Occult lymphoma cells prevalent in autologous marrow from non-Hodgkin's diffuse lymphoma.

The most effective treatment for recurrent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) appears to be a high-dose cytotoxic chemotherapy (HDC) followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). However, it has been suggested that the presence of occult lymphoma cells in harvested marrow may be responsible for a significant fraction of treatment failures after HDC/ABMT. The present study examined randomly accrued NHL patients, independent of their cytogenic grades, for the presence of cells bearing bcl-2/immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangements in lymph node (LN) biopsies and the bone marrow by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot hybridization combined with a classical culturing technique.

Antitumor and anticytopenic effects of aqueous extracts of propolis in combination with chemotherapeutic agents.

Using an ICR mouse model bearing a syngeneic Ehrlich ascitis carcinoma, the present study was undertaken to examine the effects of crude, water-soluble propolis (CWSP) on tumor progression, chemotherapeutic efficacy, and hematopoiesis in the peripheral blood. It was demonstrated that CWSP, administered subcutaneously, resulted in marked regression of tumor growth in mice, at the early phase after tumor inoculation (CWSP, p < 0.05 vs.

A caspase inhibitor decreases oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced apoptosis in bovine endothelial cells.

Background: Apoptosis is a pathway of cell death orchestrated by a family of proteases called caspases. Oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) is a putative cause of atherogenesis. We examined the effect of oxLDL on endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis and the ability of a caspase antagonist to inhibit oxLDL-induced EC injury.

Evidence that human Fc gamma receptor IIA (CD32) subtypes are not receptors for oxidized LDL.

Several lines of evidence suggest that clearance of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) immune complexes by macrophage IgG Fc receptors (Fc gamma Rs) plays a role in atherogenesis. Ox-LDL may also be cleared directly by Fc gamma Rs, as shown for murine Fc gamma RII-B2. In humans, the homologous Fc gamma R is Fc gamma RIIA (CD32), which is abundantly expressed on monocytes and macrophages and shares 60% sequence identity with murine Fc gamma RII-B2.

HIV-1-infected monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages are impaired in their ability to produce superoxide radicals.

Monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages play a key role in immune defense against pathogenic organisms. Superoxide anion production is a key mechanism by which phagocytes kill pathogens. We sought to determine whether human immunodeficiency virus-infected monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages are compromised in their ability to produce the superoxide anion following stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or after cross-linking the type I Fc receptor for IgG (Fc gamma RI).

Inhibition of HIV-1 infectivity by low molecular weight heparin. Results of in vitro studies and a pilot clinical trial in patients with advanced AIDS.

Several sulfated polysaccharides have been shown to have anti-HIV activity in vitro. However, many of these compounds are not suited for use in vivo because they present an increased risk of bleeding or cannot be administered chronically. We tested the anti-HIV effects of low molecular weight heparin (LMW-heparin) (Enoxaparin) in vitro using a model system of HIV infectivity because LMW-heparin can be given to patients on a long-term basis with little risk.

Variation in the binding of 125I-labeled interferon-beta ser to cellular receptors during growth of human renal and bladder carcinoma cells in vitro.

Studies of various established human bladder and renal carcinoma cell lines cultured in vitro demonstrated the presence of specific, saturable, high affinity binding sites for 125I-labeled human interferon Beta ser IFN-beta ser). This recombinant produced interferon labeled with approximately one atom of 125I/molecule of IFN expressed minimal or no loss of antiviral activity. A single class of binding sites (1000-2000/cell) with an affinity constant of 10(10)-10(11) L/M was measured at 4 degrees C for cells exhibiting widely different sensitivity to the antiproliferative effect of IFN-beta ser.

Synergistic antiproliferative effects of human recombinant alpha 54- or beta ser-interferon with gamma-interferon on human cell lines of various histogenesis.

The antiproliferative effects of human interferon (IFN), IFN-gamma, IFN-alpha 54, and IFN-beta ser, alone and in combination, were assessed on 10 human cell lines. All IFNs were produced by recombinant technology and purified to homogeneity. In all cell lines except one, the addition of IFN-gamma to either IFN-alpha 54 or IFN-beta ser resulted in a synergistic antiproliferative effect, regardless of individual IFN sensitivities or tissue of origin.

Antitumor effects of polyribonucleotides for mouse transitional cell carcinoma enhanced by cyclophosphamide.

Mouse bladder tumor (MBT-2), derived from a carcinogen-induced transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, has proven a useful model for study of pathogenesis and prediction of cytotoxic drug sensitivity of human bladder carcinoma. To define optimal conditions for activity of the potent interferon inducer polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid [poly(I) X poly(C)] in this model, studies of dose, timing, and combinations with a cytotoxic drug were initiated. Poly(I) X poly(C) inhibited MBT-2 growth when 10(5) or 10(6) tumor cells were implanted.

Augmented antiproliferative effects of interferons at elevated temperatures against human bladder carcinoma cell lines.

The in vitro antiproliferative effects of interferons (IFN) against the human bladder carcinoma cell lines T24, RT4, HT1197, and 647V were evaluated at temperatures ranging from 37-41 degrees. At 37 degrees, the antiproliferative activities of IFN, either naturally produced or produced by recombinant DNA technology, were different against different cell lines. An increase in temperature markedly enhanced the antimitotic effect of IFN for all cells.

Antiproliferative activities of interferons against human bladder carcinoma cell lines in vitro.

The antiproliferative effect of interferons against 5 human bladder carcinoma cell lines, RT112, T24, RT4, 647V and HT1197, was determined in vitro. Each of these human bladder carcinoma cell lines except 647V was sensitive to human interferons in liquid media. The antiproliferative effect of interferons was observed only upon continuous exposure, not after 1 hour.

In vitro and in vivo effects of levamisole on monocyte chemotaxis in normal donors and patients with colorectal carcinoma.

Levamisole, a synthetic phenylimidazothiozole, was found to enhance chemotaxis of monocytes from both normal individuals and those with colorectal carcinoma. The optimum concentration in vitro varied among individuals but occurred most consistently at 200 micrograms/ml (approximately 10(-3) M). Overall relative increase in monocyte chemotaxis in 123 individuals was 29.