Advances in Medical Treatment of Primary Aldosteronism / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common form of secondary hypertension, with its main manifestations including hypertension and hypokalemia. Early identification of PA is extremely important as PA patients can easily develop cardiovascular complications such as atrial fibrillation, stroke, and myocardial infarction. The past decade has witnessed the rapid advances in the genetics of PA, which has shed new light on PA treatment. While surgery is the first choice for unilateral diseases, bilateral lesions can be treated with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs). The next-generation non-steroidal MRAs are under investigations. New medications including calcium channel blockers, macrophage antibiotics, and aldosterone synthase inhibitors have provided a new perspective for the medical treatment of PA.

Ultrasound-Guided Transmuscular Quadratus Lumbar Block Reduces Opioid Consumption after Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Objectives Transmuscular quadratus lumborum block (TQLB) may provide postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing intraperitoneal surgeries. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential efficacy of TQLB among patients undergoing retroperitoneal procedures, such as the laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). Methods This prospective, randomized, controlled study was conducted from August 2017 to November 2018 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (Beijing, China). Patients who were scheduled for a LPN, aged 18-70 years old with an ASA physical status score of I - II were randomly assigned to receive either TQLB with 0.6 ml/kg of 0.5% ropivacaine plus general anesthesia (TQLB group) or general anesthesia alone (control group). Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with morphine was initiated immediately upon surgery completion. The primary outcome was the cumulative consumption of morphine within 8 h after surgery. The secondary outcome included postoperative consumptions of morphine at other time points, pain score at rest and during activity, postoperative nausea and vomitting (PONV), and recovery related parameters. Results Totally 30 patients per group were recruited in the study. The 8 h consumption of morphine was lower in the TQLB group than in the control group (median, 0.023 mg/kg

Comprehensive treatment of adrenal cortical carcinoma / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical and functional imaging examination and pathological features of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), in order to improve the diagnosis and treatment of ACC.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 93 patients with ACC were analyzed retrospectively. Their diagnosis, surgical treatment and follow-up of mitotane medcine therapy were madeaccording to clinical manifestations, adrenal endocrine function determination, imaging examination characteristics and histopathological results.@*RESULTS@#Among the 93 patients, the age ranged from 11 to 76 years, with a median age of 48 years. The ratio of male to female was 1:1.2. Twenty-four hours urinary free cortisol (UFC) elevated in 86 cases, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) decreased in 88 cases, blood F rhythm disappeared in 82 cases, and 31 cases of aldosterone increased. Thirty-six cases of sexual hormone increased. Neuron specific enolase (NSE) increased in 27 cases. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) increased in 26 cases. Seventy-six cases of high-dose dexamethasone suppression test (HDDST) and low-dose dexamethasone supression test (LDDST) were not suppressed separately. There were 62 cases of hypertension, and typical Cushing manifestations in 81 cases. Blood glucose elevated in 54 cases. Hypokalemia was in 21 cases and androgen secretion increased in 36 cases. The maximum diameter of the tumor was 3-17 cm, with 6 cases of adrenal central vein, renal vein and inferior vena cava tumor thrombus. The recurrence time was 1.2-5.0 years after operation. Metastasis and recurrence were in 56 cases during the follow-up, lung metastasis in 13 cases, liver metastasis in 17 cases, retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis in 9 cases, lumbar metastasis in 7 cases, ovarian metastasis in 3 cases, abdominal wall and incision implantation in 4 cases. Fifteen cases with distant metastasis. Seventy-seven patients were treated with radical adrenalectomy, and the other patients were treated with renal and adrenal resection on the same side of the kidney. There were 5 cases of adrenal tumor with vena cava tumor thrombus in the removal of the tumor, and the other for the partial resection of the vena cava in 3 cases. Regarding the clinical stage, stage I was in 39 cases, stage II in 28 cases, stage III in 16 cases and stage IV in 10 cases. The patients were followed up for 8-69 months, and 43 patients survived more than 5 years.@*CONCLUSION@#Function imaging combined with clinical features and endocrine hormone levels have important roles in ACC early diagnosis. Radical excision is the only effective treatment. Adjuvant or adjuvant mitotane drug therapy can brused for the treatment of recurrence and metastasis ACC patients,. ACC is a tumor with high malignancy and poor prognosis.

Current Progress and Controversies in Prostate Cancer Management / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The optimal management strategy for prostate cancer (PCa) remains controversial. We performed a systemic review of current progress and controversies regarding the diagnosis and treatment of PCa.</p><p><b>DATA SOURCES</b>We searched PubMed for recently published articles up to July 2017 using the following key words: "prostate cancer," "progress," "controversy," "immunotherapy," and "prevention."</p><p><b>STUDY SELECTION</b>Articles were obtained and reviewed to provide a systematic review of the current progress and controversies regarding PCa management.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The value of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening remains controversial, but PSA screening is recommended to facilitate the early diagnosis of PCa in high-risk groups. Prostate biopsy via the transrectal or perineal approach has both advantages and disadvantages. There was a significant correlation between testosterone levels and PCa prognosis. The current research is focused on the mechanisms responsible for PCa. Active surveillance has been proposed as a management strategy for low-risk, localized PCa, but there is an urgent need for further clinical studies to establish the criteria for recommending this approach. The main complications of radical resection for PCa are urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction, though three-dimensional laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic techniques have obvious advantages over radical surgery. Radiotherapy is also a therapeutic option for PCa, while immunotherapies may alter the prostate tumor microenvironment. Ongoing studies aim to provide guidance on effective sequential and combination strategies. Prevention remains an important strategy for reducing PCa morbidity and mortality.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of PCa are complex issues, worthy of intensive study. Further studies are needed to improve the management of PCa.</p>

Preliminary Application of WCX Magnetic Bead-Based Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry in Analyzing the Urine of Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Objective To evaluate the application of weak cation exchange (WCX) magnetic bead-based Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in detecting differentially expressed proteins in the urine of renal clear cell carcinoma (RCCC) and its value in the early diagnosis of RCCC.Methods Eleven newly diagnosed patients (10 males and 1 female, aged 46-78, mean 63 years) of renal clear cell carcinoma by biopsy and 10 healthy volunteers (all males, aged 25-32, mean 29.7 years) were enrolled in this study. Urine samples of the RCCC patients and healthy controls were collected in the morning. Weak cation exchange (WCX) bead-based MALDI-TOF MS technique was applied in detecting differential protein peaks in the urine of RCCC. ClinProTools2.2 software was utilized to determine the characteristic proteins in the urine of RCCC patients for the predictive model of RCCC. Results The technique identified 160 protein peaks in the urine that were different between RCCC patients and health controls; and among them, there was one peak (molecular weight of 2221.71 Da) with statistical significance (P=0.0304). With genetic algorithms and the support vector machine, we screened out 13 characteristic protein peaks for the predictive model. Conclusions The application of WCX magnetic bead-based MALDI-TOF MS in detecting differentially expressed proteins in urine may have potential value for the early diagnosis of RCCC.

Ultrasound-guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Improves Postoperative Analgesia and Early Recovery in Patients Undergoing Retroperitoneoscopic Urologic Surgeries: A Randomized Controlled Double-blinded Trial / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<strong>Objective</strong> To evaluate the effects of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block on postoperative analgesia and early recovery in patients undergoing retroperitoneoscopic urologic surgeries. <strong>Methods</strong> This was a randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial. Eligible patients scheduled for retroperitoneoscopic urologic surgeries were randomly assigned to two groups. Group TAP received ultrasound-guided TAP block with 0.5% ropivacaine 20 ml at 30 minutes before surgery, and Group C received TAP sham block with normal saline. All patients received retroperitoneoscopic urologic surgeries under general anesthesia. The primary outcome was the severity of pain after surgery. Secondary outcomes included opioids consumption, analgesics, postoperative nausea and vomiting, time to Foley catheter removal and to passage of flatus, length of post-anesthesia care unit stay and hospital stay. <strong>Results</strong> Eighty patients completed the study, forty cases in each group. Compared to the Group C, the Group TAP had lower visual analogue scale pain scores within two postoperative days (all P<0.05). They also had less consumption of intraoperative fentanyl (2.0±0.5 vs. 3.8±0.7 μg/kg, P<0.05), reduced incidence of postoperative rescue analgesic usage (12.5% vs. 45.0%, P<0.05), and lower incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting within postoperative 48 hours (12.5% vs. 25.0%, P<0.05) when compared to the Group C. In addition, Group TAP had a shortened post-anesthesia care unit stay (25±8 vs. 49±12 minutes, P<0.05), and a greater proportion of patients discharged within postoperative three days (57.5% vs. 35.0%, P<0.05). <strong>Conclusion</strong> Preoperative ultrasound-guided TAP block is an effective technique to improve postoperative analgesia and early recovery in patients undergoing retroperitoneoscopic urologic surgeries.

Ultrasound-guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Improves Postoperative Analgesia and Early Recovery in Patients Undergoing Retroperitoneoscopic Urologic Surgeries: A Randomized Controlled Double-blinded Trial / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Objective To evaluate the effects of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block on postoperative analgesia and early recovery in patients undergoing retroperitoneoscopic urologic surgeries. Methods This was a randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial. Eligible patients scheduled for retroperitoneoscopic urologic surgeries were randomly assigned to two groups. Group TAP received ultrasound-guided TAP block with 0.5% ropivacaine 20 ml at 30 minutes before surgery, and Group C received TAP sham block with normal saline. All patients received retroperitoneoscopic urologic surgeries under general anesthesia. The primary outcome was the severity of pain after surgery. Secondary outcomes included opioids consumption, analgesics, postoperative nausea and vomiting, time to Foley catheter removal and to passage of flatus, length of post-anesthesia care unit stay and hospital stay. Results Eighty patients completed the study, forty cases in each group. Compared to the Group C, the Group TAP had lower visual analogue scale pain scores within two postoperative days (all P<0.05). They also had less consumption of intraoperative fentanyl (2.0±0.5 vs. 3.8±0.7 μg/kg, P<0.05), reduced incidence of postoperative rescue analgesic usage (12.5% vs. 45.0%, P<0.05), and lower incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting within postoperative 48 hours (12.5% vs. 25.0%, P<0.05) when compared to the Group C. In addition, Group TAP had a shortened post-anesthesia care unit stay (25±8 vs. 49±12 minutes, P<0.05), and a greater proportion of patients discharged within postoperative three days (57.5% vs. 35.0%, P<0.05). Conclusion Preoperative ultrasound-guided TAP block is an effective technique to improve postoperative analgesia and early recovery in patients undergoing retroperitoneoscopic urologic surgeries.

Effects of sunitinib malate on growth of human bladder transitional cell line T24 in vitro / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the growth-inhibitory effect of sunitinib malate on human bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human bladder TCC cell line T24 was cultured and exposed to graded concentrations of sunitinib malate for 72 hours in vitro to determine the sensitivities to drug. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Cell apoptotic morphology was observed by fluorescence microscope following DAPI staining. Band expressions of Fas, Fas ligand, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and β-actin were analyzed by Western blot. Wound healing process of T24 cells exposed to sunitinib malate was assayed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sunitinib malate exerted a concentration-dependent and time-dependent inhibitory effect on the T24 cell lines. Fluorescence microscopy showed that small vacuoles appeared in the nuclei of T24 cells and the vacuoles were bigger with higher drug concentrations. The expressions of Fas ligand and PARP in T24 cells treated with sunitinib malate exhibited a concentration-dependent increase. Moreover sunitinib malate suppressed the wound healing process in a concentration-dependent manner.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sunitinib malate exerted marked inhibitory activity against bladder cancer cell line T24.</p>

Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Gleason Score 10 Prostate Cancer on Core Biopsy Treated by External Radiotherapy and Hormone Therapy / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with Gleason score 10 prostate cancer treated by external radiotherapy and hormone therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2003 to March 2014, 1832 patients with prostate cancer were treated, among which 9 patients (represented 0.49%) were identified as Gleason score 10 disease on prostate core biopsy without distant metastases when first diagnosed. All 9 patients were treated by whole pelvic external radiotherapy (The whole pelvic dose was 50.0 Gy and the boost dose ranged from 76.2 to 78.0 Gy) and long-term hormone therapy. We assessed the clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes and treatment toxicities. Survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The median follow-up was 4.8 years. Six patients' pre-treatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were lower than 20.0 μg/L and three patients' pre-treatment PSA levels were higher than 70.0 μg/L. The median percentage of positive biopsy cores was 91%. Three, four and two cases were classified as T2c, T3a and T3b stage, respectively. Three cases were assessed as N1 stage. The 5-year biochemical failure-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, cancer specific survival and overall survival rates were 28.6%, 57.1%, 66.7% and 57.1%, respectively. Five patients experienced grade 1-2 acute gastrointestinal toxicities and six patients complained of grade 1-2 acute genitourinary toxicities. No bone fracture or cardiovascular disease was detected.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Gleason score 10 prostate cancer on core biopsy is usually combined with other high risk factors. The pre-treatment PSA levels lie in two extremes. Timely and active treatments are urgent needed because unfavourable oncological outcomes are often presented.</p>

Mental health status of infertility patients with varicocele / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the mental health status of infertility patients with varicocele and its relationship with infertility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD), we assessed the psychological status of 110 infertility patients with varicocele, identified the risk factors of anxiety and depression in these patients, and analyzed the correlation among psychological and other relevant factors. Meanwhile, we recruited 61 age-matched normal fertile men as controls for comparative analysis. We also conducted logistic regression analysis on the mental health status of the 106 infertility patients with varicocele.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence rates of anxiety were 61.32% and 13.79%, while those of depression 37.73% and 6.90% in the infertile patients and normal fertile controls, respectively, significantly higher in the former than in the latter (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the main risk factors of anxiety and depression of the infertile patients were the number of times they sought medical care and the severity of their testis disorders.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Infertility patients with varicocele have psychological disorders, which are particularly associated with the frequency of the patients' clinic visit and the severity of their testis disorders.</p>

Analysis of indications of the acupoints in the same nervous segment on back and abdomen / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the indication law of fourteen channels acupoint that is located in the same nervous segment of T1-T12 on the back and abdomen.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By retrieving indications of fourteen channels acupoint that is located in the dominating areas of T1 - T12 in LIN Zhao-geng 's New Collection of Acupuncture-moxibustion and SHEN Xue-yong's Science of meridian-collateral and acupoint, indications of fourteen channels acupoint in the same nervous segment of skin and muscle were statistically managed, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was an obvious nervous segmental law of acupoint in the skin and muscle. The acupoint indication of neighboring nervous segment was similar, which was closely related to corresponding internal organs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The acupoint indication is decided by the space of nervous segment which dominats their related organ. From aspect of nervous structure, this article confirms that acupoint indications focus on nervous segment to carry out the regulation effect of acupoint on internal organs function, which means it has superior regulation effect on internal organs disease that is located in the same or neighboring nervous segment of acupoint.</p>

Status and change pattern of kidney transplantation: one center research / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To retrospectively investigate the distribution in kidney transplantation for fifteen years in Peking Union Medical College Hospital.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We conducted a descriptive research counting up the number of patients who received kidney transplantation each year in our hospital during 1995 and 2010.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The first kidney transplantation in our hospital occurred in the 1960s. The number of kidney transplantation increased until reaching a maximum of 47 grafts in 2001; since then the number fell.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>With the decreased number of kidney transplantation, we have realized the shortage of transplantable organs is very serious. The continuing transplant shortage requires major efforts to expand the donor pool. Donation after cardiac death offers the potential to enlarge the donor pool, but we need to strictly control the criteria for potential donors.</p>

Regulatory effects of cyclosporin A and tacrolimus on the immunological gene expressions in renal transplant recipients / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the change of Th immunological gene in renal transplant recipients after the treatment of cyclosporine (CsA) and tacrolimus (FK506).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The peripheral blood lymphacytes just before and 24 hours after CsA and FK506 treatment were isolated. The total RNA of them were reverse-transcripted and examined by real-time quantity PCR array. The results were analyzed by bioinformatic methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The TLR4, CEBPB, IL4R, IL1R1,IL18R1,and IL1R2 genes were remarkably upregulated, whereas IL-2, CCL5, CD27, CCR5, CCR4, CD4, RPL13A, TGFB3, CD86, CCR3, STAT1, NFATC2IP, IL23A, IL15, IRF4, and TFCP2 were downregulated 24 hours after CsA treatment. The IL18, IL7, PTPRC, TNFSF4, SPP1, GFI1, TLR4, IL13RA1, TNF, INHBA, LAG3, IL13, IL1R1, SOCS5, IL10, YY1, TBX21, FASLG, IL18R1, and IL1R2 genes were remarkably upregulated, whereas IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-6,CCR5, CD4, CD27, CD40LG, IL15, CCR3, CD86, CCR4, and IRF4 were obviously downregulated 24 hours after FK506 treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CsA and FK506 exert their therapeutic effectiveness by regulating the expressions of a series of target genes.</p>

Safety and effectiveness of percutaneous embolization for late failed renal allograft in patients with graft intolerance syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical safety and effectiveness of percutaneous embolization in treating the late failed renal allograft in patients with graft intolerance syndrome (GIS). METHODS: Transcatheter embolization of renal graft artery was performed in 18 patients with late graft dysfunction and GIS. The subsequent complications, postoperative symptom remission rate, and prognosis were assessed. RESULTS: GIS was relieved in 15 patients (83.3%), of which 6 patients (33.3%) had severer fever and pain in the area of renal graft after embolization, which lasted for a mean of 3.5 days (range: 2-5 days). GIS persisted for more than 2 weeks in 3 patients (16.7%), who ultimately underwent surgical removal of grafts. No severe embolism-associated complications were noted. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous embolization can effectively avoid surgical graft removal in patients with late renal allograft failure, and therefore can be used as a safe and effective treatment for the late failed renal allograft combined with GIS.

Open partial nephrectomy in solitary kidney with multiple renal cell carcinoma: a case report.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in a solitary kidney presents a unique clinical challenge to urological surgeons. Partial nephrectomy (PN) or nephron-sparing surgery in this condition provides good oncological and renal functional outcomes with an acceptable complication rate. Long-term renal function remains stable in most patients with solitary kidneys after a reduction of more than 50% in renal mass.PN is a surgical procedure reserved for patients with a tumor in a solitary kidney, bilateral renal tumors, or renal function impairment. The challenge of preserving renal parenchyma is significantly complicated with the discovery of multiple masses in a solitary kidney because any subsequent complications may result in a significant decline in quality of life. Particularly in the case of postoperative renal failure, dialysis becomes necessary.

Expressions of receptor tyrosine kinases mRNA and protein in carcinoma of bladder / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the expressions of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) mRNA and protein and to explore potentially promising tumor markers and conceivable drug target in bladder cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expressions of RTKs mRNA and protein in tissue from invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder were examined by real-time quantitative PCR array and cytokine antibody array, with normal bladder tissue as control. The Results were analyzed using bioinformatic approaches.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expressions of TGFA, STAB1, SERPINE1, ANGPT2, SPINK5, ANGPTL1, PROK1, MDK, CXCL9, GRN, RUNX1, VEGFA, and TGFB1 were obviously upregulated in bladder cancer tissue, while those of EDIL3, PTN, CCL2, PDGFD, FGF13, KITLG, FGF2, SERPINF1, and TNF were downregulated. ALK, Btk, EphB2, ErbB4, PDGFR-α, ROS, Tie-2, Tyk2, and VEGFR3 were over-expressed in bladder cancer, while FRK, Fyn, IGF-IR, Insulin R, Itk, JAK1, JAK3, and LCK were low-expressed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Vascular endothelial growth factor/platelet-derived growth factor-targeted therapies may play an active role in treating carcinoma of bladder.</p>

Diagnosis and treatment of primary adult renal sarcoma / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical characteristics of primary adult renal sarcoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 1654 cases with adult renal tumors were treated during 1985 to 2009 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Of all, 17 cases were diagnosed as primary renal sarcoma and underwent radical nephrectomy. The clinical features of 17 such patients were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The first symptom of 10 (59%) cases in all renal sarcomas was abdominal mass. The pathological diagnosis was leiomyosarcoma (7 cases), rhabdomyosarcoma (2 cases), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (2 cases), low-differentiated sarcoma (2 cases), chromophobe renal cell carcinoma coexisting with liposarcoma (1 case), fibrosarcoma (1 case), embryonic sarcoma (1 case) and leiomyosarcoma (1 case). One patient died of tumor thrombus of the inferior vena cava during surgery. Finally, 15 cases were regularly followed up for 4 to 60 months. Till now, 1 had tumor-free survival for 9 months, and the other 14 cases died 2-38 months after the operation with a median survival time of 18 (range, 5-60) months. The median survival time of leiomyosarcoma group was 28 (range, 11-60) months, and 2 cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma died 4 and 8 months after the operation respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The primary renal sarcoma has the clinical symptom similar with advanced renal cell carcinoma and has poor prognosis. Leiomyosarcoma might have relative good prognosis.</p>

Advances in diagnosis and treatment of renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus / 中国医学科学院学报

The diagnosis,surgical treatment,and comprehensive treatment of renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus have advanced rapidly in recent years. Both the survival and quality of life of the patients have remarkably improved. Further advance in basic research may provide new direction of management of renal cell carcinoma.

Minimization or avoidance of calcineurin inhibitors after renal transplantation / 中国医学科学院学报

Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) are playing an important role in preventing acute rejection in renal transplantation; however, their nephrotoxicity may impact long-term renal allograft survival. Several CNI-sparing regimens (such as CNI-avoidance or CNI-minimization) have shown at least comparable efficacy with standard-dose CNI regimens. Research continues to achieve the "best" balance between efficacy and toxicity of available immunosuppressive regimens.

Occurrence, types, and therapies of malignant tumors in recipients of renal transplantation / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the types and therapies of malignancies in renal allograft recipients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the occurrence, types, and therapies of malignancies in 498 renal allograft recipients who had received operations in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from May 1986 to October 2008.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 498 renal allograft recipients, 18 patients (3.6% ) were diagnosed with malignancies, which included bladder cancer (n = 5), renal pyloric cancer or ureteric cancer (n = 4), leukemia or lymphoma (n = 3), hepatic cancer (n = 2), skin cancer, rectum carcinoma, pulmonary carcinoma and thymoma (n = 1 each). Surgical operations were performed in 10 cases, 6 of whom survived with normal renal function and had no rejection of transplanted kidneys. Three patients with bladder cancer and one patient with ureteric cancer experienced recurrences 7 to 15 months after operations; among them one bladder cancer patient died. One hepatic carcinoma patient died of pulmonary metastasis 8 months after operation. One non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patient died 11 months after chemotherapy. Five cases with advanced unresectable malignancies died 8 to 17 months after the diagnosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The incidences of malignancies, especially urological epithelial carcinoma, are high in renal allograft recipients. Radical surgery of the solid malignancies is a preferred option.</p>