Publications (94) View all
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Article: Hepatic expression of CCL2 in alcoholic liver disease is associated with disease severity and neutrophil infiltrates.
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ABSTRACT: Serum levels and liver expression of CCL2 are increased in patients with alcoholic hepatitis (AH). In an experimental model of alcoholic liver disease (ALD), CCL2 was implicated in proinflammatory cytokines activation and hepatic lipid metabolism, but its role in human disease is currently unknown. In a large cohort of ALD patients, we analysed plasma levels and liver expression of CCL2 and their association with liver disease severity and histological lesions. We also studied the relationship between -2518 A > G CCL2 and CCR2 190 A/G polymorphisms and severity of ALD. We show that CCL2 plasma levels are increased in ALD patients compared with healthy subjects. AH patients had significantly higher plasma levels and hepatic expression of CCL2 than patients without AH. Plasma levels and hepatic expression of CCL2 were associated with disease severity. CCL2 liver expression was correlated with neutrophil infiltrate and interleukin (IL)-8 expression, but not with steatosis. Moreover, there were more G-allele carriers of -2518 A > G CCL2 polymorphism in severe AH patients than in other ALD patients. Our results demonstrate that CCL2 is increased in ALD, particularly in severe forms, and suggest a role for CCL2 in the pathogenesis of ALD via neutrophil recruitment.Clinical & Experimental Immunology 09/2012; 169(3):302-10. · 3.36 Impact Factor -
Article: [Multidisciplinary management of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients].
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ABSTRACT: The treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients is challenging: the incidence is increasing, the cirrhosis dramatically limits the tolerance to treatment possibilities, there are many therapeutic modalities but resources are limited, namely in the context of organ shortage for transplantation. Liver transplantation (LT) is the optimal treatment as it combines the largest tumor resection possible and the correction of the underlying liver disease. Due to organ shortage however, LT is reserved for early-stages HCC. Surgical resection and radiofrequency destruction represent potentially curative options in highly selected patients. Arterial embolizations, chemo- or radio-embolizations, allow local tumor control but are not curative. These techniques could be performed before surgical resection or LT, to downstage the tumor and/or to control tumor progression while waiting for a graft. Finally, sorafenib is the only systemic treatment which has shown a survival benefit in advanced HCC. The benefit of combination of sorafenib and surgical treatments remains undetermined. The challenge in the management of HCC in cirrhotic patients is to integrate both individual (age, comorbidities, cirrhosis stage, tumor stage, specific contraindications to LT, etc.) and collective variables (expected waiting time before LT) to determine the best therapeutic option for each patient. In this process, multidisciplinarity is a key for success.Revue medicale de Bruxelles 09/2012; 33(4):229-36. -
Article: Molecular changes in pancreatic cancer: implications for molecular targeting therapy.
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ABSTRACT: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has a high mortality rate, which is generally related to the initial diagnosis coming at late stage disease combined with a lack of effective treatment options. Gemcitabine has been the most commonly used drug over the past decade and is still the cornerstone of therapy in adjuvant and metastatic settings. Intrinsic or acquired resistance of tumours to gemcitabine is, however, a major clinical problem. New therapeutic strategies are urgently needed whereas we also need to identify new prognostic and predictive biomarkers. This article focuses on gemcitabine resistance, on the role of chemokines and chemokine receptors in pancreatic carcinoma initiation and progression, and on stellate cells as partners in crime with neoplastic epithelial cells.Acta gastro-enterologica Belgica 06/2012; 75(2):210-4. · 0.64 Impact Factor -
Article: Macrophages expressing the scavenger receptor CD163: a link between immune alterations of the gut and synovial inflammation in spondyloarthropathy
Arthritis Research & Therapy 04/2012; 3:1-1. · 4.45 Impact Factor -
Article: Tumeurs et pseudotumeurs du canal anal et de l'anus
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ABSTRACT: Les tumeurs malignes anales sont rares. Par contre, les lésions tumorales anales en relation avec lePapilloma Virus telles que le condylome acuminé (géant) sont des lésions nettement plus fréquentes. Pour comprendre les cancers qui surviennent dans cette zone, il est nécessaire de connaître l'aspect histologique du canal anal et de l'anus. En ce qui concerne les tumeurs malignes, une revue de notre série personnelle comme de la littérature montre clairement que l'adénocarcinome du bas rectum, et non celui des glandes anales, est le carcinome le plus fréquent de cette région. Vient ensuite mais son incidence augmente, le carcinome squameux du canal anal qui est parfois en relation avec l'HPV. Dans les carcinomes squameux, il est recommandé de tenir compte des aspects de la différenciation basaloïde, kératinisante ou en microkystes mucineux, ou de la notion de cancer intra-épithélial. Ces entités doivent être reconnues étant donné leurs pronostics biologiques différents. La tumeur de Buschke-Löwenstein, localement infiltrante ou condylome géant ou le carcinome verruqueux, peut être porteuse d'HPV 6/11. Le carcinome basocellulaire peut se rencontrer dans la région anale; il doit être différencié du carcinome squameux: son traitement étant purement local. La maladie de Paget primaire tend à récidiver fréquemment et à devenir invasive. Elle devrait être différenciée de la forme de maladie de Paget associée à un carcinome colorectal synchrone (cytokératine 20 positive). Les rares cas de mélanomes malins se développent le plus souvent chez des patients de race blanche et montrent des aspects jonctionnels similaires au mélanome cutané. Chez les patients porteurs du SIDA, des lymphomes B à grandes cellules ont été rapportés. En ce qui concerne les néoplasies intra-épithéliales, la néoplasie intra-épithéliale anale de la zone squameuse ou de transition, la dysplasie squameuse de la marge anale ou la maladie de Bowen ou encore les papuloses bowenoïdes sont reconnues. Les lésions bénignes incluent des naevus naevocellulaires, des papillomes squameux, des hidradénomes papillaires des glandes apocrines péri-anales, d'occasionnelles tumeurs mésenchymales ou nerveuses, l'hyperplasie fibro-épithéliale, les marisques ou encore le polype cloaco-génique inflammatoire associés à un prolapsus muqueux ou des hémorroïdes. Malignant anal tumours are rare but, in contrast, HumanPapilloma Virus (HPV)-related tumour-like conditions, including (giant) condyloma acuminatum, of the anus are more common diseases. To understand the neoplasms that arise in this area it is necessary to be familiar with the histological features of the anal canal and anus. With regard to the malignant tumours, a review of our personal series as well as literature data indicate that adenocarcinoma from the lower rectum, not from the anal glands, is the most common carcinoma in that region. It is not distinguishable from the classical colorectal adenocarcinoma. Second in frequency but rising in incidence is the group of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the anal canal, which are often related with HPV infection. In the SCC it is advised to include statements on the presence of basaloid features or mucinous microcysts, keratinisation and intraepithelial neoplasia. Entities that should be recognized because of a different biological behaviour are SCC with mucinous microcysts and the small cell anaplastic (not neuroendocrine) carcinoma. The locally invasive Buschke-Löwenstein tumour or giant (malignant) condyloma or verrucous carcinoma may contain HPV 6/11. Basal cell carcinoma, the skin cancer, can be seen in the anal region and it should be distinguished from SCC as it can be treated by local excision alone. Primary Paget's disease tends to recur frequently and to become invasive and should be distinguished from Paget's disease associated with a synchronous or a metachronous colorectal carcinoma (cytokeratin 20 positive). The rare malignant melanoma occurs mainly in white patients and shows features like junctional activity similar to these of cutaneous melanoma. In AIDS patients large B-cell malignant lymphomas can be seen. Amongst the intraepithelial neoplasia, and intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) in the transition and squamous zone, squamous dysplasia at the anal margin or Bowen's disease and Bowenoid papulosis are recognised. Benign lesions include naevocellular naevi, squamous cell papilloma, papillary hidradenoma of the perianal apocrine glands, occasional reports of various mesenchymal or neurogenic tumours, the fibroepithelial hyperplasia or anal tag and the inflammatory cloacogenic polyp associated with rectal mucosal prolapse and/or haemorrhoids.Acta Endoscopica 04/2012; 33(3):357-365. · 0.09 Impact Factor
