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Screening for active tuberculosis (TB) and latent TB infection (LTBI) is mandatory prior to the initiation of tumour necrosis factor-a inhibitor therapy. However, no agreement exists on the best strategy for detecting LTBI in this population. The aim of the present study was to analyse the performance of the tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON1-TB Gold in-tube (QFT-GIT) on LTBI detection in subjects with immunomediated inflammatory diseases (IMID).The TST and QFT-GIT were prospectively performed in 398 consecutive IMID subjects, 310 (78%) on immunosuppressive therapy and only 16 (4%) had been bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccinated.Indeterminate results to QFT-GIT were found in five (1.2%) subjects. Overall, 74 (19%) out of 393 subjects were TST-positive and 52 (13%) were QFT-GIT-positive. Concordance between TST and QFT-GIT results was good (87.7%): 13 were QFT-GIT-positive/TST-negative and 35 QFT-GITnegative/TST-positive. By multivariate analysis both tests were significantly associated with older age. Only the TST was associated with BCG vaccination and radiological lesions of past TB. Use of immunosuppressive drugs differently modulated QFT-GIT or TST scoring.Use of the QuantiFERON1-TB Gold in-tube, as a screening tool for latent tuberculosis among immunomediated inflammatory disease subjects, is feasible. Until further data will elucidate discordant tuberculin skin test/QuantiFERON1-TB Gold in-tube results, a strategy of simultaneous tuberculin skin and QuantiFERON1-TB Gold in-tube testing in a low prevalence bacillus CalmetteGuérin vaccinated population, should maximise potentials of latent tuberculosis diagnosis.

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Background. Numerous attempts to identify active cytotoxic agents for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have proved disappointing. However, several recent developments in biologic therapy of neo‐plastic disease have substantially improved the prospects for the treatment of advanced RCC. Melatonin (MLT), a hormone regulated by the pineal gland, has been shown to act on the immune system by causing the release of cytokines from activated T‐cell populations. Methods. A series of 22 patients with documented progressing RCC entered a trial in which the authors studied the effect of a long term regimen (12 months) with human lymphoblastoid interferon (IFN), 3 mega units (MU) intramuscularly 3 times per week, and MLT, 10 mg orally every day. Results. Twenty‐one patients were evaluable for response and toxicity. There were seven remissions (33%): three complete, involving lung and soft tissue and four partial, with a median duration at the time of this writing of 16 months. Nine patients achieved stable disease, and five progressed. General toxicity was mild. Fever, chills, arthralgias, and myalgias occurred rarely. Leukopenia and hepatic enzyme elevation were modest and always reversible. Conclusions. Response rate and toxic effects observed during this study warrant additional randomized studies to define the role of MLT's concomitant administration in the clinical response to IFN in metastatic RCC. Cancer 1994; 73:3015–9.

The association of pharmaco-angiography with norepinephrine and transcatheter arterial embolization is a technique used to obstruct arteries invaded by renal carcinoma. We treated 4 patients with this method before nephrectomy and recommend its use as a complement to an operation for renal carcinoma or as definitive treatment in poor surgical candidates.