Zoledronic acid improves clinical outcomes in patients with bone metastatic hormone-naïve prostate cancer in a multicenter clinical trial.

AIM: To assess whether zoledronic acid (ZOL) adds to the effect of combined androgen blockade (CAB) in patients with hormone-naive bone metastatic prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were treated with either a combination of CAB (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist and bicalutamide) and ZOL (CAB-Z group) or CAB-alone (historical control patients, CAB-C group). ZOL was injected intravenously at 4 mg every 4 weeks. One hundred and five and 100 patients among 205 enrolled patients were assigned to the CAB-Z group and CAB-C group, respectively. The time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure in patients in the CAB-Z group was compared to that in the CAB-C group. The primary end-point of the study was the time-to-PSA failure. RESULTS: PSA and serum N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx) levels were examined before treatment and every 3 months after treatment. PSA failure occurred in 42 (40.0%) patients in the CAB-Z group and 48 (48.0%) patients in the CAB-C group. The biochemical recurrence-free rate was significantly lower in patients in the CAB-C group (p=0.004, by log-rank test). The categorical biopsy Gleason score pre-treatment serum NTx and treatment with ZOL were shown to be independent predictors of PSA failure-free survival time (p=0.040, p=0.005 and p=0.026, respectively). CONCLUSION: ZOL given with CAB as initial treatment delays the time-to-PSA failure in patients with hormone-naive bone metastatic prostate cancer.

Isolation of bioactive steroids from the Stropharia rugosoannulata mushroom and absolute configuration of strophasterol B.

The absolute configuration of strophasterol B (1) isolated from the fruiting bodies of Stropharia rugosoannulata was determined by an X-ray crystallographic analysis. Three compounds (2 to 4) were isolated from the mushroom which suppressed or promoted lettuce growth.

Functional-food constituents in the fruiting bodies of Stropharia rugosoannulata.

Nine compounds (1-9) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Stropharia rugosoannulata. Compounds 1-5, 8, and 9 suppressed the formation of osteoclast. Compounds 2 and 5 showed anti-fungal activity, and their MIC were 250 µM and 500 µM respectively. Compounds 2-6 showed inhibitory effects on thapsigargin toxicity.

Quantitative analysis of survivin mRNA expression in bladder transitional cell carcinomas.

We assessed the expression levels of survivin mRNA in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) to provide additional information regarding its malignant potential. The real-time PCR method was used to detect the survivin mRNA level for 21 bladder tumor specimens, and for urinary exfoliated cells from 12 newly diagnosed bladder tumor patients. All bladder tumor specimens and 7 of 12 voided urine specimens expressed survivin mRNA. In tumor specimens, high grade, high stage tumors had the tendency to express more survivin mRNA. Of 12 superficial bladder tumor patients who had transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURB), 3 showed high survivin mRNA expression and intravesical recurrence after the surgery. However, for the patients who had total cystectomy due to invasive tumor, no relations were observed between the survivin mRNA expression level and development of local recurrence and/or distant metastasis. Our results suggested that the quantitative analysis of the survivin mRNA may indicate local malignant potential, which contribute to the possibility of an intravesical recurrence.

[A clinical study of renal pelvic and ureteral cancer].

We investigated the clinicopathological features of 52 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of renal pelvic and/or ureter who underwent surgical treatment at Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center from April, 1992 to June, 2005. The patitents consisted of 38 males and 14 females, ranging from 29 to 86 years old with a median age of 68 years old. The mean follow-up period was 39 months. Pathologicaly, 32 cases were less than pT2 and 20 cases were pT3. Findings of lymphatic and venous invasion were present in 10 and 8 cases, respectively. The infiltration pattern (INF) of gamma was observed in 9 cases. The overall cause-specific survival rate was 95.8% at 1 year, 87.7% at 3 years and 80.6% at 5 years, respectively. According to univariate analysis, the high stage of tumor, the presence of lymphatic and/or venous invasion, the inclusion of infiltration pattern of gamma and positive reginonal lymph nodes indicated a significantly poor prognosis. On the other hand, multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards regression revealed the presence of infiltration pattern of gamma as the most significant predictor of survival.

[Early effect of non-surgical treatment using betamethasone valerate ointment for phimosis in childhood].

We evaluated the early efficacy of non-surgical treatment using 0.07% betamethasone valerate ointment on, 34 boys with phimosis between January 2001 and June 2005. Patients were treated with 0.07% betamethasone valerate ointment applied to the distal aspect of the prepuce every other day for 2-6 weeks. During the treatment period, patients were instructed to retract the foreskin to penis root without overstraining. The overall success rate was 94.1% and therapeutic effects were observed in 58.8% of the patients in two weeks. There were no medical side effects. Treatment using betamethasone valerate ointment is very effective, easy and safe. We recommend this treatment for patients with phimosis and/or those with recurring balanoposthitis.

[Inflammatory pseudotumor of the urinary bladder: a case report].

A 65-year-old female was referred to our hospital with a complaint of urinary retention and macrohematuria. Ultrasongraphy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and cystoscopy revealed a 2 x 2 cm broad-based nonpapillary bladder tumor localized in the anterior wall of the urinary bladder. The clinical diagnosis was an invasive bladder tumor and transurethral resection of bladder tumor carried out for pathological investigation. Finally, we diagnosed it as inflammatory pseudotumor of urinary bladder. No local recurrence was seen 12 months after surgery. Inflammatory pseudotumor of urinary bladder is a relatively rare condition, and this is the 52nd case reported in the Japanese literature.

[Clinical evaluation of urinary NMP22 (nuclear matrix protein 22) bladder chek in the detection of patients with bladder cancer].

The clinical usefulness of the nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22) Bladder Chek test as a novel urine marker in the detection of patients with bladder cancer was evaluated in comparison with the urinary NMP22 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and urinary cytology. A total of 40 patients with pathologically proven bladder cancer voided urine specimen before treatment. The urine samples were divided for NMP22 Bladder Chek test, NMP22 ELISA, and urinary cytology. In the 40 patients with bladder cancer, the overall positive rate was 62.5% for the NMP22 Bladder Chek test, 55% for the NMP22 ELISA test, and 27.5% for urine cytology. There was a significant difference between NMP22 Bladder Chek, NMP22 ELISA and cytology. The positive rate with the NMP22 Bladder Chek and NMP22 ELISA was higher in the patients with high grade and large-size (1 cm < or =) tumor. In 40 patients presenting with microhematuria without urothelial cancer, the false positive rate 12.5, 10, and 0% for NMP22 Bladder Chek, NMP22 ELISA, and urinary cytology. No significant difference was found with the test. In conclusion, the urine NMP22 Bladder Chek test provided a higher positive rate than the NMP22 ELISA test and urinary cytology. Therefore, the NMP22 Bladder Chek test may be clinically more useful as a tumor marker for the diagnosis of bladder cancer.

[A case of liposarcoma of spermatic cord].

An 84-year-old male was referred to our hospital with the chief complaint of a painless inguinal mass. An elastic hard mass was palpable in the right inguinal region next to the spermatic cord. Ultrasonography and computed tomography showed an inguinal homogeneous mass which was slightly enhanced. Since the operation appearance indicated the tumor was arising from the right spermatic cord, right radical orchiectomy was performed. Histopathological examination revealed a well-differentiated liposarcoma of the right spermatic cord. This is the 70th case of liposarcoma of the spermatic cord reported in Japan.

[Localized amyloidosis of the ureter: a case report].

A 46-year-old female was referred to our hospital with a complaint of left flank pain. Ultrasongraphy and computed tomography demonstrated a left hydronephroureter due to stenosis with a ureteral mass in the left lower ureter. Retrograde pyelography revealed severe stricture of left lower ureter and brushing cytology showed papanicolaou class III. Ureteral tumor was suspected and left nephroureterectomy with partial cystectomy was performed. Histopathological diagnosis was amyloidosis of the left ureter. There was no evidence of secondary or systemic amyloidosis. Finally, we diagnosed her with localized amyloidosis of the left ureter. Localized amyloidosis of the ureter is a relatively rare condition, and this is the 55th case reported in the Japanese literature.

[Transurethral resection in saline (TURis): a newly developed TUR system preventing obturator nerve reflex].

PURPOSE: We developed an innovative transurethral resection system (TURis) consisting of a uniquely-designed generator and a resectoscope. The obturator nerve is protected from troublesome reflexes during TURis because the high frequency current delivery route is via the resection loop to the sheath of the resectscope and not via a patient plate. After extensive preclinical evaluation and verification of the system using an animal model to ensure efficacy as well as operational safety, TURis was conducted for treatment of superficial bladder cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In preclinical experiments swine bladder wall was transurethrally resected using the system in a saline environment. The results were compared with data obtained from an identical resection using the conventional system using sorbitol solution irrigation. Electrolytic contents were measured after TUR for comparative evaluation vis-a-vis corresponding pre-TUR data. Also, the depth of heat degeneration was measured in the resected tissue. From December, 2000 to June, 2002, TURis was performed in 25 cases of superficial bladder cancer and 30 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), using saline irrigation. All 55 cases were performed under spinal anesthesia without an obturator nerve block. The output power was set at 280 W for cut and 120 W for coagulation. A smaller electrode than those used in conventional TUR was used to improve the cutting efficacy. Occurrence of obturator nerve reflexes, difference of hematocrit and electrolytic contents before and after TURis, operation time and total volume of irrigated saline were evaluated. RESULTS: TURis in animal model: No adductor contraction of a lower limb was observable except for minimal creeping during the resection of a site close to the urethra. There were no apparent anomalies relative to the blood electrolyte content after TURis. No difference was observed in the mean depth of heat-degeneration tissue change compared with the conventional system. TURis for bladder cancer and BPH: No additional skills were required for TURis compared to conventional TUR. No obturator nerve reflex was observed except for a clinically insignificant thigh movement in one case of bladder cancer. The post-TURis blood tests manifested no significant anomalies in blood electrolyte content. Mean operation time for bladder cancer and BPH were 32 and 42 minutes respectively. Mean volumes of saline consumed during TURis were 6,083 ml for bladder cancer and 16,100 ml for BPH. CONCLUSIONS: TURis worked effectively in a saline-irrigated environment. It does not need a patient plate and obturator nerve block even in cases of bladder cancer on the lateral wall. In addition, saline was both safe and cost-effective compared to non-electrolytic solution as irrigant for TUR of BPH. This suggests that TURis may have more applications than conventional TUR.