A colon-derived inflammatory pseudotumor.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J H De Wilt.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explosions of the colon as a result of the use of diathermy in the presence of gas mixtures of oxygen, hydrogen and/or methane have been previously described in the literature. This danger is present during colonoscopic polypectomy as well as during colonic surgery. The following case is presented to alert to the potential hazards of bowel gas during electrosurgery.
The clinical success of the application of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) in isolated limb perfusions in patients with advanced sarcomas, melanomas and other tumors has renewed the interest in this agent as an anticancer drug. At the Rotterdam Cancer Center, we have developed an interactive preclinical-clinical TNFalpha program that explores new methods to use TNFalpha in various settings. Regional organ perfusion models were developed and the effectivity of targeting of TNFalpha to the tumor by means of systemic administration of liposomes are tested. Furthermore various drugs and mechanisms that may enhance the activity of TNFalpha are under investigation. A summary of this comprehensive program is presented here.
Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) with TNFalpha, melphalan (M), and IFNgamma results in high tumor response rates in patients with soft tissue sarcomas, melanomas and other tumors. IFNgamma can act synergistically in combination with TNFalpha but in clinical studies this has not been fully investigated. In the BN175 rat sarcoma limb perfusion model we investigated the role of IFNgamma. There were 8 different treatment groups: (I) sham ILP (n=9); (II) IFNgamma alone (n=10); (III) TNFalpha 50 microg (n=9); (IV) TNFalpha + IFNgamma (n=6); (V) melphalan (M) 40 microg (n=11); (VI) M + IFNgamma (n=6); (VII) TNFalpha + M (n=27); (VIII) TNFalpha + M + IFNgamma (n=9). Tumor response and hindlimb function were analyzed. In group I-VI no tumor regressions were observed at 5 days after ILP. ILP with TNFalpha + M had highly effective response rate (RR) of 73%; complete response (CR) rate 55%), very similar to RR in patients. Addition of IFNgamma increased the RR by 16% to 89% and the CR rate by 23% to 78%. This difference was not statistically significant. When IFNgamma was added to TNFalpha or TNFalpha + M it increased limb toxicity significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.005). Since such regional toxicity has not been observed in patients while similar increases in tumor response rates have been reported with IFNgamma it is of importance to define the role of IFNgamma in the clinical setting.