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Biomedical subjects

D Machover

Publications and source records attributed to D Machover.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Effectiveness of mouse interferon alpha/beta compared to single-agent chemotherapy in increasing survival time of mice after intravenous inoculation of Friend erythroleukemia cells.

DBA/2 mice received an iv injection of 2 X 10(6) Friend erythroleukemia cells (FLCs; approximately equal to 4 X 10(5) lethal dose50), which multiplied rapidly in the liver and spleen and killed all untreated or control treated mice between 7 and 12 days. Daily interferon (IFN) treatment resulted in a very marked increase in survival time and apparent cure of 4 of 22 tumor-inoculated mice. In contrast, treatment of tumor-injected (iv) mice with cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil, and methotrexate increased survival time by only a few days; and treatment of mice with cisplatin, vincristine, doxorubicin, bleomycin, or etoposide was ineffective. However, when FLCs were injected ip, both cytostatic drugs and IFN exerted an antitumor effect. We conclude that IFN alpha/beta was particularly effective in inhibiting the development of liver and spleen metastases and in increasing mouse survival time after iv inoculation of FLCs.

Animals↗

Membranous nephropathy in a bone marrow transplant recipient.

A bone marrow transplant recipient is described who had development of nephrotic syndrome in association with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and on cyclosporine (CsA) treatment withdrawal. Renal biopsy revealed a membranous glomerulonephritis (MG). The possible relationship between this autoimmune disorder, the immunological features of GVHD in experimental animals, and the influence of CsA is discussed.

Adult↗

Treatment of advanced colorectal and gastric adenocarcinomas with 5-fluorouracil and high-dose folinic acid.

We report the results of an expanded trial of 5-fluorouracil (FUra) combined with high-dose folinic acid for treatment of patients with advanced colorectal or gastric adenocarcinoma. In each treatment course, the patients received both FUra (340-400 mg/m2/day by iv infusion over 15 minutes) and folinic acid (200 mg/m2/day by iv bolus) for 5 consecutive days, with a 21-day interval between courses. Eighty-six patients with colorectal carcinoma were evaluated. The combined complete response (CR) and partial response (PR) rates were 39% for 54 patients who did not receive prior chemotherapy and 22% for 32 patients who had previously received chemotherapy. Four patients who were previously resistant to FUra attained objective responses. The median time to disease progression for the 28 responders was 10 months. The median survival time of responders was 19.5 months, and the probability of their being alive at 2 years was 40%. Of 27 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, 13 (48%) responded to therapy. Their median time to disease progression was 5.5 months. The median survival time of responders was 11 months, and their probability of being alive at 15 months was 30%. Toxicity was within acceptable limits. Toxic effects included stomatitis, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, skin rash, and mild myeloid hypoplasia. In a separate study, plasma concentrations of L-folates above 10(-5) M were achieved after a rapid single iv injection of 200 mg/m2 of folinic acid.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Therapeutic trials of aclarubicin in previously treated acute leukemias and hematosarcomas].

In a phase I-II trial, 38 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were given single drug induction therapy with aclarubicin (ACM) according to two dosing schedules: treatment 1: 10 to 30 mg/m2/d to a maximum total dose of 300 mg/m2 or until development of unacceptable toxicity: treatment 2: 15 mg/m2/d in ten-day courses separated by ten-day intervals. Response rates were 15% with treatment 1 and 44% with treatment 2 (overall response rate 34%). Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 6 patients who had previously failed to respond to adriamycin (ADM). Toxicity was more frequent and more severe in those patients given more than 150 mg/m2 ACM per course. The main side effects were oropharyngeal mucositis and diarrhea. Three patients exhibited T wave inversion and one had an episode of auricular flutter. In a separate trial in 16 patients with AML we used cyclic chemotherapy combining ACM (20 mg/m2/d) and ARA-C (200 mg/m2/d) for seven consecutive days. Complete remission rate was 50%. Severe ventricular rhythm disorders were seen in two patients. In a phase I-II study, 19 patients with acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) and 8 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) were given ACM alone according to the regimen designated treatment 1 described above. Response rates were 11% (2/19) in ALL and 25% (2/8) in NHL. A review of the literature is presented in the discussion of the original trials reported herein.

Aclarubicin↗

Phase II trial with D-Trp-6-LH-RH in prostatic carcinoma: comparison with other hormonal agents.

Various approaches to hormonal treatment of prostate carcinoma are discussed. Eighty-one patients with prostatic carcinoma, eight with stage B, nine with stage C, and 64 with stage D disease, were treated subcutaneously daily for 3 months with the LH-RH agonist D-Trp-6-LH-RH (Decapeptyl) in order to evaluate the incidence of remissions according to WHO recommendations for oncologic trials. The findings were compared to those obtained with other hormonal therapies of prostatic carcinoma according to the statistical method of "expected response rate" as adapted by Lee and Wesley for phase II trials. Treatment with D-Trp-6-LH-RH greatly reduced serum LH and testosterone levels without raising serum prolactin. After 1-2 weeks of therapy, there was relief of subjective symptoms and a reversal of the signs of prostatism as well as a marked decrease in bone pain. At 90 days 52 patients had complete relief of prostatism and 21 had only mild signs and symptoms. Seventy patients were experiencing no bone pain and an additional six had only mild pain. Prostatic size, evaluated by rectal examination and transabdominal ultrasonography, reverted to normal in 26.4% of patients (complete remission) and was reduced by more than 50% in an additional 17.6% (partial remission), the overall rate of complete plus partial regression of prostatic enlargement being 44%. Scans showed a major improvement of bone lesions in 14.8% of cases. This response increased to 37% after more than 6 months of follow-up. Prostatic acid phosphatase levels were decreased by more than 50% in 61% of the patients, but this test appears to be a less valid marker than the lipid-associated sialic acid (LASA). The increase in LASA before treatment and a reduction after treatment can frequently be correlated with the objective volume of the neoplasms. No flare-up of the disease was encountered, and there were no side effects except for impotence. Statistical analyses of results by the method of Lee and Wesley indicated that the incidence of complete and partial regression (CR and PR) observed with D-Trp-6-LH-RH was not significantly different from that recorded in previous studies for another LH-RH analog, Buserelin. However, CR and PR obtained with D-Trp-6-LH-RH (44%) were significantly higher than with subcapsular orchiectomy (22%). Hormonal effects and some other actions of D-Trp-6-LH-RH were compared and contrasted with those produced by castration, estrogens, antiandrogens, and progestogens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Acid Phosphatase↗

Treatment of advanced colorectal and gastric adenocarcinomas with 5-fluorouracil and high-dose folinic acid.

We report the results of an expanded trial of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) combined with high-dose folinic acid for treatment of patients with advanced colorectal or advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. In each treatment course, the patients received both 5-FU (340 to 400 mg/m2/d by intravenous (IV) infusion for a period of 15 minutes) and folinic acid (200 mg/m2/d by IV bolus) for 5 consecutive days, with a 21-day interval between courses. Eighty-six patients with colorectal carcinoma were evaluated. The combined complete and partial response rates were 39% for 54 patients who did not receive prior chemotherapy and 22% for 32 patients who had previously received chemotherapy. Four patients who were previously resistant to 5-FU attained objective responses. The median time to disease progression for the 28 responders was 10 months. The median survival time of responders was 19.5 months, and the probability of their being alive at 2 years was 40%. Of 27 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, 13 (48%) responded to therapy. Their median time to disease progression was 5.5 months. The median survival time of responders was 11 months, and their probability of being alive at 15 months was 30%. Toxicity was within acceptable limits. Toxic effects included stomatitis, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, skin rash, and mild myeloid hypoplasia. In a separate study, plasma concentrations of L-folates greater than 10(-5) mol/L were achieved after a rapid single IV injection of 200 mg/m2 of folinic acid. Comparisons of our results with those reported in previous studies on 5-FU administered as a single agent suggest that, in advanced colorectal and gastric adenocarcinoma, folinic acid administered in high doses enhances the effectiveness of 5-FU administered concomitantly. Furthermore, some colorectal tumors that were previously resistant to 5-FU become sensitive to this drug. The survival of the patients who responded to therapy was markedly improved over that observed in reported series of untreated patients with advanced colorectal and gastric adenocarcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Advanced cancer of the prostate. Treatment with an LH-RH agonist, D-Trp-6-LH-RH].

D-Trp-6-LH-RH, a long acting LH-RH agonist was given in a phase II trial to 85 patients aged 52 to 88 (mean 69) with advanced prostatic carcinoma, stage B (8 pts), C (9 pts) and D (68 pts). Twenty-five patients were previously untreated, 40 had received previous hormonal therapy but none was considered has having hormone resistant tumor; 20 patients had received surgery or radiotherapy or both. D-Trp-6-LH-RH was given s.c. at a daily dose of 500 micrograms during the first seven days, followed by 100 micrograms daily. Antitumor activity was assessed after 90 days and treatment was continued in responders. The results were the following: plasmatic levels of LH were sharply decreased and those of testosterone were in all cases under 1 ng/ml by the 90th day of treatment; urinary symptoms and bone pain disappeared or were greatly improved in almost all patients; the volume of the prostate measured by ultrasonography and/or computerized tomography regressed by more than 50% of initial volume in 44% of the 34 patients for which this parameter was evaluable; bone scintiscans were improved in 18% of evaluable patients; plasmatic levels of prostatic acid phosphatases determined by radio immuno-assay were elevated in 28 patients, 61% of which presented a decrease superior to 50% or normalisation of this parameter. No disease flare up was observed on initiation of therapy. Impotence was constant but reversible on discontinuation of therapy. No other side effect could be attributed to therapy.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Excess of lympho-reticular cell complexes in the bone marrow linked to T cell mediated dysmyelopoiesis.

The term dysmyelopoietic syndrome (DMPS) covers a variety of closely related disorders with various etiological factors, and characterized by chronic (pan) cytopenias whose prognosis and treatment are still controversial. Despite the recent efforts to identify pathogens, effector cells and soluble cell products involved in the development of this syndrome only a few comprehensive experimental data are available, useful for elaboration of therapeutic regimens. We describe here a patient with DMPS who was refractory to inductive chemotherapy. Initial agar gel culture studies revealed the activity of hematopoiesis inhibitory T cells within the bone marrow that could be suppressed by prednisone both in vitro and in vivo. However another pathological cell features, the excess of an unusual lympho-reticular cell complexes was identified in long-term liquid cultures. These symbiotic cell complexes persisted throughout the disease, despite the prednisone induced hematological remission, suggesting their causative role in the disease, that more recently progressed towards acute myeloid leukemia.

Adult↗

Establishment and characterization of a new human eosinophilic leukemia cell line.

A human eosinophilic leukemia cell line, designated as EoL, was established from the peripheral blood of a patient with Philadelphia chromosome-negative eosinophilic leukemia (EL). The EoL cell line grows in single cell suspension with a doubling time of 48 hours for about one year. The reactivity of these cells was tested with a panel of monoclonal antibodies; they were found to express surface IA antigen, myeloid antigen (IF10, MY9) and membrane receptors for interleukin 2 (IL-2, Tac antigen). Under standard culture conditions, a small percentage of cells having more typical eosinophilic characteristics was present. These cells had cytoplasmic granules and were positive for Luxol-fast-blue and eosinophil peroxidase. Under culture conditions to induce the maturation of myeloid cells, such as alkaline medium or addition of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), the frequency of cells with typical eosinophilic features increased to about 40%. In addition, cytogenetic studies showed that cultured cells and original leukemic blasts presented similar chromosome abnormalities. EoL seems to be a unique leukemic line committed to the eosinophilic lineage and can provide a useful in vitro model for the study of malignant eosinophilic properties.

Adult↗

Treatment of advanced colorectal and gastric adenocarcinomas with 5-fluorouracil combined with high-dose folinic acid. An update.

Sixty-six patients with advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma and 24 with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma were treated; all had measurable tumors. The treatment was based on biochemical and cell culture studies which have demonstrated that an excess of intracellular reduced folates is necessary to provide optimal inhibition of thymidylate synthetase and to increase the cytotoxic effect of fluoropyrimidines. The treatment comprised 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (370-400 mg/m2/day) and high dose folinic acid (200 mg/m2/day) given simultaneously for 5 consecutive days with a 21-day interval between courses. Of the 66 patients with colorectal carcinoma, 44 had not been previously treated with cytostatics and 22 were resistant to previous chemotherapy with 5-FU given either as a single agent or combined with other drugs. The response rates both complete (CR) and partial (PR) were 45% and 18% in the previously untreated and the previously treated patients, respectively. Time to disease progression in the 20 previously untreated patients ranged from 2 to 34.5+ months (median, 10.3 months) and that of the 4 patients previously resistant to 5-FU was 7, 10, 12 and 15 months, respectively. Median survival for the 24 responders was 20.4 months. Survival in responders was significantly superior to that observed in patients with progressive disease (P less than 10(-8)). Of the 24 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, 23 had not been previously treated with cytostatics and one was resistant to a 5-FU containing regimen. The response rate (CR + PR) was 50% (12 patients). The single previously treated patient failed to respond. Time to disease progression in the 12 responders ranged from 2.1 to 28.9 months (median, 5.6 months).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenocarcinoma↗

[A case of septicemia by a Corynebacterium of the J. K. group].

We have reported a case of septicaemia caused by "Corynebacterium of group J. K." in a patient with acute myeloblastic leukaemia. Recent studies by Riley (1978) have shown that the corynebacteria, saprophytes of the skin and mucosa have a resistance to common antibiotics. Corynebacteria that are only sensitive to virginiamycin and vancomycin are a potential danger for immunosuppressed patients and patients with artificial heart valves, the appropriate choice of antibiotic can be difficult in these patients.

Alcoholism↗

Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia with a combination of intensive induction chemotherapy, early consolidation, splenectomy and long-term maintenance chemotherapy.

The authors developed a therapeutic regimen in which 33 patients aged 11 to 61 years (mean +/- SE, 35.9 +/- 2.3 years) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were given intensive induction chemotherapy with Adriamycin (doxorubicin) (ADM), vincristine (VCR) and cytosine arabinoside (ARA-C). Twenty-nine of these patients (88%) attained a complete remission (CR) after 1, 2, or 3 courses and were then subjected to an early consolidation course of chemotherapy, identical to that for induction. After consolidation, all patients in CR received a long-term continuous maintenance therapy in which 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and methotrexate (MTX) were alternated, associated with periodic reinforcements with daunorubicin (DNR) and VCR. Twenty-five of the 29 patients who achieved a CR were splenectomized soon after the consolidation course. Histologic sections of the spleens, liver biopsy specimens, and lymph nodes, stained routinely and with the naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase (NCA) method, showed mature granulocytes and a few NCA positive mononuclear cells, but no proved leukemic infiltrates. For the 25 splenectomized patients, the probability of remaining in CR at 36 and 54 months was 75% and 66%, respectively; the probability of survival at 36 and 54 months was 85% and 75%, respectively. Age older than 40 years and evidence of extramedullary involvement at presentation appeared to carry a bad prognosis for disease-free survival.

Acute Disease↗

[Protocols for the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma: toward escalation or toward reduction of degree?].

The present AML protocol which only applies one anthracycline associated with arabinosyl-cytosine gives a first remission plateau of 65% and a 75% survival plateau at five years. Contrary to other teams, we do not apply the allogenic bone marrow graft at the first remission but at the second one. The new protocol comprises application of two anthracyclines, adriamycin and aclacinomycin, a possible autologous bone marrow graft at first remission upon reinforcement, a combination of methotrexate and thioguanine as maintenance chemotherapy and immunotherapy with bestatine. The two protocols respectively applied to the ALL good prognosis and reserved prognosis, give 85% global survival. The autologous bone marrow graft is added at first remission to B or T forms or voluminous CALLA + types. The advantage of CNS radiotherapy is compared with its disadvantages. Bestatine is employed in immunotherapy. The immunoprevention protocol applied to CML blastic crisis (vaccination with a pool of CB blasts) from the second year has prolonged survival of patients suffering from this affection and also treated by splenectomy and hydroxyurea. Allogeneic or autologous bone marrow graft is added to the protocol. The same protocol is applied to not very aggressive LLC and LNH (lymphocytic and centrofollicular with small cleaved nucleus cells) and includes maximum remission induced by chemotherapy followed by immunotherapy (by thymuline and then, if immunity disorders are not corrected, by zinc, then bestatine and finally tuftsin). A similar sequence was applied to the myeloma, comprising MLP-PDN-CPM chemotherapy to induce remission, combination of MLP-PDN and CPM and, if there is resistance, CLB, 6-TG, PDN and TNP. Interferon is appropriate with certain cytopenic forms. A protocol comprising VCR, ADM, PDN, CPM and TNP is applied to centrofollicular NHL with small non cleaved nucleus cells or large cells. As Hoerni and Jones have obtained significant benefits with BCG, its terminal application is compared with that of bestatine. Finally a less mutagenic protocol than MOPP and/or ABVD is proposed for Hodgkin's disease. In this protocol, two cycles alternate, and they combine: a) firstly VCR, PDN, THP-ADM and VPS, and b) secondly VLB, DXM, ACM and TNP with alternatively BLM and PPM between the cycles. This chemotherapy is followed by the same immunorestoration protocol as that applied to LLC and myeloma.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Phase I-II study of aclarubicin for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

Aclarubicin (ACM) was administered as induction treatment to 40 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who were either refractory to initial induction chemotherapy or in relapse. Thirty-eight patients with AML, 2-80 years of age (mean +/- SE, 35.0 +/- 3.2), were evaluated during this study. Seventeen of these patients were given ACM after an unsuccessful attempt had been made to attain a complete remission (CR) with various regimens that included doxorubicin or daunorubicin; this group was considered resistant to these drugs. ACM was administered by rapid iv injection. Thirteen patients received a single course of ACM at a daily dose of 10-30 mg/m2 until a maximum total dose of 300 mg/m2 was reached or until unacceptable toxicity appeared. Of these patients, two (15%) attained a CR. The other 25 patients were given 10-day courses of ACM at a daily dose of 15 mg/m2 with 10-day intervals between courses; courses were repeated until the blast cells were cleared from peripheral blood and bone marrow or until progressive disease became evident. With this regimen, 11 patients (44%) attained a CR. The overall CR rate for the 38 patients was 34%. Total doses necessary to achieve a CR ranged from 150 to 600 mg/m2. A CR was attained by six patients who were previously resistant to a regimen containing moderate doses of doxorubicin. The incidence and severity of the toxic effects were related to the dose of ACM administered per course of therapy. The incidence of mucositis, diarrhea, vomiting, and infection in patients who received doses greater than 150 mg/m2/course was significantly higher than that observed in patients who received a dose of 150 mg/m2/course. In the latter patients, toxicity was within acceptable limits. Alopecia was not observed. Three patients had transient T-wave inversion, and reversible atrial flutter developed in one patient. Our results indicate that ACM is a major new drug for the treatment of AML.

Aclarubicin↗

Phase I-II study of aclacinomycin for a treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

Aclacinomycin A (ACM) was administered for induction treatment to 40 previously treated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. 38 patients aged 2 to 80 years (mean +/- SE, 35.0 +/- 3.2 years) with overt AML were evaluated; of these, seventeen patients were given ACM after an unsuccessful attempt to obtain a complete remission (CR) with various regimens comprising adriamycin (ADM) or daunorubicin (DNR) and were considered resistant to these drugs. Thirteen patients received ACM at a daily dose of 10 to 30 mg/m2 IV bolus until the maximum total dose of 300 mg/m2 per course was reached or until unacceptable toxicity appeared; of these patients, 2 (15%) attained a CR. Twenty-five patients were given 10-day courses of ACM at the daily dose of 15 mg/m2 IV bolus with 10-day intervals between courses; with this regimen 11 patients (44%) attained a CR. The overall CR rate was 34%. Total doses necessary to attain a CR ranged from 150 to 600 mg/m2. CR was attained by 6 patients (35%) of the 17 who were previously resistant to ADM or DNR. The incidence and severity of the toxic effects such as mucositis, diarrhea, vomiting and infection were related to the dose of ACM administered during each course of therapy. However, in patients who received 150 mg/m2 per course the toxicity was within acceptable limits. Alopecia was not observed. Transient T-wave inversion was observed in 3 patients and atrial flutter developed in one patient. Therefore, we conclude that ACM is a new major drug in the treatment of AML.

Aclarubicin↗

[Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia with a protocol combining intensive induction chemotherapy, early consolidation treatment, splenectomy and long-term maintenance chemotherapy. Preliminary study].

Twenty-seven patients aged from 10 to 60 years (mean 34.4 +/- 13 years) in the first perceptible phase of acute myeloid leukemia were subjected to intensive induction chemotherapy consisting of adriamycin (ADM), vincristin (VCR) and cytosine arabinoside (ARA-C). Twenty-four patients (89%) attained complete remission (CR) after 1 to 3 cycles and were then given an early consolidation treatment with one of the previous cycles. This was followed by long-term continuous maintenance chemotherapy with 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and methotrexate (MTX) alternatively and 3-monthly reinforcement courses of donaurubicin (DNR) and VCR. Twenty of these 24 patients were splenectomized soon after the consolidation treatment. None of the spleens were enlarged, and histological sections of the spleens, liver biopsies and mesenteric lymph-nodes stained with routine dyes and by the naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase method revealed mature granulocytes but no demonstrable leukaemic cells. In the group of splenectomized patients, the probabilities of staying in complete remission at 27 and 44 months were 70 +/- 12.6% and 52 +/- 18.5% respectively, and the probabilities of remaining alive at 32 and 55 months were 79 +/- 11% and 57 +/- 19% respectively. Age over 40 and evidence of extramedullary infiltration at presentation appeared to leave little hope of disease-free survival. The rationale for the present therapeutic study is discussed.

Adolescent↗