The prognostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT taken immediately after completion of radiotherapy for lung cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy: A pilot study.

PURPOSE: The prognostic value of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) taken immediately after completion of radiotherapy in lung cancer patients is not well known. The purpose of this study is to assess the prognostic value of PET/CT taken immediately after completion of radiotherapy in lung cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with primary lung cancer planned to undergo concurrent chemoradiotherapy were enrolled. Patients underwent PET/CT scans at 3 time points: before radiotherapy, within 24hours of completing radiotherapy (im-PET/CT), and 2-9 months after radiotherapy (post-PET/CT). Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was obtained. A post-PET/CT-SUVmax cut-off of 2.5 was determined as radiotherapy success. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were enrolled. im-PET/CT-SUVmax for patients in the high post-PET/CT-SUVmax group was significantly higher than that of the low group (P=0.004). Receiver operator curve analysis indicated that im-PET/CT-SUVmax of 4.35 was an optimal cut-off value to discriminate between the two groups. Multivariable analysis showed that a high im-PET/CT-SUVmax was significantly associated with a high post-PET/CT-SUVmax (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: PET/CT-SUVmax taken immediately following radiotherapy was associated with that evaluated 2-9 months after radiotherapy.

Nivolumab with carboplatin, paclitaxel, and bevacizumab for first-line treatment of advanced nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: This international, randomized, double-blind phase III study (ONO-4538-52/TASUKI-52) evaluated nivolumab with bevacizumab and cytotoxic chemotherapy as first-line treatment for nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2017 and July 2019, this study enrolled treatment-naïve patients with stage IIIB/IV or recurrent nonsquamous NSCLC without sensitizing EGFR, ALK, or ROS1 alterations. They were randomly assigned in a 1 : 1 ratio to receive nivolumab or placebo in combination with carboplatin, paclitaxel, and bevacizumab every 3 weeks for up to six cycles, followed by nivolumab/placebo with bevacizumab until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) assessed by an independent radiology review committee (IRRC). RESULTS: Overall, 550 patients from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan were randomized; of these patients, 273 and 275 received the nivolumab and placebo combinations, respectively. In the present preplanned interim analysis with a median follow up of 13.7 months, the IRRC-assessed median PFS was significantly longer in the nivolumab arm than in the placebo arm (12.1 versus 8.1 months; hazard ratio 0.56; 96.4% confidence interval 0.43-0.71; P < 0.0001). The PFS benefit was observed across all patients with any programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression levels including PD-L1-negative patients. The IRRC-assessed objective response rates were 61.5% and 50.5% in the nivolumab and placebo arms, respectively. The incidence of treatment-related adverse events of grade 3 or 4 was comparable between the two arms; treatment-related adverse events leading to death were observed in five and four patients in the nivolumab and placebo arms, respectively. CONCLUSION: The TASUKI-52 regimen should be considered a viable new treatment strategy for treatment-naïve patients with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC.

Factors predicting successful discontinuation of continuous renal replacement therapy.

This multicentre, retrospective observational study was conducted from January 2010 to December 2010 to determine the optimal time for discontinuing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) by evaluating factors predictive of successful discontinuation in patients with acute kidney injury. Analysis was performed for patients after CRRT was discontinued because of renal function recovery. Patients were divided into two groups according to the success or failure of CRRT discontinuation. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, urine output at discontinuation, creatinine level and CRRT duration were found to be significant variables (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for urine output, 0.814). In conclusion, we found that higher urine output, lower creatinine and shorter CRRT duration were significant factors to predict successful discontinuation of CRRT.

A retrospective analysis of 335 Japanese lung cancer patients who responded to initial gefitinib treatment.

BACKGROUND: Gefitinib treatment results in considerably better progression-free survival compared with that of platinum doublets in the first line treatment of nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) carrying an activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation. Some patients who respond to gefitinib have an overall survival (OS) of more than 5 years, whereas other initial responders do less well. Although there has been considerable effort made to elucidate the mechanisms of acquired resistance, there have only been a few studies that addressed the effect of clinical backgrounds and treatment histories on the survival of the patients who had responded to an EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). In this study, we especially focused on the clinical benefit of EGFR-TKI administration after progression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients with advanced NSCLC who were diagnosed before October 2010, treated with gefitinib after July 2002, and responded to it. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate how clinical backgrounds and treatment histories influence survival of the patients who respond to gefitinib. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the safety of long-term gefitinib use and to establish the optimal treatment sequence using a dynamic treatment regimen analysis (DTRA). RESULTS: A total of 335 patients were recruited. Twenty-eight (8.4%) patients survived more than 5 years. Sixty-five and 93 patients received gefitinib as rechallenge and beyond progressive disease (BPD), respectively. A statistically significant difference in OS was observed between the patients who underwent gefitinib rechallenge and those who did not rechallenge (median: 1272 days vs. 774 days; p < 0.001), a result supported by a DTRA. Patients treated with gefitinib BPD also showed a tendency of longer survival. CONCLUSIONS: Gefitinib rechallenge and BPD played a central role in long term survival of the patients who initially responded to gefitinib.

Development of collagen fibres and lysyl oxidase expression in the presumptive dermis of chick limb bud.

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) plays a critical role in the formation of cross-linkages in extracellular matrix molecules. Thus, it is essential for the biogenesis and homeostasis of the connective tissue matrix. During development, collagen fibres and elastic system fibres emerge and accumulate in a temporospatial manner in the presumptive dermis of chicks. In this study, we investigated LOX mRNA expression by laser capture microdissection and RT-qPCR and LOX protein localization by immunohistochemistry. The picrosirius polarization method was used to investigate a relation between collagen accumulation and LOX expression. PCR analysis showed that the expression of LOX mRNA in the presumptive dermis became apparent at embryonic day 13 and increased considerably by ED17. Immunohistochemical staining for LOX in the dermis was very low at all stages of development. Accumulation of collagen fibres was seen in the dermis on ED10, and higher wavelengths of birefringence became evident by ED13. Our findings suggest that the temporal pattern of LOX mRNA expression correlates with collagen fibre accumulation in the dermis of the developing chick limb bud, whereas LOX expression was relatively constant at the protein level.

Clinicopathological study of expression of lymphatic vessels in renal allograft biopsy after treatment for acute rejection.

BACKGROUND: Lymph vessel expression is related to inflammatory cell infiltration, around renal tubules in acute rejection episodes (ARE) of transplanted kidneys. However, there is little information on the lymph vessels after treatment of an ARE, particularly in relation to renal function and histological findings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We investigated 13 cases of ARE diagnosed by kidney transplant biopsy performed from 1997 to 2005 within 3 years of transplantation. Treatment of the ARE lead to an improved serum creatinine level in all cases. There was neither an ABO-incompatible nor an acute humoral rejection case. Lymphatic vessels in re-biopsies were examined using immunohistochemical staining with D2-40 antibody that detected lymphatic endothelium. Re-biopsy cases in which the baseline creatinine had increased by more than 20% despite treatment were considered the severe group; the others, as the stable group. The relation between lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and renal function was examined using Banff scores. RESULTS: LVD was significantly higher in the severe than the stable group. The expression of lymph vessels versus the Banff score showed a direct relation: greater Banff scores showed higher expressions of lymph vessels. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of lymph vessels in renal allograft specimens after treatment of an ARE was related to deterioration of renal function and inflammatory cell invasion. We plan a further examination of the relationship between the expression of lymph vessels and long-term prognosis.

Malignancy following kidney transplantation.

A cohort of 429 patients who received kidney grafts between 1973 and 2007 at our hospital was studied for the incidence and sites of malignancy. Sixty-two malignant diseases developed in 57 of 429 patients (13.3%). The cumulative incidences of malignancy increased markedly in the second and third posttransplantation decades. The overall rates were 1.8% at 5 years, 6.7% at 10 years, 12.5% at 15 years, 17.3% at 20 years, and 25.6% at 25 years. In the second and third posttransplantation decades, patients without malignancy showed significantly superior survival versus than those with cancer (P = .0002). Their survival rates were 83.4% versus 86.9% at 10 years and 63.1% versus 80.3% at 20 years, respectively. Skin cancer, renal cell carcinoma of the native kidney, hepatocellular carcinoma, posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease, uterine cancer, and colorectal cancer were common in our series. The 5-year survival rates after the treatment of malignancy were better for skin cancer and renal cell carcinoma of the native kidney. Concerning the effects of immunosuppression, the tacrolimus-based group displayed a higher incidence among 3 groups (P = .0044).

Hepatocyte growth factor and interleukin-6 in combination with prostate volume are possible prostate cancer tumor markers in patients with gray-zone PSA levels.

The aim was to assess whether hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and interleukin (IL)-6 in combination with prostate volume are able to accurately detect prostate cancer in patients with gray-zone prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. A total of 159 patients with PSA levels of <10 ng ml(-1) were enrolled. Forty-two (35.3%) were diagnosed with prostate cancer, whereas 117 (64.7%) had no cancer and were used as benign group. HGF and IL-6 density (HGFD and IL-6D, respectively) values were calculated by dividing serum HGF and IL-6 levels with prostate volume. Median IL-6 (2.3 pg ml(-1)) levels for the prostate cancer group were significantly higher than those for the benign group before adjustment for age (1.7 pg ml(-1)) (P=0.0098). After age adjustments, median IL-6 (2.17 pg ml(-1)), HGFD (0.00972 ng ml(-1) cm(-3)), and IL-6D (0.0848 pg ml(-1) cm(-3)) values for the prostate cancer group were significantly higher than those for the benign group (IL-6, 1.78 pg ml(-1); HGFD, 0.00732 ng/ml/cc; and IL-6D, 0.049 pg/ml/cc; P=0.0416, 0.007 and 0.0005, respectively). In receiver operating characteristic analyses, the areas under the curves for HGFD (0.64) and IL-6D (0.68) were significantly greater than those for HGF (0.52) and IL-6 (0.61) (P=0.0006 and 0.019, respectively). With an HGFD cutoff value of 0.00392 ng ml(-1) cm(-3) (sensitivity=100%, specificity=11%), 11.1% of the benign group were able to avoid unnecessary biopsies without missing prostate cancer. HGF and IL-6 levels in combination with prostate volume were shown to be useful parameters for prostate cancer screening in patients with gray-zone PSA levels.

A clinicopathologic study of p27(kip1) expression in renal allograft biopsy.

BACKGROUND: P27 (Kip1) is an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases/cyclin complex that keeps mature cells growth-arrested. In IgA nephropathy, a decreased p27kip1 expression in podocytes has been reported to be related to lesion formation of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and renal dysfunction. We reviewed the p27kip1 expression in transplanted kidneys. METHODS: p27kip1 expression was examined immunohistochemically in 26 allograft biopsy specimens. RESULTS: p27kip1 expression was recognized in podocytes. Patients with more than 0.5 g proteinuria showed fewer p27kip1-positive cells than those with less than 0.5 g proteinuria. The decreased p27kip1 expression in podocytes was related to cg and ah of the Banff 97 classification. In the two cases in which p27kip1 expression was remarkably decreased, elevation of the serum creatinine level was recognized at the time of biopsy, resulting in kidney transplant loss. The histological findings were chronic/sclerosing allograft nephropathy grade II-(b) in both cases. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, decreased p27kip1 expression in podocytes suggested a significant role in proteinuria among renal transplant recipients.

Development of an immunochromatographic test kit for rapid detection of bovine viral diarrhea virus antigen.

An immunochromatographic test was developed for rapid diagnosis of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infections using monoclonal antibodies against the nonstructural protein, NS3, of the virus. The kit detected specifically the NS3 of various BVDV strains. Using the kit, leukocyte extracts of cattle infected persistently with BVDV were found positive while those of healthy cattle were negative. The sensitivity and specificity of this kit in compared with virus isolation were 100% and 97.2%, respectively. Furthermore, the test also gave positive results for calves infected acutely with BVDV in experimental infection. The BVDV antigen was detected in 1 ml of blood using a relatively simple procedure. This test kit should be useful for rapid diagnosis of BVD.

Increased expression of renin in chronic allograft nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) is the main cause of renal transplant failure in the first decade posttransplant. The precise pathogenetic mechanism for CAN is not completely understood. A possible role of renin-angiotensin system for CAN has been suggested through clinical observations that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and angiotensin II receptor blockers prevent CAN. METHODS: Distribution of renin-positive cells in allograft biopsy specimens was examined immunohistochemically in 23 renal transplant recipients diagnosed with CAN Biopsy specimens obtained from seven recipients with stable renal function were examined as controls. Histologic evaluation was performed based on the Banff 97 classification. RESULTS: Renin-positive cells were found in the juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) adjoining the afferent arterioles in both groups. When the number of renin-positive cells in JGA was defined as a renin index, it was significantly higher in the CAN than the control group (P = .007). There was no significant difference in age, interval between transplantation and biopsy, and blood pressure between groups. Only a significantly higher serum creatinine was found in the CAN group. CONCLUSIONS: The increased renin-positive cells in JGA suggest a significant role of the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system activation in the development of CAN.

Effects of single and long-term administration of wheat albumin on blood glucose control: randomized controlled clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of single and long-term administration of wheat albumin (WA) on blood glucose levels and blood glucose control, respectively. DESIGN: Randomly arranged crossover trial for single administration in healthy subjects and double-blinded randomized controlled trial for long-term administration (3 months) in diabetic patients. In vitro alpha-amylase inhibitory activity of WA was also determined. SETTING: Central Research Laboratories of Nisshin Flour Milling Co. Ltd. (Saitama, Japan) for single administration and Aiwa Clinic (Saitama, Japan) for long-term administration. SUBJECTS: A total of 12 healthy adult male volunteers for the single administration and 24 type II outpatient diabetics with mild hyperglycemia for the long-term administration. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects took soups containing 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 g WA before test meals for single administration, and patients took soups with or without 0.5 g WA before every meal for the long-term (3 months) administration. RESULTS: In vitro alpha-amylase inhibitory activity of WA was 150 times that of wheat flour. In the single administration experiment, WA suppressed peak postprandial blood glucose levels in a dose-dependent manner: 31, 47, and 50% reduction after 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 g administrations, respectively. In the long-term administration, 0.5 g of WA did not affect fasting blood glucose levels, whereas it reduced hemoglobin A1c levels. No significant adverse effects such as hypoglycemia or gastrointestinal disturbances were observed in the two experiments. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of type II diabetic patients, WA might be a useful functional food, which, with diet and exercise, could help to improve blood glucose control without any critical adverse effects.

Risk factors for graft loss in patients with recurrent IGA nephropathy after renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The recurrence rate of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in transplanted kidneys has been reported to be >50%. Although recurrent IgAN has a benign clinical course, recent data suggest that it leads to graft loss in a substantial number of patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective single-center analysis of 34 renal transplant recipients, with biopsy-proven IgAN as the cause of end-stage renal failure. RESULTS: Renal allograft biopsies were performed in 30 patients, of whom 24 did and 6 did not have biopsy-confirmed recurrent transplant IgAN. Recurrent transplant IgAN was more often detected in men and at later timepoints after post-transplantation. Four patients with recurrent transplant IgAN progressed to graft failure. Progression to graft failure was associated with worsened renal function, higher systolic blood pressure, and the lack of presenation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEs) at the time of allograft biopsy. Immunologic factors such as frequency of acute rejection, HLA typing, and immunosuppression did not show a relation to recurrence or graft loss. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent transplant IgAN increased with long-term graft survival and risk factors for graft loss due to recurrent IgAN were similar to those among IgAN in native kidneys.

Comparison of histopathological characteristics of allograft biopsy between responder and non-responder to antiproteinuric effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI).

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) has become recognized as agents that have renoprotective effects in the treatment of progressive renal diseases including post-transplant kidneys. Previously we demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of ACEI treatment on the hypertensive proteinuric post-transplant patients (N = 10) who had been followed up for 12 months. However, not all patients show good response in urinary protein reduction. We aimed to analyse the histopathological factor(s) affecting the responsiveness of proteinuria to ACEI treatment. Fourteen post-transplant patients with proteinuria who were treated with ACEI and underwent allograft biopsy were analysed. Eight patients showed 50% or more reduction in proteinuria (responder). The other 6 patients showed less (< 50%) reduction in proteinuria (non-responder). There was no difference in clinical characteristics (BP, renal function, donor age, recipient body mass index), dietary sodium or protein intake, and diuretic use between the two groups. As a histopathological characteristic, glomerular size in responder group was significantly larger than that in non-responder group. This suggests that the large glomerular size at least partly contributes to the responsiveness in urinary protein reduction to ACEI treatment in kidney allograft recipients with proteinuria.

Investigation of the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine in patients following long-term administration after a kidney transplant: comparison of Neoral and Sandimmune.

A crossover administration of Neoral and Sandimmune was performed in 43 renal allograft recipients who had been on cyclosporine maintenance therapy for 2 to 19 years posttransplant to investigate the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine. Although there was no difference in C0 values (trough values) when Neoral and Sandimmune were administered at the same doses, AUC(0-4) and AUC(0-12) values of Neoral were 1.57- and 1.36-fold greater than those of Sandimmune, respectively. For both Neoral and Sandimmune, there was a high correlation between the C2 value and AUC(0-4). The Pearson's product-moment coefficient for the correlation between the C2 value and AUC(0-4) was R=0.91642. On the other hand, the correlation with the C0 value (trough value) was low (R=0.53181). During the period of the study, there was no acute rejection episode, onset of adverse drug reaction symptoms, or marked change in laboratory test values.

Ventromedial hypothalamus lesions induce jejunal epithelial cell hyperplasia through an increase in gene expression of cyclooxygenase.

BACKGROUND: We demonstrated that ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) lesions facilitate DNA synthesis, which reflects cell proliferation in abdominal organs, including the liver, pancreas, stomach, small intestine and large intestine, all of which are amply innervated by the vagal nerve. OBJECTIVE: To investigate which area DNA synthesis facilitates and what factors contribute to cell proliferation in the small intestine in VMH-lesioned rats. DESIGN: At 7 days after VMH lesions or sham operations, a segment of rat jejunum was taken for histological examination. A part of the jejunum was also removed from VMH-lesioned and sham-operated rats after 3 days and examined for 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. At 6, 12 and 24 h after VMH lesions, the proximal intestine was removed from individual rats, from the pylorus to the mid-jejunum. Total RNA was extracted from these tissues of each rat, and the levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha mRNA were determined using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 mRNA levels were determined using Northern blotting. RESULTS: : Jejunal villi in VMH-lesioned rats were markedly enlarged compared to those of sham-operated rats and jejunal crypts in VMH-lesioned rats more markedly incorporated BrdU. Northern blot analysis revealed an increase in COX-1 mRNA after 6, 12 and 24 h in the jejunum of VMH-lesioned rats. COX-2 mRNA was decreased 6 and 12 h after VMH lesioning; however, it was significantly increased 24 h after VMH lesions in comparison to sham-operated rats. The levels of EGF and TGF-alpha mRNA were unchanged in VMH lesioned rats. CONCLUSION: VMH lesions induced enlargement of jejunal villi and increased the gene expression of COX-1 in the small intestine. Prostaglandins, probably E(2), induced by COX-1 may be one candidate factor responsible for the cell proliferation of the small intestinal epithelium in these rats.

[Aging society and an adult guardianship system].

Prior to recent revisions, civil law had established a system of interdict and quasi-incompetency. This system was begun in 1898 and, up until the revisions of April 2000, it had spanned more than one hundred years without undergoing any major changes. Statistically, there was a steady increase in the number of pronouncements and retractions of incompetency in recent years. A 1980 survey showed that people in their 40s were the most common, and that the proportions of psychiatric disorder, mental retardation, and dementia were of nearly the same level. A 1996 survey, in contrast, showed a greater proportion of elderly, with about half of cases being dementia or a vegetative state. The new adult guardianship system currently in place, as well as a voluntary guardianship system (enduring power of attorney), was established together with the change from the interdict/quasi-incompetency system to a system of assistance, curatorship, and guardianship. The care insurance system that was put in effect at the same time shifted from an enforcement system to a contract system, so the judgment ability of the person at the time of the decision to enter the contract has become an issue. Finally, in dealing with people with dementia, especially mild dementia, problems arise as to the best method of informed consent, including notifying people of their specific disease, and who should decide the treatment for incompetent people with dementia.

The treatment of port wine stains with a dye laser: a study of 644 patients.

Between June 1989 and December 1996, the flashlamp pumped pulsed dye laser was used to treat port wine stains (PWS) in 644 patients, age range 3 months-93 years (mean 21). The efficacy of the treatment was assessed after more than one year of follow-up. Each factor that might affect the efficacy was then evaluated statistically. Broad lesions required more laser treatments than narrow lesions and clearing tended to start from the periphery of the lesion, indicating the three-dimensional depth of the broader PWS. Patients who had been given previous treatments such as argon laser required about two more laser treatments than those who had not, but there were no clear differences in the efficacy of dye laser treatment between the two groups.

[A case of gliomatosis cerebri in an elderly woman].

Gliomatosis cerebri is a rare form of glioma, which diffusely extends to both cerebral hemispheres. Because it sometimes fails to show severe neurological symptoms in spite of diffuse invasion, the antemortem diagnosis is difficult. We report a case of a 77-year-old woman, who was admitted with progressive left hemiparesis and dysarthralgia. Plain CT scan of the brain showed almost no abnormal findings. MRI T2-weighted image revealed widespread and nearly symmetrical extension of a high intensity area from the corpus callosum to the deep white matter of both cerebral hemispheres. Open biopsy of the brain showed glioblastoma multiforme, which finally confirmed the clinical diagnosis of gliomatosis cerebri. We also review the classic and recent literatures.

Photodynamic therapy targeted to tumor-induced angiogenic vessels.

Cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT) with benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A (BPD-MA, verteporfin) may be effective not only by being directly cytotoxic to tumor cells, but also by being cytotoxic to the endothelium of tumor neovasculature. In the present study, we investigated the effect of PDT with an experimental liposomal formulation of BPD-MA on tumor-induced angiogenic vessels using a murine dorsal air sac model. First, hemostasis of neovasculature was examined by varying the regimen of PDT. Laser irradiation at 15 min after injection of 2 mg/kg liposomal BPD-MA (15 min PDT) caused complete blocking of blood flow in neovasculature. In contrast, PDT did not inhibit blood flow when the irradiation occurred 3 h after the injection of liposomal BPD-MA (3 h PDT). Next, the antitumor effect of PDT on Meth A sarcoma-bearing mice was investigated by using the hemostasis-inducing regimen. Tumor growth was strongly inhibited after the 15 min PDT with BPD-MA at a dose of 0.5-2 mg/kg. In contrast, 3 h PDT with BPD-MA at a dose of 2 mg/kg suppressed tumor growth only partially. The current study indicates that 15 min PDT causes strong suppression of tumor growth, perhaps through damaging endothelial cells in the tumor neovasculature rather than through a direct cytotoxic effect on tumor cells.