Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for the anesthetic management of a patient with severe airway stenosis caused by thyroid carcinoma invasion.

The treatment of a thyroid carcinoma extending into the thoracic cavity with severe airway stenosis is difficult, since there is a risk of acute respiratory decompensation at every stage of anesthesia. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life support technique for maintaining both the cardiac and respiratory functions. It is used for the management of acute, severe, reversible respiratory or cardiac failure refractory to conventional management.

High-level secretion of tissue factor-rich extracellular vesicles from ovarian cancer cells mediated by filamin-A and protease-activated receptors.

Thromboembolic events occur frequently in ovarian cancer patients. Tissue factor (TF) is often overexpressed in tumours, including ovarian clear-cell carcinoma (CCC), a subtype with a generally poor prognosis. TF-coagulation factor VII (fVII) complexes on the cell surface activate downstream coagulation mechanisms.

Establishment of patient-derived cancer xenografts in immunodeficient NOG mice.

Viable and stable human cancer cell lines and animal models combined with adequate clinical information are essential for future advances in cancer research and patient care. Conventional in vitro cancer cell lines are commonly available; however, they lack detailed information on the patient from which they originate, including disease phenotype and drug sensitivity. Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) with clinical information (so-called 'cancer xenopatients') are a promising advance that may accelerate the development of anticancer therapies.

Lipid starvation and hypoxia synergistically activate ICAM1 and multiple genes in an Sp1-dependent manner to promote the growth of ovarian cancer.

Background: Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms by which cancer cells overcome hypoxia is potentially important for targeted therapy. Complexation of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) with aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocators can enhance gene expression and initiate cellular responses to hypoxia. However, multiple molecular mechanisms may be required for cancer cells to adapt to diverse microenvironments.

Annexin A4 is involved in proliferation, chemo-resistance and migration and invasion in ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma cells.

Ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCC) is the second most common subtype of ovarian cancer after high-grade serous adenocarcinomas. CCC tends to develop resistance to the standard platinum-based chemotherapy, and has a poor prognosis when diagnosed in advanced stages. The ANXA4 gene, along with its product, a Ca(++)-binding annexin A4 (ANXA4) protein, has been identified as the CCC signature gene.

A randomized phase II trial of omentum-preserving gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer.

This randomized Phase II trial is being conducted to evaluate the impact of omentectomy for advanced gastric cancer on patient survival. The primary endpoint is the 3-year relapse-free survival rate and the secondary endpoints are 5-year overall survival, intraoperative blood loss, length of the operation and postoperative morbidity (especially postoperative ileus). The planned sample size is 250 patients (125 for complete removal of the omentum and 125 for preservation of the omentum) to determine whether omentum-preserving gastrectomy may be a candidate procedure for a Phase III trial in a randomized Phase II setting.

Discovery of an orally active small-molecule irreversible inhibitor of protein disulfide isomerase for ovarian cancer treatment.

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), an endoplasmic reticulum chaperone protein, catalyzes disulfide bond breakage, formation, and rearrangement. The effect of PDI inhibition on ovarian cancer progression is not yet clear, and there is a need for potent, selective, and safe small-molecule inhibitors of PDI. Here, we report a class of propynoic acid carbamoyl methyl amides (PACMAs) that are active against a panel of human ovarian cancer cell lines.

Omentum-preserving gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer: a propensity-matched retrospective cohort study.

Background And Objectives: We clarified the impact of omentectomy for advanced gastric cancer on patient survival from the surgical results of a high-volume center in Japan.

Methods: Patients who received curative gastrectomy were divided into two groups based on whether they underwent omentectomy. The propensity score-matching method was used to assemble a well-balanced cohort, and relapse-free survival and the pattern of recurrence were compared.

Usefulness of multidisciplinary therapy combining neoadjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 plus cisplatin and postoperative sequential chemotherapy in patients with scirrhous gastric cancer.

Background/aims: The outcomes of patients with scirrhous gastric cancer (SGC) remain poor. We retrospectively compared outcomes according to historically different treatments for SGC and studied the therapeutic usefulness of NAC with S-1 plus cisplatin followed by postoperative sequential chemotherapy.

Methodology: We studied 93 patients with SGC.

A Phase II Study of S-1 Monotherapy as a First-line Combination Therapy of S-1 Plus Cisplatin as a Second-line Therapy, and Weekly Paclitaxel Monotherapy as a Third-line Therapy in Patients with Advanced Gastric Carcinoma: A Second Report.

Background: We have previousy reported on a Phase II study of S-1 monotherapy as a first line, combination therapy of S-1 plus cisplatin as a second line, and weekly paclitaxel monotherapy as a third line therapy in patients with advanced gastric carcinomas. The median survival time (MST) of patients over the whole course of treatment was not previously calculated because 12 out of 19 patients had not yet succumbed. Since then, we have calculated the MST for this study and herein report our findings.

Biological evaluation of paclitaxel-peptide conjugates as a model for MMP2-targeted drug delivery.

Paclitaxel (PTX) is a highly effective cytotoxic agent widely used for the treatment of several solid tumors. However, PTX shows dose-limiting cytotoxicity and in most cases induces drug resistance followed by failure in treatment. To enhance the therapeutic index of a given drug, various drug delivery methods have been explored to systemically deliver sufficient amount of the drug to the desired site.

Reduced expression of the AdipoR1 gene is correlated with venous invasion in colorectal cancer.

Serum adiponectin concentrations are negatively correlated with body fat percentage and with the risk of colorectal cancer. However, few studies have examined the relationship between adiponectin receptor expression and colorectal cancer. We measured the expression levels of the AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 genes by quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction in 202 paired specimens of cancer tissue and adjacent normal mucosa obtained from patients with colorectal cancer.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel hydrazide based cytotoxic agents.

Recently, we designed and synthesized a series of pyrroloquinoxaline compounds with hydrazine moiety linking a nitrogen-containing polycyclic group to a heteroaroyl system. Several derivatives, with attractive drug-like properties, were identified as promising cytotoxic agents, showing excellent potency in a panel of cancer cell lines. In the current study, we synthesized a further 19 new analogues to optimize their physicochemical properties and assess a coherent mechanism of action.

Combination effects of SC144 and cytotoxic anticancer agents.

Previously, we synthesized a series of hydrazide class of compounds and examined their cytotoxicity in a number of cancer cell lines. Among these analogues, SC144 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against a panel of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cancer cell lines. To further explore its therapeutic potentials in the combination settings, we evaluated the synergy between SC144 and selected conventional chemotherapeutic agents in in-vitro cancer cell models.

Discovery of a novel quinoxalinhydrazide with a broad-spectrum anticancer activity.

Previously, we discovered a novel class of salicylhydrazide compounds with remarkable activity in hormone-dependent and -independent human cancer cells. We then designed and synthesized numerous analogues. Among these analogues, a quinoxalinhydrazide compound, SC144, exhibited desirable physicochemical and drug-like properties and therefore was selected for further preclinical investigation.

Overexpression of the fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 gene correlates with liver metastasis in colorectal cancer.

Expression of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1, FGF-2, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)-1, and FGFR-2 genes has been reported in various cancers and is associated with poor outcomes in patients with solid tumors. This study examined the relations between the relative expression of the FGF genes and clinicopathological factors, especially invasion and metastasis, in patients with colorectal cancer. We studied surgical specimens of cancer tissue and adjacent normal mucosa obtained from 202 patients with untreated colorectal carcinoma.

Clinicopathological significance of the gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase-7, insulin-like growth factor-1, insulin-like growth factor-2 and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor in patients with colorectal cancer: insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor gene expression is a useful predictor of liver metastasis from colorectal cancer.

Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), secreted by cancer cells, has been implicated classically in the basement membrane destruction associated with tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Epidemiological studies have established a correlation between high levels of circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and the relative risk of colorectal cancer, which is known to produce MMP-7. We examined the clinicopathological significance of the relative expression of MMP-7, IGF-1, IGF-2 and IGF-1 receptor genes in patients with colorectal cancer, especially with regard to metastasis.

Evaluation of calorie intake according to age and sex in patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer.

Background/aims: We studied food intake in 107 patients undergoing gastric surgery, with emphasis on postoperative quality of life (QOL). The time course of food intake after surgery, sex- and age-related differences in food intake, and the relation of food intake to surgical procedure were evaluated retrospectively.

Methodology: The following variables were studied: 1) the time required for stabilization of food intake, assessed on the basis of the time course of food intake after operation; 2) the relations of sex and age to postoperative food intake, assessed by comparing food intake according to sex and age; and 3) postoperative food intake according to surgical procedure, evaluated by calculating the ratio of postoperative food intake to the food intake of healthy individuals matched for sex and age.

Clinicopathological significance of the gene expression of matrix metalloproteinases and reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs in patients with colorectal cancer: MMP-2 gene expression is a useful predictor of liver metastasis from colorectal cancer.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MT1-MMP) are involved in colorectal cancer invasion and metastasis. Reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) inhibits MMP-2, MMP-9 and MT1-MMP. We examined the clinicopathological significance of the relative expression of these genes in patients with colorectal cancer, especially with regard to metastasis.

Reduced expression of the claudin-7 gene correlates with venous invasion and liver metastasis in colorectal cancer.

Claudins, members of a large family of adherent junction proteins, regulate the integrity and function of tight junctions and influence tumorigenesis. Studies have suggested that altered levels of different claudins are related to carcinoma-cell invasion and disease progression. This study examined the relationship between the relative expression of claudin genes and clinicopathological factors, especially invasion and metastasis, in patients with colorectal cancer.

Phase II Study of S-1 Monotherapy as a First-line, Combination Therapy of S-1 plus Cisplatin as a Second-line, and Weekly Paclitaxel Monotherapy as a Third-line Therapy in Patients with Advanced Gastric Carcinoma: Phase II Study of S-1, S-1 plus Cisplatin, and Weekly Paclitaxel in Patients with Advanced Gastric Carcinoma.

Background: We conducted a pilot phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of S-1 as a first-line, S-1 plus cisplatin as a second-line, and weekly paclitaxel as a third-line therapy for advanced gastric cancer.

Patients And Methods: Between 2002 and 2005, 19 patients were enrolled in this study. Chemotherapy consisted of either 60 mg/m(2) of S-1 for 4 weeks at 6 weeks interval, a combination of 60 mg/m(2) S-1 for 3 weeks and 60 mg/m(2) cisplatin on day 8 at 5 weeks interval, or 60 mg/m(2) paclitaxel at day 1, 8, 15, at 4 weeks interval.

The validity of sentinel lymph node biopsy using dye technique alone in patients with gastric cancer.

Background/aims: We investigated whether sentinel lymph node biopsy using dye technique alone is useful or not in decision-making for less invasive surgery in patients with gastric cancer.

Methodology: The subjects were 43 patients who had undergone laparotomy for gastric cancer and consented to undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy using patent blue dye. The patients enrolled were 26 males and 17 females, with a mean age of 62.

13C-urea breath test in patients having undergone total gastrectomy.

Background/aims: In this study, we performed 13C-urea breath test in patients who had undergone total gastrectomy and investigated the content of (13)CO2 in the CO2 gas expired after direct influx of 13C-urea into the small intestine.

Methodology: 13C-Urea breath test was performed in 31 patients who had undergone total gastrectomy at this department for the treatment of stomach cancer and consented to participate in this study. The test was performed in two ways, i.

Bone disorder and vitamin D after gastric cancer surgery.

Background/aims: The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between bone metabolic disorder after gastrectomy for gastric cancer and vitamin D metabolites or the hormones involved in calcium metabolism.

Methodology: Twenty-one patients who had undergone gastrectomy for gastric cancer and had been followed for less than 10 years were assessed for bone disorder by microdensitometry. The levels of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (1,25(OH)2VD), 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)VD), 24,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (24,25(OH)2VD), N-PTH, calcitonin, estradiol, osteocalcin, and ALP were measured and assessed for correlations with clinicopathological factors, including the operative procedure and the number of years since surgery.