The effect of route of administration on the induction of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) was examined. 6-Mercaptopurine monohydrate (6-MP) was administered intraperitoneally ...(i.p.) or orally (p.o.) to 2 strains of mice, MS/Ae and CD-1. From the results of an acute toxicity test and a pilot micronucleus test, the doses selected for the final micronucleus test were 12.5-100 mg/kg for the i.p. route and 25-200 mg/kg for the p.o. route. The sampling time was 48 h. Frequencies of MNPCEs increased dose-dependently by the i.p. route but peaked at 50 or 100 mg/kg for the p.o. route. 6-MP induced MNPCEs more efficiently after p.o. administration than after i.p. treatment in both strains.
A 63 year-old male with bronchogenic carcinoma accompanied by Eaton-Lambert syndrome and SIADH is reported. The electromyogram showed waxing phenomenon on repetitive stimulation (more than 5 per ...second). His myasthenic symptoms and hyponatremia improved remarkably after complete regression of the tumor by combination chemotherapy (COMP-VAN alternating chemotherapy). Follow-up radiotherapy was performed, giving 4000 rads to the site of the primary lesion and to the brain for prophylaxis. He is fully active with no symptoms at 6 months after commencement of chemotherapy.
Forty-one patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung were treated with a four-drug combination of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, methotrexate, and procarbazine. The response rate was 68% (28 ...responded among 41 patients), with 10 complete responses (24%) and 18 partial responses (44%). The median survival time from the initiation of chemotherapy was 11 months for patients with limited disease and 8 months for those with extensive disease. Patients who achieved complete response survived significantly longer than those who did not; the median survival time for complete responders was 14.5 months, compared to 8.5 months for partial responders and 6 months for non-responders. Myelosuppressive toxicity remained within acceptable limits, with 5% incidence of leukocytopenia (less than 1,000/microliter) and 7% incidence of thrombocytopenia (less than 50,000/microliter) following the first course of the regimen.
Bronchoalveolar lavage and subsequent bronchial brushing techniques were examined in 60 consecutive cases of lung cancer not detected by fiberoptic bronchoscopy in an attempt to improve diagnostic ...rate. Lavaged fluid was processed routinely for cytological examinations, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) concentrations were measured concomitantly. Lavaged fluid gave a cytological diagnosis in 63% of the patients. The positive cytology rate by brushing was 77%. Of 14 patients with negative cytology on brushing, 6 were positive in lavaged fluid. Finally, the combination of bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchial brushing gave a cytological diagnosis in 87% of the patients. Bronchoalveolar lavage was helpful in the diagnosis of patients with peripheral lung cancer. CEA concentrations of lavaged fluid of patients with lung cancer were significantly higher than those of patients with non-malignant pulmonary diseases. It was suggested that increased CEA concentrations in lavaged fluid suggest lung cancer.
The extent of tumor dissemination at the time of diagnosis is an important factor affecting the survival of lung cancer patients. In vitro sensitivity to drugs is helpful for successful chemotherapy ...of advanced lung cancer patients. A major objective of this study was to clarify the significance of direct cloning assay for the detection of metastatic sites, as well as for the selection of effective drugs for individual patients. Tumor cell colony growth was evaluated in an enriched double layer agar system as described by Salmon et al. Colonies were successfully grown from 5 of 7 cytology positive effusions, and 4 of 5 histology/cytology positive bone marrow aspirates. Two of 17 histology/cytology-negative bone marrow aspirates yielded colonies, whereas 5 cytology-negative effusions yielded no colonies. Colony growth was observed in 3 of 5 tumor specimens obtained surgically. For in vitro sensitivity, tumor cells were exposed to drugs 1 hour prior to plating. Although colonies were successfully grown from specimens of 5 patients, none was sensitive to drugs tested. We were not able to observe clinical response to in vitro non-sensitive drugs.
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