Juro Nakanishi

Overexpression of B7-H1 (PD-L1) significantly associates with tumor grade and postoperative prognosis in human urothelial cancers

PurposeThe programmed death-1 (PD-1)/B7-H1 (also called PD-L1) pathway negatively regulates T cell activation and has been suggested to play an important role in regulating antitumor host immunity. To investigate the clinical significance of B7-H1 expression to the tumor grade and postoperative prognosis of patients with urothelial cancer, we analyzed the relationship between B7-H1 expression and various clinicopathological features and postoperative prognosis.Experimental designSixty-five urothelial cancer cases were examined. B7-H1 expression in tumors and the numbers and phenotypes of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry.ResultsA substantial expression of B7-H1 was observed in all urothelial cancers investigated. Tumor specimens from patients with higher WHO grade or primary tumor classifications showed significantly higher percentages of tumor-associated B7-H1. Tumor-associated B7-H1 expression was significantly associated with a high frequency of postoperative recurrence and poor survival rate. Furthermore, multivariate analysis indicated that tumor-associated B7-H1 was more significant prognostic factor than WHO grade.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that the aberrant expression of B7-H1 in urothelial cancer is associated with aggressive tumors, suggesting a regulatory role of tumor-associated B7-H1 in antitumor immunity. Therefore, the manipulation of tumor-associated B7-H1 may become a beneficial target for immunotherapy in human urothelial cancer.

Mass screening for prostate cancer in patients with end‐stage renal disease: a comparative study

To determine the usefulness of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD), as although serum PSA is effective in the early detection of this cancer in the general population, there are few reports of its utility in patients with ESRD.

Lower urinary tract dysfunction in type 1 familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy in Kumamoto, Japan.

Objective: To evaluate lower urinary tract dysfunction of type 1 familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) patients in Kumamoto, Japan.

Regional differences in the functional and biochemical properties of endothelin receptor subtypes in the rabbit prostatic urethra.

To examine the regional differences in the functional (pharmacological) and biochemical properties of endothelin (ET) receptors in the rabbit prostatic urethra.

Neurologic toxicity associated with interferon α therapy for renal cell carcinoma

Abstract  A 67‐year‐old man received interferon α (IFN α) therapy for lung metastases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Multiple pulmonary metastases disappeared completely. However, neurological toxicity was detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as abnormal brain lesions. After discontinuation of IFN α therapy, his neurological symptoms and abnormal lesions on MRI disappeared completely. Complete remission of RCC has continued, and results of neurological study have remained normal for 5 years after discontinuation of IFN α therapy.

Effects of castration on nitric oxide-mediated relaxations in male rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscle.

Background: The effects of castration on nitric oxide- mediated relaxations and nitric oxide synthase activity in male rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscles. Methods: Eight-week-old male rats were assigned to two groups: control (sham operated) and castrated animals. After 8 weeks, corpus cavernosum smooth muscle strips were mounted in an organ bath for isometric tension recordings. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) was applied to the strips precontracted with 30 µM phenylephrine. The microdialysis probe was inserted into the strip, and Krebs-Henseleit solution was perfused into the probe. The dialysate during EFS and cholinergic stimulation was collected, and the amount of NO–2/NO–3 (NOx) released in the dialysate was measured by the Greiss method. Sodium nitroprusside and carbachol were cumulatively added to the strips precontracted with 30 µM phenylephrine. Results: EFS caused frequency-dependent relaxations and NOx releases in the strips. Pretreatment with Nω-nitro-L-arginine (100 µM) and tetrodotoxin (1 µM) completely inhibited relaxations and NOx releases. The maximum relaxation in the castration group was significantly greater than that in the control group. The release of NOx was significantly greater in the castration group than in the control group. Sodium nitroprusside relaxed the tissues in both groups similarly. Carbachol failed either to relax the tissue or to increase the amount of NOx production in the tissue. Conclusion: The present data suggest that castration enhances nitric oxide synthase activity and nitric oxide-mediated relaxations in the male rat corpus cavernosum.

Renal Carcinoma Surveillance Counterpoint: Japan

Huang et al. provide an excellent summary of contemporary renal cell carcinoma management, including the epidemiology, diagnosis, surgical treatment, systemic therapy, and strategies for follow-up [1]. We present our opinion, which slightly differs from that of Huang et al., based on recent reports and our experience at Kyushu University, Japan.