SERPINE2 is an oral cancer-promoting factor that induces angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.

Background: LEM domain containing 1 (LEMD1) is a novel factor involved in the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We previously performed a microarray analysis and found that serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade E, member 2 (SERPINE2) is an LEMD1-related signal. SERPINE2 is an extracellular serine proteinase inhibitor with secretory capacity.

Identification of oral squamous cell carcinoma markers MUC2 and SPRR1B downstream of TANGO.

Purpose: Transport and Golgi organization protein 1 (TANGO) promotes angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, this study aims to identify and characterize elements downstream of TANGO that mediate its involvement in OSCC.

Methods: In this study, microarray analysis compared gene expression between control and TANGO-repressed HSC3 cells.

Peroxidan Plays a Tumor-Promoting Role in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Despite dramatic progress in cancer diagnosis and treatment, the five-year survival rate of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is still only about 50%. Thus, the need for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying OSCC is urgent. We previously identified the peroxidasin gene () as one of several novel genes associated with OSCC.

Sushi Repeat Containing Protein X-linked 2 Is a Downstream Signal of LEM Domain Containing 1 and Acts as a Tumor-Promoting Factor in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Because oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) have a high potential for locoregional invasion and nodal metastasis, early detection and treatment are essential. A LAP2, emerin, MAN1 (LEM) domain containing 1 (LEMD1) is associated with local progression, clinical stage, nodal metastasis, poor prognosis, angiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis in OSCC. Although LEMD is a cancer-testis antigen, the cancer-related signals related to LEMD1 remain unknown.

Mast cell chymase promotes angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis mediated by activation of melanoma inhibitory activity gene family members in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Mast cells (MCs) are present in the tumor stroma, and MCs that express the mast cell‑specific proteases tryptase and chymase (MCTC) exhibit several tumor‑related functions. It was previously reported that melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA) gene family members, including MIA, MIA2, and transport and Golgi organization protein 1 (TANGO), possess oncogenic functions in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the relationships between MCTC, and clinicopathological characteristics and activation of the MIA gene family in OSCC remain unknown.

Non-SMC Condensin I Complex Subunit H (NCAPH) Is Associated with Lymphangiogenesis and Drug Resistance in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Head and neck cancer, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is the sixth most common malignancy. OSCC has strong invasive ability, and its malignant potential is closely associated with local expansion and lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, local or nodal recurrence worsens OSCC prognosis.

The Oncogenic Activity of Induces the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: The relationship between and c-Met proto-oncogene in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains to be investigated. This study aimed to reveal the role of in the pathogenesis of OSCC using molecular and biological analyses.

Methods: We investigated the expression of , c-Met, and markers of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the tissues of 49 patients with OSCC and in human OSCC cells with different tumorigenicity.

The Multifarious Functions of Pyruvate Kinase M2 in Oral Cancer Cells.

Head and neck cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), are the sixth most common malignancies worldwide. OSCC frequently leads to oral dysfunction, which worsens a patient's quality of life. Moreover, its prognosis remains poor.

Downregulation of DHRS9 is associated with poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has a high potential for local invasion and nodal metastasis. Therefore, early detection and elucidation of the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying OSCC are essential. Dehydrogenase/reductase member 9 (DHRS9) is downregulated in recurrent OSCC.

[18F]fluoro-2-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography for the assessment of histopathological response after preoperative chemoradiotherapy in advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: [(18)F]fluoro-2-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is widely used to evaluate tumor metabolic activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of FDG-PET in assessing the histopathological response to preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methods: Forty-five patients with resectable advanced OSCC who had received preoperative CRT followed by tumor ablative surgery between January 2004 and December 2011 were included in the study.

Measurement of spleen stiffness by acoustic radiation force impulse imaging identifies cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices.

Background & Aims: We evaluated whether spleen stiffness (SS), measured by acoustic radiation force impulse imaging, can identify patients who have esophageal varices (EVs); those without EVs would not require endoscopic examination.

Methods: In a prospective study, we measured SS and liver stiffness (LS) in 340 patients with cirrhosis undergoing endoscopic screening for EVs and 16 healthy volunteers (controls) at the Kurashiki Central Hospital in Okayama, Japan. The diagnostic accuracy of SS for the presence of EVs was compared with that of other noninvasive parameters (LS, spleen diameter, and platelet count).

[A case of autoimmune hepatitis diagnosed after acute hepatitis B].

We describe a case of autoimmune hepatitis diagnosed after acute hepatitis B. The patient was a 65-year-old man admitted because of markedly elevated transaminase level. Laboratory tests showed positive IgM-HBc antibody and a short prothorombin time.

Outcomes after curative treatment for cryptogenic cirrhosis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma satisfying the Milan criteria.

Background And Aim: The prognosis of cryptogenic cirrhosis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (CC-HCC) was reported to be poor because many of them were discovered at the advanced stage. The aim of this study is to reveal the clinical features of early CC-HCC.

Methods: Consecutive 36 curatively treated CC-HCC patients satisfying the Milan Criteria were compared with corresponding 211 HCV-associated HCC (HCV-HCC) patients.

Transarterial embolization for ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma: survival predictors.

Background/aims: Survival predictors in patients with ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated by transarterial embolization (TAE), have not been fully investigated.

Methodology: Predictors of short-term (< or = 30 days) and long-term (>30 days) survival were evaluated by using the logistic regression model and the Cox proportional hazard model, respectively.

Results: Forty-eight patients treated by emergency TAE were enrolled.

[A case of advanced upper gingival carcinoma responding completely to concurrent chemoradiotherapy with S-1].

We report a case of advanced upper gingival carcinoma with a contralateral metastatic lymph node invading the maxillary sinus (T4aN2cM0). An 83-year-old man was treated concurrently with chemoradiotherapy and S-1. S-1 (80 mg/body/day) was administered for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week rest period as one course.

Soluble MICB serum levels correlate with disease stage and survival rate in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Expression of ligands of natural killer group 2D (NKG2D) immunoreceptors, such as major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A/B (MICA/B), has been proposed to play an important role in tumour immunosurveillance. Soluble forms of MICA/B are increased in sera of cancer patients and are postulated to impair antitumour immune response by downregulating expression of NKG2D immunoreceptors. Serum levels of soluble MICA have been shown to be of diagnostic significance in malignant diseases.

Relationship between soluble MICA and the MICA A5.1 homozygous genotype in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

NK and cytotoxic T cells play an important role in the elimination of virus-infected and tumor cells through NKG2D activating receptors, which can promote the lysis of target cells by binding to the major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A (MICA) proteins. Polymorphisms in MICA may influence its binding to the NKG2D. The soluble form of MICA is released from the surface of tumor cells of epithelial origin.

Intrahepatic mRNA levels of type I interferon receptor and interferon-stimulated genes in genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C. Association between IFNAR1 mRNA level and sustained response to interferon therapy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the association between pretreatment intrahepatic mRNA levels of interferon receptor and interferon-stimulated genes and response to interferon therapy for genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C.

Methods: Forty-four patients with genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C who underwent liver biopsy and then received interferon therapy participated in this study. Pretreatment intrahepatic mRNA levels of interferon receptor genes (IFNAR1, IFNAR2b, and IFNAR2c) and interferon-stimulated genes (OAS1 and PKR) were quantified by competitive polymerase chain reaction.

Long-term monitoring of platelet count, as a non-invasive marker of hepatic fibrosis progression and/or regression in patients with chronic hepatitis C after interferon therapy.

Background: Platelet count has been shown to correlate with the hepatic fibrosis stage in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The aim of the present study was to assess hepatic fibrosis progression or regression of CHC patients by long-term monitoring of the platelet count.

Methods: A total of 429 interferon (IFN)-treated CHC patients were studied.

Anti-viral actions and viral dynamics in the early phase of three different regimens of interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis C: differences between the twice-daily administration of interferon-beta treatment and the combination therapy with interferon-alpha plus ribavirin.

To improve the efficacy of interferon (IFN) treatment for chronic hepatitis C, we have proposed the twice-daily administration of IFN-beta as a promising induction therapy. In this study, we demonstrated differences between the clearance of circulating HCV-RNA and the induction of anti-viral actions during the first 2 weeks of treatment. Nine patients with a high viral load and genotype 1b were randomly assigned to 3 groups: group A received 3MU of IFN-beta twice a day at intervals of 5 and 19 h; group B received 3MU of IFN-beta twice a day at intervals of 10 and 14 h; group C received 6MU of IFN-alpha once a day with ribavirin.

Release of decay-accelerating factor into stools of patients with colorectal cancer by means of cleavage at the site of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor.

The expression of decay-accelerating factor (DAF), a cell-membrane-complement regulator, is enhanced in colorectal cancer, and DAF is detected in the stools of patients with colorectal cancer. In this study, to elucidate mechanisms whereby DAF is released into the colonic lumen, we analyzed and compared the properties of DAF in stools and colorectal-cancer tissues. Stool specimens taken before surgery and tissue samples from surgically resected colorectal cancers were obtained from 21 patients.

Hepatitis B virus gene in liver tissue promotes hepatocellular carcinoma development in chronic hepatitis C patients.

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) gene has been detected in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue negative for the hepatitis B surface antigen and positive for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody, but the precise role of the HBV gene in hepatocarcinogenesis has yet to be clarified. We studied the HBV gene in liver tissue several years before the emergence of HCC. Eleven patients diagnosed with HCV-positive chronic liver disease and who developed HCC were assigned to group A.

HBcAg-specific CD8 T cells play an important role in virus suppression, and acute flare-up is associated with the expansion of activated memory T cells.

We analyzed the prevalence and longitudinal fluctuation of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific CD8 T cells in chronic HBV infection using an HLA-A2-HBc18-27 tetramer. Thirty-five HLA-A2-positive patients with chronic HBV infection were divided into 17 HBe antigen (HBeAg)-positive and 18 anti-HBe antibody (anti-HBe)-positive patients. Five HLA-A2-positive normal subjects, five HLA-A2-negative patients with chronic HBV infection, and two HLA-A2-positive patients with acute HBV infection were included as controls.

A monoclonal antibody to rat asialoglycoprotein receptor that recognizes an epitope specific to its major subunit.

We previously developed three mouse monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) identifying the domain-specific plasma membrane proteins of rat hepatocytes. Based on the results of immunohistochemical and immunoblot analysis, one of them, clone 8D7, likely recognizes the rat asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR), which consists of three polypeptide subunits: rat hepatic lectin (RHL)-1, RHL-2 and RHL-3. In this study, we examined the reactivity of MoAb 8D7 with these subunits in order to identify specifically the protein it recognizes.