Compression therapy using surgical gloves is ineffective for the prevention of vincristine-induced neuropathy in patients with malignant lymphoma.

PURPOSE: Vincristine (VCR) often induces peripheral neuropathy (PN) as an adverse event. Currently, there is no consensus on the prevention of vincristine-induced PN (VIPN). In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of compression therapy using surgical gloves for preventing VIPN. METHODS: Patients with malignant lymphoma (vincristine-naïve) who were receiving chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, VCR, and prednisolone, with or without rituximab, every 3 weeks for six cycles were eligible. For every VCR infusion, each patient wore two one-size-smaller gloves on one hand (study hand) for 90 min. The other hand was left bare (control hand). PN was assessed at each treatment using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events ver. 4.0. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients with malignant lymphoma were enrolled and 44 were evaluated. At 1 month after treatment, the occurrence rates of grade ≥ 2 sensory PN were 13.6 and 13.6% in the study and control hands, respectively (p = 1.0), and those of grade ≥ 2 motor PN were 15.9 and 15.9% in the study and control hands, respectively (p = 1.0). CONCLUSION: Compression therapy using surgical gloves showed no significant effect for the prevention of VIPN. TRIAL REGISTRATION: November 1, 2018, National University Hospital Council of Japan (UMIN 000034145).

Follicular lymphoma with secondary central nervous system relapse: a case report and literature review.

Secondary central nervous system (CNS) relapse by aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a well-known complication portending a very poor prognosis. Conversely, patients with indolent lymphoma-like follicular lymphoma (FL) rarely present with CNS involvement and, thus, limited information is currently available. We herein describe a patient with FL who developed CNS involvement during chemotherapy. Treatment including high-dose methotrexate and radiation therapy was ineffective and the patient died 5 months after CNS relapse. In a literature review, there were 8 case reports of the secondary CNS relapse of FL. The findings obtained suggest that bone marrow infiltration is a risk factor for CNS relapse. Moreover, 5 out of 9 patients died within 2.5 years, indicating a poorer prognosis than that of FL. Therefore, it is important to promptly perform detailed examinations as soon as neurological findings appear.

[FIP1L1::PDGFRA-positive chronic eosinophilic leukemia showing slowly progressive cardiac impairment].

This report describes a 69-year-old man with eosinophilia that was detected during a medical check-up. A review of his medical history revealed that his absolute eosinophil count was 990/µl at the age of 55 and increased to 5,380/µl at the age of 69. Electrocardiogram revealed first-degree atrioventricular block at the age of 58, followed by ST-segment depression and a negative T wave at the age of 65. The echocardiogram was normal at the age of 65. We diagnosed him with FIP1L1::PDGFRA-positive chronic eosinophilic leukemia by detecting the FIP1L1::PDGFRA fusion gene by fluorescence in situ hybridization. He had no symptoms at the first visit; however, echocardiography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed an abnormal structure, considered a thrombus, within the left ventricular apex and apex wall thickening. We initiated imatinib (100 mg/day), and the eosinophilia disappeared in a month. However, his cardiac impairment worsened, and he gradually developed symptoms of heart failure. This case is valuable because it shows the long-term course of the disease, with 15 years of laboratory findings until diagnosis. Our findings suggest that in cases of eosinophilia with an abnormal electrocardiogram, contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging should be considered earlier.

Primary Intramuscular Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Rare Case Report.

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a hematologic malignancy that typically presents with lymphadenopathy. We herein report a patient with HL who presented with an intramuscular mass that required differentiation from an inflammatory lesion. A 65-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our hospital with a chief complaint of chronic and expanding tumor in her left thigh. By surgical resection, she was diagnosed with primary intramuscular, Epstein-Barr virus-positive, mixed-cellularity classic HL. She received combined modality therapy, resulting in a complete response. Primary intramuscular classic HL is extremely rare. It should be listed as a differential diagnosis of intramuscular tumors.

Cytochrome P450 Expression and Chemical Metabolic Activity before Full Liver Development in Zebrafish.

Zebrafish are used widely in biomedical, toxicological, and developmental research, but information on their xenobiotic metabolism is limited. Here, we characterized the expression of 14 xenobiotic cytochrome P450 (CYP) subtypes in whole embryos and larvae of zebrafish (4 to 144 h post-fertilization (hpf)) and the metabolic activities of several representative human CYP substrates. The 14 CYPs showed various changes in expression patterns during development. Many CYP transcripts abruptly increased at about 96 hpf, when the hepatic outgrowth progresses; however, the expression of some cyp1s (1b1, 1c1, 1c2, 1d1) and cyp2r1 peaked at 48 or 72 hpf, before full liver development. Whole-mount in situ hybridization revealed cyp2y3, 2r1, and 3a65 transcripts in larvae at 55 hpf after exposure to rifampicin, phenobarbital, or 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin from 30 hpf onward. Marked conversions of diclofenac to 4'-hydroxydiclofenac and 5-hydroxydiclofenac, and of caffeine to 1,7-dimethylxanthine, were detected as early as 24 or 50 hpf. The rate of metabolism to 4'-hydroxydiclofenac was more marked at 48 and 72 hpf than at 120 hpf, after the liver had become almost fully developed. These findings reveal the expression of various CYPs involved in chemical metabolism in developing zebrafish, even before full liver development.

Comparative genome analysis of test algal strain NIVA-CHL1 (Raphidocelis subcapitata) maintained in microalgal culture collections worldwide.

Raphidocelis subcapitata is one of the most frequently used species for algal growth inhibition tests. Accordingly, many microalgal culture collections worldwide maintain R. subcapitata for distribution to users. All R. subcapitata strains maintained in these collections are derived from the same cultured strain, NIVA-CHL1. However, considering that 61 years have passed since this strain was isolated, we suspected that NIVA-CHL1 in culture collections might have acquired various mutations. In this study, we compared the genome sequences among NIVA-CHL1 from 8 microalgal culture collections and one laboratory in Japan to evaluate the presence of mutations. We found single-nucleotide polymorphisms or indels at 19,576 to 28,212 sites per strain in comparison with the genome sequence of R. subcapitata NIES-35, maintained at the National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan. These mutations were detected not only in non-coding but also in coding regions; some of the latter mutations may affect protein function. In growth inhibition test with 3,5-dichlorophenol, EC50 values varied 2.6-fold among the 9 strains. In the ATCC 22662-2 and CCAP 278/4 strains, we also detected a mutation in the gene encoding small-conductance mechanosensitive ion channel, which may lead to protein truncation and loss of function. Growth inhibition test with sodium chloride suggested that osmotic regulation has changed in ATCC 22662-2 and CCAP 278/4 in comparison with NIES-35.

Correction to: Impact of oral voriconazole during chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome: a Japanese nationwide retrospective cohort study.

In the original publication, in Figure 1 the month range of DPC Database has been given incorrectly.

Impact of oral voriconazole during chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome: a Japanese nationwide retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The prevention of invasive fungal infections is important in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)/myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) receiving cytoreductive chemotherapy. However, the role of oral voriconazole (VRCZ) in such patients has not been established. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of oral VRCZ compared to that of first-generation azoles prescribed within 7 days after the onset of chemotherapy in adult patients with AML/MDS using the Japanese administrative database. METHODS: This nationwide retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination/Per-Diem Payment System. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who switched to intravenous antifungal agents. Analyses using the instrumental variable method were performed to address unmeasured confounding. RESULTS: In total, data on 5517 inpatients from 142 hospitals were analyzed. An oral VRCZ prescription was significantly associated with a reduction in the proportion of patients switching to intravenous antifungal agents compared to first-generation azole prescription (21.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] - 33.4 to - 8.6)). The impact of oral VRCZ in reducing the proportion of patients switching to intravenous antifungal agents was stronger in patients aged < 65 years than in those aged ≥ 65 years (- 40.6%, 95% CI - 63.2 to - 17.9; - 21.9%, 95% CI - 35.8 to - 8.1, respectively) and in patients prescribed oral azole within 3 days from the onset of chemotherapy than in those prescribed the same later (- 32.9%, 95% CI - 46.7 to - 19.2; - 9.0%, 95% CI - 33.7 to 15.7, respectively). CONCLUSION: Oral VRCZ administration may benefit adult patients with AML/MDS undergoing chemotherapy.

[Successful Treatment of T-Cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia with Alemtuzumab].

T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia(T-PLL)is a highly aggressive hematopoietic malignancy with poor prognosis and is extremely rare in Japan. Since T-PLL cells usually express high levels of CD52, the anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody alemtuzumab is expected to exhibit an antitumor effect via its antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity(ADCC)and complement-dependent cytotoxicity(CDC). However, the therapeutic efficiency of alemtuzumab for T-PLL has not been established in Japan. Furthermore, only a few patients have completed the treatment schedule because of adverse events. Here, we report a 64-yearold woman with multiple comorbidities who was successfully treated with alemtuzumab.

Comparing time-series of chemical concentrations in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos/larvae exposed to teratogens with different hydrophobicity; caffeine, sodium valproate, and diethylstilbestrol.

Developmental toxicity is an adverse developmental outcome, i.e., death, malformation, growth retardation, or functional deficiency. Recently, alternative methods of assessing developmental toxicity using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a preliminary screening have attracted attention because of their low cost and high throughput. However, most toxicity evaluations have been based on a chemical concentration in an aqueous solution, and the chemical concentrations in embryos/larvae and their temporal behavior have in most cases been unclear, regardless of differences of chemical hydrophobicity. In the present study, we selected three teratogens with different hydrophobicities (caffeine, CA, log Kow -0.07; sodium valproate, VA, log Kow 0.26 (pH 7.4); and diethylstilbestrol, DES, log Kow 5.07), and we measured their concentrations in embryos/larvae exposed to these chemicals every 24 hr post-fertilization (hpf) until 144 hpf. Kinetic analysis based on a one-compartment fish model that yields first order kinetics for CA and VA revealed that concentrations of both CA and VA in embryos/larvae increased gradually and became saturated by around 100 hpf. In contrast, DES concentrations in embryos/larvae reached a maximum at 48 or 72 hpf and then decreased gradually. The present study suggests that the temporal pattern of chemical concentrations is a function of the hydrophobicity of the chemicals.

Interaction patterns and toxicities of binary and ternary pesticide mixtures to Daphnia magna estimated by an accelerated failure time model.

Organisms in natural environments are often exposed to a broad variety of chemicals, and the multi-chemical mixtures exposure may produce significant toxic effects, even though the individual chemicals are present at concentrations below their no-observed-effect concentrations. This study represents the first attempt that uses the accelerated failure time (AFT) model to quantify the interaction and toxicity of multi-chemical mixtures in environmental toxicology. We firstly conducted the acute immobilization tests with Daphnia magna exposed to mixtures of diazinon (DZN), fenitrothion (MEP); and thiobencarb (TB) in single, binary, and ternary formulations, and then fitted the results to the AFT model. The 48-h EC50 (concentration required to immobilize 50% of the daphnids at 48h) values for each pesticide obtained from the AFT model are within a factor of 2 of the corresponding values calculated from the single pesticide exposure tests, indicating the methodology is able to provide credible toxicity values. The AFT model revealed either significant synergistic (DZN and MEP; DZN and TB) or antagonistic (MEP and TB) interactions in binary mixtures, while the interaction pattern of ternary mixture depended on both the concentration levels and concentration ratios of pesticides. With a factor of 2, the AFT model accurately estimated the toxicities for 78% of binary mixture formulations that exhibited significant synergistic effects, and the toxicities for all the ternary formulations. Our results showed that the AFT model can provide a simple and efficient way to quantify the interactions between pesticides and to assess the toxicity of their mixtures. This ability may greatly facilitate the ecotoxicological risk assessment of exposure to multi-chemical mixtures.

Criteria for deviation from predictions by the concentration addition model.

Loewe's additivity (concentration addition) is a well-known model for predicting the toxic effects of chemical mixtures under the additivity assumption of toxicity. However, from the perspective of chemical risk assessment and/or management, it is important to identify chemicals whose toxicities are additive when present concurrently, that is, it should be established whether there are chemical mixtures to which the concentration addition predictive model can be applied. The objective of the present study was to develop criteria for judging test results that deviated from the predictions by the concentration addition chemical mixture model. These criteria were based on the confidence interval of the concentration addition model's prediction and on estimation of errors of the predicted concentration-effect curves by toxicity tests after exposure to single chemicals. A log-logit model with 2 parameters was assumed for the concentration-effect curve of each individual chemical. These parameters were determined by the maximum-likelihood method, and the criteria were defined using the variances and the covariance of the parameters. In addition, the criteria were applied to a toxicity test of a binary mixture of p-n-nonylphenol and p-n-octylphenol using the Japanese killifish, medaka (Oryzias latipes). Consequently, the concentration addition model using confidence interval was capable of predicting the test results at any level, and no reason for rejecting the concentration addition was found. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1806-1814. © 2015 SETAC.

Complete Remission in Systemic Skin Interdigitating Dendritic Cell Sarcoma after ABVD Chemotherapy.

Interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma (IDCS) is a rare and aggressive neoplasm that is thought to arise from dendritic cells. This disease usually involves the lymph nodes and, rarely, extra-nodal sites. We report a 62-year-old man presenting skin nodules in the head, body, and extremities, as well as bone marrow involvement. Morphologic analysis of a biopsied specimen from the skin lesion was consistent with IDCS. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that the tumor cells were positive for IDCS-associated antigens such as CD4, CD45, CD68 (KP-1), and S-100 protein. Complete remission was achieved by treatment with 6 cycles of ABVD (adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine) chemotherapy. Although the optimal treatment of IDSC remains unknown, the experience in the current case supports the notion that ABVD chemotherapy may be effective for IDCS, and further extends this idea to rare patients presenting multiple skin lesions.

[Multiple myeloma recurring as small intestinal polyposis after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].

A 52-year-old woman was diagnosed with BJP-λ multiple myeloma (MM) in November 2012. She was treated with six cycles of bortezomib and dexamethasone, resulting in a very good partial response. The patient underwent autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) 6 months after the diagnosis, and clearly achieved a complete response thereafter. She again suffered chronic abdominal pain with spontaneous remission 9 months after the PBSCT, and, 2 months thereafter, was hospitalized due to intestinal obstruction. Two small intestinal intussusceptions and polyposis in the small intestine were found on abdominal computed tomography. As conservative treatment produced no improvement, partial resection of the small intestine was performed. The pathologic review clearly demonstrated the polyps to have atypical plasma cell infiltrates in the mucosa of the small intestine involving all layers. Immunohisto-chemistry and FISH analyses yielded positive results for CD138, CD79a, and λ light chain, consistent with extramedullary relapse of MM. It is very rare for MM to present with polyposis in the small intestine. There have been no reports describing such a case after autologous PBSCT.

[Acute painful crisis in a female Nigerian patient with sickle cell disease].

We report a 38-year-old Nigerian woman with sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease had been diagnosed when she experienced her first sickle cell crisis episode at age 8 years. Thereafter, she had infrequent minor episodes. She visited a hospital presenting with fever, anemia, jaundice, and systemic pain, and was then transferred to our hospital. Together with rehydration and red blood cell transfusion, analgesics and antibiotics were prescribed, and produced gradual improvement of all symptoms and signs. The patient was discharged on day 9 of hospitalization. Sickle cell crisis is an acute painful episode caused by occlusion of arterioles. The degree of pain and accompanying symptoms, as well as the frequencies of crises, are variable. Moreover, one third of individuals with sickle cell disease never experience a crisis. As our society becomes increasingly globalized, the probabilities of encountering sickle cell disease patients will be higher.

Prognosis factors in Japanese elderly patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma treated with a nonradiation, intermediate-dose methotrexate-containing regimen.

BACKGROUND: Nearly half of all patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) are known to be aged over 60 years. However, clinical factors affecting treatment outcomes in elderly patients are understudied. METHODS: We analyzed 38 patients with PCNSL older than 60 years. All patients were treated with a nonradiation, intermediate-dose methotrexate-containing regimen between March 2005 and May 2013 at the University of Tsukuba Hospital. RESULTS: The 3-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 56.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 36.2-76.2%) and 29.8% (95% CI 9-50.6%), respectively, with a median follow-up of 36.5 months. We found that an age > 75 years, a Karnofsky performance score < 70, altered mentation, and a creatinine clearance (CrCl) > 90 ml/min were significant (p < 0.05) factors associated with a worse survival, by univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed that CrCl (p < 0.05; hazard ratio (HR) = 3.39; 95% CI 1.08-10.68) and altered mentation (p < 0.05; HR = 6.27; 95%CI 1.37-28.83) were independent significant association factors. The most frequent adverse event was myelosuppression, with grade 3-4 hematologic toxicities in 28 patients. No delayed neurotoxicities were observed. CONCLUSION: More intensive therapy may be introduced in selected patients with poor prognosis factors to improve outcomes.

Prolonged Survival of a Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patient after a Third Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation with Umbilical Cord Blood following a Second Relapse.

Although hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been considered to be the only way for potential cure of relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML), there has been no report on a third HSCT in patients with multiple relapsed AML. Here, we report a case of 53-year-old female who received a successful third allogeneic HSCT after relapse of AML following a second allogeneic HSCT. She was treated with a toxicity reduced conditioning regimen and received direct intrabone cord blood transplantation (CBT) using a single unit of 5/6 HLA-matched cord blood as a graft source. Graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis was performed with a single agent of tacrolimus to increase graft-versus-leukemia effect. She is in remission for 8 months since the direct intrabone CBT. This report highlights not only the importance of individually adjusted approach but also the need for further investigation on the role of HSCT as a treatment modality in patients with refractory or multiple relapsed AML.

Glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus in patients with lymphoma treated with CHOP chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: Glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a major complication arising from corticosteroid administration, but there is lack of studies on GDM attributing to CHOP chemotherapy. We studied the incidence and risk factors for GDM development in patients with lymphoma during CHOP chemotherapy. METHODS: We analyzed 80 patients with lymphoma treated with a CHOP regimen with or without rituximab between 2004 and 2012 at the University of Tsukuba hospital. Patients with a known history of DM were excluded. Diagnosis of DM was performed according to the American Diabetes Association's criteria. RESULTS: Among the 80 patients, 26 (32.5 %) developed GDM. We found that age ≥ 60 years, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels >6.1 %, body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m(2), prednisolone administration prior to chemotherapy, history of hypertension or hypertension at admission, and the presence of metabolic syndrome were significant (p ≤ 0.05) factors associated with GDM development by univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed that age ≥ 60 years [p<0.05; hazard ratio (HR)=3.59; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.22-10.51], HbA1c levels >6.1 % (p<0.05; HR=9.35; 95%CI, 1.45-60.34), and BMI >30 kg/m(2) (p=0.052; HR=6.27; 95%CI, 0.98-40.00) were independently significant association factors. CONCLUSION: The results suggest a guideline for plasma glucose monitoring during CHOP chemotherapy in patients with no history of DM.

[A case of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma associated with transverse myelopathy].

We present a 68-year-old man suffering from transverse myelopathy since May 2010. The spinal cord MRI showed a T2- hyperintense lesion invading the Th5 level spinal cord. Although the patient transiently responded to steroid-pulse therapy, his neurological symptoms degenerated three months after wards. On admission, he had an apparent hepatosplenomegaly, but no lymphadenopathy. A laboratory examination revealed bicytopenia and increased levels ofLDH and soluble IL-2 receptors. Histological analysis ofa skin biopsy specimen demonstrated proliferation of large atypical lymphoid cells positive for CD20 and CD79a in the small capillaries, leading to our diagnosis of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma(IVLBCL). Thus, the patient's progressive myelopathy was probably caused by IVLBCL invasion. The patient responded well to Rituximab-combined CHOP therapy(R-CHOP), and his neurological symptoms improved immediately. A spinal cord MRI showed the disappearance of the abnormal signal after two courses of R -CHOP. IVLBCL often presents with neurological manifestations, including transverse myelopathy.