The effects of gamma interferon on the natural killer and tumor cells of children with neuroblastoma: a preliminary report

Article Abstract:

Neuroblastoma is a tumor derived from nerve cells that occurs chiefly in children. The severity of its malignancy varies widely and is thought to be related to the effectiveness of a child's immune response to the tumor. Tumor cells differ from normal cells by making different proteins, among other factors, and some of the proteins which they may lack are those which are recognized - and thus attacked - by the patient's, or host's, immune system. The immune system-recognized proteins are called HLA proteins, and are subdivided into groups of HLA-A, B, and C. Another factor that can vary in children with neuroblastomas is the level of natural killer (NK) cells, a type of lymphocyte (disease-fighting white blood cell) that attacks foreign cells. Interferons are a group of proteins made by the immune system in response to certain diseases, and they are important in the response of the immune system to disease. To determine whether gamma interferon might improve the outcome of neuroblastoma, children with neuroblastoma resistant to conventional therapy were treated with low levels of gamma interferon, and the effects on the children's immune cells and on the tumor cells were studied. Five of 7 children received 12 interferon injections; 1 died after 11 treatments (all children had a 6-week life expectancy), while 1 withdrew from the program. The NK cell activity in children was initially low, but increased transiently during the four weeks of treatment. At the start of the study, tumor cells did not contain HLA proteins but treatment with gamma interferon caused production of HLA-A,B, and C in four of six patients. In one patient, lymph nodes near the collar bone reduced to half the size, but no other clinical effects were found. Sweating and chills were the side effects of interferon treatment, and no toxicity was found. The results suggest that treatment of neuroblastoma with higher, more therapeutic doses of gamma interferon should be studied. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Interferon gamma, Killer cells

---

Olfactory neuroblastoma

Article Abstract:

Olfactory neuroblastoma is an uncommon tumor which represents fewer than 5 percent of all nasal cavity tumors. Experience with 15 patients over a 17-year period suggests that excellent results can be achieved with surgery immediately followed by radiation. The most common presenting symptom was nasal obstruction, which occurred in 60 percent of the cases. Other symptoms included nosebleed, headache, and visual symptoms. All nine patients who had successful surgical resection followed by radiation were disease-free at the most recent follow-up. One patient who received only surgical treatment remains disease-free after two years, the other died of massive recurrence. Four patients received radiation only. Three of these four had extensive spread at the time of initial treatment and are now dead. The fourth patient was treated with radiation only because he refused surgery; this stage B patient is without evidence of disease 11 years after irradiation. Local control is paramount in the successful treatment of olfactory neuroblastoma, and tumor resection followed by radiotherapy produces the best chance for survival. Stage C (advanced) tumors which are surgically resectable should also be treated similarly; if the tumor is not resectable, a multimodal therapy involving chemotherapy prior to surgery may be the most beneficial course. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Head and neck cancer, Nose cancer

---

Primary radiation therapy in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate

Article Abstract:

Squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate is easily discernable, and cases are often diagnosed in the early stages of the disease. Surgery yields a good survival rate, but the results are debilitating, since the soft palate is necessary for normal speech and swallowing. To preserve some function of the soft palate, radiotherapy might be a therapeutic alternative as long as it does not compromise patient outcome. Over a 16-year period, 45 patients received radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate. A review of the records showed that in 28 of the 38 patients who were available for follow-up, initial control of the disease was accomplished. Ten patients developed recurrent disease; 16 patients had additional malignancies; 8 had prior malignancies; and 8 more developed malignancies after treatment. It should be emphasized that surgery remains an option if radiation treatment is unsuccessful. The debilitating effects of surgical treatment make it the second choice for treatment of early stage cancer of the soft palate, which constitutes the majority of cases. However, since the rate of second malignancies following radiotherapy is high, these patients should be watched closely and surgical intervention should be used when necessary. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Squamous cell carcinoma, Mouth cancer

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: The role of corticosteroid therapy in children with pneumococcal meningitis. Corticosteroids as adjunctive therapy in bacterial meningitis; a meta-analysis of clinical trials
• Abstracts: Concentration and reactivity of the sulphydryl group population on the membrane of intact erythrocytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
• Abstracts: B cell lymphokines in human systemic lupus erythematosus. Magnetic resonance imaging of the wrist in early rheumatoid arthritis reveals a high prevalence of erosions at four months after symptom onset
• Abstracts: A prospective trial of postoperative vaginal radium/cesium for Grade 1-2 less than 50 percent myometrial invasion and pelvic radiation therapy for Grade 3 or deep myometrial invasion in surgical Stage I endometrial adenocarcinoma

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.