Dose-dependent INhibitory effect of rosuVastatin In Japanese patienTs with Acute myocardial infarcTION on serum concentration of matrix metalloproteinases - INVITATION trial.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is mainly characterized by the rupture of lipid-rich vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been shown to play a critical role in inflammatory processes underlying plaque rupture. Some reports suggested statins inhibit the increased MMP levels after AMI.

Lipid profile associated with coronary plaque regression in patients with acute coronary syndrome: Subanalysis of PRECISE-IVUS trial.

Background And Aims: Although dual low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)-lowering therapy (DLLT) with statin-ezetimibe combination showed clinical benefit in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) confirming "the lower, the better," the underlying mechanisms of DLLT are still unknown.

Methods: PRECISE-IVUS trial evaluated the effects of DLLT on IVUS-derived coronary atherosclerosis and lipid profile, compared with atorvastatin monotherapy, quantifying the coronary plaque response in 100 ACS patients. We explored the potential predictors of plaque regression.

Synergistic effect of ezetimibe addition on coronary atheroma regression in patients with prior statin therapy: Subanalysis of PRECISE-IVUS trial.

Background: The IMPROVE-IT trial showed that the clinical benefit of statin/ezetimibe combination appeared to be pronounced in patients with prior statin therapy. We hypothesized that the antiatherosclerotic effect of atorvastatin/ezetimibe combination was pronounced in patients with statin pretreatment.

Methods: In the prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter PRECISE-IVUS trial, 246 patients undergoing intravascular ultrasound-guided percutaneous coronary intervention were randomized to atorvastatin/ezetimibe combination or atorvastatin alone.

Clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome between hospitals with and without onsite cardiac surgery backup.

Background: Based on the 2011 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) guideline, it is recommended that PCI should be performed at hospital with onsite cardiac surgery. But, data suggest that there is no significant difference in clinical outcomes following primary or elective PCI between the two groups. We examined the impact of with or without onsite cardiac surgery on clinical outcomes following PCI for acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Impact of Dual Lipid-Lowering Strategy With Ezetimibe and Atorvastatin on Coronary Plaque Regression in Patients With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: The Multicenter Randomized Controlled PRECISE-IVUS Trial.

Background: Despite standard statin therapy, a majority of patients retain a high "residual risk" of cardiovascular events.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ezetimibe plus atorvastatin versus atorvastatin monotherapy on the lipid profile and coronary atherosclerosis in Japanese patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: This trial was a prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter study.

Plaque REgression with Cholesterol absorption Inhibitor or Synthesis inhibitor Evaluated by IntraVascular UltraSound (PRECISE-IVUS Trial): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Although the positive association between achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) has been confirmed by randomized studies with statins, many patients remain at high residual risk of events suggesting the necessity of novel pharmacologic strategies. The combination of ezetimibe/statin produces greater reductions in LDL-C compared to statin monotherapy.

Purpose: The Plaque REgression with Cholesterol absorption Inhibitor or Synthesis inhibitor Evaluated by IntraVascular UltraSound (PRECISE-IVUS) trial was aimed at evaluating the effects of ezetimibe addition to atorvastatin, compared with atorvastatin monotherapy, on coronary plaque regression and change in lipid profile in patients with CAD.

Statins combined with exercise are associated with the increased renal function mediated by high-molecular-weight adiponectin in coronary artery disease patients.

Background: Statins and exercise therapy are clinically effective in preventing cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of statins combined with exercise on the renal function of CAD patients.

Methods: We performed a sub-analysis of a clinical trial that determined the 20-week-effects of two statins (rosuvastatin, n=14; atorvastatin, n=14) combined with regular exercise on renal function, as assessed by the estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) of CAD patients.

[Reduction of vascular pain due to drop-infusion of oxaliplatin (L-OHP) in peripheral vein with heated infusion route].

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the possibility of reducting vascular pain with peripheral vein administration of oxaliplatin (L-OHP)by heating infusion routes during XELOX therapy.

Methods: (1) EXPERIMENT: The temperature of the 5%glucose injection solution was measured at the leading edge of the infusion route when it was heated to 36°Cor 40°C. (2) CASES: Among five patients receving XELOX therapy for colorectal cancer, we examined the occurrence of vascular pain by heating the L-OHP solution to 40°C.

[A case of pancreatic cancer treated by gemcitabine with sequential radiotherapy].

A 65-year-old man suffering from acute pancreatitis underwent MRI scanning, which revealed a low signal on the T1 and T2 sequences, and hypovascularity in arterial phase in the head of the pancreas. This corresponded to the area showing the absence of the lower common bile duct. FDG-PET was highly suggestive of pancreatic cancer (T4N1M0, Stage IVa) with lymph node metastasis.

Primary systemic amyloidosis with bloody pericardial effusion.

A 73-year-old woman was admitted due to exertional dyspnea. It was considered that a large amount of pericardial effusion caused diastolic heart failure; pericardial paracentesis showed bloody effusion. There were no findings of malignancy or other abnormal findings in the examination.

[Case report of advanced esophageal cancer patient surviving for a long time after asynchronous chemoradiation].

We have present a case of advanced esophageal cancer(Stage IVb), that has survived for 7 years and 4 months after systemic hemotherapy followed by radiation therapy. The patient is a female, 63 years old. We diagnosed her with esophageal cancer Stage IVb with direct invasion to the main bronchus and the metastatic lesion to the right lobe of thyroid gland.

[A case with advanced carcinoma of the gallbladder responding to UFT monotherapy].

Gallbladder carcinoma is a fatal disease with highly metastatic potential, and the chemotherapeutic regimen has not been established yet. We reported here a case of gallbladder carcinoma with lung and liver meatstases responding to a single agent, UFT. A 70-year-old female with advanced carcinoma of the gallbladder and bilateral pulmonary metastases were treated with UFT 600 mg/day weekday for half a year.

[A preliminary report on the treatment of pleural carcinomatosis with SMANCS].

To clarify the effect of SMANCS on malignant pleural carcinomatosis, seven patients with malignant pleural effusion were treated with SMANCS administered via an intracavitary route. Five patients showed improvement after one or two injections of SMANCS into the thoracic cavity, although 2 patients needed further therapy with the immunopotentiating agent picibanil (OK-432). No serious adverse effects were observed.

Intracavitary administration: pharmacokinetic advantages of macromolecular anticancer agents against peritoneal and pleural carcinomatoses.

Background: Pleural and peritoneal carcinomatoses are quite difficult to control in patients with advanced cancer. We have devised a suitable formulation of anticancer agents to be injected by the intracavitary route.

Materials And Methods: The pharmacokinetics of macromolecular anticancer agent, copoly(styrene/maleic acid)-conjugated neocarzinostatin (smancs) and radiolabeled albumin were studied after intraperitoneal administration to ascitic tumor-bearing rats and mice, and were compared with the pharmacokinetics of other low-molecular-weight anticancer agents, mitomycin C (MMC) and doxorubicin (DOX).

[Two cases of advanced breast cancer effectively treated with chemoendocrine therapy and radiotherapy].

We reported 2 cases of breast cancer with lymph node metastasis treated with CAF (cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, 5-fluorouracil) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). Case 1 was stage IV [T4b, N3 M1 (lung)] and case 2 was stage IIIa (T1, N2, M0). The two cases responded well to CAF and MPA therapy in local and systemic lesions, and then underwent radiotherapy and lymph node resection without mastectomy.

Hepatic infarction during pregnancy complicated by antiphospholipid syndrome.

A 33-year-old woman, gravida 4, was seen at 9 weeks' gestation. The patient had experienced hepatic infarction during her first pregnancy and had repeated hepatic infarction during her third pregnancy. A diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome was made.