[Reactive swelling of the regional lymph nodes in patients with stage II colorectal cancer as a prognostic factor].

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between reactive swelling of regional lymph node (LN) and survival in colorectal carcinoma. We retrospectively studied 170 patients with surgically resected colorectal carcinoma histopathologically diagnosed as stage II (pStage II). These patients were classified into two groups:a) a "reactive LN swelling" group (clinically diagnosed as positive for LN metastasis, but pathologically negative) and b) a "no LN swelling" group.

Phase I study of gemcitabine, cisplatin, and S-1 combination therapy for patients with untreated advanced biliary tract cancer.

Background: To develop a triplet regimen containing gemcitabine, cisplatin, and S-1 (GPS), we assessed the recommended dose for patients with untreated advanced biliary tract cancer in this phase I study.

Methods: Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were evaluated for the following two dose levels: gemcitabine (1000 mg/m(2) for level 1 and 1200 mg/m(2) for level 2 on day 1), cisplatin (30 mg/m(2) fixed dose on day 1), and S-1 (40-60 mg/day fixed dose twice a day for 7 days), every 2 weeks until progression. DLTs for each level were evaluated in six or more patients during the first two cycles.

Glasgow Prognostic Score predicts poor prognosis among advanced biliary tract cancer patients with good performance status.

Advanced cancer patients with good performance status (PS) sometimes show poor prognosis despite receiving some chemotherapies. We evaluated prognosis of chemo-naïve advanced biliary tract cancer (ABTC) patients with good PS by Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS). Sixty-two patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group PS 0 or 1 were retrospectively analyzed, using multivariate Cox regression.

Bevacizumab in combination with irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin (FOLFIRI) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who were previously treated with oxaliplatin-containing regimens: a multicenter observational cohort study (TCTG 2nd-BV study).

The efficacy of bevacizumab combined with infusional 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV) plus irinotecan (FOLFIRI) as the second-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has not been fully clarified, although bevacizumab combined with infusional 5-FU/LV plus oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) in the second-line setting has demonstrated a survival benefit. We investigated the efficacy of bevacizumab plus FOLFIRI in mCRC patients who failed oxaliplatin-containing regimens without bevacizumab. Patients who received bevacizumab plus FOLFIRI or bevacizumab plus FOLFOX as second-line chemotherapy between July 2007 and March 2008 were registered (trial registration: UMIN000001547).

Apoptosis and inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway in the anti-proliferative actions of dehydroepiandrosterone.

Background: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an endogenous steroid that is synthesized mainly in the adrenal cortex; it is found in plasma as the sulfate-conjugated form (DHEA-S). Pharmacological doses of DHEA exhibit anti-proliferative effects on malignant cell lines and some tumors in experimental animals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of these steroids on proliferation in human cancer cell lines.

Simultaneous determination of dehydroepiandrosterone and its 7-oxygenated metabolites in human serum by high-resolution gas chromatography--mass spectrometry.

A highly sensitive and specific method has been developed for the simultaneous measurement of free (unconjugated) or sulfate-conjugated forms of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), 7alpha-hydroxy-DHEA (7alpha-OH-DHEA), 7beta-hydroxy-DHEA (7beta-OH-DHEA), and 7-oxo-DHEA (7-oxo-DHEA) in human serum. This method is based upon a stable isotope-dilution technique by gas chromatography-selected-ion monitoring mass spectrometry. Free steroids were extracted from serum with an organic solvent and the sulfate-conjugated steroids remained in aqueous phase.

Anti-proliferative action of endogenous dehydroepiandrosterone metabolites on human cancer cell lines.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a naturally occurring steroid synthesized in the adrenal cortex, gonads, brain, and gastrointestinal tract, and it is known to have chemopreventive and anti-proliferative actions on tumors. These effects are considered to be induced by the inhibition of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and/or HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR) activities. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether endogenous DHEA metabolites, i.

Selective inhibition of CYP27A1 and of chenodeoxycholic acid synthesis in cholestatic hamster liver.

The aim of this study was to explore the regulation of serum cholic acid (CA)/chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) ratio in cholestatic hamster induced by ligation of the common bile duct for 48 h. The serum concentration of total bile acids and CA/CDCA ratio were significantly elevated, and the serum proportion of unconjugated bile acids to total bile acids was reduced in the cholestatic hamster similar to that in patients with obstructive jaundice. The hepatic CA/CDCA ratio increased from 3.