Endodermal sinus tumor of the vagina in an infant: magnetic resonance imaging evaluation

Endodermal sinus tumor is a rare and highly malignant lesion. This report documents the clinical findings and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of an uncommon case of the endodermal sinus tumor arising in the vagina of a 6-month-old infant. MRI was extremely accurate in delineating the possible extent and location of the vaginal lesion. This is the first report to demonstrate MRI of vaginal endodermal sinus tumor.

Interaction of interferon gamma and CPT-11, a new derivative of camptothecin, in human endometrial carcinoma cell lines

The anti-proliferative effects of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and CPT-11, a new derivative of camptothecin, both singly and in combination, on two human endometrial carcinoma cell lines, HHUA and ISHIKAWA, were examined in vitro. The HHUA cells were responsive dose-dependently to IFN-gamma, while the ISHIKAWA cells were unresponsive to IFN-gamma. Both cell lines were responsive dose-dependently to CPT-11. In both cell lines, IFN-gamma at clinically achievable concentrations (10 and 100 U ml-1 enhanced the anti-proliferative activity of CPT-11 in the range of concentrations where CPT-11 showed more than 10% cell growth inhibition. Sequential treatment with CPT-11 followed by incubation with IFN-gamma resulted in significant cell growth inhibition, but not vice versa. Flow cytometric studies indicated that the combined anti-proliferative effect did not correlate with cytokinetic alterations. Treatment with IFN-gamma did not change the extractable topoisomerase I activity of the HHUA and ISHIKAWA cells. The combination therapy of IFN-gamma and CPT-11 could provide a new approach against endometrial cancer.

Neoadjuvant intraarterial infusion chemotherapy with a combination of mitomycin-C, vincristine, and cisplatin for locally advanced cervical cancer: a preliminary report

Combination chemotherapy including cisplatin was administered intraarterially from the internal iliac artery as neoadjuvant chemotherapy to six patients with locally advanced uterine cervical cancer (stage higher than IIIB of FIGO). The drugs and doses were mitomycin-C 10 mg/m2, vincristine 1 mg/m2, and cisplatin 50 mg/m2. Two or three courses were repeated at intervals of 3 weeks. In three patients, dose reductions were undertaken for decreased renal function and thrombocytopenia. Partial response was, however, observed in all patients (response rate 100%), and five of six patients were able to undergo a radical hysterectomy. The major toxic effects were leukocytopenia, nausea, and vomiting. Our preliminary experience suggests that pelvic intraarterial infusion of combination chemotherapy is effective against primary and advanced uterine cervical cancer, and this preoperative treatment can lead to easier radical hysterectomy. However, further studies are warranted.

Effects of sex steroids on cell differentiation and interleukin-1 beta production in the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60

The effects of 17 beta-estradiol (E2), progesterone (P) and testosterone (Te) on cell differentiation in the HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells after treatment with 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] and those on interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) production by HL-60 cells in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were investigated. Neither E2 (10(-10) to 10(-7) M), P (10(-9) to 10(-6) M) nor Te (10(-10) to 10(-7) M) affected monocytic differentiation as assessed by reactivity with OKM14 monoclonal antibody and alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase activity. Pretreatment of HL-60 cells with 1,25-(OH)2D3 enhanced their ability to produce IL-1 beta in response to subsequent exposure to LPS, although 1,25-(OH)2D3 by itself did not induce IL-1 beta production by HL-60 cells. This priming effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 was augmented by the addition of E2 and Te at physiologic concentrations, but not by that of P. E2, P and Te at physiologic concentrations enhanced IL-1 beta production by HL-60 cells that were pretreated with 1,25(OH)2D3 and stimulated by LPS. The increasing rate of IL-1 beta production by the addition of E2 and Te was higher when added with LPS than when added with 1,25-(OH)2D3. These findings suggest that enhancing effects of sex steroids in IL-1 beta production by monocyte/macrophage lineage cells.

Incomplete testicular feminization syndrome: studies of 17 beta-oestradiol-binding activity and aromatase activity in cultured genital fibroblasts showing impaired dihydrotestosterone-binding

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 17 beta-oestradiol binding, and aromatase activity were measured in cultured genital skin fibroblasts from two siblings with the incomplete testicular feminization syndrome. Whole-cell and nuclear DHT binding in the cells from both patients were reduced to 80% and 60%, respectively of those in a normal male subject. The nuclear oestradiol binding was not impaired in the fibroblasts from the patients whose plasma oestradiol was normal or a little elevated. Although gonadectomy led to a decrease in plasma testosterone concentration, the concentration of testosterone-binding globulin showed no change suggesting no apparent effect on testosterone-binding globulin synthesis by testicular steroids. There was no significant difference in aromatase activity of the fibroblasts between the patients and the normal male subjects. The relatively increased oestrogen concentration in the syndrome might result from oestrogen production in testes, but is unlikely to be from peripheral tissues such as fibroblasts. This is the first report to examine oestradiol binding and aromatase activity in the cells from the incomplete testicular feminization associated with impaired DHT binding. These findings may give new insight into the pathogenesis of abnormal male sexual differentiation in the patients with testicular feminization syndrome.

Expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) beta messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and IL-1 receptor antagonist mRNA in peritoneal macrophages from patients with endometriosis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) beta messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) mRNA in peritoneal macrophages.

DESIGN, SETTING

Peritoneal fluid (PF) samples were collected from patients who underwent laparoscopy or laparotomy. Northern blot analysis was performed at the reproductive research laboratory.

PATIENTS

Twenty-six patients with endometriosis, 10 patients with postinflammatory pelvic adhesion, and 12 control women with normal pelvis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Polyadenylated RNA isolated from peritoneal macrophages was analyzed on Northern blots by using synthetic oligonucleotide probes.

RESULTS

The level of IL-1 beta mRNA expression was elevated in the group with stage I endometriosis, whereas the increased expression of IL-1ra mRNA was observed in the group with stages III and IV endometriosis. The level of IL-1 beta mRNA showed a positive correlation with that of IL-1 beta in PF and a negative correlation with the level of IL-1ra mRNA.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that peritoneal macrophages express IL-1ra mRNA rather than IL-1 beta mRNA with the progress of endometriosis and that peritoneal macrophages may secrete IL-1ra protein that modulates the effects of IL-1.

Effects of sex steroids on immunoglobulin M production by Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B-cell line SKW6-CL4

The effects of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), and testosterone (T) on the production of immunoglobulin (Ig) M by Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B-cell line, SKW6-CL4, were investigated. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) induced IgM production by SKW6-CL4 cells in a dose-dependent manner without any significant increase in thymidine incorporation. E2 at concentrations ranging from 10(-10) to 10(-9) M enhanced IL-6-induced IgM production by SKW6-CL4 cells, whereas E2 at a high concentration of 10(-7) M inhibited both the IgM production and the growth of SKW6-CL4 cells. Time-course studies revealed that E2 acts in the early phase of differentiation of SKW6-CL4 cells in response to IL-6. On the other hand, P and T at physiological and superphysiological levels did not influence either the IgM production or the proliferation of SKW6-CL4 cells. These findings suggest a direct immunoregulatory effect of E2 on human B lineage cells and support the concept that E2 may have a role in the pathogenesis of some autoimmune diseases.

Augmentation of antiproliferative activity of CPT-11, a new derivative of camptothecin, by tumor necrosis factor against proliferation of gynecologic tumor cell lines

The co-operative effects of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rH-TNF) and CPT-11, a new derivative of camptothecin, against the proliferation of human gynecologic tumor cell lines were examined in vitro. The ishikawa cells were responsive to rH-TNF, the HHUA cells exhibited a minimal degree of responsiveness to rH-TNF, and the HeLa S3 and Caov-3 cells were unresponsive to rH-TNF. The HHUA, Ishikawa and Caov-3 cells were responsive to CPT-11, and the HeLa S3 cells were relatively sensitive to CPT-11 cytotoxicity. In all four cell lines, rH-TNF at clinically achievable concentrations exhibited synergy with CPT-11. The combination therapy of rH-TNF and CPT-11 will be a new approach against gynecologic cancers.

Peritoneal fluid interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor in patients with benign gynecologic disease

The levels of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in peritoneal fluid (PF-IL-1 beta and PF-TNF) and production of IL-1 beta and TNF by peritoneal macrophages were determined in patients with benign gynecologic disease. The level of PF-IL-1 beta was elevated in the acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and stages I and II endometriosis (E I/II) groups compared with the normal pelvis group, but not in the myoma of the uterus, ovarian cyst, and postinflammatory pelvic adhesion groups. The level of PF-TNF was elevated in the PID, EI/II and stages III and IV endometriosis (EIII/IV) groups. There was no correlation between the levels of PF-IL-1 beta and PF-TNF. Neither the level of PF-IL-1 beta nor that of PF-TNF was correlated with the concentration of peritoneal macrophages. Peritoneal macrophages produced IL-1 beta and TNF in vitro in the absence of stimulants. The levels of PF-IL-1 beta and PF-TNF are presumably linked to the activation of peritoneal macrophages.