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Biomedical subjects

C Dittrich

Publications and source records attributed to C Dittrich.

106 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

[In vitro chemosensitivity testing with the human tumor stem cell assay (HTSCA) in breast cancer].

Clonogenic assays have attracted most attention in the field of chemosensitivity testing procedures. For many practical reasons and theoretical considerations detailed in this paper the human tumour stem cell assay (HTSCA) has proven most suitable for this purpose. The slightly modified method originally described by Hamburger and Salmon was used for testing tumour specimens of patients with breast cancer. 77 samples from 65 different patients were sent to our laboratory. 51% of the specimens were suitable for testing. 56% of all tested samples were biopsies and 44% were effusions. To enhance cell yield and viability solid tumours were disaggregated enzymatically using an enzyme cocktail consisting of collagenase 0.15% and DNase 0.015%. The median viability of the solid samples was 55%, that of the effusions was 91%. 44% of the culture samples showed colony growth (greater than 5 colonies per control plate) and 28% sufficient colony growth (greater than 20 colonies per control plate). The average number of colonies per control plate was 65, the average cloning efficiency was 0.0111%. Half of the samples with sufficient colony growth (5/11) was adequate for drug prediction. Positive correlation of sensitivity was observed in 2/2 and correct resistance prediction in 3/3.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1984

[Mitoxantrone in the primary treatment of metastasizing breast cancer].

25 females (57.7 +/- 11.1 years) and 1 male (71 years) with histologically verified metastasizing breast cancer were submitted to mitoxantrone therapy. Secondary tumours were found in following organ systems: bone: 19 cases; lung: 13 cases; liver: 6 cases; skin: 5 cases; locoregional and nodal: 5 cases; brain: 1 case. All patients showed normal bone marrow and heart function before commencement of treatment. Mitoxantrone was given in form of a 30-minute infusion at a dosage of 14 mg/m2. In 4 patients dosage was increased to 20 mg/m2. Treatment cycles were repeated every 3 weeks according to peripheral blood counts. All patients were cardiologically monitored throughout the study by means of electrocardiogram, systolic time interval measurement and radionuclide angiography. The mean observation period was 169 +/- 98 days. The response of the patients was as follows: 1 complete remission, 5 partial remissions, 4 unchanged disease and 16 progressive disease. Side effects were normally mild; only nausea, leucopenia and moderate hair loss were of clinical relevance. Cardiac decompensation was not observed. No significant electrocardiographic alterations were found throughout the study. Results of systolic time interval measurements (PEPI, PEP:LVET) and radionuclide angiography (LVEF) gave evidence of moderate depression of heart function. In view of the optimal benefit/risk ratio of mitoxantrone this drug could be used in combined modality treatment schedules in metastasizing breast cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

[Monitoring of cardiac function during doxorubicin therapy in metastasized breast cancer. Measuring systolic time interval].

Assessment of systolic time interval represents an uncomplicated, sufficiently precise and cheap possibility in clinical practice of cardiac monitoring during treatment with doxorubicin (adriamycin) if the ratio between pre-ejection period interval (PEPI) and left ventricular ejection time interval (LVETI) ("Weissler index") for evaluation of left ventricular cardiac function is used. In an investigation of 352 female patients with metastatic carcinoma of the breast statistically ascertained dose-response relationships could be established as regards electrocardiographic disorders of repolarisation and the systolic time interval (P less than 0.001). Pre-irradiated patients showed more ECG changes (P less than 0.001) and higher PEPI : LVETI values (P less than 0.001) than patients without prior irradiation. There was no general influence of cytostatic treatment on systolic and diastolic blood pressure values. The upper limit of a therapeutic risk in evaluation of the systolic time interval for cardiac monitoring of doxorubicin treatment should be 0.45-0.50 for PEPI : LVETI. Above this borderline value precise cardiac evaluation including invasive methods should be attempted if continuation of treatment is indicated. This regime could help prevent the occurrence of life-threatening cardiac crises during treatment with doxorubicin.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1983

Plasmapheresis in the treatment of myasthenia gravis.

Between 1978 and 1980, 10 patients with myasthenia gravis underwent treatment by plasmapheresis. Of these, 7 responded to plasma exchange. Pre- and post-exchange anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody concentrations were found to be a useful parameter for intraindividual comparisons, but failed to correlate with the stage of the disease. Anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody assays cannot be replaced by determinations of IgG and globulin concentrations. In view of the potential risks and of the high cost factor, plasmapheresis should be reserved for particularly severe cases for obtaining transient clinical improvement in life threatening situations.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Pharmacokinetics and acute signs of cardiac toxicity during doxorubicin therapy].

Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) has shown impressive activity in the treatment of a broad spectrum of malignant tumours. Chronic irreversible cardiac myopathy is the usual cumulative dose-limiting toxicity with this anthracycline antibiotic. In this study acute cardiac reactions following doxorubicin infusions (60 mg/m2) were registered by means of ECG Holter monitoring and measurement of systolic time intervals. The PEPI as well as the PEP/LVET ratio were found to be significantly increased, with a peak at 6 hours following drug infusion (p less than 0.001). This observation proves the occurrence of transient myocardial dysfunction during doxorubicin treatment. Pharmacokinetic data showed good correlation between the electrocardiographic changes and the tissue distribution of the drug. Doxorubicin-related ventricular arrhythmias were observed in only 2 out of 6 cases. Repeated acute myocardial damage by doxorubicin infusions is considered to be the cause of chronic cardiomyopathy with long-term administration.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Hepatic tumors].

In this paper aspects concerning epidemiology, pathophysiology, laboratory diagnosis and treatment modalities of primary hepatomas and secondary tumors of the liver are discussed. As results obtained with conventional chemotherapy are unsatisfying special emphasis is put on the new therapeutic methods of intraarterial and intravenous cytostatic perfusion via hepatic artery and portal vein respectively. Additionally our own clinical and laboratory datas are presented.

Angiography↗
PubMed1982

[Development of an enzyme immunoassay for determination of factor VIII antigens].

We describe an enzyme-immunoassay for the determination of factor VIII related antigen. The principle of the method is the following: Test plasma is mixed with rabbit antibodies against human factor VIII in excess and incubated at 37 degrees C. The incubation mixture is added to polystyrene tubes coated with human factor VIII. The rabbit antibody is available to adhere to factor VIII coating the tube and can be detected with an enzyme-labeled wether antibody to rabbit IgG. This method is sensitive to 7.8 x 10(-3) U/ml factor VIII antigen.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

[Quantitative determination of factor VIII antigen with an enzyme immunoassay].

We describe an enzyme-immunoassay for the determination of factor VIII antigen. After representation of the isolation of proteins the enzyme-immunoassay is presented. The principle of the method is the following: Test plasma is mixed with rabbit antibody in excess and incubated at 37 degrees C. The incubation mixture is added to polystyrene tubes, which are coated with human factor VIII. The rabbit antibody is available to adhere to factor VIII coating the tube and can be detected with an enzyme-labeled antibody to rabbit IgG. This method is sensitive to 7.8 . 10(-3) U/ml factor VIII antigen; the variation coefficient is 10.9%.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

[Acute self-poisoning with arsenic and treatment with BAL (author's transl)].

A case of attempted suicide by ingestion of 4.8 g As2O3 (more than 20 times the estimated lethal dose) is reported. Absorption of arsenic caused elevated urinary levels over 5 days BAL treatment was started within three hours after arsenic ingestion. The patient did not develop any signs of polyneuropathy or other clinical changes.

Arsenic Poisoning↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Phase II trial of recombinant interferon alpha-2C in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

A total of 18 patients with advanced metastatic renal cell cancer were treated with recombinant interferon alpha-2C (rIFN alpha-2C) at daily doses of 10 X 10(6) IU by intramuscular injection. All patients had evaluable metastatic lung, liver, or abdominal disease as measured by radiographic or computerized tomographic scans. In 2 of the 18 patients an objective response (1 CR, 1 PR) with a duration of +28 and 12 months, respectively was achieved. A 25$ to 50$ decrease in tumor measurements (MR) was seen in 2 additional patients; in 3 cases a stabilisation of the disease (SD) was observed, whereas it progressed in 11. 3/4 responding patients (including MR) and all 3 cases with SD had measurable disease in the lungs as predominant site of metastatic disease. Additional clinical characteristics of patients exhibiting response or SD to IFN therapy included prior nephrectomy, favourable initial performance status and limited metastatic disease. No serious haematologic or irreversible organ toxic effects were attributed to interferon. Several patients, however, had constitutional symptoms, and major dose reductions due to CNS toxicity became necessary in two. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the use of interferons in combination with cytotoxic drugs or other biologic response modifiers.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A model of the blood circulation system with extensive pulsing simulation as basis of monitoring artificial heart].

A pulsing model of the human circulatory system is required to develop a monitoring system for the artificial heart. The paper describes the pulsing circulatory model which is capable of simulating heart performance with inadequate activity in terms of short, moderate, and long regulatory effects. Thus, the cardiovascular system is monitored by an automatic autoregulatory local control system for blood flow, stress-induced vascular relaxation, and the renin-angiotensin system. The simulation makes it possible to reflect the impact of exercise on the body and of motor functions on the healthy or failing heart.

Blood Circulation↗