Masaaki Tsukigi

Re-expression of miR-199a suppresses renal cancer cell proliferation and survival by targeting GSK-3β

Recently, we have identified GSK-3 as a new therapeutic target in renal cell cancer (RCC). miR-199a could potentially downregulate GSK-3β expression. Here, we found a decreased miR-199a expression in 59% (32 of 54) of RCCs and it was correlated with higher tumor stage (p < 0.05) and nuclear overexpression of GSK-3β (p < 0.05). We show that re-expression of miR-199a downregulates GSK-3β and suppresses cancer cell growth. Our results demonstrate low miR-199a expression as a feature of advanced RCCs, identify miR-199a as a negative regulator of GSK-3β, and suggest re-expression of pre-miR-199a as a new potential treatment of RCC.

The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a potential therapeutic target, is regulated by miR-101 in renal cancer cells.

We investigated a prognostic significance and the mechanism of aberrant nuclear expression of EZH2, a histone methyltransferase, in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We found nuclear EZH2 in 48 of 100 RCCs and it was significantly correlated with worse survival in RCC patients. We detected a decreased expression of miR-101 in 15 of 54 RCCs. We found that re-expression of miR-101 resulted in EZH2 depletion and decreased renal cancer cell proliferation. Our results show nuclear EZH2 as a prognostic marker of worse survival in human RCC, and identify miR-101 as a negative regulator of EZH2 expression and renal cancer cell proliferation.

A case of perineal malignant melanoma successfully treated with electrochemotherapy.

Department of Urology, Okitama Public General Hospital, Yamagata, Japan, Departments of Urology, Gynaecology, Pathology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan and Laboratory of Physicochemistry and Pharmacology of Biological Macromolecules (UMR1772 CNRS), Institut Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif, France. Correspondence and requests for reprints to Dr Yoko Kubota, Department of Urology, Okitama Public General Hospital, 2000, Nishiohtsuka, Kawanishi Town, Yamagata 992-0601, Japan. Tel: 81 238 46 5000; fax: 81 238 46 5712; e-mail: ykubota@okitama-hp.or.jp

Posterior Retroperitoneoscopic Partial Nephrectomy Using Microwave Tissue Coagulator for Small Renal Tumors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy remains surgically challenging because of the potential for excessive blood loss, infection, and the development of urinary fistulas. In addition, posterior retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy is not popular because of the limited space for surgical manipulation. We evaluated the usefulness of a microwave tissue coagulator in posterior retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy for small posterior renal tumor. PATIENTS AND METHODS Posterior retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy was performed without renal pedicle clamping using a microwave tissue coagulator in six patients with small posterior renal tumors. RESULTS The mean operative time was 136 minutes (range 78-180 minutes), and the blood loss was <20 mL. No serious operative complications occurred, and there was no significant deterioration of renal function. CONCLUSION Posterior retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy using a microwave tissue coagulator can be a safe and less invasive method for the treatment of small posterior renal tumors.

A case of labial adhesion due to lichen sclerosus et atrophicus

A 67-year-old Japanese woman first visited to the hospital in regard to episodes of a 6 months history of difficulty on urination. Her perineum was mild whitish, and labia majorae were all adhered with only a pinhole-sized opening. A labial incision was performed under a spinal anesthesia. Pathological finding of the skin biopsy specimen was lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA). In view of that LSA occasionally develops into squamous cell carcinoma, urologists should be care of LSA in labial adhesion case.

Retroperitoneal Schwannoma Extending into the Intravertebral Foramen

A 35-year-old Japanese man first visited the hospital for episodes of numbness in the right medial femoral region and loss of muscular strength in the right thigh. A CT scan of the abdomen showed a 10 × 9-cm well-circumscribed in homogeneous multilayered mass, in contact with the lumbar vertebrae. MRI demonstrated a hypodense and hyperdense mixed mass. Tumor extension into the L2/L3 intravertebral foramen was shown. To avoid spinal cord damage, we chose enucleation of the tumor in the intravertebral foramen. A follow-up CT after 1 year showed no evidence of a recurrent mass. In conclusion, we advocate the nerve-sparing operation in cases like that of our patient.

Possible role of hyposensitivity of C-fiber afferents at the proximal urethra in the development of urge urinary incontinence in patients with detrusor overactivity

The aim of the present study was to investigate associations between urethral sensation and urge urinary incontinence (UUI) in patients with and without detrusor overactivity (DO).