Herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2 photoinactivated in the presence of methylene blue transform human and mouse cells in vitro.

Three strains of herpes simplex virus, K17syn- and HSZPsyn+ of type 1 (HSV-1) and USsyn- of type 2 (HSV-2), were photoinactivated in the presence of methylene blue and used to infect 3 cell lines, normal human lung tissue cells (MRC-5), mouse epithelial cells (NIH3T3), and human lung carcinoma cells (A549). The virus titer and phenotype of cells were evaluated to compare the characteristics of normal and carcinoma cells infected with non-syncytial (non-syn) and syncytial (syn) strains of herpes simplex viruses. We found that the cells of both normal cell lines infected with photoinactivated K17syn- and USsyn- but not HSZPsyn+ acquired transformed phenotype accompanied by the presence of virus. Surprisingly, the infection with photoinactivated viruses K17syn- and USsyn- but not HSZPsyn+ resulted in the suppression of the transformed phenotype of A549 cells. Using nested PCR, herpesviral DNA was identified in newly transformed cells and cells that lost the transformed phenotype. The effect of putative herpesvirus-related growth factors (HRGF) produced by cells infected with photoinactivated viruses was quantified and compared. Since methylene blue is currently used in phototherapy of herpetic lesions, these results raise the question of whether such therapy is risky to human health.

Improved outcome for children and adolescent with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the first decade of the 21st century: A report from the Slovak Republic.

Our aim was to analyze event-free (EFS) and overall survival (OS) among children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with International BFM Intercontinental trial (ALL IC 2002) therapy in the Slovak Republic. In total, 280 children and adolescent age 1 to 18 years were treated with ALL IC BFM 2002 based therapy from 2002 to 2012, which was divided into two periods. During 2002-2007, when patients were actively enrolled in the ALL IC-BFM 2002 trial, and during 2008-2012 when the trial was closed and patients were treated with the same therapy without randomization. Five-year EFS and OS rates were 79% (+/- 2.6%) and 86% (+/- 2.1%), respectively, similar to results obtained in the ALL-BFM 95 trial, which was the basis for ALL IC BFM 2002 therapy. The EFS (p<0.012) and OS (p<0.003) were significantly better than the prior Slovak experience in 1997-2001. Survival is improved in standard and intermediate risk groups, including those age 1 to 6 years, and older; with B-cell or T-cell immunophenotype, and is also excellent for those with good early response. The rate of death in induction, cumulative incidence of death in complete remission and of relapse decreased. However, outcome was suboptimal for patients in the high risk group. Current EFS and OS rates for children and adolescents with ALL in the Slovak Republic resembled those obtained in Western Europe as a result of clinical trial participation, and clinical experience acquired with intensive BFM type treatment.