In vitro thermo- and thermochemo-sensitivity of retinoblastoma cells from surgical specimens.

The sensitivity to heat and chemical modification of human retinoblastoma cells obtained from patients with primary retinoblastoma was studied in vitro by the human tumour colony assay established by Hamburger and Salmon in 1977. Retinoblastoma cells showed moderate sensitivity to 1 h of hyperthermia at 42 degrees C; the median T/C% (ratio of the colony number in treated vs. control dishes, x 100) under hyperthermia was 47.0% for 46 tumours studied. When tumours were treated with melphalan, cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II), adriamycin, etoposide and teniposide at 37 degrees C and 42 degrees C, the median T/C% for each chemical agent was decreased significantly by concomitant hyperthermia. One-hour exposure of 38 tumours to melphalan, cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (30 tumours), adriamycin (27 tumours), teniposide (22 tumours) and etoposide (20 tumours) at 37 degrees C gave median T/C%s of 9.5, 33.5, 16.0, 3.8 and 38.0%, respectively, while exposure at 42 degrees C gave values of 2.4, 8.2, 5.6, 1.0 and 6.6%, respectively. Combination of heat and chemical treatment with melphalan, cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) and etoposide appeared to be synergistic with median T/C%s that were significantly lower than the median T/C%s expected from a simple sum of their individual effects. These in vitro results suggest that combining the treatment modalities of hyperthermia and chemotherapy for primary retinoblastoma would be advantageous.     

Wound healing after xenon arc photocoagulation in the rabbit retina. Identification of the proliferating cells in the lesion by light and electron microscopic autoradiography using 3h-tymidine.

Processes of the scar formation after Xenon arc photocoagulation in the rabbit retina were studied. Electron microscopic autoradiography using tritiated thymidine identified the proliferating cells in the reparative tissue as Müller's cell, retinal pigment epithelial cell, and choroidal fibroblast. The Müller cell and the retinal pigment epithelial cell, which proliferated in and around the lesion, formed the retinal scar tissue, while the proliferated fibroblast in the choroid did not participate in the formation of the retinal scar. The Müller cells extended their cytoplasmic processes toward the pigment epithelium to form the interdigitating adhesion. This process seemed to be secondary step of the scar formation following the cell proliferation. Migration of cells from the edge of the lesion into the damaged retina seemed to be also a secondary step after the proliferation. Phagocytic activities to engulf the retinal debris were observed in Müller's cells and the retinal pigment epithelial cells. Whether or not astrocytes in the retina do proliferate and are involved in the scar formation after the photocoagulation still remains unanswered. Electron microscopic autoradiography using tritiated thymidine after photocoagulation in the monkey retina might answer the question.     

Childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma: Long-Term Sequelae in Visual, Auditory and Vestibular Function

Twenty-six children in continuous complete remission from leukemia or lymphoma and no longer receiving chemotherapy were studied to determine the long-term sequelae in visual, auditory and vestibular function. Ophthalmologic examination revealed cataracts in five patients and an abnormality in the retina in one patient. These abnormalities were not associated with any disturbance of visual acuity. By otorhinolaryngologic examination, slight hearing loss was observed in five patients and an abnoormal righting reflex in one patient. The etiologies of these abnormal findings in visual, auditory and vestibular function were discussed.     

Interferon-alpha for the treatment of retinal vasculitis associated with human T-lymphotropic virus type I myelopathy (HAM)

Interferon-alpha was effective for the treatment of retinal vasculitis and vitreous opacity in a patient with human T-lymphotropic virus type I associated myelopathy (HAM). The patient was a 40-year-old male with retinal vasculitis, vitreous opacity and Koeppe's iris nodules. Systemic administration of corticosteroid hormone was not fully effective for the treatment of ocular involvements except for iris nodules. After Interferon-alpha treatment, given 3 million IU/day as the intramuscular injection for 4 weeks, the retinal vasculitis subsided and vitreous opacity disappeared.     

Evaluation of a modified latex agglutination inhibitory reaction method for the quantitation of urinary estriol in pregnant women

This study evaluated a modified latex agglutination inhibitory reaction method for the quantitation of urinary estriol in women during normal and abnormal pregnancy. The urinary levels of estriol in pregnant women measured by this method correlated with urinary and serum levels measured by radioimmunoassay. The urinary level of estriol rose during pregnancy and reached a peak at the time of delivery, after which it returned to the control level in a few days. In contrast, the urinary level of estriol in women with abnormal pregnancy did not rise during pregnancy. This method is useful to detect impaired function of the placenta in pregnant women.     

Immunofluorescence study of cutaneous blood vessels of 16 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

In 16 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, blood vessels in the affected region of the skin were examined regarding localization of immune complexes. Deposition of IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, beta 1C and fibrin in the vessel walls was more frequently observed in intramural and perivascular sites than in intimal sites. IgM and fibrin were usually detected in intramural sites only. In large caliber arteries of the skin the intima was the main site of deposition of immune reactants, whereas, in small-caliber vessels, including capillaries, immune reactants were more often found in intramural and perivascular sites.     

DCMP Two-Step Therapy for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in Adults

One hundred and forty-five previously untreated adults withacute myelogenous leukemia were treated with a combination ofdaunorubicin, cytosine arabinoside, 6-mercaptopurine and prednisolone(DCMP two-step therapy) for remission induction in a multi-institutionalcooperative study. Eighty-nine of the 145 patients (61.4%) achievedcomplete remission, 13 partial remission and 43 failures. Completeremission was obtained in 72.1% of the patients under the ageof 40, 63.2% in their 40s, 59% in their 50s and 33.3% of thepatients over the age of 60. The median duration of remissionat present is 12 months and the median survival of completeremission cases has not yet been reached as more than 60% ofthem are still living. DCMP two-step therapy has proven to be an effective remissioninduction chemotherapy for adult AML.