Adverse effects of cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy for malignant ascites: a single-institute experience.

BACKGROUND: Cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) is a strategy for improving various intractable symptoms due to refractory ascites, including hypoalbuminemia. CART has recently been applied in the treatment of cancer patients. This study was performed to assess the safety of CART in a single cancer institute. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 233 CART procedures that were performed for 132 cancer patients in our institute. RESULTS: The median weight of ascites before and after concentration was 4,720 g and 490 g (median concentration rate, 10.0-fold), The median amounts of total protein and albumin were 64.0 g and 32.6 g (median recovery rates, 44.9% and 49.0%), respectively. Thirty-three adverse events (AEs) were observed in 22 (9.4%) of 233 procedures; 30 of these events occurred after reinfusion. The most common reinfusion-related AEs were fever (13 events) and chills (10 events). Univariate analyses revealed no significant relationships between the frequency of AEs and age, sex, appearance of ascites, weight of harvested and concentrated ascites, the ascites processing rate (filtration and concentration), weight of saline used for membrane cleaning, amount of calculated total protein for infusion, or prophylaxis against AEs; the reinfusion rate of ≥ 125 mL/h or ≥ 10.9 g/h of total protein affected the frequency of AEs, regardless of the prophylactic use of steroids. CONCLUSIONS: The observed AEs were mainly mild reactions after reinfusion, which were related to a reinfusion rate of volume ≥ 125 mL/h, a simple indicator in practice, or total protein ≥ 10.9 g/h. Although our study was retrospective in nature and undertaken in a single institute, this information may be helpful for the management of cancer patients with refractory malignant ascites using CART.

Recycling and long-term storage of fluorescence in situ hybridization slides.

OBJECTIVES: Although fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technology is adequate, demand exists for additional recycling and long-term storage of FISH slides. METHODS: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded slides derived from breast cancer cases were used for this study. Each slide was probed, and then procedures for removing probes were performed, such as removing the fluorescent probe and diamidino-2-phenylindole signals. Formamide was used for removing probes, and then slides were stored dry at room temperature (22°C), 4°C, -20°C, or -80°C for 101 days. Following storage, each slide was probed in a similar manner to the initial probing. Evaluation was performed using automatic signal count software. Tiles and spots were counted immediately after the initial probing. Reprobed spots for each slide were then compared with the initial probing. RESULTS: Slides stored at -20°C and -80°C for 101 days showed the best recovery of probing. CONCLUSIONS: Our approach for probe removal and recycling allows repeated examination of even a limited number of slides.