bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Xeroradiographic Evaluation of Murine Osteosarcoma
Authors: Nessi Renato , Giuliani Fernando
Published: April 2018

Xeroradiography, a method of X-ray imaging based upon selenium photoconductivity, was used for the study of experimental osteosarcoma induced by MSV-M virus in rats. Due to the peculiar features of xeroradiographic image (enhancement of details and lowering of the overall contrast) good pictures of osseous structures together with soft tissues were obtained even in very young animals. Serially performed xeroradiographies gave a permanent representation of tumor evolution with time. Advantages and drawbacks of this method are discussed, particularly with respect to radiation dosage. Xeroradiography is proposed for the study of the response to antiblastic chemotherapy of experimental bone tumors.
Antigenic Proteins of Nucleolar Chromatin of Novikoff Hepatoma Ascites Cells
Authors: Busch Rose K. , Busch Harris
Published: April 2018

Nucleolar chromatin of Novikoff hepatoma ascites cells contains an antigen (no-Ag1) detected with antinucleolar antibodies by the immunodiffusion technique. This antigen was distinguished from the previously reported nuclear chromatin antigen NAg-1 (19) by the findings that tumor nucleolar antibodies which formed immunoprecipitin bands with no-Ag1 did not do so with NAg-1 and that tumor cytosol, which contains NAg-1, formed immunoprecipitin bands with tumor chromatin antibodies but not with antibodies to tumor nucleoli. Tumor nucleolar chromatin contains both NAg-1 and no-Ag1, but only no-Ag1 formed bands with tumor nucleolar antibodies. no-Ag1 is a component of tumor nucleolar chromatin that was not soluble in 0.075 M NaCl - 0.025 M EDTA, pH 8, and only slightly soluble in 0.01 M Tris-HCl, pH 8. no-Ag1 was not found in liver nucleoli. Antibodies to liver nucleoli formed immunoprecipitin bands with liver nucleolar antigens but none were confluent with those formed between tumor nucleolar antibodies and antigens of tumor nucleolar chromatin. Absorption of the tumor nucleolar antibodies with whole tumor cells or whole liver pressate did not alter band formation with no-Ag1. Three antigens in liver nucleoli were not found in tumor nucleoli.
Onco-Embryonic Antigens on Murine Normal Adult Cells
Authors: Ménard Sylvie , Colnaghi Maria I. , Porta Giuseppe Della
Published: April 2018

Normal adult C57BL/6J fibroblasts, cultured to saturation density and therefore in resting phase, were harvested by EDTA, treated with trypsin at various concentrations for different lengths of time and then tested for absorbing capacity of a C57BL/He anti-embryo serum, the residual cytotoxic activity being measured by a 51Cr release assay on a C57BL/He lymphosarcoma known to carry embryonic antigens. A weak proteolytic treatment (0.05 – 0.25 % trypsin for 5–10 min) uncovered structures which absorbed over 40 % activity of the anti-embryo serum. The treated fibroblasts partially retained the absorbing capacity for an antihistocompatibility serum. Higher doses or longer exposure to trypsin progressively inactivated the absorbing capacity of fibroblasts for both antisera. Trypsin treatment of fibrosarcoma cells, which when untreated completely absorbed the anti-embryo serum, decreased their absorbing capacity. Additionally, normal untreated fibroblasts in growing phase were found to absorb the anti-embryo serum.
Prevention of Meningeal CNS Involvement as a Factor Influencing the Duration of Complete Remission and Survival in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Madon Enrico , di Montezemolo Luca Cordero , Pastore Guido
Published: April 2018

The influence on the duration of CR and survival of 2 modalities (MTX + hydrocortisone IT, with and without TCT) for the prevention of meningeal CNS involvement was assessed in 24 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Of the 9 subjects who received MTX and hydrocortisone only, 42 % were still in CR 33 months after its attainment, as opposed to 75 % of the 15 who also received TCT. Survival at 33 months after diagnosis was 89 % and 82 % in the 2 groups. The results are compared with those obtained in an earlier series of 14 children who received no prophylactic treatment. Here CR at 45 months was 25 % and survival 46 %. Eight subjects died, as opposed to 3 (1 in CR) in the present series.
A Melanotic Neuroectodermal Tumor of Infancy Arising from the Anterior Fontanel
Authors: De Pascalis Corradino , Mastroiacovo Pierpaolo , Mastrangelo Renato
Published: April 2018

A case of local recurrence of melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (HINT), arising from the anterior fontanel in a 6-month-old female, is presented. The follow-up of 48 months after surgery confirms the benign nature of this tumor despite its local recurrence. Clinical and histopathologic characteristics of this rare tumor are discussed. A review of 12 cases of MNT involving the skull is given. It is emphasized that this entity should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of a mass in the craniofacial structures in infancy.
The Ultrastructure of Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma (Case Report)
Authors: Lombardi Luciano , Pilotti Silvana , Carbone Antonino , Rilke Franco
Published: April 2018

A soft tissue malignant fibrous histiocytoma was studied by light and electron microscopy. The presence of fibroblast-like cells, histiocyte-like cells, undifferentiated stem cells, and xanthomatous cells was confirmed. Fibroblast- and histiocyte-like multinucleated giant cells were also observed. The observation of lysosomes in some fibroblast-like cells, the features of undifferentiated stem cells, and the presence of cells with intermediate characteristics common to xanthomatous, histiocytic, and stem cells suggest a strict relationship among these cellular types.
Sub-fractionation and Characterization of Lysine-rich Histones from Oberling Guerin-guerin's Myeloma
Authors: Romano Marta , Cecco Luigi , Cerra Maria
Published: April 2018

The H1 fraction in Oberling Guerin-Guerin's myeloma was isolated, and an electrophoretic study was carried out in order to establish its composition. The results obtained show that the H1 fraction is heterogeneous and is formed of 2 sub-fractions. These were separated by preparative gel electrophoresis. They differ in molecular weight, electrophoretic mobility, and primary structure. Each sub-fraction exists in 2 different electric states.
Morphologic and Biologic Correlation of Hyperplastic and Neoplastic Renal Lesions Occurring in Buffalo and Fischer Strain Rats Ingesting N-4-(4'-Fluorobiphenyl)Acetamide
Authors: Reuber Melvin D.
Published: April 2018

Hyperplastic and neoplastic lesions of the kidney induced in inbred Buffalo and Fischer strain rats with 0.04% N-4-(4'-fluorobiphenyl) acetamide were transplanted s.c. to rats of the same strain. Hyperplastic renal lesions (« areas » or' nodules) did not survive and grow. Carcinomas of the kidney grew and killed the animals. Growth was related to the size and the degree of differentiation of the carcinoma. It is concluded that the histologic pattern of hyperplastic and neoplastic lesions of the kidney can be correlated with the results obtained on transplantation.
Immunogenic Neoplastic Clones Derived in Vitro from an Originally Non-immunogenic BALB/c Fibrosarcoma
Authors: Carbone Giusi , Parmiani Giorgio
Published: April 2018

A non-immunogenic fibrosarcoma (SDC2), obtained by spontaneous neoplastic transformation of BALB/c fibroblasts cultured within a diffusion chamber kept in the peritoneal cavity of (BALB/c × C3Hf)F1 mice, was maintained in tissue culture for 10 passages. Three different clones were then derived from the in vitro neoplastic population. Each of the clones, the original in vivo tumor, and its in vitro line taken at the 10th passage (before cloning) were tested for the presence of individual tumor-associated transplantation antigens (TATA) by in vivo growth and excision assay. Contrary to the original SDC2 neoplasm, its in vitro line and 2 out of 3 clones (CL1-SDC2 and CL3-SDC2) were immunogenic, whereas the other clone (CL6-SDC2) displayed no immunogenicity. In addition, CL1-SDC2 and CL3-SDC2 were able to induce a reciprocal cross-protection in in vivo transplantation tests, thus showing common TATA; no cross-reactions were found between these clones and 2 other chemically-induced immunogenic sarcomas. The results suggest an antigenic heterogeneity in the original population of the nonimmunogenic SDC2 sarcoma, with the presence of antigenic but sub-immunogenic neoplastic cells.
Quantitative Determination of Mammary Tumor Virus in Individual Samples of Mouse Milk
Authors: Bistocchi Maria , Bevilacqua Generoso , Nuti Marianna
Published: April 2018

The possibility to determine quantitatively the intact mammary tumor virus (MTV) in milk of mice carrying milk-transmitted MTV has been assayed by a method that allows direct comparison between individual milk samples. The method is based on (a) the measure of light scattering of partially purified MTV preparations, (b) the use of milk from genetically identical MTV free mice as blank and (c) the quantitative reference to the total protein content of whole milk. The sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility of the procedure, as well as the requirement of appropriate quantitative references, are illustrated and discussed. BALB/c (MTV free), BALB/cfC3H, and BALB/cfRIII mice have been used.
Lymph Node Calcification after Radiotherapy in 2 Cases of Seminoma Testis
Authors: De Giuli Emilia
Published: April 2018

The appearance of calcifications in the site of lymph nodes involved by metastases of seminoma testis and irradiated is described in 2 out 59 patients with abdominal metastases (30 were treated more than 5 years ago and 22 of them are alive without evidence of disease).
The AID of Electron Microscopy in the Diagnosis of Osteosarcoma of the Bone (Case Report)
Authors: Carbone Antonino , Clemente Claudio , Lombardi Luciano
Published: April 2018

Osteogenic sarcoma with marked cellular anaplasia and little or no osteoid formation may present major problems in histologic identification. The application of electron microscopy is demonstrated in a case of a poorly differentiated osteosarcoma of the tibia. Unequivocal electron microscopic diagnostic findings are described in relation to light microscopic data.
Adenocarcinoma of the Large Intestine in Young Adults
Authors: Vezzoni Paolo , Clemente Claudio , Gennari Leandro
Published: April 2018

Twenty-eight cases of adenocarcinoma of the large intestine in patients under 30 years of age, admitted to the National Cancer Institute of Milan from 1955 to 1975, are reported. Fourteen patients underwent radical surgery: of these, 8 are alive, and the survival times range from 8 months to 17 years. The 14 patients who received palliative therapy only all died within 15 months. The degree of infiltration of the intestinal wall seemed to be the most significant prognostic factor. The worse prognosis for the neoplasia in young adults with respect to older people, already reported in the literature and confirmed by our data, seems to be correlated, more than with the histologic type or biologic behavior of the tumor, with the diagnostic delay, which results in more advanced forms, with respect to those seen in older patients, being observed at clinical examination.
Results of a Colpocytologic Mass Screening and In-patient Casework: Comparison by Age Groups
Authors: Canevini Piero , Spinelli Maurizio , Fibbi Laura
Published: April 2018

This paper reports the results of cervico-vaginal examinations performed on the women (7,098) resident in the municipality of Bollate (mass screening) and the women (1,416) hospitalized in the Gynecologic ward in the same period (in-patients). Age distribution, prevalence of initial and invasive forms, and prevalence according to age groups have been considered. The results are: 1) any kind of lesion is more frequent among in-patient than mass-screening subjects; 2) the prevalence of benign displasia, incipient, in situ and invasive carcinoma per age group, considered per quinquennium, shows a three-phase trend, both in mass screening and in-patient cases; 3) the time of evolution is different for cervicocarcinoma in the different age groups of incipience. Periodic checks are a useful means of precocious diagnosis of cervicocarcinoma; the frequency of checks should vary according to patient age.
Malignant Histiocytosis: A Clinicopathologic Study of 18 Consecutive Cases
Authors: Rilke Franco , Carbone Antonino , Musumeci Renato , Pilotti Silvana , De Lena Mario , Bonadonna Gianni
Published: April 2018

The clinical records and histologic material of 18 consecutive patients with malignant histiocytosis were reviewed. The age of the patients ranged from 20 months to 72 years (median 35 years). There were 14 males and 4 females (3.5:1). Lymph node and liver enlargement, fever, and skin nodules were the most common physical findings; and leukocytosis was frequently the most abnormal laboratory test. Seven of 18 patients died, and their survival ranged from 1 to 15 months (median 8 months) after histopathologic diagnosis. The histologic findings on lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow, and skin were investigated with special reference to both the cellular composition and the pattern of lymph node involvement. Vascular invasion of small perinodal vessels was observed in 4 fatal cases. The absence of capsular invasion and the lack of cohesiveness among atypical proliferating histiocytes of malignant histiocytosis appeared to be inconstant. Sequential lymph node biopsies revealed in later stages the extension of the histiocytic proliferation from the sinuses into the cords and the complete obliteration of the nodal structures. The radiologic investigations yielded numerous pathologic findings that were consistent with the dissemination of the disease. Complete response to initial treatment was achieved in patients that were treated with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Complete response with chemotherapy was achieved only when the treatment included adriamycin. The histologic and clinical features of the present series provide further evidence for the recognition of malignant histiocytosis as a distinct clinical and pathologic entity.
An Improved Criterion for the Evaluation of Estrogen Receptor Binding Data in Human Breast Cancer
Authors: Di Fronzo Giovanni , Bertuzzi Armando , Ronchi Enrico
Published: April 2018

The evaluation of the data is an important step in performing the estrogen receptor test. For this reason an effort has been made to derive a more reliable threshold criteria. Among the parameters considered, Xo, Ka, and BI %, only the former 2 appear to be suitable to allow a proper evaluation of the results. From the analysis of different types of carcinomatous or normal breast specimens, limit values of these parameters have been recovered for positivity and negativity of the estrogen receptor test. We found all the samples showing Ka < 1.5 × 109 M 1 or Xo < 5 fmol/mg proteins to be negative, those characterized by low values of both the parameters were borderline, and all the remaining ones were positive.
Breast Cancer in a Patient under Levodopa Treatment
Authors: Bozzetti Federico , Galante Emanuele , Costa Aurora
Published: April 2018

A case history of a patient who developed mammary cancer (T1N1bM0) after 5 ½ years of continuous treatment with Levodopa for Parkinson's disease is presented. The prolactin inhibition by the Levodopa was verified, and the clinical and mammographic growth, the doubling time, and the labeling index of the tumor were determined. The results were not significantly different than those obtained from patients with breast cancer not under treatment with Levodopa. The rapid growth and evolution of this tumor suggests that prolactin does not have an inducer or promoter effect in mammary cancer.
Stage I Melanoma of the Limbs: Assessment of Prognosis by Levels of Invasion and Maximum Thickness
Authors: Breslow Alexander , Cascinelli Natale , Van Der Esch Eric P. , Morabito Alberto ,   W. H. O. Collaborating Centres for Evaluation of Methods of Diagnosis and Treatment of Melanoma, Kraevski N. , Giordano G. G. , Golbert Z. V. , Van Der Esch E. , Costa De Queiroz , Prade M. , Verhest A. , Pizzetti F. , Efskind J. , Raitchev R. , Urban  , Niepolomska W. , Dabska M. , Svejda J. , Blinova A. , Sugar J.
Published: April 2018

The prognostic significance of 2 histological parameters, level of invasion and maximum thickness is evaluated in 248 cases of malignant melanoma of the limbs staged T1–3, N0 M0 which were collected for Trial No. 1 of the W.H.O. Collaborating Centres for the Evaluation of Methods of Diagnosis and Treatment of Melanoma between September 1967 and December 1974. There is a linear relation of tumor thickness to mortality with a high statistical significance (P = 0.0002). Mortality also increases with progression of the level of invasion. The incidence of occult metastases to the regional lymph nodes increases with increasing thickness or level of invasion. Moreover the age and sex corrected survival curves are also dependent on both parameters. The comparison of the 2 methods revealed that maximal tumor thickness is a more powerful measure of prognosis than is the determination of the level of invasion.
Relationship between Curative Radiation Therapy of Paravertebral Tumors and the Incidence of Radiation Myelitis
Authors: Schulz Ulrich , Bamberg M.
Published: April 2018

The literature about radiation damage to the spinal cord is reviewed and 4 of own cases are presented. It is pointed out that in curative radiation therapy the risk of myelitis that accompanies higher spinal cord doses must be weighed against the therapeutic gains. However, in view of the lack of information about radiation damage to the spinal cord, this may be quite difficult.
The Role of Irradiation in the Management of Head and Neck Cancer: Analysis of Results and Causes of Failure
Authors: Lindberg Robert D. , Fletcher Gilbert H.
Published: April 2018

The records of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, supraglottic and glottic larynx, whose primary lesion was treated with radiation therapy from 1964 through 1973, were reviewed. End points of the study are local control rate at the primary site, ultimate control with surgical salvage, and causes of failure. The local control rate at the primary site was 90 % for T1 lesions, 80 % for T2 lesions, and approximately 70 % for selected T3 lesions. The control rates for the advanced T2 and T4 lesions are unsatisfactory; therefore, preoperative or postoperative irradiation is combined with appropriate surgical procedures to improve the local control rates and in some instances survival rates. Analysis of cervical node metastases treatment shows that the incidence of local recurrence in the radically dissected neck can be significantly reduced with either pre- or postoperative irradiation. Elective irradiation of initially clinically uninvolved areas of the neck (both ipsilateral and contralateral) has almost eliminated subsequent nodal metastases.
Mass Screening for Early Breast Cancer Detection
Authors: Cappellini Mario , Ciatto Stefano , Maltoni Giancarlo
Published: April 2018

In 1969 the Center for Social Diseases of Florence started a screening program for early breast cancer detection. The female population over 40 years of age of a group of outlying towns of the District was invited. From January 1969 till March 1977, 21,725 women have been examined in the program. Mammography was the diagnostic procedure of choice, followed by physical examination if necessary. Negative cases were controlled with biennial mammography. This paper summarizes and evaluates the results of this screening program. At first mammography, 67 cancers were detected, 37 % of which were clinically unapparent, 62.3 % staged T1A, and 52 % N—. The average stage at diagnosis is certainly better than the average stage of cancers diagnosed in unscreened women, thus a better prognosis is expected. Actuarial survival rate of detected cancers was 94 ± 3.7 % at 5 years. False negative and false positive cases are reported. The possibility of hazards in the use of repeated mammography in mass screening is discussed. According to reported data the value of this screening program in terms of secondary prevention (early diagnosis) is confirmed.
Estrogen Receptor in Human Breast Cancer in Relation to Tumor Morphology and Endocrine Therapy
Authors: Paszko Zygmunt , Padzik Halina , Dabska Maria , Pienkowska Feliksa
Published: April 2018

The presence of estrogen receptors (ER) was determined in 111 human breast cancer specimens. In 61 % of the tumors, specific estrogen binding was found and in 39 % of the tumors ER was absent. In 69 tumors no correlation was found between the histological grading of the tumor and the level of ER. The values of ER in tumors from patients over 50 years of age were usually much higher than those for patients under 50 years of age. Different methods of endocrine therapy were applied in 20 patients. In 10 of 15 patients with ER positive tumors, endocrine therapy resulted in remission. Only 1 of 5 patients with ER negative tumors responded with remission. It is concluded that estimation of ER in tumor tissue is helpful in the selection of patients for endocrine therapy.
Bronchial Involvement by Hodgkin Disease
Authors: Guzzon Adalgiso , Kenda Rado , Bonadonna Gianni , Pilotti Silvana
Published: April 2018

Two cases of Hodgkin disease, lymphocyte depletion type, with bronchial involvement are described. One patient revealed involvement of the right upper lobar bronchus, the other patient of the left main bronchus. The correct diagnosis was made by fiberbronchoscope examination with cytologic brushing and biopsy. That bronchial involvement by Hodgkin disease is very rare is confirmed by the literature, where only 20 cases have been so far reported.
Surgical Treatment of Intestinal Complications after Radiotherapy and Surgery for Malignant Lymphoma and Carcinoma of the Testis
Authors: Gennari Leandro , Balestrazzi Alberto , Zucali Roberto , Pizzocaro Giorgio , Concolino Francesco , Veronesi Umberto
Published: April 2018

The aim of this paper is the analysis of the complications occurred after surgical and radiological procedures, for staging and treatment of malignant lymphomas and testicular carcinoma with an evaluation of the possible efficacy of their surgical treatment. At the Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori of Milan during the period 1970-1976, 718 patients with malignant lymphomas were staged with laparosplenectomy; 444 of them received radiotherapy on the abdominal area. Laparosplenectomy was not performed on other 123 cases that were irradiated as well on the abdominal area. Retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy or explorative laparotomy were carried out in 98 patients with carcinoma of the testis and 46 of them received adjuvant radiotherapy; other 29 were irradiated without previous surgical procedures. After surgery alone morbidity and mortality rate were 2.7% and 0.73% respectively. The mortality/morbidity ratio was 26%. The incidence of complications after radiotherapy alone was 3.3%. No deaths followed the treatment. Combined treatment had a morbidity rate of 5.5% and mortality rate of 2%. The mortality/morbidity ratio was 37%. Complications were treated mainly by surgery: out of 50 interventions, 22 were intestinal resections. New secondary complications were however frequent (more than 50% after intestinal resection) especially in patients originally treated with laparosplenectomy or retroperitoneal dissection plus radiotherapy.
Descriptive Epidemiology of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in the Province of Padova, 1970-1974
Authors: Zambon Paola , Simonato Lorenzo , Pennelli Natale , Mastrangelo Giuseppe , Saia Bruno
Published: April 2018

The age-standardized incidence rates of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the province of Padova during the period 1970-1974 were 3.19/105/year for males and 1.60/105/year for females. These rates are similar to those found in other industrialized countries and slightly higher than in the province of Torino. An increasing trend with age is described, beginning in the age group 35-44, while low rates were found in younger ages in both sexes. No relevant' pattern was shown in the geographical distribution of cases, and no observed/expected ratio was significant in any of the administrative districts considered. The influence of environmental factors and the limitations due to uncertain diagnostic criteria and the small size of the population considered are discussed.
Thermal Gradient and Response to Estrogens or Antiestrogens in Advanced Breast Cancer
Authors: Di Pietro Sergio , Rovini Dario , Luini Alberto , Muscolino Giuseppe , Viganotti Giovanni
Published: April 2018

The correlations between the thermal gradient of superficial breast cancer lesions (before and 15 days after starting treatment) and the end results of hormonal therapies with estrogen and antiestrogens were investigated. Forty-four women with a median age of over 70 with locally advanced breast cancer and/or metastases mainly located in soft tissues entered the study. Twenty-two patients were treated with diethylstilbestrol sodium diphosphate (20 mg/day i.m.) and the other 22 with tamoxifen (20 mg/day orally). The initial iperthermia was reduced after 15 days in more than 50 % of the cases and remained stationary in the others. The cases with a thermal gradient more than 2 °C of the tumors did better, in terms of remission, following therapy (64.7% versus 37.0%). However, an early decrease of the same gradient in the course of therapy appears scantily related to the response. The therapeutic results in the 2 groups were very similar: 45.5 % complete or partial regression, with a median duration of more than 8 months, in those treated with diethylstilbestrol and 50 %, with a median duration of more than 11 month, in those treated with tamoxifen. Only in some cases of the first group of patients the treatment was discontinued due to severe side effects.
Junctions of Endoplasmic Reticulum and Virus like Intranuclear Inclusions in Amelanotic Melanoma Metastatic to the Jejunum
Authors: Bhawan Jag , Silva Wayne
Published: April 2018

Antemortem diagnosis of amelanotic metastatic melanoma to jejunum was made in a 35-year-old white man, who is still alive and healthy. Electron microscopy, in addition to finding premelanosomes, revealed virus-like intranuclear inclusions. Nuclear pockets and junctions of endoplasmic reticulum were also observed.
Antileukemic Activity of 4-Demethoxydaunorubicin in Mice
Authors: Casazza Anna Maria , Pratesi Graziella , Giuliani Fernando , Di Marco Aurelio
Published: April 2018

4-demethoxydaunorubicin was tested against experimental mouse leukemias, in comparison with doxorubicin and daunorubicin. 4-demethoxydaunorubicin, administered ip to mice bearing ascitic L1210 or F388 leukemia was 5 times more potent than daunorubicin and 10 times more potent than doxorubicin (potency established in relation to optimal antitumor doses). At the optimal doses, 4-demethoxydaunorubicin was as active as daunorubicin and less active than doxorubicin. 4-demethoxydaunorubicin, administered iv was 8 times more potent than daunorubicin and 4–5 times more potent than doxorubicin. At the optimal doses, 4-demethoxydaunorubicin was markedly more active than daunorubicin or doxorubicin in mice injected iv with 105 L1210 leukemia cells (early or late leukemia) or with 102 Gross leukemia cells. In mice given 2 × 106 Gross leukemia cells iv, 4-demethoxydaunorubicin was as active as doxorubicin when treatment was given iv on day 1, or on days 1 to 3 or 1 to 5. The optimal intermittent schedule was treatment on days 1, 5 and 9 for 4-demethoxydaunorubicin, and on days 1, 3 and 6 for daunorubicin and doxorubicin. 4-demethoxydaunorubicin administered orally was highly active against ascitic P388 leukemia and against L1210 and Gross leukemia inoculated iv.
Tossicità della Bleomicina Somministrata in Infusione Continua ad Alte Dosi
Authors: Fornasiero Adriano , Daniele Otello , Paccagnella Adriano , Fosser Vinicio , Cartei Giuseppe , Ferrazzi Eros , Fiorentino Mario
Published: April 2018

Sono stati trattati 15 pazienti affetti da carcinoma non seminomatoso del testicolo con un regime polichemioterapico mensile comprendente cis-platino, vinblastina e bleomicina: questo ultimo farmaco veniva somministrato per infusione continua per 5 giorni, alla dose totale di 100 mg/m2 per ciclo. 12 su 15 pazienti hanno raggiunto remissione (10 CR e 2 PR); abbiamo studiato la tossicità di tale farmaco somministrato a dosi relativamente alte con una dose Medicina di 675 mg (range tra 450 e 1050 mg). La tossicità cutanea si è osservata in 2 pazienti su 15. La tossicità polmonare è praticamente nulla; questa è stata controllata con Rxgrafia, indice di Tiffeneau (valore mediano 84) Pa O2 (valore mediano 78). 2 su 15 pazienti hanno evidenziato grave ma reversibile tossicità alla mucosa orofaringea. Alopecia si è evidenziata in tutti i pazienti.
Combination Chemotherapy with Cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin, Vincristine and Prednisone (CHOP) for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas with Unfavorable Histology: Preliminary Results
Authors: Cornelia Pasquale , Abate Giuseppe , Cornelia Giuseppe , Bruni Giovanni S. , Zarrilli Donato , Pergola Mario
Published: April 2018

From January 1978 to June 1979, 29 selected, previously untreated patients with unfavorable histology of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (12 DPDL, 7 DM, 9 DH and 1 DU) were submitted to the combination chemotherapy CHOP (cyclophosphamide, 750 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1; adriamycin, 50 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1; vincristine, 1.4 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1, and prednisone, 100 mg p.o. on day 1 through 5) every 21 days. Eighteen patients were in early stage (I or II) and 11 of them were also submitted to involved field radiotherapy (60Co), immediately before (stage I) or during (stage II) the chemotherapy, with a mean dosage of 4,500 rad. The remaining 11 patients were in advanced stage (III or IV) of disease and were treated with chemotherapy alone. We obtained 20 complete remissions (68%), 8 partial remissions (28 %) and 1 no response (4 %) to therapy. Sixteen of 18 patients (89 %) in early stages and 4 of 11 patients (36 %) in advanced stages achieved a complete remission. The bone marrow toxicity of the chemotherapy was moderate. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea were frequent but well controlled by the support therapy. The actuarial survival rate of patients, after 18 months of follow-up, is 41 % (40 % in complete remission). The patients who achieved a complete remission are all alive and 65 % of them still relapse free. We believe that the combination chemotherapy CHOP improves the complete remission rate as well as the survival of patients with unfavorable histology of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
Alkaline DNA Fragmentation in Vivo: Borderline or Negative Results Obtained Respectively with 7,12-Dimethylbenz[A]Anthracene and Benzo[A]Pyrene
Authors: Parodi Silvio , Taningher Maurizio , Pala Mauro , Santi Leonardo
Published: April 2018

Using the in vivo DNA damage alkaline elution assay, a satisfactory correlation with carcinogenicity in the same target organ has been previously shown for a variety of chemical agents. This work was intended to enlarge the exploration of the predictivity of this test. Benzo[a]pyrene (BP) was found negative for damage to liver DNA of mice and rats, and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) negative for damage to liver and bone marrow DNA of mice and slightly positive for damage to mammary gland DNA of young female rats. The results were found to be correlated with the extension of DNA arylation in target organs in similar experimental conditions. From carcinogenicity data reported in the Survey of Compounds Which Have Been Tested for Carcinogenic Activity (vols. 1961-1973) BP and DMBA were both found to be essentially negative as liver carcinogens; however, DMBA was a potent carcinogen in inducing mammary tumors.
Vinblastine plus Bleomycin Continuous Infusion Chemotherapy of Stage III Testicular Carcinomas
Authors: Monfardini Silvio , Fossati Vittorio , Pizzocaro Giorgio , Villa Eugenio
Published: April 2018

Thirty-four consecutive patients with stage III testicular carcinomas were treated with vinblastine, 8 mg/m2 given in 2 fractions on day 1 and 2, followed by continuous intravenous administration of bleomycin, 15 mg/m2 in 1000 cc of 5 % glucose and distilled water over a 24-hour period for 5 successive days beginning on day 2. This cycle was repeated every 28-35 days as toxicity permitted. Complete remission occurred in 18 % and complete plus partial remission in 79 %. Only 2 of 22 patients with advanced abdominal disease achieved a complete remission. After cytoreductive surgery the complete remission rate was increased to 39 %. Median survival of complete responders at 3 years has not been reached, and it has been shown to be significantly superior to that of partial (p < 0.01) and nonresponders (p < 0.01). Toxic effects consisted mainly in severe leukopenia, stomatitis, adynamic ileum and osteoarticular pain. One drug-related death due to sepsis with agranulocytopenic fever was observed. Probably because of different patient selection, this report could not reproduce the results reported by Samuels et al. with equivalent drug dosage, but it was confirmed that this regimen is able to achieve a high overall response rate and a prolonged median survival in complete responders. The consistent success of this aggressive combination in inducing a high percentage of partial responses has opened the way for a better definition of the role of surgery for the treatment of advanced testicular carcinoma at our Institute.
Clinical Considerations on 8 Cases of Abdominal Carcinoids
Authors: Conti Alberto Rudy , Cusumano Fabio , Baticci Fabio , Salvadori Bruno
Published: April 2018

Eight cases of abdominal carcinoids are reported, 5 males and 3 females, whose age ranged from 21 to 66 years. The site of the carcinoids was appendix in 3 cases, ileum in 3, cecum in 1 and the ovary in 1. Synchronous metastases were present at regional lymph nodes and liver in 5 of the 8 cases. Radical surgery was performed in 3 patients, whereas in 3 cases nonradical surgery, due to the presence of nodal or hepatic metastases, was followed by chemotherapy (2 cases) and radiotherapy (1 case). The patients radically operated on are alive and free of disease at 22, 27 and 27 months. Surgery should be resorted to, when possible, even in the presence of liver metastases, since the life expectancy for these patients is longer than that of patients with liver secondaries from tumors other than carcinoids. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy seem to play a complementary role, if any.
Malignant Pheochromocytomas: Report of 4 Cases
Authors: Cusumano Fabio , Conti Alberto R. , Piotti Patrizia , Salvadori Bruno
Published: April 2018

Four cases of pheochromocytomas are reported: 3 cases of malignant pheochromocytomas of the adrenal glands and 1 case of pheochromocytoma, diagnosed on the basis of clinical and biologic signs, whose site and malignant character were not demonstrated. A rare association of pheochromocytoma and stenosis of the renal artery, recorded for one of the cases, is discussed.
Evaluation of the Specificity of the Leukocyte Migration Inhibition Test against Histologically Homologous and Heterologous Neoplastic Antigens in Cancer Patients
Authors: Mantovani Giovanni , Manca Maria A. , Cossu Francesco , Proto Ernesto , Taglieri Guglielmo , Mirigliani Franca , Gaspardini Giulio
Published: April 2018

The aim of the present study was to verify whether the CMI response of the host's lymphocytes is directed towards tumor-associated antigens (TAA) specific for each histological type of tumor. The leucocyte migration inhibition (LMI) test was selected for this purpose, utilizing the cancer patients' leucocytes and, as neoplastic antigens, formalin-fixed cells of surgically removed cancer tissue. Two hundred and eighteen patients were studied, 110 of whom were affected by breast cancer, 48 by digestive tract and 60 by laryngeal cancer. The total amount of tests performed was 278. The leucocytes of 93 normal subjects were tested against the different tissues' cancer antigens, as were the leucocytes of 41 patients with cancer of different organs tested against the corresponding normal tissues' antigens. The breast cancer patients (122 tests performed) showed 82.35 % positive tests against homologous antigen, 72.72 % and 95.24 % against heterologous (digestive tract and laryngeal cancer, respectively) antigens. The digestive tract cancer patients (69 tests performed) showed 70.27 % positive tests against homologous, 66.66 % and 43.48 % against heterologous antigens (breast and laryngeal cancer, respectively). The laryngeal cancer patients (87 tests performed) showed 74.29 % positive tests against homologous, 38.10 % and 80.65 % against heterologous antigens (breast and digestive tract, respectively). The results led to the conclusion that the LMI test response of cancer patients was not « tissue specific »: the test did not discriminate between the homologous and the heterologous cancer antigens, and it seems that the response was not directed towards specific TAA but only towards wide-range or « group » TAA, shared by several types of tumors.
Effect of BCG Immunotherapy on Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity in Bladder Cancer Patients following Surgical Treatment
Authors: Antonaci Salvatore , Piccinno Adolfo , Lucivero Giacomo , Miglietta Antonio , Piccininno Aldo , Bonomo Lorenzo
Published: April 2018

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from bladder cancer patients display in vitro cytotoxicity against established bladder tumor target cells. Following surgery and after separation of lymphocytes in non-T and T with high affinity and low affinity for sheep erythrocytes fractions, the cytotoxic activity was significantly decreased in all subsets. After BCG therapy the cytotoxic capacity was restored and the effect was equally distributed in the different subpopulations. The monocyte-enriched fraction did not show any change in the cytotoxic activity after treatment.
Inhibition of Cellular DNA Synthesis and Lack of Antileukemic Activity by Non-Photoactivated Hematoporphyrin Derivative
Authors: Franco Paola , Morelli Susanna , Sarra Filippo , Nicolin Angelo
Published: April 2018

It has been reported that cytocidal activity of light-activated hematoporphyrin (HPD) within the cells might be exploited in the therapy of experimental and human cancer. As part of a project from this laboratory aimed to study some major biologic features of HPD, it was found that [3H]thymidine incorporation in tumor cells was highly inhibited as a consequence of HPD treatment. HPD-mediated inhibition, obtained by a treatment either in vitro or in vivo, was long lasting and independent of light activation. Cellular DNA synthesis was inhibited by non toxic doses of HPD which were not influential either cell viability or cell oncogenicity. In preliminary studies, HPD-treated cells accumulated in the G1 phase of the cell cycle as detected by cytofluorometric analysis. This finding is in keeping with a likely inhibition exerted in late G, or at the beginning of the S phase of cell the cycle and might exclude a direct damage of the DNA synthetic machinery. Definitive loss of cell viability and cellular DNA inhibition was obtained immediately after the exposure of HPD-treated cells to He-Ne laser light. HPD-mediated cell lysis was dose dependent and in the order of magnitude of cytocidal doses in different cell systems. HPD antileukemic activity or HPD interactions with chemotherapeutic drugs was ruled out in L1210 leukemic mice.
Involvement of the Bone Marrow by Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas: Incidence, Histology and Pathologic Correlations
Authors: Baroni Carlo D. , Manente Liborio , Occhionero Massimo , Marzullo Antonella , Mandelli Franco , Biagini Carissimo
Published: April 2018

The Lukes and Collins system of classification was applied to 151 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who had bone marrow biopsies taken immediately after histologic diagnosis. Incidence and histologic pattern of bone marrow involvement at the time of initial diagnosis were determined for each subtype of lymphoma. Thirty-three patients (21.8 %) had bone marrow involvement. The frequency of bone marrow involvement was high for undefined and convoluted lymphocyte lymphomas (66.6 %) and low to intermediate for follicular centre cell (20.3 %) and small lymphocyte lymphomas (20.0 %). Within the FCC lymphomas the non-cleaved cell type had a higher incidence of marrow involvement than the cleaved cell type (41.6 % vs 8.9 %). The follicular and diffuse histologic patterns in the diagnostic node did influence the incidence of marrow invasion in the non-cleaved cell type (75 % vs 25 %). A low incidence of marrow involvement was observed for the immunoblastic lymphomas (14.2 %); evidence of marrow infiltration was never observed in patients with true histiocytic lymphoma.
Central Nervous System Involvement in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas: Value of Lumbar Puncture as Initial Staging Procedure
Authors: Monfardini Silvio , Ficarra Giuseppe , Giardini Roberto , Santoro Armando
Published: April 2018

To identify the subgroups of patients with malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas who might benefit from prophylactic therapy to prevent CNS relapse, lumbar puncture was routinely performed among the other staging procedures from January 1976 to October 1979 in 76 patients with diffuse lymphomas. The study also takes into consideration 32 patients who came to our observation during the same period and who were studied with lumbar puncture performed in case of suspicious CNS involvement or along with other procedures during restaging to acquire further information on prognostic factors related to CNS involvement. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology was positive in 3 of 76 patients studied with initial lumbar puncture; however, only 2 (2.6 %) were asymptomatic. Within the group of 32 patients in whom lumbar puncture was performed during the course of the disease, all 17 patients with suspicious CNS involvement were found to have a positive CSF cytology with the exception of 1 patient with multiple focal involvement of brain parenchyma. Clinical signs of CNS involvement associated with CSF positivity were all found in patients with diffuse histology. In these patients bone marrow invasion or a leukemic picture was frequently associated with CNS relapse. In 47 % of patients CNS disease developed while they were in clinical remission. In this series cranio-spinal irradiation associated with intrathecal chemotherapy provided the best results, even if survival was not primarily dependent upon the control of their CNS involvement but related to progressive systemic disease in other sites. On the basis of the clinico-prognostic parameters examined, some guidelines for early diagnosis and treatment of CNS lymphomatous involvement are provided.
Abdominal Dosimetry for Supradiaphragmatic Irradiation of Hodgkin's Disease in Pregnancy. Experimental Data and Clinical Considerations
Authors: Zucali Roberto , Marchesini Renato , De Palo Giuseppe
Published: April 2018

An experimental dosimetry by an Alderson Phantom was carried out at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori of Milan to evaluate the scattered radiation in the abdomen for a radiotherapeutic treatment of some lymph node supradiaphragmatic regions. This information is very important when a radiological treatment of stage I and IIA Hodgkin's disease must be set up after the 3rd month of pregnancy. A dose of 3000 rad (30 Gy) was given to left supraclavicular and mediastinum as if involved by a lymphoma. A cobalt 60 unit and a 6 MeV linear accelerator were sequentially tested. Scattered radiation was measured by TLD dosimeters in multiple abdominal sections from diaphragm to pubis every 5 cm. Scattered radiation was lower with the linear accelerator than with cobalt. Doses to the pelvis ranged from 3.5 rad to 6.3 rad for the linear accelerator. These values are not negligible but acceptable, because the risks of fetal malformation are very low after the third month of pregnancy.
Usefulness of Breast Self-Examination for an Early Detection of Breast Cancer. Results of a Study on 500 Breast Cancer Patients and 652 Controls
Authors: Tamburini Marcello , Massara Giovanna , Bertario Lucio , Re Alberto , Di Pietro Sergio
Published: April 2018

The knowledge and practice of breast self-examination (BSE) was investigated among 500 women with operable breast tumors between 35 and 64 years of age (all successively operated) and 652 healthy women, matched with the previous group for 5-year age groups from 35 to 54 years. Only 39.9 % of breast cancer women and 34.5 % of the controls practiced BSE, and only a third of these did it monthly. Such practice tends to progressively decrease, starting from 45 years, and it is used less frequently by the women with a poor education and those in a lower economic bracket. Among the 500 breast cancer patients, those who practiced the self-examination had a higher number of tumors with a diameter no greater than 2 cm and a lower number with a diameter larger than 4 cm. In addition, in this group the percentage of unaffected axillary lymph nodes (N–) was 58.8 % compared to 48.8 % for the group that did not practice self-examination, and the percentage of the cases with more than 3 metastatic lymph nodes (N+ > 3) was 20.0 % in the first group and 27.3 % of the second one. These differences are statistically significant. The correlation between tumor diameter and the histologic lymph node stage is equally evident, since there is a progressive reduction in N– cases and a contemporary progressive increase in N+ (> 3) cases with increasing breast tumor diameter. Therefore, we can infer that the lack of practice of BSE causes a diagnostic and therapeutic delay, which is responsible for aggravation of the prognosis.
Small Size T4 Breast Cancer. Natural History and Prognosis
Authors: Zucali Roberto , Kenda Rado
Published: April 2018

The clinical records of 66 patients with a 14 (for skin infiltration or ulceration) breast cancer not larger than 5 cm treated with primary radiotherapy at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori of Milan from 1968 through 1977 were reviewed. The tumor measured no more than 3 cm in 19 patients and 3-5 cm in 47 patients. In the first group axillary involvement was lower (32 % vs 55 %) and mean age was older (68 years vs 58). Thirty-four patients were irradiated with orthovoltage and 32 with cobalt, at full doses. In 22 of 66 patients (33.3 %) a Halsted radical mastectomy was carried out after completion of radiotherapy. No medical treatment was planned. The incidence of locoregional and distant metastases was the same in both groups of patients, but that of patients with smaller T4 (up to 3 cm) demonstrated a better prognosis in terms of absolute survival at 5 years (71.3 % vs 34.7 %). T4 breast cancer of 3-5 cm had very poor results quite similar to those of historical large series of T4 carcinomas of any size; therefore they should be treated by the same aggressive combined modality approach adopted for locally advanced breast cancer. On the contrary, small T4, up to 3 cm, in older women could be treated by tumorectomy followed by radiotherapy at full doses; systemic medical therapy (hormonal manipulation or chemotherapy) should be decided according to endocrine receptor investigation and general conditions.
The Role of Whole Body Scan and Skeletal Radiography in the Preoperative Staging of Breast Cancer
Authors: Pupi Alberto , Castagnoli Antonio , Del Turco Marco Rosselli , Ciatto Stefano , Mungai Raffaello
Published: April 2018

442 patients with breast cancer were studied by means of radiologic and scintigraphic examination of the skeleton to detect the presence of bone metastases. All the patients have been clinically followed-up for a mean periode of 22 months. The overall prevalence of bone metastases at staging was 4.5 %. Bone scan showed a higher sensitivity in detecting bone metastases (90 % vs 45 %) and a lower positive predictive value (60 % vs 75 %) with respect to X-ray examination. In the present series no asymptomatic case with bone metastases was found in limited stages (T1-T2 N0-N1). The authors suggest that the bone scan be routinely included in the staging of advanced breast cancer cases and that the use of this procedure be restricted to the symptomatic patients in the more limited stages.