bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combination Chemotherapy with Adriamycin, Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate and Vincristine in Lung Cancer Patients with Extensive Disease
Authors: Kolarić Krsto , Roth Anton , Vukas Dunja
Published: April 2018

The combination of adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and vincristine was applied in 38 patients with extensive lung cancer. Sixteen patients had previously undergone radiotherapy, while 22 patients had not been previously treated. The group included 22 squamous cell carcinomas, 12 small-cell carcinomas, 3 adenocarcinomas and 1 large-cell carcinoma. In terms of the performance status, 39% of the patients were in grade 7-5 (Karnofsky scale) and 61% in grade 4-2 group, i.e., the majority of the patients were, chemotherapy-wise, a high risk group. Two complete and 7 partial remissions were achieved, with a response rate of 24%. In terms of histological type, 1 complete and 4 partial remissions were achieved in the 12 treated small-cell carcinoma patients (response rate 42%). In the non-small-cell carcinoma group, the response rate was 17%, but the difference in response was statistically significant only as compared with squamous cell carcinoma (p < 0.05). Previous radiotherapy influenced the results of treatment, but not to an extent which would be statistically significant (p > 0.05). The duration of the remissions was 10 to 18 months in complete responders; the median remission duration was 6.5 months in partial responders and 3 months in stable disease cases. The median survival of responders and non-responders showed a pronounced difference (10.8 months versus 2.2 months). The highest response was obtained in lymph node metastases (44%), the primary tumor (24%), and cutaneous and subcutaneous metastases (20%). Metastases in the liver, lungs and particularly the bones and brain were resistant to therapy. Toxic changes were evident, and therapy had to be discontinued in 5 patients for a longer or shorter time because of myelosuppression. However, no heart failures or drug-related deaths were observed. The study has shown that this combination of cytostatic drugs, even in patients with extensive lung cancer, can be expected to produce a response in about one-fourth of treated patients and an even higher response in small-cell carcinoma and previously non-irradiated cases.
Modification of the Hexokinase Activity in the Red Blood Cells of Subjects with Differentiated Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Dachà Ugo , Sensini Alberto , Giacchi Remo , Canestrari Franco , Palma Fulvio , Dachà Marina , Faggioni Alessandro
Published: April 2018

In the present work we found a significant increase of erythrocyte HK activity in subjects suffering from differentiated adenocarcinoma. Some erythrocyte enzymatic activities (such as HK, PK, G-6-PD, 6-PGD, PHI and GR) in the red blood cells of 96 subjects, of which 55 were healthy or with noncancerous pathology and 41 had malignant tumors, are considered. Evident modification was shown only for the HK, which together with PFK and PK are limiting steps of glycolysis.
Sequential Evaluation of Immunoreactivity in Patients with Melanoma Undergoing Surgery and Adjuvant Therapy
Authors: Dionigi Renzo , Dominioni Lorenzo , Gnes Francesco , Bonera Alberto , Prati Ubaldo , Scarponi Alessandro , Cuna Gioacchino Robustelli Della , Pavesi Lorenzo , Campani Massimiliano
Published: April 2018

The immunologic profile of 15 patients undergoing surgery and adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy for cutaneous melanoma was studied for a mean period of 18 months. In vivo cellular immunity was assayed by evaluation of delayed hypersensitivity response (DHR) to primary antigen and a panel of recall antigens. In vitro cellular immunity was evaluated by means of total and T-lymphocyte counts in peripheral blood and by the lymphocyte blastogenic response to phytohemagglutinin stimulation. Humoral immunity was assayed by determining the serum levels of IgG, IgA and IgM and of complement components C3c, C4 and Factor B. Phagocytic activity was studied by testing leukocyte chemotaxis, neutrophil phagocytosis and leukocyte random migration. The in vitro parameters were determined preoperatively at diagnosis, 6 times during the first 2 postoperative weeks, and then every month during adjuvant therapy. No correlation was found between DHR and clinico-pathologic stage of tumor, or with subsequent clinical course. Significant depression of total lymphocyte and T-lymphocyte count and blastogenic response of lymphocytes was found at diagnosis. The lymphocyte response to PHA decreased significantly in the early postoperative period but returned to preoperative levels one week after surgery. Periodic fluctuations of lymphocyte blastogenic response and progressive decrease of total lymphocyte counts and T-lymphocyte counts were observed during the 18-month follow-up. No significant alterations of immunoglobulin levels were recorded at diagnosis or during the postoperative period. Complement levels were within normal values preoperatively; in the early postoperative period a transient increase of C3c, C4 and Factor B was recorded, then complement levels progressively decreased. Parameters of phagocytic activity were normal at diagnosis and fluctuated within the normal range throughout the whole period of study.
The Diagnostic Efficacy of Mammography and Palpation in Early Detection of Breast Cancer
Authors: Del Turco Marco Rosselli , Giannardi Gianfranco , Villari Natale
Published: April 2018

The diagnostic efficacy of mammography and physical examination, separately and considered together, are evaluated in 912 cases of breast cancer detected at the Center for Social Diseases of the Florence District, where there is a mass-screening program (110 cases) and a diagnostic service for self-referred women (810 cases). The overall sensitivity of the 2 methods increases with age; the trends of diagnostic efficacies of mammography and palpation according to age are similar, except in the 40–44 year age group, in which physical examination has a lower percentage of false-negative cases. In the screening group, there is a greater proportion of nonpalpable cancers and mammography has a larger diagnostic efficacy except in the 40–44 year age group. These results agree with the better sensitivity of mammography in smaller lesion (T1) and with the larger proportion of non-interpretable mammographies in younger women, because of the density of mammalian glands.
Preoperative Irradiation and Surgery for Esophageal Cancer: Causes of Failure
Authors: Valente Maurizio , Cataldo Ignazio , Grandi Cesare , Luini Alberto , Milani Franco , Pizzocaro Giorgio , Ravasi Gianni
Published: April 2018

Twenty-seven patients with squamous esophageal cancer underwent small-volume, low-dose, concentrated radiotherapy followed by esophageal resection whenever possible (esophagectomy for tumors of the thoracic esophagus and esophagogastrectomy for tumors of the lower esophagus). Curative resectability was 70% (19/27) with 4 operative deaths (21%). Recurrence rate was 66% after a mean period of 16 months, and the failure pathway was nodal in 53% of the cases. Historical comparison of the data suggests that preoperative irradiation increases the curative resectability rate without changing the early recurrence rate or failure pathway. Tumors with deeper invasion of the esophageal wall, which benefit by preoperative irradiation, are probably related to greater nodal diffusion, which is partly outside of the volume that may be resected or irradiated.
On Cytologic Vagaries in the Diagnosis of Breast Tumors
Authors: Biedrzycki Tadeusz , Dabska Maria , Sikorowa Ludwika , Kubicki Tadeusz
Published: April 2018

The article describes the difficulties, the errors and limitations of the fine needle aspiration biopsy technique in the diagnosis of the breast tumors encountered during a 2.5 year period of activity. The question of false-negative and false-positive results and the way these problems were partly overcome in the Institute of Oncology in Warsaw are discussed in detail.
Hydroxyproline and Bone Metastases for Breast Cancer.
Authors: Cruciani Giorgio , Bardella Daniele , Fiorentini Gian Maria , Marangolo Maurizio , Tavolazzi Licia
Published: April 2018

The urinary excretion of Hydroxyproline (OH-P), evaluated as OH-P/creatinine ratio, has been examined in the follow up of 142 breast cancer patients. The mean value obtained in the women with bone lytic lesions, prior to treatment, was 5.3 ± 1.9 (min. 3, max. 9), whereas in the women without bone metastases it was 1.7 + 0.5 (min. 0.6, max. 3), similar to the control group. The patients affected by osteoplastic lesions had a normal OH-P/creatinine ratio. The highest values of OH-P/creatinine ratio were found in women with bone marrow infiltration, ascertained by bone needle biopsy. In the group of patients with bone lytic metastases, a good correlation between changes of OH-P/creatinine ratio and response to hormonal or chemotherapeutic treatment has been observed. Therefore the OH-P/creatinine ratio could be effectively useful, with other clinical parameters, in the follow up of breast cancer patients.
Pancreatic Tumor Imaging by III Generation CT, Gray-Scale Ultrasound and Improved Angiography
Authors: Love Leon , Fizzotti Gianfranco , Damascelli Bruno , Ceglia Errico , Garbagnati Francesco , Milella Marco
Published: April 2018

Thanks to computed tomography (CT) and gray-scale ultrasounds the possibilities of morphological diagnosis in pancreatic disease have improved. Nevertheless, only a part of the potenial performances of this practice is known and especially for ultrasounds, where only an expert eye can properly read the resulting images. With the help of pictures we hereby deal with the above-mentioned procedures in the demonstration of a pancreatic neoplasm. The possible integration with other more invasive methods was verified compared to pancreatic angiography. The latter is irreplaceable in the presurgical stage, and the method proposed by the authors can be useful when other methods cannot be employed.
Polyamines as Biological Markers of the Effectiveness of Therapy in Acute Leukemia
Authors: Romano Marta , Cecco Luigi , Cerra Maria , Montuori Renato , De Rosa Carlo
Published: April 2018

Urinary polyamine levels were determined in patients with acute leukemia, before and during chemotherapy, in order to confirm whether tumor cell death, due to successful chemotherapy, increases the release in urine and serum of polyamines from tumor tissues (12). Comparison between the polyamine test and cytological data indicated that a rise in urinary spermidine levels occurs during the first 3 days of therapy, both in the responsive and unresponsive patients. However, in the responsive patients the spermidine increase was higher (at 5 % significant level) than in the unresponsive ones, and it was coincident with the fall of the blast cells and the revival of normal hematopoiesis. Increases in putrescine levels were also observed, but there were no significant differences (5 % level) between the 2 groups of patients. When polyamine determinations were carried out following chemotherapy cycles, the relapse of the disease was always accompanied by an increase in putrescine.
Immunohistological Patterns of Immunoglobulins in Dysplasias, Benign Neoplasms and Carcinomas of the Breast
Authors: Sieinski Witold
Published: April 2018

IgA, IgG, IgM and IgE were studied in 61 carcinomas, 24 tissues peripheral to carcinomas, 16 benign neoplasms and 15 dysplasias of the breast. Mono- and double-layer direct immunofluorescence procedures applying FITC- and TRITC-conjugated antisera were used on cryostat and paraffin sections for evaluation of immunoglobulins in plasma cells, cancer cells and ductal epithelium. Plasma cells of all Ig classes were more frequent in carcinomas, especially of medullary and poorly differentiated ductal types, than in benign lesions. In all groups of benign lesions and in carcinomas with scanty lymphocytes and plasma cells there was a predominance of IgA-synthesizing plasma cells. Carcinomas with marked local response had an increased proportion of IgG cells. IgE plasma cells were rare. IgA and IgM were more frequent in ductal epithelium than in cancer cells, especially of poorly differentiated tumors. No appreciable IgG was observed in ductal or cancer cells. Our results indicate a correlation between immunohistologic patterns of immunoglobulins and histologic characteristics of carcinomas.
Relationship of the Degree and Type of Intraductal Component with Other Morphologic Findings in Breast Cancer
Authors: Migliori Elena , Squartini Francesco
Published: April 2018

The presence of mammary lobules around overt cancer and the amount and the type of intraductal tumor component (solid, comedo, cribrous, comedo-cribrous, papillary) were defined in 493 consecutive cases of infiltrating human breast cancer to analyze the association of these parameters with other morphologic parameters, such as productive fibrosis, lymphoid infiltrate and nuclear grade. Data showed a significant inverse relationship between degree of intraductal component and productive fibrosis (p < 0.01) and direct relationships between a) presence of lobules and degree of intraductal component (p < 0.02) and b) intraductal component of comedo type and lymphoid infiltrate (p < 0.02). In addition, marked though not significant associations were observed between a) absence of lobules and intraductal component of papillary type (p < 0.10) and b) nuclear grade 1 and intraductal component of the comedo type (p < 0.10). Data suggest that cancers with a high degree of introductal component could have a lobular origin and papillary cancer could have a ductal origin. The other relationships observed might be useful in the subclassification of NOS (not otherwise specified) breast cancer.
Value of Multiple Forceps Biopsies in Assessing the Malignant Potential of Colonic Polyps
Authors: Pugliese Vittorio , Gatteschi Beatrice , Aste Hugo , Nicolò Guido , Munizzi Francesco , Giacchero Aurora , Bruzzi Paolo
Published: April 2018

Fifty-nine colo-rectal polyps were detected at endoscopy and repeatedly biopsied before removal by endoscopic snare polypectomy. The aim of the present paper was to evaluate the reliability of multiple forceps biopsies in assessing both the malignant potential and the presence or absence of invasive cancers (IC) in colo-rectal adenomas (CRA). In order to achieve the first objective, the histologic types and the degree of dysplasia have been defined. The data obtained by means of multiple biopsies examination, compared with those of polyp in toto study, show that fractional biopsies were of value in the histologic classification of only the smallest 41 polyps (agreement 88.09 %), whilst no reliability of biopsies was demonstrated in the 18 largest polyps (agreement 27.68 %). In the field of dysplasia grading, the agreement was 55 % and 61 % for the smallest and the largest CRA respectively. These last figures are hardly acceptable. Biopsies examination gave also under- and overestimation of the histologic severity and of dysplasia as well as a significant incidence of false negative results in IC detection. It is concluded that polypectomy is the only method which provides adequate material for precise diagnosis, no matter how large a polyp. Therefore it should be performed whenever possible. Finally the authors discuss the management of small sessile adenomas.
Asbestos Exposure in the Monfalcone Area. A Social and Pathological Study of 100 Autopsy Cases
Authors: Bianchi Claudio , Brollo Alessandro , Miniussi Corradina , Bittesini Lucia
Published: April 2018

Monfalcone is a coastal town with important shipyards. In the present investigation hyalin pleural plaques, lung asbestos bodies, and occupational history were studied in 100 consecutive autopsy cases, collected at the hospital of Monfalcone. Pleural plaques were observed in 72 % of males and in 33 % of females. Asbestos bodies were found after chemical digestion of pulmonary tissue in 94 cases, and an approximate estimation of their amount showed high or very high numbers in 39 cases. Occupational history, obtained from patients’ relatives, was suggestive of occupational asbestos exposure in 60 cases, with 37 subjects having worked in the shipyards. Thirteen other patients had had a probable domestic exposure to asbestos. The severity of asbestos exposure in the Monfalcone area is emphasized.
Estrogen and Progesterone Binding Proteins in Human Colorectal Cancer. A Preliminary Characterization of Estradiol Receptor
Authors: Sica Vincenzo , Contieri Enrico , Nola Ernesto , Bova Rodolfo , Papaleo Giuseppe , Puca Giovanni Alfredo
Published: April 2018

Estradiol receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) were assayed in tumors from 20 patients with primary colorectal cancer. Ten of 20 tumors contained high affinity sites for 17β-estradiol and progesterone. The highest concentration of ER was 56 fmol/mg of protein. The ER dissociation constant ranged from 1.6 × 10−10 M to 8 × 10−10 M (mean 4.6 ± 2.6). The highest concentration of PgR was 42 fmol/mg of protein. The PgR dissociation constant ranged from 3 × 10−9 to 9 × 10−9 M (mean 5.65 ± 2.1). Four out of 20 specimens analyzed were from male patients and all resulted negative for both receptors. Sixty per cent of ER positive tumors were also PgR positive, whereas only 20 % of ER negative were PgR positive. Sucrose gradient centrifugation showed that cytoplasmic ER of colorectal cancer sedimented at 3 S in the absence of protease inhibitors and at 4.5 S in the presence of 1 mM phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride (PMSF) both in low and in high ionic strength. When chromatographed on Sephadex G-200 almost all ER was quantitatively recovered in the included fractions. Molecular weights of ER eluted from Sephadex G-200 ranged from 90,000 to 50,000 daltons. Elution profile and molecular weight heterogeneity suggest that, in spite of the presence of PMSF, there is a limited proteolysis of ER. Partially purified colorectal cancer ER did not bind to sepharose-heparin. The isoelectric point of ER was 6.4–6.5.
Tonsillectomy: A Prognostic Factor in Hodgkin's Disease?
Authors: Gobbi Paolo G. , Cavalli Paola , Franzini Bruno , Di Prisco Ubaldo , Federico Massimo , Bonacorsi Goretta
Published: April 2018

The clinical features and course of Hodgkin's disease (HD) were investigated in 160 previously tonsillectomized patients and compared with 375 nontonsillectomized ones. In both groups, sex, social class, histologic type, stage and symptoms were almost identically distributed. Tonsillectomized patients showed a higher incidence of initial cervical forms (p < 0.05) and more frequently developed the disease under 35 years of age (p < 0.001), thus also reflecting the different policies of the otolaryngologists in the past few decades. Moreover, the tonsillectomized patients enjoyed a significantly better survival (p ≈ 0.01) than the nontonsillectomized ones. Adjusted survival curves for age and site of initial involvement proved that the favorable prognostic value of tonsillectomy was not due to the altered distribution of these 2 factors in the 2 groups; in addition, an earlier diagnosis in tonsillectomized patients could be excluded. The favorable effect of tonsillectomy in HD patients might be related specifically to the reduced portion of immunologically reacting oropharyngeal lymphoid tissue remaining after tonsillectomy. A decreased output of the specific immune-complexes, which are responsible for the disease, according to Vianna's theory, might be hypothesized in tonsillectomized patients.
Levels of Polyamines and Nucleic Acids in Human Breast Carcinoma
Authors: Romano Marta , Cecco Luigi , Cerra Maria
Published: April 2018

Polyamine and nucleic acid levels were determined in normal human breasts, in primary infiltrating ductal carcinoma breasts, in the uninvolved tissues of the same carcinoma-bearing breasts and in the urine of the same patients. The results showed that the production of polyamines in the carcinoma tissue is significantly higher than in normal tissue; the presence of a carcinoma in the breast does not modify the levels of polyamines and nucleic acids in the surrounding uninvolved tissue; spermidine and spermine are correlated both with DNA and RNA in the carcinoma; the urinary polyamine levels in the carcinoma-bearing patients were not significantly different from that of controls. There appeared to be a close relationship between polyamine biosynthesis and tumoral mammary cell development and a very fine control between the biosynthesis of both spermidine and spermine and nucleic acids. In addition, the localized solid breast carcinoma, with non-proven metastases, did not provoke an increase in polyamine excretion.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Xeromammography
Authors: Castiglione Valter , D'Antona Adelaide , Dellafiore Luigi , Ferrario Luisa , Luzzatti Guido , Mortara Giorgio , Pizzinelli Paolo , Vitali Tiziana , Zonca Giancarlo
Published: April 2018

The analytical study of the case material has allowed a precise evaluation of the distribution by age groups of the different pathologic processes of the breast, of the localization and dimensions of malignant tumors, as well as the diagnostic accuracy for those cases histologically ascertained and those with a follow-up. The diagnostic accuracy and the consequent reliability of the xeroradiographic method for the diagnosis of breast cancer is distinctly superior to that reported in the literature for traditional mammography, whereas for the differential diagnosis between circumscribed dysplastic manifestations and benign tumors xeromammography is not sufficiently reliable. The authors critically discuss the results and in particular the problem of false positives, which also include diagnostic errors that cannot be avoided in that they directly derive from the pathologic morphology of the disease process (plasma cell mastitis and sclerosing adenosis). As regards the problem of false negatives, they can be reduced within certain limits by resorting to other instrumental investigations. However, there are cases (1% of the malignant neoplasias histologically ascertained) that present a completely negative xeroradiographic finding. These are the limits of the radiologic investigation which cannot in any way be surmounted.
VM 26 in Advanced Mycosis Fungoides
Authors: Tirelli Umberto , Carbone Antonino , Tumolo Salvatore , Galligioni Enzo , Veronesi Andrea , Trovò Mauro G. , Grigoletto Eligio
Published: April 2018

Five consecutive patients with progressive extracutaneous stage IV mycosis fungoides (MF) were treated with VM 26, 100 mg/m2 i.v., for at least 3 cycles. All patients had been extensively pretreated and in particular with vinca alkaloids. Two partial responses of 5 and 9 + months duration and 1 minimal response of 5 months duration were obtained. Transient myelosuppression was encountered in all patients. These preliminary results should encourage further exploration of VM 26, even in less advanced MF.
Epiglottic Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Case Report
Authors: Mora Enzo , Sertoli Mario Roberto , Campora Elisabetta , Parodi Giancarlo
Published: April 2018

A locally recurrent head and neck nodal, B cell nodular, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma transformed to a diffuse histologic pattern with a peculiar bone marrow and epiglottic involvement without other apparent localizations is reported. Radiotherapy proved highly effective for local control of the epiglottic lesion but chemotherapy failed to eradicate bone marrow disease.
Radiotherapy as Initial Treatment for Carcinomas of Tonsillar Region
Authors: Volterrani Fabio , Sigurtà Davide , Uslenghi Carlo , Chiesa Fausto , Molinari Roberto
Published: April 2018

For this study we have reviewed 186 carcinomas of the tonsillar region, i.e., the lateral wall of the oropharynx, treated from January 1959 to December 1973 at this Institute. In 148 patients (79.6%) the primary tumor and the lymphatic areas were treated with 60Co-teletherapy (TCT). In 15 cases (8.1%) the primary lesion was removed by transoral surgery, followed by irradiation of the tonsillar region and lymphatic areas with TCT. In 23 patients (12.3%) the primary tumor was treated with interstitial curietherapy, after which a radical homolateral neck dissection was performed on 10 of them; the neck was not treated in the remaining 13 cases, initially N0. As far as the cases initially treated with TCT alone are concerned, disease-free survival at 5 years was 42.5% for T1 cases and under 30% for T2, T3, whereas it was only 6.5% for T4. The most frequent failure cause of TCT was local relapse, isolated or associated with a nodal relapse. Local failures were nearly always central. On the contrary, if the field extension was adequate, there were very few nodal failures, at least in initially N0 or N1 cases. Our study recommends a revision of the current attitude towards the treatment of carcinomas of the tonsillar region.
Curietherapy of Oral Cancer
Authors: Volterrani Fabio , Chiesa Fausto , Molinari Roberto
Published: April 2018

This work concerns 406 oral carcinomas treated with curietherapy (interstitial applications and surface molds) from January 1959 to December 1970. There were 65 (16.0%) carcinomas of the mucosal surface of cheeks, 15 of the retromolar areas, alveolus and gingiva, and hard palate (3.7%), 211 of the mobile tongue (51.9%), and 115 of the floor of mouth (28.4%). There were 132 (32.5%) T1 cases, 245 (60.3%) T2 and 29 (7.2%) T3. In 376 cases with adequate follow-up (92.6%) there were 93 (24.7%) local relapses: 83 isolated and 10 associated with a lymph nodal relapse; 49.5% of the local relapses were peripheral with respect to the treated volume (46/93). The incidence of local relapses only slightly differed for initially T1 and T2 cases (respectively 21.8% and 22.7%), whereas it was more than twice as much for initially T3 cases (53.6%). The overall incidence of radionecrotic complications was 22.0% (83/376 cases with adequate follow-up). Altogether the disease-free survival was 41.1% and 31.4% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. We think that local control of practically all treatable oral carcinomas can be obtained with a combined treatment.
The Outcome of Wilms’ Tumor in Infants, Italy 1970-79
Authors: Pastore G. , Di Montezemolo L. Cordero , Del Prever A. Brach , Bartolozzi G. , Carli M. , Castello M. , Ceci A. , Fossati-Bellani F. , Guazzelli C. , Curto M. Lo , Madon E. , Marchi A. , Massolo F. , Mori P.G. , Paolucci G. , Pianca C. , Rosati M. , Tamaro P.
Published: April 2018

Thirty-four infants under 1 year of age with Wilms’ tumor were diagnosed and treated in 14 Italian pediatric oncology units during 1970-79. The 3-year survival rates decreased with higher group unilateral tumors: 95% in group I Wilms’ tumor, 75% in group II and 20% in group III. The survival rates for children with group I and II Wilms’ tumor were similar for those who were treated with surgery and chemotherapy and those who also received postoperative radiotherapy. During 1975-79 fewer patients with group I Wilms’ tumor received radiotherapy (1 of 11) than during 1970-74 (4 of 6, p < 0.05). All these children are alive at this writing.
Tamoxifen Therapy in Advanced Breast Cancer with Positive Estrogen Receptors in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Bono Aldo , Fariselli Giuseppe , Bettoni Ivana , Alloisio Marco , Nicoli Nicolò , Di Pietro Sergio
Published: April 2018

Sixty-five postmenopausal patients with metastatic or surgically unresectable primary breast cancer, all estrogen receptor (ER) positive, were treated with tamoxifen 20–40 mg a day. Overall objective response rate was 58%, with a median duration time of 13 months. The correlation between response rate and ER levels appears positive, although not statistically significant. The analysis of the data was also performed in the subgroups « locally advanced tumors » and « recurrences and metastases ».
Angioimmunoblastic Lymphadenopathy: A Case Report with Subsequent Evolution into a Lymphoplasmacytic-Lymphoplasmacytoid Malignant Lymphoma
Authors: Faravelli Agostino , Sironi Maria , Vicari Aurelio , Riva Francesco
Published: April 2018

A case of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with transformation into a lymphoplasmacytoid malignant lymphoma is reported. The immunoperoridase method showed the polyclonality of the cells of the angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy and the monoclonality of the cell population of the malignant lymphoma.
Elimination Pathway of Hematoporphyrin from Normal and Tumor-Bearing Rats
Authors: Tomio Luigi , Zorat Pier Luigi , Jori Giulio , Reddi Elena , Salvato Benedetto , Corti Luigi , Calzavara Fulvio
Published: April 2018

Hematoporphyrin orally administered to rats largely precipitates in the stomach thus reaching the various tissues at a very slow rate. Whatever the administration pathway (oral, i.p., i.V.), hematoporphyrin is eliminated in the feces with no apparent chemical modification; the elimination is slower from rats affected by ascites hepatoma than from normal rats owing to the high affinity of tumor cells for the porphyrin.
Macrophage Antitumor Activity Induced by the Antigenic Lymphoma L5178Y/DTIC Subline
Authors: Marelli Ornella , Mantovani Alberto , Franco Paola , Nicotin Angelo
Published: April 2018

Murine leukemic cells, after in vivo treatment with antineoplastic drugs, have been shown to express new antigenic specificities that were not detectable on parental cells and that were heritable after the withdrawal of drug treatment. A study was conducted of macrophage antitumor activity triggered by LY/DTIC cells, a subline of LY murine lymphoma, antigenically altered by the drug DTIC. In vitro non-specific inhibition of tumor cell growth was exhibited by spleen and peritoneal macrophages from mice previously challenged with viable LY/DTIC. Peritoneal macrophages from LY/DTIC immune animals showed moderate, although significant lytic activity against unrelated tumor target cells. Supernatants from mixed lymphocyte-tumor cell cultures, in which LY/DTIC immune lymphocytes and LY/DTIC tumor cells had been cultured, rendered normal macrophages non-specifically growth inhibitory for tumor cells.
Immunogenicity of Lewis Lung Carcinoma in C57BL/6 Mice. I. Tumor-Associated Antigen(S) in Peripheral Blood, Thymus and Spleen of Tumor-Bearing Mice
Authors: Bellelli Luciano , Sezzi Maria Luisa , Tirabassi Anna , Ippoliti Flora
Published: April 2018

Some aspects of the immunogenicity of the Lewis lung (3LL) carcinoma in C57BL/6 mice are reported. Immediately after i.m. tumor transplant, and for approximately 24 h, tumor antigens were found in the blood stream. They were observed again on the 5th–6th day, when circulating tumor cells could also be noticed. Soluble immune complexes were detected in the blood sera of tumor-bearing mice from the 11th day, indicating that the host had reacted to the neoplastic antigen stimulation with immunoglobulin synthesis. Furthermore, tumor antigens were observed on some circulating lymphocytes, as well as in the thymus and in the spleen. In spleen sections, atypical mitoses also showed the presence of tumor cells. We obtained the in vitro binding of 3LL-antigens, present in 3 M KCl-solubilized extracts, to normal T lymphocytes prepared from healthy C57BL/6 mice. The possibility that circulating T lymphocytes aspecifically bind tumor antigens, carrying them to the thymus, is discussed.
Integration and Expression of Mcf-13 Provirus in Mcf-13-Induced Lymphomas
Authors: Boiocchi Mauro , Radice Paolo , Biunno Ida , Mondellini Piera , Erpoli Giuseppina
Published: April 2018

Polytropic viruses were isolated from 11 MCF-13-induced lymphomas using multiple infectious cycles on the mink lung and SC1 cell lines. The viruses were characterized by host range infectious properties and by biochemical properties using Cleveland's polypeptide mapping of the p30 and gp 70 viral proteins demonstrating identity in their biological properties with the MCF-13 lymphoma-inducing virus. Restriction enzyme analysis of the high molecular weight tumoral DNAs confirmed the presence of proviral sequences homologous to the inducing provirus in the lymphoma genomes indicating that MCF-13 MuLV has integrated in the cellular genome of the induced lymphomas.
Pharmacokinetics of Nitrosoureas: Levels of 1,3-Bis-(2-Chloroethyl)-1-Nitrosourea (Bcnu) in Organs of Normal and Walker 256/B Carcinoma Bearing Rats after I.V. Bolus
Authors: Bartošek Ivan , Russo Raimondo G. , Cattaneo Maria Teresa
Published: April 2018

The disappearance of 1,3-bis-(2-chlorethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) from plasma, liver, kidney, lung, brain, spleen, tumor tissue and epididymal adipose tissue of Walker 256/B carcinoma-bearing rats and healthy animals was measured by differential pulse polarography after i.v. bolus of the drug. Only BCNU, not its decomposition products, was detected by the Polarographic assay. Levels of BCNU in liver of tumor-bearing animals were significantly lower (about 10 times) than those on healthy rats. A bi-exponential fit was used to calculate the kinetics of BCNU in plasma, kidney, lung and brain, but no difference could be found between healthy and Walker tumor-bearing rats. BCNU disappeared faster from adipose tissue of tumor-bearing animals than from normals.
A Report of Seven Long Survivors for Evidence of Prognostic Factors in Hairy Cell Leukemia
Authors: Federico Massimo , Barbieri Fausto , Dini Daniele , Bonacorsi Goretta , Fontana Giorgio , Rinaldi Giovanna , Artusi Tullio , Silingardi Vittorio
Published: April 2018

The clinical hematologic and pathologic findings of 30 patients with hairy cell leukemia observed between 1966 and 1979 were studied. Twelve patients had long-lasting course of the disease. Seven of them displayed a survival ≥ 120 months, whereas 18 patients died within 36 months of the diagnosis. Their clinical and laboratory characteristics (age of onset, sex, ESR, hemoglobin, WBC, neutrophils, monocytes, platelets, spleen and liver size) were analyzed to ascertain possible prognostic features. Multivariate discriminant analysis, performed both with a direct method and with a stepwise method (Wilks' method), provided a discriminant function able to correctly predict the prognosis of the disease in 83.3 % of the examined cases. Spleen size, neutrophil count, age of onset, ESR and liver size turned out to be the most important prognostic factors; in contrast, splenectomy did not significantly affect the prognosis in our cases.
Limb-Salvage Procedure in Two Patients with Spindle Cell Carcinoma of the Lower Extremities using Isolation Perfusion
Authors: Vaglini Maurizio , Andreola Salvatore , Attili Angelo , Belli Filiberto , Marolda Raffaele , Nava Maurizio , Prada Augusto , Santinami Mario , Cascinelli Natale
Published: April 2018

Two patients with extensive squamous cell carcinoma of the lower extremities, candidate for demolitive surgery, were treated by hyperthermic antiblastic perfusion in extracorporeal circulation. The temperature reached was 41 °C and the drug used was methotrexate at the dosage of 500 mg. Radical excision of the ulcer was possible in the 2 patients. Both tumors underwent extensive necrosis, and histology done 1 month after perfusion on surgical specimens showed limited areas of residual malignancy. These 2 patients suggest that hyperthermic antiblastic perfusion may be a limb salvage procedure in the multimodal management of extended squamous cell carcinoma of the extremities.
Aminoglutethimide as Second-Line Endocrine Treatment in Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Pronzato Paolo , Ardizzoni Andrea , Lionetto Rita , Conte Pierfranco , Rosso Riccardo
Published: April 2018

Aminoglutethimide, a drug known to block adrenal steroidogenesis and peripheral aromatization of androgens to estrogens, has been found effective in the treatment of breast cancer. The drug has been used in our Institute to treat 71 consecutive metastatic breast cancer patients. Of 67 patients evaluable for response, 9 (13.4 %) have achieved a partial response, 30 (44.7 %) stable disease, and 28 (41.7 %) progression of disease. Four patients were taken off the therapy because of drug-related toxicity.
Early Detection of Breast Cancer Recurrences through Periodic follow-up - is it Useless?
Authors: Ciatto Stefano , Del Turco Marco Rosselli , Pacini Paolo , Mustacchi Giorgio , Simonis Michele , Sismondi Piero , Giardina Giorgio , Belsanti Virginio , Aristei Cynthia , Molino Anna M. , Capelli Maria C. , Azzini Vincenzo , Di Costanzo Francesco , Buzzi Franco , Murgo Roberto , Punzo Clelia , Gosso Patrizia , Locatelli Elisa
Published: April 2018

The authors report on a multicentric consecutive series of 1120 breast cancer first recurrences. Cases detected as subjectively asymptomatic thanks to periodic follow-up examinations are compared to cases detected as symptomatic. The relapse-free interval from primary treatment was shorter for asymptomatic recurrences, confirming that an earlier diagnosis was achieved in these cases. In spite of this diagnostic anticipation, median and actuarial survival from primary treatment did not differ when asymptomatic recurrences were compared to symptomatic recurrences. The study results did not show any prognostic impact of periodic follow-up in breast cancer and urge for prospective controlled studies on this diffuse and expensive practice.
Staging Breast Cancer - Screening for Occult Metastases
Authors: Ciatto Stefano , Pacini Paolo , Bravetti Patrizia , Cataliotti Luigi , Cardona Gaetano , Crescioli Roberto , Pupi Alberto
Published: April 2018

The authors report on 1,017 consecutive breast cancer cases without symptomatic metastases staged by means of chest X-ray (CXR), skeletal survey (BXR) and bone scintigraphy (BS). Occult metastases (DM) detection rate was 0.88 %: 0.29 % for lung and 0.59 % for bone DM. The detection rate was correlated with clinical stage: 0.36 % for stage I, 0.20 % for stage II, 0.26 % for stages I and II, and 2.77 % for stage III cases. The sensitivity based on DM cases prevalent or surfacing within 6 months of follow-up was 0.30 for CXR, 0.22 for BXR and 0.55 for BS; specificity was 0.99, 0.98 and 0.90, respectively. The study confirms the possibility of early detection of DM with preoperative staging, but the extremely low detection rates in stage I and II cancers do not advise such a routine procedure. The higher detection rate of DM may suggest adoption of the routine staging procedure in stage III cancers. In these cases, although no evidence is available of a favorable prognostic impact of early detection and treatment of DM, an unnecessary mastectomy could be avoided in about 3 % of cases in the presence of DM detected by the staging procedure.
The Importance of a Home Care Program for Patients with Advanced Cancer Pain
Authors: Ventafridda Vittorio , Tamburini Marcello , Selmi Silvana , Valera Luigi , De Conno Franco
Published: April 2018

At the Pain Clinic of the National Cancer Institute of Milan, a special Home Care Program has been set up to assist advanced cancer patients with pain and their families during their remaining survival. The Home Care Unit comprises a team of physicians, nurse clinicians, psychologists and many volunteers who are active both in the hospital and at the patient's home. This entire operation provides a continuous relationship between the family, the patient and the Home Care Unit. This Home Care Program, which is one of a kind with other forms of treatment for advanced cancer patients (i.e. hospices), has produced interesting results. Out of a sample group of 50 patients, 33 were monitored at home by the Home Care Unit while 17 had their families to do the monitoring. Over a six-week period the following results were reported: a) Improvement of psycho-emotional factors such as anxiety, weakness and mood for both patients and their families who entered the Home Care Program. b) The Quality of Life Index remained unchanged for the sample group that entered the Home Care Program whereas it deteriorated for patients monitored by their families. c) A decrease in the Integrated Pain Score for both groups; however, results showed a statistically significant difference in favor of patients on the Home Care Program. d) The Performance Status decreased by very little over the study period, and there was little difference between the two groups. These results confirm the need for a Home Care Program which must go hand in hand with the Pain Clinic as an effective way to control Total Pain.
Evaluation of the Antiemetic Activity of Bromopride in Cancer Patients Treated with I.V. CMF
Authors: Roila Fausto , Minotti Vincenzo , Ballatori Enzo , Basurto Carlo , Tonato Maurizio
Published: April 2018

In more than 70 % of patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer with histologically positive lymph nodes, precautional therapy with CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil) causes nausea and vomiting. At the present time, the optimal antiemetic therapy has not been found. From May 1983 to March 1984, 35 patients, of whom 34 were evaluable, were entered in a randomized double blind antiemetic treatment with either bromopride (16 patients), a procainamide derivative structurally similar to metoclopramide, or placebo (18 patients). Bromopride (20 mg) and the placebo were administered in a 3-min i.v. injection half an hour before chemotherapy and at 3 ½ and 7 ½ following chemotherapy. A complete antiemetic protection was obtained in 9 patients (56.3 %) treated with bromopride compared to 5 patients (27.8 %) treated with the placebo. A major antiemetic (≤ 2 vomiting episodes) was obtained in 3 patients (18.7 %) treated with bromopride compared to 5 patients (27.8 %) treated with the placebo. Statistical analysis showed a trend in favor of bromopride (P = 0.058). The most frequent side effect was sedation reported in 6 patients (37.5 %) treated with bromopride and 2 patients (11.1 %) treated with the placebo (P = 0.06). The study was interrupted when several patients presented vomiting episodes more than 12 h after CMF administration, and thus beyond the foreseeable protective effect of the antiemetic treatment. It is our opinion that the search for an optimal antiemetic regimen in the course of i.v. CMF therapy should consider the administration of antiemetic drugs at least until 12 h after chemotherapy.
Modifications in the Concentrations of Circulating Myoglobin after Treatment with Low Doses of Adriamycin
Authors: Carulli Giovanni , Clerico Aldo , Marini Alessandra , Del Chicca Maria Grazia , Vanacore Renato , Azzarà Antonio , Grassi Bruno , Ambrogi Fabio
Published: April 2018

The modifications in the concentration of circulating myoglobin have been studied by means of a radioimmunoassay in 15 cancer patients undergoing polychemotherapy including adriamycin. In 8 patients significant increases in myoglobin levels were found after injection of low doses of the drug (25-50 mg/m2). Moreover, a disturbance of the normal biorhythm of the protein was evident in 12 patients. Creatine kinase-MB was evaluated by means of a radioimmunoassay, but there was no relation between an increase in the isoenzyme and an increase in myoglobin. No ECG modifications were detected. These data indicate that the measurement of myoglobin may offer an indication of myocardial or skeletal muscle damage caused by adriamycin.
Aminoglutethimide in Advanced Breast Cancer
Authors: Ceci Guido , Passalacqua Rodolfo , Bisagni Giancarlo , Bella Mariangela , Cocconi Giorgio
Published: April 2018

From July 1980 to June 1983, 61 postmenopausal women with progressive metastatic breast cancer were treated with aminoglutethimide, 250 mg 4 times daily, plus cortisone acetate, 25 mg twice daily. Of 51 evaluable patients, an objective remission was observed in 22 (43 %) (partial remission in 19, complete in 3), stable disease in 14 (27 %), and progressive disease in 15 (30 %). The median duration of response was 60 weeks (range 12 +; 94+). The response rate was higher when the dominant disease site was soft tissue (50 %) or bone (56 %) rather than viscera (29 %). Side effects were common but usually slight and transient. Somnolence (69 %), dizziness (41 %), nausea (35 %) and skin rash (27 %) were the most frequent. Serum levels of gamma-GT, alkaline phosphatase and total cholesterol rose during aminoglutethimide treatment, whereas levels of uric acid and indirect bilirubin decreased. Aminoglutethimide plus cortisone acetate appears to be an active and relatively safe treatment in advanced breast cancer and may be recommended as second-line endocrine treatment.
T-cell Subsets Defined by Monoclonal Antibodies in Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (Mgus)
Authors: Cavanna Luigi , Di Stasi Michele , Fornari Fabio , Civardi Giuseppe , Binelli Franco , Buscarmi Elisabetta , Buscarmi Luigi
Published: April 2018

Peripheral T lymphocytes from 31 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and from a group of controls of the same age range, were stained using monoclonal antibodies of the OKT series. The absolute number and the percentage of OKT3+ cells did not differ in patients compared with the controls. The percentage and absolute number of T-cell subsets with helper/inducer OKT4+ and suppressor/cytotoxic OKT8+ phenotype were not different from those of the controls, thus the OKT4/OKT8 ratio in the patients with MGUS was normal (1.60 versus 1.57 in normal controls). These results suggest that MGUS is a B-cell disorder without imbalance of peripheral T-cell subsets unlike B-cell malignancies such as multiple myeloma and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Topical Administration of Tetrasodium-Mesotetraphenyl-Porphinesulfonate (TPPS): Correlation between Drug Penetration and Depth of Necrosis in Skin of Nude Mice following Red Light Irradiation
Authors: Marchesini Renato , Melloni Elsa , Bottiroli Giovanni , Andreola Salvatore , Fava Giannino , Mella Mario , Savi Giuseppina , Zunino Franco
Published: April 2018

The main side effect in photodynamic therapy is photosensitization of the patient's skin following systemic administration of the photosensitizing agent. In the case of superficial lesions, this problem can be avoided by topically applying the drug: in this way a local treatment can be performed. We tested the photosensitizing properties of a 2 % solution of TPPS (tetrasodium-tetraphenylporphinesulfonate) in a vehicle containing a penetration enhancer, Azone, on skin of nude mice. An aliquot of 0.1 ml/cm2 of the solution was painted on the skin overlying an s.c. implanted NMU-1 tumor. Subsequently, animals were sacrificed at different times after application. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that TPPS penetration depth was related to time elapsed after application and to painting modalities. Solution penetration was enhanced by wiping with ether immediately before painting. Irradiation at 80 mW/cm2 for 20 min with a dye laser emitting at 640 am, 4 h after TPPS application, produced necrosis of the upper skin layers, up to 0.2 mm in depth. These findings suggest that topical TPPS administration, followed by laser irradiation, may be a suitable treatment modality for skin lesions involving epithelial layers, even though several aspects of this metodology need further investigation.
Phase II Trial of Weekly 4-EPI-Doxorubicin (Epirubicin) in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
Authors: Bertetto Oscar , Dongiovanni Vincenzo , Clerico Mario , Calciati Alessandro
Published: April 2018

We tested 4′-epi-doxorubicin (epirubicin) in 15 patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck which progressed after conventional therapy. The drug was administered at the dosage of 25 mg/m2 weekly. No patient achieved objective response. Toxicity was minimal. Epirubicin given at this dose and schedule revealed no activity in heavily pretreated patients with cancer of the head and neck.