Public assistance and survival equality in patients with EGFR mutation-positive lung cancer.

Background: Disparities in public assistance or the urbanization level of a residential region can affect cancer treatment outcomes. This study aimed to investigate whether these factors affect the overall survival (OS) of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using Tokushukai REAL World Data.

Methods: We analyzed the clinical data of consecutive patients with NSCLC receiving EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors between April 2010 and March 2020 at 46 Tokushukai Medical Group hospitals in Japan.

Risk Factors for Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction After Liver Cancer Surgery.

Background/aim: Although the frequency of small bowel obstructions after liver surgery is generally considered low, previous studies have followed-up patients for less than a year, thus the incidence of small bowel obstructions several years after surgery is unknown. Furthermore, the rise in laparoscopic surgeries and the use of adhesion prevention materials may influence the occurrence of small bowel obstructions. This  study aimed to assess the incidence of small bowel obstructions within a five-year period following liver surgery and identify the associated risk factors.

Inflammation‑based prognostic markers in patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer treated with nivolumab: Tokushukai REAl‑world Data project 02 (TREAD 02).

In addition to blood test data, inflammation-based prognostic markers have been used to predict the prognosis of various types of cancer. However, several of these previous studies may be outdated, as they were conducted prior to the widespread adoption of immune checkpoint inhibitors, leading to limited reports on their efficacy. The present study aimed to assess the accuracy of different inflammation-based prognostic markers in patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer undergoing nivolumab monotherapy as salvage-line chemotherapy.

Analysis of thromboembolism and prognosis in metastatic pancreatic cancer from the Tokushukai REAl‑world data project.

Cancer-associated thromboembolism (CAT), including venous thromboembolism (VTE) and arterial thromboembolism (ATE), is a frequent complication of advanced pancreatic cancer. However, reports on its incidence and clinical outcomes, especially on ATE, are limited. The present study aimed to investigate the incidence of CAT and its effects on overall survival in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Prognostic impact of concomitant pH-regulating drugs in patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors: the Tokushukai REAl-world Data project 01-S1.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the prognostic impact of concomitant pH-regulating drug use in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).

Methods: We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study and reviewed clinical data of consecutive patients with NSCLC treated with the first-line EGFR-TKIs in 46 hospitals between April 2010 and March 2020. Cox regression analyses were conducted to examine the differences in overall survival (OS) between patients treated with and without concomitant pH-regulating drugs, including potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and H-receptor antagonists (HRAs).

Inflammation‑based prognostic markers of metastatic pancreatic cancer using real‑world data in Japan: The Tokushukai REAl‑world Data (TREAD) project.

Inflammation-based prognostic markers based on a combination of blood-based parameters, including the modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), have been associated with clinical outcomes in patients with various types of cancer. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the accuracy of these previously reported markers in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer receiving first-line chemotherapy. A total of 846 patients were identified between April 2010 and March 2020 as part of a nationwide real-world study from 46 Tokushukai medical group hospitals in Japan.

Stepwise prolongation of overall survival from first to third generation EGFR-TKIs for EGFR mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer: the Tokushukai REAl-world Data project (TREAD 01).

Objective: The introduction of new-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) has afforded promising overall survival outcomes in clinical trials for non-small-cell lung cancer. We aim to investigate the current adoption rate of these agents and the real-world impact on overall survival among institutions.

Methods: In a nationwide retrospective cohort study of 46 Tokushukai Medical Group hospitals in Japan, we analyzed clinical data of consecutive patients with non-small-cell lung cancer receiving EGFR-TKIs between April 2010 and March 2020.

Real‑world treatment outcomes among patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer in Japan: The Tokushukai real‑world data project.

The present study aimed to investigate temporal trends in treatment patterns and prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) among patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. From the Tokushukai REAl-world Data project, 1,093 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer treated with gemcitabine, tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil (S-1), gemcitabine plus S-1, gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel, or fluorouracil, folic acid, oxaliplatin and irinotecan (FOLFIRINOX) between April 2010 and March 2020 were identified. Stratified/conventional Cox regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between patient- and tumor-related factors, study period, hospital volume, hospital type and first-line chemotherapy regimens.

Real-world treatment outcomes of metastatic biliary tract cancer patients in Japan: the Tokushukai REAl-world data project 04 (TREAD 04).

Objectives: To investigate temporal trends in treatment patterns and prognostic factors for overall survival in patients with metastatic biliary tract cancer.

Methods: From the Tokushukai REAl-world Data project, we identified 945 patients with metastatic biliary tract cancer treated with gemcitabine, tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil, gemcitabine plus cisplatin, gemcitabine plus tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil or gemcitabine plus cisplatin and tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil between April 2010 and March 2022. Stratified/conventional Cox regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between overall survival and patient- and tumour-related factors, study period, hospital volume, hospital type and first-line chemotherapy regimen.

Real-World Outcomes of Systemic Therapy in Japanese Patients with Cancer (Tokushukai REAl-World Data Project: TREAD): Study Protocol for a Nationwide Cohort Study.

Cohort studies using large-scale databases have become increasingly important in recent years. The Tokushukai Medical Group is a leading medical group in Japan that includes 71 general hospitals nationwide from Hokkaido to Okinawa, with a total of 18,000 beds, and a unified electronic medical record system. This retrospective cohort study aims to evaluate the real-world outcomes of systemic therapy for Japanese patients with cancer using this merit of scale.

Clinical impact of laparoscopic surgery and adhesion prevention material for prevention of small bowel obstruction.

Aim: Adhesive small bowel obstructions (SBO) are one of the most common complications following abdominal surgery, and they decrease patient quality of life. Since 2000, laparoscopic surgery has been employed with increasing frequency, as has adhesion prevention material (APM). In this study we tried to evaluate whether laparoscopic surgery and APM reduce the incidence of SBO.

Monitoring the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score in nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia increases the survival rate: A single-center observational study.

Several large-scale studies have assessed the endovascular and surgical treatments for nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI); nonetheless, the prognostic factors for NOMI remain unclear.In this single-center study, we retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 197, 149 patients were retrieved from the inpatient database of our hospital from January 2011 to January 2020; 79 patients with NOMI were observed. A total of 44 patients who underwent laparotomy were statistically analyzed and divided into the survivor and non-survivor groups.

Multimodal treatment for acute empyema based on the patient's condition, including patients who are bedridden: A single center retrospective study.

Background: The incidence of acute empyema has increased in various countries; some elderly patients with acute empyema have contraindications for surgery under general anesthesia. Therefore, suitable management based on a patient's clinical condition is required.

Methods: We evaluated the different surgical and nonsurgical therapeutic approaches available for patients with acute empyema.

Application of Artificial Intelligence in COVID-19 Diagnosis and Therapeutics.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began at the end of December 2019, giving rise to a high rate of infections and causing COVID-19-associated deaths worldwide. It was first reported in Wuhan, China, and since then, not only global leaders, organizations, and pharmaceutical/biotech companies, but also researchers, have directed their efforts toward overcoming this threat. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has recently surged internationally and has been applied to diverse aspects of many problems.

Sigmoid colon strangulation caused by bilateral fallopian tubes: A case report.

Introduction: There are no reports regarding sigmoid colon strangulation caused by bilateral fallopian tubes, which is a rare type of large bowel obstruction. Herein, we report a case of successful laparoscopic treatment of sigmoid colon strangulation.

Presentation Of Case: A 54-year-old woman presented to our hospital with intermittent abdominal pain.

Endovascular aortic repair for abdominal aortic injury complicated with bowel injury due to blunt abdominal trauma: A case report.

Introduction And Importance: Blunt abdominal aortic injury (BAAI) resulting from blunt abdominal trauma is rare; therefore, there are no standard guidelines for its treatment. Herein, we report the successful treatment of BAAI via endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) performed immediately after emergency laparotomy to repair a bowel injury.

Case Presentation: A 78-year-old man was injured after being caught between a shovel car and the bumper of his own car for approximately 15 s.

Resolution of fibrosis by siRNA HSP47 in vitamin A-coupled liposomes induces regeneration of chronically injured livers.

Background And Aim: In chronic hepatic diseases where treatment strategies are not available, deposited fibrotic tissues deteriorate the intrinsic regeneration capacity of the liver by creating special restrictions. Thus, if the anti-fibrosis modality is efficiently applied, the regeneration capacity of the liver should be reactivated even in such refractory hepatic diseases.

Methods: Rat liver fibrosis was induced by dimethyl-nitrosamine (DMN).

Integrated Analysis of Whole Genome and Epigenome Data Using Machine Learning Technology: Toward the Establishment of Precision Oncology.

With the completion of the International Human Genome Project, we have entered what is known as the post-genome era, and efforts to apply genomic information to medicine have become more active. In particular, with the announcement of the Precision Medicine Initiative by U.S.

Chemoprevention of pancreatic cancer by inhibition of glutathione-S transferase P1.

Pancreatic cancer is among the most refractory malignancies with poor prognosis. Thus, preventive approaches, in addition to the development of novel therapeutic strategies are essential for this type of cancer. KRAS mutations occur very early in the development of pancreatic cancers and could be targeted for its prevention, yet specific inhibitors for mutated KRAS are lacking.

Prospective evaluation of watchful waiting for early-stage lung cancer with ground-glass opacity: a single-arm confirmatory multicenter study: Japan Clinical Oncology Group study JCOG1906 (EVERGREEN study).

Among early-stage lung cancers that show ground-glass nodules on chest computed tomography, the lung cancer surgical study group of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group previously reported that nodules of ≤2 cm with a consolidation/tumor ratio of ≤0.25 were considered radiologically non-invasive cancers with a low risk of metastasis. However, there is no consensus based on high-quality evidence about the optimal timing of surgical intervention for radiologically non-invasive cancers.

Laparoscopic treatment for renal paratransplant hernia: A case report.

Introduction: There are limited reports regarding renal paratransplant hernia (RPH), which is a rare type of internal hernia. Herein, we report a case of successful laparoscopic treatment of RPH.

Presentation Of Case: A kidney transplant recipient presented to our emergency department with a 6-h history of abdominal pain and vomiting.

A multi-institutional randomized phase III trial comparing postoperative radiotherapy to observation after adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with pathological N2 Stage III non-small cell lung cancer: Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study JCOG1916 (J-PORT study).

The standard treatment for pathological N2 Stage III non-small cell lung cancer with negative surgical margins in Japan is cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy. However, recent studies suggest that the addition of thoracic radiotherapy after adjuvant chemotherapy prolongs survival. While thoracic radiotherapy is considered to prolong survival by improving locoregional control, it is known to increase radiation-induced adverse events.

A multi-institutional randomized phase III study comparing weekly carboplatin plus nab-paclitaxel and daily low-dose carboplatin as regimens for concurrent chemoradiotherapy in elderly patients with unresectable locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer: Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study JCOG1914.

Daily low-dose carboplatin plus concurrent thoracic radiotherapy is the standard treatment for elderly patients with unresectable clinical stage (c-Stage) III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Japan. However, a phase I study by Omori et al. suggests that weekly carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel plus concurrent thoracic radiotherapy have comparable efficacy outcomes with more manageable adverse events.