Patient-Initiated Nationwide Survey on Testing for Actionable Oncogenic Drivers in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Japan.

Background: Previous reports indicated still low implementation rates of multigene testing for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Japan.

Methods: This is a retrospective study launched at the initiative of lung cancer patients. Patients with stage IV NSCLC from January 2019 to December 2022 were investigated for testing of 8 actionable oncogenic drivers with targeted therapies available as of 2022.

Treatment preferences among Japanese patients and physicians for epidermal growth factor receptor-mutant non-small cell lung cancer.

Introduction: Evidence is limited on preferences of Japanese patients and physicians in treatment for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several oral or intravenous novel agents for EGFR exon 20 insertions are under development. The aim of our study was to investigate which attributes of novel treatments influenced selection of oral or intravenous agents among treated patients and treating physicians in Japan.

A phase II study (WJOG12819L) to assess the efficacy of osimertinib in patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC in whom systemic disease (T790M-negative) progressed after treatment with first- or second-generation EGFR TKIs and platinum-based chemotherapy.

Background: Osimertinib is a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that is an established standard treatment option for chemotherapy-naive patients with EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, of such patients who have received prior treatment with a first- or second-generation EGFR TKI, only approximately half are eligible for osimertinib therapy because its indication as second-line treatment and beyond is limited to metastatic NSCLC that is positive for the T790M resistance mutation of the EGFR gene. This study was initiated at the request of a dedicated network for patients with lung cancer in Japan.

Japanese Lung Cancer Society Guidelines for Stage IV NSCLC With Mutations.

Patients with NSCLC in East Asia, including Japan, frequently contain mutations. In 2018, we published the latest full clinical practice guidelines on the basis of those provided by the Japanese Lung Cancer Society Guidelines Committee. The purpose of this study was to update those recommendations, especially for the treatment of metastatic or recurrent -mutated NSCLC.

Assessing the quality of cancer screening leaflets using the International Patient Decision Aids Standards instrument: A cross-sectional content analysis.

Objective: To assess the quality of national cancer screening program leaflets in Japan from the informed-decision perspective.

Methods: Cross-sectional content analysis of invitation leaflets issued by centralized organizations and used nationwide in Japan was conducted. Three members independently evaluated the materials using International Patient Decision Aids Standards six-item minimum criteria for qualifying patient decision aids.

A Phase II Study to Assess the Efficacy of Osimertinib in Patients With EGFR Mutation-positive NSCLC Who Developed Isolated CNS Progression (T790M-negative or Unknown) During First- or Second-generation EGFR-TKI or Systemic Disease Progression (T790M-negative) After Treatment With First- or Second-generation EGFR-TKI and Platinum-based Chemotherapy (WJOG12819L).

Osimertinib is a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that has recently been established as a standard treatment option for chemotherapy-naive patients with EGFR mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, only about one-half of patients who have received prior treatment with a first- or second-generation EGFR-TKI are eligible for osimertinib therapy because its indication in the second-line setting is limited to metastatic NSCLC positive for the T790M resistance mutation of EGFR. The dose-escalation part of a study in which patients received osimertinib at doses of 20 to 240 mg once daily after the development of resistance to first- or second-generation EGFR-TKIs revealed a response rate of 21% and a median progression-free survival of 2.

Importance of doctor-initiated management of the balance between work and treatment for lung cancer patients: Results of a nationwide survey by the Japan Lung Cancer Society.

Backgrounds: Since the recent development of molecular targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors has improved lung cancer treatment options and outcomes, supporting patients in balancing work and pharmacotherapy have become even more important in the field of lung cancer treatment. This study sought to identify the current status and roles of doctors in balancing work and treatment for lung cancer patients.

Methods: Patients and doctors were recruited to complete a web-based questionnaire survey by the Japan Lung Cancer Society.

Fabrication of a laser cavity mirror in a large mode area fiber by an ultrashort pulse laser.

We present herein a method to fabricate a higher-order fiber grating (HOFG) for use as a fiber-cavity mirror in a fiber laser. The HOFG was fabricated by irradiating the Yb-doped large core of a double-clad fiber by a femtosecond pulsed laser. The HOFG served as a laser cavity mirror with a reflectance of 13.

Fabrication of long-period fiber gratings using end-coupled ultrafast laser pulses.

We propose a novel technique for the fabrication of long-period fiber gratings (LPFGs) using ultrafast laser pulses coupled into opposite ends of an optical fiber. The pulses counter-propagate in the fiber and induce a permanent refractive index change where they overlap. Based on absorption rate measurements, it was confirmed that the pulses were partially absorbed at the overlapping position, with a maximum absorption rate of 6%.

Energy transfer efficiency from Cr(3+) to Nd(3+) in solar-pumped laser using transparent Nd/Cr:Y(3)Al(5)O(12) ceramics.

We report energy transfer efficiency from Cr to Nd in Nd (1.0 at.%)/Cr (0.

Atherogenic phenotype remains in elderly diabetic patients.

Aim: It is known that plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels tend to decrease with age. Thus, most elderly diabetic patients often show normal LDL-C levels. Therefore, the present study was carried out to examine whether elderly diabetic patients show "the atherogenic phenotype" even if their LDL-C is not elevated.

Febuxostat (Feburic tablet) in the management of hyperuricemia in a general practice cohort of Japanese patients with a high prevalence of cardiovascular problems.

Hyperuricemia is increasing in prevalence and this is paralleled by an increased incidence of acute gout. In addition, there is growing evidence of an association between high serum levels of uric acid (sUA) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this preliminary report, we present 12-16 week results from a multicenter, general practice study in which we evaluated the usefulness of febuxostat in a cohort of untreated patients with hyperuricemia with a high prevalence of CVD.

Laser emission from a solar-pumped fiber.

We report the realization of a solar-pumped fiber laser (SPFL) using a double-clad (a center core/ an inner clad working also as optical waveguide/ an outer clad) Nd-doped fluoride optical fiber as a laser medium. With a compact off-axis parabolic mirror of 5 cm in aperture diameter, the natural sunlight is concentrated by a factor 10⁴, and introduced partly into the core of the fiber and partly into the inner clad in which the light is guided in some distance and transferred to the core after all. We have obtained clear laser spectrum characteristics with approximately 0.

Causes of decreased activity of daily life in elderly patients who need daily living care.

Aim: The causes of decreased activity of daily life (ADL) in elderly patients include cerebrovascular diseases, bone fracture by falls, and dementia. The present study was conducted among elderly patients with decreased ADL who were hospitalized in nursing wards in order to investigate the causes of becoming early bedridden and to determine precautionary measures against decreased ADL.

Methods: The study subjects were 224 elderly patients with decreased ADL (mean age: 83.

The effects of ezetimibe on surrogate markers of cholesterol absorption and synthesis in Japanese patients with dyslipidemia.

Aim: To demonstrate the clinical benefit of inhibiting intestinal cholesterol absorption, we evaluated the effects of ezetimibe on surrogate markers of cholesterol absorption and synthesis, lipid and glucose metabolism, and markers of obesity and inflammation.

Methods: A total of 120 patients with dyslipidemia (46 men; mean age 66.5 years), who had not achieved the low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal recommended by the Japan Atherosclerosis Society Guideline despite diet and exercise or any statin therapy, were enrolled and additionally treated with ezetimibe (10 mg/day) for 12 weeks.

Phase I study of combination chemotherapy with irinotecan hydrochloride and nedaplatin for cervical squamous cell carcinoma: Japanese gynecologic oncology group study.

The aim of this study (JGOG1063) was to determine the recommended dose (RD) for combination chemotherapy with irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) and nedaplatin (NDP) for advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma. CPT-11 was given intravenously in fixed doses of 60 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 and NDP, in escalating doses, on day 1, every 4 weeks. A total of 15 patients were enrolled in the study.

Phase I study of irinotecan combined with mitomycin-C and 5-fluorouracil for gynecological malignancies: the JGOG study.

Background: A phase I study to evaluate combined therapy with irinotecan (CPT-11), mitomycin-C (MMC), and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was performed in patients with gynecological malignancy, especially non-squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Materials And Methods: Eligibility for the study included patients with previously untreated, chemotherapy-naïve cervical and ovarian carcinoma. CPT-11 and MMC were administered on days 1 and 15 by intravenous infusion, while 5-FU was given on days 3 to 7.

Global prevalence of dementia: a Delphi consensus study.

Background: 100 years after the first description, Alzheimer's disease is one of the most disabling and burdensome health conditions worldwide. We used the Delphi consensus method to determine dementia prevalence for each world region.

Methods: 12 international experts were provided with a systematic review of published studies on dementia and were asked to provide prevalence estimates for every WHO world region, for men and women combined, in 5-year age bands from 60 to 84 years, and for those aged 85 years and older.

Phase III double-blind randomized trial of radiation therapy for stage IIIb cervical cancer in combination with low- or high-dose Z-100: treatment with immunomodulator, more is not better.

Background: To evaluate the efficacy of low or high-dose immunomodulator, Z-100, in combination with radiotherapy for cervical cancer.

Methods: Between 1995 and 1999, 221 patients with stage IIIb squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix were randomly assigned to treatment with Z-100 either at 0.2 microg or 40 microg in a double-blind manner in combination with radiotherapy.

[Validation of a method for discrimination of formaldehyde processing in textile products].

It is important to investigate a cause of formaldehyde contamination exceeding a regulation limit value in a textile product. If formaldehyde was released from a textile product itself by treatment or processing with formaldehyde, an administrative guidance is given to a manufacture. On the other hand, when the formaldehyde migrated from other textile products or a furniture stand during displaying, an improvement instruction is performed to the store.

A case of unicuspid aortic valve associated with a single coronary artery and ventricular septal defect.

The patient was a 26-year-old man who had undergone patch closure of a ventricular septal defect at 2 years of age. After this surgery, his condition was satisfactory until he visited our hospital for treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in November 2000. Echocardiography revealed moderate to severe aortic valve regurgitation and dilatation of the left ventricle and ascending aorta.

[A dose escalation study of concurrent chemoradiation therapy with nedaplatin for cervical cancer].

Doses of nedaplatin (CDGP) were established for concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) for cervical cancer, and a collaborative dose escalation study involving 8 hospitals was conducted to investigate the safety and efficacy of this therapy. Radiotherapy was performed according to the standard treatment described in the Regulations of Cervical Carcinoma Treatment. CDGP at 80 mg/m2 as Level 1 or at 90 mg/m2 as Level 2 was administered on Days 1 and 29 of treatment.

Phase II study of irinotecan combined with mitomycin-C for advanced or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix: the JGOG study.

Objectives: The efficacy and toxicity of combined therapy with irinotecan (CPT-11) plus mitomycin-C (MMC) were evaluated in patients with advanced or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix.

Methods: CPT-11 (100 mg/m(2)) was administered on days 1, 8, and 15 by intravenous (iv) infusion over 90 min, while MMC (10 mg/m(2) iv) was given on day 1. This regimen was repeated every 28 days and at least two courses were given.