Effects of interferon-α and γ on development of LAK activity from mononuclear cells in breast cancer patients

We examined the effect of recombinant IFN-α and IFN-γ on induction of LAK cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) in 7 pre-operative breast cancer patients and 4 healthy volunteers. Significant LAK activity was developed from PBMNCs of pre-operative breast cancer patients and healthy volunteers after incubation for 4 days with IL-2 (presence of IL-2 vs. absence of IL-2). Incubation of PBMNCs of pre-operative breast cancer patients with 1000 U/ml of IFN-α for 4 days suppressed the LAK activity significantly (P<0.05). By contrast, incubation of PBMNCs of pre-operative patients with 1000 U/ml of IFN-γ for 4 days increased the LAK activity significantly (P<0.05). Significant cytotoxicity againstMCF-7 cells (estrogen receptor positive human breast cancer cell line) was developed from PBMNCs of pre-operative breast cancer patients at 20:1and 40:1E/T ratios after incubation for 4days with IL-2 (absence of IL-2vs. 20:1or40:1, P<0.05, P<0.05), whereas PBMNCs of healthy volunteers did not. Stimulation of LAK cells with IFN-γ produced a significant augmentation of cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 (P<0.05), while IFN-α suppressed the cytotoxicity significantly (P<0.05). These findings suggested that combined stimulation by IFN-γ and IL-2 might be a reasonable treatment for breast cancer patients

DCIS arising in mammary hamartoma

Mammary hamartoma is benign lesion and relatively rare. 17 cases of breast cancer associated with a hamartoma had been previously documented in the literature. We describe herein a case of noninvasive ductal carcinoma of the breast arising in hamartoma in a woman of 60’s. The discordance of images of the mass between mammogram and ultrasonogram can lead us to detect the carcinoma within the hamartoma in our case

Estimation of free calcium levels after thyroidectomy

Total calcium is routinely measured after thyroidectomy in a clinical setting, while the measurement or calculation of the free calcium level is not generally performed. We reviewed total and free calcium levels in patients who underwent lobectomy (n=15), subtotal thyroidectomy (n=15) and total thyroidectomy (n=15). Postoperative total calcium levels decreased significantly in comparison to preoperative levels in all thyroidectomies (p<0.01), and this fall was significantly related to the extent of surgery (p<0.01). In contrast, there was no significant difference between preoperative and postoperative free calcium levels in patients undergoing lobectomy, although we found a decrease in free calcium levels after both subtotal and total thyroidectomy. Total protein levels decreased regardless of the type of operation. Serum total calcium levels were thought to be altered by serum protein levels through the change of protein-bound calcium levels. When examined for free calcium levels, some patients were administered unnecessary calcium supplementation because hypocalcemia had been judged from the total calcium level. Since the wrong diagnosis may be given with regard to hypoparathyroidism by measurement of total calcium levels alone, we propose that free calcium levels should be routinely measured or calculated after thyroidectomy

Late recurrence of acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland

Acinic cell carcinoma of the salivary glands is a rare cancer representing a low grade malignancy. The recurrence of a tumor is sometimes encountered, usually within 5years of initial operation. We describe an unusual recurrence after a long interval following primary surgery. In1987, a 60-year-old woman underwent excision of a mass in the superficial lobe of the right parotid gland under the preoperative diagnosis of a benign tumor. A histologic diagnosis of acinic cell carcinoma was made by examining sections from the resected mass. The patient noted several small nodules in the right parotid region in 1995, but she did not visit our clinic until 1998 when tenderness developed. A locally recurrent tumor and cervical lymph nodes containing metastases were resected and postoperative radiotherapy was given11years after the first operation. At least 10years of follow-up may be necessary for patients with acinic cell carcinoma because of slow-tumor growth

イデン ソウダンシツ ト イデン カウンセリング

Genetic research has advanced rapidly which has enabled us to identify diseases in their early stages, making it easier to accurately predict the prognosis. On the other hand, public alarm is increasing with regard to ethical, legal and social issues. To alleviate and improve this situation, it is necessary to ensure that medical professionals have the relevant training and expertise in order to allay any public fears. For these reasons, the genetic counselling room was opened at Tokushima University Hospital. A Doctor and a Nurse are available for counselling every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. To date they have dealt with 50 cases which were based on various reasons and they encountered no major problems. To deliberate any matters in various aspects and prevent trouble, we make it a rule to decide anything by staff conference. To level up staff, we have performed study sessions. Furthermore, to raise our public profile, we have opened a homepage on the web and issued a brochure. With the expectation that genetic research will certainly advance and subsequently the necessity for counselling will also increase, it is necessary to continue developing our counselling system