A multicentre randomized controlled trial of recombinant interferon-alpha-2a in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C

Sixty-one chronic hepatitis C patients were randomly assigned to receive either 6 x 10(6) or 9 x 10(6) U of recombinant interferon-alpha-2a (IFN alpha-2a) six days a week for the first two weeks of treatment, followed in both cases by 6 x 10(6) U three days a week for the next 22 weeks. In the low dose group, 11 patients showed a complete response maintained for at least six months, 12 responded but then relapsed and nine did not respond; the corresponding figures in the high dose group were 10, 15 and five patients, respectively. The differences between groups are not statistically significant. Thus, this study provides no evidence of therapeutic benefit from increasing the initial dose of IFN alpha-2a. In both treatment groups, complete responders had significantly lower pretreatment viral titres than nonresponders and were significantly more likely to be infected by type 2a versus type 1b virus.

Utility of hepatitis C virus RNA levels for predicting the therapeutic efficacy of interferon

We studied the levels of serum hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA, the HCV genotype before interferon therapy, and the kinetics of serum HCV-RNA at the initial stages of therapy to determine their utility in predicting the therapeutic efficacy of interferon in 44 patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. We also looked at the efficacy of repeated interferon treatment in relation to the kinetics of serum HCV-RNA. The level of serum HCV-RNA determined by a branched DNA probe assay before interferon treatment and that by a reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction assay during the initial stages of interferon administration were useful for predicting the efficacy of treatment. Furthermore, detection of serum HCV-RNA by the reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction assay after the completion of interferon therapy indicated relapse at its earliest stage. In patients who experience relapse, repeated treatment with an appropriate dose of interferon before an increase in viral levels may increase the proportion of complete responses.

Relationships of subunits of type-1 serine/threonine protein phosphatase to morphology and aggregation of B cells

To elucidate the roles of serine/threonine protein phosphatases PP1 and PP2A in the morphological changes of B-lymphocytes during development and in immune responses, we investigated alterations of protein levels of catalytic subunits of PP1 and PP2A and regulatory subunits of PP1 including M130/M133, inhibitor-1 (I-1) and inhibitor-2 (I-2) in B-cell lines at different maturational stages and during their aggregation induced by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The protein levels of PP1delta and/or M130/M133 were significantly lower in B-cell lines without pseudopods, WEHI-231, BAL-17, Daudi, and CESS, than in those with pseudopods, Bcl.1, A20, M12, and SKW6.4, whereas the amounts of PP1alpha and PP2A were similar among them. During aggregation of A20 and CESS cells induced by PMA, an activator of PKC, the amount of PP1delta was progressively decreased, and this decrease was blocked by H7, an inhibitor of PKC. The amount of PP1alpha was constant under these conditions. Okadaic acid, an inhibitor of PP1 and PP2A, also induced aggregation of A20 cells at concentrations sufficient to inhibit PP1, but not at lower concentrations that inhibit PP2A alone. These results suggest that myosin light chain phosphatase composed of PP1delta and M130/M133 is involved in the maintenance and regulation of cytoskeletal structures in B-lymphocytes.

Sarcoid reaction in thyroid diseases: report of a case of thyroid carcinoma demonstrating sarcoid reaction in regional lymph nodes

We describe an extremely rare case of thyroid carcinoma accompanied by sarcoid reaction in regional lymph nodes. The patient, a 40-year-old woman, was found to have anterior neck swelling during a routine medical examination. Physical examination revealed a bad movable and firm nodule measuring 3.5 x 2.5 cm in the right thyroid lobe. Examination of a fine-needle aspiration cytology of the nodule suggested papillary carcinoma of class V. Right lobectomy and isthmectomy with neck dissection were performed. Histopathological examination of the resected specimens revealed papillary carcinoma accompanied by metastatic foci in right perithyroidal lymph nodes and non-caseous sarcoid-like granulomas in pretracheal, right upper internal deep cervical and submandibular lymph nodes. We concluded that these granulomas were due to a sarcoid reaction associated with thyroid carcinoma, after performing examinations to rule out the possibility of systemic sarcoidosis.

Molecular cloning and expression of a rat cDNA encoding 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase/IMP cyclohydrolase

The cDNA of a 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase/IMP cyclohydrolase (AICARFT/IMPCHase) was isolated from rat liver RNA by reverse transcription and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The rat AICARFT/IMPCHase cDNA included 1928 bp containing a coding region of 1779 bp for a 592-amino acid polypeptide (Mr = 64 200). Rat and human AICARFT/IMPCHase cDNAs show 84 and 91% homology at the nucleotide and amino acid sequence level, respectively. The protein produced by the rat cDNA using pET-expression system catalysed the penultimate and final steps of de novo purine biosynthesis. Northern analysis identified a 2.8-kb AICARFT/IMPCHase mRNA and the level of the AICARFT/IMPCHase transcripts increased markedly at 24 h after partial (70%) hepatectomy.

MAZ, a Myc-associated zinc finger protein, is essential for the ME1a1-mediated expression of the c-myc gene during neuroectodermal differentiation of P19 cells

To investigate whether MAZ (Myc-associated zinc finger protein) affects the expression of the c-myc gene during the retinoic acid-induced (RA-induced) neuroectodermal differentiation of P19 embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells, we introduced a CAT reporter construct, human c-myc promoter/CAT (pMyc2CAT), and a mutant CAT derivative that lacked an ME1a1 site (pMyc1CAT) into P19EC cells to monitor the promoter activity of the c-myc gene. The expression of CAT in pMyc2CAT-transformed cells declined fivefold after 24 h in the presence of RA, returned to the normal level within 48 h, and decreased again to below 20% of the normal level after 96 h. By contrast, the expression of CAT in pMyc1CAT-transformed cells did not return to the normal level after 48 h in the presence of RA. In addition, an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) with ME1a1 DNA as probe demonstrated that the kinetics of the DNA-binding activity of MAZ were closely correlated with the changes in the expression of CAT from the c-myc promoter/CAT gene during the differentiation of P19EC cells. Taken together, these results suggest that MAZ plays a key role in the transient increase in the expression of the c-myc gene after 48 h of exposure to RA during the neuroectodermal differentiation of P19EC cells.

Pilot study of ofloxacin and interferon-alpha combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C without sustained response to initial interferon administration

A controlled trial comparing combination therapy with ofloxacin (OFLX) and interferon (IFN) versus IFN monotherapy was conducted in patients with chronic hepatitis C who failed IFN therapy. Twenty patients were assigned randomly to two groups. Equal doses of recombinant IFN alpha-2b were administered to each group for 24 weeks. For the IFN plus OFLX group, OFLX was administered for 12 weeks at a daily dose of 600 mg. Levels of hepatitis C virus RNA declined significantly from the first month after the start of IFN treatment compared with those before administration in both groups. Serum alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly lower in the IFN plus OFLX group at two and six months after the start of treatment than levels in the IFN group. The fraction of subjects whose levels of serum ALT normalized was also higher in the IFN plus OFLX group. Larger clinical trials should be undertaken.

Induction of a 72-kDa heat shock protein and cytoprotection against thioacetamide-induced liver injury in rats

Heat shock proteins are ubiquitous intracellular proteins induced by various physiological stress-related events. A 72-kDa heat shock protein (HSP72) has been reported to be an endogenous cytoprotectant in variety of cells in vitro. In order to study the cytoprotective function of HSP72 in the liver, the effect of preinduction of HSP72 in rat liver by systemic hyperthermia on thioacetamide-induced hepatic injury was investigated in this study. Expression of HSP72 in the liver was investigated by immunoblot and densitometric analysis. Rats were injected with thioacetamide (100 mg/kg, subcutaneously) with or without preinduction of HSP72 by hyperthermia. Serum AST and ALT concentrations were measured before and after thioacetamide injection in both group. Histologic alteration of the liver was evaluated also. Systemic hyperthermia (42.5 degrees C, 20 min) significantly induced HSP72 in the liver. Thioacetamide-induced hepatic injury was clearly prevented by preinduction of HSP72 by hyperthermia. Prevention of hepatocyte damage was more clear in the area around central veins where HSP72 induction was apparent. Our findings might suggest that HSP72 has an important function in the liver with respect to cytoprotection. These results might be important for understanding the mechanism of "adaptive cytoprotection" in the liver mediated by the function of heat shock proteins as "molecular chaperons" as reported in vitro.

Ethanol represses thymidylate synthase and thymidine kinase at mRNA level in regenerating rat liver after partial hepatectomy

The effects of ethanol on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy were investigated. The injection of ethanol inhibited the increases in the activities of thymidylate synthase and thymidine kinase in regenerating rat liver at 24 h after partial hepatectomy in a dose-dependent manner, with a concomitant reduction in DNA content. Northern blot analysis showed that the inhibition of thymidylate synthase and thymidine kinase activities was caused by comparable decreases in their mRNA levels. The immunoblotting assay confirmed the protein levels of thymidylate synthase and thymidine kinase as proportional to the activity and mRNA levels. These findings suggest that ethanol inhibits DNA synthesis by the repression of mRNA levels of dTMP-synthesizing enzymes during liver regeneration.

A repeated-dose dermal toxicity study of hydrophobically modified hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in rats

A six-month repeated-dose dermal toxicity study followed by a 30-day recovery test of hydrophobically modified hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HM-HPMC), a new cellulose derivative used as a thickener for topical pharmaceuticals, was conducted using rats. Aqueous paste of HM-HPMC was applied to the skin of rats once daily at dose levels up to 60 mg/kg/day, which was the highest dose that could be administered. Items checked included general signs, urinalysis, hematology, ophthalmology, and histopathology. One rat died during the administration period owing to a malignant tumor in the hemopoietic system, which was not attributed to the test substance. Statistically significant differences were found in some test results, but those were not dose-dependent and were considered to be incidental or spontaneous. It was concluded that the test substance was not toxic upon chronic dermal administration at dose levels up to 60 mg/kg/day.

Cytotoxicity of organochlorine pesticides and lipid peroxidation in isolated rat hepatocytes

The cytotoxicity and lipid peroxidation of pesticides containing a halogen group were examined in isolated rat hepatocytes. We examined 9 pesticides of 3 different representative chemical families, chlorinated aromatic fungicides (pentachlorophenol (PCP), pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB), chlorothalonil, fthalide), polyhaloalkylated thio fungicides (dichlofluanid, captan) and diphenyl ether herbicide (2,4-dichlorophenyl 4-nitrophenyl ether (NIP), 4-nitrophenyl2,4,6-trichlorophenyl ether (CNP), chlomethoxynil). The contents of the hydroperoxides in phospholipid, phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide (PCOOH) and phosphatidylethanolamine hydroperoxide (PEOOH) were determined by the HPLC-chemiluminescence (CL-HPLC) method, which is sensitive and specific for lipid hydroperoxide. Chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid and captan were the most potent cytotoxicants evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage. PCP, NIP and CNP exhibited intermediate cytotoxicity. PCNB, fthalide and chlomethoxynil showed low cytotoxicity. The cellular phospholipid hydroperoxide (PCOOH and PEOOH) levels were remarkably increased by chlorothalonil (PCOOH, 23 times and PEOOH, 7 times), dichlofluanid (PCOOH, 523 times and PEOOH, 22 times) and captan (PCOOH, 518 times and PEOOH, 16 times) as compared with the control group. The PCOOH content was slightly increased by PCP (4.8 times) and NIP (6.3 times), whereas the other 4 pesticides did not change the phospholipid hydroperoxide level. Severe cytotoxicity was observed with a remarkable increase of phospholipid hydroperoxide by chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid and captan.

An early insulin intervention accelerates pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction in young Goto-Kakizaki rats, a model of naturally occurring noninsulin-dependent diabetes

This study was designed to delineate the nature of beta-cell dysfunction in a model of genetically determined nonobese diabetes, the Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat. Pancreatic beta-cell function was analyzed immediately after weaning and 5 weeks thereafter, comparing animals with or without insulin treatment during the interval. In 3.5-week-old GK rats, fasting plasma glucose was mildly elevated with normoinsulinemia, and the islet insulin content was reduced by 33%. When incubated with 3-30 mM glucose in vitro, the GK rat islets showed reduced glucose sensitivity, i.e. the EC50 values were 19.5 and 15.9 mM, and the Hill constants for the positive cooperativity 2.1 and 4.2 in the islets of GK and the control rats, respectively. On the other hand, the maximum response to glucose was not attenuated when reduced islet insulin content was considered. In 8.5-week-old GK rats hyperglycemia worsened and glucose-stimulated insulin release by the islets more severely impaired. A daily insulin injection from the 3.5-8.5 weeks of age significantly lowered plasma glucose in the GK rat, accompanied by a marked suppression of both basal (with 3 mM glucose) and glucose (6-30 mM)-stimulated insulin release by the islets. In the GK rat, beta-cell dysfunction develops by the age of 3.5 weeks, and insulin treatment during the subsequent 5 weeks accelerates its progression.

Two signaling pathways, from the upper glycolytic flux and from the mitochondria, converge to potentiate insulin release

In the rat pancreatic beta cell, low concentrations of glucose potentiate D-glyceraldehyde (GA)-induced insulin release without any potentiation of the triose-induced elevation of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration. Namely, 2-3 mM glucose strongly potentiates 5 mM GA-induced insulin release, and the combination of stimulatory concentration of glucose (10 mM) and 5 mM GA elicits far more than additive insulin release: this glucose action is independent of ATP-sensitive K+ channel closure because it can be seen in the presence of diazoxide, an opener of the K+ channel. The triose-induced elevation of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration was not potentiated by the presence of 3 mM glucose, and oxidation of labeled GA by the islet cells was not enhanced by the presence of glucose. The glucose action can be mimicked by mannose, but not by galactose, and was suppressed by inhibition of glucose phosphorylation with mannoheptulose or 2-deoxyglucose. Glucose also potentiates 2-ketoisocaproate-induced insulin release. In contrast, a combination of GA and 2-ketoisocaproate elicits only additive insulin release. Strikingly, 3 mM glucose does not potentiate insulin release in response to a depolarizing concentration of K+. Therefore, at least two signal pathways, one from upper glycolytic flux and one from mitochondrial metabolism, must converge to provide the potentiation of insulin release. We conclude that the upper glycolytic flux, acting at a site unrelated to the elevation of cytosolic free Ca2+, potentiates insulin release triggered by triose and mitochondrial fuels.

Sialomucin complex, a heterodimeric glycoprotein complex. Expression as a soluble, secretable form in lactating mammary gland and colon

Ascites 13762 rat mammary adenocarcinoma cells express abundantly on their cell surfaces a heterodimeric glycoprotein complex composed of a sialomucin ascites sialoglycoprotein (ASGP)-1 and a transmembrane subunit ASGP-2. The latter, which contains two epidermal growth factor-like domains, binds the receptor tyrosine kinase p185(neu), suggesting that the complex is bifunctional as well as heterodimeric. Immunoblot analyses using monoclonal antibodies prepared against the complex demonstrate high levels of expression in rat lactating mammary gland and colon. Immunolocalization studies with anti-ASGP-2 indicate that ASGP-2 is present in these two tissues in the apical regions of secretory epithelial cells. Both mammary gland and colon contain a soluble, secretable form of ASGP-2, which is not found in the ascites cells; milk and mammary gland also have the membrane form. Immunoblot analyses using a COOH-terminal-specific polyclonal antibody indicate that the soluble form of ASGP-2 is missing its COOH-terminal domains. Both the soluble and membrane forms of ASGP-2 are similar to the membrane-associated form from the 13762 adenocarcinoma with respect to Mr, antigenicity, and association with ASGP-1. The presence of ASGP-1 in milk suggests that it is a candidate for the uncharacterized high Mr milk mucin, MUCX. ASGP-2 expression is up-regulated in mammary gland during pregnancy, because it is undetectable in virgin and early pregnant rats but abundant in the gland from late pregnant and lactating animals. However, compared with the lactating mammary gland, the 13762 ascites cells overexpress ASGP-2 by more than 100-fold, which may contribute to their malignancy. These combined results indicate that sialomucin complex is a unique secreted product in the mammary gland and colon, whose behavior is different from that in the mammary ascites tumors, and which may play important roles in mammary and intestinal physiology.

Analysis of the pancreatic beta cell in the mouse with targeted disruption of the pancreatic beta cell-specific glucokinase gene

This is the first systematic study on the pancreatic beta cell function in the heterozygous mouse with targeted disruption of the beta cell glucokinase gene. The heterozygotes' beta cell displayed the following characteristics: (1) impaired glucose sensitivity with normal glucose responsiveness, (2) poor discrimination of alpha and beta glucose anomers, and (3) normal response to glucose in the presence of 25 mM K+ and 150 microM diazoxide. Both the first and the second phases of glucose-stimulated insulin release were depressed. Although the heterozygotes were mildly hyperglycemic, insulin treatment further suppressed beta cell function, implying the beta cell glucose toxicity is not the cause of impaired glucose sensitivity. The data are compatible with the glucokinase glucose sensor concept inasmuch as glucose sensitivity is reduced in the heterozygotes' beta cell. The anomeric malaise and preservation of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel-independent glucose action were considered due to chronic hyperglycemia.

The betaHC-9 pancreatic beta-cell line preserves the characteristics of progenitor mouse islets

betaHC-9 is a pancreatic beta-cell line that is derived from the hyperplastic islets of transgenic mice that express the simian virus 40 tumor antigen gene in the islets. This cell secretes insulin in response to glucose in a concentration-dependent manner. Maximal and half-maximal concentrations were approximately 20 and approximately 10 mmol/l, respectively, with a maximal fractional release that averaged 3.7% of the total cellular insulin content per 60 min. The cellular insulin content was 3-9% of the content of mouse islet cells. Under perifusion conditions, high glucose concentrations induced a sharp first phase that lasted approximately 10 min and a succeeding second phase of sustained release, as exhibited by mouse islets. The cells did not show a rising second phase as seen with rat islets. This biphasic response was obtained without the need for activators of protein kinase A such as forskolin or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. The dose-dependency and the phasic response to glucose were essentially invariable up to passage 38 but thereafter declined. The cells respond to various well-known stimulators of insulin secretion, including leucine and arginine; to modulators such as carbachol, glucagon-like peptide I, and pituitary adenylyl cyclase activating polypeptide; and to the inhibitors norepinephrine, somatostatin, and galanin. The pharmacological agents glibenclamide, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, and KCl stimulate and forskolin potentiates insulin release. Mannoheptulose, 2-deoxyglucose, and nitrendipine inhibit glucose-stimulated insulin release from the cells. The intracellular Ca2+ concentration was raised by high glucose and by glibenclamide. In conclusion, this cell line preserves the fundamental characteristics of the progenitor normal mouse islets very well. Although several cell lines have been reported to have glucose-responsive insulin secretion, few demonstrate clear biphasic secretion as this cell line displays. In this context, this cell line should serve as a potent tool for studying the mechanisms of insulin secretion, especially the important phasic secretion.

Antioxidant property of Fructus Momordicae extract

The antioxidant effect of Fructus Momordicae extract, FME (mogrosides 75 approximately 80%), was studied. FME reduced the stable free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and scavenged superoxide radicals (O2-) generated by a hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase system. It also scavenged hydroxyl radicals (.OH) generated by Fenton reaction. In addition, FME inhibited Fe(II) induced lipid peroxidation in rat cortex homogenates in a dose-dependent manner, as indicated by decreased thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) formation. Oral administration of FME inhibited TBARS and malonaldehyde (MDA) formation in the ipsilateral cortex 30 min after iron-salt injection into the left cortex of rat. FME showed inhibitory effect on 4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenal (4-HNE) formation induced by Fe(III) injection into the rat cortex. These data suggest that Fructus Momordicae extract has an antioxidant activity against free radicals and lipid peroxidation.

Technical note: use of a PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) for detection of a point mutation in the swine ryanodine receptor (RYR1) gene

We used the polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis for screening the point mutation (C1843 to T) in the porcine ryanodine receptor (RYR1) gene. The PCR products (659 bp) were heat-denatured and separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. On silver-stained gels, the point mutation within the RYR1 gene could be detected clearly by mobility shifts. The best conditions for detecting the point mutation were by using a 5% polyacrylamide gel without glycerol and loading at 3 degrees C. The RYR1 genotypes diagnosed by PCR-SSCP were identical to the genotypes diagnosed by restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphism in all cases examined (n = 606).

Alpha-fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, and carbohydrate antigen 19-9-producing gallbladder cancer

We report a rare case of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9-producing gallbladder cancer with high levels of CA125 and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA II). A 63-year-old man was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer with metastases to the liver, based on ultrasonography and computed tomography of the abdomen showing multiple tumorous lesions in the liver and a thickened gallbladder wall. Laboratory data showed high levels of tumor markers: 4647.4 ng/ml AFP, 9987.1 ng/ml CEA, 11,704.0 U/ml CA19-9, 847.6 U/ml CA125, and 0.2 AU/ ml PIVKA II. AFP in the present case showed an increase in Concanavalin A-nonbinding fraction and an increase in Lens culinaris lectin-binding fraction by affinity column chromatography. The patient died of hepatic failure. Autopsy revealed gallbladder cancer consisting of papillary adenocarcinoma and moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma. By immunohistochemical staining, AFP was detected in the papillary adenocarcinoma portion of the primary focus and metastatic tumor cells in the liver, but was not detected in noncancerous liver tissue. CEA and CA19-9 were detected mainly in the tubular adenocarcinoma portion.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide, carbachol, and glucose stimulate insulin release in the absence of an increase in intracellular Ca2+

Insulin secretion from the pancreatic beta cell line HIT-T15 was examined under conditions in which the elevation of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was inhibited by nitrendipine or diazoxide or by severe Ca2+ deprivation. Glucose-induced insulin release was completely abolished under these conditions. However, in the presence of 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate or forskolin, 10 mM glucose significantly enhanced insulin release, even in the presence of 5 microM nitrendipine or 150 microM diazoxide. The [Ca2+]i was not increased under these conditions. Even under Ca(2+)-deprived conditions, achieved by 60-min preincubation in Ca(2+)-free buffer containing 1 mM ethylene glycol bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), glucose in the complete absence of extracellular Ca2+ significantly enhanced insulin release when the cells were treated also with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and forskolin. Because of these findings, additional studies were performed with pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) and carbachol to see whether physiological stimulation via receptor activation could stimulate insulin release in the absence of a rise in [Ca2+]i. Under normal Ca(2+)-containing conditions, PACAP and carbachol stimulated insulin release and markedly potentiated glucose-stimulated release. In the presence of nitrendipine and thapsigargin, glucose failed to stimulate insulin release. Also, neither glucose in combination with PACAP nor glucose with carbachol was able to stimulate release. However, under the same conditions, the combination of glucose, PACAP, and carbachol did stimulate release while being unable to elevate [Ca2+]i. Thus, simultaneous activation of the beta cell by PACAP, carbachol, and glucose can stimulate insulin release even when [Ca2+]i is not elevated.

[A case of advanced gastric cancer with multiple liver metastasis successfully treated with combination chemotherapy using UFT, CDDP and etoposide]

We reported a 66-year-old male patient with advanced gastric cancer accompanied by multiple liver metastasis, who responded to combination chemotherapy using UFT, CDDP and etoposide. The patient was administered three courses of 600 mg/body UFT po daily, 50 mg/body CDDP iv and 50 mg/body etoposide iv on days 1 and 8 every 4 weeks. As a result, both the primary and metastatic tumors decreased remarkably in size. Adverse reactions were leukocytopenia (Grade 2), thrombocytopenia (Grade 1) and nausea (Grade 1). he is alive 16 months after the beginning of therapy in a condition of partial response (PR). This combination therapy seemed to be effective for advanced gastric cancer.