Skewed TGFβ/Smad signalling pathway in T cells in patients with Behçet's disease

OBJECTIVES

Behçet's disease (BD) is a multi-systemic inflammatory disease, characterised by recurrent oral aphthosis, genital ulcers, skin lesions and uveitis. We have reported excessive Th1 cell activity in patients with BD. More recently, Th17 cells were suggested to associate with several autoimmune diseases. This study was designed to investigate the role of Th17 related cytokines and signalling molecules in patients with BD.

METHODS

We examined mRNA expressions of Th1 and Th17 related cytokines and related signalling molecules in PBMC of 12 patients with BD and 14 normal controls (NC) using quantitative RT-PCR. We studied expressions of the Th17 related cytokines in other four BD patients' skin lesions by immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

Major Th17 related cytokines were not detected in unstimulated PBMC in patients with BD. After stimulation, mRNA expressions of TGFβ receptor type 1, IL-12 receptor β2 and suppressor of cytokine signalling protein (SOCS) 1 on PBMC were significantly enhanced in patients with BD, as compared with NC (p<0.05). mRNA expression of RORC, a key transcription factor for Th17 cell differentiation, was comparable between BD and NC. CD4+ T cells infiltrating into BD skin lesion expressed TGFβ1 much more than those infiltrating into non-Behçet's disease erythema nodosum.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that TGFβ/Smad signalling pathway of T cells is overactive in patients with BD.

Time-resolved optical mammography and its preliminary clinical results

We have been developing an optical mammography prototype consisting of a multi-channel time-resolved spectroscopy system for breast cancer screening. The system utilizes the time-correlated single photon counting method, and the detector modules and the signal processing circuits were custom-made to obtain a high signal to noise ratio and high temperature stability with a high temporal resolution. Pulsed light generated by a Ti: Sapphire laser was irradiated to the breast, and the transmitted light was collected by optical fibers placed on the surface of a hemispherical gantry filled with an optical matching fluid. To reconstruct a 3D image of the breast, we employed a method using a time-resolved photon path distribution based on the assumption that scattering and absorption are independent of each other. We verified the possibility of human breast imaging by using a three-dimensional phantom model, which provides a simulation of human breast cancer, in the gantry. The clinical study was also started in January 2007. In a comparative study with conventional modalities, the breast cancers were detected as regions of optically higher absorption. Moreover, the results suggest that optical mammography is useful in monitoring the effects of chemotherapy.

Effect of maintenance therapy with low-dose peginterferon for recurrent hepatitis C after living donor liver transplantation

Approximately 30% of patients who have recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation achieve sustained virological response (SVR) by taking a combination therapy of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. For the remaining non-SVR patients, an effective management treatment has not yet been established. In this study, efficacy of long-term peginterferon maintenance therapy for non-SVR patients was evaluated. Forty patients who had previously received the combination therapy for hepatitis C after living donor liver transplantation were classified into one of the following three groups: the SVR group (n = 11); the non-SVR-IFN group (n =17), which received low-dose peginterferon maintenance therapy for non-SVR patients; and the non-SVR-Withdrawal group (n = 12), which discontinued the interferon treatment. We then compared histological changes among these three groups after 2 or more years follow-up. Activity grade of liver histology improved or remained stable in patients in the SVR and non-SVR-IFN groups, but deteriorated in half of the patients in the non-SVR-Withdrawal group. Fibrosis improved or remained stable in 10 of 11 SVR patients and in 13 of 17 non-SVR-IFN patients, but deteriorated in all non-SVR-Withdrawal patients. Mean changes in fibrosis stage between pretreatment and final liver biopsy were -0.18, +0.06 and +2.2 in the SVR, non-SVR-IFN and non-SVR-Withdrawal groups, respectively. Fibrosis stage deteriorated to F3 or F4 significantly more rapidly in the non-SVR-Withdrawal group than in the other two groups. In conclusion, continuing long-term maintenance therapy with peginterferon prevented histological progression of hepatitis C in patients who had undergone living donor liver transplantation.

A retrospective analysis of endometrial carcinoma cases surgically treated with or without para-aortic lymph node dissection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy

PURPOSE

To analyze the efficacies of para-aortic node (PAN) dissection for patients undergoing surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy for endometrial carcinomas.

METHODS

At the Osaka University Hospital and the Kaizuka City Hospital in Osaka, Japan, either pelvic lymph nodes (PLN) plus para-aortic lymph nodes (PAN) or PLN-only dissections were performed for endometrial carcinomas. An adjuvant chemotherapy using paclitaxel, epirubicin, and carboplatin was conducted for all such patients. A retrospective comparison of the efficacy of PAN dissection was conducted.

RESULTS

Disease-free and overall survivals and frequency of PAN involvement at the first recurrence did not exhibit a statistically significant difference between the PLN-only group and the PLN + PAN group. Operation time was significantly longer in the PLN + PAN group than the PLN-only group, and the total blood loss was also significantly greater in the PLN+PAN group.

CONCLUSION

PAN dissection may be omitted, without adverse effect on prognosis, for endometrial carcinoma patients with recurrence risks who undergo adjuvant chemotherapy using platinum, anthracycline and taxane derivatives.

Peierls mechanism of the metal-insulator transition in ferromagnetic hollandite K2Cr8O16

Synchrotron x-ray diffraction experiment shows that the metal-insulator transition occurring in a ferromagnetic state of a hollandite K(2)Cr(8)O(16) is accompanied by a structural distortion from the tetragonal I4/m to monoclinic P112(1)/a phase with a √2×√2×1 supercell. Detailed electronic structure calculations demonstrate that the metal-insulator transition is caused by a Peierls instability in the quasi-one-dimensional column structure made of four coupled Cr-O chains running in the c direction, leading to the formation of tetramers of Cr ions below the transition temperature. This provides a rare example of the Peierls transition of fully spin-polarized electron systems.

OT2-03-03: Spectroscopic Feature of Breast Cancer

Objectives: To examine optical properties of breast cancer by time-resolved spectroscopy.

Materials and Methods: We irradiated a pulsed laser of 760, 800, and 830 nm wave-length lights at multiple sites of both breasts including the site just above the cancer and detected the light transmitted through the breast with TRS-20SH (Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.). Absorption coefficient (μa), reduced scattering coefficient (μs'), total hemoglobin (tHb), and oxygen saturation (SO2) of the breast were calculated by photon diffusion equation. The clinical trial started in January 2007. A total of one hundred nine breast cancer patients participated in the trial and written informed consent were obtained from all of the patients. Results: In 800 nm wave-length, absorption coefficient (μa) of breast cancer tissue was significantly high, compared with contra-lateral normal breast (cancer:0.0677± 0.0293, normal breast;0.0479± 0.0161, p&lt;0.001).

Twelve oxo-eicosatetraenoic acid induces fetal membrane release after delivery in cows

Fetal fibroblast cell culture from cotyledons of bovine placenta and animal experiments close to term were used to elucidate afterbirth release and factors missing in the signal transduction mechanism for retained fetal membranes (RFM) after delivery. In cell culture the addition of arachidonic acid (Ara) to the medium caused rapid release to free floating cell in the culture dish, accompanied by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activation, being consistent with previous in vivo observations, where a relation between MMP and fetal membrane release had been shown. Ara-induced cell floating was not inhibited by the addition of cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, and not induced by the addition of PGF2α or PGE2 to replace Ara, while 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) metabolite of Ara, 12-oxo-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-oxoETE), strongly induced cell floating. In the animal experiments, 12-oxoETE injection to delivery-induced cows (n = 6) using prostaglandin (PG) and dexamethazone resulted in rapid release of fetal membranes. In cows with natural calf delivery, a 12-oxoETE peak (11.7-16.8 ng/ml) was observed in maternal blood plasma prior to release of fetal membranes. This investigation thus gives new indications for that the mediator for fetal membrane release is 12-oxoETE and not PG.

Surface scattering via bulk continuum states in the 3D topological insulator Bi2Se3

We have performed scanning tunneling microscopy and differential tunneling conductance (dI/dV) mapping for the surface of the three-dimensional topological insulator Bi(2)Se(3). The fast Fourier transformation applied to the dI/dV image shows an electron interference pattern near Dirac node despite the general belief that the backscattering is well suppressed in the bulk energy gap region. The comparison of the present experimental result with theoretical surface and bulk band structures shows that the electron interference occurs through the scattering between the surface states near the Dirac node and the bulk continuum states.

Dimerization and charge order in hollandite K₂V₈O₁₆

The metal-insulator transition occurring in hollandite K₂V₈O₁₆ has been studied by means of neutron and x-ray diffraction as well as by thermodynamic and electron-spin resonance measurements. The complete analysis of the crystal structure in the distorted phase allows us to identify dimerization as the main distortion element in insulating K₂V₈O₁₆. At low-temperature, half of the V chains are dimerized perfectly explaining the suppression of magnetic susceptibility due to the formation of spin singlets. The dimerization is accompanied by the segregation of charges into chains.

Risk factors for recurrence of primary sclerosing cholangitis after living donor liver transplantation in Japanese registry

The outcomes of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in a large series have not been reported. We aimed to determine long-term patient and graft survival, risk factors for PSC recurrence, and the significance of recurrence after LDLT in a Japanese registry. Questionnaires concerning patient characteristics, treatments, and clinical courses were used. Data of 114 patients undergoing primary LDLT for PSC from July 1996 to December 2008 in 29 institutions were evaluated. For strict diagnoses of recurrence, patients with hepatic artery thrombosis (n = 8), ABO-blood-type-incompatible transplantation (n = 8), and established ductopenic rejection (n = 2) were excluded and 96 patients were analyzed for risk factors. Recurrence was diagnosed in 26 patients (27%) at 8 to 79 months after transplantation. Patient, graft, and recurrence-free survivals were 78, 74 and 57% at 5 years after LDLT, respectively. The graft loss rate was 69 versus 23% in patients with versus without recurrence, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that high MELD scores, first-degree-relative donors, postoperative CMV infection, and early biliary anastomotic complications were significant risk factors for recurrence. PSC recurrence was a significant risk factor of graft loss but not patient death. PSC recurrence was frequent and had significant impacts on outcomes after LDLT.

A doxycycline loaded, controlled-release, biodegradable fiber for the treatment of aortic aneurysms

The pathogenesis of aortic aneurysm (AA) is characterized by degradation of extracellular matrix with increased matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and inflammatory reaction. Doxycycline (DOXY) has been reported to control the extension of AA by regulation of MMP. However, systemic administration may cause adverse side effects. In this study, we demonstrated the possibility of local administration of DOXY controlled-release biodegradable fiber (DCRBF) for AA in mice. DCRBF was fabricated by biodegradable polymer (polylactic acid; PLA) mixed with DOXY using an electrospinning technique. DCRBF was cocultured with SMCs, macrophages and aortic tissue, and placed on an abdominal aortic aneurysm which induced apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. We evaluated gene and protein expression of proteases, elastin and inflammatory markers. In the presence of DCRBF, MMP-12 was significantly decreased, TGF-β1 and Lox were significantly increased in SMC gene expression, MMP-9 and -12 significantly decreased gene expression of macrophages. The DCRBF preserved elastin content and decreased MMP-2 and -9 in aortic tissue. In addition, IGF-1 and TIMP-1 were significantly increased and IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly decreased with DCRBF in vivo. In conclusion, our results suggested that local administration of DCRBF may become a promising alternative therapeutic strategy for AA.

[Analyses of restricted diffusion of water molecules using trabecular bone phantom]

We have reported that the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was correlated with bone mineral density, but the relation between the restricted diffusion of the water molecules and the trabecular bone structure was unclear. The purpose of our study is to clarify this relationship using two component analyses with an original phantom. With an increase in the interspace area of the simulated trabecular bone, the ADC of the fast component was increased, and the fraction of the fast component was also increased. On the other hand, with an increase in the interspace area of the simulated trabecular bone, the ADC of the slow component was decreased, and the fraction of the slow component was increased. Moreover, the ADC and fraction of the dry vertebral bone agreed with those of the simulated trabecular bone. This result means that our phantoms can reproduce the actual trabecular bone structure, which induces the restricted diffusion. The diffusion of the water molecules was separated into fast and slow components because of the restricted diffusion of the trabecular bone structure. Our original phantom enables analyzing restricted diffusion, and this analytical method obtains more detailed information on trabecular bone structure.

Abstract P2-05-02: Optical Parameters of Breast Cancer before and after Chemotherapy

Objectives: To analyze optical parameters of cancer before and after chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.Patients and Methods: Absorption coefficient (µa) and reduced scattering coefficient (µs') of cancer and contra-lateral normal region before and after chemotherapy were measured by using TRS-20SH (Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.). A pulsed laser of 760, 800, and 830 nm wave-length was irradiated at multiple sites in both breasts with time-resolved spectroscopy method and scattered light was analyzed by photon diffusion equation. A total of ten breast cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy participated in the trial. Written informed consent was obtained from all of the patients.Results: Absorption coefficient (µa, 1/cm) of breast cancer was significantly higher than that of contra-lateral normal region before chemotherapy. In 800 nm wave-length, absorption coefficient of breast cancer decreased significantly after chemotherapy (before:0.0927, after;0.0498, p=0.002). Although absorption coefficient of contra-lateral normal region also decreased (before:0.0561, after;0.0437, p=0.006), cancer showed more significant decrease than contra-lateral normal region (cancer:-43.1%, normal region;-19.0%, P&lt;0.01).

Figure 1. Absorption coefficient (pa, cm-1), at 800rim (cancer-normal)

Similar results were observed in 760 and 830 nm wave-length. There was no difference in reduced scattering coefficient (µs') between before and after chemotherapy in both breast cancer and contra-lateral normal region.

Conclusion: The absorption coefficient of cancer was significantly higher than that of contra-lateral normal region before chemotherapy and decreased significantly after chemotherapy.

Pre-transplant imatinib-based therapy improves the outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for BCR-ABL-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia

A high complete remission (CR) rate has been reported in newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ALL) following imatinib-based therapy. However, the overall effect of imatinib on the outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is undetermined. Between 2002 and 2005, 100 newly diagnosed adult patients with Ph+ALL were registered to a phase II study of imatinib-combined chemotherapy (Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group Ph+ALL202 study) and 97 patients achieved CR. We compared clinical outcomes of 51 patients who received allo-HSCT in their first CR (imatinib cohort) with those of 122 historical control patients in the pre-imatinib era (pre-imatinib cohort). The probability of overall survival at 3 years after allo-HSCT was 65% (95% confidence interval (CI), 49-78%) for the imatinib cohort and 44% (95% CI, 35-52%) for the pre-imatinib cohort. Multivariate analysis confirmed that this difference was statistically significant (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.44, P=0.005). Favorable outcomes of the imatinib cohort were also observed for disease-free survival (P=0.007) and relapse (P=0.002), but not for non-relapse mortality (P=0.265). Imatinib-based therapy is a potentially useful strategy for newly diagnosed patients with Ph+ALL, not only providing them more chance to receive allo-HSCT, but also improving the outcome of allo-HSCT.

Experimental realization of a three-dimensional topological insulator phase in ternary chalcogenide TlBiSe₂

We report the first observation of a topological surface state on the (111) surface of the ternary chalcogenide TlBiSe₂ by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. By tuning the synchrotron radiation energy we reveal that it features an almost ideal Dirac cone with the Dirac point well isolated from bulk continuum states. This suggests that TlBiSe₂ is a promising material for realizing quantum topological transport.

Hexagonally deformed Fermi surface of the 3D topological insulator Bi2Se3

A hexagonal deformation of the Fermi surface of Bi2Se3 has been for the first time observed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. This is in contrast to the general belief that Bi2Se3 possesses an ideal Dirac cone. The hexagonal shape is found to disappear near the Dirac node, which would protect the surface state electrons from backscattering. It is also demonstrated that the Fermi energy of naturally electron-doped Bi2Se3 can be tuned by 1% Mg doping in order to realize the quantum topological transport.

Clinical features of biochemical cholestasis in patients with recurrent hepatitis C after living-donor liver transplantation

Recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation (HepC-LT) progresses faster than hepatitis C in non-transplant settings. Cholestasis has been suggested to be one characteristic of HepC-LT related to the rapid progression. We investigated the clinical features of biochemical cholestasis, which we defined as high serum concentrations of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, in patients with recurrent hepatitis C after living-donor liver transplantation. Eighty patients were diagnosed with post-transplant recurrent hepatitis C after exclusion of other aetiologies of cholestasis by liver biopsy and imaging. The clinical features of biochemical cholestasis in the patients with HepC-LT, including histological changes, the efficacy of interferon therapy and helper T-cell (Th) subsets in the peripheral blood, were analysed. Fifty-five of the 80 patients with HepC-LT (69%) had evidence of biochemical cholestasis. Progression of liver fibrosis to stage F3 or F4 was significantly accelerated in patients with biochemical cholestasis compared with patients without cholestasis. The biochemical cholestasis in patients with HepC-LT improved after interferon therapy in 22 of 39 patients (56%) who showed a virological response to the therapy, suggesting that hepatitis C virus (HCV) caused the biochemical cholestasis in these patients. Patients with biochemical cholestasis who had a biochemical response to interferon therapy showed an increased Th1 responses in peripheral blood. In conclusion, biochemical cholestasis is the characteristic feature of HepC-LT and is related to progression of liver fibrosis. An increased Th1 response is associated with cholestasis caused by HCV after liver transplantation.

Size and size distribution balance the dispersion of colloidal CeO2 nanoparticles in organic solvents

Colloidal CeO2 nanoparticles (HNPs) stabilized with a decanoic fatty acid self-assembled monolayer (SAM) (decHNPs) showed very good dispersibility, i.e., perfect dispersion in cyclohexane up to 20 wt%. However, the HNPs stabilized with a dodecanoic acid SAM (dodHNPs) did not show good dispersion, i.e., at most 0.2 wt%. Interestingly, when we mixed equal portions of 5 wt% decHNPs in cyclohexane and 2 wt% dodHNPs in cyclohexane, the mixture showed much better dispersion than 1 wt% of dodHNPs in cyclohexane. This might indicate that the size and size distribution of the major components of the HNP solution are the most dominant factors for determining the dispersibility of HNPs in solution.

Esophagectomy for cancer: clinical concerns support centralizing operations within the larger hospitals

Esophagectomy needs experienced surgical techniques and a well-trained perioperative care team. There are now many reports that the mortality rate after esophagectomy is higher in those hospitals with a low volume of esophagectomy and/or low surgeon's volume. The purpose of this study is to decide the respective numbers of esophagectomy operations per year to define low-volume and high-volume hospitals in Japan. If medical policy aims to further reduce mortality and morbidity associated with esophagectomy, then esophagectomy operations should be further centralized, away from low-volume hospitals, into high-volume hospitals. The Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery has accumulated the surgical outcomes from 31 380 esophagectomy operations, registered from 709 institutes during the period from 2001 to 2006. These institutes are here classified into six groups according to the number of esophagectomy operations per year as 4 or less, 5-9, 10-19, 20-39, 40-79, and 80 or more. Using a statistical model-selection procedure by information criteria, these six groups are then classified into three categories as low-volume, medium-volume, and as high-volume hospitals. Among the 31 380 patients registered, overall, 390 patients (1.2%) died within 30 days, and 1187 patients (3.8%) died during the primary hospital stay. The odds ratio of the greatest volume group to the minimum volume group was 0.307 for the 30-day mortality rate, and 0.288 for the in-hospital mortality rate. For both the 30-day mortality rate and the in-hospital mortality rate, a hospital with less than five esophagectomy operations per year was classified as a low-volume hospital. A hospital with 40 or more esophagectomy operations per year was classified as a high-volume hospital. Concerning the number of esophagectomy operations performed per year in Japan, low-volume hospitals are defined as those where esophagectomy is performed less than five times per year, and high-volume hospitals are defined as those where esophagectomy is performed 40 or more times per year. If medical policy in Japan aims to further decrease the mortality after esophagectomy, then esophagectomy operations should be limited in these identified low-volume hospitals.

Universal magnetic structure of the half-magnetization phase in Cr-based spinels

Using an elastic neutron scattering technique under a pulsed magnetic field up to 30 T, we determined the magnetic structure in the half-magnetization plateau phase in the spinel CdCr2O4. The magnetic structure has a cubic P4{3}32 symmetry, which is the same as that observed in HgCr2O4. This suggests that despite their different zero-field ground states a universal field-induced spin-lattice coupling mechanism is at work in the Cr-based spinels.

The Optical Characteristic of Breast Cancer

Objectives: The optical parameters of breast were measured by time-resolved spectroscopy additionally to optical mammography (O-MMG), which utilizes near-infrared light for the detection of abnormal breast tissue as a non-invasive and painless new breast imaging technique. Here we report the spectroscopic feature of the breast cancer tissue clarified by comparing the optical characteristic of cancer tissue with contra-lateral normal area.Materials and Methods: Absorption coefficient (μa), and reduced scattering coefficient (μs')of the breast tissue were measured using Time-Resolved Spectroscopy method, and analyzed by photon diffusion equation. We irradiated a pulsed laser of 760, 800,and 830 nm wave-length at multiple sites including a site just above the cancer by TRS-20SH (Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.). The clinical trial started in January 2007. A total of sixty breast cancer patients participated in the trial and written informed consent were obtained from all of the patients.Results: In 800nm wave-length, absorption coefficient (μa) of breast cancer tissue was significantly high, compared with contra-lateral normal breast area (cancer: 0.0759±0.052, normal: 0.0572± 0.034, p=0.02). The result was also the same in 760,and 830 nm. There was no difference in reduced scattering coefficient (μs') of breast cancer tissue compared with contra-lateral normal area (cancer: 9.049±01.345, normal: 9.521±1.492, p=0.07).Conclusion: Absorption coefficient (μa) of breast cancer tissue was significantly high compared with contra-lateral normal area.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 5019.

[The strategy for aortic root reconstruction; Bentall operation or native valve preserving operation?]

Bentall operation has been a gold-standard procedure for the aortic root reconstruction in the patients with aortic root aneurysms and aortic valve insufficiency (AI). Recently, native aortic valve preserving operation has been widely spread. In this study, we described the results of aortic root reconstruction in our institution and evaluated our operative methods. We selected Bentall operation for severely damaged or cardiac redo cases, and David operation for simple annuloaortic ectasia and AI. Recently, we have utilized Valsalva graft which provides the advantage of capability of larger prosthetic valve implantation and better hemodynamic performance.

A phase I trial of S-1 plus vinorelbine in patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

e19098

Background: We reported the efficacy of the combination treatment of tegafur-uracil (UFT) and vinorelbine (VNR) for the elderly patients (pts) (>70) with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in ASCO 2007 (Abstract - No. 18075). Although the cisplatin-based doublets are still milestone for the pts with advanced NSCLC, non-platinum based doublet regimens remain as a matter of development judging from recent meta-analysis. Tegafur-5-chloro-2,4-dihydroxypyridine-potassium oxonate (S-1), a new oral fluoropyrimidine, has been studied extensively, and appears promising for various kinds of cancers including NSCLC. Thus, we conducted this phase I trial using VNR and new oral fluoropyrimidine, S-1. Methods: Pts with advanced NSCLC, who had received at least one prior platinum-containing regimen, were eligible. In this phase I study, VNR was infused on days 1 and 8, and S-1 was administered from day 2 to day 6 and from day 9 to day 13 of a 3-week cycle. The starting dose of S-1 was 80 mg/m2/day and, if necessary, the dose was decreased to 65 mg/m2/day; VNR was increased from 20 to 25 mg/m2 in this trial. Results: From August 14, 2007 to April 1, 2008, 8 pts enrolled in this study. Median age was 61 (range 49–75). Dose limiting toxicity (DLT) was evaluated during the first 6 weeks of the treatment. No DLT was observed at dose level I (80 mg/m2/day S-1, 20 mg/m2 VNR). At dose level II (80 mg/m2/day S-1, 25 mg/m2 VNR), DLT in the form of neutropenia, hyperglycemia and hyponatremia was observed in 3 of 5 pts. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for the present treatment was 80 mg/m2/day S-1 and 25 mg/m2 VNR; the recommended tolerable dose for future phase II trials is therefore 80 mg/m2/day S-1 and 20 mg/m2 VNR. Conclusions: Three-week cycle of VNR (20 mg/m2), infused on days 1 and 8; S-1 (80 mg/m2/day), administered from day 2 to day 6 and from day 9 to day 13, is being examined in our phase II trial for first-or second-line treatment of NSCLC.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Magnetic-field induced phase transitions in a weakly coupled s=1/2 quantum spin dimer system Ba3Cr2O8

By using bulk magnetization, electron spin resonance (ESR), heat capacity, and neutron scattering techniques, we characterize the thermodynamic and quantum phase diagrams of Ba3Cr2O8. Our ESR measurements indicate that the low field paramagnetic ground state is a mixed state of the singlet and the Sz=0 triplet for H perpendicular c. This suggests the presence of an intradimer Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya (DM) interaction with a DM vector perpendicular to the c axis.