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Biomedical subjects

D Huhn

Publications and source records attributed to D Huhn.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

[Prospective comparison of the diagnostic value of cytology and immunocytology in pleural effusion studied by thoracoscopy and biopsy].

Two issues have been elaborated: the value of immunocytochemistry in the diagnosis of pleural effusions, and the reactivity of the investigated antibodies with different classes of cells in pleural effusions. Effusions of unknown origin from 38 patients were investigated using thoracoscopy, pleural biopsies, conventional cytology, and immunocytochemistry. The following antibodies were used: those monoclonal against various leukocyte antigens, macrophage antigens, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), various cytoskeleton antigens, and melanoma antigens; those polyclonal against CEA and ferritin. All of the techniques used showed 18 patients (48%) as having a tumor-cell negative effusion. A pleural tumor with a malignant effusion showed in 13 patients (34%); in 12 of these immunocytochemistry also revealed tumor cells. Seven patients (18%) had a tumor of the pleura with a tumor-cell negative effusion; in 2 of these immunocytochemistry revealed a tumor-cell positive effusion. There was no difference with regard to the number of NK cells in patients with inflammation of the pleura and negative cytology and patients with tumor of the pleura and malignant effusion (3% vs 4.5%). Tumor cells were mainly stained by EMA, cytokeratin, and CEA. CEA was the only antibody to be tumor-cell specific, while EMA and cytokeratin were expressed by mesothelial cells also. The antibody against ferritin was a significant marker for mesothelial cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

[Comparison of CHOP and COP-BLAM chemotherapy in highly malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].

The course of disease in 61 consecutive patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma of high grade malignancy, treated between 1979 and 1985 with either CHOP or COP-BLAM regimen, was analysed retrospectively. Both groups showed a highly similar distribution of prognostic variables. COP-BLAM treatment resulted in significantly more complete remissions (23 of 27) than CHOP (11 of 29, P = 0.001). Life expectancy was, therefore, considerably higher in the COP-BLAM treated group. The mean observation period, however, was longer for CHOP-treated patients (37 vs. 30 months. The higher remission rate of the COP-BLAM regimen was not compromised by a substantial increase in toxicity; no therapy-related death was observed. Thus, the COP-BLAM regimen appears to be superior in inducing complete remissions in aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Actual survival curves suggest that this corresponds to an increased proportion of cured patients, but longer follow-ups are needed.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

[Tumor markers in the diagnosis of ascitic and pleural puncture fluids].

The identification of carcinoma cells in ascitic and pleural effusions by the detection of tumor markers was studied using an indirect immunoperoxidase method. Punctates from 56 patients with carcinomas, 18 with other malignant diseases and 10 with benign diseases were examined. In 35% of carcinomatous punctates tumor cells were stained by a CEA antiserum. No positive cells were found, however, in non-carcinomatous benign or malignant effusions. The immunocytochemical staining of CEA could detect tumor cells in 36% of carcinoma cases classified suspicious or negative using conventional cytology only. A TPA antiserum as well as the monoclonal antibody OC 125 stained cells in carcinomatous as well as in non-carcinomatous malignant and in benign punctates.

Adult↗

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas presenting with gastrointestinal involvement.

Between 1978 and 1983 a total of 33 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) involving the gastrointestinal tract were seen in our institution. Pathological classification was performed according to Kiel. Low grade NHL was diagnosed in 17, high grade NHL in 16 patients. The most frequent histological entity was lymphoplasmocytoid immunocytoma (11 patients). The most common sites of origin were the stomach (23 patients) and the ileocecal region (6 patients). The majority of patients presented with stage I and II disease (20 of 33 patients). As a rule primary therapy consisted of surgery with curative intent. Most of the patients received additional chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Patients with limited disease and complete tumour resection showed long-term survival from 12+ to 57+ months (mean 32.9+ months). Patients with advanced disease (stage III and IV) and only palliative surgery or with lymphoblastic lymphoma had a probability of survival of less than 12 months.

Adolescent↗

The relevance of alpha-naphthyl acetate esterases to various monocyte functions.

Human monocytes contain a series of alpha-naphthyl acetate (alpha NA) esterases which are not present in other blood cells and which can be specifically inhibited by bis(4-nitrophenyl)-phosphate (BNPP). This inhibitor is non-toxic at the concentration used and thus enabled studies on the possible significance of this enzyme towards various monocyte functions. BNPP has no noticeable influence on adhesion and spreading of monocytes on glass surfaces, nor does it inhibit the phagocytosis of IgG-coated latex particles. BNPP does, however, diminish the spontaneous cytotoxicity of freshly isolated monocytes towards the erythroleukaemic cell line K562. In the single cell assay in agarose, BNPP treatment of monocytes leads to a decrease in the number of lytic and non-lytic effector-target cell conjugates. In contrast, the antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) of monocytes as well as the natural cytotoxicity of lymphocytes towards K562 cells are not influenced by BNPP. The present investigations show that monocyte specific alpha NA esterases are involved in the spontaneous cytotoxicity of monocytes toward tumour cells.

Cell Adhesion↗

[Influence on immune function parameters in histiocytosis-X of thymostimulin].

Immune function (mitogen and antigen stimulation, suppressor cell activity, T-cell subpopulation distribution) and immunogenetics (HLA-gene determination) were studied in 13 patients with histiocytosis-X and in 88 healthy controls. We found three clusters with significantly different immune responses (F-values greater than 4-20, p less than 0.05-0.001) against mitogenic and antigenic stimulation among the controls which differed, too, in HLA-gene distribution. As suppressor cell activity and T-cell subpopulation distribution are the same in all three control clusters, these reactivity differences should be functional ones and may be genetically determined. Patients with histiocytosis-X show a significantly reduced suppressor cell activity and their helper cells are significantly reduced compared to the controls (p less than 0.01). Furthermore, their lymphocyte reactivity does not correspond with their immunogenetics, but is significantly reduced (p less than 0.05-0.001). Suppressor cell activity, helper cells and lymphocyte reactivity normalized in all eight patients treated systemically with thymostimulin (Tp-1 Serono). It seems to be possible therefore, to influence immunological aberrations in vivo by thymostimulin. In our opinion, the results of this study justify further investigations of the immunoregulatory mechanisms of histiocytosis-X and larger prospective clinical trials with thymic factors to find out, whether such a therapy may be a real alternative to the conventional therapeutic approach in this disease.

Adult↗

[Non-secreting myeloma. Case report with immunohistologic and electron microscopic studies].

Immunological, immunofluorescence and electromicroscopic studies were performed in a case of atypical myeloma. The 77-year-old patient presented with skeletal pain, multiple osteolytic lesions and bone marrow infiltration by atypical plasma cells. Monoclonal light chains kappa were confined to the plasma cells, as shown by immunofluorescence. No monoclonal immunoglobulin or fragments were detected in plasma or concentrated urine, even by highly sensitive immunological methods. The concentration of the immunoglobulins G, A and M in the plasma was markedly reduced. The plasma cells contained very little sarcoplasmatic reticulum. The simultaneous occurrence of monoclonal light chains kappa in the plasma cells and the absence of monoclonal immunoglobulins or fragments in plasma and urine suggest a non-secretory myeloma.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Mitochondrial changes in malignant lymphoma cells.

Mitochondrial changes (enlargement, loss of cristae, finely granular content) were observed in 5-25% of the lymphoma cells of 6 patients suffering from different types of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. These cytoplasmic inclusions may also be visible in light microscopic preparations and may give reason for misinterpretation.

Bone Marrow↗

[Non-Hodgkins's lymphomas - current aspects of clinical diagnosis and therapy].

Non-Hodgkin-Lymphomas (NHL), classified according to "Kiel" or Rappaport", may be subdivided into those with low or with high malignancy. Corresponding to clinical stage and to histological subtype, therapeutic recommendations are discussed. 1. Limited stage: An irradiation with curative intention seems possible. In cases with unfavourable histology relapses are frequent, and an additional or exclusive therapy with cytostatics appears to be of increasing importance. 2. Advanced stages and favourable histology: The value of an early and intensive use of cytostatics is questioned. 3. Advanced stages and unfavourable histology: Cure of the lymphoma seems feasible when intensive cytostatic regimes are applied.

Humans↗

Subtypes of T-cell chronic lymphatic leukemia.

Thirteen cases of T-cell chronic lymphatic leukemia (T-CLL) (including T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia) are presented. Five subtypes were distinguished according to morphologic and functional parameters of the leukemic cells: prolymphocytic; lymphocytic, small; lymphocytic, Sézary-like; lymphocytic, abundant cytoplasm; lymphocytic, abundant cytoplasm and granules. The subtype can be recognized by light and by electron microscopic investigation. Cytochemistry (APh and ANAE) may be helpful to delimit T-CLL from B-CLL, and acid phosphatase to recognize the subtype characterized by abundant cytoplasm and granules. Membrane marker investigations support the diagnosis of T-type CLL. When functional properties of the leukemic cells were tested, cells of one patient (T-PLL) were shown to help in B-lymphocyte differentiation and Ig-secretion, whilst the cells of a second patient (lymphocytic, abundant cytoplasm and granules) were proven to act as effectors in natural killing and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity. The T-helper lymphocyte nature of some of the leukemic cells was supported by demonstration of the Fc mu-receptor in three cases. In one of these patients, monoclonal IgM was detected in the serum. Response to therapy and prognosis were rather poor in this limited number of patients when compared with B-CLL.

Aged↗