Assessment of the VEGF, bFGF, aFGF and IL8 angiogenic activity in urinary bladder carcinoma, using the mice cutaneous angiogenesis test.

Development of new blood vessels in solid tumors depends on changes in equilibrium between angiogenic stimulators and inhibitors. Overexpression of angiogenic growth factors has been shown in bladder carcinoma. The 'mice cutaneous angiogenesis test' is a good method for assessment of the total angiogenic potential of bladder cancer tissue. The analysis of the levels of proangiogenic factors could be useful for the choice of properly directed angiogenesis inhibitors. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of blocking some angiogenic factors on the angiogenic activity of bladder cancer tissue. Tumor tissue obtained from 12 patients with invasive bladder carcinoma was used. Cancer tissue homogenates were incubated in the presence of specific antibodies against VEGF, bFGF, Il-8 and aFGF. Cytokine levels were determined using the ELISA test. Cutaneous angiogenesis assay in Balb/c mice was performed to detect the angiogenic activity of the tumor tissue. VEGF, bFGF and Il-8 were present in all examined cancer tissues (aFGF level was not estimated). Cytokine concentration and angiogenic activity of bladder cancer tissue showed individual variation. There was no correlation between the cytokines content in tumor tissue and the ability of this tissue to induce angiogenesis. Absorption caused significant reduction in cytokines level. The reduction of angiogenic activity was observed in the cancer tissue of 1 patient after VEGF absorption, in 3 patients' tissue homogenates after incubation with anti-aFGF and in 2 patients' homogenates after bFGF absorption. There was no reduction of angiogenic activity after Il-8 absorption.

Combined extracts of Urtica dioica and Pygeum africanum in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: double-blind comparison of two doses.

The 134 patients (aged 53 to 84 years) with symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia were drawn from two medical centers in Warsaw. The patients were randomly assigned to receive two capsules of the standard dose of an urtica/pygeum preparation (300 mg of Urtica dioica root extract combined with 25 mg of Pygeum africanum bark extract) or two capsules containing half the standard dose twice daily for 8 weeks. After 28 days' treatment, urine flow, residual urine, and nycturia were significantly reduced in both treatment groups. After 56 days' treatment, further significant decreases were found in residual urine (half-dose group) and in nycturia (both groups). There were no between-group differences in these measures of efficacy. Five patients reported adverse effects of treatment; treatment was not discontinued in any patient because of side effects. It is concluded that half doses of the urtica/pygeum extract are as safe and effective as the recommended full doses.

Supracystic urine diversion in patients with bladder carcinoma treated by cystectomy preceded by "short radiotherapy" (2000 R).

The authors assessed the results of supracystic urine diversion in 50 patients treated by cystectomy for bladder carcinoma who had "short radiotherapy" (2000 R) before the operation. It was found that preoperative radiotherapy caused no difficulties during subsequent cystectomy and the observed postoperative complications should be related rather to the surgical technique. It seems that indications to urine diversion by the method of Goodwin or Coffey should be considered with greater caution. In patients past the age of 65 years and those with more advanced neoplasms (T-3, T-4) bilateral ureterocutaneostomy should be performed more frequently for suprapubic urine diversion.

Preliminary evaluation of the Polish tissue adhesive "Chirurcoll/Polfa" in urology.

During the past two years, from June 7, 1974 to August 9, 1976, the authors used the Polish tissue adhesive "Chirurcoll/Polfa" in 60 operated patients. The operations were performed on the solitary kidney, on the kidneys of staghorn calculi, in fixation of a floating kidney and, fixation and elevation of the bladder in women with urinary stress incontinence. In all cases the postoperative course was smooth and the results of operation were satisfactory. None of the patients were re-operated and histological examinations were not performed.