REAL-WORLD EFFECTIVENESS AND SAFETY OF RANIBIZUMAB TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY: Twelve-Month Results From the LUMINOUS Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the real-world effectiveness and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab 0.5 mg in treatment-naive patients with and without polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

Methods: Assessment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients with or without PCV after 12 months of ranibizumab treatment during the LUMINOUS study.

Phase II study of nedaplatin and amrubicin as first-line treatment for advanced squamous cell lung cancer.

Background: The first-line treatment for squamous cell lung cancer (SCC) has not necessarily been established; however, our previous exploratory study suggested that the combination of nedaplatin and amrubicin would be a promising treatment approach for patients with SCC. Therefore, a phase II study of this chemotherapeutic combination was designed to evaluate its efficacy and safety for treatment-naïve patients with advanced SCC.

Methods: A total of 21 treatment-naïve patients with stage IIIB/IV or postoperative recurrent SCC were enrolled from six institutions.

The efficacy and safety of sitafloxacin and garenoxacin for the treatment of pneumonia in elderly patients: A randomized, multicenter, open-label trial.

Oral treatment for elderly outpatients with pneumonia is becoming increasingly important in this super-aged society from the perspective of cost-effectiveness and limited hospital capacities. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of two oral respiratory quinolones, sitafloxacin and garenoxacin, in elderly patients with pneumonia. This randomized, multicenter, open-label trial was conducted among patients aged ≥65 years with clinically and radiographically confirmed pneumonia in Japan.

Randomized phase II study of pemetrexed or pemetrexed plus bevacizumab for elderly patients with previously untreated non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer: Results of the Lung Oncology Group in Kyushu (LOGIK1201).

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety, we conducted a randomized phase II study of pemetrexed (Pem) versus Pem + bevacizumab (Bev) for elderly patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSqNSCLC).

Patients And Methods: The eligibility criteria were as follows: NSqNSCLC, no prior therapy, stage IIIB/IV disease or postoperative recurrence, age: ≥75 years, performance status (PS): 0-1, and adequate bone marrow function. The patients were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to receive Pem or Pem + Bev.

Real-world efficacy of elbasvir and grazoprevir for hepatitis C virus (genotype 1): A nationwide, multicenter study by the Japanese Red Cross Hospital Liver Study Group.

Aim: The present study aimed to determine the real-world efficacy and safety of the non-structural protein (NS)5A inhibitor elbasvir (EBR) combined with the NS3/4A protease inhibitor grazoprevir (GZR) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 (GT1) infection.

Methods: This study retrospectively evaluated the rate of sustained virologic response at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12) and the safety of EBR/GZR treatment in 159 men and 194 women with a median age of 72 years, and it assessed factors associated with the SVR12 rate. The attending physicians were responsible for selecting candidate patients for EBR/GZR in this retrospective study.

Successful outcome of second allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm with locus rearrangement.

A 62-year-old male was diagnosed with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) with a rearrangement. Four months after the first unrelated bone marrow transplantation (BMT), he developed the relapsed BPDCN. After the achievement of partial remission following re-induction therapy, he underwent a second BMT from another unrelated donor, and experienced complete remission with grade II acute graft-versus-host disease and moderate chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Central nervous system post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: The Nagasaki transplant group experience.

A 17-year-old male received allogeneic transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and presented with generalized seizures due to a solitary brain lesion with massive necrosis on day +621. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA copies were below the cut-off value in plasma. Stereotactic biopsy of the cerebral lesion confirmed the diagnosis of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) with large atypical cells positive for CD20 and EBER.

Efficacy and safety of cefditoren pivoxil for exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A prospective multicenter interventional study.

Oral antibiotic therapy for patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) usually involves an aminopenicillin with clavulanic acid, a macrolide, or a quinolone. To date, however, the clinical efficacy and safety of the oral cephalosporin cefditoren pivoxil has not been evaluated in Japanese patients with acute exacerbations of COPD. We conducted a prospective, multicenter, single arm, interventional study from January 2013 to March 2017 to determine the efficacy and safety of oral administration of 200 mg cefditoren pivoxil three times daily for 7 days in a cohort of 29 eligible patients from 15 hospitals.

Viral load and inflammatory cytokine dynamics associated with the prognosis of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus infection: An autopsy case.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne disease caused by a novel bunyavirus. The mechanism underlying disease progression remains unknown, and effective treatment strategy for SFTS is yet to be completely established, making its increasing incidence and subsequent mortality a great concern. Here, we present the autopsy case of a patient with rapidly progressed, fatal SFTS infection.

Clinical and computed tomography characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer with ALK gene rearrangement: Comparison with EGFR mutation and ALK/EGFR-negative lung cancer.

Background: The study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and computed tomography (CT) findings of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients to distinguish between ALK gene rearrangement, EGFR mutation, and non-ALK/EGFR (no genetic abnormalities).

Methods: We enrolled 201 patients with primary NSCLC who had undergone molecular testing for both ALK gene rearrangement and EGFR mutation. The clinical features and CT findings of the main lesion and associated pulmonary abnormalities were investigated.

[Gingival squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed on the occasion of osteonecrosis of the jaw in a patient with chronic GVHD].

A 44-year-old male was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia with a complex karyotype. He underwent bone marrow transplantation using an HLA 6/6 antigen-matched sibling donor, but developed chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) with skin erythema and oral and esophageal lichen planus changes. Treatment with a combination of prednisolone and cyclosporine was initiated on day 646 after transplantation, but oral symptoms persisted.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy using cisplatin and S-1, followed by surgery for stage II/IIIA non-small cell lung cancer.

Objectives: Because chemoradiotherapy using cisplatin and S-1, an oral fluoropyrimidine, is effective for unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), an induction setting was used in a multicenter phase II study (Clinical trial number: UMIN000008205). The correlations of relapse and clinicopathological factors were analyzed.

Methods: We defined locally advanced NSCLC as pathologically proven chest wall invasion or hilar and/or mediastinal lymph node metastases by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration.

AXL confers intrinsic resistance to osimertinib and advances the emergence of tolerant cells.

A novel EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), osimertinib, has marked efficacy in patients with EGFR-mutated lung cancer. However, some patients show intrinsic resistance and an insufficient response to osimertinib. This study showed that osimertinib stimulated AXL by inhibiting a negative feedback loop.

Effect of occupation-based interventions in patients with haematopoietic malignancies undergoing chemotherapy: A pilot randomised controlled trial.

Background/objective: Chemotherapy for cancer negatively affects activities of daily living and quality of life. This study aimed to validate and compare the efficacy of two different interventions in patients with haematopoietic malignancies undergoing chemotherapy: (1) occupation-based interventions, designed using the Aid for Decision-making in Occupation Choice (ADOC) (an iPAD application) and (2) impairment-based interventions. ADOC helps promote decision-making during activities and participation in occupation-based goal setting.

Efficacy of infliximab as a switched biologic in rheumatoid arthritis patients in daily clinical practice.

To assess the efficacy and safety of switching to infliximab (IFX) from other biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) among Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in daily practice. We examined 24 consecutive RA patients who had not achieved low disease activity (LDA) as the disease activity score-28 for rheumatoid arthritis with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) despite previous bDMARD therapy in this cohort study. We attempted to determine predictive variables that are associated with achieving DAS28-ESR LDA at 22 weeks post-IFX introduction, by performing univariate analysis.

Phase II trial of a non-platinum triplet for patients with advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) overexpressing ERCC1 messenger RNA.

Background: We prospectively evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of a non-platinum triplet regimen for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) expected to be platinum-resistant.

Methods: Patients were diagnosed with NSCLC using endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath as a core biopsy. RNA was immediately isolated from unfixed biopsy specimens, and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR assays were performed to determine ERCC1 messenger RNA expression.

Complete remission of pure white cell aplasia associated with thymoma after thymectomy and cyclosporine administration.

We present the case of a 63-year-old male with pure white cell aplasia (PWCA), a rare complication of thymoma, who was successfully treated with cyclosporine A (CyA) and thymectomy. The patient presented with high fever and agranulocytosis. Complete blood count revealed a white blood cell count of 0.

Clinical Features of Anti-MDA5 Antibody-positive Rapidly Progressive Interstitial Lung Disease without Signs of Dermatomyositis.

Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (anti-MDA5) antibody is associated with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) in patients with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) or dermatomyositis (DM). We herein report three Japanese cases of anti-MDA5 antibody-positive RP-ILD without signs of CADM or DM. High-resolution computed tomography revealed patchy or subpleural distribution of consolidations and/or ground-glass opacities accompanied by traction bronchiectasis.

Effects of Aerobic and Resistance Exercises on Physical Symptoms in Cancer Patients: A Meta-analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to establish the effect of exercise interventions on physical symptoms, including fatigue, nausea/vomiting, pain, dyspnea, insomnia, loss of appetite, constipation, and diarrhea in cancer patients and survivors.

Methods: We searched articles published before April 2017 using the following databases: Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, PEDro, Health & Medical Collection, and Psychology Database. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of exercise intervention in cancer patients, which evaluated cancer-related physical symptoms using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30, were included.

Primary Oral Mucormycosis Due to Rhizopus microsporus after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation.

We herein report a rare case of oral mucormycosis following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Oral mucormycosis due to Rhizopus microsporus manifested as localized left buccal mucositis with a 1-cm black focus before neutrophil recovery. Combination therapy with liposomal amphotericin B was initiated and surgical debridement was performed; however, the patient died due to progressive generalized mucormycosis.

Real-world efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir + ribavirin for hepatitis C genotype 2: A nationwide multicenter study by the Japanese Red Cross Liver Study Group.

Aim: This study aimed to describe the real-world efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir (SOF) + ribavirin (RBV) for chronic hepatitis C, genotype 2.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of a nationwide, multicenter registry including 914 hepatitis C genotype 2 Japanese patients treated with SOF + RBV for 12 weeks. The rate of sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after treatment (SVR12), incidence of adverse events, and changes in serological parameters were analyzed.

Rectal Paraganglioma.

A 57-year-old woman was admitted with lower abdominal pain and bloody bowel discharge. She was diagnosed with rectal tumor by colonoscopy, and a biopsy was performed. Surgery was performed, resulting in a diagnosis of rectal paraganglioma.

Anti-MDA5 Antibody-positive Dermatomyositis Complicated by Autoimmune-associated Hemophagocytic Syndrome That Was Successfully Treated with Immunosuppressive Therapy and Plasmapheresis.

A 56-year-old Japanese woman with muscle weakness, increased creatine kinase and aldolase levels, and characteristic cutaneous lesions was diagnosed with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody (anti-MDA5 antibody)-positive dermatomyositis. She also had interstitial lung disease (ILD). After corticosteroid and tacrolimus combination therapy was started, bicytopenia and elevated serum ferritin and transaminase emerged.

Present clinical practices of stereotactic irradiation for metastatic brain tumors in Japan: results of questionnaire survey of the Japanese Radiation Oncology Study Group (JROSG) working subgroup for neurological tumors.

Background: To determine the current practice of stereotactic irradiation (STI) for brain metastases in Japan by a questionnaire survey.

Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to 313 institutions performing STI with one of the following machines: Gamma Knife (GK), CyberKnife (CK), Novalis (Nov), or other linear accelerator (LINAC)-based systems (OLS). The participation was voluntary.

Evaluation of FilmArray respiratory panel multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of pathogens in adult outpatients with acute respiratory tract infection.

Although viruses are the major pathogen that causes upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and acute bronchitis, antibiotics have been prescribed. This was a prospective observational study in influenza epidemics that enrolled adult outpatients who visited a hospital with respiratory tract infection symptoms. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of FilmArray respiratory panel (RP).