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Biomedical subjects

G L Castoldi

Publications and source records attributed to G L Castoldi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Cytogenetic analyses in 89 patients with secondary hematologic disorders--results of a cooperative study.

Eighty-nine patients who developed a secondary hematologic disorder and were studied with chromosome analysis were collected from nine institutions. The results of the study confirmed previous findings, in particular, -5/5q-, -7/7q-, -17, and +21 were the most frequently encountered aberrations. Moreover, a t(1;7)(p11;p11) was reported in four cases and consistent chromosome abnormalities were observed in a small group of patients who had been treated only with surgery, but not with chemo- or radiotherapy for a previous tumor.

Acute Disease↗

Cytogenetic aspects of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia: their correlation with clinical stage and different polyclonal mitogens.

Blood lymphocytes from 23 patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia were stimulated with different mitogens (lipopolysaccharide from E coli, phorbol myristate acetate ester, Staphylococcus aureus, and phytohemagglutinin M form). Functional properties of stimulated cells (blastic transformation, mitotic index, cIg production, Ig secretion, and acid phosphatase positivity) were evaluated and correlated with the stage of disease and chromosomal findings. Early stages of the disease are characterized by a relatively homogeneous response to polyclonal B-cell and activators and by a restricted number of chromosomal aberrations. Advanced stages show a more heterogeneous pattern of response and a higher incidence of abnormal karyotypes suggesting an involvement of various subclonal lines.

Antibody-Producing Cells↗

Does a relationship exist between neutrophil myeloperoxidase deficiency and the occurrence of neoplasms?

36 unrelated individuals with neutrophil MPO deficiency, (10 totally MPO deficient) were found on screening a population of 148,000 subjects. A further 2 subjects with total and 22 with partial MPO deficiency were identified through family studies. The assessment of neutrophil function, i.e., peroxidase activity, superoxide anion generation, microbicidal activity towards fungi and bacteria, and locomotor behaviour, was carried out in 10 subjects with total and 4 with partial MPO deficiency. We found that the enzyme defect is associated with a marked impairment in the killing of both S. aureus and C. albicans, without affecting microbicidal activity against S. faecalis. There appears to be a high incidence of malignancy in patients with complete MPO deficiency, suggesting a relationship between a defective MPO system and neutrophil-mediated tumor cell cytotoxicity.

Adolescent↗

Human lymphoblastoid interferon for hairy cell leukemia: results from the Italian Cooperative Group.

Since April 1985, 82 patients with HCL entered a multicenter study using lymphoblastoid alpha-interferon; 51 (including 15 who failed splenectomy and 24 with substantial splenomegaly) enrolled before April 1986 are evaluated in this study. The patients were treated with 3 mega units daily subcutaneously until complete or partial response and were thereafter randomly allocated to a maintenance regime of 3 mega units/week or to observation only. Ten cases had a complete response, 18 a partial response, and 15 a minimal response. Two patients had no response, two interrupted therapy due to major toxicity (toxic hepatitis and thrombocytopenia), six died before completing 1 month of therapy of sepsis, and two died of myocardial infarction. In the two groups of splenectomized and nonsplenectomized patients the mean time to hemoglobin recovery was 8.5 and 6.5 weeks, respectively, the neutrophil count recovery was 6.5 and 9.3 weeks, and the time to platelet count recovery was 4.0 and 5.4 weeks, respectively. No significant differences in recovery time and response rate were observed between the two groups. In 31 out of 32 patients with substantial splenomegaly the spleen became either inpalpable (18) or significantly smaller (13). This study confirms the responsiveness of HCL to IFN in nonsplenectomized patients with high tumor burdens and is therefore recommended as a first-line therapy.

Humans↗

Involvement of chromosomes 12 and 14 in the cutaneous stage of mycosis fungoides: cytogenetic evidence for a multistep pathogenesis of the disease.

Cytogenetic studies were performed on the cells of bone marrow, peripheral blood, and skin tumor biopsies from a patient with mycosis fungoides at an early stage. Chromosome abnormalities were detected in 100% of the cells harvested from the cutaneous specimen, whereas the cells of the bone marrow and blood were karyotypically normal. Three related clones, showing increasing cytogenetic complexity, were found. Chromosome #12 was abnormal in all metaphases, and an abnormal 14q chromosome was present in a minority of cells belonging to the most complex emerging subclone. These data, along with the findings of important signs of chromosome imbalance, suggest a polyphasic evolution of this chronic T lymphoproliferative disease.

Chromosomes, Human, 13-15↗

Cytogenetically distinct leukemic cell lines displaying in vitro specific proliferative and differentiation capacities may account for early disease relapse in the blast phase of CML.

The cytogenetic features and the proliferative and differentiation capabilities of blast cell fractions purified on a density gradient were studied in one patient with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in blast crisis, both at the emergence and at relapse of the disease. The results show that relapse was due to the appearance of a new leukemic cell line that was characterized by peculiar chromosomal, growth, and differentiation features, which seemingly accounted for early refractoriness to therapy and disease progression.

Adult↗

[Blastic cytophagocytosis in acute leukosis].

The phagocytic activity of the blastic cells in the course of acute leukemias has been previously analyzed mainly by means of technical methods concerning the ingestion of inactive particles or foreign bodies. The spontaneous ingestion of cells (cytophagocytosis) has been studied to a minor extent, with reference to some occasional pictures, mainly in erythremic syndromes. The analysis of 104 cases of acute leukemias, classified according to cytochemical criteria, demonstrated the presence of cytophagocytosis pictures almost exclusively in non-lymphoid acute leukemia patients. The data are discussed with relation to similar findings in epithelial tumors as well as to the emperipolesis pictures.

Acute Disease↗

Nuclear projections in tumour cells and large chromosome markers.

The application of banding techniques on cytological smears from pleural effusion in a case of histiocytic sarcoma has provided direct evidence for correspondence between nuclear projections in tumour cells and extra large chromosome markers observed in the neoplastic karyotype obtained by direct preparations.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Characterization of blast cells in acute nonlymphoid leukemias by consecutive cytochemical reactions.

Blast cells of 12 acute nonlymphoid leukemias have been investigated by consecutive application on the same preparation of three cytochemical reactions: alpha-naphthylacetate esterase, AS-D-choroacetate esterase and PAS. A fourth reaction (alpha-naphthylbutyrate esterase) was added in some preparations for a more detailed definition of the monocytoid-oriented cells. The cytochemical techniques were further combined with NaF inhibition and with the cytobacterial test for muramidase. The combined cytochemical approach allowed the identification of most of the blast cells, according to an empirically determined positivity to one or more reactions, and proved to be particularly valuable in classifying the cells after chemotherapy.

Acetates↗