Histological and Ultrastructural Changes in Breast Adenocarcinoma after Treatment with Plasma Perfused over Immobilized Protein A¹ Free

Administration of plasma perfused over Protein A immobilized in collodion-charcoal produced focal acute tumor necrolytic reactions in breast adenocarcinomas. With repeated procedures, objective tumor regressions were observed in four of the first five consecutive patients treated. Within 4 to 48 hr after treatments, tumors became hyperemic and edematous, often with the appearance of focal vesicles. Microscopic and ultrastructural evaluation demonstrated a spectrum of lesions in cytoplasm and nucleus of tumor cells indicative of lethal and sublethal changes. With further treatments, more pronounced degenerative changes in individual tumor cells, tumor nodules, and intervening stroma were apparent. Furthermore, increased luminal and abluminal vesiculation of endothelial cells of postcapillary venules adjacent to tumor nodules was noted. With continued treatments at intervals of 2 to 3 days, some tumor sites showed focal mononuclear cell infiltration, and at the conclusion of plasma perfusion treatments previously ulcerated tumor foci were replaced by granulation tissue. These data suggest that several cytotoxic and inflammatory mechanisms are activated simultaneously or in succession and may account for the tumoricidal effects noted following repeated plasma perfusions.