[MODERN CONCEPT OF PATHOGENESIS OF ALLERGIC DISEASES AND NEW POTENTIALITIES OF IMMUNOTHERAPY].

Despite the undoubted success of specific immunotherapy of allergic diseases (desensitization), one should confess that its effectiveness is not always satisfactory, and this explains the ongoing search for new approaches to immunotherapy. This conclusion is based on the results of basic research in immunology and allergy which provide new opportunities for therapy. The analysis of relevant work related to the study of allergic processes makes it possible to allocate two items: 1) specific hyposensitization-therapeutic approach that is primarily aimed at the final stage of the allergic reaction development; 2) development of allergic phenotype begins at early stages of B lymphocyte development while its final stage, IgE hyperproduction, depends on multiple of pre- and accompanying factors.

Interaction between tumor and immune system: the role of tumor cell biology.

In present work the role of tumor cell biology upon different conditions of their interaction with the cells of immune system is discussed. The presented data show that it tumor cell biology that in many cases determines tumor antigen recognition and realization of cytotoxic action of killer cells. Here also we discuss own data obtained with the use of experimental tumor models (transplantable MC-rhabdomyosarcoma, B16 melanoma) and human tumors (soft tissue sarcoma, melanoma, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer).

Expression of E-cadherin in drug resistant human breast cancer cells and their sensitivity to lymphokine-activated lymphocytes action.

Aim: To analyze the correlation between the elevated sensitivity of drug resistant breast cancer cells to the action of lymphokine-activated lymphocytes (LAK) and expression of E-cadherin and other marker proteins by cancer cells and lymphocytes.

Methods: Breast tumor explants were cultured with autologous lymphocytes in double diffusion chambers. The results were evaluated by morphological criteria of explants growth.

TNF receptor p55 and IL-8(72) and IL-8(77) isoforms: blood and urine levels in breast cancer patients.

In the preliminary study reported here, 37 patients with breast cancer and 10 healthy volunteers were analyzed for soluble TNF-R p55 and two variants of IL-8 consisting of 72 and 77 amino acid residues (IL-8(72) and IL-8(77), respectively) in their blood and urine with novel ELISA test systems. The clinical/prognostic values of determining these inflammatory cytokines at different stages of the cancer process appeared to depend on the treatment course being evaluated. In contrast to expectations, it was noted that there was a stabile tendency for decreased TNF-R p55 and IL-8(72) levels in the plasma and urine of breast cancer patients as compared with levels observed with healthy controls.

The use of doxorubicine at low doses for elevation of LAK-activity toward explants and cells of MC-rhabdomyosarcoma and B16 melanoma resistant to doxorubicin.

Aim: To study the influence of doxorubicin at low doses on antitumor action of activated (LAK) and non-activated lymphocytes from lymph nodes toward tumor cells of mice bearing doxorubicin-resistant and doxorubicin-sensitive transplantable MC-rhabdomyosarcoma and B16 melanoma.

Materials And Methods: The study was carried out on BALB/c mice bearing MC-rhabdomyosarcoma and 57BL/6 mice bearing 16 melanoma. Explants, tumor cells and lymphocytes were cultivated in diffusion chambers, filters were stained with hematoxylin by Karachi, and morphology of preparations was examined.