15. Mainzer Allergie-Workshop 2003

Remission of experimental autoimmune hepatitis is associated with antigen-specific and non-specific immunosuppression.

SUMMARY Experimental autoimmune hepatitis (EAH) is an animal model for autoimmune hepatitis. The disease is T cell-mediated and runs a subacute course, with maximal disease activity around week four after disease induction and a slow ensuing recovery. The aim of the present study was to investigate the immunoregulatory mechanisms that may account for recovery in EAH. It was found that T cell reactivity to liver antigens preceded histological disease, but at the peak of disease activity this T cell response was already suppressed. Active and antigen-specific suppression could be demonstrated, as irradiated splenocytes from animals at the beginning of recovery from EAH were able to suppress i…

Diagnostik der primär sklerosierenden Cholangitis: prospektiver Vergleich von MR-Cholangiographie mit endoskopisch retrograder Cholangiographie

PURPOSE To assess the accuracy of MR cholangiography (MRC) in the diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) in comparison to endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). METHOD 20 patients with PSC were examined by ERC and MRC (1.0 T, HASTE sequence). Visualization and pathologic changes of the extra- and intrahepatic bile ducts were evaluated with both methods. RESULTS Mural irregularities of the common bile duct were seen with MRC in 6/7 cases, stenoses and dilatation of the common bile duct were detected correctly in all patients. Diffuse, multifocal strictures of the intrahepatic bile ducts were the most common intrahepatic findings and correctly diagnosed in almost all patients…

Die Diagnostik des hilären Cholangiokarzinoms: Wertigkeit von präoperativer ERC, MRC und PTC im Vergleich zur Histopathologie

PURPOSE To compare the results of the preoperative workup consisting of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC), magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC), and percutaneous resonance cholangiography (PTC) with the tumor extent of the surgical specimen in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma (hilCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Between 9/1997 and 12/2002, 59 patients with hilCC tumor underwent surgical resection. Preoperative ERC, MRC, and PTC were analyzed, blinded for the identity of the patient, and compared with the surgical specimen. For this retrospective analysis, 55 of the initial 59 ERCs, 39 of the initial 40 MRCs and 32 of the initial 38 PTCs were available. Most of the ERCs and MRC…

Gemcitabine plus sorafenib versus gemcitabine alone in advanced biliary tract cancer: a double-blind placebo-controlled multicentre phase II AIO study with biomarker and serum programme.

Background: Since sorafenib has shown activity in different tumour types and gemcitabine regimens improved the outcome for biliary tract cancer (BTC) patients, we evaluated first-line gemcitabine plus sorafenib in a double-blind phase II study. Patients and methods: 102 unresectable or metastatic BTC patients with histologically proven adenocarcinoma of gallbladder or intrahepatic bile ducts, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0–2 were randomised to gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2 once weekly, first 7-weeks + 1-week rest followed by once 3-weeks + 1-week rest) plus sorafenib (400 mg twice daily) or placebo. Treatment continued until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Tumour samples were p…