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Biomedical subjects

W F Cassano

Publications and source records attributed to W F Cassano.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Etoposide, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, and doxorubicin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for osteosarcoma.

The authors evaluated the combination of etoposide/cyclophosphamide (VP/CY) as initial, presurgical therapy for patients with osteosarcoma and found an 88% response rate for the primary tumor and any metastases. After definitive, limb-salvage surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy with etoposide, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, and doxorubicin, patients without metastases at diagnosis whose cases were followed for a median of 2 years from diagnosis achieved a relapse-free survival (RFS) probability of 78% +/- 9%. This result is equivalent to the best adjuvant chemotherapy results reported to date. Patients without metastases at diagnosis had significantly better RFS probability (78% +/- 9%) than those with metastases at diagnosis (0%). Transient, severe myelosuppression has been the only major toxicity of the VP/CY courses. No irreversible organ damage or toxic deaths have been seen in patients enrolled in this study. The authors conclude that the combination of VP/CY is effective treatment for osteosarcoma, and when combined with cisplatin/doxorubicin (CIS/DOX), is as effective as any previously reported chemotherapy for osteosarcoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Mesenchymal specificity of three new monoclonal antibodies generated to the osteosarcoma cell line 4444T.

We have generated three murine monoclonal antibodies to the new human osteosarcoma cell line 4444T. Analysis of their binding patterns to tumor cell lines, normal human tissues, and surgical tumor specimens indicates that the antibodies recognize a subset of human sarcomas and stromal tissues but fail to react with carcinomas or normal human epithelial tissue. These mesenchyme-specific monoclonal antibodies bind to antigens in the extracellular matrix. One antibody is specific in its binding to the muscularis arteriosus. We expect these antibodies to aid in the identification of sarcomas and to extend our knowledge of the components of the extracellular matrix and its interaction with tumors.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Alternative method of gestational age assessment by the measurement of human erythrocyte differentiation antigen expression.

Standard estimates of gestational age are dependent on such subjective data as maternal recollection of last menstrual period, ultrasound examination of the fetus, and the postnatal physical and neurological examination (Ballard score). We hypothesized that a quantitative, objective laboratory test using flow cytometric analysis of erythroid differentiation antigens could be useful to predict gestational age. For this study erythrocyte samples were obtained within 24 hours of birth from 25 infants (gestational ages 20 to 41 weeks) who met the criteria that traditional estimates of gestational age, such as the Ballard score, fetal ultrasound, and maternal estimate of last menstrual period all agreed within 1 week for the assessed infant's gestational age. Study measurements included reticulocyte count and determination of the percentage of erythrocytes that expressed the 5F1 and 20.3 erythropoietic differentiation antigens. Linear regression analysis indicated that the best correlations with gestational age were reticulocyte count (R2 = .354) and the reciprocal of the percentage of erythrocytes expressing the 5F1 antigen (R2 = .470). When both variables were incorporated into a linear regression model, the predictability of gestational age achieved an R2 = .608. Through this study we have established the feasibility and methodology of using fetal and newborn erythrocytes to provide an objective assessment of gestational age by flow cytometric analysis of erythroid differentiation antigen expression. This methodology will allow for an independent assessment of gestational age when fetal blood sampling is performed for other prenatal diagnostic studies. Further investigation is needed to identify other erythroid differentiation markers that would improve the accuracy of our model to predict gestational age.

Antigens, Differentiation↗
PubMed1991

Graft-versus-host disease.

Graft-versus-host disease is an uncommon but serious illness, caused by foreign, immunocompetent T lymphocytes attacking an immunoincompetent host. It is encountered following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and in congenital cellular immunodeficiency disorders. Diagnostic features, clinical grading system, therapy and prevention are reviewed.

Graft vs Host Disease↗
PubMed1991

Intravenous ribavirin therapy for adenovirus cystitis after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Acute hemorrhagic cystitis due to adenovirus infections may be more severe or protracted in immunocompromised patients. This patient with chronic graft-versus-host disease following allogeneic marrow transplantation for acute myelogenous leukemia developed painful hematuria due to adenovirus infection that failed to respond to diuresis and narcotic analgesics. Intravenous ribavirin, administered for a total of 9 days, produced rapid resolution of symptoms while urine cultures became negative for adenovirus. No adverse drug reactions were observed. We conclude that controlled clinical trials of intravenous ribavirin therapy for serious adenovirus infections following bone marrow transplantation are warranted.

Adenovirus Infections, Human↗
PubMed1990

Characterization of a new T-lineage glycoprotein expressed in mature T-cell leukemias and lymphomas.

We identified a new human, T-lineage restricted glycoprotein of molecular weight 120 Kd that is expressed primarily in mature T-cell malignancies. The antigen, named TCA-1 (T-cell cytoplasmic antigen), is an intracellular glycoprotein found mainly in the Golgi stacks, although a few cell lines also display surface membrane TCA-1. Many but not all T-cell neoplasms express this antigen. The antigen is absent from neoplastic and normal human tissue outside the T-lymphocyte lineage. TCA-1 was identified by murine monoclonal antibodies produced after immunization of mice with T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. The glycoprotein is a monomer containing approximately 4% N-linked carbohydrate with terminal D-galactose residues. Partial amino acid sequence analysis of TCA-1 shows homology with an immunoglobulin heavy chain region, which suggests that TCA-1 may belong to the immunoglobulin supergene family of receptor and adhesion molecules.

Amino Acid Sequence↗