Biomedical subjects

F Lewin

Publications and source records attributed to F Lewin.

40 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Acromegalic pregnancy associated with a Beckwith-Wiedemann fetus.

BACKGROUND: Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is a rare serious condition with a high rate of malignant tumors. A relationship between Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) II gene located at the level of the 11p15 chromosomic region has been demonstrated. CASE: An acromegalic woman (elevated IGF I serum levels) undergoing pregnancy with a Beckwith-Wiedemann fetus is reported. We therefore reviewed data about this association and particularly fetal growth, and analyzed fetal blood samples for IGF I and II. CONCLUSION: We conclude that this association (i.e. Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and acromegaly) is independent, and point out that IGF I and II might be very high in the Beckwith-Wiedemann fetus.

Acromegaly↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Alteration of cellular mediated cytotoxicity, T cell receptor zeta (TcR zeta) and apoptosis related gene expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients: possible clinical relevance.

We have investigated apoptosis related gene expression in tumour cells, phenotype and function of blood mononuclear cells at diagnosis in relation to clinical response in three patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We have focused our study on the Epstein Barr virus latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) and Bcl-2 expression in the tumour cells, the essential signal-transducing zeta molecule of T cell receptor (TcR zeta) and cellular mediated cytolysis of the blood mononuclear cells. The carcinoma cells of the patients were Bcl-2 negative. They were heterogeneous with regard to the expression of LMP-1 and the number of proliferating or apoptotic cells. Decrease in the expression of mature T cells (CD3, CD4, and CD8), TcR zeta and cellular mediated cytotoxicity was detected in blood mononuclear cells of the patients. IL-2 up-regulated these phenotypes and the cytolytic capacity of the blood mononuclear cells. The patient with LMP-1 negative carcinoma cells, down-regulated TcR zeta expression and impaired IL-2 mediated cytolysis, had the worst clinical outcome. Another patient with low apoptotic, highly proliferating and LMP-1 positive carcinoma cells had recurrent disease only in the irradiated area. Interestingly, NPC with high apoptotic and few LMP-1 expressing cells was detected in the patient with a normal level of TcR zeta expression and cytolytic functions in blood mononuclear cells at the time of diagnosis. After combination treatment with chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy, this patient is still alive with complete remission and disease-free at 36 months. Suppression of the immunological functions may occur in NPC patients. Our study suggests that the immunological functions and apoptosis related gene expression in the carcinoma cells may be used as prognostic factors and help in the decision of therapy of patients with nasopharyngeal cancer.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of combined treatment with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil on cell growth and cell cycle kinetics of a mouse ascites tumor growing in vivo.

The effect on cell growth and cell cycle kinetics of 0.8 mg cisplatin (CDDP)/kg body weight and 36 mg 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/kg body weight given separately and in combination was studied on Bp8 mouse ascites sarcoma growing in vivo. Cell growth inhibition after combined treatment was delayed 12 hours but was persistent, while the cell growth inhibition was immediate after single drug treatment with a relative cell regrowth observed at the end of the observation period. The prolonged cell growth inhibition after combined treatment was probably due to cell death. Some cell kinetic interactions were found after combined treatment. An increased flow of cells from G1 was observed during the whole observation period. The depressed outflow of cells from S after single drug treatment was abolished during the first 24 hours following combined treatment. No prolongation was found on the CDDP-induced G2 delay. An increased relative number of cells in G2 following combined treatment was, however, found at 72 hours. This was due to an increased flow of cells from S to G2 seen after 48 hours. The molecular reasons and consequences are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of cis-diammino-dichloro-platinum (II) on cell growth and cell cycle progression of a mouse ascites tumor growing in vivo.

Cell kinetic studies of cis-platin (CDDP) have been few with divergent results. In this study, the effect of 12.5 and 25 micrograms CDDP/animal corresponding to approximately 0.4 and 0.8 mg CDDP/kg body weight was described when treating the Bp8 ascites sarcoma growing in mice. From sequential studies of the total number of cells together with the composition of cells in the cell cycle, the flow of cells through the cell cycle was calculated. A dose-dependent cell growth inhibition was found with almost immediate effect following the higher dose, while an inhibitory effect on cell growth with the lower dose was delayed 24 hours. The cell flow from the various phases of the cell cycle for the first 24.48 hours following administration of the lower dose, was increased from the G1-phase and mitosis, with normal flow from the S-phase and depressed outflow from the G2-phase. Thereafter the flow rates from all cell cycle phases were decreased. For the higher dose, the outflow rates from all phases of the cell cycle were depressed up to 72 hours. The maximum platination of DNA was found one hour after treatment. The results indicate that the mechanisms responsible for the passage through the G2 stage of the cell cycle are more sensitive to the treatment of CDDP than replicative DNA synthesis. This experimental system may be used as a basis for further mechanistic studies of the antitumor effect of anticancer drugs.

Animals↗