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J Spona

Publications and source records attributed to J Spona.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

[Hypothyroidism and hyperprolactinemia as a possible cause of androgenetic alopecia in the female].

31 female patients suffering from androgentic alopecia were examined by means of the TRH test with regard to hypothyroidism and hyperprolactinemia. Before, as well as 20 and 40 minutes after, application of thyroxine releasing hormone (TRH), the serum concentrations of the hypohyseal thyroxine stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). In 7 of the patients (23%), we found increased TSH levels after stimulation with TRH--indicative of hypothyroidism. In 9 of the patients (29%), we observed increased PRL levels after TRH stimulation, indicating prolactinemia. TSH and PRL can interact with androgen metabolism at various levels. Thyroxine may influence the unbound, metabolically active testosterone via the sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Prolactine, which is stimulated by TRH, promotes the suprarenal cortisol and androgen production. In 48% of the patients, we found either hypothyroidism or hyperprolactinemia. This suggests that both conditions may contribute to the clinical picture of female androgenetic alopecia, as they interfere with the androgen metabolism.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

HLA-antigen distribution in seminoma, HCG-positive seminoma and non-seminomatous tumours of the testis.

Histocompatibility antigens play a certain role in the development of testicular tumours. 151 patients with testicular cancer (86 non-seminomatous germ cell tumours--NSGCT--and 65 pure seminoma) were typed for the HLA-antigens of the A, B, C and DR locus. 24 patients of the pure seminoma group and 50 patients of the NSGCT group had an elevated serum HCG level preoperatively. The antigen DR-5 was elevated in the seminoma group whereas the incidence of B-13 was increased in the NSGCT group. In terms of antigen distribution HCG-positive seminoma resembles seminomatous tumours rather than NSGCT.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗
PubMed1989

CA 125 as an independent prognostic factor for survival in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Serum CA 125 levels (upper normal value less than 35 U/ml) determined before surgery and 3 months after surgery were evaluated as independent prognostic factors for survival in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinomas. In 163 women preoperative serum levels of CA 125 (p = 0.13) gave no additional information with regard to the relationship of survival prognosis to histologic grade (p = 0.04) and to the diameter of residual tumor mass (p = 0.03). In 132 patients serum CA 125 levels were also determined 3 months after surgery and reflected the effectiveness of the first two cycles of postoperative cytotoxic treatment. At that time CA 125 was the strongest independent prognostic factor for survival (p = 0.0006 Cox model), as compared with histologic grade (p = 0.06), International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage (p = 0.15), and diameter of residual tumor mass (p = 0.66). Therefore, we concluded that serum CA 125 levels determined 3 months after surgery can identify a high-risk population among patients with epithelial ovarian carcinomas for whom a more aggressive or more intensive treatment might be beneficial.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Diagnostic value of mucin-like carcinoma-associated antigen (MCA) in breast cancer.

The diagnostic value of mucin-like carcinoma-associated antigen (MCA) was compared to that of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and/or CA 15.3 in patients with breast cancer. A total of 368 patients with breast cancer were studied, of whom 253 were free of metastases, whereas 94 had either skeletal or visceral metastases or diffuse metastatic disease. The diagnostic sensitivity of MCA proved to be comparable to that of CA 15.3 and superior to that of CEA in patients with metastatic breast cancer. In contrast, the specificity of MCA was superior to that of CA 15.3. Finally, the diagnostic sensitivity of each of the tested tumour markers, i.e. MCA, CEA and CA 15.3, could be improved by their combined use. We conclude that MCA, either alone or in combination with CA 15.3 and CEA, can improve the monitoring of disease progression in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1989

[Endoscopic laser incision of the polycystic ovary].

Eight patients with a polycystic ovarial syndrome diagnosed endoscopically and endocrinologically were treated by laser incision of the ovaries via laparoscopy. The eight patients were preoperatively Clomiphen-refractory. After the incision, in every case spontaneous menstrual bleeding could be observed. Also in five women ovulation occurred, whilst in three cases, ovulation induction by Clomiphen was carried out successfully. Nevertheless these three patients were immediately after Clomiphen-refractory again. The observation period of the other five patients varied between 4 and 6 months. During this time an ovulation could be confirmed in all of them using basal temperature measurements. Pregnancy has not occurred in any to the present date.

Clomiphene↗
PubMed1989

[Treatment of tubal pregnancy with prostaglandins: a multicenter study].

In this prospective multi-centre-study, the new treatment of tubal pregnancies by means of local prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha and systemic PG E2 application was compared to the usual surgical technique of eliminating the conceptus. In 71 patients treated with PG, the method proved to be successful in 81%; 21 patients (19%) required surgical intervention later. With an initial beta-hCG level of 2500 mIE/ml, the success rate increased to 88%. The duration of hospitalisation was significantly reduced in the PG group compared to the patients treated by primary operation (3 +/- 1 versus 6 +/- 2 days). In the PG-group, only 2 of 24 hysterosalpingograms showed tubal occlusions after treatment, whereas occlusion was present in 3 of 8 patients of the surgically treated group. Four subsequent intrauterine pregnancies in the PG-group occurred compared to none in the surgical group. PG treatment of tubal pregnancy in patients with a low initial beta-hCG value (less than 2500 mIE/ml) revealed promising results with regard to reduced postoperative morbidity and future fertility.

Abortifacient Agents↗
PubMed1988

Response of the seminiferous epithelium to scattered radiation in seminoma patients.

Semen and blood samples were obtained, at 3-month intervals over 12 to 28 months, from patients who underwent subdiaphragmal radiation after orchidectomy for seminoma testis. Before radiotherapy a mean (+/- SE) semen volume of 4.7 +/- 0.5 ml, a mean sperm count of 44.4 +/- 13.5 x 10(6)/ml, a mean percentage of motile cells of 20.3 +/- 5.2, a mean percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa of 13.4 +/- 5.4, a mean percentage of swollen sperm of 39.6 +/- 7.4, and a mean serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) value of 8.3 +/- 1.2 mIU/ml was found. The mean testicular dose from scatter was 62 +/- 5 cGy (range, 34 to 95 cGy). Sperm counts between 0 and 2.75 x 10(6)/ml were seen at 6.8 +/- 0.6 months and recovery to values greater than 2.25 x 10(6)/ml at 11.8 +/- 0.8 months after the start of radiation. Peak FSH values of 19.2 +/- 1.6 mIU/ml were obtained at 6.7 +/- 0.9 months after the start of irradiation. After recovery mean semen volume was 3.9 +/- 0.4 ml, mean sperm count 34.6 +/- 5.6 x 10(6)/ml, the mean percentage of motile cells 42.5 +/- 6.0, the mean percentage of swollen sperm 58.7 +/- 6.8, and the mean percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology 23.4 +/- 5.1. Only motility was significantly different (P less than 0.01) from pretreatment values. The elevation of FSH values with time after start of radiotherapy reflected the toxicity to spermatogenesis but no correlation was found between peak FSH levels and scattered radiation dose. Also, neither the time from start of radiotherapy to sperm count nadir or recovery nor the time to peak FSH levels was significantly correlated with radiation dose.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Androgen receptors in primary breast carcinoma. Relation to prognostic factors in comparison with estrogen and progesterone receptors].

Androgen receptor content was correlated with various prognostic factors in 274 patients with breast cancer. Receptor content was determined by the dextran-coated charcoal method (DCC). No direct relationship was found between androgen receptor content and age of patient, menstruation status, TN status and number of affected lymph nodes. But in 232 patients in whom tumour differentiation could be determined, there was a highly significant relationship between it and androgen receptor content (P less than 0.01). Similar correlations were found also between these prognostic factors and oestrogen or progesterone receptors. The percentage distribution of tumours of different degrees of differentiation was independent of the kind of demonstrable steroid-hormone receptor. However, the frequency of highly differentiated tumours rose with the number of different receptors that were determined. Thus steroid-hormone receptors can be considered as markers for differentiation. It seems possible that the additional determination of androgen receptors allows for a more exact selection of patients who should receive hormonal treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Effect of topical glucocorticoids on endogenous cortisol production].

In a randomized double blind study, we investigated the systemic effects of 3 different ointments containing corticoids. Every 7 patients out of a total of 21 patients suffering from various skin diseases were daily treated with 40 g of one of the 3 corticoid preparations over 8 days (group A: 0.05% clobetasol-17-propionate; group B: 0.25% fluocortolone trimethyl acetate; group C: 0.25% fluocortolone trimethyl acetate + 0.25% fluocortolone capronate). The plasma cortisol levels were determined by radioimmune assay. In group B and C, we did not observe any effect on the pituitary-adrenal axis, whereas in group A the plasma cortisol levels were extremely low already after 1 day of corticoid application. This adrenal suppression did not return to normal within 4 days after discontinuation of the corticoid. Our results suggest that highly potent topical corticoids are capable of adrenal suppression even without occlusive dressing and even in healthy persons.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1988

Histopathologic characterization of human breast cancer in correlation with estrogen receptor status. A comparison of immunocytochemical and biochemical analysis.

A detailed histopathologic analysis of 399 primary breast carcinomas was performed, and several morphologic features were correlated with the estrogen receptor (ER) status. In all cases ER status was determined immunocytochemically by estrogen receptor immunocytochemical assay (ER-ICA). In 359 carcinomas ER status was also biochemically determined. Invasive lobular, mucoid, and tubular carcinomas rather than ductal carcinomas were ER-positive more frequently in ER-ICA. Medullary and papillary carcinomas had corresponding lower or higher ER positivity, respectively, by both methods. The correlation of histologic grade and its single factors with ER status was statistically significant by both methods. Lymphocytic reaction to tumor showed a significant inverse relationship to ER status by both methods. A statistically significant higher number of ER-positive carcinomas in ER-ICA and dextran-coated charcoal assay (DCC) occurred when elastic tissue was present. Different associations were found between stromal content, tumor diameter, and ER status in DCC and ER-ICA, respectively.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1988

Long-term influence of adjuvant therapy on natural killer cell activity in breast cancer.

Unstimulated IFN- and IL2-stimulated (NK) cell activities were investigated in patients with breast cancer who had received either local radiotherapy alone or adjuvant chemotherapeutic treatment with CMF combined with radiotherapy 12 to 18 months previously. When tested against the primarily NK-sensitive K562 cell line, patients who had received adjuvant chemotherapeutic treatment with CMF were shown to have a significantly decreased unstimulated and IFN-stimulated NK cell activity, as compared to both patients after radiotherapy only (P less than 0.002) and P less than 0.005, respectively) and healthy control persons (P less than 0.05). The former group of patients also had a significantly decreased IFN-stimulated NK cell activity, when tested against the primarily NK-insensitive Chang hepatoma cell line, as compared to patients after radiotherapy only (P less than 0.005) and healthy controls (P less than 0.05). Moreover, patients after radiotherapy only proved to have a significantly increased unstimulated (P less than 0.01) and IFN-stimulated NK cell activity (K562: P less than 0.05; Chang hepatoma cell line: P less than 0.05), as compared to healthy control individuals. In contrast, no difference in IL2-stimulated NK cell activity was detected. The investigation for the expression of CD3 and/or Leu 19 antigens as phenotypic markers of cells with non-MHC restricted cytotoxicity showed a significantly lower percentage of cells with the CD3+ phenotype in patients with breast cancer, irrespective of the chosen post-operative treatment, as compared to healthy controls (P less than 0.01). Finally, patients with breast cancer who had received radiotherapy only had a significant trend towards an increased percentage of CD3+/Leu 19+ PMNC, as compared to both patients after CMF treatment (P less than 0.05) and healthy controls (P less than 0.025). We conclude that patients with breast cancer vary on a long-term basis in their NK activity and in the phenotype of their PMNC depending on their post-operative adjuvant management.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗
PubMed1988

Natural killer cell activities of patients with breast cancer against different target cells.

Natural killer (NK) cell activity against K 562 erythroleukemic- and MCF-7 breast carcinoma-derived cells was monitored in short-term (3 h/K 562) and long-term (18 h/MCF-7) chromium release tests for 60 patients with untreated primary breast disease. Target cell lysis was the same for patient groups with benign (n = 13) and malignant (n = 47) breast disease (27% versus 36% mean chromium release; target:effector ratio 40:1 for K 562 and 28% versus 40% for MCF-7 cells). NK activity as defined by short-term lysis of K 562 cells did not correlate with MCF-7 cell lysis in long-term assays for the carcinoma patients. This functional heterogeneity of natural cytotoxic activities of breast cancer patients was confirmed by a different age distribution for K 562 and MCF-7 cell lysis and high levels of MCF-7-directed NK activity in the grade I tumor group (56.2%). Our results indicate that measurement of peripheral blood NK activity against a breast carcinoma-derived cell line (MCF-7) defines a disease-related natural cytotoxic activity which correlates better with prognostic tumor parameters (tumor grading) than NK activity as defined by the lysis of K 562 erythroleukemic cells. NK activity testing against breast carcinoma cell lines should be used to monitor natural cytotoxic activities in breast cancer patients and its modulation by different routes of treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical characteristics of lipid-rich carcinoma of the breast.

Five cases of lipid-rich carcinomas of the breast were investigated ultrastructurally and immunohistochemically for alpha-lactalbumin (ALA), lactoferrin (Lfr) and human milk fat globule membrane antigen (HMFG-2). Staining for ALA and Lfr showed intensive reaction on nearly all of the tumour cells whereas immunoreaction for HMFG-2 revealed positivity in single cells. All tumours were negative for steroid receptor content. Ultrastructurally the tumour cells showed numerous intracytoplasmic non-membrane bound lipid droplets which were often found within autophagocytic vacuoles. Neither rough endoplasmic reticulum nor Golgi complexes showed any sign of lipid synthesis. Extrusion of lipid droplets and extracellular lipid deposition was not observed. In conclusion, our findings do not justify the consideration of lipid-rich carcinoma of the breast as a clearly defined group of tumours with specific secretory activity. Therefore, the term lipid-rich carcinoma should be used in preference to lipid-secreting, unless there is evidence of active lipid secretion.

Aged↗