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Biomedical subjects

J C Alexander

Publications and source records attributed to J C Alexander.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

Correlation of tumor burden with in vitro lymphocyte reactivity and antibodies to herpesvirus tumor-associated antigens in head and neck squamous carcinoma.

In 94 patients with squamous carcinoma of the head and neck region, the clinical extent of tumor was correlated with in vitro lymphocyte reactivity (LR) to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and serum complement-fixing antibodies to herpes simplex virus (HSV)-induced tumor-associated antigen (TAA). Forty-six patients were tumor-bearing and 48 were considered cured. Controls were 41 age-matched normals with histories of similar cigarette consumption. In 15 patients with Stage I carcinomas of the larynx, among whom the tumor diameter was 5 mm or less, mean LR or PHA did not differ from controls and 7 of 11 tested (63%) had antibodies to HSV-TAA. In 83 patients with more extensive tumors, LR to PHA was significantly lower than controls and 42 of 44 tested (95%) had antibodies to HSV-TAA. In both groups, LR to PHA was similar among tumor-bearing and cured patients. The study delineates a clinical tumor burden associated with impaired LR to PHA and a high incidence of antibodies to HSV-TAA in patients with squamous carcinomas of the head and neck region, and shows a correlation between the immune defects in clinically cured patients and tumor extent prior to treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

CEA levels in head and neck cancer.

Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were determined for 439 patients with squamous carcinoma of the head and neck region, 154 healthy smokers, and 122 nonsmokers. Among nonsmokers 95% of the CEA levels did not exceed 5 ng/ml, but among smokers this discriminatory level was 7 ng/ml. Among tumor-bearing patients 36% of the CEA levels exceeded 5 ng/ml but only 17% exceeded 7 ng/ml. Both the incidence and magnitude of CEA elevations correlated with clinical stage of tumor; however, excluding patients with clinically apparent advanced malignancies, the incidence and magnitude of elevations were similar among tumor-bearing patients, tumor-free treated patients, and smokers. Although not predictive of ultimate survival, elevated preoperative CEA levels declined to the range of normals after resection. Similarly, during palliative irradiation for incurable tumors, CEA levels declined with regression of tumor. Irradiation did not nonspecifically elevate CEA levels. The data indicate that in patients with head and neck squamous carcinomas CEA level is not likely to contribute to a determination of prognosis after therapy; however, serial determinations may have adjunctive value in monitoring tumor response.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen↗
PubMed1976

Viral-specific humoral immunity to herpes simplex-induced antigens in patients with squamous carcinoma of the head and neck.

Serum antibodies to herpes simplex virus-induced antigens (HSVIA) were quantitated in 122 patients with head and neck squamous carcinoma, 93 patients tumor-free after treatment for these malignant lesions, 27 patients with nonsquamous malignant lesions, 30 heavy smokers, and 36 nonsmokers. Serum IgA anti-HSVIA antibodies were detected in a greater percentage of sera of patients with squamous carcinoma (61 per cent), patients previously treated for these malignant lesions (56 per cent), and heavy smokers (57 per cent) than in patients with nonsquamous malignant lesions (11 per cent) or nonsmokers (8 per cent). Furthermore, titers of these antibodies were higher in patients with squamous carcinoma than in smokers. In patients tumor-free more than three years after treatment, the percentage of positive sera was significantly lower than that in untreated patients and in patients three years or less after treatment. This study demonstrates for the first time a high frequency of antibodies to HSV-induced antigens confined to subjects at high risk of developing head and neck squamous carcinoma and in patients with these malignancies as well as a correlation between the levels of these antibodies and clinical course after treatment.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1976

In vitro lymphocyte reactivity and T cell levels in patients with melanoma: correlations with clinical and pathological stage.

In vitro lymphocyte reactivity (LR) to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and peripheral blood thymus-dependent lymphocyte (T cell) levels were determined in 42 tumor-bearing patients with clinically operable melanoma and were compared to 41 age-matched normal controls. Patients with tumors clinically confined to the primary site (Stage I) as a group had normal immune reactivity and T cell levels, and those with regional metastases by clinical assessment (Stage II) had relatively impaired LR and T cell levels. In six of 24 patients with clinical Stage II tumors, widespread metastases (Stage III) subsequently were found. The severe immune defects in this group with occult disseminated melanoma accounted for the impaired LR and low T cell levels in the group with clinical Stage II tumors. Although overlapping levels of LR and T cells in the patients with pathological Stage II and III tumors prevent use of the data as a determinant of tumor extent in individual patients, the results show that these in vitro assays define a relation between cellular immunocompetence and tumor burden in patients with melanoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

In vivo and in vitro measurements of the relationship of human squamous carcinomas to herpes simplex virus tumor-associated antigens.

An additional 244 unfiltered sera have now been studied in a series of controlled, coded tests to determine the relationship of squamous carcinomas of the head and neck and cervix to the presence of complement-fixing antibodies to herpesvirus-tumor-associated antigens (HSV-TAA) in both tumor-bearing and cured patients. Ninety % of sera from patients with squamous carcinomas had antibodies to HSV-TAA, in contrast to 11% of sera from patients with nonsquamous cancers and 4% of sera from noraml individuals. The temporal relationship of Stage 1 laryngeal carcinomas suggests that HSV-TAA appearance precedes the immune defects. An in vitro correlate of the previously demonstrated specific delayed hypersensitivity reactions in controlled skin tests of squamous carcinoma patients with HSV-TAA is reported. In leukocyte migration inhibition tests, the migration indices after incubation with HSV-TAA of peripheral blood leukocytes from patients with squamous carcinoma (x = 0.847) were in definite contrast to migration indices seen for normal leukocytes (x = 1.037) and patients with nonsquamous solid cancers (x = 1.03). Thus, these polypeptides elicit both humoral antibody response and cell-mediated reactivity.

Antibodies, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1975

High dose methotrexate as a preoperative adjuvant in the treatment of epidermoid carcinoma of the head and neck. A feasibility study and clinical trial.

Thirty patients with operable epidermoid carcinoma of the head and neck were treated with intravenous high dose methotrexate and leucovorin rescue prior to resection. Their clinical courses were compared with those of thirty randomly selected patients matched for tumors site and clinical stage who were treated by surgery alone. No medical or surgical complications associated with methotrexate were encountered. An objective decrease in tumor size (primary lesion or nodal metastases) was noted prior to resection in twenty-three patients (77 per cent). The number of recurrences in the two groups was similar. However, these was a significantly greater disease-free interval in the methotrexate-treated patients (p less than 0.05). No significant differences in survival have been noted to date between the two groups. In view of the absence of complications, the regressions in tumor size, and the increase in postoperative disease-free interval in this trial, evaluation as preoperative adjuvants of higher doses of methotrexate and of other chemotherapeutic agents in combination with methotrexate appears warranted.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1975

Mesenteric leaf repair of pelvic defects following exenterative operations.

Perineal enterocutaneous fistula and hernia are unique complications of radical pelvic exenterative operations. A technique for management of these complications is presented. A vascularized segment of small bowel mesentery is interposed as a peritoneum covered pelvic "lid" to separate the abdominal contents from the pelvic defect.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

In vitro lymphocyte reactivity and T-cell levels in chronic cigarette smokers.

Peripheral blood total leucocyte, lymphocyte and thymus-dependent lymphocyte (T cell) levels and in vitro lymphocyte reactivity (LR) to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) were determined in 153 chronic cigarette smokers and 115 non-smokers ranging in age from 20 to 78 years. Total leucocyte, lymphocyte and T-cell levels were significantly elevated in smokers. There was no correlation with age. LR to PHA was significantly higher in smokers less than 40 years of age or in those with a 20 pack-year or less history of cigarette consumption. Older smokers or those with a history of heavier cigarette consumption did not differ from normals. The results contrast with previous demonstrations of suppression of immune reactivity after exposure to tobacco products. The possible effects of the apparent stimulation of the lymphoid system by chromic cigarette consumption is considered.

Adult↗