Results of topical treatment of HPV infection in the uterine cervix using interferon beta, 13-cis-retinoic acid and TFX.

Local treatment was administrated to 130 women, in whom colposcopy, cytology and (if the latter was abnormal) histology pointed to HPV infection in uterine cervix. The best results were obtained with 13-cis-retinoic acid (provitamin A) in conjunction with interferon beta (94.2% cured patients), followed by interferon beta in combination with TFX (90% cured patients) and interferon beta administered alone (88% cured patients).

[Side effects of drug treatment for ovarian cancer after administration of antiemetic drugs]. / Objawy uboczne w czasie leczenia chemicznego raka jajnika po zastosowaniu srodków przeciwwymiotnych.

The occurring frequency of 14 most common chemotherapy and anti-nausea drug side-effects was examined. The studies were performed on 29 women with ovarian cancer treated by total number of 125 chemotherapy courses (schedule PAC and Acy) and additionally, in order to eliminate nausea caused by the chemotherapy, by anti-nausea drugs (Zofran, Solu-Medrol, Droperidol, Metoclopramide + Fenactil, Torecan). Zofran caused the fewest number of side-effects, solu-medrol inhibited nausea and vomiting significantly, however it caused many side-effects such as flush on a face, restlessness, incitement and headaches. Torecan did not prevent patients from vomiting. The greatest number of side-effects was observed after droperidol and metoclopramide + fenactil treatment.

[Survival, complications and quality of life in patients with breast cancer after ovariectomy and hormonal therapy]. / Przezycia, powiklania i jakosc zycia u chorych na raka sutka po kastracji chirurgicznej i terapii hormonalnej.

Seventy one women with breast cancer in clinical stage IIIa were treated by chemotherapy and radical operation on the basis five features, namely: survivals, relapses, metastases, quality of life, and post-therapy complications. The two treatment methods were compared. The dependence between survivals and time elapsed between breast surgery and ovariectomy was evaluated. Women treated by ovariectomy suffer from; menopause symptoms, osteoporosis, blood coagulation distortions more after than women treated by hormonotherapy. Tamoxifen therapy increases the rate of breast cancer relapses and probably it is the cause of breast cancer metastases into liver. Women who underwent hormonal castration are professionally active more after them women treated by ovariectomy. Time elapsed between breast surgery and ovariectomy does not affect survivals in stage IIIa. In stage IIIb however, performing later ovariectomy prolongs survivals.

Dystrophy of the vulva locally treated with 13-cis retinoic acid.

Topical application of 13-cis retinoic acid resulted in complete disappearance of dystrophy of the vulva in 33 out of 53 patients, among them in 9 patients with recurrence after vulvectomy and in 14 patients with previous unsuccessful conservative treatment. Partial disappearance of dystrophy was seen in 15 patients, usually after 1 to 2 months of daily retinoid treatment. Side-effects of treatment (except for one) could be managed. Serum retinol level in patients was found to be lower as compared to that in healthy subjects. The results suggest that patients with chronic epithelial vulvar dystrophies could benefit from local retinol treatment, especially in cases with recurrence after vulvectomy and in cases with advanced dystrophies qualified until now for vulvectomy.

Leukoplakia of the vulva locally treated by 13-cis-retinoic acid.

Repeated topical application of 13-cis-retinoic acid resulted in complete disappearance of leukoplakia of the vulva in 8 out of 16 patients, among them 2 out of 3 with recurrence after vulvectomy. A considerable regression of leukoplakia was seen in 7 other patients, usually after 1 to 2 months of daily retinoid treatment. After 2-4 months of maintenance therapy and during 3-7 months of the follow up period no recurrences were seen. Side effects of treatment could be managed. Serum retinol level was found to be lower in patients then in healthy subjects. The results suggest that patients with chronic epithelial vulvar dystrophies could benefit from local retinoid treatment, especially in cases with advanced dystrophies until now qualified for vulvectomy.

Acute treatment of mice with cadmium salts results in amplification of the metallothionein-1 gene in liver.

A variety of genes have been shown to change copy number during development, including rRNA genes in amphibians and chorion proteins in insects. Dihydrofolate reductase and metallothionein-1 (MT-1) genes are present in high copy number in cultured mammalian cells subjected to low levels of agents that will select for cells with amplified copies of specific genes. Recent studies have shown that the metallothionein-1 gene in mouse liver is regulated at the transcriptional level by treatment with heavy metals. We report here that, at cadmium concentrations 5 to 10-fold higher than that required to induce maximal transcription of the MT-1 gene, there is a 2 to 3-fold increase in MT-1 gene concentration in liver nuclear DNA by 6 hours after induction, and extra copies persist up to 3 weeks in the absence of further heavy metal treatment. The extra MT-1 gene copies that appear 6 hours after cadmium treatment are in a conformation that renders them relatively nuclease insensitive.