Experience with Photodynamic Therapy Using Indocyanine Green Liposomes for Refractory Cancer.

We reported the development of an effective cancer treatment using a multidisciplinary treatment, including photodynamic therapy (PDT) with indocyanine green (ICG) liposomes and a combination of Lentinula edodes mycelia (LEM) and hydrogen gas inhalation therapy. ICG liposomes were prepared by adding 5 mg of ICG to 50 mL liposomes. Later, 25 mL of ICG liposomes were diluted with 250 mL of 5% glucose solution and administered intravenously to the patient. We selected the multi-laser delivery system (MLDS), a laser irradiator for performing PDT. Further, the patients received a combination of LEM and hydrogen gas inhalation therapy throughout the treatment. We reported two cases of PDT therapy, one with middle intrathoracic esophagus carcinoma and the other with hypopharyngeal cancer. In the first case, the MLDS laser was directly attached to the endoscope and directed to the cancer area with wavelengths of 810 nm. After the treatment, a biopsy demonstrated no tumor recurrence. In the second case, the patient was treated with endovascular PDT using ICG liposomes and MLDS fiber optics. Later, tumor shrinkage was demonstrated after the first round and disappeared after six months. In conclusion, the present findings suggest that the effect of PDT using ICG liposomes with LEM and hydrogen gas may eradicate cancer without burdening patients by enhancing tumor immunity.

Nutrition and Cancer Risk from the Viewpoint of the Intestinal Microbiome.

There are various important factors in reducing the risk of cancer development and progression; these factors may correct an unbalanced intake of nutrients to maintain the living body's homeostasis, detoxify toxic materials, acting as an external factor, and maintain and strengthen the body's immune function. In a normal cell environment, nutrients, such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, are properly digested and absorbed into the body, and, as a result, an environment in which cancer can develop and progress is prevented. It is necessary to prevent toxic materials from entering the body and to detoxify poisons in the body. If these processes occur correctly, cells work normally, and genes cannot be damaged. The most important factor in the fight against cancer and prevention of the development and progression of cancer is the immune system. This requires a nutritional state in which the immune system works well, allowing the intestinal microbiome to carry out all of its roles. In order to grow intestinal microbiota, the consumption of prebiotics, such as organic vegetables, fruits, and dietary fiber, and probiotics of effective intestinal microbiota, such as fermented foods and supplements, is required. Symbiosis, in which these organisms work together, is an effective means of reducing the risk of cancer. In addition, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) using ultrafine bubble water, produced specially by the Association for Clinical Research of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Japan, is also useful for improving the nutritional condition and reducing the risk of cancer.

A novel biomarker TERTmRNA is applicable for early detection of hepatoma.

BACKGROUNDS: We previously reported a highly sensitive method for serum human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) are good markers for HCC. In this study, we verified the significance of hTERTmRNA in a large scale multi-centered trial, collating quantified values with clinical course. METHODS: In 638 subjects including 303 patients with HCC, 89 with chronic hepatitis (CH), 45 with liver cirrhosis (LC) and 201 healthy individuals, we quantified serum hTERTmRNA using the real-time RT-PCR. We examined its sensitivity and specificity in HCC diagnosis, clinical significance, ROC curve analysis in comparison with other tumor markers, and its correlations with the clinical parameters using Pearson relative test and multivariate analyses. Furthermore, we performed a prospective and comparative study to observe the change of biomarkers, including hTERTmRNA in HCC patients receiving anti-cancer therapies. RESULTS: hTERTmRNA was demonstrated to be independently correlated with clinical parameters; tumor size and tumor differentiation (P < 0.001, each). The sensitivity/specificity of hTERTmRNA in HCC diagnosis showed 90.2%/85.4% for hTERT. hTERTmRNA proved to be superior to AFP, AFP-L3, and DCP in the diagnosis and underwent an indisputable change in response to therapy. The detection rate of small HCC by hTERTmRNA was superior to the other markers. CONCLUSIONS: hTERTmRNA is superior to conventional tumor markers in the diagnosis and recurrence of HCC at an early stage.

Serum immunoglobulins in patients with chronic hepatitis C: a surrogate marker of disease severity and treatment outcome.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Moderate polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia is a common finding in chronic viral liver disease; however, its clinical significance has not been completely elucidated. We attempted to determine whether serum immunoglobulin levels were correlated with the disease severity and the treatment outcome in patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODOLOGY: In a total of 102 patients with chronic hepatitis C, we performed serum tests on immunoglobulins and determined the histology activity index (HAI) score by liver biopsy. In 97 patients, immunoglobulin levels were followed prior to and 6 months after interferon (IFN) therapy. RESULTS: Serum gamma (y)-globulin and immunoglobulin (IgG) were well correlated with HAI score (both; p < 0.0001), grading score (both; p < 0.01), and staging score (both; p < 0.0001). Among the 97 patients who received 6 months of IFN monotherapy, 31, 29, and 37 patients were complete, transient and non-responders, respectively. In the three subgroups, a significant difference was found in histological HAI, grading, and staging scores (p < 0.01, p < 0.05 and p < 0.0001, respectively), and in serum levels of gamma-globulin and IgG (both; p < 0.0001). Following IFN treatment, serum gamma-globulin and IgG were significantly decreased in the complete responders (both; p < 0.0001). Furthermore, serum levels of gamma-globulin and IgG of 1.5 g/dL were useful for predicting the treatment outcome of IFN monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of serum gamma-globulin and IgG is a valuable non-invasive tool for assessing the disease severity and treatment outcome in patients with chronic hepatitis C.