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Biomedical subjects

M Peiper

Publications and source records attributed to M Peiper.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Generation of peptide-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes using allogeneic dendritic cells capable of lysing human pancreatic cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen presenting cells (APCs), able to efficiently induce primary T cell-mediated responses to foreign antigens. In earlier studies we were able to identify a histocompatibility antigen (HLA)-A 2-restricted nine amino acid peptide (GP2, peptide 654-662) from the transmembrane portion of the protooncogene HER2/neu as a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) in human pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HLA-A2+ and HLA-A2 healthy volunteers were isolated. PBMCs were grown with initial anti-CD3, low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2), and peptide-pulsed DC stimulation. T-cell lines were analyzed in functional studies. RESULTS: After 4 weeks, T-cell cultures were more than 50% CD8+. All peptide-pulsed T cells significantly lysed APC pulsed with the immunizing antigen in an HLA-A2 restricted fashion. Furthermore, HLA-A2+,HER2/neu+ human pancreatic cancer cells were lysed significantly higher than HLA-A2 HER2/neu+ pancreatic cancer cells. Transfection of an HLA-A2 pancreatic cancer cell line with the HLA-A2 gene resulted in a significantly higher lysis of the transfected cell line compared to the wild type. In HLA-A2+ pancreatic cancer targets, specific lysis was HLA-A2 restricted. CONCLUSION: The ability to use DCs for presentation of either tumor or peptide antigen in an HLA-restricted fashion to stimulate T-cell proliferation, as well as cytotoxicity, demonstrates the potential of this technology for future development of a pancreatic cancer vaccine.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes and the recognition of tumor antigens--an approach to "preventive tumor vaccination?"].

In spite of modifications of the intra- and postoperative therapeutic strategy as well as new adjuvant protocols, most malignant diseases have a poor prognosis. This demonstrates the need for new approaches in tumor therapy. One alternative is adoptive immunotherapy (AIT). AIT is based on the observation that cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) may be generated with the ability to lyse autologous tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. Aim of current research activities is to determine specific tumorantigens and the clinical applicability of cell-mediated immunotherapy. The immunobiology of the cell-mediated immune response to cancer with focus on major-histocompatibility complex class I and CD8+ T cells is reviewed. Recent advances in the identification of tumor-associated and tumor-specific antigens were summarized. Previously performed clinical studies were reviewed. We examined the implications that the discovery of these antigens might have on the development of new anticancer vaccines.

Animals↗

[Surgical research and publications in Germany--an analysis of 1984-1994].

The present study analyses a selection of German and American surgical and cancer research journals from the years 1984 and 1994. The aim of the study was to evaluate the amount of publications by German surgeons in these journals. Furthermore, any influence of the impact factor on the publication criteria was analyzed. German surgical journals showed a high percentage increase in the impact factor but are, in absolute numbers, still significantly behind the American journals. In parallel, German surgeons are still the major contributors to German language journals, but increasingly publish in the American ones as well. The impact factor is one of the major selection criteria on to which journal a paper shall be submitted.

Animals↗

Re-excision of soft tissue sarcoma after inadequate initial operation.

Between January 1988 and October 1993, 189 patients with soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities and trunk underwent surgery and since 1988, patients in whom the initial operation did not achieve safe margins underwent reoperation (67 of the 189). At re-excision an en block resection of the area with wide margins was achieved in 59 patients. Residual tumour was found in 30 specimens (45 per cent). Thirty-six patients received postoperative radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. After a mean follow-up of 32 (range 1-69) months five patients (7 per cent) had local recurrence. In view of the high rate of local recurrence after local excision of soft tissue sarcoma (70-90 per cent), primary re-excision is indicated after an inadequate initial operation.

Adolescent↗

[Local recurrence of soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities and trunk].

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) tend to recur locally. In a series of 140 patients operated on during the past two decades with STS of the extremities and trunk, prognostic factors influencing local recurrence were determined. Statistical significance was evaluated for the quality of surgical resection (P < 0.001), regional positive lymph nodes (P = 0.03), and adjuvant radiotherapy (P = 0.01) [for resection without wide margins (R1) and low-grade (G3) tumors]. In 1988, the surgical procedure was standardized. After 1987, local recurrence decreased significantly (P < 0.001). In subfascial tumors, local recurrence occurred far less in cases of compartmental resection than with wide excision. These data indicate that the course of patients with STS can be beneficially influenced by optimal therapy. Resection with wide margins in all three dimensions is the aim of sarcoma surgery. Postoperative radiation therapy is indicated in the case of R1 resection.

Adolescent↗

Bleeding esophageal duplication detected in utero.

Peptic complications in duplications of the alimentary tract may occur when the duplication is lined by gastric mucosa. These complications commonly develop in the first year of life. We report a case of a bleeding esophageal duplication in a fetus.

Adult↗

Post-irradiation soft tissue sarcoma.

From 1975 to 1993, 11 of 375 patients treated for soft tissue sarcoma presented with post-irradiation sarcoma. The mean time interval between irradiation therapy and onset of the second neoplasm was 15.8 years (4-31 years). The total radiation dosage ranged from 12 to 60 Gy with a mean of 40 Gy. All patients had complete staging including CT or MRI of the tumour site, and CT of the lung. Surgical resection was the treatment of choice. Wide margins could be achieved in 10 patients. One had a marginal resection. Tumours included malignant fibrous histiocytoma, haemangiosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, malignant schwannoma, fibrosarcoma and undifferentiated sarcoma. All patients were reassessed in our outpatient clinic. After a mean follow-up of 4.7 years (1.0-11.5 years), only 1 patient had died because of the tumour. Although post-irradiation sarcomas are rather infrequently observed, these tumours must be suspected when alterations or symptoms occur in a previously irradiated region. Early detection provides the chance of curative, wide margin resection.

Adolescent↗

[Successful operation of a symptomatic aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery in a child with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome].

Bleeding of an aneurysm--especially of a great vessel--represents a complication of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome that is often lethal. A successful operation of a symptomatic aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery in a 12-year old girl with an Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VI is reported. The aneurysm was resected and replaced by a venous graft. Four years postoperatively the artery is perfectly patent; a new aneurysm did not develop.

Aneurysm↗

[Incomplete ileus of carcinoid tumor of the small intestine--limits of laparoscopic surgical technique].

A patient with small bowel obstruction is presented. Separating adhesions at the terminal ileum laparoscopically a carcinoid tumour at Bauhin's valve was overlooked. Two weeks later the patient was resubmitted because of obstructive problems and the tumour was diagnosed at a conventional laparotomy. Basing on this case problems of laparoscopic treatment of bowel obstruction are discussed in general, and in special the decreased tactile abilities of the surgeon are mentioned.

Carcinoid Tumor↗

Laparoscopic splenectomy. Technique and results in a series of 27 cases.

Between early 1992 and December 1994, laparoscopic splenectomy was performed in 27 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenia (ITP), hairy-cell leucemia, HIV, or Hodgkin's disease. In all cases medical treatment, especially cortisone therapy, failed. In Hodgkin's disease the splenectomy was combined with liver biopsies and dissection of parailiacal, paraaortic, and mesenteric lymph nodes for abdominal staging. The operation was performed using four trocars; the splenic vessels were divided by a linear stapler. In general the spleen was removed in a bag through a slightly enlarged trocar incision or after morcellation. Three patients needed a small laparotomy for the removal (laparoscopic assisted). In a recent case of Hodgkin's disease the intact spleen was removed via posterior colpotomy. In 22 of 27 cases (81%) the operation was finished laparoscopically. Five times a conversion to conventional laparotomy was necessary because of bleeding of enlarged lymph nodes at the hilum. Wound infections occurred in two cases. In one patient with ITP the platelet count did not improve and continuous blood loss led to relaparotomy at the 1st postoperative day. No surgical bleeding was found. All patients tolerated a fluid diet at the 1st postoperative day and hospitalization time was 4.4 days (range 3-14). Regarding the low complication rate and the advantages of a smaller abdominal trauma in the postoperative period, the laparoscopic approach for elective splenectomy and laparoscopic abdominal staging has a substantial benefit for the patients.

Adolescent↗

[Localized fibrous pleural mesothelioma. Value of image-producing methods for the differentiation from supradiaphragmatic tumors of the liver].

A 38-year-old woman in good health suddenly developed pain in the right chest and mild dyspnoea. She reported two bronchial infections in the preceding year. Physical examination revealed cyanosis of the lips and finger clubbing, slightly dulled percussion sounds and decreased breath sounds at the basis of the right chest, but no other abnormalities. Activity of the tumour marker CA 125 was raised (60 kU/l). The chest radiography showed a shadow in the right lower segment, resembling a high diaphragm. Computed tomography failed to separate the abnormal structure from the liver substance. Needle puncture discovered a small haemorrhagic effusion with mesothelial cells. Magnetic resonance imaging and a scintigraphy of the liver provided evidence that the mass was separate from the liver. At thoracotomy a tumour, 20 x 15 x 10 cm in size and connected by a pedicle to the pleura, was identified and excised. Immunocytochemical tests showed it to be a fibrous pleural mesothelioma without signs of malignancy. The patient was discharged 10 days postoperatively in good general condition.

Adult↗

Natural course of operated pseudocysts in chronic pancreatitis.

A longterm review (median follow up 11 years) of the postoperative course of pancreatic pseudocysts was undertaken in 55 patients with chronic pancreatitis. While 96% of the patients were free of pain immediately after the operation this figure fell to 53% subsequently. Alcohol abstinence did not significantly reduce pain. Endocrine pancreatic deterioration (60%) was significantly (p = 0.0059) more frequent than exocrine (38%). Unemployment increased from 2 to 41%; retirement rose from 0 to 33%, mainly as a result of pancreatitis. Twenty one (38%) patients died. Chronic pancreatitis related death rate was 14%. Three patients died of extrapancreatic carcinomas.

Adult↗

[Jejunal small intestine duplication].

Duplications of the alimentary tract are rare. Most of them are diagnosed during infancy or childhood, when they become symptomatic and a palpable mass is found. Major complications are bleeding, perforation, ileus and pancreatitis. In the majority of cases the gastro-intestinal duplication is localized in the small bowel. Correct preoperative diagnosis by means of imaging techniques is rare. Because there is no malignancy surgery is only necessary in symptomatic cases.

Adult↗

[Primary sarcoma of the liver in adults].

Eleven adult patients with primary sarcoma of the liver underwent surgery at the University Hospital of Hamburg-Eppendorf between 1985 and January 1994. In 8 cases it was possible to resect the tumor with wide margins (R0), in 1 of these in the course of orthotopic liver transplantation. Three patients had primarily marginal resection (R1). By the end of the study period 7 of the patients who underwent initial R0 resection are tumor-free, with a mean survival time of 57 (5-104) months. The patient with orthotopic liver transplantation developed metastases 31 months after primary surgery. At 7 months after initial R1 resection, 1 patient is alive with no evidence of disease while 2 others died after 30 and 35 months, respectively. Patients with non-metastasized, primary sarcomas of the liver can expect long-term survival if the tumor is resected with wide margins in an anatomical hepatectomy. In the case of multifocal growth in the liver transplantation can be considered.

Adult↗

[Staging laparoscopy in Hodgkin's disease. A valid alternative to staging laparotomy].

A 30-year-old man with Hodgkin's disease, stage IA, had received radiotherapy to the supradiaphragmatic lymph nodes two years ago. During follow-up observations the patient felt well, but sonography revealed three tumours in the spleen. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was found to be raised to 50/75 mm. Therefore, splenectomy and staging of the other parts of the abdomen for histological clarification and deciding on further therapeutic action were indicated. Thus splenectomy with bilateral liver wedge resections were performed laparoscopically, together with excision of mesenteric, paraaortic and para-iliac lymph nodes. The patient was discharged home on the 4th postoperative day. Histological examination revealed stage IIIE Hodgkin's disease. This case demonstrates that in favourable conditions staging laparoscopy can obtain the same information as conventional staging laparotomy, but it is much better tolerated by the patient.

Adult↗

[Laparoscopic splenectomy].

From August until October 1992 laparoscopic splenectomy has been performed upon three patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenia. The splenic vessels were divided by an Endo-GIA. The spleen could be removed through a slightly extended trocar-incision. The Idiopathic thrombocytopenia without an enlarged spleen provides a possible indication for laparoscopic surgery.

Adult↗

Contribution of neurotensin to the entero-pancreatic axis.

Plasma neurotensin concentrations are markedly elevated in patients with severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. We therefore investigated whether the exocrine pancreatic function could influence postprandial neurotensin plasma concentrations. Subsequently, we tested the hypothesis that this peptide hormone is involved in regulation of pancreatic secretion. When pancreatic juice is diverted from modified Herrera fistulas in dogs, a simultaneous application of physiological amounts of lipase reduces the elevated plasma neurotensin concentrations. On the other hand, immunoneutralisation of the circulating neurotensin inhibits pancreatic secretion. This suggests a physiological role of neurotensin in the regulation of the exocrine pancreas via an entero-pancreatic axis.

Animals↗