Investigations on the subclinical and clinical nephrotoxicity of interferon alpha-2B in patients with myeloproliferative syndromes.

Since the introduction of interferon alpha-2b (IFN alpha-2b) into clinical oncology there have been several reports dealing with acute renal failure during therapy with this new type of anticancer drug. We investigated 58 patients (pts) with myeloproliferative syndromes (56 pts with chronic myelogenous leukemia, 2 pts with essential thrombocythemia) who were treated with 4 x 10(6) IU IFN alpha-2b each day subcutaneously. In order to assess the nephrotoxic potential we used the following noninvasive methods: 1.

The synthetic prostaglandin E1 analogue rioprostil reduces the nephrotoxic potential of cyclosporine A.

Acute CyA nephrotoxicity involves alteration in the proximal tubule and leads to glomerular lesions. Administration of a vasodilatator agent such as the prostaglandin E1 analogue Rioprostil (Bayer AG, BAY 06893) might prevent preglomerular vasoconstriction and hence reduce cyclosporin nephrotoxicity. As an increased excretion of urinary enzymes as a consequence of CyA-nephrotoxicity is well known we investigated in 40 male Wistar rats the excretion of three urinary enzymes: the brush border enzyme gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), the leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), and the lysosomal enzyme N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG).

Folate nephropathy occurring during cytotoxic chemotherapy with high-dose folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil.

High-dose folinic acid with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a novel combination chemotherapy used in the treatment of metastatic gastrointestinal cancer. One of the mechanisms of action of 5-FU is its conversion into fluorodeoxyuridylate (FdUMP), which inhibits thymidilate synthetase (TS). The rate of inhibition of TS is augmented by increasing concentrations of folinic acid.

Investigations on the acute and chronic nephrotoxicity of the new platinum analogue carboplatin.

In order to detect even subclinical hints of nephrotoxicity after application of carboplatin, sensitive non-invasive methods, e.g. determination of urinary enzyme (lactate dehydrogenase, leucine aminopeptidase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase), glomerular and tubular protein excretion (albumin, alpha-1-microglobulin) and determination of the creatinine clearance, were used.

[Rapidly progressing glomerulonephritis. Spontaneous course and differential therapy with special reference to the infection-associated form].

Since 1971 we observed 31 patients with histologically proven rapidly progressive (crescentic) glomerulonephritis. At the onset of therapy 16 patients presented with end stage renal failure, the others with impaired renal function. 21 patients received combined immunosuppressive therapy, consisting of prednisone, cyclophosphamide and azathioprine.

[Atrial myxoma and signs of autoimmune disease].

Raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate, mild proteinuria, erythrocyturia and slightly impaired renal function were revealed in a 45-year-old patient complaining of general physical fatigue, fever and pain in the right flank. Interstitial nephritis was confirmed by biopsy. Therefore, an autoimmune disease with renal involvement was diagnosed.

Lupus anticoagulant associated syndrome in benign and malignant systemic disease--analysis of ten observations.

The clinical and laboratory findings in seven female patients with primary autoimmune diseases, one female patient with lymphoplasmacytoid (LP) immunocytoma and IgM paraproteinemia, and two male patients with multiple myeloma are described. The common denominator in all patients was a lupus anticoagulant or a closely related coagulation disorder. Recurrent thrombosis was observed in six patients with autoimmune diseases and in two patients with malignant monoclonal gammopathies.

[Detection of nephrotoxicity of human alpha 2b interferon with special reference to the analysis of urine enzymes in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia].

The nephrotoxic potential of alpha-interferon (IFN alpha-2b) was analysed in 21 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. As particularly sensitive parameters in the detection of subclinical renal injury we measured the excretion of the following urinary enzymes: lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), leucine arylaminidase (LAP), beta-galactosidase (GAL) and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG). Additionally, protein excretion and urinary sediment were analysed.