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Biomedical subjects

L B Weissmann

Publications and source records attributed to L B Weissmann.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Malignant mesothelioma following treatment for Hodgkin's disease.

PURPOSE: Asbestos exposure is the major known risk factor for mesothelioma, but several case reports have suggested a link between radiation therapy and subsequent development of malignant mesothelioma. This report explores a possible association between radiation therapy for Hodgkin's disease and mesothelioma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four cases of malignant mesothelioma were observed following Hodgkin's disease at the Mesothelioma Clinic of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. A fifth such patient was found after a review of the literature. RESULTS: In all five cases, the mesothelioma arose in the field of prior radiotherapy. No history of asbestos exposure was elicited by careful questioning or by review of chest radiographs. Examination of lung tissue in one patient showed 250 ferruginous bodies per gram of lung tissue, consistent with no significant prior exposure. The mean interval between radiation treatment for Hodgkin's disease and development of mesothelioma was 15 years, which emphasizes the need for continued follow-up and evaluation of these patients and supports a causal relationship. CONCLUSION: Mesothelioma may need to be added to the list of second malignancies that arise following radiation therapy for Hodgkin's disease. Further support is given to a causal link between radiation exposure and mesothelioma.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Incidence, presentation and promising new treatments for malignant mesothelioma.

It is predicted that up to 80,000 cases of mesothelioma will occur in the next 20 years, and thus it is increasingly important to better understand this disease. There is much controversy over the best treatment, which ranges from supportive care alone to aggressive debulking surgery combined with radiation and chemotherapy. This article summarizes the results with these various regimens to date, and discusses promising new options for therapy that may ultimately lead to increased survival.

Humans↗
PubMed1976

Role of the intrinsic transglutaminase in the Ca2+-mediated crosslinking of erythrocyte proteins.

Transamidase (i.e., "transglutaminase") activity of human erythrocytes, lysed by a single freezing and thawing to 37 degrees, was measured by a method of incorporating [14C]putrescine into N,N'-dimethylcasein. In the absence of added calcium ions, virtually no enzyme activity could be detected. An increase in concentration of the cation to about 0.5 mM, however, turned on the enzyme to appreciable levels of activity. Simultaneously, Ca2+ produced formation of high molecular weight, nondisulfied bonded protein polymers either directly in the lysate or in fresh cells when the cation was added together with the A23187 ionophore. The polymers could be readily identified in the isolated cell ghosts by means of disc gel electrophoresis. If the Ca2+-promoted formation of polymers was allowed to take place in the presence of 14C-putrescine, then this tracer became incorporated into the polymeric material. The incorporation indicated that polymerization occurred through gamma-glutamyl-epsilon-lysine bridtes. It is suggested that the intrinsic transamidase mediates protein crosslinking of the erythrocyte membrane whenever there is an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. The presence of suitable transglutaminase substrates, e.g. histamine, inhibited crosslinking when the cells were incubated with Ca2+ and ionophore.

Calcium↗