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Biomedical subjects

A Bartal

Publications and source records attributed to A Bartal.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Results of postoperative treatment of colorectal cancer by radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Adjuvant therapy was given to patients with colorectal cancer stage Duke's B2 and C. The 53 patients were randomized and stratified after surgery. One arm received radiotherapy and chemotherapy and the other radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and MER. The survival and disease-free interval up to 2 years were longer and better in the radiochemo-MER arm. It is too early to conclude whether this combination increases the cure rate or delays the appearance of metastases. The time interval between the cytotoxic therapy and the immunotherapy and the dose of the immunotherapeutic agent is very important for the success of the combination therapy. Further follow-up is necessary and more patients need to be entered into the trial.

BCG Vaccine↗
PubMed1979

The effect of methanol extraction residue of BCG on the cellular immune response in patients with malignant melanoma.

Twenty-one patients with malignant melanoma stage III and IV were treated by intradermal injections of MER--methanol extraction residue of Baccillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Twelve of the patients, all with active disease, received chemotherapy in addition. Tests of skin reactivity to recall antigens and in vitro lymphocyte transformation by phytohemagglutinin (PHA), purified protein derivative (PPD), Canadidine, and Varidase were performed in 19 of the patients before and after the MER therapy. The skin reactivity improved in 8 patients, 5 patients maintained their cutaneous competence, 3 remained incompetent, and in 3 other patients a decrease in reactivity occurred. Improvement or maintenance of cutaneous response was more common in stage III than in stage IV patients. The in vitro lymphocyte stimulation tests have shown that reactivity increased or remained at a high level in 9 of 11 patients in stage III. It dropped or remained low in 2 patients in respect to all antigens used in spite of repeated MER injections. In most patients with stage IV disease no improvement could be detected. MER seems to be a potent immunostimulator in patients in stage III. The side effects were tolerable in all patients and consisted of local reactions and influenza-like symptoms. In 4 patients treated with MER by intralesional injections, transient flattening of nodules occurred but no complete regression was observed.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Vitiligo associated with BCG-methanol extraction residue in malignant melanoma. Report of a case.

A pronounced vitiliginous reaction developed at the sites of MER/BCG injections given as an adjuvant immunotherapy to a patient with malignant melanoma. To our knowledge, this is the third report on patients exhibiting vitiligo apparently induced by immunotherapy and the first in association with MER. This association may be a sign for an antimelanocytic effect and may offer a further confirmation for the autoimmune nature of vitiligo.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Local reaction to gingival injections of MER/BCG in guinea pigs.

The local reaction to gingival injections of methanol extraction residue of BCG (MER/BCG) was investigated in guinea pigs to help determine the potential of this agent in treating oral carcinoma. The drug was used in a standard and diluted form. Both concentrations were well tolerated and caused no ulceration or necrosis. Histological examinations performed at predetermined intervals showed an inflammatory response to the standard and the diluted solution. This reaction was more pronounced when the higher concentration was used. No changes in the alveolar bone were found in either of the groups. Complete healing with scar formation was evident four to six weeks later. The absence of severe reactions after injections of MER should encourage further investigations of this agent in the local treatment of neoplastic processes in the oral cavity.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Adjuvant therapy in colorectal cancer. (A randomized trial comparing radio-chemotherapy and radio-chemotherapy combined with the methanol extraction residue of BCG, MER).

Fifty-three patients with colorectal cancer Dukes' B2 and C were randomized after surgery. One group was treated by radio-and/or chemotherapy and the second by radio-and/or chemotherapy and MER. After 24 and 36 months a significant longer disease free interval, lower recurrence rate and better survival was found in the group treated by radio-chemo- and immunotherapy. Treatment was well tolerated and there were few local side effects from the MER injections. The long time efficacy of this adjuvant treatment whether it increases the cure rate or only delays recurrence does require longer follow-up.

BCG Vaccine↗
PubMed1979

Carcinoembryonic antigen in aqueous humor of patients with primary malignant choroidal melanoma.

Carcinoembryonic antigen levels were simultaneously determined in the aqueous humor and in the plasma of the 3 patients with primary choroidal malignant melanoma undergoing enucleation. An elevated carcinoembryonic antigen level was detected in the aqueous humor of 1 patient with no increase in plasma CEA level. In the other 2 patients no such elevation was found. A local increase of CEA levels produced by the tumor is likely to occur. Further studies are required of CEA levels of patients with primary malignant choroidal melanoma as an aid in diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Aged↗
PubMed1978

Multiple lymphocyte transformation tests by phytohemagglutinin in healthy individuals: transient episodes of decreased lymphocyte blastogenesis.

146 serial determinations of spontaneous and phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte transformation as measured by tritiated thymidine incorporation, were performed in 24 healthy individuals. 9 persons were studied intensively during a mean period of 40 days and the other 15 underwent random investigations during a period up to 10 months. Transient episodes of significant decreased lymphocyte transformation were revealed in 14 persons (58.4%) with regard to the spontaneous blastogenesis and in 11 subjects (45.8%) with regard to PHA-induced reactivity. The occurrence of the decreased values in PHA responsiveness was significantly higher in the intensively studied group compared to the randomly investigated one (p = 0.001). The probability of detecting one low PHA-related response in a normal subject was 11%. In only half of the cultures with low spontaneous blastogenic response did a simultaneous decrease in PHA-induced lymphocyte transformation occur. In addition to the currently used stimulation index, a new index termed the Blastogenic Cumulative Index is proposed. It is defined as the sum of the logarithms of the dpm values of the spontaneous and the PHA induced lymphocyte transformation. The CI is suggested to describe lymphocyte blastogenic function more accurately, and due to its simplicity warrents further study. Other indices for lymphocyte blastogenesis determination are discussed.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1978

Ethnical and clinical aspects of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in Israel: a survey on 288 patients.

The ethnic distribution of 288 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) from five medical centers in Israel during the decade 1960--1970 was investigated as well as other features of the disease. 80.5% of the patients were of East European descent, 14.5% originated from Asia and Africa and 5% were born in Israel. Based on the ethnic distribution of the elderly population of Israel during the above period, it is suggested that CLL occurs more frequently in European-born Jews than in Asian and African Jews. A low occurrence of Coombs positive hemolytic anemia was revealed, amounting to 7.2% of the patients. Of 68 patients who underwent serum immunoglobulin studies, up to 74% exhibited deficiency of at least one type of immunoglobulin. Low levels of IgA were encountered in 61.2%, IgM in 51.5% and IgG in 29.5% of the patients. 26 of 206 patients with CLL (12.5%), all of East European origin, had an additional primary malignant tumor, cancer of the skin and breast being the most frequent associated malignancies. In 6 patients of the 26, two additional neoplasms were diagnosed. Hypogammaglobulinemia was more frequent in patients with additional primary malignant tumors and in patients with advanced disease. The possible causes for the ethnic distribution of CLL in Israil as well as of other tumors are discussed.

Africa↗
PubMed1977

Laryngeal carcinoma associated with multiple additional primary tumors. Immunologic studies.

Four malignant tumors and one benign in a 76-year-old man appeared. Three of the neoplasms were in the respiratory system, and one was a bladder carcinoma; all were linked to heavy smoking habits. The patient underwent immunologic investigations consisting of in vivo testing for cutaneous reactivity, in vitro lymphocyte blastogenesis studies, T- and B-cell level studies, and serum immunoglobulin level studies. The studies have demonstrated anergy to recall antigens, decreased lymphocyte responses to phytohemagglutinin, and low levels of peripheral T-lymphocytes. The serum immunoglobulins were at the upper limit of the normal. The relationship between the patient's immunologic status and the occurrence of multiple primary neoplasms is discussed.

Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar↗
PubMed1977

Treatment of lung cancer by radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and methanol extraction residue of BCG (MER): clinical and immunological studies.

Fifty-one patients with advanced lung cancer were divided at random into two groups. One group of 29 patients received the methanol extraction residue (MER) of Bacille-Calmette-Guerin (BCG) in addition to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. The other group of 22 patients was treated by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy alone. The immune status of the patients was evaluated by skin tests to three recall antigens and KLH and by in vitro lymphocyte stimulation to PHA and three recall antigens. The immune status of both groups was similar before and after conventional treatment. The cutaneous reactivity, as well as the in vitro lymphocyte reactivity, became stronger in the MER-treated group, as compared with the control group. The MER-treated patients had less distant metastases. In a comparable clinical stage the survival in the MER treated group was slightly but not significantly better. This study has shown that MER stimulates the immune response, can be well tolerated and has few side effects. Therefore, MER treatment of patients with minimal tumor load can ethically be done with hope of obtaining better results.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

A preliminary study of intravenous methanol extraction residue of BCG in treatment of advanced cancer.

Twenty-four patients with advanced cancer not reacting to conventional therapy were treated with 97 courses of i.v. MER (methanol extraction residue of BCG). MER was administered by i.v. infusion over a 4-h period, twice a week, in dosages varying from 0.05 mg to 1.25 mg. The skin reactivity to 5 recall antigens was evaluated in the patients. All patients except 4 were anergic. Twelve patients had no side-effects. Anergic patients had less side-effects than ergic patients. The side-effects recorded in the others were fever, chills, vomiting and tachycardia. The reaction subsided within 24 h after treatment and was tolerable for most patients. In 2 patients an objective improvement was observed. No changes in cutaneous reactivity, renal and hepatic functions were found. A significant increase in peripheral leucocyte count was noted in two patients and slight a increase in the remainder.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Granuloma formation in patients after injection of methanol extraction residue (MER-GCG).

Nine patients with advanced cancer who were receiving the methanol extraction residue of BCG (MER-BCG) intradermally or intratumorally underwent biopsies from the injected sites or from locally enlarged lymph nodes. Most preparations showed a chronic granulomatous reaction consisting of lymphocytes, histiocytes, and epithelioid cells as well as either Langhans's or foreignbody type giant cells, or both. The degree of granuloma formation and giant cell infiltration varied. In only one case did the reactions consist merely of chronic lymphocytic and histiocytic inflammation with no granuloma formation. Examination of melanoma nodules injected with MER showed, in addition to granulomas, large numbers of giant cells penetrating the tumour.

Adult↗