A searchable database of
medically documented cases

About the Project

The Virus Of Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis As An Antineoplastic Agent In Man

Tigerightt et al., 1962Lymphoma

TIGErightT, W. D., CROSBY, W. H., BERGE, T. O., HOWIE, D. L., KRESS, S., DANGERFIELD, H. G., BASS, J. W., & FRANK, W. (1962). The virus of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis as an antineoplastic agent in man. Cancer, 15, 628–632. https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0142(196205/06)15:3<628::aid-cncr2820150326>3.0.co;2-a

View Original Source →

Case Details

Disease Location

Lymph nodes (follicular lymphoma)

Personal Characteristics

43 -year-old male

Clinical Characteristics

In november 1955, patient was found to have an enlarged spleen and axillary adenopathy on a routine exam diagnosis of follicular lymphoma was made after study of the nodes removed at that time and in march 1956 in april 1956 and april 1957, nitrogen mustard was administered, the spleen was removed in february 1958 in july 1958, leukemic cells were found in bone marrow preps, radioactive phophorus was administered in july 1958 and august 1985 in november 1958, nitrogen mustard was given and the mediastinum and axillary lymph nodes were irradiated radioactive phophorus was given again in march 1959. In may 1959, lesions considered to be leukemia cutis appeared, and between july 1959 and february 1960, 5 courses of radioactive phophorus therapy were gien in may 1960, the patient was started on continuous cholorambucil therapy, and this was maintained until may 1961 during april 1961, he noted an increase in the size of the abdomen and increasingpain in the right upper quadrant, there was some ecerightional dyspnea. He was found to have diffuse generalized lymphadenopathy with multiple, firm, raised, purplish plaques over the shoulders, back, abdomen, neck, and face, and the liver edge reached the umbilicus an excretory urogram showed lateral displacement of the left ureter on may 17, roentgenograms demonstrated a marked enlargement of the mediastinal nodes, particularly in the right paratracheal area - this represented a distinct change from the roentgenograms taken in dec 1960. Base line hematological studies showed a total leukocyte count averaging 15k/mm^3 and platelets 190k/mm^3 tc-80 virus was given on may 25, 1961, he had been afebrile for the preceding week on may 27th, fever of 103f developed associated with myalgia and retro-orbital headache, a 104f high was reached on may 29th.

Remission Characteristics

Upon reaching the 104f high temp on may 29, thereafter there was a decline to normal levels reached on june 1st. There was a brief rise on june 2. With the decline of fever - backache and headache disappeared there was a moderate fall in platelets to a level of 95k/mm^3 on june 5 and 8. This was followed by a return to preinoculation levels; there was only a slight drop in the leukocyte count roentgenogram on june 6 showed a decrease in the size of the right paratracheal nodes a urogram on june 9 showed less lateral displacement of the left ureter than that seen previously between june 3-15, there was a definite decrease in the size of many of the palpable lymph nodes, the liver edge regressed to 6cm above the umbilicus, and many of the cutaneous lesions decreased in breadth, thickness, and induration patient was placed on convalescent leave on june 15. No further change was noted at exam on june 22

Treatment & Mechanisms

Proposed Remission Mechanisms

Inoculation with tc-80 virus resulted in objective evidence of tumor regression

Clinical Treatment

Excisions mustard nitrogen irradiation radioactive phophorus continuous chlorambucil therapy tc-80 virus

Non-Clinical Treatment

None reported(unless the virus is considered non-medical)