Biomedical subjects

R D Palmer

Publications and source records attributed to R D Palmer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

A randomized pilot study of SRL172 (Mycobacterium vaccae) in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) treated with chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: SRL172 is a suspension of heat killed Mycobacterium vaccae, that has been found to be a potent immunological adjuvant when used with autologous cells in animal models. This is a phase II study to test the clinical activity, feasibility and safety of combining SRL172 with chemotherapy to treat patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). METHODS: Patients were randomized to receive chemotherapy with (n=14) or without (n=14) SRL172. The chemotherapy was either platinum-based (MVP, n=10) or anthracycline-based (ACE, n=18). SRL172 was given intradermally on day 0, weeks 4, 8 and then 3-6 monthly. RESULTS: The treatment arms were well balanced for disease extent (43% with limited stage in each arm). The toxicity of chemotherapy and overall response at 12-15 weeks (57%) was the same for both treatment regimens. Median survival was 8.6 months and 12.9 for patients treated with chemotherapy alone and with the combination respectively (P=0.10). The survival trend was similar for both disease extent and chemotherapy regimen employed in favour of combination chemotherapy with SRL172. CONCLUSIONS: There is a trend to improved median survival in SCLC with the combination of chemotherapy and SRL172 with no increased toxicity and irrespective of drug regimen. A phase III study examining chemotherapy in combination with SRL172 in SCLC is now underway.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Do "Shufflebottoms" bottom shuffle?

AIMS: To investigate anecdotal evidence that the name "Shufflebottom" originates from the dominantly inherited characteristic of bottom shuffling. METHODS: A questionnaire based retrospective study to determine the incidence of bottom shuffling and age of first walking among those named "Shufflebottom" and a control population, of those named "Walker". RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in incidence of bottom shuffling or age at first walking, between the two groups. The incidence of bottom shuffling (21.4%) was generally higher than has been described previously and Walkers were more likely to walk later than Shufflebottoms. CONCLUSION: Shufflebottoms are no more likely to bottom shuffle than other children. The origin of the surname as representing this physical characteristic cannot be confirmed.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2000

A randomized phase II study of SRL172 (Mycobacterium vaccae) combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Mycobacterial preparations have been used with limited success against cancer apart from superficial bladder cancer. Recently, a therapeutic vaccine derived from Mycobacterium vaccae has been given to patients with prostate cancer and melanoma indicating a possible beneficial effect on disease activity in such patients. We have recently initiated a series of randomized studies to test the feasibility and toxicity of combining a preparation of heat-killed Mycobacterium vaccae (designated SRL172) with a multidrug chemotherapy regimen to treat patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and mesothelioma. 28 evaluable patients with previously untreated symptomatic NSCLC and mesothelioma were randomized to receive either 3 weekly intravenous combination chemotherapy alone, or chemotherapy given with monthly intra-dermal injections of SRL172. Safety and tolerability were scored by common toxicity criteria and efficacy was evaluated by survival of patients and by tumour response assessed by CT scanning. The toxicity of chemotherapy was similar in the two groups. SRL172 caused mild inflammation at the injection site. In the group of patients randomized to receive chemotherapy combined with SRL172, there was a trend towards improved response rate (54% vs. 33%) with more patients in the combined arm receiving radical surgery and radiotherapy, improved median survival (9.7 months vs. 7.5 months) and improved 1 year survival (42% vs. 18%). SRL172 appeared to improve sleep (P = 0.08) and improved appetite (P = 0.01). There was no detectable change in serum cytokine levels for gamma-interferon and TNF-alpha before and after treatment. In patients with NSCLC and mesothelioma, there may be a beneficial interaction when chemotherapy is administered in combination with SRL172. Confirmation of this effect and further investigation is underway in a randomized phase III trial and in laboratory models.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed1998

Functional role of position 22 in the homeodomain of Brn-3 transcription factors.

The Brn-3a POU family transcription factor activates a number of neuronal promoters which are repressed by the closely related Brn-3b factor. Although transcriptional activation by mutant forms of Brn-3a/Brn-3b can occur with a number of different amino acids at position 22 of the POU homeodomain, an isoleucine at this position is of critical importance for transcriptional repression. In addition, this isoleucine residue can mediate an interaction with the herpes simplex virus Vmw65 regulatory protein whereas the valine found in Brn-3a cannot do so. Thus, position 22 in the homeodomain plays a critical role in the function of neuronally expressed POU factors by controlling their interaction with viral and cellular co-activator/co-repressor proteins.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Successful treatment of non-familial haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis with interferon and gammaglobulin.

Two cases of non-familial haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) are presented in which treatment with interferon alfa and gammaglobulin was associated with complete clinical remission. In one case, serological evidence of recent Epstein-Barr virus infection was found. Natural killer cell activity was within normal limits in both children, compatible with a secondary form of HLH. The combination of interferon alfa and intravenous gammaglobulin requires further evaluation in the treatment of non-familial HLH.

Cytotoxicity, Immunologic↗

PubMed1992

Cellular localization of mRNA for cellular retinoic acid-binding protein II and nuclear retinoic acid receptor-gamma 1 in retinoic acid-treated human skin.

We have previously shown that cellular retinoic acid-binding protein II (CRABP-II), but not cellular retinoic acid-binding protein I (CRABP-I), mRNA expression is markedly induced in human skin by topical retinoic acid. In the present study, we have investigated the pattern of expression of CRABP-II transcripts in 4-d RA-treated human skin by non-radioactive in situ hybridization (n = 5) and Northern analysis (n = 4). RA induced accumulation of CRABP-II transcripts throughout the epidermis, dermal fibroblasts, and endothelial cells as determined by in situ hybridization. In skin treated with vehicle, a faint hybridization signal was observed only in basal layers of the epidermis consistent with low-level expression of CRABP-II mRNA. RA-mediated accumulation of CRABP-II transcripts in skin was also confirmed by Northern analysis. Neither RA nor vehicle induced significant changes in nuclear RA receptor-gamma 1 or keratin 5 gene expression in skin as determined by in situ or Northern hybridization. These results indicate that RA-induced CRABP-II mRNA accumulation is primarily localized to spinous and granular layers in epidermis, and in superficial dermis.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed1977

Patterns of sexually transmitted enteric diseases in a city.

In the past three years cases of shigellosis, amoebiasis, and viral hepatitis A and B have increased fourfold to tenfold in San Francisco. These diseases were most common in people who had adopted "alternative life-styles", especially in young men, In many cases there was a history of frequent orogenital and oral-anal sexual contact between men with no common source. Despite energetic public-health measures and intensive efforts by physicians treating these cases, the increase has not yet been brought under control. Other cities may experience similar difficulties with sexual transmission of enteric diseases.20

Adult↗

PubMed1975

Cluster analysis of preference ratings of pictorial stimuli.

The present research attempted to utilize cluster analysis to develop a comprehensive array of objective pictorial scales that could be used to identify the distinguishing perceptual and personality characteristics of various medical and psychiatric hospital populations. A cluster analysis of individuals' preference ratings of a large number of picture stimuli was described.

Body Image↗

PubMed1974