Biomedical subjects

G Demir

Publications and source records attributed to G Demir.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Haematological effects of pulse steroid therapy.

The aim of this study was to determine the haematological effects of 1 g methylprednisolone given intravenously as pulse steroid therapy (PST) to 10 cancer patients who had not received any chemotherapy or immunoactive drugs in the previous 3 weeks. Haematological values as determined with flow cytometry were evaluated before, and 1 and 24 h after, the pulse therapy. Total leucocyte count was found to be decreased at the first hour and significantly increased at the 24th hour, whereas total lymphocyte count decreased at the first hour and remained low at 24 h. CD4 lymphocytes were found decreased at the first hour whereas CD8 lymphocytes were significantly decreased at the 24th hour. The CD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratio and the values of haematocrit and platelets did not change significantly. The decrease in the total leucocyte count after 1 hour of steroid administration was notable, in addition to the results which were in accordance with previously reported data about steroid effects on haematological values.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

"Multi-enzyme-targeted" immunochemotherapy: a salvage therapy protocol.

Human tumor cells have markedly elevated activity of enzymes of the purine and pyrimidine de novo and salvage pathways. Our therapy protocol is based on these findings. Different antimetabolites (MTX, 5-FU, dFdC, AZT) were administered to hit key enzymes. Vindesine and ifosfamide were aimed to block macromolecules. Repair mechanisms were impaired by hydroxyurea and topotecan. DNA transcription was blocked by actinomycin. IFNs (alpha, gamma) and IL-2 served as immuno-modulators. 47 patients (age 61.5 years, Karnowsky score 85%) were treated in an out-patient-setting. Median number of cycles was 3. General toxicity was low. Leucocytes, platelets, and monocytes were significantly reduced during therapy, but returned to normal on day 29. Lymphocyte subtypes did not show significant changes. 3 complete clinical responses, 22 partial responses, 9 progressive diseases were observed. CR occurred in 1/4 patients with kidney, in 1/1 with bladder, and in 1/5 with breast cancer.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Immunomodulating therapy with rIL-2 and interferon alpha-induces in vivo expression of Bcl-2, Fas (APO-1/CD95), and Fas ligand on peripheral lymphocytes (a pilot study).

The first Phase I Trial with a combination of IL-2 and IFN-alpha was published in 1989. There are still some questions though, concerning the in vivo effects of this combination on lymphocytes. We designed a prospective pilot study to evaluate in vivo effects of low dose IL-2 and IFN-alpha combination on expression of Bcl-2, FAS (Apo-1/CD 95), Fas Ligand, IL-2 receptor (CD25), and HLA-DR on peripheral lymphocytes in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. After initiation of the immunomodulating therapy, Bcl-2 expressing lymphocytes increased significantly on day 3 (p < 0.025), Fas (Apo-1/CD95) expressing lymphocyte increased significantly on day 5 (p < 0.003), Fas ligand expressing lymphocytes increased significantly on day 3 (p < 0.004), HLA-DR expressing lymphocytes increased significantly on day 5 (p < 0.003), and IL-2 receptor (CD25) expressing cells increased significantly on day 5 (p < 0.01). We conclude that immunomodulating therapy induces in vivo expression of Bcl-2, Fas (Apo-1) and Fas Ligand in lymphocytes significantly.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗