The epigenetic EZH2/H3K27me3 axis modulates lactotroph tumor cell proliferation

Interest in epigenetics has gained substantial momentum as a result of their identified role in the regulation of tumor progression as well as their ability to pharmacologically target genes. Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) tend to be inactivated via epigenetic modification, and although emerging evidence has suggested a role for epigenetic factors in PitNET tumorigenesis, the degree to which these factors may be targeted by new therapeutic strategies still remains poorly understood. The objective of the present study was to examine the participation of the EZH2/H3K27me3 axis in the proliferation of lactotroph tumor cells. We demonstrated that the levels of EZH2 and H3K27me3 were increased in murine experimental prolactin (PRL) tumors with respect to a control pituitary, in contrast with the low p21 mRNA levels encountered, with an H3K27me3 enrichment being observed in its promoter region in a GH3 tumor cell. Furthermore, specific EZH2/H3K27me3 axis inhibition blocked the proliferation of primary tumor cell culture and GH3 cells, thereby making it an attractive therapeutic target for PRL PitNETs.

[Neprhon sparing surgery for renal tumours on kidney transplantation]

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, nephron sparing surgery for renal carcinoma achieves good oncological results, similar to radical surgery, with the advantage of preserving renal function. Renal cell carcinomas appear de novo in 4.6% of post-transplant patients compared with 3% of tumors in the general population, affecting less than 10% to renal allograft.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose is to analyze our experience and make a literature review about the role of nephron sparing surgery to treat de novo renal tumours in renal grafts.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective and descriptive analysis has been realized, finding four patients who presented with de novo renal tumours over renal graft after kidney transplantation and treated by nephron sparing surgery. A Medline review is done to search similar series published. Oncological and functional results were reviewed and analyzed. We worked with SPSS 12.0 software.

RESULTS

Medium age at diagnosis was 46.5 y (42-62). Medium size was 2.4cm. (1.5-3.5) and final histology showed medium tumours size of 3.0cm. (1.7-3.5). Medium hospital stay was 6.0d. Medium time from transplantation to diagnosis was 92 months (42-192). NSS was done in all cases, in 3 cases tumorectomy and one partial nephrectomy. Transfusion was only needed in one case. All cases had pT1aN0M0 RCC histology exam. Renal function did not change from preoperative. All patients are free of progression with a medium follow-up of 46.5 months (15-58).

CONCLUSIONS

NSS could be an option to treat graft tumours in selected cases, preserving renal function. In our experience, is a safe and efficient treatment in patients with small de novo renal tumours over renal graft.

[Tarlov cyst and symptomatic bladder disfuction]

Tarlov cysts or perineural cyst are lesions of the nerve roots located at the sacral level and uncertain aetiology. Most of these cysts remain asymptomatic with no clinical relevance. The symptomatic cysts are uncommon and the usual symptoms are pain or radiculopathy. We report the case of a 53-year-old woman witha symptomatic cyst (with a history of frequency and urgency syndrom), that disappears after surgery.

[Kaposis sarcoma in a renal graft]

Kaposi's sarcoma is an infrequent tumor of unknown cause, but with a higher impact in immune depressed individuals, particularly in HIV and transplant patients. It usually appears as a benign cutaneous lesions, while the invasive visceral form is uncommon with malignant evolution and wit rare remission. We present a patient with a Kaposi's sarcoma localised in a renal graft and bad response even when immuno suppression was discontinued.

[Insignificant prostate cancer. Analysis our series]

The objective of this study is to analyse the specimen of radical prostatectomy of patients who had, prior to the surgery insignificant prostate cancer biopsies. The end point is demonstrate the possibility of an active surveillance as a therapeutic option for prostate cancer in selected is the possibility of an active surveillance as therapeutic for the prostate cancer, in selected individuals if we are able to find diagnostic algorisms to predict the real insignificant tumours. The selected group of patients for the study has a PSA less or equal 10, one positive core of prostatic transrectal ultrasound biopsy with a Gleason score less than 7. This group of patients is considerate as having a potential insignificant tumour. We will consider prostatectomy's specimens and the Gleason sore is less than 7 and the tumoral volume is les or equal to 5%. Of 394 patients with prostate cancer and homogeneous criterias for our study, we have selected 53 patients according to the criteria of insignificant tumour in the biopsy. Our results showed that only 22 of 53 (41.5%) patients were identified as having an insignificant prostate cancer in the RP specimens. Moreover 92.2% of this tumours were organ-confined. In conclusion we are able to say that tumours of low-risk and low tumoral volume in the biopsy, do not correlate always to insignificant tumours in PR specimens, but we have observed that the majority are organ-confined tumours. Finally, the diagnostic's algorisms dies not to predict tumours that may safely treated with active monitoring.

[Renal xenotransplant. Acute vascular rejection]

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Organ transplant is nowadays a usual and succesful practice, although with limited application due to the lack of organs. Yearly thousands of patients get access to the waiting list and finally will death while they are waiting for an organ. In the U.S.A., 2005 waiting list for kidneys, heart, liver lung and pancreas was around 94.419. Number of transplants performed was 27.966 and died patients while waiting for an organ, 41.392 (1). Pig xenotransplant is one of the possibilities to ameliorate the lack of organs for transplant. Arrangement of pigs with different genetic modifications generated great expectatives on the use of these organs in clinics. Although preclinical experimental studies with kidneys reached prolonged survivals, these are really insufficient to go on with the clinical appliance. Hyperacute rejection produces destruction of the organ immediately. This problem could be pharmacologically precluded in xeno-transplant. However, acute rejection or vascular rejection usually produces the lost of the implant. New inmunosuppresive schedules delay significantly rejection, but not definitively. Xenotransplant as a therapeutic option introduces important scientific problems, as well as ethical and social. This paper reports a summary of our experience in renal xenotransplant and the management of acute rejection.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty xenotransplants from transgenic pig (hDAF) as donor to babuine as receptor. Average weight of the animals ranged 11.4-75 kgrs and babuines 10-26 kg. Xenograft average weight ranged 39-160 grs. Implant was performed to aorta and cava. Four inmunosupressive schedules were used.

RESULTS

Average survival was 7-9 days. Final Histological findings are described. Changes observed were secondary to acute tubular necrosis mixed with changes due to acute rejection. Three grafts were lost due to technical major problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Although we have observed some promising results, xenotransplant is a very difficult problem to solve in the long-term. A lot of research is still needed-.

[Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava. Incidental finding]

OBJECTIVE

Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava is a rare tumor, clinically silent which often remains undiagnosed for much longer. Imaging methods allow us to detect these entities. We report a single case and perform a bibliographic review.

METHODS

58-year-old woman with a 6 cm adrenal mass, which during surgery was found to be a tumor from the wall of the vena cava. We performed complete removal of the mass. Radiotherapy of the surgical area was applied within three months following surgery.

RESULTS

Two years later, there is no evidence of disease recurrence.

CONCLUSION

This is a rare entity, with low prevalence. Complete surgical excision is the gold standard for treatment. Local recurrence is a common finding during follow up.

[Radical prostatectomy with minilaparotomy "minilap" for patients with prostate cancer]

INTRODUCTION

prostate cancer is the most frequent tumor in males. The use of PSA contributes to diagnose tumors with low stage. Radical Prostatectomy (R.P.) is the gold standard to treat this tumor; however such is not exempt of risks. Different technical modifications like minimal incisions minilaparotomy "minilap" had contributed to improve results. We review our experience with Minilap on patients underwent a RP.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between April 1997 and September 2005 carry out 110 RP with Minilap technique. All cases were performed with minimal incision 7-8 cm of length. We use and specific retractor developed in our hospital. Median age at time of surgery was 65 (47-79). Clinical stage in 39 (35.4%) were T1c, 64 (58.3%) T2 and 7 (6.3%) T3. Sixty eight percent were Gleason score < or =6, 34(30.9%) 7 and 1 (0.9%) Gleason 8.

RESULTS

In 86 cases (38.5%) pathological stage were pT2, 21 (19%) pT3, 1 (0.9%) pT4 and 2 (1.8%) pT0. Nine patients (8%) had postoperative complications. No re-interventions were necessary and 101 (90%) were discharge without per operatives complications. Mean length of stay was 4 days and 97 (88.8%) of patients were discharge with only five days length of stay. Urinary continence rate with a year like minimal follow up is 92.3% and 40% preserve sexual activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimal invasive techniques like minilap can be done in regular form with good results and without long learning curve.

[Clinicopathological study of incidental cancer prostate in patients undergoing surgery for symptomatic diagnosis of BPH]

OBJECTIVES-INTRODUCTION: Retrospective study of a series of patients with prostate surgery (suprapubic prostate adenomectomy -APS-, and prostate transurethral resection -RTU-P-) for presumed BPH symptomatic non-respondent to the conservative medical treatment. Analysis of prevalence, incidence, clinical-pathological, treatment, tumor progression and evolution of the patients with incidental prostate cancer (CPI) detected.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

1593 patients with prostate surgery (APS and RTU-P) during 6 years (1996-2001) were revised. APS 35%, RTU-P 65%. Revision of all pathological anatomy of surgical specimens and the evolutions of the patients with CPI.

RESULTS

78 CPI; Prevalence 4,89%; Incidence 13 cases/year. Mean age 73.6 years. Digital rectal examination was normal in 100%, mean PSA 6 ng/ml (0.5-30). Group APS: 25 CPI (32%); prevalence 4.55%; incidence 4 cases/year; mean PSA 7.7 ng/ml (2.8-30); mean weight resection 65 gs. Group RTU-P: 53 CPI (68%); prevalence 5,07%; incidence 9 cases/year; mean PSA 5.2 ng/ml (0,5-29); mean weight resection 20 gs. 22% biopsy previously by high PSA, mean PSA 14 ng/ml (4,8-30). Gleason average 5 (mean 4.8), rank 3-8. pTla 66%, pTlb 33%.

TREATMENT

57% follow-up watched without treatment (wait and see); 18% hormonal treatment; 3% finasteride; 9% Radical Prostatectomy; 9% radiotherapy. Follow Lost 4%. Mean follow-up 47.19 months (12-96). Tumor progression 13.3% (10 patients). Specific CPI mortality 2.6% (2 patients).

CONCLUSIONS

We didn't observe significant differences between the prevalence of CPI in both groups (APS and RTU-P). The detected tumours were mainly well differentiated and in stage pTla. In more than half of the cases an expectant attitude without treatment was decided. 13,3% of tumor progression after 47.19 months of follow mean and specific CPI mortality 2.6%.

[Renal angiomyolipomatosis and pulmonary lymphangiomyomatosis. Its relationship with Bourneville syndrome]

INTRODUCTION

Renal angiomyolipomas are not very frequent in urologic activities. Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis is a rare disease that occurs mainly in women of reproductive age. Tuberous sclerosis shows lesions to different organs, including these both entities.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

We retrospectively analyze patients treated in our center. Three most representatives cases are reported. An indexed literature review is done, in order to establish a clinical protocol to manage these kinds of patients.

RESULTS

[corrected] Between 1990 and 2004, eight patients have been attended with an angiomyolipoma renal diagnostic. Five women (62%) and three men (38%). Medium age is 52,3y (29-69). In 3 of them (all women), it was also done a diagnostic of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Bourneville syndrome is not very frequent. Associated angiomyolipomas usually are multiple, bilateral, with tender to grow and require more interventions. Previous diagnostic let us prevent future complications with vigilance, selective arterial embolization and nephron-spare surgery. Tumour size and the presence of symptoms are more decisive to decide best therapy alternative. Young patients with pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis should be advise against pregnancy and the use of preparations containing estrogens.

[Role of nephrectomy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Experience of the Department of Urology Juan Canalejo Hospital]

OBJECTIVES

We expose our experience in nephrectomy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma, and also show complications, evolution and survival of these patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performe a retrospective review of renal cell carcinoma treated at our service in the period between January 1st 1991 and December 31st 2002. We only studied those which presented in a metastatic pattern (31), and divide these in two groups: the ones which were nephrectomized and those which were not. We try to showw the differences between the two groups in order of status performance (E.C.O.G.), associated morbidity and median survival. In the first group we also study complications of surgery and treatment that patients underwent.

RESULTS

we performed nephrectomy in 19 cases, all of them E.C.O.G. 0-1. Median postoperative stay was 12 days, and complication rate was 11.5%. Of these patients, 45% underwent some type of systemic treatment, and median survival was 31 months. We didn't performed nephrectomy in 12 patients, of which 9 were E.C.O.G. 2-3. Associated co-morbidity was higher in this group. Only in three patients any treatment was offered always with palliative reason. Median survival was 3.8 months.

CONCLUSIONS

In those patients with good performance status this approach does not represent more morbility nor mortality than in non-metastatic patients, and that is a cornerstone in their management. We also make a literature review in which we see the last pathways in the management of these patients, and that show the needing for a combined approach both quirurgical and inmunotherapical. We have review with special interest the studie's conclusions of SWOG and EORTC groups.

[Traumatic urethral disruption in women. A rare entity. Report of two cases]

We present two cases of urethral disruption in women, a very uncommon situation because of the anatomical features. Yet it must be always suspected in all women under a pelvic politraumatism, for eviting important problems. Both cases are traffic politraumatized young girls presenting with pelvic fracture, among others. The surgery performed was combined suprapubic-transvaginal approach, even in one a previous endoscopic realinement was done, who also needed endoscopic complementary treatment: electrofulguration of a fistulous bridge. Outcome of both is fine, achieving good continence. We also make a literature review.

[Renal xenotransplantation from hDAF pig to baboon. Experience and review]

The renal xenotransplant could be the solution on the demand of organs for transplantation. We present here our experience and review the actual status of the xenotransplant.

METHODS

We have done 20 xenotransplants from transgenic pig h DAF to baboons, with four protocols of immunosuppression. All the hosts were treated with GAS 914. Group A: Cyclophosphamide, Cyclosporine, Mycophenolate, and Steroids (n = 10). Group B: Cyclophosphamide, Cyclosporine, FTY 720, and Steroids (n = 3). Group C: Basiliximab, Cyclosporine, Mycophenolate, and Steroids (n = 3). Group D: Basiliximab, FTY 720, Everolymus, and Steroids (n = 4).

RESULTS

The duration of the xenografts ranged between 1 and 31 days. The function of the xenografts in relation to the type of immunosuppression were not significantly different: A) 7 days, B) 8 days, C) 8 days, and D) 9 days.

CONCLUSIONS

1. The cold ischemic time of the graft, has influence in the initial function of the kidneys but not in the evolution and duration of the graft. 2. The hyperacute rejection has been overcome with the utilization of transgenic pigs. The graft failure was due to acute humoral rejection that was not aborted by the actual inmunosupressors. 3. It is necessary to develop new immunosuppression protocols, through new knowledge of their pharmacology and the physiology of the xenografts, and at the same time it is important to avoid the potential risk of transmission of animal infections.