A strong inhibition of HIV-induced cytopathic effects by synthetic (1----6)-alpha-D-mannopyranan sulfate

The anti-HIV effects of mannopyranan sulfate (1) were investigated by using MT-4 cells, namely, an HTLV-I-carrying CD-4 positive cell-line, in vitro. Stereoregular (1----6)-alpha-D-mannopyranan, which had been synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of a 1,6-anhydromannose derivative, was sulfated with piperidine-N-sulfonic acid to provide 1. N.m.r. analysis of 1 indicated that the reactivity of hydroxyl groups was in the order, 3-OH greater than 2-OH much greater than 4-OH. Mannopyranan sulfate having degree of substitution (d.s.) of 1.19-1.83 effectively inhibited HIV-induced cytopathic effects at a concentration of greater than 3.3 micrograms/mL. The anticoagulant activity and the adsorption on concanavalin A of 1 indicated the possibility of selective binding of 1 having d.s. of 1.19-1.83 to HIV-protein.

Peripheral hormone levels in controls and patients with prostatic cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia: results from the Dutch-Japanese case-control study

The possible relationship between changes in peripheral hormone levels and the occurrence of prostatic pathology was studied in a case-control study, involving estimation of various plasma hormones in 368 Dutch and 258 Japanese men, who were grouped as controls and patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, focal prostatic carcinoma, or clinically evident prostatic carcinoma. Results of a number of previous, smaller studies concerning interrelationships between hormone levels in elderly men were confirmed within the Dutch and Japanese groups. Plasma levels of testosterone and estradiol were significantly lower in the Japanese men, when compared with those in Dutch men. Probably as a result of this difference in testosterone levels, the ratio between serum levels of testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) was decreased in the Japanese men, while the ratio between the concentrations of dihydrotestosterone and testosterone was increased. These differences were also found when results from Japanese subgroups (controls and patients with prostate pathology) were compared with those from the Dutch subgroups. There were no significant differences in plasma androgen levels between Japanese or Dutch prostate cancer cases and their respective control subgroups. These findings do not support a correlation between the lower plasma testosterone levels and a lower incidence of prostate cancer in the Japanese men. Furthermore, no significant differences were found between salivary levels of testosterone or the ratio between testosterone and SHBG in the various Dutch subgroups. In Japanese benign prostatic hyperplasia patients, the testosterone to SHBG ratio was significantly increased. In conclusion, the results of this retrospective, cross-sectional study do not indicate that hormonal levels play a primary role in the origin or promotion of prostatic abnormalities. The finding of a lower plasma testosterone in the Japanese men, however, remains suggestive, warranting a more extensive prospective study.

[Evaluation of urinary incontinence among the nursing home elderly]

We assessed the prevalence of urinary incontinence and contributory factors such as senile dementia, impaired mobility, medication, associated disorders and urinary tract infection in 98 elderly residents of a nursing home. The residents' mean age was 79 years, and 78% were women. Urinary incontinence was found in 47 (48%), of whom 21 had severe urinary incontinence for which they needed to wear diapers. Senile dementia and impaired mobility were observed in 53 (54%) and 45 (46%), respectively. We also found that those with both dementia and impaired mobility had significantly (p less than 0.01) precipitated urinary incontinence. However, no significant effects on urinary incontinence were observed for associated disorders, medication or urinary tract infection. A cystometrogram performed in 73 of the 98 residents revealed detrusor overactivity in 47%. In addition, there were significant correlations between the incidence of detrusor overactivity, and the prevalence of dementia or urinary incontinence. These results suggest that senile dementia and immobility are independent risk factors for urinary incontinence in the elderly, and that detrusor overactivity, which was found to be associated with senile dementia, is a possible cause of urinary incontinence.

Vanadium transfer during haemodialysis

The authors examined transport of vanadium (V) in 100 chronic haemodialysis (HD) patients. Serum V levels were different at the inflow and the outflow site. Vanadium was transferred from blood to dialysate through the membrane. Serum V levels decreased in the course of haemodialysis.

[Management of voiding dysfunction in geriatric general hospital: clinical experience of 315 cases with indwelling urethral catheter or diapers]

In a geriatric general hospital, 157 patients with an indwelt urethral catheter and 158 patients using diapers were evaluated by detailed interview, urinalysis, measurement of residual urine, and cystometry during a period of 16 months from July, 1988, when the Department of Urology was established. As a result of therapeutic modalities, 94% of the patients were freed from the catheter or diapers. The indwelling catheter was found to be unnecessary in one-third of the patients. In addition, among the patients wearing diapers, one-third were capable of urinating only with the appropriate assistance of paramedical staff. It took less than 1 month for half but more than 1 year for 10% of the patients to be freed from the catheter or diapers. On the contrary, 19 patients could not be freed from the catheter or diapers, not due to bladder dysfunction but rather to mental, physical and social disabilities. These findings indicate that accurate diagnosis and management in collaboration with paramedical staff are required to solve urinating problems in the elderly.

[Histopathological findings of prostate carcinoma--nuclear anaplasia (NAN) and structural atypism (SAT)]

Most of the previous publications have focused mainly on structural atypism (SAT) or differentiation in the studies on histopathological findings of prostate carcinoma. We studied nuclear anaplasia (NAN) as well as SAT in prostate carcinoma, comparing with differentiation grade or Gleason's pattern, to find NAN's clinical implication. We also compared histopathological findings of prostate carcinoma in our cases with those in U.S.A. Analysis of NAN grade and SAT grade distribution in stages revealed a correlation between the grades and the stages, in which SAT1 or NAN1 decreased while SAT3 or NAN3 increased in their frequencies as stage progressed. A similar correlation was found between mean value of SAT + NAN grade and stage. While NAN grade and SAT grade agreed with each other in 70% of the patients with prostate carcinoma, that was not the case in the remaining patients. This suggested a complementary relationship between NAN grade and SAT grade in some patients. A similar relationship was found between NAN grade and Gleason's pattern. These results suggest that, in a non-negligible number of patients, the NAN grade does not agree with the SAT grade or Gleason's pattern which is defined by atypism in the glandular structure. Disease-specific survival in each SAT grade could be further defined by the NAN grade. For example, in both SAT2 and SAT3, NAN3 tended to have a poorer prognosis than NAN2. Thus, NAN grading system would furnish more accurate information to predict the patients' clinical course.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Microsurgical side-to-end epididymovasostomy: surgical technique and outcomes]

The surgical procedures and results of microsurgical epididymovasostomy for obstructive azoospermia at the epididymis are reported. These procedures include the separation of a single epididymal tubule, an incision in the side wall, and a side-to-end anastomosis to the mucosa of the vas deferens under microscopic view. The tunica of the epididymis and the muscle layer of the vas are sutured together to support the mucosal anastomosis. Ten patients with epididymal obstruction underwent the side-to-end epididymovasostomy. The group consisted of two with Young's syndrome, one with an epididymal blow-out after vasectomy, one unsuccessful epididymoepididymostomy, 4 after epididymitis and 2 cases of unknown origin. After the operation, sperm appeared in 9 patients, and semen quality was normalized in 4 patients, all of whom impregnated their wives. Microsurgical side-to-end epididymovasostomy is a much easier procedure than Silber's specific tubule method, and results in a high success rate.

Activation by the protein-bound polysaccharide PSK (krestin) of cytotoxic lymphocytes that act on fresh autologous tumor cells and T24 human urinary bladder transitional carcinoma cell line in patients with urinary bladder cancer

PSK, a protein-bound polysaccharide Kureha, was tested for its ability to modulate the cytotoxicity of lymphocytes that act on autologous tumor cells and T24 human urinary bladder tumor cells in urinary bladder cancer patients in a 6-h 51Cr release assay. In vitro treatment of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) with PSK for 18 hours resulted in an augmentation or induction of cytotoxicity against relatively resistant T24 cells in previously reactive and nonreactive cases, respectively. The PSK-treated PBL were able to kill more effectively tumor cells that were freshly isolated from the same cancer patients than non-treated PBL. The effects of PSK were noted with PBL as well as tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and with PSK at concentrations of 10 to 100 micrograms./ml., while PSK at higher doses reduced their lytic activities. The addition of PSK to the assay at the same concentrations also enhanced the cytotoxicities. Autologous tumor killing (ATK) activities of both large granular lymphocytes (LGL) and T lymphocytes were enhanced by PSK. Treatment of PBL with PSK did not effect on the proportion of PBL binding to the tumor cells, while it augmented the cytotoxic activity. Cell-free supernatant of PSK-stimulated lymphocyte culture did not contain any detectable amounts of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-2 (IL-2). In addition, anti-IFN-alpha monoclonal antibody (MAb), anti-IFN-gamma MAb and anti-IL-2 MAb did not inhibit PSK-induced augmentation of cytotoxicity against T24. Oral administration of PSK (three gm./day) to patients with urinary bladder cancer daily for seven days before operation resulted in an augmentation of the cytotoxicity against T24 cells in five out of 10 patients and no change of the cytotoxicity in the other five patients. ATK activity was also enhanced by oral administration of PSK in three out of five patients. These results indicate that the antitumor activity of PSK may be in part mediated through activation of tumor killing system independent of IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-2.

Adhesion of mouse mast cells to fibroblasts: adverse effects of steel (Sl) mutation

Mouse bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells proliferate on +/+ mouse embryo-derived 3T3 fibroblasts, but not on Sl/Sld mouse embryo-derived 3T3 fibroblasts, in the absence of IL-3 and IL-4 (Fujita et al: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86:2888-2891, 1989). To further characterize the mast cell-fibroblast interactions and the effects of Sl mutation, we tried to analyze the adhesion of cultured mast cells to 3T3 fibroblasts in vitro. Mast cells plated onto NIH/3T3 fibroblasts showed marked adhesion within 30 min, which reached a plateau after 3 h. The numbers of adhered mast cells were linear over the range of 10(3) to 5 x 10(5) cells inoculated into each (2 cm2) of 24 multiwells. Adhesion required active energy production and the presence of divalent cations. It was not inhibited by an RGD-containing peptide, an anti-LFA-1 antibody, or asialofetuin. Mast cells adhered efficiently to the eight 3T3 cell lines derived from +/+ mouse embryos, but not to the eight 3T3 cell lines derived from Sl/Sld mouse embryos. Adhesion to +/+ mouse spleen-derived fibroblasts lacking mast cell-supporting activity was comparable to that to Sl/Sld/3T3 cells. The failure of mast cells to adhere to fibroblasts with the Sl mutations was not due to a production of a diffusible inhibitor by the latter. These results indicate that production of wild type Sl gene product by fibroblasts is mandatory for adhesion/migration, as well as for proliferation of mast cells on them, and that the coculture system should be useful for the biochemical and molecular analysis of these interactions.

Removal of silicon, aluminum and beta 2-microglobulin in chronic haemodialysis patients

One hundred outpatients on chronic haemodialysis with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) membrane dialyzer were randomly chosen. A control group of 100 likewise randomly chosen outpatients were treated with cuprophane membrane dialyzer. In both groups the treatments lasted for one year. Comparison of the test results revealed that Si, Al and beta 2-M.G levels could be reduced in patients on chronic HD with PMMA.

[Urinary diversion using an appendix: a report of two cases]

We report two cases of urinary diversion through an appendix. Case 1. An 81-year-old man was hospitalized with oliguria. The patient had a past history of left nephro-ureterectomy for left ureteral tumor. Ultrasound showed right hydronephrosis due to recurrence in the bladder and right ureter. A total cystectomy and partial ureterectomy were carried out, and an appendix conduit was constructed because the ureter was not sufficiently long for ureterocutaneostomy. Case 2. A 68-year-old woman with diabetic neurogenic bladder, hypothyroidism, and chronic obstructive lung disease was hospitalized with the complaint of difficulty in self-catheterization. Continent vesicostomy was carried out according to the method of Mitrofanoff using the appendix. Both patients were tubeless and without postoperative complications before discharge. Appendix conduit and Mitrofanoff operation, which can be performed by a simple surgical procedure, are considered to be applicable to poor risk cases.

Sperm morphology in subfertile carriers of autosomal translocations

Sperm morphology of nine translocation carriers was compared with that of subfertile controls with a normal karyotype to determine whether there was a specific morphologic pattern in translocation carriers. The two groups were matched for age, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and presence or absence of a varicocele testis. No specific abnormality of sperm morphology was found among the translocation carriers. No significant difference in either the percentage of abnormal sperm or the morphologic pattern of sperm was observed between the two groups. It was concluded that structural chromosomal aberrations have no relation to sperm morphology.

[Clinical efficacy and safety of long-term administration of YM617 for urinary obstruction of the lower urinary tract]

The efficacy and safety of YM617, a new alpha 1-blocker, were evaluated in 121 patients with urinary obstruction of the lower urinary tract in the long-term administration study for 1 year. A total of 121 patients, i.e., 111 with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), 6 with bladder neck sclerosis (BNS), 3 with BPH with BNS and 1 with female urinary obstruction, were orally administered 0.1 to 0.4 mg of YM617 once daily. Patients showing improvement of patient's impression and of subjective symptoms judged by the physician were increased until the 16th to 20th week, and it had been maintained there after. Objective findings were improved to a constant level after the 4th week. Patient's impression and subjective symptoms were improved in a certain dose-response relationship Side effects were observed in 3 patients but none were serious. YM617 proved to be useful in the treatment of patients with urinary obstruction of the lower urinary tract like BPH because it maintained the efficacy and safety in the long-term administration.

Trace Elements and Plasmapheresis

The relationship between serum aluminum (Al), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) and plasmapheresis (PP) treatment was examined. Three patients with rheumatoid arthritis, six with myasthenia gravis, and 6 with multiple sclerosis were studied. Serum Al, Zn, Cu, and Fe were measured before and after PP. Plasma was separated by first filtration; a second filtration separated the plasma components. Three liters of plasma were treated in each PP session. With each PP treatment, total protein (TP) removed was 20 ± 5% and serum albumin removed was ± 6%. Serum Al rose significantly (p < 0.01 from 1.1 ± 0.2 μgl dl pre-PP to 2.8 ± 0.4 μg/dl post-PP. Serum Zn, Cu, and Fe decreased significantly (p < 0.01) from 86.2 ± 7.4 μg/dl, 126 ± 18 μg/dl, and 108 ± 14 μg/dl pre-PP to 58.4 ± 10.2 μg/dl, 104 ± 6 μg/dl, and 82 ± 16 μg/dI post-PP, respectively.

Two days after the end of the six-month PP treatment, serum Al levels rose significantly (p < 0.01), from 1.1 ± 0.2 μg/dl to 3.6 ± 0.8 μg/dl. However, serum TP, serum albumin, and serum Zn, Cu, and Fe did not change significantly.

It thus appears essential in PP treated patients, to remove Al from the blood to protect against aluminum intoxication

Serum gamma-seminoprotein determination in prostatic cancer

Serum gamma-seminoprotein (gamma-Sm) was evaluated as a new marker for prostatic cancer in comparison with prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP). The sensitivity of gamma-Sm and PAP for untreated prostatic cancer was 81% and 67%, respectively. gamma-Sm showed a higher positive rate over all stages than in benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). There was no correlation between gamma-Sm and PAP in prostatic cancer. Improved sensitivity was obtained by simultaneous measurement of gamma-Sm and PAP. Specificity of gamma-Sm and PAP for BPH was 87% and 90%, respectively. gamma-Sm normalized after endocrine therapy for stage D2 more often than did PAP. These results indicate that gamma-Sm is another useful marker to evaluate prostatic cancer.

Effects of a novel urease inhibitor, N-(diaminophosphinyl)isopentenoylamide on the infection stone in rats

We evaluated the effect of a novel potent urease inhibitor, N-(diaminophosphinyl)isopentenoylamide (IPA), on the development of an infection bladder stone using our urolithiasis model in rats. IPA was excreted into urine after oral administration to rats, and the cumulative urinary recovery rate of unchanged IPA reached about 29.6% within 24 h (50 mg/kg). The oral administration of IPA (6.25 mg/kg, b.i.d., 5 d) significantly inhibited the development of the infection bladder stone. The present result suggests that IPA is a very promising compound in the prevention of formation and recurrence of an infection stone owing to a high efficacy and a low toxicity of IPA in animals.

Evaluation of effects of novel urease inhibitor, N-(pivaloyl)glycinohydroxamic acid on the formation of an infection bladder stone using a newly designed urolithiasis model in rats

By using our new infection stone model of a rat, we evaluated the effect of a novel urease inhibitor, N-(pivaloyl)glycinohydroxamic acid (P-GHA), on the formation of an infection bladder stone. The oral dosing of P-GHA significantly inhibited the elevation of the urinary ammonia level of rats having the urinary tract infection with Proteus mirabilis. A short term regimen (7 d, 730 +/- 38 mg/kg) with P-GHA significantly inhibited the development of the infection bladder stone. Furthermore, a long term combination regimen (11 d) of P-GHA and aminobenzylpenicillin markedly inhibited the development of the infection bladder stone, and also caused a very slight renal impairment to the rats tested in contrast with the method of Vermeulen et al. Our infection stone model in rats, therefore, seems to be useful for the evaluation of therapeutic agents in long term examinations.

Trace elements and plasmapheresis

The relationship between serum aluminum (Al), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) and plasmapheresis (PP) treatment was examined. Three patients with rheumatoid arthritis, six with myasthenia gravis, and 6 with multiple sclerosis were studied. Serum Al, Zn, Cu, and Fe were measured before and after PP. Plasma was separated by first filtration; a second filtration separated the plasma components. Three liters of plasma were treated in each PP session. With each PP treatment, total protein (TP) removed was 20 +/- 5% and serum albumin removed was +/- 6%. Serum Al rose significantly (p less than 0.01 from 1.1 +/- 0.2 micrograms/dl pre-PP to 2.8 +/- 0.4 micrograms/dl post-PP. Serum Zn, Cu, and Fe decreased significantly (p less than 0.01) from 86.2 +/- 7.4 micrograms/dl, 126 +/- 18 micrograms/dl, and 108 +/- 14 micrograms/dl pre-PP to 58.4 +/- 10.2 micrograms/dl, 104 +/- 6 micrograms/dl, and 82 +/- 16 micrograms/dl post-PP, respectively. Two days after the end of the six-month PP treatment, serum Al levels rose significantly (p less than 0.01), from 1.1 +/- 0.2 micrograms/dl to 3.6 +/- 0.8 micrograms/dl. However, serum TP, serum albumin, and serum Zn, Cu, and Fe did not change significantly. It thus appears essential in PP treated patients, to remove Al from the blood to protect against aluminum intoxication.

Does a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue prevent cisplatin-induced spermatogenic impairment? An experimental study in the mouse

The cytotoxic effect of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II (cisplatin, CDDP) on spermatogenesis in BALB/C mice, and possible protection of the testes by leuprolide acetate (D-Leu-6 LHRH(1-9)-ethylamide, TAP-144, leuprolide), a synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue, were examined. Temporary interruption of the pituitary-gonadal axis by the analogue and amelioration of the gonadal toxicity of cisplatin by reducing the cell division rate in spermatogenesis were expected. The results showed cisplatin to have a cytotoxic effect on spermatogenic cells in BALB/C mice. The administration of leuprolide had no effect on testicular weight or histological findings in the mouse testes. Pretreatment and simultaneous administration of leuprolide did not reduce the damaging effect of cisplatin on the testes in mice. This is at variance with a previously published report.

Impaired interferon-alpha production in whole-blood cultures from bladder cancer patients

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) production was investigated in whole-blood cultures of 66 bladder cancer patients and 65 control subjects. IFN synthesis was induced with Sendai virus, and IFN activity was assayed in FL cells challenged with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). The mean levels of the IFN-alpha produced were 5,724 +/- 2,288 IU/ml in the control subjects and 4,800 +/- 2,353 IU/ml in the bladder cancer patients. IFN-alpha production was significantly suppressed in the bladder cancer patients compared with that in the control subjects (P less than 0.05). The impairment in IFN-alpha production correlated with the tumor grade, and it was shown that the tendency toward decreased IFN-alpha production was closely associated with the advancement of the tumor stage. Our results suggested that the decreased IFN-alpha production may contribute to the disordered immunoregulation in bladder cancer patients.

Allelic loss at chromosome 3p characterizes clear cell phenotype of renal cell carcinoma

Incidence of the loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 3p was evaluated using 7 polymorphic probes in 35 Japanese patients with sporadic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Overall frequency of the loss of heterozygosity on 3p was 53%, representing 16 of 30 informative cases. Examination of the relationship between histopathological phenotypes of RCC and incidence of the 3p loss revealed that the loss of heterozygosity in clear cell type tumors (75%, 12 of 16) was significantly (P less than 0.01) more frequent than that in granular cell type tumors (14%, 1 of 7). In addition, three mixed cell type tumors, consisting predominantly of granular cell components, showed no loss of chromosome 3p loci. These findings may support the notion that the loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 3p is a nonrandom event in the tumorigenesis of sporadic RCC, and suggest that this type of chromosomal rearrangement is specific to the clear cell phenotype of RCC.

Multidisciplinary treatment of invasive bladder cancer

To improve cure rates of locally invasive bladder cancer patients, we have performed radiation therapy prior to radical cystectomy in 88 patients since 1980. Until 1984, a total dose of 40 Gy for 4 weeks had been irradiated to the pelvic cavity of 46 patients, while 24 Gy with or without hyperthermia for 2 weeks has been applied to 42 patients since 1985. The treatment efficacy was assessed histopathologically according to the evaluation system proposed by Shimosato et al. in 1971. Approximately 50% of the patients responded well to this preoperative therapy. Among these patients, those with pT3 lesion showed significantly favorable prognoses as compared with the same stage patients who did not respond to the radiation therapy. However, the survival rates of the other pT stage patients did not correlate with the responsiveness to radiation. These results suggest that pT3 stage patients are the best candidates for preoperative radiation therapy, while radical cystectomy alone is adequate for those with superficially invasive lesions. Systemic chemotherapy should be properly built into the treatment strategy for those with locally far-advanced bladder cancer.

Young's syndrome: report of two Japanese cases

Young's syndrome is characterized by azoospermia due to bilateral epididymal obstruction associated with chronic sinobronchial disease. We report two Japanese cases of Young's syndrome who were treated with microsurgical epididymovasostomy. The histopathology of the caput epididymis showed an obstruction at the most distal region of the ductuli efferentes. The incidence of Young's syndrome in patients with obstructive azoospermia was much lower for mongoloids than for Caucasians.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism of the L-myc gene and susceptibility to metastasis in genitourinary cancers

We examined Southern blot analysis of genomic DNAs from 70 patients with sporadic renal cell carcinoma, using the human L-myc oncogene fragment as a hybridization probe. Our purpose was to study the relationship between the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the L-myc and the frequencies of metastasis. The patients were classified into 3 genotypes according to the polymorphic patterns defined by two alleles (L-L:17, L-S:31, S-S:22). The relative ratios of the 3 genotypes in the renal cancer patients were similar to those seen in healthy Japanese. However, of 20 patients who exhibited distant metastases at diagnosis, only 2 belonged to the L-L type. The incidence of distant metastasis in L-L type patients was significantly lower than that in L-S and S-S patients (p = 0.068, by Fisher's exact probability test). These results basically correspond to the previous findings in the lung cancer patients [Kawashima et al.: Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. USA 85: 2353-2356, 1988]. On the other hand, L-myc RFLP analysis in 50 prostatic cancer patients revealed that the incidence of metastasis at diagnosis did not correlate with L-myc genotypes. L-myc RFLP seems to be less promising in prostatic cancer than in lung or kidney cancer.

VAB-6 chemotherapy causes spurious elevation of alpha-fetoprotein associated with liver dysfunctions

In order to elucidate the mechanism of elevation of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) which we often observed during VAB-6 chemotherapy, we analyzed sequential changes of AFP, liver enzymes and bilirubin in 10 patients with evaluable disseminated testicular cancer who were treated with VAB-6 chemotherapy. None of the patients had previous liver disease or hepatic involvement. During the early phase of each course of chemotherapy, AFP showed a temporary elevation associated with reversible increase in liver enzymes and bilirubin. These changes returned to normal before the next course of chemotherapy. In each patient, marked tumor regression occurred as a result of VAB-6 chemotherapy. Nine of the 10 patients remain free of disease after treatment. We conclude that during VAB-6 chemotherapy, a temporary elevation of AFP is common, associated with reversible liver dysfunctions, and that this spurious elevation of the tumor marker, most likely caused by a heavy dose of cisplatin, should not be interpreted as related treatment failure.