Effect of small doses of ionizing radiation on selected antioxidant and immunologic parameters in patients with cervical cancer

We analyzed the indices of antioxidant and immune systems in 69 patients with cervical carcinoma T3NxMo at different stages of radiotherapy. Radiation doses of 10-20 Gy were followed by certain normalization of antioxidant enzyme levels, increased concentrations of vitamins E and A in immunocompetent blood cells and improved the penetration and elastic properties of formed cells. The dosage stimulated the activity of helper-inducing and cytotoxic T-cells. Such effects should be taken into account when working out regimens of complex treatment of locally-advanced cervical carcinoma which include cytostatic drugs and radiation.     

Changes of antioxidant parameters correlating with clinical regression of uterine cervix neoplasms

In order to identify processes associated with clinically-proven regression, we analyzed variations of the indices of the antioxidant system in 151 patients with cervical carcinoma (T3N3Mo) who had received remote gamma-therapy or endolymphatic administration of large doses of cytostatic and/or immunomodulating drugs. The study established significant disturbances in the function of the enzymatic and non-enzymatic components of the antioxidant system, the extent of which was determined by therapy effectiveness. A close link was found between regression and the structural and functional condition of cellular membranes of formed elements of the blood. Our investigation identified variations in the basal levels of superoxide dismutase in tumor tissue as well as those in the course of treatment, depending on variations in response.     

Does tumor size influence the antioxidant defenses of the body

A relationship between blood antioxidant status in patients with cervical tumors (T3NxM0) and size of primary tumor has been investigated. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic components of antioxidant defenses were most severely damaged in cases of large tumors which suggested a specific suppression of adaptation systems by malignancies. These findings make a case for further research in antioxidant therapy for cervical carcinoma with due consideration of pathogenetic features of tumor disease.     

Specific changes in the parameters of blood antioxidant status in patients with cervical carcinoma in the course of cancer therapyĭ

Parameters of the blood and plasma antioxidant systems were investigated at different stages of specific therapy for T3NxM0 cervical tumors in 23 patients to identify mechanisms of "relative" drug resistance. Treatment included preoperative telegammatherapy (10 Gy), aregional and regional lymphinfusion with low and high doses of cytostatics, respectively, complemented with endolymphatic injection of tocopherol acetate 100 ng. As a result, surgery after Wertheim became feasible in 14 out of 23 patients following external exposure to 30-40 Gy. Morphological examination detected metastases into the regional lymph nodes in 3 patients. The advantages offered by the treatment modality include adequate response to therapy as well as access to control of free-radical processes taking place in membranes of immunocompetent cells which in turn assures good clinical results.     

Monoclonal Antibody Therapy for Gram-Negative Sepsis: Principles,Applications, and Controversies

Gram-negative sepsis is a common event in hospitalized patients and is a leading cause of death in the United States. Endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS), a component of the cell wall of gram-negative microorganisms, is responsible for the cascade of events leading to the sepsis syndrome consisting of fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, and evidence of organ hypoperfusion. The lipid A region of endotoxin produces most of these biologic and toxic effects. Monoclonal IgM antibodies directed against the lipid A portion of endotoxin (anti-LPS MoAb) have been developed for the treatment of gram-negative sepsis. Results of two large-scale clinical trials suggest that these antibodies offer clinically and statistically significant reductions in mortality by a factor of about one-third. However, in both trials, this apparent beneficial effect was limited to particular subsets of patients, and no overall benefit was seen. These considerations, in addition to the likely high cost of the agents, pose questions about their ultimate use in the treatment of patients with gram-negative sepsis. Nevertheless, the logic of the approach, the demonstration of efficacy in disease models, and the advances in modern techniques of molecular biology all suggest that these or other closely related products will play a significant role in the treatment of this disorder.     

The combination of ulcer disease and pancreatitis in surgical practice

Results of treatment of 1203 patients, admitted to the hospital for an acute pancreatitis and its aggravation, were analyzed. Earlier 414 (34.5%) patients were operated for ulcer disease (UD), in 126--suturing of perforated ulcer was performed, in 159--selective proximal vagotomy with pyloroplasty, in 129--resection of stomach. After clinical examination UD of stomach was diagnosed in 141 (11.7%) patients, UD of duodenum--in 1062 (88.3%). Diagnosis of pancreatitis and UD was established basing on clinical data, instrumental, biochemical, laboratory, ultrasonic and other methods of investigation. Complex therapy was effective in 998 patients. For destructive pancreatitis 78 patients were operated, of them 9 (11.5%) died. For complication of UD on background of pancreatitis (perforation of ulcer--in 71 observation, hemorrhage--in 39, the gastric outlet stenosis--in 19) 127 patients were operated, 12 (9.5%) died. Application in complex therapy of lymphosorption and hemosorption using xenospleen had promoted the lowering of postoperative lethality.     

Pathologic morphology of cervical carcinoma with endolymphatic infusion of immuno-modulating drugs]

Prior to standard therapy, an immunomodulator was administered by endolymphic infusion to 85 patients with cervical carcinoma (T3NxMo), with a view to reinforce treatment. The drug was fed to lymph collectors which were regional and aregional with respect to tumor. Also, the treatment was supplemented with regional infusion of considerable doses of cytostatic mixes. Our morphological evidence pointed to the stimulation of cytostatic effect by immunomodulation.