Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in a series of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and response rate to EGFR-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).

INTRODUCTION Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation related to tyrosine kinase inhibitors' (TKIs) responsiveness in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has become an important issue for therapeutic decision-making in NSCLC patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty-nine Caucasian NSCLC patients were screened for mutations in the tyrosine kinase (TK) domain of EGFR by direct sequencing from December 2005 to September 2010. RESULTS Activating mutations in the EGFR TK domain were found in 8 of 69 (11.6%) (7 deletions in exon 19 and one L858R mutation in exon 21). Seven of those mutations were found in adenocarcinoma and one mutation in bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma; five of them in females (one smoker) and three of them in males (one smoker). All patients carrying activating mutations in the TK domain of EGFR were treated with TKIs. Ten patients not carrying an activating mutation in EGFR, who progressed after chemotherapy, were also treated with compassionate use of EGFR-specific TKIs (gefitinib or erlotinib). An objective response (partial response) was observed in all patients carrying an activating mutation in EGFR that received TKIs. Median overall survival for these patients has not been reached, however mean survival has been estimated at 39.5 months (95% CI, 22-57). CONCLUSIONS As previously reported, EGFR TK mutational analysis was a predictive test for response to targeted therapy with EGFR TKIs. The early identification of these patients consistently attains disease response and clearly improves outcomes.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in a series of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and response rate to EGFR-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)

INTRODUCTION Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation related to tyrosine kinase inhibitors' (TKIs) responsiveness in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has become an important issue for therapeutic decision-making in NSCLC patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty-nine Caucasian NSCLC patients were screened for mutations in the tyrosine kinase (TK) domain of EGFR by direct sequencing from December 2005 to September 2010. RESULTS Activating mutations in the EGFR TK domain were found in 8 of 69 (11.6%) (7 deletions in exon 19 and one L858R mutation in exon 21). Seven of those mutations were found in adenocarcinoma and one mutation in bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma; five of them in females (one smoker) and three of them in males (one smoker). All patients carrying activating mutations in the TK domain of EGFR were treated with TKIs. Ten patients not carrying an activating mutation in EGFR, who progressed after chemotherapy, were also treated with compassionate use of EGFR-specific TKIs (gefitinib or erlotinib). An objective response (partial response) was observed in all patients carrying an activating mutation in EGFR that received TKIs. Median overall survival for these patients has not been reached, however mean survival has been estimated at 39.5 months (95% CI, 22-57). CONCLUSIONS As previously reported, EGFR TK mutational analysis was a predictive test for response to targeted therapy with EGFR TKIs. The early identification of these patients consistently attains disease response and clearly improves outcomes (AU)

[Desflurane--general anesthesia for cesarean section compared with isoflurane and epidural anesthesia]. / Desfluran-Allgemeinanästhesie zur Sectio caesarea: Vergleich mit Isofluran und Epiduralanästhesie.

Desflurane 2.5% was compared to Isoflurane 0.5% in a randomized study in terms of maternal and newborn effect on both groups with epidural anesthesia. Fifty patients under general anesthesia were randomly designated to receive either desflurane 2.5% or isoflurane 0.5% maintained in a 50-50% nitrous oxide and oxygen mixture. Twenty-five patients were assigned to receive epidural anesthesia using 15 ml ropivacaine 7.5 mg/ml with fentanyl 100 micrograms. Intraoperative hemodynamic changes, blood loss and maternal awareness were recorded. Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min., neurologic adaptive capacity scores (NACS) at 2 and 24 hours and umbilical vein blood gas analysis were done to assess the neonatal outcome. Intraoperatively, heart rate and blood pressure changes were similar in both desflurane and Isoflurane group at 0.4% MAC (minimal alveolar concentration). Blood loss and arterial blood gas analysis were not problematic and did not differ significantly between the three groups. In the desflurane group, the patients were more easily awake and cooperative compared to the isoflurane group. The patients were interviewed about intraoperative awareness 24 and 48 h after the operation. None of them reported awareness during the operation. Similarly, the level of postoperative comfort was the same in both groups. Comparing the general and epidural anesthetic groups, no differences could be detected in neonatal outcomes. Conclusion is that there is one significant difference between desflurane 2.5% and isoflurane 0.5% anesthesia for cesarean section and it is the rapid recovery characteristic with desflurane which makes it an attractive alternative to TIVA (total intravenous anesthesia) and to other inhalational anesthetics available to obstetric anesthesiologists.

[Psychiatric morbidity associated to enuresis in children]. / Morbilidad psiquiátrica asociada a enuresis infantil.

AIMS: The objective of the study was to know the clinical and epidemiological features, including associated psychiatric morbidity, of the children seeking help for enuresis in a public child and adolescent mental health unit. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Within an exploratory, retrospective, and observational study, we reviewed the clinical charts of all the children (N= 2,315) attending the unit during a five-year period (January 1992-December 1997), collecting information on gender, age, type of enuresis, associated psychiatric morbidity, and social and family characteristics. Both the enuresis and the associated psychiatric disorders were diagnosed according to the DSM-IV criteria. RESULTS: Enuresis was the reason for admission in 230 children (9.9%), whose mean (+/- SD) age was 9.0 (+/- 2.9) years (range: 5-18). The condition of single-parent family, the perception of economic difficulties, and a poor academic achievement were not associated to any type of enuresis. A 19.5 per cent of the patients with enuresis presented a co-morbid psychiatric disorder, which was significantly associated to both male gender in subjects younger than 9 and enuresis of the type secondary or mixed. DISCUSSION: Most children with enuresis referred for psychiatric consultation do not present an associated psychiatric disorder. Our results on children with enuresis, in a clinical sample, are similar to those of previous studies conducted in the general population. This may mean that these patients are sent to child psychiatry services for reasons of traditional health delivery uses rather than for their psychopathological characteristics.