Increased telomerase activities in human pancreatic duct adenocarcinomas.

Telomerase is a key enzyme with regard to immortalization of cancer cells and increased activity has been demonstrated in various human malignant neoplasms. Since little is known of its role in pancreatic cancers, we investigated changes in telomerase activity in human pancreatic duct adenocarcinomas and compared the frequency of increased telomerase activity with the presence of K-ras gene mutations. The samples were obtained from 38 pancreatic duct adenocarcinomas and 7 tumor surrounding tissues at surgical resection.

[Intraarterial and intraportal chemotherapy combined with decollateralization for cholangiocellular carcinoma and metastatic liver cancer].

Two patients with cholangiocarcinoma and one patient with liver metastasis from inflammatory breast cancer underwent catheterization into both hepatic artery and portal vein following decollateralization using silicone rubber sheeting. They received arterial chemoembolization and chemotherapy and portal chemotherapy through the catheters repeatedly. Two patients with cholangiocarcinoma are still alive more than one year after the beginning of the treatments without regrowth of the tumors.

[Pharmacokinetics and prophylactic effect of intraperitoneal administration of mitomycin C resulting in IC50 of gastric cancer].

In order to prevent peritoneal metastasis after gastrectomy for gastric cancer, we conducted a study to find a clinical dose of MMC which would result in IC50, the drug concentration which inhibits the growth of colonies of cells by 50%. After closure of the abdomen, MMC dissolved in 1,000 ml of physiological saline was administered. In the 40 mg group, the mean intraperitoneal MMC concentration after 60 min was 8.

Relationship between goblet cells and carcinoma of the pancreas during N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine-induced carcinogenesis in Syrian golden hamsters.

During N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine-induced pancreatic carcinogenesis in Syrian golden hamsters, both carcinoma and dysplasia could be distinctly classified into two types according to whether they did or did not contain goblet cells. Goblet cell-containing dysplasia developed mainly in the larger duct, and majority of goblet cell-containing carcinomas showed a pattern of papillary adenocarcinoma. It seems most probable that goblet cells are predysplastic and precancerous changes.