Immunity profile in breast cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES: Despite the multifactorial pathogenesis of malignant transformation, it is assumed that deficiency in some immune mechanisms plays a considerable role in its development. BACKGROUND: Chronically activated immune cells exert tumour-promoting effects directly by influencing the proliferation and survival of neoplastic cells, as well as by indirect modulation of neoplastic microenvironments in favour of tumour progression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We refer to results of two separate investigations that aim to monitor the immune functions in patients with breast cancer. In the first investigation, we compare the picture of basic cellular immunity profile of patients in early stage of breast cancer with those suffering from advanced disease; in the second one, we compare the production of Th1-cytokines in patients in different stages of breast cancer and atopic healthy controls. RESULTS: We recognized that the totals of T-lymphocytes and T-helpers were lower and the expression of HLADR on T-lymphocytes were higher in patients with advanced disease; the expression of IL-2 and LFN-gamma by T-lymphocytes was decreased in metastatic breast cancer patients, however IL-2 production was increased in patients in early stage of disease. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the role of immune system in cancer development is ambivalent as it may be not only protective, but also harmful (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 22). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

In vitro activity of tylosin and its derivatives against Ureaplasma urealyticum.

Antimicrobial activity of tylosin (CAS 1401-69-0) and five other 16-membered macrolides biosynthesized by Streptomyces fradiae (lactenocin, desmycosin, macrosin (CAS 11049-15-3), relomycin (CAS 1404-48-4) and 5-O-mycaminosyl tylonolide) against Ureaplasma urealyticum was studied. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) showed 5-O-mycaminosyl tylonolide, tylosin and descomysin. Absence of the aldehyde group in the structure of relomycin resulted in loss of the antimicrobial activity. Tylosin, desmycosin and macrocin proved better antimicrobial effect in the alkaline medium than in the acidic one.

[Personal experience with culture and isolation of urogenital mycoplasmas]. / Nase skúsenosti s kultiváciou a izoláciou urogenitálnych mykoplaziem.

The authors describe the basic technique of cultivation and isolation of urogenital mycoplasmas, focused on their detection. They describe methods of collection of samples, principles of cultivation, dilution of samples and their sub-passage recommended to ensure a higher detection rate.