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Biomedical subjects

W H Cole

Publications and source records attributed to W H Cole.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1985

The increase in immunosuppression and its role in the development of malignant lesions.

The first evidence that a major operation results in immunosuppression appeared in 1957. A few years later, numerous articles appeared in the medical literature showing that the same effect took place in the human being. When kidney transplantation was begun, it was soon learned that immunosuppression was necessary to obtain good results. Soon after suppression was adopted it was noted that malignancies were being encountered. The same was true with cardiac transplantation. Within the many types of immunodeficiencies, malignant lesions are significantly encountered in only one--AIDS.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Need for immunologic stimulators during immunosuppression produced by major cancer surgery.

Although surgery, radiology, and anticancer chemicals have been effective in the treatment of cancer, the immunologic phase of therapy deserves more effort and thought, because the possibilities are considerable. However, the immunologic phase is so complicated that, without the advances made during the past few years, little could be expected from immunology. The focus of this paper is on the immunosuppression produced by major cancer operations, at which time the patient needs immunologic help.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1978

The development of cholecystography: the first fifty years.

Visualization of the gallbladder by x-ray was first achieved in 1923 by the intravenous introduction into the body of a halogenated compound which was excreted by the liver into the bile ducts and gallbladder [1--4]. This was the first time that visualization of an organ had been accomplished by introducing a substance into the body and obtaining a roentgenogram after the substance had been metabolized and localized primarily in one organ. Previously, visualization of an organ had been achieved only by introducing a substance opaque to the x-ray directly into the lumen and obtaining a roentgenogram to outline its inner wall. By 1925 visualization of the gallbladder had also been accomplished by the oral administration of halogenated compounds [5,6]. The drugs employed for intravenous and oral cholecystography had been synthesized specifically for that purpose based on earlier experimental work of other investigators. The following account describes in detail the experimental background of cholecystography, its origin, and its development and use during the ensuing fifty years.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1976

Relationship of causative factors in spontaneous regression of cancer to immunologic factors possibly effective in cancer.

In a book written by Everson and Cole (1966) on spontaneous regression 176 examples of the phenomenon were encountered in the medical literature from 1900 to 1964, supplemented by cases referred by friends. No common denominator of explanations were found. Various types of trauma (e.g., biopsy, incomplete excision), transfusions, infection, hormone changes, drugs, etc. were encountered as possible causative factors. Most significant of all factors was encountered in the 13 examples of spontaneous regression of the bladder; in this series regression of the tumor occurred in 10 after transplantation of the ureters out of the bladder. A consideration and discussion of various reactions in human beings associated with therapeutic regressions have been reviewed hoping to develop a correlation between the two types of regression. At the time of publication of our monograph 9 years ago we were unable to suggest any mechanisms which might explain the regressions. However, since that time so many advances have been made in immunology that it appears now that a stimulation of the immune process might explain most of the regressions. We are just beginning to learn a few methods of stimulating the immune process. Use of BCG is one of the best examples of this stimulating process; other bacterial agents, or fractions, are known to have this action. No doubt there are innumerable others unknown, some of which might explain spontaneous regressions. It would appear that hormonal changes might be responsible for many of the regressions but this author doubts it explains many. More is known at the present time about cellular immunity than humoral immunity, but greater possibilities surely lie in humoral immunity. The blocking and unblocking activities developed by the Hellströms and associates are no doubt important. Immunoglobulins exert a very important role in the immune process; antibodies may consist of immunoglobulins but much more needs to be known before this relationship can be understood. The recent report (Amery, 1975) that levamisole (given at the time of resection of the lung for carcinoma) improves patient survival is exciting. Amery believes the drug may prevent the hematogenous spread of the tumor during surgery and/or may decrease the immunosuppression caused by a major operation.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Spontaneous regression of cancer and the importance of finding its cause.

A few years ago Everson and I assembled all the examples of spontaneous regression in the world medical literature from 1900 to 1960 and added numerous cases from expriences of our friends. Our figure was 176. We excluded squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, and a large number of cases that did not fulfill the prerequisites of confirmed diagnosis and no significant treatment. The four most common examples of regression were carcinoma of the kidney (31), neuroblastoma (29), malignant melanoma (19), and choriocarcinoma (19); these constituted more than half the group. We did not require that the regression be permanent because it appeared that the explanation of temporary regression would be just as important as the cause of permanent regression. There was no proven specific cause of the regression, but the following mechanisms had a possible relationship: immunologic action, elimination of carcinogens, trauma (altering the antigen-antibody relationship), hormones, irradiation, infection and/or fever, and drugs or chemicals. The most applicable of these is elimination of the carcinogen. Immunologic reactions seem to offer the best explanation, and the potential of humoral immunity is more impressive than that of cellular immunity.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Incidence of carcinoma of the thyroid in nodular goiter.

Since the incidence of cancer in nontoxic nodular goiter as reported by us in 1944 appeared high (17.1%), we made another study during the next four years and discovered an incidence almost identical (17.2%). Our figures on incidence of cancer in nontoxic nodular goiter appeared so high because we were the first authors to break down the goiters into the three different types and to discover that the incidence was high in only one type of goiter and not in the others. The incidence of cancer was only 4.6% in toxic nodular and toxic diffuse goiter added together. For decades, we have known that goiter is a geographic disease. It is possible that carcinoma of the thyroid is slightly geographical. At least it appears that there is a slightly geographical relationship in regard to the 16 patients we have observed in our clinic with cancer during 1944-1949; of these 16 patients, 11 had advanced malignant disease. We cannot have accurate figures on results regarding treatment of our cases until long-term follow-up is concluded.

Carcinoma↗