Unbalanced X-chromosome inactivation in haemopoietic cells from normal women.

We studied X-chromosome inactivation patterns in blood cells from normal females in three age groups: neonates (umbilical cord blood), 25-32 years old (young women group) and >75 years old (elderly women). Using PCR, the differential allele methylation status was evaluated on active and inactive X chromosomes at the human androgen receptor (HUMARA) and phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) loci. A cleavage ratio (CR) > or = 3.

Multicyclic dose-intensive chemotherapy with circulating progenitor cell support for high-risk primary breast cancer.

The feasibility and safety of the administration of multiple cycles of dose-intensive chemotherapy (CT) supported with repeated reinfusions of circulating progenitor cells (CPCs) were evaluated in a prospective study of adjuvant initial therapy of poor-prognosis breast cancer. Eighteen patients with resectable breast cancer involving >/= 10 axillary nodes or >/= 5 axillary nodes and negativity of the estrogen receptor status received a cycle of standard FEC regimen (5-FU 600 mg/m2, epirubicin 60 mg/m2, CTX 600 mg/m2, i.v.

Expression of adhesion molecules and functional stimulation in human neutrophils: modulation by GM-CSF and role of the Bcr gene.

Although devoid of proliferative capacity, polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) express receptors for haemopoietic growth factors and need growth factors for survival and functional stimulation. This study showed that in vitro treatment of human PMN with GM-CSF for up to 48 h increases cell surface expression of the beta 2-integrin molecules CD11b/CD18 and CD11c/CD18 and of the receptor for the chemotactic peptide fMLP. Such modifications are usually expression of PMN activation.