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Biomedical subjects

P Piantino

Publications and source records attributed to P Piantino.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Role of hepatitis delta virus infection in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA integrates into the host DNA and shows a series of potentially oncogenetic properties, but HBV is not an acutely transforming virus, because HCC develops decades after infection. Other factors, namely cirrhosis, inflammation, alcohol intake, and viral superinfections, could promote the oncogenetic process induced by HBV-DNA integration. We studied the impact of HDV infection in the pathogenesis of HCC in 62 consecutive patients. Their mean age was 59 years (range 25-75 years), 54 were male and eight female; 58 had cirrhosis. The findings suggest that HBsAg-positive patients with HDV superinfection developed cirrhosis and HCC at an earlier age than HBsAg carriers without HDV infection. HDV appears to represent a "promotion" factor for HCC in subjects with an oncogenic risk induced by HBV. A long-lasting necroinflammatory lesion of the liver substained by productive HBV and HDV infections may be a major pathogenetic mechanism.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗
PubMed1991

Tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor, TATI, in gastrointestinal cancer and related benign diseases.

Tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) was assayed in serum of patients with gastroenterological diseases. Of the patients 92 had gastric cancer, 50 colonic cancer, 38 colitis, 36 polyposis of the colon, and 40 gastric ulcer. The cut-off level established on the basis of the mean concentration +3 SD of a reference population comprising 120 subjects was 32 micrograms/l. In gastric cancer TATI had a sensitivity and specificity similar to that of CA19-9, whereas its behavior in colon cancer was less satisfactory. Like other tumor markers TATI may be elevated in patients with inflammatory diseases. In our opinion TATI is a good tumor marker for gastric cancer and it is a useful complement to CEA and CA19-9.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor in pancreatic diseases.

We have evaluated tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) as a marker for pancreatic and hepatic cancer. Of the patients studied 52 had pancreatic cancer, 30 primary liver cancer, 32 chronic pancreatitis, 25 biliary tract inflammatory disease, and 28 liver cirrhosis. A considerable number of falsely elevated values were observed in benign biliary diseases and in chronic relapsing pancreatitis. In pancreatic cancer the sensitivity of TATI was 63% while that of CEA was 40% and of CA19-9 77%. TATI is a marker of pancreatic disease but it does not differentiate between pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. In liver cancer TATI and AFP has similar sensitivity and specificity.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗
PubMed1991

[Lactoferrin].

Lactoferrin is a protein present in many fluids of the human organism and in the secondary granules of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN). In the blood stream lactoferrin favours the segregation of PMN by mediating and amplifying the immune response, and realizes a negative feedback control on the Colony Forming Unit Granulocyte/Macrophage (CFU-GM) proliferation. At intestinal level it promotes iron absorption and prevents bacterial overgrowth. The antibacterial effect of lactoferrin is used clinically to prevent bacterial infections in neutropenic patients submitted to chemotherapy for leukemic diseases type M1, M2, M4 and M5, according to FAB criteria. In patients affected by chronic pancreatitis the lactoferrin concentration, in duodenal juice, is found to be significantly higher than in normal subjects. This finding suggests a pathogenetic role of the protein in chronic pancreatitis.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1990

[Tag 72: a new tumor-associated antigen identified by a monoclonal antibody].

In order to evaluate the usefulness of Tag 72--tumor associated antigen assay--in gastroenterology, we have studied with Ca 72-4 radioimmunoassay (Centocor) 551 patients suffering benign (233) and neoplastic (318) gastrointestinal diseases and 205 normal controls. The cut-off point was fixed at 6 U/ml. Only in gastric cancers, the Tag 72 assay, with the proposed method, provide additional information in this pathology (sensitivity 30%, specificity 98.7%). The most striking observation to be made from the current study is a poor sensitivity of the test for gastrointestinal cancers, but rather the excellent specificity of the Ca 72-4 IRMA with respect to benign gastrointestinal diseases. The sensitivity of Ca 72-4 assay, vs Ca 19-9 and CEA, for the same diseases, is less, but specificity is better.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1989

CA-50 as tumour marker in transitional bladder carcinoma.

Monoclonal antibody CA-50 is a useful tumour marker in gastrointestinal carcinoma. We report an assessment of its value in bladder cancer patients. We found raised levels in 2 of 2 patients with infiltrating carcinoma and in 8 of 35 with superficial carcinoma. The recurrence rate was higher in patients with raised levels, since 6 of 8 with elevated levels and 15 of 27 with normal values had a recurrence within 6 months. T1 and T3 carcinoma had a mean CA-50 level higher than normal. G3 tumours had a mean level slightly above normal. A statistically significant difference emerged when comparing Ta with T1 + T3 carcinomas. A longer study, with serial determinations, could assess the role of CA-50 as a prognostic indicator in bladder cancer.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗
PubMed1989

[Determination of tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) in subjects with gastrointestinal diseases. Preliminary data].

Tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) is a 6 K dalton protease inhibitor, that was isolated from urine of a patient with ovarian cancer. In our experience, mean serum level of TATI in healthy subjects (n. 120), is 13 micrograms/l (range 5.1-42 micrograms/l). The cut-off point is established in 32 micrograms/l (mean +/- 3 SD). We have examined 357 patients with gastrointestinal diseases: 98 gastric cancer, 50 colon cancers, 52 pancreatic cancers, 32 chronic pancreatitis, 38 IBD, 28 colon polyps, 40 gastric ulcers and 25 non-neoplastic biliary tree diseases. TATI may be a good tumor marker only in gastric cancer. Elevated levels of TATI also occur in obstructive hepatobiliary disease and active pancreatitis or IBD.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗
PubMed1987

[CA-50: evaluation of a new tumor marker in the diagnosis of neoplastic pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract].

In order to assess the diagnostic value of CA-50, a new tumour marker, a series of 226 patients with gastroenteric tumours, 152 healthy controls and 175 patients with benign gastrointestinal pathologies, was examined. CEA, CA 19-9, Alphafetoprotein and CA-50 were assayed in all subjects and the results subjected to statistical analysis in order to discover the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic value of the new marker. Studies conducted to date indicate that CA-50 assays may be of some value in the diagnosis of pancreatic and liver tumours but are no improvement on existing markers in clinical use, for the diagnosis of gastroenteric tumours. Indeed CA-50 gives a very large number of false positive especially in cirrhosis and to a lesser extent in chronic pancreatitis.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1987

Rapidly progressive HBsAg-positive hepatitis in Italy. The role of hepatitis delta virus infection.

Serum or liver markers of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection were found in 20 of 22 (90%) Italian patients presenting with an ostensible type B hepatitis that ran an accelerated course to cirrhosis. The features of the illness conformed to a syndrome of HDV infection in young males carrying the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg); a latent HBsAg state was documented in many patients by a history of prior exposure to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or by the absence of IgM antibodies to the HB core antigen. Characteristic of the disease were the clinical overture as a severe hepatitis, the lobular involvement by an extensive necroinflammatory reaction, the exuberant expression of intrahepatic hepatitis delta antigen and an atypical HBV profile of inactive infection or accelerated seroconversion from HBeAg to anti-HBe. Superimposed upon HBV infection, HDV may create a rapidly progressive course which resembles very aggressive hepatitis B but is infrequently observed in hepatitis B alone.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Usefulness of the determination of CA 19-9 in the follow-up of patients with gastroenteric neoplasms in comparison to CEA].

28 cases of carcinoma of the digestive tract were studied in order to assess the value of assaying a new tumour marker (CA 19-9) on monitoring the postoperative course of neoplasia. CEA, a tumour antigen of more certain dependability was assayed at the same time. In the case series examined it was found useful to monitor both antigens since although CA 19-9 is less sensitive then CEA in cancers of the large intestine, it is more sensitive in carcinomas of the stomach and pancreas. These early data will have to be confirmed on larger samples but in general terms they do indicate the value of the combined monitoring of this new antigen and CEA in the follow-up of patients given surgery for carcinoma of the digestive tract.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1986

[Blood and urinary values of CEA and CA 19-9 in patients with bladder carcinoma].

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and Ca 19-9 levels in urine and serum from 46 patients with bladder cancer in varying stages have been evaluated. All samples of urine were obtained germ-free and without bacterial infection in the bladder. The sensitivity of CEA monoclonal antibody is 60.8% and specificity is 80%. Ca 19-9 test has higher sensitivity (74%) and the same specificity. Correlation between staging, grading and CEA or Ca 19-9 values were also evaluated.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Gastrointestinal cancer-associated antigen (GICA) in oral carcinoma.

Gastrointestinal cancer-associated antigen (GICA) is detected by means of a monoclonal antibody in the serum and pathologic tissues of patients with gastrointestinal tumors. This article compares serum and salivary GICA and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in 19 healthy control subjects, 17 patients with benign oral cavity lesions, and 11 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. Serum CEA levels were similar in all three groups, whereas salivary CEA levels were higher in patients with squamous cell carcinoma than in the control subjects (p less than 0.001) and the patients with benign lesions (p less than 0.025). Serum GICA levels gave the opposite result and were significantly lower in squamous cell cancer when compared with control subjects (p less than 0.0001) and patients with benign lesions (p less than 0.02). Values of GICA in saliva of patients with oral cancer were also lower than in the control subjects (p less than 0.02). The possible significance of this difference between the two antigens is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

CA 19-9 assay in differential diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma from inflammatory pancreatic diseases.

Levels of a new carbohydrate antigen CA 19-9, which is a monosialoganglioside identified by a monoclonal antibody raised against colorectal carcinoma cells, were compared to carcinoembryonic antigen and tissue polypeptide antigen assays in 250 sera from patients with different pancreatic diseases including acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer. All three tumoral markers were elevated at the onset of an acute pancreatic attack in a few patients. All but five patients with chronic pancreatitis displayed normal levels with each of the three markers; in two of these five cases an extraintestinal cancer was later discovered. CA 19-9 displayed higher sensitivity and predictive value of a negative result than the other two markers. The best operational characteristic of CA 19-9 was its high predictive value for a positive test which suggests a "ruling in" usage of it for pancreatic cancer diagnosis. CA 19-9 assay was of extreme value in disclosing both localized and metastatic pancreatic cancer while the other two markers were more often positive in the latter case. Of 71 cancer patients with positive markers, only four would have escaped a right diagnosis by assaying CA 19-9 alone.

Acute Disease↗