Improvement of treatment outcomes after implementation of comprehensive pharmaceutical care in breast cancer patients receiving everolimus and exemestane.

Combination therapy with everolimus and an aromatase inhibitor such as exemestane is an effective treatment option for advanced or recurrent breast cancer. However, the therapy is often limited because of the occurrence of severe adverse events (AEs), including oral mucositis, interstitial lung disease, diarrhea, and rash. Therefore, early management of AEs is extremely important to obtain maximum treatment outcome. We investigated here the effects of comprehensive pharmaceutical care for prevention of severe AEs on patient's quality-of-life (QOL) and continuation of therapy. QOL was assessed every month based on the five-level version of EuroQol-5-Dimension (EQ-5D-5L). AEs were graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (ver 4.0). Implementation of comprehensive pharmaceutical care remarkably reduced the incidence of severe oral mucositis as compared with those without such interventions. EQ-5D-5L health states were almost constant during 6 months after intervention, ranging from 0.850 to 0.889. Median time to treatment failure (TTF) was significantly longer after intervention than before [224.0 days, 95% confidence interval (CI): 117-331 days versus 34 days, 21-47 days, hazard ratio (HR): 0.027, 95% CI: 0.005 - 0.154, p<0.001]. These findings suggest that our comprehensive pharmaceutical care is highly effective for enhancing treatment outcome by maintaining patient's QOL.

Top-down assessment of the Asian carbon budget since the mid 1990s.

Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is the principal driver of anthropogenic climate change. Asia is an important region for the global carbon budget, with 4 of the world's 10 largest national emitters of CO2. Using an ensemble of seven atmospheric inverse systems, we estimated land biosphere fluxes (natural, land-use change and fires) based on atmospheric observations of CO2 concentration. The Asian land biosphere was a net sink of -0.46 (-0.70-0.24) PgC per year (median and range) for 1996-2012 and was mostly located in East Asia, while in South and Southeast Asia the land biosphere was close to carbon neutral. In East Asia, the annual CO2 sink increased between 1996-2001 and 2008-2012 by 0.56 (0.30-0.81) PgC, accounting for ∼35% of the increase in the global land biosphere sink. Uncertainty in the fossil fuel emissions contributes significantly (32%) to the uncertainty in land biosphere sink change.

Differential activation of dopaminergic systems in rat brain basal ganglia by morphine and methamphetamine.

Typical abused drug-induced behavioral changes are ordinarily mediated by the mesolimbic dopaminergic system and even the phenotypes of behavior are different from each other. However, the mechanisms that underlie the behavioral changes induced by these abused drugs have not yet been elucidated. The present study was designed to investigate the mechanisms that underlie how abused drugs induce distinct behavioral changes using neurochemical as well as behavioral techniques in rats. Methamphetamine (2mg/kg) more potently increased dopamine release from the striatum more than that from the nucleus accumbens. In contrast, the administration of morphine (10mg/kg) produced a significant increase in the release of dopamine from the nucleus accumbens, but not the striatum, which is accompanied by a decrease in the release of GABA in the ventral tegmental area. These findings indicate that morphine and methamphetamine differentially regulate dopaminergic systems to produce behavioral changes, even though both drugs have abuse potential through activation of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system.

MicroRNA-574-3p, identified by microRNA library-based functional screening, modulates tamoxifen response in breast cancer.

Most primary breast cancers express estrogen receptor α and can be treated via endocrine therapy using anti-estrogens such as tamoxifen; however, acquired endocrine resistance is a critical issue. To identify tamoxifen response-related microRNAs (miRNAs) in breast cancer, MCF-7 cells infected with a lentiviral miRNA library were treated with 4-hydroxytamoxifen (OHT) or vehicle for 4 weeks, and the amounts of individual miRNA precursors that had integrated into the genome were evaluated by microarray. Compared to the vehicle-treated cells, 5 'dropout' miRNAs, which were downregulated in OHT-treated cells, and 6 'retained' miRNAs, which were upregulated in OHT-treated cells, were identified. Of the dropout miRNAs, we found that miR-574-3p expression was downregulated in clinical breast cancer tissues as compared with their paired adjacent tissues. In addition, anti-miR-574-3p reversed tamoxifen-mediated suppression of MCF-7 cell growth. Clathrin heavy chain (CLTC) was identified as a miR-574-3p target gene by in silico algorithms and luciferase reporter assay using the 3' untranslated region of CLTC mRNA. Interestingly, loss and gain of miR-574-3p function in MCF-7 cells causes CLTC to be upregulated and downregulated, respectively. These results suggest that functional screening mediated by miRNA libraries can provide new insights into the genes essential for tamoxifen response in breast cancer.

Phosphorylation of SMC1 by ATR is required for desferrioxamine (DFO)-induced apoptosis.

DNA damage signaling pathways are initiated in response to chemical reagents and radiation damage, as well as in response to hypoxia. It is implicated that structural maintenance of chromosomes 1 (SMC1) is not only a component of the cohesion complex but also facilitates the activation of DNA damage checkpoint proteins. Here, we studied the mechanism of DNA damage checkpoint activated by ATR-SMC1 pathway when cells are treated with desferrioxamine (DFO), a hypoxia-mimetic reagent. We show that DFO treatment induces phosphorylation of SMC1 at Ser966, NBS1 at Ser343, Chk1 at Ser317, Chk2 at Thr68, and p53 at Ser15. Among these sites, phosphorylation of SMC1, NBS1, and Chk1 by DFO are mediated by ATR as it is greatly reduced in both ATR-deficient human fibroblasts and HCT116 human colon cancer cells in which ATR is heterozygously mutated, whereas these proteins are phosphorylated in cells deficient for ATM and DNA-PKcs. DFO-induced apoptosis is decreased in ATR-mutant HCT116 cells, although p53 is normally activated in those cells. Expression of SMC1 S966A in which Ser966 is substituted to Ala attenuates apoptosis and phosphorylation of Chk1 at Ser317 after DFO treatment, although levels of HIF1α are not significantly changed. These results suggest that DFO induces apoptosis through the ATR-SMC1 arm of the pathway.

Membranous nephropathy associated with IgG4-related systemic disease and without autoimmune pancreatitis.

We describe an elderly man with membranous nephropathy and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration into the renal interstitium who presented with a high serum IgG4 concentration and no organ involvement in the pancreatobiliary system. Although the patient had hypocomplementemia and was positive for antinuclear antibodies, he was negative for antibodies against Sm, SS-A, SS-B and RNP, and his anti-DNA antibody titer was not elevated. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the infiltrated plasma cells in the renal interstitium and glomerular capillary walls were strongly positive for IgG4. Electron microscopy showed electron-dense deposits on the glomerular basement membranes and tubular basement membranes. The present case suggests that membranous nephropathy, like tubulo-interstitial nephritis, is one of the renal features of IgG4-related systemic disease.

Evaluation of the safety and tolerability of oral TAS-108 in postmenopausal patients with metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The potential of TAS-108 for the treatment of breast cancer has been shown by preclinical studies. We therefore investigated the safe dosage, tolerability, and effectiveness on hormone levels and bone metabolism markers and the pharmacokinetics of TAS-108 administered in postmenopausal Japanese women with metastatic breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The subjects had previously undergone standard endocrine therapeutic modalities. TAS-108 was given repeatedly to five patients each, at three dose levels (40, 80, and 120 mg p.o.) once a day after the first daily meal for a scheduled 8 weeks. Plasma concentrations of TAS-108 and its metabolites were measured at the scheduled time points. RESULTS: Fifteen patients received TAS-108 treatment. Orally administered TAS-108 was well tolerated at doses up to 120 mg and did not cause notable changes either in hormone levels or bone metabolism markers. Pharmacokinetic results indicated dose-dependent increases in plasma levels of TAS-108 and its metabolites. A steady state was achieved by 2 weeks at all dose levels, suggesting no marked accumulation. Clinical benefits were confirmed in 5 of 15 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated oral administration of TAS-108 at doses up to 120 mg was well tolerated, and the plasma level of this compound increased dose-dependently.

Proposal for a new clinical entity, IgG4-positive multiorgan lymphoproliferative syndrome: analysis of 64 cases of IgG4-related disorders.

BACKGROUND: Mikulicz's disease (MD) has been considered as one manifestation of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Recently, it has also been considered as an IgG(4)-related disorder. OBJECTIVE: To determine the differences between IgG(4)-related disorders including MD and SS. METHODS: A study was undertaken to investigate patients with MD and IgG(4)-related disorders registered in Japan and to set up provisional criteria for the new clinical entity IgG(4)-positive multiorgan lymphoproliferative syndrome (IgG(4)+MOLPS). The preliminary diagnostic criteria include raised serum levels of IgG(4) (>135 mg/dl) and infiltration of IgG(4)(+) plasma cells in the tissue (IgG(4)+/IgG+ plasma cells >50%) with fibrosis or sclerosis. The clinical features, laboratory data and pathologies of 64 patients with IgG(4)+MOLPS and 31 patients with typical SS were compared. RESULTS: The incidence of xerostomia, xerophthalmia and arthralgia, rheumatoid factor and antinuclear, antiSS-A/Ro and antiSS-B/La antibodies was significantly lower in patients with IgG(4)+MOLPS than in those with typical SS. Allergic rhinitis and autoimmune pancreatitis were significantly more frequent and total IgG, IgG(2), IgG(4) and IgE levels were significantly increased in IgG(4)+MOLPS. Histological specimens from patients with IgG(4)+MOLPS revealed marked IgG(4)+ plasma cell infiltration. Many patients with IgG(4)+MOLPS had lymphocytic follicle formation, but lymphoepithelial lesions were rare. Few IgG(4)+ cells were seen in the tissue of patients with typical SS. Thirty-eight patients with IgG(4)+MOLPS treated with glucocorticoids showed marked clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: Despite similarities in the involved organs, there are considerable clinical and pathological differences between IgG(4)+MOLPS and SS. Based on the clinical features and good response to glucocorticoids, we propose a new clinical entity: IgG(4)+MOLPS.

Clonality analysis of lymphoproliferative disorders in patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

The aim of this study was to clarify the nature of the clonal lymphocyte infiltration in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients associated with lymphoproliferative disorders. We examined B cell clonality in lymphoproliferative tissues from six primary SS patients associated with lymphoproliferative disorders or lymphoma by cloning and sequencing of the gene rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (IgVH-CDR3). Three patients with sequential observation showed progressional clonal expansion with the presence of the same subclone in different tissues during the course of disease. Among them, one patient developed mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma in glandular parotid. The other three SS patients concomitant with malignant B cells lymphomas showed different clonal expansion of B cells between nodal sites and salivary glands. The cloanality analysis indicated that monoclonal B cell population could spread from one glandular site to another site during the course of SS, suggesting that the malignant clone may arise from the general abnormal microenvironment, not restricted to the glandular tissue, in some SS patients.

Endogenous prostaglandin I2 regulates the neural emergency system through release of calcitonin gene related peptide.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that endogenous prostaglandin I(2), generated by a mild irritant, sensitised calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) containing sensory nerves and facilitated the release of CGRP and gastric mucosal protection against ethanol. Administration of capsaicin also inhibited ethanol induced gastric mucosal injury through immediate release of CGRP from primary sensory neurones, which is termed the neural emergency system. In the present study, we tested whether endogenous prostaglandin I(2) also modulates the cytoprotective action of capsaicin using prostaglandin I receptor knockout mice (IP(-/-)). METHODS: The stomachs of IP(-/-) or their wild-type counterparts (IP(+/+)), anaesthetised with urethane (1.225 g/kg), were doubly cannulated from the oesophageal and duodenal sides, and the gastric mucosa was perfused (1 ml/min) with physiological saline. Perfusate was changed to 50% ethanol alone, or 50% ethanol containing capsaicin (16 approximately 1600 micro M). The injured area was estimated at the end of each perfusion experiment. In some animals, CGRP-(8-37), a CGRP antagonist (0.3 mg/kg), or indomethacin (1 mg/kg) was intravenously injected before perfusion of 50% ethanol containing capsaicin. RESULTS: Capsaicin inhibited the injured area in a dose dependent manner. Fifty per cent ethanol containing capsaicin (480 micro M) immediately increased intragastric levels of CGRP although 50% ethanol alone did not. The protective action of capsaicin (480 micro M) against ethanol was completely abolished by intravenous injection of CGRP-(8-37). Indomethacin also inhibited the protective action of capsaicin, and this was accompanied by reduced levels of intragastric CGRP. Intragastric levels of prostaglandin E(2) were not increased by capsaicin treatment but those of 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1alpha), a metabolite of prostaglandin I(2), were markedly increased. No protective action of capsaicin was observed in IP(-/-) which lacked the ability to increase intragastric CGRP levels in response to ethanol containing capsaicin. The CGRP content of the stomach from untreated IP(-/-) did not differ from those in IP(+/+). Capsaicin (160 micro M) together with intragastric perfusion of beraprost sodium (PGI(2) analogue, 2.5 micro g/ml) showed enhanced protection against ethanol induced injury. This enhanced protection was completely blocked by intravenous injection of CGRP-(8-37). CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that endogenous prostaglandin I(2) enhances the protective action of the capsaicin mediated neural emergency system against ethanol induced gastric mucosal injury through enhancement of CGRP release.

Measurements of cosmic-ray low-energy antiproton and proton spectra in a transient period of solar field reversal.

The energy spectra of cosmic-ray low-energy antiprotons ( *p's) and protons ( p's) have been measured by BESS in 1999 and 2000, during a period covering reversal at the solar magnetic field. Based on these measurements, a sudden increase of the *p/p flux ratio following the solar magnetic field reversal was observed, and it generally agrees with a drift model of the solar modulation.

Squalene synthase inhibitors reduce plasma triglyceride through a low-density lipoprotein receptor-independent mechanism.

Inhibitors of squalene synthase are considered to be candidate drugs to reduce both plasma cholesterol and triglyceride. However, little is known about the mechanism of squalene synthase inhibitor-specific effect on plasma triglyceride. In this study, we confirmed the triglyceride-lowering effect of ER-27856, a potent squalene synthase inhibitor prodrug, in rhesus monkeys. To determine the role of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor in the triglyceride-lowering effect of squalene synthase inhibitors, we intravenously administered ER-28448, the active form of ER-27856, to Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits for 4 days. In heterozygotes, ER-28448 reduced plasma cholesterol and triglyceride by 52% and 37%, respectively. In homozygous rabbits, in contrast, ER-28448 lowered plasma triglyceride by 40% but did not lower plasma cholesterol. Orally administered ER-27856 reduced plasma triglyceride in homozygous animals but atorvastatin and bezafibrate did not. In hepatocytes isolated from homozygous WHHL rabbits, squalene synthase inhibitors but not atorvastatin reduced triglyceride biosynthesis. These data demonstrate that squalene synthase inhibitors reduced plasma triglyceride through an LDL receptor-independent mechanism, which was distinct from that of the triglyceride-lowering action of atorvastatin or bezafibrate. The reduction of hepatic triglyceride biosynthesis may play an important role in the hypotrigyceridemic action of squalene synthase inhibitors.

[Comparison of management of advanced cancer in various organs].

The management of advanced cancer presents the greatest challenge to physicians involved in oncology. There will usually be a large burden of disease; cure is unlikely; and the needs of the patient in terms of pain control and palliation will also be important over and above the direct treatment of the disease. Different issues will arise depending on the site and pathological type of the cancer. Increasingly over the past few years, treatment protocols and guidelines have been developed for different cancers, but these can only be rough guides rather than definite treatment recommendations. Additionally in most cancers advanced disease offers the opportunity for evaluation of new treatments in Phase II studies and other trials. With the new generation of molecular targeted therapies, such as EGFR inhibitors, striking results are being seen in advanced disease that compare favourably with what has been seen previously. Other agents such as those which attack the tumour vasculature may also have promise in this setting. Palliation is also an important aspect of the management of advanced disease, and pain control in particular is an important component of patient management. In summary, the treatment of advanced disease provides a test bed for new agents, but this need to develop better cancer therapies must be balanced against patient needs for a pain-free and comfortable end to life.

Enhancement of fibrinolytics with a laser-induced liquid jet.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There are several problems inherent in the treatment of cerebral embolisms, such as the narrow therapeutic time window and the severe side effects of fibrinolytic drugs. There is thus need of a new method of removing a cerebral thrombus more rapidly using smaller amounts of fibrinolytics. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: The liquid-jet generator was made by insertion of an optical fiber (diameter: 0.6 mm) into a balloon catheter (6 Fr). A pulsed holmium (Ho) YAG laser (pulse duration time = 350 micros) was used as a laser source. The maximum penetration depth of a liquid jet generated with this device into a gelatin artificial thrombus was measured at various stand-off distances (L; distance between the optical fiber end and the catheter exit). Based on the result, a stand-off distance of 13 mm was chosen to investigate the enhancement of urokinase (UK) efficacy by only a single operation of the liquid-jet device in artificial thrombi made of human blood. RESULTS: Maximum penetration depth increased in proportion to L and reached a maximum value (9 mm) when L was around 13 mm. Fibrinolysis rates (%) after incubation with a small amount of UK for 10 and 30 minutes were predominantly raised by a single use of the laser-induced liquid jet (5.4 +/- 2.4 vs. 22.6 +/- 6.1 and 7.3 +/- 3.8 vs. 38.3 +/- 5.6, respectively (mean +/- SD, P < 0.001)). CONCLUSIONS: A laser-induced liquid jet effectively promoted fibrinolysis in vitro with use of only a small amount of fibrinolytics.

Characterization of drug transport by the human multidrug resistance protein 3 (ABCC3).

We have characterized the substrate specificity and mechanism of transport of the human multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (MRP3). A murine fibroblast-like cell line generated from the kidneys of mice that lack Mdr1a/b and Mrp1 was retrovirally transduced with MRP3 cDNA. Stable clones overproducing MRP3 were resistant to the epipodophyllotoxins etoposide and teniposide but not to vincristine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin, drugs suggested to be MRP3 substrates by others. The resistance to etoposide was associated with reduced cellular accumulation and enhanced efflux of this drug and was not affected by depleting cells of glutathione but was inhibited by several common organic anion transport inhibitors. Membrane vesicles from infected insect cells expressing MRP3 mediated ATP-dependent transport of estradiol 17-beta-D-glucuronide, leukotriene C(4), dinitrophenyl S-glutathione but not glutathione itself, and etoposide glucuronide, a major metabolite of etoposide in vivo. The transport of estradiol 17-beta-D-glucuronide by MRP3 was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by both etoposide and methotrexate. Even though etoposide glucuronide is an excellent substrate for MRP3, this compound is not involved in the etoposide resistance of our MRP3 cells, as these cells extrude unmodified etoposide rather than etoposide glucuronide.

Clinical effect of irinotecan in advanced and metastatic breast cancer patients previously treated with doxorubicin- and docetaxel-containing regimens.

BACKGROUND: Previous phase II trials in Japan suggested that irinotecan was a promising agent for advanced or metastatic breast cancer pretreated with anthracycline. However, irinotecan has not yet been evaluated in the salvage setting for breast cancer pretreated with both anthracycline and taxane, which are two active agents for breast cancer. METHODS: The efficacy and safety of irinotecan were retrospectively evaluated in patients with breast cancer who had previously been treated with both doxorubicin and docetaxel. From 1996 to 1999, irinotecan was administered to 20 patients, all with a performance status of <2. Irinotecan treatment was repeated in approximately 6 week cycles consisting of the administration of irinotecan once weekly for 4 weeks followed by a 2 week rest. The median dose of irinotecan administered was 100 mg/m(2) weekly. The median number of irinotecan cycles given was 1 (range: 1-8 cycles). The median total dose was 388 mg/m(2) (range: 50-2400 mg/m(2)). RESULTS: Performance status declined to >3 after treatment with irinotecan in four patients. Two patients had grade 3 leukopenia; three had grade 3 anemia and one had a creatinine elevation of grade 4. The objective response rate for all patients was 5.0% (95% CI: 0-15.5%). The median time to progression and overall survival were 35 days (range: 17-285 days) and 124 days (range: 17-667 days), respectively, since the start of the administration of irinotecan. CONCLUSIONS: Salvage chemotherapy with irinotecan may be inactive against advanced and metastatic breast cancer pretreated with doxorubicin and docetaxel. We will evaluate irinotecan for advanced and metastatic breast cancer patients as first- or second-line chemotherapy combined with anthracycline or taxane.

Melanoma differentiation associated gene-7 (mda-7): a novel anti-tumor gene for cancer gene therapy.

BACKGROUND: The mda-7 gene (melanoma differentiation associated gene-7) is a novel tumor suppressor gene. The anti-proliferative activity of MDA-7 has been previously reported. In this report, we analyze the anti-tumor efficacy of Ad-mda7 in a broad spectrum of cancer lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ad-mda7-transduced cancer or normal cell lines were assayed for cell proliferation (tritiated thymidine incorporation assay, Alamar blue assay, and trypan-blue exclusion assay), apoptosis (TUNEL, and Annexin V staining visualized by fluorescent microscopy or FACs analysis), and cell cycle regulation (Propidium Iodide staining and FACs analysis). RESULTS: Ad-mda7 treatment of tumor cells resulted in growth inhibition and apoptosis in a temporal and dose-dependent manner. The anti-tumor effects were independent of the genomic status of p53, RB, p16, ras, bax, and caspase 3 in these cells. In addition, normal cell lines did not show inhibition of proliferation or apoptotic response to Ad-mda7. Moreover, Ad-mda7-transduced cancer cells secreted a soluble form of MDA-7 protein. Thus, Ad-mda7 may represent a novel gene-therapeutic agent for the treatment of a variety of cancers. CONCLUSIONS: The potent and selective killing activity of Ad-mda7 in cancer cells but not in normal cells makes this vector a potential candidate for cancer gene therapy.