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Biomedical subjects

L Perrone

Publications and source records attributed to L Perrone.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Recombinant interleukin-2 continuous infusion in ovarian cancer patients with minimal residual disease at second-look.

Recent reports suggest that recombinant interleukin-2 may be effective in the treatment of cancer patients with low tumor burden. Considering the poor long-term survival, 11 ovarian cancer patients with minimal residual disease at second-look have so far been selected for rIL-2 intravenous continuous infusion therapy: two induction courses (3 x 10(6) U/m2/day: 120 h + 108 h) followed by three maintenance courses (3 x 10(6) U/m2/day: 120 h) and third-look laparotomy. At present, three patients are still on treatment, three have completed it, and five have discontinued treatment. Sixty-seven per cent of the planned dose was administered in 49 cycles of which 42 (86%) required dose modifications due to hypotension (greater than or equal to grade III) and nephrotoxicity (greater than grade I). CNS and GI toxicity, allergies and fever, even though requiring dose modifications in a few cases, significantly affected patient compliance. The rebound lymphocytosis was clearly dose-related and a significant percentage increase after rIL-2 was detected only for IL-2 receptor positive cells. To date, four patients are evaluable for response after a median follow-up of 7 months, two progressed during the maintenance period, while one CR and one progression were detected in the two patients so far submitted to third-look laparotomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Epidermal growth factor receptor expression in gynecological malignancies.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (IEGF-R) levels were analyzed in 72 gynecological tumor specimens. Measurable EGR-R levels were found in a significant percentage of ovarian and uterine tumors. Moreover, all vulvar epidermoid carcinomas and uterine sarcomas analyzed were EGF-R positive. In all tumor types examined, scattered EGF-R levels were observed. Higher EGF-R levels were found in metastatic than in primary ovarian tumors. Moreover, EGF-R were found to be more expressed in less differentiated than in well-moderately differentiated endometrial tumors. Our results suggest a role of EGF or EGF-like substances in regulating the growth of gynecological malignancies, and indicate EGF-R expression as a possible prognostic factor.

ErbB Receptors↗
PubMed1989

Multiple serum markers in patients with endometrial cancer.

Serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA 125 and CA 15-3 were measured in 47 patients with endometrial cancer and 20 with endometrial hyperplasia. Before treatment elevated serum levels of CEA, CA 125 and CA 15-3 were found in 14, 43 and 32% of cancer patients, respectively. In the 20 patients with endometrial hyperplasia, CEA and CA 15-3 values were normal, while elevated CA-125 titers were detected in 1 case. There was an increasing incidence of abnormal levels of all markers in relation to a higher tumor stage (stage I: 36%; II: 66%; III: 100%). The percentage of positive marker values increased in case of deep myometrial infiltration (greater than M1) and/or poorer tumor differentiation (greater than G1). However, only percent increase in CA 15-3 positivity was significantly higher in more infiltrating (greater than M1, 7 vs. 65%, p less than 0.01) and less differentiated (greater than G1, 0 vs. 47%, p = 0.01) tumors. These findings suggest that CA 15-3 is in some way associated with the prognostic factors of the disease. All patients except 2 with no evidence of disease after surgery had normal serum marker values. Moreover, CA 125 and CA 15-3 levels reflected the clinical course of the disease during chemotherapy and seemed to be useful for monitoring response to treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Randomized clinical trial comparing systemic interferon with diathermocoagulation in primary multiple and widespread anogenital condyloma.

Two hundred three patients (median age 26 years; range 18-45) with untreated multiple and widespread anogenital condyloma were randomly assigned to one of four study arms in order to compare the efficacy, toxicity, and tolerability of recombinant interferon alpha-2b with those of diathermocoagulation. Of 200 evaluable patients, 51 were treated intramuscularly (IM) with 3 x 10(6) U (3 MU)/m2 daily for 3 weeks (total dose 63 MU/m2), 50 received subcutaneous thrice-weekly injections of 3 MU/m2 for 4 weeks (total dose 36 MU/m2), 51 underwent diathermocoagulation, and 48 were not treated and were used as a control group. Six months after the end of treatment, the overall response rate (complete and partial responses) was 70%: 57 and 82% for patients receiving interferon alpha-2b (IM and subcutaneously) and diathermocoagulation, respectively, and 8% for the control group. After 6 months from therapy, no significant differences in complete response were found among the different types of treatment: 20, 20, and 35% for the two interferon groups and the diathermocoagulation group, respectively. Fifteen and two complete responders in the cauterization and interferon groups, respectively, experienced disease recurrence (P less than .01). All patients given interferon therapy complained of flu-like symptoms, which declined progressively after the first week of treatment. Fatigue, lasting as long as patients received interferon, was the most prevalent chronic side effect. We conclude that systemic recombinant interferon alpha-2b is active in treating patients with primary condyloma lesions and does so as well as cauterization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Recombinant human leukocyte interferon-alpha 2b stimulates the synthesis and release of a 90K tumor-associated antigen in human breast cancer cells.

We have previously reported the production of a new monoclonal antibody (MAb) (SP-2) recognizing a 90-kDa tumor-associated antigen, termed 90K, which is increased in the serum of many cancer patients. Treatment of CG5 human breast cancer cells with recombinant interferon-alpha 2b (rIFN-alpha 2b) can increase the synthesis and release, in culture medium, of the 90K. The effect of rIFN-alpha 2b was dose-related and occurred at concentrations which did not affect cell proliferation. The increase of 90K expression was due to de novo protein synthesis since cycloheximide, added within 3 hr of the beginning of rIFN-alpha 2b stimulation treatment, completely abolished the effect of rIFN-alpha 2b. The stimulatory effect of rIFN-alpha 2b was already evident after 24 hr treatment. Finally, an increase in serum 90K levels was observed in 3 patients with advanced breast cancer receiving a short course of rIFN-alpha 2b (Intron A). No effect of rIFN-alpha 2b was seen in 3 normal women. The ability of rIFN-alpha 2b to increase the synthesis and release of 90K both in vitro and in vivo may be of clinical importance in the early detection of tumors.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1988

Prepubertal endocrine follow-up in subjects with Wilms' tumor.

Twenty-three prepubertal subjects treated for Wilms' tumor (10 males and 13 females) were endocrinologically evaluated off therapy from 0.5 to 4.08 years. They were divided into two groups: 11 subjects (6M, 5F) who had received chemotherapy only (group 1) and 12 (4M, 8F) who had in addition received abdominal radiation (1,500-3,000 rads) (group 2). Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free tri-iodo thyronine (FT3), testosterone (T), estradiol-17 beta (E2), and cortisol (F) were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Plasma levels of TSH, PRL, FT4, FT3, and F were normal in both groups, as were FSH, LH, T, and E2 in group 1. In group 2, female subjects showed FSH levels significantly higher than controls, while LH and E2 were normal; male subjects showed significantly higher LH levels, while FSH and T levels were normal. These results indicate that in the treatment protocol used by us for Wilms' tumor (WT), chemotherapy does not affect endocrine function, whereas abdominal radiation seems to damage gonadal function directly. The present findings indicate that gonadal damage may be revealed in WT before puberty not only in females, as has been previously reported, but also in male subjects.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1988

Antiproliferative effects of somatostatin and the somatostatin analog SMS 201-995 on three human breast cancer cell lines.

The antiproliferative effect of somatostatin and the somatostatin analog SMS 201-995 on three human breast cancer cell lines (CG5, T 47 D, and ZR 75-1) is reported. Both peptides markedly inhibited CG5 cell growth with a maximal inhibition of about 40% as compared with control cells. The antiproliferative effect of somatostatin on T 47 D and ZR 75-1 cells was much less evident. These results suggest that somatostatin is a peptide inhibitory factor for human breast cancer cells. Possible therapeutic implications of these findings are still to be investigated.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1988

Plasma thyrotropin, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, and cortisol levels in blind prepubertal boys.

Findings on thyroid function in blind subjects are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the thyroid hormonal pattern in prepubertal blind subjects. Six healthy and 8 blind males, aged 7-10 yr, in Tanner stage one puberty, living at Institute "Martuscelli" for blind young subjects, Napoli, Italy, were studied. Each had a TRH (200 micrograms) test at 08:00 h after nocturnal rest. Plasma TSH, T4, T3, free T4(FT4), free T3(FT3) and cortisol (F) were measured by RIA. Our blind subjects show levels of TSH (basal values and absolute peak after TRH), T4, T3 and F normal but FT4 levels significantly higher than controls (39 pg/ml +/- 4.7 vs 12 +/- 0.6, p less than 0.001; 14 pg/ml +/- 1.3 vs 4.7 +/- 0.2, p less than 0.001, respectively). Our results, similar to those found in some patients with euthyroid hyperthyroxinemia, suggest that the prolonged inability to receive light signal could influence the metabolism of thyroid hormones and/or cause a tissue resistance to their action, even if this hypothesis must be verified by future more extensive investigations.

Blindness↗
PubMed1988

CA 15-3 as a tumor marker in gynecological malignancies.

Serum levels of CA 15-3 were measured in 778 samples from 270 patients with benign and malignant gynecological conditions. Malignant tumors were present in 180 patients including 58 cases with cancer of the ovary, 47 of the endometrium, 61 of the cervix, and 14 of the vulva. The 90 cases with benign conditions included 24 patients with ovarian tumors, 28 with fibromyomatosis, 18 with endometriosis, and 20 with endometrial hyperplasia. Of 180 cancer patients, CA 15-3 serum levels were elevated (greater than 30 U/ml) in 74 cases (41%) and the frequency of abnormal marker values increased with clinical stage. Of 90 patients with benign conditions, high CA 15-3 levels were found in 5 cases (6%) with benign ovarian tumors. Elevated levels of the marker were most commonly seen in ovarian cancer patients (71%). In endometrial, cervical, and vulvar cancer abnormal CA 15-3 values occurred in 32, 26, and 14%, respectively. In endometrial cancer the percentage of positive marker levels increased with more infiltrating and/or less differentiated tumors. A positive correlation was found between residual tumor after surgery and CA 15-3 levels. Serial measurements in sera of patients who underwent chemotherapy showed a good correlation with response to treatment. CA 15-3 values were correlated with clinical course of disease in 87% of cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Dysgerminoma in 45,X Turner syndrome: report of a case.

Here we report the fourth case of dysgerminoma in a patient with the syndrome of gonadal dysgenesis and 45,X karyotype. Typical Turner's syndrome features were unusually associated with breast development, menarche and secondary amenorrhoea. Exaggerated basal and GnRH stimulated gonadotrophin and low oestradiol levels were typical of post-pubertal Turner's syndrome. Detailed (standard) chromosome and banding analysis excluded the presence of Y chromosome material. This case suggests that the presence of a Y chromosome is not necessary for abnormal differentiation of germ cells and the occurrence of a gonadoblastoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

CA 15-3 serum levels in ovarian cancer.

Serum levels of CA 15-3, an antigen expressed by human breast carcinoma cells, were measured in 58 ovarian cancer patients, 24 patients with benign ovarian tumor and 62 patients with benign gynecological conditions. Abnormally high serum CA 15-3 levels were found in 41 of 58 patients (71%) with ovarian cancer. The percentage of CA 15-3 positivity correlated with tumor stage. Elevated serum CA 15-3 levels were found in 5 of 24 patients (20%) with benign ovarian tumor. None of the patients with benign gynecological conditions had increased serum CA 15-3 levels. Serial measurements showed CA 15-3 concentrations to be correlated with the clinical behavior of disease in 21 of 25 patients (84%). CA 15-3 serum levels were also found to be correlated with findings on second look. These results suggest that CA 15-3 may represent a useful tumor marker in ovarian cancer.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1987

Zinc and copper status of allergic children.

Zinc and copper status was examined in 19 healthy and 43 atopic children (22 asthmatics and 21 eczematous) 2-14 years old. Dietary intakes for energy, protein, zinc and copper and some nutritional indices (height, weight, serum protein, albumin, ceruloplasmin) were similar in the allergic and in the control group. The proton-induced X-ray fluorescence technique was used to assess zinc and copper concentrations in serum and hair. No difference was detected in serum zinc concentration between allergic and healthy children. In contrast, mean hair zinc level was lower (p less than 0.05) in allergic than in healthy children (99 +/- 6 vs. 147 +/- 9 micrograms/g). Mean serum copper content was higher in asthmatic than in control children while mean hair copper was higher (p less than 0.05) in asthmatic and eczematous children than in the control group. These findings suggest a different zinc and copper nutritional status between allergic and healthy subjects. Allergic children, in particular, seem to be a risk of zinc deficiency.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Influence of blindness on plasma luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, and testosterone levels in prepubertal boys.

The aim of this study was to determine if changes in LH, FSH, PRL, and testosterone (T) secretion occur in blind prepubertal boys. Eight blind and six normal boys, aged 7-10 yr, living at an institute for blind subjects in Naples, Italy, were studied. Each had a combined GnRH (100 micrograms) and TRH (200 micrograms) test at 0800 h after nocturnal rest. Plasma LH, FSH, PRL, and T levels were measured by RIA. The blind boys had basal plasma LH, FSH, and T levels significantly lower than those in the normal boys (P less than 0.01 for all three); plasma PRL basal levels were similar to those in the normal boys. The blind boys, moreover, had lower peak LH, FSH, and PRL (P less than 0.01 for all three peaks) levels in response to GnRH-TRH. Our results, similar to those found by others in patients with delayed puberty or with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, suggest that light stimuli influence neuroendocrine-gonadal activity in humans, as in other mammals; and in blind prepubertal boys, impaired hormone secretion could cause a delay of pubertal development or more severe hypogonadism.

Blindness↗
PubMed1985

Postnatal dependence of plasma copper and zinc levels on gestational age and maturity observed in infants fed a high zinc content formula.

We studied the effect of gestational age and maturity on plasma zinc and copper levels at 10 and 120 days of age. The association of plasma zinc changes and body growth was also investigated. Infants were receiving a controlled intake of zinc and copper solely through a zinc-supplemented formula (4.7 mg/L of zinc and 0.16 mg/L of copper). Twenty-eight low-birthweight infants (less than 2,500 g) having gestational ages ranging from 33 to 40 weeks [17 with an appropriate birthweight for gestational age (AGA) and 11 small for gestational age (SGA)] were enrolled in the present study. Measurements of plasma zinc and copper concentration, weight, length, head circumference, and tricipital and subscapular skinfolds were carried out at 10 and 120 days of age. Proton-induced x-ray fluorescence technique (PIXE) was used to assess copper and zinc concentrations. At 10 days of age a significant correlation between copper concentration and gestational age was found. At 120 days of age the copper concentration was higher than at 10 days and independent of gestational age and maturity (mean +/- SEM = 116 +/- 5 micrograms/dl). At 10 days of age no significant correlation between zinc content and gestational age was found (86 +/- 4 micrograms/dl). The plasma zinc percent change over the period from 10 to 120 days of age was positively correlated with gestational age in the whole sample as well as in AGA and SGA infants separately.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Body Height↗
PubMed1985

Erythrocytic zinc content during childhood.

The aim of the study was to investigate developmental changes of erythrocytic zinc occurring during childhood. We have studied 166 healthy children (36 newborn infants, 34 infants aged 1-12 months, 15 aged 1-2 years, 15 children aged 2-4 years, 11 aged 4-6 years and 55 aged 6-12 years); 20 adults were also examined. Mean and standard deviations of the erythrocytic zinc content (pg/10(6) RBC) in the serial samples from children and adults were as follows: newborn infants: 507 +/- 197; infants aged 1-3 months: 521 +/- 117; aged 4-5 months: 559 +/- 203; aged 6-7 months: 574 +/- 251; aged 8-12 months: 771 +/- 243; aged 1-2 years: 802 +/- 204; aged 2-4 years: 963 +/- 278; aged 4-6 years 1,179 +/- 284; aged 6-12 years: 1,256 +/- 186; adults: 1,482 +/- 390. The results have shown that RBC zinc levels increase during the first years of life. Up to the 4th year it is still lower than that observed in adults, although after that age, the mean values do not vary significantly from those observed in adults.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Male pseudohermaphroditism due to 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-isomerase deficiency associated with atrial septal defect.

Male pseudohermaphroditism in a 6 month old boy, due to congenital 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency, associated with atrial septal defect, is reported. At 2 weeks he required therapy for severe dehydration and projectile vomiting. The parents were first cousins and one female sibling had died suddenly at 2 months. The patient presented with melanoderma, perineal hypospadias with testicles in a bifid scrotum and atrial septal defect (ostium secundum). Complete cytogenetic studies showed a 46,XY karyotype. Serum sodium ranged from 129 to 140 mEq/l and serum potassium from 5.1 to 4.6 mEq/l. Basal plasma hormonal studies showed normal androstenedione (delta 4A), decreased cortisol (F), slightly elevated ACTH, 17-hydroxy-progesterone (17-OH-P) and testosterone (T), and highly increased dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S) levels. ACTH stimulation increased and DXM suppression decreased the plasma levels of DHEA-S, 17-OH-P and T but not that of F; hCG stimulation during cortisone therapy did not change the levels of DHEA-S and T. Corticosteroid therapy normalized electrolyte levels and reduced melanoderma and hormonal hypersecretion. Moderately elevated plasma levels of 17-OH-P and T suggest a partial testicular 3 beta-HSD deficiency. The multifactorial inheritance and the relatively high prevalence of atrial septal defect vs the rarity of adrenal enzymatic defect suggest a causal association even if a common genetic factor cannot be excluded.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗