Kapronczay Károly szerk.: Orvostörténeti közlemények 230-233. (Budapest, 2015)
KÖZLEMÉNYEK - Elek Gábor—Müller Miklós: Bauer Ervin és a rákkutatás
ELEK, Gábor- MÜLLER, Miklós: Ervin Bauer and Cancer Research 99 Table C. Bauer’s views on cancer in 1936 (Eayop 1936) New features of Bauer’s cancer hypothesis and their possible interpretations Isolation H e regards the existence of regeneration the most significant condition at site of cancer formation. Local decrease of surface tension enhances isolation and cell division. The combined action of regeneration and carcinogenic agent causes inflammation surmorting the isolation of young, recently divided and still undifferentiated cells. Surface tension of serum T he decreased surface tension of serum cannot be due to surface-active agents originating from cancerous tissue, because this would not be compatible with the observation that all sera show the same minimal value after inactivation. The reason can he found only in the distorted shapes of protein molecules. This deduction comes from an earlier study (Bauer 1923b, see our Table B, row 3). Inactivation (in today’s usage denaturation (see Bojib- KeuiumeuH 1965 208-225) of the serum leads not only to a change in protein structure but also to formation of a superficial protein layer, aggregates, desorption or adsorption of smaller molecules. In such events certain physical parameters can be constant after the quasi-phase transitions (e.g. the surface layer of the liquid could become saturated; see Schmidt, H. 1955 33-36). He does not refer to complement any more. He claims that his studies in 1932 demonstrated a decrease of surface tension of serum with age. We did not locate the report by Bauer. By the 1930s several complement factors were detected and purified from the sera (see Schmidt, H. 1955 544-561). Viscosity of serum increases with age (Neuschlosz 1928). Metabolism He mentions in one sentence that cancer cells differs from normal cells in their metabolism, divide more frequently and age faster. Did he have Warburg’s theory in mind? Hardly so! According to Bauer cells can use onlv as much enerev as determined by their highest energy-potential at the beginning of their life. Cancer cells use most of their energy to combat the increased irritation they encounter (carcinogens, starving) (see Eayjp 2002 254, 279-281). Dedifferentiation N o dedifferentiation exists. After division all cells are morphologically undifferentiated. If the cytoplasm is damaged in this stage, the cell dies. Therefore necrosis can occur also when vascu- larisation is good. Even if the cell survives this stage, due to the constant irritation it will not have sufficient energy to restore its non-equilibrium state characterized by differentiated appearance (muscles are a good example - cross striation represents their differentiated structure, Eaysp 2002 325, 329). The cell reacches quickly the limit of growth and divides. His experiments with Granovskaya (1934) led him separate two stages in the life of the cell, thus he could interpret differentiation too. Following division, assimilation dominates in the metabolism of young calls, until they reach the limit of growth. In this stage cells are very sensitive to stimuli damaging parts of the cytoplasm and they die quickly. In the second stage after the cells reached the limit of growth, similar stimulus does not lead to the death but induces cell division. This leads to changes in nuclear structure, initiation of the fundamental nrocess fsee next entrv: Eaysp 2002 266-270). Mutation H e sees in mutation the consequence of the formation of cancer and not its cause. He accepts the regulatory role of the nucleus in the life processes and inheritance of the cell. In multicellular organisms the sympathetic nervous system has a similar regulatory function leading Bauer to accept the view that vagotonic constitution can predispose for cancer. He resorts to the term of mutation only as explanation in evolution. His use of the term, however, differs from its use in genetics - he regards mutation alwavs as elicited bv metabolic disturbances of the nucleus. The energetic potential of the cell decreases until the limit of growth is reached. At this stage dissimilation becomes Dredominant: fundamental nrocess begins. Some living molecules are dving and transfer their en- ergy to the germ (or daughter) cells, which then begin their life at a higher energv potential. If the cell has to adapt to conditions where it cannot liberate sufficient energy, less energy remains for fundamental process. This non-Dhvsiological adaDtation leads to mutation (Eayip 2002 305-306, 339-343). Role of constitution and nervous system were implications of oncologists; (Fischer-Wasels 1934/8-19; Keltener 1971 199).
