Surrogate in vitro activation of innate immunity synergizes with interleukin-7 to unleash rapid antigen-driven outgrowth of CD4+ and CD8+ human peripheral blood T-cells naturally recognizing MUC1, HER2/neu and other tumor-associated antigens.

Effective adoptive immunotherapy has proved elusive for many types of human cancer, often due to difficulties achieving robust expansion of natural tumor-specific T-cells from peripheral blood. We hypothesized that antigen-driven T-cell expansion might best be triggered in vitro by acute activation of innate immunity to mimic a life-threatening infection. Unfractionated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were subjected to a two-step culture, first synchronizing their exposure to exogenous antigens with aggressive surrogate activation of innate immunity, followed by γ-chain cytokine-modulated T-cell hyperexpansion.

Long-term renal function after donor nephrectomy: secondary follow-up analysis of the randomized trial of ketorolac vs placebo.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term safety of a novel continuous infusion of ketorolac vs placebo after laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of a previously reported randomized controlled trial conducted from October 7, 2008, to July 21, 2010. Patients aged 18-75 years received a continuous infusion of either ketorolac (treatment [n=57]) or normal saline (control [n=54]) for 24 hours immediately after laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Preoperative imaging for early-stage cutaneous melanoma: predictors, usage, and utility at a single institution.

Background: Preoperative imaging for early-stage cutaneous melanoma is not recommended by current guidelines. Our goal was to investigate our institutional usage and utility.

Methods: Patients with clinically node-negative cutaneous melanoma undergoing surgery with sentinel lymph node biopsy were identified retrospectively.

A double-blind randomized controlled trial of continuous intravenous Ketorolac vs placebo for adjuvant pain control after renal surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel, continuous intravenous infusion of ketorolac, a powerful nonopioid analgesic, for postoperative pain control.

Patients And Methods: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of a continuous infusion of ketorolac tromethamine in 1 L of normal saline vs placebo was performed in 135 patients aged 18 to 75 years after laparoscopic donor nephrectomy or percutaneous nephrolithotomy completed from October 7, 2008, through July 21, 2010. Primary study end points were the 24-hour differences in visual analog pain scores and total narcotic consumption, whereas secondary end points were differences in urine output, serum creatinine level, and hemoglobin level.