Macrophage precursors in ovarian carcinoma

Monocyte differentiation into macrophage was measured in 21 patients with ovarian carcinoma and 34 normal age-matched controls as a test of peripheral blood monocyte function. Monocyte to macrophage maturation in vitro was significantly decreased in patients with Stage III ovarian carcinoma. Studies using normal cells with normal sera in criss-cross investigations with cancer patients' cells and cancer patients' sera suggest that both a cellular defect and a serum factor are involved. Administration of intradermal Corynebacterum parvum to a volunteer induced increased monocyte maturation.     

SURGERY FOR ASYMPTOMATIC CAROTID ARTERY STENOSIS

SUMMARY The recent European Carotid Surgery Trial (ECST) and North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) have clearly defined a population who benefit from carotid artery endarterectomy (CAE). However these trials used different criteria to identify >70% stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA). The role of CAE in asymptomatic ICA stenosis has been investigated by the Carotid Artery Stenosis with Asymptomatic Narrowing Operation Versus Aspirin (CASANOVA) study, the Veterans Administration Asymptomatic Carotid Study (VAACS) and the Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis (ACAS) trials, all of which have design limitations. The Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis Trial (ACST) is still recruiting patients but until the natural history of asymptomatic ICA disease is understood, the role of surgical intervention will continue to be controversial.     

Gestagens and endometrial carcinoma

The current state of knowledge of the clinical and cellular effects of progestational agents in endometrial carcinoma is reviewed. High dose gestagens have an overall response rate of 32%, with most response in well-differentiated tumors. Nevertheless, 15% of poorly differentiated tumors do respond. Tumor differentiation rather than patient age is the discriminating factor in response. The effect of the hormone is a direct one on the cell but the precise mechanism of action at the cellular level awaits elucidation. Data are presented for a more rational approach to hormone administration.