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Biomedical subjects

R Tubbs

Publications and source records attributed to R Tubbs.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

TIL from renal-cell carcinoma: restimulation with tumor influences proliferation and cytolytic activity.

TIL were cultured from human renal-cell carcinoma (RCC) in 1,000 U/ml rIL2 and restimulated with autologous tumor in efforts to establish which conditions would best expand the number of lymphocytes cytotoxic for autologous tumor. Greater cell yields resulted from multiple restimulations of TIL with autologous tumor. In most instances, these TIL lysed autologous tumor better than TIL grown in rIL2 alone. Enhanced proliferation was seen also after restimulation of TIL with allogeneic RCC as well as with tumor cells of non-renal origin. Although in some instances lysis of autologous tumor appeared to be specific, restimulation with autologous tumor did not consistently result in the generation of specific cytolytic T cells. Attempts to culture more specific cytolytic T cells by using 50 U/ml rIL2 were successful in expanding TIL with enhanced lytic activity; however, this activity was not specific for autologous tumor. The phenotype of the tumor-restimulated TIL generally did not change. In most of the TIL cultures, CD3+CD4+ cells were predominant with low numbers of CD3+Leu19+ cells and minimal numbers of CD3-Leu19+ cells. Thus, the cytotoxic response to tumor was mediated by T cells and not NK cells. Overall, our data indicate that restimulation of TIL with autologous tumor may be beneficial for growing larger numbers of cells which have increased lytic activity and for prolonging the presence of lytic activity among the expanded TIL.

Adult↗

Phase I trial of continuous infusion recombinant interleukin-2 and intermittent recombinant interferon-alpha 2a: clinical effects.

A phase I trial of high-dose continuous infusion rIL-2 over 5 days and i.m. recombinant human interferon-alpha (rHuIFN-alpha 2a) three times weekly in 23 patients with advanced malignancy has been completed. Cohorts of patients were treated at three different dose levels: rIL-2 3.0 x 10(6) u/m2 plus rHuIFN-alpha 2a either 5.0 or 10.0 x 10(6) u/m2, and rIL-2 4.5 x 10(6) u/m2 plus rHuIFN-alpha 2a 5.0 x 10(6) u/m2 over 4 weeks. Dose-limiting toxicity consisted of pulmonary and neurologic side effects, and the maximal tolerated dose was 3.0 x 10(6) u/m2 on days 1-5 or rIL-2, and 10.0 x 10(6) u/m2 three times weekly of rHuIFN-alpha 2a. Four partial responses (renal carcinoma, three; endometrial carcinoma, one) were seen. In conclusion, toxicity of this schedule of rIL-2 and rHuIFN-alpha 2a was significant, but manageable. Further investigation is needed to define the antitumor activity of this combination.

Adult↗

Phase Ia-Ib trial of an anti-GD3 monoclonal antibody in combination with interferon-alpha in patients with malignant melanoma.

A phase Ia-Ib study was undertaken to treat melanoma patients with a constant dose of the anti-GD3 monoclonal antibody, R24, in combination with increasing dose levels of recombinant interferon-alpha (rHuIFN alpha-2a). Fifteen patients were treated on days 1-5 and 8-12 with a continuous 6-h i.v. infusion of R24 (8 mg/m2) and escalating i.m. doses of rHuIFN alpha-2a. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were obtained at multiple times before and during treatment and monitored for changes in lymphocyte subpopulations and changes in natural killer and antibody-dependent cellular toxicity functional activity. There were no consistent changes in most immune parameters; however, there was a decrease from pretreatment levels in the suppressor T cell (CD8+, CD11b+) subset and a dose-dependent decrease in the helper/inducer (CD4+, Leu-8+) T cell subset. The peak serum concentration of R24 was reached on day 5 of the study and was 9.4 micrograms/ml. During the second week of treatment, peak serum levels of R24 fell to less than 4 micrograms/ml. This finding was related to the development of human antimouse antibody, which would be detected as early as day 8 of the study. Binding of mouse Ig (R24) within the tumor bed was observed in 5 of 12 biopsy specimens. The maximal tolerated dose of the combination was dose level IV, in which patients received 8 mg/m2 of R24 and 50 x 10(6) units of rHuIFN alpha-2a on days 1-5 and 8-12 of treatment.

Adult↗

Phase I clinical trial of interleukin 2 and alpha-interferon: toxicity and immunologic effects.

Because recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL-2) and recombinant alpha-interferon (rIFN-alpha) exhibit synergistic antitumor activity in C3HMT1820 T-cell lymphoma and B16 melanoma tumor systems, we have performed a Phase I study of this combination in 55 patients with advanced malignancies for whom no standard therapy exists. Successive groups of greater than or equal to 4 patients have been entered into 12 dose levels (1A-3D), with dose levels 1-3 referring to doses of rIL-2 of 0.1, 0.5, and 2.0 x 10(6) units/m2, respectively, and dose levels A-D referring to doses of recombinant human alpha 2a-interferon (rHuIFN-alpha 2a) of 0, 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 x 10(6) units/m2. Both agents were given on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with rIL-2 being given as i.v. bolus injections and rHuIFN-alpha 2a being given intramuscularly. Myelosuppression was dose-limiting and was related primarily to the dose of rHuIFN-alpha 2a. The maximum-tolerated dose level was reached at a dose of rIL-2 of 2.0 x 10(6) units/m2 and of rHuIFN-alpha 2a of 10.0 x 10(6) units/m2 (dose level 3D). At this dose level, 3/6 patients developed grade 3 neutropenia (absolute granulocyte count less than 1 x 10(9)/liter). Myelosuppression was transient, with no documented infections being associated with neutropenia. Hypotension was mild; a single patient was treated with a vasopressor, but all other cases of hypotension responded to fluid administration. No significant pulmonary toxicity was produced. Fever, chills, and malaise were universal but not dose-limiting. Three partial responses and one minor response were observed in patients with malignant melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and breast cancer. Immunological studies suggested that natural killer activity was related to both the dose of rIL-2 and the dose of rHuIFN-alpha 2a, with natural killer activity being positively related to the dose of rIL-2 and maximal at the lowest dose of rHuIFN-alpha 2a of 0.1 x 10(6) units/m2.

Adult↗

Systemic vasculitis in association with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Fourteen cases of vasculitis associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection have thus far been described. Five of these cases may be classified as angiocentric immunoproliferative disorders, including benign lymphocytic angiitis, lymphomatoid granulomatosis, and angiocentric lymphoma. We report a case of benign lymphocytic angiitis of T cell lineage. Extensive studies found no evidence of viral antigens in the inflammatory infiltrates, and immunologic evaluation of the pathologic lesions revealed the infiltrating cells to be predominantly CD3+, CD8+, CD4-. A significant number of these lymphocytes demonstrated a deletion of T cell antigen receptor determinants. We believe that in certain cases of human immunodeficiency virus disease, there occurs a spectrum of lymphoproliferative disorders with angiocentric features that lead to the clinical picture of systemic necrotizing vasculitis. Clinicians should be aware of this association.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Therapeutic response of breast carcinoma monitored by 31P MRS in situ.

In situ phosphorous MRS was employed to study the metabolites of normal and cancerous breasts, and the alterations of tumor response to therapy. In a group of 7 normal volunteers and 12 patients, the total mobile phosphate content of breast carcinomas was found to be at least two to three times higher than that of the normal breast measured off menstruation. The metabolite profiles of normal and tumorous breasts are coarsely similar. In both cases the intracellular pH (pHi) was either neutral or slightly alkaline (pH greater than 7.0). Prior to treatments, the metabolite levels of phosphoryl monoester-to-ATP ratio of breast neoplasms were higher than those of the controls and decreased after the patients received a few treatments while the pHi fluctuated at a value greater than 7.0. The phosphoryl diester-to-ATP ratio also demonstrated to a lesser extent a decreasing trend in response to therapy.

Breast↗

In vitro activation of lymphocytes by interleukin 2 in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

Interleukin-2-stimulated lymphocytes or lymphokine-activated killer cells (LAK) have been shown to have anti-tumor activity which is not present in the fresh untreated peripheral blood lymphocytes. This activity has been evaluated in our laboratory using renal cell carcinoma as a target tumor. Two of 8 patients demonstrated significant lysis of autologous tumor while an additional 3 patients lysed the target cells but to a less significant degree. It is not clear why the LAK phenomenon against autologous tumors occurs in vitro in some patients and not others. By identifying the response of patients in vitro, one might be able to select an appropriate population for meaningful clinical trials.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗

Malignant angioendotheliomatosis: an angiotropic lymphoma.

Malignant angioendotheliomatosis is a rare, systemic, usually fatal disease characterized by massive proliferation of large, neoplastic, mononuclear cells within the lumen of small blood vessels. Recent studies suggested that the tumor cells are of lymphoid origin. We studied two cases of malignant angioendotheliomatosis by Southern blot hybridization analysis that showed rearrangements of the immunoglobulin heavy chain and kappa light chain (case 2), indicating the presence of a monoclonal B cell lymphoma. Our results provide further evidence that malignant angioendotheliomatosis is an angiotropic lymphoma.

Aged↗

Atheroembolic renal disease: association with renal arterial stenosis.

In elderly patients with generalized atherosclerosis and longstanding hypertension, progressive renal insufficiency should suggest renal artery occlusive disease and/or renal cholesterol embolization. Renal cholesterol embolization is not an absolute contraindication to successful surgical revascularization. Renal cholesterol emboli were identified in biopsy specimens obtained in 24 cases at the Cleveland Clinic from 1978 to 1986, and renal artery stenosis was an associated finding in 19. Clinical manifestations of generalized atherosclerosis were common, including ileofemoral atherosclerosis (18), coronary artery disease (16), carotid occlusive disease (15), and carotid occlusive disease with a history of stroke (8). Evidence of embolic events in other organs was common. Hypertension worsened before biopsy in 21 patients with and without renal artery stenosis. Surgery or angiography definitely or probably contributed to renal failure in 16. Of 12 who underwent surgical revascularization of a renal artery, renal function improved in five, remained stable in five, and worsened in one. Renal function improved in the three patients undergoing dialysis before revascularization, and two were able to discontinue dialysis.

Aged↗

Uniform detection of immunoglobulin-gene rearrangement in benign lymphoepithelial lesions.

The term "benign lymphoepithelial lesion" is used to describe the salivary-gland lymphocytic infiltration and epithelial changes typically found in association with Sjögren's syndrome. We used Southern blot hybridization techniques to examine the immunoglobulin genes in salivary-gland tissue derived from eight patients with benign lymphoepithelial lesions. Three of these patients had intrasalivary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma complicating the lesions, whereas the lesions in the remaining five were all histologically benign. Ten samples from the eight patients all revealed rearrangement of both the heavy-chain and light-chain immunoglobulin genes. In one of the patients in whom non-Hodgkin's lymphoma involved both the salivary-gland lesion and an ipsilateral lymph node, the rearrangements of the heavy-chain and light-chain immunoglobulin genes detected at the two sites were identical. One other patient had two distinct benign lymphoepithelial lesions removed two years apart. The rearrangements of the heavy-chain as well as the kappa light-chain genes detected in these two lesions were entirely different. These data suggest that B-cell clonal expansion has an integral role in the pathophysiology of the benign lymphoepithelial lesion and may explain the increased incidence of lymphoma noted in association with this disorder.

Adult↗

Bilateral solid renal masses in a young man.

Bilateral solid renal masses presenting in a young patient in the absence of systemic manifestations or genetic abnormalities, such as Von Hippel-Lindau's disease, are difficult diagnostic challenges. Primary renal lymphomas are exceedingly rare. More commonly, renal involvements are caused by lymphoma in the retroperitoneal area. It is important for a urologist to be aware of this diagnostic possibility, since unnecessary removal of a kidney and extensive surgery may be avoided, and because appropriate staging can be performed at exploration.

Adult↗

Nonsquamous neoplasms of the larynx.

While squamous cell carcinoma is the most common neoplasm to involve the larynx, several other histologic tumor types can occur. The laryngologist should consider a nonsquamous neoplasm when the tumor is long-standing, pigmented, covered by intact mucosa, or there is a history of neoplasia. Careful endoscopy, often using microlaryngoscopy, and careful handling of the tissue will ensure accurate diagnosis.

Adenoma↗

Measurement of a monoclonal-antibody-defined antigen (CA19-9) in the sera of patients with malignant and nonmalignant diseases. Comparison with carcinoembryonic antigen.

Immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) using monoclonal antibody for colon cancer cell surface antigen (CA19-9) was compared with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) with regard to sensitivity and specificity in 730 patients. In the 341 patients who had no evidence of malignant disease, CA19-9 levels ranged between less than 1.5 to 49 U/ml. Specificity of CA19-9 at a cutoff of 20 U/ml was similar to that of CEA at a cutoff of 5.0 ng/ml; CA19-9 was more sensitive than CEA in pancreatic cancer, whereas CEA was more sensitive than CA19-9 in breast, colon, and gastric cancer. Of 17 patients with pancreatic cancer, 13 had elevated levels of CA19-9 (sensitivity, 76%), whereas only 8 had elevated levels of CEA (sensitivity, 47%) and 15 had elevated levels of either CEA or CA19-9 (sensitivity, 88%). These findings suggest that, like CEA, CA19-9 is detectable in nonmalignant diseases and is not specific for gastrointestinal tumors, and has higher sensitivity than CEA only in pancreatic cancer. However, further prospective studies are required to verify its value in the diagnosis and management of pancreatic cancer.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗