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Biomedical subjects

A Veronesi

Publications and source records attributed to A Veronesi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Standardization of in vitro synthesis and detection of HIV-1-specific antibodies.

Optimal conditions for in vitro anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) antibody (Ab) synthesis and detection were re-appraised. Western blot (WB) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) could detect about 1 and 10 ng, respectively, of HIV-1-specific Ab (HIV-Ab), while the sensitivity of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was much lower. Optimal HIV-Ab recovery was obtained by culturing 2.5 x 10(6) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)/ml from seropositive subjects for 16 days in the absence of mitogens; at higher cell concentrations, background levels were unacceptably high. The background of non-de novo synthesized HIV-Ab was due to insufficient PBMC washing and/or cytophilic immunoglobulin (Ig); a particular washing procedure, as well as 24 h peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) pre-culture, might help in limiting this phenomenon. However, results should be compared with those obtained in cultures containing puromycin especially in infants, where a higher CD16 antigen expression in lymphocytes is likely responsible for increased amounts of cytophilic Ig released in culture supernatants, compared to adults.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

B cell activation and human immunodeficiency virus infection. V. Phenotypic and functional alterations in CD5+ and CD5- B cell subsets.

B cell dysregulation is a hallmark of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Since B lymphocytes comprise two distinct subpopulations, CD5+ and CD5- cells, we addressed their individual phenotypic and functional behavior. Seropositive patients with both limited and advanced disease progression had an increased percentage of peripheral blood CD5+ B cells, compared to seronegative controls (20.1 +/- 2.1 and 22.7 +/- 5.7, respectively, vs 17.0 +/- 3.4 in controls); however, due to the lymphopenia and reduced number of circulating B cells in infected individuals, the absolute number of CD19+CD5+ lymphocytes was actually reduced. Although HIV-specific antibodies were synthesized spontaneously in vitro only by CD5- B cells, a 10-fold lower degree of spontaneous, non-HIV-specific activation was also displayed by unstimulated CD5+ B cells. These findings indicate that B cell dysregulation during HIV infection involves both the CD5- and the CD5+ B cell compartments; moreover, in view of the putative role of CD5+ B cells in autoimmune phenomena and IL-10 production, these data reinforce the possibility that B cell dysfunction might be causally involved in AIDS pathogenesis.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Lymphoproliferative disease in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell-injected SCID mice. I. T lymphocyte requirement for B cell tumor generation.

Mechanisms of tumor development were studied in SCID mice injected with human lymphoid cells from Epstein-Barr virus-positive (EBV+) donors. About 80% of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-injected animals developed a lymphoproliferative disease associated with oligoclonal EBV+ tumors of human B cell origin. No change in tumor development rate occurred when monocyte-depleted PBMC were inoculated. No tumors developed when purified B cells were injected. B cell lymphoproliferative disease was also prevented in most cases when PBMC-injected animals were treated with agents that prevent T cell activation, such as cyclosporin A. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subpopulations were able to provide putative factor(s) necessary for EBV+ B cell expansion and progression to tumors. These data suggest that the transfer alone of potentially tumorigenic human cells into an immunodeficient environment, such as the SCID mouse, might not be sufficient for cell progression to tumor, and raise the possibility that chronic activation events could play a major role in the pathogenesis of some EBV+ lymphomas in the immunocompromised host.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Radiotherapy versus radiotherapy enhanced by cisplatin in stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

Between January 1987 and June 1991, 173 patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer, Stage III, were entered into a randomized trial comparing radiotherapy only (RT) (45 Gy/15 fractions/3 weeks) (arm A) versus RT and a daily low dose of cDDP (6 mg/m2) (arm B). An overall response rate of 58.9% was observed in arm A and 50.6% in arm B, respectively. No differences in the pattern of relapse were noted between the two treatment groups. Median time to progression was 10.6 months for arm A and 14.2 months for arm B. Median survivals were 10.3 months and 9.97 months, respectively. Toxicity was acceptable and no treatment-related death occurred in either treatment schedule. In this study no significant advantage of the combined treatment over radiation therapy only was found. The encouraging results achieved in some trials together with the intractability of the disease suggest that further efforts should be made to optimize clinical trial protocols, perhaps by reviewing the radiobiological and pharmacological basis of the combined treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Treatment of malignant mesothelioma with epirubicin and ifosfamide: a phase II cooperative study.

From May 1988 to March 1990, 17 consecutive patients with histologically proven malignant mesothelioma were treated with epirubicin 75 mg/sqm i.v. on day 1 and ifosfamide 1.8 gr/sqm/day i.v. from day 1-5. Treatment was repeated every 3 weeks until progression. Fifty-three chemotherapy cycles were administered to the 17 patients treated (median, 3 cycles/patient). No complete responses, 1 partial response, 8 stable diseases and 8 progressions were noted. Toxocity was acceptable and no treatment-related deaths occurred. Actuarial median survival was 6 months. In this study, a combination of full doses of epirubicin and ifosfamide did not prove to be active in malignant mesothelioma.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Buserelin treatment of advanced prostatic carcinoma: prognostic factor analysis.

From August 1986 to August 1990, 116 patients with prostatic carcinoma, advanced disease (stage C-D1 only in patients older than 75 years, or D2) were treated with Buserelin (0.5 mg 3 times/day subcutaneously for 7 days, followed by 0.4 mg 3 times/day intranasally) until progression. No concomitant antiandrogens were administered. Of the 108 evaluable patients, 10 had complete remission (CR), 49 partial remission (PR), 46 remained stable while 3 progressed (response rate = 54.6%). Median duration of response was 31 months, median survival was 34 months. The toxicity of treatment was mild and mainly related to the hormonal effect of the drug. Castrate testosterone levels were obtained in all patients except 7. Slight, transient pain increase was noted at day 8 in 12 patients. Absence of symptoms at the start of treatment, well- or moderately differentiated tumor and serum testosterone negativization following Buserelin were associated with a significantly higher response rate as compared to presence of symptoms, poorly differentiated tumor and failure to obtain castrate testosterone levels, respectively. The following prognostic factors were found, at univariate analysis, to be associated with a prolonged survival: stage (C-D1 versus D2), PS (greater than 80 versus equal or less than 80), symptoms (absent versus present) and histological grade (G1 + G2 versus G3). Age and basal T levels did not influence survival. Those patients who obtained a CR or PR survived significantly longer than those with stable disease or progression.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗
PubMed1991

Epirubicin in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma: a phase II cooperative study. The North-Eastern Italian Oncology Group (GOCCNE)--Mesothelioma Committee.

From September 1986 to April 1988, all consecutive patients with histologically proven (pathologic review mandatory) malignant mesothelioma, measurable disease, age less than 75 years, Karnofsky performance status equal to or greater than 40, and no previous chemotherapy were treated with epirubicin at the dosage of 75 mg/m2 i.v. every 3 weeks. Of the 23 patients who entered the study, 2 were retrospectively found not to have malignant mesothelioma. In the 21 eligible patients (all evaluable), no complete remission, 1 partial remission, 11 stable diseases and 9 progressions were noted. Toxicity was very mild. Median survival was 7.5 months. At the dosage used, epirubicin proved to be of little value in the management of these patients. Whether higher doses are more effective, as has been noted in other tumors, remains to be ascertained.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Partial response to lonidamine of advanced bladder carcinoma: a case report.

A 76 year old woman presented with locally advanced papillary transitional cell carcinoma. The patient had elsewhere had trans-urethral resection and radiotherapy and declined salvage cystectomy. She was treated with Lonidamine (150 mg X 3/day p.o. Repeat CT scan after 8 months showed partial remission. This response was unchanged after 28 months Lonidamine therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy versus radiotherapy alone in locally advanced epidermoid bronchogenic carcinoma. A randomized study.

Between June 1980 and December 1983, 111 patients with inoperable epidermoid bronchogenic carcinoma (limited disease) were entered into a randomized trial comparing radiotherapy alone versus radiotherapy and combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin (doxorubicin), methotrexate, and procarbazine. Thirty-five of 62 (56.4%) patients treated with 4500 rad in 15 fractions in 3 weeks and 19 of 49 (38.8%) patients treated with the same radiation treatment and chemotherapy had an objective response. The difference in response rate was not significant (P = 0.900). Median time to progression was 5.9 and 7.02 months, respectively, for the radiation treatment and the combined treatment. Median survival was 11.74 and 10.03 months, respectively, without statistically significant differences between the two groups of patients. The toxicity was acceptable and no treatment-related death occurred in either treatment schedule. In this study no significant superiority of combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment over radiation therapy alone was evidenced. Whether different chemotherapy regimens may prove more effective in this context should be clarified by further studies.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1990

Functional implication for the topographical relationship between MHC class II and the low-affinity IgE receptor: occupancy of CD23 prevents B lymphocytes from stimulating allogeneic mixed lymphocyte responses.

Following the observation of Bonnefoy et al. (J. Exp. Med. 1988. 167:57), that the low-affinity IgE receptor (CD23) on B lymphocytes can be coupled (with the use of chemical cross-linking reagents) to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II DR molecules, we now report that ligands binding within the lectin-homology region of CD23 prevent B cells from stimulating allogeneic mixed lymphocyte responses. Ligands capable of blocking mixed lymphocyte responses include the anti-CD23 antibodies MHM6 and EBVCS 4 but not EBVCS 1 and 5. IgE itself, and small peptides representing sequences within the CH3 domain of IgE. The detailed topographical relationship between CD23 and MHC class II on the B lymphocyte surface was examined using dual immuno-fluorescence labeling of cells and direct visualization of the staining by confocal laser scanning microscopy. On transformed B lymphoblasts, the two antigens were seen to co-localize in discrete patches; on normal B cells which had been cultured for 2 days with interleukin 4, CD23 and MHC class II converged at a single pole which exhibited a tendency to pseudopod formation and provided a focus for homotypic cell-cell interactions. The possibility that CD23 could serve as a co-stimulatory-adhesion molecule in antigen presentation by B lymphocytes is discussed with special reference to a potential role in the regulation of IgE synthesis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1990

Patients compliance in an early detection program for upper aero-digestive tract tumours in north-eastern Italy.

An early detection program for tumours of the upper respiratory and digestive tract has been conducted from December, 1988 to May, 1989 in the Friuli Venezia-Giulia region, Northeastern Italy. This region shows very high mortality rates for cancers in these sites. Six hundred seventy-one high risk patients (i e habitual smokers and/or drinkers) were referred to Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists from 16 General Practitioners (GPs) for a free examination as part of the screening program. Four hundred thirty-six patients underwent the visit (65%) with fifty-five precancerous lesions and eight epithelial tumours detected among them. This program appears to have accomplished its aims of establishing a closer relationship between GPs and ENT specialists, discovering early cancerous and precancerous lesions, and targeting high risk patients with an educational message against smoking and heavy drinking.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Head and neck cancer and ageing: a retrospective study in 438 patients.

To evaluate whether age over 70 years represents a prognostic factor in head and neck cancer, we reviewed all cases observed between 1981 and 1984. Four hundred and thirty-eight (438) patients were considered in relation to three age groups (less than or equal to 59, 60-69, and greater than or equal to 70 years, defined as non-elderly, mid-elderly and elderly respectively). The main parameters analyzed included histological diagnosis (no difference emerged among the three age groups); anatomical site (hypopharyngeal carcinoma was most frequent in non-elderly patients); TNM stage (an higher incidence of early stages was seen in the elderly); performance status (better in the non-elderly); previous illnesses (life-style related diseases were more frequent in the non-elderly); contraindications to surgery (more frequent in the elderly); surgical treatment ('en bloc' resections were more often employed in the non-elderly); post-operative complications and local control (no difference between the three groups); multiple primary malignancies (head and neck, oesophagus and lung were more frequent in non-elderly patients) and survival (no difference). Although age affects several features of head and neck cancer patients, it does not appear from the present study to be an independent prognostic factor for local control and survival. With regard to survival, stage appeared to be the most important prognostic factor.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

Fibrinolytic effect of a particular glycosaminoglycan (endoglycan) per os on normals and in patients with chronic artery disease.

Endoglycan, a heparan-dermatan sulphate association, is a highly purified heparinoid extracted from porcine intestinal mucosa. The aim of our study was to investigate the fibrinolytic system in a group of healthy controls and vascular disease patients, before and after endoglycan administration "per os". All the patients had a reduced basal fibrinolytic activity. The tests carried out were PT, PTT, FDP, Euglobulin Lysis Time (ELT), fibrinogen, plasminogen, alpha 2-antiplasmin, alpha 2-macroglobulin and t-PA activity assayed with a chromogenic method. After endoglycan administration, we have shown a significant shortening of ELT with complete normalization during the treatment. A fibrinogen decrease and either plasminogen or alpha 2-antiplasmin increase was seen. This was shown in normals too, however to a lesser extent. During therapy most of the healthy subjects, but only some patients, showed increased t-PA levels. Before and during treatment, significantly higher t-PA levels were seen in the control group as compared to the patients group. Reduced t-PA release was seen in our vascular disease patients. In conclusion, endoglycan "per os" appears to exert a stimulatory effect on the fibrinolytic system.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Source and route of microbial colonisation of parenteral nutrition catheters.

To assess the effectiveness of tunnelling the polyurethane venous catheter for parenteral nutrition in reducing the frequency of catheter microbial colonisation, and to investigate the routes taken by microorganisms colonising the central venous catheter, 109 patients were randomised to traditional subclavian catheterisation (58, group A) or to subcutaneous catheter tunnelling (51, group B). Samples were taken from patients and their nurse attendants to identify their indigenous flora. Cultures were also done of swabs from the catheter insertion site, blood, nutrient solution, segment of the catheter, and washings of the catheter hub. Intravascular segment colonisation was commoner in group A (18/58) than in group B patients (4/51), and bacterial migration from insertion site to intravascular segment was also commoner among group A (9/58) than among group B patients (1/51). Catheter hub contamination was responsible in 10 out of 22 cases of microbial colonisation; in 6 of these 10 the bacterium isolated was present on the skin of nurses who changed the bag. Contamination of the insertion site skin and of the CVC hub were equally responsible for the microbial colonisation of the intravenous segment of the catheter.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide associated with radiotherapy in the treatment of small-cell lung cancer.

A total of 52 consecutive, previously untreated patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) were scheduled to receive six cycles of a combination of etoposide (75 mg/m2 per day) and cisplatin (20 mg/m2 per day), each cycle given over 5 consecutive days. In all, 28 patients had extensive disease (ED) and 24, limited disease (LD). After three cycles of chemotherapy, all responding patients were given chest radiotherapy (RT) (45 Gy in two split courses and 30 Gy in LD and ED, respectively); only patients with LD who achieved complete remission (CR) after three cycles of chemotherapy were given prophylactic brain irradiation (30 Gy). In the 51 evaluable patients, the overall response rate was 90%, with a 31% CR and a 59% partial remission (PR) rate. In LD and ED patients, 57% and 11% CR rates and 30% and 82% PR rates were noted, respectively. Myelosuppression was the most frequently observed toxicity. The median duration of response was 12 months in LD (range, 3-41 + months) and 7 months (range, 2-12 months) in ED; the median survival was 15 months in LD and 9.3 months in ED, respectively. In all 30% of LD patients are alive and well at a minimal follow-up of 18 months. This trial confirms the activity of the cisplatin-etoposide combination in SCLC.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Mitomycin C treatment of advanced, hormone-resistant prostatic carcinoma: a phase II study.

From February 1984 to February 1987, 29 patients with advanced, hormone-resistant prostatic carcinoma were treated with mitomycin-C at a dose of 20 mg/m2 every 6 weeks (15 mg/m2 in patients greater than 75 years old and in those who had undergone previous radiotherapy). In the 27 evaluable patients, there were no complete remissions (CR), 2 partial remissions (PR), 14 stabilizations (STAB), and 11 cases of progressive disease (PRO). Ten stabilized patients showed significant pain reduction. Toxicity was minimal. The actuarial median survival was 10.8 months. In this study, mitomycin C was not active in terms of CR + PR; however, a beneficial symptomatic effect was frequently observed.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Buserelin treatment of advanced prostatic cancer: a phase II study.

From August 1986 to September 1988, 76 eligible patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma, measurable or evaluable disease, no previous hormonal treatment, were treated with Buserelin at a dosage of 500 micrograms every 8 h for 7 days, followed by 400 micrograms intranasally three times a day. No concomitant antiandrogens were administered. In the 63 evaluable patients (11 patients not yet evaluable because of short treatment time, two lost to follow-up), three complete remissions, 28 partial remissions, 30 stable disease and two progressions were obtained (National Prostatic Cancer Project criteria). Median duration of response was 55+ weeks. Side effects were modest, mostly related to the endocrinological effects of Buserelin. Transient increase in serum testosterone levels was found in 37% of the evaluable patients, but transitory 'flare-up' was present in seven patients only. With a median follow-up time of 11.5 months, median survival has not been reached. In conclusion, this study confirmed the activity of Buserelin and the feasibility of its middle-term administration.

Aged↗