Liposomalization of Oxaliplatin Exacerbates the Non-Liposomal Formulation-Induced Decrease of Sweet Taste Sensitivity in Rats.

Here, we investigated whether or not the characteristics of the oxaliplatin-induced sweet taste sensitivity were altered by PEGylated liposomalization of oxaliplatin (liposomal oxaliplatin), which enhances its anticancer efficacy. Liposomal oxaliplatin and oxaliplatin were intravenously and intraperitoneally, respectively, administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats at the total dose of 8 mg/kg. A brief-access test for evaluation of sweet taste sensitivity on day 7 revealed that both liposomal oxaliplatin and oxaliplatin decreased the sensitivity of rats, the degree with the former being greater than in the case of the latter. Liposomalization of oxaliplatin increased the accumulation of platinum in lingual non-epithelial tissues, through which taste nerves passed. The lingual platinum accumulation induced by not only liposomal oxaliplatin but also oxaliplatin was decreased on cooling of the tongue during the administration. In the current study, we revealed that liposomalization of oxaliplatin exacerbated the oxaliplatin-induced decrease of sweet taste sensitivity by increasing the accumulation of platinum/oxaliplatin in lingual non-epithelial tissues. These findings may suggest that reduction of liposomal oxaliplatin distribution to the tongue on cooling during the administration prevents exacerbation of the decrease of sweet taste sensitivity, maintaining the quality of life and chemotherapeutic outcome in patients.

Localised giant haematoma and subsequent widespread purpura as a sign of acquired haemophilia A.

Patients with acquired haemophilia A usually show widespread subcutaneous bleeding. We describe an 86-year-old man with acquired haemophilia A associated with prostate carcinoma, showing initial localised giant haematoma and subsequent widespread subcutaneous bleeding. A localised giant haematoma may present as a first and important sign of acquired haemophilia A.

Cellulitis with leukocytopenia as an initial sign of acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Patients with hematologic malignancies are immunosuppressive and may develop cutaneous or invasive infections as a primary sign of immune suppression. Acute promyelocytic leukemia (acute myeloid leukemia M3) is caused by translocation of reciprocal chromosomal rearrangement t(15;17), which produces an oncogenic protein. We herein describe a 71-year-old man having cellulitis with leukocytopenia as a first sign of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Dermatologists and hematologists should keep in mind that patients with a hematologic malignancy, such as acute promyelocytic leukemia, can develop cellulitis with leukocytopenia.

Efficacy and safety of a low-energy double-pass 1450-nm diode laser for the treatment of acne scars.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a 1450-nm diode laser on acne scars in Asian patients. BACKGROUND DATA: Acne and acne scars affect individuals during puberty and adolescence, and decrease their quality of life. METHODS: An open study was performed on 24 Japanese patients (17 female and 7 male, aged 15-44 years) with acne scars on the face treated with five sessions of low-energy double-pass 1450-nm diode laser at 4-week intervals. The mean duration of the acne scars prior to receiving laser therapy was 4.8 years (range 1-9). Clinical evaluation by physicians and with photographs was conducted at baseline, 1 month after the final treatment, and at a 3-month follow-up visit. Topical therapies for acne vulgaris were permitted during the follow-up period. RESULTS: All patients completed the five treatment sessions. Seventy-five percent of the subjects showed at least 30% improvement of acne scars. At the 3-month follow-up evaluation, 92.9% of the subjects with >30% improvement maintained the effectiveness. Vesicle formation and transient hyperpigmentation also occurred in one case. CONCLUSIONS: The 1450-nm diode laser therapy was effective and well-tolerated in patients with acne scars, suggesting that this may be an appropriate modality for treating facial acne scars.

Transient effectiveness of an oral 5-Fluorouracil derivative, s-1, for epirubicin, cyclophosphamide and Paclitaxel refractory skin metastases from possible occult breast cancer in a male.

Recent chemotherapies for skin metastases from breast cancer have shown to be effective for regression, disappearance, and favorable quality of life. We describe the case of a 76-year-old male showing transient effectiveness with an oral 5-fluorouracil derivative, S-1 (tegafur, 5-chloro-2,4-dihydroxypyridine and potassium oxonate), for epirubicin, cyclophosphamide and paclitaxel refractory skin metastases from possible occult breast cancer. The male patient was initially diagnosed as having lymph node metastases in the left axilla as possible occult breast cancer. The skin metastases developed after chemotherapy with a combination of epirubicin and cyclophosphamide, subsequent chemotherapy with paclitaxel, and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy with paclitaxel was resumed for skin metastases, but it was not effective. Alternative chemotherapy with the oral agent S-1 was administered. The skin metastases completely disappeared after the second course, but recurred at the end of the third course. This case suggests that S-1 may be a candidate for chemotherapy for skin metastases from occult breast cancer in males.