Human Cancer Chemotherapy Research Articles

Heterotransplantation of human cancers into nude mice. (A model system for human cancer chemotherapy.)

Heterotransplantation of human cancers into nude mice. (A model system for human cancer chemotherapy.)

Circadian variation of alpha- amanitine sensitive RNA-synthesis in normal human lymphocytes.

A major aspect of successful cancer chemotherapy is the dose-time schedule of application of cytostatic drugs. Clinical trials have proven the superiority of intermittent high-dose combination chemotherapy, the intervals between administrations being of paramount importance. In spite of a number of studies in animal models demonstrating the additional importance of the day-time of applications, 2, these aspects have not been taken into account for human cancer chemotherapy so far. Since RNA synthesis by DNA-dependent RNA polymerases is one of the sites of action of cytostatic drugs, e. g. Actinomycin D, we have studied RNA synthesis by a-amanitine sensitive RNA polymerase B in isolated nuclei from human normal and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) lymphocytes over a 48 h period of observation.

Some Biological Effects of Platinum Compounds

Certain complexes of the platinum group metals exhibit interesting biological effects. At low concentrations some are effective bacteriocides; others stop cell division and force bacteria to grow into long filaments. These complexes can also induce destruction of lysogenic bacteria. Most important, perhaps, some of these complexes are very potent anti-tumour agents against a broad spectrum of tumours, and may shortly be used for cancer chemotherapy in humans.

EXPERIMENTAL IN ANTITUMORAL CHEMOTHERAPY IN ANIMALS AND MAN

In cancer chemotherapy, experiments on transplanted animal tumors usually provide the basis for clinical (human) studies. In general, the correlation in drug response between animal and human tumors can be classified as poor. However, in properly selected settings, animal tumors can be used as reliable predicting systems. Drugs which passed the «animal tumor» stage go to clinical trials. An outline of these experiments is given and their crucial importance is emphasized. Skilfully designed clinical experiments are needed if the adequate exploitation of drugs in practical cancer chemotherapy is to be achieved.

Chemotherapy of Human Cancer with Sulfhydryl Inhibitors

Chemotherapy of Human Cancer with Sulfhydryl Inhibitors

Chemotherapy of human cancer with sulfhydryl inhibitors.

The importance of sulfhydryl compounds, to the mitotic apparatus of cells and to multiple metabolic reactions of cells, has encouraged investigation of sulfhydryl inhibitors for surgical and chemical attack on cancer. To guide the chemical syntheses^1-6and to compare activity of sulfhydryl inhibitors with that of other available durgs, in vitro agar plate assays^7-9are used with each patient's cancer cells removed at surgery. Immediately after surgery, drugs are placed in contact with the cancer cells for four hours at 37 C, and a redox indicator is then applied. Results are read by midnight of the day of surgery. This rapidity of testing under physiologic conditions obviates to some extent the difficulties arising from the "feast to famine" type of nutrition inherent in all static tissue-culture methods.10 In 40 of 40 consecutive agar plate assays on varying types of living human cancer cells, the activity of one or

Chemotherapy of human cancer by regional perfusion. Report of 52 perfusions.

Chemotherapy of human cancer by regional perfusion. Report of 52 perfusions.