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A Fateh-Moghadam

Publications and source records attributed to A Fateh-Moghadam.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Prognostic significance of the CA 125 half-life for the further outcome of ovarian cancer].

Since only approx. 30% of patients with ovarian carcinoma present themselves in the early stages, and as a result of the lack of effective screening methods, primary interest has been applied to the improvement of the treatment quality in the later stages. Improvement of therapeutic strategies implies an adaptation of specific characteristics of the patient and the tumour. For instance, in cases of primary progression during chemotherapy, it is not justified to continue an aggressive treatment, which causes additional serious side effects. Surprisingly, it has not been possible, to utilize established or suspected prognostic factors for treatment strategies in ovarian cancer. This might result, in part, from the uncertainty of criteria such as stage of disease, residual tumour and histological grading. The single most relevant prognostic factor today is the residual tumour mass. In 1988 van der Burg suggested for the first time a potential prognostic relevance of the CA 125 half-life. This study was designed, to investigate the use of CA 125 half-life in therapeutic strategies. From January 1984 to June 1990, 346 patients with primary ovarian cancer were treated at our institution. Preoperative CA 125 levels were determined in 292 patients; in 220 patients the levels were complete for a period of more than 6 months so that the CA 125 half-life could be calculated. Survival times of patients with a half-life of less than 20 days were significantly (p less than 0.0001) different from patients with a half-life of more than 20 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗
PubMed1992

Neuronal network analysis of serum electrophoresis.

AIMS: To advise a system of neuronal networks which can classify the densitometric patterns of serum electrophoresis. METHODS: Digitised data containing 83 normal and 132 pathological serum protein electrophoresis patterns were presented to four neuronal networks containing 1900 neurons. Network 1 evaluates the integrated values of the albumin, alpha 1, alpha 2, beta and gamma fractions together with total protein (Biuret method). Networks 2, 3, and 4 analyse the shape of the albumin, beta and gamma fractions. To increase the sensitivity for the detection of monoclonal gammopathies a Fourier transformation was applied to the beta and gamma fractions. RESULTS: After a learning period of 20 minutes (back-propagation learning algorithm) the system was tested with a set of electrophoresis patterns comprising 446 routinely collected samples. It differentiated between physiological and pathological curves with a sensitivity of 97.5% and a specificity of 98.8%, with 86% correct diagnoses. All monoclonal gammopathies were recognised by the Fourier detector. CONCLUSIONS: Neuronal networks could be useful for certain medical uses. Unlike rule based systems, neuronal networks do not have to be programmed but have the capacity to "learn" quickly.

Blood Protein Electrophoresis↗
PubMed1992

Significance of bone alkaline phosphatase, CA 15-3 and CEA in the detection of bone metastases during the follow-up of patients suffering from breast carcinoma.

After the introduction (1, 2) and methodical evaluation (3, 4) of a new method for the quantitative measurement of the bone isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase (test-combination bone alkaline phosphatase, Boehringer Mannheim), we started a retrospective clinical study for the follow-up investigations of breast cancer patients. Our aim was to establish the significance of the routinely used tumour markers, CEA and CA 15-3, in combination with bone alkaline phosphatase for the early detection of metastatic spread to the bone. We investigated 492 sera from 92 patients suffering from breast carcinoma, and we compared each date of investigation with the results of the clinical examination and with the results of medical imaging, if that had been performed. From a previous study involving skeleton scintigraphy (5) we knew that single examinations do not allow a differential diagnosis between benign and malignant disorders of the bone, so we based our calculations on differences between sequential investigations. We found that in follow-up investigations of patients with breast carcinoma the combined determination of CEA, CA 15-3 and bone alkaline phosphatase may be indicative for the localisation of metastatic disease. The determination of the bone alkaline phosphatase is easy to handle with a short assay time and good reproducibility; it can therefore be recommended.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1991

Histologic, biochemical, and clinical parameters for monitoring multiple myeloma.

In a retrospective and prospective follow-up study from 1968 to 1989, bone marrow biopsy specimens, serum beta-2-microglobulin (SB2M) levels, and the clinical features of 251 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and 28 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) were investigated. The main histologic variables (tumor cell type, tumor growth, tumor load, and fibrosis), SB2M level, serum thymidine kinase (STK) level, and various clinical parameters were analyzed to determine factors of value in monitoring the clinical phases of activity in MM. Our recently proposed prognostic strategy combining bone marrow histologic type, SB2M level, and signs of organ failure was tested for its ability to (1) diagnose the early and smoldering variants; (2) facilitate decisions on the time of initiation, the type and duration of initial induction therapy in the pretreatment phases (active and rapidly progressive phases); and (3) characterize variations in tumor regression and tumor-host interactions during chemotherapy (early treatment, plateau, relapse, transition, and refractory phases). The results indicate that this clinicopathologic monitoring combines information both on stage and aggressivity of MM and thus facilitates therapeutic decisions in the various clinical phases of MM.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1991

Myasthenia gravis: measurement of anti-AChR autoantibodies using cell line TE671.

Anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies in myasthenia gravis (MG) can be quantitated using AChR extracted from the human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line TE671 (AChRTE671) as a practical alternative to AChR from human amputated limbs (AChRAMP). We compared the two antigen preparations using serum samples from different clinical groups of MG patients (n = 112) and various controls (n = 189). With two exceptions, both tests were positive or negative in the same patients. However, in the generalized MG group, the TE671 assay yielded significantly lower titers than the AChRAMP assay.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Squamous cell carcinoma antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen levels as prognostic factors for the response of cervical carcinoma to chemotherapy.

Between January 1986 and December 1988, 36 patients with primary advanced or recurrent cervical carcinoma were treated with cytostatic drugs in our department. Treatment at first was a combination of cisplatin and etoposide. After August 1987, a combination of carboplatin and ifosfamide was used. In all patients showing primary response to therapy, the squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels fell rapidly to normal after one or two cycles. In contrast, clinical remission was not obtained in those patients with levels which remained high or rose again following an initial decrease. Chemotherapy is often the only available therapy for advanced cervical carcinoma or recurrent disease, although the results of treatment, especially in squamous cell carcinoma, remain poor. The course of the SCC or CEA levels can help to decide whether the patient would profit from a continuation of the therapy. With the tumor markers, treatment can be individualized so that, above all, cases of therapy failure or further tumor progression can be detected early and the patient can be spared the severe side effects of the treatment.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1989

Myelin basic protein in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients infected with HIV.

The major pathological abnormalities of HIV encephalopathy are infiltrates of macrophages, multinucleated giant cells, microglial nodules and demyelination. Elevated myelin basic protein (MBP) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) provide a marker for central nervous system demyelination. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible role of CSF MBP as a useful and early marker for HIV encephalopathy. The CSF of 40 consecutive patients with HIV infection of various clinical stages was investigated, including 13 patients with clinical signs of HIV encephalopathy. CSF MBP was elevated in 2 patients (5.0 and 5.3 ng/ml), both of whom had moderate to severe HIV encephalopathy. The course of the disease was rapid in both patients. In the remaining 38 patients, CSF MBP levels were marginally elevated (n = 12) or normal (n = 26). Our results suggest that CSF MBP is not a sensitive marker for the diagnosis and evaluation of HIV encephalopathy, but may be an indicator of prognosis for the course of the disease. There were only few findings of elevated CSF MBP levels in patients with HIV encephalopathy in the current study, and this may be because the disorder progressed slowly in most patients. It is possible that CSF MBP levels in HIV encephalopathy may only be elevated with acute clinical deterioration but are normal in slowly progressive forms of demyelination, as seen in multiple sclerosis.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1989

Serum levels of CA 125 and histological findings at second-look laparotomy in ovarian carcinoma.

In a prospective study, the serum levels of CA 125 were estimated at regular intervals in 139 patients with ovarian carcinoma. Seventy-two of 78 patients with a second-look laparotomy had elevated CA 125 levels initially. The main aim of our investigation was the correlation of CA 125 levels with the histological findings at second-look laparotomy. A total of 26 patients were free from tumor. In each case CA 125 lay within the normal range. From the 46 patients where residual tumor was found, CA 125 levels were elevated in 23 cases, so that in 23 women with residual tumor, false negative levels were found. There were no false positive CA 125 levels. In all women with raised tumor marker levels at the time of the second-look laparotomy, tumor was found despite the often negative clinical or technical preoperative screening. A negative tumor marker at the time of the second look does not exclude residual tumor. For histological proof of complete remission, a second-look operation is imperative. If the CA 125 level is raised, the relevance of the planned second-look laparotomy is open to discussion.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗
PubMed1989

Experiences with SCC antigen, a new tumor marker for cervical carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen was first described by Kato et al. in patients with carcinoma of the cervix uteri. SCC serum levels can be measured with a radioimmunoassay. In our investigation, 2.0 ng/ml was taken as the upper limit of the standard range. In 35 healthy women there were no elevated SCC serum levels. Eight of 40 patients with breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer had raised SCC levels. In only two of 12 patients with benign gynecological diseases, SCC was also elevated. Sixty per cent of the patients with primary and 73% of the patients with recurrent cervical cancer showed pathological values; CEA was elevated in 31% and 51% respectively. The absolute values increased with the stage of the disease. Sixty-nine per cent of patients with squamous cell carcinoma had elevated levels. In five of nine adenosquamous carcinomas SCC was pathological. SCC shows a high sensitivity for squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix uteri. The tumor marker might be helpful in the control of primary therapy and follow-up of cervical cancer patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1989

[Experiences with the squamous cell carcinoma antigen, a new tumor marker for cancer of the uterine cervix].

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen was first described 1977 by Kato et al. in patients with carcinoma of the cervix uteri. SCC serum levels can be measured with a radioimmunoassay (Abbott), in our investigation 2.0 ng/ml were taken as the upper limit of the standard range. In 35 healthy women there were no elevated SCC serum levels. In only 2 of 50 patients with benign gynaecological diseases SCC was also elevated. 59% of the 102 patients with primary and 70% of the 63 patients with recurrent cervical cancer showed pathologic values, CEA was elevated in 32% and 51% respectively; the mean serum concentrations increased with the stage of the disease. 68% of 142 patients with squamous cell carcinoma had elevated levels, in 5 of 9 adenosquamous carcinomas and in 3 of 14 adenocarcinomas SCC was in the pathological range. 13 of 60 patients with breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer showed elevated values. SCC shows a high specificity and a high sensitivity for squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix uteri. The tumor marker might be helpful in the control of the primary therapy and follow-up of cervical cancer patients.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1989

[The course of squamous cell carcinoma antigen and CEA as prognostic criteria for response to chemotherapy in cervix cancer].

36 patients with cervical carcinoma were treated with cytostatic drugs in our department between January 1986 and December 1988. Following histological diagnosis by staging laparotomy or by means of a scalenous biopsy, 12 patients received primary chemotherapy and 3 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy following a radical hysterectomy, because of the histological extent of the disease. Twenty-one patients were treated by chemotherapy because of recurrent disease. Treatment consisted at first of a combination of cisplatin and etoposide, followed in August 1987 with a combination of carboplatin and ifosfamide. More than 90% of patients, the SCC, CEA or both tumour markers were elevated before the treatment, so that the course of the tumour markers during chemotherapy could be followed. All patients showed primary response to therapy, the tumour marker levels fell rapidly to normal after one or two cycles. None of these patients showed tumour progression while the tumour marker levels were within the normal range. Clinical remission was not obtained in those patients with levels, which remained high or rose again following an initial decrease. After only two cycles of chemotherapy, levels began to rise further and continuation of therapy did not seem justified. Chemotherapy is often the only available therapy for advanced cervical carcinoma or recurrent disease, even though the results of treatment in squamous cell carcinoma remain poor. The course of SCC and/or CEA levels can help in an early decision, whether or not the patient would profit from a continuation of the therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1989

Bone marrow histology and serum beta 2 microglobulin in multiple myeloma--a new prognostic strategy.

Bone marrow biopsies of 720 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) were investigated from 1968-1989. Histologic variables were correlated with clinical parameters and survivals to determine prognostic factors. In 207 of these patients initial levels of serum beta 2 microglobulin (SB2M) were also measured for prognostic evaluation. Four tumour growth patterns were distinguished: interstitial (56%), interstitial/sheets (13%), nodular (15%) and packed marrow (16%) with median survivals of 46, 31, 22 and 16 months. When grouped according to the tumour cell mass in the biopsy, four histologic stages were recognized. Cellular characteristics were used to classify MM into 6 histologic types which were subsequently combined into 3 grades of malignancy: low, intermediate and high, analogous to the malignant lymphomas. With respect to tumour products, only SB2M proved to be a valuable prognostic indicator for staging and follow-up. Complications of MM such as anaemia, azotaemia, osteolytic lesions, hypercalcaemia and hypoalbuminaemia all predicted a poor prognosis, highly significant in the test statistics. We propose a new prognostic approach in MM, comprising 1) parameters defining the tumour itself, 2) the tumour products (SB2M) and 3) the tumour complications. This prognostic strategy combines information both on stage and malignancy of MM and enables definition of smouldering and of aggressive variants of MM at an early stage.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1989

Measurement of proteins with the Behring Nephelometer. A multicentre evaluation.

The selective multi-protein analyser Behring Nephelometer was examined according to the ECCLS guidelines in a multicentre evaluation involving five laboratories. IgG, IgA, IgM, C-reactive protein, C3c, C4, apolipoprotein A-I and B were measured in serum, and albumin and IgG were measured in cerebrospinal fluid. All values obtained were included in the evaluation without correcting for outliers. The trial, which lasted three months and involved over 20,000 analyses, basically yielded the following results: 1. The precision was generally better than that of comparative procedures. For the majority of methods, the between-day coefficients of variation were below 4.5%. The highest coefficient of variation was 7.2% (for C-reactive protein) and the lowest 1.35% (for C3c). 2. The fraction of assigned values of control materials varied between 0.95 and 1.08. 3. Good agreement was found with results from the comparison procedures: Beckman ICS, Behring Laser Nephelometer, Hyland Laser Nephelometer. 4. No carry-over effects were observed. 5. No interferences were observed for IgG, IgA and IgM determinations using hyperbilirubinaemic or haemolytic samples. In contrast lipaemic samples and some with monoclonal immunoglobulin M showed an influence on the immunoephelometric reaction. 6. Because of the large measuring range, it is necessary to repeat analyses only in extremely rare cases. 7. During the entire evaluation period no instrument malfunctions or interruptions occurred. As a result of its reliability, the Behring Nephelometer is well suited for routine operation and emergency analyses in medium and large-sized laboratories.

Albumins↗
PubMed1988

[Serum CA 125 values and histologic findings at the time of second-look laparotomy in ovarian cancer].

In a prospective study CA 125 serum levels of 99 patients with ovarian cancer were determined serially. 50 of 55 patients with second-look-laparotomy elevated levels initially had. We were interested in particular in the correlation between CA 125 and the histological findings at second-look operation. In 16 patients there was no residual tumor, CA 125 was in the normal range. In 34 the women tumor tissue was demonstrated; CA 125 was elevated in 14 patients, so there were 20 patients with false negative CA 125 serum levels. No false positive CA 125 values were found. In all patients with elevated tumor marker the residual tumor was histologically confirmed at second look. To verify a complete remission, a second-look operation will have to be performed in spite of a negative tumor marker, since active tumor tissue might still be present. In patients with elevated CA 125 a second-look laparotomy should be avoided at this time.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1987

CA-125 in gynecological malignancies.

CA-125 is an antigenic determinant that can be demonstrated in the majority of epithelial ovarian carcinomas. It can be measured in the serum with a radioimmunoassay by means of a monoclonal antibody. The tumor marker has a low specificity but high sensitivity for ovarian cancer, especially for serous cystadenocarcinoma. In our investigation we were interested in particular in the correlation between CA-125 and the histological findings at second-look operation. In 22 patients, second-look was performed after 6 cycles of chemotherapy, in 16 patients active tumor was demonstrated. In 6 patients with negative CA-125 values, residual tumor less than 1 cm was demonstrated. In order to verify a complete remission, a second-look operation has to be performed. No false-positive CA-125 levels were found. In all patients with elevated CA-125 serum values, residual tumor was histologically confirmed at second look.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗