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Biomedical subjects

H B Levy

Publications and source records attributed to H B Levy.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Preliminary trial of poly ICLC in chronic progressive multiple sclerosis.

Eighteen patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) were treated in an open preliminary trial of the interferon inducer and immune modulator, poly ICLC. All patients produced substantial interferon levels and experienced acute side effects, including fever and transient worsening of neurologic symptoms. Of nine patients with rapid neurologic deterioration at the time of entry into the study, only three had disease progression during treatment. We conclude that poly ICLC can be administered safely to MS patients, and that a controlled trial will be necessary to determine efficacy.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Child abuse reporting.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1985

Response of mouse tumor to interferon inducer and radiation.

The antitumor effect of interferon inducer poly(ICLC), given prior to the radiation treatment of Lewis lung carcinoma in C57Bl mice was studied. To induce the tumors, the mice were injected subcutaneously into the hind leg with 3 X 10(4) or 3 X 10(5) tumor cells. The combination treatment consisted of poly(ICLC) given at 1.25 mg/kg 6 hours before 400 cGy of 60Co gamma rays. All treatments were given three times over 1.5 weeks. The local response, as measured by the delay in the tumor growth, was significantly higher in the combination treatment group than in poly(ICLC) or local irradiation groups. Following the termination of treatment, tumor regrowth was observed. The survival of poly(ICLC) treated mice was influenced by the number of transplanted tumor cells. Thus, untreated mice which received 3 X 10(4) or 3 X 10(5) (2 or 20 TD50) of tumor cells had similar mean survival time of 25.4 +/- 1.9 and 22 +/- 84 days, respectively (p greater than 0.05). The mice, treated by a combination of poly(ICLC) and local irradiation survived 48.2 +/- 2.1 days and 30.7 +/- 1.2 days (p less than .01), with higher survival in 2 TD50 tumor cell groups. Thus, data obtained in this study in mice showed that administration of an interferon inducer poly(ICLC) prior to local irradiation can improve tumor response and survival.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Alopecia in meralgia paresthetica.

Meralgia paresthetica has been described as a common affliction of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, creating the symptoms of numbness, tingling, and paresthesias in the overlying areas of the lateral and anterior thigh. It is second only to sciatica in peripheral nerve diseases of the lower extremity. We present two patients with classic symptoms of meralgia paresthetica and nonscarring alopecia overlying and demarcating the areas of paresthesias. Meralgia paresthetica should be included in the differential diagnosis of localized alopecia of the anterior or lateral thigh.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

A comparison of interferon responses to poly ICLC in males and females.

Interferon (IFN) responses to polyriboinosinic acid polyribocytidylic acid in poly-L-lysine and carboxymethylcellulose (poly ICLC) have been studied in detail in 6 men and 3 women as part of a preliminary trial in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Patients received intravenous (i.v.) doses of 100 micrograms/kg poly ICLC, and serum IFN levels were determined serially every 4 h for 16 h. Men and women produced substantial levels of IFN at 8, 12, and 16 h after infusion, but levels in men were consistently and significantly higher (p less than 0.05). Interferon responses were examined also in 3 male and 3 female Rhesus monkeys. Serum samples were obtained 8 and 24 h after i.v. injections of 1 mg/kg of poly ICLC. Again, there were significantly higher levels of IFN in males. The observed differences may reflect sex-linked differences in either drug metabolism or specific sensitivity to IFN induction by poly ICLC. The most interesting possibility is that the difference is due to a more general difference in IFN response between males and females. Studies are currently in progress to evaluate these possibilities.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Historical overview of the use of polynucleotides in cancer.

A search for effective inducers of interferon lead to the discovery of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I,C)], which was effective in rodents but not primates. Stabilization of poly(I,C) with poly-L-lysine and carboxymethyl-cellulose produced a derivative that is much more effective as an inducer in humans, but also more toxic. The ability of modified poly(I,C) to induce interferon in primates appears to be at least partly related to its ability to resist hydrolysis by nucleases. As the ability to induce interferon in primates increases, so does the toxicity. Several investigations have emphasized increasing the ease of hydrolysis in order to minimize toxicity. The inducers should not be considered just as a readily available source of interferon, as there are a number of differences between the biologic effects of the inducers and exogenous interferon.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

A preliminary trial of poly(I,C)-LC in multiple sclerosis.

An open Phase I trial of poly(I,C)-LC in multiple sclerosis was conducted. Serious temperature elevations were typical and associated with transient accentuation of neurological dysfunction which required intensive nursing care, but no permanent complications to the treatment were observed. A regimen was developed for management of the side effects and reducing patient discomfort. Although there was a suggestion of stabilization of the disease in some patients, a conclusion about efficacy cannot be reached without a controlled trial. Future use of poly(I,C)-LC in multiple sclerosis should be confined to experimental trials in a research setting.

Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium↗
PubMed1985

Poly(I,C)-LC as an interferon inducer in refractory multiple myeloma.

Seven patients with refractory multiple myeloma (readily evaluable for response) were treated in a Phase II trial with poly(I,C)-LC using a 3 times per week intravenous schedule. Serial immunologic testing included assessment of natural killer (NK) cell activity, antibody-dependent cytotoxicity, delayed hypersensitivity, and in vitro mitogen responses. One patient had a partial response (PR) of 6-month duration, and 3 other patients had objective responses (less than PR). Significant interferon induction occurred, but levels dropped substantially with serial dosing. Major toxicity included hypertension, hypotension, fever, and myelosuppression. The demonstration of modulation of myeloma progression in this refractory population was encouraging.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

An interdisciplinary method of classifying and monitoring medication errors.

A system is described for reporting medication errors according to practitioner and type and using these data as part of a departmental quality-assessment program. Types of errors committed in prescribing, in dispensing, and in administering drugs in a teaching hospital were listed. Prescribers' and pharmacists' reports of errors committed. Data on dispensing errors by 16 staff pharmacists were collected over a 12-month period in 1982-83, and data on prescribing by resident physicians were collected during three separate one-month periods. For each pharmacist, data on dispensing errors were compiled monthly. Pharmacists were counseled if they had a large number of errors in one category, a high total number of errors, or a substantial number of errors in a single category over several months. Likewise, physicians who committed more errors than their department's mean were counseled by the clinical chairman. After 12 months, each pharmacist's monthly error rate was compared with the departmental average. The number of dispensing errors reported during the study period (average 60.7 per month for the department) was lower than expected. Serious prescribing errors were minimal. In spite of probable underreporting of errors in this voluntary system, these methods of classifying medication errors by type and practitioner group and of recording error rates were useful tools for monitoring and improving performance of pharmacists and prescribers.

Chicago↗
PubMed1982

Topical polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid complex in the treatment of recurrent genital herpes.

Polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid complexed with poly-l-lysine and carboxymethylcellulose [poly(ICLC)] is a potent interferon inducer when given parenterally to humans. Topical application in animal models has shown beneficial antiviral and clinical effects. In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of topical poly(ICLC) in recurrent genital herpes simplex virus infection, five clinical and two virological parameters were followed. Fifty-seven men and women, with 78 recurrences of genital herpes, were stratified by sex. No clinical or antiviral differences between poly(ICLC) and placebo groups in either stratum were found. Further analysis of male subgroups by age and size of lesions showed no changes in the rapidity of healing or viral shedding.

Administration, Topical↗