[The first clinical experience with cryopreserved erythrocyte concentrate]. / Erste klinische Erfahrungen mit GK-EK (Gefrierkonservierte Erythrozytenkonzentrate).

After a brief illustration of the manufacturing procedure for frozen stored erythrocyte concentrate (GK-EK) the compatibility and transfusion success are assessed by means of clinical and laboratory-chemical parameters. Ensured febrile transfusion responses could not be observed. Indications for GK-EK are given.

[Comparative study of the efficacy of the DBVCy protocol (daunoblastin, bleomycin, vincristine, cytostasan) and the ABVD protocol in advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma. A prospective inter-clinic study within the framework of the Hauptforschungsrichtung Geschwulsterkrankungen]. / Vergleichende Untersuchung zur Wirksamkeit des DBVCy-Protokolls (Daunoblastin, Bleomycin, Vincristin, Cytostasan) mit dem ABVD-Protokoll beim fortgeschrittenen Hodgkin-Lymphom. Eine prospektive interklinische Studie im Rahmen der Hauptforschungsrichtung Geschwulsterkrankungen.

In MOPP-resistant patients with Hodgkin-lymphoma stage III B and IV the well known ABVD-protocol was compared with the DBVCy-protocol (daunorubicin, bleomycin, vincristine, cytostasan) in a randomized prospective trial. 73 patients were evaluable, 35 received ABVD, 38 DBVCy. 4 out of 35 (11%) in the ABVD-group and 9 out of 38(24%) in the DBVCy-group reached complete remission. The median duration of the remission for DBVCy was 4,5 months, for ABVD 3,4 months (no significance). Median survivals (61 months in DBVCy and 37 months in ABVD) did not show significant differences; but the DBVCy-scheme seems to be better tolerabel. With the given evaluation can not be proved a difference between the two groups, but it is not likely, that one of the regimen is very much better or very much worse as the other.

Winding anomalies in nuclear DNA from malignant cells. I. Experimental evidence.

The superhelical properties of nuclear DNA from malignant cells of human origin (leukemic cell lines Reh and D-562, mesothelioma cell line, and peripheral blood monocytes from acute monocytic leukemia) were investigated in neutral sucrose gradients with ethidium bromide. As compared with the universal superhelical density of nuclear DNA from normal cells, the DNA released from malignant cells showed a substantially higher negative superhelix content, equivalent to an increased deficiency in right-handed DNA duplex turns. In regard to analogous results obtained from other malignant cell systems, the extremely underwound structural state of nuclear DNA appears to be a feature common to malignant cells.

[The ultrastructure of megathrombocytes in May-Hegglin's anomaly]. / Zur Ultrastruktur der Megathrombozyten bei der May-Hegglinschen Anomalie.

A clinical and extensive electron microscopic study was made of the circulating granulocytes and thrombocytes from three female patients of a family with May-Hegglin anomaly. There have been observed inclusion bodies (Döhle-bodies) in a high proportion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes as well as a thrombocytopenia and giant platelets (so-called megathrombocytes). Other family members did not show hematologic abnormalities. The investigated giant platelets show ultrastructurally a different electron density of the alpha-granules, however, these structures present no typical formation of "bull's eye granules" which has been observed in other cases of May-Hegglin anomaly. Peripheral or central situated net-like structures of the endoplasmic reticulum have been found frequently. There were seen no microtubuli whereas glycogen particles were scattered within the peripheral cytoplasm.

[The use of erythrocyte concentrates, preserved at low temperature, in hematologic patients]. / Zur Anwendung tieftemperaturkonservierter Erythrozyten-konzentrate (TTK-EK) bei hämatologischen Patienten.

The transfusion protocols of 70 patients with haematological diseases were evaluated and compared. 68 patients of them received frozen erythrocyte concentrates stored at low temperatures (TTK-EK). A total of 1,183 courses of transfusion with 2,744 transfusion units (TE) were examined for erythrocyte substitution. 841 normal erythrocyte concentrates (n. EK), 905 washed erythrocyte concentrates (gew. EK), and 998 frozen erythrocyte concentrates were transfused. With 0.5% the rate of side-effects after frozen erythrocyte concentrates lay significantly lower than after other suspensions. Indications and advantages of TTK-EK are discussed. The application of double units is further recommended.

Specificities of heterologous antisera against human leukaemia cells. 1. Reactions against leukaemia cells.

Rabbit or goat antisera directed to ALL, CLL, AML and CML cells were investigated in cytotoxicity tests with different leukaemia and normal cells as targets. After absorptions with erythrocytes and spleen cells from allogeneic donors the antisera killed only leukaemia cells. There was no reaction with remission leukocytes or blood leukocytes from normal donors. Anti-ALL-Sera reacted in 35 out of 49 tests with ALL cells from 13 patients. Apparently the ALL antisera which were directed to the T cell subtype of ALL preferentially affected ALL cells of this subtype. Cross reactions with cells from CLL, AML and CML were not found. Anti-CLL-sera reacted in 10 out of 12 tests with CLL cells from 4 donors, and in 4 out of 20 tests with ALL cells from 7 donors and also with the cells of a CML patient. AML cells from two patients were not killed. Antisera against AML and CML showed extensive cross reactions with cells of myelocytic and lymphocytic leukaemias. Absorption tests demonstrated the presence of two antibody specificities in AML antisera, one of which being directed to a common antigen of AML and ALL cells and another against an antigen of myelocytic leukaemia cells.

[A test system for the measurement of cellular RNA-synthesis in the human bone marrow]. / Ein Testsystem zur Messung der zellulären RNS-Synthese von humanem Knochenmark.

A test for the cellular RNA-synthesis (incorporation of 3H-uridine in the RNA) of human bone marrow has been standardized with respect to the time of incorporation, the number of cells and the concentration of 3H-uridine. The following parameters were estimated for 500 microleter standard assay and 100 microleter aliquots for the determination of the radioactivity: time of incubation 80 min, number of nucleated cells 8 - 10(5), concentration of 3H-uridine 8,3 - 10(-6) M. Actinomycin D inhibits the RNA-synthesis to 90% in a concentration of 1.2 - 10(2) microgram/ml. The test appears generally applicable for the determination of the vitality of bone marrow after cryopreservation, the testing of cryoprotectants and haematotoxic substances and the control of the reaction of the bone marrow during chemical- or irradiation treatment of tumors.

[Experiences with polychemotherapy of acute leukemias in adults with special reference to the COAP combination]. / Erfahrungen mit der Polychemotherapie akuter Leukosen im Erwachsenenalter unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der COAP-Kombination

The authors give a report on their experiences with polychemotherapy in 77 acute leukaemias in adults. On this occasion the COAP combination was identified to be well effective and to be an enrichment of therapy because of its low side effects.

[Problems in maintenance therapy in acute myeloid leukemias in adults]. / Probleme der Erhaltungstherapie akuter myeloischer Leukosen im Erwachsenenalter

Problems of maintaining therapy for acute myelocytic leukemias in adults are discussed. The analysis of the maintaining therapy in 22 patients affected with an acute myelocytic leukemia and living for more than 6 months revealed that the interval therapy with a high dosage of cytostatic combinations in the sense of the COAP scheme is preferable compared with the daily administration of 6-mercaptopurin, in addition methotrexate twice a week. Reasons for this are discussed.