[Specific features of toxicological profile of gemcitabine, an antitumour agent from the group of anti-metabolites].

Gemicitabine (2',2'-difluorodesoxycitidine) is a relatively new medicinal product from the group of anti-metabolites used as the first line therapy of pancreatic cancer, non-pulmonary cancer, and breast cancer. However, analysis of its toxicity spectrum revealed a large number of adverse events associated with the clinical application of this product. This fact is ascribed to the narrow range of therapeutic usages of this cytostatic preparation (from 25 mg/kg to 27 mg/kg). This paper is designed to summarize the available data on hematological, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, and cardiotoxicity of gemcitabine. They may be useful for the improvement of control over gemcitabine toxicity, correction of its dosage regime, and efficacious prevention of the most serious side effects.

Kinetic characteristics of biochemical parameters during consupren therapy after allogenic transplantation of the kidney.

Changes in biochemical and common clinical parameters of the blood were detected in patients treated with consupren (cyclosporin) as the main immunosuppressant after allogenic transplantation of the kidney. Kinetic model for evaluation of treatment adequacy was based on therapeutic drug monitoring and monitoring of blood biochemistry in recipients of the primary kidney transplant. The k1, t1/2, C0, clearance (for hemoglobin), conditioned volume of distribution (for cyclosporin) of processes of biochemical parameters (toxicity markers) stabilization within the framework of a single-part kinetic model were determined.

[Intraoperative infusion-transfusion therapy in pediatric surgical oncology]. / Intraoperatsionnaia infuzionno-transfuzionnaia terapiia pri operatsiiakh v detskoi onkologii.

Modern concept of intraoperative blood loss compensation differs crucially from the old rule to compensate the blood loss by donor blood in the same volume, which is explained by serious risks associated with blood transfusions. The parameters of infusion/transfusion therapy with 6% Infucol GEK are presented. The drug was used with good results in adults and children. Volemic parameters are presented and dynamic changes in the blood clotting system after transfusion of infucol GEK and Russian colloid preparation polygluquine are analyzed. Infucol GEK improved vascular blood filing and decreased the volume of other preparations used for blood loss compensation.

[Growth receptor factor and steroid hormones: their diagnostic value in differential diagnosis of neoplasms in children]. / Informativnost' pokazatelei -- retseptorov faktorov rosta i steroidnykh gormonov -- v differentsial'noi diagnostike onkologicheskikh zabolevanii u detei.

The distribution of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) and receptors for steroid hormones--androgens (RA), estrogens (RE) and glucocorticoids (RG) was studied in malignant (MT) and benign (BT) tumors in children. The distribution and mean levels of some receptors in normal tissues were statistically different from those in MT and BT. The absence of RA and the high levels of RE > 20 fmol/mg protein and RG > 50 fmol/mg protein were typical of MT whereas BT might be characterized by the high levels of EGFR > 300 fmol/mg protein. In MT with and without metastases, the following parameters were significantly different (p < 0.001): RG = 81 and 18 fmol/mg, respectively, and EGFR = 160 and 58 fmol/mg protein, respectively. The most informative parameters for distinguishing BT and MT appeared to be RA (0.086 dit), RE (0.043 dit) and EGFR (0.037 dit). The most sensitive parameter for MT was RG, which, however, is least specific; RA is most specific (75%). The optimal amount of three parameters: RA + RE + EGFR (88.4%) is most exact for differential diagnosis.

[Tyrosine metabolism, antioxidative system and free radical lipid oxidative processes in children with pigmented nevus and melanoma]. / Metabolism tirozina, sostoianie antioksidantnoi sistemy i protsessov svobodnoradikal'nogo okisleniia lipidov u detei, stradaiushchikh pigmentnym nevusom i melanomoi.

The plasma levels of tyrosine and the lipid peroxidation intermediate malonic dialdehyde (MDA) were measured in children with pigmental nevus and melanoma. They were found to have antioxidative protective failure. The presence of pigmental nevus predetermines the high incidence of tyrosine metabolic abnormalities. In children with pigmental nevus and melanoma, there was an impairment in the correlation of the parameters of tyrosine metabolism, the rate of free radical lipid peroxidation processes, and the status of the antioxidative system. The findings suggest that children with pigmental nevus may be referred to as a high cancer risk group and monitoring of these parameters should be recommended at follow-up of pigmental nevi.

[Changes of lipid peroxidation parameters in children being treated for cancer]. / Izmenenie pokazatelei perekisnogo okisleniia lipidov v protsesse lecheniia detei, stradaiushchikh razlichnymi onkologicheskimi zabolevaniiami.

Lipid peroxidation (LP) occurring in pediatric cancer patients receiving polychemotherapy has been investigated. Plasma level of malonic dialdehyde in children with retinoblastoma (Rtb) was found to drop while it remained unchanged in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The treatment caused different changes in the red cell catalase levels in said groups: the enzyme concentration increased in the Rtb patients in the course of therapy and decreased in the ALL group. A slight decline in alpha-tocopherol and retinol levels the Rtb group was matched by a relevant rise in blood-plasma in the ALL group. To adjust LP regulation and improve resistance, antioxidants should be given to pediatric cancer patients suffering peroxidation-related stress.

[Congenital disorders of tyrosine metabolism and their correction in children with tumors]. / Vrozhdennye narusheniia obmena tirozina i ikh korrektsiia pri opukholiakh u detei.

The paper deals with the evaluation of quantitative indexes of urine excretion of tyrosine and its metabolites--highly carcinogenic p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid and homogentisic acid--in infants suffering various tumors and their parents. Also, the effect of ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg body weight daily) on tyrosine metabolism was studied. The sick children and their parents showed increased urine excretion of tyrosine and p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid matched by a decrease in that of homogentisic acid. The said changes suggest inhibition of p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (CE 1.13.11.27). High doses of ascorbic acid were shown to arrest or significantly inhibit the excretion of carcinogenic metabolite of tyrosine in patients with hemoblastoses and nephroblastoma.