Deaths of heroin users in a general practice population

Recent evidence suggests that heroin users in the UK are 16 times more likely to die than otherwise expected, although causes of death are varied. The present investigation examines deaths of heroin users at a large Scottish general practice over a four-year period prior to 1 July 1985. A mortality rate of 9.72 per 1000 heroin-user patients per year was observed, roughly half that previously reported, although this difference did not prove to be statistically significant. A higher proportion of the observed deaths were attributed to heroin, and fewer to the misuse of other drugs, and it is speculated that this may reflect the practice's policy of not prescribing opiates to heroin users. Factors associated with heroin-user deaths are examined and areas identified where general practitioners may help to avert some of these deaths.     

Cytologic findings in stage I adenocarcinoma of the lung: Implications for the detection of early lung cancer

Preoperative cytologic examinations were performed on bronchial material from 92 patients with postsurgical (pathologic) stage I (American Joint Committee) adenocarcinoma of the lung. All patients were followed up for at least 5 years or until death; thus, cases of adenocarcinoma metastatic to the lungs were virtually excluded. Only 22 patients (24%) had abnormal preoperative cytologic findings. This low cytologic sensitivity is ascribed to the small size and peripheral location of the tumors. Large lesions of high histologic grades were more likely to have positive preoperative cytologic findings than small, well-differentiated ones.     

131I and 111In-labelled monoclonal antibody imaging of primary lung carcinoma

Preliminary clinical studies have been carried out to determine whether the monoclonal antibody 791T/36 would localize in primary lung cancer to an extent sufficient for external detection by gamma scintigraphy. Radiolabelling of the antibody with 131I permitted visualization of three out of eight (38%) tumours using planar imaging with 99Tcm-labelled blood pool subtraction. Radiolabelling of the same antibody with 111In permitted visualization of tumour uptake in nine out of 13 (69%) tumours, without the need for image subtraction. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies of seven patients demonstrated concentration of 111In-labelled antibody at the tumour site in each case, four of which were visualized on the planar images. The present study demonstrates localization of the 791T/36 antibody in primary lung carcinoma and confirms the superiority of 111In over 131I as a radiolabel for antibody imaging, especially when emission tomography is performed. These data indicate that further work will be required to determine whether this antibody will be a suitable carrier for cytotoxic agents in the therapy of lung cancer.