Taxanes versus S-1 as the first-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer (SELECT BC): an open-label, non-inferiority, randomised phase 3 trial.

Background: Oral fluoropyrimidines are used for the first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer to avoid severe adverse effects, although firm supporting evidence is lacking. We aimed to establish whether S-1 is non-inferior to taxanes in this setting.

Methods: We did an open-label, non-inferiority, phase 3 trial at 154 hospitals in Japan.

A Layer of Decreased Apparent Diffusion Coefficient at the Endometrial-Myometrial Junction in Uterine Adenomyosis.

Objectives: To assess the detectability of a low-signal-intensity line within adenomyosis lesions adjacent to the endometrium on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, and to establish correlations between these lesions and their possible causes, and more particularly the hormonal changes and magnetic resonance (MR) factors.

Materials And Methods: MR images were obtained from 110 patients with adenomyosis (age 30-57 y.o.

Long-Term Functional Outcomes of Total Mesorectal Excision Following Chemoradiotherapy for Lower Rectal Cancer: Stapled Anastomosis versus Intersphincteric Resection.

Aims: To compare the long-term functional outcomes of total mesorectal excision following chemoradiotherapy for lower rectal cancer between stapled anastomosis and intersphincteric resection (ISR).

Methods: A total of 105 of 170 sphincter-preserving patients found to be disease-free and anal functional patients were assessed at 6.5 years (range 2.

Prognostic significance of classified extramural tumor deposits and extracapsular lymph node invasion in T3-4 colorectal cancer: a retrospective single-center study.

Background: Extramural tumor deposits (TDs) and extracapsular lymph node involvement (ECLNI) are considered to be poor prognostic factors in patients with T3-4, N0-2, M0 colorectal cancer (CRC). Although TDs are known to have multiple origins and pleomorphic features, the prognostic significances of the different type of TDs have not yet been established.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 385 consecutive patients with T3-4, N0-2, M0 CRC who received curative resection at our institution between 2006 and 2012.

Clinicopathological outcomes of preoperative chemoradiotherapy using S-1 plus Irinotecan for T4 lower rectal cancer.

Purpose: To investigate the clinicopathological outcomes of patients with T4 lower rectal cancer treated using preoperative chemoradiotherapy with S-1 plus Irinotecan.

Methods: Between 2005 and 2011, 35 patients with T4M0 lower rectal cancer, diagnosed initially as T4a in 12 and as T4b in 23, were treated with 45 Gy of radiotherapy concomitantly with S-1 plus Irinotecan. The median follow-up period was 50.

Phase I study of LY2603618, a CHK1 inhibitor, in combination with gemcitabine in Japanese patients with solid tumors.

This phase I trial evaluated LY2603618, a selective inhibitor of the DNA damage checkpoint kinase 1, in combination with gemcitabine. Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors were enrolled. All patients received gemcitabine (1000 mg/m on days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days) and either 170 mg (cohort 1) or 230 mg (cohort 2) of LY2603618.

"Quartile" screening method to analyze the relationship between HIS and "AEROS" in Japan.

Atmospheric pollution affects the health through complex mechanisms and to varying degrees. However, even by secondary usage of retrospective HIS and "AEROS" data, screening can be performed for specific ICD10 diseases caused by environmental factors. Our screening method showed good agreement with doctors' common knowledge on the relationship between atmospheric data and disease.

Comparison of the pathological response of the mesorectal positive nodes between short-course chemoradiotherapy with delayed surgery and long-course chemoradiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the pathological response of mesorectal positive nodes between short-course chemoradiotherapy with delayed surgery (SCRT-delay) and long-course chemoradiotherapy (LC-CRT) in patients with rectal cancer.

Method: The resected primary tumor specimens following the two different approaches were assessed utilizing the tumor regression grade (TRG 0-4), and each positive lymph node was assessed according to the lymph node regression grade (LRG 1-3), with TRG 4 and LRG 3 indicating total regression. The lymph node sizes were measured to elucidate any correlation with LRG scores.

[Chemoprevention for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis].

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in Japan. Primary cancer prevention is especially desired for hereditary CRC patients, owing to the high incidence of cancer in these patients. Prophylactic total proctocolectomy is generally accepted for young FAP patients; however, this procedure may reduce their QOL.

Relationship between low response to clopidogrel and periprocedural ischemic events with coil embolization for intracranial aneurysms.

Objectives: Low response to antiplatelet drugs is one of the risk factors for ischemic events. We examined the influence of low response to clopidogrel on symptomatic ischemic events and new ischemic MRI lesions with endovascular intracranial aneurysmal coil embolization.

Materials And Methods: Between August 2010 and July 2013, 189 procedures in 181 consecutive patients who underwent endovascular coiling and received clopidogrel before treatment were investigated retrospectively.

[Effect of sodium pyruvate on exercise intolerance and muscle weakness due to mitochondrial myopathy: a case report].

We report the case of a 19-year-old woman who had been suffering from general fatigue and exercise intolerance since 15 years old. At 18 years old, she experienced muscle weakness and myalgia of the calves. Six months later, she was admitted to our hospital.

A multicenter retrospective analysis of sequential treatment of abiraterone acetate followed by docetaxel in Japanese patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Objective: Abiraterone acetate and docetaxel are promising treatment options for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. However, the optimal sequencing of these agents is unclear, and no previous reports discuss Japanese metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. The purpose of this analysis is to reveal the outcomes of Japanese metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients treated with abiraterone acetate followed by docetaxel.

Short-course radiotherapy with delayed surgery versus conventional chemoradiotherapy: A comparison of the short- and long-term outcomes in patients with T3 rectal cancer.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the short- and long-term outcomes between short-course radiotherapy with delayed surgery (SRT-delay) and a standard conventional chemoradiotherapy (CRT) regimen.

Methods: Two collaborating institutions adopted different regimens; the SRT-delay regimen was selected by Meiwa Hospital and the CRT regimen was selected by Hyogo College of Medicine. The inclusion criteria were T3 middle and low rectal cancer patients treated with radical surgery after preoperative therapy.

Feasibility of modified short-course radiotherapy combined with a chemoradiosensitizer for T3 rectal cancer.

Background: 5-Fluorouracil-based chemotherapy is considered to be a radiosensitizer; however, conventional short-course radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy is generally thought to not be feasible because of the prevalence of side effects.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of modified short-course radiotherapy combined with a chemoradiosensitizer for T3 rectal cancer.

Design And Settings: This study was retrospective in nature and used a prospectively collected database.

Treatment of Symptomatic Bilateral Cavernous Carotid Aneurysms: Long-term Results of 6 Cases.

Background: Bilateral cavernous carotid aneurysms (CCAs) are very rare. A treatment strategy for symptomatic bilateral CCAs has not been established because of their complex pathogenesis. Here we report our treatment strategy and long-term results for 6 cases of symptomatic bilateral CCAs.

Results and current trends of multimodality treatment for infectious intracranial aneurysms.

The authors retrospectively reviewed their cases of infectious intracranial aneurysms and discuss results and trends of current treatment modalities including medical, neurosurgical, and endovascular. Twenty patients (10 males and 10 females; mean age 46 years) with 23 infectious aneurysms were treated by various treatment modalities during a 15-year period. Fifteen cases (75.

Pathologic evaluation of the response of mesorectal positive nodes to preoperative chemoradiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer.

Background: The response of positive mesorectal lymph nodes to chemoradiotherapy remains largely unstudied in patients with rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the requirements of the total regression of positive nodes treated with chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: The response of the primary tumor was evaluated according to the tumor regression grade (TRG 0-4) in resected specimens, and positive lymph nodes were assessed according to the lymph node regression grade (LRG 1-3), with TRG 4 and LRG 3 indicating total regression.

Relationship between smoking and multiple colorectal cancers in patients with Japanese Lynch syndrome: a cross-sectional study conducted by the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum.

The positive correlation between smoking and cancer risk is well estimated in sporadic colorectal cancer, whereas little is known with regard to Lynch syndrome-associated colorectal cancer. A total of 118 familial colorectal cancer patients from the Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer Registry and Genetic Testing Project of the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum, were assessed to determine whether smoking alters the incidence of multiple colorectal cancers. In male patients with Lynch syndrome (n = 29), the incidence of multiple colorectal cancers in patients who had ever smoked (smoking duration: median of 19 years) was higher than that in those who never smoked (58.

Does antimicrobial use density at the ward level influence monthly central line-associated bloodstream infection rates?

The aim of this study was to elucidate risk factors, including ward antimicrobial use density (AUD), for central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a 430-bed community hospital using central venous lines with closed-hub systems. We calculated AUD as (total dose)/(defined daily dose × patient days) ×1,000 for a total of 20 drugs, nine wards, and 24 months. Into each line day data, we inputed AUD and device utilization ratios, number of central line days, and CLABSI.

Comparison of clinical features between suspected familial colorectal cancer type X and Lynch syndrome in Japanese patients with colorectal cancer: a cross-sectional study conducted by the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum.

Objective: The characteristics of familial colorectal cancer type X are poorly defined. Here we aimed to clarify the differences in clinical features between suspected familial colorectal cancer type X and Lynch syndrome in Japanese patients.

Methods: We performed germline mutation analyses of mismatch repair genes in 125 patients.

A phase 2 trial of abiraterone acetate in Japanese men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and without prior chemotherapy (JPN-201 study).

Objective: Abiraterone acetate has been approved in >70 countries for chemotherapy-naïve metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. Efficacy and safety of abiraterone acetate (1000 mg/once daily) with prednisolone (5 mg/twice daily) in chemotherapy-naïve Japanese patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer was evaluated.

Methods: Men, ≥20 years, with prostate-specific antigen levels of ≥5 ng/ml and evidence of progression were enrolled in this Phase 2, multicenter, open-label study.

Phase 1 combination study of eribulin mesylate with trastuzumab for advanced or recurrent human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive breast cancer.

Eribulin mesylate (Halaven®) is a novel inhibitor of microtubule dynamics that has demonstrated a survival benefit in patients with locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer who previously received at least two chemotherapeutic regimens including an anthracycline and a taxane. Although trastuzumab is indicated for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2+) breast cancer, a phase 1 study to evaluate tolerability/safety of eribulin mesylate with trastuzumab has not been conducted. Therefore, a study of eribulin mesylate in combination with trastuzumab was conducted to evaluate dose limiting toxicity (DLT), tolerability/safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and efficacy and to estimate the recommended dose in Japanese patients with advanced or recurrent HER2+ breast cancer.

Laparoscopic intersphincteric resection and J-pouch reconstruction without laparotomy.

In some cases, a J-pouch is not created after laparoscopic intersphincteric resection (Lap-ISR), because this procedure usually does not involve laparotomy. This study aimed to develop a new technique for Lap-ISR and J-pouch reconstruction without laparotomy and to assess the short- and long-term outcomes of this technique. After a rectal specimen is excised using the transanal approach, the reconstructed intestine is reinserted into the intra-abdominal space.

A'high tie'confers an increased risk of anastomotic leakage for lower rectal cancer surgery in patients treated with preoperative radiotherapy.

Purpose: This study aimed at analyzing retrospectively the risk factors for anastomotic leakage for lower rectal cancer treated with preoperative radiotherapy.

Methods: The subjects were 108 patients with T3 lower rectal cancer, who underwent curative resection following preoperative radiotherapy. All patients had a diverting stoma made.