5'Nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5), a purine pathway enzyme, occurs as a cellular ectoenzyme. Widely differing 5'N activity has been reported in different types of lymphoid cells and appears to be related to lymphocyte function, differentiation and immunological subtype. This paper reports a study on the ultrastructural distribution of 5'N in in different types of lymphoid leukemias and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. In lymphoid leukemias, only cALL cells showed strong 5'N staining. In CLL, PLL and HCL the intensity of staining was less than in normal cells. In the NHL group, the reaction pattern was mixed. Infiltrating neoplastic cells, specially the large lymphoid cells, consistently showed very mild activity of the enzyme, whereas follicular center cells and other mature lymphocytes were characterized by moderately strong to strong 5'N activity. These results support the view that 5'N is a marker of lymphocyte cell differentiation.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

PubMed1985

Acute leukaemia following malignant ependymoma: a case report.

Though an increasing number of chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-related leukaemias are being reported, acute promyelocytic leukaemia developing as a therapy-related second malignancy is still uncommon. Here we report a case of acute promyelocytic leukemia, microgranular variant, developing in a case of intracranial malignant ependymoma, 1.5 years following treatment with craniospinal radiotherapy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1985

The impact of combined therapeutic modalities in head, neck, and esophageal cancer.

Nearly 50% of head and neck cancers and two-thirds of patients with esophageal cancer generally present late for initial treatment. The patterns of failure are generally locoregional with around 10% showing distant dissemination. Surgery alone and in combination with pre-operative radiation has not significantly increased salvage in these groups of cancer. The availability of increasingly effective drugs (Cisplatinum, MTX., Bleomycin), for head, neck and esophageal cancers have produced dramatic initial responses with excellent palliative relief of symptoms enabling adequate definitive radiotherapy or surgery for advanced T3, T4 lesions. Cisplatinum 20 mg/m2 daily X 5 - twice at the interval of 10 days with MTX 25 mg/m2 and Bleomycin 15 mg/m2 weekly X 2 have been used for T3 and T4 Head and Neck Cancers and Cisplatinum in the same dosage and MTX 200 mg twice in 10 days have been used for esophageal cancers. 88% responses in 35 patients have been noted in head and neck cancers and when the chemotherapy was followed by definitive radiotherapy, complete responses were achieved in 16 out of 25 patients (64%). This is a very significant response rate for T3, T4 cancers. Patients who were in a reasonably acceptable general condition after this regimen were further considered for two more courses of consolidative chemotherapy. Response rates in esophageal cancer was 78% (26 of 34 evaluable patients) - 6 of the 26 showed a complete response and all are alive from 8 months to 26 months. Our failure to obtain increasing cures at 3 and 5 years may be due to our ignorance of the capacity of dormant cells to proliferate, tumor cell kinetics, more effective use of chemotherapy or the biology of the host. These areas need further investigation.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMed1985

Evaluation of circulating immune complexes in lymphomas and leukemias using two different assays.

Circulating immune complexes (CICs) have been detected in the sera of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin's disease, chronic myeloid leukemia, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia by using C1q-binding and L1210-binding assays. Both assays gave broadly similar patterns of reactivity in terms of frequency and magnitude, though there are some differences. Significantly elevated CIC levels were observed in all pathologic groups. However, sera from NHL patients with an unfavorable prognosis consistently exhibited the highest frequency of positive values and mean CIC levels in both these assays. The two tests showed concordance in 66.6% of the NHL patients' sera and were significantly correlated. Of the sera from NHL patients 12.7% were positive in the C1q-binding assay only and 15.9% in the L1210-binding assay only. Both the assays gave positive results in some patients, and a degree of overlap indicates the presence of different types of CIC in cancer patients' sera. The combined use of two methods for detecting CICs may be useful for evaluation of the activity, the extent, and the prognosis of the malignant disease.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Pattern of subtypes of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in India.

Leukemic cells from 124 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 31 chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL) were examined for sheep erythrocyte receptor (E), surface immunoglobulin (SIg) and their reactivity with a panel of monoclonal antibodies recognizing specific surface antigens including pan-T, Common ALL and Ia antigens. In acute lymphatic leukemia, 33% of patients reveal T-cell receptor associated with higher age group, mediastinal mass and high WBC count. Common ALL was predominant between 2 and 9-yr age group. Among chronic lymphatic leukemia, 2 patients were found to be T-CLL while 29 revealed presence of SIg. Ia antigen was detected in 44.4% of ALL and 64% fo CLL patients. The pattern of surface marker observed in our series may be related to our life style, socio-economic and environmental factors.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMed1985

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a report of 60 patients from India.

60 patients studied at the Tata Memorial Hospital from January 1976 to December 1982 were diagnosed as having T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) by nonimmune rosette formation with sheep red blood cells. The analysis revealed a high incidence of mediastinal mass (50%) and extramedullary infiltration at presentation. The majority of patients (62%) presented with a high WBC count (greater than 50,000/mm3). Unipolar acid phosphatase activity was observed in 90% of patients. The remission rate with a combination treatment of adriamycin, vincristine and prednisolone was found to be 95%. Long-term survival was around 30%. More aggressive or innovative treatments will be needed to improve the results in T-cell ALL.

Actuarial Analysis↗

PubMed1985