Production of Leukocyte Migration Inhibition Factor by Lymphocytes of Larynx Cancer Patients Stimulated by Laryngeal Carcinoma Solubilized Membrane Antigens

The production of leukocyte migration inhibition factor (LIF) from lymphocytes after stimulation with 3 M KCl soluble tumor and normal mucosa extracts was investigated in 30 patients with laryngeal carcinoma at different development stages and in 30 normal donors. The experiments were performed in heterologous and autologous systems. In heterologous systems 3 M KCl tumor extracts induced LIF production by heterologous lymphocytes from patients in 91 % of the cases, and normal mucosa extracts induced LIF production by heterologous lymphocytes from patients in 73 % of the cases and from normal donors in 90 % of the cases. In autologous systems 3 M KCl tumor extracts induced LIF production by autologous lymphocytes from the same patients in 65 % of the cases, whereas the normal laryngeal mucosa extracts induced LIF production by the same autologous lymphocytes in the 6 % of the cases. The high positivity percentage of the test in heterologous systems could be related to differences in the major histocompatibility complex. The 65 % test positivity in autologous systems using tumor extracts could be related to the presence of tumor associated antigens.

Prognostic Significance of the Expression of Immuno-Histochemically Detectable Differentiation Markers in Laryngeal Carcinomas

Expression of immunocytochemically detectable markers in 100 cases of laryngeal carcinomas, homogeneous for staging and treatment, was correlated with clinical evolution of the disease. Follow-up for a minimum of 5 years was obtained in all cases. Paraffin sections were re-cut and stained in immunoperoxidase with monoclonal KL1, detecting medium-to-low molecular weight keratins, and with monoclonal HMFG2, revealing a surface glycoprotein. Expression of KL1-related antigen did not correlate with prognosis, whereas cases extensively positive for monoclonal HMFG2 (more than 50% cells stained) had a significantly better recurrence-free rate. In a group of tumors classified as Grade 3 (histologically poorly differentiated) and expressing a low degree of HMFG2-detectable surface glycoprotein (< 50 % cells stained), a high rate of recurrences (93%) was observed. This study indicates that the combined use of morphologic and biologic (immunohistochemical) criteria may constitute an independent parameter of primary importance in predicting the evolution of laryngeal carcinomas.

Specific Lif Production in Laryngeal Cancer Patients: Evidence of Suppressor Activity Exerted by Adherent Cells

The specific tumor-induced LIF production in 30 laryngeal cancer patients has been investigated before and after the removal of adherent cells to evaluate the existence of a suppressor activity. LIF production, after challenging lymphocytes with 3 M KCl autologous tumor extracts, was significant in 16 patients and showed a further significant increase after removal of adherent cells. A conversion to significance when the adherent cells were removed was shown in 6 patients, with no previous significant LIF production. These data suggest the existence of a suppressor activity exerted by adherent cells on LIF production in laryngeal cancer patients.

Improvement of Clinical Response in Allergic Rhinitis Patients Treated with an Oral Immunostimulating Bacterial Lysate: In Vivo Immunological Effects

Allergic rhinitis is known to be one of the most common chronic diseases in the industrialized world. According to the concept that allergic rhinitis patients generally suffer from an immune deficit, in order to stimulate specifically or aspecifically their immune system, immunomodulating agents from various sources, such as synthetic compounds, tissue extracts or a mixture of bacterial extracts, have been used. The aim of the present trial is to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment with an immunostimulating vaccine consisting of a polyvalent mechanical bacterial lysate (PMBL) in the prophylaxis of allergic rhinitis and subsequently to analyze its in vivo effects on immune responses. 41 allergic rhinitis patients were enrolled: 26 patients were randomly assigned to the group for PMBL sublingual treatment and 15 others to the group for placebo treatment. For all 26 patients blood samples were drawn just before (T0) and after 3 months of PMBL treatment (T3) to evaluate plasma IgE levels (total and allergen-specific) and the cytokine production involved in the allergic response (IL-4, IFN-γ). The results of our study indicate that PMBL is effective in vivo in the reduction or in the elimination of the symptoms in rhinitis subjects during the treatment period in comparison to a non-immunostimulating treatment. A significant and clinically relevant improvement was found in 61.5%, a stationary clinical response was registered in 38.4% and no negative side effects associated with the medication or worsening were recorded. At the end of a 3-month follow up period the clinical picture remained the same as that observed at T3. PMBL treatment did not affect the serum IgE levels (either total or allergen-specific) and did not induce significant changes in IFN-γ concentration. In contrast, PMBL therapy may be accompanied, in some patients, by a potential immunomodulating activity by decreasing IL-4 cytokine expression.

Prevalence of polyomaviruses BK, JC, SV40, KI, and WU in non-malignant tonsil specimens

AIM

The recently described polyomaviruses KI and WU have been detected in respiratory samples, stools, tonsils, and blood, particularly in immunocompromised conditions, although little is known about tissue tropism. Herein we investigated the occurrence of KIV and WUV in non-malignant tonsillar specimens by Real-time quantitative PCR; the presence of polyomaviruses BK, JC and SV40-DNA was also evaluated.

METHODS

Twenty-nine non-malignant tonsil specimens obtained from children and adults admitted for tonsillectomy were prospectively studied. Real-time quantitative TaqMan PCR for polyomaviruses KI, WU, BK, JC, and SV40 were performed.

RESULTS

KI-DNA was positive in 2/29 tonsillar specimens (6.9%), while BK- DNA, JC-DNA, SV-40 DNA, and WU-DNA sequences were not identified.

CONCLUSION

Few studies have investigated the prevalence of polyomaviruses in tonsil specimens, with varying results, and data are particularly scant as regards the newly discovered KIV and WUV. Two major questions remain to be definitely answered at this regard: the possibility that human tonsils represent the initial site of infection and/or a latency site and the biological and clinical meaning of KIV and WUV in different contexts and groups of patients, in that it is not clear whether they are simple bystanders or play a role in tonsil disease.

[Recurrent urinary tract infections. Biological suppositions and clinical treatment with thymopentin]

BACKGROUND

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are a common usual pathological event. They relapse often due to the periurethral colonization of microorganisms from the intestinal bacterial flora. They also constitute an important and considerable social and clinical problem. The absence of inducing organic conditions or an infective focus at the base of the pathogenetic mechanism suggests the existence of alterations of the immune response of the subject.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this work we wanted to verify if, in those subjects with relapsing UTI (more than four events every year) cure with "biological" response modifiers, particularly "thymopentin", meaningfully reduced the number of events.

RESULTS

The results obtained confirm that for those cases in which the chemo-antibiotic therapy did not have the expected results, it is rational to support it with an immune-modulating drug (thymopentin). In fact the post-therapy reduction of UTI observed during two years of follow-up is statistically significant when compared to the average of UTI before therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The "cost-benefits" analysis should prove to be a saving in favour of the use of thymopentin, taking into consideration the reduction of chemo-antibiotics consumption and the lower number of working hours lost every year.

[Moraxella catarrhalis: an emerging respiratory pathogen]

In the past years Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis has finally gained respect as a pathogen thanks to the many reports of its causal role. The intent of this review is to provide a critical evaluation of the intent of this review is to provide a critical evaluation of the microbiological features (taxonomy, diagnosis, virulence, epidemiology and drug resistance), clinical diseases and therapy of this microorganism

Temporary regression of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is achieved with a low but not with a high dose of recombinant interleukin 2 injected perilymphatically

The efficacy of ten daily injections of 500 or 500,000 U of recombinant interleukin 2 (IL-2) day-1 given 1.5 cm from the insertion of the sternocleidomastoid muscle on the mastoid was evaluated in 31 patients with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. No toxic effects were noted. One complete response (CR) and three partial responses (PRs) were observed in the 16 patients who received 500 U of IL-2, whereas the higher dose was not effective. The CR was recorded in one of the seven patients with a oropharyngeal recurrence. Partial responses were obtained in 1/5 patients with hypopharyngeal recurrences, in 1/5 patients with oral cavity recurrences and 1/7 patients with laryngeal recurrences. The duration of the responses was 3-5 months and additional courses of ten injections of IL-2 had no further effect.

Interleukin-2 injected around tumor-draining lymph nodes in head and neck cancer

Twenty patients with recurrent, inoperable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma received perilymphatic injections of natural interleukin-2 (nIL-2) for 10 days. Ten patients received 200 units (U) of nIL-2; five 1,000 U; and five 5,000 U. Irrespective of the location of the recurrence, the injections were always performed 1.5 cm below the insertion of the sternocleidomastoid muscle on the mastoid. When the ipsilateral lymphatic chain was still present, they were performed on the same side as the tumor site, whereas when it had been stripped as a result of previous surgery, they were contralateral. Patients who had undergone bilateral neck dissection were injected on the tumor side. Whenever possible, the treatment was repeated after 45-day intervals. In 13 patients (65%) with bilateral or contralateral lymph nodes, complete or partial disappearance of the lesion was observed. Despite these marked responses, the tumor always relapsed, and subsequent IL-2 courses were poorly effective. There were no systemic disturbances during or after treatment, but only moderate local swelling and pain.

[Oncogene expression in malignant head and neck neoplasia]

Cellular oncogenes may acquire transforming properties and take part in induction or progression of tumors. In the present study we have examined the expression of c-met, c-ras and c-myc in some head and neck carcinomas. In 3 tumors we have found an elevated expression of the c-met oncoprotein, in 2 tumours of the c-myc one. These data suggest that oncogenes could participate in the development of some head and neck cancers.

[New perspectives on the pathogenesis of rhinitis]

The division of T cells into distinct subsets (Th-1 and Th-2), based upon cytokine production, is a major advance in understanding the immune reactivities particularly those associated with allergy. This report summarizes some of the highlights on pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. Th-2 cells, driven by IL-4, play an important role in allergic reactions inducing IgE switching in B cells and proliferation of mastocytes. In addition, by interaction with IL-5, Th-2 lymphocytes promotes eosinophil growth. By contrast, Th-1 cells antagonize Th-2 activity by IFN-gamma production. Finally IL-10, produced by Th-2, blocks the effects of the cytokines elaborated by Th-1. Recent results of this rapidly expanding area of research provide the background for this review. The intricate connections between Th-1, Th-2, the endothelial cells of the nose vessels and stromal cells are discussed.

The effect of preoperative local interleukin-2 (IL-2) injections in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. An immunological study

Clinical, immunological, immunophenotypical, pathological and molecular biological studies were performed on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and lymph node lymphocytes (LN-ly) of 8 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx treated with 10 daily locoregional injections of low doses of IL-2 before surgery. No complications were seen during or after surgery. In 3 cases the LN-ly showed a moderate LAK activity, higher in the LN-ly omolateral to the tumor and near the IL-2 injection site; in 2 of these 3 patients a good LAK activity was induced after 6-day culture with IL-2. The LN-ly derived from nodes next to the tumor showed a decreased NK activity and proliferative ability both in basal conditions and after in vitro lymphokine challenging. LN-ly of 2 IL-2 treated patients showed high levels of mRNA encoding for IL-2-R, while it was absent in 2 untreated cases. Immunophenotypical studies on TIL showed statistically improved levels of CD25+ and LAK1+ cells in treated cases. Clusters of CD11c+ (macrophages) cells were seen close to the neoplastic sheets.

[Perilymphatic injection of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck]

Twenty patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck received daily injections of interleukin-2 (IL-2) from the Jurkat T-cell line, purified by high pressure liquid chromatography for 10 days. Two hundred (ten patients), one thousand (five patients) and five thousand (five patients) units of IL-2 in 0.5 ml were injected 1.5 cm from the point where the sternocleidomastoid muscle inserts itself on the mastoid. Whenever possible, the treatment cycles were repeated at 45 day intervals. In 13 patients with contralateral or bilateral cervical lymph nodes, complete or partial disappearance of the tumor was observed. There were non systemic disturbances after injection and only moderate local swelling and pain.

[Ecological and microbiological aspects of otitis]

The indigenous and the pathogenic microorganisms of the various body areas have been compiled but the list is constantly growing. The A.A. have examined the properties of the bacterial flora of the oropharynx and of the ear in regard of the etiology of the otitis and have hypothesized some mechanisms enhancing the growth of certain pathogenic bacteria.

[Bacterial infections of the ear: case contribution on clinical and microbiological aspects]

Ciprofloxacin was given in oral doses of 250 mg. each 8 hours to 21 patients with otitis. The efficacy of treatment was assessed by clinical and bacteriological parameters. The 61.9% of isolated bacteria are opportunistic. A case of chronic otitis by Achromobacter xylosoxidans is described.

Treatment of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with low doses of interleukin-2 injected perilymphatically

Ten patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck received daily injections of interleukin-2 (IL-2) from the Jurkat T-cell line purified by high pressure liquid chromatography for 10 days. Two hundred units of IL-2 in 0.5 ml were injected 1.5 cm from the insertion of the sternocleidomastoid muscle on the mastoid. When possible, courses were repeated at 45-day intervals. IL-2 was ineffective in two patients who had already undergone functional or radical neck dissection. By contrast, in six patients with contralateral or bilateral cervical lymph nodes, complete or partial disappearance of the tumor was observed. The injections were occasionally followed by moderate local swelling and lymph node pain, but no systemic disturbances.

[The use of ofloxacin in otorhinolaryngology]

Continuing development of antimicrobial resistance highlights the need for new antimicrobial agents. Despite many new molecules there is still a need for effective oral compounds. The fluoroquinolones are a new group of antibiotics with a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity which includes resistant strains and difficult microorganisms as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Ofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone available for oral use showing good absorption with high blood levels and quite satisfactory tissue, penetration particularly in O.R.L. district. The treatment, consisting of ofloxacin 200 mg twice daily, of several patient (including two cases of rhinitis) was both safe and effective.

In vitro antimicrobial activity in comparison with tonsillar tissue penetration of mezlocillin

The aim of this study was to determine the role of mezlocillin, a new acylureidopenicillin, in otorhinolaryngology. One hundred and forty-four bacterial strains were isolated from 100 patients suffering from infections of the oropharyngeal tract. Among the isolates only 10 (6.9%) resulted in being mezlocillin-resistant by the agar diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations were also determined. Pharmacokinetic parameters e.g., diffusion in tonsillar tissue and serum concentrations, were studied. Mean mezlocillin tonsillar levels of 3.5 micrograms/g and 1.8 micrograms/g and serum concentrations of 60.2 micrograms/ml and 10.6 micrograms/ml, 1 h and 4 h respectively after administration, were found.

[Teicoplanin in otorhinolaryngology]

In this study the clinical microbiologic efficacy of a new antibiotic, Teicoplanin, has been reported. Teicoplanin was given to both male and female patients (200 or 400 mg/die doses) suffering from ORL infections. The microbial flora of the inflammatory focus was checked before and after antibiotic administration. Complete microbiologic eradication occurred in 13 cases of the 18 examined; in 3 cases was observed reinfection and in 2 cases the isolates were not sensitive to the antibiotic tested.

[Use of ofloxacin in otorhinolaryngologic infections]

Ofloxacin, a new fluoroquinolonic synthetic compound with broad antibacterial spectrum, was used in per os therapy of 15 ear, nose and throat infected patients. The antibiotic was then compared with other eight antimicrobial agents against the Gram-positive and Gram-negative isolates. Either in vitro than in vivo the god antibacterial activity and tolerance of ofloxacin, particularly against Gram-positive infections, was demonstrated. Results point out the possibility of utilization of ofloxacin per os against ear, nose and throat infections.

[In vitro comparative activity of norfloxacin in the comparison of pathogenic bacteria of the urinary tract]

In this study 411 bacterial isolates from clinical urinary tract infections against some quinolones, azthreonam and trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole combination were tested. Bactericidal kinetics of norfloxacin , cinoxacin and azthreonam against E. coli ATCC 25922 was determined. Both MICs values and bactericidal activities have shown that fluoroquinolones are more active against all Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria tested than the other drugs.

[Microbiological-clinical study on the efficacy of a new antibiotic: teicoplanin]

Teicoplanin is a new antibiotic isolated from the fermentation broth of Actinoplanes teichomyceticus nov. sp. It's a glycopeptide antibiotic belonging to the same family as vancomycin, active against Gram-positive bacteria. The antimicrobial activity of this drug was evaluated in 32 patients suffering from different infections due to Gram-positive bacteria. Among the 36 Gram-positive microorganisms isolated, 15 staphylococci were methicillin resistant, 10 were sensitive, 1 was intermediate and for another one the methicillin susceptibility was not evaluated. After the treatment with teicoplanin, cure and improvement occurred in 26 cases (81%), in 2 cases the therapy failed (6%), in 2 cases there was a relapse and 2 cases were not evaluable. From this clinical study Teicoplanin results safe and effective in the therapy of Gram-positive infections.

Monoclonal antibodies against laryngeal carcinomas. Preliminary report

Following types of monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) (HMFG 1, 2 and AI 16.9) were used in twenty patients with laryngeal carcinomas (10 pharyngolaryngeal carcinomas, T4 N+ MO, and 10 vestibulo-glottic carcinomas, T1 T2, N+ N-, MO). The demonstration of MoAb's binding was performed with immunoperoxidase technique. The results demonstrate that the HMFG 1 and 2 antibodies fixed to both T and N, mostly good or very good, while the AI 16.9 antibody fixed in a various way. None of these three MoAb's was specific for the tissue of metastasis-free satellite lymph nodes.

Evaluation of blocking mechanisms against immunological responses in patients with laryngeal carcinoma

The specific tumor-induced leukocyte inhibition factor (LIF) production in laryngeal cancer patients has been investigated before and after the removal of adherent cells in order to evaluate the existence of a suppressor activity; 20 patients served as subject. The LIF production, after challenging the lymphocytes with 3MKC1 autologous tumor extracts, was significant in 12 patients and showed a further significant increase after the removal of adherent cells. In 3 patients with no previous significant LIF production, there was a conversion to significance when the adherent cells were removed. The other patients did not show any significant variation. These data seem to suggest the existence of a suppressor activity exerted by adherent cells in laryngeal cancer patients on LIF production.

Natural killer-mediated cytotoxicity in patients with laryngeal carcinoma

Natural killer (NK)-mediated cytotoxicity against the K562 cell line was evaluated in normal subjects and in patients with laryngeal cancer. Results showed reduced lymphocyte cytotoxicity in patients with neoplastic disease and further reduction in NK activity following postoperative radiation therapy. The authors discuss the possibility of using this test in the immunological monitoring of patients with laryngeal carcinoma.

[Gamma-interferon: physico-chemical and biological characteristics]

In the present study we discuss some aspects of the Interferon System, with particular regard to the immune interferon (IFN-gamma) that, besides its antiviral activity, displays the capability to modulate the immune response against a variety of antigens such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa and tumor cells.

Evaluation of the immune responsiveness in laryngeal cancer patients with specific and aspecific tests: first results of follow-up in 80 cases

We have evaluated in 80 patients suffering with laryngeal carcinoma their specific and aspecific immune responsiveness. We used the E rosette-test, the PHA-induced in vitro stimulation and the in vitro specific LIF production. We chose to use the LIF production test both for its marked sensitivity and because the lymphokines--which are soluble mediators--act as a "bridge" between the different fields of the immune response. Furthermore in our previous research, we observed that the specific LIF production was influenced in a negative way by adherent cells of the peripheral blood that could behave as blocking factors. For what attains the autologous LIF production, before and after the removal of adherent cells, our results show that the patients suffering with a cancer staged as T3T4N1N2N3 exhibit much more marked blocking phenomena than the patients with a cancer staged as T1T2T3N0. In fact the results demonstrate that in this second group only 62% of the cases, after the removal of the adherent cells, showed an increase of LIF production, while this percentage rose to 83% for the patients with a more advanced disease. A similar pattern was found in those patients who showed a recurrence two of three years after the primary disease.

Evidence of suppressor activity mediated by concanavalin-A stimulated cells towards aspecific LIF production

Since the T-suppressor subpopulation is known to have a peculiar sensitivity to the mitogenic activity of Concanavalin-A we decided to verify whether in normal subjects it was possible to induce, by using the Con-A as a mitogenic factor, the proliferation of cells--possibly T-suppressor--which: a) had the property of adherence and b) show inhibitory activity toward LIF production. The statistical analysis of the results of our experimental patterns show that even if a difference between the suppression exerted on LIF production by Con-A stimulated versus not stimulated cells is present at any dilution, the level of significance rises from P less than 0.005 to P less than 0.0001 for the range of dilution 1:1/4 to 1:132, thus revealing that these experimental conditions are optimal for eliciting the blocking effect. The researches that are currently in progress in our laboratory seem to suggest that this experimental approach is of some value in characterizing the immunity pattern of laryngeal cancer patients and its evolution through the course of disease.

Microbiological research on specimens (dusts) drawn from the Holy Shroud

The Holy Shroud is a relic of great historical importance that, according to catholic tradition, represents the "Sudarium" i.e. the "Sindon" of Jesus Christ. By several techniques, the most recent studies try to establish a well defined dating of the Holy Shroud. In addition an attempt is also made to find out the best mean to preserve the relic. We have to this purpose performed microbiological tests on specimens (Dusts) from the Holy Shroud establishing the microbic content in various spots. Besides few exceptions, the bacteria and fungi found on the Shroud and related objects are common and spread in all the areas examined.

Effect of the cryopreservation on the production of leukocyte migration inhibition factor (LIF) by lymphocytes from normal volunteers and patients with laryngeal carcinomas

The present paper reports the results of an investigation on the influence of cryopreservation methods of human lymphocytes on the leukocyte migration inhibition factor (LIF) production following PHA stimulation. The optimal freezing and thawing procedures, fetal calf serum and dimethyl sulphoxide concentrations are reported.

[Cefamandole: in vitro and in vivo activity]

Among the cephalosporin antibiotics, a relatively new derivative of Cefamandole has been studied, the sodium salt of its formyl ester, Cefamandole nafate. It has shown a broad spectrum of antibiotic activity against a wide variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative Bacteria (127 strains); the susceptibility was good even with beta-lactamase-producing bacteria. Good protective doses (PD50) were found after mice infections with Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella wien. The pharmacokinetics of Cefamandole carried out comparatively in 5 human volunteers and in laboratory animals exhibited high levels, especially in the urines.