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Biomedical subjects

K A Foon

Publications and source records attributed to K A Foon.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Clinical transformation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is usually stable over months to years however a small proportion of cases may transform to more aggressive forms. These transformations include diffuse lymphoma (Richter syndrome), prolymphocytic transformation, acute lymphoblastic leukemia and multiple myeloma. There are a variety of techniques to determine whether the transformation represents a clonal evolution of the original CLL or an independent disease. These include cytogenetic analysis, immunoglobulin gene rearrangement by Southern blot analysis, and anti-idiotypic antibodies. While identity can be determined by gene rearrangement and anti-idiotypic antibodies, lack of identity can occur because of somatic mutation within a single clone. Thus, even with optimal techniques it is difficult to definitively exclude lack of identity in some instances. In most cases where transformation has taken place, definitive studies were not performed. In instances where detailed data are available, most do not suggest clonal evolution. Further studies are needed to allow definite conclusions.

Cell Transformation, Neoplastic↗

Effect of antibody dose on the imaging and biodistribution of indium-111 9.2.27 anti-melanoma monoclonal antibody.

Eleven patients with metastatic melanoma underwent serial gamma camera imaging and biodistribution measurements after i.v. injection of escalating doses of [111In]9.2.27, an antimelanoma murine monoclonal antibody. Patients received a fixed dose of 1 mg of [111In]9.2.27, with no additional 9.2.27 (five patients), or co-infused with 49 mg (five patients) or 99 mg (one patient) of unlabeled, unconjugated 9.2.27. Higher doses resulted in prolonged blood-pool retention, less uptake in spleen and bone marrow, and appeared to have a positive effect in improving tumor imaging. A dose of 1 mg of 9.2.27 permitted detection of tumors in two of five patients and two of ten lesions, while with greater than or equal to 50 mg, tumors were detected in all patients and in 24 of 32 lesions. Human gamma globulin injected prior to administration of [111In]9.2.27 failed to block the prominent liver, spleen, and bone marrow uptake. No toxicity was observed. These results indicate the feasibility of imaging metastatic melanoma with [111In]9.2.27 and suggest that antibody dose may be a critical determinant of biodistribution and tumor uptake.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Fate of gamma-interferon-activated killer blood monocytes adoptively transferred into the abdominal cavity of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Five patients with colorectal cancer widely metastatic to peritoneal surfaces have been treated i.p. with infusions of autologous blood monocytes made cytotoxic by in vitro incubation with human gamma-interferon. The monocytes were purified by a combination of cytapheresis and counter-current centrifugal elutriation procedures; each week approximately 350 million activated monocytes were given to patients as adoptive immunotherapy by a single i.p. instillation. On the eighth cycle of treatment the trafficking of i.p. infused blood monocytes was studied in two patients by prelabeling the cells with 111In. These activated cells became distributed widely within the peritoneal cavity. Two and 5 days after infusion their position within the peritoneum had not changed. When peritoneal specimens were obtained 36 h after 111In-labeled monocyte infusion, labeled monocytes were demonstrated to be associated with the serosal surfaces by autoradiographic analysis. Scintiscanning structures outside the abdominal cavity revealed that 111In-labeled monocytes infused i.p. did not traffic to other organs during the 5 days of the study. We conclude that i.p. adoptive transfer of autologous killer blood monocytes is an effective way of delivering these cytotoxic cells to sites of tumor burden on peritoneal surfaces in these cancer patients.

Colonic Neoplasms↗

Immunolymphoscintigraphy and the dose dependence of 111In-labeled T101 monoclonal antibody in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Serial gamma camera imaging was performed in 11 patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma after s.c. injection between the toes of 111In-labeled T101, a pan T-cell monoclonal antibody. Two of the patients also received 111In-labeled 9.2.27, an isotype-matched control monoclonal antibody. Three doses of T101 (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg), coupled with 0.5 mCi 111In, were used to measure lymph node uptake and dose response. A single 0.5-mg (0.5 mCi) dose of 111In-9.2.27 was used as control antibody to assess nonspecific uptake. Low-dose (0.1 mg) T101 administration produced rapid, intense uptake in inguinal-femoral and iliac nodes with minimal uptake in the paraaortic nodes and liver. The 0.5-mg dose and higher produced consistent uptake in all subdiaphragmatic nodes with greatest accumulation of liver activity at the 1.0-mg dose. In the two control studies, the ratio of specific:nonspecific antibody uptake in the inguinal-femoral, iliac, and paraaortic nodes averaged 7.7,5.9, and 1.9 at 48 h, respectively. In another patient, inguinal-femoral node biopsy contained over 2% of the injected dose of 111In-T101 per gram at 7 days. These findings suggest efficient and specific antibody binding in nodes nearest to the injection site, with progressive uptake of remaining antibody in more distant nodes as proximal sites approach saturation. Higher doses increase overflow of unbound antibody into the systemic circulation. There appears to be an optimal s.c. dose of approximately 0.5 mg (0.25 mg/foot) for T101 immunolymphoscintigraphy of subdiaphragmatic lymph nodes in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Adult↗

Light chain disease associated with the hyperviscosity syndrome.

The hyperviscosity syndrome refers to a group of symptoms and signs related to increased blood viscosity often produced by monoclonal immunoglobulins. It is most frequently associated with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and, on occasion, with other immunoglobulins that are capable of forming highly polymerized molecules. This article is a report on the first case of pure light chain myeloma associated with the hyperviscosity syndrome. The hyperviscous plasma in this case is secondary to the unusual degree of aggregation of kappa light chain as demonstrated by high-resolution electrophoresis, serum immunofixation, and Sephadex g-200 (Pharmacia, Piscataway, NJ) column chromatography.

Bence Jones Protein↗

Kinetic model for the biodistribution of an 111In-labeled monoclonal antibody in humans.

Using data from 12 patients, we have analyzed the pharmacokinetics of 111In-9.2.27, an antimelanoma monoclonal antibody, following i.v. infusion. Plasma data and scintillation camera images obtained from patients receiving either 1, 50, or 100 mg of monoclonal antibody indicated dose-dependent (i.e., saturable) kinetics. Based on these observations and known immunoglobulin kinetics, we developed a nonlinear compartmental model to describe the biodistribution of 111In-9.2.27 and the other coinjected 111In-associated compounds. The model included (a) three compartments representing intact 111In-9.2.27 ("plasma," "nonsaturable," and "saturable binding" compartments), (b) four compartments representing 111In-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, and (c) one compartment representing 111In in an undetermined chemical form ("extravascular delay" compartment). Analysis of the rate of urinary excretion relative to plasma concentration indicated that the saturable binding compartment was a site for catabolism of monoclonal antibody. Further examination of the urinary data, together with previous studies of the site(s) of immunoglobulin catabolism, suggested that additional elimination took place from either the plasma or the nonsaturable compartment. The model indicated that to fill the saturable sites would require a dose of approximately 0.5 mg and suggested that greater than 3.5 mg would maintain saturation for 200 h. Computer integration of gamma camera counts over the spleen revealed a clear saturable component of uptake, whereas integration over the liver showed no such pattern. The proposed model was fitted to the liver and spleen imaging data by summing fractions of model simulations of each compartment. That analysis confirmed the suspected saturable uptake by the spleen (21% of the saturable binding compartment) and revealed a quantitatively important component of saturation in the liver (35% of the saturable binding compartment) that was not obvious from initial examination of the images. When the results were expressed on a concentration basis, the spleen accounted for 247% of the saturable compartment per kg, whereas the liver accounted for 25%/kg. The bone marrow also showed saturable uptake; hence, the saturable uptake may relate to the sinusoidal blood supply characteristic of liver, spleen, and marrow. The model predicts the dose levels required to overcome saturable background, suggests appropriate doses and schedules for cold loading strategies, and provides a format for explicit inclusion of tumor antigen.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Interferon therapy of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

In 1981, the National Cancer Institute undertook Phase II trials of interferon alfa-2a in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (including cutaneous T-cell lymphoma [CTCL]) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). A dose of 50 X 10(6) U/m2, three times per week, was used initially, then adjusted downward as dictated by toxic effects. A 54% response rate was achieved among 24 patients with low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, and the median duration of response was 8 months. Less encouraging results emerged from studies in patients with intermediate- or high-grade disease. Responses were noted in only two of six patients in the former group, and only one of seven in the latter group. Results have likewise been disappointing in patients with CLL. Of 18 individuals treated, only two exhibited brief, partial responses. In CTCL, on the other hand, alpha interferon may be the most effective single agent. Among 20 patients with advanced disease who had failed previous therapies, 45% responded. The primary dose-limiting toxicity in all these trials has been flu-like symptoms, particularly fever and fatigue. Fever has generally resolved as treatment has been continued, but dosage reductions are usually necessary to alleviate fatigue. Future studies are likely to focus on the use of alpha interferon in combination with chemotherapeutic agents or other biologic response modifiers, such as monoclonal antibodies.

Drug Evaluation↗

Current and future uses of recombinant interferon alpha in the treatment of low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Recombinant and natural forms of interferon alpha have been shown to bring about tumor regressions in patients with low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Complete and partial response rates in up to 50% of patients have been documented. Although these studies are encouraging, interferon alpha's role in the current management of patients with low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is not apparent. The high doses of interferon that were used in some of the recent studies were not well tolerated by these patients. Current studies using interferon in patients with low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are evaluating lower, and perhaps better tolerated doses of interferon. In addition, in vitro studies have documented additive and sometimes synergistic antitumor effects of interferon in combination with cytotoxic drugs. This approach is being extended to the clinic, and trials are now underway evaluating combinations of interferon and various cytotoxic drugs known from previous studies to be active in patients with low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. This report reviews studies using interferon alone in these patients, and discusses ongoing and proposed studies for the future use of interferon in treating this disease.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Recombinant interferon alfa-2a, an active agent in advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphomas.

The cutaneous T-cell lymphomas including mycosis fungoides and the Sézary syndrome, are indolent lymphomas with early systemic dissemination. Like the indolent B-cell lymphomas, they cannot be cured by currently available systemic chemotherapy so new systemic therapies need to be developed. A study of very high-dose recombinant interferon alfa-2a was, therefore, initiated in 20 patients with advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (5 in stage II, 2 in stage III and 13 in stage IV). All patients were refractory to at least 2 standard therapies, including topical nitrogen mustard (18 patients), psoralens and ultraviolet A light (12 patients), total skin electron irradiation (14 patients) and systemic chemotherapy (16 patients). Nine out of 20 patients (45%; 95% confidence interval 25-69%) had either objective partial or complete responses within 3 months of starting treatment. Maximal response, however, often did not occur for at least one year. The median duration of response was 5.5 months and all complete responses lasted more than 2 years. Response frequencies were equal at both cutaneous and extracutaneous sites and in patients with or without prior chemotherapy. Toxicity was exhibited primarily as a flu-like syndrome consisting of fever, malaise, fatigue, anorexia and weight loss which necessitated dose reductions in all patients. Transient elevations in liver function and decreases in renal function and granulocyte counts occurred in some patients. It is concluded that interferon alfa-2a is highly active against advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphomas and that it should be studied in its early stages. It should also be evaluated in combination with other biological agents and with chemotherapy.

Acetaminophen↗

Immunologic classification of lymphoma and lymphoid leukemia.

Important insights into lymphocyte differentiation and the cellular origins of lymphoma and lymphoid leukemia have been gained through the use of monoclonal antibodies that define cell surface antigens and molecular probes that identify immunoglobulin and T cell receptor genes. Results of these studies have been combined with markers such as surface membrane and cytoplasmic immunoglobulin on B lymphocytes, sheep erythrocyte receptors on T lymphocytes, and cytochemical stains. Utilising all of the above markers, it is now clear that acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is heterogeneous. Furthermore, monoclonal antibodies that identify B cells such as the anti-B1 and anti-B4 antibodies in combination with studies of immunoglobulin gene rearrangement have demonstrated that virtually all cases of non-T-ALL involve B lymphocytes. At least six distinct subgroups of non-T-ALL can now be identified. T-ALL is subdivided by the anti-Leu-9, anti-Leu-1, and additional antibodies that separate T lymphocyte subsets into three primary subgroups. Monoclonal antibodies are also useful in the subclassification of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and certain distinct markers can be correlated with morphologic classification.

Humans↗

Staging and therapy of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous disease. Some patients require no therapy and have prolonged survival. Others have brief survival despite intensive treatment. Several staging systems have been developed. These are useful in predicting outcome and need of therapy, but controversies exist. Additional prognostic factors have been identified such as cytogenetics, lymphocyte levels or doubling time, bone marrow morphology, and others. Patients with low-stage CLL have not been shown to benefit from treatment. In patients with intermediate disease, combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CVP) has not been shown to be superior to chlorambucil with or without prednisone. The therapy of high stage CLL is controversial; therapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) may be superior to CVP. Future directions of therapeutic research include the treatment of patients with low stage disease, more precise identification of patients requiring therapy, and more precise definition of therapeutic response.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Indium-111 T101 monoclonal antibody is superior to iodine-131 T101 in imaging of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

We have reported that [111In]T101 is highly effective in the detection of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) in nodal and cutaneous (erythroderma and tumor) sites. This study compares the biodistribution of [131I]T101 (1 to 7.1 mg, 2 mCi) in four patients with CTCL; two of these patients also received [111In]T101 (1 mg, 5 mCi). There was rapid clearance of [131I]T101 from whole-body, spleen, liver, and bone marrow, with evidence of loss of 131I tracer from the T101. Lymph node uptake was minimal in three of four patients, and there was no localization in skin lesions. This contrasted with [111In]T101 where there was prolonged retention of activity in these organs and excellent uptake in skin tumors, erythroderma, and lymph nodes. The study showed that [131I]T101 was suboptimal for imaging CTCL patients and demonstrates that the isotope or labeling method can dramatically alter the apparent biodistribution and tumor targeting of a given monoclonal antibody.

Animals↗

Biology of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a clonal proliferation of mature-appearing, but maturationally immature B cells; T cells are rarely involved. Most data suggest that CLL cells are frozen at an early step in maturation; this can be overcome by several techniques such as in vitro incubation with tumor promotors. Although B-CLL involves B cells, and abnormal T cell function is common, its etiology is uncertain. Oncogene abnormalities and retroviral infection have been reported in rare cases of CLL; their role in more typical cases is unknown.

Agammaglobulinemia↗

Therapy of acute myelogenous leukemia.

Over the past 10 years, there have been substantial advances in the treatment of AML. Intensive induction chemotherapy using 7-day courses of cytarabine and daunorubicin or amsacrine produce remission in 60% to 85% of patients. Median remission duration is 9 to 16 months. In some series, 20% to 40% of patients are in continuous remission for 2 years or more; many of these patients remain in remission for 5 years or longer and some may be cured. Bone marrow transplantation has evolved as a useful therapeutic modality capable of achieving long-term survival in some circumstances in which chemotherapy is relatively ineffective. Its precise role in the initial therapy of AML remains to be defined, but it is likely to be beneficial in selected patients. These data indicate substantial recent progress in the treatment of this disease, which was almost uniformly fatal 30 years ago. The fact that most patients relapse within 1 to 2 years reflects a lack of progress in developing effective postremission therapy. Maintenance chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and CNS prophylaxis have little role in AML. It is unclear whether consolidation or intensification extend remissions or increase the proportion of long-term survivors; controlled randomized trials should answer this question within the next few years. Future progress in the treatment of AML awaits the development of more sensitive methods for detecting residual leukemia, more effective use of current therapeutic modalities and the introduction of new effective drugs. Most data suggest that early intensive treatment is of key importance for achieving cures. However, we cannot presently distinguish between patients cured by initial treatment and those who required further chemotherapy.

Antineoplastic Agents↗