ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of repeated cis-dichlorodiamine-platinum (CDDP) exposure on serum erythropoietin (Epo) levels. STUDY DESIGN: In seven patients with ovarian cancer, Epo and haemoglobin concentration (c(Hb)) were measured before, 24h and 7 days after administration of the first three courses of chemotherapy. In seven control patients undergoing gynaecological surgery for non-malignant reasons, Epo and c(Hb) were measured before, 24h and 7 days after the operation. RESULTS: Following Epo increased, independent of concomitant anaemia, especially after the third course: 51mU/ml (S.D. 46) versus 122mU/ml (S.D. 83) (P=0.02). In the control patients, Epo was lower although the decrease of c(Hb) was significantly higher. CONCLUSION: Cis-platinum chemotherapy induces an increase in erythropoietin levels independent of anaemia. The underlying mechanism remains to be investigated.
Subject(s)
Anemia/chemically induced , Erythropoietin/blood , Ovarian Neoplasms/blood , Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy , Aged , Anemia/blood , Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Cisplatin/adverse effects , Cisplatin/therapeutic use , Female , Hemoglobins/analysis , Hemoglobins/drug effects , Humans , Middle Aged , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
In an analysis of 84 primary-operated breast cancer patients and 11 healthy donors, we found that the bone marrow of most patients contained memory T cells with specificity for tumor-associated antigens. Patients' bone marrow and peripheral blood contained CD8+ T cells that specifically bound HLA/peptide tetramers. In short-term culture with autologous dendritic cells pre-pulsed with tumor lysates, patients' memory T cells from bone marrow (but not peripheral blood) could be specifically reactivated to interferon-gamma-producing and cytotoxic effector cells. A single transfer of restimulated bone-marrow T cells into NOD/SCID mice caused regression of autologous tumor xenotransplants associated with infiltration by human T cells and tumor-cell apoptosis and necrosis. T cells from peripheral blood showed much lower anti-tumor reactivity. Our findings reveal an innate, specific recognition of breast cancer antigens and point to a possible novel cancer therapy using patients' bone-marrow-derived memory T cells.
