Metabolism of methylglyoxal and malignant neoplasms

The present notions on the metabolism of methylglyoxal, an endogenic controller of cellular proliferation, are adduced. The interaction between metabolism of methylglyoxal and that of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids is demonstrated. The metabolic chart has been worked out and enzymes catalyzing methylglyoxal metabolic reactions are determined. The effect of methylglyoxal and its bisguanylhydrazones derivatives on the processes of cellular proliferation control has been examined.     

The role of interferons in the treatment of malignant neoplasms

Interferons (IFNs) are proteins with a wide range of biological effects. IFNs have antiviral and antiproliferative properties. They modulate both the immune system and the expression of cell phenotype. In the past decade, the IFNs have received intense clinical scrutiny. Alpha IFN is the best studied and displays activity in many neoplastic diseases; it has shown the most promise in the hematological cancers although several solid tumors, including epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma, renal cell carcinoma, and melanoma, respond. No neoplastic disease, however, has been cured by the IFNs. IFN seems to be most active in the setting of minimal residual disease, and clinical studies evaluating its role in the adjuvant setting are under way. Other areas of research include trials combining IFN with cytotoxic drugs or other biological response modifiers, and maintenance IFN to prolong remissions following successful induction therapy.