Takashi Nakanoma

Laparoscopic treatment of retroperitoneal benign schwannoma

Purpose/Methods: We report on a case of retroperitoneal benign schwannoma treated by laparoscopic surgery.

Simultaneous production of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and parathyroid hormone-related protein in bladder cancer

A case of bladder cancer with simultaneous production of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) and parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP) is reported. An 81‐year‐old male patient was admitted to the Saitama Medical School for treatment of gross hematuria, leukocytosis and hypercalcemia and diagnosed as having advanced bladder cancer. Immediately after a cystectomy was carried out, his white cell count and serum calcium levels returned to normal. However, the tumors recurred locally and the recurrence was accompanied by an increase in the serum G‐CSF and PTHrP levels with a recurrent elevation of white cell count and the serum calcium level. The production of G‐CSF and PTHrP in the tumor cells was confirmed by immunohistochemistry.

Prostate Cancer Screening with Prostate-Specific Antigen in Hemodialysis Patients

Background/Aims: The diagnostic validity of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) among men receiving hemodialysis (HD) has not been well defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate PSA levels in HD men and to compare them with those of non-uremic controls. Methods: PSA levels were measured in 620 HD men (40–89 years old, mean age 62.4 years). In patients with PSA >4.1 ng/ml, prostate biopsies were performed. Cancer-free men were defined as having PSA ranging between 0 and 4.0 ng/ml, or PSA >4.1 ng/ml but with a pathologically negative biopsy. The resulting data was compared with that for 3,636 non-uremic controls (55–59- (n = 468), 60–69- (n = 2,220), and 70–79-year-old men (n = 948)). Results: Of 45 HD men with PSA >4.1 ng/ml, 22 consented to undergo a biopsy. Ten were positive and 12 were negative. The mean PSA of cancer-free HD men of 50–59 (n = 159), 60–69 (n = 214), 70–79 (n = 116), and 80–89 (n = 30) were 1.0, 1.0, 1.3, and 2.1 ng/ml, respectively. Cancer-free HD men demonstrated significantly lower PSA compared to controls. Conclusions: HD men had lower PSA levels than those of controls.

Characterization of a newly established cell line derived from human adrenocortical carcinoma

Abstract Background: ACT‐1, a new cell line of human adrenocortical carcinoma, has been established and successfully maintained in culture. This study examined the biological characteristics of the cells.

Hypercalcemia in a patient with renal cell carcinoma producing parathyroid hormone‐related protein and interleukin‐6

A patient with renal cell carcinoma who developed humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy is reported. A 52‐year‐old male patient was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma and multiple lung metastases. A cell line isolated from the surgical specimen exhibited continuous production of parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP) in vitro. The production of PTHrP from the cancer cells was confirmed by RT‐PCR and immunoradiometric assay. The serum calcium level was not enhanced, whereas the lung lesion was developing and producing interleukin‐6, a possible modulator of osteoclastic resorption. Hypercalcemia was induced when the PTHrP concentration increased up to 3.3 pmol/L.

Suppression of default apoptosis in androgen‐dependent cells by testosterone‐mediated bcl‐2 expression

Background: The significance of apoptosis with regard to the development and progression of androgen‐dependent cells has not been clearly understood. In the present study we investigated the expression of the bcl‐2 proto‐oncogene after androgen deprivation and its role in cell growth in an androgen‐dependent cell line.