Vaginal administration of gemeprost for preoperative cervical dilatation in non pregnant patients.

The use of Gemeprost vaginal suppositories has been evaluated in a trial for induction of the cervical dilatation in non pregnant women. 30 voluntary patients, 22 nulliparous and 8 pluriparous, had to be subjected to biopsy of the endometrium; 24 were treated for the control of sterility and 6 for menstrual perimenopausal disorders. The biopsies of the sterility control were effected in the second half of the cycle, generally without having recourse to narcosis. A single Gemeprost pessary containing 1 mg of 16, 16-dimethyl-trans-delta 2 PGE1 methyl ester was intravaginal administered, deeply into the posterior fornix, 3 hours before the biopsy. The success rate was 86.66 (26 pts.) with an average dilatation of 5.38 H (Hegar) +/- 0.75 SD. For 4 patients (13.33%) having a dilatation less than 4 H, it was necessary to complete the dilatation mechanically. All the observed side effects presented a modest intensity: cephalalgia 6.6% (no. 2), gastralgia 3.3% (no. 1), vaginal burning 6.6% (no. 2). No significant variation of vital function parameters was recorded. In conclusion this type of preparation of the cervix has permitted us to achieve a more gradual dilatation and to prevent the traumata of the cervico-isthmic system due to forced mechanical dilatations by the exclusive use of Hegar's dilators.

A prostaglandin analogue (ONO-802) in treatment of missed abortion, intrauterine fetal death and hydatiform mole: a dose-finding trial.

Forty-eight patients affected with missed abortion, intrauterine fetal death and hydatiform mole were treated with vaginal suppositories containing 1 mg of 16,16-dimethyl-trans-delta 2-PGE1 methyl ester (ONO-802). The patients were divided into two treatment groups. The first, Group A, was given one vaginal suppository every 3 h to a maximum of five suppositories. The product of conception was expelled in 95.8% of patients. In Group B the maximum number of suppositories was reduced to three. The product of conception was expelled in 100% of cases and the average duration of treatment was similar to that for the first group. Although side-effects were mild in both groups, they were reduced in the patients of Group B.

Interferon-beta treatment of herpes simplex keratitis.

We tested a new preparation of interferon-beta (IFN-beta) to determine its efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of herpetic keratitis. The 20 patients admitted to the trial were selected from patients who had not received any previous treatment with virustatic agent; they were treated in a comparative, randomised open trial with eye drop containing IFN-beta or iododesoxyuridine (10 vs. 10). Examination of the data show that 10 out of 10 patients treated with IFN-beta respond positively to the treatment, furthermore it showed that IFN-beta produce no local or general toxicity.

[Somatostatin in severe peptic ulcer hemorrhage]. / La somatostatina nelle severe emorragie da ulcera peptica.

Somatostatin was compared with intensive antacid and thrombin in a randomised controlled study on 15 patients with severe haemorrhages of the upper digestive tract deriving from peptic ulcers and identified endoscopically in order to assess the efficacy of the two drugs. The results in both groups were similar but somatostatin appeared more effective than antacids and thrombin in terms of blood transfusions required and the average time it took to stop the bleeding. The insignificance of these results is in contrast with the data from similar studies using other drugs (anti-H2) and reported by others. This shows the need for controlled polycentric studies conducted on large groups of homogeneous patients.

Antitumoral activity of human fibroblast interferon administered intranodularly.

Human fibroblast interferon was given intranodularly to 14 patients with cutaneous metastases from breast cancer and malignant melanoma; 1,000,000 units/cm3 of tumor tissue was administered daily for 8-10 days. 13 patients were evaluated. Complete response was achieved in 1 of 7 breast carcinoma nodules and in 2 of 6 melanoma nodules; partial response was achieved in 1 of 7 breast carcinoma and in 3 of 6 melanoma nodules. The overall objective response was therefore 7 of 13 (53.8%) metastatic nodules. Pathological complete response was confirmed in 2 of 3 complete clinical responses. Necrosis, lymphocytic infiltration and fibrosis were observed in all the specimens pathologically examined. In spite of a clear antitumoral activity, this approach does not appear to have clinical significance due to its extremely localized effect.