No clear survival benefit of azacitidine for lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes: A retrospective study of Nagasaki.

The efficacy of azacitidine (AZA) on survival of lower risk (LR) - myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is controversial. To address this issue, we retrospectively evaluated the long-term survival benefit of AZA for patients with LR-MDS defined by International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS). Using data from 489 patients with LR-MDS in Nagasaki, hematologic responses according to International Working Group 2006 and overall survival (OS) were compared among patients that received best supportive care (BSC), immunosuppressive therapy (IST), erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA), and AZA. Patients treated with AZA showed complete remission (CR) rate at 11.3%, marrow CR at 1.9%, and any hematologic improvement at 34.0%, with transfusion independence (TI) of red blood cells in 27.3% of patients. and platelet in 20% of patients, respectively. Median OS for patients received IST, ESA, BSC, and AZA (not reached, 91 months, 58 months, and 29 months, respectively) differed significantly (P < .001). Infection-related severe adverse events were observed in more than 20% of patients treated with AZA. Multivariate analysis showed age, sex, IPSS score at diagnosis, and transfusion dependence were significant for OS, but AZA treatment was not, which maintained even response to AZA, and IPSS risk status at AZA administration was added as factors. We could not find significant survival benefit of AZA treatment for LR-MDS patients.

[Ectopic pulmonary calcification after parathyroidectomy in multiple myeloma].

Ectopic soft tissue calcification (ESTC), a rare clinical condition, causes tissue and organ damage. It is associated with chronic renal failure, hyperparathyroidism, and malignant neoplasms, including multiple myeloma, and it is reportedly resistant to treatment. Here, we present the case of a 71-year-old male with multiple myeloma who had rapid ESTC in the lung. He had developed hypoparathyroidism secondary to thyroidectomy. During the course of our observation, he rapidly developed ectopic pulmonary calcification approximately 2 weeks after acquiring an infection. There was no evidence of further progression of multiple myeloma after the onset of ESTC, and treatment with ferric citrate hydrate and precipitated calcium resulted in immediate improvement of his pulmonary signs. We recommend cautious monitoring for patients with multiple myeloma and hypoparathyroidism to detect the onset of ectopic calcification. In addition, low blood phosphorus levels should be effectively treated.

Substrate-dependent effects of molecular-targeted anticancer agents on activity of organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1.

1. Organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) plays an important role in the hepatic uptake of a broad range of substrate drugs. In vitro experiments show that molecular-targeted agents do not always have similar effects on OATP1B1 activity. 2. The purpose of this study was to clarify whether the effects of molecular-targeted agents on OATP1B1 are substrate-dependent. We used OATP1B1-transfected cells to compare the effects of molecular-targeted agents on OATP1B1-mediated uptake of fluorescein (FL), 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein (DCF), atorvastatin, SN-38 and valsartan. 3. Cabozantinib, cediranib, neratinib, pazopanib, regorafenib, sorafenib and tivantinib did not affect or only slightly affected OATP1B1-mediated substrate uptake. Nilotinib and lenvatinib moderately and strongly inhibited OATP1B1-mediated substrate uptake, respectively. In contrast, afatinib stimulated OATP1B1-mediated uptake of FL and SN-38, ceritinib stimulated that of valsartan, and nintedanib stimulated that of FL and valsartan. In addition, the effects of afatinib, ceritinib and nintedanib on OATP1B1 activity differed markedly depending on the type of substrate. Afatinib, ceritinib and nintedanib had a substrate-dependent effect on OATP1B1 activity. 4. We conclude that the evaluation of OATP1B1 activity using only a single probe substrate for some molecular-targeted agents may lead to a faulty understanding of their mechanisms of drug interactions.

The effects of tramadol on postoperative shivering after sevoflurane and remifentanil anesthesia.

BACKGROUNDS: Remifentanil has been reported to cause post-anesthetic shivering (PAS). Higher doses of remifentanil reportedly induce more intense PAS. Tramadol, a synthetic opioid that acts at multiple sites, is considered to be an effective treatment for PAS, but the evidence for its therapeutic benefit after remifentanil anesthesia is limited. We investigated the effect of tramadol on the incidence of PAS after remifentanil anesthesia. METHODS: Sixty-three patients who had undergone upper abdominal surgery under general anesthesia were studied retrospectively. Tramadol was administered at induction of anesthesia. The patients were divided into four groups: HT(+), high dose remifentanil (1-1.5 µg/kg/min) with tramadol; HT(-), high dose remifentanil without tramadol; LT(+), low dose remifentanil (0.15-0.25 µg/kg/min) with tramadol; and LT(-), low dose remifentanil without tramadol. We recorded perioperative changes in nasopharyngeal temperature and episodes of PAS on emergence from anesthesia. RESULTS: The incidences of PAS in both tramadol treatment groups were significantly lower than the groups that did not receive tramadol. Nasopharyngeal temperature after surgery fell significantly more from baseline in the tramadol treatment groups compared with the non-treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Tramadol administered at induction of anesthesia appears to suppress PAS following remifentanil anesthesia.

Efficacy and Cardiovascular Adverse Events of Long-term Treatment with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Report from the Nagasaki CML Study Group.

Objective The standard treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is the continuous use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which results in a favorable prognosis for the majority of patients. Recent studies have identified cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) as late adverse events (AEs) related to TKIs. In this study, we evaluated the long-term efficacy and AEs of TKIs, focusing on CVDs. Methods We performed a retrospective survey of CML patients (diagnosed from 2001 to 2016) treated with TKIs in Nagasaki Prefecture. Clinical data were obtained from their medical records. We analyzed the survival, estimated cumulative incidence of CVDs, and risk factors for CVD among CML patients treated with TKIs. Results The overall survival rate of 264 CML patients treated with TKIs (median age 58 years old) was 89.6% [95% confidence interval (CI), 84.9-92.9%], and 80.5% (95% CI, 73.4-85.9%) at 5 and 10 years after the CML diagnosis, respectively. CVD events occurred in 26 patients (9.8%, median age 67.5 years old) with a median 65.5 months of TKI treatment. The cumulative incidences at 2 and 5 years was 2.4% (95% CI, 1.0-4.8%) and 5.2% (95% CI, 2.8-8.6%), respectively. Hypertension and a high SCORE chart risk at the diagnosis of CML were associated with CVD events during TKI treatment. Conclusion TKI treatment contributed to the long-term survival of CML patients in Nagasaki Prefecture in a "real-world" setting, but the incidence of CVDs seemed to be increased in these patients. A proper approach to managing risk factors for CVD is warranted to reduce CVD events during TKI treatment.

Secondary Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis Following Treatment with Azacitidine for Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

Secondary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (sPAP) is a complication of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). A 60-year-old woman was diagnosed with MDS with excess blasts-1. Fifty-four months after the initial diagnosis, treatment with azacitidine was initiated. Seventy-three months after the diagnosis, a bone marrow examination revealed increased myeloblasts, at which time computed tomography showed diffuse ground-glass opacities and interlobular septal thickening in the bilateral lower lung fields. A lung biopsy revealed the presence of PAP; therefore, the clinical diagnosis of MDS/sPAP was confirmed. Careful attention should be paid to the development of sPAP in MDS patients with pulmonary lesions during azacitidine treatment.

Persistent clonal cytogenetic abnormality with del(20q) from an initial diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia.

A 68-year-old male was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). A G-banding chromosomal analysis revealed the co-existence of two clones: one with del(20q) and t(15;17)(q22;q12) and another with del(20q) alone. During the remission of APL following treatment with all-trans-retinoic acid, del(20q) was persistently identified, indicating a diagnosis of cytogenetic abnormalities of undetermined significance (CCAUS) with isolated del(20q). Bicytopenia developed 48 months after the remission of APL. The presence of isolated del(20q) was detected in the G-banding analysis, whereas morphological dysplasia of hematopoietic cells was not confirmed. This case showed indolent progression from CCAUS after the remission of APL to clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS). CCUS with isolated del(20q) persisted for 24 months without any finding of hematological malignancies. At the most recent follow-up, targeted capture sequencing showed the U2AF1 S34F mutation. Considerable attention needs to be paid in follow-ups for CCAUS with del(20q) after the treatment of leukemia.

Molecular hydrogen alleviates motor deficits and muscle degeneration in mdx mice.

OBJECTIVE: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating muscle disease caused by a mutation in DMD encoding dystrophin. Oxidative stress accounts for dystrophic muscle pathologies in DMD. We examined the effects of molecular hydrogen in mdx mice, a model animal for DMD. METHODS: The pregnant mother started to take supersaturated hydrogen water (>5 ppm) ad libitum from E15.5 up to weaning of the offspring. The mdx mice took supersaturated hydrogen water from weaning until age 10 or 24 weeks when they were sacrificed. RESULTS: Hydrogen water prevented abnormal body mass gain that is commonly observed in mdx mice. Hydrogen improved the spontaneous running distance that was estimated by a counter-equipped running-wheel, and extended the duration on the rota-rod. Plasma creatine kinase activities were decreased by hydrogen at ages 10 and 24 weeks. Hydrogen also decreased the number of central nuclei of muscle fibers at ages 10 and 24 weeks, and immunostaining for nitrotyrosine in gastrocnemius muscle at age 24 weeks. Additionally, hydrogen tended to increase protein expressions of antioxidant glutathione peroxidase 1, as well as anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, in skeletal muscle at age 10 weeks. DISCUSSION: Although molecular mechanisms of the diverse effects of hydrogen remain to be elucidated, hydrogen potentially improves muscular dystrophy in DMD patients.