[en] A radiochemical ligand binding assay for methotrexate is provided. A binder factor comprising a partially purified dihydrofolic acid reductase preparation is employed. The binder factor is conveniently prepared by homogenizing a factor containing animal organ such as liver, and extracting with isotonic saline and ammonium sulfate. A binder cofactor, NADPH₂, is also employed in the binding reaction. The procedure contemplates both direct and sequential assay techniques, and it is not interfered with by vast excesses of many natural folate derivatives. 12 claims, 6 drawing figures

No abstract available

[en] The methods of treatment of squamous carcinoma of the oesophagus in a hospital are briefly discussed: the administration of Methotrexate, pre- and post-operative irradiation and surgery. The results of different combinations of the three treatments are mentioned

[en] The clinical outcome of 23 patients with high grade diffuse large cell immunoblastic lymphoma (Working Formulation, category H) treated by an intensive shortened schedule regimen of chemotherapy is described. Alternating cycles of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, bleomycin and prednisolone, and ifosfamide, etoposide and methotrexate were given over an 18-week (range 16.0-20.8) period. External beam radiotherapy was administered as consolation therapy to sites of original bulky disease in 17 patients. Treatment was well tolerated, though there were two toxic deaths. A 90% response rate was obtained. Sixteen of 18 patients followed for a minimum of 36 months are alive and in complete remission, representing a disease free survival of 69.5%; two further patients are alive following autologous bone marrow transplant. The 3-year disease free survival was 73% (±9%) and the overall 3-year survival 78% (±9%). (author)

[en] The advantages of laparoscopic surgery used in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy is wellknown; however, the efficacy of uterine manipulators remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of uterine manipulators in the laparoscopic treatment of ectopic pregnancy. Methods: Overall, 118 patients who underwent laparoscopy due to ectopic pregnancy in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Tepecik Education and Research Hospital between January 2010 and January 2018 and who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Groups of patients undergoing surgery with or without the use of a uterine manipulator were compared in terms of demographic data, operative and postoperative results. Results: No difference was noted between the groups in terms of age, parity, body mass index, smoking, side of ectopic pregnancy mass, previous operations and pregnancy type. However, the size of ectopic pregnancy mass measured by ultrasonography was significantly larger (p = 0.006) and the operation time was significantly shorter (p<0.001) in the group where uterine manipulators were not used than in the uterine manipulator group. Conclusion: We concluded that not using a uterine manipulator in laparoscopic procedures for ectopic pregnancy did not increase operative complications and that operation time was higher in procedures using uterine manipulators. (author)

[en] Highlights: • Tannin and 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (Ta-A-MNP (was successfully synthesized. • Loading of methotrexate (MTX) drug on Ta-A-MNP was investigated. • Proper distribution of tannin and APTES on the surface of Fe₃O₄ were observed. • Maximum adsorption capacity of 55.55 mg/g was achieved. • Drug adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic, followed pseudo second order kinetic model.

[en] Purpose: To evaluate the optimal dose of methotrexate (MTX) and the efficacy of other drugs, intrathecal chemotherapy (CHT), and radiotherapy (RT) in primary brain lymphomas. Methods and Materials: Two hundred eighty-eight immunocompetent patients with histologically documented, previously untreated primary brain lymphomas, receiving CHT containing high-dose MTX (≥1 g/m²) with or without RT were selected from 19 prospective series. The impact on survival of the MTX dose (<3 g/m² vs.≥3 g/m²), the main drugs, intrathecal CHT, and combination CHT (mono-CHT vs. poly-CHT) was assessed, according to the intention-to-treat principle. The role of post-CHT irradiation (immediate vs. delayed RT) was evaluated in 119 patients with a complete response to CHT. The whole brain and tumor bed dose (<40 Gy vs. ≥40 Gy) was assessed in 70 irradiated complete responders. Results: No difference in overall survival (OS) was detected between mono-CHT and combination CHT (p=0.38). MTX ≥3 g/m² (p=0.04), thiotepa (p=0.03), and intrathecal CHT (p=0.03) improved the OS, and nitrosoureas (p 0.01) correlated with a worse survival. In multivariate analysis, limited to patients receiving MTX ≥3 g/m², only the addition of cytarabine improved the OS; nitrosoureas reduced MTX efficacy. Of the 119 complete responders, 70 received immediate RT. A RT dose of ≥40 Gy to the whole brain or tumor bed did not improve OS. The 3-year OS was similar between the immediate and delayed RT groups. In multivariate analysis, RT delay had no negative impact on survival. Conclusions: MTX ≥3 g/m² seems to improve survival in primary brain lymphoma patients. The efficacy of additional drugs, except for cytarabine, remains unproved. Randomized trials are needed to confirm that RT withdrawal yields no detrimental effect in complete responders

[en] We describe two cases of SAPHO with an exclusive spinal involvement. Diagnosis was established by sterno-clavicular arthralgias, palmar and plantar pustulosis and by radiological signs of inflammatory spondylodiscitis and vertebral osteitis. Spondylodiscitis and medullary edema resolved as shown by MRI after administration of steroids in one case and methotrexate in the other. (authors)

[en] Background: SEC is an undifferentiated tumour used in tumour studies. MTX is an antimetabolite used in treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases and induction of abortion. VPA is used as anticonvulsant and is under investigation for treatment of cancer. The aim of this work was to compare between the effect of each of MTX and VPA on solid Ehrlich tumour in mice. Methods: Forty albino mice were divided into 4 equal groups: control untreated group, SEC group, SEC + MTX group, and SEC + VPA group. Tumour volume, tissue CAT, tissue GR, tissue MDA, tissue cholesterol and tissue TNF-α were determined. A part of the tumour was examined for histopathological and immunohistochemical study. Results: MTX alone or VPA alone induced a significant increase in tissue CAT and GR with a significant decrease in the tumour volume, tissue MDA, cholesterol and TNF-α and alleviated the histopathological changes with a significant increase in p53 expression compared to SEC group. This effect was more significant in MTX treated group compared to VPA treated group. Conclusion: MTX has more antitumour effect than VPA against SEC

[en] A prospective study has been performed to assess the feasibility and toxicity of administering neoadjuvant chemotherapy with methotrexate and cisplatin prior to radical radiotherapy. Twenty patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were assessed after each of 3 courses of chemotherapy, after radiotherapy and 6 months following treatment. Of particular concern was whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy compromised the ability to give potentially curative radical radiotherapy, delayed effective palliation of distressing urinary symptoms, or allowed local tumour progression prior to definitive treatment. It was concluded that this chemotherapy regimen was well tolerated, did not compromise the ability to give radical radiotherapy and resulted in the prompt palliation of urinary symptoms. This treatment, however, did not stop the development or progression of metastatic disease in some patients. In only 1 patient was there local progression during chemotherapy. (author)