Differentiation and transdifferentiation of mast cells; a unique member of the hematopoietic cell family

Information about the differentiation of mast cells has increased remarkably in the past ten years. This progress has resulted from the introduction of techniques which developed in other fields of experimental hematology. Once mast cells were recognized as a progeny of multipotential hematopoietic stem cells, their unique differentiation processes were clarified. Although most of the progeny of stem cells leave the hematopoietic tissue after maturation, undifferentiated precursors of mast cells leave the hematopoietic tissue. Morphologically, unidentifiable precursors migrate in the bloodstream, invade the connective tissues or the mucosa of the alimentary canal, proliferate, and differentiate into mast cells. Even after their morphological differentiation, some mast cells retain an extensive proliferative potential. There are at least two subpopulations of mast cells: a connective-tissue type and a mucosal type. Connective tissue-type and mucosal mast cells can be distinguished by histochemical, electron microscopical, biochemical and immunological criteria; however, these two types can interchange, and their phenotypes are determined by the anatomical microenvironment in which their final differentiation occurs. Although biochemical natures of the anatomical microenvironment are unknown, molecules that support proliferation and differentiation of mast cells in vitro have been characterized, i.e., interleukin 3 and interleukin 4. In the next ten years, increased information about the differentiation processes will probably induce further understanding of mast cell functions.

Interleukin 4 as an essential factor for in vitro clonal growth of murine connective tissue-type mast cells

We investigated the biological activity of IL-4 to murine connective tissue-type mast cells (CTMC). When purified peritoneal mast cells, typical CTMC, were incubated with pokeweed mitogen-stimulated spleen cell-conditioned medium (PWM-SCM) in methylcellulose, about one-fifth of mast cells showed clonal growth. Recombinant IL-4 alone did not stimulate the clonal growth, and purified IL-3 alone induced development of a small number of tiny clusters. In contrast, addition of IL-4 to IL-3 increased the number of clusters by a factor of 10. The number and size of clusters induced by the combination of IL-3 and IL-4 were comparable to those of mast cell clusters induced by PWM-SCM. The present results indicate that IL-4 is an essential factor for in vitro clonal growth of CTMC.

Effect of colony-stimulating factor-producing tumor on hemopoiesis in splenectomized mice

The colony-stimulating factor-producing BMA-1 tumor was transplanted into splenectomized mice. These mice showed as much granulocytosis as non-splenectomized mice bearing the tumor. The increase in the number of peripheral leukocytes induced per tumor weight was similar in the two groups. The hemopoietic cell population in the central bone marrow (tibia) was not increased by splenectomy. The total numbers of spleen colony-forming cells and granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells in the whole body of tumor-bearing splenectomized mice were 29% and 58% of those in the tumor-bearing non-splenectomized mice, respectively. The expansion of hemopoiesis to the peripheral bone marrow in tumor-bearing splenectomized mice was confirmed by histological examination of the tail bone. These results suggest that the lack of increase in the bone marrow cellularity is due to the space limitation, and that this is well compensated for by a great expansion of hemopoietic marrow to the peripheral bones in splenectomized mice.

Tumor-associated glycoprotein (TAG-72) detected in adenocarcinomas and benign lesions of the stomach

Murine monoclonal antibody (MAb) B72.3, prepared against a membrane-enriched extract of metastatic carcinoma and reactive with a high-molecular-weight determinant, designated tumor-associated glycoprotein (TAG)-72, was shown to be reactive immunohistochemically with 97% of a variety of primary adenocarcinomas of the stomach (n = 40). All "early" gastric carcinomas were reactive with MAb B72.3, although the average percentage cellular reactivity was lower than in "advanced" carcinomas. TAG-72 antigen was detected in benign lesions (i.e. adenomatous polyps and hyperplastic polyps) with intestinal metaplasia. Dysplastic lesions characterized by cellular atypia, abnormal differentiation, and disorganized mucosal architecture demonstrated higher TAG-72 expression than non-dysplastic epithelia. In contrast, normal gastric mucosa was generally non-reactive with MAb B72.3. Assays using serial sections of normal, benign and malignant gastric tissues with two MAbs (B1.1 and COL-6) directed against distinct epitopes of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) demonstrated differential reactivity, confirming that TAG-72 and CEA are distinct, non-coordinately expressed antigens. Our results suggest that TAG-72 antigen may be expressed in malignant and dysplastic epithelial cells, as well as in intestinalized epithelium of the stomach which has been closely related to subsequent carcinoma development. Hence, MAb B72.3 may be a useful immunohistochemical adjunct for detecting early foci of adenocarcinomas and premalignant lesions of the stomach.

Neoplastic conversion of human keratinocytes by adenovirus 12-SV40 virus and chemical carcinogens

Efforts to investigate the progression of events that lead human cells of epithelial origin to become neoplastic in response to carcinogenic agents have been aided by the development of tissue culture systems for propagation of epithelial cells. In the present study, nontumorigenic human epidermal keratinocytes immortalized by adenovirus 12 and simian virus 40 (Ad 12-SV40) were transformed by treatment with the chemical carcinogens N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine or 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide. Such transformants showed morphological alterations and induced carcinomas when transplanted into nude mice, whereas primary human epidermal keratinocytes treated with these chemical carcinogens failed to show any evidence of transformation. This in vitro system may be useful in assessing environmental carcinogens for human epithelial cells and in detecting new human oncogenes.

Serial plasma carcinoembryonic antigen measurement for monitoring patients with advanced lung cancer during chemotherapy

The plasma carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in 243 patients with untreated advanced lung cancer were studied to assess their value for prognosis and for indicating the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Of patients with adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma, 43%, 24%, 7%, and 13%, respectively, had elevated CEA levels of 20 ng/ml or greater before treatment. Pretreatment CEA levels were elevated to above 20 ng/ml for 38% of 163 patients with extensive disease and for 22% of 80 patients with limited disease (P less than 0.02). In patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung, the pretreatment CEA levels were not correlated with response to chemotherapy and patients' survival. Serial measurement of plasma CEA was a useful noninvasive technique for monitoring the response to chemotherapy in patients whose pretreatment levels were 20 ng/ml or higher. All of 18 patients with complete or partial responses and 5 of 6 patients with minor responses showed greater than 36% decrease in the CEA level compared with the pretreatment level. In all of nine patients with progressive disease, the CEA levels increased after chemotherapy. Therefore, an increase of greater than 36% beyond the baseline level was a useful guideline criterion for a significant change for determination of tumor response to chemotherapy, although 41% of 22 patients with stable disease exceeded the pretreatment level by 36% or more in either direction (mean percent change +/- standard deviation, -4.1% +/- 52.2%), and 4 of 9 patients with progressive disease did not have levels greater than 36% above the baseline levels.

Detection of cytotoxicity of freshly obtained lymphocytes and of lymphocytes activated with recombinant interleukin II (rIL-2) against lung cancer cell lines by human tumor clonogenic assay (HTCA)

The cytotoxicity of freshly obtained human peripheral blood lymphocytes and lymphocytes activated with human recombinant interleukin II (rIL-2) was evaluated against lung cancer cell lines by the human tumor clonogenic assay. Colony formation of all human lung cancer cell lines, PC-1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 13 and 14 were suppressed by lymphocytes activated with 100 units/ml of human rIL-2 for 72 hr. However, the degree of the suppression of colony formation by lymphocytes activated with rIL-2 was different for each cell line. The per cent inhibition of colony formation obtained by HTCA correlated well with the per cent cytolysis obtained by 51Cr-release assay for all cell lines. HTCA provides a very useful tool for the detection of cytotoxicity of lymphocytes against clonogenic tumor cells.

A functional study of a case of glucagonoma exhibiting typical glucagonoma syndrome

A 46-year-old man had a 7-year history of severe rash, which was then diagnosed as necrolytic migratory erythema. He had a weight loss of 6 kg, abnormal glucose tolerance test findings, anemia, glossitis, hair loss, and hypoproteinemia. Plasma amino acids levels were significantly decreased, and the fasting plasma glucagon (IRG) level was high at 5000 to 8000 pg/ml. Circulating IRG significantly increased after oral glucose loading, meal ingestion, and arginine infusion, and decreased with somatostatin infusion and insulin-induced hypoglycemia. No other gut or pancreatic hormone levels in plasma were elevated. Plasma IRG was eluted by gel-filtration, mainly in the position of true glucagon (MW 3500) by antiserum 30K. The rash was markedly improved after infusion of amino acids. Computerized tomography (CT) scan and celiac angiography revealed a large pancreatic tumor with multiple liver and lymph node metastases. The pancreatic tumor was totally resected, and was identified as glucagonoma by immunohistochemical technique. Since the plasma IRG levels remained high after surgery, the patient received dimethyltriazenoimidazole carboxamide therapy. After several courses of this treatment, plasma IRG levels decreased to 1000 to 2000 pg/ml, and the hepatic metastases were remarkably diminished in size.

Natural killer (NK) and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell activity in healthy volunteers with special emphasis on the familial incidence of cancer

Natural killer (NK) and lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cell activities in 133 healthy volunteers were analyzed with regard to the volunteer's sex, age, smoking history and the familial incidence of cancer. None of these factors had any influence on NK and LAK cell activities. It was concluded that identifying individuals with increased risk of cancer development by examining NK and LAK activities would be difficult.

Tunable oscillation of a high-power argon excimer laser in the vacuum-ultraviolet spectral region

Successful oscillation of a tunable, high-power argon excimer laser is reported. The wavelength was tuned from 124.5 to 127.5 nm with a spectral width of 0.3 nm. The output power of 2.2 MW, obtained at the line center, is 3 orders of magnitude larger than the value reported previously by Wrobel et al. [Appl. Phys. Lett. 36, 113 (1980)]. The possibility of frequency conversion of the argon excimer laser radiation to other wavelengths by a stimulated Raman scattering process is discussed.

Phase II study of vindesine in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

A phase II study of vindesine (VDS) was carried out in 21 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There were 13 and 8 patients with and without prior chemotherapy, respectively. VDS was administered at a weekly iv dose of 3 mg/m2. Partial response was observed in two of 15 adenocarcinomas and one of 2 adenosquamous cell carcinomas, and the overall response rate was 14.3% (3/21). Myelosuppression, especially leukopenia, was the most common dose-limiting side effect. Neurotoxicity was also a common side effect but the degree was mild. It was concluded that VDS at a dose of 3 mg/m2 every week seems to be active against NSCLC.

Comparison of vindesine plus cisplatin or vindesine plus mitomycin in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Fifty-eight patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer were randomly allocated to receive vindesine (3 mg/m2 every week) plus either cisplatin (80 mg/m2 every 3 weeks) or mitomycin (8 mg/m2 weekly X 3, then every 3 weeks). No patients achieved complete response. Among the 28 patients treated with vindesine plus cisplatin, there were 12 partial responders (42.9%); among the 30 patients treated with vindesine plus mitomycin, there were only three partial responders (10%) (P less than 0.005). The median duration of response was 11.5 weeks (range, 4-25) in the patients treated with vindesine plus cisplatin. The median survival times for patients treated with vindesine plus cisplatin and vindesine plus mitomycin were 10.1 and 10.2 months, respectively; there was no statistical difference in survival time between the two groups. Initial performance status was the strong predictor of patient survival. Toxic effects, including moderate myelosuppression, nephrotoxicity, peripheral neuropathy, and gastrointestinal symptoms, were generally manageable. The combination of vindesine and cisplatin appears to be effective against advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

[The role of chemotherapy in metastatic pulmonary tumors in a disease-oriented phase II study of anticancer agent]

It is essential to conduct a precise and scientific phase II study of anticancer agent to ascertain active drugs for the establishment of standard chemotherapeutic regimens. In this review, we discuss the rationales of phase II study of agents against metastatic pulmonary tumors as well as of postsurgical adjuvant chemotherapy. The results of the phase II study of cisplatin against metastatic pulmonary tumors in the National Cancer Center Hospital are discussed from the standpoint of a drug- and disease-oriented phase II study.

[cis-Dichlorodiammine platinum (II) in the treatment of advanced colo-rectal cancer]

The effect of CDDP was evaluated in 10 cases of advanced colo-rectal cancer. Prior chemotherapy was done in seven cases and three were fresh cases. The dosage of CDDP was in the range of 70-100 mg/m2 per individual. Seven cases out of 10 receiving the CDDP chemotherapy achieved no change and there were three cases of PD. Response rate was 0%. Values of serum creatinine and BUN were transiently evaluated and bone marrow toxicity was moderate. Emesis of patients treated with CDDP was suppressed by the administration of high doses of metoclopramide (2 mg/kg X 4 times).

Preliminary phase II study of adriamycin (ADM) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

A phase II study of adriamycin (ADM) (60 mg/m2) was performed in 22 patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). There were no responders in the 19 evaluable patients (16 with adenocarcinoma, two with squamous cell carcinoma and one with large cell carcinoma). The major side effects were alopecia (89%), leukocytopenia (73%), thrombocytopenia (58%) and upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Although ADM at 60 mg/m2 did not appear to have sufficient antitumor activity against NSCLC in this study, it is necessary to evaluate further the efficacy of ADM against NSCLC with another treatment schedule.

[The control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting]

A growing interest has been shown in antiemetics with important advances in understanding the physiology of vomiting and the development of new anticancer agents having high emetic potential such as cisplatin. At present, high-dose metoclopramide, dexamethasone and butyrophenones have shown effective antiemetic action. In addition, antiemetic drug combinations that affect more than one neurotransmitter receptor have achieved improved emesis control. While improvements have been made in acute chemotherapy-induced emesis, anticipatory and delayed emesis is still a difficult problem. Further studies under well-designed trials are necessary to establish which of the available agents, doses, routes of administration, and schedules are best for reducing emesis depending on the chemotherapeutic drugs used.

Enhanced granulopoiesis in mice transplanted with colony-stimulating factor-producing BMA1 tumor

Inoculation of BMA1 cells into BALB/c nude mice formed tumors (BMA1 tumor) that were transplantable into ddY mice, and induced marked granulopoiesis in vivo. Histological study revealed that the tumor was a fibrosarcoma, some parts of which were calcified, and consisted of hemopoietic foci surrounded by adipose tissue. This tumor was regarded as producing CSF in vivo as well as in vitro, since CSF activity was detected in sera of the tumor-bearing mice and tumor extract. Granulopoiesis and splenomegaly developed, associated with an increase of stem cells in the spleen. The number of CFUc and CFUs in the spleen increased to about 91 times and 21 times those of control mice, respectively, whereas the number of stem cells in the tibia did not change significantly. The number of peripheral leukocytes increased to 15 times that of normal mice and amounted to 78% of matured granulocytes. After tumor resection these hematological changes were reversed. The findings suggest that the granulopoiesis in BMA1 tumor-bearing mice may be induced by CSF produced by BMA1 tumor and that the spleen may be a direct target organ of the excessive amount of CSF.

Phase II study of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

A phase II study of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP, 80 mg/m2, every 3 weeks) was performed in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The overall response rate to CDDP was 14% (6/42). In patients without prior chemotherapy, the response rate was 20% (2/10), and in patients with prior chemotherapy, the response rate was 13% (4/31). The major side effect was gastrointestinal toxicity. It was concluded that CDDP at a dose of 80 mg/m2 every 3 weeks is effective against NSCLC.