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R Giustolisi

Publications and source records attributed to R Giustolisi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Evaluation of Taxol cytotoxicity on B-CLL cells in vitro.

Taxol is a new antimicrotubule agent that, besides a well known efficacy against solid tumors, has shown activity in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas too. We therefore investigated its in vitro cytotoxic activity against cells from patients affected by chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 46 CLL patients were incubated for four days with Taxol at doses ranging from 0.01 to 10 mM and the cytotoxicity was evaluated by a colorimetric method (XTT). In most samples Taxol was inactive and the IC50 was > 10 mM in 40 out of 46 patients. It is worthwhile noting that four of the six in vitro responsive patients had unfavourable clinical features. In three unresponsive patients we also observed that Taxol was not able to induce apoptosis in vitro. In conclusion, based on in vitro data, it seems that Taxol is not an active drug in standard CLL but we cannot exclude some efficacy in other more rapidly proliferating lymphoproliferative disorders.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗
PubMed1995

In vitro sensitivity of B-CLL cells to fludarabine and interferons.

In this study we evaluated the cytotoxicity of Fludarabine (FAMP) both alone and in combination with alpha and beta interferon (IFN) against B-cells from patients affected by chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We used an in vitro colorimetric assay based on the bioreduction of the tetrazolium salt XTT by viable cells. Fludarabine concentrations ranging from 0.03 to 30 microM were tested on cells collected from 22 B-CLL patients. For each fludarabine concentration, 800 I.U. of either alpha or beta IFN were added. Interferon alone did not exert any cytotoxic effect, while Fludarabine showed a strong cytotoxicity against B-CLL cells. The concentration of Fludarabine required to induce a 50% cytotoxicity (IC50) was below 3 microM (the achievable serum level after standard dose in vivo administration) for 19 out of 22 patients. After IFNs supplementation to Fludarabine, it was possible to identify three groups of samples. The first in which IFNs addition did not produce almost any significant change in Fludarabine cytotoxicity (13/22), the second in which there was an improvement in FAMP IC50 (6/22), and finally the third group in which IFNs worsened it (3/22). Stage of disease was the only identified factor accounting for these different results. The second group included samples from 5 patients at stage A and one at stage B, while in the third group all three samples were from patients at stage C. Interferon-alpha and -beta induced the same degree of FAMP IC50 variation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients treated with fludarabine.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AHA) is a frequent complication of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Although the pathogenesis of AHA is still unknown, an imbalance of normal residual T cells is believed to play a central role. Since fludarabine is reported to affect primarily T lymphocytes, we conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the incidence and outcome of AHA in 112 CLL patients treated with fludarabine alone. Eight patients had AHA before therapy; only one achieved remission of both CLL and AHA after fludarabine alone. In the other seven patients, we observed no effect or even a worsening of AHA, although the CLL was responding to fludarabine. Five patients developed AHA from 1 to 19 months after fludarabine therapy while the CLL was responding. One additional patient developed pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) 3 months after starting therapy. Most patients in both groups responded to steroids or other immunosuppressive therapy. The study showed that in these patients, AHA evolved independently of CLL and was not affected by fludarabine.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Unusual onset of severe varicella in adult immunocompromised patients.

Abdominal and back pain has until now been reported as a first sign of severe varicella in immunocompromised children only. We report two adult leukemia patients in whom these symptoms preceded visceral dissemination of varicella infection. Recognizing that this syndrome may occur in adult patients is of clinical importance, since it allows early diagnosis and treatment of the infection.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed1992

Inorganic element concentrations in cataractous human lenses.

We evaluated the presence of calcium, potassium, zinc, copper, and selenium in human lenses (53 cataractous and 10 clear lenses). The determinations of these elements were done using atomic absorption spectrometry techniques, namely flame and flameless methods, after acidic digestion of the samples. Compared with the results obtained from samples of normal lenses (zinc, 16.5 +/- 2.5 mg/kg dry weight; copper, 0.53 +/- 0.08 mg/kg dry weight; selenium, 0.83 +/- 0.18mg/kg dry weight; potassium, 10,306 +/- 1232mg/kg dry weight, and calcium, 9.9 +/- 2.7mg/kg dry weight), the mean concentration values of the cataractous lenses showed some significant changes. Increases were found for zinc, copper, and calcium; the potassium concentration decreased. No significant changes occurred in selenium values. A positive correlation was found between zinc and copper concentrations (y = 0.030x + 0.007, r = .79). An inverse correlation was evident between calcium and potassium values (y = -0.097x + 1141, r = -.65).

Aged↗