Human beta-microseminoprotein (beta-MSP), isolated from seminal plasma, is one of the proteins secreted by the prostate gland. To determine whether the beta-MSP immunoreactivity can be a prognostic indicator of prostatic carcinoma, the beta-MSP immunohistochemical distribution has been examined in needle biopsy specimens taken from 96 patients with prostatic carcinoma. Although no significant correlation was found between the beta-MSP immunoreactivity and the histological grade (Gleason score), patients with a positive beta-MSP expression had a significantly better prognosis than those with a negative beta-MSP expression (P = 0.01). Further, a multivariate analysis of six possible parameters (age, clinical stage, histological grade, serum prostatic acid phosphatase, beta-MSP immunoreactivity, and the type of initial treatment) has shown the difference in the beta-MSP immunoreactivity to be a significant, independent, prognostic indicator of prostatic carcinoma (P = 0.04).

A study was made of the auto-proliferative activity of human renal-carcinoma cells in the supernatant from a carcinoma-cell culture in serum-free medium to which an anticancer agent had been added (5-FU). The human renal-cancer cells used in this study were of 3 strains: ACHN, VMRC-RCW and NT. When each line was cultured in medium containing no 5-FU, the supernatant showed almost no activity for stimulating DNA synthesis. However, when the line was cultured in the presence of 5-FU, the supernatant showed autocrine growth-promoting activity which strongly stimulated DNA synthesis of 3 renal-cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Activity could be detected in a 4- to 6-kDa fraction by gel filtration. This fraction increased the DNA-synthesis-promoting activity of epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta, basic fibroblast growth factor and insulin, and was acid- and heat-stable. It was also stable against pepsin and dithiothreitol. DNA synthesis in BALB/c 3T3, adult rat hepatocytes and rabbit renal tubular cells was not affected by this fraction which was thus considered not to affect non-cancerous cells. Renal-cell carcinoma responds poorly to anticancer agents, and the autocrine activity of the fraction may possibly be a factor accounting for this resistance.

Background: Hemodialysis patients are likely to develop constipation as a complication due to food and fluid restrictions. Elobixibat is a new laxative that inhibits the ileal bile acid transporter expressed in the terminal ileum, suppresses bile acid reabsorption, increases the amount of bile acid flowing into the colon lumen, and promotes water secretion in the colon and colon motility. In this study, we examined the efficacy and safety of elobixibat in maintenance hemodialysis patients with chronic constipation. Methods: In a study conducted on maintenance hemodialysis patients with chronic constipation, comparisons were conducted retrospectively based on constipation symptoms such as the frequency of spontaneous bowel movements before elobixibat treatment and 12 weeks after the administration of elobixibat, as well as based on blood electrolyte levels. Results: The study was conducted on 23 patients, 19 of whom were subjected to treatment efficacy analysis. The frequency of spontaneous bowel movements was 2.0 ± 0.7 times/week before administration of elobixibat and reached 4.9 ± 2.3 times/week after 12 weeks of administration. The increase started after 1 week of treatment. Elobixibat treatment improved the constipation score (baseline, 10.4 ± 3.2; after 12 weeks, 5.7 ± 3.2), the Bristol Stool Form Scale (baseline, 2.2 ± 1.0; after 12 weeks, 4.2 ± 0.7), and patient satisfaction regarding defecation (baseline, 2.9 ± 0.9; after 12 weeks, 1.7 ± 1.1). The interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) was 5.68 ± 0.82% before initiation of treatment and decreased to 4.54 ± 1.34% after 12 weeks. The serum inorganic phosphorus (IP) levels were 5.68 ± 1.25 mg/dL and decreased to 4.93 ± 1.10 mg/dL after 12 weeks. Conclusions: Elobixibat was effective in improving constipation symptoms in maintenance hemodialysis patients with chronic constipation. Elobixibat also improved dialysis-related laboratory test results, such as a decrease in serum IP levels and IDWG.