Biomedical subjects

T Nordøy

Publications and source records attributed to T Nordøy.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Radioimmunotherapy with iodine-131 tositumomab in patients with low-grade non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma does not induce loss of acquired humoral immunity against common antigens.

Thirty-one previously untreated patients with follicular low-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma expressing the CD20 antigen were treated with iodine-131 tositumomab therapy between 1996 and 1998. The therapy led to a temporary depletion of peripheral blood B-lymphocytes. Recovery of B-cells occurred in most cases by 3 to 6 months and in all patients by 12 months posttherapy. A temporary decline in T-cell subpopulations, but no reduction in serum immunoglobulin levels, could be observed. ELISA techniques were used to detect specific antibodies against rubella, mumps, varicella zoster, measles, and tetanus. Almost all patients remained seropositive against the different antigens during the 1- to 2-year follow-up. No significant reduction in antibody concentrations to tetanus or measles could be detected. The data show that acquired humoral immunity against common antigens appears to be preserved despite a temporary loss of B-lymphocytes.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Humoral immunity to viral and bacterial antigens in lymphoma patients 4-10 years after high-dose therapy with ABMT. Serological responses to revaccinations according to EBMT guidelines.

The aim of this study was to investigate the late effects of ABMT on the immune system with regard to protective humoral immunity against common antigens and responses to recall antigens (vaccines). The vaccines were given according to EBMT guidelines from 1995. The protocol included 35 patients with malignant lymphoma in CR 4-10 years after ABMT, and 35 controls. The results show that prior to ABMT the proportion of patients with protective immunity against poliomyelitis, tetanus and diphtheria was similar to that of controls. At study entry 4-10 years after ABMT, the proportion of patients with protective immunity against poliomyelitis and diphtheria was reduced, while all patients maintained protection against tetanus. A significant decrease in geometric mean antibody concentrations or titres was observed against all three antigens during this period. Serum levels of antibodies against different pneumococcal serotypes were lower in the patients than in the controls prior to vaccination. The responses to pneumococcal vaccination, which is considered to be a T cell-independent vaccine, were studied. Unlike controls, a minority of patients achieved protective levels of antibodies after a single vaccination. Despite persistent levels of protective antibodies in many patients post ABMT, secondary booster responses after one vaccination with T cell-dependent vaccines (tetanus, diphtheria and polio) were absent. In conclusion, this study shows that post ABMT, a full re-vaccination program was necessary to mount responses comparable to those observed after a single vaccination in controls.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

High level of fatigue in lymphoma patients treated with high dose therapy.

With the success of high dose therapy supported by autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) for malignant lymphomas, medical late-effects and secondary effects on subjective health, like fatigue, are of concern. Fatigue is poorly understood and correlates have been barely addressed. Health-related quality of life (HRQL), fatigue, and correlates to fatigue, including endocrinological status and serum levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor, and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors, were investigated in a cross-sectional study of 33 lymphoma patients (median age 39 years) 4-10 years after ABMT. The survivors were compared to general population norms. Fatigue was highly prevalent, and females reported significantly more fatigue and impaired HRQL compared to males and the normal population. Gonadal dysfunction was found in the majority of the patients, but no statistically significant endocrinological or immunological associations with fatigue could be demonstrated. The high level of fatigue among female long-term survivors after ABMT may be related to the gonadal dysfunction, but further studies of possible mechanisms behind fatigue are necessary.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Persistent changes in the immune system 4-10 years after ABMT.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the early changes in the immune system observed after ABMT would persist over years. Eighty-five patients with malignant lymphoma were treated with ABMT in Norway from 1987 until 1993. Of the 46 patients in CR by 1997, 36 were enrolled in our study. Median time from ABMT was 5 years (4-10 years). Immunophenotyping showed an increase in the median number of B cells (0.35 x 109/l in patients vs 0.28 x 109/l in controls), and a decrease in T cells (1.08 vs 1.35 x 109/l). Furthermore, a lower median count of CD4+ T cells (0.54 x 109/l in patients vs0.87 x 109/l in controls) resulted in reduced CD4/CD8 ratios (0.8 in patients vs 1.6 in controls). The subgroup of CD4+ T cells expressing the 'naive' phenotype CD45RA was 19.5% in patients vs 38% in controls. In contrast, the fraction expressing the 'memory' phenotype CD45RO was higher in the ABMT group (76% vs 54%). When stimulated, larger fractions of CD3+CD4+ cells in patients produced IFN-gamma (32% vs 16%) or IL-4 (7% vs 1%) compared to controls; thus a differentiation into the functionally separate subgroups Th1 and Th2, with a dominant Th2 response. Our data further suggest that the decrease in CD4+ T cell counts and the imbalance between CD45RA+ and CD45RO+ subsets persists 4-10 years after ABMT.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

[Testicular cancer treated at the regional hospital in Tromsø 1985-1993].

The case histories of 98 patients (47 seminomas and 51 non-seminomas) treated at the Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Tromsø between January 1985 and March 1993 were retrospectively analysed in August 1994. The analysis was undertaken to ascertain whether a small centre can achieve state of the art results. Complete remission was achieved in all cases. During a four year median follow-up period (range 1-10 years), three seminomas and eight non-seminomas relapsed. Only one retroperitoneally located relapse was revealed after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Two patients (one seminoma, one non-seminoma) died of progressive disease. A statistically significant correlation was found between stage of disease and human chorionic gonadotropin, lactate dehydrogenate and alpha-fetoprotein in non-seminoma. Our results are similar to those of the major oncological centres. Hence our unit is able to achieve state of the art results in the treatment of testicular carcinomas.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Testicular cancer treated in a minor general oncology department.

The question of where to treat testicular cancer and by whom has been debated in several medical journals over the last few year. Here we present data from 98 patients (47 seminomas, 51 non-seminomas) treated between January 1985 and March 1993 at the Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Tromsø, Norway. During a 4-year median follow-up period 2 patients died of progressive disease. Our results are similar to those of major specialised oncology centres. We argue that within the context of multicentre cooperative studies or treatment protocols, patients with testicular cancer can be treated in a small general oncology centre with the same expectations of cure and treatment-related mortality and morbidity as achieved in major centres.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Subclassification of Hodgkin's disease, nodular sclerosis type. Prognostic value?

Recently, studies have suggested a subclassification of Hodgkin's disease, nodular sclerosis (HDNS). Between 1985-1994, twenty-four patients with HDNS were treated at the University Hospital of Tromsø, Norway. The cases were subclassified according to the histological criteria from the British National Lymphoma Investigation (BNLI) into NS1 (15 patients) and NS2 (9 patients). The relative frequencies of the two subtypes of HDNS in our region were in agreement with other reports. After a median follow up of 33 months, no significant difference between NS1 and NS2 with regard to complete remission rate (87% versus 100%) or predicted 5-year actuarial survival (93% versus 75%) were observed. Although our data are too small to draw specific conclusions, the discrepancy with some of the previous studies could be due to an improved response of the more aggressive type (NS2) to optimal treatment. We hope this study may initiate a raised interest in this field.

Adolescent↗