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Biomedical subjects

L Young

Publications and source records attributed to L Young.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

Antitumor activity of vinzolidine in the human tumor clonogenic assay and comparison with vinblastine.

Vinzolidine (VZL), a semisynthetic vinblastine (VLB) derivative, was tested against a variety of solid tumors in the human tumor clonogenic assay (HTCA). The emphasis was on continuous drug exposure because of the schedule-dependency of the vincas and long half-life of VZL. Of tumor types with more than ten samples tested, the percentage of cases exhibiting inhibition (50% or less of control) of tumor colony forming units (TCFU) was as follows: melanoma (48%), lung cancer (48%), breast cancer (40%), renal cancer (33%), and ovarian cancer (24%). In tumor types tested less frequently, inhibition of TCFU after continuous or one hour drug exposure was observed in 2/7 colon cancers, 1/3 pancreatic cancers and 3/4 gastric cancers. Paired analysis of tumors tested to both VZL and VLB demonstrated no significant difference in overall activity of these two vinca alkaloids. VZL appears to be a promising drug for clinical trials, with in vitro activity in melanoma, lung and breast cancers. More interesting is the suggestion of activity in gastrointestinal tumors, especially colon cancer which is generally resistant to drugs in the HTCA and in vivo.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Comparative in vitro cytotoxicity of cyclophosphamide, its major active metabolites and the new oxazaphosphorine ASTA Z 7557 (INN mafosfamide).

Cyclophosphamide (CPA), the most commonly used alkylating agent in the treatment of a wide variety of hematologic and solid tumors, requires oxidation by hepatic microsomal enzymes to its active alkylating species. A number of alternative methods exist to simulate the in vitro cytotoxicity of CPA against animal and human tumors, including the co-incubation of CPA with the S-9 fraction of rat liver homogenates (S-9) and the use of either 4-hydroperoxy CPA (a stabilized form of a major blood-borne metabolite of CPA), phosphoramide mustard (PM, considered to be the ultimate intracellular alkylating metabolite of CPA), or ASTA Z 7557 [4-(2-sulfonatoethylthio)-CPA, a new oxazaphosphorine compound which after dissolution undergoes rapid spontaneous hydrolysis in vitro with liberation of 4-hydroxy-CPA]. Using a human tumor clonogenic assay (HTCA) we have quantitated the median molar inhibitory dose 50 (ID50) concentrations of S-9 activated-CPA, 4-hydroperoxy-CPA, PM, and ASTA Z 7557 against 107 previously untreated tumors, as well as determining the in vitro biological stability of the former three CPA metabolite preparations. 4-Hydroperoxy-CPA proved the most consistently cytotoxic (median molar ID50 = 5.7 X 10(-5)M) compound, followed by ASTA Z 7557, S-9 activated-CPA and PM in that order. Of additional interest S-9 activated CPA and PM proved relatively unstable biologically when frozen at -120 degrees C, whereas 4-hydroperoxy-CPA lost none of its cytotoxicity over a 36 day period during freezing.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Genetic analysis of nucleoside transport in Leishmania donovani.

Genetic dissection of nucleoside transport in Leishmania donovani indicates that the insect vector form of these parasites possesses two biochemically distinct nucleoside transport systems. The first transports inosine, guanosine, and formycin B, and the second transports pyrimidine nucleosides and the adenosine analogs, formycin A and tubercidin. Adenosine is transported by both systems. A mutant, FBD5, isolated by virtue of its resistance to growth inhibition by 5 microM formycin B, cannot efficiently transport inosine, guanosine, or formycin B. This cell line is also cross-resistant to growth inhibition by a spectrum of cytotoxic analogs of inosine and guanosine. A second parasite mutant, TUBA5, isolated for its resistance to 20 microM tubercidin, cannot take up from the culture medium radiolabeled tubercidin, formycin A, uridine, cytidine, or thymidine. Both the FBD5 and the TUBA5 cell lines have about a 50% reduced capacity to take up adenosine, indicating that adenosine is transported by both systems. A tubercidin-resistant clonal derivative of FBD5, FBD5-TUB, has acquired the combined biochemical phenotype of each single mutant. The wild-type and mutant cell lines transport purine bases and uracil with equal efficiency. Mutational analysis of the relative growth sensitivities to cytotoxic nucleoside analogs and the selective capacities to take up exogenous radiolabeled nucleosides from the culture medium have enabled us to define genetically the multiplicity and substrate specificities of the nucleoside transport systems in L. donovani promastigotes.

Animals↗

Antitumor activity of esorubicin in human tumor clonogenic assay with comparisons to doxorubicin.

The new anthracycline analog, esorubicin (4'deoxy-doxorubicin, ESO), was tested against fresh biopsies of human solid tumors in vitro in clonogenic assay and the results were contrasted to those obtained with doxorubicin (DOX). ESO appeared to be significantly more potent on a weight basis than DOX in these studies, and exhibited a spectrum of antitumor activity in vitro that was in general qualitatively similar to that observed with DOX. In vitro antitumor activity was observed in a wide variety of human cancers including anthracycline-sensitive tumor types. ESO has previously been reported to have decreased cardiac toxicity in preclinical models as compared to DOX. Comparative testing of these anthracyclines on granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units (GM-CFUs) and tumor colony forming units (TCFUs) indicated that the in vitro GM-CFU assay is more sensitive to these myelosuppressive drugs than are TCFUs, and underscores the need for in vivo studies to determine normal tissue toxicity and the therapeutic index of a drug. Early results of phase I studies suggest that with respect to myelosuppression, the maximally tolerated dose of ESO will be about half that of DOX. The increased in vitro antitumor potency observed for ESO and a spectrum of activity (even at one half the dose of DOX) supports the broad testing of ESO in the clinic to determine whether it will prove to be a more effective and less toxic anthracycline.

Cell Survival↗

A twenty-year evaluation of subperiosteal implants.

All Vitallium subperiosteal mandibular implants placed at UMKC from 1955 to 1975 were reevaluated from four objective and subjective standpoints. It can be concluded that (1) the UMKC implants surpass the 5- and 10-year longevity standards of the Harvard Conference on Dental Implants; (2) periodic recall is an important part of an implant program; (3) acute inflammation is prevalent among implant patients; (4) surgical removal of part of an implant framework can be preventive treatment and prolong the life of the implant; (5) all but one of the implants reviewed were successful to a degree; (6) unilateral anesthesia or paresthesia can be expected in approximately 50% of patients; (7) anesthesia was not a deterrent to success in this study; (8) satisfaction with the implants was absolute; and (9) if removal of an implant was necessary, patients requested replacement if possible.

Chromium Alloys↗

Recurrent cavernous haemangioma of the extensor tendons of the hand.

Haemangiomas arising from tendons are very uncommon and are not usually considered in the differential diagnosis of lesions of tendons. The following report is of specific interest for it presents a case of recurrent haemangioma of the extensor tendons of the hand which could be excised and the hand reconstructed at the same operative procedure.

Adult↗

Effects of cloned human leukocyte interferons in the human tumor stem cell assay.

Clonogenic tumor cells from fresh biopsies of human cancers were cultivated in vitro and tested for sensitivity by continuous exposure to pharmacologically achievable concentrations of either of two highly purified human leukocyte interferon subtypes (IFN-alpha A and IFN-alpha D) prepared by recombinant DNA methods. The interferons were compared on a weight basis at concentrations of 0.4 and 4.0 ng/ml (equivalent to 80 and 800 units of interferon activity for IFN-alpha A and 2.0 and 20 units for IFN-alpha D). Inhibition of tumor colony-forming units (50% of control or less) was observed in 38.1% of the 273 tumors tested against IFN-alpha A, and in 16% of the 71 tumors tested against IFN-alpha D. Of the tumor types with at least ten samples tested against IFN-alpha A, the percentage of cases exhibiting inhibition was as follows: melanoma (51.7%), lung cancer (50%), myeloma (33.4%), ovarian cancer (33.9%), sarcoma (33.3%), adenocarcinoma of unknown primary (30.4%), breast cancer (28%), acute leukemia (30.8%), and renal cancer (23%). More marked inhibition (30% of control or less) was observed in 18.7% of all tumors tested against IFN-alpha A. Of 60 melanomas tested, 18 (30%) exhibited marked in vitro inhibition of growth with IFN-alpha A. Although a smaller number of tumors (71) were tested against IFN-alpha D on a weight basis, it appeared, in general, to be slightly less active than IFN-alpha A (p less than 0.01), and only 8% of tumors tested exhibited marked inhibition over the same dosage range of interferon. Comparison of the dose-response curves for the 68 tumors tested simultaneously against both interferons did not reveal marked interpatient differences in the inhibition curves, although IFN-alpha D was slightly less active overall. Tumors exhibiting at least 50% inhibition of tumor colony formation also proved to be sensitive to a significantly larger number of cytotoxic drugs (tested simultaneously) than the tumors not inhibited with interferon (p less than 0.0001 for IFN-alpha A). We conclude that the in vitro clonogenic assay may aid in targeting tumor types most likely to exhibit interferon sensitivity and assist in case selection for entry into clinical trials with cloned interferons.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Similarities of the cataleptic state induced by beta-endorphin and morphine.

A variety of behavioral tests were used to characterize the cataleptic state induced by various treatments. Besides catalepsy, posture, locomotion, rigidity and the presence of reflexive responses were assessed. Measures of analgesia and body temperature were taken. The behavioral profiles of beta-endorphin, morphine, etonitazene, haloperidol, arecoline and GABA were compared at the time maximal catalepsy scores were obtained. Results indicated that, for an equivalent degree of catalepsy, the profile of beta-endorphin was similar to that of opiates, except for changes in body temperature; beta-endorphin's profile differed markedly from that of haloperidol, arecoline and GABA. Catalepsy was less pronounced with the latter two drugs. There were similarities in the behavioral profile of haloperidol and arecoline.

Analgesia↗

Chi-stimulated recombination between phage lambda and the plasmid lambda dv.

Chi promotes Rec-mediated recombination between phage lambda DNA and the homologous plasmid lambda dv. In the absence of Chi, some of the interactions splice lambda dv into lambda, whereas others patch information from lambda dv into lambda. When Chi is in the phage DNA, splices and patches are increased in frequency by the same factor. This result strengthens the analogy between Chi and recombination-promoting elements in fungi. It also rules out one model for the previously reported orientation dependence of Chi phenotype.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

On the application of systems analysis to neurophysiological problems.

In this essay we have presented some personal viewpoints on the application of Systems. Analysis to suitable neurophysiological problems and provided reasoned reviews on selected topics (receptor and nerve cell physiology, motor control, vestibular and visual systems) in which new data and ideas were brought about in the past several years by the use of Systems Analysis. Since the nature of the paper precludes the possibility of writing a summary, we simply thank those readers who have endured up to this point. As for those prudent persons who are beginning from this summary, before deciding as to the advisability of taking-up the task, we have a simple advice which runs contrary to the rule stated by the King to Alice in Wonderland (and accepted by one of us; see p. 60): begin from the topic that you like most and eventually go on, using the same criteria, till you are tired: then stop.

Animals↗

Pharmacologic studies of anticancer drugs with the human tumor stem cell assay.

To optimize the human tumor stem cell assay (HTSCA) for clinical and research purposes we have carried out in vitro pharmacology studies. Useful observations were made in four areas. (1) Drug assay design: The predictive accuracy of the HTSCA depends on the in vitro testing of drug concentrations of less than 10% of those which are pharmacologically achievable with standard in vivo drug doses. The use of unrealistically high in vitro concentrations can accurately predict clinical drug resistance, but is likely to yield high false-positive rates of clinical response prediction. (2) Drug scheduling: For certain schedule-dependent drugs, as well as those with a prolonged plasma half-life and those used according to a repeated daily schedule, prolonged in vitro exposure (rather than 1 h) may be needed to provide an adequate in vitro design. For an accurate prediction of sensitivity of tumor colony-forming units (TCFUs) to continuous drug contact in the agar, concentrations should be in the range of 1/300 that used for the standard 1-h exposure prior to plating. (3) Drug combinations: In preliminary studies of combination chemotherapy in vitro we commonly observed at least additive effects with low doses of cis-platinum plus either vinblastine or adriamycin. (4) Drug bioactivation: Rat liver microsomes or S-9 fraction were used to activate cyclophosphamide for in vitro effect, and satisfactory dose-response curves were observed for the inhibition of TCFUs. Such pharmacologic studies will be required for a wide variety of standard and new agents and will probably become a regular aspect of investigation of new anticancer drugs.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Chemotherapy of ovarian cancer directed by the human tumor stem cell assay.

The human tumor stem cell assay (HTSCA) has been used to study the in vitro sensitivity rates of anticancer drugs used in the treatment of 115 patients with previously untreated and relapsing ovarian cancer. The data from these studies have identified patterns of cross resistance and residual sensitivity between these agents, and have allowed the prospective selection of single agents possessing in vitro activity for the treatment of 32 patients with relapsing disease. cis-Platinum and vinblastine were the most active agents in vitro against ovarian TCFUs from both previously untreated and relapsing patients. Prior therapy with even one drug was associated with the acquisition of resistance to several classes of compounds (e.g., melphalan resistance was almost always associated with in vitro adriamycin resistance, P less than 0.001). A clinical trial yielding similar data would have required nearly 450 evaluable ovarian cancer patients. In 11 of 32 patients in vitro testing predicted sensitivity to single agents: eight of these had partial remissions for a predictive accuracy of 73%. In 33 instances the HTSCA had 100% accuracy in predicting the lack of clinical response. Thus, the HTSCA for advanced ovarian cancer appears to have a similar predictive accuracy rate to the estrogen receptor assay for predicting the response to hormonal therapy for disseminated breast cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Quantitation of drug sensitivity by human metastatic melanoma colony-forming units.

We measured the effect of 6 standard (Adriamycin, BCNU, DTIC, melphalan, vinblastine, actinomycin D) and 3 Phase II agents (cis-platinum, vindesine, AMSA) on melanoma colony-forming units (CFU) in soft agar from biopsies of 50 patients with metastatic melanoma. Melanoma CFU demonstrated marked heterogeneity in chemosensitivity to these 9 drugs. Reduction in survival of CFU below 38% at one-tenth the pharmacologically achievable 1h concentration (our operational definition of chemosensitivity) was obtained in only 19% of 200 in vitro trials, and was usually the same whether or not patients had been exposed to prior chemotherapy, suggesting that melanoma CFU are inherently resistant to presently available chemotherapeutic drugs. The soft-agar assay was 86% accurate (25/29 cases) in identifying drugs to which the tumour was resistant in vivo, and 63% accurate (12/19 trials) in identifying drugs to which the tumour was clinically sensitive, counting mixed responses as responses. In contrast, if mixed responses were classified as progressive disease, the accuracy of identification of sensitivity fell to 42% (8/19 trials). These investigations furnish a quantitative description of the chemosensitivity of human metastatic melanoma CFU. Additionally, these studies serve as a useful step towards the development of an in vitro chemosensitivity test for human melanoma, and provide an operational quantitative basis for further exploration of in vitro-directed therapy in metastatic neoplasms.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Immunological and chemical identification of intracellular forms of adenovirus type 2 terminal protein.

Highly purified adenovirus type 2 terminal protein (TP) with an apparent M(r) of 55,000 (55K) was prepared in quantities of 10 to 30 mug from guanidine hydrochloride- or sodium dodecyl sulfate-disrupted virions (60 to 120 mg). Guinea pigs were immunized with 14 to 20 injections of TP in amounts of 1 to 2 mug. Antiserum to TP was used to study the intracellular polypeptides related to adenovirus type 2 TP. By immunoprecipitation with anti-TP serum, we identified 80K and 76K polypeptides in the nucleoplasmic and cytoplasmic S100 fractions of [(35)S]methionine-labeled cells early and late after infection with Ad2. By immunoautoradiographic analysis which eliminates coprecipitation of unrelated proteins, we identified an 80K polypeptide (probably an 80K-76K doublet) in unlabeled, late infected cells, using anti-TP serum and (125)I-labeled staphylococcal protein A. About two- to threefold-higher levels of the 80K and 76K polypeptides were present in the nucleoplasm than in the S100 fraction, and two- to threefold-higher levels were found in late infected cells than in early infected cells (cycloheximide enhanced, arabinofuranosylcytosine treated). We did not detect the 80K or 76K polypeptide in uninfected cells, indicating that these polypeptides are virus coded. Tryptic peptide map analysis showed that the 80K and 76K polypeptides are very closely related and that they share peptides with the DNA-bound 55K TP. Our data provide the first direct demonstration of intracellular 80K and 76K forms of TP. The intracellular 80K and 76K polypeptides are closely related or identical to the 80K polypeptide that Challberg and co-workers (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 77:5105-5109, 1980) detected at the termini of adenovirus DNA synthesized in vitro and to the 87K polypeptide that Stillman and co-workers (Cell 23:497-508, 1981) translated in vitro. We did not detect the 55K TP in early or late infected cells, consistent with the proposal by Challberg and co-workers that the 80K polypeptide is a precursor to the virion-bound TP and that the conversion of the 80K polypeptide to the 55K TP occurs during virus maturation. The 80K and 76K polypeptides have many more methionine-containing tryptic peptides than does the 55K TP, and most of the tryptic peptides unique to the 80K and 76K polypeptides are very hydrophobic. Thus, the conversion of the 80K and 76K polypeptides to the 55K TP may involve the removal of a specific hydrophobic protein region.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

The association of submucous cleft palate and clefting of the primary palate.

478 records of patients with cleft palate were reviewed to determine the prevalence and significance of submucous cleft palate associated with clefting of the primary palate. The prevalence of submucous cleft palate in the 71 patients with clefts of the primary palate (SMCP-CL) was 13 per cent. This is two to three times greater than the prevalence of isolated submucous cleft palate found in cleft palate clinic patients. Patients with SMCP-CL often had the symptoms of velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI) and middle ear disease. The increased prevalence of SMCP and frequent symptomatology of patients with clefting of the primary palate make it essential that patients with cleft lip have early, thorough evaluation for SMCP. Early detection of SMCP associated with cleft lip and close follow-up permits the prevention of ear problems and the proper management of VPI should it develop.

Child, Preschool↗

Prevention of graft rejection following bone marrow transplantation.

Bone marrow transplantation from an HLA-identical sibling is increasingly used in the treatment of severe aplastic anemia. One major problem with this approach is graft rejection that occurs in 25%-60% of patients conditioned for transplantation with cyclophosphamide. At most transplant centers it has been difficult to accurately identify patients at high risk for graft rejection. We studied a conditioning regimen of cyclophosphamide (200 mg per kg) and low-dose total body irradiation (3 Gy; equivalent to 300 rad) in 23 consecutive unselected patients with aplastic anemia followed for a minimum of 6 mo. There was only one episode of graft rejection. Graft-versus-host disease and interstitial pneumonitis were not increased by the more intensive conditioning regimen. Actuarial survival was 61% at 1 yr and 49% at 2.5 yr. Cyclophosphamide and low-dose total body irradiation is an effective conditioning regimen in patients with aplastic anemia. It may be particularly useful when accurate predictive tests of graft rejection are not available as is the case in most transplant centers.

Actuarial Analysis↗