Tumor-Specific Immunity Induced by Cryoablation in a Murine Renal Cell Carcinoma Model

PURPOSE: To evaluate tumor-specific immunity and define the mechanisms involved in the cryoimmunologic response, we compared the tumor control efficacy and immunologic responses of cryoablation with those of surgical excision in a tumor rechallenge model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty BALB/c mice with RENCA tumors that were generated in the left flank area underwent cryoablation or radical excision. The mice successfully treated were rechallenged with RENCA or an undifferentiated colon carcinoma cell line, CT26, in the contralateral right flank area. The recurrence rate after tumor rechallenge in each group was then observed. To assess the immunologic response of each treatment modality, fluorescent-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis and a cytotoxicity assay using 51Cr release were performed. RESULTS: After reinoculation of the RENCA cells, the rate of tumor growth was significantly higher in the surgical excision group than in the cryoablation group (94.4% vs. 11.1%, p=0.001). In the cryoablation group, the tumor growth rate was significantly increased after rechallenge of CT26 cells compared with RENCA (94.1% vs. 11.1%, p=0.001). The cryoablation group showed an elevated CD3, CD4, CD8 T, and natural killer cell count in the FACS analysis and also showed significantly increased cytotoxicity in the 51Cr release assay compared with the excision group. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that cryoablation, compared to surgical resection, was more effective in preventing tumor growth after rechallenge with RENCA cells and that this response was tumor-specific, because the CT26 cells did not have the same effect.

Immunohistochemical expression of CD44s in renal cell carcinoma lacks independent prognostic significance

PURPOSE: To analyze the immunohistochemical expression of the standard isoform of CD44 (CD44s) adhesion molecule in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) and its impact on clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-nine consecutive patients treated surgically for RCC between 1992 and 2009 were selected. A single pathologist reviewed all cases to effect a uniform reclassification and determine the most representative tumor areas for construction of a tissue microarray. The same pathologist, who was blinded to the outcome of the cases, semi-quantitatively scored the staining intensity of CD44s in all specimens. The counting was done using the H-Score algorithm. RESULTS: Of the 99 immunostained RCC specimens, 57(57.7%) showed low expression, and 42(42.4%) showed high expression levels of CD44s. The expression of CD44s was directly associated with tumor size (p = 0.03), clinical stage (p = 0.02) and Fuhrman grade (p = 0.02). Disease specific survival (DSS) rates for patients whose specimens expressed low and high levels of CD44s was 88.1% and 67.5%, respectively (p = 0.009). Progression free survival (PFS) rates in patients with low and high expression of CD44s were 78.8% and 61.7%, respectively (p = 0.05). Classical features such as the presence of metastasis and clinical stage remained isolated predictors of survival. CONCLUSIONS: Immunohistochemical expression of CD44s was associated with important clinical variables such as stage and Fuhrman grade. However, it was not an independent predictor of survival. Therefore, we believe it has a limited role as a prognostic marker in patients with CCRCC.

Paracoccidioidomicose cutânea disseminada e pulmonar em paciente portador de neoplasia maligna visceral / Cutaneous and pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis in a patient with a malignant visceral tumor

Paracoccidioidomicose é doença causada pelo fungo Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, caracterizada por quadro polimórfico e acometimento preferencial de pele, mucosas, pulmões, linfonodos, adrenais e sistema nervoso. De acordo com o local de inoculação e o estado imunológico do indivíduo, ocorrem as diversas formas da doença: tegumentar, linfonodular, visceral e mista. Relatamos caso de paciente com quadro de paracoccidioidomicose mista (tegumentar e pulmonar), com lesões cutâneas caracterizadas por pápulas e pústulas disseminadas e sintomas sistêmicos, possivelmente associada a imunossupressão causada por neoplasia maligna visceral.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis caused by the fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis that is characterized by polymorphous clinical manifestations principally affecting the skin, mucous membranes, lungs, lymph nodes, adrenal glands and the central nervous system. Depending on the site of inoculation and the individual's immunological status, the disease may take various different forms, affecting the skin, lymph nodes, viscera or a combination of these. The present report describes a patient with extensive cutaneous and pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis, with disseminated papules and pustules, fever and pulmonary symptoms, probably related to immunosuppression caused by a renal carcinoma.