Biomedical subjects

F Tagliaferri

Publications and source records attributed to F Tagliaferri.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1990

Pathogenesis of the natural killer cell deficiency in AIDS.

Deficiency in natural killer (NK) cell activity is a common feature of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). This is part of a general immune dysfunction in AIDS and may lead to progression of the disease, since NK cells are known to be involved in protection against tumors and against viral infections. The lack of immunological surveillance by NK cells of the growth of pathogens that activate the HIV-1 tat infectivity gene may also favor progression to AIDS. The pathogenesis of NK cell deficiency in AIDS is not known. Previous studies have shown that NK cells from AIDS patients are able to bind but not to lyse the target cell line K562. This results from an inability to rearrange the cytoskeleton microtubular (MT) system and to release the natural killer cytotoxic factor (NKCF). This report by Maria Caterina Sirianni and colleagues evaluates the possible mechanisms leading to this NK cell deficiency.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Immunotherapy of solid tumors. Current status and prospects].

Immunotherapy is the most recent therapeutic strategy in the treatment of cancer. It has not yet achieved an elevated curative efficiency and a wide clinical application. Nevertheless the possibilities of improvement seem very promising. The knowledge of the immune response mechanisms and the first clinical trials have determined a more efficient immunotherapy. Here we will critically analyze current immunotherapeutic strategies by reviewing the latest and the most important experimental works. The latest protocols of immunotherapy have been aimed to be more integrated in the physiological immune response schemes. The orientation of the experimental works have been changed from non specific immunotherapy using lymphokines to immunotherapy with specific lymphocytes expanded in vitro and, finally, the active specific immunotherapy in vivo by modificated tumoral vaccines or by variously manipulated tumoral antigens.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Immunotherapy of solid tumors. Clinical studies].

In this study we analyze the major clinical trials of immunotherapy for solid tumors. Much progress have been made in reducing the side effects and the percentage of patients which respond has increased. In immunotherapy with lymphokines the innovative orientation consist in the administration of low doses or decreasing doses and by alternative ways as regards infusion and systemically. The use of immunotherapy to stimulate the specific immune response seems to represent the most promising field from a therapeutic point of view. Studies in the field of in vitro expansion of immunocompetent cells have obtained results in the simplification of the technique and in an increase of its efficiency; moreover, at the moment, many clinical trials are involving specific immunotherapy using autologous neoplastic cells altered with adjuvant substance and the results are promising with very few side effects. In the near future immunotherapy with specific tumor antigens is sure it will play a major role.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗