Csaba Hermann^1,5, Dóra Krikovszky², George Füst³, Margit Kovács³, Anna Körner⁴, András Szabó⁴, Ádám Vannay², László Madácsy²

European Cytokine Network, Vol.16, No.4, pp. 277-281, 2005

Abstract Multiple immune mediators have been mentioned as playing a role in the pathomechanism of type1 DM. Interleukin (IL)-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α play a central role in the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic b-cells, whereas IL-6 inhibits TNF-α secretion, and may have some protecting effects. In our study, we aimed to investigate the association between these three cytokines’ single nucleotide polymorphisms (IL-6 gene G(-174)C, TNF-α gene G(-308)A and IL-1β gene C(3954)T polymorphisms) and age-at-onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in 165 diabetic children (median age: 17 years). Polymorphisms were determined using the PCR-RFLP method.… More >

Reuven Laskov¹, Nir Berger¹, Marshall S. Horwitz^2,3

European Cytokine Network, Vol.16, No.4, pp. 267-276, 2005

Abstract Interaction between the CD40 ligand and its cognate receptor is known to affect various aspects of B-cell biology. Less is known about the biological consequences of B-cell signaling through tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and its two receptors. We have used Ramos germinal center (GC)-derived Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL) cells as a model system to compare some of the early signaling events of TNF-α and CD40L on the NF-jB and c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways. We have previously found that both TNF-α and CD40L induced enhanced cell aggregation, adherence and modified cell surface morphology of Ramos… More >

Carlos Muñoz, Marcelo López, Manuel Olivares, Fernando Pizarro, Miguel Arredondo, Magdalena Araya

European Cytokine Network, Vol.16, No.4, pp. 261-265, 2005

Abstract Backgound. Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element for many biological processes including maintenance of both innate and acquired branches of immunity. Objective. To measure the effect of copper supplementation on IL-2 and TNF-α production in subjects with lower and higher ceuloplasmin (Cp) values within normal range. Design. Healthy adults (17 men and 16 women) with normal-low (low Cp) and normal-high Cp (high Cp) values were supplemented with 10 mg Cu/day (as CuSO₄) during 2 months. Method. Before and after supplementation blood mononuclear cells were incubated in the absence or presence of phytohaemagglutinin or lipopolysaccharide for… More >

Kaouther Snoussi¹, A. Donny Strosberg², Noureddine Bouaouina^1,3, Slim Ben Ahmed⁴, Lotfi Chouchane¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.16, No.4, pp. 253-260, 2005

Abstract Objectives. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are determining factors in the immune and inflammatory responses to tumors cells. Experimental data suggest that interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 play important roles in the development and progression of breast cancer. We designed a broad study to investigate the susceptibility and prognostic implications of the genetic variation in IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-6 in breast carcinoma. Experimental design. We used the polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion to characterize the genetic variation of IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-6 in 305, unrelated Tunisian patients with breast carcinoma and 200 healthy control subjects.… More >

Laurence H. Klotz¹, Yves Fradet²

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.12, Suppl.1, pp. 86-91, 2005

Abstract At the first Global Urologic Oncology Congress — which was held in conjunction with the SIU meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii, on October 2-3, 2004 — a total of 250 urologists from nine regions throughout the world participated in working groups to develop consensus statements about the management of prostate cancer patients. The focus was on two areas of prostate cancer: first, screening and detection — including when to do a biopsy, and how to manage low-risk patients — and second, management of high-risk patients.
Conclusion: Overall, there is marked global diversity of beliefs about optimal screening More >

H. Van Poppel

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.12, Suppl.1, pp. 81-85, 2005

Abstract Introduction: Treatment of hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) has generally aimed at increasing symptom free survival in asymptomatic patients and improving quality of life in symptomatic patients. However, recent randomized studies might be shifting the paradigm towards achieving an improved overall survival.
Methods: Two large randomized controlled studies were conducted using mitoxantrone plus prednisone as a control arm compared to docetaxel-based regimens.
Results: In the TAX 327 trial, 3-weekly docetaxel plus prednisone proved significantly superior to mitoxantrone plus prednisone (an established reference regimen) in extending survival, reducing levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA), controlling pain and improving quality… More >

Hideyuki Akaza

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.12, Suppl.1, pp. 77-80, 2005

Abstract Two decades have passed since the concept of Maximal Androgen Blockade (MAB) was first applied to the clinical treatment of prostate cancer. The theory is that by cutting off the supply of androgen from the adrenal gland, androgen blockade of the prostate could be made more complete. However, to date the clinical benefit of MAB has failed to live up to the theoretically expected effect. Having said that, fundamental research and clinical trials in recent years do indicate that the benefit of MAB is not merely an illusion. More >

Fred Saad

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.12, Suppl.1, pp. 71-76, 2005

Abstract Modern medicine offers multiple treatment options to prolong the survival of patients with prostate cancer. However, in the absence of adequate supportive care, the systemic effects of prostate cancer and therapies such as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) can undermine skeletal integrity, resulting in skeletal complications. Skeletal morbidity contributes to the erosion in quality of life in patients with prostate cancer. These patients are at risk for fractures from cancer treatment-induced bone loss and, later on, pathologic fractures from bone metastases, which may occur during the progression of prostate cancer. Several supportive care options are available More >

Andrea Mancuso, Cora N. Sternberg

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.12, Suppl.1, pp. 66-70, 2005

Abstract Renal cell carcinoma accounts for approximately 3% of adult malignancies and 90%-95% of neoplasms arising from the kidney. It is characterized by a lack of early warning signs, diverse clinical manifestations, resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, and infrequent but reproducible responses to immunotherapy with agents such as interferon alpha (IFN-α) and interleukin 2 (IL-2). International studies have shown objective response rates of < 15% in patients with advanced and metastatic disease, with 5-year disease-specific survival ranging between 0-20%. Considering these poor outcomes, renal cancers’ very vascular nature and overexpression of receptors for vascular endothelial growth More >

Abdullah M. Al Ghamdi, Michael A. S. Jewett

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.12, Suppl.1, pp. 62-65, 2005

Abstract For patients with clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT), the therapeutic options after orchiectomy are retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy, surveillance, and chemotherapy. Ideally the option selected will be based on an individualized assessment of the estimated risk of progression based on prognostic factors, so called risk-adapted treatment, to reduce overall burden of therapy while maintaining survival. It is possible to identify patients at low risk of progression who can be followed by active surveillance initially. Prognostic factors for high risk, while well defined, do not identify all patients at risk and those that are destined More >