Five years experience of transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound using the Sonablate device in the treatment of localized prostate cancer

BACKGROUND: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a minimally invasive technique used in achieve coagulation necrosis. We evaluated biochemical disease-free survival rates, predictors of clinical outcome and morbidity in patients with localized prostate cancer treated with HIFU. METHODS: A total of 181 consecutive patients underwent HIFU with the use of Sonablate (Focus Surgery, Indianapolis, IN, USA). Biochemical recurrence was defined according to the criteria recommended by the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology Consensus Panel. The median age and pretreatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level were 70 years (range 44-88) and 9.76 ng/mL (range 3.39-89.60). A total of 95 patients (52%) were treated with neoadjuvant hormones. The median follow-up period for all patients was 18.0 months (range 4-68). RESULTS: The biochemical disease-free survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years in all patients were 84%, 80% and 78%, respectively. The biochemical disease-free survival rates at 3 years for patients with pretreatment PSA less than 10 ng/mL, 10.01-20.0 ng/mL and more than 20.0 ng/mL were 94%, 75% and 35%, respectively (P<0.0001). Multivariate analysis identified pretreatment PSA (P<0.0001) as a independent predictor of relapse. CONCLUSION: High-intensity focused ultrasound therapy appears to be a safe and efficacious minimally invasive therapy for patients with localized prostate cancer, especially those with a pretreatment PSA level less than 20 ng/mL.     

Determination of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in guinea pig and human prostate using HPLC

The finding of significant numbers of endocrine-paracrine (EP) cells in the prostate glands of guinea pigs and man suggests that these cells may be important in the regulation or modulation of prostatic function. Serotonin is a biogenic amine common to most prostatic EP cells. In order to extend current knowledge relating to these cells, an assay was developed using high-performance liquid chromatography to quantitate serotonin and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in guinea pig and human prostatic tissue extracts. Levels of serotonin and 5-HIAA in the guinea pig whole-gland preparation were 105.4 +/- 70.6 ng/g and 48.4 +/- 95.7 ng/g, respectively. Normal human prostatic tissue contained 1423.9 +/- 750.8 ng/g serotonin and 66.7 +/- 92.8 ng/g 5-HIAA. Recoveries ranged between 60 and 100%. The detection limits were 24 pg/injection for serotonin and 12 pg/injection for 5-HIAA. This assay provides an expeditious, specific and highly sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of monoamines in guinea pig and human prostatic tissue.     

Immunogenicity and safety of a novel yeast Hansenula polymorpha-derived recombinant Hepatitis B candidate vaccine in healthy adolescents and adults aged 10–45 years

The aim was to determine whether the immunogenicity of an investigational hepatitis B vaccine (spHB) is at least as high as that of a licensed control vaccine, Engerix B^®, and to evaluate its safety before inclusion in new pediatric combination vaccines. Two randomized, controlled, blind-observer, Phase 3 trials were performed: one in Argentina (344 participants aged 10–15 years, 10 μg HBsAg/dose) and one in Uruguay (344 participants aged 16–45 years, 20 μg HBsAg/dose). Both vaccines were given in a 0, 1, 6 month schedule to all participants with a baseline anti-Hep B antibody titer <0.6 mIU/mL. Antibody titers were measured pre-dose 1, 1 month after dose 2, pre-dose 3, and 1 month after dose 3. Statistical non-inferiority analyses were performed on seroprotection rates (SP) post-dose 3 (% with anti-Hep B titers ≥10 mIU/mL; delta non-inferiority limit of −10%). In both studies, SP for the spHB vaccine was 100% and the spHB vaccine was non-inferior in terms of SP to the licensed control vaccine. GMTs post-dose 3 were approximately 1.8- and 4.1-fold higher for spHB in the 10–15 year and 16–45 year age groups, respectively. Reactogenicity was low for each vaccine, after each dose. This highly immunogenic hepatitis B candidate vaccine was selected for further investigation as a component of new pediatric combination vaccines.     

Bacterial ghosts (BGs)—Advanced antigen and drug delivery system

Bacterial ghosts (BGs) are empty bacterial envelopes of Gram-negative bacteria produced by controlled expression of cloned gene E, forming a lysis tunnel structure within the envelope of the living bacteria. BGs are devoid of cytoplasmic content and possess all bacterial bio-adhesive surface properties in their original state while not posing any infectious threat. BGs are ideally suited as an advanced drug delivery system (ADDS) for toxic substances in tumor therapy. The inner space of BGs can be loaded with either single components or combinations of peptides, drugs or DNA which provides an opportunity to design new types of (polyvalent) drug delivery vehicles. Uptake of BGs loaded with Doxorubicin (Dox) by CaCo2 cells led to effective Dox release from endo-lysosomal compartments and accumulation in the nucleus. Viability and proliferative capacity of the cells were significantly decreased (2–3 orders of magnitude) after internalization of Dox loaded BGs as compared to cells incubated with free Dox. The same effect was observed with leukemia cells. Melanoma cells also revealed a high capability to internalize BGs. These results indicate that BGs are able to target a range of types of cancer. BGs have also been investigated as DNA delivery vectors. Studies show DNA loaded BGs are efficiently phagocytosed and internalized by both professional APCs and tumor cells with up to 82% of cells expressing the plasmid-encoded reporter gene. Our studies with BGs as an ADDS system contribute (i) to optimize drug delivery for the treatment of cancer; (ii) define specific conditions for selection and preparation of BG formulations; (iii) and provide a background for the clinical application of BGs in cancer therapy.     

Kidney Transplantation in Patients with Antibodies against Donor HLA Class II

The immunologic risk associated with donor-specific antibodies (DSA) against Class II human leukocyte antigens (HLA) in kidney transplant (KTx) recipients is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of KTx when DSA was detected only against HLA Class II. To isolate the impact of anti-Class II DSA, we retrospectively analyzed 12 KTx recipients who at baseline had a positive B-cell flow cytometric crossmatch (FXM) and a negative T-cell FXM. Using alloantibody specification analysis, 58.3% (7/12) had DSA against donor Class II and 41.7% had no demonstrable DSA. Biopsy-proven AMR occurred in 57% (4/7) in the Class II(+) group and 0% in the Class II(-) group (p > 0.05). Peritubular capillaries stained positive for C4d in 86% (6/7) of the Class II(+) patients and in 40% (2/5) of the Class II(-) patients (p > 0.05). One patient in the Class II(+) group lost their graft at 3 months to accelerated transplant glomerulopathy, while all other grafts were functioning 3-37 months posttransplant despite the persistence of anti-Class II DSA. We conclude that KTx recipients with clearly defined anti-Class II DSA are at risk for humoral rejection suggesting that desensitization and/or close posttransplant monitoring may be needed to prevent AMR.     

Genetic immunization with GPI-anchored anthrax protective antigen raises combined CD1d- and MHC II-restricted antibody responses by natural killer T cell-mediated help

Studies have demonstrated that lipid rafts ultimately regulate the endocytosis of anthrax toxin via clathrin dependent pathway. Interestingly, GPI-anchored protein rich rafts have also been shown to be transported down to the endocytic pathway to reducing late endosomes. Taking advantage of this parallelism, we tried translating the anthrax toxin natural intoxication mechanism by administering a DNA chimera that encoded protective antigen attached to a mammalian GPI-anchor sequence at its C-terminus (pGPI-PA63). We also designed a chimera that had an additional N-terminal TPA leader sequence (pTPA.GPI-PA63) with an aim to target GPI-PA63 to ER where new CD1 molecules are synthesized. Analysis of antibody titers demonstrated successful priming and potential IgG titers after the first boost. In vitro cell proliferation studies in the presence of GPI-attached PA63 peptides revealed that there was a clonal expansion of CD4⁺ NK1.1⁺ helper T cell population which rapidly produced IL-4 in response to T cell receptor ligation. These cells provided direct B cell help that aided IgG formation. Effector responses generated by NKT cells were found to be MHC II-independent and CD1d-restricted. In addition, the group pTPA.GPI-PA63 also displayed low magnitude MHC-II restricted (CD1d-independent) NKT cell and CD4⁺ T cell helper responses in response to non-GPI attached PA63 peptides which overall resulted in the heightened responses seen for this group. Importantly, DNA vaccination mediated the generation of high avidity neutralizing antibodies that mediated protection against lethal toxin challenge.     

CD14+单核细胞人类白细胞抗原DR表达率与脓毒症关系的研究

目的了解烧伤延迟复苏时CDl4^＋单核细胞人类白细胞抗原DR（HLA—DR）表达率的变化，分析其与脓毒症的关系。方法选择烧伤面积大于30％TBSA的25例烧伤延迟复苏患者，于伤后1、3、7、14、28d取外周血，其中7例患者住院期间并发脓毒症，于脓毒症发生后连续2d亦取其外周血。另取20例健康体检者外周血作为对照。流式细胞仪检测CD14^＋单核细胞HLA．DR表达率，酶联免疫吸附测定法检测血浆中肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF—α）、白细胞介素10（IL-10）的浓度。结果非脓毒症患者伤后1、3、7、14、28dCD14^＋单核细胞HLA—DR表达率分别为（15±6）％、（74±5）％、（264±17）％、（284-16）％、（474-16）％，明显低于健康体检者[（924±10）％，P〈0．01]；脓毒症患者发生脓毒症后1、2d，该指标亦明显低于健康体检者及非脓毒症患者伤后1、7、14、28d（P〈0．01）。脓毒症患者TNF—d检出率及TNF—α、IL-10浓度，均高于非脓毒症患者和健康体检者（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）。伤后1、7、28d，外周血CD14^＋单核细胞HLA—DR表达率与IL—10浓度呈显著负相关（r分别为-0．9963、-0．7459、-0．8474，P〈0．01）。结论烧伤延迟复苏患者免疫功能低下，促炎性介质释放量增加，并发脓毒症时则更为严重。外周血CD14^＋单核细胞HLA—DR表达率可作为动态检测患者免疫功能状态的有效指标。     

Permanent prostate brachytherapy for Japanese men: Results from initial 100 patients with prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the initial results of brachytherapy for prostate cancer with permanent iodine-125 implant in Japan. METHODS: The results obtained with brachytherapy in the initial 100 Japanese patients treated at Nagano Municipal Hospital were reviewed. Patients with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of less than 10 ng/mL and a Gleason's scores of 5, 6, 3 + 4 were classified as having a low risk of recurrence. Patients with a PSA level of 10-20 ng/mL and/or a Gleason's score of 4 + 3 were classified as having an intermediate risk for recurrence. Seventy-eight of the low-risk patients and 19 of the intermediate-risk patients were treated by seed implants alone, or seed implants combined with preceding external radiation, respectively. A total of 53 patients received neoadjuvant hormone therapy. The efficacy and morbidity of brachytherapy were investigated using the serum PSA, International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life score and uroflowmetry data. RESULTS: The average V100 and D90 obtained by post-implant dosimetry was 94.3 and 113.7%, respectively. Serum PSA decreased gradually after treatment, although it had still not reached a nadir after 1 year. There was little difference of the PSA level between the patients with and without neoadjuvant hormone therapy even at 1 year after seed implantation. There were no PSA biochemical failure or clinical recurrence during the follow-up period. Voiding symptoms worsened until 3 months after treatment, and then gradually improved. Acute urinary retention occurred transiently in one patient (1%). Rectal bleeding and severe diarrhea did not occur. CONCLUSION: Brachytherapy is a feasible and effective option for the treatment of prostate cancer in Japanese men. Brachytherapy may have a different effect in Japanese patients with respect to voiding symptoms. Urinary retention was rare, but voiding symptoms were persistent in Japanese patients. Neoadjuvant hormone therapy deserves investigation to determine whether it can achieve better results, especially in patients with an intermediate risk.     

Pharmacokinetics of the 13C labeled anticancer agent temozolomide detected in vivo by selective cross-polarization transfer

The anticancer agent temozolomide labeled with ¹³C (8-Carbamoyl-3-13C-methylimidazo-[5,1-d]-1,2,3,5-tetrazin-4-(3H)-one), was noninvasively detected in subcutaneous RIF-1 tumors by a selective cross polarization ¹³C NMR method, at a field strength of 9.4T. Pharmacokinetics of the drug, at a dose of 150 mg/kg, were determined for intravenous and intraperitoneal modes of administration (three animals per mode). The half-life of the drug in the tumors was approximately 60 min. The uptake and clearance of the drug, however, varied significantly between individual hosts, for both modes of administration. These results demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining pharmacokinetics of anticancer agents for individual tumors without the need for a label that might modify drug activity (e.g., fluorine). The variability of the in vivo measurements, even within the same tumor model, demonstrates the necessity of directly monitoring the tumor to evaluate drug pharmacokinetics.     

Validation of silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions for evaluation of invasive character of urinary bladder carcinoma in rats and mice

A series of 8 rat and 16 mouse invasive bladder carcinomas were investigated for the presence of silverstained nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) to clarify whether this parameter is applicable to the estimation of their invasive character. With regard to number of AgNORs per cell, neither rat nor mouse carcinomas showed any difference between invasive and noninvasive sites within the same tumor. However, the frequency of cancer cells bearing bizarre dots, irregular in size and shape, was significantly higher at sites of actual invasion. Quantitative data generated using an image analyzer revealed significantly lower values for NOR roundness and significantly larger NOR size in invasive sites than in noninvasive sites in all groups. Double staining for the proliferation marker proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and AgNORs was performed on eight rat carcinomas and a close correlation between the two was confirmed. Thus the number of AgNORs in PCNA-positive cells was significantly greater than in PCNA-negative cells. Furthermore, a particularly strong correlation was observed for incidences of PCNA-positive cells and bizarre dots (P<0.01). The quantitative data also demonstrated significant differences in size and shape of dots. It is concluded that AgNORs have diagnostic value for the invasive character of bladder carcinomas.