[Predictive score of success adapted to our environment to improve results of extracorporeal lithotripsy]

OBJECTIVE

To present a predictive tool of success of ESWL adapted to our environment.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study of patients with renal and upper ureteral stones whom underwent ESWL with DUET MAGNA lithotripter between January 2014 and March 2015. We included 114 patients in whom demographics and CT scan characteristics were studied. Multivariate analysis by logistic regression was performed to establish independent predictors of success in ESWL. A ROC curve was used to determine success cut-off values of ESWL in each significant variable. The score was established based on the numbers of variables under the cut-off value in each patient. In every one of these categories, percentage of stone free was determined. Finally, the area under the curve of our ESWL treatment success score was made.

RESULTS

Of 114 patients studied, 58 (51%) were stone free. After multivariate study, independent predictors of success with ESWL were tomographic density of lithiasis (UH), body mass index (BMI) and stone diameter (mm). Ideal cut off points of treatment success in each one of the score parameters were: density of lithiasis 900 UH, BMI 27 and lithiasis diameter 11 mm. Percentage of stone free was 31.8% for score 0, 37.1% for score 1, 57.5% for score 2 and 88.3% for score 3. Area under the curve for the score was 0.723 (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This score could represent a predictive tool in our environment to predict ESWL results. Utilization of this score could limit the use of this therapy only to patients with favorable profile (score2-3) improving in this way cost-effectiveness of this procedure.

[The immunotherapy potential of agonistic anti-CD137 (4-1BB) monoclonal antibodies for malignancies and chronic viral diseases]

Pharmacological intervention on the immune system to achieve more intense lymphocyte responses has potential application in tumour immunology and in the treatment of chronic viral diseases. Immunostimulating monoclonal antibodies are defined as a new family of drugs that augment cellular immune responses. They interact as artificial ligands with functional proteins of the immune system, either activating or inhibiting their functions. There are humanized monoclonal antibodies directed to the inhibitory receptor CD152 (CTLA-4) that are being tested in clinical trials with evidence of antitumoural activity. As a drawback, anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies induce severe autoimmunity reactions in a fraction of the patients. Anti-CD137 monoclonal antibodies have the ability to induce potent immune responses mainly mediated by cytotoxic lymphocytes with the result of frequent complete tumour eradications in mice. Comparative studies in experimental models indicate that the antitumour activity of anti-CD137 monoclonal antibodies is superior to that of anti-CD152. CD137 (4-1BB) is a leukocyte differentiation antigen selectively expressed on the surface of activated T and NK lymphocytes, as well as on dendritic cells. Monoclonal antibodies acting as artificial stimulatory ligands of this receptor (anti-CD137 agonist antibodies) enhance cellular antitumoural and antiviral immunity in a variety of mouse models. Paradoxically, anti-CD137 monoclonal antibodies are therapeutic or preventive in the course of model autoimmune diseases in mice. In light of these experimental results, a number of research groups have humanized antibodies against human CD137 and early clinical trials are about to start.