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Biomedical subjects

A Nizze

Publications and source records attributed to A Nizze.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Detection of malignant melanoma with iodine-123 iodoamphetamine.

Iodoamphetamine (IMP) was shown by in vitro assay to have a high uptake by human melanotic melanoma cells, as compared to amelanotic melanoma cells. Eleven patients with proven malignant melanoma (MM) and 3 normal subjects were imaged at 2-4 hr and 16-24 hr after the i.v. injection 5 mCi (185 MBq) of [123I]IMP. One patient had a recurrent tumor that was subsequently shown to be squamous cell carcinoma. The index lesion was not visualized in the three patients with amelanotic melanomas. The index lesion/lesions were visualized in six of the seven other patients, except for 4/16 nodules in one patient. The seventh patient had a large, necrotic melanotic tumor that was not visualized, but an unsuspected lesion in the iliac nodes was detected. Multiple unsuspected lesions were detected in a second patient. While many lesions were seen at 2-4 hr, all lesions (other than a patient with small bowel disease) were seen best at 16-24 hr. No eye uptake was observed in any patient or control subject. Testicular uptake was seen in all males at 16-24 hr. Iodine-123 IMP appears to be a useful agent for the detection and follow-up of patients with melanotic MM.

Adult↗

Cyclophosphamide-induced alterations in human monocyte functions.

This investigation was designed to study the effects of relatively low doses of cyclophosphamide (CY) on monocyte function in patients with surgically resected melanoma. Monocytes taken from patients 3 days after receiving 300 mg, 150 mg, or 75 mg CY/m2 had decreased interleukin-1 (IL-1) production. Production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like molecules by the same monocytes appeared to be enhanced following 300 mg/m2 CY but not after 150 or 75 mg/m2 CY. In vitro studies of the direct effects of CY metabolites (mafosfamide and 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide) on human monocytes showed only concomitant decreases in production of IL-1 and TNF-like molecules. This occurred at concentrations that did not obviously affect viability, although monocyte spreading was inhibited. No evidence was obtained for in vitro enhancement of TNF-production. We conclude that CY can affect monocyte function. In vivo it may have both direct effects leading to decreased TNF and IL-1 production and indirect effects through lymphocytic or haematopoietic systems that activate monocytes to enhanced TNF production. The effects are dose-dependent. These CY-induced changes could be responsible in part for some of the alterations in host immunity and tumor resistance that follows administration of the drug.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

Disseminated melanoma presenting as a catastrophic event.

The possibility of a patient with malignant melanoma having a catastrophic event as the presenting sign of tumor dissemination cannot be dismissed. Should such an event occur, it would pose not only a risk to the patient, but also a potential risk to others. Since 1971, 712 patients with malignant melanoma have been evaluated. Twenty patients presented with brain metastases and an additional 12 patients developed brain metastases simultaneously with other organ involvement. Four patients (0.6%) had a catastrophic event, such as a stroke or seizure, with no antecedent symptoms. Microstaging of a primary melanoma by the methods of Clark and Breslow, in addition to the recognition of the presence or absence of regional lymph node metastases, provides reliable information for predicting the probability of tumor dissemination. Patients with deep primary melanomas or with lymph node metastases should be advised regarding their participation in potentially hazardous occupations or recreations.

Adult↗