Intra-operative Urodynamics: Is the Test an Accurate Representation of the Lower Urinary Tract in Children?

OBJECTIVE: To compare intraoperative UDS results with UDS in the postoperative care unit (PACU) to assess the accuracy and efficacy of intraoperative UDS in children who cannot tolerate ambulatory urodynamic evaluation. METHODS: Pediatric patients undergoing intraoperative UDS at a single institution were enrolled over a 5-year time period (1/2013-8/2018). Urodynamics were performed in the operating room under general anesthesia, then in the PACU after recovery from anesthesia. Electromyographic (EMG) activity during filling, bladder compliance, cystometric bladder capacity (CBC), detrusor overactivity, presence of urinary leak, leak point pressure (LPP), and pressure specific volumes (PSV) at 10, 20, 30, and 40 cm water were compared between studies. RESULTS: Nineteen patients underwent urodynamic evaluation under general anesthesia and met inclusion criteria. Ten patients (52.6%) underwent 2 filling cycles while awake in PACU, resulting in a total of 48 urodynamic studies available for subsequent analysis. Intraoperative urodynamic studies were more likely to have decreased EMG activity during filling (P=<.01), normal compliance (P <.01), and a lower detrusor LPP (P = .03) compared to UDS performed after recovery from anesthesia. Detrusor overactivity was less frequently observed intraoperatively (P <.001) and involuntary detrusor contractions were lower in magnitude than those observed in the PACU. Twelve of the 19 (63%) children had detrusor overactivity that was present only on the UDS in PACU and not intra-operatively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of urodynamic testing performed under general anesthesia should be interpreted with caution, as pediatric patients appear to have improved bladder compliance, lower detrusor LPP and decreased detrusor overactivity when under anesthesia. For this reason, it is preferable to utilize ambulatory urodynamic evaluation to guide patient management and treatment.

Therapeutic Targeting of DNA Damage Repair in the Era of Precision Oncology and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Cancer manifestation is a multistep process involving accumulation of various genetic and epigenetic changes that results in oncogenic "hallmarks of cancer" processes including genomic instability. Exploitation of aberrant DNA-damage response (DDR) mechanisms in cancer is in part a goal of many therapeutic strategies, and recent evidence supports the role of targeting DDR in modulating the tumor immune microenvironment to enhance immunotherapeutic response. Improved cancer profiling, including next-generation and whole-genome mutational sequencing of tumor tissue, as well as circulating nucleic acids, has enhanced our understanding of the genetic and epigenetic molecular mechanisms in tumorigenesis and will become fundamental to precisely target tumors and achieve cancer control. With the successes of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) and immunotherapies, the intersection of DDR molecular machinery and corresponding antitumor immune response has gained much interest with a focus on achieving therapeutic synergy using DNA damage-targeting agents and immunotherapy. In this review, we provide a bench-to-bedside overview of the fundamentals of DDR signaling and repair as they relate to cancer therapeutic strategies including novel DDR-targeting agents. We also discuss the underlying mechanisms that link DDR signaling to antitumor immunity and immunotherapy efficacy, and how this knowledge can be used to improve precision medicine approaches in the treatment of cancer.

CD122-targeted interleukin-2 and αPD-L1 treat bladder cancer and melanoma via distinct mechanisms, including CD122-driven natural killer cell maturation.

Bladder cancer (BC) and melanoma are amenable to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy, yet most patients with advanced/metastatic disease do not respond. CD122-targeted interleukin (IL)-2 can improve ICB efficacy, but mechanisms are unclear. We tested αPD-L1 and CD122-directed immunotherapy with IL-2/αIL-2 complexes (IL-2c) in primary and metastatic bladder and melanoma tumors. IL-2c treatment of orthotopic MB49 and MBT-2 BC generated NK cell antitumor immunity through enhanced activation, reduced exhaustion, and promotion of a mature, effector NK cell phenotype. By comparison, subcutaneous B16-F10 melanoma, which is IL-2c sensitive, requires CD8+ T and not NK cells, yet we found αPD-L1 efficacy requires both CD8+ T and NK cells. We then explored αPD-L1 and IL-2c mechanisms at distinct metastatic sites and found intraperitoneal B16-F10 metastases were sensitive to αPD-L1 and IL-2c, with IL-2c but not αPD-L1, increasing CD122+ mature NK cell function, confirming conserved IL-2c effects in distinct cancer types and anatomic compartments. αPD-L1 failed to control tumor growth and prolong survival in B16-F10 lung metastases, yet IL-2c treated B16-F10 lung metastases effectively even in T cell and adaptive immunity deficient mice, which was abrogated by NK cell depletion in wild-type mice. Flow cytometric analyses of NK cells in B16-F10 lung metastases suggest that IL-2c directly boosts NK cell activation and effector function. Thus, αPD-L1 and IL-2c mediate nonredundant, immune microenvironment-specific treatment mechanisms involving CD8+ T and NK cells in primary and metastatic BC and melanoma. Mechanistic differences suggest effective treatment combinations including in other tumors or sites, warranting further studies.

Durable Metastatic Melanoma Remission Following Pembrolizumab and Radiotherapy: A Case Report of Prophylactic Immunosuppression in a Patient with Myasthenia Gravis and Immune-Mediated Colitis.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and radiotherapy (RT) combinations for various metastatic cancers are increasingly utilized, yet the augmentation of anti-cancer immunity including distant tumor responses by RT remains ill-characterized. Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments and defective anti-tumor immune activation including immune-related adverse events (irAEs) likely limit dramatic immuno-radiotherapy combinations, though it remains unclear which immune characteristics mediate dramatic systemic tumor regression in only a small subset of patients. Moreover, the efficacy of ICI treatment in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapies for autoimmune conditions or irAEs is convoluted, yet clinically valuable. Here, we report a case of a 75-year-old man with myasthenia gravis and metastatic melanoma who experienced complete and durable systemic regression after receiving pembrolizumab and single-lesion RT while on prednisone for myasthenia gravis prophylaxis and vedolizumab for immune-mediated colitis after previously experiencing mixed response on pembrolizumab monotherapy. We discuss the potential paradoxical effects and clinical considerations of immunosuppressive regimens in patients with underlying autoimmune disease or adverse immune reactions while receiving immuno-radiotherapy combinations.

Harnessing DNA Repair Defects to Augment Immune-Based Therapies in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has poor prognosis with limited treatment options, with little therapeutic progress made during the past several decades. DNA damage response (DDR) associated therapies, including radiation and inhibitors of DDR, demonstrate potential efficacy against TNBC, especially under the guidance of genomic subtype-directed treatment. The tumor immune microenvironment also contributes greatly to TNBC malignancy and response to conventional and targeted therapies. Immunotherapy represents a developing trend in targeted therapies directed against TNBC and strategies combining immunotherapy and modulators of the DDR pathways are being pursued. There is increasing understanding of the potential interplay between DDR pathways and immune-associated signaling. As such, the question of how we treat TNBC regarding novel immuno-molecular strategies is continually evolving. In this review, we explore the current and upcoming treatment options of TNBC in the context of DNA repair mechanisms and immune-based therapies, with a focus on implications of recent genomic analyses and clinical trial findings.

Estrogen receptor beta signaling in CD8+ T cells boosts T cell receptor activation and antitumor immunity through a phosphotyrosine switch.

BackgroundThe non-overlapping functions of the two estrogen receptor subtypes, ERα (Estrogen Receptor α)and ERß (Estrogen Receptor ß), in tumor cells have been studied extensively. However, their counterparts in host cells is vastly underinterrogated. Even less is known about how ERα and ERß activities are regulated in a subtype-specific manner. We previously identified a phosphotyrosine residue (pY36) of human ERß that is important for tumor ERß to inhibit growth of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. A role of this ERß phosphotyrosine switch in regulating host ERß remains unclear.Conventional gene editing was used to mutate the corresponding tyrosine residue of endogenous mouse ERß (Y55F) in mouse embryonic stem cells. The derived homozygous mutant Esr2Y55F/Y55F mouse strain and its wild-type (WT) counterpart were compared in various transplant tumor models for their ability to support tumor growth. In addition, flow cytometry-based immunophenotyping was carried out to assess antitumor immunity of WT and mutant hosts. Adoptive transfer of bone marrow and purified CD8+ T cells were performed to identify the host cell type that harbors ERß-dependent antitumor function. Furthermore, cell signaling assays were conducted to compare T cell receptor (TCR)-initiated signaling cascade in CD8+ T cells of WT and mutant mice. Lastly, the ERß-selective agonist S-equol was evaluated for its efficacy to boost immune checkpoint blockade (ICB)-based anticancer immunotherapy.Disabling the ERß-specific phosphotyrosine switch in tumor-bearing hosts exacerbates tumor growth. Further, a cell-autonomous ERß function was defined in CD8+ effector T cells. Mechanistically, TCR activation triggers ERß phosphorylation, which in turn augments the downstream TCR signaling cascade via a non-genomic action of ERß. S-equol facilitates TCR activation that stimulates the ERß phosphotyrosine switch and boosts anti-PD-1 (Programmed cell death protein 1) ICB immunotherapy.Our mouse genetic study clearly demonstrates a role of the ERß phosphotyrosine switch in regulating ERß-dependent antitumor immunity in CD8+ T cells. Our findings support the development of ERß agonists including S-equol in combination with ICB immunotherapy for cancer treatment.

CD122-Selective IL2 Complexes Reduce Immunosuppression, Promote Treg Fragility, and Sensitize Tumor Response to PD-L1 Blockade.

The IL2 receptor (IL2R) is an attractive cancer immunotherapy target that controls immunosuppressive T regulatory cells (Treg) and antitumor T cells. Here we used IL2Rß-selective IL2/anti-IL2 complexes (IL2c) to stimulate effector T cells preferentially in the orthotopic mouse ID8agg ovarian cancer model. Despite strong tumor rejection, IL2c unexpectedly lowered the tumor microenvironmental CD8+/Treg ratio. IL2c reduced tumor microenvironmental Treg suppression and induced a fragile Treg phenotype, helping explain improved efficacy despite numerically increased Tregs without affecting Treg in draining lymph nodes. IL2c also reduced Treg-mediated, high-affinity IL2R signaling needed for optimal Treg functions, a likely mechanism for reduced Treg suppression. Effector T-cell IL2R signaling was simultaneously improved, suggesting that IL2c inhibits Treg functions without hindering effector T cells, a limitation of most Treg depletion agents. Anti-PD-L1 antibody did not treat ID8agg, but adding IL2c generated complete tumor regressions and protective immune memory not achieved by either monotherapy. Similar anti-PD-L1 augmentation of IL2c and degradation of Treg functions were seen in subcutaneous B16 melanoma. Thus, IL2c is a multifunctional immunotherapy agent that stimulates immunity, reduces immunosuppression in a site-specific manner, and combines with other immunotherapies to treat distinct tumors in distinct anatomic compartments. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings present CD122-targeted IL2 complexes as an advancement in cancer immunotherapy, as they reduce Treg immunosuppression, improve anticancer immunity, and boost PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade efficacy in distinct tumors and anatomic locations.

Bone mineral density in adolescent urinary stone formers: is sex important?

Urinary stone disease (USD) is affecting a greater number of children and low bone mineral density (BMD) and increased skeletal fractures have been demonstrated in stone patients; however, the mechanism(s) driving bone disease remain unclear. This pilot study was undertaken to assess an adolescent kidney stone cohort's BMD and evaluate for an inverse correlation between BMD and urine concentration of lithogenic minerals and/or inflammatory levels. Prospective case-control study was carried out at a large pediatric center. 15 participants with USD (12-18 years of age, 8 female) were matched by age, sex, and body mass index to 15 controls. Lumbar and total body BMD z-score did not differ between groups. When stone formers were separated by sex, there was a significant difference between male stone formers vs. controls total body BMD z-score (Fig. 1). BMD z-score did not significantly correlate with urine calcium, oxalate, citrate or magnesium. Higher urine IL-13 did significantly correlate with higher total body BMD z-score (r = 0.677, p = 0.018). Total body BMD z-score did significantly correlate with body mass index (BMI) as expected for the control group (r = 0.6321, p = 0.0133). However, this relationship was not present in the USD group (r = - 0.1629, p = 0.5619). This is a small but hypothesis-generating study which demonstrates novel evidence of male-specific low BMD in adolescent stone formers. Furthermore, we demonstrated a positive association between urine IL-13 and total body BMD z-score USD patients as well as a lack of a positive BMD and BMI correlations in stone formers.

Chemoradiotherapy-induced Cytodifferentiation in Bladder/Prostate Rhabdomyosarcoma With Genetic Downregulation of Myogenin and MyoD1 Gene Expression: A Case Study and Review of the Literature.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common sarcoma diagnosed in childhood and adolescence, arising from the bladder/prostate in only 5%-10% of cases. Treatment-induced cytodifferention of tumor cells into mature rhabdomyoblasts has been reported following chemoradiation and is thought to suggest a more favorable outcome. We report a case of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the bladder/prostate that exhibited extensive cytodifferentiation with downregulation of myogenin and MyoD1 gene expression in rhabdomyoblasts following treatment with chemoradiation therapy. The downregulation of myogenin and MyoD1 expression in rhabdomyoblasts following chemoradiation treatment has not previously been described in the literature and its significant remains uncertain.

Intermediate Follow-up and Management of Previously Reported Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor of the Penis.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are soft tissue sarcomas that arise from peripheral nerve fibers and primarily occur in the setting of neurofibromatosis (NF1). MPNST arising from the penis is very rare and may require mutilating surgery to achieve surgical cure. We previously reported a case of MPNST involving the penis in a 14-month-old boy treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, total penectomy, and adjuvant radiation. Here we report intermediate follow-up of the same patient, describe his subsequent genitourinary reconstruction, and discuss management dilemmas that arise following treatment of penile MPNST.

Age effects of distinct immune checkpoint blockade treatments in a mouse melanoma model.

Cancer immunotherapy has shown remarkable recent progress. Immune checkpoint blocking antibodies have become the most successful anti-cancer agent class ever developed, with six distinct agents approved since 2011 for a wide variety of cancers. Although age is the biggest risk factor for cancer (aside from selected early-onset pediatric cancers), these agents were tested pre-clinically in young hosts, and there is remarkably little published on the effects of host age on treatment outcomes in pre-clinical studies or human clinical trials. The three principal immune checkpoints against which blocking antibodies have been FDA-approved for human use are CTLA-4, PD-1 and PD-L1. We used a mouse model of transplantable, orthotopic B16 melanoma to test age effects of treatments with anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 antibodies. All three agents were highly effective in treating young tumor-bearing hosts as expected. Anti-PD-L1 as a single agent had no effect on tumor growth in aged hosts, anti-CTLA-4 had detectable, modest effects and anti-PD-1 was essentially as effective in aged as in young hosts, the first single agent we have identified not to lose efficacy with age in this model. Other important differences in young versus aged hosts included lack of anti-CTLA-4-mediated depletion of intratumor regulatory T cells in aged hosts and poorer ability of all three agents to activate T cells in aged versus young hosts. Anti-CTLA-4 efficacy appeared to improve when combined with anti-PD-L1. Regulatory T cell depletion with FDA-approved denileukin diftitox did not improve treatment by any single agent. Aged mice tolerated treatments as well as young mice without obvious toxicities at equivalent doses.

Management of Bilateral Undescended Bilobed Testes and Review of the Literature.

Polyorchidism is a rare anomaly of testicular development. Particularly, a bilobed testis is an extremely rare congenital malformation, which is thought to be a variant expression of polyorchidism. Only 5 cases of bilobed testis have been reported in the literature to date. This report is of bilateral, undescended, bilobed testes in a 15-month-old boy who has multiple other malformations of possible genetic etiology.

Tumor cell-intrinsic CD274/PD-L1: A novel metabolic balancing act with clinical potential.

Tumor expression of the immune co-signaling molecule CD274/PD-L1 was originally described as impeding antitumor immunity by direct engagement of its receptor, PDCD1/PD-1, on antitumor T cells. Melanoma-intrinsic PDCD1 was recently shown to promote tumor growth and MTOR signals in cooperation with tumor CD274, and sarcoma-intrinsic CD274 signaling promotes glucose metabolism to impede antitumor immunity. Our recent report shows that tumor cell-intrinsic CD274 promotes MTORC1 signaling in mouse melanoma and mouse and human ovarian cancer, inhibits autophagy and sensitizes some tumors to clinically available pharmacological autophagy inhibitors and confers resistance to MTOR inhibitors. Tumor CD274 could be a biomarker of autophagy or MTOR inhibitor response in selected tumors, and these inhibitors could improve anti-CD274 or anti-PDCD1 cancer immunotherapy. As we found that distinct tumor types exhibit this CD274-driven phenotype, it could be widely applicable.

Tumor-Intrinsic PD-L1 Signals Regulate Cell Growth, Pathogenesis, and Autophagy in Ovarian Cancer and Melanoma.

PD-L1 antibodies produce efficacious clinical responses in diverse human cancers, but the basis for their effects remains unclear, leaving a gap in the understanding of how to rationally leverage therapeutic activity. PD-L1 is widely expressed in tumor cells, but its contributions to tumor pathogenicity are incompletely understood. In this study, we evaluated the hypothesis that PD-L1 exerts tumor cell-intrinsic signals that are critical for pathogenesis. Using RNAi methodology, we attenuated PD-L1 in the murine ovarian cell line ID8agg and the melanoma cell line B16 (termed PD-L1lo cells), which express basal PD-L1. We observed that PD-L1lo cells proliferated more weakly than control cells in vitro As expected, PD-L1lo cells formed tumors in immunocompetent mice relatively more slowly, but unexpectedly, they also formed tumors more slowly in immunodeficient NSG mice. RNA sequencing analysis identified a number of genes involved in autophagy and mTOR signaling that were affected by PD-L1 expression. In support of a functional role, PD-L1 attenuation augmented autophagy and blunted the ability of autophagy inhibitors to limit proliferation in vitro and in vivo in NSG mice. PD-L1 attenuation also reduced mTORC1 activity and augmented the antiproliferative effects of the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin. PD-L1lo cells were also relatively deficient in metastasis to the lung, and we found that anti-PD-L1 administration could block tumor cell growth and metastasis in NSG mice. This therapeutic effect was observed with B16 cells but not ID8agg cells, illustrating tumor- or compartmental-specific effects in the therapeutic setting. Overall, our findings extend understanding of PD-L1 functions, illustrate nonimmune effects of anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy, and suggest broader uses for PD-L1 as a biomarker for assessing cancer therapeutic responses. Cancer Res; 76(23); 6964-74. ©2016 AACR.

Tumor cell-intrinsic PD-L1 promotes tumor-initiating cell generation and functions in melanoma and ovarian cancer.

As tumor PD-L1 provides signals to anti-tumor PD-1+ T cells that blunt their functions, αPD-1 and αPD-L1 antibodies have been developed as anti-cancer immunotherapies based on interrupting this signaling axis. However, tumor cell-intrinsic PD-L1 signals also regulate immune-independent tumor cell proliferation and mTOR signals, among other important effects. Tumor initiating cells (TIC) generate carcinomas, resist treatments and promote relapse. We show here that in murine B16 melanoma and ID8agg ovarian carcinoma cells, TIC express more PD-L1 versus non-TIC. Silencing PD-L1 in B16 and ID8agg cells by shRNA ("PD-L1lo") reduced TIC numbers, the canonical TIC genes nanog and pou5f1 (oct4), and functions as assessed by tumorosphere development, immune-dependent and immune-independent tumorigenesis, and serial transplantability in vivo. Strikingly, tumor PD-L1 sensitized TIC to interferon-γ and rapamycin in vitro. Cell-intrinsic PD-L1 similarly drove functional TIC generation, canonical TIC gene expression, and sensitivity to interferon-γ and rapamycin in human ES2 ovarian cancer cells. Thus, tumor-intrinsic PD-L1 signals promote TIC generation and virulence, possibly by promoting canonical TIC gene expression, suggesting that PD-L1 has novel signaling effects on cancer pathogenesis and treatment responses.

National trends of perioperative outcomes and costs for open, laparoscopic and robotic pediatric pyeloplasty.

PURPOSE: We performed a population based study comparing trends in perioperative outcomes and costs for open, laparoscopic and robotic pediatric pyeloplasty. Specific billing items contributing to cost were also investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the Perspective database (Premier, Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina), we identified 12,662 pediatric patients who underwent open, laparoscopic and robotic pyeloplasty (ICD-9 55.87) in the United States from 2003 to 2010. Univariate and multivariate statistics were used to evaluate perioperative outcomes, complications and costs for the competing surgical approaches. Propensity weighting was used to minimize selection bias. Sampling weights were used to yield a nationally representative sample. RESULTS: A decrease in open pyeloplasty and an increase in minimally invasive pyeloplasty were observed. All procedures had low complication rates. Compared to open pyeloplasty, laparoscopic and robotic pyeloplasty had longer median operative times (240 minutes, p <0.0001 and 270 minutes, p <0.0001, respectively). There was no difference in median length of stay. Median total cost was lower among patients undergoing open vs robotic pyeloplasty ($7,221 vs $10,780, p <0.001). This cost difference was largely attributable to robotic supply costs. CONCLUSIONS: During the study period open pyeloplasty made up a declining majority of cases. Use of laparoscopic pyeloplasty plateaued, while robotic pyeloplasty increased. Operative time was longer for minimally invasive pyeloplasty, while length of stay was equivalent across all procedures. A higher cost associated with robotic pyeloplasty was driven by operating room use and robotic equipment costs, which nullified low room and board cost. This study reflects an adoption period for robotic pyeloplasty. With time, perioperative outcomes and cost may improve.

Factor VIIa binding to endothelial cell protein C receptor: differences between mouse and human systems.

Recent in vitro studies have shown that the zymogen and activated form of factor (F)VII bind to endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR). At present, there is no evidence that FVIIa binds to EPCR on vascular endothelium in vivo in the presence of circulating protein C, a primary ligand for EPCR. The present study was carried out to investigate the interaction of murine and human ligands with murine EPCR both in vivo and in vitro . Measurement of endogenous plasma levels of FVII in wild-type, EPCR-deficient and EPCR-over expressing mice showed slightly lower levels of FVII in EPCR-over expressing mice. However, infusion of high concentrations of competing ligands, either human APCi or FVIIai, to EPCR-over expressing mice failed to increase plasma levels of mouse FVII whereas they increased the plasma levels of protein C by two- to three-fold. Examining the association of exogenously administered mouse FVIIa or human FVIIa by immunohistochemistry revealed that human, but not murine FVIIa, binds to the murine endothelium in an EPCR-dependent manner. In vitro binding studies performed using surface plasmon resonance and endothelial cells revealed that murine FVIIa binds murine EPCR negligibly. Human FVIIa binding to EPCR, particularly to mouse EPCR, is markedly enhanced by availability of Mg2+ ions. In summary, our data show that murine FVIIa binds poorly to murine EPCR, whereas human FVIIa binds efficiently to both murine and human EPCR. Our data suggest that one should consider the use of human FVIIa in mouse models to investigate the significance of FVIIa and EPCR interaction.

The leucine zipper putative tumor suppressor 2 protein LZTS2 regulates kidney development.

Members of the leucine zipper putative tumor suppressor (LZTS) family play crucial roles in transcription modulation and cell cycle control. We previously demonstrated that LZTS2 functions as a novel ß-catenin-interacting protein and represses ß-catenin-mediated transcription on T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancing factor. Here, we investigate the biological role of LZTS2 using newly established Lzts2 KO mice. Homozygosity for loss-of-function of the Lzts2-targeted allele resulted in severe kidney and urinary tract developmental defects, including renal/ureteral duplication, hydroureter, and hydronephrosis, which were visible prenatally. Altered ureteric bud outgrowth was identified in Lzts2 null embryos. Further analysis indicated that ß-catenin subcellular localization was altered in fibroblasts isolated from Lzts2 null embryos. In addition, Wnt growth factor-induced ß-catenin-mediated transcriptional activity was increased in Lzts2 null fibroblasts, suggesting a direct role for Lzts2 in the Wnt signaling pathway. These data demonstrate a critical role of LZTS2 in renal development and implicate LZTS2 as a critical regulator of ß-catenin-mediated nephrogenesis.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy without formal collecting system closure: perioperative outcomes in 104 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) paralleling open techniques, particularly closure of the collecting system, can be technically challenging for the novice laparoscopist. We describe operative results and complications of a single surgeon, retrospectively reviewed series using a simplified method of hand assistance and a fibrin glue patch for hemostasis without formal collecting system closure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified 104 consecutive patients between September 2003 and January 2009 who underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (HALPN). Our technique involves routine hilar clamping after isolation of the tumor and mobilization of the kidney. After resection of the mass, a fibrin glue patch is placed within the surgical defect and secured with bolstering sutures. No attempt is made to suture the collecting system, nor are ureteral catheters placed when the collecting system is entered during resection of the tumor. RESULTS: Mean tumor size was 2.8 cm (median 2.5 cm, range 0.7-7.0 cm). With hilar clamping, warm ischemia time averaged 24.5 minutes (range 11-39 min). Estimated blood loss averaged 220 mL (range 50-1500 mL), and five (4.8%) patients received transfusions either intraoperatively or postoperatively. Urine leak occurred in 1.9% (n=2) of patients overall and 4.3% (2/47) of patients with documented collecting system entry. Both urine leaks resolved with conservative management only. CONCLUSIONS: HALPN without formal collecting system closure is a safe and effective technique with similar urine leak and transfusion rates compared with other series. This technique may allow more urologists to perform minimally invasive partial nephrectomy or to do so with potentially shorter ischemia times.