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Biomedical subjects

B W Hancock

Publications and source records attributed to B W Hancock.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Importance of oncogene research to the cancer clinician.

For many years a genetic basis has been postulated for cancers and leukaemias. However, this concept has now been strengthened by the discovery of a group of genes (oncogenes) which are specifically associated with neoplasia. These genes have been identified by studies of animal oncogenic viruses, by in vitro transformation studies of mouse fibroblasts, and by molecular analyses of human tumour cells. The oncogenes are altered forms of normal genes (proto-oncogenes) whose protein products are thought to be involved in the regulation of cell proliferation. It appears that the alteration of proto-oncogenes to form oncogenes results in the inappropriate production of normal proteins or in the production of abnormal proteins. It is suggested, therefore, that the presence of such proteins would allow cells to escape from normal cell growth regulation, and as a result produce uncontrolled proliferation. Oncogene research has to date been primarily concerned with identifying oncogenes and assessing their importance in the development of a number of malignancies. Such research is therefore allowing us to build up a framework of genetic changes which define the development of each type of tumour or leukaemia. Furthermore, information concerning the oncogenes is now beginning to be applied diagnostically to help in determining predisposition of an individual to disease, in aiding the accurate staging of disease, in indicating prognosis and in developing markers to detect residual disease after therapy. It is also possible that in the future we may be able to develop new anticancer therapies, for example, based on oncogene protein inhibitors, or anti-oncogene protein antibodies or even gene therapy.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

British National Lymphoma Investigation randomised study of MOPP (mustine, Oncovin, procarbazine, prednisolone) against LOPP (Leukeran substituted for mustine) in advanced Hodgkin's disease--long term results.

From 1979-1983, 299 patients with stage III or IV Hodgkin's disease (HD) were randomised to receive cyclical chemotherapy with MOPP (mustine, Oncovin, procarbazine, prednisone) or LOPP (Leukeran substituted for mustine). Two hundred and ninety patients were evaluable. There was no statistically significant difference between the complete remission (CR) rates (63% for MOPP, 57% for LOPP), percentage of patients remaining disease free at 5 years (38% for MOPP, 35% for LOPP) and overall survival at 5 years (65% for MOPP, 64% for LOPP). On multivariate analysis younger age, grade I histopathology, absence of systemic symptoms, and normal albumin level were favourable prognostic factors for survival. Acute toxicity in the form of nausea/vomiting, myelosuppression, and phlebitis were less with LOPP than MOPP. Deaths in both groups were usually due to disseminated Hodgkin's disease; there were no infective deaths in the absence of Hodgkin's disease. Second malignancies occurred in six patients treated with MOPP--three acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), one non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), two carcinomas (Ca); with LOPP, four second malignancies occurred (one AML, one NHL, two Ca). These long term results confirm that LOPP is as effective as MOPP, and less toxic, in the treatment of advanced Hodgkin's disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Interleukin-2 and cancer therapy.

In summary, this meeting provided a useful overview of state-of-the-art research on IL-2. Significant gains have been made toward understanding the molecular biology and function of IL-2 and its receptors, but much remains to be learned about the intracellular signaling pathway by which IL-2 transduces its biological effects. Likewise, the nature of the lymphocyte subpopulation that responds to IL-2 requires detailed study, since it is now clear that T cells as well as LGLs can mediate non-MHC-restricted killing of tumor cells. Cell trafficking and effector cell activity within the tumor are other important issues to address. We also need to define the mechanism(s) by which IL-2-activated lymphoid cells mediate their antitumor effect in vivo; it is still far from clear whether these cells directly lyse the tumor cells, interrupt the tumor's vascular supply through endothelial cell damage, or produce other cytokines which then activate other cellular pathways. Preclinical data indicate that IL-2, with or without adoptive cellular therapy or in combination with other cytokines or drugs, can cause tumor regression. The success with animal model systems, however, has not always translated to success in the clinical setting-disappointingly, the majority of cancer patients still fail to respond to this treatment. It is hopeful the reasons for this will become apparent as more is learned about the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in this "new" form of immunotherapy.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1988

Transfer factor in Hodgkin's disease: a randomized clinical and immunological study.

Transfer factor (TF) was prepared from buffy coats obtained from 493 units of blood taken from healthy donors, including individuals convalescent from various viral infections. It was administered to 22 of 47 patients with Hodgkin's disease undergoing treatment and consenting to take part in this randomized study to determine if TF would enhance their immunity and/or reduce the incidence of subsequent infections. Skin test reactivity was markedly enhanced in those patients receiving TF as opposed to placebo but other immunological assessments showed no significant differences between the groups. TF was not shown to be of benefit in the prevention of infections (including varicella/zoster).

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1988

Primary intracerebral lymphoma: a clinicopathological analysis of 14 patients presenting over a 10-year period in Sheffield.

Intracerebral disease was diagnosed in 14 out of 450 patients who presented with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma between January 1976 and January 1987. Twelve of the 14 presented after June 1980. Age ranged from 31 to 73 years and eight patients were male. Two patients had other tumours, and three had relevant associated immunosuppressive disorders. Radiological assessment of one further patient showed a cavitating bronchial carcinoma. Five patients were untreated, and one died before radiotherapy was complete. Eight patients completed courses of whole-brain irradiation; four of these received higher doses. All entered remission. Three patients are alive, between eight months and seven years after treatment. Of the remaining five, one never recovered intellectual function and died of bronchopneumonia; three died between eight and 30 months after treatment and autopsy showed severe radionecrosis of the brain with no residual tumour. All three had received higher doses of radiation and had undergone burrhole aspiration before treatment. Autopsy was refused on one patient who also appeared to have died from radionecrosis of the brain. Immunohistological examination in eight cases confirms that cerebral non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a B-cell tumour. As other groups have found, its incidence appears to be rising. Survival rate is poor, and at least some deaths are related to both radiation necrosis and the bulk of residual tumour after diagnostic surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Malignant lymphoma: monitoring of tumour status in 273 patients using a monoclonal antibody, 'B5', reacting with autologous erythrocytes.

The value of the B5 antigen haemagglutination test has been assessed in 273 patients with malignant lymphoma--141 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and 132 with Hodgkin's disease (HD). Of those patients who were in remission after treatment, 41/155 (26%) showed B5 positivity: this compares to an incidence of 20% (122/551) in a wide range of non-tumour bearing individuals. In contrast, those patients with persistent disease, or in relapse, showed a much higher incidence of B5 positivity (84%; 99/118). Serial monitoring of 113 patients showed that B5 status often changed as tumour status changed, becoming more negative with remission, and more positive in relapse. Use of the B5 test in conjunction with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) gave an increased specificity for active disease in that 87% (35/40) of those who were B5-positive together with a raised ESR had active disease: of those patients who were both B5-negative and had normal ESR, 9 out of 108 (8%) had active disease. These findings suggest a role for the B5 test, combined with the ESR, in the monitoring of patients with malignant lymphoma.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1986

Randomised study of MOPP (mustine, Oncovin, procarbazine, prednisone) against LOPP (Leukeran substituted for mustine) in advanced Hodgkin's disease. British National Lymphoma Investigation.

299 patients with stage III or IV Hodgkin's disease were randomised to receive cyclical chemotherapy with MOPP (mustine, Oncovin, procarbazine, prednisone) or LOPP (Leukeran substituted for mustine). The complete remission rates (59.9% for MOPP, 59.4% for LOPP), actuarial survival (65.7 and 68.2% at 5 years, respectively) and complete remission/relapse free survival (33.3 and 32.2% at 5 years, respectively) were similar for both groups. There were no significant differences in response data between the MOPP and LOPP groups for individual prognostic variables (histology grade, stage, age and response to treatment). Deaths in both groups were usually due to disseminated Hodgkin's disease with terminal infection; there were no infective deaths in the absence of Hodgkin's disease. The less toxic regimen of LOPP can therefore be expected to produce results similar to those seen with MOPP, and this is true regardless of the severity of the illness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Protein losing enteropathy as a sole manifestation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

We describe a patient who presented with oedema and hypoproteinaemia which was proved to be due to protein-losing enteropathy. Extensive gastrointestinal investigations failed to discover any definitive cause. He subsequently developed tuberculous inguinal lymphadenopathy but although treated for tuberculosis the protein-losing state persisted. Later on he developed renal failure due to obstructive nephropathy. Laparotomy was carried out and it disclosed the diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, treatment of which cured the protein-losing state.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

A double blind trial of nitroglycerin vasodilator ointment in patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy.

A randomized double blind controlled trial has shown that topical, nitroglycerin vasodilator cream applied to the intended injection site in patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy for various malignancies, produced detectable vasodilation and a decrease in minor aids to venepuncture compared to placebo. It did not decrease the number of attempts at cannulation needed nor the overall cannulation failure rate and cannot be recommended for general use in cytotoxic chemotherapy clinics.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1985

An assessment of natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity in patients with malignant lymphoma.

Fifty per cent of untreated malignant lymphoma patients were shown to have profoundly reduced levels of peripheral blood lymphocyte-natural cell mediated cytotoxicity (PBL-NCMC) when tested against the leukaemic cell-line K562; assessment of NCMC in unfractionated blood from a large number of these patients showed a comparable reduction in activity. High levels of NCMC were observed in some patients with stage III/IV non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), while Hodgkin's disease (HD) patients over 40 yr of age had normal levels. In both NHL and HD patients there was no correlation between NCMC and absolute lymphocyte count or lymphoma histology. Human interferon was seen to boost NCMC in the majority of NHL patients, but most HD patients were nonresponders. Almost all patients tested had normal number of target binding lymphocytes, and most had numbers of HNK-1+ cells within the control range. However, on exposure to IFN, the number of target binding lymphocytes increased in over half of the patients tested, with some patients showing an increase in HNK-1+ cells, in the majority of cases without enhancement of NCMC.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Extranodal lymphoma of the head and neck: a review of 49 consecutive cases.

One thousand and two consecutive patients with lymphoma were referred to the Regional Radiotherapy and Oncology Centre at Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield from 1970 to 1982 inclusive. Four hundred and seventy (47%) of the lymphomas occurred in the head and neck and 49 (10.4%) of these were extranodal. These 49 patients with primary extranodal lymphoma of the head and neck were reviewed with regard to clinical presentation, histological grade, treatment and survival. The specialists involved in the initial diagnosis were, in order of frequency, ear, nose and throat surgeons, general surgeons, ophthalmic surgeons and oral surgeons. Tonsillar and thyroid lymphomas occurred most frequently and constituted 71.0% of this series. All extranodal lymphomas were non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and two-thirds were graded as histologically unfavourable. Clinical staging showed that 65% of tonsillar lymphomas had local lymph node involvement at the time of diagnosis (Stage II); only 25% of lymphomas from other sites were Stage II. Radiotherapy was the primary treatment and was associated with a cumulative survival rate of 46.5%. Most recurrences were within 1 year and at distant sites. Recurrent disease had a poor prognosis with only 10% achieving lasting remission. Further analysis of cumulative survival after 6 years showed 65.7% for clinical Stage I, 40.9% for Stage II and 67.6% for histological Grade I, 29.9% for Grade II.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Vindesine, etoposide (VP-16), and prednisolone (VEP) in relapsed patients with grade II non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Vindesine, etoposide (VePesid), and prednisolone (VEP) have been evaluated as a second-line combination regimen in 20 patients with grade II non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) who relapsed during or after first-line intensive therapy. The overall response rate was 40% (20% complete, of 9 to 13+ months' duration, and 20% partial, of 1.5 to 5 months' duration). The main toxicities were alopecia and myelosuppression (with two nonfatal cases of septicemia); nausea, vomiting, neurotoxicity, and skin and mucosal problems were relatively uncommon. VEP appears to be an active second-line regimen with acceptable toxicity in relapsed high-grade NHL patients.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1984

The effects of radiotherapy on immunity in patients with cured localized carcinoma of the cervix uteri.

The effects of radiotherapy on immune status in patients with localized carcinoma of the cervix have been assessed serially up to 5 years remission by a wide range of methods. Neutrophil function and serum immunoglobulins were essentially normal throughout. Peripheral blood neutrophil and lymphocyte counts and the proportions of T and B-cells fell with treatment but were all normal at 5 years, with the exception of B-cell proportions which remained significantly low. Marked deterioration was seen in in vivo cellular immune responses and this persisted even at 5 years remission. Reduced in vitro immunoreactivity is not therefore a reliable marker of disease recurrence and persisting defects in cellular immunity after radiotherapy do not seem to adversely affect the host tumor response. However, in three of the six patients who subsequently relapsed after therapy, subnormal PHA lymphocyte transformation responses were observed at presentation; all patients achieving sustained remission had normal pretreatment responses.

Female↗