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Biomedical subjects

J Overgaard

Publications and source records attributed to J Overgaard.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Influence of carboxyhemoglobin level on tumor growth, blood flow, and radiation response in an experimental model.

Carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) is formed when carbon monoxide is bound to hemoglobin. High levels of HbCO are known to reduce the amount of oxygen that can be carried to the tissues. This experimental study focuses on the influence of HbCO on the growth, blood flow, and radiation response of an experimental mouse tumor. The study was designed to mimic the clinical situation where heavy smokers are undergoing radiotherapy while having a high HbCO level. The tumor was a C3H mammary carcinoma grown in the feet of CDF1 mice. Chronic exposure to carbon monoxide, resulting in 10% HbCO, increased the tumor volume doubling time from 2.5 to 3.5 days (p less than 0.05). The acute exposure to carbon monoxide prior to and during irradiation significantly raised the radiation dose required to control the tumor locally. The TCD50 increased from 54 Gy in air breathing mice (HbCO 0-2%) to 57 Gy (HbCO 7-9%) and 61 Gy (HbCO 20-23%). This increase corresponded to an increase in the fraction of clonogenic hypoxic tumor cells from 0.12 in air breathing animals to 0.21 and 0.41, respectively. The tumor blood flow, determined by the 86RbCl extraction technique, decreased to 63% (n.s.) and 50% (p less than 0.05) for low and high HbCO levels, respectively.

Animals↗

Biochemical and physiological changes induced by nicotinamide in a C3H mouse mammary carcinoma and CDF1 mice.

We have continued our investigation into the mechanism by which nicotinamide can enhance radiation damage in tumors, using a C3H mouse mammary carcinoma grown in CDF1 mice. Biochemical analysis of tumor extracts showed that nicotinamide (1000 mg/kg; i.p.) increased the ATP/Pi and ATP/ADP + AMP ratios. This change in metabolic activity was consistent with nicotinamide increasing tumor oxygenation. Moreover, the greatest effect occurred 0.5-2.5 hr after drug injection, a time at which radiosensitization by nicotinamide in this tumor had previously been shown to be maximal. These changes were observed without any apparent modification in tumor blood perfusion, measured using the 86-RbCl uptake procedure, and occurred despite nicotinamide producing a 50% decrease in mean arterial blood pressure, estimated directly by a carotid cannulation technique.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Relationship between the hydralazine-induced changes in murine tumor blood supply and mouse blood pressure.

The relationship between hydralazine-induced changes in blood pressure and tumor blood flow was investigated in restrained but non-anesthetized CDF1 mice bearing C3H/Tif foot tumors. Mean arterial blood pressure measurements were made using the procedure of carotid cannulation, and tumor blood flow was estimated using laser Doppler flowmetry. Hydralazine doses from 0.1 to 5.0 mg/kg were tested. Following hydralazine administration the maximum changes in blood pressure and blood flow were apparent within 10-15 min and were maintained for at least 30 min after injection. Blood pressure decreased with increasing hydralazine dose, achieving a maximum reduction of 50% at 2.5 mg/kg. Tumor blood flow was found to be increased by 30% at the lowest hydralazine dose (0.1 mg/kg), even though blood pressure was decreased by 10% at this dose. At hydralazine doses producing a 15% or greater blood pressure drop, blood flow decreased, reaching an 80-90% reduction between 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg.

Animals↗

Interaction of misonidazole, hyperthermia, and irradiation in a C3H mammary carcinoma and its surrounding skin in vivo.

The interaction of irradiation, Misonidazole (MISO), and hyperthermia was studied in a C3H mouse mammary carcinoma and its surrounding skin in vivo. MISO (0.5-1.0 mg/g) was injected 30 min before irradiation. Hyperthermia (41.5 degrees-43.5 degrees C for 60 min) was given either simultaneously, 0.5 hr, or 4 hr after X rays. The results were evaluated as the radiation dose to achieve tumor control (TCD50) or moist desquamation of the skin (DD50) in half of the treated animals. A therapeutic gain was found when the enhancement in tumors were greater than that found in skin. The combination of simultaneous heat and irradiation caused great enhancement in radiation response, but with no therapeutic gain. A slightly lower enhancement of the damage in both tissues was found with a 30 min interval between irradiation and hyperthermia, whereas heat 4 hr after X rays gave a small, but significant therapeutic gain. MISO significantly enhanced the response in tumors but not in skin. Combined trimodality treatment with MISO, irradiation, and hyperthermia resulted in enhancement ratios up to 15, dependent on temperature, radiation-heat interval, and to a lesser extent the MISO dose. The enhancement was for all schedules most pronounced in the tumors, resulting in an improved therapeutic effect. The combination of MISO and hyperthermia may be a valuable addition to radiotherapy, especially if heat and irradiation can be applied with close interval and with one of the modalities given selectively to the tumor.

Animals↗

Time to loco-regional recurrence after resection of Dukes' B and C colorectal cancer with or without adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy. A multivariate regression analysis.

Factors influencing time to loco-regional recurrence were identified in a multivariate regression analysis of data from a series of 468 radically operated patients (260 Dukes' B and 208 Dukes' C) with carcinoma of the rectum and the rectosigmoid. A number of clinical and pathological characteristics were prospectively collected and recorded. In addition, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was measured within 1 week before surgery. The endpoint used was recurrence below the level of the umbilicus. All patients were followed for at least 5 years or until time of death. The two Dukes' stages B and C were analysed in two separate analyses using the Cox proportional hazards model. In patients with Dukes' B tumours, an increased risk of loco-regional recurrence was associated with perineural invasion, tumour located less than 10 cm from the anal verge, patient aged above 70 years, and small tumour size. In patients with Dukes' C tumours, the necessity to resect neighbour organs, perineural and venous invasion, tumour located less than 10 cm from the anal verge, and large tumour size were all associated with a poor loco-regional outcome. Postoperative radiotherapy was not a significant prognosticator for loco-regional control. An update of the 5-year results of the randomised study of post-operative radiotherapy (50 Gy with 2 Gy per fraction in an overall treatment time of 7 weeks) showed no survival benefit from adjuvant radiotherapy in either Dukes' category and no statistically significant improvement in the 5-year loco-regional control rate. However, when the comparison was restricted to a group of high-risk patients there was a statistically significant benefit from radiotherapy with respect to loco-regional control (P = 0.03) but not with respect to survival (P = 0.23). The potential advantage, in terms of the required number of patients, of restricting clinical trials of intensified loco-regional therapies to the high-risk patients, is illustrated.

Adult↗

Early and late changes in the normal mouse bladder reservoir function due to irradiation and cis-DDP.

Early and late changes in the reservoir function of the mouse bladder were investigated after radiation alone or a combination of radiation and cisplatinum (cis-DDP). Bladder function was investigated by repeated cystometries. Treatments consisted of either single fraction radiation (5-10-15-25-30 Gy) or 20 Gy in combination with cis-DDP (6 mg kg-1; i.p.) administered at various time intervals from 14 days before until 14 days after radiation. At two selected time intervals (15 min and 4 h before) radiation was given at different dose levels (5-10-15-20 Gy). Within 30 days after irradiation a dose-dependent early response was noticed both in the radiation alone group and the group where cis-DDP was administered 15 min before radiation. The dose-response curve showed a slight but non-significant shift to the left in the combined treatment group (dose effect factor (DEF) = 1.18). Investigation of the early change in bladder reservoir function in the animals treated with 20 Gy alone or a combination of 20 Gy plus cis-DDP at various intervals in relation to irradiation demonstrated a significant increase in response when cis-DDP was administered 24 h and 15 min before and 4 h, 72 h and 336 h after 20 Gy (P less than 0.05). The reversible nature of the early damage was demonstrated. Late response was irreversible and significantly increased in most groups were cis-DDP was administered from 168 h before until 72 h after compared to radiation alone. Comparing groups treated with radiation alone with groups where cis-DDP was administered 15 min and 4 h before radiation revealed DEF values up to 1.45 (P less than 0.05), reflecting the significantly larger response in combined treatment groups. Survival was significantly decreased in all combined treatment groups compared to groups treated with radiation only and likewise survival was decreased in the group treated by cis-DDP alone compared to control (no treatment at all).

Animals↗

Malignant parotid tumors in 110 consecutive patients: treatment results and prognosis.

The UICC 1987 classification system was used to retrospectively analyze the treatment results and prognostic factors in 110 consecutive patients. All of the patients had malignant parotid tumors which had been diagnosed and treated during the period from 1970 to 1986. Treatment consisted of surgery, radiotherapy, or a combination. Malignant mixed tumors were seen in 28% of the patients, mucoepidermoid tumors in 18%, adenoid cystic tumors in 15%, acinic tumors in 13%, undifferentiated tumors in 11%, adenocarcinomas in 10%, and other types in 5%. Ten-year corrected survival rate was 52%, and significant differences of survival were found between: 1. patients with disease stages I through IV (I: 85%; II: 69%; III: 43%; IV: 14%); 2. those with local tumor extension (34%) and without local tumor extension (79%); 3. patients with facial nerve palsy (0%) and without facial nerve palsy (57%); and 4. those with low- or intermediate-grade malignant tumors (69% combined) and those with high-grade malignant tumors (30%). After primary treatment, 45% of the patients were cured, and, additionally, 22% were salvaged after local or neck node recurrences. It is concluded that there is a good correlation between TNM classification of UICC 1987 (stage and local extension of tumor) and prognosis, and that facial nerve palsy and grade of malignancy are important prognostic factors.

Adolescent↗

Cisplatin and hyperthermia treatment of a C3H mammary carcinoma in vivo. Importance of sequence, interval, drug dose, and temperature.

The effect of combining cisplatin and hyperthermia was investigated in a C3H mammary carcinoma in vivo, using a regrowth delay assay. Cisplatin (6 mg/kg) was given i.p. at intervals ranging from 24 h before to 24 h after a 43.5 degrees C/60 min treatment. A supra-additive effect was obtained by giving cisplatin 15 min before heat, whereas an additive effect was obtained at all other intervals. The importance of cisplatin dose and heating temperature were investigated by giving variable cisplatin doses (2-8 mg/kg) 4 h or 15 min before a 60 min heating at temperatures in the range 40.5-43.5 degrees C. Linear relationships between length of regrowth delay and cisplatin dose were obtained both for cisplatin alone and for the combined treatment. The effect of the combined treatment could therefore be quantitated by a ratio (ER) between the slopes of dose-response curves. The ER values for cisplatin give 4 h before a 60 min heating at 42.5 or 43.5 degrees C were not significantly different from 1 (p greater than 0.5). In contrast, significant ER values were obtained above 40.5 degrees C (p less than 0.05) for cisplatin given 15 min before heat. The data demonstrates the possibility of achieving chemosensitization at clinically relevant temperatures.

Animals↗

Interaction of hyperthermia and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) alone or combined with radiation in a C3H mammary carcinoma in vivo.

The interaction between hyperthermia and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (c-DDP) given in various schedules as an adjuvant to radiation treatment was investigated in a C3H mouse mammary carcinoma in vivo. Both hyperthermia (43.5 degrees C for 60 min) and c-DDP (6 mg/kg i.p.) caused a delay in tumor growth when given individually. When c-DDP was given 4 h prior to hyperthermia, the increase in tumor growth time corresponded to an additive effect, but when the interval was reduced to 15 min, the tumor growth delay was significantly greater than additive. The modifying effect of these schedules on radiation was studied using local tumor control (50% tumor control dose) as the endpoint. c-DDP alone did not result in any enhancement of tumor control, irrespective of whether it was given 15 min or 4 h after irradiation. In contrast, heat treatment at 43.5 degrees C for 60 min given 4 h after irradiation resulted in a significant reduction in the 50% tumor control dose, with an enhancement ratio of 1.8. From a clamped local tumor control assay, it was found that c-DDP selectively killed aerobic cells, whereas hyperthermia was primarily directed toward the hypoxic clonogenic cells in the tumors. Combining the two modalities (simultaneously) resulted in a significant additional increase in the killing of well-oxygenated clonogenic cells, but the destruction of hypoxic cells was not different from that obtained after heat alone.

Animals↗

The use of blood flow modifiers to improve the treatment response of solid tumors.

There is now considerable interest in the possible use of agents which can change blood flow in solid tumors and thereby alter the response of tumors to different treatments. In the current presentation we briefly review the types of agents which have the potential to modify tumor blood flow, using nicotinamide. hydralazine, and pyrazinamide as examples and illustrate how they can be used to improve the response of murine tumors to radiation, hyperthermia and cyclophosphamide.

Animals↗

The potential of using hyperthermia to eliminate radioresistant hypoxic cells.

It is known that cells in a nutritionally deprived and acidic environment are sensitive to heat. In general these same cells are chronically hypoxic and therefore heat possesses the potential to eliminate (some) of this radioresistant population. A direct radiosensitization is observed when heat is given simultaneously with radiation. This effect occurs to the same extent in both aerobic and hypoxic cells, thus the oxygen enhancement ratio is unchanged. By giving heat several hours after radiation the direct radiosensitization is avoided and the specific heat killing of the acidic, chronically hypoxic, tumor cells may be utilized to improve the therapeutic gain. The current investigation clearly demonstrates this concept in a C3H mammary carcinoma using a local tumor control assay. This effect could be further enhanced by adding hypoxic radiosensitizers (nimorazole, misonidazole) or a blood flow modifier (nicotinamide) which can eliminate acutely hypoxic cells.

Animals↗

Nimorazole as a hypoxic radiosensitizer in the treatment of supraglottic larynx and pharynx carcinoma. First report from the Danish Head and Neck Cancer Study (DAHANCA) protocol 5-85.

Between January 1986 and September 1990, 442 patients with pharynx and supraglottic larynx carcinoma were randomized to receive the hypoxic cell radiosensitizer nimorazole (NIM) or placebo in association with a course of conventional primary radiotherapy. A preliminary analysis including the first 288 patients showed that the stratification parameters were significant (3-year actuarial local-regional tumor control, p less than 0.05) for sex (females 52% vs males 34%), tumor size (T1-T2 47% vs T3-T4 32%) and pre-irradiation hemoglobin (Hb) concentration (high 41% vs low 34%). Overall, the NIM group showed a significantly better local-regional control rate than the placebo group (46% vs 32%). There was an apparent additive effect of Hb concentration and NIM. Thus, in the male group, placebo patients with low Hb had a 23% control rate compared to 46% in NIM treated patients with Hb above 9 mmol/l (p less than 0.05). The similar effect in females could not be evaluated due to the small number of women with this disease. NIM was well tolerated and drug-related side effects were minor and tolerable, with transient nausea and vomiting as the most frequent complication. A final conclusion of the study must await an evaluation including all patients and a longer observation time.

Carcinoma↗

Radiosensitizing and cytotoxic properties of mitomycin C in a C3H mouse mammary carcinoma in vivo.

The radiosensitizing and cytotoxic properties of Mitomycin C (MMC) was investigated in vivo using regrowth delay and tumor control assays. MMC significantly enhanced the radiation-induced growth delay when administered 15 min before irradiation; the slope of the dose response curve significantly increased and corresponded to a Dose Modifying Factor (DMF) of 1.9 (1.5-2.3; p less than 0.001). When MMC was given 4 hr after irradiation, the additional regrowth delay resulted in a parallel shift of the dose response curve, and MMC was not significantly dose modifying (DMF 1.3 (0.9-1.3); p less than 0.05). From isobologram analysis it was found that the preirradiation MMC schedule resulted in supra-additive responses, whereas MMC given after irradiation had an additive effect. The enhancement of radiation-induced tumor control was similarly found to peak when MMC was given 6 hr to 15 min prior to irradiation. At these intervals, the observed TCD50 for the combined treatments relative to radiation alone corresponded to Enhancement Ratios of 1.27 and 1.29, respectively (p less than 0.001). Longer intervals between the modalities reduced the enhancement, but the combined treatments were still significantly better than radiation alone (ER 1.12, 1.16 and 1.17; p less than 0.001). The significant enhancement of tumor control correlated with a substantial drug-induced cytotoxic effect toward hypoxic tumor cells, as determined by clamped TCD50 experiments. A single dose of MMC (3 mg/kg) was found to kill up to 97% of all hypoxic tumor cells.

Animals↗

Clinical radiobiology of squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx.

Local tumor control is analyzed in a series of 181 patients treated with definitive megavoltage radiotherapy (RT) for histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx. Considerable variation in treatment time stemmed from the general use of a split-course technique in 49 patients treated from 1978 to 1985. Incomplete follow-up, in those patients alive and well at the termination of the study or who have died from metastases or intercurrent disease before developing a local recurrence, was allowed for by using a multi-variate mixture model. The tumor control probability (TCP) after radiotherapy showed a significant dependence on the following tumor and treatment characteristics: (a) tumor size: the number of tumor target cells increases approximately as the fourth root of estimated tumor volume; (b) sex: the estimated TCP in males is lower than in females with the same characteristics; (c) histopathological differentiation: well-differentiated tumors have a lower TCP than poorly and intermediately differentiated; (d) hemoglobin concentration: patients in the upper normal range have a significantly higher TCP than others; (e) total dose: there is a significant dose-response relationship; and (f) overall treatment time: TCP decreased with increasing overall time, the dose equivalent of proliferation with 2 Gy per fraction was 0.68 Gy/day with 95% confidence limits [0.05, 1.3] Gy/day. The TCP did not depend significantly on subsite within the oropharynx or nodal disease at presentation. The data were consistent with an alpha/beta ratio of the linear-quadratic model of 10 Gy.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Sensori-neural hearing loss in patients treated with irradiation for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The present investigation has been carried out to evaluate the sensitivity of the inner ear to irradiation. Cochlear function was tested in a cohort of 22 patients before and 7-84 months after receiving external irradiation for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The pre-irradiation sensori-neural hearing threshold at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz was used as a baseline for the individual patient, and the observed sensori-neural hearing loss (SNHL) was calculated as the difference between pre- and post-irradiation values. The pre-irradiation hearing level or patient age was not correlated with the actual SNHL. In contrast, there was a significant correlation between the total radiation dose to the inner ear and the observed hearing impairment. SNHL was most pronounced in the high frequencies, with values up to 35 dB (4000 Hz) and 25 dB (2000 Hz) in some patients. The latent period for the complication appeared to be 12 months or more. The deleterious effect of irradiation on the hearing should be kept in mind both in treatment planning and in the follow-up after radiotherapy.

Adult↗