Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0025202 (melanoma)
 69,561 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The effects of local absolute ethanol injection combined with administration of interleukin-2 (IL-2) or microwaval hyperthermia in murine B16 melanomas with a size of approximately 7 mm in diameter were investigated. The groups of melanoma-burdened mice treated with both local ethanol injection and local or intra-abdominal administration of IL-2 showed clear suppression of any recurrence of melanoma once the melanomas had been destroyed by ethanol injection and a concomitant prolongation of the survival times. Also, local injection of ethanol in combination with local microwaval hyperthermia at 43 degrees C for 15 min twice a week caused complete cures in B16 melanomas with a size of less than 7 mm in diameter. The infiltrations of T lymphocytes and NK cells were augmented in the melanomas treated with ethanol injection and local injection of IL-2. However, the melanomas treated with ethanol injection and intra-abdominal injection of IL-2 hardly showed any infiltration of such immune cells, although the growth of melanomas was effectively suppressed. In the case of treatment with ethanol and hyperthermia, slight infiltration of NK cells was observed in the melanoma nests as well as in the interstitials. Thus, the direct injection of absolute ethanol in combination with IL-2 or microwaval hyperthermia is effective or even curative in the treatment of murine B16 melanomas with a size of less than 7 mm in diameter.
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PMID:Experimental approaches for the treatment of murine B16 melanomas of various sizes. I: Local injection of ethanol with a combination of interleukin-2 or microwaval hyperthermia for B16 melanomas with a size of less than 7 mm in diameter. 927 87

Although ethanol injection in combination with microwaval hyperthermia and systemic administration of interleukin-2 was found to be very effective in suppressing the growth of B16 melanoma nodules with a size of less than 7 mm in diameter in our previous experiments, the growth of B16 melanomas with a size of greater than 10 mm in diameter was very difficult to control with any of the therapeutic modalities examined. In subsequent experiments, we investigated whether ethanol injection (150 microliters/injection) in combination with local injection of beta-interferon (2 x 10(4) IU/injection) and local microwaval hyperthermia at 43 degrees C for 15 min was able to suppress the growth of melanoma nodules and to prolong survival times of melanoma-burdened mice. The results were that we successfully suppressed the growth of melanoma nodules of that size for the first time with combinations of the therapeutic modalities described above. Infiltration of immunocompetent cells such as T lymphocytes and NK cells was clearly observed in the melanoma tissues treated with the therapeutic combination. These experimental results should be applied to the treatment of human melanomas in advanced stages which have no indications for surgical operation.
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PMID:Experimental approaches for the treatment of murine B16 melanomas of various sizes. II: Injection of ethanol with combinations of beta-interferon and microwaval hyperthermia for B16 melanomas with a size of greater than 10 mm in diameter. 927 88

1. A polysaccharide-enriched fraction (CPPS) was prepared from Codonopsis pilosula root extract utilizing a procedure that entailed extraction with aqueous buffer and precipitation with ethanol. 2. After administration of CPPS in drinking water to C57BL/6 mice at a dosage of 10 mg/L for 4 weeks, the splenocytes exhibited lowered mitogenic responses to Concanavalin A (ConA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The in vitro production of reactive nitrogen intermediates was inhibited. 3. However, when oral administration of CPPS was prolonged to 8 weeks, there was a potentiation of ConA-stimulated and LPS-stimulated mitogenic responses. 4. When tested under in vitro conditions, CPPS augmented the mitogenic response of splenocytes to ConA. However, there was no effect on the pinocytic activity of mouse macrophages, nor was there any proliferative activity on mouse melanoma B16 cells.
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PMID:Immunomodulatory effect of a polysaccharide-enriched preparation of Codonopsis pilosula roots. 930 4

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is rare. We identified one patient over a period of 15 years. This patient was a 80 years-old caucasian man. No association was found with tobacco or ethanol use, nor was there a personal or family history of malignant melanoma. Symptoms were related to obstruction. This tumor was polypoid in its upper part and ulcero-infiltrant in its lower part. Histologically the melanoma had epithelioid spindle cells. The neoplasm was immunoreactive for S-100 protein and non reactive with anti-cytokeratins. This patient was treated by Garlock type, esophagectomy with excision of 13 cm of esophagus and 2 cm of stomach. The survival was of only 3 days, because he developed acute respiratory and cardiac disease syndrome and died.
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PMID:[Primary malignant esophageal melanoma: report of a case]. 933 59

Taxol, an antitumour alkaloid which stabilizes microtubules, demonstrates marked activity against several tumours. However, due to its low aqueous solubility, Cremophor EL (polyoxyethylated castor oil) is used as the excipient in pharmaceutical drug preparations of taxol. This has toxic side effects, thereby limiting the clinical use of taxol in cancer therapy. The aim of this study was to design a novel taxol formulation using thermosensitive liposomes in order to eliminate the Cremophor EL vehicle and improve the antitumour activity of taxol by site-specific drug delivery. Temperature-sensitive liposomes encapsulating taxol were prepared using the natural lipids egg phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol in combination with ethanol. The liposomes have a phase transition temperature (Tm) of 43 degrees C. The in vivo efficacy of thermosensitive liposome encapsulated taxol was determined in B16F10 murine melanoma transplanted into C57BI/6 mice in combination with local hyperthermia. A significant reduction in tumour volume and an increase in survival time was observed in tumour-bearing mice treated with a combination of hyperthermia and thermosensitive liposome encapsulated taxol compared with animals treated with an equivalent dose of free taxol with or without hyperthermia. These results suggest that thermosensitive liposome encapsulated taxol in combination with hyperthermia may be useful in improving the therapeutic efficacy of taxol in the treatment of melanoma.
Melanoma Res 1998 Jun
PMID:Thermosensitive liposomal taxol formulation: heat-mediated targeted drug delivery in murine melanoma. 966 45

Ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2), isolated from an ethanol extract of the processed root of Panax ginseng CA Meyer, inhibits the growth of B16 melanoma cells. This study was designed to evaluate the ability of Rh2 to inhibit growth of human ovarian cancer cells (HRA) in vitro and in nude mouse. Rh2 inhibited proliferations of various established human ovarian cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner between 10 and 60 microM in vitro and induced apoptosis at around the IC50 dose. When HRA cells were inoculated s.c. into the right flank of nude mice, all mice formed a palpable tumor within 14 days. Although i.p. administration of Rh2 alone hardly inhibited the tumor growth, when Rh2 was combined with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP) the tumor growth was significantly inhibited, compared to treatment with CDDP alone. When mice were treated p.o. with Rh2 daily (but not weekly), the tumor growth was significantly (P<0.01) inhibited, compared to CDDP treatment alone. When Rh2 was combined with CDDP, the degree of tumor growth retardation was not potentiated. The survival time was significantly (P<0.05) longer than that of medium alone-treated controls or the group treated with CDDP alone. Then, we examined whether p.o. administration of Rh2 has a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the tumor growth. I.p. and weekly administration of CDDP had more potent antitumor activity in the order of 1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg and 4 mg/kg, whereas p.o. and daily administration of Rh, (0.4 to 1.6 mg/kg) not only had antitumor activity comparable to that of 4 mg/kg CDDP, but also resulted in a significant increase of the survival. Doses of Rh2 used in this study did not result in any adverse side-effects as confirmed by monitoring hematocrit values and body weight, unlike 4 mg/kg CDDP, which had severe side-effects. It is noteworthy that p.o. but not i.p. treatment with Rh2 resulted in induction of apoptotic cells in the tumor in addition to augmentation of the natural killer activity in spleen cells from tumor-hearing nude mice. Thus, particularly in view of the toxicity of CDDP, Rh2 alone would seem to warrant further evaluation for treatment of recurrent or refractory ovarian tumor.
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PMID:Inhibitory effects of ginsenoside Rh2 on tumor growth in nude mice bearing human ovarian cancer cells. 973 80

A large number of cohort and case-control studies have contributed to increased knowledge regarding alcoholic beverages and risk of malignant diseases. A clear association pointing at a causal relationship has been found for cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, and liver. A suggestive association has been found for cancer of the large bowel and breast. An association is considered unlikely for cancer of the stomach, pancreas, lung, urinary bladder, prostate, ovary, and for malignant melanoma. Studies have also been conducted regarding endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia, and lymphoma. No associations have been demonstrated, but the number of studies is too small for conclusions.
Alcohol Clin Exp Res 1998 Oct
PMID:Alcohol and risk of cancer. 979 56

Bryostatin 1 is a protein kinase C partial agonist which has both antineoplastic and immune-stimulatory properties, including the induction of cytokine release and expansion of tumour-specific lymphocyte populations. In phase I studies, tumour responses have been observed in patients with malignant melanoma, lymphoma and ovarian carcinoma. The dose-limiting toxicity is myalgia. Sixteen patients (age 35-76 years, median 57 years) with malignant melanoma were treated. All had received prior chemotherapy. In each cycle of treatment, patients received bryostatin 25 degrees g m(-2) weekly for three courses followed by a rest week. The drug was given in PET diluent (10 microg bryostatin ml(-1) of 60% polyethylene glycol, 30% ethanol, 10% Tween 80) and infused in normal saline over 1 h. The principal toxicities were myalgia (grade 2, eight patients and grade 3, six patients) and grade 2 phlebitis (four patients), fatigue (three patients) and vomiting (one patient). Of 15 patients evaluable for tumour response, 14 developed progressive disease. One patient developed stable disease for 9 months after bryostatin treatment. In conclusion, single-agent bryostatin appears ineffective in the treatment of metastatic melanoma in patients previously treated with chemotherapy. It should, however, be investigated further in previously untreated patients.
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PMID:A phase II study of bryostatin 1 in metastatic malignant melanoma. 982 75

Oral vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol, alpha-T) supplementation has been reported to improve facial hyperpigmentation. alpha-Tocopheryl ferulate (alpha-TF) is a compound of alpha-T and ferulic acid connected by an ester bond; ferulic acid is also an antioxidant, and could scavenge free radicals induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and thus maintain the long-lasting antioxidative effect of alpha-T. Our aim was to see whether alpha-TF might be useful as a whitening agent and an antioxidant to improve and prevent facial hyperpigmentation following UV exposure. In this study, the inhibitory effect of alpha-TF on melanogenesis was examined biochemically using human melanoma cells in culture. The results show that alpha-TF, solubilized in ethanol or in 0.5% lecithin, inhibited melanization significantly, as did alpha-T at a concentration of 100 microg/mL, without inhibiting cell growth. This phenotypic change was associated with inhibition of tyrosinase and 5, 6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid polymerase activities, and the degree of inhibition was dose dependent. No significant effect on DOPAchrome tautomerase activity was observed. alpha-TF did not directly inhibit tyrosinase activity of the large granule fraction extracted from human melanoma cells, and Western blotting revealed that there were no changes in protein content or in molecular size of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1 or TRP-2. Therefore, the inhibition of tyrosinase activity by alpha-TF might be due to effects at the post-translational level, and possibly by a secondary molecule activated by alpha-TF. These results suggest that alpha-TF is a candidate for an efficient whitening agent which suppresses melanogenesis and inhibits biological reactions induced by reactive oxygen species.
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PMID:The depigmenting effect of alpha-tocopheryl ferulate on human melanoma cells. 1041 11

The present study was done to delineate cause-effect relationships between the ethanol (EtOH)-induced stress response, natural-killer (NK)-cell activity, and resistance to experimental metastases of B16F10 melanoma cells in mice. Increased numbers of metastatic nodules were noted in the lungs of mice treated with dosages of EtOH that produce peak blood levels of 0.25-0.4%. EtOH caused only a minor depletion of NK cells or NK-cell activity from the spleen or lungs of normal or B16F10-challenged mice. However, in earlier studies we have shown consistent, significant decreases in NK-cell activity (approx. 50%) in spleen preparations from EtOH-treated mice. Depletion of NK cells by a monoclonal antibody increased the number of B16F10 nodules in the lungs, confirming an important role for NK cells for resistance to B16F10 metastases. Treatment of NK-cell-depleted mice with EtOH caused no further decrease in resistance to B16F10 cells, indicating that suppression of NK-cell activity is the major mechanism by which EtOH suppresses resistance to B16F10 metastases. Adrenalectomy or a glucocorticoid antagonist partially prevented EtOH-induced increases in the number of metastatic nodules in the lungs. Administration of exogenous corticosterone increased the number of B16F10 nodules to an extent similar to that caused by EtOH. These results indicate a role for the EtOH-induced stress response in decreasing resistance to B16F10 metastases. EtOH-induced decreases in resistance to cancer have also been reported in rats. The findings of the present study support the possibility that this is a generalized phenomenon, which could occur in humans.
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PMID:Ethanol decreases host resistance to pulmonary metastases in a mouse model: role of natural killer cells and the ethanol-induced stress response. 1044 58


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