Regimen Selection for Chemoimmunotherapy in Nonsquamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Low PD-L1 Expression: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Although chemoimmunotherapy is recommended for advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with low programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, no head-to-head comparisons of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been performed. Therefore, we compared the effect and safety of regimens in these patients to guide evidence-based treatment.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC with a PD-L1 tumor proportion score of 1% to 49% administered ICI combination platinum-based chemotherapy between May 2018 and May 2023 at 19 institutions in Japan.

Effects of Capsaicin on Masticatory and Swallowing Function.

Introduction: Recent studies have shown that capsaicin improves the pharyngeal swallowing reflex. However, the mechanism by which capsaicin alters mastication and oesophageal function remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of capsaicin on masticatory and oesophageal function.

RNase T2 deficiency promotes TLR13-dependent replenishment of tissue-protective Kupffer cells.

Lysosomal stress due to the accumulation of nucleic acids (NAs) activates endosomal TLRs in macrophages. Here, we show that lysosomal RNA stress, caused by the lack of RNase T2, induces macrophage accumulation in multiple organs such as the spleen and liver through TLR13 activation by microbiota-derived ribosomal RNAs. TLR13 triggered emergency myelopoiesis, increasing the number of myeloid progenitors in the bone marrow and spleen.

BMI gain and dietary characteristics are risk factors of MASLD in non-obese individuals.

This longitudinal observational study aimed to evaluate whether cardiometabolic factors and dietary characteristics are determinants of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in non-obese individuals (body mass index [BMI] < 25 kg/m²). The study was conducted at the Japanese Red Cross Society Kyoto Daiichi Hospital. Clinical data were longitudinally recorded at annual health checks.

Paclitaxel plus cetuximab versus nivolumab for patients with platinum-refractory recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Nivolumab is the standard treatment for platinum-refractory recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M-HNSCC). Several studies have reported the efficacy of paclitaxel plus cetuximab (PC) combination therapy in this patient population.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with platinum-refractory R/M-HNSCC treated with nivolumab or PC at our institution between January 2015 and March 2022.

Investigation of the association between therapeutic effectiveness of anamorelin and Glasgow prognostic score in patients with cancer cachexia: a competing risk analysis.

Anamorelin, a highly selective ghrelin receptor agonist, enhances appetite and increases lean body mass in patients with cancer cachexia. However, the predictors of its therapeutic effectiveness are uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the association between the Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), used for classifying the severity of cancer cachexia, the therapeutic effectiveness of anamorelin, and the feasibility of early treatment based on cancer types.

Optimizing mass casualty: an incident report of centralizing patient transport and its impact on triage efficiency.

In mass casualty incidents, effective triage, treatment, and transport are critical for efficient management but often deviate from practices and ethical standards. In terms of resource allocation, decentralized transport is the predominant transport method; however, it is not standardized. This report retrospectively analyzed the response to a mass casualty incident at a university emergency center.

Protocol for generating a pancreatic cancer organoid associated with heterogeneous tumor microenvironment.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) organoids that simulate the tumor microenvironment (TME) are an effective tool to identify how TME affects PDAC malignancy. We present a protocol for generating a fused pancreatic cancer organoid (FPCO) that partly reproduces the TME, including heterogeneous cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), using patient-derived PDAC cells and human-induced pluripotent cell-derived endothelial and mesenchymal cells. We also describe the procedure for analyzing FPCO characteristics.

Exploratory study on the efficacy of topical pan-JAK inhibitor in ocular and skin GVHD in a sclerodermatous GVHD mouse model.

Systemic administration of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors is effective in treating chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) but is associated with side effects. Topical drug administration effectively minimizes side effects. We aimed to investigate potential trends of the efficacy of topical delgocitinib administration in a mouse model.

Role of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling axis in oncogenesis and its targeting by bioactive natural compounds for cancer immunotherapy.

Cancer is a global health problem and one of the leading causes of mortality. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the field of oncology, emerging as a powerful treatment strategy. A key pathway that has garnered considerable attention is programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1).

Theoretical and data-driven approaches to semiconductors and dielectrics: from prediction to experiment.

Computational approaches using theoretical calculations and data scientific methods have become increasingly important in materials science and technology, with the development of relevant methodologies and algorithms, the availability of large materials data, and the enhancement of computer performance. As reviewed herein, we have developed computational methods for the design and prediction of inorganic materials with a particular focus on the exploration of semiconductors and dielectrics. High-throughput first-principles calculations are used to systematically and accurately predict the local atomic and electronic structures of polarons, point defects, surfaces, and interfaces, as well as bulk fundamental properties.

Prognostic value and potential biological function of in lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: The 26S non-ATPase regulatory subunit 11 () is a multiprotein complex that participates in the ATP-dependent degradation of ubiquitinated proteins and is essential to the regulation of embryonic stem cell proteasome activity. has been demonstrated to be a factor contributing to the emergence and progression of cancer cells. However, the prognostic value and potential biological function of in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear.

Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of HER2-low expression in advanced gastric cancer: a retrospective observational study.

Purpose: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status is a critical biomarker in advanced gastric cancer (AGC). While the role of HER2-positive tumors in guiding targeted therapies is well-established, the clinical implications of HER2-low expression, defined as immunohistochemistry (IHC) 1+ or IHC 2+/in situ hybridization-negative (ISH-negative), remain undetermined. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance and clinicopathological features of HER2-low AGC.

Keyword-Based Early Request for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services in Acute Aortic Dissection: A Registry-Based Study.

Objective: Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening condition that necessitates rapid medical intervention. In Japan, helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) are deployed using either keyword-based early requests or standard requests from ground emergency medical services (GEMS). This study evaluates the impact of these request methods on patient outcomes.

Analysis of Methylation of Tumor-suppressive miRNAs and Mutations in Pancreatic Juice.

Background/aim: We previously reported the usefulness of detecting aberrant methylation in tumor suppressive microRNAs (miRNAs) in bile and plasma to discriminate pancreaticobiliary cancers from benign pancreaticobiliary diseases. This study analyzed the methylation of miRNAs in pancreatic juice to identify those specific to pancreatic cancer (PC).

Patients And Methods: Pancreatic juice was collected from 20 patients with PC, including eight with intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma (IPMC), two with low grade-pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (LG-PanIN), 32 with LG-intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), and seven with benign pancreatic lesions.

[Relationship between Serum Testosterone Levels and Diagnosis of Late-Onset Hypogonadism in Patients Visiting an Outpatient Clinic].

The clinical practice manual for late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) was updated in 2022. This study analyzed the total and free testosterone levels of patients who visited our specialized hypogonadism outpatient clinic and examined the characteristics of patients eligible for androgen replacement therapy (TRT), using the 2007 guidelines and the new guidelines as references. Among a total of 770 patients that visited our clinic,11.

Optimizing cell migration assays: Critical roles of fluorescent labeling and chemoattractant gradients.

Cell migration assays, also known as chemotaxis assays, are widely used to measure the migratory capacities of cancer cells, leukocytes, macrophages, and other motile cell types. In these assays, fluorescently labeled cells are seeded onto cell culture inserts with microporous membranes that block light transmission from 490 to 700 nm. The migrated cells are then observed and quantified from the bottom of the microporous membrane using a fluorescence microscope.

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells: A study on safety and efficacy in ocular inflammation.

Purpose: This study explores the application of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (adMSCs) as a therapy for ocular inflammatory diseases utilizing a chronic GVHD model.

Methods: Human adMSCs were administered via subconjunctival injection into mice with chronic ocular GVHD. Clinical scores and changes in T cell populations were analyzed.

Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Enables In vivo Quantification of PD-L1 Expression and Inter-tumoral Heterogeneity.

Patient selection for cancer immunotherapy requires precise, quantitative readouts of biomarker expression in intact tumors that can be reliably compared across multiple subjects over time. The current clinical standard biomarker for assessing immunotherapy response is programmed death-ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression, typically quantified using immunohistochemistry. This method, however, only provides snapshots of PD-L1 expression status in microscopic regions of ex vivo specimens.

A Tumor-Naïve ctDNA Assay Detects Minimal Residual Disease in Resected Stage II or III Colorectal Cancer and Predicts Recurrence: Subset Analysis from the GALAXY Study in CIRCULATE-Japan.

Purpose: Analysis of ctDNA may enable early identification of patients likely to relapse, presenting an opportunity for early interventions and improved outcomes. Tumor-naïve plasma-only approaches for minimal residual disease (MRD) assessment accelerate turnaround time, enabling rapid treatment decisions and ongoing surveillance.

Experimental Design: Plasma samples were obtained from 80 study participants with stage II or III colorectal cancer selected from CIRCULATE-Japan GALAXY.

Phase II study of ramucirumab and docetaxel for previously platinum-treated patients with non-small cell lung cancer and malignant pleural effusion (PLEURAM study).

Background: The prognosis of patients with lung cancer and malignant pleural effusion (MPE) caused by carcinomatous pleurisy is poor. Chemical pleurodesis is commonly performed clinically, however, often has a high failure rate. Furthermore, prolonged sustained drainage and delayed introduction of systemic chemotherapy could increase the risk of worsening the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) in the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Impact of the new robotic platform hinotori™ in preventing subcutaneous emphysema after colorectal cancer surgery.

Background: In the field of abdominal surgery, including colorectal cancer surgery, robotic surgery has become widespread, and the introduction of new robotic platforms is increasing. As a result, the incidence of subcutaneous emphysema (SE) as a postoperative complication has increased; however, the causes, grade, and perioperative course of SE have not been definitively examined. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate potential risk factors of SE after robotic colorectal cancer surgery.