myelin-basic-protein and Rectal-Neoplasms

A case of leukoencephalopathy induced by tegafur, an antineoplastic derivative of 5-FU, is reported. The patient received 600 mg of tegafur p.o. for 16 days before excision of rectal cancer. After the operation, gait disturbance and mental abnormalities appeared. He became akinetic and mute within a few days following readministration of tegafur. Serial studies of brain CT, somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) were made, and myelin basic proteins (MBP) in the cerebrospinal fluid were measured. The level of MBP was about twice the normal value and the central conduction time (CCT) of SEP was prolonged at admission. The value of MBP and CCT improved with recovery from akinetic mutism.

Topics: Akinetic Mutism; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; Humans; Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal; Male; Middle Aged; Myelin Basic Protein; Neural Conduction; Rectal Neoplasms; Tegafur

The macrophage electrophoretic mobility (MEM) test was performed on guinea-pig macrophages treated with the interaction products of encephalitogenic protein and peripheral lymphocytes from 44 patients with colorectal cancer and 33 "healthy" controls. In 54/60 tests involving patients, statistically significant reductions in electrophoretic mobilities were observed, compared with 12/33 in controls. Our overall results on the reductions in macrophage mobilities by lymphocyte products are in accord with the work of some other workers, but not all. In contrast to many other studies, the standard procedures used here to express the results should permit an exchange of data on an international basis and allow a more rapid, general appraisal of the MEM test.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Animals; Cell Movement; Colonic Neoplasms; Electrophoresis; Female; Guinea Pigs; Humans; Lymphocytes; Macrophages; Male; Middle Aged; Myelin Basic Protein; Neoplasm Metastasis; Rectal Neoplasms