Peter Clifford

CLONAL ORIGIN FOR INDIVIDUAL BURKTTT TUMOURS

Abstract The glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G.-6-P.D.) types of normal and malignant tissues were determined in seven patients with Burkitts lymphoma who were heterozygous at the G.-6-P.D. locus. Two enzyme types were observed in normal tissues, but only one type was found in each of 12 tumours. In one patient 4 distinct tumours were found to have the same single enzyme type. These observations are consistent with the suggestion that individual Burkitts tumours, and perhaps the entire disease process, has a clonal origin.

SURFACE IgM SPECIFICITY ON CELLS DERIVED FROM A BURKITT'S LYMPHOMA

Abstract Burkitts lymphoma biopsy specimens from a 16-year-old African were found to differ from more than forty previously tested biopsy specimens from patients with this disease. Direct immunofluorescence detected a surface accumulation of IgM on living lymphoma cells, with a light-chain specificity. Anti-IgM or anti-light-chain sera killed the cells in the presence of complement even in high dilutions. Surface IgM specificity was maintained in three derived cell lines, grown in suspension for more than 4 months in vitro.

Studies of burkitt lymphoma cells. I. Establishment of a cell line (B35M) and its characteristics

A line of Burkitt lymphoma cells derived from a patient in Kenya, Africa, has been established in vitro. This cell line, designated B35M, consists of primitive lymphoblasts, and is similar to all lines of Burkitt lymphoma cells established previously by others. The doubling time of B35M cells in suspension culture is approximately 21 hours. The cells continuously synthesize human immunoglobulins. B35M cells harbor virus‐like particles that are indistinguishable by electron microscopy from those found in other lines of Burkitt lymphoma cells but attempts to identify the particles in B35M cells have been unsuccessful. The exact relationship of these particles to the host Burkitt Jymphoma cells is as yet undetermined.

INCREASE IN ANTIBODY TITER AGAINST THE EBV-ASSOCIATED MEMBRANE ANTIGEN COMPLEX IN BURKITT'S LYMPHOMA AND NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA AFTER LOCAL IRRADIATION.

Sera of 2 African patients with Burkitts lymphoma and 3 with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were examined for antibodies against the EBV‐associated membrane antigen complex by titrating their blocking activity against an FITC‐conjugated reference immunoglobulin (F‐Mutua)derived from a case of Burkitts lymphoma in long‐term remission. The sera were tested beforeat the terminationand 6‐9 weeks after applying local radiotherapy to the tumor. Burkitt lymphoma‐derivedEBV‐carrying lymphoblastoid cell lines were used as target cells. Three patients with other tumors receiving radiotherapy served as controls (a case of Hodgkins diseaselaryngeal carcinoma and lymphosarcomarespectively). Six to 9 weeks after irradiation of the tumorthere was a significant increase in the titer of membrane‐reactive antibodiesin both cases of Burkitts lymphomaand in all 3 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinomabut not in the “control” tumors.

Nitrogen Mustard Therapy with Aortic Occlusion in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

a supply of phisohex; to Messrs. Hough-Hoseason for supplies of ster-zac liquid soap and tegolan emulsion; to Mr. J. W. Hadgraft, of the Royal Free Hospital, for a supply of compound hexachlorophane cream; to British Drug Houses for a supply of dichlorophene; to Pearsons Antiseptic Company Limited for supplies of hycolin cream and liquid soap; to Willows Francis Limited for supplies of steriloderm and steriloderm forte; to Berk Pharmaceuticals Limited for a supply of betadine surgical scrub; and to Mrs. M. Kilner for secretarial assistance.

PLASMA-LEVELS OF THE SULPHATE ESTERS OF DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE AND ANDROSTERONE IN KENYAN MEN AND THEIR RELATION TO CANCER OF THE NASOPHARYNX

Abstract Plasma dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate and androsterone-sulphate levels were determined in 40 Kenyan men. These levels were not correlated with age and were lower than those found in British men. Kenyans with nasopharyngeal cancers had significantly lower levels of plasma-dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate than control Kenyans, although androsterone-sulphate levels were similar.

Radiation Therapy of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in East Africa

Results of irradiation, 1 to 3 years after treatment, are presented in 64 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in East Africans. Two types of anatomic point indices are presented. Both correlate well with the results. Prophylactic irradiation of the mediastinum and both axillae was not followed by any evident improvement of the results.