muramidase and Breast-Neoplasms

Topics: Adult; alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Acinar Cell; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Mucin-1; Muramidase; S100 Proteins; Time Factors

Clinical, light microscopic, electron microscopic and immunocytochemical features of 4 cases (3 women and 1 man) of primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the breast are presented. The literature is reviewed and the diagnosis and treatment discussed. The good outcome is stressed and local excision or simple mastectomy recommended as appropriate treatment.

Topics: Aged; alpha 1-Antitrypsin; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous; Humans; Lymph Node Excision; Male; Mastectomy, Simple; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local

Topics: Animals; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Galactosyltransferases; Genitalia, Male; Humans; Lactalbumin; Male; Milk Proteins; Muramidase; Protein Conformation; Species Specificity

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Bone Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms; Drug Tolerance; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Granulocytes; Hematopoiesis; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Leukemia; Lymphoma; Muramidase; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasms

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; alpha-Fetoproteins; Antigens, Neoplasm; Blood Proteins; Breast Neoplasms; Calcitonin; Carcinoembryonic Antigen; Chorionic Gonadotropin; Clinical Enzyme Tests; Female; Humans; Isoenzymes; Male; Milk Proteins; Molecular Weight; Muramidase; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasms; Nucleosides; Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; Polyamines; Procollagen-Proline Dioxygenase; Sialyltransferases

Topics: Animals; Binding Sites; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Aggregation; Cell Movement; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Female; Humans; Iatrogenic Disease; Immunity; Immunoglobulin G; Immunosuppression Therapy; Lectins; Lymphocyte Activation; Macrophages; Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental; Muramidase; Neoplasms; Protein Binding; Rats; T-Lymphocytes; Thymus Gland

Nanoassembly (NA) based on a D-α-tocopherol succinate (αTS) conjugated lysozyme (Lys) (Lys-αTS) was fabricated for tumor-selective delivery of curcumin (CUR) for breast cancer therapy. Lys and αTS were used as a biocompatible enzyme and a hydrophobic residue, respectively, for the preparation of nanocarriers in this study. Compared with CUR-loaded cross-linked Lys (c-Lys/CUR) NA, Lys-αTS/CUR NA exhibited a smaller hydrodynamic size (213 nm mean diameter), a narrower size distribution, and a more spherical shape. Sustained drug release was observed from the Lys-αTS/CUR NA for five days at a normal physiological pH (pH 7.4). The developed Lys-αTS/CUR NA showed enhanced cellular accumulation, antiproliferative effects, and apoptotic efficacies in MDA-MB-231 human breast adenocarcinoma cells. According to the results of optical imaging test in the MDA-MB-231 tumor-bearing mouse models, the Lys-αTS/CUR NA-injected group exhibited a more tumor-selective accumulation pattern, rather than being distributed in the normal tissues and organs. The observed tumor targetability of Lys-αTS/CUR was further studied, which revealed improved in vivo anticancer activities (better inhibition of tumor growth and induction of apoptosis in the tumor tissue) after an intravenous administration in the MDA-MB-231 tumor-bearing mouse models. All these results indicate that the newly developed enzyme-based nanocarrier, the Lys-αTS NA, can be a promising candidate for the therapy of breast cancers.

Topics: alpha-Tocopherol; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Breast Neoplasms; Chickens; Curcumin; Female; Humans; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; Muramidase; Nanoparticles; Optical Imaging; Tumor Burden; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) capped with lysozymes are used to deliver the anticancer drug doxorubicin to cancer and noncancer cells. Doxorubicin-loaded AuNCs cause the highly selective and efficient killing (90 %) of breast cancer cells (MCF7) (IC50 =155 nm). In contrast, the killing of the noncancer breast cells (MCF10A) by doxorubicin-loaded AuNCs is only 40 % (IC50 =4500 nm). By using a confocal microscope, the fluorescence spectrum and decay of the AuNCs were recorded inside the cell. The fluorescence maxima (at ≈490-515 nm) and lifetime (≈2 ns), of the AuNCs inside the cells correspond to Au10-13 . The intracellular release of doxorubicin from AuNCs is monitored by Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Proliferation; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Doxorubicin; Drug Delivery Systems; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Epithelial Cells; Female; Fluorescence; Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; Gold; Humans; MCF-7 Cells; Metal Nanoparticles; Microscopy, Confocal; Muramidase; Structure-Activity Relationship

Chemotherapy side effects have long been a matter of great concern. Here we describe a structurally stable self-assembled nanostructured lysozyme (snLYZ) synthesized using a simple desolvation technique that exhibited anticancer activity, as well as excellent hemocompatibility. Field emission scanning electron microscopy; atomic force microscopy and dynamic particle size analyzer were used for analyzing the synthesized snLYZ. The analysis revealed spherical shape with an average size of 300 nm. Circular dichroism and tryptophan fluorescence spectroscopic analysis revealed its gross change in secondary as well as the tertiary level of the structure. snLYZ also demonstrated excellent structural as well as the functional stability of LYZ in a wide range of pH and temperature with a fair level of protection against proteinase K digestion. When applied to MCF-7 breast cancer cells, it exhibited approximately 95% cell death within 24h, involving a reactive oxygen species (ROS) based mechanism, and showed excellent hemocompatibility. Fluorescence microscopy imaging revealed distinct cellular internalization of snLYZ and the formation of cytoplasmic granules, which initiated a cell-killing process through membrane damage. In order to mimic targeted therapy, we tagged folic acid with snLYZ, which further enhanced cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells. Therefore, this is the first report of its kind where we demonstrated the preparation of a highly stable self-assembled nanostructured lysozyme with a strong anti-proliferative activity against breast cancer cells.

Topics: 3T3 Cells; Animals; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Line; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Chickens; Circular Dichroism; Egg White; Enzyme Stability; Female; Hemolysis; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; MCF-7 Cells; Mice; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Muramidase; Nanostructures; Reactive Oxygen Species; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Temperature

One water-soluble polysaccharide (PCPw) was isolated and purified from the roots of Pulsatilla chinensis by DEAE cellulose-52 and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography, and its antitumor activity was evaluated on 4T1 tumor-bearing mice through transplantable animal tumor. After 10 days of PCPw (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) treatment once daily in tumor-bearing mice, PCPw oral administration could not only significantly inhibit the growth of transplantable 4T1 tumor in mice but also promote concanavalin A (Con A), lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated splenocytes proliferation, the serum lysozyme level and 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions, especially at the dose of 100 mg/kg. Meanwhile, significant improvements in peripheral blood abnormality and anemia were observed in PCPw-treated group. These results suggested that PCPw could improve both cellular and humoral immune response and might be explored as a potential natural antitumor drug.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Concanavalin A; Dinitrofluorobenzene; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Delayed; Lipopolysaccharides; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Muramidase; Polysaccharides; Pulsatilla; Spleen; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Estimation of cytostatics influence used in breast cancer treatment on lysozyme activity in human tears depend on time of treatment.. 8 women were treated at the base of chemotherapy schema: docetaxel with doxorubicin and 4 women treated with schema CMF: cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil. Lysozyme activity in tears was assessed by measurement of diameter zone of Micrococcus lysodeicticus growth inhibition.. It was revealed that both chemotherapy schema caused statistically significant reduction of diameter zone of M. lysodeicticus growth inhibition, after first and second course of chemotherapy treatment. After second chemotherapy course CMF schema induced loss of lysozyme activity in patient's tears (zero mm of M. lysodeicticus diameter zone growth inhibition).. Systemic chemotherapy administered in breast cancer induce reduction of lysozyme activity in tears, that may cause higher morbidity of ocular surface infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria.

Topics: Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Breast Neoplasms; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Eye Infections, Bacterial; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Tears

In situ forming chitosan hydrogels have been prepared via coupled ionic and covalent cross-linking. Thus, different amounts of genipin (0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20% (w/w)), used as a chemical cross-linker, were added to a solution of chitosan that was previously neutralized with a glycerol-phosphate complex (ionic cross-linker). In this way, it was possible to overcome the pH barrier of the chitosan solution, to preserve its thermosensitive character, and to enhance the extent of cross-linking in the matrix simultaneously. To investigate the contributions of the ionic cross-linking and the chemical cross-linking, separately, we prepared the hydrogels without the addition of either genipin or the glycerol-phosphate complex. The addition of genipin to the neutralized solution disturbs the ionic cross-linking process and the chemical cross-linking becomes the dominant process. Moreover, the genipin concentration was used to modulate the network structure and performance. The more promising formulations were fully characterized, in a hydrated state, with respect to any equilibrium swelling, the development of internal structure, the occurrence of in vitro degradability and cytotoxicity, and the creation of in vivo injectability. Each of the hydrogel systems exhibited a notably high equilibrium water content, arising from the fact that their internal structure (examined by conventional SEM, and environmental SEM) was highly porous with interconnecting pores. The porosity and the pore size distribution were quantified by mercury intrusion porosimetry. Although all gels became degraded in the presence of lysozyme, their degradation rate greatly depended on the genipin load. Through in vitro viability tests, the hydrogel-based formulations were shown to be nontoxic. The in vivo injection of a co-cross-linking formulation revealed that the gel was rapidly formed and localized at the injection site, remaining in position for at least 1 week.

Topics: Animals; Biocompatible Materials; Biodegradation, Environmental; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival; Chitosan; Cross-Linking Reagents; Drug Carriers; Elastic Modulus; Female; Glycerol; Hydrogels; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Ions; Iridoid Glycosides; Iridoids; Male; Mice; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Muramidase; Porosity; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

CTCF is a widely expressed 11-zinc finger (ZF) transcription factor that is involved in different aspects of gene regulation including promoter activation or repression, hormone-responsive gene silencing, methylation-dependent chromatin insulation, and genomic imprinting. Because CTCF targets include oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, we screened over 100 human tumor samples for mutations that might disrupt CTCF activity. We did not observe any CTCF mutations leading to truncations/premature stops. Rather, in breast, prostate, and Wilms' tumors, we observed four different CTCF somatic missense mutations involving amino acids within the ZF domain. Each ZF mutation abrogated CTCF binding to a subset of target sites within the promoters/insulators of certain genes involved in regulating cell proliferation but did not alter binding to the regulatory sequences of other genes. These observations suggest that CTCF may represent a novel tumor suppressor gene that displays tumor-specific "change of function" rather than complete "loss of function."

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Base Sequence; Breast Neoplasms; CCCTC-Binding Factor; Cell Cycle Proteins; DNA-Binding Proteins; DNA, Neoplasm; Female; Genes, Tumor Suppressor; Globins; Humans; Male; Molecular Sequence Data; Muramidase; Mutation, Missense; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Prostatic Neoplasms; Protein Conformation; Repressor Proteins; Substrate Specificity; Transcription Factors; Wilms Tumor; Zinc Fingers

Acinic cell-like breast carcinoma is a newly recognized entity, and few acinic cell-like breast carcinoma cases have been reported. All reported acinic cell-like breast carcinomas were counterparts of the solid type of acinic cell carcinoma of the salivary gland. We report here three cases of secretory breast carcinoma with acinic cell differentiation, and discuss the similarity between secretory breast carcinoma and acinic cell carcinoma of the salivary gland.. The cases were histologically identical to acinic cell carcinoma of the salivary gland: papillary-cystic type in case 1, a mixture of papillary-cystic, microcystic and follicular type in case 2, and microfollicular type in case 3. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells were positive for salivary-type amylase, lysozyme, S100 protein and alpha 1-antitrypsin, and negative or less reactive for gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 and oestrogen receptor. All three cases did not reveal metastasis or recurrence.. These cases were typical of secretory breast carcinoma, and were clinically, histologically and immunohistochemically analogous to acinic cell carcinoma of the salivary gland. We emphasize that secretory breast carcinoma and acinic cell carcinoma of the salivary gland may be identical lesions.

Topics: Adult; alpha 1-Antitrypsin; Amylases; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Carcinoma, Acinar Cell; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunohistochemistry; Middle Aged; Muramidase; S100 Proteins; Salivary Gland Neoplasms

Here we evaluate the expression and prognostic value of lysozyme, a milk protein that is also synthesized by a significant percentage of breast carcinomas, in women with breast cancer.. Lysozyme expression was examined by immunohistochemical methods in a series of 177 breast cancer tissue sections. Staining was quantified by using the HSCORE system, which considers both the intensity and the percentage of cells staining at each intensity. The prognostic value of lysozyme was retrospectively evaluated by multivariate analysis that took into account conventional prognostic factors.. A total of 126 of 177 carcinomas (69.4%) stained positive for this protein, but there were clear differences among them with regard to the intensity and percentage of stained cells. Lysozyme values were higher in well-differentiated and moderately differentiated tumors than in poorly differentiated tumors (P < .05). Similarly, lysozyme levels were higher in small and node-negative tumors than in large and node-positive tumors (P < .05). Moreover, results indicated that low lysozyme content predicted shorter relapse-free survival and overall survival (P < .005). Separate Cox multivariate analysis in subgroups of patients as defined by node status showed that lysozyme expression was an independent prognostic factor able to predict both relapse-free survival and overall survival in node-negative patients (P < .05).. Tumoral expression of lysozyme is associated with lesions of favorable evolution in breast cancer. This milk protein may be a new prognostic factor in patients with breast cancer.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analysis of Variance; Biomarkers, Tumor; Biopsy, Needle; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lymphatic Metastasis; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Muramidase; Probability; Prognosis; Proportional Hazards Models; Retrospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Survival Analysis

The clinicopathological features of six cases of breast carcinomas showing features of acinic cell differentiation, which are similar to those seen in homologous tumors of salivary glands, are presented. The patients, all women, were 35-80 years of age. One case recurred after 4 years, and in two cases axillary lymph node metastases were found at the time of surgery. Histologically the tumors showed a microglandular pattern merging with solid areas. Cytologically, immunohistochemically, and ultrastructurally the tumors were very similar to cases of acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland. The differential diagnostic criteria with microglandular adenosis and carcinomas showing granular cytoplasm are discussed. It seems that acinic cell carcinomas of the breast have to be added to the long list of tumors that affect the salivary glands and can also arise in the breast.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin; Amylases; Axilla; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Acinar Cell; Cytoplasm; Cytoplasmic Granules; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lymphatic Metastasis; Middle Aged; Mucin-1; Muramidase; S100 Proteins

We have previously demonstrated that class II-transfected tumor cells are very effective immunogens that protect against wild-type primary and metastatic tumor and, if supertransfected with genes encoding co-stimulatory molecules, are immunotherapeutic agents that successfully treat mice with established solid tumor. These results are consistent with our hypothesis that the class II-transfected tumor cells act as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that directly activate tumor-specific CD4+ T cells; however, direct data supporting this hypothesis are lacking. In the present study, we test this hypothesis using class II-transfected tumor cells supertransfected with the hen egg lysozyme gene as a surrogate tumor antigen. In vitro antigen presentation assays demonstrate that class II-transfected tumor cells present to CD4+ T cells endogenously encoded tumor antigen, provided they do not co-express the class II-associated invariant chain. In vivo experiments using genetically marked tumor cells and host APCs demonstrate that both class II-transfected tumor cells and host cells are APCs for tumor-encoded antigens, although tumor cells appear to dominate the response. These results support the hypothesis that the immunogenicity and therapeutic value of class II-transfected tumor cells stem from their ability to function as APCs for tumor-encoded antigens and directly activate tumor-specific CD4+ T lymphocytes.

Topics: Animals; Antigen-Presenting Cells; Antigens, Neoplasm; Breast Neoplasms; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Gene Expression; H-2 Antigens; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; HLA-DR Antigens; Humans; Immunization; Melanoma; Mice; Mice, Inbred A; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Muramidase; Sarcoma, Experimental; Transfection; Tumor Cells, Cultured

A case of infiltrating carcinoma of the breast with features similar to those seen in acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland is described in a 42-year-old woman. The neoplastic cells were immunoreactive with anti-lysozyme- and anti-salivary-type amylase antisera and contained electron-dense cytoplasmic globules similar to those seen in acinic cell carcinoma of salivary glands. One lymph node out of 18 was found to contain a metastatic deposit. The patient is alive and well 1 year after mastectomy. This appears to be the first case of carcinoma with acinic cell-like features reported in the breast.

Topics: Adult; Amylases; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Acinar Cell; Female; Humans; Immune Sera; Immunohistochemistry; Lymph Nodes; Microscopy, Electron; Muramidase; Parotid Neoplasms

Elastosis associated with invasive ductal and lobular carcinomas of the breast was examined by tinctorial and immunohistochemical staining methods, enzyme digestion, and electron microscopy. The elastotic material exhibited the tinctorial staining properties of elastic fibres, and the ultrastructural appearances were those of elastic fibres although there was a higher proportion of microfibrils than in normal mature elastic fibres. The elastosis was immunostained by antisera to human fetal elastin, lysozyme and amyloid P component, as in other sites where elastic fibres are found. These findings indicate that immunohistochemically intact elastic fibres are present in the elastosis of breast cancer. They also demonstrate that lysozyme and amyloid P component are co-distributed with elastic fibres in elastosis of breast carcinoma, as distinct components with different susceptibilities to enzyme digestion. The cellular origin of elastosis in breast carcinoma remains uncertain.

Topics: Actin Cytoskeleton; Adult; Aged; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating; Elastic Tissue; Elastin; Female; Humans; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Serum Amyloid P-Component

Monocyte migration, lysozyme production and phagocytosis was studied in 34 patients with fibroadenosis, 28 patients with fibroadenoma and 48 healthy female controls. In patients with fibroadenosis and fibroadenoma, monocyte migration and phagocytic activity were significantly reduced when compared to controls (P less than 0.001). Conversely, lysozyme production by monocytes from patients with benign breast disease was significantly higher than in controls (P less than 0.001). In 20 patients with benign breast disease, there was no significant difference in monocyte function before and 3 months after operation. The observed impairment of monocyte function in fibroadenosis and fibroadenoma would not appear to be the result of abnormal blood biochemistry or due to a direct serum inhibitor, but is probably related to an intrinsic cellular defect. Further studies are required to evaluate the significance of impaired monocyte function in the pathophysiology of benign breast disease.

Topics: Adenofibroma; Adolescent; Adult; Breast Diseases; Breast Neoplasms; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Female; Fibrocystic Breast Disease; Humans; Middle Aged; Monocytes; Muramidase; Phagocytosis

Migration, phagocytosis and lysozyme production of peripheral monocytes from 36 patients with breast carcinoma was compared with a group of 36 healthy controls. A significant reduction in monocyte random migration and migration towards a chemotactic agent (P less than 0.001) was observed in patients with breast cancer. Furthermore monocyte phagocytic activity was also significantly decreased (P less than 0.001) in breast cancer patients compared to the controls. In contrast lysozyme production by peripheral monocytes was significantly increased in patients with breast cancer compared to controls (P less than 0.001). The changes in monocyte function in patients with breast carcinoma were not due to abnormal blood biochemistry or to direct continuous serum inhibitors, suggesting that the defect may be intrinsic. This defect in monocyte function may play an important role in the control of malignancies by cellular immune processes.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Movement; Female; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Middle Aged; Monocytes; Muramidase; Phagocytosis

Cell suspensions from 16 tumour-free axillary lymph nodes from breast cancer patients were prepared, using collagenase digestion to free the sinus histiocytes from the fibrous stroma of the nodes. The histiocytic cells so obtained were then characterized using four surface markers: Fc(IgG) receptors, C3 receptors, DR antigen and a macrophage-associated antigen (defined by the monoclonal antibody VEP-7). In addition phagocytosis was assessed using IgG-coated red cells, and both lysozyme and alpha-1-antitrypsin were localized by means of immunoperoxidase staining. The results demonstrated that the majority of sinus histiocytes carried surface macrophage markers, but that a minority displayed phagocytosis and the presence of lysozyme or alpha-1-antitrypsin.

Topics: alpha 1-Antitrypsin; Antigens, Surface; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Histiocytes; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; HLA-DR Antigens; Humans; Lymph Nodes; Macrophage-1 Antigen; Macrophages; Muramidase; Phagocytosis; Receptors, Complement; Receptors, Fc

Antibodies to alpha-elastin peptides, amyloid P component, lysozyme and plasma protease inhibitors have been used in an immunoperoxidase method to stain elastic fibres in frozen sections of human breast tissues. A loss of immunoreactivity seen in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections was reversed by a preliminary proteolysis. Differences in the tinctorial dye and immunohistochemical staining patterns following proteolysis by a variety of enzymes suggests a selective unmasking or removal of elastic fibre components and thus the presence of separate binding sites for individual antibodies and tinctorial dyes. Antibody blocking experiments and double immunoenzymatic labelling support the existence of several different epitopes within elastic fibres.

Topics: Amyloid; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating; Coloring Agents; Elastic Tissue; Elastin; Female; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Muramidase; Peptide Hydrolases; Protease Inhibitors; Serum Amyloid P-Component; Staining and Labeling

Topics: Adult; Aged; alpha 1-Antitrypsin; Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Fibroma; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Immunoglobulins; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Panniculitis, Nodular Nonsuppurative

In 37 patients with breast cancer, lysozyme activity in undiluted and diluted sera was determined. Blood was collected from peripheral vein before surgical intervention, during surgery from vein draining when radiotherapy was finished. In parallel experiments the lysozyme activity was tested in peripheral blood of 40 healthy persons. Increased lysozyme activity both in undiluted and diluted sera was observed and radiotherapy did not change the activity of the tested enzyme.

Topics: Adult; Breast Neoplasms; Combined Modality Therapy; Female; Humans; Mastectomy; Muramidase; Neoplasm Staging; Reference Values; Time Factors

The lysozyme content of tumor-infiltrating macrophages (TIM) from human breast carcinomas has been compared with that of blood monocytes both from breast cancer patients and tumor-free controls. Cells were identified as macrophages or monocytes with the use of rosetting reactions to detect receptors for the Fc portion of IgG and differentiation antigens, and lysozyme was detected by an immunoperoxidase technique on cytocentrifuge preparations of rosetted cells. Significantly more monocytes from patients with breast cancer contained lysozyme than monocytes from comparable controls, suggesting the presence of activated circulating blood monocytes. Conversely, TIM were virtually devoid of lysozyme. This lack of enzyme was not due to methodologic factors and may represent defective antitumor activity.

Topics: Antigens, Surface; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Membrane; Female; Humans; Macrophage Activation; Macrophages; Microbial Collagenase; Monocytes; Muramidase; Receptors, Fc; Rosette Formation

Topics: alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin; alpha 1-Antitrypsin; Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Chymotrypsin; Epithelium; Female; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Muramidase; Protease Inhibitors

67 patients with mammary carcinoma were submitted to an immunological control examination. This control comprised 14 tests which determined the efficacy of the immune systems, among others: activity of complement, properdin, lysozyme, and beta-lysin, the rate of immunoglobulins, and the behavior of leucergy, rosette tests, NBT, BLT, and tuberculin test. The thoroughly executed examinations did not show any significant difference between patients with active neoplasms and patients in remission stage. The analysis of the results achieved for patients in an advanced stage (TNM) only showed a significant increase (p less than 0.05) of IgG in stage III/IV. The patients were treated with CVF, levamisole (Decaris), and BCG. The observation period was twelve months. The results achieved were discussed in detail.

Topics: Adult; BCG Vaccine; Breast Neoplasms; Complement System Proteins; Cyclophosphamide; Female; Fluorouracil; Humans; Immunization; Immunoglobulins; Levamisole; Lysine; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Properdin; Vincristine

Topics: alpha-Glucosidases; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; beta 2-Microglobulin; Biomarkers; Breast Neoplasms; Cyclophosphamide; Doxorubicin; Female; Humans; Kidney Diseases; Kidney Function Tests; Kidney Tubules; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Muramidase; Neoplasm Proteins; Predictive Value of Tests; Prednisone; Sensitivity and Specificity; Vincristine

Breast carcinoma with multinucleated reactive stromal giant cells is a rare histological type. The number of published cases, to which we add two new cases, is too small for it to be possible to reach a conclusion as to whether this type of complaint, for which the authors put forward morphological criteria, should or should not be considered as an anatomoclinical entity. The diagnosis can be made as soon as cytological examination has shown a large number of multinucleated giant cells associated with carcinomatous cells. Ultrastructural study confirms the macrophagic origin of the giant cells but does not show any macrophagic activity.

Topics: alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Chymotrypsin; Female; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Middle Aged; Muramidase

The chicken lysozyme gene was inserted into an SV40-based plasmid vector, and the recombinants were transfected into the human cell lines HeLa and MCF-7. Correct and efficient transient expression directed by the lysozyme promoter was found in both of these cell lines, as determined by S1 nuclease mapping and Northern blot analysis of the RNAs made. SV40 sequences dramatically enhance the expression of the lysozyme gene. This enhancing effect is only acting in cis and is distance/orientation dependent, since clones containing the lysozyme gene in either orientation produce different amounts of correct lysozyme transcripts. The transfected lysozyme gene was not induced by steroid hormone treatment of the cells.

Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Cell Line; Cloning, Molecular; DNA Restriction Enzymes; Female; Genes; HeLa Cells; Humans; Kinetics; Muramidase; Plasmids; RNA, Messenger; Simian virus 40; Transcription, Genetic; Transfection

Forty-five human malignant tumours and three benign lesions were stained histochemically for non-specific esterase (NSE) and acid phosphatase (AP), and immunohistochemically for lysozyme. Most of the tumours contained small numbers of lysozyme positive macrophages (LPM), but colonic tumours showed moderate numbers of LPM around the edge of the lesions. Gastric and secondary duodenal tumours (n = 3) contained moderate numbers of intralesional LPM in addition. Most squamous and all mesenchymal tumours contained no lysozyme positive macrophages. The usefulness of the three staining methods was assessed and it was concluded that lysozyme was specific but detected only part of the macrophage population. Neutrophil polymorphs were also stained but could be recognised by nuclear morphology. AP and NSE detected more cells but stained tumour cells as well as macrophages, making these methods of limited use in tumours showing invasion of the stroma by single cells or small groups of cells.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Count; Esterases; Female; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Macrophages; Male; Muramidase; Neoplasms

Serum lysozyme has been demonstrated to be an indicator for macrophage activity in the tumor-bearing host. Therefore, we investigated lysozyme levels in the sera of 336 untreated tumor patients (121 malignant melanoma, 61 lung cancers, 70 cervical cancers, 49 breast cancers and 35 benign breast tumors, and 36 healthy controls). Patients with malignant melanoma and lung cancer had significantly higher lysozyme levels than the healthy controls. Within the clinical stages in melanoma, there was a decrease of lysozyme in stages II and III in comparison to stage I, but still above that of the control values. Patients with benign breast tumors had normal levels, whereas in breast cancer patients of stages I and II there was a significant reduction in the lysozyme levels. In stages III and IV no differences to the control group could be detected. In patients with cervical cancer (FIGO II and III) serum lysozyme levels were found to be within the normal range. From this study it can not be concluded that serum lysozyme reflects the immunological reactivity of the tumor bearer. Nevertheless, the reduced levels in stages I and II of breast cancer might point to an immunological defect.

Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Melanoma; Muramidase; Neoplasms; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Bone Marrow; Bone Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms; Drug Therapy, Combination; Granulocytes; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Muramidase; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasms; Neutrophils

Topics: Bone Marrow; Bone Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Muramidase; Neoplasm Metastasis

Serum lysozyme activity was measured in groups of untreated patients with malignant melanoma, hyperneophroma and breast carcinoma. Significant elevation of serum levels of the enzyme was confined to patients with localized disease. In the presence of metastatic disease such elevation was not detected. The rise in serum lysozyme activity was not due to renal damage or any infective process and in the case of malignant melanoma was shown to be associated with infiltration of the tumour mass by macrophages. In vitro studies demonstrated that the macrophages resident in a tumour mass are responsible for relasing lysozyme in large amounts. It is proposed that the elevation of serum lysozyme in these cases may be an indicator of macrophage-mediated host resistance and that the measurement of macrophage products such as lysozyme in the extracellular fluid may under well defined conditions provide useful clinical information concerning host reactions.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adolescent; Adult; Breast Neoplasms; Cells, Cultured; Humans; Kidney Neoplasms; Macrophages; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Neoplasm Metastasis

Topics: Animals; Breast Neoplasms; Bronchial Neoplasms; Cattle; Cyclophosphamide; Drug Combinations; Female; Glucose; Gold Isotopes; Humans; Hydrazines; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Lactates; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Mannitol; Muramidase; Neoplasm Metastasis; Pancreatic Extracts; Papain; Plant Extracts; Pleural Effusion; Pleural Neoplasms; Podophyllin; Proteins; Radioisotopes; Thymus Extracts; Time Factors