The interferon system in carcinoma of the cervix: effect of radiation and chemotherapy
Article Abstract:
Interferon (IFN) gets its name from its ability to interfere with the infection of cells by some viruses in tissue culture assays. The natural substance seems to be involved in a number of different physiological responses, but much remains to be learned about its precise roles within the body. Previously, researchers from many different laboratories have identified elevated levels of interferon in the blood plasma of patients with a variety of different tumors. Now, researchers have demonstrated that not only is interferon elevated in the plasma of patients with cervical cancer, but that these patients also have elevated levels of an as yet unidentified substance that inhibits IFN. Seven patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and six patients with adenocarcinoma of the cervix were investigated. Control measurements were made on 40 apparently healthy individuals. Elevated IFN levels were observed in all 13 patients and in none of the controls. When blood plasma from the cancer patients was added to laboratory interferon used in assays, the plasma inhibited the activity of the additional interferon. This effect was not observed in the control subjects. Twelve of the patients enjoyed complete responses to therapy, and the levels of both interferon and interferon inhibitor dropped to insignificant levels in these patients. The abnormal elevated levels persisted in the single patient who did not respond to treatment. This peculiar IFN-inhibitory activity may provide a novel diagnostic and prognostic indicator, as well as provide insight into the workings of the interferon systems within the body. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Cancer
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0008-543X
Year: 1991
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The role of chemotherapy for node-negative breast cancer
Article Abstract:
The early diagnosis of breast cancer provides an enormous benefit to the patient and a superior chance for successful treatment and survival. However, even among patients with early stage breast cancer and no evidence of spread to the lymph nodes, many patients will suffer relapses and die of metastatic disease. Since the advent of mammography, more early stage breast cancers are being diagnosed each year, making the questions of appropriate treatment for early stage breast cancer especially important. Among postmenopausal women, there is clear evidence that mortality is reduced when the patient is treated with the anti-estrogen drug tamoxifen. When the patient is premenopausal, tamoxifen treatment is not appropriate, and serious questions have been raised about the use of adjuvant chemotherapy. The rationale of adjuvant chemotherapy is to rid the body of the few tumor cells that may have been missed by treatment (surgery and radiotherapy) or by pathological examination of the lymph nodes. Evidence indicates that adjuvant treatment reduces the death rate within the first 5 years after diagnosis by about 25 percent, and increases the length of disease-free survival. Unfortunately, the overall length of survival of premenopausal breast cancer patients is not improved by adjuvant chemotherapy. The evidence indicates that only some breast cancer patients with early stage disease may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy, and the toxic side effects of chemotherapy preclude its widespread use among patients for whom it is likely to be of no value. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Cancer
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0008-543X
Year: 1991
User Contributions:
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