Cancer research
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Comparative Study Historical Article
Funding impact of the National Cancer Act and beyond.
During the seven years following passage of the National Cancer Act of 1971, the appropriation for the National Cancer Institute (NCI) was increased by nearly $700 million. A major effect of the Act has been increased funding for grants-in-aid, which rose from $93 million in fiscal year (FY) 1970 to over $416 million in FY 1978. Grants programs account for over 60% of the total N. ⋯ Although the number of grant awards has decreased, young investigators (35 years old or younger) continued to receiving a significant share of NCI funds, and, in fact, are faring better than older investigators in terms of recommendation, previously referred to as "approval," and award rates. Awards to foreign scientists increased steadily after the Act, achieving their greatest dollar increase ever in FY 1977; in FY 1978, however, they declined by more than 6%. As part of the NCI reorganization plan instituted by NCI Director Arthur C...
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The chemotherapeutic effects of 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON) and N-[N-gamma-glutamyl-6-diazo-5-oxo-norleucinyl]6-diazo-5-oxo-norleucine (azotomycin) were evaluated in a spectrum of transplantable experimental tumor systems including xenografts of human tumors in athymic mice. Both drugs displayed remarkable activity against the murine leukemia L1210 and P388, the Colon Tumors C26 and C38 and the CD8F1 mammary tumor. No significant activity was observed against Lewis lung carcinoma, B16 carcinoma, B16 melanoma, and intracranial ependymoblastoma. ⋯ With the exception of one colon xenograft (CX-1), all tumor lines were markedly responsive to both drugs. Tumor regressions below the initial tumor sizes of 100 to 300 mg, albeit temporary, were brought about by one course of treatment every 4 days for 3 doses (at optimal dose) with either drug. Although these drugs have been tested previously in the clinic and have shown only limited therapeutic effectiveness, they seem to worthy of a second and closer look in light of the recent laboratory results.
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Comparative Study
Adequacies and inadequacies in assessing murine toxicity data with antineoplastic agents.
Previous retrospective analyses have suggested a very positive correlation in toxic doses of antineoplastic agents between mice and humans. Additional toxicological information has now been accumulated and reveals a noticeable variability in the existing data base. Nevertheless, it is likely that mouse toxicological studies will become a principal determinant for estimating initial doses to be used in humans. Recognition of the factors responsible for differences in determinations of toxic dose levels in mice will enhance the proper utilization of this approach.
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Case Reports Comparative Study
Discrepancies between in vivo and in vitro effects of glucorticoids in myelomonocytic leukemic cells with steroid receptors.
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Brain-associated antigens have been detected on human and mouse thymocytes. Also, murine neuroblasts and brain cells have common antigens. In this study we compared the reactivity of rabbit anti-human brain (HB) serum with neoplastic neuroblasts and normal and neoplastic lymphoid cells. ⋯ We conclude that human neuroblastoma cells possess cell-surface antigens that are present on HB. These antigens appear to be species specific and are not present on normal or malignant thymic cells. Conversely, thymus-associated antigens are not expressed on neuroblasts.