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Biomedical subjects

A Eisenhardt

Publications and source records attributed to A Eisenhardt.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

[Does cigarette smoking influence the survival of patients with prostate cancer?].

In the last few years, prostate cancer has become one of the most common causes of mortality worldwide. It is therefore important to detect possible risk factors for this malignant disease. Besides risk factors which increase incidence, attention should be paid to factors which have a possible influence on the course of the disease. In our analysis, we demonstrate a worse course for the disease in patients with prostate cancer who smoked cigarettes at the time of first diagnosis. In spite of comparable staging, grading and PSA values at the time of primary diagnosis, individuals who smoked had a threefold higher risk of dying from prostate cancer. This effect is probably caused by metabolic changes which are activated by cigarette smoking and promote tumor growth and the development of metastases.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Molecular biology approach to explain lymphatic metastasis].

The spread of tumor cells of solid tumors to the regional lymph nodes is an important step in the progression of the disease and also an important prognostic factor. While the significance of the prognostic value of the lymphatic progression had been detected long ago, only increased knowledge of the molecular anatomy and mechanisms involved in the lymphatic spread of tumor cells provided a beginning insight into the understanding of lymphatic metastasis. One group of important molecular factors consists of proteins produced by the tumor cells inducing a proliferation of lymphatic vessels into the primary tumor. The vascular endothelial growth factors have been identified as key factors in this process. In addition there are hints for the fact that chemokines, which are cytokine-like proteins taking part in the regulation of processes of inflammation, and their chemokine receptors control cellular key steps of lymphatic metastasis of tumor cells such as migration, proliferation, and invasion. In conclusion new data point to the possible inhibition of lymphatic spread by selective blockade of growth factor receptors or chemokine receptors. The growing insight into cellular understanding of the mechanisms involved in the metastasis of tumor cells into the lymphatics and lymph nodes will hopefully facilitate the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic tools in the treatment of cancer patients.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Therapy for infertile couples].

Therapy for infertile couples comprises gender-specific as well as couple-specific aspects. Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures focus on the causes of the infertility such as refertilization or epididymovasostomy on the one hand and assisted fertilization with extracted spermatozoa on the other. Using an interdisciplinary approach including urology, gynecology, reproductive medicine and human genetics, the treating physicians are able to fulfil the desire of infertile couples for a healthy child in many cases.

Couples Therapy↗
PubMed2004

[Inhaled immunotherapy for pulmonary metastases of renal cell cancer].

Studies on immunotherapy with inhaled interleukin-2 (IL-2) for the treatment of pulmonary metastases in renal cell carcinoma patients have indicated objective response rates of 11%. The aim of the present study was to evaluate efficacy, toxicity, and quality of life during inhaled immunotherapy with IL-2. Patients with pulmonary metastases of renal cell carcinoma were treated with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) 3 x 10(6) IU/m(2) s.c. on days 1, 3, and 5 and inhaled twice a day 9 x 10(6) IU IL-2 on days 1-5. Treatment continued for 4 weeks and after a 2-week rest a second cycle was given. Patients who responded received two additional cycles. Quality of life was assessed according a self-administered quality of life questionnaire (QLQ-C30) before, during, and after therapy. Of 23 treated patients, 21 could be evaluated concerning response rate and toxicity [16 men, 5 women; median age: 60 years (38-72 years)]. Sixteen patients had pulmonary metastases only and five patients additionally had bone or liver metastasis or local recurrence. One patient (5%) developed a partial remission for 4 months and ten patients (47.5%) showed a stable disease for a median time of 6 months (2-24 months). The median follow-up was 9 months (3-26 months). Ten patients (47.5%) developed progressive disease. Maximal toxicity was mild and grade III-IV toxicity (WHO) was not observed. The patients' quality of life did not change significantly at any time during therapy. Inhaled immunotherapy is a treatment option with little toxicity, but achieved only a few objective responses. Whether or not it influences overall survival could not be answered in this study.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2003

[Biochips in bladder cancer research].

The techniques of DNA microarrays, protein arrays, and tissue microarrays complement one another and in the future the combination of these methods will possibly enable the detection of genes specific for bladder cancer. The SELDI technology (surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization) will then be used to prove if the genes are translated into proteins and if those proteins have a relevant effect on the development and progression of the cancer disease. The consequence is the facilitation of the development of prognostic markers for this disease entity, which can then be easily tested in a large study population by tissue microarray. Beyond the gain of new insights into the biological understanding of the development and progression of bladder cancer, these techniques will hopefully enable the design of new therapeutic concepts, which apply to the individual biology of the tumor.

Biopsy↗
PubMed2003

[Occurrence, diagnostics and therapeutic management of hydronephrosis in pediatric patients in Germany].

As urinary tract obstruction in children may impair renal function, the early detection and evaluation of the degree of obstruction using adequate diagnostic tools is necessary for the choice of the optimal therapeutic procedure. This study describes diagnostic and therapeutic standards in relation to the quality of management of pediatric hydronephrosis in Germany in the first 6 months of the year 2000. In our study 407 of 711 (57.2%) children with a hydronephrotic condition were detected by routine ultrasound. This, and the fact that 25% of the patients, who were prenatally detected, had a diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux, underlines the importance of this routine procedure. Our study illustrates the panel of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures used in the management of pediatric hydronephrosis in Germany.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Early epoetin treatment in patients with renal insufficiency.

Historically, epoetin has been used to treat anaemia in patients already receiving renal replacement therapy. For many years, however, the results of early animal experiments raised considerable concern among nephrologists that disease progression would be accelerated if epoetin therapy were initiated in the predialysis phase of renal failure. In retrospect, it has become clear that the results of these early animal experiments were confounded by a concomitant and uncontrolled rise in blood pressure. In subsequent studies in rat models, antihypertensive treatment effectively prevented the adverse effect on disease progression. In addition, the results of several small observational studies and one large controlled study suggest that the glomerular filtration rate is not adversely affected in pre-dialysis patients treated with epoetin as long as blood pressure is well controlled. There are several observations, though not definitive, which suggest that disease progression may even be slower when anaemia is reversed. The benefits of early anaemia treatment with epoetin include increased exercise capacity and improved quality of life, cognitive function, and sexual function. Anaemia has also been identified as an important aetiological factor in the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. Whether pre-emptive treatment of anaemia is indicated in all pre-dialysis patients, or at least in those who develop progressive left ventricular hypertrophy, is currently under investigation.

Anemia↗