Bortezomib With High-dose Melphalan Conditioning Regimen in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients: Long-term Follow-up.

Background/aim: Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard strategy after induction therapy for newly diagnosed transplant-eligible multiple myeloma. High-dose melphalan (HDM) conditioning has been the recommended treatment regimen for a long time. No other conditioning regimen has been proven safer and more effective.

Potential Contribution of Epithelial Growth Factor Receptor to PI3K/AKT Pathway Dysregulation in Canine Soft Tissue Sarcoma.

Background/aim: Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is a mesenchymal tumor affecting multiple organs in dogs. Previous studies identified activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB, AKT) pathway in canine STS cell lines and clinical samples, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study investigated PTEN loss, PIK3CA mutation, and EGFR over-expression as potential drivers of PI3K/AKT pathway activation in STS.

Effectiveness of Chemoimmunotherapy in Small-cell Lung Cancer Patients With a Poor Performance Status or Higher Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio.

Background/aim: Chemoimmunotherapy has improved overall survival in patients with extensive small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, the backgrounds of patients enrolled in clinical trials tend to differ from those of patients treated in clinical practice, and the effectiveness of chemoimmunotherapy may be unclear in some populations, including patients with poor performance status. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of chemoimmunotherapy for SCLC patients in clinical practice while focusing on several subgroups.

Disproportionality Analysis of Hepatotoxic and Gastrointestinal Adverse Events Associated With Nintedanib Using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) Database.

Background/aim: Nintedanib may cause adverse events such as elevated liver enzyme levels, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. These adverse events should be managed appropriately as they affect the quality of life of patients. This study has aimed to analyze patient characteristics and time-to-onset of adverse events caused by nintedanib using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database.

Effect of Oral Nutritional Supplements Composed of High Protein on Body Weight Loss After Gastrectomy.

Background/aim: Body weight loss (BWL) after gastrectomy for gastric cancer (GC) decreases postoperative quality of life and survival in patients with GC. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral nutritional supplements composed of high protein on BWL in the early period following gastrectomy.

Patients And Methods: Pre- and postoperative body weight and skeletal muscle mass were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients undergoing radical gastrectomy for GC and analyzed retrospectively.

Evaluation of Times-to-onset and Outcomes of Lung Adverse Events Associated With Sorafenib Using JADER.

Background/aim: Despite the seriousness of lung adverse events (AEs) associated with sorafenib, comprehensive data are limited. This study was conducted to examine the disproportionality, times to onset, incidence rates, and outcomes of sorafenib-associated lung AEs, using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database.

Patients And Methods: Data for the period between April 2004 and May 2023 were analyzed.

Metabolic Syndrome and Somatic Composition: A Large Cross-sectional Analysis.

Background/aim: To elucidate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (Mets) and somatic composition [fat mass, fat-free (FF) mass, and fat to fat-free (F-FF) ratio] among health checkup recipients (7,776 males and 10,121 females).

Patients And Methods: We classified study subjects into four types considering Japanese criteria for Mets; Type A is for males with waist circumference (WC) <85 cm and females with WC <90 cm, Type B is for males with WC ≥85 cm and females with WC ≥90 cm, but without any metabolic abnormalities, Type C is for males with WC ≥85 cm and females with WC ≥90 cm and one metabolic disorder (pre-Mets), and Type D is Mets. We compared baseline characteristics among types of A, B, C, and D.

Detection of Costal Cartilage Fractures on CT Images With Computer-aided Detection System for Rib Fractures.

Background/aim: Costal cartilage fractures are associated with poor prognosis in patients with blunt chest trauma. A Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) system for detecting rib fractures has been used in practice, but it is unclear whether this system recognizes costal cartilage fractures. This study investigated whether the CAD system for rib fracture can detect costal cartilage fractures.

Effect of Oral Lactate Administration on Skeletal Muscle Mass in Mice Under Different Loading Conditions.

Background/aim: Lactate is a physiologically active substance secreted by skeletal muscle that has been suggested to stimulate muscle mass gain. However, the molecular mechanism for lactate-associated muscle hypertrophy remains unclear. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether oral administration of lactate increases muscle mass under different loading conditions.

Pharmacist Intervention in Outpatients With Prostate Cancer Prevents Apalutamide-induced Skin Adverse Events.

Background/aim: Apalutamide induces severe skin adverse events (sAEs) in 14.7% of Japanese patients, leading to treatment discontinuation. To maximize the management of sAEs in patients taking apalutamide for prostate cancer, we conducted pharmacist outpatient clinics for patients receiving apalutamide in the outpatient setting.

Impact of Relative Dose Intensity of Enfortumab Vedotin for Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma.

Background/aim: The impact of enfortumab vedotin (EV) dose reduction and/or interruption on its efficacy for advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC) is unclear.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients with advanced UC who received EV after the failure of platinum-based chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors from December 2021 to June 2024. Patients were categorized into three groups based on the calculated relative dose intensity (RDI): RDI<50%, RDI ≥50 to <80%, and RDI ≥80%.

Anamorelin and Conduction Defects: A Literature Review and Analysis of the Japanese Pharmacovigilance Database.

Background/aim: Cancer cachexia is characterized by weight loss with a specific decrease in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. In Japan, anamorelin, which has a novel mechanism of action, was approved in 2021 for the treatment of cancer cachexia. However, little information is available on its safety in routine clinical care, in particular the occurrence of conduction defects as adverse reactions.

The Combination of Tumor-targeting A1-R Plus the Autophagy-inhibitor Chloroquine Synergistically Eradicates HT1080 Fibrosarcoma Cells and .

Background/aim: Salmonella typhimurium A1-R (A1-R) targets and inhibits a wide range of cancer types without continuously infecting healthy tissue. Chloroquine, an antimalarial drug, induces apoptosis and inhibits autophagy in cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to determine the synergy of A1-R plus chloroquine on HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cells in vitro and in a nude-mouse model.

Suppression of Bone Formation and Resorption by the Deletion of Complex Gangliosides.

Background/aim: Gangliosides regulate bone formation and resorption. Bone formation is reduced in mice lacking ganglioside GM2/GD2 synthase due to a decrease in osteoblasts. However, the effects of the loss of complex gangliosides by the deletion of both GM2/GD2 and GD3 synthases are unknown.

Proactive Symptom Monitoring by Pharmacists Using a Cancer Patient Support App in Out-patient Oral Multi-kinase Inhibitor Therapy: Feasibility Study of a Small Patient Population.

Background/aim: Measures to control adverse events (AEs) in the use of oral multi-kinase inhibitors (OMI) are important for the continuation of treatment.

Patients And Methods: In this study, oncology pharmacists monitored symptoms of patients receiving outpatient therapy with OMIs in real-time using a smartphone Web app for the early detection/early treatment of AEs. This feasibility study evaluated the effects of using the app in 10 patients compared with data from 10 patients who did not use the app.

Salvage-line of Capecitabine Plus Oxaliplatin Therapy (XELOX) for Patients With Inoperable/Advanced Gastric Cancer Resistant/Intolerant to Cisplatin (OGSG1403).

Background/aim: No prospective study has evaluated salvage chemotherapy with capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (XELOX) in patients with gastric cancer who are resistant to or intolerant of cisplatin.

Patients And Methods: This multicenter, open-label, single-arm, phase II study was conducted at six centers in Japan, enrolling patients with metastatic or advanced gastric cancer resistant to or intolerant of fluoropyrimidine, cisplatin, taxane, and irinotecan. Capecitabine 1,000 mg/m was administered orally twice daily for 14 days, followed by a 7-day rest period.

Comparing Immuno-oncology Combination Therapy With Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Monotherapy for Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Background/aim: Immuno-oncology (IO) improves the prognosis of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Since research has so far been limited to clinical trials, we herein focused on the effects of IO-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) combination therapy in real-world clinical settings.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on 125 patients with advanced RCC who received IO-TKI combination therapy or TKI monotherapy.

Development of a Prognostic Model for Stage IV Colorectal Cancer Using Metastatic Patterns.

Background/aim: Metastatic patterns are the most convenient and common prediction models for the prognosis of patients with stage IV colorectal cancer. However, current prediction models do not include the severity of metastases in organs and exclude certain types of metastatic patterns. The aim of this study was to develop a prediction model that included several metastatic organs as well as the severity of liver and lung metastases, based on the Japanese Classification of Colorectal, Appendiceal, and Anal Carcinoma: the 3 English Edition.

Tight Anastomosis of the Pancreatojejunostomy During Pancreatoduodenectomy May Cause Late Acute Pancreatitis.

Background/aim: To investigate risk factors of late acute remnant pancreatitis after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD), we propose the use of a suturing pitch calculated based on the diameter of the main pancreatic duct and the number of sutures used in the pancreatic duct-to-mucosa anastomosis. This study aimed to determine whether the suturing pitch can predict late acute pancreatitis following PD.

Patients And Methods: This study included 142 patients who underwent elective PD.

Circulating Pre-microRNA-488 in Blood Is a Potential Prognostic Biomarker in Gastric Cancer.

Background/aim: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been highlighted as non-invasive clinical biomarkers in liquid biopsy. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of circulating tumor suppressors, precursor-miR-488 (pre-miR-488) and miR-488-5p, in the blood of patients with gastric cancer (GC).

Materials And Methods: The expression levels of pre-miR-488 and miR-488-5p in tumor tissues and blood were measured using RT-qPCR, and the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of their expression was assessed in patients with GC.

Hederagenin Glycoside Isolated from the Pericarps of Fruits Induces Apoptotic Cell Death in Breast Cancer Cells.

Background/aim: Hederagenin (3β,4α-3,23-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid) is a natural pentacyclic triterpene that is present in various medicinal plants and exhibits pharmacological activities against various diseases, including cancer. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of Aq3639 (3β-[(O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]olean-12-en-28-oic acid), a hederagenin glycoside comprising hederagenin and a disaccharide of L-rhamnose and L-arabinose, on breast cancer cells.

Materials And Methods: Aq3639 was isolated from the pericarps of Akebia quinata fruits, and its effects on cells from the human breast cell line MCF-7 were examined.

Preoperative High FIB-4 Index and NFS Scores Predict a Reduced Incidence of Metachronous Liver Metastasis Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Background/aim: Liver metastasis (LM), pre-dominant in pancreatic cancer, is associated with a dismal 5-year survival rate. Reports on the presence of fatty liver and liver fibrosis in LM are conflicting. Although liver biopsy is the standard diagnostic method for fibrosis, alternative, less invasive scoring models have been explored.

Changes in Mesorectal CT Values and Therapeutic Effect of Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy in Rectal Cancer.

Background/aim: The efficacy of preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in lower rectal cancer is determined by its effects on the primary tumor. However, the effects on the mesorectum have not been investigated. Furthermore, edema in the dissection planes is frequently observed after postoperative CRT.

Lipoprotein(a) as a Predictor of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver After Pancreatectomy.

Background/aim: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is a complex protein involved in the transport of insoluble lipids in plasma. Its expression is predominantly genetically determined, with 70% to over 90% influenced by the number of Kringle IV type 2 domains. This study investigated the association between preoperative serum Lp(a) level and development of post-pancreatectomy nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients who underwent pancreatectomy.

SLC7A11/xCT-mediated Cystine Uptake Regulates Intracellular Glutathione and Promotes Antioxidant Defense in Lymphatic Endothelial Cells.

Background/aim: In a tongue-submandibular lymph node (SLN) metastasis model, the cystine/glutamate transporter solute carrier family 7, member 11 (Slc7a11), also known as xCT, was found to increase in lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) within SLNs prior to melanoma cell metastasis. However, the precise mechanism by which xCT influences LECs remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the role of xCT in primary cultured LECs.