Radiation therapy for early glottic carcinoma (T1N0M0). The final results of prospective randomized study concerning radiation field

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of radiation field on the local control of early glottic carcinoma by prospective randomized study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From May 1982 through February 1992, a total of 273 patients with early glottic carcinoma (T1N0M0) was treated at our department with a wedge filter technique using a shell to improve the dose distribution and immobilization during radiotherapy with 4 MV X-ray. Patients were randomly allocated to either treatment group A (radiation field size: 5 x 5 cm) or B (6 x 6 cm) using bilateral parallel opposed portals. Total radiation dose administered was 60 Gy in 30 fractions over a 6-week period.

RESULTS

The 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 88% in groups A and B (no significant difference). Minor chronic complication such as persistent arytenoid edema lasting more than 6 months or benign polypoid lesion of vocal cord was more frequently observed in group B (23%) than in group A (17%) (p = 0.038) while acute mucosal reaction and skin reaction showed no significant differences.

CONCLUSION

A small field (5 x 5 cm) with an appropriate angle of wedge filter and shell fixing device is recommended to avoid adverse effect with keeping local control of early glottic carcinoma.

Effect of hepatocyte growth factor on radiation response of HeLa, V79, CHO and primary cultured parenchymal hepatocyte in vitro

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a multipotent cytokine enhancing regeneration of injured organs as liver, kidney and lung after injury. HGF enhances proliferation of various type of cells, inhibits proliferation of carcinoma cells, enhances motility of epithelial cells. We examined three cell lines (CHO, HeLa, V79) and primary cultured normal rat parenchymal hepatocytes to determine the effect of HGF on radiation response. HGF diminished survival of CHO and V79 cells determined by colony formation assay, whereas no significant change of survival was found in HeLa cells. No synergistic changes of survival were found when these three cell lines were irradiated with the addition of HGF. Thus, HGF did not enhance the radiation effect. We also analyzed the impact of irradiation with HGF on primary cultured normal rat parenchymal hepatocytes. At first, the release of glutamic-oxaloacetic amino-transaminase (GOT) in the supernatant was estimated. Irradiation (40 Gy) with or without HGF did not change GOT release in acute phase by 4 days after irradiation compared with the unirradiated control. Second, the DNA synthesis of rat parenchymal hepatocytes was analyzed using radioactive iodine-labeled deoxyuridine incorporation. HGF counteracted the suppression of DNA synthesis induced by irradiation. Thus, HGF may act as a mitogen even for irradiation-damaged normal cells.

Cyclosporine-related encephalopathy following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

A 46-year-old man with chronic myelogenous leukemia received allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from a partially human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-mismatched sibling. Cyclosporine (CYA)-related encephalopathy developed on days 10 and 21 following BMT, and CYA-related thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) developed on day 45 following BMT. We measured serum concentrations of thrombomodulin (TM) as a marker of endothelial injury. The concentrations of TM were increased during the encephalopathy or TTP and decreased following recovery. Since CYA can cause endothelial injury, we suggest that CYA-induced endothelial injury is common to the pathogenesis of both the encephalopathy and the TTP. CYA therapy should be reinstituted with extreme caution in patients with a past history of CYA-related encephalopathy, since readministration of a low-dose CYA can evoke the immediate return of the encephalopathy.

Biphasic changes in serum hepatocyte growth factor after transarterial chemoembolization therapy for hepato-cellular carcinoma

To investigate the physiological significance of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) after transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization (TACE), we measured serum HGF levels in 23 patients who underwent angiography (n = 3) or TACE (n = 20). HGF levels increased biphasically after TACE. It rapidly increased to 10-fold higher levels immediately after heparin-injection even before embolization. Serum HGF then decreased to below 1.0 ng/ml at 6 hours after the procedure. The second peak (a 2-fold increase) appeared 1-3 days after TACE. The first increase may be due to the injection of heparin which releases HGF from the cell-surface and extracellular matrix of the liver. Patients treated to a larger extent showed higher increase in serum HGF levels, and thus the impaired hepatic HGF clearance and size of regeneration may cause second elevation of serum HGF levels. Six out of eleven patients whose serum HGF levels before TACE were more than 0.5 ng/ml died in the follow-up period whereas no patients died with serum HGF under 0.5 ng/ml. Therefore, serum HGF levels before the procedure have the potential to be a good indicator of outcome.

A comparison of the structure of radiation oncology in the United States and Japan

PURPOSE

The United States and Japan have very different backgrounds in their medical care systems. In the field of radiation oncology, national surveys on structure have been conducted for both countries and compared to illustrate any similarities and differences present from 1989-1990.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The Patterns of Care Study Facility Survey conducted in 1989 in the United States and the National Survey of Structure in Japan in 1990 were compared to evaluate the equipment pattern, staffing pattern, compliance rate with the "blue book" (3) guideline, and the geographic distribution of institutions.

RESULTS

In the United States, a total of 598,184 (49% of the total of newly diagnosed) patients were treated with radiation therapy. In Japan, 62,829 (approximately 15% of the total of newly diagnosed) patients were treated. The numbers of external megavoltage treatment machines were 2,397 in the United States and 494 in Japan. The numbers of full time equivalent (FTE) radiation oncologists were 2,335 in the United States and 366 in Japan. Only 15% of United States facilities and 11% of Japan facilities complied with the narrow blue book guideline for the patients per FTE radiation oncologist (200-250), while the most common ratio was 151-200 patients/FTE in the United States and 51-100 in Japan. In Japan, more than 60% of institutions were staffed by a part-time radiation oncologist (FTE < 1.0). Between geographic regions, there was variation in the percentage of cancer patients treated with radiation therapy for both the United States (42-56%) and Japan (6-25%).

CONCLUSION

There is a major difference in the usage of radiation therapy for treating cancer between the United States and Japan with 49% of all new cancer patients treated in the United States and approximately 15% treated in Japan. Equipment structure in the United States is more complete than in Japan with important differences in treatment simulators, treatment planning computers, and support personnel. High dose rate intracavitary radiation is commonly available in Japan and there are geographic differences in radiation oncology utilization in both countries.

[Burden of dietary therapy on elderly patients with diabetes mellitus]

As a part of a QOL study in elderly diabetes mellitus, we performed an interview conducted by professional interviewers on the sense of burden of dietary therapy in 383 elderly outpatients with diabetes mellitus aged over 60 years old. We used a scale on Burden of Dietary Therapy (BDT) that consisted of 7 questions (calorie restriction, dietary balance, regular dietary habits, restriction of favorite food, restriction of amounts of snacks, restrictions when eating out, burden of total dietary therapy). The sense of burden was rated from 1 (never burdened) to 4 (heavily burdened) for each question and the alpha coefficiency of the BDT scale was 0.80. Women, relatively younger elderly patients, hyperglycemic patients, or tablet-treated patients had higher BDT scale scores. The lower the positive family support scores and the higher the negative social support scores the greater was the BDT score. High BDT scores were significantly associated with low PGC moral scales (p < 0.001). The results suggest that the burden of dietary therapy could lower the quality of life in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus.

[Factors associated with increased diabetes burden in elderly diabetic patients]

To define the factors that determine the increased burden of diabetes in elderly diabetic patients, we examined the relationship between the Elderly Diabetes Impact Scales (EDIS) and physical or social factors in 383 elderly outpatients aged over 60 years old who answered QOL questionnaires by professional interviewers. The EDIS consisted of 6 subscales (burden of symptoms, burden of daily life, burden of diet therapy, burden of drug therapy, satisfaction, worry) and total EDIS scores were calculated by summing up the 4-point scores of 37 questions. The EDIS scores were highest in patients who received insulin therapy. In univariate analysis, high EDIS scores were significantly associated with high HbA1c, low Roken ADL score, and the presence of retinopathy or neuropathy. Among social factors, leisure activities, housework or jobs, social network, and positive social support were significantly associated with low EDIS scores, while negative social support was associated with high EDIS scores in elderly diabetic patients. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that age (younger), sex (women), low ADL (or diabetic complications), insulin therapy, low positive social support, high negative social support, economical dissatisfaction, and the low adaptative feeling of diabetes were significant and independent determinants of a high burden in diabetic patients indicated by EDIS scores in Japanese elderly diabetic patients.

[Development of Elderly Diabetes Impact Scales (EDIS) in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus]

To assess the quality of life (QOL) in elderly diabetic patients, 452 elderly outpatients aged over 60 years old who lived in 4 districts near our hospital were visited at home and of them were asked to follow 83 questionnaires concerning QOL by professional interviewers. Using the 37 questions about the impact of diabetes on elderly diabetic patients, we have developed the Elderly Diabetes Impact Scales (EDIS). The EDIS consisted of 6 subscales (burden of symptoms, burden of daily life, burden of diet therapy, burden of drug therapy, satisfaction, worry). Responses to questions were estimated with a 4-point multiple-choice assessment. The impact was rated from 1 (no impact, never worried, or very satisfied) to 4 (very burdened, always worried, or very dissatisfied) for each question and total EDIS scores were calculated by summing up the scores of the 37 questions. The internal consistency of the EDIS and its six subscales were of a satisfactory magnitude (0.66-0.88). There was also a significant correlation between the EDIS and PGC morale scales (r = -0.48, p < 0.001) and between the EDIS subscales and 3 moral components suggesting a convergent validity of the EDIS. The EDIS may be useful in evaluating the quality of life in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus.

Pretreatment prostate-specific antigen values in patients with prostate cancer: 1989 patterns of care study process survey

PURPOSE

A Patterns of Care Study (PCS) national survey was conducted to show the national averages for processes of radiation therapy care for prostate cancer patients in 1989. In the current study we report an analysis of pretreatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) by stage, grade, and ethnic origin.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Process data were collected from 672 patients treated in 1989 at 71 separate institutions. Four hundred and twenty-seven (64%) of these patients had a pretreatment PSA value recorded. Three hundred and forty-three of the 427 patients were treated with external beam irradiation alone and were selected for the current analysis. The 1992 AJCC staging system was used.

RESULTS

There was a significant increase in pretreatment PSA with increasing stage. The median values of PSA were 8.3 ngm/ml in the T1 group (n = 65), 11.2 ngm/ml in the T2 group (n = 178), and 20.9 ngm/ml in the T3 group (n = 90) (p < 0.001). Ten patients were not staged. There was a significant increase in pretreatment PSA with decreasing differentiation. The median pretreatment PSA was 9.7 ngm/ml in well-differentiated tumors (n = 109), 13.0 ngm/ml in moderately differentiated tumors (n = 163), and 22.0 ngm/ml in poorly differentiated tumors. (n = 61) (p < 0.001). Ten patients had no differentiation recorded. African Americans (24) showed a significant increase in pretreatment PSA compared to Caucasians (304). The respective medians were 23.2 ng/ml and 11.9 ng/ml (p = 0.04). They also show more poorly differentiated tumors (33% vs. 17%) and more T3 tumors (46% vs. 25%). Other minorities, although small in number (n = 9) were similar to African Americans.

CONCLUSION

Pretreatment PSA levels were established for patients treated with external beam irradiation in 1989 in the United States. They increase with stage and decreasing differentiation. African Americans and other minorities show a doubling of median values compared to Caucasians' pretreatment PSA with an increase in stage and grade. The adverse prognosis observed for African Americans is predicted by their pretreatment PSA. The cause of this PSA elevation is not known and may be related to lack of access to care or to a more aggressive biology for prostate cancer in African Americans.

Prophylactic irradiation of para-aortic lymph nodes in carcinoma of the uterine cervix. A prospective randomized study

PURPOSE

For assessment of the advantages and side effects of para-aortic lymph nodes irradiation under the evaluation by computer tomography, a prospective randomized study was started in 1986. The results for survival, local control and late complications are presented in the following.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From November 1986 to October 1990, 93 patients with cervical carcinoma were randomly allocated for treatment with either pelvic irradiation (pelvic group) or pelvic plus para-aortic lymph nodes irradiation (para-aortic group). Thirty-six patients underwent external irradiation and intracavitary therapy (RT arm) and 57 patients, extended radical hysterectomy and external irradiation (OP-RT arm). Para-aortic lymph nodes irradiation delivered 45 Gy in 1.8 Gy per day for 5 days per week through anterior-posterior fields.

RESULTS

The 3-year cause specific survival rates were para-aortic group: 57% and pelvic group: 89% in RT arm group, and para-aortic group: 70% and pelvic group: 86% in OP-RT arm group. Differences for the 2 groups in each treatment arm were not significant. In pelvic failure, para-aortic lymph nodes metastases and distant metastases showed no statistically significant differences for the 2 groups in each treatment arm. In the para-aortic group, complications were more frequent than in the pelvic group (13/45 vs. 2/48, p < 0.025). As an enteric complication ileus was found in 7% (3/45) of the para-aortic group while 2% (1/48) in the pelvic group. Compression fractures of the lumber vertebral body were apparent in 9% (4/45) and 0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Routine para-aortic lymph nodes irradiation delivered through anterior-posterior fields for high risk patients with cervical carcinoma is of limited value occurring to the high incidence of late complications and this treatment fails to improve no survival rates.

Inhalation of pertechnegas: similar clearance from the lungs to that of inhaled pertechnetate aerosol

It has been reported that the inhalation of pertechnegas (TGO3) generated under an atmosphere of 3% oxygen (O2) in argon (Ar) instead of 100% Ar without O2 in the technegas generator, offers a simple but accurate quantification of clearance from the lungs, permitting it to be used in place of 99Tcm-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA). The disappearance from the lungs of inhaled TGO3 was so similar to that of inhaled pertechnetate aerosol (TcO4) in this study, that there was neither a statistically significant difference in the clearance half-time (t1/2), nor a difference in the lung images between them. Neither TGO3 nor TcO4 inhalation could distinguish smokers from non-smokers using t1/2. When inhaled, TGO3 appears to behave in a similar manner to TcO4 in the lungs and hence cannot be used in place of 99Tcm-DTPA in clinical practice.

Overall time in telecobalt therapy for T1 glottic carcinoma treated with 2 Gy per day

BACKGROUND/AIM

We already reported the tumor response during radiotherapy as a prognostic factor for T1 glottic carcinoma. In these reports, we did not evaluate the overall treatment time. There were many reports of correlation between local control and overall treatment time of radiation for head and neck cancer. Our aim was to evaluate the overall treatment time as a prognostic factor of the local control for T1 glottic carcinoma or not.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1967 through 1985, 295 patients of T1 glottic carcinoma were treated with telecobalt therapy at the Department of Radiology, Osaka University Medical School. Of 295 patients, 219 patients treated with 2 Gy per day were evaluated. The median of total doses was 60 Gy (42 to 72 Gy). Overall treatment times of patients with tumor clearance at 40 Gy were significantly shorter than those with tumor persistence at 40 Gy.

RESULTS

According to the univariate analysis, there were no statistically significant factors for local control except tumor response during treatment. Of 124 patients treated with a total dose of 60 Gy and the overall treatment time of 40 to 46 days, local control rates of patients treated with the overall treatment time of 40 to 42 days and 43 to 46 days were 88% and 78%, respectively (p = 0.3072). For 91 patients with tumor clearance at 40 Gy, local control rates of patients treated with the overall treatment time of 40 to 42 days and 43 to 46 days were 96% and 82%, respectively (p = 0.1645). Corresponding figures for 31 patients with tumor persistence at 40 Gy were 63% and 65%, respectively (p = 0.4227).

CONCLUSION

We compare the treatment results of patients treated with the same total dose and the same tumor response during radiotherapy. We concluded that the overall treatment time was not a prognostic factor for T1 glottic tumor treated with overall time of 40 to 46 days.

Radiographic changes following radiotherapy in the patients with lung cancer. Is the irradiated area of the mediastinum in the simulation film a significant factor?

BACKGROUND

Radiation induced lung injury is an ominous adverse reaction in the management of thoracic disease by radiation therapy. Although the importance of the area of irradiated lung is well known, the irradiated area of mediastinum is little to be considered in the routine treatment.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the significance of the irradiated area of the mediastinum in the simulation film for radiation induced lung injury.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 208 patients with primary lung cancer treated with radiation therapy were analyzed for incidence of radiation induced lung injury. Lung injury was defined as the appearance of an abnormal shadow on the chest radiograph. CT images were used to differentiate recurrence or other conditions. Age, sex, irradiation dose, irradiated lung area, T and N factors of the tumor, irradiated mediastinum area, performance status of patients, location of irradiated fields and use of chemotherapy were analyzed with Cox's multivariate regression model.

RESULTS

The cumulative rate of radiation induced lung injury at 12 months was 85%. Significant factor of radiation induced lung injury was irradiated area of the mediastinum (p = 0.03). Irradiated area of the lung (p = 0.18, n.s.), total tumor dose (p = 0.1, n.s.), use of chemotherapy (p = 0.08, n.s.) and location of irradiated field (p = 0.08, n.s.) may also have an effect on radiation induced lung injury.

CONCLUSION

The irradiated area of the mediastinum is one of the significant factors in radiation induced lung injury.

A case of cardiac sarcoidosis with remarkable atrophy of the left ventricular septum on two-dimensional echocardiography

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disorder of unknown etiology which mainly affects the lungs, skin, the lymphoreticular system, and the heart. We report a case of cardiac sarcoidosis in which a remarkably thin ventricular septum was demonstrated on two-dimensional echocardiography.

Establishment of a cell line from an adenocarcinoma of the lung producing carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA19-9

An adenocarcinoma cell line was established from pleural effusion of a 67-year-old woman and designated as TK-SA. The population doubling time of the cells was 100.4 hr. Chromosomal analysis revealed the TK-SA to have human aneuploid chromosomes with a near-triploid mode. Ultrastructurally, the TK-SA was compatible with adenocarcinoma. The cell line was highly tumorigenic. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide dye assay demonstrated resistance of the cell line to Cis-platin (CDDP), Cyclophosphamide (CPM) and Tegafur/Uracil (UFT). High carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA19-9 levels were similar in patient's serum and conditioned medium.

Application of 198Au grains for carcinoma of oral cavity

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to analyze the results of the treatment using gold grain implants over the past 9 years and to evaluate the usefulness of this treatment method.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 1985 through April 1993, a total of 45 patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity and the oropharynx were treated with 198Au grain (gold grain) at the Department of Radiology, Osaka University Medical School. The initial activity of the grains supplied weekly by the Japan Radioisotope Association was usually 5 mCi (185 MBq), and single implants were usual. In case of combined external irradiation, telecobalt gamma-rays or 4 MV X-rays were used for treatment before implant.

RESULTS

The local control rate for patients with T1 stages was 80% (20/25) and with T2 stages, 59% (10/17). The local control rate was 71% (10/14) for gold grain alone and 72% (13/18) for external irradiation combined with gold grain implants (combined therapy). In combined therapy, the median of the interval between external irradiation and gold grain implants was 21 days. The treatment interval for patients with recurrent diseases was 22 days, 22, 27, 39 and 46, respectively. The progression rate showed a tendency to increase in the patients with longer interval (more than 21 days), and with partial regression after external irradiation (p = 0.0085).

CONCLUSION

Our findings show that the time interval between external irradiation and gold grain implantation is an important factor in combined therapy. Therefore, we emphasize that the time interval should be shorter than 3 weeks.

Relationship of infused CFU-GM and CFU-Mk mobilized by chemotherapy with or without G-CSF to platelet recovery after autologous blood stem cell transplantation

Although hematologic reconstitution is usually rapid after autologous blood stem cell transplantation (ABSCT), there is an occasional delay in platelet recovery. We studied the hematologic recovery of 27 adult patients with hematologic malignancies who received marrow-ablative chemotherapy and ABSCT to determine whether or not the numbers of infused mononuclear cells (MNC), colony-forming units granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM), and colony-forming units megakaryocyte (CFU-Mk) were related to the speed of platelet recovery after ABSCT. Peripheral blood stem cells were collected using chemotherapy-induced mobilization with or without cytokine therapy. While the number of MNC infused did not show a significant correlation with time to platelet recovery as well as granulocyte and reticulocyte recovery, the logarithmic number of CFU-GM-infused did (p < 0.01). We also found a significant correlation between the logarithmic number of CFU-Mk-infused and the time to platelet recovery (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that the number of CFU-GM-infused is a reliable indicator of hematopoietic recovery and that the number of CFU-Mk-infused is no more reliable than CFU-GM for predicting platelet recovery after ABSCT.

Technegas versus krypton-81m gas as an inhalation agent. Comparison of pulmonary distribution at total lung capacity

Exactly how the pulmonary distribution of inhaled radioactive gas and Technegas, or ultra-small aerosol particulates, differs from each other, is still uncertain. The authors compared the distribution of inhaled Kr-81 m gas and Technegas in the lungs at total lung capacity in 13 control subjects with no clinical conditions and 13 patients with various chest diseases. In normal lungs, there was no difference in the distribution ratios in the right and left lungs between inhaled Kr-81m gas and Technegas. However, there was a significant difference in the lungs of patients with pulmonary disease. Technegas tended to deposit more in the lung bases than did Kr-81m gas. Despite these statistical differences, they were visually, or qualitatively, similar. From a practical and clinical standpoint, Technegas seems to be useful as an inhalation agent, unless quantitative analyses are required.

[Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of bone marrow necrosis]

Magnetic resonance (MR) of bone marrow was studied in two cases of acute leukemia which showed bone marrow necrosis. Case 1:A 24-year-old female was admitted because of sternum pain and bleeding tendency. She was diagnosed AML based on the peripheral blood picture. Bone marrow biopsy revealed the presence of bone marrow necrosis. T1 weighted imaging of MR showed low signal intensity in all vertebral marrow. Fatty marrow was demonstrated after achieving complete remission and the MR imaging of bone marrow changed to show high intensity, suggesting fat deposition. Case 2: A 19-year-old female suffered from chest pain and lumbago, and was diagnosed as ALL. DIC and bone marrow necrosis were confirmed during chemotherapy for remission induction. T1 weighted imaging showed the mosaic pattern of low and high signal intensity. She achieved complete remission and bone marrow clot revealed the presence of fatty marrow. Most areas of low signal intensity of T1 weighted imaging changed to those of high signal intensity. These observations suggest that necrotized bone marrow seemed to change to fatty marrow along with achieving remission. MR imaging study of bone marrow is useful for evaluating hematopoiesis in hematologic disorders.

Modified ovoid applicator for intracavitary radiation therapy with a Selectron-MDR or microSelectron-HDR

A modified ovoid applicator for intracavitary radiotherapy was developed for Japanese and other Asian women. It has more variations of smaller sized ovoids than the original rigid standard applicator of the Selectron-MDR and microSelectron-HDR. In addition, application of the ovoid pair and tandem flange is easy due to the flat surface of the inner aspect of the ovoid pairs, which prevents slippage of the ovoids and flange. The applicator is described together with source loading and dose distribution.

Modified Inoue applicator for endometrial brachytherapy

The Inoue applicator (3 channels) for endometrial cancer with a microSelectron-HDR was modified to enable both intrauterine and vaginal treatments to be done at the same time. The applicator is described together with a case report.

A prospective randomized study concerning the point A dose in high-dose rate intracavitary therapy for carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The final results

PURPOSE

High-dose rate (HDR) remote afterloading intracavitary therapy has been recognized as an effective and safe treatment modality for carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Since 1983, a prospective randomized study was started in order to investigate the more advantageous treatment schedule with keeping the local control rate. This paper reports the final results in terms of survival, local control and complications.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 1983 and February 1989, a total of 165 patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix was entered in a prospective randomized study concerning the point A dose of HDR therapy (6 Gy/fraction vs 7.5 Gy/fraction) and external irradiation dose at Department of Radiation Therapy, The Center for Adult Diseases, Osaka. UICC [20] stage distribution of patients was as follows: stage IA = 4, stage IB = 33, stage IIA = 18, stage IIB = 38, stage III = 57, stage IV = 15.

RESULTS

Overall 5-year cause specific survivals were as follows: stage IA = 100%, stage IB = 96%, stage IIA = 92%, stage IIB = 79%, stage III = 57%, stage IV = 27%. In each stage, 5-year survival rates in groups A and B were 100%, 93% in stage I, 82% and 85% in stage II, 62% and 52% in stage II and 22% and 31% in stage IV, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences among these survival curves in each stage. Five-year local failure rates were 16% in group A and 16% in group B (p = 0.9096), and corresponding distant failure rates were 23% in group A and 19% in group B (p = 0.2955). Moderate-to-severe complications requiring treatment (Kottmeier's grade 2 or more) were noted in 6 patients (7%) in group A and 6 patients (7%) in group B. All of the bladder and rectal complications needed medical treatment (Kottmeier's grade 2). Severe complications receiving surgery were noted in 4 patients (A: 1; B: 3), i.e., small intestine 3 and sigmoid colon 1 patient. Another 1 patient (A) was dead of ileus.

CONCLUSIONS

There were no statistically significant differences between 2 treatment schedules in survival rates, failure patterns and complications rates. This fact suggests that small number of fractions (7.5 Gy/fraction) may be advantageous because of short duration and a low load of treatment.

[A comparative study of imipenem/cilastatin sodium BID vs QID in the treatment of infections associated with hematopoietic disorders]

Using the envelope method, we allocated 125 patients with infections accompanied by hematopoietic disorders into two groups treated with imipenem/cilastatin sodium (IPM/CS) at a daily dose of 1 g/1 g b.i.d. (group BID) or 0.5 g/0.5 g q.i.d. (group QID), and obtained the following results. 1. In group BID, ANLL was observed in 25 patients; ALL in 6; and NHL in 12. In group QID, ANLL was observed in 27 patients; ALL in 7; and NHL in 13. 2. In group BID, efficacy rates were 54.5% (6/11) in sepsis, 63.0% (17/27) in fever of undetermined origin and 50.0% (4/8) in pneumonia, thus the overall efficacy was 61.8% (34/55). In group QID, efficacy rates were 66.7% (4/6) in sepsis, 76.0% (19/25) in fever of undetermined origin and 35.7% (5/14) in pneumonia, thus the over all was 61.1% (33/54). No significant difference in response rates were observed between the two groups. 3. Bacteriologically, 22 bacterial strains were isolated in group BID and 21 21 strains, in group QID. The eradication rates after treatment with IPM/CS was 100% in group BID and 66.7% in group QID. 4. Side effects were observed in 8 patients in group BID and 3 in group QID. Laboratory examination revealed abnormal values in 9 patients in group BID and 6 in group QID. However, all of the side effects disappeared after the suspension or discontinuation of IPM/CS. The efficacies of IPM/CS therapy for severe infections in patients with hematopoietic disease were similar between 1 g/1 g b.i.d. and 0.5 g/0.5 g q.i.d. groups.

Long term follow-up results of high-dose rate remote afterloading intracavitary radiation therapy for carcinoma of the uterine cervix

PURPOSE

High-dose rate remote afterloading intracavitary radiation therapy (HDR) has been used as more safety system by the dose calculation using computer system before treatment and dose monitoring system using semiconductor dosimeter (ICD-5). This study shows our long-term follow-up results concerning survival, prognostic factor and late complications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between August 1978 and December 1982, a total of 200 patients with carcinoma of the intact uterine cervix were treated using HDR. According to the staging system of UICC (1987), 8 patients were classified into Stage Ia, 22 Ib, 22 IIa, 53 IIb, 85 III, and 10 IV.

RESULTS

Cause specific five- and ten-year survival rates by Stage were 100%, 100% in Stage Ia, 90%, 90% in Stage Ib, 76%, 76% in Stage IIa, 86%, 84% in Stage IIb, 54%, 46% in Stage III and 20%, 20% in Stage IV, respectively. Significant prognostic factors by Cox's multivariate analysis were stage (p = 0.0001), the value of hemoglobin (p = 0.0005) and older age (p = 0.0114). Concerning stage classification the value of hemoglobin was the most important prognostic factor in Stage II (p = 0.032) and Stage III (p = 0.0015). Late complications requiring medical treatment after RALS developed in 24 patients (12%), i.e., rectum 14 (7), bladder 8 (4), small intestine 5 (3), sigmoid colon 1 (1). Severe complications requiring surgery were noted in 9 patients (5%).

CONCLUSION

HDR yields good results of survival with a low risk of severe side effects for the treatment of carcinoma of uterine cervix based on our long-term follow-up results.

Successful second autologous blood stem cell transplantation after G-CSF-combined conditioning for the treatment of high-risk acute myelogenous leukemia

We describe a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) who received his second autologous blood stem cell transplantation (ABSCT) following a G-CSF-combined pre-transplant conditioning regimen. The patient underwent ABSCT during first remission but suffered a relapse 8 months later. After achieving second remission, he was prepared for his second ABSCT; recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) was administered in combination with Ara C, in addition to the same conditioning regimen as that used before the first ABSCT. There was no increase in regimen-related toxicity after this second G-CSF-combined conditioning regimen when compared with that observed after the first ABSCT. To date, the patient's second remission following the second ABSCT has lasted 26 months, which has exceeded that following the first ABSCT. The G-CSF-combined pretransplant conditioning regimen for ABSCT may be effective in the treatment of high-risk AML by increasing the chemosensitivity of the residual leukemic cells.

Effects of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) on the mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells

We studied the effects of human urinary macrophage colony-stimulating factor (huM-CSF) on the mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) following cytotoxic chemotherapy in 6 patients with acute leukemia. After complete remission (CR) was achieved, two courses of consolidation chemotherapy consisting of an intermediate dose of cytosine arabinoside were administered to the patients. During a recovery phase after each course of consolidation chemotherapy, two successive cycles of leukapheresis were performed every other day. M-CSF was administered intravenously at a dose of 8 x 10(6) U/day during a recovery phase after the second course of consolidation chemotherapy (cytotoxic plus M-CSF mobilization). There was no significant difference in white blood cell (WBC) or platelet recovery between the first and second cycles, regardless of the administration of M-CSF. Furthermore, between cytotoxic and cytotoxic/M-CSF mobilization, significant differences were not observed in the harvest of mononuclear cells (average 1.43 x 10(8)/kg vs 1.62 x 10(8)/kg), granulocyte/macrophage progenitor cells (CFU-GM) (1.82 x 10(4)/kg vs 3.07 x 10(4)/kg) or erythroid progenitor cells (BFU-E) (2.86 x 10(4)/kg vs 2.66 x 10(4)/kg). Thus M-CSF is not effective for expanding a pool of circulating hematopoietic stem cells when administered at a conventional dose during hematologic recovery following chemotherapy.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenaemia for rapid diagnosis and monitoring of CMV-associated disease after bone marrow transplantation

A technique for the rapid detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigen-positive blood leucocytes (CMV antigenaemia) was evaluated in 15 marrow transplant patients as a means of diagnosis and for monitoring CMV-associated disease. CMV antigenaemia was determined by direct immunoperoxidase staining of leucocytes with a peroxidase-labelled monoclonal antibody, HRP-C7, which binds an immediate-early antigen of human CMV. CMV antigenaemia occurred in 7/15 marrow transplant patients (47%) and was initially detected between 4 and 6 weeks after transplantation. CMV-associated diseases developed in 3/15 patients (20%). All patients with CMV-associated disease had a relatively large number of CMV antigen-positive leucocytes, exceeding 10 per 50,000 white blood cells (WBCs). In the remaining 12 patients, CMV antigen-positive leucocytes were less than 10 per 50,000 WBCs or were undetectable. CMV-associated disease did not develop in these patients during the period of monitoring. CMV antigen-positive leucocytes were detected more frequently in patients who developed acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) or haemorrhagic cystitis than in those without such complications. CMV antigens were detectable from 1 to 4 weeks before the onset of CMV-associated disease which allowed initiation of ganciclovir treatment at an early stage. The degree of CMV antigenaemia paralleled the clinical symptoms and signs, higher degrees of antigenaemia being associated with more significant disease. Thus, the detection of CMV antigen-positive blood leucocytes is useful for the diagnosis and monitoring of CMV-associated disease following bone marrow transplantation.

Cyclosporine combined with methylprednisolone or methotrexate in prophylaxis of moderate to severe acute graft-versus-host disease

To evaluate the efficacy of cyclosporine (CYA) regimens in preventing moderate to severe acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), 25 patients received immunosuppressive therapy consisting of either CYA and methylprednisolone or CYA and methotrexate (MTX) and the incidence and severity of acute GVHD was compared. These patients had leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and received bone marrow transplants (BMT) from genotypically HLA-identical siblings. The incidence of grade I-IV acute GVHD in patients on the CYA/methylprednisolone regimen was 64% (7 of 11) compared with 50% (7 of 14) in those on the CYA/MTX regimen. Five of 11 patients with the CYA/methylprednisolone regimen developed moderate to severe acute GVHD (grade II-IV), fatal in 3 cases. No patient on the CYA/MTX regimen developed moderate to severe acute GVHD. Engraftment was faster in the CYA/methylprednisolone group than in the CYA/MTX group. The incidence of toxicity observed soon after BMT was comparable between groups. The CYA/MTX regimen may be superior to the CYA/methylprednisolone regimen for preventing moderate to severe acute GVHD.

Hematopoietic progenitor cells from patients with adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma are not infected with human T-cell leukemia virus type 1

The in vivo host range of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) has not been definitively established. To determine if hematopoietic stem cells from patients with adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATL) are infected with HTLV-1, we used a clonogenic progenitor assay followed by the polymerase chain reaction for the detection of HTLV-1 DNA. In vitro growth characteristics of myeloid (CFU-GM) and erythroid (BFU-E) progenitor cells among nonadherent T-cell-depleted bone marrow (BM) mononuclear cells (NA-T-MNCs) from 10 patients with ATL was not significantly different from those of HTLV-1-seronegative controls (P = .20); numbers of colonies per 1 x 10(5) NA-T-MNCs were 34.9 +/- 7.6 for CFU-GM and 39.0 +/- 12.5 for BFU-E in patients with ATL, whereas those were 32.1 +/- 9.5 for CFU-GM and 41.4 +/- 12.7 for BFU-E in normal controls. HTLV-1 DNA was not detected in individual colonies formed by CD34+ cells from any of the patients. Similarly HTLV-1 DNA was not detected in 1 x 10(3) CD34+ cells sorted on a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) from six patients with ATL studied. In contrast, HTLV-1 DNA was detected in BM mononuclear cells from all patients. These observations clearly indicate that hematopoietic progenitor cells from patients with ATL are normal in their colony-forming capacity and that CD34+ cells from patients with ATL are not infected with HTLV-1 in vivo.

Radiation therapy for early glottic carcinoma: indication for the wedge filter

From 1977 to the end of 1987, 244 patients with early glottic carcinoma (T1N0M0) were treated with radiation therapy. For 95 patients (group A), a styrofoam head holder and band were used to ensure immobilization during treatment without a wedge filter and for 149 patients (group B) a shell fixing devise and wedge filter were used. Total radiation dose administered was 50 to 70 Gy over a period of five to seven weeks with fields of 5 x 5 cm (group A) and 5 x 5 cm (group B1: n = 74) or 6 x 6 cm (group B2: n = 75). The five-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rates for group A and B were 85% and 90%, respectively, and RFS was essentially the same (p = 0.241). In group B, RFS was also basically the same for groups B1 and B2 (p = 0.78). According to tumor size, however, in patients with large T1a lesions (total length of one vocal cord) five-year RFS rates for groups A and B were 62% and 88%, respectively, and RFS was statistically significantly different (p = 0.003). Up to five years, seven patients (9%) of group A and 23 patients (17%) of group B showed minor chronic complication. As a minor chronic complication, arytenoid edema was found more frequently in group B (n = 15) than group A (n = 0). Eleven of these 15 cases were treated with large field (6 x 6 cm). For large T1a lesions of glottic carcinoma, a wedge filter was useful. A small field (5 x 5 cm) with an appropriate angle of wedge filter is recommended to avoid late arytenoid edema and achieve a more homogeneous dose distribution.

High-dose rate intracavitary therapy for cervical cancer with a microSelectron: a preliminary report

Our early experience using microSelectron HDR to treat cervical cancer patients at Osaka University Hospital is presented. From June 1991 through December 1992, a total of 20 patients (stage Ib, 6; stage IIa, 2; stage IIb, 5; stage IIIb, 6 and stage IVa, 1) with previously untreated invasive uterine cervical cancer and intact uterus were treated with high-dose rate intracavitary therapy administered with a microSelectron. For the treatment, a standard rigid applicator made of stainless steel for a microSelectron was used. Twenty to 30 Gy of external irradiation was administered to the whole pelvic field and 30 to 20 Gy to the central shielded field (total 50 Gy/5-6 weeks) for patients in stage II-IVa. For stage Ib, 40 Gy was delivered to the central shielded field. The 192Ir source had an activity of 370 GBq as of the measuring time. Source loading corresponded to the Manchester System for cervical cancer. Thirty-two or 30 Gy was administered at point A in four fractions over four weeks of intracavitary irradiation. Early primary tumor responses for all patients were complete. There have been two local recurrences in stage IIb and IIIb patients. Three patients in stages Ib, IIb, and IIIb developed para-aortic lymph node metastases, and two of them died from generalized metastasis. No acute radiation injury has been observed. One patient in stage IIb developed subileus five months after irradiation. From our early experience, it is concluded that microSelectron HDR can be used for cervical cancer patients as safely and effectively as our previously used high-dose rate machine.

Evaluation of leukaemic contamination in peripheral blood stem cell harvests by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction

A major issue in autologous blood stem cell transplantation (ABSCT) for leukaemia is whether peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) harvests are less contaminated with leukaemic cells than bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC). We compared leukaemic contamination in PBSC harvests and BMMNC, obtained simultaneously, by using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of leukaemia-specific chimaeric messenger RNA (mRNA), in three patients with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), one with Ph-positive acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML), and two with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). Our two-step PCR method employed 'nested primers' in the second step and can detect one leukaemic blast diluted into 10(6) HL-60 cells. In three of four patients with Ph-positive ALL and AML we detected leukaemic contamination in both PBSC harvests and BMMNC. In the remaining patient with ALL, both PBSC harvests and BMMNC were PCR-negative. Both PBSC harvests and BMMNC from one patient with APL were PCR-positive. In contrast, PBSC harvests from another patient with APL, whose BMMNC could not be obtained because of bone marrow necrosis, were PCR-positive after the first course of consolidation chemotherapy, but became PCR-negative after the second course. The present study does not support the hypothesis that PBSC harvests are less contaminated by leukaemic cells than BMMNC, but suggests that PBSC harvests are contaminated when BMMNC are contaminated.

Mid-dose rate intracavitary therapy for cervical cancer with a Selectron: a preliminary report

Our early experience with Selectron MDR in treating cervical cancer patients at Osaka University Hospital is presented. From May 1991 through December 1992, a total of 22 patients (stage Ia, 1; stage Ib, 3; stage IIa, 1; stage IIb, 2; stage IIIb, 13 and stage IVa, 2) with previously untreated uterine cervical cancer and intact uterus were treated with mid-dose rate intracavitary therapy administered with a Selectron. A rigid applicator made of stainless steel for the Selectron was used for the treatment. The 137Cs source had an activity of 1.48 GBq as of reference time. Source loading corresponded to the Manchester System. Early tumor responses for all patients were complete. No acute radiation injury has been observed. There have been two local recurrences in stage IIIb patients. One of them developed para-aortic lymph node metastasis and died from distant metastasis. Another patient in stage IIIb had para-aortic and left supraclavicular lymph node metastasis and died from distant metastasis. Four patients developed rectal bleeding (grade 1, 3; grade 3, 1). One of them had been treated for aplastic anemia with steroid. The cause of grade 3 rectal bleeding was considered to be technical failure in intracavitary application. The remaining two patients recovered without treatment. From our early experience, it is concluded that Selectron MDR can be used for cervical cancer patients as safely and effectively as our previously used high-dose rate machine.

[192Ir brachytherapy]

Modern high technology has recently brought a precision treatment modality in the field of brachytherapy for cancer patients. Ir-192 manual afterloading (hair pin technique of Ir-192 wire) replaced the technique utilizing Ra-226 needles at our department in 1973. In May 1991, microSelectron-HDR (Ir-192 micro-source of 370 GBq) was installed in Osaka University Hospital. Preliminary analysis of phase I/II study resulted in no significant differences between the incidence of an acute mucosal reaction as well as early tumor response after high and low dose rate interstitial brachytherapy for oral cancer. Since April 1992, a phase III study has been under way to completely eliminate the problem of hospital personnel exposure to radiation in the field of brachytherapy. The introduction of remote after-loading of Ir-192 micro-source has resulted in improvements in elderly patient care during the interstitial brachytherapy for malignancies. The indications for HDR brachytherapy have been expanded, and new technology was developed to improve the local cure of the disease, such as linked double button technique for oral cancer, template interstitial brachytherapy for perineal cancer, and postoperative brachytherapy using intraoperative flexible catheter placement for locally unresectable disease or microscopically residual disease. Through these meticulous efforts, HDR interstitial brachytherapy will soon become a satisfactory substitute for traditional LDR interstitial brachytherapy.

High-dose rate and low-dose rate intracavitary therapy for carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Final results of Osaka University Hospital

BACKGROUND

High-dose rate (HDR) intracavitary radiation therapy for carcinoma of the uterine cervix has gradually found wider acceptance. In 1983, the authors first presented the results of prospective randomized comparative study of HDR versus low-dose rate (LDR) therapy. In the current study, the final results of this study with a longer follow-up are presented.

METHODS

From January 1975 through August 1983, 430 previously untreated patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix in Stages I-III were treated with either HDR 60Co therapy or LDR 137Cs therapy at our department. HDR was administered to a total of 259 patients: 32 patients in Stage I, 80 in Stage II, and 147 in Stage III. LDR was administered to a total of 171 patients: 28 patients in Stage I, 61 in Stage II, and 82 in Stage III.

RESULTS

The 5-year cause-specific survival rates of Stage I-III patients treated with HDR were 85%, 73%, and 53%, respectively. The corresponding figures for LDR were 93%, 78%, and 47%, respectively. There was no significant difference between these survival rates. Moderate-to-severe complications developed in 10% of the patients treated with HDR and 4% of those with LDR. This difference in the incidence of complications was statistically significant (P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment results in terms of cause-specific survival were equivalent for HDR and LDR treatment. However, the incidence of complications was higher for the HDR group, although within acceptable levels, than for the LDR group.

Comparison of early glottic and supraglottic carcinoma treated with conventional fractionation of radiotherapy

There were a few reports to compare the treatment results of glottic and supraglottic carcinoma. We investigated the difference of glottic and supraglottic carcinoma. From 1967 through 1985, 338 cases with early glottic (T1: 210, T2: 52) and supraglottic carcinoma (T1: 34, T2: 42) were treated with the conventional fractionation of radiation and evaluated the tumor response during radiation at the Department of Radiology, Osaka University Hospital. The ten-year actuarial survival rates of T1, T2 glottic and T1 and T2 supraglottic carcinoma were 63%, 64%, 58% and 46%, the corresponding ten-year cause-specific survival rates 92%, 89%, 88% and 78%, and the corresponding ten-year local control rates 76%, 67%, 69% and 59%, respectively. Tumor clearance rates of T1 and T2 glottic and T1 and T2 supraglottic carcinoma at 40 Gy were 68%, 40%, 35% and 24%, respectively. The local control rate of the tumor which disappeared at 40 Gy was 84%, that persisted at 40 Gy and disappeared at 60 Gy 69%, and that persisted at 60 Gy 33%. The local control rate and the tumor clearance rate of T1 glottic carcinoma were the highest among early laryngeal carcinoma, and those of T2 glottic carcinoma were the same as those of T1 supraglottic cases. The local control rate, the cause-specific survival rate, and the actuarial survival rate of T2 supraglottic were significantly lower than other cases.

Radiation therapy for carcinoma of the major salivary glands. Results of conventional irradiation technique

From January 1967 through November 1991, a total of 135 patients with carcinoma of the major salivary glands (parotid: 95; submandibular: 39; sublingual: 1) were treated at our department. 40 patients had adenocarcinoma, 29 adenoid cystic carcinoma, 24 mucoepidermoid carcinoma and 16 squamous cell carcinoma. 100 patients were irradiated postoperatively and the remaining 35 were treated with radiation alone. Total radiation doses delivered were 50 Gy for the postoperative group and 50 to 66 Gy for the group receiving only radiation using a 60Co single portal with or without wedged paired or single electron portal boost. Actuarial five-year survivals after radiation therapy were 55% for the postoperative group and 26% for radiation only group (p = 0.0004). The local control rates for the postoperative group were 83% for adenocarcinoma, 81% for adenoid cystic carcinoma, 83% for mucoepidermoid carcinoma and 62% for squamous cell carcinoma. Corresponding figures for the radiation only group were 40% for adenocarcinoma, 38% for adenoid cystic carcinoma and 33% for mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Conventional irradiation techniques continue to play an important role because they offer superior local control for postoperative patients with carcinoma of the major salivary glands. However, the local control rates for the radiation only group were only 30 to 40%, so that new irradiation modalities such as provided by a high LET machine are needed for these patients.

Prognostic factor of radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx without clinically positive nodes

Local control rates of oropharynx carcinoma treated with radiation alone were reported as 40 to 71%. We investigate the factors which affect the local control rate for oropharynx carcinoma. From 1967 through 1982, 62 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx without positive neck nodes were treated with external radiation at the Department of Radiology, Osaka University Hospital. Five-year actuarial survival rates of T1, T2, T3 and T4 cases were 53%, 63%, 47% and 0%, respectively. Five-year local control rates of T1, T2, T3 and T4 cases were 51%, 46%, 34% and 0%, respectively. In 52 cases treated with a total dose of 60 Gy or more, tumor response could be evaluated at the dose level of 40 and 60 Gy. The local control rates of tumors which disappeared and persisted at 40 Gy were 88% (7/8) and 39% (17/44), respectively (p < 0.05). Of 44 cases which persisted at 40 Gy, the local control rates of tumors which disappeared and persisted at 60 Gy were 48% (11/23) and 29% (6/21), respectively (p > 0.30). Evaluation of tumor response at 40 Gy was an important indicator of local control for N0 oropharynx carcinoma.

A randomized phase II trial of low-dose aclarubicin vs very low-dose cytosine arabinoside for treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes

We performed a randomized phase II trial comparing low-dose aclarubicin (LC-ACR) with very low-dose cytosine arabinoside (VLD-AC) in 39 consecutive untreated patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), including refractory anemia (RA), RA with excess of blasts (RAEB) and RAEB in transformation (RAEB-t). Nineteen patients received the VLD-AC therapy; 2 good responses (GR) and 2 partial responses (PR) were obtained in 11 patients with RAEB and RAEB-t, while 2 PR were obtained in 8 RA patients. Eighteen patients received the LD-ACR therapy; 2 GR and 4 PR were obtained in 11 RAEB/RAEB-t patients while 2 PR in 7 RA patients. There was no significant difference in the therapeutic effects and survival between these two groups of patients. These observations suggest that the LD-ACR therapy is effective in some patients with MDS and can be used as an alternative to the low-dose Ara-C therapy.

X-Neu5Ac: a novel substrate for chromogenic assay of neuraminidase activity in bacterial expression systems

A chromogenic substrate 1, 5-bromo-4-chloroindol-3-yl 5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-alpha-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosidon ic acid (X-Neu5Ac), has been synthesized to facilitate the screening of bacterial colonies or plaques for the detection of either natural or mutant neuraminidase activity. Substrate 1 was hydrolyzed by neuraminidase isolated from Clostridium perfringens to release a halogenated indol-3-ol 2 that undergoes rapid aerobic oxidation to form the dark blue pigment, 5,5'-dibromo-4,-4'-dichloroindigo 3. Preliminary kinetic studies indicate that this compound is a good substrate (Km 0.89 x 10(-3) M) for neuraminidase and is quite stable under identical conditions in the absence of enzyme. These results suggest that X-Neu5Ac 1 can be useful to screen for bacterially-encoded enzyme production directly on agar plates.

[Study on the inhibitory effect of oral granisetron against nausea/vomiting induced by cytosine arabinoside containing chemotherapy for tumors in the hematopoietic organs]

We investigated the antiemetic effect, safety and usefulness of granisetron tablet on nausea/vomiting induced by cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) in the chemotherapy for tumors in the hematopoietic organs. Out of 52 cases with malignant tumors in the hematopoietic organs including acute leukemia, 30 in granisetron group had no antiemetic treatment, were evaluated for the clinical efficacy of granisetron and 22 in control group. Their chemotherapies were combination therapy with Ara-C and daunorubicin (DNR), Ara-C and mitoxantrone (MIT), or Ara-C and etoposide (VP-16). In the trial, the dosage of granisetron tablet was 2 mg once a day, and the drug was given before each chemotherapy for 6 consecutive days. In clinical efficacy the effective rate of granisetron (the percentage of cases in which the trial drug was assessed as "Remarkably effective" or "Effective") was more than 80% on each day of administration. There was no adverse event. As the abnormal laboratory test value, only 1 case tested positive in urine protein, whose causal relation to the trial drug was judged as "Unassessable". Granisetron was judged as "Safe" in 31 out of 32 cases (96.9%). In terms of usefulness, the drug was rated "Extremely useful" or "Useful" in 26 out of 30 cases (86.7%). The above results have shown that granisetron tablet, when administered orally once daily at a dose of 2 mg, has an excellent antiemetic effect, and is a safe and useful drug.

High-dose-rate remote afterloading intestinal radiotherapy employing the template technique for recurrent cancer in the pelvic area

Between December 1991 and August 1992, five patients with recurrent cancer in the pelvic area (four gynecological cancers and one rectal cancer) were treated at Osaka University Hospital with a remote afterloading interstitial implantation employing the template technique. External irradiation (40 to 50 Gy) was performed in four cases one to four weeks before brachytherapy. Interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy (24 to 40 Gy/four to eight fractions/two to four days) was performed twice a day. Three of the five patients achieved complete local tumor control. The remaining two patients obtained symptom relief. There were no complications serious enough to need surgical treatment. Moreover, this procedure is well tolerated and therefore an effective modality for elderly and frail patients.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-induced mobilization of circulating haemopoietic stem cells

We studied the utility of G-CSF for harvesting circulating haematopoietic stem cells in patients with leukaemia or lymphoma based on a comparative study in a single patient. Two successive cycles of leukapheresis following cytotoxic chemotherapy were performed in 22 patients as follows: the first cycle was performed with cytotoxic mobilization in all patients while the second cycle was randomized into two groups: cytotoxic (n = 10) and cytotoxic plus G-CSF (cytotoxic/G-CSF) (n = 12) mobilization. Repetitive cytotoxic mobilization did not alter the yields of mononuclear cells (MNC), myeloid (CFU-GM), and erythroid (BFU-E) progenitors. In contrast, cytotoxic/G-CSF mobilization produced significantly higher yields of MNC (2.6-fold), CFU-GM (5.5-fold), and BFU-E (3.9-fold) than did cytotoxic mobilization alone (P < 0.01). The ratio of CFU-GM to BFU-E was not affected by G-CSF. Furthermore, G-CSF led to an earlier peak of CFU-GM following chemotherapy. G-CSF is thus effective in expanding the pool of circulating haematopoietic progenitors.

Prognostic factors in telecobalt therapy for early supraglottic carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The local control rates of T1 and T2 supraglottic carcinoma treated with radiation alone were reported as 71% to 92% and 59% to 83%, respectively. The factors that affect the local control rate for early supraglottic carcinoma were investigated.

METHODS

From 1967 through 1985, 100 cases with early supraglottic carcinoma (T1N0, 51; T2N0, 49) were treated with telecobalt therapy at the Department of Radiology, Osaka University Hospital.

RESULTS

The 5-year actuarial survival rates of cases with T1 and T2 were 69% and 74%, respectively. The 5-year local control rates of cases with T1 and T2 were 77% and 62%, respectively. The local control rate for the epilarynx (94%) was significantly better than that for the lower supraglottis (66%; P < 0.05). For the lower supraglottis, the local control rates of 24 tumors that disappeared at 40 Gy and 58 tumors that persisted at 40 Gy were 88% and 55%, respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The tumor site was an important prognostic factor in radiation therapy for the supraglottis, as was the tumor response at 40 Gy for the lower supraglottis.

Identity of a major 3-deoxyglucosone-reducing enzyme with aldehyde reductase in rat liver established by amino acid sequencing and cDNA expression

We have purified a rat liver enzyme that catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG), a major intermediate in the Maillard reaction and a potent cross-linker responsible for the polymerization of proteins. Comparison of the amino acid (aa) sequences of nine peptides obtained from the rat 3-DG-reducing enzyme by lysylendopeptidase digestion with the aa sequence of human aldehyde reductase (ALR) [Bohren et al., J. Biol. Chem. 266 (1991) 24031-24037] strongly suggested that the purified enzyme was rat ALR. We cloned the cDNA encoding ALR from a rat kidney cDNA library using a human ALR cDNA fragment, amplified by polymerase chain reaction, as a probe. All nine peptides identified in the purified rat 3-DG-reducing enzyme were found in the aa sequence deduced from the rat ALR cDNA. Moreover, cell extract from COS-1 cells transfected with the rat ALR cDNA exhibited NADPH-dependent 3-DG-reducing activity and cross-reacted with antiserum raised against the purified rat 3-DG-reducing enzyme. All the above data indicate clearly that the 3-DG-reducing enzyme is identical with ALR. Northern blot analysis of total mRNA from a variety of rat tissues showed fairly high levels of expression of ALR mRNA. This suggests that sufficient ALR is present to detoxify 3-DG when it is formed through the Maillard reaction in vivo.

Role of total body irradiation as based on the comparison of preparation regimens for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for acute leukemia in first complete remission

The role of total body irradiation (TBI) for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for acute leukemia in first complete remission was reevaluated in this study. From Japanese BMT Registry, data of 123 acute leukemia patients in first complete remission who underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in 22 hospitals between 1988 and 1990 were available for the present comparative study of preparation regimens with or without total body irradiation. Two-year survivals were 77% and 51% in the TBI containing regimen group and in the non-TBI regimen group, respectively (p = 0.0010). Corresponding two-year relapse rates were 16% and 37%, respectively (p = 0.0197). Corresponding probabilities of developing interstitial pneumonitis were 21% and 24%, respectively (p = 0.8127). The analysis of causes of death indicated that non-TBI regimen increased the incidence of septicemia and lethal organ failures, such as liver, heart, lung and other multiple sites. It was emphasized that an additional role of total body irradiation was to disperse the treatment-related toxicity in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for acute leukemia.