule. Our results confirm that this regimen is effective, with some patients being long-term survivors.

[N-Methyl-9 hydroxy-ellipticine (NSC 264-137) in the treatment of malignant metastases. Preliminary results (author's transl)]. / Intérêt de la 2 N-méthyl-9 hydroxy-ellipticine (NSC 264-137) dans le traitement des cancers métastasés. Résultat d'une étude préliminaire.

In a phase II trial 2 N-Methyl-9-Hydroxy-Ellipticine (NMHE) was administered in weekly infusions of 100mg/m2 over 1 hour to patients with malignant metastases. Prior to injection, the drug was dissolved in 250 ml isotonic glucose. The results were evaluated in 67 patients. Objective regression was observed in 23 (34%) and was superior to 50% in 10 cases. Patients showing signs of regression under treatment were mostly those with breast cancer (10/24 cases), soft tissue sarcoma (3/9 cases) and renal cancer (2/8 cases). The main toxic effect was haemolysis (2 cases), probably due to an immunoallergic mechanism. Attention is drawn to the lack of bone marrow toxicity.

[Treatment of chronic pain in advanced malignant disease by oral morphine (author's transl)]. / Les douleurs rebelles. Traitement par la morphine per os.

One hundred and one patients with terminal cancer suffering severe pains reluctant to other treatment have received morphine by mouth, in a regular regimen. The doses range between 5 and 60 mg every 4 hours. 71 p. cent of our patients have their pain alleviated without any side effect impeding the treatment.

[Treatment of chronic pain in advanced malignant disease by oral morphine (author's transl)]. / Douleurs rebelles des cancéreux: traitement par la morphine per os.

Fifty one patients with terminal cancer suffering severe pains reluctant to other treatment have received morphine by mouth, in a regular regimen. The doses range between 5 and 50 mg every 4 hours. 60% of our patients have their pain alleviated without any side effect impeding the treatment.