Tricin inhibits proliferation of human hepatic stellate cells in vitro by blocking tyrosine phosphorylation of PDGF receptor and its signaling pathways.

4',5,7-Trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyflavone (Tricin), a naturally occurring flavone, has anti-inflammatory potential and exhibits diverse biological activities including antigrowth activity in several human cancer cell lines and cancer chemopreventive effects in the gastrointestinal tract of mice. The present study aimed to investigate the biological actions of tricin on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro, exploring its potential as a treatment of liver fibrosis, since HSC proliferation is closely related to the progression of hepatic fibrogenesis in chronic liver diseases leading to irreversible liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Tricin inhibited platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced cell proliferation by blocking cell cycle progression and cell migration in the human HSC line LI90 and culture-activated HSCs. It also reduced the phosphorylation of PDGF receptor ß and the downstream signaling molecules ERK1/2 and Akt, which might be due to its tyrosine kinase inhibitor properties rather than inhibition of the direct binding between PDGF-BB and its receptor. Our findings suggest that tricin might be beneficial in HSC-targeting therapeutic or chemopreventive applications for hepatic fibrosis.

[Clinical analyses of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients showing a complete response to chemotherapy with S-1 alone].

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of palliative chemotherapy using S-1 alone. We clinically analyzed 8 oral squamous cell carcinoma patients showing a complete response(CR)to chemotherapy with S-1 alone. These patients received chemotherapy consisting of 2 weeks' administration, including 5-days' administration and 2- days' termination, following a 1-week rest. Adverse effects were observed in 4 patients. However, all of them were grade 1 toxicities. The average length of S-1 administration before achieving CR was 9. 8 ± 3. 1 weeks(3. 3 ± 1. 0 courses). Seven patients had a recurrence. The prognosis of this group was 5 deaths by local recurrence, and 1 death by lymph node metastasis. The average length of disease progression was 447. 4 ± 479. 5 days. Two patients, one who received surgery and the other who received irradiation after chemotherapy by S-1, are alive without tumors. The 1-year and 3-year disease-free survival rates were 100% and 37. 5%, respectively.

[Clinical evaluation of palliative chemotherapy with S-1 for oral cancer patients].

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of palliative chemotherapy using S-1. We treated 19 advanced oral SCC patients including 8 men and 11 women with S-1. Of the 19 patients studied, two patients were classified as UICC Stage II, two patients as Stage III, 14 patients as Stage IV A, and one patient was classified as StageIV C. The ages varied from 54 to 9 1 years (mean ages; 78.3 years-old). The patients received this chemotherapy (80-120 mg/day) consisting of 2 weeks' administration including 5-days' administration and 2-days' termination (named 'Weekday-on/Weekend-off administration schedule' ) following 1 week rest. After this treatment, 7 CR and 4 PR were achieved, but the toxicities were only anorexia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and uritication of NCI-CTC grade 1. The prognosis of 19 cases was 7 terminal by primary disease, 3 terminal by other disease, 7 lives with tumor bearing, and 2 lives without tumor bearing. We concluded that our novel S-1 administration method was extremely effective for oral SCC, including lymph node metastasis, providing high potential without any severe adverse effects for palliative therapy.

Ramsay-Hunt syndrome with vesicular stomatitis in a 4-year-old infant.

Ramsay-Hunt syndrome (RHS) usually affects adults, but rare cases of preschool children with RHS have been reported. We report a case of RHS in a healthy 4-year-old girl. At the age of 4 years and 5 months, she complained of pain in her mouth and herpes zoster vesicles were noted on the left soft palate and tongue without left pinna, and complete left facial paralysis subsequently developed. She was treated with acyclovir and steroids. Six months later, her facial paralysis had almost fully resolved.

[Early-stage carcinoma of the external auditory canal treated by intracavitary irradiation with HDR 192Ir-RALS: a case report].

We report a case of early-stage carcinoma of the external auditory canal treated by intracavitary irradiation with high-dose-rate (HDR) 192Ir-RALS after 40 Gy by external irradiation. We made an applicator that was inserted into the external auditory canal for the intracavitary irradiation, using a 9 Fr silicone catheter and resin. The total intracavitary radiation dosages were 20 Gy/8 Fr/4 weeks. No severe side effects were noted, and the tumor disappeared. RALS may be indicated for early carcinoma of the external auditory canal for its efficacy and lack of side effects.