defined according to the criteria recommended by the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology consensus definition, i.e. three consecutive increases in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level after the nadir. The median (range) age, PSA level and follow-up were 71 (45-87) years, 8.5 (3.39-57.0) ng/mL and 22.0 (3-63) months, respectively.
RESULTSThe overall biochemical disease-free rate was 75% (47 patients). The 3-year biochemical DFS rates for patients with a PSA level before HIFU of < 10, 10.01-20 and > 20 ng/mL were 82%, 62% and 20% (P < 0.001), respectively. The 3-year biochemical DFS rates for patients with a PSA nadir of < 0.2, 0.21-1 and > 1 ng/ mL were 100%, 74% and 21% (P < 0.001), respectively. Final follow-up sextant biopsies showed that 55 (87%) of the patients were cancer-free. Multivariate analysis showed that the PSA nadir (P < 0.001) was a significant independent predictor of relapse.
The primary endpoint, '%PSADT > 2y', did not meet the pre-specified decision criteria. Further prospective study with revised program and endpoint is needed.
Interleukin-6, a cytokine produced by various cell types, has a major role in inflammatory and immunological reactions. To define its potential role in inflammatory bowel disease, its concentrations in endoscopic biopsy samples from patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease were measured. The involved colonic mucosa from active disease was found to contain significantly larger amounts of interleukin-6 than that from inactive disease or normal controls. Colonic mucosal interleukin-6 levels correlated well with the grade of macroscopic inflammation, especially in patients with ulcerative colitis. The levels of interleukin-6 decreased in parallel with clinical improvement following the start of therapy in patients with both forms of inflammatory bowel disease. Mucosal interleukin-6 is thus concluded to accurately reflect the degree of colonic inflammation and may be importantly associated with inflammatory and immunological phenomena seen in inflammatory bowel disease.
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