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Biomedical subjects

H Biran

Publications and source records attributed to H Biran.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

5-Fluorouracil, doxorubicin (adriamycin) and mitomycin-C (FAM) in advanced gastric cancer: observations on response, patient characteristics, myelosuppression and delivered dosage.

Forty-four patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma were treated with the fluorouracil, adriamycin and mitomycin-C (FAM) regimen. One was excluded from response evaluation. Partial (PR) and minor (MR) response rates were 7 and 9% respectively. These patients enjoyed remission for a median of 7.0 months. Stabilization (S) occurred in 25% and lasted a median of 6.0 months. No response (NR) was associated with a median survival of 3 months (p less than 0.001). The predominant pretreatment factors to affect survival were diagnosis to treatment interval and initial CEA serum level. Performance status influenced survival less markedly. Toxicity was mainly myelosuppression, which resulted in death of one patient. 'Responders' had marrow suppression more frequently than NR. Comparison of PR + MR, PR + MR + S and NR patient groups showed median minimum WBC counts of 1.4 x 10(3), 2.6 x 10(3) and 4.3 x 10(3) per mm3 respectively. Leukopenia (less than 3,000/mm3) was associated with a median survival advantage of 9.5 versus 3.5 months (p less than 0.05) and did not depend significantly on given FAM dosage. The median dosage of FAM agents delivered to nonresponders was reduced. A trend of dose-response (including dose-survival) relationship was found but was inconclusive statistically.

Adult↗

Exposure of cryptantigens on erythrocytes in patients with breast cancer.

One hundred thirty-two patients with breast cancer were examined for exposure of cryptantigens on their erythrocytes (RBC) using a lectin panel consisting of Arachis hypogaea and Glycine soja. Eight had exposed cryptantigens; of the eight, five were classified with additional lectins as T-polyagglutination type and three as Th-polyagglutination. A control group of 300 healthy blood donors had no exposed cryptantigens on their RBC. These findings could not be correlated with the staging of the tumor, extension of metastases, or positive estrogen or progesterone receptors of malignant tumor cells. Only one study has been found that describes the incidence of agglutination of erythrocytes from cancer patients using a monoclonal antibody, which detected an epitope on the RBC from cancer patients and was considered to be distinct from the antigen bound by naturally occurring anti-T. Studies have been made describing polyagglutinable sites on breast cancer tumor cells, where there was a much higher incidence. This discrepancy can be explained either by a difference in the methods used to search for cryptantigen exposure on the various types of cells, or by the existence of a different mechanism, which causes the exposure of cryptantigens on RBC as opposed to malignant breast tumor cells.

Adult↗

Selective right ventricular dysfunction following doxorubicin therapy.

Cardiotoxicity is one of the major side effects of doxorubicin therapy. The side effect presents in an acute and chronic form. It has been observed mainly when the cumulative dosage exceeds 450 mg/m2 of body surface. The cardiotoxicity presents with a low left ventricular ejection fraction. We report three patients who developed selective right ventricular dysfunction, expressed by low right ventricular ejection fraction as measured by radionuclide angiography. This complication was observed with rather low cumulative dosages of the drug (105 to 318 mg/m2). Two of the patients received concurrent mitomycin-C chemotherapy and the third patient underwent prior mediastinal irradiation. The possible mechanism for this selective cardiotoxicity is discussed. Monitoring of right ventricular performance by radionuclide angiography during doxorubicin therapy is recommended so that therapy can be discontinued before the left ventricle is damaged.

Adult↗

Serum amyloid A (SAA) variations in patients with cancer: correlation with disease activity, stage, primary site, and prognosis.

Serum amyloid A (SAA) was determined in 160 patients with cancer. Active disease was associated with high titre compared with the titre in non-active condition (31.8 v 5.8 micrograms/ml, respectively; p = 0.0002). SAA value showed a direct correlation with the stage of the disease: it was lowest at stages 1 and 2 and highest at the metastatic stage 4 (stage 1 v 4, p = 0.001; stage 2 v 3, p = 0.05). Cancers of the lung and unknown primary site were characterised by highly increased SAA concentration. Initial SAA value had prognostic significance: a value below 10 micrograms/ml correlated with survival advantage, whereas a higher initial value indicated a greater likelihood of a poor outcome (actuarial survival analysis p less than 0.001). When stage was accounted for, initial SAA value had significant prognostic bearing on survival of patients with advanced disease (stages 3 and 4) but not on that of patients with limited disease (stages 1 and 2). Serial testing showed good concordance between changes in SAA titre and clinical course.

Amyloid↗

Receptor sites for complement and for immune complexes on human nonhemopoietic tumor cells.

Tumor cells in primary cultures derived from 11 untreated nonhemopoietic cancer patients were reacted with specifically coated sheep erythrocytes. Rosette formation between tumor and indicator cells was assessed, Eight of the primary cultures reacted positively with both IgG-coated (EAIgG) and with IgM-human complement coated (EAIgMC or EAIgMC 4,3) sheep erythrocytes. EAIgG rosette formation in positive cultures ranged from 25 to 85%, and for EAIgMC/EAIgMC 4,3 reactivity ranged between 22--95%. Rosette formation with E (uncoated) and EAIgM was negligible. These findings suggest that human nonhemopoietic tumor cells may carry on their surface receptor sites for an IgG component of immune complexes and for human complement. These receptor sites may be important in the host-tumor relationship.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Complement activation in vivo in cancer patients receiving C. parvum immunotherapy.

Serum complement levels were assayed in 26 patients with disseminated cancer, who received immunotherapy with infusion of C. parvum. Complement activation, indicated by the consumption of C3 or C4 or both, was found in 46% of the patients. Serum samples showed direct correlation between decreased C3 and conversion of C3 proactivator, whereas such conversion did not occur when C4 alone was decreased. It is concluded that the bypass (properdin) pathway was activated in patients in whom C3 consumption was detected, while the classical (C1) pathway was activated in the patients with C4 consumption unaccompanied by C3 decrease. Direct correlation was observed between delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to recall antigens and the incidence of C. parvum-associated complement activation.

Complement C3↗