The Prognostic Value of Human Papillomavirus Status in Penile Cancer: Outcomes From a Norwegian Cohort Study.

Introduction: Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) can develop from human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. This study investigates if the prognostic value of the TNM stage groups or the components tumor stage (pT), grade of differentiation (Grade), lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and nodular stage (pN) depend on HPV status. Also, whether the value of tumor parameters (pT, Grade, and LVI) for predicting node-positive disease depends on HPV status was investigated.

Long-term follow-up of IgA nephropathy: clinicopathological features and predictors of outcomes.

Background: The establishment of the Oxford classification and newly developed prediction models have improved the prognostic information for immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). Considering new treatment options, optimizing prognostic information and improving existing prediction models are favorable.

Methods: We used random forest survival analysis to select possible predictors of end-stage kidney disease among 37 candidate variables in a cohort of 232 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN retrieved from the Norwegian Kidney Biopsy Registry.

Penile Cancers Attributed to Human Papillomavirus Are Associated with Improved Survival for Node-positive Patients. Findings from a Norwegian Cohort Study Spanning 50 Years.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a risk factor for the development of penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC). It remains inconclusive whether HPV-related PSCC has a different prognosis from non-HPV-related PSCC.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between HPV status and survival as well as temporal changes in the proportion of HPV-related PSCC.

A multiomics disease progression signature of low-risk ccRCC.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common renal cancer. Identification of ccRCC likely to progress, despite an apparent low risk at the time of surgery, represents a key clinical issue. From a cohort of adult ccRCC patients (n = 443), we selected low-risk tumors progressing within a 5-years average follow-up (progressors: P, n = 8) and non-progressing (NP) tumors (n = 16).

Validation of two IgA nephropathy risk-prediction tools using a cohort with a long follow-up.

Background: Recently, two immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy-prediction tools were developed that combine clinical and histopathologic parameters. The International IgAN Prediction Tool predicts the risk for 50% declines in the estimated glomerular filtration rate or end-stage kidney disease up to 80 months after diagnosis. The IgA Nephropathy Clinical Decision Support System uses artificial neural networks to estimate the risk for end-stage kidney disease.

Utilizing the MEST score for prognostic staging in IgA nephropathy.

Background: The Oxford classification/MEST score is an established histopathologic scoring system for patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). The objective of this study was to derive a prognostic model for IgAN based on the MEST score and histopathologic features.

Methods: A total of 306 patients with biopsy-proven primary IgAN were included.

AGAP2-AS1 as a prognostic biomarker in low-risk clear cell renal cell carcinoma patients with progressing disease.

Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common subtype of renal cancer and one of the most common cancers. While survival for localized ccRCC is good, the survival of metastatic disease is not, and thirty percent of patients with ccRCC develop metastases during follow-up. Although current scoring methods accurately identify patients at low progression risk, a small subgroup of those patients still experience metastasis.

The levels of IL-6 and soluble IL-33R are increased in the renal vein during surgery for clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Purpose: The main aim was to map serum levels of IL-1/IL-6 family cytokines and relevant receptors from serum samples taken across treatment in patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC). Additionally, we explored the possible interactions between these measurements, immunohistochemistry and intratumoral blood flow.

Methods: We included 40 patients undergoing open surgery for renal tumors.

The Biological Context of C-Reactive Protein as a Prognostic Marker in Renal Cell Carcinoma: Studies on the Acute Phase Cytokine Profile.

High serum levels of the acute phase protein C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with an adverse prognosis in renal cancer. The acute phase reaction is cytokine-driven and includes a wide range of inflammatory mediators. This overall profile of the response depends on the inducing event and can also differ between patients.

Serum levels of the IL-6 family of cytokines predict prognosis in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Purpose: An improved understanding of RCC immunology should shed further light on RCC tumor biology. Our objective was to study to what extent serum levels of the IL-6 family of cytokines at diagnosis were relevant to survival.

Methods: A total of 118 consecutively patients with RCC, in which the tumor was surgically removed at Haukeland University Hospital during the period from 2007 to 2010, were included.

National Norwegian Practice Patterns for Surgical Treatment of Kidney Cancer Tumors ≤7cm: Adherence to Changes in Guidelines May Improve Overall Survival.

Background: Guidelines on surgical treatment for kidney cancer (KC) have changed over the last 10 yr. We present population-based data for patients with KC tumors ≤7cm from 2008 to 2013 to investigate whether surgical practice in Norway has changed according to guidelines.

Objective: To assess the predictors of treatment and survival after KC surgery.

Prognostic Factors in Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Glomerulonephritis with Severe Glomerular Sclerosis: A National Registry-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Classification of patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN) into histological classes is useful for predicting a patient's risk of progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, even in the worst prognostic group, the 5-year end-stage renal disease-free survival rate is as high as 50%.

Objectives: To investigate those prognostic factors indicative of progression to ESRD in patients with ANCA-GN and sclerosing histology.

Prognosis and Histological Classification in Elderly Patients with ANCA-Glomerulonephritis: A Registry-Based Cohort Study.

Background: The value of a histologic classification scheme to classify patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN) into focal, mixed, crescentic, and sclerotic types for predicting risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is well documented. However, the prognostic value of histological classification specifically in elderly patients (≥70 years) with ANCA-GN has not previously been investigated.

Methods: Patients with biopsy-verified pauci-immune necrotizing glomerulonephritis were identified from the Norwegian Kidney Biopsy Registry between 1991 and 2012 and those ≥70 years of age at the time of diagnosis and having positive anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody serology were included in this study.

Impact of Proteinase 3 versus Myeloperoxidase Positivity on Risk of End-Stage Renal Disease in ANCA-Associated Glomerulonephritis Stratified by Histological Classification: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) risk in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody- (ANCA-) associated glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN) according to ANCA serotype and stratified by histological classification has not been previously investigated.

Methods: Patients from the Norwegian Kidney Biopsy Registry (NKBR) between 1991 and 2012 who had biopsy-verified pauci-immune glomerulonephritis and positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody serology were included. Cases with ESRD during follow-up were identified in the Norwegian Renal Registry.

Exploring sex-specific differences in the presentation and outcomes of ANCA-associated vasculitis: a nationwide registry-based cohort study.

Purpose: Sex-specific differences in the risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN) stratified by histological classification have not been previously investigated.

Methods: Patients with biopsy-verified pauci-immune necrotizing GN and positive ANCA serology in the Norwegian Kidney Biopsy Registry between 1991 and 2012 were included. Patients with ESRD during follow-up were identified from the Norwegian Renal Registry.

Tumour cell expression of interleukin 6 receptor α is associated with response rates in patients treated with sunitinib for metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common type of renal cell carcinoma, and anti-angiogenic treatment is currently first line therapy for metastatic ccRCC (mccRCC). Response rates and duration of response show considerable variation, and adverse events have a major influence on patient quality of life. The need for predictive biomarkers to select responders to receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors upfront is urgent.

Cancer in ANCA-Associated Glomerulonephritis: A Registry-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Immunosuppressive therapy for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis has been associated with increased malignancy risk.

Objectives: To quantify the cancer risk associated with contemporary cyclophosphamide-sparing protocols.

Methods: Patients from the Norwegian Kidney Biopsy Registry between 1988 and 2012 who had biopsy-verified pauci-immune glomerulonephritis and positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) serology were included.

Predictive value of C-reactive protein in patients treated with sunitinib for metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Sunitinib has become mainstay first line treatment for patients with metastatic renal clear cell carcinoma (mRCC). Still, useful predictive markers of response are lacking and urgently needed for clinical decision making.

Methods: In the present study we investigated the predictive value of standard serum markers as well as clinical markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), Neutrophil to Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and early hypertension (eHTN) in an unselected prospective patient population treated with sunitinib for mRCC.

Prognostic Value of Histologic Classification of ANCA-Associated Glomerulonephritis.

Background And Objectives: A kidney biopsy is preferred for the diagnosis of ANCA-associated vasculitis with renal involvement. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prognostic value of a histopathologic classification scheme recently proposed by an international consortium of renal pathologists in a large Norwegian cohort.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: Patients diagnosed with ANCA-associated GN were included from the Norwegian Kidney Biopsy Registry 1991-2012.

Pulmonary changes in Norwegian fatal cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 (2009) infection: a morphologic and molecular genetic study.

Background: During the pandemic outbreak of the 2009 swine influenza (A(H1N1)pdm09), 32 fatal cases occurred in Norway and 19 of these were included in this study.

Objectives: We characterised pulmonary changes in these fatal Norwegian cases.

Patients And Methods: Upon hospitalisation, detailed clinical information and specimens from the upper and lower respiratory pathways were collected.

A prospective risk-stratified follow-up programme for radically treated renal cell carcinoma patients: evaluation after eight years of clinical use.

Purpose: In mid-2007, we introduced a new risk-stratified follow-up programme (FUP) for surgically treated localized renal cell carcinoma. After inclusion, the patients have been followed prospectively. In this study, we present the results in regard to stratification, completeness of the FUP and recurrences.

Development of a disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaire intended to be used in conjunction with the general European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ) in renal cell carcinoma patients.

Background: Studying health-related quality of life (HRQoL) following cancer treatment has become part of a growing number of standardized treatment protocols. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) has developed HRQoL questionnaires aimed at cancer patients. A disease-specific part is not available for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients, and the present aim was to develop an EORTC-compatible RCC-specific HRQoL questionnaire.

Preoperative high levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor are a prognostic marker for poor outcome after surgical treatment of renal cell carcinoma.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in blood taken preoperatively can predict subtype, survival and recurrence in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Materials And Methods: The patient group consisted of 124 patients with an RCC that was surgically removed with nephrectomy or nephron-sparing surgery at Haukeland University Hospital from 2007 to 2010. All subtypes and stages were included.

Contemporary external validation of the Leibovich model for prediction of progression after radical surgery for clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Objective: The aim of this study was to externally validate in an up-to-date setting the predictive ability of the model for recurrence after radical treatment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) published by Leibovich in 2003.

Materials And Methods: The study included a total of 386 consecutive patients with CCRCC between January 1997 and May 2013, treated with partial or radical nephrectomy. All patients were scored with points between 0 and 11, and further subdivided into low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups according to the original paper.