Dual-parameter immunoflow cytometry in diagnosis and follow-up of patients with bladder cancer.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of a dual-parameter immunoflow cytometry (DPI-FCM) assay in the detection of tumor cells in barbotage specimens of bladder cancer patients.

Methods: DPI-FCM is an automated method, based on the utilization of two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) either used for a preselection of urothelial cells (mAb Due AUT 2) or the analysis of the expression of a differentiation antigen within the preselected urothelial cells (mAb Due ABC 3). The ratio of ABC 3-positive urothelial cells was used to discriminate between the normal and malignant state of the urothelium.

Interleukin-12 is essential for a protective Th1 response in mice infected with Cryptococcus neoformans.

To analyze the roles of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and the IL-12-dependent Th1 response in resistance to Cryptococcus neoformans, we have established a chronic infection model in wild-type mice and in mice with targeted disruptions of the genes for the IL-12p35 and IL-12p40 subunits (IL-12p35(-/-) and IL-12p40(-/-) mice, respectively) as well as in mice with a targeted disruption of the IL-4 gene. Long-term application of exogenous IL-12 prevented death of infected wild-type mice for the entire period of the experiment (up to 180 days) but did not resolve the infection. Infected IL-12p35(-/-) and IL-12p40(-/-) mice died significantly earlier than infected wild-type mice, whereas infection of IL-4-deficient mice led to prolonged survival.

Filter immunocytology: methodologic evaluation of a new assay for the diagnosis of urothelial cancer.

Objective: Several investigators have demonstrated the high sensitivity of immunocytology in the diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). A new technique, designated "filter immunocytology" (FLIC), simplifies the technique of quantitative immunocytology, considerable decreases assay time and increases the percentage of assessable specimens.

Study Design: Voided urine samples were obtained from 89 patients without evidence of TCC and from 91 patients with histologically proven TCC.

Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes and deregulation of the c-myc gene in urothelial cancer cell lines.

Recent investigations have demonstrated p53 and Rb alterations in a subset of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). Further genetic changes during tumor progression include overexpression of the c-myc gene in a significant number of mainly invasive bladder tumors. To study the possible interactions between these genes in TCC, urothelial cancer cell lines were chosen as an in vitro model.

Dual-parameter immunoflow cytometry--a new technique in the noninvasive diagnosis of bladder cancer.

The introduction of monoclonal antibodies into the diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) has been a further step toward the use of biological parameters to support conventional cytological diagnosis of this tumor entity. Several investigators have demonstrated the high sensitivity and good specificity of immunocytology. Nevertheless this technique is hampered by the inconvenient and time-consuming microscopic analysis.