Two cases of spontaneous arterial dissection occurring in young, multiparous women shortly after delivery of uncomplicated pregnancies are described. Histologic analysis of arterial tissue samples obtained in both cases at points near and remote from the dissection sites shows evidence of significant arterial degeneration and loss of integrity, with changes similar to those observed in pregnant women, women using oral contraceptives, and animals given female sex hormones. The types of arterial lesions associated with pregnancy and their sites of predilection and the etiologic roles of the hemodynamic stresses of pregnancy and hormones are discussed.

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The objective of this study was to utilize transfer factor to stimulate cell-mediated immunity to specific tumor antigens in cancer patients. Thirty-five selected patients with advanced recurrent cancer, who were not suitable for further conventional therapy, were treated with transfer factor. Transfer factor was prepared from cohabitants of the patients and administered at 2-week intervals. This immunotherapeutic approach produced a clinical effect in 13 patients in terms of regression of tumor (1), arrest of metastatic disease (14), or pain relief (14). Conversion of dermal reactivity to specific tumor antigens was observed during periods of clinical improvement. Despite continued immunotherapy, the duration of clinical improvement was short (2 weeks to 12 months). Seven of the 11 patients not responding to therapy exhibited serum blocking of lymphocyte responsiveness. In 11 patients there is insufficient data to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of this therapy. The results suggest that transfer factor can stimulate specific cell-mediated immunity in cancer patients and produce a clinical effect on tumor under certain circumstances.

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