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Biomedical subjects

F Lungarotti

Publications and source records attributed to F Lungarotti.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Inhibition of tumor cell kinetics and serum insulin growth factor I levels by octreotide in colorectal cancer patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Octreotide was shown to inhibit the growth of colon cancer and to reduce serum concentrations of tumor growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in vitro and in animal models. Effects of octreotide on tumor cell kinetics and serum concentration of IGF-I and EGF in patients with colorectal cancer were evaluated. METHODS: Seventy-five patients with colorectal cancer were randomized to receive octreotide (200 micrograms daily) in the 2 weeks before surgery or the usual medications. Samples of tumor tissue were taken at endoscopy and at surgery. [3H]Thymidine labeling index and flow cytometry were used to assess the S-phase fraction. In octreotide-treated patients, plasma levels of IGF-I, EGF, and growth hormone were assessed before and after treatment. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant reduction in the mean percentage of the S-phase fraction as a result of octreotide treatment measured by both [3H]thymidine labeling index (P = 0.001) and flow cytometry (P = 0.001). No reduction in the percentage of the S-phase fraction was observed in the control group patients. Serum values of IGF-I were significantly reduced by octreotide, whereas EGF and growth hormone levels were not affected. CONCLUSIONS: Octreotide reduces the proliferative activity of tumor cells and the serum IGF-I levels in patients with colorectal cancer. This activity may have a role in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

A pilot clinical trial of surgical adjuvant treatment with high-dose 6S-leucovorin/5-fluorouracil and radiation therapy for high-risk rectal carcinoma.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: The study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of combining leucovorin (LV) with 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and radiation therapy as adjuvant treatment for high-risk rectal carcinoma. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the rectum, at high-risk of recurrence after potentially curative resection (T3 NO, T and N1-2; MO), received 5FU (370 mg/m2) and 6S-LV (100 mg/m2) on days 1-5, 4 and 8 weeks after surgery. On treatment day 64, radiotherapy on the pelvis (50 Gy) was initiated. Finally, three further courses of 5FU/LV were given at intervals of 4 weeks beginning 28 days after the completion of radiotherapy. RESULTS: The treatment was generally well tolerated. We observed only 2 cases of grade III toxicity (diarrhea) during the third cycle of chemotherapy. No severe complications were recorded following the use of radiotherapy. The mean overall 5FU dose intensity was 92%. After a median follow-up of 24 months, 4 patients had relapsed (liver, lung, and pelvis, 2 cases). CONCLUSIONS: The association of LV to 5FU and radiation therapy seems to be feasible, with acceptable toxicity. The advantage of this combination, in terms of recurrence rate and survival with respect to 5FU/radiotherapy alone, will have to be evaluated in randomized trials.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Cytokinetic effects of interferon in colorectal cancer tumors: implications in the design of the interferon/5-fluorouracil combinations.

Interferon (IFN) has been shown to enhance the cytotoxic effects of 5-fluorouracil (5FUra) in colorectal cancer, and clinical trials with this combination resulted in higher response rate with respect to 5FUra alone. IFN is generally administered s.c. three times a week. This prolonged exposure could determine a block of tumor cells in the G0-G1 phase of the cell cycle, thus rendering tumor cells insensitive to 5FUra, an S-phase specific agent. In order to verify the presence of this block, 21 operable colorectal cancer patients were treated with IFN-alpha 2b at the dose of 3 megaunits every other day in the week before operation, while another 22 represented the control group. Samples of tumor tissue were taken at endoscopy and operation. [3H]Thymidine labeling index and flow cytometry were used to assess the S-phase fraction. In IFN treated patients, we found a significant statistical difference between the mean percentage of S-phase fractions evaluated either by labeling index (P = 0.00001) or by flow cytometry (P < 0.001). On the contrary, this difference was not present in the control group: labeling index, P = 0.06; flow cytometry, P = 0.08. Furthermore a significant increase in the G0-G1 phase of the cell cycle was found after IFN administration (P < 0.001) but not in the control group. Our results suggest that IFN reduces the S-phase fraction in colorectal cancer tumors. This action should be considered in the design of the 5FUra/IFN combination because it could decrease 5FUra activity, leading to a loss or a decrease in the advantage of 5FUra modulation by IFN.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Mechanical trans-sutural colorectal anastomoses in the treatment of rectal cancer].

The Authors report on 52 rectal cancers treated with anterior resection and mechanical anastomosis according to the Knight and Griffen technique. Such technique is quite practical, allows for easier sphincter-saving operations and is followed by a very low percentage of fistulas and anastomotic stenoses. In this series, a good anorectal function was restored in 6-12 months even in very low anastomoses; sexual complications were registered in 8% of cases; urinary troubles were not significant. The Authors conclude that the Knight & Griffen procedure is useful and advantageous.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1990

Carcinoma of the rectum: factors influencing the prognosis.

Three hundred and thirty one patients with cancer of the rectum and rectosigmoid junction, operated on during the period 1968-1985 are here examined. The study shows the prognostic value and the impact that stage, histopathological grade, number and location of nodal metastases, morphology of the primary tumour, occurrence of obstruction, perforation, and haemorrhage have on the natural history of the tumour. Stage and histopathologic grading resulted as the most outstanding prognostic parameters also because they are correlated to the presence, number, and location of nodal metastases as well as occurrence of obstruction, perforation and haemorrhage. The study concludes that: a) stage according to the Dukes-Gabriel classification still has a reliable prognostic predictivity, since it faithfully reflects major anatomic situations observed in rectal cancer; b) Dukes' stage C cases should be considered as a non-homogeneous group with a distinct biological behaviour depending on the number and site of the lymph nodes involved; c) intraoperative staging of the tumour, if possible, should guide the excision extent on a curative aim, where the term means a prospective evaluation based on statistical data correlating stage and survival.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Adenine and pyridine nucleotides in the red blood cells of subjects with solid tumors.

The concentration of adenine (ATP, ADP, AMP) and pyridine (NADP+, NADPH, NAD+, NADH) nucleotides in the erythrocytes of subjects affected by solid tumors was evaluated using a method which allows their simultaneous extraction and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis. The results showed a lower level of ATP in the erythrocytes of subjects affected by solid tumors, whereas no significant modifications were observed in the other compounds. In fact, the mean value of ATP in these subjects was 27% lower than that of normal adults. This fact is discussed in relation to other enzymatic and metabolic modifications previously observed in red blood cells.

Adenine Nucleotides↗
PubMed1987

Solid tumors and enzyme activity in human lymphocytes.

A study on the enzyme activity of glucose metabolism in the lymphocytes of patients with solid malignant tumors is reported. The results have shown a 30% mean increase of the hexokinase (HK) activity in patients with solid malignant tumors as compared to the mean value observed in a group of healthy subjects. A relationship between level of HK increase and stage of tumor was also observed. The other examined enzyme activities, phosphofructokinase (PFK), pyruvate-kinase (PK), phosphoglycerate-kinase (PGK), phosphoglucoisomerase (PGI), glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPD) glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD) and enolase did not show significant changes. It is concluded that even though the use of HK as tumor marker cannot be hypothesized at the present time, a significant relation between an increased activity of this enzyme and presence of the tumor is unquestionable. Therefore, this biochemical effect induced away from the neoplastic tissue deserves further study.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1987

Conservative treatment in the clinical stage T1N0 of breast cancer.

A 18-year experience with 643 cases operated for breast cancer is reported. 161 cases belonged to the clinical stage T1N0: 78 underwent modified radical mastectomy (group 1) and 83 underwent conservative surgery (group 2). Conservative treatment consisted in quadrantectomy and axillary dissection of 1st, 2nd and 3rd level with postoperative radiotherapy (5000 rad). Within the two groups the patient's characteristics were homogeneous with juxtaposable curves of overall and disease-free survival after modified radical mastectomy and after conservative surgery. In 15.38% of cases undergoing modified radical mastectomy and in 13.25% of cases undergoing quadrantectomy, histologic examination showed the presence of lymph node metastases (pT1N1) not identified at the clinical examination. The analysis of results showed that early neoplastic recurrence is almost exclusively limited to cases pN1, but the fall in the survival curve it similar in group 1 as well as in group 2. Therefore it should be understood that the prognostic risk is related to positive lymph nodes and not to the chosen treatment. Postoperative complications, irrelevant in group 1, tend to disappear in group 2. The cosmetic result after conservative surgery was excellent in 37.3%, satisfactory in 54.2% and poor in 8.4% of cases, respectively.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Doppler velocimetry: first choice diagnostic procedure in angiology.

The experience with 1916 Doppler ultrasound examinations carried out on peripheral vascular districts and supra-aortic trunks is reported. It is underlined that Doppler velocimetry is a reliable, specific and non-invasive technique and therefore it should be considered a first choice examination particularly useful in the study of the development of vascular diseases in the different districts and in the postoperative follow-up.

Angiography↗
PubMed1986

The so-called "carcinoid" tumors of the breast.

The so-called "carcinoid" tumors of the breast are at present a difficult entity to define. Two histopathological features are used to recognize such tumors: argyrophilia and ultrastructural dense-core granules. Eight cases of "carcinoid" tumor of the breast, observed over a 5-year period, with 3.6% incidence over the total of breast cancers recorded during the same period, are reported. All patients were females with a mean age of 55.2 years. Argyrophilia was found in all tumors and dense-core granules were observed in five studied ultrastructurally. No patient had nodal or distant metastases and no carcinoid syndrome was observed. A modified radical mastectomy was performed for tumors over 2.5 cm; in case of smaller tumors the surgical treatment was quadrantectomy with axillary dissection. All patients are alive and disease-free but follow-up is short. As the so-called "carcinoid" tumors of the breast have been only recently identified, additional morphological, immunohistochemical and clinical data are required for a full understanding of their significance.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Value of total parenteral nutrition after total pancreatectomy].

The authors report 5 cases of Total Pancreatectomy (T.P.) treated with Total Parenteral Nutrition (T.P.N.) in which the non-protein calorie supply consisted of lipids and carbohydrates ("dual energy system"). This form of nutrition, which provided a high energy supply with a reduced glucose intake, prevented the problems associated with hypertonic glucose solutions in the unstable diabetes which follows total pancreatectomy. The authors compared these cases with an earlier series of 11 cases of Total pancreatectomy who were not treated with Total Parenteral Nutrition and observed that the patients treated with TPN had a better recovery, a better glucose homeostasis, a reduction in the complications and mortality and a decreased length of stay in hospital.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1985

Carotid body tumors. A report of two cases and review of the literature.

Two recently observed cases of carotid body tumor (chemodectoma) are presented. The treatment was subadventitial resection of the tumor with good long-term results. The clinic, diagnostic and therapeutic problems of such tumors are re-examined on the basis of the most recent informations obtained from a wide review of the literature.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Primary retroperitoneal tumors: report of 21 cases.

A personal series of 21 cases of primary retroperitoneal tumors (PRT) are reported and the clinical features, diagnostic assessment, surgical treatment and results are examined. The problem of the complementary radio-chemotherapy, which is mandatory following surgical resection, is also dealt with. It is underlined that long-term results are improved only by early diagnosis and therefore the use of the most recent technical procedures, such as echotomography, computed tomography, and angiography, is stressed.

Adolescent↗