Systematic symptom screening in patients with advanced cancer treated in certified oncology centers: results of the prospective multicenter German KeSBa project.

Purpose: Guidelines recommend a structured symptom screening (SC) for especially advanced cancer patients (CPs). The aim of this multicenter German prospective quality assurance project KeSBa (Kennzahl Symptom- und Belastungserfassung) was to gain knowledge on SC procedures in Oncology Centers (OCs) for advanced cancer patients and a first impression on the consequences of SC.

Methods: The KeSBa project consisted of three phases: pilot, 3 months screening and feedback phase.

Autoantibodies against protein disulfide isomerase ER-60 are a diagnostic marker for low-grade testicular inflammation.

Study Question: Is there a non-invasive biomarker for the diagnosis of testicular inflammatory lesions?

Summary Answer: In sera from infertile azoospermic patients with histologically confirmed low-grade testicular inflammation, significantly elevated titers of autoantibodies against disulfide isomerase family A, member 3 (ER-60) were found.

What Is Known Already: Infection and inflammation of the genital tract are supposed to be responsible for up to 15% of cases among infertile males. However, specific seminal or serological markers are not available to assess subacute or chronic inflammatory conditions in the testis.