T Wagner — Page 20 | Search PubMed

PubMedDate not supplied

pH-dependent denaturation of extracellular aspartic proteinases from Candida species.

The yeasts Candida albicans. Candida tropicalis, and Candida parapsilosis secrete aspartic proteinases which may enhance virulence. Profiles of pH-dependent irreversible denaturation of such enzymes were determined at 37 degrees C. C. albicans proteinases from both serotypes A and B maintained 50% of their activity near pH 7.25. Proteinases from C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis lost 50% of their activity at pH 6.75 and pH 6.15, respectively. This suggests that in the infected host only proteinases of C. albicans maintain a native state for any length of time.

Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Systemic hyperthermia and ICE chemotherapy for sarcoma patients: rationale and clinical status.

Preclinical studies are consistent with the concept that 41.8 degrees C whole body hyperthermia (WBH) can enhance the therapeutic index of specific chemotherapeutic agents. These laboratory investigations resulted in 2 phase I clinical studies, which also support this hypothesis. These trials were extended to 2 sequential phase II investigations of WBH plus ifosfamide, carboplatin and etoposide (ICE) for refractory sarcoma patients. The first study (involving 12 patients) using extra-corporeal WBH was prematurely closed to adopt a less toxic WBH technology, i.e., the radiant heat Aquatherm. To date, 12 patients have been accrued to the Aquatherm trial. Projections regarding reduced morbidity were correct. The response rate for ICE/WBH is currently 63%. The review to follow will summarize the results of these trials, as well as the laboratory and clinical data which serve to explicate the dramatic clinical results observed to date.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗