Chloroethyl-cyclohexyl-nitrosourea (CCNU) in the treatment of malignant brain tumors

✓ Oral 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU), a lipid-soluble non-ionized chemotherapeutic agent, was used in the treatment of 26 patients with malignant brain tumor, primarily glioblastoma. Most patients had first received conventional surgery, and about one half had received x-ray therapy. Over 1½ years, 113 courses of CCNU (130–150 mg/m2) were given and analyzed for clinical results and agent toxicity. A new central nervous system (CNS) disease staging system was used to measure patient impairment and therapeutic response. Thirty-seven per cent of all symptomatic patients had significant remission of clinical disease, lasting a median of 5 months. Data are presented implying that the treatment of asymptomatic patients may also be of considerable value. The most significant toxicity was delayed reversible thrombocytopenia, which was less severe than that seen with nitrosourea BCNU. Despite the cumulative toxicity observed with all three bone-marrow elements, serious complications were rare. Our initial experience indicates that CCNU is an effective agent for the treatment of malignant brain tumor and that the CNS disease staging system is useful in obtaining quantitative results.

Interactions between DDT and river fungi. I. Effects of p,p'-DDT on the growth of aquatic hyphomycetes

Concentrations of p,p'-DDT between 0.1 and 60 mug/ml enhanced the growth rate of Heliscus submersus, and concentrations greater than 2 mug/ml had a similar effect on Tetracladium setigerum, Varicosporium elodeae, and Clavariopsis aquatica. The rate of growth of each fungus increased with increased DDT concentration.

Lecithin aerosols generated ultrasonically above 25 degrees C

Dl-Dipalmitoyl-alpha-lecithin, suspended in 0.15-molar sodium chloride solution by sonic cavitation at 20 kilohertz, can be aerosolized by an 800-kilohertz ultrasonic generator only at temperatures above 25 degrees C. The aerosol thus produced is exceptionally stable against evaporation even at particle radii of 0.1 to 0.6 micron; this suggests applicability to the therapy of pulmonary disorders.