Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 is released by human melanoma cells and is associated with tumor growth in nude mice

We have studied the cytokine regulation of cell surface and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) expression on the human melanoma cell line A375M. Unstimulated cells express ICAM-1 on their cell surface but do not secrete significant levels of soluble ICAM-1. Interleukin 1, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor, and gamma-interferon all increased cell surface expression of ICAM-1. Tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 1, and gamma-interferon also caused the release of soluble ICAM-1. The serum of melanoma patients has been reported to contain elevated levels of soluble ICAM-1; however, the source of this ICAM-1 is unclear. The serum from nude mice bearing s.c. human melanoma tumors was found to contain soluble human ICAM-1. ICAM-1 levels showed a positive correlation with tumor weight. The release of ICAM-1 from melanoma tumors, in response to host-derived cytokines, may have relevance to immune recognition of the tumor.

Endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1-dependent adhesion of colon carcinoma cells to vascular endothelium is inhibited by an antibody to Lewis fucosylated type I carbohydrate chain

Endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) has been determined to be the mediator of adhesion of colon carcinoma cells to interleukin-1 (IL-1)-activated endothelial cells. To identify ELAM-1 ligand in colon carcinoma cells, we have screened a series of 11 monoclonal antibodies directed to these cells and found that only one MBr8 was able to inhibit the IL-1-induced increment in adhesion of HT29 and of SW948 colon carcinoma lines to endothelial cells. In contrast, MBr8 did not bind to polymorphonuclear cells, monocytes, and lymphocytes and did not inhibit polymorphonuclear adhesion to IL-1-activated endothelial cells. As expected, an ELAM-1 monoclonal antibody strongly inhibited IL-1 induced increment of adhesion of HT29, SW948, and polymorphonuclear cells. As negative control, MG63 osteosarcoma cells were used. These cells adhere more efficiently to IL-1 activated endothelial cells but MBr8 and ELAM-1 monoclonal antibodies did not affect their adhesion. The effect of MBr8 was also tested in an experimental system in vivo. As described previously, radiolabeled HT29 cell retention in the lung of nude mice was increased in animals given IL-1. MBr8 administration to nude mice or pretreatment of tumor cells with it inhibited this effect. These data suggest that cell adhesion to ELAM-1 might be mediated by different, cell type specific, sugar ligands.

Early gastric cancer: total gastrectomy vs. distal resection. Results of a study of 271 cases. The Italian Stomach Cancer Group (A.C.O.I.-I.S.C.G.)

Two hundred and seventy-one (271) patients with early gastric cancer from 26 different hospitals were examined in a retrospective study conducted by the I.S.C.G. (Italian Stomach Cancer Group). The patients were divided into two series: the first, comprising 234 patients with negative lymph nodes (Stage ITNM-UICC), had 5-year survival rates of 85%. The second group comprised 37 patients with positive lymph nodes (Stage III TNM-UICC) with a 72% five-year survival rate. Both results appear to be of great significance when compared with the five-year survival rate for advanced gastric cancer, namely 29.3%. As far as the difference between the late results of total gastrectomy and subtotal distal resection are concerned, the latter was associated with a higher five-year survival rate in the case of tumors located in the lower third and in the middle third of the stomach.

[Multicenter retrospective study of 3,024 patients operated on for stomach cancer in Italy. Epidemiology, surgical treatment and survival]

This study presents the results achieved in 2,000 patients who underwent gastric resection and who had been selected from amongst 3,074 cases of gastric neoplasia included in the Retrospective Study of Carcinoma of the Stomach, carried out by the "Italian Stomach Cancer Group" of the Association of Italian Hospital Surgeons (ACOI). In terms of the UICC TNM classification, these patients consisted of 234 stage I patients, 494 stage II patients 1,011 stage III patients and 261 stage IV patients. The overall operative mortality was 7.1 percent. This was lower after subtotal distal resection. The long-term survival tended to fall in proportion with the stage of the illness, whereas the degree of the exeresis did not appear to have any impact. The overall survival at 5 years in the patients who survived the operation was 45%, that following distal resection was 54% and that after total gastrectomy was 33%. The survival rate in terms of the stage ranged from 86% for Early Gastric Cancers to 28% for the patients who underwent surgery at stage III i.e. when they had metastatic lymph nodes.

Effect of interleukin-1-beta on metastasis formation in different tumor systems

Experiments were done to determine the effect of interleukin-1-beta (IL-1 beta) on metastasis formation in different tumor systems. Intravenous administration of 1 microgram of human recombinant IL-1 beta given 1 hour before tumor cell injection augmented lung colony formation (experimental metastases) by the human A375 melanoma variants, the human HT-29M colon carcinoma, the SN12-K1 renal carcinoma in nude mice, the murine B16 melanoma variants, and the murine UV-2237M fibrosarcoma in syngeneic recipients. The same treatment did not induce lung colony formation by a human rectal carcinoma (HCC-P2988) or by a murine reticulum cell sarcoma (M5076), both of which are not metastatic to the lung. Spontaneous metastases were studied in C57BL/6 mice bearing the B16-BL6 melanoma (metastatic to the lung) in their footpad and the M5076 reticulum cell sarcoma (metastatic to the liver) subcutaneously. Daily intraperitoneal treatment with 1 microgram of IL-1 beta increased lung and liver metastases. These findings indicate that treatment of mice with IL-1 beta can increase the number of artificial or spontaneous metastases and that this effect is not limited to a single tumor type or to a specific organ.

[Clinical study of the efficacy and tolerability of nimesulide in suppositories compared to flurbiprofen in gynecology]

The efficacy and tolerability of nimesulide in a new pharmaceutical suppository form were assessed in a double blind study versus flurbiprofen in pain-inflammatory pathologies of obstetrico-gynecological nature. One hundred patients with pelvic inflammatory disease were randomly assigned to treatment with nimesulide or flurbiprofen. Both drugs, administered in a dose of 2 suppositories a day for 7 days, evidenced speedy, effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity combined with good tolerability. Specifically, as regards the pain component, nimesulide demonstrated a significantly more marked analgesic effect than flurbiprofen in the first two hours of treatment.

Interleukin 1-induced augmentation of experimental metastases from a human melanoma in nude mice

This study has examined the effect of the cytokine interleukin 1 (IL-1) on metastasis formation by the human melanoma A375M in nude mice. We have found that human recombinant IL-1 beta (a single injection greater than 0.01 micrograms per mouse i.v. given before tumor cells) induced an augmentation of experimental lung metastases from the A375M tumor cells in nude mice. This effect was rapidly induced and reversible within 24 h after IL-1 injection. A similar effect was induced by human recombinant IL-1 alpha and human recombinant tumor necrosis factor, but not by human recombinant interleukin 6. 5-[125I]odo-2'-deoxyuridine-radiolabeled A375M tumor cells injected i.v. remained at a higher level in the lungs of nude mice receiving IL-1 than in control mice. In addition, IL-1 injected 1 h, but not 24 h, after tumor cells enhanced lung colonization as well, thus suggesting an effect of IL-1 on the vascular transit of tumor cells. These findings may explain the observation of enhanced secondary localization of tumor cells at inflammatory sites and suggest that modulation of secondary spread should be carefully considered when assessing the ability of this cytokine to complement cytoreductive therapies.

Research on compounds with psychotropic activity. IX--Synthesis of 6-p-methoxyphenylpyrrolo[2,1-d][1,5]benzothiazepines and evaluation of their affinities for BDZ and GABA receptor subtypes

6-p-Methoxyphenylpyrrolo[2,1-d][1,5]benzothiazepin-7(6H)-one (IV), cis-7-acetoxy-6,7-dihydro-6-p-methoxyphenylpyrrolo[2,1-d] [1,5]benzothiazepine (V) and some significant 7-acyloxy-6-p-methoxyphenylpyrrolo[2,1-d][1,5]benzothiazepines (VI a-g) were synthesized and tested in vitro for inhibition of the specific binding of 3H-Flunitrazepam, 3H-PK 11195, 3H-Muscimol and 3H-(-)Baclofen to central and peripheral benzodiazepine, GABA-A and GABA-B receptors, respectively. The compounds (IV), VI a) and (VI c) were active on the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor; in particular (VI a) and (VI c) were very active. The compound (VI g) showed an affinity, even though scanty, for the central benzodiazepine receptor.

Flavone acetic acid pharmacokinetics in nude mice

The pharmacokinetics of flavone acetic acid (FAA) were comparatively studied in Balb-c mice and in immunocompetent nude mice treated with i.v. doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg. In both strains of mice, FAA kinetics appear to be dose-dependent, since the AUC values increased disproportionally to the dose. FAA protein binding and the pattern of distribution were similar in Balb-c and nude mice, the highest drug concentrations being found in liver and small intestine and the lowest in brain. Renal excretion appears to be the major route of FAA elimination in both strains, accounting for about 75% of the total drug administered after a dose of 100 mg/kg and 50-60% after a dose of 300 mg/kg. We conclude that FAA pharmacokinetics are comparable in Balb-c and nude mice so that the previously investigated FAA dosage schedules in inbred mice can also be employed in nude mice bearing human tumors.

Synthesis and 5HT-receptors affinity of some 4-phenylquinoline derivatives

The synthesis of a series of 4-phenylquinolines with substituents in 2,3 and 6-position of the quinoline nucleus is described. Serotoninergic activity towards 5HT1A, 5HT1B, 5HT2, 5HT1A + B receptors and the 5-HT-uptake site was also studied.

Response to flavone acetic acid (NSC 347512) of primary and metastatic human colorectal carcinoma xenografts

The antitumour activity of flavone acetic acid (FAA) was evaluated against two human colorectal carcinoma (HCC) lines, HCC-P2988 and HCC-M1410, transplanted into nude mice. On repeated i.v. injection of 200 mg kg-1 every 4 days FAA was moderately active against the s.c. growing HCC-P2988. HCC-M1410 transplanted s.c. was almost unresponsive in the same experimental conditions. In contrast, FAA (200 mg kg-1 i.v. every 4 days, repeated three times) significantly reduced liver tumour colonies produced by the HCC-M1410 cells injected intrasplenically into nude mice. These findings suggest that FAA has potential activity against human colorectal carcinoma, particularly against liver metastases.

The nude mouse for the study of human colorectal carcinoma

The tumorigenicity and metastatic behaviour of human colorectal tumors have been assessed in athymic nude mice. Surgical specimens were obtained from colorectal carcinomas or from metastases of different patients. Primary colorectal tumors and their synchronous liver metastases were obtained from three patients. After intramuscular (i.m.) injection into nude mice, tumor cells originating from metastases showed a higher take than those from primary tumors. In general, metastasis-derived tumors had a shorter doubling time than primary-derived tumors. This growth pattern was not associated with the production of spontaneous metastases in nude mice. To investigate the malignant potential of colorectal neoplasms in the nude mouse, tumor cells were injected intravenously (i.v.) (artificial lung metastases) and in the spleen (artificial liver metastases). Colorectal-derived tumor cells produced lung colonies after i.v. injection, but the most dramatic expression of malignancy was the tumor cells' ability to grow in the liver after intrasplenic (i.s.) injection. The ability to grow in the liver of nude mice appeared to be a distinct characteristic of each tumor cell population. Human colorectal tumors were maintained as continuous lines subcutaneously (s.c.) in nude mice. Phenotypic differences, including malignant potential, were generally maintained at different passages. Human colorectal tumors with a definite pattern of malignant behaviour (i.e. to the liver) in the nude mouse provide a unique experimental system for the study of the biology and the therapy of cancer metastases.

Double circuit esophagojejunoduodenal plasty in reconstruction of the alimentary tract after total gastrectomy

The results of a new reconstructive technique of the digestive tract after total gastrectomy with a double circuit EDDP were reviewed. Since 1976, 141 patients with carcinoma of the stomach have been surgically treated at our hospital. Of the 68 patients who had undergone total gastrectomy, 17 had a double circuit EDDP performed. In this short series, no postoperative complications occurred. The results of clinical, laboratory and instrumental assessments in the eight patients available for follow-up study were quite satisfactory. Weight loss was moderate, if not absent. All patients assessed were content with their quality of life and were able to resume their previous work activities again.