Establishment of human glioblastoma multiforme cell line, G5A

A new cell line, G5A, was established from a human glioblastoma multiforme of the primary site and maintained for 25 months, subcultivated 36 times. The cloned cells showed morphologically epithelial-like patterns and loss of glial filaments. The cells inoculated in the nude mice produced tumors in 100% of the mice. The plating efficiency of the cell line was 20.9% in a standard culture. The modal chromosome number was 63 with many morphological abnormalities. The generation time was 22.9 hours and the parameters of the cell cycle were clarified by the percent labeled mitosis analysis. No morphological differentiation of the cell line was induced by the chemical differentiation-inducers.

[Utilization of melanin precursors for experimental chemotherapy of malignant melanoma]

Melanin synthesis is a metabolic pathway unique and specific to melanocytes. It occurs by conversion of tyrosine to dopa and dopaquinone in the presence of tyrosinase. It is highly accelerated in malignant melanoma with a marked increase of tyrosinase activity. This study summarizes the recent progress in experimental chemotherapeutic approaches to malignant melanoma by utilizing melanin precursors, and presents our current results. Our studies indicated (a) that hydroquinone and 4-isopropylcatechol are selectively toxic to melanocytes and melanoma cells, (b) that their actions are mediated through tyrosinase, and (c) that dopa is selectively and highly incorporated into melanoma cells and melanocytes depending on the tyrosinase activity. In addition, our new compounds, i.e., 4-S-cysteinylphenol and 4-S-cysteaminylphenol were highly toxic to melanoma cells, increasing the life span of B16 melanoma bearing mice and decreasing melanoma growth in C57 BL mice. Other synthetic compounds, e.g., cysteinylcatechols and their devivatives, were, however, not toxic to melanoma cells. 4-S-cysteinylphenol and 4-S-cysteaminylphenol appeared to exert their cytotoxicity through the action of tyrosinase present in melanoma cells, thus providing a kind of "guided missile" approach to melanoma chemotherapy.

[So-called carcinosarcoma of the breast--report of 4 cases]

Four cases of so-called carcinosarcoma of the breast were studied histopathologically. The patients were females aged 44, 37, 44 and 77 who were admitted to the Cancer Institute Hospital for breast tumors. Histologically, the tumors showed proliferation of sarcomatous cells with relatively small amounts of papillotubular carcinoma or scirrhous carcinoma. There were transitions between the sarcomatous portion and carcinoma. Two cases showed squamous metaplasia merging into the sarcomatous component, whereas the other 2 showed transition from adenocarcinoma to sarcomatous element. Lymph nodal metastases in 2 cases were papillotubular carcinoma. One patient died of lung and brain metastases, and autopsy revealed only sarcomatous element.

Histometrical investigation of the pulmonary artery in severe hepatic disease

Histological changes of the pulmonary vasculature in comparison with that of the portal vein in necropsy cases of severe hepatic injury that had not been associated with clinical pulmonary hypertension were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. The main changes of the intra-hepatic portal vein were dilatation (88.3 per cent), thickening of the wall (58.5 per cent) and thrombi (22.3 per cent). The changes of the pulmonary vasculature were limited to muscular type arteries, which showed dilatation (31.9 per cent), thickening of the wall (30.9 per cent) and thrombi (10.6 per cent). Association of wall thickening of the portal vein and the small pulmonary artery was observed in 30.9 per cent, these associations being statistically significant. Coincidence of thrombus formation in the portal vein and pulmonary vasculature was observed only in 4.3 per cent, which was not statistically significant. After the circumferences of the internal and external elastic laminae of small pulmonary arteries and the cross-sectional area of the media were measured, the anatomical radius and wall thickness of each artery were calculated according to Furuyama 's method. The relations between the anatomical radii and wall thickness of small pulmonary arteries in controls and hepatic cirrhosis groups were investigated by analysis of covariance to compare the equality of the two corresponding regression lines. The wall thickness and the ratio of wall thickness to the anatomical radius of small pulmonary arteries were significantly larger in the cirrhotic group than in the control group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cardiovascular lesion of carcinoid syndrome. An autopsy case of bronchial carcinoid

An autopsy case of a 67-year-old Japanese male is presented. He had been suffering from carcinoid syndrome for 5 years and showed a typical picture of carcinoid heart disease. In Japan, carcinoid heart disease is rare and we can find only four reported cases (33% of reported carcinoid syndrome). The patient had high urinary secretion of 5-HIAA and high serum serotonin, and finally he died of heart failure and bronchopneumonia. The primary site of this carcinoid tumor was of the bronchus of the right B10c , and it had large hepatic metastases. Electronmicroscopically, the tumor cells had secretory granules measuring 1500-3500 A in diameter. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were markedly positive for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and positive for serotonin, in both the primary site and hepatic metastases. Characteristic fibrous plaques were detected in the right atrium, tricuspid valve, right ventricle, and left atrium. Electron-microscopically, the fibrous plaques consisted of smooth muscle cells and myofibroblasts surrounded by basement membrane-like material. The abundant matrix of the fibrous plaques contained acid mucopolysaccharide, microfibrils and collagen fibers. The same fibrous plaques were also found in hepatic veins. Furthermore, retroperitoneal fibrosis was present, which showed proliferation of myofibroblasts, fibroblasts and immature mesenchymal cells.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy associated with prolonged hemodialysis treatment

The association of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) with prolonged hemodialysis treatment (PHT), not previously reported, was observed in a 56-year-old Japanese man who received PHT for 11 years. He suffered from recurrent bouts of fever and progressive neurological signs, such as irritability, speech disturbance, gait disturbance and dysphagia for seven months, and finally fell into a deep coma and died. Clinical signs and symptoms were highly suggestive of progressive dialysis encephalopathy. Necropsy revealed that the PML mainly involved the brainstem and cerebellar white matter. The aluminium content of the brain tissue was lower than that of controls. Possibly the virus causing PML is one of the causes of progressive dialysis encephalopathy, since clinically PML is not easily distinguished from progressive dialysis encephalopathy. It is essential to differentiate PML of viral etiology from progressive dialysis encephalopathy of unknown cause.

Idiopathic cardiomyopathy: the pathologic roles of arteriolopathy

Structural alterations and pathologic features of arteriolopathy of the heart were studied in 12 patients with idiopathic cardiomyopathy, five with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HOCM), and seven with congestive cardiomyopathy (COCM). The patients, six men and six women, ranged in age from 25 to 66 years. Diagnoses of idiopathic cardiomyopathy were confirmed clinically and at autopsy. Heart weights ranged from 350 to 700 g. Dilatative hypertrophy of both ventricles was observed in four patients, dilatation of both ventricles in six patients, and concentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle in two patients. The ventricular septa ranged in thickness from 7 to 27 mm, and the septal:free wall ratios ranged form 1.0 to 1.8. The lumens of extramural coronary arteries showed less than 30 per cent narrowing. Sections of the heart and all body organs were examined. The myocardia showed microscopic areas of hypertrophy, degeneration and disorganization of muscle cells, interstitial fibrosis, and various features of arteriolopathy. Histometric studies showed that hypertrophy of muscle cells was greater in HOCM than in COCM, that the content of connective tissue in the myocardium was higher in COCM, and that interstitial fibrosis was greater in the epicardial zone than in the endocardial zone in COCM but was greater in the endocardial zone in HOCM. Of the arteriolar changes, those of smooth muscle cells and internal elastic lamina were observed most frequently; no arteriolar narrowing or stenosis was observed in either HOCM or COCM. The correlation between the frequency of arteriolopathy (loss of smooth muscle cells in the media) and myocardial interstitial fibrosis was significant in COCM (P less than 0.05) but not in HOCM. No significant correlations were found between arteriolopathy and age, the duration of symptoms, the cause of death, the heart weight, the thickness of the septum or posterior free wall, the septal:free wall ratio, the presence of disorganized cells in the septum, mural thrombi, the mean muscle cell diameter, or the extent of very hypertrophic cells (P greater than 0.05) in either HOCM or COCM.

[Visceral metastasis in 135 cases of breast cancer: evaluation at autopsy]

We examined the distribution and frequency of metastasis in 135 breast carcinoma cases autopsied between 1946 and 1981 at the Cancer Institute, Tokyo, and studied the relationship between the results and various factors such as histological type, patient age, therapy and clinical course. Breast carcinoma metastasizes more widely and more frequently than other malignant tumors; there is a high rate of metastasis to the bone, adrenals, opposite breast, and thyroid. Medullary tubular carcinoma metastasizes more highly than other histological types. The frequency of metastasis is higher in the younger age group and in patients irradiated to the primary sites. There is little correlation between the frequency of metastasis and total duration.

[Case of carcinoid tumor of the breast]

A 74-year-old female with a left breast mass was admitted to the Cancer Institute Hospital and underwent mastectomy. Upon study of a frozen section, a diagnosis of breast carcinoma was made. Histopathological examination revealed a non-invasive tumor whose slightly eosinophilic rich cytoplasm was positive for PAS and Alcian-green staining and argyrophilic staining. The tumor showed medullary arrangement, partly with glandular and rosette-like structures. Electron microscopically, many dense core granules (170 +/- 30 nm in diameter) were diffusely distributed in almost all the tumor cytoplasm, they were thought to be neurosecretory granules. A diagnosis of mucocarcinoid of the breast was made. The patient experienced no dyshormonal disorder during the course of the disease and is alive and well without recurrence.

[Autopsy case of atypical medulloblastoma in an adult]

A 24-year-old female complained of headache and vomiting. The brain-CT scan demonstrated a tumor shadow in the right cerebellar hemisphere. The tumor was partially resected, and irradiation therapy was started. She died of intraventricular hemorrhage about 6 months after the onset of symptoms. Autopsy revealed a recurrent tumor mass in the cerebellum extending to the brain stem. It showed systemic metastases to the leptomeninx, liver, bones and ovaries. Histological examination showed a tumor which was a primarily composed of typical medulloblastoma cells with occasional Homer-Wright type rosettes. It partly showed glioblastoma-like configuration. Some tumor cells were positive for GFAP by the PAP method, suggesting glial differentiation.

[Liver cell carcinoma with extensive proliferation of sarcoma-like neoplastic cells--an autopsy case]

A 73-year-old male was admitted with suspected Grawitz tumor. Aspiration cytology from the tumor was diagnosed as Class V with suspected sarcoma. He died 17 days after admission. Autopsy revealed this to be a massive hepatic tumor occupying over half of the right lobe. It showed protrusion into the right retroperitoneum. Histology of the tumor evidenced widespread proliferation of sarcoma-like neoplastic cells besides a minute area of definite liver cell carcinoma in the center of the tumor mass. Definite transitional features between liver cell carcinoma and a sarcomatous pattern, the latter involving a major part of this tumor, were noted. Thus, we diagnosed this tumor to be liver cell carcinoma with a sarcoma-like histological pattern. The possibility of collision tumor or carcinosarcoma could be ruled out.

Relation between Friend leukemia virus-induced leukemia and genetic control of the host

Hematological assays of inbred specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice of ten different strains inoculated with Friend leukemia virus (FLV) were performed chronologically to assess whether the genetic control of the host may play an important role in viral oncogenicity. Mice strains C57BL/6J, B10 (H-2b) and B10D2 (H-2d) were FLV-resistant, BALB/c, DBA/2N (H-2d), RFM (H-2f), AKR and 80% of CBA/JN (H-2k) were FLV-sensitive (polycythemia) and C3H/He, B10Br and 20% of CBA/JN (H-2k) were FLV-sensitive (anemia). Only the AKR strain mice showed a spontaneous regression of splenomegaly. These results indicate that there is not a strong but a weak correlation between the H-2 haplotype and the reaction to FLV. The main phenomenon in the anemic mice was the monotonous proliferation of the naked blastic cell, whereas that in the polycythemic mice was the enormous increase of the mature erythroblast and the decrease of the naked blastic cell in the later phase. These facts suggest that the naked blastic cell in the mice with polycythemia are reactive and that in the mice anemia truly neoplastic.

Difference in 3H-thymidine incorporation after irradiation between murine B16 melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma in vivo

The tumor growth and cell proliferation kinetics of B16 melanoma and transplantable squamous cell carcinoma (BSC tumor) in C57BL/6 mice were studied after single-dose X-ray and fast-neutron (2 MeV) irradiations. From tumor volume change studies, B16 tumor showed a high relative biological effectiveness (RBE) value (5.5) compared to that of BSC tumor (3.5). The tissue characteristics of the two tumors were not significantly different, but the post-irradiation changes in mitotic index (MI) and lebeling index (LI) were dependent on the tumor and on the nature of the radiation. After irradation, mitosis was immediately inhibited (G2 block) but recovered within several hours in BSC and X-ray-irradiated B16 tumors. The neutron-irradiated B16 tumors showed no recovery up to the end of the observation period. After X-ray irradiation, of B16 tumors, LI showed an immediate reduction, while the reduction was delayed several hours (equal to G1 + M) in BSC tumors. The extent of reduction was dose-dependent, and its recovery was coincident with the recovery of mitosis. The change in LI of neutron-irradiated BSC tumors was similar to that with X-rays, but no change in LI was observed in neutron-irradiated B16 tumors over 18 hr. From these results, it is assumed that the cell progression of B16 tumors is susceptible to ionizing radiation, and that G1 block is induced as a result of irradiation.

Induction of pigmentation by continuous X-irradiation of amelanotic tumors of B16-XI mouse melanoma and induced change in chromosomes of amelanotic cells

Non-pigmented tumor cells of B16-XI mouse melanoma were found to contain a diploid number of chromosomes similarly to those of melanotic tumors and the parental cells in tissue culture. A major difference between pigmented and non-pigmented cells was in the number of biarmed chromosomes per cell. There was no difference in growth rate between non-pigmented and pigmented tumors, but growth usually begins about 2 days earlier in the former. Pigmentation lost in the course of serial transplantation was restored by irradiating the non-pigmented tumor continuously with 2,500-3,000 rads/passage of X-rays during six transfer generations. In the course of repeated irradiations, the chromosomes changed structurally and numerically as the pigmentation of the tumor was gradually restored. The observations of tumor growth and chromosomal changes are discussed in relation to the pigmentation of B16-XI melanoma cells.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the thymic region

A case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma in thymus in a 59-year-old Japanese female is presented. She died of cardiac tamponade due to tumor invasion ater a 5 years' clinical course. At autopsy the main tumor was found in the thymic region with metastases to the sternum, regional lymph nodes, pericardial, and left pleural cavity. The mucoepidermoid carcinoma might be probably originated from a hen's egg-sized cyst which was located in the upper posterior aspect of the tumor-involved thymus. No teratomatous components were present. The cyst was most likely to be of thymic or bronchogenic cyst origin, though it was not determined, in view of the lining with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium of the cystic wall and the surrounding with the thymic tissue outside. Moreover, there was thymic hyperplasia with germinal center that was compatible with SLE-like symptoms in her past history and autoimmune nature of the autopsy findings of pulmonary fibrosis.

Effect of irradiation with fast neutrons or X-rays on the incidence of metastasis of transplanted B16 melanoma in mice

The effects of X-rays and fast neutrons on the incidence of metastasis of B16 melanoma were investigated. Tumors were irradiated with the iso-effect dose (380 rad of 2 MeV fast neutrons, and 1900 rad of 200 kV X-rays) for regression and regrowth of the tumor, and then were excised 3 days after irradiation. Metastasis was examined macroscopically and microscopically in all organs and tissues of mice when death occurred or after sacrifice of surviving mice at 130 days after tumor inoculation. Metastasis was found in 16 to 22% of tumor-bearing mice irrespective of whether or not the tumor had been irradiated before excision. Almost all the mice with metastasis developed pulmonary metastasis accompanied by lymphogenous spread to the thoracic lymph node. The overall incidence of metastasis in the X- or fast neutron-irradiated mice was slightly but not significantly higher than that in the control mice. Irradiation significantly enhanced the incidence of metastasis when the tumor volume was smaller than 200 mm3, but not when the tumor volume was larger than 200 mm3. The incidence of metastasis was significantly enhanced in mice with tumors invading the muscle. The metastasis-enhancing effect of irradiation was noticeably greater with X-irradiation than with fast neutron irradiation in mice with localized tumors of B16 melanoma, whereas in mice with invasive tumors the effects were similar.

Diagnostic usefulness of 201Tl-chloride scintigraphy for preoperative localization of parathyroid tumors

201Tl-chloride scintigraphy was performed in 10 patients with hyperparathyroidism to assess the localization of abnormal parathyroid glands. This approach proved to be useful in 8 of 10 patients. In particular, an intramediastinal ectopic gland was clearly demonstrated in one patient. Several disadvantages were noted, however, 201Tl-chloride scintigraphy could be the first choice for preoperative localization of abnormal parathyroid glands. If a negative image is obtained, further examinations such as arteriography or parathyroid hormone assay be selective venous blood sampling should be done.

Primary malignant melanoma of the vagina: study of four autopsy cases with ultrastructural findings

Four cases of primary malignant melanoma of the vagina in women aged 23, 44, 51 and 65 years are presented. In these 4 cases, thorough clinical and postmortem examinations ruled out the possibility of a primary melanoma elsewhere. The primary tumors showed exophytic growth with superficial ulceration. Three of the melanomas arose from the middle third of the vagina and one from the upper third. Melanin was visible in sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin in 3 of the tumors. In the other one, the first biopsy failed to reveal melanin. However, the second biopsy performed following irradiation showed abundant melanin pigment. Electron microscopic examination of 3 tumors revealed premelanosomes and melanosomes in the tumor cells, thus confirming the diagnosis. Two neoplasms showed atypical histologic features, and only the presence of melanin enabled us to make diagnosis of malignant melanoma. One melanoma was associated with an adjacent widespread intraepithelial component of superficial spreading type indicating its probable mode of origin. All 4 patients died of widespread metastases within 13 months after initial treatment. These 4 cases, in which clinical diagnosis was confirmed by thorough autopsy, strongly indicate that malignant melanoma can arise directly from the vagina.

Late effects of fetal mice x-irradiated at middle or late intrauterine stage

Mice of F1 hybrids of (C57BL/6xWHT) strains were exposed in utero to 200 R of X-rays at 12 or 16 approximately 18 days post coitum. Mice of both sexes were allowed to liver through their life span, and the induction of tumors, growth retardation, and induction of degenerative diseases were examined. A significant enhancement of lung, pituitary gland, and ovary tumorigenesis was observed in mice irradiated at the late intrauterine stage. Also, incidence of liver and skin tumors was increased slightly in this group, whereas thymic lymphomas were not induced. Persistent growth retardation, several congenital malformation, and amyloid degeneration were found in mice irradiated at the middle intrauterine stage. However, no increases incidence of tumors was seen in this group. Moreover, incidnece of lymphoreticular tissue tumors, lung tumors, and leiomyosarcomas of uterus was significantly decreased by irradiation at the middle intrauterine stage from the unirradiated control and the late intrauterine irradiated group.

Comparative study on radiosensitivities of cultured cell lines derived from several human tumors under hypoxic condition

Three human cell lines, Burkitt lymphoma cells (P3HR-1), epidermoid carcinoma cells (HeLa S3-1), and melanoma cells (HMV) were irradiated with 200 kV X-rays under three different oxygen conditions. The values of D0 and D10(-2) were estimated for survival curves, and then the dose-modifying factors (DMF) were calculated, for the oxygenated and hypoxic irradiations. These DMF values for oxygenation were not different for each cell line, but those for hypoxia revealed considerable difference for cell lines. From the comparison of modifications due to variable oxygen concentrations on the survival curves of Burkitt lymphoma cells with those of other resistant cells, it is concluded that the shoulder of the survival curves becomes larger primarily with lowering of the oxygen tension, and then D0 value increases followed by a decrease in n value, while in oxygenation, the decrease in D0 value takes place after n value becomes close to 1.

Recovery in Burkitt lymphoma cells after X-ray irradiation

The radiation response of cultured Burkitt lymphoma cell, known as a particular cell line of high radiosensitivity, was studied by the colony formation method. The values of n, Dq, and Do derived from the survival curve after a single dose X-irradiation resulted in small values as 1.1, 10 rad, and 125 rad. The maximum recovery of about 5% was observed 3 hr after the irradiation by a split-dose experiment. In the survival curve derived from a split-dose irradiation, n and Dq increased while Do remained unchanged. The reason for these increases in n and Dq may be attributed to the nonhomogeneous or mixed population response.

Linear energy transfer-dependent radiosensitivity of Burkitt lymphoma cells, with special references to human melanoma HMV, HeLa-S3, and L5178Y cells

Dependence of the survival curves of Burkitt lymphoma cells, which were featured by their small n or Dq values, on linear energy transfer (LET) obtained for different quality of radiation was revealed markedly in the change of D0 value, together with a small change in n value. Relative biological effectiveness (RBE) compared with Dq, n and D37 values of Burkitt lymphoma cells for high LET radiation was smaller than that of other cell lines. This finding supports the hypothesis that in Burkitt lymphoma cells the recovery capacity from sublethal damage (Dq) is so small even after low LET irradiation that LET does not modify the suppression of recovery. Similar survival curves with n value closely equal to 1 were obtained for four different mammalian cell lines (Burkitt lymphoma p3HR- 1, human melanoma HMV, HeLa-S3, and L5178Y) after 2 MeV neutron irradiation. This fact may suggest that the radiation which has an LET value at which n value of the survival curve is to be 1 will be optimum for therapeutic purpose to the radioresistant tumors.

Requirement of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate for formation of the phage lambda receptor in Escherichia coli

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate is indispensable for formation of the phage lambda receptor in Escherichia coli K-12.

Genetic behavior of R factors in Vibrio cholerae

The fi(+) and fi(-) R factors are unstable in Vibrio cholerae even on selective media containing antibiotics, although a temperature-sensitive kanamycin resistance factor and its recombinants are stably maintained in V. cholerae at low temperatures.