Some Aspects of Pituitary Function after Neuroadenolysis in Patients with Metastatic Cancer

The effects of neuroadenolysis on plasma titres of β-endorphin, β-lipotropin, ACTH, TSH and prolactin have been investigated in five patients with metastatic cancer who responded to the treatment and have been in remission for more than four years and in five others who were undergoing the treatment for the first time for pain due to cancer metastases. β-endorphin, β-lipotropin and ACTH titres were within the normal ranges of values in both categories of patients but post-neuroadenolysis titres of these peptides were higher than those before the treatment. The ability to secrete TSH and prolactin and to respond to thyroid stimulating hormone releasing hormone (TRH) remains intact following the treatment. However, whereas basal TSH titres and response to TRH was lower in the majority of patients, no such effect was observed on prolactin secretion. Plasma titres of prolactin and TSH were below the sensitivity of the method in the five patients who are in remission for more than four years. These preliminary findings suggest that neuroadenolysis probably affects some mechanism(s) associated with the control of β-endorphin, β-lipotropin and ACTH synthesis.

Hormone Synthesis by Primary Breast Carcinomas and Prognosis in Human Breast Cancer

The ability of human breast carcinomas to convert pregnenolone to progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone to Δ4-androstene-3,17-dione (Δ4) was investigated as a potential aid for prognosis, and the following observations were recorded. 1. Neither the amounts of progesterone or Δ4 synthesized nor Δ4/progesterone ratios correlated with tumour size or lymph node involvement. 2. Δ4 synthesis was lower in carcinomas from patients who had recurrences within 2 years of mastectomy than in carcinomas from those who remained free of metastases. 3. Life table analysis of the results indicated that these parameters appeared unlikely to be useful aids for prognosis.

Effects of Opiates and Naloxone on Certain Enzymes of Carbohydrate Metabolism in Human Breast Carcinomas

The effects of administration of opiates and naloxone on the activities of PFK, 6PGDH and α-GPDH and α-GPDH/6PGDH ratios in human breast carcinomas were investigated in patients awaiting mastectomy. Injection of naloxone or fentanyl into an antecubital vein resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the activity of α-GPDH. Fentanyl was also effective in reducing the activity of 6PGDH. Injection of morphine into a branch of the internal mammary artery during mastectomy failed to induce changes in the activities of any of the enzymes but injection of naloxone resulted in a significant rise in the activity of 6PGDH. It is postulated that these alterations in the activities might not be associated with the binding of these drugs to opiate receptor proteins in the carcinoma. Furthermore opiate agonists or antagonists might not produce the required changes in the activities of any of the enzymes.

Molecular ultrasound imaging: current status and future directions

Targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasound (molecular ultrasound) is an emerging imaging strategy that combines ultrasound technology with novel molecularly-targeted ultrasound contrast agents for assessing biological processes at the molecular level. Molecular ultrasound contrast agents are nano- or micro-sized particles that are targeted to specific molecular markers by adding high-affinity binding ligands onto the surface of the particles. Following intravenous administration, these targeted ultrasound contrast agents accumulate at tissue sites overexpressing specific molecular markers, thereby enhancing the ultrasound imaging signal. High spatial and temporal resolution, real-time imaging, non-invasiveness, relatively low costs, lack of ionising irradiation and wide availability of ultrasound systems are advantages compared to other molecular imaging modalities. In this article we review current concepts and future directions of molecular ultrasound imaging, including different classes of molecular ultrasound contrast agents, ongoing technical developments of pre-clinical and clinical ultrasound systems, the potential of molecular ultrasound for imaging different diseases at the molecular level, and the translation of molecular ultrasound into the clinic.

Variability in platelet response to a single daily dose of 150 mg enteric coated aspirin in a high risk population

PURPOSE

Previous studies have reported inadequate anti-platelet effect in 0.4-35% of patients taking aspirin. Such studies have arbitrarily defined the terms "semi-responders", "non-responders" or "resistant" to variable doses of aspirin on the basis of absolute values derived from different ex-vivo platelet aggregation (PA) methods. Our objective was to define response to 150-mg dose of aspirin in terms of normally distributed values using an ex-vivo measure of PA in a population at high risk for vascular events.

METHODS

We prospectively studied high risk patients with either established coronary artery disease (CAD) or stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) or peripheral vascular disease or with multiple atherothrombotic risk factors like diabetes plus one of the following-- hypertension, increased total cholesterol, cigarette smoking, micro-albuminuria, low-high density lipoprotein (HDL), family history of CAD and receiving single 150 mg dose of aspirin daily. PA was assessed by chronolog lumi-aggregometer (490-2D) using arachidonic acid (AA) reagent.

RESULTS

130 patients were studied. The response of subjects to aspirin followed a normal, bell shaped distribution curve with a mean and standard deviation (S.D.) of 13.1 +/- 4.4%. 3.1% patients had PA values more than 2 S.D. of the mean, hence termed as hypo-responders to aspirin while another 3.1% patients had PA values less than 2 S.D. of the mean, hence termed as hyper-responders to aspirin.

CONCLUSION

There is minimal inter-individual variability in the response to aspirin when tested with AA as the reagent. The response to aspirin follows a normal Gaussian distribution. The prevalence of hypo-responders to aspirin in high risk population is only 3.1%. This is the first study to document "hypo" and "hyper-responders" to single daily dose of 150 mg aspirin. The clinical relevance of these findings remains to be determined.

Dynamics of FSH-induced follicular growth in subfertile women: relationship with age, insulin resistance, oocyte yield and anti-Mullerian hormone

BACKGROUND

During excess FSH treatment, different categories of follicles can be discerned: those responding and appearing to grow immediately (FolsS8) and those appearing subsequently during the follicular phase (Fols/d). These follicular categories were explored in cycles of assisted reproduction in the context of follicular biology, including primordial follicle pool (PFP) depletion, age, insulin resistance and potential markers.

METHODS

Follicular cohorts were examined in 365 conventional ART cycles and related to patient insulin sensitivity, plasma FSH and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH).

RESULTS

Age had no influence upon the FolsS8 category but was associated with a significant (P < 0.005) decline in the Fols/d. In contrast, insulin-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (IR-PCOS) showed a significant (P = 0.005) increase in FolsS8. Circulating AMH correlated strongly with oocyte yield and Fols/d.

CONCLUSION

Age showed little impact on the initial follicular cohort, but a significant impact upon the secondary cohort, while insulin resistance appeared to promote the former category alone. The disturbance to follicular dynamics and AMH in IR-PCOS reflected a larger stockpile of FSH-sensitive follicles. Circulating AMH appears to represent all categories of antral follicles observed.

Follicular diameters in conception cycles with and without multiple pregnancy after stimulated ovulation induction

BACKGROUND

Controlled ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination (OI-IUI) is associated with multiple pregnancies, which are a cause of much concern. No reliable datasets have shown clear criteria for predicting multiple pregnancy. The aim of this study was to eliminate a number of variables by examining only conception cycles to determine ultrasound criteria posing risks of multiple pregnancy.

METHODS

112 OI-IUI conception cycles (multiple pregnancy rate 19.6%) were analysed retrospectively to identify factors that may be used to evaluate multiple pregnancy risk. Analyses of ultrasound data on the day of hCG administration allowed study of the role of primary, secondary and tertiary follicle diameters (FD).

RESULTS

There were no multiple pregnancies in cases where there was a single FD > or = 14 mm, and no higher-order pregnancies where the tertiary follicle measured <14 mm. Follicles with an FD of 15 mm showed an 8% attributable implantation rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Revision of the criteria for administration of the ovulatory dose of hCG should include the concept that follicles of 15 mm diameter may yield a pregnancy. We suggest that rigorous application of such criteria (critical FD of 16 mm combined with secondary FD evidence) will not reduce the programme pregnancy rate, but will reduce the incidence of multiple conceptions.

Prevalence of dementia in an urban Indian population

This article reports the findings of a 3-year epidemiological survey for dementia in an urban community-resident population in Mumbai (Bombay), India, wherein the prevalence of all types of dementia was determined.

METHOD

The study was conducted in three stages. Stage 1: From a potential pool of 30,000 subjects aged 40 years or more, 24,488 (male = 11,875; female = 12,613) persons completed self-report or interviewer-rated protocols based on the Sandoz Clinical Assessment Geriatric Scale, but 5,512 (18.37%) persons refused to participate. Scores on the protocol had a possible range from 0 through 34. Stage 2: Persons with a score +2 SD above the mean were selected in this stage where the persons were screened for cognitive functioning using a modified and translated version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Individuals who scored below the 5th percentile were included in Stage 3 and underwent a detailed neurological, psychiatric, and neuropsychological evaluation as well as hematological, radiological, electrocardiographic, and electroencephalographic investigations. Diagnoses were made jointly by a neurologist, psychiatrist, and psychologist using the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Subjects were also rated on the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale and assessed for activities of daily living.

RESULTS

One hundred five subjects with dementia (CDR > or = 0.5) were identified in this population of 24,488 persons. The prevalence rate for dementia in those aged 40 years and more was 0.43% and for persons aged 65 and above was 2.44%. Seventy-eight individuals had a CDR of > or = 1 yielding an overall prevalence rate of 0.32%, and a prevalence rate of 1.81% for those aged 65 years and older. The overall prevalence rate for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the population was 0.25%, and 1.5% for those aged 65 years and above. AD (n = 62; 65%) was the most common cause of dementia followed byvascular dementia (n = 23; 22%). There were more women (n = 38) than men (n = 24) in the AD group. Increasing age was associated with a higher prevalence of the dementia syndrome in general as well as AD specifically.

CONCLUSION

In the population surveyed, the prevalence of AD and other dementias is less than that reported from developed countries but similar to results of other studies in India. Prevalence of the dementia syndrome increased with age and was not related to gender. AD was the most common dementia and the prevalence was higher in women than in men. Results are discussed with respect to shorter life expectancy, relocation of affected persons, and differences in the risk factors as compared to developed countries.

Successive specification of Drosophila neuroblasts NB 6-4 and NB 7-3 depends on interaction of the segment polarity genes wingless, gooseberry and naked cuticle

The Drosophila central nervous system derives from neural precursor cells, the neuroblasts (NBs), which are born from the neuroectoderm by the process of delamination. Each NB has a unique identity, which is revealed by the production of a characteristic cell lineage and a specific set of molecular markers it expresses. These NBs delaminate at different but reproducible time points during neurogenesis (S1-S5) and it has been shown for early delaminating NBs (S1/S2) that their identities depend on positional information conferred by segment polarity genes and dorsoventral patterning genes. We have studied mechanisms leading to the fate specification of a set of late delaminating neuroblasts, NB 6-4 and NB 7-3, both of which arise from the engrailed (en) expression domain, with NB 6-4 delaminating first. In contrast to former reports, we did not find any evidence for a direct role of hedgehog in the process of NB 7-3 specification. Instead, we present evidence to show that the interplay of the segmentation genes naked cuticle (nkd) and gooseberry (gsb), both of which are targets of wingless (wg) activity, leads to differential commitment to NB 6-4 and NB 7-3 cell fate. In the absence of either nkd or gsb, one NB fate is replaced by the other. However, the temporal sequence of delamination is maintained, suggesting that formation and specification of these two NBs are under independent control.

Suppression of LH during ovarian stimulation: effects differ in cycles stimulated with purified urinary FSH and recombinant FSH

There has been much debate about the role of luteinizing hormone (LH) during follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)-treated ovarian stimulation for assisted reproduction, where the endogenous LH is suppressed using a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue. The requirement for LH in oestradiol biosynthesis is established, but other effects of 'insufficiency' are less clear, and little attention has been paid to the specific origin of the FSH used. The aim of this study was to examine the roles of profoundly suppressed circulating LH concentrations in cycles of ovarian stimulation for IVF, which were affected in two large separate cohorts of patients undergoing assisted reproduction. They were stimulated by either purified urinary FSH (MHP) or recombinant human FSH (rFSH). Within each dataset, outcomes were examined with respect to the circulating concentrations of LH in the mid-follicular phase, as plasma samples were stored prospectively, and assayed retrospectively. Patients with profoundly suppressed LH showed much reduced oestradiol concentrations at mid-follicular phase and at human chorionic gonadotrophin administration in cycles treated with either MHP or rFSH. However, gross ovarian response, as became evident by FSH dose demands, duration of stimulation, and also oocyte and embryo yields and embryo cryopreservation were influenced only in cycles treated with MHP. Furthermore, no effect upon pregnancy survival was observed. Thus, it is concluded that there is a demand for additional exogenous LH treatment only in cycles treated with purified urinary FSH where the LH is profoundly suppressed.

Behavioural disturbances in dementia

OBJECTS

To assess the frequency of behavioural disturbances in patients suffering from dementia and their relation to dementia severity.

METHODS

The study evaluated 75 patients referred to the Memory Clinic at our hospital. Patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for dementia were included in the study. Activities of daily living (ADL) and cognitive functioning were also assessed. Patients were then rated for dementia severity using the Clinical Dementia Rating scale. Clinical data regarding behavioural disturbances was obtained from the patient (where possible) and an informant (usually the primary caregiver) who had contact with the patient at least thrice a week.

RESULTS

Results showed that behavioural disturbances were present in more than 60% of the sample. Psychotic and activity associated disturbances were most common, and that these were seen more frequently in Alzheimer's disease than any other type of dementia. Further, these disturbances occurred most frequently in dementias of moderate severity but reduced as the dementia progressed further.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that behavioural disturbances are a prominent part of dementia and that judicious use of psychiatric medication should form an important aspect of management.

Broad ligament twin pregnancy following in-vitro fertilization

We report the first case of an ectopic twin pregnancy in the broad ligament following in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in a patient with a previous ipsilateral (left) salpingo-oophorectomy. The previous surgery was for endometriosis. We discuss the possible contribution of the embryo transfer technique, limitations of preventive measures and importance of transvaginal ultrasound in establishing the diagnosis.

Luteinizing hormone increases estradiol secretion but has no effect on progesterone concentrations in the late follicular phase of in vitro fertilization cycles in women treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and follicle-stimulating hormone

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the late follicular phase increase in circulating P concentrations during controlled ovarian stimulation with GnRH-a and FSH can be influenced by addition of LH to the stimulating gonadotropin during the final 2 days.

DESIGN

Randomization of patients to receive either FSH alone or FSH with LH (hMG) for the final 2 days before hCG, after follicular phase stimulation with purified FSH.

SETTING

A.C.S. Unit at the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, U.K.

PATIENT(S)

Patients were unselected and were undergoing IVF.

INTERVENTION(S)

Patients received stimulation with purified FSH (300 IU/d) until a follicle of 15 mm was observed; the regimen was then changed to either 225 IU of FSH or 225 IU of hMG.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Estradiol and P in the peripheral circulation.

RESULT(S)

Significant increases in E2 concentration were observed, but there were no changes in the circulating progesterone.

CONCLUSION(S)

The late follicular phase increase in P is unrelated to any luteinizing process attributable to effects in the circulation or sensitization of follicular cells to LH.

The human transcription enhancer factor-1, TEF-1, can substitute for Drosophila scalloped during wingblade development

The human transcription enhancer factor-1 (TEF-1) belongs to a family of evolutionarily conserved proteins that have a DNA binding TEA domain. TEF-1 shares a 98% homology with Drosophila scalloped (sd) in the DNA binding domain and a 50% similarity in the activation domain. We have expressed human TEF-1 in Drosophila under the hsp-70 promoter and find that it can substitute for Sd function. The transformants rescue the wingblade defects as well as the lethality of loss-of-function alleles. Observation of reporter activity in the imaginal wing discs of the enhancer-trap alleles suggests that TEF-1 is capable of promoting sd gene regulation. The functional capability of the TEF-1 product was assessed by comparing the extent of rescue by heat shock (hs)-TEF-1 with that of hs-sd. The finding that TEF-1 can function in vivo during wingblade development offers a potent genetic system for the analysis of its function and in the identification of the molecular partners of TEF-1.

Novel aspects of the regulation of a cDNA (Arf1) from Chlamydomonas with high sequence identity to animal ADP-ribosylation factor 1

ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) is a highly conserved, low molecular mass (ca. 21 kDa) GTP-binding protein that has been implicated in vesicle trafficking and signal transduction in yeast and mammalian cells. However, little is known of ARF in plant systems. A putative ARF polypeptide was identified in subcellular fractions of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, based on [32P]GTP binding and immunoblot assays. A cDNA clone was isolated from Chlamydomonas (Arf1), which encodes a 20.7 kDa protein with 90% identity to human ARF1. Northern blot analyses showed that levels of Arf1 mRNA are highly regulated during 12 h/12 h light/dark (LD) cycles. A biphasic pattern of expression was observed: a transient peak of Arf1 mRNA occurred at the onset of the light period, which was followed ca. 12 h later by a more prominent peak in the early to mid-dark period. When LD-synchronized cells were shifted to continuous darkness, the dark-specific peak of Arf1 mRNA persisted, indicative of a circadian rhythm. The increase in Arf1 mRNA at the beginning of the light period, however, was shown to be light-dependent, and, moreover, dependent on photosynthesis, since it was prevented by DCMU. We conclude that the biphasic pattern of Arf1 mRNA accumulation during LD cycles is due to regulation by two different factors, light (which requires photosynthesis) and the circadian clock. Thus, these studies identify a novel pattern of expression for a GTP-binding protein gene.

Dietary omega 6 fatty acids and the effects of hyperthyroidism in mice

The influence of the type of dietary fat on the effects of thyroid hormones was investigated in mice. Hyperthyroidism was achieved by providing thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) in the drinking water. Both hyperthyroid and euthyroid mice (Mus musculus) were fed isoenergetic diets containing 18% (w/w) total lipid but differing in fatty acid composition. Diets were either low in the polyunsaturated linoleic acid (18:2, omega 6) and high in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) or low in saturated fats and high in the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), linoleic acid. Treatments were maintained for 21-22 days. Plasma thyroid hormone levels, standard metabolic rate (SMR), changes in body mass, specific activities of malic enzyme (ME), Na-K-ATPase and glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) of the liver were measured. Fatty acid composition of the liver phospholipids was also determined. Levels of T3 (15-17 nM) and T4 (250-255 nM) were significantly higher in the respective hyperthyroid groups. There was no significant influence of the diet on hormone levels. Hyperthyroidism increased the SMR 37-44% above the euthyroid levels. A significant body weight loss of 14-18% was observed in hyperthyroid mice on the PUFA diet but not in those on the SFA diet. PUFA diet significantly reduced the activity of ME but had no effect on Na-K-ATPase or GPDH activity. Activities of Na-K-ATPase and GPDH were significantly elevated in all hyperthyroid groups. Mice on T4 and PUFA diet showed a highly significant 399% increase in GPDH activity above the euthyroid level.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Establishment and characterization of an immortalized but non-transformed human prostate epithelial cell line: BPH-1

This report describes the development and characterization of an epithelial cell line (BPH-1) from human prostate tissue obtained by transurethral resection. Primary epithelial cell cultures were immortalized with SV40 large T antigen. One of the isolated clones was designated BPH-1. These cells have a cobblestone appearance in monolayer culture and are non-tumorigenic in nude mice following subcutaneous injection or subrenal capsule grafting. They express the SV40 large T antigen and exhibit increased levels of p53, as determined by immunocytochemistry. Cytogenetic analysis by G-banding demonstrated an aneuploid karyotype with a modal chromosome number of 76 (range 71 to 79, n = 28) and 6 to 8 marker chromosomes. Some structurally rearranged chromosomes were observed, but the Y chromosome was normal. The expressed cytokeratin profile was consistent with a prostatic luminal epithelial cell. This profile was the same as that of primary prostatic epithelial cultures from which the BPH-1 cells were derived. In serum-free culture in plastic dishes epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 1 (aFGF), and FGF 7 (KGF) induced increased proliferation in these cells whereas FGF 2 (bFGF), TGF-beta 1, and TGF-beta 2 inhibited proliferative activity. Testosterone had no direct effect on the proliferative rate of BPH-1 cells. 5 alpha-Reductase, 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase, and 17 beta-hydroxy-steroid oxidoreductase activities were detected in BPH-1 cells. Expression of androgen receptors and the secretory markers, prostate specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase, were not detectable by immunocytochemistry, biochemical assay, or RT-PCR analysis.

A functional model of adult human prostate epithelium. The role of androgens and stroma in architectural organisation and the maintenance of differentiated secretory function

A functional model of adult human prostate epithelium is described. This model shows that stromal cells, but not an androgenic stimuli, are required for architectural organisation of prostate epithelium. Within an organised structure, androgenic stimulation is required for the establishment of secretory epithelial cell morphology and associated function. In the absence of stromal cells but in the presence of androgens architectural organisation and secretory function are lost. Epithelial parenchymal units (organoids) from human prostate tissue were isolated, cultured within a three-dimensional collagen matrix, and xenografted subcutaneously into athymic mouse hosts. The grafted gels were rapidly invaded by host fibroblasts. Epithelial organisation initially disappeared but was re-established concurrently with the stromal cell invasion. In intact male hosts, cuboidal and columnar cells that expressed human prostate-specific secretory markers were found. In castrated male and in female hosts epithelial structures were lined with flattened epithelium with no secretory function. This phenomenon could be reversibly replicated by treating intact male hosts with the anti-androgen Flutamide. Gels containing organoids grafted within 0.45 microns Millipore chambers were not invaded by stromal cells and rapidly lost all epithelial organisation and secretory function. When organoids cocultured with human foreskin fibroblasts were grafted within chambers, structural organisation of the epithelium was supported. These results indicate that both heterologous human fibroblasts and mouse stromal cells are capable of permissively supporting adult human prostate epithelial function.

Tumor enzymes and prognosis in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: prediction of risk of progression in patients with superficial disease

The activities of 6 enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism were estimated in superficial transitional cell carcinomas from 103 patients undergoing transurethral resection of the bladder for the first time. The patients were followed by quarterly endoscopic examinations for a maximum of 81 months (median 33 months). During followup 24 patients had progressive disease. The activities of phosphofructokinase and phosphohexose isomerase were significantly lower in tumors from patients whose disease had superficially invaded the lamina propria (stage pT1) than in others in whom it was confined to the bladder mucosa (stage pTa). Similarly the activities of the 2 enzymes were significantly higher in well differentiated (grade 1) than in moderately well differentiated (grade 2) carcinomas. Univariate analyses using the log rank test showed that neither pathological stage nor malignancy grade of the carcinoma was a significant factor in predicting the risk of progression. Of the 6 enzymes, below median activities of phosphofructokinase, lactate dehydrogenase and phosphohexose isomerase were associated with a significantly increased risk of progression in these patients. Multivariate analyses using Cox's proportional hazards model showed that the activity of lactic dehydrogenase in superficial transitional cell carcinoma is an independent prognostic factor in predicting the risk of progression. It is postulated that the measurements of the activities of the 3 enzymes in tumors from patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma might help to select individual patients with a high risk of progression for adjuvant intravesical treatments.

Effects of flutamide and hydroxy-flutamide on the growth of human benign prostatic hyperplasia cells in primary culture: a preliminary report

Tissues from human benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH] were collected from twelve patients undergoing routine transurethral resection of the prostate to relieve urine out-flow obstruction. Viable epithelial organoids were obtained after enzymatic digestion of the tissue. Primary cultures of epithelium were successfully maintained on collagen gel for up to 21 days. Immunocytochemical staining revealed that there was no expression of either desmin or vimentin in these cells; however, the anticytokeratin antibodies LP-34 (cytokeratins 4, 5, 6, 10, 13, 16, 17 and 18), LE-61 (cytokeratin 18) and CAM 5.2 (cytokeratins 7 and 8) all showed positive responses, indicating the epithelial nature of the cells. Cell growth was significantly increased in the presence of 3 x 10(-10) M testosterone propionate [TP] in the culture medium. The presence of the non-steroidal anti-androgens, Flutamide and Hydroxy-Flutamide [Flu-OH], in the concentration range 1.0-0.001 micrograms per ml of medium inhibited the growth in the presence of androgens in a dose-dependent manner. The anti-androgens failed to affect cell growth in the absence of TP. In view of these preliminary findings, it is postulated that the antiandrogens might be acting either by displacing the androgen from its receptor or alternately by inhibiting the activity of prostatic 5 alpha-reductase.

A randomized clinical trial to investigate the usefulness of the addition of prednisolone to tamoxifen as adjuvants to mastectomy in primary breast cancer patients with a high risk of recurrence: a preliminary report

The efficacy of the addition of prednisolone to tamoxifen as adjuvants to mastectomy in patients with primary breast cancer who were at a high risk of recurrence was investigated in a randomized trial. Primary carcinomas were collected from a series of 169 patients with loco-regional disease, undergoing mastectomy. The activities of alpha-glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in the carcinomas were estimated biochemically and the ratio of the two enzymes was used to as the parameter to determine the risk of recurrence. 116 patients with a high risk of recurrence within five years of mastectomy were then randomized to either tamoxifen (2x20 mg/day) or tamoxifen+prednisolone (3x2.5 mg/per day) until recurrence. The patients are currently followed quarterly. The data were analysed at a median follow-up of 26 months (range 7-62 months). The probabilities of both disease-free and overall survival were not significantly different in either arm of the trial, indicating that there is no advantage in combining prednisolone with the antioestrogen. Recently, similar findings in terms of response have been reported for patients with metastatic disease treated with the same combination, raising doubts over the role of prednisolone in the management of patients with endocrine treatments.

Enzyme studies in human transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder

The activities of six enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism were estimated in tissue samples from 99 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder undergoing transurethral resection. The results were analysed according to the stage of the disease and the malignancy grade of the carcinoma. There were statistically significant differences in the activities of three enzymes between various stages and grades. The activities of phosphofructokinase (PFK), alpha-glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase (alpha-GPDH), and phosphohexose isomerase (PHI) showed significant decreases with increased stage and grade. Of the total of 64 patients with superficial disease at presentation, five developed progressive disease during the course of this investigation. The activities of the three enzymes in these patients were compared to the median values for the group of patients with superficial disease. The activity of PFK was observed to be below the median value in all the five patients whereas the activities of alpha-GPDH and PHI showed similar patterns in four of the five patients. These preliminary data indicate that, in association with established clinical parameters, the measurement of the activity of these three enzymes may prove useful in selecting patients with an increased potential for developing progressive disease.

Divergent effects of interferons on the growth of human benign prostatic hyperplasia cells in primary culture

Epithelial cells from human benign prostatic hyperplasia tissues were grown in primary cultures for up to 21 days and the effects of interferons on the growth of the cells were investigated. Interferon-alpha (Wellferon) showed growth inhibition both in the presence and in the absence of 3 x 10(-10)M testosterone propionate (TP) whereas interferon-gamma stimulated growth in a dose dependent manner under similar conditions. Interferon-beta had little effect on growth at the dose levels used in the study. The growth inhibition by interferon-alpha can be induced after stimulation of growth is achieved either with TP or with interferon-gamma. Implications of these findings for clinical use of these lymphokines is discussed.

Serum hormone levels in breast cancer patients and controls in Egypt and Great Britain. The Anglo-Egyptian Health Agreement Collaborative Study

The levels of serum prolactin, progesterone, oestradiol and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) have been measured in premenopausal and postmenopausal normal women and patients with breast cancer living in Egypt or Britain. In addition, the percentage of non-protein-bound oestradiol (free oestradiol) was determined. The breast cancer patients had attended the Tanta Cancer Institute, Cairo Cancer Institute, Guy's Hospital, London or the Western Infirmary, Glasgow. The respective control women were unaffected volunteers living in Tanta, Cairo, Guernsey or Glasgow. The concentration of serum prolactin, oestradiol and progesterone was similar for cancers and controls within, or between centres. There was no difference between patients and their respective controls in SHBG levels for the four centres. In premenopausal women a comparison of combined patient and control groups showed that women from Tanta had significantly raised SHBG levels compared with similarly combined groups from the other three centres. Egyptian women (cancers plus controls) had a higher percentage free oestradiol (1.61%) than British women (1.42%). In all four centres there was a significant linear correlation between the percentage free oestradiol and SHBG levels for pre- and postmenopausal women. The regression line for British women was significantly lower than that of Egyptian women. Thus, for a given serum SHBG level, Egyptian women have a higher free oestradiol than British women. The results may be associated with the claim that Egyptian women present with a more aggressive form of breast cancer than British women.

The effects of interferons on the activity of alpha-glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase in benign prostatic hyperplasia cells in primary culture

Human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissues were obtained from patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate and viable cells from these were successfully maintained in primary cultures grown on collagen gel. The prostatic origin of the cells was confirmed by the measurement of prostate specific acid phosphatase and by scanning and transmission electron microscopy before and after immunostaining with human prostate specific antigen-antibody. The cell cultures were treated with various interferons (IFNs), both in the presence and absence of testosterone propionate (TP), for 72 hours and the activities of seven enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism were estimated in the cytosolic fraction of the cells. Treatment with TP induced a significant decrease in the activity of alpha-glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase (alpha-GPDH). Using this enzyme activity as a marker, the effects of various types of IFNs were investigated. IFN-alpha (wellferon) increased the activity of the enzyme both in the presence of one microgram./ml. of TP and in its absence whereas IFN-gamma inhibited the activity under similar conditions. The effect of treatment with IFN-beta in the presence of TP was biphasic in that there was an increase in the activity of the enzyme at the lowest concentration while at higher concentrations an inhibition of enzymic activity was observed. In the absence of TP IFN-beta inhibited the activity. The significance of these findings in terms of the clinical usefulness of IFNs is discussed and it is postulated that IFN-alpha (wellferon) might be effective in the treatment of metastatic carcinoma of the prostate in selected patients.

The activity of phosphohexose isomerase in primary breast carcinomas and response to chemotherapy in patients with metastatic disease

The activity of phosphohexose isomerase [PHI] was measured in 48 primary carcinomas from patients with breast cancer, and its usefulness as a predictor of response to cytotoxic drugs at the metastatic stage was evaluated. There was a statistically significant difference in the activity of PHI between responders and non-responders to these treatments. These preliminary findings are currently being evaluated in an extended series.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content of primary carcinoma and response to endocrine or cytotoxic drug therapies in patients with advanced breast cancer

The DNA content of primary carcinomas was estimated colorimetrically in 111 patients with carcinoma of the breast who subsequently developed metastatic disease. The data were analysed to investigate whether these measurements will assist clinicians in predicting: survival from mastectomy or recurrence, the likelihood of response to the first endocrine or the first cytotoxic drug therapy, duration of response amongst responders to these treatments, and time to treatment failure (TTTF). The DNA content of primary carcinomas failed to predict the clinical course of the disease for patients who underwent endocrine treatments. In patients who were treated by cytotoxic drug therapies, only the duration of response amongst responders to these therapies was significantly shorter in cases where the DNA content was high. The DNA content of carcinomas failed to give any useful information on other parameters. It is concluded that these measurements are unlikely to be of prognostic value in these cases.

The effects of the administration of tamoxifen, ethynyloestradiol, and prednisolone on the activities of certain enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in primary human breast carcinomas in vivo

Postmenopausal patients with primary breast cancer were treated with tamoxifen, ethynyloestradiol or prednisolone for up to 12 days before mastectomy and the effects of pretreatments with these drugs on the activities of phosphofructokinase (PFK), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) and alpha-glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase (alpha-GPDH) in the carcinomas were compared with age, stage and menopausal status matched untreated controls. The administration of tamoxifen or prednisolone resulted in a significant increase in the activity of alpha-GPDH and the alpha-GPDH/6PGDH ratio, whereas ethynyl-oestradiol treatment produced a significant decrease in the activity of the enzyme and the ratio. When tamoxifen and ethynyl-oestradiol were administered together, it was found that tamoxifen failed to reverse the oestrogen-induced reduction in the activity of alpha-GPDH. Since increased activity of the enzyme or a higher alpha-GPDH/6PGDH ratio are associated with a lower risk of recurrence (Deshpande et al., 1981), it is postulated that the beneficial effects of tamoxifen or prednisolone in terms of prolongation of the relapse free interval might be mediated via alterations in the activity of alpha-GPDH in micrometastases. The activities of PFK and 6PGDH remained unaffected by these treatments.

Drug effects on certain enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in MCF-7 cells in culture

The effects of treatments with ethinyl-estradiol, tamoxifen, prednisolone, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil and Adriamycin on the activities of PFK, 6PGDH, alpha-GPDH and alpha-GPDH/6PGDH ratios were investigated in MCF-7 cells in monolayer cultures. The following findings are recorded. Both ethinyl-estradiol and prednisolone failed to induce alterations in the activities of these enzymes. Tamoxifen increased the activities of PFK, alpha-GPDH and alpha-GPDH/6PGDH ratios whereas ethinyl-estradiol inhibited the tamoxifen-induced rise in the activity of PFK. Treatment with cyclophosphamide alone was without any effect but in combination with either methotrexate or 5-fluorouracil induced increases in the activities of 6PGDH and alpha-GPDH. Adriamycin at a lower dose increased the activities of 6PGDH and alpha-GPDH and the alpha-GPDH/6PGDH ratio and decreased the activity of PFK. At a higher dose level it reduced the activities of all the enzymes whilst increasing the alpha-GPDH/6PGDH ratio. These data encourage us to undertake a project to test the sensitivity of individual tumours to these drugs in vitro thereby enabling the selection of appropriate drugs for adjuvant therapy.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content of carcinomas and prognosis in human breast cancer

DNA content was estimated in 705 breast carcinomas from patients with stage I or stage II disease undergoing mastectomy, to investigate whether it would predict the clinical course of the disease. The patients were then followed for up to 84 months during which time 166 of them developed recurrences. There were no statistically significant differences in the DNA content of carcinomas between stage I and stage II patients or between those with various numbers of involved nodes. The tumours from pre-menopausal patients as a group had significantly higher DNA content than those from post-menopausal cases. There was a gradual rise in DNA content with the malignancy grade of the carcinoma which showed significant differences between Grades I and III and between II and III. Life-table analyses showed that the measurement of DNA would not be an aid to prognosis. Furthermore, when the data were stratified according to menopausal status, stage, malignancy grade or numbers of lymph nodes involved, the results indicated that these estimation do not add significantly to the information obtained through established prognostic factors. Survival data were available on III patients with recurrent disease. There were no significant differences in tumour DNA content between short- and long-term survivors. It is concluded that these measurements seem unlikely to be a prognostic factor in human breast cancer.

Enzyme studies in human prostatic tissues

The activities of six enzymes associated with carbohydrate metabolism were measured in 24 benign prostatic hyperplasias and 29 carcinomas of the prostate with the intention of investigating whether these measurements might eventually predict the clinical course of the disease. The following findings are recorded: the activities of PFK, alpha-GPDH and PHI were significantly lower in carcinomas. Comparison between well and poorly-differentiated carcinomas indicated a significantly lower activity of 6PGDH and higher alpha-GPDH/6PGDH ratios in the latter. These findings are the opposite of those observed in carcinomas of the breast.

Corticotropin and morphine interaction in the regulation of phosphofructokinase activity in rat mammary gland

The roles of corticotropin and morphine in the regulation of phosphofructokinase (PFK) activity in rat mammary glands were investigated by the administration of corticotropin, morphine and dexamethasone. Corticotropin increased the activity of PFK in the mammary glands of intact and hypophysectomised animals but was without any effect in tissues from ovariectomised and adrenalectomised animals. Morphine administration resulted in a significant decrease in the enzyme's activity in intact animals only. A combined dose of corticotropin and morphine significantly reduced the corticotropin-induced increase in the activity in both intact and hypophysectomised animals. Dexamethasone treatment resulted in a significant increase in the activity in hypophysectomised and ovariectomised plus adrenalectomised animals and morphine was able to reduce the glucocorticoid-induced rise. It is postulated that endogenous opioids might be playing a dual role in the regulation of glycolysis by inhibiting the release of corticotropin and regulating the action of glucocorticoids at the cellular level in the mammary gland.

Further observations on the hormonal regulation of alpha-glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase in rat mammary gland: a possible role for prolactin and thyrotropin

The roles of prolactin and thyrotropin (TSH) in the regulation of alpha-glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase (alpha-GPDH) activity in rat mammary gland were investigated by the administration of thyroid releasing hormone, bromocriptine, prolactin, TSH and triiodothyronine (T3). TRH administration failed to induce alterations in the glands from intact animals but stimulated the activity in castrated and adrenalectomized animals. Bromocriptine administration was without any effect in either group of animals. Administration of ovine prolactin to hypophysectomized rats did not affect the activity, on the other hand, treatment with either TSH or T3 resulted in a highly significant increase in the activity. Combined administration of prolactin and TSH to hypophysectomized animals showed that prolactin is capable of partially inhibiting the TSH-induced increase. It is suggested that glucocorticoids exert primary control over the enzyme's activity with the pituitary hormones only playing a permissive role in its regulation.