A method of autolymphochemotherapy was developed based on administration of a "therapeutic" course of chemotherapy following cytotoxic treatment of a large amount (1.5-2 l) of central lymph obtained by external drainage of the thoracic duct. Immediate results of treatment of 15 patients with advanced breast, lung (non-small-cell) and ovarian cancer with various degree of chemoresistance are presented. Marked response was observed in 14 cases. It seems justified to use the method for the treatment of locally advanced cancer.

The immunologic phenotype of lymphocytes of young and middle-aged patients with breast cancer was identified using ICO monoclonal antibodies. The parameters were compared to that of healthy subjects of the corresponding age groups. Breast cancer patients of both age groups were shown to have lower T-cell level as compared to donors. Parameters of T-cell-mediated immunity did not differ significantly between the young and middle-aged patients, although the former group tended to have lower level of mature T-lymphocytes. A significant decrease in parameters of B-cell-mediated immunity was observed in young patients as compared to donors whereas in middle-aged patients B-lymphocyte and monocyte levels were 4 times those in donors. B-lymphocyte level in young patients tended to be lower than in middle-aged ones.

Blood serum levels of sex steroid-binding globulin (SSBG), free and SSBG- and albumin-binding fractions of estradiol-17 beta as well as some indexes of cellular and humoral immunity were compared in 25 young female patients with stage 1-3 breast cancer and controls. No significant difference in SSBG and free estradiol-17 beta fraction as well as free estrogen index was established between patients and controls. In the patient group, a direct correlation was established between free estradiol-17 beta fraction level and that of mature T-cells expressing CD3 antigen and between SSBG level, on the one hand, and total level of T-cells (CD7 antigen) and that of T-suppressors (CD8 antigen-containing cytotoxic lymphocytes), on the other. An inverse correlation was established in the same group between SSBG level and that of B-cell markers expressing CD3 and 7 antigens and IgM mu-chain. In the follicular and lutein phases of the menstrual cycle, a difference in the degree of correlation between total estradiol-17 beta level and immunologic indexes was established between breast cancer patients and controls.

A Mab set was used to study immunological phenotype of lymphocytes of five patients bearing stage IV malignant melanoma and its changes developing in the course of interleukin-2 (Euro cetus) immunotherapy. Patients were shown to have lowered counts of T cells (mainly due to T-helper/inducers), B cells and lymphocytes expressing adhesion and activation molecules as well as abnormal immunoregulatory cell ratio. Two patients receiving interleukin-2 achieved a response. Follow-up of antigen expression revealed a rise in natural killer and immunoregulatory T lymphocyte levels in the responders whereas activation antigens and B cell levels were increased in all the patients.

It is possible to obtain strong gas-permeable ceramics on the basis of Al2O3 using, as the bond, a dispersed mixture consisting of SiC with active additives. In terms of mechanical strength, the newly developed ceramics exceed existing forms of porous oxide ceramics with similar porosity levels by a factor of more than 2–3.