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Biomedical subjects

C Schatz

Publications and source records attributed to C Schatz.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

[Osteocalcin, a marker in diseases with elevated bone metabolism].

Osteocalcin is synthesized by osteoblasts and its concentration in serum is increased when bone metabolism is raised. Radioimmunoassay of serum from 88 healthy adults gave a mean osteocalcin value for the whole group of 4.11 +/- 1.43 ng/ml. The level rose with age. In seven patients with primary hyperparathyroidism the mean value was markedly raised to 19.37 +/- 9.2 ng/ml, in 23 with metastasizing carcinoma of the breast it was elevated to 6.57 +/- 2.98 ng/ml. Serial measurements in 14 female patients over seven months revealed different changes in osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase in some of them. In patients with breast cancer and soft-tissue metastases or without metastases both osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase levels were normal. Three of 17 patients with multiple myeloma had increased osteocalcin levels. These results indicate that it is clinically helpful to know osteocalcin levels in primary hyperparathyroidism. Determination of osteocalcin concentration, in addition to that of alkaline phosphatase, can be of value in the postmastectomy management of patients with breast cancer, especially in the early recognition of bone metastases. The diagnostic value of osteocalcin levels in multiple myeloma remains undecided.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

[Correlation between various lipid and apolipoprotein parameters and clinical severity in arteriopathy of the lower limbs].

We have compared the serum levels of lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol), apolipoproteins (Apo Al and Apo B) and two ratios (HDL cholesterol/VLDL + LDL cholesterol and Apo Al/Apo B) between a population of 180 patients with atheromatous member lesions, divided into four sub-groups with respect to clinical severity, and one of 121 controls without lesions. It seems that the most discriminative values linking to the severity of atherosclerotic manifestations are levels of Apo B, ratio Apo Al/Apo B and with a lower efficiency ratio HDL cholesterol/VLDL + LDL cholesterol.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

[Significance of thyroglobulin as a tumor marker in the serum of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma: longitudinal and cross-sectional studies (author's transl)].

For evaluating the clinical significance of thyroglobulin measurements for the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma, thyroglobulin was determined radioimmunologically during the past 2 years (up to 12 times) in 40 patients after withdrawal of thyroid hormone. Thyroglobulin values were compared with whole-body scintigrams after radioiodine. Thyroglobulin antibodies, which may interfere in the radioimmunoassay for thyroglobulin, were also estimated by a radioimmunologic method. In the majority of cases, thyroglobulin levels corresponded to the scintigrams, however, the thyroglobulin level appeared to be a more precise index for changes in tumor tissue mass. In one patient the scintigram was negative, whereas considerable amounts of thyroglobulin were measured in the serum: X-ray tomography revealed a lung metastase in this case. On the other hand, thyroglobulin was undetectable in the sera of patients who exhibited distinct metastases in the scintigram. Thyroglobulin can be regarded as a tumor marker in patients thyroidectomized for differentiated thyroid carcinoma. However, its determination can certainly not replace whole-body scintigraphy as postulated by several authors, although thyroglobulin measurement appears to be superior to scanning in some cases. A combined application of iodine scanning and thyroglobulin radioimmunoassay is thus advisable in the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1980

[Cholesterol in serum high density lipoprotein fraction (author's transl)].

The risk of atheroma can be assessed and valid epidemiological surveys can be carried out by measuring cholesterol in serum high density lipoprotein fraction (HDL) and calculating the HDL cholesterol: VLDL + LDL ratio. This was done in 39 patients free from surgically confirmed atheromatous lesions and in 51 patients presenting with such lesions. Of the four different techniques used for separation in these patients (ultracentrifugation, precipitation with heparin-Mn2+, precipitation with phosphotungstate-Mg2+ and electrophoresis), precipitation with phosphotungstate-Mg/2+ seems to be the most suitable, since there is no degradation of the HDL fraction as during electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel, and less floculation of the supernatant after separation. Contrary to ultracentrifugation, which requires sophisticated equipment and good technical skill, the technique is easily carried out.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Gene therapy study of cytokine-transfected xenogeneic cells (Vero-interleukin-2) in patients with metastatic solid tumors.

On the basis of compelling preclinical data in cats and dogs, we initiated a clinical gene therapy study in nine patients with advanced solid tumors using xenogeneic fibroblasts secreting human interleukin (IL)-2 (Vero-IL-2 cells). Cohorts of three successive patients with tumors accessible to computed tomography- or ultrasound-guided injection were treated repeatedly with 5 x 10(5), 5 x 10(6), or 5 x 10(7) Vero-IL-2 cells. The endpoints of the study were feasibility, toxicity, and the clinical and biological effects of this novel approach to immunotherapy of cancer. Histopathological, immunological, and molecular analyses were performed on biopsy specimens of tumors and blood samples before, during, and after treatment. Treatment was well tolerated, and toxicity consisted of transient fever in one patient and short-lived, mild itching and erythema in two others. One patient with soft-tissue sarcoma showed a reduction of >90% and >50% of the volume of two distant, noninjected metastases, lasting for 29+ and 26 months, respectively. Four other patients showed stabilization of their disease for 3-9 months; of these patients, one with melanoma developed marked vitiligo. We conclude that repeated injections of < or =5 x 10(7) Vero-IL-2 cells are feasible and safe in heavily pretreated patients with advanced solid tumors. An additional evaluation of an intratumoral application of Vero-IL-2 seems warranted.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Recombinant vaccinia virus encoding human MUC1 and IL2 as immunotherapy in patients with breast cancer.

Polymorphic epithelial mucin, encoded by the MUC1 gene, is present at the apical surface of glandular epithelial cells. It is over-expressed and aberrantly glycosylated in most breast tumors, resulting in an antigenically distinct molecule and a potential target for immunotherapy. This transmembrane protein, when produced by tumor cells, is often cleaved into the circulation, where it is detectable as a tumor marker (CA 15.3) by various antibodies, allowing for early detection of recurrences and evaluation of treatment efficacy. The objective of the current study was to examine the clinical and environmental safety and immunogenicity of a live recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the human MUC1 and IL2 genes (VV TG5058), referred to here as TG1031. The study was an open-label phase 1 and 2 trial in nine patients with advanced inoperable breast cancer recurrences to the chest wall. The patients were vaccinated intramuscularly with a single dose of TG1031; three patients were treated at each of three progressive dose levels ranging from 5x10(5) to 5x10(7) plaque-forming units. A boost injection at their original dose level was administered in patients responding immunologically, clinically, or both. Vaccination resulted in no significant clinical adverse effects, and there was no environmental contamination by live TG1031. All patients had been vaccinated as children, and patients treated at the highest dose level mounted a significant anti-vaccinia antibody response. None of the nine patients had a significant increase in MUC1-specific antibody titers after one single injection, whereas five patients had a detectable increase in vaccinia virus antibody titers. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of one patient at the intermediate dose level showed a proliferative response to in vitro culture with vaccinia virus, with a stimulation index of 6. A second patient treated at the intermediate dose level had a stimulation index of 7 to MUC1 peptide and of 14 after a boost injection. This patient had a concomitant decrease in carcinoembryonic antigen serum levels and remained clinically stable for 10 weeks. Evidence of MUC1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes was detected in two patients. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed an increase in T memory cells (CD45RO) in tumor biopsies after vaccination. The absence of serious adverse events, together with the documentation of immune stimulations in vivo, warrant the further use of TG1031 in immunotherapy trials of breast cancer.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pyogenic granuloma gravidarum of the nasal fossa: CT features.

We present a case of a pregnant patient with a rapidly growing mass within the nasal fossa that was imaged by CT 2 weeks postpartum. Concern for malignancy existed and biopsy was performed, revealing pyogenic granuloma gravidarum. This uncommon lesion should be considered in any gravid patient when a mass occurs within the mouth or nasal fossa.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Gene therapy].

This paper considers the prerequisites for gene therapy. This new field of therapeutics has not yet proved its efficacity nor its safety. Use, as a drug of DNA molecules which can modify host genome and environment as well requires specific prerequisites; among them, animal experimental models are essential despite their limitations. The different preclinical and clinical steps in the design of gene therapy studies are also discussed.

Animals↗