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OBJECTIVES Tissue-specific expression is of key importance in gene therapy and can be achieved by using tissue-specific promoters to drive therapeutic gene expression. The uroplakin (UP) promoter is a powerful tool for bladder cancer gene therapy, but the role of UP protein in the bladder remains unknown. This study aimed to detect UP III expression in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder and to determine whether the role of UP III heterogeneity is associated with predicting disease recurrence and patient survival. METHODS Immunohistochemical staining for UP III was carried out in 92 archival radical cystectomy and 38 normal specimens and correlated with pathologic features and clinical outcomes. RESULTS UP III expression was significantly decreased in bladder cancer tissues compared with normal controls (P

To perform systemic 22-core transperineal ultrasound-guided template prostate biopsies in patients with previous negative transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy findings and evaluate the cancer core distribution.Between April 2001 and December 2003, 128 men underwent systemic ultrasound-guided biopsy using the transperineal template technique. All patients had undergone at least one previous set of biopsies. Prostate biopsy was performed transperineally using an 18-gauge biopsy needle driven by a spring-loaded device. Four biopsies were obtained anterior to posterior from each of four coronal planes in the mid-region, and three biopsies were obtained anterior to posterior from each of two coronal planes in the apical region.Of the 128 patients, 29 (22.7%) had cancer according to an extended transperineal biopsy. Patients with prostate cancer had significantly greater prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels (11.4 versus 7.6 ng/mL, P = 0.0125), smaller transition zone volumes (12.7 versus 21.2 cm3, P = 0.0012), smaller prostate glands (31.5 versus 44.0 cm3, P = 0.0015), and greater PSA density (0.36 versus 0.19 ng/mL/cm3, P0.0001). The cancer core rates in the mid and apical parts of the anterior region (5.3% and 8.0%) were significantly greater than in the mid and apical parts of the posterior region (3.3% and 3.6%, P = 0.0297 and P = 0.0132, respectively).The results of our study have shown that transperineal approaches are appropriate for sampling from the anterior half of the prostate gland. In patients in whom the diagnosis of prostate cancer is suspected, we believe that systemic 22-core transperineal ultrasound-guided template prostate biopsy might be the next optional diagnostic step after an initial negative prostate biopsy.

Objectives. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) for carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the urothelium involving the upper urinary tract when the vaccine was administered by way of the bladder using vesicoureteral reflux created by a double-pigtail (DP) catheter. Methods. Thirteen upper urinary tracts of 9 patients with cytologically diagnosed CIS, with concomitant bladder CIS in 4, were treated by intravesical BCG instillation. A DP catheter was placed retrogradely, and the appearance of vesicoureteral reflux was confirmed by cystography. BCG (1 to 2 mg/mL) in a volume sufficient to fill the renal caliceal system was administered into the bladder weekly for 6 weeks. The mean follow-up was 36 months (range 8 to 97). Results. The voided urine cytology turned negative in all 9 patients at a mean of 86 days after the first administration of BCG. The voided urine cytology returned positive afterward in 3 patients, and positive cytology in the upper urinary tract was confirmed in 1 of 13 treated urinary tracts, which were successfully treated by another course of BCG therapy with the DP catheter. Minor adverse effects related to BCG and the DP catheter were seen in 5 patients. Conclusions. BCG therapy for the CIS involving the upper urinary tract using a DP catheter might have the potential to be an effective procedure preserving renal units and could be adopted not only as an imperative, but also as an elective, treatment option.

Objectives. Adenovirus is a useful vector for cancer gene delivery because of its high gene transfer efficacy, high titer production, and safety. The initial binding of adenoviruses except for serotype B to cell surface is mediated via a specific 46 kDa coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR). In addition, recent evidence suggested that CD46, a complement inhibitory protein, plays a role as a serotype B Ad receptor. Low levels of CAR are associated with decreased efficiency of adenovirus-mediated gene transduction of bladder cancer. In present study, we evaluated the expression of CAR and CD46 in urologic cancer cell lines, and then examined whether CAR expression is associated with bladder cancer characteristics and clinical outcomes.

To evaluate histopathologic and biologic characteristics in a patient with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) with an endophytic growth pattern similar to that seen in an inverted papilloma. Although the tumor surface was mostly covered with normal-looking urothelium, the covering layer was thicker in parts than in those of benign papillomas. The widths of the trabeculae were irregular, and cytologic atypia with remarkable mitosis was seen. High expression of p53, Ki67, and cytoplasmic cyclin D1 was demonstrated by immunohistochemical staining. To clarify the biologic activities of tumors with inverted papilloma-like growth pattern, even when it appears as benign lesions by routine pathologic examination, analyses of immunoreactivity for proliferation markers might be critical.

A 69-year-old man with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the seminal vesicle was successfully treated. The patient presented with complaints of gross hematuria and difficulty in urination. Transrectal ultrasonography revealed a cystic mass behind the bladder, and solid tumorous lesions were visualized in the cyst wall by magnetic resonance imaging. The cystic mass was surgically excised and was verified as the enlarged seminal vesicle with concomitant squamous cell carcinoma. The histopathologic diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma in the seminal vesicle. Postoperatively, 50 Gy of external beam radiation was targeted to the whole pelvic cavity, and the patient was alive without recurrence 2.5 years after surgery. No other neoplasm was discovered in the body.