Electronic Library of Scientific Literature
Electronic Library of Scientific Literature
Volume 44 / No. 5 / 1997
J. Borovanský
2nd Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 53 Prague 2, Czech Republic
There has been a discrepancy between promising results of experimental chemotherapy in animal melanoma models and clinical response rates. This inconsistency seems to reflect weak points of the assays used so far to monitor the response of melanoma cells to chemotherapeutic agents. Therefore a less usual approach was chosen in the present study: Tumor cells were cultured in peritoneal cavity (B16 melanoma in inbred C57BL/6J mice and Cloudman S91 melanoma in inbred DBA2 mice) to maintain normal in vivo conditions; the animals were receiving the tested agents in i.p. injections and the prolongation of their life span was considered as the principle parameter of therapeutic efficiency of the compounds tested. Previously described therapeutic potency both of vitamins (C, alpha-tocopherol acid succinate) and some phenols (hydroquinone, 4-hydroxyanisole) was not confirmed. Benzoate, spin trap N-butyl-alpha-phenyl-nitrone and ammonium chloride as a lysosomotropic agent failed to increase the survival of melanoma-bearing mice. Free radical scavenger methimazole exerted a therapeutic effect in mice with pigmented B16 melanoma. Only classic cytostatic agents - cisplatin and cyclophosphamide - proved its therapeutic effect in both melanoma models studied. These results are in accord with the known resistance of human melanoma to conventional chemotherapy. Measurement of serum activity of gamma-glutamyltransferase was shown to be useful for monitoring therapeutic effect.
Key words: Melanoma, gamma glutamyltransferase, chemotherapy.
pp. 277-281
J. Skowronek, K. Adamska, K. Filipiak, Z. Karaś, R.M. Krenz, R. Rutkowski, J.B. Warchol
Great Poland Cancer Center, Department of Radiotherapy, 61-866 Poznań,
Poland;
Department of Radiobiology and Cell Biology, University of Medical Sciences,
Poznań, Poland;
Department of Tumor Pathology, University of Medical Sciences, Poznań,
Poland;
Department of Immunology and Clinical Allergology, University of Medical
Sciences, Poznań, Poland
The determination of DNA content in human cancers is the subject of
increasing interest, particularly in view of its potential clinical applications.
There are relatively few studies which describe DNA content of skin neoplasms
and pigmented nevi. These studies have shown conflicting results.
In the present investigation the authors measured DNA ploidy using flow
and video-imaging cytometry in 51 malignant melanomas, 20 skin cancers
and 48 pigmented nevi. For DNA measurement paraffin embedded tissues and
fresh cell smears were used. Clinical and histological data of malignant
melanomas were recorded and correlated with DNA ploidy. DNA histograms
were examined for DNA aneuploidy by DNA Index. DNA ploidy in primary lesions
of melanomas and their metastases were compared.
The aneuploidy rate, found in our observation, was significantly higher
in whole malignant melanoma group, in clinical Stage II and III, in tumors
with thickness greater then 1.5 mm, tumors with Clark level III,IV and
V. Another clinical and histological factors did not show significant correlation
with ploidy. Aneuploidy was found in 8 of 20 (45.0%) skin cancers. In the
whole population of pigmented nevi aneuploid DNA content was identified
in 10 nevi (20.1%).
The results of this study suggest that aneuploidy seems to be connected
with advanced stage of malignant melanoma but it does not replace other
prognostic factors. Both cytometric methods can be used for routine DNA
ploidy analysis. Ploidy studies are not useful for predicting metastatic
potential of primary melanoma. Results obtained from fresh cell smears
and paraffin embedded tissues were identical.
Key words : Malignant melanoma, skin cancer, pigmented nevi, DNA
ploidy, flow cytometry, video-imaging cytometry.
pp. 282-288
T. Ikemoto, T. Nakagawa, M. Hatanaka, M. Hasegawa, T. Kageyama, M. Hirano, A. Shimizu
Central Clinical Laboratory, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki 569,
Japan;
Department of Clinical Pathology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan;
Second Department of Medicine, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan;
Department of Medicine, Fujita Health University, School of Medicine, Toyoake,
Japan
The CD14 antigen was originally identified on monocytes as a differentiation marker and usually detected by a panel of monoclonal antibodies, including My4 and LeuM3. Recent studies have shown that CD14 antigen is expressed on Langerhans cells, a subset of normal B-lymphocytes, neutrophils, and subtypes of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. These antigens, however, react with My4, but not with LeuM3, and the reason for this has not been elucidated. In this study, we found that similar My4+/LeuM3- epitopes are expressed on the human monoblastic cell line, U937. Northern blotting demonstrated that the U937 cells express neither 1.4 kb CD14 transcripts nor possible alternative spliced forms of CD14 transcripts. The molecule was resistant to phosphatidylinositol specific phospholipase C, which effectively hydrolyzes glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol anchored protein, decay accelerating factor, on the same cells. Lipopolysaccharide, which down-regulates the expression of CD14 on monocytes, did not alter the expression of the molecule. We concluded that the My4+/LeuM3- molecule on U937 cells is not CD14 antigen but another surface protein. A similar molecule was also detected on B-lymphoma cells from a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and on polymorphonuclear leukocytes from healthy donors.
Key words: My4-cross reactivity, PI-PLC-resistant, mRNA, LPS stimulation,
lymphoma.
pp. 289-294
I. Takanami, F. Tanaka, T. Hashizume, S. Kodaira
First Department of Surgery, Teikyo University School od Medicine,
Tokyo 173, Japan;
Department of Pathology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan;
Department of Surgery, National Sanatorium, Kanagawa Hospital, Hatano,
Kanagawa, Japan
Tumor angiogenesis was examined in tissue specimens from 120 patients
with a pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The microvascular density (MVD) was determined
by the factor 8-related antigen (F8RA), and the basic fibroblast growth
factor (bFGF) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) protein expressions
were immunologically studied with the MVD. Patients with over 30 counts
of the MVD showed significantly poorer prognosis than those with less than
30 counts. bFGF and FGFR1 expressions correlated with tumor angiogenesis
and prognosis. Univariate analysis showed that the MVD, bFGF, and FGFR1
had a significant effect on prognosis, and multivariate analysis of three
prognostic factors revealed the MVD correlated with survival.
Our findings suggest that bFGF and FGFR1 expressions play an important
role in tumor angiogenesis and that the bFGF and FGFR1 expressions promote
angiogenesis and metastasis in pulmonary adenocarcinoma, and that the MVD
is a useful prognostic marker for assessing the outcome of a pulmonary
adenocarcinoma.
Key words: Tumor angiogenesis, basic fibroblast growth factor, fibroblast
growth factor receptor 1, pulmonary adenocarcinoma, prognostic indicator,
immunostaining.
pp. 295-298
J. Ehrmann, Jr., Z. Kolář, B. Vojtěšek, M. Kala, S. Komenda, A. Oulton
Centre of Molecular Biology and Medicine, Laboratory of Molecular
Pathology, Palacký University, 775 15 Olomouc, Czech Republic;
Masaryk Memorial Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic;
Clinic of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Palacký University, Olomouc,
Czech Republic;
Institute of Biometry, School of Medicine, Palacký University, Olomouc,
Czech Republic;
Centre of Molecular Biology and Medicine, Laboratory of Molecular Pathology,
Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
The immunohistochemically detected expression of p53, BCL-2, MDM-2 and PCNA proteins in samples of tumor tissues of 42 patients with astrocytomas or glioblastoma multiforme was statistically compared to degree of malignancy and overall survival. We found relation between p53 protein expression and survival in the high grade astrocytomas group (more cases of p53 immunonegative tumors with longer survival), and significantly higher BCL-2 protein expression as well as significantly higher MDM-2 protein expression in the group of low grade astrocytomas. PCNA protein expression showed any relation to tumor grade or survival. Despite the rather small number of samples these results support the hypothesis that MDM-2 protein may be a potent regulator of functional p53, expressed in low grade astrocytoma only.
Key words: Astrocytoma, p53, BCL-2, MDM-2, survival, proliferative
activity.
pp. 299-304
M. Dabrowska, M. Mantur, A. Panasiuk, J. Prokopowicz
Institute of Laboratory Diagnostics, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland;
Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical School, Bialystok,
Poland
Serum concentration of alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha1-PI) was determined
by nephelometric method in forty seven patients with liver cirrhosis (LC)
and fifteen patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Our data show an increase in the concentration of alpha1-PI in the group
with decompensated LC by 17% and in HCC by 29%. The level of alpha1-PI
higher than (220 mg%) may be indicative of the disease progression towards
decompensated LC or HCC.
In the conclusion, an increase in alpha1-PI concentration in patients with
LC may be considered as an alarming factor, but is not sufficiently specific
to become a diagnostic tool for the detection of HCC development.
Key words: alpha1-proteinase inhibitor, liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular
carcinoma.
pp. 305-307
I. Popov, S. Jelić, D. Radosavljević, Z. Nikolić-Tomašević
Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, 11 000 Belgrade, Yugoslavia
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of goserelin-acetat
(Zoladex®) on testosterone suppression, to compare achieved
suppression with clinical effects in patients with prostate cancer with
bone metastases and consequent painful syndrome, to study the behavior
of adiol during treatment and to assess life quality with emphases on the
physical and psychological domain in relation to clinical and biological
treatment effects. Fifteen patients were treated by Zoladex®
in one dose every 28 days, and followed-up for 12 months. All patients
had several metastatic localizations in the bones, initial high prostate
specific antigen (PSA), and high acid (AP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).
PSA, testosterone, adiol (delta-5-androstenediol), luteinizing hormone
(LH), foliculostimulating hormone (FSH), ALP and AP were also measured
before every cycle. For evaluation of the life quality Rotterdam Symptom
Checklist was used.
Clinical progression was not registered during follow-up, with drop of
PSA, ALP and AP. Testosterone and adiol displayed mainly inverse trends
during treatment. The complete testosterone suppression was never achieved.
It seems that Zoladex® has quite different influence on LH and
FSH, as levels of those hormones have shown opposite trend. Some of the
observed hormonal effects could be attributed to stimulation of the monoamine
system. Suppression of LH level provoked by administration of LHRH agonists
increases level of dopamine in hypothalamus which inhibits releasing of
its hormones. By inhibition of corticotropic releasing factor and ACTH,
and by its influence on adrenal gland, we could explain drop of adiol levels
in the first months of administration of LHRH agonists. Testosterone increase
and adiol drop in the first months, and adiol increase following testosterone
level drop in the fourth to eight month, may be explained by negative feed
back mechanism between different androgens which could be stimulated or
provoked by LHRH therapy. The question of effects which are results of
LHRH agonists modulation of the monoamine system and consequent activation
of other central mechanisms of hormonal regulation is still open. Patients'
quality of life under therapy was improved for about 30% in psychological
and functional domains. There were no significant changes on physical subscale,
during treatment. It seems that the obtained positive psychological treatment
effect is not only a consequence of pain decrease, but it could be the
result of the change in the level of monoamines in CNS under Zoladex®.
Key words: Monoamines, testosterone, goserelin, prostatic neoplasms,
quality of life.
pp. 308-313
M. Mrázová-Studená, L. Drgoňa, S. Špánik, 1 I. Krúpová, M. Baláž, P. Pichna, P. Koreň, J. Šufliarsky, J. Mardiak, A. Kunová, J. Trupl, V. Krčméry Jr.
Department of Medicine, University of Trnava, Slovakia;
Department of Chemotherapy, Postgradual Medical School, Bratislava, Slovakia;
Department of Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, National Cancer
Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia;
St. Elisabeth Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia
Etiology, risk factors, symptomatology and outcome of 401 bacteremic
episodes during the period of 6 years in a National Cancer Institute occurring
among 9987 admissions were analyzed.
Neutropenia as an independent risk factor was observed in 198 episodes,
while 203 bacteremic episodes appeared in nonneutropenic patients. Both
groups were compared in risk factors, etiology, clinical symptomatology
and outcome.
Proportion of particular pathogens did not show significant differences
in both groups, except for E. faecalis occurring more frequently
in the group of nonneutropenic patients in contrast to Enterobacteriaceae,
occurring more frequently in neutropenic patients. There was significant
by higher proportion of anaerobic bacteremia and fungemia in neutropenic
than in nonneutropenic patients. Prior prophylaxis with quinolones with
breakthrough bacteremia were also seen more frequently in the group of
neutropenic patients. Septic shock and death due to bacteremia occurred
more frequently in the group of neutropenic patients.
Key words: Neutropenia, bacteremia.
pp. 314-318
A. Kumar, S.M. Singh, A. Sodhi
Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University
of Delhi, Delhi, India;
Immunology Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, Banaras Hindu University,
Varanasi-221005, U.P. India
Murine peritoneal macrophages on in vitro treatment with cisplatin (5 µg/ml) or FK565 (10 µg/ml) showed an enhanced production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI). Similarly, treatment of splenic lymphocytes with these agents also led to an enhanced production of TNF. Co-incubation of macrophages or splenic lymphocytes with P815 (a murine mastocytoma) cells in vitro in the absence of cisplatin or FK565 also resulted in an augmented TNF production, however, it had no effect on the RNI production by macrophages. TNF production of cisplatin- or FK565-treated macrophages got synergistically enhanced in the presence of P815 cells whereas the production of RNI was inhibited. Incubation of splenic lymphocytes with P815 cells in the presence of cisplatin or FK565 resulted in an inhibition of TNF production. Indomethacin-treated P815 cells were observed to be less effective in inhibiting nitrite production of macrophages compared to untreated tumor cells. Pretreatment of P815 cells with cisplatin or FK565 before co-incubation did not alter the TNF production of macrophages whereas it inhibited the same in lymphocytes. This study shows that activation of macrophages and lymphocytes is independently influenced by P815 tumor cells in combination with chemoimmunotherapeutic drugs cisplatin and FK565.
Key words: Macrophages, splenic lymphocytes, P815 cells, tumor necrosis
factor, reactive nitrogen intermediates.
pp. 319-323
M. Osmak, D. Babić, M. Abramić, A. Ambriović, D. Miličić, D. Eljuga, L. Vuković
Department of Molecular Genetics, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10 000
Zagreb, Croatia;
Department of Gynecology and Perinatal Pathology, Medical School, University
of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia;
Department of Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia;
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of
Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia;
Department of Gynecology, University Hospital for Tumors, Zagreb, Croatia
Glutathione (GSH) concentrations and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were determined in 30 paired malignant human corpus uteri tumor samples and in samples of adjacent normal tissues. For GSH concentrations no difference was found between normal (126.0 ± 52.4 nmol/mg protein) and tumor tissues (110.1 ± 46.4 nmol/mg protein; p = 0.219). The GST activities were significantly higher in tumor tissues (322.4 ± 135.54 nmol/min/mg protein) than in corresponding normal tissues (224.6 ± 95.64 nmol/min/mg protein; p = 0.005). This activities were independent on the pathohistological and clinical factors, except for positive lymphovascular invasion and myometrial invasion (over 50%), where significantly lower GST activities were found. For normal tissues the positive correlation between GSH concentrations and GST activities was found (correlation coefficient = 0.50, p = 0.005), but not for tumor tissue (correlation coefficient = 0.20, p = 0.281). The prognosis of patients (according to the well established prognostic factors, such as tumor type, myometrial invasion and grades) who had lower GSH concentration and GST activity in normal tissue was similar to those with higher GSH concentration and GST activity. In conclusion, higher GST activities found in tumor of corpus uteri suggest, that GST activity could be used as a tumor marker for the early stages of these malignant tumors.
Key words: Glutathione, glutathione transferase, tumors of corpus
uteri, tumor marker.
pp. 324-328
M. Gupta, U.K. Majumdar, M.R. Ray, D.K. Mukhopadhayay
Department of Pharmacological Technology, Jadavpur University, Calcutta
- 700032, India;
Chittaranjan National Cancer Research Centre, Calcutta, India
Effects of a new mycotoxin MT81 obtained from the fungal strain Penicillium nigricans on the growth of two transplantable murine tumors and the life span of the hosts were studied. Remarkable decrease in tumor volume and viable tumor cell count was found in both the tumors. Antitumor effect of the compound was more pronounced in Sarcoma 180 (S180) than in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). The tumor - inhibitory effect was also manifested by the reduction in mitotic activity and appearence of membrane blebbing and intracytoplasmic vacuoles in the treated tumor cells. MT81 treatment prolonged the life span of the EAC tumor host by 78% and more than 100% in S180 bearing mice. Tumor inhibition by MT81 was followed by improvements in hemoglobin, RBC values and bone marrow cellularity. Thus the results suggest that MT81 has significant antitumor property against experimental murine tumors and it does not adversely affect the hematological profile of the hosts.
Key words: MT81, new mycotoxin, tumor inhibition, mice.
pp. 329-333
pp. 334
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