Reversal of LRP-associated drug resistance in colon carcinoma SW-620 cells

Resistance to multiple drugs is mediated by lung resistance-related protein (LRP) as well as P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance protein (MRP). The levels of expression of LRP mRNA and LRP in a human colon carcinoma cell line, SW-620, were increased by the differentiation-inducing agent, sodium butyrate (NaB). Treatment of SW-620 cells with NaB for 2 weeks conferred resistance to adriamycin (ADM) and VP-16. The resistance was almost completely reversed by PAK-104P, a pyridine analog, but not by cepharanthine. ADM accumulated mainly in the nuclei of SW-620 cells not treated with NaB and in the cytoplasm of SW-620 cells treated with NaB. When the NaB-treated SW-620 cells were incubated with ADM in the presence of PAK-104P, the accumulation of ADM in nuclei was substantially increased. Isolated nuclei from untreated cells accumulated more ADM than nuclei from NaB-treated cells. Efflux of ADM from the nuclei isolated from NaB-treated cells was enhanced. PAK-104P and an antibody against LRP increased the accumulation of ADM in the isolated nuclei from NaB-treated cells, and inhibited the enhanced efflux of ADM from the nuclei. These findings suggest that at least in part, PAK-104P reverses LRP-mediated drug resistance by inhibiting the efflux of ADM from nuclei. PAK-104P may be useful for reversing MDR in tumors that overexpress LRP.

Expression of mouse osteocalcin transcripts, OG1 and OG2, is differently regulated in bone tissues and osteoblast cultures

Osteocalcin is a noncollagenous protein that is abundant in mineralized bone matrix. Mice have a gene cluster of osteocalcin that consists of OG1, OG2, and ORG. We established a new method to directly analyze the expression levels of OG1, OG2, and ORG mRNAs relative to total osteocalcin mRNA. They were amplified as 371-bp fragments by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the same time using common primers, digested with ApaLI, and separated in a polyacrylamide gel. ApaLI digestion did not affect the mobility of the OG1-derived 371-bp fragment, whereas both 371-bp fragments, derived from OG2 and ORG, were digested into 350 bp. Total RNA prepared from mouse bone was then subjected to RT-PCR followed by ApaLI digestion. OG1 and OG2 mRNAs were found to be expressed at ratios of 80%-86% and 14%-20%, respectively, to the total osteocalcin mRNA in mouse bone. The ratios were almost constant in various bones in vivo, independent of the animal's genetic background, age, or gender, or different parts of bone. RT-PCR using specific primers revealed that mouse bone tissues strongly expressed osteocalcin mRNA derived from OG1 and OG2, but not ORG. In contrast, cells cultured in vitro showed different expression ratios of osteocalcin mRNA: 53%-65% for OG1 and 35%-47% for OG2 to the total osteocalcin mRNA in the osteoblast cell line and primary osteoblasts in culture even though they formed many mineralized bone nodules. Similar results were obtained in both KS483 osteoblasts and C2C12 myoblasts, when they were cultured with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) to induce osteocalcin mRNA. Taken together, these findings indicate that OG1 is the predominant transcript among the three osteocalcin genes in mouse bone in vivo. It is also suggested that the expression of OG1 and OG2 is regulated differently in bone tissues and osteoblast cultures.

New multidrug resistance modulators from Atractylodis Lanceae Rhizoma

Three new oligoacylated sucroses designated atractysucroses-I, -II, and -III were obtained from Atractylodis Lanceae Rhizoma as multidrug resistance (MDR) modulating substances against human carcinoma cell lines and their chemical structures were characterized as a mixture of acyl groups. Atractysucrose-I modulates MDR in KB-C2 cells as strongly as verapamil. This is the first example of an MDR-modulator classified as a carbohydrate.

N-acetyl cysteine inhibits cell cycle progression in pancreatic carcinoma cells

The antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a precursor of intracellular glutathione (GSH) and is also a well known as one of the chemopreventive agents which act through a variety of cellular mechanisms. We examined the effects of NAC on cell cycle progression in the pancreatic carcinoma cell lines, SW1990 and JHP1. Cells were incubated with or without NAC. Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry and immunoblotting. NAC suppressed cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas NAC increased intracellular glutathione content significantly in a dose-dependent manner. The percentage of cells in the G1 phase after treatment with NAC was significantly higher than the percentage seen for control cells. Cyclin D1 expression of carcinoma cells treated with NAC decreased remarkably compared with cells without NAC treatment. Thus, the antiproliferative effect of NAC by prolongation of the G1 phase in human pancreatic carcinoma cells shows its possible utility as an antitumor agent.

Synovial inflammation and hyperplasia induced by gliostatin/platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor in rabbit knees

Neovascularization, proliferation of synovial cells, and mononuclear cell influx and activation are characteristic events observed in synovial joints in the pathohistology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of this study was to examine synovial inflammation in rabbit knees induced by intra-articular administration of human gliostatin/platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (GLS/PD-ECGF), which shares a high degree of chemical homology with thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase) and is known to have angiogenic activity. Purified recombinant human gliostatin (rHuGLS) and its mutant protein, which was prepared by site-directed mutagenesis and which lacks dThdPase activity, were administered at various doses to rabbit knee joints. The effects of rHuGLS and the mutant were examined histologically. Intra-articular injection of rHuGLS resulted in the development of diffuse synovitis resembling RA. The mutant protein also brought about the same effect. These findings suggest that human GLS can cause RA-like synovitis in rabbit knee joints via a mechanism other than its dThdPase activity.

Synthesis and evaluation of 4-deacetoxyagosterol A as an MDR-modulator

4-Deacetoxyagosterol A was synthesized from ergosterol by utilizing reductive regioselective epoxy cleavage as a key reaction. This synthesized congener of agosterol A, a spongean MDR-modulator. showed similar MDR-modulating activity against KB CV-60 cells overexpressing MRP.

Prevalence of specific genotypes of Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA and periodontal health status

Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA gene encoding fimbrillin, a subunit of fimbriae, has been classified into 5 genotypes (types I to V) based on their nucleotide sequences. Here, we investigated the relationship between the prevalence of these fimA genotypes and periodontal health status in adults. Dental plaque specimens obtained from 380 periodontally healthy adults and 139 periodontitis patients were analyzed by the PCR method. P. gingivalis was detected in 36.8% of the healthy subjects and in 87.1% of the periodontitis patients. Among the P. gingivalis-positive healthy adults, the most prevalent fimA type was type I (76.1%), followed by type V. In contrast, a majority of the periodontitis patients carried type II fimA organisms (66.1%), followed by type IV. The univariate analysis illustrated that periodontitis was associated with the occurrences of type I fimA (OR 0.16), type II (OR 44.44), type III (1.96), type IV (13.87), and type V (1.40). These findings clearly indicate that there are both disease-associated and non-disease-associated strains of P. gingivalis, and that their infectious traits influencing periodontal health status could be differentiated based on the clonal variation of fimA genes.

Familial hypophosphatemic vitamin D-resistant rickets: dental findings and histologic study of teeth

A case of familial hypophosphatemic vitamin D-resistant rickets or X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) accompanied by specific systemic and dental findings is reported. A 15-year-old boy with XLH visited our facility complaining of a toothache in the left lower canine region. Two other family members of the patient, his younger sister and their mother, also had XLH, whereas the other 2 members, his younger brother and father, are healthy. Those with XLH show systemic signs of the disease, such as growth retardation, limb deformity, and spinal curvature disorders; however, these symptoms are more severe in the patient than in the others. The patient had multiple periodontal abscesses, but no evidence of dental caries, trauma, or periodontal disease on the corresponding teeth at the time of his oral examination. A radiographic examination showed root dysplasia and enlarged pulp chambers.A histologic examination of an extracted third molar showed marked globular dentin and an increased predentin width. The abscess was thought to be caused by pulpal infection, which came from bacterial invasion through enamel cracks and dentinal microcleavage of the teeth. The treatments provided in this case are discussed.

Cumulative results of chemosensitivity tests for antitumor agents in Japan. Japan Research Society for Appropriate Cancer Chemotherapy

The Japan Research Society for Appropriate Cancer Chemotherapy set out to summarize the present status of chemosensitivity testing for antitumor agents in Japan. Two different questionnaires were sent to 122 and 94 institutes, respectively, whilst responses were received from 87 (71.3%) and 41 (43%) institutes, respectively. The results showed that chemosensitivity tests were performed in 42 institutes where a total of 2 in vivo and 10 in vitro different assays were performed. Actual cases of chemosensitivity detected by the tests varied from 1 to 368 cases/year/institute with a median of 15 cases and mean +/- standard deviation of 48 +/- 65 cases. The total number of tested cases increased from 1,747 cases in 1993 to 1,934 cases in 1994 and to 2,147 cases in 1995, resulting in an average of 1,891 cases year. The assays used included the adenosine triphopsphate inhibition assay,/the collagen droplet embed drug response assay, the fluorescent dye assay, the growth chamber assay, the histoculture drug response assay, human tumor clonogenic assay, the MTT assay (SDI test), the nuclear damage assay, the nude mouse model, the subrenal capsule assay and the thymidine incorporation assay (scintillation assay). The correlation of in vitro and in vivo results revealed 215 true positive (S/S), 246 false positive (S/R), 45 false negative (R/S) and 595 true negative (R/R) cases, resulting in rates of 47% for true positives and 93% for true negatives, with a 74% accuracy. We concluded that chemosensitivity testing is widely applied in this country and has a high accurate predictive value for advanced carcinomas.

[Thymidine phosphorylase and angiogenesis]

Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is identical to platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF). TP has an angiogenic activity and confers resistance to hypoxia-induced apoptosis on cells. TP expression is correlated with microvessel count, invasion and poor prognosis in many solid tumors. TPI, an inhibitor of TP, suppresses growth and metastasis of tumors by inhibiting the effect of TP.

The role of thymidine phosphorylase expression in the invasiveness of gastric carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) has angiogenic activity in various cancer tissues. Gastric carcinomas are classified into two histologic groups: differentiated and undifferentiated adenocarcinomas. There are differences in the modes of development and the extent of infiltration between the two groups. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether TP is involved in the invasiveness and progression of these two types of gastric carcinoma.

METHODS

To investigate the expression and localization of TP and the microvessel counts, the authors examined specimens from 149 gastric carcinoma patients. The specimens were stained using monoclonal antibody against TP and polyclonal antibody against factor VIII. To determine the cell type expressing TP, immunohistochemical staining using a monoclonal antibody against CD68 that is specific for macrophages and double staining using antibodies to both TP and CD68 were performed.

RESULTS

The proportion of TP positive tumors in differentiated adenocarcinomas was higher than that in undifferentiated adenocarcinomas. The TP positive differentiated adenocarcinomas invaded more deeply than the TP negative ones, but this was not the case with undifferentiated adenocarcinomas. TP was expressed mainly in the invasive edges of tumors and was expressed more frequently in macrophages than in tumor cells. TP expression was correlated with microvessel count and CD68 expression. Patients with TP positive carcinomas had a poorer prognosis than those with TP negative differentiated adenocarcinomas.

CONCLUSIONS

TP expressed in macrophages may be correlated with microvessel count and play an important role in tumor invasiveness and progression in differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma.

The ratio of splicing variants of MGC-24/CD164, a sialomucin, correlates with the metastatic potential of colorectal carcinomas

MGC-24/CD164 is a sialomucin expressed in many normal and cancerous tissues. In humans, soluble and transmembrane forms of MGC-24 are produced by alternative splicing. The total MGC-24 RNA level was found to be lower in human colorectal carcinomas as compared with the adjacent normal mucosal tissues. Lower MGC-24 mRNA levels in colon carcinomas and in the adjacent normal mucosa epithelium correlate with lymphatic vessel invasion by the carcinoma. The ratio of the soluble form to the transmembrane form of the mRNA in colorectal carcinomas was determined by ribonuclease protection assay. Higher ratios were correlated with less venous invasion and less remote metastasis, which became evident during postoperative observation.

Stepwise formation of alpha-helices during cytochrome c folding

Two models have been proposed to describe the folding pathways of proteins. The framework model assumes the initial formation of the secondary structures whereas the hydrophobic collapse model supposes their formation after the collapse of backbone structures. To differentiate between these models for real proteins, we have developed a novel CD spectrometer that enables us to observe the submillisecond time frame of protein folding and have characterized the timing of secondary structure formation in the folding process of cytochrome c (cyt c). We found that approximately 20% of the native helical content was organized in the first phase of folding, which is completed within milliseconds. Furthermore, we suggest the presence of a second intermediate, which has alpha-helical content resembling that of the molten globule state. Our results indicate that many of the alpha-helices are organized after collapse in the folding mechanism of cyt c.

Multidrug resistance reversal activity of taxoids from Taxus cuspidata in KB-C2 and 2780AD cells

Some non-taxol-type taxoids having neither an oxetane ring at C-4 and C-5 nor an N-acylphenyl-isoserine group at C-13, such as taxuspine C, 2'-desacetoxyaustrospicatine, and 2-desacetoxytaxinine J, which were isolated from the Japanese yew Taxus cuspidata, increased cellular accu-mulation of vincristine (VCR) in multidrug-resistant 2780AD cells as potently as verapamil, and efficiently inhibited [(3)H]azidopine photolabeling of P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Taxuspine C, 2'-desacetoxyaustrospicatine, and 2-desacetoxytaxinine J at 10 microM completely reversed the resistance to colchicine, VCR, and taxol in KB-C2 cells, which overexpress P-gp, while taxinine and taxinine M showed no effect. Taxuspine C, 2'-desacetoxyaustrospicatine, and 2-desacetoxytaxinine J may be candidate pharmaceuticals for reversing multidrug resistance (MDR) and also may be good modifiers of MDR in cancer chemotherapy.

Functional comparison between YCF1 and MRP1 expressed in Sf21 insect cells

YCF1 is a yeast vacuole membrane transporter involved in resistance to Cd(2+) and to exogenous glutathione S-conjugate precursors. MRP1 contributes to multidrug resistance (MDR) in tumor cells. MRP1 and YCF1 have extensive amino acid sequence homology (63% amino acid similarity). We expressed MRP1 or YCF1 in insect cell membranes and compared their functions to know more about their structure-function relationships. YCF1 and MRP1 with His epitopes were expressed in Sf21 insect cells; both of them in the plasma membrane. The ATP-dependent transport of [(3)H]LTC(4) in Sf/YCF1-His vesicles was osmotically sensitive and showed saturable kinetics with an apparent K(m) of 758 nM for LTC(4) and 94 microM for ATP which were similar to those in yeast cells. The K(m) of YCF1 for LTC(4) (758 nM) was sevenfold higher than that of MRP1 (108 nM). MK-571 and ONO-1078, reversing agents for MRP1-mediated MDR, considerably inhibited the transport of LTC(4) by both YCF1 and MRP1. However, PAK-104P, a pyridine analog that reverses MDR associated with P-gp and MRP1, inhibited the transporting activity of MRP1 stronger than that of YCF1. KE1, another MDR reversing agent, moderately inhibited the transport of LTC(4) by MRP1 but not that of YCF1. In conclusion, we successfully expressed yeast YCF1 in Sf21 insect cells and found that the localization of the protein was different from that in yeast. The function of YCF1 in Sf21 insect cells was similar but not identical to that of MRP1.

Copper-transporting P-type adenosine triphosphatase (ATP7B) is associated with cisplatin resistance

The accumulation of cisplatin is decreased in many cisplatin-resistant cell lines, and an active efflux pump for cisplatin exists in some of them, but it has not yet been identified. In this study, we transfected the copper-transporting P-type ATPase cDNA (ATP7B) into human epidermoid carcinoma KB-3-1 cells. The transfectant, KB/WD cell line, which overexpressed the P-type ATPase, ATP7B, was resistant to both cisplatin (8.9-fold) and copper (2.0-fold). The accumulation of cisplatin in KB/WD cells was lower than in mock-transfected KB/CV cells, and the efflux of cisplatin from KB/WD cells was enhanced compared with KB/CV cells. KB/WD cells were sensitive to other heavy metals, such as antimony, arsenate, arsenite, cadmium, and cobalt. ATP7B was overexpressed in cisplatin-resistant prostate carcinoma PC-5 cells but not in the parental PC-3 cells and the revertant PC-5R cells. ATP7B may be involved in cisplatin resistance in some tumors.

Expression of thymidine phosphorylase as an indicator of poor prognosis for patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

BACKGROUND

Thymidine phosphorylase (TP), which is identical to platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF), stimulates chemotaxis of endothelial cells and is involved in the angiogenesis of human solid tumors.

METHODS

The activity and expression of TP were examined in human transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs) of the bladder, and their association with clinicopathologic findings was determined. The activity of the enzyme in 37 TCCs and 12 adjacent nonneoplastic tissues was measured spectrophotometrically. The expression of TP was also examined by immunoblotting. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on 108 TCCs.

RESULTS

TP activity in the carcinomas was higher than that in adjacent normal tissues (P = 0.002). TP activity in Grade 3 tumors or those classified as pT2-4 was higher than in Grade 1 and 2 tumors (P = 0.017) or those classified as pT1 (P = 0.007). The level of expression of TP detected by immunoblotting correlated well with TP activity. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that 62 of 108 cases (57.4%) were TP positive. There was a significant correlation between TP expression and histologic grade, infiltration pattern, local invasion, and lymph node metastasis. TP expression as a prognostic variable was studied using the Cox proportional hazards model. TP overexpression was an independent prognostic factor, as were lymph node metastasis and local invasion.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that TP activity and its level of expression influence the progression of TCC and the prognoses of patients with this disease.

Oral findings in DiGeorge syndrome: clinical features and histologic study of primary teeth

OBJECTIVE

For the purpose of supplementing the shortage of dental information about DiGeorge syndrome, we report two cases of the syndrome seen in Japanese boys.

STUDY DESIGN

Two cases were compared with respect to orofacial and dental findings; one was a case of complete DiGeorge syndrome and the other a case of partial DiGeorge syndrome. Extracted deciduous teeth from the two boys underwent histologic study.

RESULTS

Each patient showed systemic developmental delay, hypocalcemia, and slight mental retardation. In the orofacial area, hypertelorism, a short philtrum, thick and reflected lips, and hypoplasia of the nasopharynx were also observed. A dental examination showed delayed formation and eruption of permanent teeth, aplasia of the nasopharynx, and enamel hypoplasia along with enamel hypocalcification. Structural streaks with increased calcification were histologically detected in the deciduous tooth from the patient with complete DiGeorge syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Common characteristic orofacial and dental findings were noted in the two DiGeorge syndrome cases. Furthermore, histologic study of the deciduous tooth from the boy with complete DiGeorge syndrome suggests that there was some relationship between transient relative hypercalcemia and dentinal hypermineralized streaking of the tooth.

Effects of short professional mechanical tooth-cleaning (PMTC) program in young adults with mental disabilities

We evaluated the usefulness of a short professional mechanical tooth-cleaning (PMTC) program to improve periodontal conditions and caries susceptibility in 10 young adult patients with mental and/or physical disabilities. The PMTC program was carried out once on each of 6 sextants of the full mouth during 6 visits at two-week intervals. Even one treatment with PMTC was found to be significantly effective in reducing the probing depth in eight of the 10 subjects. A reduction in the total number of bleeding sites on probing was also clearly observed in all subjects. Moreover, the debris index was reduced in nine subjects by the PMTC program. Although caries susceptibility was improved, albeit very slowly, by PMTC, the Cariostat pH values showed no consistent tendency. The effects lasted for more than 6 weeks. Analysis of these results suggests that the PMTC program can be effective in adults with mental disabilities, especially in reducing gingival inflammation.

Liu-Jun-Zi-Tang, a kampo medicine, promotes adaptive relaxation in isolated guinea pig stomachs

Some patients with dysmotility-like functional dyspepsia present impaired reservoir functions such as gastric adaptive relaxation. A traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Liu-Jun-Zi-Tang, has been identified as an effective drug against dyspeptic symptoms and is widely used for therapy in such patients. In this study, we examined the effects of this drug on the gastric adaptive relaxation in isolated guinea pig stomachs. The changes in intragastric volume and pressure were recorded in the presence of atropine and guanethidine. Gastric adaptive relaxation was induced by luminal distention. Liu-Jun-Zi-Tang (100 mg/ml) induced gastric adaptive relaxation at a lower intragastric pressure and increased the % volume of the gastric adaptive relaxation and the absolute intragastric volume. Metoclopramide (2 mg/ml), trimebutine (6 mg/ml) and cisapride (2 mg/ml) did not affect gastric adaptive relaxation. It was inhibited by means of the incubation of the stomach with NG-nitro-L-arginine (100 microM). Liu-Jun-Zi-Tang (100 mg/ml), but not gastroprokinetics overcame the effect of NG-nitro-L-arginine. These results suggested that Liu-Jun-Zi-Tang promoted gastric adaptive relaxation. This effect might, at least in part, contribute to the symptom relief in patients with functional dyspepsia.

Relation between Flare-associated X-Ray Ejections and Coronal Mass Ejections

In an attempt to identify the direct signatures of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in soft X-ray wavelengths, we have searched for plasma ejections in Yohkoh soft X-ray telescope (SXT) images in a total of 17 limb flares, and compared the results with the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory LASCO data. A general correlation exists between the presence/absence of the X-ray ejection and the CME. Although the height versus time relation often indicates (under the assumption of constant speed) that the CME onset coincides with the X-ray ejection, the latter probably does not represent the CME front, because the CME speed must result from acceleration, which would put the estimated onset at an earlier time. In some cases, the estimated CME onset time comes well before the impulsive phase of the associated flare. Although the role of the flare-associated plasma ejection in a CME is still unclear, we propose that its occurrence depends on the presence of open field lines, which can be due to a preceding CME. Lastly, we present a rare example of SXT observations of what appeared to be the three-part structure of a CME, which was seen a few minutes before a major flare started.

Multidrug resistance and the lung resistance-related protein in human colon carcinoma SW-620 cells

BACKGROUND

Lung resistance-related protein (LRP), the major vault protein in humans, is sometimes overexpressed in multidrug-resistant cells. Because cells transfected with the LRP gene did not express the multidrug-resistant phenotype, we investigated whether LRP is involved in multidrug resistance.

METHODS

SW-620 cells, a human colon carcinoma cell line, alone or transfected with an expression vector carrying a LRP-specific ribozyme or with an empty vector, were treated with sodium butyrate to induce differentiation. Expression of P-glycoprotein, multidrug resistance protein, and LRP in the cells was examined by northern and western blotting, and the efflux of doxorubicin in the cells or isolated nuclei was examined by fluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS

A 2-week treatment with sodium butyrate induced LRP and conferred resistance to doxorubicin, vincristine, etoposide, gramicidin D, and paclitaxel (Taxol) in SW-620 cells. Insertion of either of two LRP-specific ribozymes into SW-620 cells inhibited these activities. Levels of drugs accumulating in the cells were not decreased by sodium butyrate, suggesting that the adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter is not involved in sodium butyrate-induced multidrug resistance. Doxorubicin was mainly located in the nuclei of untreated cells and in the cytoplasm of sodium butyrate-treated cells. Isolated nuclei from untreated cells or sodium butyrate-treated cells incubated with anti-LRP polyclonal antibodies contained more doxorubicin than the nuclei of sodium butyrate-treated cells alone. Efflux of doxorubicin was greater from the nuclei of sodium butyrate-treated cells than the nuclei of untreated cells or of sodium butyrate-treated cells transfected with a LRP-specific ribozyme and was inhibited by an anti-LRP polyclonal antibody.

CONCLUSIONS

LRP is involved in resistance to doxorubicin, vincristine, etoposide, paclitaxel, and gramicidin D and has an important role in the transport of doxorubicin from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.

[Treatment of solid tumor by a direct electric current]

This is a case report of a 37-year-old Japanese married female with laryngeal sarcoma, treated by direct electric current so as to obtain remission for more than 4 years without signs of recurrence. Due to her hoarseness and laryngeal numb feeling she underwent a laryngeal examination including a biopsy, resulting in a diagnosis of sarcoma. She refused a total laryngectomy and was given Cobalt treatment of 40 Grey. In the following several months, no improvement was observed, objectively or subjectively. In Nagoya University Hospital the patient then received direct electric current therapy of 36 Coulombs through two platinum electrodes inserted into the tumor under a CT guide, pericutaneously. Two months later, as the hoarseness remained in spite of some improvement, she underwent another session of direct electric current therapy of 14.4 Coulombs through the platinum electrodes by bronchoscope-guided direct insertion. Her hoarseness soon disappeared thereafter and there was a regression of the tumor in 6 months. She did well thereafter without any signs of recurrence for 4 years. Clinical treatment of solid tumors with electric treatment with direct electric current has been done in more than 8,000 cases with CR in 25% of all cases and PR in 50%. Its mechanism, however, remains unclear. In our experimental animal studies, apoptosis was observed. It is considered that this electric therapy using direct electric current will be recognized as one method to treat solid tumors.

Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of thymidine phosphorylase expression in gastric carcinoma

Tumor growth depends on angiogenesis. Thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase) is identical to platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF), and has angiogenic activity. We investigated the expression of dThdPase in 116 gastric carcinoma tissue samples by immunohistochemical staining, and assessed whether its expression was correlated with clinicopathological factors or with the prognosis. dThdPase expression was correlated with clinicopathological factors and may be a good prognostic indicator for gastric carcinoma. To determine whether dThdPase expression was a prognostic factor that was independent of the depth of invasion or lymph node metastasis, we conducted a survival analysis using Cox's proportional hazard model. This analysis revealed that dThdPase expression was the most significant prognostic indicator and was useful for predicting the outcome of gastric carcinoma.