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Torben Steiniche

Publications and source records attributed to Torben Steiniche.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Towards quantitative mRNA analysis in paraffin-embedded tissues using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction: a methodological study on lymph nodes from melanoma patients.

Improved extraction techniques combined with sensitive real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction may allow detection of mRNA in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) materials, but the factors affecting mRNA quantification in clinical material using these methods have not been systematically analyzed. We designed analyses using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for quantification of MART-1, beta-actin, and beta(2)-microglobulin mRNAs. The analytical intra- and interassay imprecision (coefficient of variation) was in the range 10 to 20% for all three genes studied. Using these protocols, we studied the influence of tissue autolysis and length of formalin-fixation on mRNA detection in metastatic melanoma. Delay in freezing reduced detectable mRNA, although this was less than predicted and mostly occurred early in autolysis. MART-1, beta-actin, and beta(2)-microglobulin mRNAs were consistently detected in FFPE metastatic melanoma even after fixation for up to 3 weeks, although the total mRNA detected was markedly reduced in fixed compared with fresh tissues (up to 99%). Quantification of MART-1 was, however, possible if this was expressed relative to a housekeeping gene. The polymerase chain reaction product from FFPE tissues could be increased up to 100-fold amplifying short (<136 bp) compared with long amplicons. Variations in time before tissue processing and in fixation length seem to be less important sources of imprecision than previously assumed. Our findings suggest that quantitative analysis of mRNA in archive and routine diagnostic tissues may be possible.

Actins↗

Immune response in blood and tumour tissue in patients with metastatic malignant melanoma treated with IL-2, IFN alpha and histamine dihydrochloride.

Interleukin-2 and interferon-alpha are pleiotropic immuno-activating cytokines with clinical efficacy in malignant melanoma. The anti-melanoma activity of these cytokines is believed to result from the triggering of lymphocyte-mediated killing of tumour cells. In ongoing clinical trials, histamine dihydrochloride is used as an adjuvant to IL-2 and IFN-alpha with a view to protecting lymphocytes from oxidative inhibition induced by tumour-infiltrating monocyte/macrophages. In this study, we have serially monitored mononuclear cells in peripheral blood and tumour biopsies from 13 patients with metastatic malignant melanoma treated under a protocol comprising histamine, IFN-alpha and low-dose IL-2. One complete and 3 partial responses were observed, while 3 patients had stable disease and 6 progressed. A trend towards a gradual increase in the absolute number of circulating CD56+/CD3- NK cells in patients maintaining stable disease during therapy was noted. In tumour tissues, the extent of leukocyte infiltration prior to treatment correlated with tumour response. Additional infiltration by NK cells (CD56+) and monocytes during treatment was seen only in responding patients. Patients with progressive disease exhibited a low density of leukocytes infiltrating tumour tissues at the onset of treatment as compared to the surrounding tissues. Our data indicate that the degree and localization of mononuclear infiltration before and during immunotherapy under this protocol may determine therapeutic anti-tumour responses.

Adult↗