The specialty of gynecologic oncology as perceived by the public

Citations from the Literature

PLACENTA 1992 13/5 (405-416) Placental macrophage cells were kept in a short-term culture and infected with herpes simplex type 2 virus and echovirus type 19. These were observed under optical and electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence, virus titration and autoradiographic technique were used to determine if the virus was replicating in the system. The results showed that the placental phagocytic cells do not allow virus growth and that the virus particles are destroyed right after virus uptake, within 4 h postinfection. The increase of lipid bodies and other cellular alterations suggested the intensive action of these cells against viruses. Insemination of HIV-negative HIV-positive partners

women with processed Semen of

Semprini A.E.; Levi-Setti P.; Bozzo M.; Ravizza M.; Taghoretti A.; Sulpizio P.; Albani E.; Oneta M.; Pardi G. ITA

LANCET 1992 340/8831 (1317-1319) Many HIV-discordant couples want to have children so much that they are willing to abandon condom-protected sexual intercourse irrespective of the risks. Previous testing in our laboratory showed that gradient centrifugation followed by a swim-up procedure effectively removed HIV-l-infected cells from the semen of HIV-seropositive men. 85 HIV-discordant couples were screened for fertility; 29 women were found suitable for a timed insemination course with the processed semen of their HIV-seropositive partner. None of the inseminated women seroconverted, and 17 pregnancies were achieved in 15 women. All 10 babies born to these mothers remain HIV seronegative. The findings may help in the counselling of such couples and also give them hope of having healthy babies.

ONCOLOGY Tbe specialty of gyneeoIo& oncology as perceived by tbe public

Noumoff J.; Morgan M.; Ring S.; Giuntoli R.; Mikuta J. USA

GYNECOL ONCOL 1992 4711 (48-52) The purpose of this study was to obtain information about the public’s awareness and perception of the discipline of gynecologic oncology. The marketing of cancer care and related services has resulted in substantial funding being allocated to market individual institutions. However, little has been done to educate patients to the fact that there are physicians specifically trained who possess special expertise in the care of specific types of malignancy. The members of The Division of Gynecologic Oncology at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania asked each new patient to complete an anonymous questionnaire hoping to learn more about her prior knowledge of the specialty of gynecologic oncology and her perceptions of our discipline. Presented is the analysis of the answers provided by the 200 participants. The conclusion is that the public in general is poorly informed of gynecologic oncology as a specialty and consequently may not be taking advantage of optimal cancer care already available. Thus, as a

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specialty we must institute programs to educate and enlighten patients. Novel immunologic strategies in ovarian carcinoma

Freedman R.S.; Ioannides C.G.; Mathioudakis G.; Platsoucas CD. USA

AM J OBSTET GYNECOL 1992 167/5 (1470-1478) The purpose of our study was to develop new biologic systems for the treatment or diagnosis of patients with ovarian carcinoma through expansion of T-cell lines from the tumorinfiltrating lymphocytes of patients with ovarian carcinoma in low-dose recombinant interleukin-2 in sufficient numbers for treatment and human monoclonal antibodies that recognize cell-surface tumor-associated antigen determinants on ovarian carcinoma cells. Technologic advances in tumor immunology and new data presented in relation to ovarian carcinoma were used to develop T-cell lines for the treatment of advanced ovarian carcinoma patients. Logarithmic expansion of T-cell lines was performed in a hollow-fiber bioreactor, and a pilot clinical trial was initiated to treat ovarian carcinoma patients with intraperitoneal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes plus low-dose recombinant interleukin-2. Human hybridomas were produced by fusion of regional lymph node B cells with a heteromyeloma cell line SPATZ 4. Two ovarian carcinoma patients have been treated with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes expanded to 1 x 10” to 1 x 10” with manageable side effects and evidence of biologic activity. Human monoclonal antibodies have been developed that recognize tumor-associated antigen determinants. Recombinant interleukin-2-expanded tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and human monoclonal antibodies recognize different molecular entities on tumor cells and act by different mechanisms. These approaches may be complementary to one another in future treatment strategies for ovarian carcinoma. Biochemical and immunobistocbemical estrogen and progesterone receptors in adenomatous byperplasia and endometrial carcinoma: Correlations with stage and other clinicopathologic features

Nyholm H.C.J.; Nielsen A.L.; Lyndrup J.; Norup P.: Thorpe SM. DNK

AM J OBSTET GYNECOL 1992 167/5 (1334-1342) Objective: This study investigates chnicopathologic associations of estrogen and progesterone receptor content in endometrial carcinoma. Study design: One hundred fifty-two patients with endometrial cancer and 12 with adenomatous hyperplasia were included. Dextran-coated charcoal receptor assay and immunohistochemical analysis were used. The immunohistochemical analysis receptor content was estimated semiquantitatively by a total and a cancer immunohistochemical histologic score. Multiple regression analysis was used in testing independence of established correlations. Results: Estrogen and progesterone receptor dextran-coated charcoal values and immunohistochemical histologic scores correlated inversely (P < 0.001) with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics grade of tumor. An inverse correlation (P < 0.0001) between clinical stage and dextran-coated char-

Int J Gynecol Obstet 42