Biomaterial Database

Modulation of natural killer cell activity in stage I postmenopausal breast cancer patients on low-dose aminoglutethimide. 1987

J Berry, and B J Green, and D S Matheson

Natural killer (NK) cells are important in surveillance against malignant cells. The activity of NK cells can be modulated by naturally occurring mediators; interferon, interleukin-2, and hormones. Low-dose aminoglutethimide (Ag 250 mg/day) inhibits the peripheral aromatization of androstenedione hence decreasing circulating estrogens. Of ten patients treated, seven were evaluable. There was a statistically significant increase in NK activity (P = 0.0025) following the administration of Ag. There was no consistent shift in NK cell number (Leu-11b positive cells). In vitro Ag did not alter NK activity whereas 17-beta-estradiol did. These data are consistent with an indirect effect of Ag on NK activity. Hence in vivo Ag which causes a reduction in serum estrogens in postmenopausal patients, also induces an increase in NK activity.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007694	Killer Cells, Natural	Bone marrow-derived lymphocytes that possess cytotoxic properties, classically directed against transformed and virus-infected cells. Unlike T CELLS; and B CELLS; NK CELLS are not antigen specific. The cytotoxicity of natural killer cells is determined by the collective signaling of an array of inhibitory and stimulatory CELL SURFACE RECEPTORS. A subset of T-LYMPHOCYTES referred to as NATURAL KILLER T CELLS shares some of the properties of this cell type.	NK Cells,Natural Killer Cells,Cell, NK,Cell, Natural Killer,Cells, NK,Cells, Natural Killer,Killer Cell, Natural,NK Cell,Natural Killer Cell
D008593	Menopause	The last menstrual period. Permanent cessation of menses (MENSTRUATION) is usually defined after 6 to 12 months of AMENORRHEA in a woman over 45 years of age. In the United States, menopause generally occurs in women between 48 and 55 years of age.	Change of Life, Female
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D001943	Breast Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer of the human BREAST.	Breast Cancer,Breast Tumors,Cancer of Breast,Breast Carcinoma,Cancer of the Breast,Human Mammary Carcinoma,Malignant Neoplasm of Breast,Malignant Tumor of Breast,Mammary Cancer,Mammary Carcinoma, Human,Mammary Neoplasm, Human,Mammary Neoplasms, Human,Neoplasms, Breast,Tumors, Breast,Breast Carcinomas,Breast Malignant Neoplasm,Breast Malignant Neoplasms,Breast Malignant Tumor,Breast Malignant Tumors,Breast Neoplasm,Breast Tumor,Cancer, Breast,Cancer, Mammary,Cancers, Mammary,Carcinoma, Breast,Carcinoma, Human Mammary,Carcinomas, Breast,Carcinomas, Human Mammary,Human Mammary Carcinomas,Human Mammary Neoplasm,Human Mammary Neoplasms,Mammary Cancers,Mammary Carcinomas, Human,Neoplasm, Breast,Neoplasm, Human Mammary,Neoplasms, Human Mammary,Tumor, Breast
D002460	Cell Line	Established cell cultures that have the potential to propagate indefinitely.	Cell Lines,Line, Cell,Lines, Cell
D003602	Cytotoxicity, Immunologic	The phenomenon of target cell destruction by immunologically active effector cells. It may be brought about directly by sensitized T-lymphocytes or by lymphoid or myeloid "killer" cells, or it may be mediated by cytotoxic antibody, cytotoxic factor released by lymphoid cells, or complement.	Tumoricidal Activity, Immunologic,Immunologic Cytotoxicity,Immunologic Tumoricidal Activities,Immunologic Tumoricidal Activity,Tumoricidal Activities, Immunologic
D004958	Estradiol	The 17-beta-isomer of estradiol, an aromatized C18 steroid with hydroxyl group at 3-beta- and 17-beta-position. Estradiol-17-beta is the most potent form of mammalian estrogenic steroids.	17 beta-Estradiol,Estradiol-17 beta,Oestradiol,17 beta-Oestradiol,Aerodiol,Delestrogen,Estrace,Estraderm TTS,Estradiol Anhydrous,Estradiol Hemihydrate,Estradiol Hemihydrate, (17 alpha)-Isomer,Estradiol Monohydrate,Estradiol Valerate,Estradiol Valeriante,Estradiol, (+-)-Isomer,Estradiol, (-)-Isomer,Estradiol, (16 alpha,17 alpha)-Isomer,Estradiol, (16 alpha,17 beta)-Isomer,Estradiol, (17-alpha)-Isomer,Estradiol, (8 alpha,17 beta)-(+-)-Isomer,Estradiol, (8 alpha,17 beta)-Isomer,Estradiol, (9 beta,17 alpha)-Isomer,Estradiol, (9 beta,17 beta)-Isomer,Estradiol, Monosodium Salt,Estradiol, Sodium Salt,Estradiol-17 alpha,Estradiol-17beta,Ovocyclin,Progynon-Depot,Progynova,Vivelle,17 beta Estradiol,17 beta Oestradiol,Estradiol 17 alpha,Estradiol 17 beta,Estradiol 17beta,Progynon Depot
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368	Aged	A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available.	Elderly