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Biomedical subjects

C M Richman

Publications and source records attributed to C M Richman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Differential protection of normal and malignant human myeloid progenitors (CFU-GM) from Ara-C toxicity using cycloheximide.

Cycloheximide, a reversible protein synthesis inhibitor, is thought to block DNA replication in normal cells by preventing synthesis of a labile protein. In animal systems, cycloheximide protects normal cells from cytotoxic S-phase specific agents, such as cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C). Malignant cells appear not to be susceptible to cycloheximide-induced cycle arrest and, subsequently, may not be protected from Ara-C cytotoxicity. The effect of cycloheximide on granulocyte/macrophage progenitors (CFU-GM) after in vitro Ara-C exposure was examined using normal human bone marrow, malignant progenitors from patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and clonogenic cells from the human acute nonlymphocytic leukemia cell lines HL-60 and KG-1. Mononuclear or clonogenic cells were incubated for one hour with cycloheximide, followed by the addition, for three or 17 hours, of Ara-C before being plated in a methylcellulose culture system. CFU-GM survival was significantly increase if normal cells were treated with cycloheximide before Ara-C exposure. Similar cycloheximide pretreatment of CML progenitors and clonogenic HL-60 and KG-1 cells failed to protect CFU-GM from Ara-C-induced cytotoxicity.

AraC Transcription Factor↗

Persistence and distribution of estrogen receptor in advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma after chemotherapy.

Estrogen receptor in tumor cytosol extracts from primary ovarian adenocarcinomas and/or from their metastatic foci was measured for determination of whether or not estrogen receptor content is preserved after chemotherapy. Tumor tissue was analyzed from 36 patients who had not received chemotherapy and from 16 patients after varying periods of chemotherapy. The percentages of relatively estrogen receptor-rich tumors (with more than 35 fmol estrogen receptor per milligram soluble protein, or with more than 1200 fmol estrogen receptor per gram tissue wet weight) were similar in the two groups (31 and 37%). In three of four patients who had specimens analyzed both before and after chemotherapy, there was little difference between the levels of estrogen receptor in the initial sample and in samples taken after ten to 32 months of chemotherapy. In one patient, a decrease in the amount of receptor after chemotherapy appeared to be related to the sampling technique used. There was no discernible effect of treatment on the prevalence or amount of estrogen receptor in metastases. No correlation was observed between estrogen receptor levels and the histologic type or grade of the tumor or the patients' survival. The data suggest that chemotherapy has little effect on measurable receptor levels in ovarian epithelial carcinomas. When present in one tumor site, receptor can be expected to be present in a majority of other sites in the same patient.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The effect of lithium carbonate on chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and thrombocytopenia.

Lithium carbonate ameliorates neutropenia associated with cancer chemotherapy. The effect of lithium on platelet suppression has not, however, been well established. In the present study, five patients with ovarian carcinoma received daily lithium during alternate cycles of treatment with hexamethylmelamine, cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, and cis-platinum. Analysis of myelosuppression was performed on 24 paired consecutive cycles given at identical doses, one with and one without lithium. During lithium cycles, nadir leukocyte, neutrophil, and platelet counts were significantly higher (P less than 0.01, less than 0.01, less than 0.05 respectively) and the interval between treatments was shorter (P less than 0.01). One patient who has received 11 cycles of chemotherapy continues to receive 100% doses owing to the beneficial effect of lithium on chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia. Lithium was poorly tolerated by some patients because of either tremor or nausea and vomiting, in spite of nontoxic serum lithium levels. The amelioration of drug-induced platelet suppression as well as neutrophil suppression noted in this study suggests that lithium's effect on hematopoiesis is not limited to stimulation of neutrophil production. The ability of lithium to decrease chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression suggests that lithium administration may facilitate escalation of chemotherapy doses in selected patients.

Agranulocytosis↗

Correlation of in vitro culture pattern and Q-banded karyotype in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

Both cytogenetic abnormalities and in vitro growth patterns of leukemic cells have prognostic significance in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). The present study was undertaken to analyze the interrelationship between these two factors and response to therapy. Blast cells from 43 patients with de novo ANLL, four patients with secondary ANLL, and two patients with ANLL following a preleukemic phase were studied using both in vitro culture in methylcellulose and quinacrine chromosome banding techniques. In 19 patients with de novo ANLL, minimal growth in culture (less than or equal to 5 colonies without prominence of small clusters) was noted (Pattern I). Blast cells from the remaining 24 patients formed numerous abnormal clusters and colonies in a continuum distribution (Pattern II). Sixty-three percent of Pattern I patients had completely normal karyotypes (NN). Only 29% of Pattern II patients were NN. No Pattern I patient had only abnormal karyotypes (AA), while 25% of Pattern II patients were AA (p less than 0.05). All six patients with secondary leukemia or leukemia following a preleukemic phase demonstrated both Pattern II growth and cytogenetic abnormalities. Fifty-six percent of Pattern I patients with de novo ANLL responded to chemotherapy, 35% of Pattern II patients responded, and 0% of patients with secondary or post-preleukemic ANLL responded. The correlation between the presence of cytogenetic abnormalities in leukemic cells and a pattern of excessive, abnormal growth in vitro coupled with the trend toward poor prognosis in these patients suggests that cytogenetically abnormal cells may have a proliferative advantage both in vitro and in vivo.

Acute Disease↗

Cholesterol and mevalonic acid are independent requirements for the in vitro proliferation of human bone marrow granulocyte progenitor cells: studies using ML-236B.

ML-236B is a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase, the key regulatory enzyme in the sequence that catalyzes the conversion of acetate to mevalonic acid in cholesterol biosynthesis. This compound caused marked inhibition of human bone marrow granulocyte progenitor cell (CFU-C) proliferation, the 50% inhibitory concentration (IHD50) being 2.0 X 10(6)M. Inhibition of colony formation was reversed by mevalonic acid but not by cholesterol. ML-236B also inhibited DNA synthesis and acetate incorporation into cholesterol in marrow mononuclear cells (IHD50 = 5.6 x 10(6)M and 3.2 x 10(7)M, respectively). No inhibition of mevalonate incorporation into cholesterol was observed. These results differ from those observed with 25-hydroxycholesterol, another inhibitor of HMG CoA reductase. The latter compound also inhibited CFU-C proliferation and cholesterol biosynthesis from acetate; inhibition of colony formation was reversed by cholesterol but not by mevalonic acid. In addition, 25-hydroxycholesterol inhibited cholesterol synthesis from mevalonic acid precursor. We conclude that: (1) ML-236B is a potent inhibitor of CFU-C proliferation, DNA synthesis, and cholesterol biosynthesis from acetate precursor in marrow mononuclear cells; (2) the effects of ML-236B are completely reversed by mevalonic acid but not by cholesterol, suggesting that mevalonic acid per se or one or more of its nonsterol products are critical for cell growth; (3) the inhibitory effects of 25-hydroxycholesterol on CFU-C proliferation and cholesterol biosynthesis are not solely a result of its inhibition of HMG CoA reductase, but are due in part to inhibition of enzymatic steps distal to mevalonic acid in the sterol synthetic pathway; and (4) mevalonic acid and cholesterol are independent requirements for CFU-C proliferation and differentiation in vitro.

Acetates↗

Prolonged cryopreservation of human bone marrow.

We tested the viability of human bone marrow stored for 40 to 42 months in the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen. A median of 2 X 10(10) nucleated cells obtained from eight patients were concentrated to 1.3 X 10(10) using discontinuous centrifugation. These were stored in polyolefin bags in volumes of 100 to 500 ml using 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as cryoprotectant. Cell number and granulocyte - monocyte colony - forming cell (CFU-c) plating efficiency were determined before freezing and after thawing, after dilution and removal of DMSO, and after 2 to 4 hr of additional incubation. The median difference in cell number and CFU-c plating efficiency after this prolonged storage was -9 and +2%, respectively. Dilution, washing, and a 2-hr incubation were associated with cell losses of 24, 24, and 19% and increases in CFU-c plating efficiency, ranging from 22 to 79%. The number of viable CFU-c was never significantly lower than the number of CFU-c stored or initially thawed. Vapor phase storage appears to be adequate for prolonged human bone marrow cryopreservation using CFU-c viability as a determinant.

Adult↗

Granulopoietic effects of lithium on human bone marrow in vitro.

Although studies in mice suggest that lithium enhances granulopoiesis by increasing the production of colony stimulating factor (CSF), results using human assay systems have varied. We have studied the action of lithium on the in vitro proliferation of normal human bone marrow (BM) granulocytic progenitor cells (CFUc) and on CSF production by human peripheral blood (PB) mononuclear cells (MNC). In the absence of exogenous CSF, lithium increased the number of "spontaneous" BM CFUc (P less than 0.05). This effect was abolished by removal of phagocytic cells, suggesting that lithium does not affect CFUc directly, but rather acts via a phagocytic cell. Lithium variably increased BM CFUc when PB MNC feeder layers were employed as the CSF source. This stimulation was most pronounced when the number of cells in the feeder layer was low, i.e., suboptimal CSF. Incubation with 1 meq/L lithium, increased (P less than 0.05) CSF production by PB MNC. Addition of lithium to BM cultures containing optimum CSF did not increase, but in fact decreased, the number of CFUc. These studies indicate that lithium increases CSF production by both PB and BM MNC. Furthermore, the stimulatory effects of lithium occur when CSF levels in the culture system are low.

Animals↗

Effect of oxygenated sterol compounds on human bone marrow granulocytic progenitor cells.

Oxygenated sterol compounds are potent inhibitors of sterol and DNA synthesis in mammalian cells. We studied the effects of oxygenated sterols on human marrow granulocytic progenitor cells in vitro (CFU-C). 25-Hydroxycholesterol was found to be a potent inhibitor of sterol synthesis in marrow mononuclear cells, with 50% inhibition occurring at approximately 10(-7) M. This compound, as well as 6-ketocholestanol, 7-ketocholesterol, and 20 alpha-hydroxycholesterol, also demonstrated marked inhibition of CFU-C proliferation. The latter effect, which was not a result of direct cytoxicity of the compounds, was reversible by cholesterol, but not by mevalonic acid. We conclude that inhibition of sterol synthesis by oxygenated sterol compounds may be insufficient to explain their suppression of CFU-C proliferation.

Bone Marrow↗

Combination chemotherapy with adriamycin-cyclophosphamide for advanced ovarian carcinoma.

Combination chemotherapy with Adriamycin-cyclophosphamide was employed after surgical treatment in 60 women with Stage III-IV ovarian adenocarcinoma. Of 53 evaluable patients, objective response was noted in 34 of 41 (83%) without prior cytotoxic therapy but in only two of 12 (17%) who had failed a single alkylating agent or radiotherapy (P < .005). Complete response was confirmed by a negative biopsy at the site(s) of prior disease in 12 patients. Eleven of the 12 biopsy-confirmed complete responses were achieved in patients without pretreatment palpable tumor. Twenty-four out of 41 patients with palpable masses responded but only one was confirmed as complete. Confirmed complete responses had a median duration of 24 months, whereas the median duration of all other responses was only seven months. The median survival for patients in whom Adriamycin-cyclophosphamide was the initial chemotherapy was 24 months. The median survival in patients with palpable tumor exceeds that of historical controls matched for age, tumor cell type, and grade (P = .05); the median survival for the confirmed complete responders has not been reached. The toxicity of this regimen was acceptable at doses of Adriamycin and cyclophosphamide of 45 mg and 500 mg/M2 body surface area, respectively. Extensive excision of tumor followed by effective combination chemotherapy offers the best current approach toward improved patient survival in advanced ovarian cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Immunoreconstitution by peripheral blood leukocytes in adenosine deaminase-deficient severe combined immunodeficiency.

Transplantation of histocompatible allogeneic peripheral blood leukocytes resulted in successful reconstitution of an adenosine deaminase (ADA)-deficient, severe combined immune-deficient patient. Erythrocyte transfusions before the transplant were associated with a rise of serum immunoglobulin concentration to normal without improvement in T cell function. The patient received 5 x 10(7) peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes/kg obtained from the histocompatible father by leukopheresis. 3 wk after the transplant the lymphocyte count, proportion of E rosetting lymphocytes, and the ADA content of the patient's mononuclear leukocytes became normal while the phytohemagglutinin-stimulated blastogenic responses improved and became normal 52 d after the transplant. Antibody response to diphtheria immunization and response to naturally acquired herpes simplex infection were normal while isohemagglutinins progressively increased. Immunization with a neoantigen, bacteriophage phiX 174, resulted in a small but definite antibody response but no amplification of the response after secondary immunization. A positive reaction to a skin test for Candida albicans developed. Erythrocyte deoxy ATP (dATP) concentration decreased during the course of erythrocyte transfusions. 9 mo after the transplant, the erythrocyte dATP was elevated to twice pretransfusion levels while mononuclear leukocyte dATP varied from normal to elevated during the first 4 mo of the posttransplant period, but remained normal during the last 8 mo. The improvement in immune function persisted during the 12-mo posttransplant observation period while the mononuclear leukocyte ADA concentration stabilized at approximately 0.25 of normal, which is similar to the enzyme activity of the donor cells. This in vivo study supports the hypothesis that lymphoid precursor cells are present in peripheral blood which may partially reconstitute an immune-deficient recipient.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

Chronic myelodysplastic syndrome (preleukemia) with the Philadelphia chromosome.

A patient with severe anemia, reticulocytopenia, and erythroid hyperplasia of the bone marrow developed fatal acute nonlymphocytic leukemia after 3 yr. A Philadelphia chromosome with the typical 9/22 translocation t(9q +;22q-) was identified by banding techniques in a small number of bone marrow cells throughout the preleukemic phase of the illness (14%--38% of metaphases) and during the acute transformation (50%). Granulocytic colony formation in vitro was abnormal in the preleukemic phase. The diagnosis of chronic granulocytic leukemia was excluded on the basis of clinical and laboratory findings. The identification of the Ph1 chromosome in this form of chronic myelodysplastic syndrome (preleukemia) provides a new example of a hematologic disorder predisposing to acute leukemia in which this chromosomal abnormality occurs.

Chromosomes, Human, 21-22 and Y↗

Dilution techniques for optimum recovery of cryopreserved bone marrow cells.

Bone marrow granulocyte progenitor cells (CFU-C) were assayed in methyl-cellulose prior to cryopreservation in Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and after thawing and diluting the DMSO. The time of dilution from 10% to 1% DMSO and the temperature of the sample and diluting media were studied. Compared with samples diluted at 0 degrees-4 degrees C, samples which were diluted at 24 degrees C were more viable by Trypan Blue exclusion (p less than .01) and had greater CFU-C growth in vitro (p less than .01). There was no advantage to prolonging dilution time from 10 minutes at a constant rate to 40 minutes using stepwise technique. Recovery of CFU-C at 24 degrees C ranged from 40% to 114% with a mean +/- S.D. of 67% +/- 19.5%. There was evidence that clonogenic cells were selectively preserved under the conditions described.

Bone Marrow Cells↗

Hairy cell leukemia: effect of 'hairy' cells on normal granulopoiesis in vitro.

The effect of 'hairy cells' (HC) on proliferation of normal marrow granulocytic progenitor cells (CFU-C) was studied in vitro, using cells obtained from the blood, spleen, and bone marrow from eight patients with hairy cell leukemia (HCL). Hairy cells of hairy-cell-conditioned media (HCCM) did not stimulate proliferation of normal CFU-C. Furthermore, HC and HCCM did not inhibit the growth of CFU-C induced by normal colony stimulating factor (CSF) or by feeder layers of normal blood leukocytes. These results confirm previous reports showing the inability of HC to produce CSF and suggest that inhibition of CFU-C proliferation, as measured by this technique, is not an important mechanism in the neutropenia observed in HCL.

Aged↗

Clinical results of autotransplantation after nitrosourea therapy.

Bone marrow harvested from two previously treated patients was cryopreserved prior to their first dose of Methyl CCNU. The thawed bone marrow was reinfused 96 hours after a subsequent dose of MeCCNU in one patient after the previous dose caused severe myelosuppression. In the other patient, the bone marrow was given 96 hours after an escalation of the MeCCNU dose. In both patients, myelosuppression was abrogated and viable stem cells were recovered in the peripheral blood.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Purification and characterization of granulocytic progenitor cells (CFU-C) from human peripheral blood using immunologic surface markers.

The concentration of committed granulocytic progenitor cells (CFU-C) in functionally unique subpopulations of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells has been determined by the in vitro methyl-cellulose assay. Using immunoabsorbent column chromatography and rosette-depletion techniques, we have demonstrated that CFU-C, although not present in either purified T or B lymphocyte populations, are highly concentrated in the "null" cell population, which lacks sheep erythrocyte receptors and surface immunoglobulin. Further fractionation of this null subset has demonstrated that CFU-C do not bear complement receptors, but require the presence of peripheral blood mononuclear cell feeder layers for maximum proliferation.

Bone Marrow Cells↗

Semicontinuous flow centrifugation for the pheresis of immunocompetent cells and stem cells.

Mononuclear cells from human peripheral blood were purified by semicontinuous flow centrifugation (SCFC) using the Haemonetics model 30 blood cell separator; 64% +/- 7% of the mononuclear cells in 600 ml of peripheral blood were collected in a 30-ml volume. Analysis of sequential 5-ml aliquots of the mononuclear cell concentrate revealed that both immunocompetent cells and granulocytic progenitor cells (CFU-C) were proportional to the cell count throughout the buffy coat. In vitro pheresis of large volumes of human bone marrow resulted in recovery of 63% of the cells, 12% of the hemoglobin, and 84% of the CFU-C in 20% of the original volume. Further centrifugation eliminated 80% of the platelets without loss of cells or CFU-C. SCFC of peripheral blood or bone marrow selectively concentrated mononuclear cells and reduced the contamination by granulocytes and erythrocytes. Large numbers of mononuclear cells can thus be collected for studies in vitro or for cryopreservation and the autologous reconstitution of immunosuppressed or myelosuppressed patients undergoing intensive antitumor therapy.

Antibody-Producing Cells↗

Increase in circulating stem cells following chemotherapy in man.

The number of circulating granulocytic stem cells (CFU-C) was determined by the in vitro methylcellulose technique in cancer patients receiving intermittent chemotherapy. In 17 patients studied prior to therapy, the median CFU-C concentration per 2 X 10(5) mononuclear cells plated was six, compared to a posttreatment median of 23 in 21 patients (p less than 0.001). Large numbers of stem cells were obtained by leukopheresis and cryopreserved with a 99.5% median CFU-C recovery. Cyclical changes in the concentration of stem cells with maximum values of 20 times baseline were demonstrated in a patient studied at weekly intervals during multiple courses of treatment. It was estimated that, at peak CFU-C concentrations, a quantity of stem cells equivalent to that present in a bulk bone marrow harvest could be obtained from the peripheral blood by a 17-liter pheresis. These results suggest that it may be practical to obtain an adequate number of stem cells from the peripheral blood to study autologous stem cell infusion as a means of averting myelosuppression in patients receiving intensive chemotherapy.

Blood Cell Count↗