A multicenter, prospective, phase II trial of second-line aflibercept plus FOLFIRI in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer refractory to an anti-EGFR antibody: HGCSG1801.

Aflibercept (AFL) plus FOLFIRI prolongs overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, there is limited evidence on the efficacy and safety of AFL plus FOLFIRI previously treated with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) agents. Therefore, we conducted a prospective open-label phase II trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of AFL plus FOLFIRI in Japanese patients with mCRC failing a prior oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy plus an anti-EGFR agent. AFL (4 mg/kg iv) followed by FOLFIRI (irinotecan 180 mg/m2, leucovorin 200 mg/m2 iv, bolus 5-fluorouracil [5-FU] 400 mg/m2, and infusional 5-FU 2400 mg/m2/46 h) was given every 2 weeks until progression or unacceptable toxicities. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 6 months. Forty three patients were enrolled between November 2019 and October 2022. The primary endpoint was met: 6-month PFS rate was 58.8% (90% confidence interval [CI], 45.7%-72.0%). Median PFS and OS were 7.3 months (95% CI, 5.5-11.0 months) and 18.8 months (95% CI, 12.9-26.6 months), respectively. The overall response rate was 20.9% (95% CI, 10.0-36.0%) and disease control rate was 88.4% (95% CI, 74.9-96.1%). The main grade ≥3 adverse events included hypertension (62.8%), neutropenia (55.8%), leukopenia (25.6%), febrile neutropenia (11.6%), fatigue (9.3%), anorexia (9.3%), proteinuria (9.3%), and diarrhea (7.0%). No deaths and no new safety signals with a causal relation to the study treatment were observed. This study suggests that AFL plus FOLFIRI shows a high response rate and a manageable safety profile in Japanese patients with mCRC who failed prior oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy plus an anti-EGFR agent.

Correlation of UGT1A1 Gene Polymorphisms or Prior Irinotecan Treatment and Treatment Outcomes of Nanoliposomal-Irinotecan plus 5-Fluorouracil/Leucovorin for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Multicenter, Retrospective Cohort Study (HGCSG2101).

The effects of UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms or prior irinotecan treatment on treatment outcomes of nanoliposomal-irinotecan plus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (nal-IRI+5-FU/LV) in patients with unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are not established. This multicenter, retrospective cohort study compared treatment outcomes in patients with UGT1A1*1/*1 and those with UGT1A1*1/*6 or *1/*28 genotypes. We also analyzed the impact of prior irinotecan treatment on survival outcomes in 54 patients treated with nal-IRI+5-FU/LV. Comparable effectiveness was found regardless of the UGT1A1 genotypes. While no significant differences were found, grade ≥3 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia were more frequent in patients with UGT1A1*1/*6 or *1/*28 than in those with UGT1A1*1/*1 genotypes (grade ≥3 neutropenia, 50.0% vs. 30.8%, p = 0.24; febrile neutropenia, 9.1% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.20, respectively). No significant difference in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was observed between irinotecan-naïve-patients and other patients. However, irinotecan-resistant patients showed significantly shorter PFS (hazard ratio (HR) 2.83, p = 0.017) and OS (HR 2.58, p = 0.033) than other patients. Our study indicated that patients with UGT1A1*1/*6 or *1/*28 may be prone to neutropenia, though further study is needed. The survival benefit of nal-IRI+5-FU/LV could be maintained in patients without disease progression after irinotecan therapy.

Feasibility of edoxaban for asymptomatic cancer-associated thrombosis in Japanese patients with gastrointestinal cancer: ExCAVE study.

BACKGROUND: Although initial therapy with a parenteral anticoagulant is required before edoxaban, this strategy is frequently avoided in actual clinical practice because of its complexity. This study assessed the feasibility of edoxaban without initial heparin usage for asymptomatic cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) in Japanese patients with gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) at high risk of bleeding. METHODS: In this multicenter prospective feasibility study conducted at 10 Japanese institutions, patients with active GIC who developed accidental asymptomatic CAT during chemotherapy were recruited. Edoxaban was orally administered once daily without initial parenteral anticoagulant therapy within 3 days after detecting asymptomatic CAT. The primary outcome was the incidence of major bleeding (MB) or clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB) during the first 3 months of edoxaban administration. RESULTS: Of the 54 patients enrolled from October 2017 to September 2020, one was excluded because of a misdiagnosis of CAT. In the remaining 53 patients, the primary outcome occurred in six patients (11.3%). MB occurred in four patients (7.5%), including gastrointestinal bleeding in three patients and intracranial hemorrhage in one patient. CRNMB occurred in two patients (3.8%), including bleeding from the stoma site and genital bleeding in one patient each. There were no deaths attributable to bleeding, and all patients who experienced MB or CRNMB recovered. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of bleeding after edoxaban without heparin pretreatment was acceptable, demonstrating new treatment options for asymptomatic CAT in patients with GIC.

Study protocol for HGCSG1801: A multicenter, prospective, phase II trial of second-line FOLFIRI plus aflibercept in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer refractory to anti-EGFR antibodies.

Background: The first-line chemotherapy for patients with RAS and BRAF wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) commonly involves cytotoxic regimens, such as FOLFOX and FOLFIRI, combined with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies. When progression occurs following anti-EGFR antibody-combined chemotherapy, anti-angiogenic inhibitors can be used as second-line treatment. Although randomized controlled trials have shown that anti-angiogenic inhibitors [bevacizumab, ramucirumab, and aflibercept (AFL)] carry survival benefit when combined with FOLFIRI as second-line chemotherapy, such trials did not provide data on patients with mCRC refractory to anti-EGFR antibody-combined chemotherapy. Therefore, our group planned a multicenter, nonrandomized, single-arm, prospective, phase II study to investigate the safety and efficacy of FOLFIRI plus AFL as a second-line chemotherapy for patients with mCRC refractory to oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy combined with anti-EGFR antibodies. Methods: FOLFIRI (irinotecan 180 mg/m2, l-leucovorin 200 mg/m2, bolus 5-FU 400 mg/m2, and infusional 5-FU 2400 mg/m2/46 h) and AFL (4 mg/kg) will be administered every 2 weeks until progression or unacceptable toxicities occur. The primary endpoint will be the 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate, whereas the secondary endpoints will include overall survival, PFS, response rate, disease control rate, adverse events, and relative dose intensity for each drug. A sample size of 41 participants will be required. This study will be sponsored by the Non-Profit Organization Hokkaido Gastrointestinal Cancer Study Group and will be supported by a grant from Sanofi. Discussion: There is only an observational study reporting data on FOLFIRI plus AFL for patients with mCRC who previously received anti-EGFR antibodies; therefore, a prospective clinical trial is needed. This study will prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of FOLFIRI plus AFL in patients with mCRC who are resistant to anti-EGFR antibodies and have limited data. Moreover, this study will reveal predictive biomarkers for AFL-based chemotherapy. Clinical trial registration: Japan Registry of Clinical Trials, jRCTs011190006. Registered 19 November, 2019, https://jrct.niph.go.jp/latest-detail/jRCTs011190006.

Phase II Study of Ramucirumab Plus Irinotecan Combination Therapy as Second-Line Treatment in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer: HGCSG1603.

BACKGROUND: Ramucirumab is a human IgG1 monoclonal vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 antibody that inhibits tumor cell growth and affects the tumor cell microenvironment. We assessed the efficacy and safety of ramucirumab plus irinotecan combination therapy as second-line treatment in patients with previously treated advanced gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with advanced gastric cancer refractory or intolerant to primary chemotherapy were included. Ramucirumab 8 mg/kg plus irinotecan 150 mg/m2 combination therapy was administered every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival rate at 6 months and secondary endpoints were overall survival, progression-free survival, response rate, safety, and dose intensity for each drug. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were enrolled between January 2018 and September 2019. The progression-free survival rate at 6 months was 26.5% [95%CI, 13.2%-41.8%, P = .1353)]. Median progression-free and overall survivals were 4.2 months (95%CI, 2.5-5.4 months) and 9.6 months (95%CI, 6.4-16.6 months), respectively. The overall response rate was 25.9% (95%CI, 11.1-36.3%) and disease control rate was 85.2% (95%CI, 66.3-95.8%). Grade ≥3 adverse events that occurred in >10% of patients included neutropenia, leucopenia, anemia, anorexia, and febrile neutropenia. No death or new safety signals with a causal relation to the study treatment were observed. CONCLUSION: Although the primary endpoint was not achieved statistically, combination therapy of ramucirumab plus irinotecan showed anticancer activity and a manageable safety profile for second-line treatment of patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Study protocol of the HGCSG1803: a phase II multicentre, non-randomised, single-arm, prospective trial of combination chemotherapy with oxaliplatin, irinotecan and S-1 (OX-IRIS) as first-line treatment for metastatic or relapsed pancreatic cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Combination chemotherapy with oxaliplatin, irinotecan, fluorouracil and leucovorin (FOLFIRINOX) has become one of the standard treatments for metastatic pancreatic cancer. However, the use of FOLFIRINOX requires prolonged infusion. Therefore, we planned to develop a new combination chemotherapy regimen with oxaliplatin, irinotecan and S-1 (OX-IRIS) for advanced pancreatic cancer. In the phase Ⅰ study that was conducted previously, the safety and recommended dose of OX-IRIS were assessed. In this study, we will evaluate the efficacy and safety of OX-IRIS. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The HGCSG1803 study started as a multicentre, non-randomised, single-arm, prospective, phase II study in December 2019. Eligible subjects were patients with untreated metastatic or relapsed pancreatic cancer. OX-IRIS is administered as follows: 30 min infusion of antiemetic; 2-hour infusion of oxaliplatin (65 mg/m2); 1.5-hour infusion of irinotecan (100 mg/m2) on day 1 and 15 of each 4-week cycle; and oral S-1 (40 mg/m2) twice daily from after dinner on day one to after breakfast on day 15, followed by a 14-day rest, to be repeated every 2 weeks until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or patient refusal. The primary endpoint is response rate. The secondary endpoints are overall and progression-free survival, safety and dose for each drug. Using a binomial test, a sample size of 40 patients was set with a threshold value of 10% and expected value of 30%. Registration of 40 cases is planned from 18 institutions in Japan. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: All the procedures will be conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Declaration of Helsinki of 1964 and its later versions. All the patients will receive written information about the trial and will provide informed consent before enrolment. This trial was approved by the Hokkaido University Certified Review Board (approval No: 018-037). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: jRCTs011190008.

Early gastric mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm with early poor prognosis after endoscopic submucosal dissection: A case report.

Early gastric mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms (MiNENs) are rare diseases, with no data on their incidence and prognosis. We report the case of intramucosal gastric MiNENs for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) treatment. An 80-year-old male underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy for screening and was suspected of early gastric cancer type 0-IIa+IIc on the lesser curvature of the antrum, for which ESD treatment was performed. Histopathologically, the diagnosis was MiNENs. Synaptophysin-positive adenoductal structures were observed in the adenocarcinoma component, suggesting that adenocarcinoma had dedifferentiated into neuroendocrine carcinoma. The tumor was located within the mucosal layer, with lympho-vascular invasion. The patient was kept under observation; however, 6 months after the ESD, computed tomography scan revealed prominent ascites, enlarged lymph nodes, and liver metastases, and MiNENs were suspected to have poor prognosis. If MiNENs diagnosis is made preoperatively or postoperatively, surgical resection may be considered as treatment regardless of the tumor depth or lympho-vascular invasion.

Immunohistochemical Expression of Choline Acetyltransferase and Catecholamine-Synthesizing Enzymes in Head-and-Neck and Thoracoabdominal Paragangliomas and Pheochromocytomas.

Paragangliomas (PGLs) are neural-crest-derived, non-epithelial neuroendocrine tumors distributed along the parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves. Head-and-neck PGLs (HNPGLs) have been recognized as nonchromaffin, nonfunctional, parasympathetic tumors. By contrast, thoracoabdominal paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas (PPGLs) are chromaffin, functional, sympathetic tumors. Although HNPGLs and PPGLs have the same histological structure, the zellballen pattern, composed of chief and sustentacular cells surrounded by abundant capillaries, the pathobiological differences between these types of PGLs remain unclarified. To determine the phenotypic features of these PGLs, we performed an immunohistochemical study using specific antibodies against choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), an enzyme involved in acetylcholine synthesis, and enzymes for the catecholamine-synthesis, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), in 34 HNPGLs from 31 patients, 12 thoracoabdominal PGLs from 12 patients, and 26 pheochromocytomas from 22 patients. The expression of ChAT, TH, and DBH was 100%, 23%, and 10% in the HNPGLs; 12%, 100%, and 100% in the pheochromocytomas; and 25%, 67%, and 100% in the thoracoabdominal PGLs, respectively. These results designate HNPGLs as acetylcholine-producing parasympathetic tumors, in contrast to PPGLs being catecholamine-producing tumors. The other most frequently used neuroendocrine markers are synaptophysin and chromogranin A expressed 100% and 80%, respectively, and synaptophysin was superior to chromogranin A in HNPGLs. This is the first report of HNPGLs being acetylcholine-producing tumors. Immunohistochemistry of ChAT could be greatly useful for pathologic diagnosis of HNPGL. Whether measurement of acetylcholine levels in the blood or urine could be a tumor marker of HNPGLs should be investigated soon.

Gastric adenocarcinoma of fundic gland type arising from heterotopic gastric glands during a 19-year follow-up period.

A 73-year-old man with prior history of duodenal ulcer has been undergoing periodic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy since 1999. In 2017, a 25-mm submucosal tumor-like protrusion was detected in the lesser curvature of the upper stomach; histological examination of the lesion revealed gastric adenocarcinoma of fundic gland type. En bloc resection was achieved using endoscopic submucosal dissection. The patient was histopathologically diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma of fundic gland type arising from heterotopic gastric glands. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for MUC5AC, MUC6, pepsinogen I, and proton pump but negative for MUC2 and CD10. Moreover, the patient's Ki-67 labeling index score was extremely low. The presence of MUC5AC indicated that the tumor differentiated to the foveolar epithelium and fundic glands. Gastric adenocarcinoma of fundic gland type that differentiates to several directions has a higher malignant potential than the disease that differentiates to chief cells. A retrospective review of the patient's previous endoscopic examination revealed that the submucosal tumor-like protrusion existed since 2000; tumor size increased from 8 mm in 2000 to 25 mm in 2017. The present case is rare in that the carcinoma arose from heterotopic gastric glands. Moreover, the 19-year follow-up revealed that the tumor differentiated to the foveolar epithelium, considered as having high-grade malignancy.

Study protocol of HGCSG1404 SNOW study: a phase I/II trial of combined chemotherapy of S-1, nab-paclitaxel and oxaliplatin administered biweekly to patients with advanced gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: In Japan, S-1 plus cisplatin (SP) regimen has become a standard therapy for patients with advanced gastric cancer. Moreover, the S-1 plus oxaliplatin regimen is now a standard treatment. Nab-paclitaxel was developed for chemotherapy of gastric cancer in Japanese clinical practice. Nab-paclitaxel, created with albumin-bound paclitaxel particles, has high transferability to tumour tissues and does not cause hypersensitivity reactions because of a different chemical composition compared with docetaxel and paclitaxel. A combination of S-1, nab-paclitaxel and oxaliplatin (which we named 'SNOW regimen') can be a promising triplet therapy for advanced gastric cancer. Although we have to pay attention to chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, we aim to investigate the recommended dose of this regimen in a phase I study. Furthermore, we will investigate its efficacy and toxicity in a phase II study. METHODS: The phase I study is a dose-escalation study using a standard 3 plus 3 design, followed by expansion cohorts. The SNOW regimen involves 28-day cycles with escalated doses of nab-paclitaxel (100-175 mg/m2 on days 1 and 15) and fixed doses of oxaliplatin (65 mg/ m2 on days 1 and 15) and S-1 (80 mg/m2/day on day 1 to 14). The primary endpoints are assessment of dose limiting toxicities and determination of maximum tolerated dose to investigate the recommended dose in the subsequent phase II study. In the phase II study, the primary endpoint is objective response rate. Secondary endpoints are assessment of safety, progression-free survival, disease control rate, overall survival and time to treatment failure. Adverse events were monitored and graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. DISCUSSION: Triplet therapies for advanced gastric cancer patients have been evaluated in clinical trials. The SNOW regimen can be a promising new triplet therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is performed at institutes that participate in Hokkaido Gastrointestinal Cancer Study Group (HGCSG) and registered as UMIN000016788 . Registrated 16 March 2015.

Interferon-free therapy with sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for successful treatment of genotype 2 hepatitis C virus with lichen planus: a case report.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains the main cause of liver disease and can lead to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV may also develop extrahepatic manifestations in the skin, eyes, joints, kidneys, nervous system, and immune system. In fact, several studies reported that up to 70% of HCV patients experienced extrahepatic manifestations. Lichen planus (LP), which is an immune system disorder that is triggered by viral infections, allergens, and stress, can affect the skin, mouth, nails, and scalp. The association of LP with HCV has been reported, but the effect of HCV treatment on LP remission is controversial. We encountered a 53-year-old man with HCV genotype 2a and LP that were successfully treated with sofosbuvir and ribavirin for 12 weeks. After treatment, he achieved sustained virological response against HCV and remission of erosive LP lesions on the lip. In the era of interferon (IFN)-based treatment for HCV, exacerbation of autoimmune diseases is a common adverse event. Therefore, use of an IFN-free regimen of direct-acting antivirals for HCV might prevent the extrahepatic manifestation of an immune disorder.

Randomized controlled trial on the skin toxicity of panitumumab in Japanese patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: HGCSG1001 study; J-STEPP.

AIM: We planned a randomized, open-label trial to evaluate differences between pre-emptive and reactive skin treatment for panitumumab (Pmab)-associated skin toxicities in Japanese patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. PATIENTS & METHODS: Patients receiving third-line Pmab-containing regimens were randomized to pre-emptive or reactive treatment. The primary end point was the cumulative incidence of ≥grade 2 skin toxicities during 6 weeks. Retrospectively, a dermatologist reviewed skin toxicities, in a blinded manner. RESULTS: A total of 95 patients were enrolled (pre-emptive: 47, reactive: 48). The primary end point was achieved (21.3 and 62.5% [risk ratio: 0.34; p < 0.001], for pre-emptive and reactive treatment, respectively). A similar trend was observed in central review. CONCLUSION: Pre-emptive skin treatment could reduce the severity of Pmab-associated skin toxicities in Japanese metastatic colorectal cancer patients.

[Clinical impact of addition of bevacizumab to the first-line chemotherapy regimen in the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer].

BACKGROUND: Combination regimens containing bevacizumab(BV)are regarded as one of the standard first-line chemotherapy (1stCTx) regimens in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, some patients cannot be treated with BV because of the short interval from the palliative operation or other reasons. We present a study of some patients who were treated with add-on BV in the middle of the 1stCTx before disease progression(referred to as "midway BV" regimen hereafter), and here, we report the efficacy of the midway BV regimen as observed in our patients. RESULTS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 74 mCRC patients, who were undergoing 1stCTx treatment at our hospital from January 2010 to September 2012. We divided the patients into 3 groups, depending on when BV was introduced in their regimen: 40, 25, and 9 patients were respectively included in the "no-BV" group (patients who were treated without BV in the 1stCTx), BV group(patients treated with BV from the 1st cycle in the 1stCTx), and the midway-BV group (patients who were initially treated without BV and then received add-on BV). The response rates of patients in the no-BV, BV, and midway-BV groups were 27.5%, 44.0%, and 55.6%, respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and median survival time of patients in the no-BV, BV, and midway-BV groups were, respectively, 9.7 months, 9.3 months, and 12.8 months, and 20.3 months, 22.2 months, and N. R. CONCLUSION: Although few cases were analyzed and there might be many confounding factors, our study suggests that midway BV is potentially useful for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who are not initially treated with BV in the first cycle of the 1stCTx regimen.

[Successful treatment of an HIV-positive multiple myeloma patient with high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation and maintenance therapy with lenalidomide].

A 45-year-old HIV positive male who had previously been administered anti-retrovirus therapy (ART) resulting in a good virological response and with a CD4 count of more than 1,000/µl, complained of general fatigue during a periodic examination. Laboratory data showed decreased Hb (10.8 g/dl) and increased T.P (12.0 g/dl) and IgG (9,077 mg/dl). Monoclonal gammopathy (IgG-λ) was identified and bone marrow aspiration revealed 37.6% atypical plasma cells, leading to the diagnosis of symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM) (ISS clinical staging III).Four courses of VD (bortezomib+dexamethasone) therapy were administered with concurrent ART resulting in VGPR (very good partial response), followed by peripheral blood stem cell collection (the mobilizing chemotherapy was cyclophosphamide). Then, together with ART, high-dose chemotherapy (Mel-200; L-PAM) was administered with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). Reconstitution of white blood cells was achieved at 10 days after PBSCT. There were no adverse effects of ART and the viral load of HIV was well controlled during the period of these treatments. The final assessment was VGPR and 10 mg/day of lenalidomide has since been administered as maintenance therapy. Standard treatment combined with PBSCT for juvenile-onset MM is also effective and safe for HIV-positive patients receiving ART.

Phase II study of combined chemotherapy with irinotecan and S-1 (IRIS) plus bevacizumab in patients with inoperable recurrent or advanced colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: In Japan, a study comparing the effectiveness and safety of irinotecan plus S-1 (IRIS) with those of a combination of 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) as second-line treatment in patients with advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer demonstrated that IRIS was non-inferior to FOLFIRI. We previously reported that IRIS is also effective as first-line treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligibility criteria included inoperable recurrent colorectal cancer with a confirmed diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, age ≥20 years, and no history of prior chemotherapy. S-1 (40-60 mg twice daily) was given orally on Days 1 to 14, and irinotecan (100 mg/m(2)) and bevacizumab (5 mg/kg) were given intravenously on Days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle. The primary endpoint was safety. The secondary endpoints included overall response (OR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A total of 52 eligible patients were enrolled from October 2007 through March 2009. In safety analysis, the incidences of grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions were as follows: neutropenia, 27%; hypertension, 21%; and diarrhea, 17%. The overall response rate was 57.7%. Median progression-free survival was 16.7 months. CONCLUSION: IRIS plus bevacizumab is a well-tolerated, highly effective chemotherapeutic regimen that is easy to administer.

Three cases of acute or fulminant hepatitis E caused by ingestion of pork meat and entrails in Hokkaido, Japan: Zoonotic food-borne transmission of hepatitis E virus and public health concerns.

AIM: In developed countries including Japan, the transmission route of indigenous hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is obscure. Accordingly, public health implications of indigenous HEV infection have not been well addressed. The aim of this study was to clarify the route of transmission of a small outbreak of acute hepatitis E and assess the public health implications of indigenous zoonotic HEV transmission. METHODS: Three patients with non-A, B and C acute hepatitis, two of whom presented in a critical condition, were assessed for HEV infection using polymerase chain reaction and their route of infection; the genome sequences of the infecting HEV were also analyzed. A phylogenetic tree based on the full, or near full, HEV RNA sequences were constructed by neighbor-joining method. RESULTS: All three patients ingested grilled pork meat and entrails at the same barbecue restaurant in Abashiri, Hokkaido, Japan. When comparing partial to entire, or nearly entire, nucleotide sequences of HEV detected in these patients, they were 99.9-100% identical to each other. These genotype 4 isolates had great resemblance to the genome sequences of the isolates from the mini-outbreak in 2004 in Kitami, a city adjacent to Abashiri. These Kitami/Abashiri strains were segregated into a single cluster on the phylogenetic tree of HEV genotype 4 indigenous to Japan. CONCLUSION: Indigenous HEV transmission via a zoonotic food-borne route has been demonstrated in Kitami and Abashiri via pork meat and entrails contaminated with virulent HEV strains. Because a similar outbreak can recur in the future, infection sources and distribution routes should be clarified rapidly for public health.

Optimal dose period for indisetron tablets for preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting with modified FOLFOX6: a randomized pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Indisetron is a serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine type 3) receptor antagonist that also antagonizes 5-hydroxytryptamine type 4 receptors. We designed a pilot study in order to explore the optimal dosing period for indisetron during modified FOLFOX6 (mFOLFOX6). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-two chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced colorectal cancer scheduled to receive mFOLFOX6 were randomly assigned to either a 1- or 3-day indisetron regimen arm. The primary endpoint was complete protection from vomiting. RESULTS: Proportions of patients with complete protection from vomiting were 85.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) 63.7-97.0] with the 3-day regimen and 81.0% (95% CI 58.1-94.6) with the 1-day regimen. Proportions of patients with complete protection from nausea were 47.6% in each arm (95% CI 25.7-70.2). No rescue therapy rates were 66.7% (95% CI 43.0-85.4) versus 57.1% (95% CI 34.0-78.2). No severe adverse events were observed in either arm. CONCLUSION: Both 1- and 3-day indisetron regimens were feasible for preventing nausea and vomiting induced by mFOLFOX6.

[A case of sigmoid colon cancer with temporary dysarthria associated with irinotecan].

A40 -year-old woman visited our hospital with adenocaricinoma of the sigmoid colon with multiple liver metastases and ovarian metastasis. Because of a stenosis of the primary tumor, she underwent a colostomy before chemotherapy. 5-fluorouracil and irinotecan and leucovorin(FOLFIRI)was selected as first-line chemotherapy. At the start of chemotherapy, just after the end of irinotecan and leucovorin administration, the patient developed dysarthria. There were no neurological abnormalities or hematological abnormalities. The treatment was temporarily discontinued, and the dysarthria completely disappeared within 90 minutes. 5-fluorouracil was administered after the disappearance of dysarthria. Within 60 minutes of the administration of irinotecan and leucovorin at the second chemotherapy treatment, the patient developed dysarthria again. The patient had no neurological or hematological abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)showed no abnormalities. The treatment was stopped and dysarthria disappeared within 60 minutes as it did the first time. At each time, no treatment for dysarthria was performed. This patient refused to continue irinotecan because of dysarthria. Therefore, chemotherapy without irinotecan was continued for the third time onward. In the previous literature, 8 cases of dysarthria caused by irinotecan were reported as a rare toxicity. In all cases, dysarthria was temporary and reversible. Because the mechanism of dysarthria is unclear, specific treatment and precaution for dysarthria is not recommended. Since dysarthria is reversible, however, irinotecan might be continued until progression.

Phase II study of combined treatment with irinotecan and S-1 (IRIS) in patients with inoperable or recurrent advanced colorectal cancer (HGCSG0302).

OBJECTIVES: This phase II study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 plus irinotecan (IRIS regimen) in patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer. METHODS: The response rate was the primary endpoint. Safety, progression-free survival time, and median survival time were secondary endpoints. The subjects were untreated patients with inoperable advanced colorectal cancer. Irinotecan was administered at a dose of 100 mg/m² (on days 1 and 15). S-1 (40 mg/m²) was administered for 2 weeks (on days 1 to 14) and followed by a 2-week rest. RESULTS: Forty patients were enrolled. Four patients had grade 4 neutropenia, and six patients had grade 3 diarrhea. No other serious hematologic or nonhematologic adverse reactions occurred, and all patients received IRIS safely on an outpatient basis. The response rate was 52.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36.1-68.5%). Median progression-free survival was 8.6 months (95% CI, 5.3-11.9), and median survival time was 23.4 months (95% CI, 15.9-30.8). CONCLUSIONS: IRIS produced a high response rate and could be given safely. IRIS may become a first-line treatment for inoperable or recurrent advanced colorectal cancer.