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Biomedical subjects

A Ammon

Publications and source records attributed to A Ammon.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

High-dose epirubicin in combination with cyclophosphamide (HD-EC) in advanced breast cancer: final results of a dose finding study and phase II trial.

In the dose finding study we were able to demonstrate that an increase of the epirubicin dose to 120 mg/m2 in combination with cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m2) is possible. The phase II trial had to check the efficacy and the toxicity of this combination with a therapy interval of 21 days. 34 patients with metastatic breast cancer previously not treated with chemotherapy for metastatic disease entered this phase II trial, which tested the efficacy and toxicity of the chemotherapy combination epirubicin 120 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 (HD-EC regimen) i.v. every three weeks. Excluded from the trial were patients at risk of anthracycline toxicity and those with bone or brain metastases. Results compare favourably with best data reported in the literature for chemotherapy of metastatic breast cancer: overall remission rates of 73% (35% CR, 38% PR), median TTP of 58 weeks for CR (range 32-168 weeks) and 52 weeks for the PR group (range 24-110 weeks); median survival time for CR 71+ weeks (range 52-196+), for PR 74+ weeks (range 40-134+ weeks). No therapy was given for remission maintenance after a stable remission was obtained. This results in a very favourable ratio of time with chemotherapy to maintenance time without chemotherapy, which is 10 weeks/62 weeks for CR and 12 weeks/49 weeks for PR. Evidence of tumor remission was found in 80% of the patients who already responded to chemotherapy after the first cycle. The early onset of tumor response as well as the short induction chemotherapy period necessary to obtain best response are considered major advantages of the HD-EC regimen.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical model concept of the evolution of malignant tumors: implication for hormone therapy of breast cancer].

An analysis is made of current concepts about heterogeneity, instability and autonomy of tumor cells which accounts for the clinical course of incurable, late-stage malignant disease which as such is characterized by a growing independence from growth control mechanisms of the host, by progressive metastatic spread and by unpredictable malignancy associated events. Increasing heterogeneity, instability and autonomy are best demonstrated by the development of resistance phenomena and are potentially reversible processes. This reversibility can be exploited using biological response modifiers. Understanding this triad also helps explain certain clinical phenomena such as qualitative differences in remissions and mixed responses, early vs. late stage disease, and the potential therapeutical hazards which can lead to further tumor heterogeneity. On the breast cancer example further clinical implications are illustrated, namely receptor heterogeneity, autocrine autonomy, and combination therapy with hormones. The concepts discussed are the basis for the development of non-toxic tumor therapies which are aimed less at tumor cell kill than at stabilization.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1988

[Tumor markers in dialysis-dependent renal failure. A comparison of the mucin-like carcinoma antigen, CA 15-3, CA 125, CA 19-9 and CEA antigens].

The concentration of tumor markers in human sera is affected not only by malignant, but also by many benign diseases. In this regard, only few reports exist about renal insufficiency, whereas influences of different liver diseases have frequently been described. We determined the serum levels of the antigens MCA, CA 15-3, CA 125, CA 19-9, and CEA in 50 patients suffering from renal insufficiency in chronic hemodialysis, but without indication of malignant diseases. We found no difference between the serum concentrations of MCA and CA 125 as compared to the healthy control group, whereas the other antigens were more often elevated in the group of patients (CEA, 24% of patients greater than 5 ng/ml; CA 15-3, 20% of patients greater than 30 U/ml; CA 19-9, 14% of patients greater than 40 U/ml). We did not find any correlation between pathological values of markers and diseases leading to renal failure. As the increase of tumor markers could not be explained by concomitant diseases, it seems likely that the terminal renal insufficiency plays a causal role.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Expression of the tumor-associated glycoproteins MCA, CA 125 and BW 495/36-P in epithelial tumors of the kidney and the urinary bladder.

The differential expression of the tumor-associated glycoproteins MCA, CA 125 and BW 495/36-P was investigated in 11 renal cell carcinomas and 11 urinary bladder carcinomas and compared with their expression in non-neoplastic tissue preparations from the kidney (n = 9) and urinary bladder (n = 12). The glycoproteins were demonstrated immunohistologically in frozen sections and additionally, in some cases, in paraffin sections. MCA and BW 495/36-P positive cells were present in all preparations except for a grade I transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, in which no MCA-expression could be detected. In the non-neoplastic renal tissue mainly the cells of the distal tubuli were stained by the antibodies against these two glycoproteins. Carcinoma cells of the kidney and of the urinary bladder showed an increased expression of both epitopes. CA 125, in comparison, was strongly expressed in 3 of the 11 urinary bladder carcinomas investigated but could only be shown in a few cells of a single renal cell carcinoma. Normal renal tissue showed no and the urinary bladder only very isolated CA 125 positive epithelial cells. Apart from this distribution, strong staining of the connective tissue fibers with CA 125 antibody was seen in all paraffin sections, but not in the frozen sections. This leads to the supposition that in these structures there is a CA 125 cryptantigen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunocytochemical determination of the tumor-associated glycoproteins MCA, CA 125 and BW 495/36-P in urine of patients with epithelial tumors of the kidney and urinary bladder.

Pre-operative and, in some cases, post-operative urine samples from 29 patients with renal cell or urinary bladder carcinoma were compared to samples from 24 healthy persons and 10 patients with nephrolithiasis and 9 patients with other benign disorders of the efferent urinary tract. The specimens were examined for the presence of MCA, CA 125 and BW 495/36-P expressing epithelial cells. The urine concentrations of the soluble antigens MCA and CA 125 were determined simultaneously in urine samples from 35 patients with renal cell or urinary bladder carcinoma, 10 patients with cystitis and 30 healthy individuals. MCA and BW 495/36-P expressing epithelial cells were significantly increased in all pre-operative urine samples of the tumor patients compared to the group of healthy persons. This increase was also seen with CA 125-positive cells in patients with bladder carcinoma, not however in patients with renal cell carcinoma. BW 495/36-P positive cells were also found in both groups of tumor patients in greater numbers than in the patients with nephrolithiasis or other benign urinary tract disorders. Based on a specificity of 97% when compared to the control urine samples, the cytological determination of the antigens MCA, CA 125 and BW 495/36-P in urinary tract cells of all tumor patients revealed a sensitivity of 48%, 33% and 79% as well as a positive predictive value of 92%, 89% and 95%, respectively. The sensitivity of CA 125 increased to 67% upon isolated analysis of patients with bladder carcinoma. The majority of labelled cells were not identifiable as tumor cells morphologically and appeared as normal transitional epithelial cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Developing national epidemiologic capacity to meet the challenges of emerging infections in Germany.

In January 1996, the Robert Koch Institute, Germany's national public health institute, began strengthening its epidemiologic capacity to respond to emerging and other infectious diseases. Six integrated strategies were initiated: developing employee training, outbreak investigation, and epidemiologic research programs; strengthening surveillance systems; improving communications to program partners and constituents; and building international collaborations. By December 1999, five employees had completed a 2-year applied epidemiology training program, 186 health department personnel had completed a 2-week training course, 27 outbreak investigations had been completed, eight short-term research projects had been initiated, major surveillance and epidemiologic research efforts for foodborne and nosocomial infections had begun, and 16 scientific manuscripts had been published or were in press. The German experience indicates that, with a concerted effort, considerable progress in building a national applied infectious disease program can be achieved in a short time frame.

Communicable Disease Control↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Panhypogammaglobulinemia: a rare complication of parenteral gold therapy].

Secondary antibody deficiency is one of the rare adverse effects of chrysotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis. The plasma levels of all immunoglobulins fall into ranges significantly lower than the tolerable physiological minimum. The long-lasting panhypogammaglobulinemia can increase the risk of infection in the patient and, therefore, should be closely monitored. Hence, a record of immunoglobulin levels before and during therapy with gold compounds seems to be mandatory.

Agammaglobulinemia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Can adolescents transfer their knowledge about AIDS into their partnership relations?].

The following results are parts of two questionnaires carried out at Fachoberschule Freising in December 1988 and April 1990. The answers from the questions about the HIV-Test showed a considerable lack of detailed knowledge. Only 47% (in December 1988) respectively 20% (in April 1990) could correctly assess the meaning of a negative result of a HIV-Test. The pupils were very knowledgeable concerning the proper use of condoms (85-99%), however the actual usage varied and was strongly dependent on the assumed effect on the partner. Most young people talk about sexuality with their partners. The subject AIDS is discussed less often. If young people are able to talk about sexuality with their partners, 76% mention AIDS as well. But if they can't even talk about sexuality, 84% also avoid the subject AIDS. The consequences for further prevention are shown.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗