5-aminolevulinic acid mediated photodynamic therapy of Lewis lung carcinoma: a role of tumor infiltration with different cells of immune system.

Aim: To investigate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) as a photosensitizer on the character of infiltration of experimental tumors by different cells of immune system.

Methods: The effect of ALA-PDT on subcutaneously implanted Lewis lung carcinoma in c57Bl/6 mice was studied. ALA at a dose of 500 mg/kg was given per os, and 4 h later tumors were subjected to laser irradiation (632 nm, 150 mW/cm(2), 20 min).

Induction of antibodies to methadone during methadone maintenance treatment of heroin addicts and its possible clinical implications.

By means of two different types of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques, antibodies to methadone were detected in blood plasma of heroin addicts on methadone maintenance treatment. In 11-15% of cases immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibodies were detected, while IgG antibodies were observed in 33-40%. At least two types of antibodies to methadone were induced-antibodies with high affinity to methadone and low-affinity antibodies more specific for morphine than for methadone.

Antibodies to morphine as indicators of chronic morphine intoxication and impaired immune reactivity.

Chronic morphine treatment of rats for 2 and 4 weeks led to an increase in morphine-binding cells in the spleen, despite the general reduction of mononuclear cell content in the spleen and thymus. Simultaneously, serum antibodies to morphine (AbM) in haemagglutination titres 1:20 and higher appeared in 50% and 80% of animals, respectively. Animals with high titres of AbM had much weaker immune response to a thymus-dependent antigen (sheep red blood cells).

Antibodies to drugs as indicators of chronic drug use. An alternative to toxicological hair analysis.

An ELISA method for detection of specific antibodies to morphine-protein conjugate (MPC) in humans and animals was elaborated. In humans, antibodies could be detected predominantly as the IgM class of immunoglobulins. Elevated levels of such antibodies were found in about 50% of opiate addicts and morphine-treated rats.

Induction of antibodies to morphine during chronic morphine treatment in rodents and opiate addicts.

The phenomenon of induction of antibodies to morphine in morphine-treated animals and opiate addicts was shown by means of ELISA. The reaction of the immune system to injections of a morphine solution had the characteristics of a primary immune response. Opiate addicts differed from normal controls in the level of antibodies to morphine of IgM class.