Cytotoxic action of Ganoderma lucidum on interleukin-3 dependent lymphoma DA-1 cells: involvement of apoptosis proteins.

Aqueous extracts and a semipurified fraction obtained by methanol extraction and column chromatography were isolated from Ganoderma lucidum [Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst.; Ganodermataceae Donk] and their effects on interleukin 3-dependent lymphoma cells (DA-1) were studied.

Dequalinium induces apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from human chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is an abnormal neoplasic proliferation of B cells, which accumulate mainly in the bone marrow and blood preventing both B cells development in the lymph nodes and the ability to fight against infection. The antitumor agents used in chemotherapy are aimed at inducing malignant cell death, thus limiting the growth and spreading of these cells. However, the lack of specificity for tumor cells exhibited by these agents causes undesirable side effects that have led to the investigation of new therapeutic strategies designed to specifically target malignant cells and thus trigger selective cell destruction.

Homeostatic role of IL-7 in HIV-1 infected children on HAART: association with immunological and virological parameters.

Aim: To investigate the role of IL-7 in HIV-infected children on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and its association with laboratory parameters related to disease progression.

Patients And Methods: A cross-sectional study in 31 vertically HIV-infected children (median age 8.4 y) treated with HAART, and a longitudinal study in four of those same children was carried out.