Increased risk of cancer in siblings of Alaskan native patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Alaskan Natives (Eskimos, Indians, Aleuts) are at increased risk of developing nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) and there is family clustering of NPC. This study reviewed the total cancer experience of relatives of NPC patients and found that siblings of Eskimo NPC patients had a nearly threefold risk. No cancer family syndrome was identified and the cancers diagnosed in the siblings were similar to those seen in the general Alaskan Eskimo population.     

Early detection of the CH1 murine lymphoma by tumor-associated idiotype in the serum.

In this report, we describe a sensitive C-dependent^{2 51}Cr release inhibition assay using anti-idiotype antiserum which allows early detection of the CH1 murine B-cell lymphoma by the presence of 19S tumor-associated immunoglobulin in the serum. The assay is based on the finding that sera from mice bearing the CH1 lymphoma specifically inhibit C-dependent ⁵¹Cr release from labelled CH1 cells in the presence of A-Id serum. Groups of mice were injected ip with 10², 10³, or 10⁴ CH1 cells and serum samples were collected every other day until host death. Tumor-specific idiotype was detectable as early as 8 days after a 10⁴ CH1 tumor cell challenge and by 12–14 days in mice inoculated with 10³ or 10² CH1 cells. The amount of idiotype increased in parallel with tumor burden and reached a peak titer just before host death In all cases, tumor-associated idiotype was present in the serum time significantly prior to observation of a visible tumor mass (ca. day 20–28). In subsequent experiments, mice were inoculated with 10⁴ CH1 cells and treated 16 days later with a single dose of melphalan (10 mg/kg), vincristine sulfate (0.75 mg/kg), or cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg). Serum samples were taken from these animals and the level of serum idiotype was monitored. After M or VS drug therapy, the level of idiotype decreased in all mice, however host survival was not significantly prolonged. By contrast, mice treated with Cy survived significantly longer than untreated controls, and the serum idiotype titer in these mice decreased to undetectable levels from day 20–28. By day 37, idiotype was detectable again in the serum and all mice died of ascites tumor by day 44. The results of these experiments suggest that the presence of idiotype in the serum of a lymphoma-bearing host may provide a marker which will allow early detection of tumor growth during periods of tumor remission induced by conventional chemotherapy.     

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may improve symptoms in autistic children

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that currently affects as many as 1 out of 166 children in the United States. Recent research has discovered that some autistic individuals have decreased cerebral perfusion, evidence of neuroinflammation, and increased markers of oxidative stress. Multiple independent single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) research studies have revealed hypoperfusion to several areas of the autistic brain, most notably the temporal regions and areas specifically related to language comprehension and auditory processing. Several studies show that diminished blood flow to these areas correlates with many of the clinical features associated with autism including repetitive, self-stimulatory and stereotypical behaviors, and impairments in communication, sensory perception, and social interaction. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been used with clinical success in several cerebral hypoperfusion syndromes including cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol syndrome, closed head injury, and stroke. HBOT can compensate for decreased blood flow by increasing the oxygen content of plasma and body tissues and can even normalize oxygen levels in ischemic tissue. In addition, animal studies have shown that HBOT has potent anti-inflammatory effects and reduces oxidative stress. Furthermore, recent evidence demonstrates that HBOT mobilizes stem cells from human bone marrow, which may aid recovery in neurodegenerative diseases. Based upon these findings, it is hypothesized that HBOT will improve symptoms in autistic individuals. A retrospective case series is presented that supports this hypothesis.