[A retrospective analysis of chemotherapy for gastric cancer in later-stage elderly patients].

Aim: Despite the significant advances in chemotherapy, the prognosis of unresectable or recurrent gastric cancer is still very poor. Given that older adults are likely to have a number of concomitant diseases and an impaired major organ function, cancer chemotherapy in elderly patients requires particular caution. We examined what factors are associated with the overall survival of gastric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Bladder squamous cell cancer accompanied by Trousseau's syndrome: a case report.

The association between thrombosis and cancer has been recognized since Trousseau's report in 1865. We present a case of bladder squamous cell carcinoma associated with multiple cerebral infarctions. This patient was diagnosed as having Trousseau's syndrome and received radiotherapy for bladder cancer treatment, along with anticoagulation therapy.

Chemo-Immunotherapy Using Lentinan for the Treatment of Gastric Cancer with Liver Metastases.

Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Systemic chemotherapy is the main treatment option for advanced gastric cancer when the tumor is inoperable. Despite recent advances in chemotherapeutic agents, the prognosis of unresectable or recurrent gastric cancer remains extremely poor.

Lentinan prolonged survival in patients with gastric cancer receiving S-1-based chemotherapy.

Aim: To examine whether administration of lentinan, purified β-1, 3-glucan, can prolong survival in advanced gastric cancer patients receiving S-1-based chemotherapy.

Methods: Since 2004, 78 patients with metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer have received S-1-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment. Survival, side effects, and the ratio of granulocytes/lymphocytes (G/L ratio) were compared between 2 groups of patients who received chemo-immunotherapy using lentinan and chemotherapy alone.

[Pilot study on clinical effects of rebamipide gargle against oral mucositis induced by fluoropyrimidines].

Rebamipide, a cytoprotective agent, has been suspected to attenuate oral mucositis through anti-inflammatory potentials and induction of endogenous prostaglandin synthesis. This prospective study was designed to assess the clinical efficacy of rebamipide gargle against oral mucositis, which is induced by fluoropyrimidines in patients with stomach and colorectal cancer. We first conducted a pilot study on gargle flavors, because the solution in this agent has a strong and bitter after taste.

[Combination therapy of S-1 and 24-h infusion of cisplatin after palliative gastrectomy for stage IV gastric cancer].

We prospectively analyzed the adverse effects and outcomes of 15 patients with stage IV gastric cancer who underwent palliative gastrectomy from December, 2002 to May, 2008 and subsequently received combination therapy of S-1 and 4-h infusion of cisplatin. The National Cancer Institute common toxicity criteria (version 3. 0) were applied to evaluate the adverse effects of this therapy, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot the survival curve.

[Clinical effects of Hange-shashin-to on combination therapy of S-1/irinotecan against the for patients with metastatic gastric and colorectal cancer].

From July, 2007 to June, 2008, we prospectively investigated the influence of Hange-shashin-to on the therapeutic and adverse effects of chemotherapy and the changes in quality of life(QOL)scores of the patients with metastatic gastric and colorectal cancer. Twenty patients receiving S-1/Irinotecan (CPT-11) therapy were randomly allocated into group A (with Hange-shashin-to) and B (without Hange-shashin-to). While the anti-tumor effects did not differ significantly between these two groups, severe side effects of more than grade 3 occurred less frequently in group A.

[Two advanced gastric cancer cases with peritoneal metastases successfully treated by s-1/paclitaxel combination therapy].

Two unresectable advanced gastric cancer cases with peritoneal metastases were successfully treated by the combination therapy of S-1 and paclitaxel. S-1 (1.25m(2): 80 mg/day, 1.

Pathological complete response induced by the combination therapy of S-1 and 24-h infusion of cisplatin in two cases initially diagnosed as inoperable advanced gastric cancer.

We report on two patients, successfully treated by the combination therapy of S-1 and 24-h infusion of cisplatin (CDDP), who were initially diagnosed with unresectable stage 4 advanced gastric cancer. Each patient had a very good clinical response and underwent curative gastrectomy after completion of 14 and 10 courses of S-1/CDDP chemotherapy, respectively. A microscopically detailed examination of surgically obtained specimens showed the complete disappearance of malignant cells in the two cases.

[A case of interstitial pneumonia induced by S-1/irinotecan combination therapy].

A 67-year-old man with multiple liver metastases of colonic cancer was treated with combination therapy of S-1 and irinotecan (CPT-11): S-1 (120 mg/day) administered orally for 14 consecutive days followed by 14 days rest. CPT-11 (100 mg/m(2)) was given as a 2-hour infusion on day 1 and 15. The patient complained of high fever and subsequent exertional dyspnea in the middle of the second course of S-1/CPT-11 therapy.

[A case of recurrent rectal cancer with lymphangiosis carcinomatosa successfully treated with modified FOLFOX6 therapy].

A 56-year-old woman with multiple lung metastases and lymphangiosis carcinomatosa due to recurrent rectal cancer was treated with chemotherapy of modified FOLFOX6 (mFOLFOX6) regimen: l-leucovorin (l-LV 200 mg/m(2)) and oxaliplatin (L-OHP 85 mg/m(2)) were given as a 2-hour infusion followed by bolus injection of 5-FU 400 mg/m(2) and a 46- hour infusion 5-FU 2,400 mg/m(2) every two weeks. Since partial response was achieved and dyspnea was remarkably improved, she was discharged without oxygen therapy after 5 courses.

Rebamipide enema therapy as a treatment for patients with active distal ulcerative colitis.

Background: The clinical efficacy of corticosteroids in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) is well-established. However, prolonged usage of these drugs can result in serious complications. Rebamipide {2-(4-chlorobenzoylamino)-3[2-(1H)-quinolinon-4-yl] propionic acid}, a cytoprotective agent, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory activity and to repair mucosal injury in animal colitis models.

[Enema therapy for ulcerative colitis patients].

The therapeutic options for the treatment of mildly to moderately active distal colitis or distal flare up of total colitis have increased over the last decade. Many reports have documented the effectiveness of various compounds, such as 5-aminosalicylic acid, steroids, cytoprotective agents, lidocaine gel, short chain fatty acid, and cyclosporine when they are applied topically to the inflamed distal colon in patients with ulcerative colitis. These treatments have considerably attracted our attention because of their possible anti-inflammatory effects on ulcerative colitis with lower toxicity.

Possible involvement of the interleukin-15 and interleukin-15 receptor system in a heightened state of lamina propria B cell activation and differentiation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: We investigated the possible roles of the interleukin (IL)-15 and IL-15 receptor (IL-15R) system in a heightened state of B-cell activation and differentiation in intestinal mucosa with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: The expression of IL-15 and IL-15Ralpha mRNA and protein in inflamed colonic mucosal tissues with IBD, and in control tissues was examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistological methods. The effects of recombinant (r)IL-15 on the expression of IL-15Ralpha on lamina propria B cells and the production of immunoglobulin G (IgG) were analyzed in vitro, using lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) isolated from control tissues.

Endoscopic Fibrin Glue Injection with Coaxial Double Lumen Needle for Severe Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Although endoscopic hemostasis is an effective treatment for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, permanent hemostasis may be difficult to achieve by conventional endoscopic treatment alone in some patients. In addition, conventional hemostatic endoscopic therapy is limited in patients with a risk of gastrointestinal ulcer perforation. We tried endoscopic fibrin glue injection in 21 patients as a new approach to control severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding.