Visceral Fat Associated with Worsening of Recurrent Esophageal Varices in Alcoholic/Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis-Related Liver Cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Alcoholic steatohepatitis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-related liver cirrhosis (ASH/NASH-LC) are major causes of esophageal varices (EVs). However, the association between high visceral fat and exacerbation of EVs remains unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify the association of visceral fat and recurrence rate of EVs in ASH/NASH-LC and to identify independent predictors associated with recurrence. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated data from 94 patients who underwent endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for EVs with ASH/NASH-LC. Using the receiver operating characteristic curve for the cut-off value of visceral fat index (VFI; 46.4 cm2/m2), we classified patients as having a high VFI (n = 53) or low VFI (n = 41). Propensity score matching was used to align for background factors, and the recurrence rate of EVs was compared between the two groups. Predictors associated with esophageal variceal recurrence were identified by multivariate analysis. The recurrence rate in patients with viral LC was also investigated. RESULTS: In the overall analysis, the recurrence rate was significantly higher in the high VFI group than in the low VFI group (P = 0.023). The recurrence rate was also higher in the high VFI group than in the low VFI group after propensity score matching, in which 19 patients were matched in each group (P = 0.048). VFI and Child-Pugh score were independently associated with recurrence. Recurrence rates were comparable between the two groups in viral LC patients. CONCLUSIONS: Worsening of variceal recurrence was observed in high visceral fat patients in ASH/NASH-LC but not in viral LC. Furthermore, high visceral fat was an independent predictor associated with variceal recurrence.

Genetic Rare Variants Affecting Multiple Pathways in Japanese Patients with Palindromic Rheumatism.

Palindromic rheumatism (PR) is a type of cryptogenic paroxysmal arthritis. Several genes may be involved in PR pathogenesis; however, conducting comprehensive case-control genetic studies for PR poses challenges owing to its rarity as a disease. Moreover, case-control studies may overlook rare variants that occur infrequently but play a significant role in pathogenesis. This study aimed to identify disease-related genes in Japanese patients with PR using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and rare-variant analysis. Genomic DNA was obtained from two familial cases and one sporadic case, and it was subjected to WGS. WGS data of 104 healthy individuals obtained from a public database were used as controls. We performed data analysis for rare variants on detected variants using SKAT-O, KBAC, and SKAT, and subsequently defined significant genes. Significant genes combined with variants shared between the cases were defined as disease-related genes. We also performed pathway analysis for disease-related genes using Reactome. We identified 2,695,244 variants shared between cases; after excluding polymorphisms and noise, 74,640 variants were detected. We identified 540 disease-related genes, including 1,893 variants. Furthermore, we identified 32 significant pathways. Our results indicate that the detected genes and pathways in this study may be involved in PR pathogenesis.

Usefulness of the Palliative Prognostic Index in Predicting Prognosis when Considering the Transition from Hospital to Home Care in Patients with Terminal Stage Cancer.

BACKGROUND: No accurate prognostic tool is available for patients with cancer who spend their final days at home. In this study, we examined whether performance status (PS) and the palliative prognostic index (PPI), a well-known prognostic tool in palliative care units, could be used to predict prognosis in the home care setting at the time of intervention by home physicians. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Using medical records, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 132 patients who were referred to the Home Clinic Naginoki for home care for terminal stages of carcinoma in situ. Based on the status at the time of the first visit, the PPI-Low group was defined as those scoring six or below and the PPI-High group as those scoring greater than six. RESULTS: The PPI-high group had a significantly poorer prognosis within 21 days than the PPI-low group (21-day-OS; Low 71.4% vs. High 13.2%; p<0.001). The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) PS alone predicted better prognosis in the group with PS of one or two (21-day survival 90.1%), and the PPI score further significantly stratified the prognosis for patients with PS three or four, with a trend toward poor prognosis (p ≤ 0.005). CONCLUSION: ECOG PS 1 or 2 has a favorable prognosis and that using PPI in ECOG PS 3 or 4 leads to a more accurate prognosis prediction. PPI evaluated during the hospital-based treatment of patients with terminal cancer can also be used to predict prognosis if the patient is transitioned to a home care environment.

Predictive Postoperative Inflammatory Response Indicators of Infectious Complications Following Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative factors are useful for predicting postoperative infectious complications (PIC) in gastric cancer. Specifically, postoperative inflammatory response indicators (PIRI), [C-reactive protein (CRP) level, body temperature (BT), and white blood cell (WBC) count], are widely used in clinical practice. We investigated predictive factors for PIC, including PIRI, to establish a simple and practical indicator of postoperative complications after gastrectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively collected clinical data from 200 patients with fStage I-III gastric cancer. Univariate/multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship of predictive factors [host factors, clinicopathological factors, and PIRI (BT, WBC count, and CRP level on postoperative day (POD) 1 and 3) ]. Cut-off values of the predictive factors were analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve modulated by the presence/absence of PIC Grade II, III (Clavien-Dindo classification). RESULTS: Age [Odds ratio (OR): 5.67], smoking history (OR: 3.51), and CRP level (OR: 5.65), WBC count (OR: 8.96), and BT (OR: 3.37) on POD3 were selected as independent factors from multivariate analysis. Cut-off values were 77 years, 14.8 mg/dL, 116.0×102/µL, and 37.4°C, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Predictive factors relative to PIC in gastric cancer were CRP level ≥ 14.8 mg/dL, WBC count ≥ 116.0×102/µL, and BT ≥ 37.4°C all on POD3. Age ≥ 77 years, and history of smoking were relative to PIC, suggesting a simple and practical indicator applicable in clinical practice.

[Evaluation of Bridge to Surgery(BTS) after Stenting for Malignant Colorectal Stenosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the current status and postoperative course of nutritional management in bridge to surgery(BTS) after colorectal stenting for malignant colorectal stenosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 242 colorectal cancer cases, 27 cases with malignant colorectal stenosis who underwent BTS group, 24 cases with malignant colorectal stenosis who fasted until the day of surgery and consumed drinking water and Elenthal®(no oral intake group), and 191 cases with non-stenotic colorectal cancer (diet group). The study items selected were nutritional management methods before colorectal cancer resection, nutritional assessment, surgical factors, and postoperative course. RESULTS: The BTS, no oral intake, and diet groups were compared in 27, 0, and 191 patients, respectively. In contrast, the intake of Elenthal® was compared in 4, 20, and 5 patients and total parenteral nutrition in 3, 15, and 1 patients, respectively. There were no differences in nutritional sufficiency during hospitalization. The Onodera Nutritional Index(PNI)was significantly lower in the BTS and no oral intake groups than the diet group at the first outpatient visit before surgery. The PNI was significantly lower in the no oral intake group than in the diet group immediately before surgery. Blood loss was higher in the BTS and no oral intake groups than in the diet group, but there was no difference in operative time. The postoperative course was poorer in the no oral intake group than in the diet group. However, there was no difference between the diet and BTS groups. CONCLUSION: In patients with obstructive colorectal cancer in whom BTS could be performed, the results suggest that preoperative nutritional management with a high sufficiency rate using the intestinal tract may lead to a postoperative course comparable to that in non-stenotic cases.

Preoperative and Postoperative C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio (CAR) as a Prognostic Marker for Survival of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients After Surgery.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Recent studies have reported that the C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR) may be a useful prognostic biomarker in various types of cancer patients. However, the mechanism underlying this observation is unclear. The present study aimed to clarify why the CAR can predict post-esophagectomy prognosis, the relationship between pre- and postoperative CAR, and whether postoperative CAR can predict the prognosis of esophageal cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We investigated 158 esophagectomy patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Hematological examinations were performed on postoperative days (POD) 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14. RESULTS: Preoperative CAR was a significant independent prognostic factor of overall survival (OS) [hazard ratio (HR)=2.247; p=0.0005], and there was a strong correlation between preoperative CAR and tumor depth. The preoperative high-CAR (pre-high-CAR) group had significantly higher CAR on all postoperative days (POD). We then divided the patients as follows: those with at least two low-CAR days on POD 5, 7, and 10 were assigned to the modified post-low-CAR (mPost-low-CAR) group, and others were assigned to the modified post-high-CAR (mPost-high-CAR) group. The 5-year OS rate was significantly higher in the mPost-low-CAR group than in the mPost-high-CAR group, which predicted a more accurate prognosis (p<0.0001, HR=2.769). CONCLUSION: Preoperative CAR was associated with tumor depth and diameter, and patients in the pre-high-CAR group continued to have significantly higher CAR postoperatively. These factors were presumed to reflect disease prognosis. Furthermore, grouping by CAR on POD 5, 7, and 10 reflected patient prognosis more accurately than preoperative CAR.

Solitary choroidal metastasis of distal cholangiocarcinoma: A case report.

Metastatic choroidal carcinoma is rare and generally has a poor prognosis. The present case report describes a case of choroidal metastasis from distal cholangiocarcinoma, which was successfully managed using stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT). A 67-year-old Japanese man underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for distal cholangiocarcinoma. The pathological stage was T2N0M0 stage IIA, according to the Union for International Cancer Control 8th edition. After surgery, the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy with oral TS-1® for 1 month. A total of 2 months after surgery, the patient was readmitted to hospital due to decreased visual acuity. Fundoscopy revealed a macular hole in the right eye that accounted for the decreased visual acuity. Additionally, Goldmann three-mirror contact lens examination revealed a 4-mm choroidal mass with a yellowish color situated at a considerable distance from the optic nerve. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an enhanced choroidal mass. Based on the findings of ophthalmologic examinations and the patient's history of cholangiocarcinoma, they were diagnosed with choroidal metastasis from distal cholangiocarcinoma. SRT was administered at a total dose of 40 Gy divided into 8 Gy fractions. A total of 1 year after SRT, the patient achieved complete remission without decreased visual acuity. The patient remains alive and in good health without recurrence, 4 years after the diagnosis of choroidal metastasis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second reported case of intraocular metastasis from cholangiocarcinoma. In conclusion, SRT may provide an opportunity to control metastatic choroidal carcinoma without decreasing visual acuity.

Poor Prognosis in Patients With Stage III Colorectal Cancer Receiving Adjuvant FOLFOX/CAPOX Therapy Is Predicted by the Presence of Many Poorly Differentiated Clusters.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Poorly differentiated clusters (PDCs) have been reported to be a useful grading system for predicting prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). We investigated the association between the number of PDCs and prognosis in patients with stage III CRC treated with oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 49 patients with stage III CRC who underwent curative surgery followed by oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy. PDC was defined as a cluster of ≥5 cancer cells without glandular structure at the invasive front of the primary tumor. RESULTS: During the observation period, 12 patients experienced relapse. The patients were divided into two groups (<7 and ≥7 PDC groups), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated [area under the curve (AUC)=0.743]. Patients with ≥7 PDCs had a much shorter relapse-free survival (RFS) than those with <7 PDCs (p<0.0001). The overall survival (OS) was also significantly worse in patients with ≥7 PDCs than in those with <7 PDCs (p<0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that PDC was the only significant prognostic factor measured that could predict RFS (p=0.002) and OS (p=0.0047) in patients with stage III CRC treated with oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: In patients with stage III CRC treated with post-resection oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapeutic regimens, the presence of ≥7 PDCs at the invasive front of the primary tumor predicted unfavorable prognosis.

Preoperative Subcutaneous Fat is an Useful Indicator for Learning Totally Extraperitoneal Repair.

BACKGROUND: Totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair is a recommended procedure for inguinal hernia repair in European hernia guidelines. However, technical challenges have limited its uptake in Japan, where transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair is more common. We evaluated the association of preoperative subcutaneous fat area (preSFA) with surgical outcomes and identified factors associated with the difficulty of TEP repair. METHODS: Clinical data from 62 patients undergoing TEP repair were collected retrospectively. Using the median for the preoperative subcutaneous fat index (preSFI; 45.9 cm2/m2), we classified patients as having a high SFI (HSFI) (n=31) and low SFI (LSFI) (n=31). Surgical outcomes and perioperative complications were then compared between these groups. Additionally, TEP repair was divided into five phases (e.g., Phase 1: dissection of the caudal side of the preperitoneal space), and operative time was measured during each phase. Phase 1 was divided into two sub-phases (1A: insertion of the first port, 1B: reaching Cooper's ligament). RESULTS: Operative time was longer (133 min vs 111 min, P = 0.028) and the peritoneal injury rate was higher (35.5% vs 9.7%, P = 0.015) for the HSFI patients. Furthermore, operative time for HSFI patients was significantly longer during Phase 1 (P = 0.014) and Phase 1A (P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: preSFA was associated with a higher peritoneal injury rate and longer operative time in HSFI patients, suggesting that the presence of abundant subcutaneous fat increases the difficulty of TEP repair.

[A Case of Resected Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Diagnosed with Liver Metastasis and Peritoneal Dissemination after Surgery for Sigmoid Colon Cancer].

We experienced a case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)that developed around the kidney about 1 year after surgery for sigmoid colon cancer. In this case, imaging findings suggestive of liver metastasis were also observed at the same time of diagnosis, therefore, diagnosis was difficult because the possibility of peritoneal dissemination could not be ruled out. The lesion was excised by surgery and a definitive diagnosis was obtained by tissue diagnosis, leading to appropriate treatment. However, one wrong step could lead to the wrong treatment policy. Therefore, when there is any doubt about the diagnosis, it is considered important to proactively perform tissue diagnosis.

[The Effects of Bridge to Surgery(BTS)for Malignant Colorectal Stenosis on the Nutritional and Immunological Status].

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to clarify the effects of bridge to surgery(BTS)for malignant colorectal stenosis on the nutritional and immunological status. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 19 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent BTS were included. We examined the technical success of stenting, clinical improvement, treatment progress after BTS, and nutritional and immunological status changes before and after BTS. RESULTS: There were 19 technically successful cases and 18 clinically improved cases. One patient(Score 0)had an obstruction after BTS, which improved after stent repositioning. The CROSS Score before and after stenting improved in all patients. Scores 0 to 4 improved in 12 patients, Scores 0 to 3 in 5 patients, and Scores 3 to 4 in 2 patients. The median time to resume eating was 3 days, and the median surgery time was 25 days. The final diet before operation for colorectal consisted of a rokubugayu(rice gruel: polished rice content 12%)in 1 case, zengayu(rice gruel: polished rice content 20%)in 8 cases, soft diet in 5 cases, and regular diet in 5 cases. Before and after BTS, the nutritional and immunological status decreased significantly(p<0.05)with albumin levels ranging from 3.9- 3.5 g/dL, BUN/Cr from 24.8-12.5, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio from 3.8-2.5; however, no significant fluctuations in the prognostic nutritional index were observed. CONCLUSION: BTS enabled the nutritional management using the intestinal tract and improved the patient's immune status.

[A Case of Serous Retinal Detachment after Encorafenib, Binimetinib, and Cetuximab Treatment for BRAF V600E Mutant Colorectal Cancer].

The patient was a 72-year-old man with a chief complaint of abdominal pain. We performed laparoscopic left hemicolectomy of the colon after descending colon cancer ileus stenting, and postoperative pathology was pT4aN0M0, pStage Ⅱb. In 1.5 years postoperatively, 2 liver metastases and 1 lymph node metastasis were found, and each was resected. Chemotherapy was initiated for multiple lung metastases. Genetic testing was positive for BRAF V600E mutation, and the patient received 8 mFOLFOXIRI plus bevacizumab therapy courses. After 15 5-FU plus LV plus bevacizumab courses, the patient had a brain infarction and lung metastasis reincreased. Chemotherapy was changed to encorafenib plus binimetinib plus cetuximab. On day 2, visual impairment was observed, and serous retinal detachment CTCAE Grade 2 was diagnosed. On day 7, the symptoms improved and one-step dose reduction was resumed. On day 2 of re-treatment, serous retinal detachment recurred and treatment was discontinued. On day 4 of re-treatment, the symptoms improved, another dose reduction was performed, and treatment was resumed. Since subjective MEK inhibitor-induced ocular symptoms are often minor, conducting an interview and early ophthalmologic diagnosis is recommended.

Expression of ASC splice variant found in Japanese patients with palindromic rheumatism is regulated by rs8056505 single nucleotide polymorphism and interleukin-1 beta.

BACKGROUND: Palindromic rheumatism (PR) is an infrequent form of periodic arthritis. Based on the similarity of the pathogenesis of PR to autoinflammatory syndromes, we previously found that the dominant-active splice variant of the inflammasome adaptor protein, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), which lacks exon 2 (Δexon2), is expressed in Japanese patients with PR. OBJECTIVE: Elucidation of the mechanism of Δexon2 ASC production and the effect of IL-1ß on splicing. METHODS: The genomic DNA of Japanese patients with PR was sequenced. The effect of the observed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on ASC splicing was determined via exon trapping using THP-1 cells stimulated with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) or ceramide. To investigate the genes that affect alternative splicing via IL-1ß, we analyzed the transcriptome of IL-1ß-treated THP-1 cells using RNA sequencing. RESULTS: We found the rs8056505 A->G SNP located in the 5'-untranslated region of the genomic ASC gene in patients and that Δexon2 expression was induced by this SNP, whereas it was suppressed by IL-1ß or ceramide. We detected 131,426 transcripts and identified 52 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) consisting of 41 downregulated genes and 11 upregulated genes in IL-1ß-stimulated THP-1 cells. The splicing-related gene MASCRNA was the most significantly induced gene by IL-1ß. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a cyclic expression model in which ASC alternates between wild-type and Δexon2 expression regulated by the rs8056505 G allele and splicing factors induced by IL-1ß. This cycle may be correlated with the formation of periodic PR pathologies.

Inflammation-based Indexes Upon Adjuvant Chemotherapy Initiation as a Predictor of Relapse After Curative Resection of Colorectal Cancer With an Oxaliplatin-based Regimen.

Background/Aim: We investigated the clinical efficacy of inflammation-based indexes in predicting unfavourable relapse-free survival (RFS) in patients with stage II/III colorectal cancer (CRC) receiving oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 45 patients who underwent curative resection for stage II/III CRC followed by oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy after 8 weeks. Upon adjuvant chemotherapy initiation, all patients were evaluated for lymphocyte count (LC), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI), after which their correlation with relapse was analysed. Results: Univariate analysis identified LC <1,350/mm 3 , NLR ≥2.03, LMR <5.15, PLR ≥209, mGPS 2, and early discontinuation of chemotherapy within two months as significant risk factors for RFS. Multivariate analysis identified LMR <5.15, PLR > 209 and mGPS 2 as significant independent risk factors for unfavourable RFS. Conclusion: Measurement of LMR, PLR, and mGPS upon adjuvant therapy initiation can be a useful tool for predicting recurrence after curative surgery for stage II/III CRC.

[A Case of Rectal Cancer Diagnosed Based on Brain Metastasis and Had a Long-Term Prognosis by Radical Resections].

The patient was a 57-year-old man who visited the department of neurosurgery for headache and lightheadedness. He was admitted with a diagnosis of brain tumor based on imaging findings. Severe brain dysfunction and mild ataxia were observed, and craniotomy tumor resection was performed 5 days after admission. He was diagnosed with brain metastasis of colorectal cancer based on histopathological examination and endoscopic findings, and was therefore referred to our department. No extracranial metastases were observed, laparoscopic-assisted low anterior resection was performed 1 month after the craniotomy. The final diagnosis was rectal cancer(Ra), pT3N0M1a(BRA), Stage Ⅳa. Three months after the craniotomy, subsequent MRI examination revealed a new metastatic lesion inferior to the tumor excision cavity, and gamma knife radiosurgery was performed. However, because an increasing tendency was noted, craniotomy was performed again 7 months after the first craniotomy. Following operative treatment, follow up has been performed without adjuvant chemotherapy or prophylactic irradiation, the patient has survived without recurrence at 34 months postoperatively. Here, we report a valuable rare case of solitary brain metastasis of colorectal cancer in which prognosis could be expected by radical resections.

DOCK8-expressing T follicular helper cells newly generated beyond self-organized criticality cause systemic lupus erythematosus.

Pathogens including autoantigens all failed to induce systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We, instead, studied the integrity of host's immune response that recognized pathogen. By stimulating TCR with an antigen repeatedly to levels that surpass host's steady-state response, self-organized criticality, SLE was induced in mice normally not prone to autoimmunity, wherein T follicular helper (Tfh) cells expressing the guanine nucleotide exchange factor DOCK8 on the cell surface were newly generated. DOCK8+Tfh cells passed through TCR re-revision and induced varieties of autoantibody and lupus lesions. They existed in splenic red pulp and peripheral blood of active lupus patients, which subsequently declined after therapy. Autoantibodies and disease were healed by anti-DOCK8 antibody in the mice including SLE-model (NZBxNZW) F1 mice. Thus, DOCK8+Tfh cells generated after repeated TCR stimulation by immunogenic form of pathogen, either exogenous or endogenous, in combination with HLA to levels that surpass system's self-organized criticality, cause SLE.

[Adjuvant Capecitabine for Residual Disease after Standard Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Among Patients with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer].

CREATE-X trial demonstrated the effectiveness of additional capecitabine therapy in prolonging disease-free survival among patients who are HER2 negative, especially those with triple-negative breast cancer who had residual invasive disease after standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We investigated our data regarding adjuvant capecitabine for residual disease. Ten patients were enrolled, and the average age of the patients was 54.2 years. All patients completed 8 courses of treatment; all adverse events were Grade 2 or lower. Five-year disease-free survival rate was 70.0% in an average observation period of 40.9 months. Three patients recurred within 2 years, and all patients had brain metastasis. In the CREATE-X trial, the rate of disease-free survival was 69.8% in the capecitabine group versus 56.1% in the control group; our results were same as those of CREATE-X. Brain metastasis may be detected by the early phase of enhanced brain MRI.

[A Case of Multiple Lung Metastases of Pancreatic Cancer with 50 Months Survival by Sequential Chemotherapy].

We hereby report a case in which a patient with multiple lung metastases of pancreatic cancer continued chemotherapy and maintained good performance status(PS)for 48 months after recurrence. But her disease progressed rapidly after withdrawal of chemotherapy, resulting in her death in a short period of time. The patient was a 66-year-old woman who underwent a substomach preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer at the age of 60 years. She was diagnosed as fT3N1M0, fStage ⅡB. During postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy S-1, multiple lung metastases were noted on CT scan 2 years after surgery. Thereafter, she was treated with gemcitabine(GEM)alone, GEM plus nab-paclitaxel(GnP), nal-CPT-11 plus 5-FU plus Leucovorin, and FOLFIRINOX for 48 months sequentially. Each of which achieved a best overall response SD or better. However, Trousseau syndrome developed following community-acquired pneumonia during chemotherapy withdrawal due to myelosuppression. The disease progressed rapidly and resulted in her death 50 months after relapse. The results suggest that chemotherapy may have contributed significantly to disease control in this case.

[A Case of Pathological Complete Response after Neoadjuvant Therapy for Resectable Pancreatic Cancer].

We report a case of resectable pancreas tail cancer treated with 2 courses of neoadjuvant therapy which is gemcitabine and S-1 therapy, and pathological diagnosis of the resected specimen revealed pathological complete response. A 56-year- old woman was referred to our hospital because she had back pain after eating for 5 months and her previous abdominal ultrasonography revealed an enlarged pancreatic tail. The tumor size was reduced from 30 mm to 12 mm, and the chemotherapy response was judged to be partial response. The patient underwent distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy, and D2 lymph node dissection. Intraoperative findings showed a pancreatic tail with a depression and surface erythema, thus we also diagnosed the patient as having pancreatic capsular invasion(S1). Postoperative histopathological examination revealed a 10×10 mm area of pancreatic parenchyma, which was replaced by fibrous tissue, with no evidence of active cancer cells. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the 14th after surgery.

Expression of a PYCARD/ASC variant lacking exon 2 in Japanese patients with palindromic rheumatism increases interleukin-1ß secretion.

BACKGROUND: Palindromic rheumatism (PR) is a rare periodic arthritis characterized by relapsing short episodes of arthritis. Although the pathogenesis of PR is still unclear, the clinical condition is similar to that of autoinflammatory diseases caused by dysregulation of inflammasome-related genes. OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the inflammasome adapter PYD and CARD domain-containing protein/apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (PYCARD/ASC) in Japanese patients with PR. METHODS: Serum interleukin (IL)-1ß concentrations in three Japanese patients with PR were measured. We also cloned PYCARD/ASC cDNA variants and expressed them in THP-1 cells to determine their effects on inflammasome activity following stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and monosodium urate. Lysates of recombinant THP-1 cells were subjected to co-immunoprecipitation assays. RESULTS: Serum IL-1ß concentrations were significantly elevated in patients with PR, and a splice variant of PYCARD/ ASC mRNA lacking exon 2 (Δexon2) was dominantly expressed compared with that in controls. Moreover, IL-1ß secretion was significantly increased in THP-1 cells expressing Δexon2PYCARD/ASC compared with that in cells expressing the wild-type protein. The amount of NLRP3 bound to Δexon2PYCARD/ASC was increased after stimulation, whereas that bound to the wild-type protein was decreased. There were no differences in caspase-1 binding. CONCLUSIONS: Δexon2 PYCARD/ASC was associated with the pathogenesis of PR.