The chemosensitivities of 42 human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas were examined using the in vitro succinate dehydrogenase inhibition (SDI) test. The tumor tissues obtained at surgery or biopsy were exposed to five different antitumor drugs: adriamycin (ADM), cisplatin (CDDP), carboquone (CQ), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil (HCFU). The results were analyzed according to the histopathologic degree of differentiation of well, moderately, and poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The average decrease in succinate dehydrogenase activity was 43.2 +/- 24.9 for ADM, 29.0 +/- 14.2 for CDDP, 32.9 +/- 17.6 for CQ, 64.2 +/- 20.6 for 5-FU, and 26.8 +/- 16.9 for HCFU. There was a statistically significant difference in the decrease of succinate dehydrogenase activity between well and poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas. These data suggest that, for patients with a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, the response to anti-cancer drugs may be more satisfactory than in those with a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Epithelial membrane antigen and S-100 protein-labeled cells in primary and metastatic laryngeal carcinomas.

Immunohistochemical studies were done on the expression of S-100 protein-labeled cells in human laryngeal carcinoma of epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and on the population density. EMA was detected in 65 of 76 (86%) squamous cell carcinomas and was usually more extensively positive in well and moderately differentiated carcinomas. Thus, EMA can serve as a marker of malignancy in laryngeal carcinomas. The population density of S-100 protein-labeled cells was high in well-differentiated tissues. In the metastatic tumors, the number of S-100 protein-labeled cells decreased as compared to findings in the primary tumors. As a statistically significant difference in survival curve was noted between groups with low and intermediate density of S-100 protein-labeled cells, the infiltration of S-100 protein-labeled cells seems to be associated with a better prognosis.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Interrelation between esophageal varices, and systemic and hepatic hemodynamics in male patients with compensated cirrhosis.

The interrelation between endoscopic findings in esophageal varices, and systemic and hepatic hemodynamic abnormalities was studied in 76 male patients with compensated cirrhosis. Observation of these patients revealed a hyperdynamic systemic circulation, represented by an increased cardiac output and reduced total systemic vascular resistance with an enlarged circulating plasma volume and without an increase in heart rate, in comparison with 23 male patients with chronic hepatitis. In patients with cirrhosis and esophageal varices, the hyperdynamic circulatory state was closely related to the condition of the varices, in which a progress in the form was accompanied by an advance in the degree of hyperdynamism with an increase in circulating plasma volume. Whereas the extent of the varices as indicated by the location was closely related to a rise in the wedged hepatic venous pressure. The shunt volume through the portal-systemic collaterals requires further study to elucidate the mechanism of hyperdynamic circulation.

Adult↗