Publications by authors named "Hiroshi Matushita"

Background: The technique to analyze circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in body fluid (so-called "liquid biopsy") is recently developed.

Aims: Our aim was to assess the utility of liquid biopsy for predicting progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) after surgical resection or chemotherapy.

Methods: A total of 72 patients with PDAC were retrospectively enrolled for this study, 33 treated surgically and 39 given chemotherapy, either FOLFIRINOX (oxaliplatin/irinotecan/fluorouracil/leucovorin) or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel.

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The incidence of infective endocarditis (IE) due to has decreased, thanks to antibiotics. However, when it does occur, it can be lethal. The present case provides a reminder of the potential lethality of this postoperative infection.

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Background/objectives: The detection of cancer-specific DNA in peripheral blood, known as a liquid biopsy, has been reported recently. Most such studies have used plasma as a sample; however, whether or not serum can be used as effectively is unclear. We attempted to clarify suitable samples for detecting KRAS mutations in circulating DNA in the blood of pancreatic cancer patients using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

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