Change of Thymidine Uptake Rate during Passage through the S Phase : A Study with Retrograde Synchrony Method

Twenty-nine patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) were given oral administration of 5-Fu (or Futraful) and intermittent intra-arterial infusion with 10-20 mg of Mitomycin C (MMC). Objective responses such as decreased serum α-fetoprotein level, decrease in the liver size, and prolongation of the survival time were found in 15, 14, and 13 out of patients respectively. Subjective symptoms such as weakness, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite were improved in 7 of 29 patients. Of control patients with PHC who received oral administration of 5-Fu (or Futraful) alone, or intra-venous injection of 4 mg of MMC twice a week, the objective responses were observed in one of 13 patients. This indicates significant therapeutic effect of intra-arterial infusion of MMC on patients with PHC. Patients with severe liver dysfunction, decreased number of peripheral lymphocytes, or high level of serum alkaline phosphatase were unsuitable for this infusion. A significant decrease of serum hemoglobin level was observed as a side effect of intra-arterial infusion of MMC.

cell cycle

S phase

thymidine uptake rate

retrograde synchrony

autoradiogram