No abstract

Objective The present study aimed to evaluate renal function, complications, and changes in tumor size after transarterial embolization for patients with renal angiomyolipomas. Methods We performed a meta-analysis of transarterial embolization in patients with renal angiomyolipomas from January 1994 to April 2018. Endpoints of interest were the estimated glomerular filtration rate, serum creatinine levels, blood urea nitrogen levels, complications, and reduction of tumors. Results A total of 30 studies comprising 653 patients were included. A total of 32.0% of patients were treated by urgent transarterial embolization for spontaneous ruptured renal angiomyolipomas. Other patients sought to relieve symptoms or received embolism prophylactically. The estimated glomerular filtration rate showed no significant difference between before and after embolization. In 363 patients with data on complications, post-embolization syndrome occurred most frequently (54.0%). Only 16 (4.4%) patients had major complications. The diameter of sporadic angiomyolipomas was reduced by a mean of 2.09 cm (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73–3.45 cm; I2 = 29.3%) and they were reduced in size by 30.0% (95% CI, 16.0%–44.0%; I2 = 27.9%). Conclusions Transarterial embolization of renal angiomyolipomas affects renal function preservation, with a low complication rate. Transarterial embolization is useful for sporadic and tuberous sclerosis complex-related angiomyolipomas.

Prophylactic SAE is effective in reducing the size of renal AMLs and decreasing urine erythrocytes with preservation of renal function. Significant shrinkage of AMLs after SAE is modulated by the enhanced area and the background of TSC.

This study used contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to evaluate changes in renal cortical blood perfusion after percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty and stenting (PTRAS) for severe renal artery stenosis (RAS) (70%). CEUS was performed in 21 patients with 24 severe RASs that underwent PTRAS. Renal cortical perfusion was quantitatively evaluated by comparing time intensity curve (TIC) parameters for SonoVue (Bracco, Milan, Italy) contrast enhancement, including peak intensity (PI), time to peak (TTP), mean transmit time (MTT), curve ascending slope (S), area under the curve (AUC), AUC-wash-in and AUC-wash-out. The parameters PI, TTP, MTT and S differed significantly between the pre-intervention and post-intervention TIC analysis (p < 0.05). Of the 24 pre-intervention curve appearances, 58.3% (14/24) improved after operation. The PI difference correlated positively with the estimated glomerular filtration rate difference (r = 0.433, p < 0.05).In conclusion, changes in some ultrasound perfusion parameters on CEUS and the shape of the TIC can be used to quantitatively and intuitively evaluate renal cortical blood perfusion change after PTRAS.

The relative abundance of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) compared to cytotoxic T cells determines the outcomes of diseases and the efficacy of immunotherapy. Ubiquitin‐specific peptidase 12 (USP12), a member of the USP family of deubiquitinases, targets multiple signalling pathways and regulates diverse biological processes, including cell proliferation and survival. It is well known that ubiquitylation is an important mechanism for regulating the immune response. However, it is unclear whether USP12 regulates tumour growth by influencing MDSCs. In the present study, we reported that USP12 deficiency decreased infiltration and impaired the suppressor function of monocytic (M)‐MDSCs, resulting in increased CD8+ T‐cell response and decelerated tumour growth. USP12‐knockout M‐MDSCs were less potent in inhibiting the proliferation of CD8+ T cells and their ability to secrete IFN‐γ. Furthermore, USP12 deficiency inhibited the suppressor function of M‐MDSCs by downregulating the negative regulatory molecules inducible nitric oxide synthase and PD‐L1, through deubiquitinating and stabilizing p65. Our results suggest that USP12 is a positive regulator of M‐MDSCs and may serve as a potential target for antitumor therapy.