Biomedical subjects

D Kardamakis

Publications and source records attributed to D Kardamakis.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Expression of HIF-1alpha and iNOS in astrocytic gliomas: a clinicopathological study.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia-inducible-factor-1 (HIF-1) is present at high levels in human tumors and plays a crucial role in tumor promotion by up-regulating several target genes. HIF-1 stimulates the production of NO through the induction of inducible NO synthase (iNOS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-three human astrocytic gliomas were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for HIF-1alpha and iNOS using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded material. In 39 cases, the results of immunohistochemistry were correlated with the clinical outcomes. RESULTS: HIF-1alpha was detected only in astrocytic gliomas grades III and IV, both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm. The iNOS expression was increased in astrocytic gliomas grades I, II and III and was statistically significantly decreased in astrocytic gliomas grade IV. iNOS was localized round the capillary vessels as well. Statistical analysis showed that the HIF-1alpha and iNOS expressions did not correlate with patient survival. CONCLUSION: We believe that HIF-1alpha and iNOS expressions merit further investigations in order to understand the biology of astrocytic gliomas. More data are needed from prospective studies.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Interferons in the treatment of malignancies.

Interferons alpha, beta and gamma (IFN) were initially identified as soluble factors able to inhibit infection of chick chorioallantoic membranes by influenza A virus. Although the mechanism(s) of action of IFNs are unclear, these molecules express their biologic properties after binding to specific high-affinity cell membrane receptors. To dates several clinical studies have challenged the therapeutic benefits of using IFNs in the treatment of solid tumours and haematologic malignancies. The reported results have shown a wide range of response rate, and toxicities in general are manageable, predictable and rarely of major clinical significance. These studies have also raised the interesting possibility for improving cancer treatment with combination of IFNs and conventional anticancer regimens, or combinations of IFNs with other Biological Response Modifiers (BRMs), such as interleukin 2. Hopefully, this area of research will lead to an entire rethinking of the use of our existing anticancer treatment modalities, which perhaps could lead to solutions to old clinical problems.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Lymphoid cells, small cell lung cancer cells and epithelial cells share a membrane determinant which effects cell proliferation.

Two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) 1D1 and 2A6 were obtained from a fusion following hyperimmunization with prolymphocytic leukaemia (PLL) B cells. These mAb stain a minority of B- and T-cell leukaemias and approximately 20% of peripheral blood and tonsil T and B cells, activated with a variety of mitogens. Interestingly, all small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and bladder carcinoma lines examined were also stained by both mAb. On sections of normal and malignant tissue 1D1 and 2A6 show strong but distinct reactivity with epithelium, and in the case of ID1 staining is also present on endothelial tissue. The addition of purified 1D1 and 2A6 to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B-lymphoblastoid cell lines (B-LCL) and SCLC lines caused a significant increase in the rate of proliferation of these cells. Capping experiments have suggested that these two mAb, despite showing significantly different staining profiles, probably recognize distinct epitopes of the same surface molecule. These studies confirm that a lymphoid-cell associated antigen(s) detected by mAbs 1D1 and 2A6 is expressed on a wide range of normal and malignant cells and related cell lines.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Recombinant human interferon alpha-2b enhances the radiosensitivity of small cell lung cancer in vitro.

We have studied the effects of human recombinant interferon alpha on the radiobiological response and the cell cycle distribution of human small cell lung cancer cell lines. In two small cell lung cancer cell lines tested so far, pretreatment with interferon alpha was found to increase the radiation sensitivity without altering the distribution of cells in the cell cycle.

Carcinoma, Small Cell↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Tumour serum markers: clinical and economical aspects.

Tumour serum markers represent one of the most interesting challenges in modern oncology. Although know for many years, tumour markers did not receive clinical attention until the '80s. Despite their widespread use, the identification of a tumour marker which is highly sensitive as well as specific for a certain type of cancer, and can be assayed by simple, reproducible and cheap methods, remains elusive. This review deals with the clinical use of the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). PSA is biochemically a glycoprotein, is the most valuable tool available for the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer and one of the most widely used laboratory tests in oncology. Serum PSA can detect twice as many prostate cancers as digital rectal examination can and approximately 70% of these cancers are potentially curable. In assessing the role of PSA in the diagnosis and the monitoring of prostate cancer, new concepts have been developed and are in clinical use today: PSA velocity, free versus complexed PSA, PSA index or PSA density and age-specific reference ranges. By combining serum PSA concentration with histologic grade (Gleason grading system) and clinical stage (TNM staging system), we can predict metastasis to the pelvic lymph nodes. For instance, patients with clinical stage T1a-T2b, Gleason grade 1 or 2 and serum PSA level 17.1 ng/ml or less, have a probability of pelvic lymph nodes involvement approaching zero. So, surgical staging procedures can be avoided in these selected patients. Another group of patients with prostate cancer who can benefit from measuring serum PSA concentration, is the group of newly diagnosed patients, with no skeletal symptoms and a serum PSA concentration less than 10 ng/ml. In this group, the probability of a positive bone scan approaches zero and a staging bone scan is not necessary. From the standpoint of economic analysis, measurement of serum PSA can serve in two ways: Firstly, estimating the savings when PSA is used in a prevention programme in the general population and secondly, calculating the savings in patients with prostate cancer, when PSA is used to complement or substitute other diagnostic or staging procedures.

Humans↗