Cellular immunity to transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. III. Effects of hydrostatic pressure therapy

Abstract

The effects of hydrostatic pressure therapy on in vitro cellular cytotoxicity responses have been studied in 19 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCC). Cytotoxicity was quantitated against allogeneic targets in a microplate assay or by 51chromium isotope release. Two types of reactivity were detected, the most common being a differential cytotoxicity for targets derived from TCC, in either short-term or long-term tissue culture. This reaction is operationally termed "tumor-specific". Less frequently, a general cytotoxicity for targets of diverse histogenic origins was observed. For the present, this is termed "non-specific". Nine patients were tested before pressure therapy and of these only two gave a specific reaction and one a non-specific reaction, while six were non-reactive. Eighteen patients were tested at varying intervals after treatment and of these 11 gave a specific reaction and one a non-specific effect, while six were non-reactive. Three individuals who were non-reactive prior to therapy had a specific reaction post therapy. Two who reacted specifically before therapy became non-reactive post therapy. The results of serial in vitro testing for cytotoxicity are presented with individual case histories, tumor staging and grading and the clinical outcome of hydrostatic pressure therapy.

A 51chromium isotope release assay for detecting cytotoxicity to human bladder carcinoma

“…Method 1. The method was as described previously (O'Toole et al, 1975); defibrinated blood was mixed with 3 % gelatin solution in a 3:l v/v ratio (gelatin was kindly provided by P. Leiner, Tree Forest, Glamorgan, Wales). Erythrocytes were sedimented during incubation for 1 h at 37" C. The leukocyteplasma supernatant was transferred to a nylon fiber column (1 g nylon for 30 ml blood) and incubated for 30 min at 37" C in air f5 % C o t .…”