Human renal cell cancer proliferation in tissue culture is tonically inhibited by opioid growth factor.

PURPOSE: Peptide growth factors alter cellular events by binding to specific receptors. One group of peptides, the endogenous opioids, is important in the growth of normal and neoplastic tissue. [Met5]enkephalin, also termed opioid growth factor (OGF), is a tonically active inhibitory factor that interacts with the OGF receptor, OGFr, formerly identified as Greek zeta (zeta) and appears to be autocrine produced by human cancer cells. This study examined the hypothesis that OGF directly inhibits proliferation of renal cell carcinoma in tissue culture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human renal cancer cells (Caki-2) were grown using routine tissue culture techniques. A variety of natural and synthetic opioids including OGF, opioid antagonists, and opioid antibodies were added to renal cancer cell cultures to determine role of these peptides in renal cell carcinoma. The experiments were repeated in serum-free media, and with 4 other human renal cancer cell lines: Caki-2, A498, SN12C, and ACHN. Immunocytochemistry was performed to examine the presence of OGF and its receptor. RESULTS: OGF was the most potent opioid peptide to influence human renal cell carcinoma. OGF depressed growth within 12 hours of treatment, with cell numbers subnormal by up to 48% of control levels. OGF action was receptor mediated, reversible, not cytotoxic, neutralized by antibodies to the peptide, and detected in the human renal cell carcinoma lines examined. OGF appeared to be autocrine produced and secreted, and was constitutively expressed. Both OGF and its receptor were detected in these cells. CONCLUSION: OGF tonically inhibits renal cancer cell proliferation in tissue culture, and may play a role in the pathogenesis and management of human renal cell cancer.

Improved detection of recurrent bladder cancer using the Bard BTA stat Test.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the BTA stat Test in the detection of recurrent bladder cancer. METHODS: Sensitivity and specificity were determined using frozen voided urine samples from patients with recurrent bladder cancer, volunteers, patients with nonurologic conditions, and patients with a history of bladder cancer but free of disease. Results of cytology and the original BTA Test were compared with the sensitivity of the BTA stat Test in a large subgroup of the patients with cancer. RESULTS: The BTA stat Test detected 147 (67%) of 220 recurrent cancers. For those urine samples with previous cytologic and BTA Test results available, cytology had a sensitivity of 23%, the BTA Test 44%, and the BTA stat Test 58% for detection of recurrent cancer (P < 0.001, stat versus cytology). The specificity of the BTA stat Test was 72% for benign genitourinary disease and 95% in healthy volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: The BTA stat Test has high sensitivity and is significantly superior to voided urine cytologic analysis in the detection of recurrent bladder cancer.

Results of a multicenter trial using the BTA test to monitor for and diagnose recurrent bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVES: We compare the Bard BTA (bladder tumor antigen) test to voided cytology studies in patients undergoing surveillance cystoscopy for recurrent bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, blinded, multicenter trial was performed. RESULTS: A total of 499 patients underwent 1,014 cystoscopic examinations and tumor was identified in 151. The bladder tumor antigen test was more sensitive than cytology studies in detecting recurrent cancer (p < 0.001), being positive in 61 cases versus 25 for cytology. The trial in healthy volunteers and nonurological patients estimates bladder tumor antigen test specificity to be 95.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The bladder tumor antigen test is a simple, rapid and inexpensive adjunct to cystoscopy, and the results are equivalent or superior to those of voided cytology as performed in this trial.

The efficacy of transrectal ultrasound and prostate cancer.

An increased interest in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, particularly in the last few years, is reflected in the literature. Numerous articles have been published since 1980 on the subject of imaging of the prostate gland. This article is a review of transrectal ultrasound and its efficacy in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Included is a review of the normal prostate anatomy, typical and atypical sonographic features, clinical and radiographic staging of prostate cancer, efficacy of the digital rectal examination, role of ultrasound in prostate cancer screening, surgical treatment, and radiotherapy of prostate cancer.

Management of simultaneous renal and ureteral calculi: combined extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and ureteroscopy under a single anesthetic.

Simultaneously occurring renal and ureteral calculi were treated in 28 renal units combining extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and ureteroscopy during a single anesthetic session. Distributions of ureteral calculi removed or attempted to be removed by ureteroscopy were upper third in 3, middle third in 4 and lower third in 21. If ureteroscopy was successful a ureteral stent was placed and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was applied to more proximal renal and upper ureteral calculi. Of 28 renal units 25 (89%) were rendered free of stones or had passable calculi of less than 3 mm. in diameter after a single combined treatment. This combined approach appears to be safe, effective and efficient.

Desmopressin control of surgical hemorrhage secondary to prolonged bleeding time.

Desmopressin has been used as a hemostatic agent in numerous hematological and nonhematological diseases. We report a case of surgical hemorrhage secondary to prolonged bleeding time of unexplained origin controlled with desmopressin.

Influence of cyclosporine on posttransplant blood pressure response.

The suggestion that hypertension is more prevalent in renal allograft recipients receiving cyclosporine (CyA), particularly those displaying nephrotoxicity, was tested by reviewing 200 patients' courses, including 92 cadaver (CAD) and 58 living-related (LRD) transplants using CyA and prednisone immunosuppression, and 19 CAD and 31 LRD transplants using azathioprine (Aza) and prednisone, all of whom had at least 1 year posttransplant complete outpatient follow-up. Both groups had a mean age of 33 years with a similar distribution of renal failure etiologies. Renal function was significantly impaired in the CyA group at all intervals (P less than .001, t test). The prevalence of hypertension was higher in the CyA group at all intervals, becoming significant at 12 (P less than .01) and 24 (P less than .05) months following transplantation (chi 2). While there was only a significant difference in mean diastolic BP at 12 months (P less than .05, t test), the mean number of antihypertensive and/or diuretic medications was significantly greater in the CyA group at 1 and 6 months (P less than .001) and at 12 months (P less than .01). By 24 months, the mean number of all antihypertensive and/or diuretic medications was no longer significantly different. However, the antihypertensive and diuretic requirements of the CyA group diminished with time, suggesting that the hypertension is not progressive if the CyA serum trough levels are maintained in the nontoxic range (less than 200 ng/mL).

Recipient ureterocalycostomy in a renal allograft: case report of a transplant salvage.

The use of a recipient ureter ureterocalycostomy in the management of ureteral obstruction in a renal transplant recipient is presented. This technique can be used when primary modes of reconstruction are unavailable and nephrectomy is the only alternative.

Salvage of difficult transplant complications by percutaneous techniques.

The use of percutaneous endourological techniques is demonstrated in recipients of renal allografts. Transplant complications that previously had required prompt surgical intervention may be approached safely by the judicious use of percutaneous manipulations. While examples of perirenal hematoma, renal abscess, urinary fistula and renal pelvic stone extraction are presented, close patient observation and a low threshold for surgical intervention are recommended to permit the continued, safe evaluation of this approach.

Use of single J urinary diversion stents in intestinal urinary diversion.

A review of the past twenty months of intestinal-urinary diversion with use of the single J urinary diversion stents at Albany Medical Center Hospital and the Albany Veterans Administration Medical Center resulted in no ureteroileal anastomotic fistulas. Thirty-seven stented anastomoses were performed in 19 patients.

Effect of external pressure on axillofemoral bypass grafts.

External compression of axillofemoral grafts has been suggested many times as a cause for graft thrombosis. Thrombosis during sleep is the most common presentation of axillofemoral graft failure. Therefore, external compression of the graft by the body weight has been implicated in graft thrombosis. Six consecutive patients with axillofemoral bypass grafts for aortoiliac disease were studied on routine clinic visits. Pulsatile flow characteristics were studied by pulse volume recordings (PVR) and segmental Doppler pressure measurements in calf and ankle, prior to and during attempted graft compression, by having the patient lay on the graft. External compression by body weight did not alter the PVR and segmental Doppler pressure (P = NS) in the distal circulation. Therefore, these data suggest that external compression by the body weight may not be the primary cause of graft failure.