Clinical Significance of Serum Soluble T Cell Regulatory Molecules in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

To clarify the role of serum soluble T cell regulatory molecules in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC), we measured the serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), soluble B7-H3 (sB7-H3), and soluble cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (sCTLA-4) in 70 CCRCC patients and 35 healthy controls. We investigated correlations between the serum levels of these soluble T cell regulatory molecules and the pathological grade, clinical stage, and prognosis of CCRCC. We also assessed the relations among each of these soluble molecules. As a result, the serum level of sIL-2R was significantly higher in CCRCC patients than in healthy controls ( < 0.05). In addition, elevation of serum sIL-2R was significantly correlated with the clinical stage ( < 0.001), and the survival of patients with high sIL-2R levels was shorter than that of patients with low sIL-2R levels ( < 0.05). Furthermore, the serum level of sB7-H3 was also significantly correlated with the clinical stage ( < 0.05), while the sIL-2R and sB7-H3 levels showed a positive correlation with each other ( = 0.550, < 0.0001). These results indicate that the serum level of sIL-2R reflects tumor progression in CCRCC patients. In addition, the possibility was suggested that the IL-2/IL-2R and B7-H3 pathways may be involved in the progression of CCRCC

A Case of Renal Angiomyolipoma with Minimal Fat Mimicking Renal Cell Carcinoma

We present a case of renal angiomyolipoma (AML) with minimal fat mimicking renal cell carcinoma(RCC). AML is composed of variable amount of fat, smooth muscle and abnormal blood vessels. In general,AML can be differentiated from RCC with great accuracy using modern radiological techniques due to thefat component of the renal mass. In the present case, the renal tumor did not demonstrate intratumoral faton radiological studies. Surgery was performed and the renal tumor was removed. Histologically, the renaltumor showed abundant muscle that occupied almost the entire lesion, which demonstrated HMB-45 antigen.The tumor was diagnosed as renal AML

A Case of Cystic Renal Cell Carcinoma Mimicking a Benign Complicated Renal Cyst on Computed Tomography;Usefulness of Magnetic Resonance Imaging

We present a case of cystic renal cell carcinoma( RCC) mimicking a benign complicated renal cyst. In thepresent case, the cystic renal mass was classified as Bosniak classification category II on computed tomography(CT), but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated additional septa and enhancement, whichled to an upgraded Bosniak classification( category III). The patient underwent radical nephrectomy. Histologicalexamination showed the cystic necrosis type of RCC

High-dose Chemotherapy with Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation for Patients with Poor PrognosisAdvanced Germ Cell Tumor

SUMMARYAbout one half of all advanced germ cell tumor( GCT) patients with poor prognosis defined by the InternationalGerm Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (IGCCCG) die of cancer. We evaluated salvage high-dosechemotherapy (HDCT) with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) for patients with poorprognosis advanced GCT in Dokkyo Medical University. Three patients with poor prognosis advanced GCTwere treated with HDCT as salvage chemotherapy. Two patients had primary testicular GCT and one patienthad primary mediastinal GCT. Treatment responses were pathological complete remission( CR) in one,surgical CR in one and partial remission (PR) in one. Effectiveness and side effects of HDCT with PBSCTfor poor prognosis cases with advanced GCT were shown in this study. However, further accumulation ofthese studies is needed

犬モデルにおけるバルーンレーザーハイパーサーミア(TUBAL-H)後の近位尿道機能の経時的変化

雑種犬6頭のTUBAL-H後の近位尿道機能の変化を評価する為に, 尿道内圧と尿道断面積(CSA, cm2)を同時測定し, これらからコンプライアンス(Comp, cm3/cmH2O)を算出し経時的に検討した.TUBAL-H前にはComp, 最大尿道断面積(MCSA)の平均は, それぞれ0.013, 0.66であった.8週後には, それぞれ0.038, 1.39と増加した.16週後には, それぞれ0.026, 1.21とやや減少した.αブロッカーに対する反応性では, TUBAL-H前ではフェントラミン投与で, Comp, MCSAの平均はそれぞれ0.46, 1.40と増加した.16週後には, フェントラミン投与でCompのみ, 0.033と増加したWe performed transurethral balloon laser hyperthermia of the prostate (TUBAL-H) in 6 mongrel dogs. To evaluate the changes in proximal urethral function after TUBAL-H, the urethral cross sectional area (CSA, cm2) and urethral pressure (Pu, cmH2O) were measured using a balloon probe that allows their simultaneous measurement, and the urethral compliance (Comp, cm3/cmH2O) was calculated from these parameters and serially evaluated. In addition, the changes in Pu, CSA and Comp after administration of an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist were evaluated before and 16 weeks after TUBAL-H. Before TUBAL-H, the mean Comp was 0.013, and the mean maximum CSA (MCSA) was 0.66. Eight weeks after TUBAL-H, the mean Comp was 0.038, and the mean MCSA was 1.39, showing a significant increase (p < 0.01). Sixteen weeks, after TUBAL-H, the mean Comp was 0.026, and the mean MCSA was 1.21, being lower than those at 8 weeks after TUBAL-H, but significantly higher than those before TUBAL-H (p < 0.05). After administration of the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist, phentolamine (1 mg/kg), before TUBAL-H, the mean Comp significantly increased to 0.046 (p < 0.05), and the mean MCSA to 1.40 (p < 0.01). The mean Comp was significantly increased to 0.033 (p < 0.05), by phentolamine administration 16 weeks after TUBAL-H, but no other changes were observed. After TUBAL-H, urethral elasticity increased, and this increase persisted for 4 months. The responses of Comp and MCSA to alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist administration before and 16 weeks after TUBAL-H suggested that part of the effects of TUBAL-H is due to damage to alpha-adrenoceptors