Molecular pathogenesis of aristolochic acid-induced urothelial carcinoma in a belgian cohort after accidental exposure during weight loss regimen

In the early nineties, about 100 young women who were dieting in the same clinic developed rapidly progressive renal failure within a few months, further complicated by the occurrence of urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. They ingested pills contaminated with Aristolochia fangchi that inadvertently replaced Stephania tetrandra. DNA adducts derived from aristolochic acid have been identified in tissue fragments from these patients. This AA-associated nephropathy, both in its clinical presentation, the associated tumour risk, and the histopathological appearance, is similar to the... Mehr ...