Radiolabelled monoclonal antibodies in oncology. III. Radioimmunotherapy

The requirements, problems and progress of radioimmunotherapy in the management of certain malignancies are described. The future prospects using a two- or three-stage approach are promising.     

Variability in vibration perception threshold among sites: a potential source of error in biothesiometry

Vibration perception threshold was measured with a biothesiometer by a single observer at both medial malleoli and both big toes in 110 diabetic patients aged 15-65 selected at random and in 64 non-diabetic subjects aged 20-65. The vibration perception threshold showed appreciable individual variation both between contralateral sites and between ipsilateral sites, differing by at least 30% between the big toes in 26 (24%) of the diabetic patients and 16 (25%) of the non-diabetic group. Variability between sites was significantly greater in the diabetics than the normal subjects. The vibration perception threshold exceeded published normal values at one or more sites in 22 of the diabetic patients but at all four sites in only four. The wide variability in vibration perception threshold among sites may be due to the tissue characteristics locally and, in diabetic patients, possibly to asymmetric neuropathy. Biothesiometer readings at single or unilateral sites may be unrepresentative or misleading.     

Activity of nedocromil sodium in mast-cell-dependent reactions in the rat

Nedocromil sodium, a pyranoquinoline dicarboxylic acid derivative which differs structurally and physiochemically from sodium cromoglycate, was nonetheless shown to be effective in classical models of anti-allergic activity in the rat. These models, based on immediate hypersensitivity reactions in the passively sensitized rat, involve release of mediators from mast cells following cross-linking of membrane-bound IgE antibodies by specific antigen. In this system, nedocromil sodium exhibited a similar profile of activity to that of sodium cromoglycate. Whilst not predictive for therapeutic activity, rat models of immediate hypersensitivity are believed to reflect one component of obstructive airways disease. The results suggest that nedocromil sodium is worthy of clinical evaluation in this indication.     

Aspects of diabetes care in Britain, 1987

The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in Britain is rising rapidly. Hospital clinics are overcrowded and may only provide a rudimentary service. Various schemes have been devised to improve community care by involving hospital physicians and nurses. Trends towards increasing usage of human insulin, fixed ratio insulin mixtures and the Novopen, the declining popularity of CSII, and current attitudes towards diet are briefly summarised. Diabetic care in Britain has improved markedly over the past decade due particularly to improved patient education and the appointment of diabetes specialist nurses, but enormous logistical problems remain.     

Effects of bromocriptine treatment on immune responses and 3-methylcholanthrene-induced tumorigenesis in rats.

Seven-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were given a single injection of 1.5 mg of 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) to induce in situ fibrosarcomas. The rats were also treated with the dopamine agonist bromocriptine (BCR) from two days prior to 14 days after 3MC treatment and again for 14 consecutive days beginning at week 5. Tumor incidence was markedly increased and latency decreased in BCR-3MC rats compared to 3MC controls. Natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity responses and production of interleukin 2 (IL2) was enhanced at two weeks in rats treated with only BCR. Natural killer cell activity was suppressed at two weeks in rats treated with only 3MC. This effect was reversed by BCR treatment. Rats treated with 3MC and BCR had suppressed NK cell responses and production of IL2 and interferon-gamma (IFN) at 12 weeks. In another study, rats injected with 1, 3 or 5 mg/kg BCR for 14 consecutive days had increased NK cell activity and IL2 production at all doses and increased IFN production at the two high doses. Antibody (IgG) responses to an injected antigen and delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions were not affected by BCR treatment. Animals treated with the two high doses of BCR had decreased serum prolactin (PRL) levels. Serum growth hormone (GH) concentrations were markedly increased in the group treated with 3 mg/kg BCR. These data suggest that BCR enhances 3MC-induced tumorigenesis. The mechanism of this effect is apparently not mediated by suppression of the immune system since BCR-treated rats had selectively enhanced immune function. Enhancement of immune responses by BCR has not been previously reported.     

Characterisation of passively transferred antigen arthritis induced by methylated bovine serum albumin in the rat: effect of FK 506 on arthritis development.

The conditions necessary for the passive transfer of antigen arthritis induced by methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA) in the rat have been studied. Spleen cells from immunised rats were not capable of transferring disease unless they were first activated in culture with mBSA or concanavalin A. Cells from sham-immunised animals could not be activated to transfer the arthritis. The immunosuppressant drug FK 506 could inhibit the development of the arthritis when present during the activation period in culture or when dosed to the recipients of activated cells.