[OVERALL SURVIVAL EVALUATION OF PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS TREATED WITH ANDROGEN DEPRIVATION THERAPY BY ESTIMATING FLUCTUANT PATTERNS OF METABOLIC FACTOR SERUM LEVELS].

(Background) The effects of fluctuant patterns of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) levels on overall survival of patients with prostate cancer (PC) treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) remain unclear. (Methods) We enrolled 236 patients with PC and divided into 3 cohorts by fluctuant patterns of serum levels of ALP and LDH between at baseline and at 1 year later, or at diagnosis of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC): intermediate, within interquartile range (IQR) [I]; lower than IQR [L]; higher than IQR [H]. (Results) In the 1 year later ALP cohort, all parameters except age were significantly different.

[A STUDY OF MULTIPARAMETER ANALYSIS OF SERUM URIC ACID LEVELS -A STUDY IN APPARENTLY HEALTHY JAPANESE MEN AND WOMEN].

(Background) Hyperuricemia is associated with hypertension, vascular disease, cardiovascular events, and renal dysfunction. Several studies have reported the relationship between serum uric acid (UA) level and clinical outcome in the general population. However, most such studies have not quantitatively evaluated the association between UA and age, body mass index (BMI), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

[EFFECT OF NEW ANDROGEN RECEPTOR AXIS-TARGETED AGENTS ON SURVIVAL OF CASTRATION-RESISTANT PROSTATE CANCER].

(Background)The real world's effect of new androgen receptor axis-targeted agents (ARATs) on survival of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remains unclear in Japan. (Aims)The primary aim was to determine the clinical benefit of ARATs on survival of CRPC patients. The secondary aim was to evaluate predictive factors affecting the survival of CRPC patients.

[ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ANDROGEN DEPRIVATION THERAPY ON PATIENTS WITH PROSTATE CANCER AND ITS EFFECT ON OVERALL SURVIVAL].

(Background) Patients with prostate cancer, which progresses slowly compared with other cancers, are generally older, and not a few are solely treated with androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT). The physical effects of ADT on bone health, body composition, and hematological parameters must be carefully considered. (Methods) We collected the clinical records of 185 men with pathologically diagnosed prostate cancer who were treated with ADT at our hospital.

ARHGAP29 expression may be a novel prognostic factor of cell proliferation and invasion in prostate cancer.

Yes‑associated protein (YAP) is a transcription‑coupling factor that plays a central role in the Hippo pathway, and its activation regulates cell proliferation and carcinogenesis. YAP activation has been reported in various malignancies, conferring tumors with migratory and invasive abilities. Several studies have suggested that YAP expression is closely associated with prostate cancer.

Prognostic value of pre-treatment risk stratification and post-treatment neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio change for pembrolizumab in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma.

Background: Pembrolizumab is effective in a limited number of patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC). Therefore, we evaluated the prognostic value of clinical biomarkers following pembrolizumab treatment in patients with advanced UC.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 121 patients with platinum-refractory advanced UC who received pembrolizumab.

[LOCAL REACTIONS OF LUTEINIZING HORMONE-RELEASING HORMONE AGENTS AND ITS EFFECTS ON CLINICAL OUTCOMES IN PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS].

(Background) Currently, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonists and antagonists are used for androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT). However, they are associated with subcutaneous granuloma, rubor, dolor, calor, and eventual ulcer and/or abscess formation. The prevalence of these adverse effects, causes and mechanisms, and effects on serum testosterone levels and clinical outcomes are poorly understood.

Identification of curable high-risk prostate cancer using radical prostatectomy alone: who are the good candidates for undergoing radical prostatectomy among patients with high-risk prostate cancer?

Background: Currently, there is no consensus regarding which patients with high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) would benefit the most by radical prostatectomy (RP). We aimed to identify patients with high-risk PCa who are treatable by RP alone.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data on 315 patients with D'Amico high-risk PCa who were treated using RP without neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy at the institutions of the Yamaguchi Uro-Oncology Group between 2009 and 2013.

Extracellular miR-224 as a prognostic marker for clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Exosome-miRNAs (exo-miR) have recently been identified as modulators of cancer progression and distant metastasis. We previously found that intracellular miR-224 is up-regulated and significantly related to cancer invasion and metastasis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). We therefore investigated the role of exosome miR-224 in ccRCC and explored the interaction between intra- and extracellular miR-224 in renal cell carcinoma.

Impact of variant histology on disease aggressiveness and outcome after nephroureterectomy in Japanese patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Background: Patients with urinary bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC) with variant histology have features of more advanced disease and a likelihood of poorer survival than those with pure UC. We investigated the impact of variant histology on disease aggressiveness and clinical outcome after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) in Japanese patients with upper tract UC (UTUC). Information on variant histology might guide appropriate patient selection for adjuvant therapy after RNU.

Combination of hemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, and age predicts optimal docetaxel regimen for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Background: We aimed to find the prognostic factors predicting overall survival (OS) in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) who had docetaxel (DTX) chemotherapy, and to construct a model predicting the optimum number of cycles of DTX.

Methods: A total of 279 CRPC patients who received DTX (≥50 mg/m(2)) every 3-4 weeks were studied retrospectively. Prognostic factors predicting treatment cycles as well as OS were analyzed, and a risk table for predicting treatment cycles was constructed.

Risk group stratification based on preoperative factors to predict survival after nephroureterectomy in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.

Background: After radical nephroureterectomy (RNU), substantial numbers of patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUT-UC) are ineligible for adjuvant chemotherapy owing to diminished renal function. Accurate preoperative prediction of survival is considered important because neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be as effective for high-risk UUT-UC as for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. We performed risk group stratification to predict survival based on specific preoperative factors.

The prevalence of Peyronie's disease in Japan: a study in men undergoing maintenance hemodialysis and routine health checks.

Introduction: The incidence of Peyronie's disease (PD) in the general population is believed to be as high as 20%. However, most of the data concerning the prevalence of PD have been obtained from Caucasian populations.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of PD in Asia and among men undergoing hemodialysis and discuss the pathophysiology of PD.

Human chorionic gonadotrophin treatment prior to microdissection testicular sperm extraction in non-obstructive azoospermia.

Background: Despite the improved success rate of sperm retrieval by microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE), methods to stimulate spermatogenesis in men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) remain unexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hCG-based hormonal stimulation in men with NOA on the success of sperm retrieval by micro-TESE.

Methods: Forty-eight men with NOA who had negative sperm retrieval results by the micro-TESE procedure were included.

Can docetaxel therapy improve overall survival from primary therapy compared with androgen-deprivation therapy alone in Japanese patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer? A multi-institutional cooperative study.

Background: To verify the actual clinical benefit of docetaxel (DOC) therapy and to explore the prognostic factors that may predict overall survival in Japanese patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

Methods: Baseline characteristics-matched CRPC patients who received conventional androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) or ADT plus DOC were compared retrospectively. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) from primary therapy.

9p21 index as estimated by dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization is useful to predict urothelial carcinoma recurrence in bladder washing cytology.

Recent studies have shown that chromosome 9p21 locus is frequently deleted in the early stages of urothelial carcinogenesis. To study the predictive value of the 9p21 aberrations in recurrence of urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder, we applied dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization for 9p21 and chromosome 9 centromere to the bladder washing cytology samples that were obtained from the patients with urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder treated by transurethral resection. For the evaluation, the 9p21 index was defined as the ratio of the mean number of 9p21 signals per nucleus for that of the chromosome 9 centromere signals per nucleus in each of the bladder washing cytology samples.

Effects of hemodialysis on testicular volume and oxidative stress in humans.

Purpose: Male infertility is a serious problem in patients on hemodialysis. Our understanding is that end stage renal disease or hemodialysis causes poor semen quality but the mechanism leading to impaired spermatogenesis is largely unknown.

Materials And Methods: Testicular volume in 120 patients on maintenance hemodialysis was compared with that in age matched healthy controls.

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes derived from human renal cell carcinoma: clonal analysis of its characteristics.

Aim: To assess the characteristics of activated tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), we report the isolation, growth response, and functional analysis of a CD4(-) CD8(+) TIL-clone derived from human renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods: Bulk TILs were expanded from a human RCC and the lymphocytes were separated into a CD8(+) enriched population. Subsequently, using the limiting dilution technique, a TIL clone was established and its growth response, phenotype and cytotoxic activity were analyzed.

Evaluation of hematuria and proteinuria positivity in relation to ageing in 6,651 apparently healthy men and women.

We examined the positivity of hematuria and proteinuria in relation to ageing in 6,651 apparently healthy persons (2,556 women and 4,095 men) who underwent multiphasic health screening in our Medical Checkup Center. Commercially available dipsticks were used. The time from urine collection to dipstick analysis was within 60 minutes.

[Does alpha1-blocker provide additional improvement of quality-of-life in patients with overactive bladder?--a multi-center prospective randomized trial between anti-cholinergic (propiverine chloride) with and without alpha1-blocker (urapidil)].

Aim: Storage/filling symptoms caused by overactive bladder (OAB) are bothersome to patients. The aim of this study is to clarify if alpha1-blocker provides additional benefit in combination with anticholinergic treatment in patients with OAB.

Methods: In total, 100 patients (men/women: 43/57, mean age: 71.

Evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms and how bothersome it was with or without urinary incontinence in apparently healthy persons of both sexes.

We evaluated the effect of urinary incontinence on the degree of being bothersome in apparently healthy males and females by a questionnaire survery. From March to May, 2003 apparently healthy subjects underwent multiphasic health screening after informed of the nature of this study and were asked to fill out the questionnaires of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) with IPSS QOL index (IPSS-QI) and the short form version of the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6). The data were subjected to analytical studies.

Lower urinary tract symptoms in 1,912 apparently healthy persons of both sexes.

We aimed to evaluate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in apparently healthy persons of both sexes using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life index (IPSS-QI) as related to aging. A total of 1,912 apparently healthy participants (1,052 women and 860 men) were enrolled in this study. They were informed as to the nature of the study and asked to fill out the IPSS questionnaires.

Angiotensin-II combined intra-arterial chemotherapy for locally advanced bladder cancer: a case series study at a single institution.

Patients with locally advanced bladder cancer are at significant risk for metastases. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) combined with angiotensin-II (AT-II) in such patients. The possibility of bladder preservation is also discussed.

Novel prophylactic effect of doxifluridine in superficial bladder cancer.

Objectives: The prophylactic effect of 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR) has not been fully studied in superficial bladder cancer. The aims of this work were to investigate the prophylactic effects of 5'-DFUR in terms of tumor recurrence after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and to study whether thymidine phosphorylase (TdRPase) immunostaining predicts tumor recurrence.

Material And Methods: A total of 112 patients with pTa or pT1 bladder cancer were eligible for the analysis and were allocated to either an adjuvant group (TURBT+5'-DFUR; n = 47; initial 23 months) or a control group (TURBT alone; n = 65, final 23 months).

Expression of thymidine phosphorylase in human superficial bladder cancer.

Background: The purpose of the present paper was to investigate the expression level of thymidine phosphorylase (TPase) in superficial bladder cancer tissues obtained by transurethral resection, and determine whether its expression correlates with tumor recurrence.

Methods: From March 1998 to December 2001, 99 patients with superficial bladder cancer were diagnosed and treated at eight affiliated hospitals. Tissue specimens obtained by transurethral resection of superficial bladder cancer (TURBT) were applied to immunohistochemical study using anti-TPase antibody as well as pathological diagnosis.