Decreased sperm DNA fragmentation after surgical varicocelectomy is associated with increased pregnancy rate.

Purpose: We prospectively evaluated changes in sperm chromatin structure in infertile patients before and after surgical repair of varicocele, and the impact on the pregnancy rate.

Materials And Methods: Included in the study were 49 men with at least a 1-year history of infertility, a palpable varicocele and oligospermia. World Health Organization semen analysis and sperm DNA damage expressed as the DNA fragmentation index using the sperm chromatin structure assay were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively.

T cell activation upon exposure to patient-derived tumor tissue: a functional assay to select patients for adoptive T cell therapy.

Gene-engineered T cell therapy represents a promising strategy to treat cancers. To enable pre-selection of patients sensitive to this type of treatment we have setup and validated a T cell activation assay to test antigen expression on patient-derived tumor tissues. Chimeric antibody-based receptor (CAR) directed against CAIX, currently used in a clinical trial to treat RCC patients, was used as a model receptor.

Decreased sperm DNA fragmentation after surgical varicocelectomy is associated with increased pregnancy rate.

Purpose: We prospectively evaluated changes in sperm chromatin structure in infertile patients before and after surgical repair of varicocele, and the impact on the pregnancy rate.

Materials And Methods: Included in the study were 49 men with at least a 1-year history of infertility, a palpable varicocele and oligospermia. World Health Organization semen analysis and sperm DNA damage expressed as the DNA fragmentation index using the sperm chromatin structure assay were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively.