Detection of Two Biotypes of Liriomyza chinensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in Japan

The larva of stone leek leafminer, Liriomyza chinensis (Kato), is known to infest alternately just below the epidermis and inner surface of hollow cylindrical leaves of allium crops, resulting in the formation of discontinuous linear mines (mine form: discontinuous). However, after the fall of 2016, a novel mine form of the same species (mine form: continuous) was detected in Welsh onion fields of Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. We hypothesized that these mine forms were associated with flies having different genetic backgrounds; hence, we compared the mine forms and the partial mtCOI gene of flies collected from Welsh onion fields from 2018 to 2019. The results demonstrated that the flies that emerged from different mine forms could be classified into two haplogroups, i.e., flies displaying a discontinuous mine form were of haplogroup A, whereas those that displayed continuous mines were of haplotype B. Additionally, using populations of these flies reared in the laboratory, we confirmed that the mine form of the larvae of haplotype A on Welsh onions was discontinuous, whereas that of haplotype B was continuous. We named the population that exhibited a discontinuous mine form as biotype A and the population displaying a continuous mine form as biotype B.

Species Composition of Alate Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Harboring Potato Virus Y and the Harbored Virus Strains in Hokkaido, Northern Japan

Many studies have evaluated transmission abilities of laboratory-reared aphids for potato virus Y (PVY), but few have focused on PVY-harboring species of field-collected aphids and the strains of PVY harbored by aphids. In the present study, we collected alate aphids in yellow pan traps in potato fields with Japanese commercial cultivars in Hokkaido, northern Japan in single 24-h periods during the tuber bulking stage and examined whether individual whole aphids harbored PVY by nested RT-PCR. PVY-positive individuals were identified to species using the gene sequence for cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and, when needed, morphological data and distribution records. In addition, individual strains of PVY harbored were determined using partial sequences of coat protein. Among 1,857 aphids trapped, 195 aphids had PVY and comprised 19 species; 17 species were identified to species-group taxa. Most of the aphid species detected as PVY positive colonize weeds that are common around potato fields in Hokkaido. Five species-group taxa had not been reported previously as a vector aphid of PVY and might be new PVY-vector species. PVYNTN was most frequently detected from PVY-positive aphids as found recently in PVY-infected potatoes in commercial fields in Hokkaido. Two or three PVY strains were rarely detected from a single aphid, and no obvious difference was found in the proportion of the harbored PVY strains among positive aphid species. The first documentation of the species composition of PVY-harboring aphids and the strains of PVY harbored in East Asia should aid understanding of the epidemiology of PVY in Japan.

Abstract P4-21-25: The importance of hormone receptor status on biomarker expression and the efficacy of lapatinib plus capecitabine therapy after progression on trastuzumab in HER2 positive recurrent and advanced breast cancer

Background: Anti-HER2 treatment using trastuzumab (Tmab) has contributed to improving the clinical outcome of HER2-positive breast cancerpatients. However, some patients do not respond to Tmab therapy and the combination of Lapatinib and capecitabine (LC) is an effective treatment option after progression on Tmab. Hormone receptor status is also an important factor for deciding if the patient should be treated with endocrine therapy as well. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of hormone receptor status in biomarker expression and to evaluate the efficacy of lapatinib therapy.

Materials and Methods: Eighty patients with HER2 positive breast cancer refractory to Tmab were enrolled in this prospective trial (KBC-SG 1107) between December 2011 and March 2014. The following treatment began after enrollment; lapatinib 1250-mg tablets were administered orally once daily and capecitabine (2000 mg/m2 per day) on days 1 to 14 every 21 days until disease progression or until severe adverse events. Total HER2 (H2T), p95HER2 (p95), and total HER3 (H3T) expression levels were quantified in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded samples using VeraTag assays. ER and progesterone receptor (PgR), PTEN and p95 expressions were evaluated using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and PIK3CA mutation using direct sequencing. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (ver. 21). A two-sided P<0.05 was considered a statistically significant difference.

Results: The ER- and PgR-positive rates were 55.0% and 33.8%, respectively. The response rate to LC was 30% (CR: 1 case; PR: 23 cases), the clinical benefit rate was 51.3% and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 174.5 days. Both ER and PgR negativity significantly correlated with higher H2T (cutoff: 13.8), p95HER2 (cutoff: 2.8) and PTEN expression levels (cutoff: H score of 100). Lower H2T expression levels and PIK3CA mutation rates were often observed in the non-responders (both: p=0.087). The ER and PgR status did not correlate with response. A high p95 and PTEN expression significantly correlated with longer PFS in ER and/or PgR positive cases (p=0.02 and 0.03), respectively. The overall survival (OS) after LC significantly correlated with the number of recurrence organs (p=0.0002) but not with the p95 and PTEN expression levels.

Conclusion: LC therapy was effective in Tmab-refractory HER2 positive breast cancer. Moreover, the biomarker expression differed depending on the ER/PgR status and a high p95 and PTEN expression correlated with longer PFS in ER and/or PgR positive cases. Further study is necessary to validate these findings.

Citation Format: Arima N, Nishimura R, Toh U, Tanaka M, Saimura M, Okumura Y, Saito T, Tanaka T, Teraoka M, Shimada K, Koga T, Kurashita K, Todoroki H, Ueo H, Ohi Y, Toyoshima S, Mitsuyama S, Tamura K. The importance of hormone receptor status on biomarker expression and the efficacy of lapatinib plus capecitabine therapy after progression on trastuzumab in HER2 positive recurrent and advanced breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-21-25.

Population survey of phytoseiid mites and spider mites on peach leaves and wild plants in Japanese peach orchard

A population survey of phytoseiid mites and spider mites was conducted on peach leaves and wild plants in Japanese peach orchards having different pesticide practices. The phytoseiid mite species composition on peach leaves and wild plants, as estimated using quantitative sequencing, changed during the survey period. Moreover, it varied among study sites. The phytoseiid mite species compositions were similar between peach leaves and some wild plants, such as Veronica persica, Paederia foetida, Persicaria longiseta, and Oxalis corniculata with larger quantities of phytoseiid mites, especially after mid-summer. A PCR-based method to detect the ribosomal ITS sequences of Tetranychus kanzawai and Panonychus mori from phytoseiid mites was developed. Results showed that Euseius sojaensis (specialized pollen feeder/generalist predator) uses both spider mites as prey in the field.

Phytoseiid mite species composition in Japanese peach orchards estimated using quantitative sequencing

We attempted a population survey of spider mites and phytoseiid mites in Japanese peach orchards with different pesticide practices; however, we had difficulty discriminating phytoseiid mites. To estimate phytoseiid mite species composition, ribosomal gene fragments were amplified from genomic DNA of five phytoseiid mite species using PCR. Cloning and nucleotide sequencing of amplified fragments identified species-specific polymorphic sites. Newly amplified fragments from recombinant plasmids were mixed in various ratios to produce standard DNA template mixtures. After direct sequencing, the signal ratios between two nucleotides at each species-specific polymorphic site were calculated and shown against the corresponding expected ratios. Quadratic regression equations were used to estimate the phytoseiid mite species composition. Results showed that the phytoseiid mite species composition changed during the survey period and varied among study sites.

PMDA's challenge to accelerate clinical development and review of new drugs in Japan

In recent years, Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) has conducted several projects to shorten drug development and review times in Japan to resolve the "drug lag." Key to achieving this goal is greater involvement by the PMDA in drug development through enhancement of scientific consultation and improvement of the review process by reinforcing the operational system, including hiring more reviewers. We discuss here the current projects of the PMDA as well as future challenges.

Participation of elderly patients in registration trials for oncology drug applications in Japan

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to evaluate the age-based enrollment of cancer patients into registration trials of new drug applications or expanding the indications for use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The data from 234 registration trials in Japan and overseas of 43 drugs, which were reviewed by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency and approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan between 1999 and 2008, were retrospectively analyzed according to the age distribution of enrolled patients. The age distribution of the Japanese cancer population was derived from Cancer Statistics in Japan 2003 and Annual Report on Health, Labour and Welfare 2003-2004.

RESULTS

In the Japanese cancer population, the estimated median age of cancer patients is 70 years, and 66% of cancer patients are aged 65 years or more. The estimated median age of cancer patients in all registration trials conducted in Japan was 59 years, whereas it was 55 years in the registration trials conducted overseas. The proportion of patients aged 65 years or more enrolled in registration trials conducted in Japan was 35%; this number was 28% in registration trials conducted overseas.

CONCLUSION

Elderly patients are underrepresented in oncology registration trials in Japan.

Effects of starvation on reproduction of the predacious mite Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Effects of starvation on gravid females of Neoseiulus californicus were investigated at 20 degrees C and 85% RH. When females that had been reared with abundant prey were swapped, just after laying their first egg, to conditions without any prey and water, they laid 1.8 eggs and survived for 4.3 days. In the body of well-fed females, an egg with eggshell and/or two oocytes were observed in the ventral and dorsal regions, respectively. The larger oocyte had two roundish nuclei and abundant yolk granules, and was enveloped with a vitelline membrane. These two nuclei were not fused but were just close to each other. The smaller oocyte had a nucleus, but had not yet formed yolk granules and vitelline membrane. Females after 12 h starvation had an egg in the ventral region and an oocyte in the dorsal region of the body. After more than 24 h starvation females maintained an oocyte in the dorsal region of the body, but had no egg in the ventral region. The oocyte was filled with abundant yolk granules and contained two irregular nuclei when females were starved for 24 h, but when starved for more than 36 h it contained one irregular nucleus. These findings suggest that (1) gravid females maintained an oocyte in the dorsal region after laying two eggs during starvation, (2) the oocyte was not absorbed during starvation, (3) the oocyte advanced vitellogenesis and the fusion of two nuclei, and (4) the vitellogenic oocyte was not enveloped with an eggshell and had not started embryogenesis.

Phase II study of an epirubicin and docetaxel (ET) combination as pre and post-operative systemic therapy in patients with early stage breast cancer (EBC)

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Background: The goal of chemotherapy (CT) for EBC is to achieve a high pathologic complete response (CR) leading to an increase in the rate of breast conserving surgery (BCS). ET is one of the most active CT regimens for metastatic breast cancer. The primary endpoint of this study was to evaluate clinical response Methods: Eligible patients (pts) were newly diagnosed with EBC and had large primary tumors (stage II-III, > 3 cm). Forty-seven pts were enrolled and received epirubicin 60 mg/m2 followed by docetaxel 60 mg/m2 every 3 weeks for 4 cycles before surgery. Within 4 weeks after surgery, 4 additional cycles of ET were given to the pts who responded to ET. Results: Forty-five pts were evaluable for safety and clinical response. The median age was 47 (range, 29–75). The tumor size was T2 in 44% of the pts, T3 in 36%, and T4 in 20%. ER and PgR were both positive in 40% of pts, while both negative in 31%. HER2 was positive in 33% of pts. Four cycles of ET at full dose were given to 96% of pts prior to surgery. The clinical response was 73% including 7% CR (95% CI 58–85%); the BCS rate was 36%. Central pathologic review was performed in 37 pts showing disappearance of all tumor cells (grade 1) in 1 patient (3%) and 2 pts (5%) achieved a grade 2 response (in situ carcinoma in the operated breast) by Chevallier’s criteria. Grade 3–4 toxicities included neutropenia (71%), leukocytopenia (69%), febrile neutropenia (18%) and anorexia (9%). Twenty-four of 33 pts who responded to ET received additional ET after surgery. Conclusions: ET showed a high clinical response in previously untreated EBC with acceptable toxicity. In order to improve pathological CRs further, the doses and treatment schedule of this regimen needs to be improved. Currently, we are following the pts to assess differences in survival between pts with or without additional adjuvant ET.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

[Studies on quality and safety control of drugs for human use from transgenic animals/clone animals]

Recently the pharmaceuticals, which were produced using transgenic animals, have been developed, and will be submitted for registration in nearly future in Japan as well as in USA and EU. In addition, clone animals are also thought to be useful for the productions of the pharmaceuticals. This study has been, therefore, undertaken to establish the technical requirement for registration of the pharmaceuticals. They should be evaluated from the following standpoints: 1) Transgene construct and its characterization; 2) Creation and characterization of the transgenic founder animal; 3) Establishment of a reliable and continuous source of transgenic founder animals; 4) Generation and selection of the production animals; 5) Maintenance of transgenic animals; 6) Recovery and purification of products from transgenic animals; 7) Characterization of products; 8) Process validation/evaluation and in-process test; 9) Specification of products; 10) Stability of products; 11) Preclinical safety evaluation and clinical evaluation. Cloning technology by nuclear transfer of a transformed somatic cell has been already applied to the creation of the transgenic founder animal for the production of pharmaceuticals. The pharmaceuticals produced using the clone animals could be evaluated from almost the same standpoints. However, the flexible evaluation will be also needed depending on the development of the technology.

Deletion of 12 carboxyl-terminal residues from pig 3alpha/beta,20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase affects steroid metabolism

Pig 3alpha/beta,20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3alpha/beta,20beta-HSD) is 80-85% identical to human, rat, and mouse carbonyl reductases. However, pig 3alpha/beta,20beta-HSD contains an extra 12 amino acids at its COOH-terminus that these other mammalian carbonyl reductases lack. We constructed a pig 3alpha/beta,20beta-HSD mutant, G278opal, which lacks these amino acids and found that compared to wild-type 3alpha/beta,20beta-HSD, G278opal has a 10-fold lower catalytic efficiency for testosterone and progesterone. G278opal also has lower 3alpha- and 20beta-reductase and increased 3beta-reductase activity compared to wild-type 3alpha/beta,20beta-HSD. Binding of NADPH to G278opal was similar to that of wild-type 3alpha/beta,20beta-HSD. The recently determined three-dimensional structure of 3alpha/beta,20beta-HSD, without a steroid substrate, shows the 12 COOH-terminal amino acids in a random configuration. Our data indicate that the 12 COOH-terminal amino acids have a role in steroid metabolism suggesting that binding of steroid to wild-type 3alpha/beta,20beta-HSD induces a conformational change in which the 12 COOH-terminal amino acids interact with the steroid substrate.

Cobalamin deficiency results in severe metabolic disorder of serine and threonine in rats

Dietary cobalamin (vitamin B12; Cbl) deficiency caused significant increases in plasma serine, threonine, glycine, alanine, tyrosine, lysine and histidine levels in rats. In particular, the serine and threonine levels were over five and eight times, respectively, higher in the Cbl-deficient rats than those in the sufficient controls. In addition, some amino acids, including serine and threonine, were excreted into urine at significantly higher levels in the deficient rats. When Cbl was supplemented into the deficient rats for 2 weeks, in coincidence with the disappearance of the urinary excretion of methylmalonic acid (an index of Cbl deficiency), the plasma serine and threonine levels were normalized. These results indicate that Cbl deficiency results in metabolic disorder of certain amino acids, including serine and threonine. The expression level of hepatic serine dehydratase (SDH), which catalyzes the conversion of serine and threonine to pyruvate and 2-oxobutyrate, respectively, was significantly lowered by Cbl deficiency, even though Cbl does not participate directly in the enzyme reaction. The SDH activity in the deficient rats was less than 20% of that in the sufficient controls, and was normalized 2 weeks after the Cbl supplementation. It is thus suggested that the decrease of the SDH expression relates closely with the abnormalities in the plasma and urinary levels of serine and threonine in the Cbl-deficient rats.

A collision tumor composed of adenocarcinoma and malignant lymphoma in the remnant stomach after pancreatoduodenectomy: report of a case

The occurrence of a collision tumor in the stomach, consisting of adenocarcinoma and malignant lymphoma, is extremely rare. We report herein the case of a patient who had undergone a pancreatoduodenectomy for bile duct cancer 5 year earlier, in whom an ulcerating tumor of the remnant stomach developed and grew rapidly within 5 months. Surgical exploration revealed a tumor in the remnant stomach, multiple liver metastases, and multiple lymph node metastases. Total resection of the remnant stomach was performed, and pathological examination revealed a collision tumor consisting of adenocarcinoma and malignant lymphoma. The patient died of liver metastases and lymph node metastases 7 months after his second operation. The coexistence of both adenocarcinoma and malignant lymphoma of the remnant stomach and the etiology of this unusual combination, never previously reported, is discussed.

Immunohistochemical analysis on biological markers in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

BACKGROUND

The increasing use of mammographic screening has led to an increased detection of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast. The detailed biological characteristics of DCIS and a new classification of DCIS based on these characteristics are needed.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical studies were performed to assess the expression of c-erbB-2 (ErbB-2), estrogen receptor (ER), p53 and proliferative activity (Ki-67) in 65 patients with pure DCIS and 60 with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). We classified pure DCIS tumors using three classifications, the architectural, Nottingham, and Van Nuys classifications.

RESULTS

ErbB-2, ER and p53 staining was positive in 34%, 66% and 21% of patients with DCIS, respectively, and 58%, 42% and 33% in patients with IDC, respectively. Ki-67 stained positively in 1.5% of patients with DCIS and 11.2% of patients with IDC. The comedo type showed a high rate of positive ErbB-2 and p53 staining. The cribriform and papillary types showed a high rate of positive ER staining. Under the Van Nuys classification, ErbB-2, p53 and Ki-67 expression were highest in the group with high nuclear grade and lowest in the group with non-high nuclear grade without necrosis.

CONCLUSION

Although the biological markers of IDC tended to suggest aggressive behavior more so than those of DCIS, these differences were based on the histological sub-type, comedo or non-comedo. The Van Nuys classification best defined the subgroups of DCIS with a distinct expression pattern of biological markers, and the best candidates for breast-conserving surgery.

Highly efficient deacetylation by use of the neutral organotin catalyst [tBu2SnOH(Cl)]2

Deprotection of acetyl esters is effected cleanly by the neutral organotin catalyst, [tBu2SnOH(Cl)]2. The mildness of the reaction gives rise to great synthetic versatility and in the process a variety of functional groups are tolerated. Differentiations between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols and between acetyl ester and other esters are feasible. No racemization occurs with chiral acetyl esters. Exclusive deprotection of primary acetyl esters in carbohydrates and nucleosides is observed. The crude product thus obtained can be used for further reactions without purification.

Pathological features of mucinous carcinoma of the breast are favourable for breast-conserving therapy

AIM

The effectiveness of breast-conserving therapy for mucinous carcinoma has not been well documented. We examined clinical and pathological features of cases to determine whether patients with mucinous carcinoma were suitable candidates for this treatment.

METHOD

Cases of pure type (n=52) and mixed type (n=24) mucinous carcinomas were reviewed with emphasis on the risk factors associated with local recurrences after breast-conserving therapy.

RESULTS

Large pure mucinous carcinomas had a low incidence of extensive intraductal spreading (EIS). An inverse correlation existed between the incidence of EIS and tumour size (P<0.05). Comedo type EIS was infrequent (11%) in pure mucinous carcinoma. Incidences of lymphatic vessel invasion (4%) and nodal involvement (4%) were lower in pure mucinous carcinoma than in mixed carcinoma (P<0.05). No nodal involvement occurred in patients with pure mucinous carcinoma less than 3 cm in diameter.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with pure mucinous carcinomas, except those invading the local skin, are suitable candidates for breast-conserving therapy. Most pure mucinous carcinomas, including a large tumour up to 5 cm in diameter, can be treated with this therapy.

Possible physiological roles of proteolytic products of actin in neutrophils of patients with Behçet's disease

A truncated actin with an N-terminus of Met-44 is known to be selectively increased in neutrophils of patients with Behçet's disease and to be generated proteolytically by PMN-elastase (Yamashita S. et al., Biol. Pharm. Bull., 23, 519-522 (2000); Biol. Pharm. Bull., 24, 119-122 (2001)). In this study, the functions of the N-terminal peptide consisting of Asp-2 to Val-43 of beta-actin (42-merP) and the truncated actin with an N-terminus of Met-44 were examined. We first confirmed that the 42-merP existed in the patient plasma. The motility of human peripheral blood neutrophils and neutrophilic granulocytes differentiated from HL-60 cells was suppressed by the 42-merP. Furthermore, when neutrophil-like cells from HL-60 cells were preincubated with 10 nm 42-merP, migration of the cells induced by chemotactic factors such as fMLP and IL-8 was suppressed. The release of PMN-elastase, which is a neutrophil granular enzyme that is responsible for the production of the 42-merP and truncated actin, was suppressed by pretreating the neutrophils with 42-merP before fMLP-stimulation. The truncated actin was unable to polymerize in 0.1 M KCl, suggesting that the increase of truncated actin damages the reconstitution capacity of actin in neutrophils of the patients. These results suggest that the increase of 42-merP and truncated actin in patients with Behçet's disease changes functions of neutrophils