Renal cell carcinoma-associated immune impairment that may interfere with the response to cytokine therapy.

This prospective study was carried out to explore cytokine-related immune alterations in 69 renal cell carcinoma patients (RCC) and to look for changes which might potentially serve as a reliable predictors of response to cytokine-based therapy. Interleukin-2 (IL-2), its soluble receptor (sIL-2R) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) levels produced in vitro by PHA activated and intact mononuclear cells (PBMC) were determined. Concentrations of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, sIL-2R, TNF-alpha and CRP were measured in sera.

[Personal experience with colpoureteral suspension using the Burch method].

The objective of the work was to evaluate one approach of evaluation of the effect achieved by the mentioned corrective operation, i.e. the subjective evaluation by the patients themselves.

[Evaluation of the value of testicular phlebography].

The authors use testicular phlebography since 1979; they examined so far 72 patients (62 children and 10 adults). Phlebography was indicated in 54 patients with varicocele and in 18 children with an unpalpable testicle. The authors evaluate the method with regard to the surgical procedure in the treatment of varicocele.

VM 26 (4-demethyl-epipodophyllotoxin-beta-d-thenylidine glucoside) in the treatment of urinary bladder tumors.

VM 26, a semisynthetic podophyllin derivative (4-demethyl-epipodo-phyllotoxin-beta-d-thenylidine glucoside) has been tested in 67 patients with urinary bladder tumors. In 25 patients with stage T 1 significant prolongation of the disease-free interval was reached. In 25 cases with state T 3-4, the effect of VM 26 was not favorable.