Salvage chemotherapy for recurrent primary brain tumors in children.

Sixty consecutive evaluable children with recurrent primary tumors of the central nervous system were treated with a regimen of vincristine, nitrogen mustard, procarbazine, and prednisone over a 12-year period. Tumor types included medulloblastoma (19), brain-stem glioma (16), astrocytoma (13), and a miscellaneous glioma (12). Responses and sustained survivals were achieved.

The relationship of DNA and chromosome damage to survival of synchronized X-irradiated L5178Y cells. II. Repair.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of DNA and chromosome repair in determining the difference in radiosensitivity between a radiosensitive murine leukemic lymphoblastoid cell line, L5178Y-S, and its radioresistant counterpart, L5178Y-R. Populations of cells in the G1 or G2 phase of the cell cycle were obtained by centrifugal elutriation and irradiated with X-ray doses up to 10 Gy and allowed to repair at 37 degrees C for various periods. The kinetics of DNA double-strand break repair was estimated using the DNA neutral filter elution method, and the kinetics of chromosome repair was measured by premature chromosome condensation.

The relationship of DNA and chromosome damage to survival of synchronized X-irradiated L5178Y cells. I. Initial damage.

We investigated the role of initial DNA and chromosome damage in determining the radiosensitivity difference between the variant murine leukemic lymphoblast cell lines L5178Y-S (sensitive) and L5178Y-R (resistant) and the difference in cell cycle-dependent variations in radiosensitivity of L5178Y-S cells. We measured initial DNA damage (by the neutral filter elution method) and chromosome damage (by the premature chromosome condensation method) and compared them with survival (measured by cloning) for both cell lines synchronized in G1 or G2 phase of the cell cycle (by centrifugal elutriation) and irradiated with low doses of X rays (up to 10 Gy). The initial yield of DNA and chromosome damage in G2 L5178Y-S cells was almost twice that in G1 L5178Y-S cells and G1 or G2 L5178Y-R cells.

Differential expression of cell surface glycoproteins on various organ-derived microvascular endothelia and endothelial cell cultures.

Glycoproteins expressed on the luminal surfaces of microvascular endothelium derived from various murine organs were analyzed and compared with those expressed by cultured vascular endothelial cells. Cell-surface vascular proteins were radiolabeled in situ via intracardiac perfusion with lactoperoxidase/Na125I. Autoradiography confirmed that the radiolabel was restricted to the vessel lumen in most tissues.

Physical characteristics of the M.D. Anderson Hospital clinical neutron beam.

The physical characteristics of the M.D. Anderson Hospital (MDAH) clinical neutron beam are presented.

Influence of total parenteral nutrition on tumor growth and polyamine biosynthesis of fibrosarcoma-bearing rats after induced cachexia.

The effect of a protein-free diet (PF) or a restricted intake of chow (RI) and subsequent host repletion with total parenteral nutrition (PF-TPN, RI-TPN) on tumor growth and polyamine metabolism of fibrosarcoma-bearing rats was examined. Host weight was significantly reduced by PF and RI. Tumor growth was reduced in malnourished rats with the PF regimen resulting in the greatest decrease.

Use of monoclonal antibody HMB-45 in the cytologic diagnosis of melanoma.

The value of mouse monoclonal antibody (MAb) HMB-45 for the diagnosis of melanoma was retrospectively evaluated in cytologic preparations. Twenty-two (68.7%) of the 32 melanoma cases studied reacted with MAb HMB-45 while none of the 36 nonmelanoma tumors stained with this antibody.

Phase II study of tiazofurin (NSC 286193) in the treatment of advanced small cell bronchogenic carcinoma.

Fourteen evaluable patients with small cell bronchogenic carcinoma received tiazofurin, an inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, that progressed after one combination chemotherapy. No objective remission was observed at the dosage of 800 mg/m2 for 5 consecutive days. Toxicity was moderate.

A possible role for altered poly(adenosine diphosphoribose)-synthesis in the sensitivity of human head and neck squamous carcinoma cells to ionizing radiation.

Cytotoxicity, extent of DNA double-strand breaks, and stimulation of poly(adenosine diphosphoribose)-synthesis were measured in two established human head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines (183A and 1483) following x-irradiation. The 1483 cell line was 15-fold more resistant to x-ray-mediated cytotoxicity than was the 183A cell line. X-ray-mediated DNA strand cleavage also differed in these two cell lines with the absolute frequency of DNA double-strand breaks in the sensitive cells 183A cells being twice that in the resistant 1483 cell line.

Cisplatin in combination with continuous infusion vinblastine for refractory breast cancer.

We assessed antitumor activity and toxic effects of cisplatin and 5-day continuous infusion vinblastine in 25 evaluable patients with metastatic breast carcinoma refractory to one or more chemotherapeutic regimens. We administered cisplatin at 70 mg/m2 i.v.

Human creatine kinase genes on chromosomes 15 and 19, and proximity of the gene for the muscle form to the genes for apolipoprotein C2 and excision repair.

The human chromosomal assignments of genes of the creatine kinase (CK) family--loci for brain (CKBB), muscle (CKMM), and mitochondrial (CKMT) forms--were studied by Southern filter hybridization analysis of DNAs isolated from a human x rodent somatic cell hybrid clone panel. Probes for the 3'-noncoding sequences of human CKBB and CKMM hybridized concordantly only to DNAs from somatic cell hybrids containing chromosomes 14 and 19, respectively. Thus the earlier assignment of the gene coding for the CKBB isozyme to chromosome 14 was confirmed by molecular means, as was the provisional assignment of CKMM to the long arm of chromosome 19.

Wound prophylaxis with metronidazole in head and neck surgical oncology.

Anaerobic organisms are thought to be an important source of wound infection in head and neck oncologic surgery. Antibiotic prophylaxis consisting of agents specific for anaerobes combined with broad-spectrum agents that provide coverage for other well-recognized pathogens should be an effective combination regimen for this group of patients. We conducted a prospective, randomized study comparing the efficacy of prophylaxis using combination of metronidazole and cefazolin-designated group A, to prophylaxis using cefazolin alone-group B, for patients undergoing oncologic procedures of the head and neck.

Genetic instability of cancer. Why a metastatic tumor is unstable and a benign tumor is stable.

It is theorized that tumors may be initiated by two methods: by an error affecting one or several oncogenes, or by an error affecting one or several of the genes controlling the stability of the genome. The majority of cells that misexpress an oncogene(s) and that later form a tumor probably form nonevolving benign tumors. A minority of these cells with an activated oncogene(s) (or one of the descendant cells) may also come to misexpress a stability gene(s).

Effect of unlabelled monoclonal antibody (MoAb) on biodistribution of 111indium labelled (MoAb).

We have evaluated immunoscintigraphy in cancer patients using four 111In-labelled murine monoclonal antibodies (MoAb): 96.5 (anti-P97 of melanoma), ZME-018 (anti-high molecular weight antibody of melanoma), ZCE-025 (anti-CEA for colon cancer) and PAY-276 (anti-prostatic acid phosphatase for prostatic cancer). The effect of increasing the doses of unlabelled MoAb (co-infused with 1 mg labelled MoAb) on the relative body distribution of each labelled MoAb was assessed.

Analysis of breakpoints within the bcr gene and their correlation with the clinical course of Philadelphia-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is characterized by a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22. The breakpoints on chromosome 22 are clustered within a 5.8-kilobase (kb) DNA fragment known as the breakpoint cluster region (bcr), which encodes part of a functionally active gene.

Antileukemic effect of recombinant tumor necrosis factor alpha in vitro and its modulation by alpha and gamma interferons.

The effect of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha (rTNF-alpha) on human myelogenous leukemia clonogenic cells growing either in semisolid media or in suspension cultures was studied and compared with the effect on normal granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (GM-CFC). Exposure of cells to a range of rTNF-alpha doses including pharmacologically achievable plasma concentrations revealed a large heterogeneity in the response of leukemic clonogenic growth to rTNF-alpha. Only one of 13 specimens was highly resistant to rTNF-alpha.

Prostatic duct adenocarcinoma with endometrioid features: immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study.

Despite earlier arguments that the so-called "endometrioid carcinoma" is of Müllerian remnant origin, our clinicopathologic study of 35 cases indicated that it is actually an adenocarcinoma of prostatic duct origin. With respect to histology, it has two growth patterns; type A, an exuberant papillary endometrioid pattern with a focal intraductal component, and type B, less papillary-endometrioid growth and more intraductal components. Immunoperoxidase study showed immunoreactivity for prostatic-specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase in all 20 cases tested.

Primary mucin-secreting adenocarcinoma of the kidney.

A case of mucin-secreting renal cell carcinoma in a 65-year-old man is presented. Both luminal and cytoplasmic mucin was present as demonstrated by Mayer's mucicarmine and alcian blue stains at a pH of 0.9 and 2.

The growing teratoma syndrome: an unusual manifestation of treated, nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis.

Residual masses are a common finding after chemotherapy for retroperitoneal and other metastases from nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis. These may contain mature teratoma, fibrotic tissue, or tumor. Mature teratoma, which is unresponsive to chemotherapy, may result from evolution of a malignant lesion during treatment, or it may represent a metastasis from a focus of mature teratoma in the primary testicular tumor.

Selective inhibition of human ribosomal gene transcription by the morpholinyl anthracyclines cyanomorpholinyl- and morpholinyldoxorubicin.

Upon incubation of cultured mammalian cells with the new anthracycline analogues cyanomorpholinyldoxorubicin and morpholinyldoxorubicin, nucleoli irreversibly segregate into their substructures which form individual portions of the nucleolar mass and characteristic electron-dense components adjacent to the nucleolonema; these changes in nucleolar ultrastructure are similar to those produced by actinomycin D (AMD). In the present study we have examined the effects of anthracycline analogues on RNA synthesis, localization of RNA polymerase I in situ, and activity of RNA polymerases in vitro, and compared these effects with those of the parent compound doxorubicin (DOX) and AMD. The results show that, following treatment with cyanomorpholinyldoxorubicin, morpholinyldoxorubicin, and AMD, but not DOX, RNA polymerase I-containing transcription complexes were reduced, reflecting the transcriptional activity of the rRNA genes.

Multiple restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the human epidermal growth factor receptor gene.

We have examined the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor gene for structural alterations in fresh human tumors. DNA samples from 92 patients with solid tumors (lung cancer, 37; breast cancer, 24; head and neck cancer, 17; other tumors, 14) were analyzed and compared with those from 22 leukemia patients and 14 individuals without malignant neoplasms. When DNA samples were digested with HindIII restriction endonuclease, Southern blot analysis demonstrated 3 distinct polymorphic bands (9.

Inferior phrenic artery embolization in the treatment of hepatic neoplasms.

Twenty-nine inferior phrenic artery embolizations were performed in 20 patients with primary or metastatic hepatic neoplasms. All patients had interruption of their hepatic arteries by previous infusion of chemotherapy, hepatic arterial embolization or surgical ligation. In one patient, bilateral pleural effusions developed following embolization of the inferior phrenic artery.

Accessory parotid gland.

Accessory parotid glands may be found in approximately 20% of patients and are heir to all diseases affecting the parotid gland proper. Between 1% and 7% of all parotid neoplasms arise from the accessory glands, and 50% of these are histologically malignant.