Immunohistochemical Analysis of a1-Acid Glycoprotein and Tumor Associated Macrophages in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Background/aim: α1-Acid glycoprotein (AGP), also known as orosomucoid, is an acute-phase protein that has been found increased in plasma of cancer patients. This study investigates the role of AGP expression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and its association with clinical outcomes.

Materials And Methods: We investigated the correlation between AGP levels and the prognosis of ccRCC through an analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.

Enhancing thin slice 3D T2-weighted prostate MRI with super-resolution deep learning reconstruction: Impact on image quality and PI-RADS assessment.

Purposes: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Super-Resolution Deep Learning Reconstruction (SR-DLR) -a deep learning-based technique that enhances image resolution and quality during MRI reconstruction- in improving the image quality of thin-slice 3D T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) assessment in prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Methods: This retrospective study included 33 patients who underwent prostate MRI with SR-DLR between November 2022 and April 2023. Thin-slice 3D-T2WI of the prostate was obtained and reconstructed with and without SR-DLR (matrix: 720 × 720 and 240 × 240, respectively).

The contribution of the CRP/CD64 axis to renal cancer progression by inducing protumor activation of tumor-associated macrophages.

Objectives: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a well-known acute-phase protein that increases remarkably under various inflammatory conditions and is elevated in patients with malignant tumors. In this study, we investigated the influence of CRP on the tumor microenvironment in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

Methods: This study explored CRP's role in ccRCC by co-culturing human macrophages with ccRCC cells and employing antibody blocking, RNA sequencing and experiments for functional insights.

Overexpression of SerpinB9 in non-seminomatous germ cell tumors.

Serpinb9 is an inhibitor of granzyme B and is potentially involved in the immune escape of tumor cells. In the present study, bioinformatics analysis using open databases suggested that SerpinB9 is overexpressed in testicular embryonal carcinoma. Immunohistological analysis was performed on 28 cases of testicular germ cell tumors to investigate the relationship between SerpinB9 expression in testicular germ cell tumors and the tumor immune environment.

Dysfunction of sinus macrophages in tumor-bearing host induces resistance to immunotherapy.

Sinus macrophages in draining lymph nodes (DLNs) are involved in anti-tumor immune reactions. CD169 (Sialoadhesin, Siglec-1) is expressed on sinus macrophages and is considered a surrogate marker for the immunostimulatory phenotype of macrophages. In this study, the significance of sinus macrophages in immunotherapy was evaluated using mouse models.

Predictive value of CXCL10 for the occurrence of immune-related adverse events in patient with renal cell carcinoma.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have recently improved the prognosis of various cancers. By contrast, some immune-related adverse events (irAEs) caused by ICIs are fatal and have become problematic. The pathogenesis of irAEs remains unknown and must be elucidated to establish biomarkers.

Clear cell carcinoma of the seminal vesicle in a young adult.

Introduction: Most seminal vesicle malignancies are secondary to prostate or bladder cancer. Herein, we report a case of primary clear cell carcinoma of the seminal vesicle.

Case Presentation: A 27-year-old man was referred to our department for hematospermia and macroscopic hematuria.

Efficacy of avelumab plus axitinib for advanced renal cell carcinoma as late-line therapy: A case report.

A 46-year-old man developed a right renal tumor with multiple lung and hilar lymph node metastases. Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy was performed, and clear cell renal cell carcinoma was diagnosed 6 years earlier. Despite the use of available systemic therapeutic agents, atelectasis in the right upper lobe due to a pulmonary hilar mass and brain metastases reduced his performance, and he was becoming terminally ill.

Subcapsular renal hematoma after ureterorenoscopy.

Introduction: Subcapsular renal hematoma after ureterorenoscopy using a holmium yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser is a rare complication. We experienced a case of subcapsular hematoma after ureterorenoscopy.

Case Presentation: The patient was a 56-year-old man with a history of hypertension and coronary vasospastic angina, and he was taking antiplatelet drugs.

[Successful Management for Refractory Non-Seminomatous Testicular Cancer with Retroperitoneal Lymph Node, Liver, Lung and Brain Metastases : A Case Report].

An 18-year-old male was aware of painless left testicular enlargement. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a retroperitoneal tumor, multiple liver tumors, and multiple lung tumors. A left testicular tumor was suspected, and left inguinal orchiectomy was performed.

High T-cell infiltration in tumor tissue and younger age predict the response to pembrolizumab in recurrent urothelial cancer.

Targeting the programmed cell death-1 signaling pathway has been approved for the anti-cancer therapy in several cancers including urothelial cancer. To determine predictive factors of the responsiveness to pembrolizumab in urothelial cancer patients, a retrospective study that used clinical information and paraffin-embedded samples obtained from patients diagnosed with urothelial cancer between 2015 and 2020 were performed. Seventeen patients who underwent total cystectomy or nephroureterectomy of the primary lesion and were treated with pembrolizumab for chemo-resistant disease were enrolled, and immunohistochemical analysis was performed.

HLA-DR and CD74 Expression and the Immune Microenvironment in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Background/aim: Expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II and CD74, which functions as a chaperone of MHC class II, play essential roles in T-cell recognition. The aim of this study was to elucidate the association between the HLAs and CD74, and their correlation with the infiltrated immune cells in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively investigated the expression of HLA-A/B/C, HLA-DR, and CD74 in 38 patients with advanced RCC (T3/T4), and evaluated their correlations with CD4 and CD8-positive T-cell infiltration using immunohistochemistry.

Effect of optimal neoadjuvant chemotherapy on oncological outcomes of locally advanced bladder cancer with laparoscopic radical cystectomy: A matched-pair analysis in a multicenter cohort.

Objectives: To assess the effect of optimal neoadjuvant chemotherapy of at least three cycles of cisplatin-based regimen on oncological outcomes of clinical stage T3 or higher bladder cancer treated with laparoscopic radical cystectomy.

Methods: Laparoscopic radical cystectomies carried out at 10 institutions were included in this retrospective study. The outcomes of patients who received optimal neoadjuvant chemotherapy and those who did not receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy were compared using propensity score matching in clinical stage T3-4 or T2 cohorts, separately.

Prognostic value of pre-treatment risk stratification and post-treatment neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio change for pembrolizumab in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma.

Background: Pembrolizumab is effective in a limited number of patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC). Therefore, we evaluated the prognostic value of clinical biomarkers following pembrolizumab treatment in patients with advanced UC.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 121 patients with platinum-refractory advanced UC who received pembrolizumab.

Remarkable antitumor effect of nivolumab in a patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma previously treated with a peptide-based vaccine.

Introduction: The safety and efficacy of combination therapy comprising immune checkpoint inhibitors and cancer-specific peptide vaccines have not yet been established.

Case Presentation: A 71-year-old female metastatic renal cell carcinoma patient with multiple lung and pleural metastases. She had been treated with interferon alpha, sunitinib, axitinib, and pazopanib sequentially, but no clinical efficacy was observed.

Perioperative and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic radical cystectomy with intracorporeal versus extracorporeal ileal conduit: A matched-pair comparison in a multicenter cohort in Japan.

Objectives: To compare the perioperative and oncological outcomes of pure laparoscopic intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion versus extracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion after laparoscopic radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in a multicenter cohort in Japan.

Method: A total of 455 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical cystectomy carried out at 10 institutions were included in this retrospective study. The perioperative data of the intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion and extracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion groups were compared using the propensity score matching method.

Renal metastasis from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Metastases to the kidney are extremely rare and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is difficult to treat. In this study, we report a case of renal metastasis from ICC. A 72-year-old man who had been followed-up for chronic hepatitis C was diagnosed with ICC in the segment 8 and underwent S8 segmentectomy in 2014.

Oncological outcomes and recurrence patterns after laparoscopic radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: A Japanese multicenter cohort.

Objective: To investigate oncological outcomes and recurrence patterns after laparoscopic radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in a Japanese multicenter cohort, and to explore the risk factors associated with recurrences due to tumor dissemination.

Method: Laparoscopic radical cystectomies carried out at 10 institutions were included in this retrospective study. Multivariate analyses were carried out to identify the clinical parameters associated with overall recurrences together with specific recurrence types.

Impact of tumor size on patient survival after radical nephrectomy for pathological T3a renal cell carcinoma.

Purpose: We recently reported the results from a multi-institutional retrospective outcome study involving 814 patients with renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) who had undergone radical surgery and whose diagnoses were confirmed via a central pathological review. This study aimed to clarify the impact of tumor size on survival outcomes in patients with pT3aN0M0 RCC after radical nephrectomy using this cohort.

Methods: Using the Kaplan-Meier method, overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were estimated for 103 pT3aN0M0 patients.

Manipulation of Nephron-Patterning Signals Enables Selective Induction of Podocytes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Background: Previous research has elucidated the signals required to induce nephron progenitor cells (NPCs) from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), enabling the generation of kidney organoids. However, selectively controlling differentiation of NPCs to podocytes has been a challenge.

Methods: We investigated the effects of various growth factors in cultured mouse embryonic NPCs during three distinct steps of nephron patterning: from NPC to pretubular aggregate, from the latter to epithelial renal vesicle (RV), and from RV to podocyte.

Bladder cancer-associated cancer-testis antigen-derived long peptides encompassing both CTL and promiscuous HLA class II-restricted Th cell epitopes induced CD4 T cells expressing converged T-cell receptor genes .

DEP domain containing 1 (DEPDC1) and M-phase phosphoprotein 1 (MPHOSPH1) are human cancer testis antigens that are frequently overexpressed in urinary bladder cancer. In a phase I/II clinical trial, a DEPDC1- and MPHOSPH1-derived short peptide vaccine demonstrated promising efficacy in preventing bladder cancer recurrence. Here, we aimed to identify long peptides (LPs) derived from DEPDC1 and MPHOSPH1 that induced both T-helper (Th) cells and tumor-reactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs).

CD169-positive sinus macrophages in the lymph nodes determine bladder cancer prognosis.

CD169 macrophages are suggested to play a pivotal role in establishing anti-tumor immunity. They capture dead tumor cell-associated antigens and transfer their information to lymphocsytes, including CD8 T cells, which is important for successful tumor suppression. This study aimed to determine the prognostic significance of CD169 macrophages residing in the tumor-draining lymph nodes from cases of bladder cancer.