Drug delivery observation of hydrophobe ferrofluid and magnetite nanoparticals by SPring-8 synchrotron radiation.

In this study, the composite magnetic nanoparticles of coated SiO nano film with about 8 nm size and high saturation magnetization value, were synthesized by liquid phase precipitation method. The magnetic nanoparticles can be dispersed in various liquid media, widely known as magnetic fluids or ferrofluids with both magnetic and liquid properties. The materials been collected great interests and more and more attentions to focus into Drug Delivery System (DDS) as a new technology in this paper. We use the composite nanoparticles to disperse H2O and inject the solutions into rat's in-vivo organs. And, in the experiments by using a strong photon beam of SPring-8 Synchrotron Radiation facility, the distribution stat and the effects of magnetic field as well as drug delivery behaviour of nanoparticles in the rat' kidney are verified by the in-vivo observations.

Expression of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in IL-1beta-induced synovitis of the temporomandibular joint.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we analyzed the gene expression profile of fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) cultures from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to identify candidate genes associated with intracapsular pathologic conditions of TMJ. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 was one of the genes in FLS upregulated following stimulation by interleukin (IL)-1beta, a cytokine thought to play a key role in several pathological conditions. This study investigated the expression of COX-1 and COX-2 in cultured human FLS and rat TMJ synovium following stimulation with IL-1beta. METHODS: RNA was isolated from human FLS after IL-1beta treatment. COX-1 and -2 expression was examined using a GeneChip and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) levels in conditioned media from FLS were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Synovial tissues from TMJs of IL-1beta-injected rats were examined for COX-1 and COX-2 expression by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Following treatment of FLS with IL-1beta, expression of the COX-2 gene increased up to 8 h and peaked at 4 h, whereas COX-1 expression did not change. Stimulation with IL-1beta increased the level of PGE(2) in conditioned media of cultured FLS in a time-dependent manner up to 48 h. Immunohistochemistry showed a strong positive staining for COX-2 in the lining and sub-lining synovial tissues of the TMJ of IL-1beta-injected rats. In contrast, staining for COX-1 was the same in synovial tissues with and without IL-1beta injection. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that COX-2 expression stimulated by IL-1beta stimulates the production of PGE(2) in FLS and plays important roles in the progression of inflammation in TMJ.

Divergent cytotoxic effects of PKC412 in combination with conventional antileukemic agents in FLT3 mutation-positive versus -negative leukemia cell lines.

FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3) is a new therapeutic target for acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), because FLT3 mutations are the most common genetic alterations in AML and are directly related to leukemogenesis. We studied cytotoxic interactions of a FLT3 inhibitor, PKC412, with eight conventional antileukemic agents (cytarabine, doxorubicin, idarubicin, mitoxantrone, etoposide, 4-hydroperoxy-cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and vincristine) using three leukemia cell lines carrying FLT3 mutations (MOLM13, MOLM14 and MV4-11) and five leukemia cell lines without FLT3 mutations (KOPB-26, THP-1, BALL-1, KG-1 and U937). PKC412 showed synergistic effects with all agents studied except methotrexate for FLT3-mutated cell lines in isobologram analysis. In contrast, PKC412 was rather antagonistic to most drugs, except for 4-hydroperoxy-cyclophosphamide and vincristine, in leukemia cell lines without FLT3 mutations. Cell-cycle analysis revealed that PKC412 induced G1 arrest in leukemia cell lines carrying FLT3 mutations, whereas it arrested cells in G2/M phase in the absence of FLT3 mutations, which may underlie the divergent cytotoxic interactions. These results suggest that the simultaneous administration of PKC412 and other agents except methotrexate is clinically effective against FLT3 mutation-positive leukemias, whereas it would be of little benefit for FLT3 mutation-negative leukemias. Our findings may be of help for the design of PKC412-based combination chemotherapy.

Characterization of stage progression in chronic myeloid leukemia by DNA microarray with purified hematopoietic stem cells.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is characterized by the clonal expansion of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Without effective treatment, individuals in the indolent, chronic phase (CP) of CML undergo blast crisis (BC), the prognosis for which is poor. It is therefore important to clarify the mechanism underlying stage progression in CML. DNA microarray is a versatile tool for such a purpose. However, simple comparison of bone marrow mononuclear cells from individuals at different disease stages is likely to result in the identification of pseudo-positive genes whose change in expression only reflects the different proportions of leukemic blasts in bone marrow. We have therefore compared with DNA microarray the expression profiles of 3456 genes in the purified HSC-like fractions that had been isolated from 13 CML patients and healthy volunteers. Interestingly, expression of the gene for PIASy, a potential inhibitor of STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) proteins, was down-regulated in association with stage progression in CML. Furthermore, forced expression of PIASy has induced apoptosis in a CML cell line. These data suggest that microarray analysis with background-matched samples is an efficient approach to identify molecular events underlying the stage progression in CML.

Effects of mitoxantrone in combination with other anticancer agents on a human leukemia cell line.

To investigate the effects of mitoxantrone in combination with other anticancer agents, a human T-cell leukemia cell line, MOLT-3, was incubated for 3 days in the presence of two drugs (mitoxantrone and the combined drug) and cell growth inhibition was determined by assay with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazonium bromide. The effects of drug combinations at doses giving 80% inhibition (ID80) were analyzed by an improved isobologram method. A supra-additive (synergistic) effect was observed for mitoxantrone in combination with amsacrine, cisplatin, or cytosine arabinoside. An additive effect was observed for its combination with bleomycin, doxorubicin, etoposide, 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin C, 6-mercaptopurine, or vincristine. A sub-additive (antagonistic) effect was observed for its combination with methotrexate. These data suggest that mitoxantrone, administered simultaneously with any one of a majority of anticancer agents we studied, is advantageous for cytokilling. Of the anticancer agents tested, amsacrine, cisplatin, and cytosine arabinoside are the most suitable for combination with mitoxantrone, and these combinations are worthy of clinical investigation. Methotrexate in our system is inappropriate for simultaneous administration with mitoxantrone. These data should provide useful information for the establishment of clinical protocols involving mitoxantrone.

B cell malignancy and hepatitis C virus infection.

Italian authors report that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may be one of the causes of lymphoid malignancy such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM). To assess the relationship between HCV infection and B cell malignancy (BCM) in Japan, we analyzed HCV-RNA in 50 patients with BCM [25 cases of NHL, 4 of WM and 21 of multiple myeloma (MM)] and determined genotype of infected HCV(Okamoto's classification) using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. Eight (16.0%) of 50 patients with BCM were HCV-RNA positive [HCV(+)], while no patients were HCV(+) in control group (18 patients of non-B cell NHL). Numbers of HCV(+) cases in each group examined were as follows; four (16.0%) in B cell NHL (genotype II/III/IV were 3/1/0, respectively), one (25.0%) in WM (genotype III) and three (14.3%) in MM (genotype II/III/IV were 1/1/1, respectively). All patients examined had no symptoms and signs suggesting vasculitis. The incidence of HCV infection in the patients with BCM was markedly higher than that (approximately 1%) of healthy blood donors in Japan. We also experienced four B cell NHL cases with splenic or hepatic origin in the course of chronic hepatitis C. These results implicate the association between persistent HCV infection and the occurrence of BCM.

Schedule-dependent synergism and antagonism between methotrexate and cytarabine against human leukemia cell lines in vitro.

Methotrexate (MTX) and cytarabine have been widely used for the treatment of acute leukemias and lymphomas for over 30 years. However, the optimal schedule of this combination is yet to be determined and a variety of schedules of the combination has been used. We studied the cytotoxic effects of MTX and cytarabine in combination against human leukemia cell lines at various schedules in vitro. The effects of the combinations at the concentration of drug that produced 80% cell growth inhibition (IC(80)) were analyzed using the isobologram method of Steel and Peckham. Simultaneous exposure to MTX and cytarabine for 3 days produced antagonistic effects in human T cell leukemia, MOLT-3 and CCRF-CEM, B cell leukemia, BALL-1, Burkitt's lymphoma, Daudi, promyelocytic leukemia, HL-60 and Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia, K-562 cells. Simultaneous exposure to MTX and cytarabine for 24 h produced antagonistic effects, sequential exposure to MTX for 24 h followed by cytarabine for 24 h produced synergistic effects, and the reverse sequence produced additive effects in both CCRF-CEM and HL-60 cells. Sequential exposure to MTX for 24 h followed by cytarabine for 3 days also produced synergistic effects in MOLT-3 cells. Cell cycle analysis supported these observations. Our findings suggest that the simultaneous administration of MTX and cytarabine is not appropriate and the sequential administration of MTX followed by cytarabine may be the optimal schedule of this combination.

In vitro cytotoxic effects of fludarabine (2-F-ara-A) in combination with commonly used antileukemic agents by isobologram analysis.

Fludarabine phosphate (2-F-ara-AMP) is an adenine nucleoside analogue that shows significant activity against chronic lymphocytic leukemia and indolent lymphoma. We assessed the cytotoxic interaction produced by the combination of the active metabolite of fludarabine phosphate, fludarabine (9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-2-fluoroadenine, 2-F-ara-A), and some commonly used antileukemic agents against human hairy cell leukemia cell line JOK-1, human chronic lymphocytic leukemia cell line SKW-3, and adult T cell leukemia cell lines ED-40810 (-) and SALT-3. The leukemia cells were exposed simultaneously to 2-F-ara-A and to the other agents for 4 days. Cell growth inhibition was determined using MTT reduction assay. The isobologram method of Steel and Peckham was used to evaluate the cytotoxic interaction. 2-F-ara-A and cytarabine showed synergistic effects in SKW-3 cells, additive and synergistic effects in JOK-1 and SALT-3 cells, and additive effects in ED-40810(-) cells. 2-F-ara-A and doxorubicin showed additive effects in SKW-3, ED-40810(-) and SALT-3 cell lines, and additive and synergistic effects in JOK-1 cells. 2-F-ara-A showed additive effects with etoposide, 4-hydroperoxy-cyclophosphamide, and hydroxyurea in all four cell lines. 2-F-ara-A showed antagonistic effects with methotrexate and vincristine in all four cell lines. Our findings suggest that the simultaneous administration of fludarabine phosphate with cytarabine, doxorubicin, etoposide, cyclophosphamide, or hydroxyurea would be advantageous for cytotoxic effects. Among these agents, cytarabine may be the best agent for the combination with fludarabine phosphate. The simultaneous administration of fludarabine phosphate with methotrexate or vincristine would have little cytotoxic effect, and this combination may be inappropriate. These findings may be useful in clinical trials of combination chemotherapy with fludarabine phosphate and these agents.

Schedule-dependent synergism and antagonism between methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine in a human acute lymphoblastic cell line.

We studied the combined cytotoxic effects of methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) on a human acute lymphoblastic cell line (MOLT-3) in vitro according to various schedules. The combined effects were analysed with improved isobologram using the concept of additivity. Simultaneous and continuous exposure (72 h) to these two agents had subadditive to protective effects (antagonism). Partial simultaneous exposure to methotrexate (5 h) and 6-MP (72 h) showed additive to protective effects. Sequential exposure to methotrexate (5 h) followed by 6-MP (72 h) had an additive effect at 0 h and a supra-additive effect (synergism) at 3 h and 19 h intervals. Therefore, it would seem to be better to avoid the simultaneous administration of methotrexate and 6-MP when these two drugs are used in combination. Sequential administration of methotrexate first, followed by 6-MP at short intervals, is recommended.

Schedule-dependent interaction between paclitaxel and doxorubicin in human cancer cell lines in vitro.

The schedule-dependent interaction of paclitaxel and doxorubicin was evaluated in four human cancer cell lines. The cells were exposed simultaneously or sequentially to the two agents for 24 h, and were then incubated in drug-free medium for 4 and 3 days, respectively. The cell growth inhibitions were determined by the MTT assay. The cytotoxic interactions at the IC80 level were evaluated by the isobologram method of Steel and Peckham. In non-small cell lung cancer A549, breast cancer MCF7 and colon cancer WiDr cells, antagonistic effects were observed for the paclitaxel and doxorubicin combination on simultaneous exposure to the two agents and on sequential exposure to doxorubicin followed by paclitaxel, while additive effects were observed for the combination on sequential exposure to paclitaxel followed by doxorubicin. In ovarian cancer PA1 cells, additive effects were observed for all schedules. These findings suggest that sequential administration of paclitaxel followed by doxorubicin may be the most suitable sequence, while the simultaneous administration of the two agents and the sequential administration of doxorubicin followed by paclitaxel may result in less tumour cell kill than anticipated. Further preclinical and clinical studies are required to elucidate the relationship between paclitaxel and doxorubicin with regard to both antitumour activity and toxicity.

Effects of carboplatin in combination with other anticancer agents on human leukemia cell lines.

In vitro studies with drug combinations of carboplatin and other anticancer agents were carried out in MOLT-3 human lymphoblastic leukemia and HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cell lines. Cells were incubated for 3 days in the presence of various concentrations of carboplatin and other drugs and cell growth inhibition was determined by MTT assay. The antitumor effects of the drug combinations at ID50 were analyzed using an improved isobologram. In MOLT-3 cells, supra-additive (synergistic) effects were observed for carboplatin in combination with cytosine arabinoside, mitoxantrone and CPT-11. Additive effects were observed for combinations of carboplatin with bleomycin, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, etoposide, 6-mercaptopurine, and vincristine. Sub-additive and protective (antagonistic) effects were observed with methotrexate. Synergistic or antagonistic effects for combinations of carboplatin and CPT-11, cytosine arabinoside, mitoxantrone and methotrexate were also observed in HL-60 cells. These findings suggest that carboplatin has additive or synergistic cytotoxic effects with most of the agents tested. Determination of the usefulness of these drug combinations awaits appropriate in vivo experiments that should assess both tumorcidal effects and possible increased toxicity. The simultaneous administration of carboplatin and methotrexate would be of little effect. To find optimal schedules for this combination, further pre-clinical studies of various combinations schedule would appear to be warranted.

Effects of amsacrine in combination with other anticancer agents in human acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells in culture.

Effects of amsacrine in combination with other anticancer agents at ID80 were evaluated by cell growth assay using a human T-cell leukemia cell line (MOLT-3). The data were analyzed with the aid of an improved isobologram, using the concept of an envelope of additivity. A supra-additive effect was observed for amsacrine in combination with cytosine arabinoside and mitoxantrone. An additive effect was observed in its combinations with bleomycin, CPT-11, cisplatin, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, etoposide, 5-fluorouracil, homoharringtonine, mitomycin C, or vincristine. 6-Mercaptopurine had an additive effect with amsacrine at ID80 but a sub-additive to protective effect at ID90. A sub-additive to protective effect was shown for amsacrine in combination with methotrexate. These data suggest that cytosine arabinoside and mitoxantrone are the best of the anticancer agents we studied for use in combination with amsacrine. Bleomycin, cisplatin, CPT-11, doxorubicin, cytosine arabinoside, homoharringtonine, mitomycin C, and vincristine also yielded favorable results when administrated simultaneously with amsacrine. Simultaneous administration of amsacrine with 6-mercaptopurine and methotrexate is not appropriate. If amsacrine is combined with 6-mercaptopurine and methotrexate, other suitable schedules should be explored. These results may provide a rationale for the design of clinical protocols combining amsacrine with other anticancer agents.

In vitro schedule-dependent interaction between paclitaxel and cisplatin in human carcinoma cell lines.

The schedule-dependent interaction of paclitaxel and cisplatin was studied in four human carcinoma cell lines: non-small cell lung cancer, A549; breast cancer, MCF7; ovarian cancer, PA1; and colon cancer, WiDr cells. The cells were exposed simultaneously to the drugs for 24 h and sequentially to paclitaxel first for 24 h followed by cisplatin for 24 h, or vice versa, and then incubated in drug-free medium for 4 and 3 days, respectively. Cell growth inhibition was then determined by the 1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. The effects of drug combinations at the IC80 level were analyzed by the isobologram method. On simultaneous exposure to paclitaxel and cisplatin, additive and subadditive (slight antagonistic) effects were observed in A549, MCF7, and PA1 cells, while sub-additive and protective (antagonistic) effects were observed in WiDr cells. On sequential exposure to paclitaxel first, followed by cisplatin, additive effects were observed in all cell lines. On sequential exposure to cisplatin first, followed by paclitaxel, additive effects were observed in PA1 cells, while additive, sub-additive, and protective effects were observed in A549, MCF7, and WiDr cells. These findings suggest that the interaction of paclitaxel and cisplatin is schedule- and cell line-dependent. The optimal schedule of this combination may be paclitaxel first followed by cisplatin.

In vitro schedule-dependent interaction between paclitaxel and SN-38 (the active metabolite of irinotecan) in human carcinoma cell lines.

Paclitaxel and irinotecan are important new anticancer agents. The combination of these two agents has been considered for use against a variety of advanced solid tumors. Since the schedule-dependent effects of this combination may be crucial to its use, we studied the interaction of paclitaxel and SN-38 (the active metabolite of irinotecan) in various schedules in four human cancer cell lines in culture. Cell growth inhibition after 5 days was determined using an MTT assay. The effects of drug combinations at the IC80 level were analyzed by the isobologram method. Simultaneous exposure to paclitaxel and SN-38 for 24 h produced antagonistic (subadditive and protective) effects in the human lung cancer cell line A549, the breast cancer cell line MCF7, and the colon cancer cell line WiDr, and produced additive effects in the ovarian cancer cell line PA1. Sequential exposure to paclitaxel for 24 h followed by SN-38 for 24 h, and the reverse sequence, produced additive effects in all four cell lines. These findings suggest that sequential administration, not simultaneous administration, may be the appropriate schedule for the therapeutic combination of paclitaxel and irinotecan. Continued preclinical and clinical studies should provide further insights and assist in determining the optimal schedule for this combination in clinical use.

Schedule-dependent interactions between paclitaxel and etoposide in human carcinoma cell lines in vitro.

Clinical studies of paclitaxel in combination with etoposide against solid tumors have been carried out. The combination schedules used in these studies are different. We studied the cytotoxic effects of paclitaxel with etoposide against four human cancer cell lines in vitro to determine the optimal schedule of this combination at the cellular level. Cells were exposed simultaneously to paclitaxel and to etoposide for 24 h or sequentially to one drug for 24 h followed by the other for 24 h, after which they were incubated in drug-free medium for 4 and 3 days, respectively. Cell growth inhibition was determined by an MTT reduction assay. The effects of drug combinations at concentrations producing 80% inhibition (IC(80)) were analyzed by the isobologram method of Steel and Peckham. The cytotoxic effect of paclitaxel and etoposide was cell line- and schedule-dependent. Simultaneous exposure to paclitaxel and etoposide for 24 h produced additive effects in the lung cancer cell line A549 and ovarian cancer PA1 cells, and antagonistic effects in the breast cancer cell line MCF7 and colon cancer WIDr cells. Sequential exposures to paclitaxel followed by etoposide and vice versa produced additive effects in all four cell lines. These results suggest that maximum cytotoxic effects can be obtained with sequential administration, but not simultaneous administration, of paclitaxel and etoposide. These findings may have important clinical implications for this combination.

Schedule-dependent synergism and antagonism between paclitaxel and methotrexate in human carcinoma cell lines.

Paclitaxel and methotrexate are active against a variety of solid tumors. Because of differences in their mechanisms of action and toxicity profiles, the combination of these two agents has clinical potential. Clinical studies of this combination are in progress. We studied the optimal schedule of paclitaxel and methotrexate in combination at various schedules in vitro using human lung cancer A549, breast cancer MCF7, ovarian cancer PA1, and colon cancer WiDr cells. Cells were simultaneously exposed to paclitaxel and methotrexate for 24 h and sequentially exposed to paclitaxel for 24 h followed by methotrexate for 24 h or vice versa. Cell growth inhibition after 5 days was determined by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The effects of drug combinations at the concentration of drug that produced 80% cell growth inhibition (the IC80 level) were analyzed by the isobologram method. The simultaneous exposure to paclitaxel and methotrexate produced additive to antagonistic effects in the A549 and PA1 cells, and antagonistic effects in the MCF7 and WiDr cells. The sequential exposure to paclitaxel followed by methotrexate produced additive effects in all four cell lines. The reverse sequence produced synergistic effects in the A549, MCF7, and WiDr cells, and additive effects in the PA1 cells. These findings suggest that a sequential administration of methotrexate followed by paclitaxel may be the appropriate schedule for this combination. On the basis of the observed in vitro synergism, further in vivo and clinical studies are necessary to clarify the toxicity and proposed antitumor effects of this schedule.

Schedule-dependent interaction between raltitrexed and 5-fluorouracil in human colon cancer cell lines in vitro.

Raltitrexed (Tomudex) is a novel thymidylate synthase inhibitor with significant activity against advanced colorectal cancer. We studied the cytotoxic interactions of raltitrexed and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in four human colon cancer cell lines on various schedules. The cell growth inhibition after 5 days was determined using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The cytotoxic interactions at the IC80 level were evaluated by the isobologram method. Simultaneous exposure to raltitrexed and 5-FU for 5 days produced additive to synergistic effects in Colo201 cells, and produced additive effects in Colo321, LoVo, and WiDr cells. Simultaneous exposure to raltitrexed and 5-FU for 24 h produced additive effects in Colo201, LoVo, and WiDr cells, and produced antagonistic effects in Colo320 cells. Sequential exposure to raltitrexed for 24 h followed by 5-FU for 24 h produced additive effects in Colo201, Colo320, and LoVo cells, and produced antagonistic effects in WiDr cells. The reverse sequence produced additive effects in Colo201 cells, and produced antagonistic effects in Colo320, LoVo, and WiDr cells. Simultaneous exposure to raltitrexed and 5-FU for 4 h and sequential exposure to raltitrexed for 4 h followed by 5-FU for 4 h with a 20-h interval produced additive effects, while the reverse sequence produced antagonistic effects in LoVo and WiDr cells. These findings suggest that the simultaneous administration of raltitrexed and 5-FU or the sequential administration of raltitrexed followed by 5-FU may be the optimal sequence, while the reverse sequence may be inappropriate. Preclinical and clinical studies of the simultaneous administration of raltitrexed and 5-FU and the sequential administration of raltitrexed followed by 5-FU are required to better understand the antitumor, toxic, and pharmacokinetic interactions of this combination in order to develop the combination chemotherapy of raltitrexed and 5-FU.

Tumor lysis syndrome in invasive thymoma with peripheral blood T-cell lymphocytosis.

Tumor lysis syndrome has rarely been observed in solid tumors. We report a case of a patient with advanced invasive thymoma associated with peripheral blood T-cell lymphocytosis in whom tumor lysis syndrome developed after chemotherapy. The potential for tumor lysis syndrome should be anticipated when treating extensive thymoma.

[Stones of the seminal vesicles and ejaculatory duct in infant: report of a case].

A 7-year-old boy was brought to our clinic with the chief complaint of terminal pain on urination. Rectal examination revealed a prostate of almost normal size and consistency, but seminal vesicles were palpated to be hard and in a painful mass. Plain x-ray and urethrogram demonstrated several small stones in the posterior urethra and in seminal vesicles. In the first operation, the stones located in the posterior urethra were removed through the transvesical approach, and the seminal vesicular stones were extirpated in the next operation. The stones were found to consist of magnesium ammonium phosphate by infrared rays spectrum analysis. The histopathological findings of the partially resected seminal vesicles showed no inflammatory or tuberculous changes. Twenty cases of stones in seminal vesicle, in seminal canal, or in ejaculatory duct have been reported in the Japanese literature. Etiology, pathology, clinical problems and therapy of the stones of seminal tract are discussed in relation to the cases reported in Japan including the present case.

[Effects of carboplatin combination with etoposide against leukemia/lymphoma cell lines].

We studied the effects of carboplatin in combination with etoposide in human B-cell lymphoma cell lines, BALL-2, Dauji and human T-cell leukemia cell lines, CEM, HSB and MOLT-3 cells. Cells were incubated for 3 days in the presence of carboplatin and etoposide, and the combined drug and cell growth inhibition was determined by MTT assay. The effects of drug combinations at ID80 were analyzed by an improved isobologram method (Steel and Peckham). In the combination of carboplatin with etoposide, the data points fell in the envelope of additivity (additive effect) in all five cell lines. Synergistic and antagonistic effects were not observed. These findings suggest that the combination of carboplatin and etoposide are as effective as expected.