Biomedical subjects

A Vacca

Publications and source records attributed to A Vacca.

220 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

[Role of the vascular component in growth of solid tumors: a historical review].

Angiogenesis is a fundamental biological process by which new capillary blood vessels are formed. It is essential in many physiological conditions, such as embryonic development, ovulation and wound repair, and pathological ones, such as arthritis, diabetic retinopathy, and tumours. Solid tumours have angiogenesis capacity, and tumour growth and metastasis are angiogenesis-dependent. Neoplastic cell populations can grow to form a clinically evident tumour only if the host produces a vascular network sufficient to sustain tumour growth. Furthermore, the new blood vessels provide a gateway for tumour cells to enter the circulation and metastasize to distant sites. Tumour angiogenesis is essentially mediated by angiogenic molecules elaborated by tumour cells. We review here the most important literature on this topic and emphasize the crucial and paradigmatic role of this biological process and its relevance in a possible anti-angiogenic therapeutic approach to the treatment of solid tumours.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Unrelated bone marrow transplantation in a Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome patient sharing two HLA-extended haplotypes with the donor.

We report a case of BMT from an unrelated donor (MUD) in a patient affected by Wiskott- Aldrich syndrome (WAS). The donor-recipient pair was completely identical for two HLA-extended haplotypes. The conditioning regimen consisted of Bu 14 mg/kg followed by CY 200 mg/kg. GVHD prophylaxis was carried out with CsA plus short-term MTX. Allogeneic engraftment was obtained without any signs of acute or chronic GVHD. At fifteen months from the transplant the patient was in an excellent clinical condition. This case confirms the role of BMT from MUD in WAS, and suggests that complete donor-recipient identity for two entire HLA-extended haplotypes is a particularly favorable immunogenetical condition in this type of transplant.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Lymph node angiogenesis in lymphoproliferative disorders: type II Mixed cryoglobulinemia as a model.

OBJECTIVES: Lymph node biopsies from patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) were investigated for: a) the presence of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) peptides C22 and C100; b) the degree of angiogenesis and of inflammatory infiltrate (macrophages and neutrophils); c) the distribution of laminin and type IV collagen, the main components of the subendothelial basement membrane; and d) the ultrastructural characteristics of the microvessels. METHODS: Cryostat sections were stained by immunoperoxidase to highlight HCV peptides, endothelial cells, their basement membrane components, and inflammatory cells. Planimetric methods were applied to count the microvessels and inflammatory cells, and to evaluate the distribution pattern of the basement membrane components. Microvessels were also analysed at the ultrastructural level. RESULTS: HCV+ lymph nodes showed higher microvessel and inflammatory cell counts than the HCV- lymph nodes. Their laminin and type IV collagen distribution and ultrastructural findings also indicated immature capillaries. CONCLUSIONS: HCV could be introduced into the lymph nodes by infected mononuclear cells, and trigger inflammation and angiogenesis, thus contributing to the inflammatory process. Angiogenesis, in turn, could facilitate HCV dissemination and persistence in MC.

Biopsy↗

PubMedDate not supplied

GISC protocol experience in the treatment of essential mixed cryoglobulinaemia.

OBJECTIVE: We compared the efficacy of interferon and deflazacort in the treatment of the cryoglobulinaemic syndrome and assessed the usefulness of adding a low antigen diet to drug therapy. METHODS: We studied 63 patients randomly allocated to different groups who underwent clinical and laboratory examinations every two months and who received treatment for 12 months or until a significant clinical event appeared. RESULTS: Five of 28 patients treated with interferon showed clinical improvement whereas 4 worsened and 7 suffered untoward side effects; seven of 28 patients treated with deflazacort improved, 4 worsened and 4 suffered drug toxicity. Twenty-nine patients were assigned to combined low antigen diet and therapy, among whom 7 did not follow the diet, 5 improved and 2 worsened. Among the 34 patients who were on an unrestrained diet, 5 improved and 7 worsened. None of the treatments proved superior to the others. CONCLUSION: Our results do not confirm the suggestion that interferon should be the primary therapy in the treatment of the cryoglobulinaemic syndrome, and the usefulness of a low antigen diet seems minimal.

Adult↗