Expression of cell cycle biomarkers and telomere length in papillary thyroid carcinoma: a comparative study between radiation-associated and spontaneous cancers.

OBJECTIVE: Radiation exposure during childhood is the only well-established risk factor for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). To better define the biologic profile of radiation-induced and sporadic PTC, we compared in these two groups of PTC the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins and telomere length. METHODS: Cell cycle markers (cyclin A, B1, D1, E, and Ki67) were evaluated on 100 PTC specimens (26 radiation-induced and 74 sporadic PTCs). The expression of cell cycle regulators was studied using immunohistochemistry; telomere length heterogeneity was studied using in situ hybridization in a subset of 16 formalin-fixed samples (8 radiation-induced and 8 sporadic PTCs). RESULTS: At multivariate analysis, only cytoplasmic cyclin E staining was overexpressed in sporadic cases (P = 0.006). The other cell cycle markers and telomere length did not differ significantly between sporadic PTC and radiation-induced PTC. CONCLUSIONS: These markers cannot be used to differentiate radiation-induced from sporadic PTCs.

[Treatment of venous thrombosis in cancer patients: practical aspects]. / Aspects pratiques de la prise en charge des thromboses chez le patient cancéreux.

The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is increased in association with malignancy, and has a potential to produce significant morbidity and mortality. Treatment of such patients with anticoagulants is associated with both benefit and a high rate of complications. In the early phase, the treatment is usually achieved with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), which has a number of advantages over unfractionated heparin (UFH): once or twice daily administration, no necessary laboratory monitoring, lesser risk of bleeding and no drugs interactions. Nevertheless, the UFH is the anticoagulant of choice when a rapid anticoagulant effect or stop of anticoagulant effect is required, in the treatment of massive pulmonary embolism or severe renal insufficiency. Prolonged anticoagulation with LMWH (over 3 or 6 months) appears to be beneficial on survival for such patients. The subject of anticoagulation in patients with primary or secondary brain tumours is controversial. The long-term anticoagulation mainly use LMWH or vitamin K antagonist. The last ones are more difficult to use because of an unpredictable response with higher rate of recurrence and bleeding. The optimal duration of treatment is not known but the patients should be treated for at least 6 months, even at least 12 months after a second episode of venous thromboembolism. On the primary prevention in high-risk surgical oncology, the LMWH are at least as effective and safer as UFH when the optimal dose was administered. For the medical patients, the use of prophylactic anticoagulant treatment is less clear except the patients who are bedridden for prolonged periods of time. For the secondary prevention, the LMWH seems to be more effective over vitamin K antagonists. For these patients, the anticoagulant therapy is recommended indefinitely or until cancer is resolved.