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Biomedical subjects

L Frati

Publications and source records attributed to L Frati.

300 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
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Molecular organization of oncogenes and potentially oncogenic regulatory genes in primary human brain tumors.

We review here results obtained from a wide screening of 72 primary human brain tumors, in order to investigate the molecular organization of proto-oncogenes and potentially oncogenic genes. We demonstrated alterations in the restriction pattern of c-sis oncogene in 1 anaplastic astrocytoma and in 1 endotheliomatous meningioma, and amplifications of c-myc oncogene in 2 endotheliomatous meningiomas. In the same screening of primary brain tumors, we have recently published evidences for a specific alteration in the restriction pattern of estrogen receptor gene sequences which code for the DNA binding domain of the protein. These results, although preliminary and not still sufficient for a conclusive determination of the role in brain tumor growth and/or development, provided evidences of relatively frequent molecular alterations of genes involved in the control of cell proliferation and differentiation.

Blotting, Southern↗
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Na+/K+ ATPase and cell growth IV: a metabolic marker of human brain tumors?

The activity of total, Mg++ dependent and Na+/K+ ATPase as well as the content of cAMP and cGMP in homogenates of human brain tumors have been investigated. Results are compared to values obtained from normal cortices. Na+/K+ ATPase and cAMP are decreased with a close relationship with the degree of malignancy, while Mg++ dependent activity is lower than in normal cortex but with no differences between the various tumors, and cGMP is unaffected. We conclude with a discussion on the metabolism of brain tumors and the suggestion of Na+/K+ ATPase activity as a marker of the malignancy of neoplastic growth.

Astrocytoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Human B cell immune response to selected epitopes of the polymorphic epithelial mucin (PEM) in cancer patients.

Human antibodies were generated by Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) immortalization of B cells derived from tumor draining lymph nodes of cancer patients. Antibodies were screened for reactivity in ELISA against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the protein core of the Polymorphic Epithelial Mucin (PEM). Epitopes within this region are in fact considered to be tumor specific since they are selectively exposed on tumor cells due to aberrant glycosylation. Human antibodies thus selected react in ELISA and immunohistochemistry with PEM-expressing tumor cells. This is the first demonstration of the existence of B cell immune response against selected epitopes of PEM and, in association with the cytotoxic T cell (CTL) response already demonstrated, represents the basis for the use of synthetic peptides as vaccines in cancer patients.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nephrotic syndrome and adjuvant treatment with tamoxifen for early breast cancer. Case report and review of the literature.

A 56 year old postmenopausal patient underwent a right radical mastectomy for a stage I breast cancer. An adjuvant treatment with tamoxifen was planned, but, because of patient's choice, a regular administration of the endocrine treatment started only one year after the operation. After a very short period of drug administration, she developed a steroid responsive nephrotic syndrome. We have reviewed the international literature concerning drug-induced renal disease; this is the first case of a tamoxifen-induced nephrotic syndrome.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Out-of-the-hospital care for terminal cancer patients. Clinical and organizational features. Our experience].

Home care for terminal oncological patients is, in Italy and in many other highly developed countries, a rapidly expanding part of the health system. At the time of writing it would appear to be the most valid response to the mounting economic and social demands of the population. The present paper has two purposes: 1) to propose an integrated home care operating model for the cancer patient that comprises various operating stages: a) recruitment of patients on the basis of the seriousness of the cancer, life expectancy and socioeconomic conditions of the family; b) interdisciplinary planning of a personalized care project; c) implementation of an integrated care programme at the home of the patient; d) periodic control of the project team; e) periodic professional courses for health personnel; 2) to illustrate our specific clinical expertise in the sector, in 16 months of activity (October 94-February 96) during which we handled on a home basis 27 cancer patients at an advanced stage of the disease; specifically, we describe the main internal-oncological and palliative type problems encountered during the home care period; 3) finally, to highlight in terms of cost/benefit ratio the economic advantages of home compared to the traditional hospitalization care model.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Phase I-II study of dose intensified chemotherapy with filgrastim and thymopentin in patients with advanced cancer.

BACKGROUND: Carboplatin (CBDCA), cyclophosphamide (CTX) and etoposide (VP-16) combination chemotherapy is active in many tumors. A phase I-II study was designed in order to verify toxicity, maximum tolerated dose and activity of CBDCA, CTX and VP-16 given with Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) and thymopentin (TP5), without bone marrow support. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group of 12 heavily pretreated patients (PTS), 9 breast cancer, 2 small cell lung cancer and 1 gastric cancer, received fourteen courses of the described combination chemotherapy. Previous treatments were as follows: surgery in 10 PTS, radiotherapy in 7 PTS, chemotherapy in all PTS (median of 9 courses per patient). CBDCA, CTX, VP-16 were given over 3 days. CBDCA doses were calculated and expressed with the area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC). The dose range were as follows: CBDCA AUC 5.5-11 (400-800 mg/m2), CTX 1500-2500 mg/m2, VP-16 450-550 mg/m2, G-CSF was given 5 mg/kg/day from day 4 to day 17. TP5 was given, on alternate days, 1 mg/ kg from day 4 to day 30. RESULTS: 6 PTS developed fever > 38 degrees C for a median (M) duration of 4 days. 4 PTS required platelet support (M of 12 units) and 3 PTS red blood cells support (M of 2 units). Maximum tolerated dose was CBDCA AUC of 8, CTX 2000 mg/m2 and VP16500 mg/m2. No treatment related death occurred. Ten patients had responses and two had disease stabilisation. At the present time 5 PTS are alive and median overall survival is 13 months. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that dose intensified CT with the support of G-CSF and TP5 may be delivered safely and shows activity in heavily pre-treated patients.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Combined chemotherapy and differentiation therapy in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: In this phase-II pilot study a cisplatin-based treatment was combined with biological agents capable of inducing differentiation in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells with the aim of ameliorating response to chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients (PTS) with inoperable stage III-B or IV NSCLC were treated with cisplatin (CDDP) 24 mg/m2 on days 1 to 5, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 500 mg/m2, by continuous infusion on days 1 to 5 and vindesine (VDS) 3 mg/m2 on days 1 and 5. Beta-interferon (beta-IFN) 1 x 10(6) IU/m2 subcutaneously 3 times a week and retinyl palmitate (R) 50,000 IU orally BID were administered between chemotherapy cycles. Responders were maintained with the same dose of beta-IFN plus R 15,000 IU BID. Half of the PTS had an ECOG performance status of 0-1, 62% of tumours were of squamous histology and 77.5% of PTS had stage IV disease. A median of four courses of chemotherapy per PT was delivered. RESULTS: Forty PTS were evaluable. Seventeen PTS responded, (RR 42%, 95% C.I. 27%-57%). Of the 17 responders 13 had squamous histology. The median response duration was 5.1 months. The median overall survival was 9.1 months. Gastrointestinal toxicity occurred in 58% of PTS, anaemia in 20%, leukopenia in 30%. CONCLUSIONS: The association of CDDP, VDS, 5-FU, beta-IFN and R shows activity in NSCLC, particularly in tumours with squamous histology, with a substantial toxicity.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Analysis of p53 expression in precancerous and malignant gastric mucosa.

P53 overexpression, detected by immunohistochemical analysis, has been reported in about 50% of gastric cancers whereas scarce data are available on the p53 oncoprotein in precancerous gastric lesions. This study focused on the p53 expression in gastric cancerous and precancerous lesions. One hundred gastric specimens obtained during endoscopy were analyzed: 14 cases of normal gastric mucosa, 53 of chronic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia and/or dysplasia and 33 gastric tumors. An immunoperoxidase technique and monoclonal anti-p53 antibodies were employed. Eleven out of 31 gastric carcinomas overexpressed p53. No correlation was observed between p53-positivity and histological type and grade of tumors. All precancerous lesions were p53-negative. Our results suggest that p53 overexpression is a relatively late event in gastric carcinogenesis.

Adenocarcinoma↗