-
Andrea F. Degen MD,
Tanja Gabrecht PhD,
Laurent Mosimann PhD,
Mathias K. Fehr MD,
René Hornung MD,
Viola A. Schwarz MD,
Yona Tadir MD,
Rolf A. Steiner MD,
Georges Wagnières PhD,
Pius Wyss MD,
Andrea F. Degen,
Tanja Gabrecht,
Laurent Mosimann,
Mathias K. Fehr,
René Hornung, Viola A. Schwarz,
Yona Tadir,
Rolf A. Steiner,
Georges Wagnières,
Pius Wyss
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Background and Objectives
To evaluate feasibility and functional effects of photodynamic endometrial ablation (PEA) in patients.Study Design/Patients and MethodsA total of 15 PEAs has been performed in 11 patients using topically applied 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) solutions and a balloon-light diffuser (160 J/cm2, 635 nm). Uterine bleeding intensity has been determined on a daily basis 3 months prior to and up to 6 months after endometrial ablation using an analogous scale scoring from 1 (spotting) to 6 U (severe bleeding). Statistical analysis by unpaired Student's t-test.ResultsThe mean number of bleeding units per cycle (n = 44) was 35.7 prior to PEA. The decrease in bleeding units was significant for the months 1–3 (24.4 U per cycle; P = 0.03), but not for the months 4–6 (25.9 U; P = 0.11) following PEA.ConclusionsPEA is feasible and provides a significant short-term reduction of uterine bleeding. Lasers Surg. Med. 34:1–4, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Lasers in Surgery and Medicine 12/2003; 34(1):1 - 4. · 2.75 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: BRCA1 is implicated in cellular responses to DNA damage, thereby substantially contributing to maintenance of the genome integrity. Mutations in the BRCA1 gene occur in breast and ovarian cancer and mutations that disable p53 are frequently found in human cancers, often accompanied by mutations in additional genes, contributing to tumor progression or high-grade malignancy. Therefore, the role of BRCA1 in the sensitivity to anticancer agents in p53-deficient cells was investigated using p53-deficient mouse knockout cell lines either deficient or proficient in Brca1 function. We report that Brca1-deficiency in p53-null cells was associated with increased sensitivity to the topoisomerase I poisons camptothecin and topotecan, the topoisomerase II poisons doxorubicin, mitoxantrone and etoposide, and to the platinum compounds carboplatin and oxaliplatin, but not to the antimetabolites 5-fluorouracil and gemcitabine and the taxanes docetaxel and paclitaxel. The increased growth inhibition to doxorubicin after loss of Brca1 correlated with increased cell killing caused by increased apoptosis. The data presented here indicate that Brca1 modulates p53-independent DNA damage response pathways and they support the case of a role of Brca1 to protect cells from apoptosis-mediated cell death in p53-deficient cells. These results suggest a higher chemotherapy susceptibility of cells disabled in both functions and they foster the concept that functional inhibition of BRCA1 may be a valuable adjunct to anticancer agents to increase the efficacy of chemotherapy in the treatment of p53-mutated cancers.
International Journal of Oncology 06/2003; 22(5):1169-73. · 2.40 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To determine the feasibility of photodynamic therapy (PDT) of vulvar and vaginal condyloma and intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN, VAIN) and to compare PDT results with conventional treatments.
Thirty-eight patients with vulvar or vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) grade II/III (n = 22) or condyloma (n = 16) had 10% 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-gel applied topically. After 2-4 hours, 80-125 J/cm(2) laser light at a wavelength of 635 nm was applied. PDT was compared to conventional treatments for condyloma (CO(2) laser evaporation) and for VIN III (laser evaporation, surgical excision).
The complete clearance rate for condyloma treated by PDT was 66% and the rate for IN was 57% (as determined by biopsy). Of the neoplasia patients, none with hyperkeratotic VIN (n = 4) responded, and only one of four with increased pigmentation cleared. No scarring occurred, and postoperative discomfort lasted 4.9 +/- 3.4 days. Reduced disease-free survival (DFS) was associated with multifocal VIN (P = 0.02, OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.15-4.08), but DFS did not vary with treatment mode.
Although PDT is not equally efficacious for all subgroups, PDT for condyloma and intraepithelial neoplasia appears to be as effective as conventional treatments, but with shorter healing time and excellent cosmetic results.
Lasers in Surgery and Medicine 02/2002; 30(4):273-9. · 2.75 Impact Factor
