RESUMO
The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis of a diurnal fluctuation of circulating levels of endogenous tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer. Serum levels of TNF alpha were measured at 8 am., 2 p.m., 6 p.m., 10 p.m., and 2 a.m, in 40 patients with advanced gastro-intestinal cancer. In the control group TNF alpha plasma levels were low and did not exhibit regular patterns. On the contrary serum TNF alpha levels were substantially increased in patients with advanced cancer. Peak value appeared at 2 a.m. In contrast, the levels were low in the afternoon (2 p.m.). The presence of circadian rhythm was found with an acrophase at 0 h 36 min.
RESUMO
Preliminary results of a combined therapy consisting of interferon-alpha, human recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha and 5-FU in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer are presented. Each patient underwent surgical treatment, except one case in which partial resection was done. In all other patients only palliative operation was performed because of the advanced stage of the disease. The patients have been followed up for 4-19 months and all of them are still alive. Complete remission was observed in one patient; survival time 13 months. In two patients partial remission was achieved, survival time 10 and 6.5 months, respectively. The general condition of other patients was good and stable during the follow up.
