PURPOSE: Recently in light of the development in immunology, interferon- e and inter- leukin-2 or combination therapy with anticancer drugs have been performed. This study aims to verify and compare the efficacy of therapies using interferon- a alone, interferon- a plus vinblastine, and interferon- a plus interleukin-2 plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus 13-cis retinoic acid (13cRA) in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 29 patients were randomly assigned to receive treatment with either interferon- a alone or interferon- a plus vinblastine or interferon- a plus interleukin-2 plus 5-FU plus 13cRA from December 1989 to May 1998. The most frequent metastatic sites were the lung, lymph nodes, bone, liver, and brain. We studied the response rates, survival period, and complications of each regimen. RESULTS: Responses were achieved in 1 out of 1~5 patients (6.73?o) on interferon- a alone (partial responses lasting 13 months), 1 out of 9 patients (11.1%) on interferon- e plus vinblastine (partial responses lasting 25 months) and 1 out of 5 patients (20.0%) on interferon-a plus IL-2 plus 5-FU plus 13cRA regimen (partial responses lasting 14 months). The median durations of survival were 18, 33, and 23 months respectively. The overall response rate was 10.3% and overall median duration of survival was 19 months. The most common side effects were flu-like symptom such as fever, chills (93.1%), skin symptom such as erythema, pruritus (31.0%), G-I symptom such as nausea, vomiting (17.2%), netropenia (10.3%), abnormal LFT (10.3%), and thrombocytopenia (3.4%). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the manageability and tolerability of several regimen used. There is no significant differences in response rates and survival duration among the regimens used in this study. The effective immunotherapy in patients with metastatic RCC should be evaluated by further studies of larger patients groups even though a minority of patients responded.
Allergy and Immunology ; Brain ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Chills ; Erythema ; Fever ; Fluorouracil ; Humans ; Immunotherapy* ; Interferon-alpha ; Interferons* ; Interleukin-2 ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Nausea ; Pruritus ; Skin ; Survival Rate ; Thrombocytopenia ; Tretinoin ; Vinblastine ; Vomiting

No abstract available.
Humans ; Prostate* ; Urinary Retention*

PURPOSE: Platinum coordination complex (cisplatin) has been currently used as one of the most effective compound in the treatment of various solid tumors. However, its use has been limited by severe side effects such as renal toxicity. Our platinum-based drug discovery program has been aimed at developing drugs capable of diminishing toxicity and selective cytotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A new series of highly water soluble platinum (II) complexes Pt (II) [1,3-Bis (phenylthio) propane) (trans-l-1,2-diaminocyclohexane) (PC-1) and Pt (II) [1,3-Bis-(phenylthio) (propane)]-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (PC-2) were synthesized and characterized by their elemental analysis and by various spectroscopic techniques [infrared (.IR), ""C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)]. In vitro antitumor activity and nephrotoxi -cities of new Pt (II) complexes were tested against MKN-45 human gastric cancer cell- lines and normal kidney cells using colorimetric MTT[3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay for cell survival and proliferation. RESULTS: PC-1 showed activity against MKN-45/P and MKN-45/CDDP human gastric adenocarcinoma cells, and the antitumor activity of this compound was comparable or superior to that of PC-2 and cisplatin. The nephrotoxicity of PC-1 and PC-2 were found quite less than that of cisplatin using MTT, [H] thymidine uptake and glucose consumption tests in rabbit proximal tubule cells, human kidney cortical cells and human renal cortical tissues. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, this novel platinum (II) complex compound (PC-1) represent a valuable lead in the development of a new anticancer chemotherapeutic agent capable of improving antitumor activity and low nephrotoxicity.
Adenocarcinoma ; Cell Survival ; Cisplatin ; Drug Discovery ; Glucose ; Humans* ; Kidney* ; Platinum ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Thymidine

PURPOSE: We studied to evaluate the effect of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) in liver abscess. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data (presence of fever, WBC count), radiological findings (computed tomography, ultrasonography and abscessogram) and correlated them with treatment period. Percutaneous drainage of liver abscess were performed in 19 patients under fluoroscopy guide during recent three years. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (95%) were cured, and one patient underwent surgery because of peritonitis caused by PCD procedure. Average treatment period was 17 days. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of liver abscess, PCD is thought to be safe and effective.
Catheters* ; Drainage* ; Fever ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Liver Abscess* ; Liver* ; Peritonitis ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Biopsy* ; Diagnosis* ; Humans

A clinical observation was made on 11 cases of kidney transplantation donors performed in the Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University during the period from August, 1978 to October, 1979. The following results were obtained: 1) The age was ranged from 24 to 72 years old and most favorable age was in 50 to 59 years old The average was 51.7 years old. 2) The sex ratio, male to female, was 4:7. 3) Relation between donor and recipient: Related living donor: 10 cases, Unrelated living donor: 1 4) Among total 11 operated patients, thoracoabdominal incision performed on 10 cases and anterior subcostal incision was done only 1 case. 5) Postoperative renal function was estimated through the serum B.U.N and creatinine level at within postoperative 24 hours and it was almost normal range 6) Average operation time was 255 minutes. 7) The postoperative complications were would infection (2 cases), urinary tract infection(1 case), pneumothorax (1 case) and bronchopneumonia (1 case).
Aged ; Bronchopneumonia ; Creatinine ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; Kidney* ; Living Donors ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumothorax ; Postoperative Complications ; Reference Values ; Sex Ratio ; Tissue Donors* ; Urinary Tract ; Urology

Purpose: Neutropenia is a major factor contributing to morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. The efficacy and complications of GM- CSF (Granulocyte-Macrophage colony stimulating factor) on the neutropenia induced by chemotherapy or immunotherapy were evaluated in patients with a urologic malignancy. Material and Methods: Twenty-nine patients with a histologically confirmed urologic malignancy, who presented with neutropenia during either chemotherapy or immunotherapy, were given a fixed dose (400microgram) of GM-CSF subcutaneously for three to fifteen days. Twenty-nine patients with neutropenia were given GM-CSF for 50 cycles. The patients were evaluated by means of a complete blood cell count, white cell and differential counts. The mean time to response was 2.3 days. The statistical significance of the differences was calculated using a paired t test. RESULTS: GM-CSF treatment in patients with neutropenia resulted in an increase in the mean neutrophil count, the eosinophil count, and the monocyte count. Complications of GM-CSF included fever (76%), GI problems (19%), headache (14%), bone pain (14%), arthralgia (10%), and urticaria (5%). CONCLUSIONS: GM-CSF may be useful in reducing the toxicity of chemotherapy. Therefore, GM-CSF can be used to increase the effect of chemotherapy without delaying or stopping treatment as a result of neutropenia.
Arthralgia ; Drug Therapy* ; Eosinophils ; Fever ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor* ; Headache ; Humans ; Immunotherapy* ; Leukocyte Count ; Monocytes ; Mortality ; Neutropenia* ; Neutrophils ; Urticaria

A clinical observation was made on 352 cases of transurethral surgery performed in the Department of Urology, Kyung Hee University hospital during the period from January 1, 1974 to June 30, 1980 The following results were obtained. 1) Among total 2980 endoscopically examined patients, transurethral surgery was performed on 352 cases (11.8%). 2) During the period, of 1220 patients operated, 352 patients were performed transurethral surgery, giving a rate 28.85% 3) The age was ranged from 3 to 85 years old and most favorable age was in 40 to 49 years old in 23.59%, The sex ratio, male to female, was 2:1. 4) The common diseases were ureter stone 101 cases (28.69), female chronic urethritis 75 cases(21.3%), bladder tumor 71 cases (20.17%), B.P.H. 36 cases (10.2%), bladder neck contracture 11 cases (5.7%) and bladder stones 11 cases (5.11%). 5) The common surgical procedure were T.U.R. 121 cases (34.37%), stone basket manipulation 101 cases (28.69%), transurethral electrofulguration 93 cases (26.42%), and litholapaxy 18 cases (5.11%). 6) Average operation time was 45.2 minutes. 7) Average duration of hospital stay after operation was 8.6 days. 8) The anesthetic methods were general 144 cases, spinal 132 cases, sedation and local anesthesia 76 cases. 9) The success rate of stone basket was 55%. 10) The post-operative complications were listed as: delayed bleeding (3 cases), hemolysis(1 case), acute epididymitis (1 case), acute pyelonephritis (1 case), severe urinary tract infection (1 case) and upward migration of the ureter stone (1 case).
Aged, 80 and over ; Anesthesia, Local ; Contracture ; Epididymitis ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Lithotripsy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Pyelonephritis ; Sex Ratio ; Ureter ; Urethritis ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Calculi ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Urology

A clinical observation was made on 352 cases of transurethral surgery performed in the Department of Urology, Kyung Hee University hospital during the period from January 1, 1974 to June 30, 1980 The following results were obtained. 1) Among total 2980 endoscopically examined patients, transurethral surgery was performed on 352 cases (11.8%). 2) During the period, of 1220 patients operated, 352 patients were performed transurethral surgery, giving a rate 28.85% 3) The age was ranged from 3 to 85 years old and most favorable age was in 40 to 49 years old in 23.59%, The sex ratio, male to female, was 2:1. 4) The common diseases were ureter stone 101 cases (28.69), female chronic urethritis 75 cases(21.3%), bladder tumor 71 cases (20.17%), B.P.H. 36 cases (10.2%), bladder neck contracture 11 cases (5.7%) and bladder stones 11 cases (5.11%). 5) The common surgical procedure were T.U.R. 121 cases (34.37%), stone basket manipulation 101 cases (28.69%), transurethral electrofulguration 93 cases (26.42%), and litholapaxy 18 cases (5.11%). 6) Average operation time was 45.2 minutes. 7) Average duration of hospital stay after operation was 8.6 days. 8) The anesthetic methods were general 144 cases, spinal 132 cases, sedation and local anesthesia 76 cases. 9) The success rate of stone basket was 55%. 10) The post-operative complications were listed as: delayed bleeding (3 cases), hemolysis(1 case), acute epididymitis (1 case), acute pyelonephritis (1 case), severe urinary tract infection (1 case) and upward migration of the ureter stone (1 case).
Aged, 80 and over ; Anesthesia, Local ; Contracture ; Epididymitis ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Lithotripsy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Pyelonephritis ; Sex Ratio ; Ureter ; Urethritis ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Calculi ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Urology

To identify clinical significance of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in orchiectomized patients with metastatic prostate cancer, we longitudinally investigated significant factors in the progression of the advanced prostate cancer in 28 patients who were comparatively well followed after subcapsular orchiectomy. Following results were obtained. 1) The mean followup interval was 25.9 months (1 to 68 months). Mean patient age was 67.6 years (50 to 82 years). 2) Eleven of 28 patients were expired during follow-up. Death rate was 39.3 percent. 3) Patients whose post-treatment nadir PSA level decreased below 2.8 ng/ml had a significantly longer remission duration rate than those whose nadir PSA remained elevated (mean survival times 53.9 versus 25.4 months, survival rate 85.0 versus 0%, p <0.01). 4) Patients whose interval to nadir PSA was less than 6 months had a significantly longer remission and a larger survival rate than those whose interval to nadir PSA was more than 6 months (mean survival times 58.3 versus 36.4 months, survival rate 93.3 versus 33.3%, p <0.05). 5) After orchiectomy, patients whose duration from nadir PSA level decreased below 2.8 ng/ml to the above 2.8 ng/ml was more than 9 months had a significantly longer remission duration and a larger survival rate than those whose duration was less than 9 months (mean survival times 62.7 versus 24.9 months, survival rate 88.9 versus 27.3%, p <0.001). 6) Patients whose serum PSA was changed earlier than bone scan had a significantly shorter survival duration and a smaller survival rate than those whose bone scan was changed earlier than PSA (mean survival times 24.4 versus 50.3 months, survival rate 30.0 versus 75.0%, p <0.05). 7) Patients whose Gleason grade was below 3 had a better prognosis than those whose Gleason grade was above 4 (mean survival times 50.4 versus 29.9 months, survival rate 78.6 versus 42.9%, p<0.05). 8) Patients` age over 70 years at the time of diagnosis was a Significantly better prognostic factor (p<0.05). pre-treatment PSA levels and PSA half-times were not significant in advanced prostate cancer patients (p>0.05). As the result of the above, we conclude that serial serum PSA levels in advanced prostate cancer patients after endocrinal therapy can aid in distinguishing favorable from nonfavorable responders early in the course of therapy and greatly assist in monitoring for progression.
Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mortality ; Orchiectomy ; Prognosis ; Prostate* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Survival Rate