MPO and cytokines in the serum of cancer patients in the context of Candida colonization and infection.

This study investigated the immunological factors, such as neutrophils number, the level of myeloperoxidase and IL-12, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, that additionally might correlate with increased susceptibility to Candida infections in cancer patients. A total of 105 cancer patients were evaluated. Patients were examined twice for Candida colonization and presence of Candida antigen and DNA in bloodstream. Serum concentrations of MPO and selected cytokines were quantified by ELISA. The values for myeloperoxidase were decreased in Candida-colonized as well as deep-infected cancer patients groups, compared to healthy persons. In the group of patients suspected of deep candidiasis, we observed significantly elevated level of IFN-gamma compared to control. In the group of Candida-colonized patients, the concentrations of IL-12, TNF- alpha and IFN-gamma were significantly heightened when compared to control.MPO deficiency seems to be one of the important risk factor for deep candidiasis independently of the neutrophil count. The disturbances in cytokines levels in cancer patients group can be connected with underlying cancer disease, its treatment as well as Candida infection. The decreased level of TNF-alpha, in particular may be connected with Candida invasion.

[Late results of the combined treatment with the use of preoperative chemotherapy and surgery of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer]. / Odlegle wyniki leczenia skojarzonego z udzialem przedoperacyjnej chemioterapii i resekcji u chorych na miejscowo zaawansowanego niedrobnokomórkowego raka pluca.

The aim of the study is the assessment of efficacy of combined treatment (preoperative chemotherapy and surgery) of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Material included sixty-two NSCLC patients treated in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Medical School of Lublin between February 1993 and October 1997. Treatment was started with 2 or 3 courses of chemotherapy. In 51 cases chemotherapy was based on Cisplatin. Response (CR + PR) to chemotherapy was observed in 30 cases (48.8%). 21-25 days after last course of chemotherapy resections were carried out. In 1 case it was lobectomy, in 25 cases--pneumonectomy and in 36--extended pneumonectomy. In 56 cases resection was radical, in 6 cases non-radical. No perioperative deaths or bronchial fistulas were observed. Median survival was 21.4 months and 5-years survival--35.25%. The results confirm the usefulness of preoperative chemotherapy in locally advanced NSCLC.