Entamoeba histolytica: expression and localization of Gal/GalNAc lectin in virulent and non-virulent variants from HM1:IMSS strain.

We have purified Gal/GalNAc lectin from Entamoeba histolytica by electroelution. The purified protein was used to immunize rabbits and obtain polyclonal IgG's anti-lectin. These antibodies were used as tools to analyze the expression and localization of the amoebic lectin in both virulent (vEh) and non-virulent (nvEh) variants of axenically cultured HM1:IMSS strain. vEh is able to induce liver abscesses in hamsters, whereas nvEh has lost this ability. In vitro, amoebic trophozoites from both variants equally express this protein as shown by densitometric analysis of the corresponding band in Western blots from lysates. In both types of trophozoites, the pattern of distribution of the lectin was mainly on the surface. We have also compared by immunohistochemistry the presence and distribution of lectin in the in vivo liver lesions produced in hamsters. In order to prolong the survival of nvEh to analyze both variants in an in vivo model, hamsters inoculated with nvEh were treated with methyl prednisolone. Our results suggest that the Gal/GalNAc lectin is equally expressed in both nvEh and vEh.

Randomized study for the treatment of advanced Hodgkin's disease: MOPP vs. LOPP.

Between January 1983 and December 1984, 83 patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease were entered in a prospective randomized trial comparing MOPP (mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisone) with a regimen containing chlorambucil (Leukeran), vincristine, prednisone and procarbazine (LOPP). Both groups were comparable for the variables of age, stage, symptoms, histology and sites of involvement. Seventy percent of LOPP-treated patients achieved a complete remission compared to 65% of the MOPP-treated group. After a median follow-up of greater than 48 months, there is no statistical difference between the two treatment groups in survival or relapse free-survival. The LOPP combination was better tolerated with significantly less side effects. The drug regimen LOPP appears to be as effective as MOPP in producing complete remission and long term survival in patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease.

[Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Results of alternating chemotherapy versus sequential chemotherapy]. / Linfomas no hodgkinianos. Resultados de la quimioterapia alterna frente a la quimioterapia secuencial.

An analysis is presented of the results attained in 115 cases of advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (stages III and IV) with high or intermediate grade histology (with exception of lymphoblastic lymphoma) which had received no previous treatment. The patients were distributed at random into two groups, A and B. Patients in group A received the classical CHOP-Bleo regimen, and they were given six courses at three-week intervals. The patients of group B received alternate chemotherapy consisting of two CHOP-Bleo courses, two CMED (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, etoposide, dexamethasone) courses, and two CHOP-Bleo courses. The complete remission rates were 68% for patients of group A and 70% for patients of group B (p = 0.81); the duration of complete remission was 36 and 45 months, respectively (p = 0.73). Nineteen cases in group A (34%) and 18 in group B (30%) relapsed. Disease-free survival at five years was 34% for group A and 40% for group B (p = 0.67). No differences were found in toxicity of chemotherapy between the two groups. It was concluded that the alternate chemotherapy regimen CHOP-Bleo/CMED shows similar effects than the classical CHOP-Bleo treatment, and provides a lesser amount of adriamycin, which makes it feasible to use this or other anthracycline drugs in case of relapse; the use of this regimen must be borne in mind when the patient is carrying a myocardiopathy.

[Evaluation of ventricular function in patients treated with mitoxantrone and 4'-epidoxorubicin]. / Valoración de la función ventricular en pacientes tratados con mitoxantrone y 4'epidoxorubicina.

Serial assessment of ventricular function by means of radionuclide angiography was performed in previously untreated patients with lymphoproliferative diseases who received either 4'epidoxorubicin or mitoxantrone for longer than 6 months. No changes were observed in left ventricular function in patients received mitoxantrone at doses ranged 90 to 165 mg (mean 113 mg). Three patients (7%) in 4'epidoxorubicin group showed less than or equal to 10% drop in left ventricular ejection, but without clinical manifestations. The doses in this group were 420 to 810 mg (mean 610 mg). We felt that patients without high-risk factors (radiotherapy to mediastinum or previously anthracycline therapy) could be treated with high doses of both drugs and that radionuclide angiography is a useful method for monitoring cardiotoxicity of antineoplastic drugs.

[Long-term results in the treatment of lymphomas using polychemotherapy (CHOP)]. / Resultados a largo plazo en el tratamiento de los linfomas con poliquimioterapia (CHOP).

The long-term results achieved with CHOP chemotherapy in 131 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of diffuse histological pattern and in advanced stages were analysed. The mean age of the patients was 49 years. Complete remission was achieved in 68 cases (60 %). There was good tolerance in general terms, without any lethal complications. The median survival was 27 months; 28 patients (25 % of the whole series) are alive and disease-free after 10 years, so they can be considered as cured. High lactate-dehydrogenase levels, bulky tumoural mass and high degree of histological malignancy were identified as poor-prognosis factors. CHOP chemotherapy appears as a useful means of treating non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, as shown by the number of patients achieving long lasting remission and by the tolerance. Nevertheless, this treatment is of less value in patients with poorer prognosis, in whom other regimens must be borne in mind.

[Prognosis determination in patients with malignant lymphoma]. / Establecimiento de pronóstico en pacientes con linfoma maligno.

One hundred and eight patients with malignant lymphoma were evaluated for pretreatment characteristics as potential predictors of response and survival. Age, sex, lymphocytes, lactic dehydrogenase, clinical evolution, histology, stage and initial symptoms provided the basis for a prognostic classification. The results show that the classification gives good information as the survival curves are clearly separated into three prognostic groups. Implications of the classification in therapy planning are briefly discussed.