Rab27a and Rab27b are involved in stimulation-dependent RANKL release from secretory lysosomes in osteoblastic cells.

The quantity of the receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) expressed at the cell surface of osteoblastic cells is an important factor regulating osteoclast activation. Previously, RANKL was found to be localized to secretory lysosomes in osteoblastic cells and to translocate to the cell surface in response to stimulation with RANK-Fc-conjugated beads. However, the in vivo significance of stimulation-dependent RANKL release has not been elucidated.

Trough plasma concentration of imatinib reflects BCR-ABL kinase inhibitory activity and clinical response in chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia: a report from the BINGO study.

Pharmacokinetic (PK) factors have been suggested to be involved in the unfavorable clinical responses of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients treated with imatinib. The purpose of this study was to clarify prognostic implications of PK factors in CML patients treated with imatinib. The plasma trough (C(min)) level of imatinib and serum α(1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP) level were measured on two different days in 65 CML patients treated with imatinib for more than 12 months.

A unique case of nasal NK/T cell lymphoma with frequent remission and relapse showing different histological features during 12 years of follow up.

Nasal natural killer (NK)/T cell lymphoma is an aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphomas, usually with a broad morphological spectrum, necrosis and angioinvasion, and is closely associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. We herein report a unique case of nasal NK/T cell lymphoma with frequent complete remission and relapse 12 years of follow up. A 9-year-old girl was diagnosed as having nasal NK/T cell lymphoma in 1995.

Irrespective of CD34 expression, lineage-committed cell fraction reconstitutes and re-establishes transformed Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia in NOD/SCID/IL-2Rgammac-/- mice.

Stem cells of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have been identified as immunodeficient mouse-repopulating cells with a Lin(-)CD34(+)38(-) phenotype similar to normal hematopoietic stem cells. To identify the leukemia-propagating stem cell fraction of Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph(+)) leukemia, we serially transplanted human leukemia cells from patients with chronic myeloid leukemia blast crisis (n = 3) or Ph(+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 3) into NOD/SCID/IL-2Rgammac(-/-) mice. Engrafted cells were almost identical to the original leukemia cells as to phenotypes, IGH rearrangements, and karyotypes.

[Mantle cell lymphoma mimicking chronic lymphocytic leukemia].

A 62-year-old male was admitted to our hospital complaining of dyspnea in March, 2002. He had remarkable bone marrow invasion with a significant number of leukemic cells, anemia and thrombocytopenia. In addition he had generalized lymphadenopathy including a bulky mass in the left cervix.