PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Henke

Publications and source records attributed to M Henke.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The impact of blood hemoglobin content on the outcome of radiotherapy. The Freiburg experience.

BACKGROUND: Numerous publications have reported an impaired radiocurability when anemia is present. Tissue hypoxia and consecutive radioresistance are speculated to be the underlying causes. OWN EXPERIENCE: Our own retrospective data impressively confirm these observations: in an analysis of 889 patients homogeneously irradiated for head and neck cancer for locoregional tumor control and survival, anemia has proven to be a highly significant risk factor. Furthermore, hemoglobin content is an independent and, at least equally powerful predictor for outcome when compared to the known risk factors of site, treatment modality, resection status, T-, and N-stage. TREATMENT: In an attempt to improve therapeutic outcome, 50 anemic patients undergoing radiotherapy were treated with erythropoietin (rhEPO). A weekly increment in hemoglobin content of 0.7 g/dl was documented without any major side effects. Additionally, it seems that patients reacting sufficiently to rhEPO stimulation can expect better locoregional tumor control within the irradiation volume. This, however, awaits confirmation in an ongoing trial.

Anemia↗

Structural deviations in a bovine low expression lysozyme-encoding gene active in tissues other than stomach.

Lysozyme-encoding genes (Lys) constitute a gene-family in ruminants. While several of these genes are highly expressed in stomach (sLys), few other copies are weakly expressed in other tissues, notably in polymorphnuclear granulocytes and macrophages (mLys). Searching an understanding for these grossly different levels of expression, we isolated the bovine variant of the gene being expressed in granulocytes and characterized it by sequencing, together with its promoter. Spanning about 9 kb of genomic DNA, the gene is found to be segmented into four exons, in common with all other Lys, as known from vertebrates. Sequence homologies between all bovine sLys-variants exceeds 70% over much of the entire coding sequence and promoter region. This indicates (i) that bovine lysozymes expressed either in stomach or granulocyte originate from a common ancestral gene and (ii) also excludes the possibility that the observed weak expression of the mLys gene is due to major structural rearrangements within the promoter segment. However, primer extension analysis based on RNA isolated from kidney locates the transcription startpoint (tsp of that gene) 44 nt further upstream than observed in both, bovine stomach lysozyme RNA or any of the homologous genes in mice and man. The observed weak expression of this bovine mLys gene appears to be a consequence of both the presence of an extra ATG codon in the extended 5'-UTR, and a severe down mutation of the ancestral TATA-box which is only partially compensated for by the presence of another mutation further upstream resulting in a weak substitute promoter sequence.

Animals↗

Genes for components of the chloroplast translational apparatus are conserved in the reduced 73-kb plastid DNA of the nonphotosynthetic euglenoid flagellate Astasia longa.

The colourless, nonphotosynthetic protist Astasia longa is phylogenetically related to Euglena gracilis. The 73-kb plastid DNA (ptDNA) of A. longa is about half the size of most chloroplast DNAs (cpDNAs). More than 38 kb of the Astasia ptDNA sequence has been determined. No genes for photosynthetic function have been found except for rbcL. Identified genes include rpoB, tufA, and genes coding for three rRNAs, 17 tRNAs, and 13 ribosomal proteins. Not only is the nucleotide sequence of these genes highly conserved between A. longa and E. gracilis, but a number of these genes are clustered in a similar fashion and have introns in the same positions in both species. The results further support the idea that photosynthetic genes normally encoded in cpDNA have been preferentially lost in Astasia, but that the chloroplast genes coding for components of the plastid translational apparatus have been maintained. This apparatus might be needed for the expression of rbcL and also for that of still unidentified nonphotosynthetic genes of Astasia ptDNA.

Animals↗

Inflammatory mediator changes in cotton-top tamarins (CTT) after SC-41930 anti-colitic therapy.

Use of the CTT model provides insight into the inflammatory mediator contribution in the pathogenesis of idiopathic colitis. To evaluate anti-colitic efficacy, the leukotriene B4 receptor antagonist and anti-inflammatory agent, SC-41930, was administered (10 mg/kg BW by gavage BID) for 8 weeks to CTTs with histologically confirmed persistent and defined active colitis. The inflammatory mediators LTB4, PGE2, TXB2, and PAF were assayed in colonic dialysate that was collected after 1 1/2 h from four CTTs pre-, mid-, and post-treatment, frozen at -70 degrees C, and analyzed by RIA after HPLC purification. LTB4 levels were lower at mid- and post-treatment and had little inter-animal variation post-treatment. PGE2 and PAF levels were elevated during SC-41930 treatment, but there was a trend towards lower thromboxane B2 levels. Reduced LTB4 (PMN degranulation and chemotaxis) and increased PGE2 (mucosal-protective effect) may, in part, explain the observed efficacy of SC-41930 in active tamarin colitis.

Animals↗

Anti-colitic efficacy of SC-41930 in colitic cotton-top tamarins.

To evaluate anti-colitic efficacy, eight cotton-top tamarins (CTTs) with histologically confirmed persistent active colitis were given the anti-inflammatory agent SC-41930 (10 mg/kg BW by gavage BID) for eight weeks. Colonic endoscopy and biopsy observations, CBCs and clinical chemistries, and stool consistency were evaluated pre-, mid-, and posttreatment. Colitic activity was graded histologically from A1 (mild) to A5 (severe); results varied among the seven animals that completed the study: five improved, one worsened, and one was unchanged. Serum enzyme levels were significantly reduced with treatment. Stool condition remained puddly throughout treatment and body weights did not vary from pretreatment levels. However, SC-41930 produced histological evidence (reduced numbers of polymorphonuclear cells) of anti-colitic efficacy over an eight-week treatment period in CTTs with persistent active colitis. These results support the use of the CTT colitis model to evaluate efficacy of therapeutic agents and provide useful predictive information to aid in the medical management of human IBD.

Animals↗

Clonal analysis of bcr-abl rearrangement in T lymphocytes from patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia.

The cytogenetic hallmark of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1), which reflects a chromosomal translocation t(9;22) and a rearrangement of the ABL and bcr genes. This marker is found in all cells arising from the same malignant precursor cell and can be detected in CML cells of the myeloid, monocytic, erythroid, and B-lymphocyte lineage. It is, however, controversial as to whether T lymphocytes of CML patients carry this gene rearrangement. An answer to this question would clarify whether the translocation in CML occurs in a pluripotent hematopoietic stem cell or in a precursor cell already committed to certain lineages, but not the T-cell lineage. To address this question, we established T-cell clones from peripheral venous blood cells of four patients with CML and screened these clones for bcr-abl fusion transcripts by means of polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis. In four T-cell clones of three of these patients, the bcr-abl transcript could be detected. None of 12 T-cell clones of the fourth patient disclosed detectable bcr-abl amplification product. Both CD4+ as well as CD8+ clones displayed fused bcr-abl sequences. These data imply that in CML some but not all T lymphocytes may originate from the Ph1-positive stem cell.

Blotting, Southern↗

Treatment of relapsed or refractory adult acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Sixty-six adult patients were treated for relapsing or refractory acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). The induction treatment consisted in a (1) first phase with vindesine 3 mg/m2 intravenously (IV) on days 1, 8, and 15; daunorubicin 45 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 8, and 15; erwinia-asparaginase 10,000 U/m2 IV on days 7, 8, 14, and 15; and prednisone 60 mg/m2 orally on days 1 to 21 and a (2) second phase with cytarabine 3000 mg/m2 as a 3-hour infusion two times a day on days 1 to 4 (in patients greater than 50 years of age we used 1000 mg/m2), and etoposide 100 mg/m2 IV on days 1 to 5. Side effects of induction Phase I were predominantly hematologic with subsequent infections. In Phase II, some patients additionally had gastrointestinal, cutaneous, ocular, and hepatic toxicity. Five patients died during Phase I and another died during Phase II. Five of these patients had T-cell ALL. Thirty-four (64%) of 54 patients in their first relapse had a complete remission (CR) with a median disease-free survival (DFS) of 2.9 months. The median overall survival (OAS) was 6.6 months. Seven of 12 patients with primary refractory disease, a second relapse, or relapse after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) had a CR. The CR rate and survival after first relapse was significantly better in patients with a preceding CR of more than 18 months compared with those with a shorter preceding remission. The leukocyte count was a second significant but not independent risk factor. There was a negative correlation between the leukocyte count and the duration of the preceding CR. The duration of the preceding CR was the major prognostic factor for survival in multivariate analysis. Twenty-two patients received BMT. None of nine patients with autologous BMT is alive and disease-free; 5 of 13 who underwent allogeneic BMT are. It was concluded that this treatment efficiently induced remission with tolerable toxicity. The remission duration should be improved by optimized consolidation treatment.

Adult↗

Mr 40,000 human colonic epithelial protein expression in colonic mucosa and presence of circulating anti-Mr 40,000 antibodies in cotton top tamarins with spontaneous colitis.

Saguinus oedipus, Callithrix jacchus, and Saguinus fuscicollis are three species of New World monkeys which develop a form of colitis that is similar to human ulcerative colitis. Only S oedipus, however, develop colon cancer. We examined intestinal tissues from these animals for the presence of an antigen cross reacting to the Mr 40,000 human colonic epithelial protein that acts as an autoantigen in ulcerative colitis. Using an anti-Mr 40,000 monoclonal antibody (7E12H12, IgM isotype), by an immunoperoxidase assay we showed that all colon specimens from S oedipus reacted with 7E12H12; however, the colonic tissue from C jacchus and S fuscicollis did not. In immunotransblot analysis eluted IgG antibody bound to human ulcerative colitis colon (CCA-IgG) reacted with Mr 40,000 protein(s) present in the extracts of colon from S oedipus animals and humans. Small intestinal tissue reacted neither with 7E12H12 nor with CCA-IgG. In S oedipus, the Mr 40,000 protein was localised exclusively to colonic epithelial cells. Preincubation of seven S oedipus colon specimens with eight of 10 sera from animals with acute or chronic colitis and 0 of four sera from animals without colitis almost completely inhibited the binding of 7E12H12 to the colonic epithelium. Four of these 10 sera inhibited the binding of 7E12H12 to the autologous colon. These results show the presence of circulating autoantibodies in S oedipus with colitis against an epitope(s) on Mr 40,000 protein shared by human and S oedipus colon.

Animals↗

Mitoxantrone, cytosine arabinoside, and VP-16 in 36 patients with relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia.

Mitoxantrone in combination with VP-16 proved to be effective in refractory and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML), with 42% of patients achieving complete remission (CR). The aim of this study was to assess whether the addition of cytosine arabinoside increased the response rate at a tolerable toxicity. The regimen consisted of mitoxantrone (M) 10 mg/m2 i.v. days 4-8, cytosine arabinoside (A) 100 mg/m2 continuous infusion days 1-8, and etoposide (VP-16) (V) 100-120 mg/m2 i.v. days 4-8 (MAV protocol) for relapsed and refractory AML. Thirty-six patients were treated, with a median age of 51 (20-73) years. For induction therapy one to two MAV cycles and for consolidation therapy two courses were scheduled. Twenty-one (58.3%) patients attained a complete remission (CR), with a median duration of 4.5 (1-12+) months. The median survival of all patients was 5.5 (0.5-15.5+) months. Four patients died in CR from chronic infections or after consolidation therapy with MAV. In evaluable patients, times to greater than 500 granulocytes/microliters and greater than 25,000 platelets/microliters were 23 (7-46) and 23 (6-44) days, respectively. In 54 evaluable MAV courses the following toxicity was observed (WHO grades 3/4): 26%, nausea and vomiting: 9%, hemorrhage; 6%, bilirubinemia; 11%, diarrhea; 22%, mucositis; 6%, local infection; 20%, septicemia; 13%, fever of unknown origin; 2%, cardiac arrhythmia; 7%, congestive heart failure. We conclude that MAV therapy is a highly active antileukemic combination with acceptable toxicity, which is recommended for further clinical trials in untreated AML.

Adult↗

Treatment of relapsed acute lymphocytic leukemia in adults.

Thirty-three patients with ALL/AUL in first relapse were treated with an induction of prednisone, vindesine, daunorubicin, Erwinia asparaginase, i.t. MTX (phase I), high-dose cytarabine, and etoposide (phase II). Twenty-one (64%) achieved a complete remission, one a partial remission. Side effects of induction-phase I were predominantly hematological with subsequent infections and gastrointestinal toxicity. In phase II some patients had additional cutaneous, ocular, and hepatic toxicity. The treatment efficiently induced remissions with tolerable toxicity in relapsed ALL. The disease-free survival, however, needs to be improved.

Adolescent↗

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adult identical twins.

The development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (c-ALL) in identical twins is reported. The first born had ALL in 1982 and bone marrow transplantation was performed in first complete remission (CR) from his healthy twin-brother the same year. The bone marrow donor developed ALL in 1985; he received an autologous bone marrow transplantation in first CR in 1986. Unfortunately, both patients relapsed in 1986. Cytogenetic studies of the first born revealed multiple chromosomal abnormalities and a marker chromosome whereas the second patient had a Philadelphia chromosome. Genetic reasons or exposure to leukemogenic agents may be responsible for the onset of these leukemias.

Adult↗

[Cyclophosphamide-induced pneumonitis].

Pneumotoxicity of cyclophosphamide is a rare complication of chemotherapy with this drug. 28 cases have so far been reported in world literature. We add one case in whom lung changes had appeared subacutely, after a single dose of cyclophosphamide, and were reversed by corticoids.

Aged↗

A monoclonal antibody to the heavy chain of human IgM with a particular reaction pattern in human B-cell malignancies.

We produced a monoclonal antibody to the human mu-chain. Its specificity was proved by amino acid-sequence analysis of immunoabsorbent purified cell surface antigen. In binding studies an affinity constant (K-aff) of 5.7 X 10(9) M-1 was determined. When compared with a polyclonal anti-IgM antiserum it was found that this antibody may react with a determinant of the mu-chain differently exposed in clonal B-cell disorders rendering it to a reagent of particular diagnostic interest.

Amino Acid Sequence↗