Mucinous adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation of the mandibular ramus: report of a case

A rare case of mucinous adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation of the mandibular ramus is presented. The patient, an 80-year-old man, was referred to our hospital with chief complaint of swelling and pain in the left buccal mucosa. CT and MRI examination showed an osteolytic tumor mass occupying the upper region of the left mandibular ramus. Macroscopically, the excised tumor was a relatively well-defined, solid mass with diffuse bone resorption, measuring 3 cm x 3.2 cm x 3 cm. Microscopical examination showed that the tumor forming glandular structures with abundant mucous production and high cellular atypia. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated the positive reactivities for pan-keratin, cytokeratin 7, vimentin,alpha-amylase, alpha-smooth muscle actin, neuron-specific enolase, glial fibrillary acid protein, calcitonin, and somatostatin in tumor cells. These findings suggested that the tumor was originated from heterotopic or misplaced salivary gland in the mandible.

Increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in human salivary gland tumors

We examined the immunohistochemical localization of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in human salivary gland tumors. Thirty salivary gland adenomas (SGA), 40 salivary gland carcinomas (SGC) and 15 normal salivary glands (NSG) were studied. NSG showed restricted COX-2 staining only in the epithelial cells of salivary ducts. In contrast, COX-2 protein was detected in 27 cases of SGA (90%), except for three myoepitheliomas, and in all cases of SGC (100%) at various intensities and in various fashions. Thirteen SGA (43%) and 36 SGC (90%) cases showed strong COX-2 staining predominantly in tumor cells containing ductal components, as did serous and mucous acinic components of acinic cell carcinomas, mucoepidermoid carcinomas and mucinous carcinomas. These findings may suggest that COX-2 in salivary gland tumors is expressed in tumor cells derived from pluripotential ductal epithelium that can histologically develop into either serous or mucinous acinar cells.

[Multi-institutional cooperative study on combination chemotherapy with THP, CDDP and 5-FU for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck]

Combination chemotherapy with THP, CDDP and 5-FU for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck was conducted in 13 institutions in Hyogo Prefecture as a multi-institutional cooperative study. In the initial study (Nov. 1990-Nov. 1993), THP was administered intravenously at 20 mg/m2 on day 1, CDDP at 80 mg/m2 on day 2, and 5-FU at 1,000 mg/body/day in a continuous drip infusion for 120 hours from day 2 to day 6. In the second study (May, 1996-Mar. 1998), THP was administered at 20 mg/m2 on day 1, 5-FU at 10 mg/kg/day from day 1 to day 5, and CDDP at 70 mg/m2 on day 6 in the same way as the initial study. Forty-nine patients (Stage I in 3, Stage II in 12 including 2 recurrent cases, Stage III in 6, Stage IV in 28 including 3 recurrent cases; 1 course chemotherapy in 13 and 2 or more courses in 36) were subjected as complete cases in the initial study, and 36 patients (Stage I in 5 including one recurrent case, Stage II in 11 including 1 recurrent case, Stage III in 9 including 2 recurrent cases, Stage IV in 11 including one recurrent case; 1 course in 18 and 2 or more courses in 18) in the second. The overall response rate was 65.3% (CR in 3 cases) in the initial study and 63.9% (CR in 5 cases) in the second. Primary cases showed a response rate of 65.9% (29/44) in the initial study and 71.0% (22/31) in the second, whereas recurrent cases showed a 60.0% (3/5) response rate in the initial study and a 20.0% (1/5) rate in the second. Treatment-naive patients showed a response rate of 72.7% (24/33) in the initial study and 71.0% (22/31) in the second, whereas previously treated patients showed a 50.0% (8/16) response rate in the initial study and a 20.0% (1/5) rate in the second. Adverse reactions of more than Grade 3 in the initial study were leukopenia in 18.4%, thrombocytopenia in 8.2%, decrease of hemoglobin in 6.1%, loss of hair in 6.1%, anorexia in 36.7%, nausea and vomiting in 26.5%, and diarrhea in 4.1%, whereas those of Grade 3 in the second study were decrease of hemoglobin in 2.8%, anorexia in 22.2% and nausea and vomiting in 8.3%. From these results, it is suggested that the regimen in the second study was more useful than that in the initial study.

[Fundamental study of combination chemotherapy with THP, 5-FU and CDDP for human KB carcinoma cell line and its multidrug resistant cell line KB-C1--usefulness of treatment with 5-FU preceding CDDP]

This study was designed to investigate the usefulness of treatment with 5-FU preceding CDDP in combination chemotherapy with THP, 5-FU and CDDP. Using the human KB carcinoma cell line and its multidrug resistant cell line KB-C1, the difference in the antitumor effect due to the sequence of administration of CDDP and 5-FU (TCF or TFC) was examined on cultured cells and nude mouse tumor xenografts. When KB and KB-C1 were treated with THP (0.01 microgram/ml) on day 1, CDDP (0.05 microgram/ml) on day 2 or day 4 and 5-FU (0.25 microgram/ml) on day 3 and 4 or day 2 and 3, TFC suppressed the cell proliferation more strongly than TCF (p < 0.05), though there was no difference between KB and KB-C1. In nude mouse xenografts, intraperitoneal administrations of THP (0.5 mg/kg) on day 1, CDDP (2 mg/kg) on day 2 or day 5, and 5-FU (10 mg/kg) on day 3-5 or day 2-4 inhibited tumor growth more effectively in KB than in KB-C1. At three weeks postadministration, growth inhibition by TCF and TFC was 29.9% and 57.4% in KB and 25.2% and 49.8% in KB-C1, respectively. These results indicate that TFC was superior to TCF in cytocidal and antitumor effects for KB and KB-C1.

Overexpression of SCC antigen and cyclins in an adenoid squamous carcinoma cell line derived from the maxillary sinus

Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) is produced by the two almost identical, tandemly arrayed genes, SCCA1 and SCCA2. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of increased expression of SCC-Ag in a cell line SCCMM derived from an aggressive adenoid SCC with high titer of SCC-Ag in the patient serum. The differential polymerase chain reaction using specific primers for SCCA1 and SCCA2 revealed no gene amplification in SCCMM. However, RT-PCR demonstrated that levels of SCCA1 and SCCA2 mRNAs in SCCMM were 80- and 120-fold higher than those in CaSki as a reference SCC cell, respectively. Western blot analysis showed that the levels of these two SCC-Ag proteins in SCCMM were 15-fold higher than those in CaSki, suggesting that expression of the SCC-Ag in SCCMM was controlled at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. To investigate highly malignant character of SCCMM, expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins was investigated by Western blotting. Cyclin E and cyclin B1 were expressed at approximately 100-fold higher levels in SCCMM than in CaSki, but Cip/Kip cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs) were expressed at low levels and p16 and p19 ink4 CDKIs were not detected. These results suggest that the aggressive growth of SCCMM is due, at least in part, to large increases in cyclin E and cyclin B1 expression with low levels of CDKIs.

Common variable immunodeficiency with unusual vegetative lesions of the tongue and labial mucosa: a case report

A case of common variable immunodeficiency with unusual vegetative lesions of the tongue and lower lip in a 28-year-old man is presented. The vegetative lesions developed over the preceding 10 months and clinically were suggestive of malignancy. The biopsy specimens showed no malignancy, and a bacterial culture of the tongue detected abundant Staphylococcus aureus. Combined treatment with a corticosteroid antibiotic ointment and povidone iodine rinse produced remarkable resolution of the lesions. Laboratory examination showed markedly decreased levels of serum immunoglobulins. Intravenous gamma globulin replacement therapy resulted in good control of infection and disappearance of the lesions.

Increased expression of c-erbB-3 protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen during development of verrucous carcinoma of the oral mucosa

BACKGROUND

The roles of c-erbB-3 gene and protein in the pathogenesis, progression, and outcome of oral carcinoma remain unknown. To determine whether c-erbB-3 expression could serve as an indicator of progression from premalignant to malignant transformation and of prognoses in patients with oral carcinoma, the authors examined the relation between the expression of c-erbB-3 protein and cell proliferation activity during the development of oral verrucous carcinoma (VC).

METHODS

Immunohistochemical techniques were used to evaluate c-erbB-3 protein and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Sixty-one samples (36 patients) of verrucous hyperplasia (VH), VC, and well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma arising from verrucous carcinoma (V-WSCC) in the oral mucosa were examined.

RESULTS

Normal human oral mucosa showed weak c-erbB-3 immunostaining, predominantly on the epithelial surface. In contrast, 7 (39%) of 18 VHs, 25 (84%) of 31 VCs, and all (100%) of 12 V-WSCCs demonstrated overexpression of c-erbB-3 protein with increased expression of PCNA in some premalignant epithelial cells and many tumor cells. This finding suggested the involvement of c-erbB-3 gene in the progression from VH to VC and V-WSCC.

CONCLUSIONS

Overexpression of c-erbB-3 protein correlated with increased PCNA labeling index, indicating that c-erbB-3 may contribute to malignant transformation and tumor growth. Further, patients with high expression of both c-erbB-3 and PCNA had a poor outcome. Study results suggested that c-erbB-3 expression was an index of malignancy during progression from VH to VC and V-WSCC and might have been involved in the outcome of oral carcinoma patients.

Isolation and characterisation of adenoid squamous carcinoma cells highly producing SCC antigen and CEA from carcinoma of the maxillary sinus

A serially transplantable adenoid squamous carcinoma tumour line (SCCMM) derived from carcinoma of the maxillary sinus of a 56-year-old male with high serum levels of SCC antigen (SCC-Ag) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was established in athymic nude mice. Nude mouse tumours produced by transplantation of operated material showed similar histological features to those of the original tumour and expression of SCC-Ag and CEA immunohistochemically. In addition, SCC-Ag and CEA in sera of tumour-bearing nude mice were detected at high levels in proportion to the relative tumour weight. The primary cultured tumour cells demonstrated the expression of SCC-Ag and CEA and the production of these antigens into culture medium. The serum levels of these tumour antigens were decreased concomitant with tumour regression by antitumour drug administration. Therefore, this tumour line and its cultured cells could provide a useful model for investigation of the relationship between tumour growth and expression of these tumour antigens.

Benign mesenchymoma of the cheek: report of a case and review of the literature

Benign mesenchymoma is a soft tissue neoplasm that contains 2 or more differentiated mesenchymal components in addition to fibrous tissue. A rare case of benign mesenchymoma of the cheek in a 6-year-old boy is presented. The literature pertaining to mesenchymoma in the head and neck region is reviewed and discussed.

Increased expression of human DNA repair genes, XRCC1, XRCC3 and RAD51, in radioresistant human KB carcinoma cell line N10

The radioresistant N10 and parental KB cell lines were examined for the expression of human DNA repair genes which were related to the repair of radiation-induced DNA damage by northern blot analysis using five kinds of DNA probes (XRCC1, XRCC3, XRCC5, RAD51, RAD52). In the unirradiated condition, N10 cells showed higher expression of XRCC1, XRCC3 and RAD51 mRNA than did KB cells. The X-irradiation induced a time-dependent increase in the mRNA levels of XRCC3 and RAD51 in both cell lines with a maximum at 2 h postirradiation. The XRCC1 mRNA in N10 was maintained at the same level even after irradiation, whereas that in KB was decreased after irradiation. There was no difference in the expression of XRCC5 and RAD52 mRNA between N10 and KB cells in both unirradiated and irradiated conditions. From these findings, it was suggested that XRCC1, XRCC3 and RAD51 contribute to the radioresistance in cell line N10.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of accessory parotid gland duct epithelium: report of a case

A rare case of primary squamous cell carcinoma surrounding Stensen's duct in a 75-year-old man is presented. The tumor was a relatively well-defined, hard, subcutaneous mass, measuring 18 x 14 x 9 mm and situated in the right cheek. Microscopic examination of an excisional biopsy specimen revealed tumor cells showing squamous differentiation, a papillary growth pattern, and ductal structures with comedo necrosis. Immunohistochemical studies showed positive reactivity for KL-1 (cytokeratin, monoclonal), epithelial membrane antigen, and carcinoembryonic antigen in some tumor cells. The origin of the tumor was thought to be the accessory parotid gland duct epithelium.

Decreased expression and release of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (CD26) in cultured peripheral blood T lymphocytes of oral cancer patients

To investigate the mechanism whereby serum dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) IV activity in oral cancer patients is decreased, we examined the expression of cell surface DPP IV, also known as CD26, in cultured peripheral blood T lymphocytes of these patients and the amounts of DPP IV released into culture medium; values were compared with those found in healthy subjects. When peripheral blood T lymphocytes were cultured in the presence of phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A and/or interleukin-2, the proliferative response and expression of CD26 (DPP IV) in their plasma membranes were greatly diminished in oral cancer patients as compared with those in healthy subjects. In addition, DPP IV activity in lymphocyte culture medium was reduced more in oral cancer patients than in healthy subjects, indicating decreased shedding of DPP IV from activated T lymphocytes in the patients. Based on these findings, it is suggested that suppression of DPP IV expression in peripheral blood T lymphocytes is one of the important factors involved in the mechanism of decrease of serum DPP IV activity in oral cancer patients.

Isolation and characterisation of radioresistant human KB carcinoma cells in vitro

In order to investigate the radioresistance mechanism in human carcinoma cells, we isolated the radioresistant cells from a human KB carcinoma cell line by various methods. Although the radioresistant cells were not isolated by the repeated X-irradiation method, pretreatment of the cells with mutagens including N-methyl-N'nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide induced radioresistance of 1.50 to 3.75-fold, as judged by the D0 ratio to parental KB cells. When three representative radioresistant cell clones with stable growth isolated by a different method were examined for cross-resistance to anticancer drugs, each cell clone exhibited resistance to one, five and two anticancer drugs, including mitomycin C, bleomycin and methotrexate, respectively. Among them, the cell line N10, showing stable plating efficiency and population doubling time, was further characterised. Consequently, immunocytochemistry, Western blotting and flow cytometry revealed that N10 expressed a higher level of mutant p53 protein than did parental KB, suggesting the involvement of mutant p53 protein in radioresistance of N10.

Levels of superoxide dismutases, glutathione, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in radioresistant human KB carcinoma cell line

In order to investigate the radioresistance mechanism of human carcinoma cells, we measured intracellular manganese- (Mn-) and copper/zinc- (Cu/Zn-) superoxide dismutases (SODs), glutathione (GSH) and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in radioresistant N10 and its parental KB cell lines. The Mn-SOD level was 1.3-fold less in N10 than in KB, but Mn-SOD was induced at 1.3 to 1.5-fold higher level in N10 than in KB by X-irradiation (4 Gy). Cu/Zn-SOD in N10 showed a higher level than that in KB both without and with irradiation. In addition, N10 had a 1.65-fold higher GSH level than did KB and became radiosensitive on treatment with buthionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of GSH. Furthermore, PARP mRNA was highly expressed in N10 as compared to KB under unirradiated conditions. X-Irradiation reduced the PARP mRNA level in KB in a time-dependent manner, whereas the PARP mRNA level in N10 was still high at 6 h postirradiation. Assay for PARP activity demonstrated an approximately 3-fold higher activity in N10 than in KB under unirradiated conditions. X-Irradiation caused a rapid induction of PARP activity within 1 h in both cell lines, but treatment of cells with nicotinamide, a PARP inhibitor, markedly reduced the enzyme induction in N10, but not in KB, and potentiated the radiosensitivity in N10. These factors may all contribute to the radioresistance of the N10 cell line.

Prognostic utility of serum alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase and immunosuppression resulted from deglycosylation of serum Gc protein in oral cancer patients

Vitamin D3-binding protein (Gc protein), a serum glycoprotein, is the precursor for the macrophage activating factor. Cancer patient sera contain alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase that deglycosylates Gc protein. Deglycosylated Gc protein cannot be converted to macrophage activating factor, leading to immunosuppression. Of 46 oral cancer patients with squamous cell carcinoma, approximately 22% had greatly reduced precursor activities. The precursor activity of approximately 61% of these patients was moderately reduced. The remaining patients (17%) had precursor activities equivalent to those of healthy humans. Patients with low precursor activity of serum Gc protein had high serum alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase activity. In contrast, patients with high precursor activity had low serum alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase activity. Thus, levels of serum alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase of individual patients have an inverse correlation with precursor activities of their serum Gc protein. Surgical removal of tumors resulted in a subtle decrease in serum alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase activity with concomitant increase in the precursor activity of serum Gc protein. Serum enzyme analysis of nude mice transplanted with a human oral squamous carcinoma cell line revealed that serum alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase activity is directly proportional to tumor burden. Thus, alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase activity in patient bloodstream can serve as a diagnostic/prognostic index.

Reduced expression of dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) IV in peripheral blood T lymphocytes of oral cancer patients

To investigate the mechanism of decrease of serum DPP IV activity in oral cancer patients, we analyzed the expression of DPP IV in peripheral blood T lymphocytes of oral cancer patients and healthy subjects. Consequently, serum DPP IV activity was found to correlate significantly with the number of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), T lymphocytes and CD26 (identified as DPP IV)+ T lymphocytes in healthy subjects, and the number of PBL and CD26+ T lymphocytes in cancer patients. However, the numbers of PBL and T lymphocytes were significantly less in cancer patients than in healthy subjects. Although the number of CD26+ T lymphocytes was somewhat greater in cancer patients than in healthy subjects, serum DPP IV activity was significantly lower in cancer patients. DPP IV activity and amount of CD26 in T lymphocyte plasma membranes were much less in cancer patients than in healthy subjects. These findings suggest that a decrease in the number of T lymphocytes and the small amount of DPP IV in their plasma membrane may contribute to the decrease of serum DPP IV activity in cancer patients.

Inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase promotes the regeneration of the liver after partial hepatectomy in normal and icteric rats

The role of leukotriene (LT) on liver regeneration after hepatectomy is still unknown. LTB4 stagnates in the liver with obstructive jaundice, because LTB4 is excreted in the bile; therefore, LTB4 may have an effect on liver regeneration after hepatectomy with obstructive jaundice. Release of obstructive jaundice and simultaneous 70% hepatectomy was performed in rats to study the effect of 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor (AA-861) on liver regeneration. Group 1 underwent hepatectomy with administration of 0.1 mL dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), group 2 underwent hepatectomy with administration of AA-861 (20 mg/kg/d) dissolved in 0.1 mL DMSO, group 3 underwent hepatectomy with administration of AA-861 (40 mg/kg/d) dissolved in 0.1 mL DMSO, group 4 underwent release of obstructive jaundice and hepatectomy with administration of 0.1 mL DMSO, and group 5 underwent relief of obstructive jaundice and hepatectomy with administration of AA-861 (20 mg/kg/d). DMSO or AA-861 was administered 24 hours before, during, and 24 hours after hepatectomy in each group. Whole blood LTB4 and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin, and bromodeoxyuridine labeling index (LI) were measured before and after hepatectomy. The LTB4 level increased during obstructive jaundice and after hepatectomy. LTB4 and serum ALT levels were significantly lower after hepatectomy in the rats that were administered AA-861, and a significantly higher LI was observed at 24 hours after hepatectomy in rats receiving AA-861. Inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase promotes liver regeneration and decreases hepatocyte injury after hepatectomy associated with obstructive jaundice.

[Combined effect of bleomycin and SDB-ethylenediamine, a synthetic isoprenoid, on oral squamous carcinoma cell lines and transplantable nude mouse tumors]

Combined effect of bleomycin (BLM) and N-solanyl-N, N'-bis (3, 4-di-methoxy-benzyl)-ethylenediamine (SDB-ethylenediamine), a synthetic isoprenoid was studied on 3 oral squamous carcinoma cell lines (SCCTF, SCCKN, SCCRY) and clonal cell lines from SCCRY in vitro and on transplantable nude mouse tumors. The cytotoxicity of SDB-ethylenediamine varied among those cell lines in vitro. SDB-ethylenediamine potentiated more than 2-fold the cytotoxic effect of BLM in 6 cell lines, but no distinct correlation was found between cytotoxicity of SDB-ethylenediamine and potentiation by BLM. Compared with verapamil, the cytotoxic effect of BLM was potentiated 3.9-fold by SDB-ethylenediamine in SCCTF. The growth of the transplantable nude mouse tumors (SCCRY and SCCTF) was strongly suppressed when BLM was combined with SDB-ethylenediamine. Correlation between BLM resistance and potentiation of BLM by SDB-ethylenediamine was not observed in this experiment.

[Dynamic change of serum UFT concentration in a patient with tongue cancer complicating chronic renal failure]

To evaluate the effect of UFT as a postoperative adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent for a patient with tongue cancer complicating chronic renal failure, we measured a dynamic change of serum tegafur (FT), 5-FU and uracil concentrations in hemodialysis. When the patient administered 200 mg of UFT orally one hr before hemodialysis, serum 5 FU concentration was 0.051 micrograms/ml at the beginning of hemodialysis, then rapidly increased to 0.396 micrograms/ml at maximum one hr later and thereafter decreased to the initial level after 4 hrs, the end of hemodialysis. Even after hemodialysis, however, 5-FU maintained the effective serum concentration. On the other hand, serum FT and uracil levels showed a slight change during hemodialysis. The maximum concentrations of FT and uracil were 3.154 micrograms/ml and 0.540 micrograms/ml respectively, after 3 hrs of dialysis. We next measured serum levels of 5-FU, FT and uracil during two days without hemodialysis treatment. Although their serum levels were increased after UFT administration, those were decreased to the initial level on the next day, indicating no drug accumulation. These results suggest that UFT was safe and useful as a postoperative adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent in a cancer patient being performed hemodialysis.

[Clinical study of ileus like symptom due to eating of raw firefly squid, Watasenia scintillans]

We report 12 patients who ate raw firefly squid, Watasenia scintillans. The patients experienced abdominal pain one or two days after eating them. Ileus was suspected by abdominal X-ray, but abdominal muscle guarding was not recognized. No specific findings was revealed on laboratory data. Patients were recovered two or three days after admission by only drip infusion. Recently, type X larva of the suborder Spirurina is recognized in 3.3% of firefly squid viscus. Indirect fluorescent antibody test using antigen of the type X larva was evaluated for the sera of the 8 ileus patients who were admitted in 1993. The antibody titers were positive in 5 patients and were negative in 3 patients. These results suggested that the ileus like symptom we reported here was attributed to the type X larva of the suborder Spirurina.

Induction of bleomycin resistance in a human oral squamous carcinoma cell line and characterisation of bleomycin-resistant and -sensitive clones

We examined the change of sensitivity to antitumour agents by repeated treatment with bleomycin (BLM) using two oral squamous carcinoma cell lines, SCCTF and SCCKN. SCCTF exhibited minimal sensitivity to BLM and strong heterogeneity in BLM sensitivity, whereas SCCKN was highly sensitive to BLM and showed weak heterogeneity. When SCCTF was treated continuously with low-dose BLM (0.1 microgram/ml) but not intermittently with high-dose BLM (1 microgram/ml), the BLM sensitivity was rapidly decreased to acquire drug resistance. On the other hand, SCCKN was completely killed by the same treatments. To investigate the mechanism of induction of resistance in SCCTF, BLM-sensitive and -resistant clones, TF-S and TF-R, were isolated and analysed. Consequently, TF-R showed decreased cellular accumulation and retention of BLM, increased BLM hydrolase activity and elevated DNA repair activity concomitant with increased poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity as compared with TF-S. Therefore, it was suggested that antitumour drug-resistant clones were selectively grown from heterogeneous tumour cell population.

Structural gene products and morphogenesis of a hybrid between rubella virus and a hamster latent retrovirus

We studied the structural gene products and morphogenesis of the hybrid between rubella virus (RV) and a latent retrovirus (R-type virus or R virus) of a baby hamster kidney cell line, BHK21/WI-2. In electron microscopic analysis, the rubella virion measures 80 nm in diameter and has a round nucleoid form with an electron-lucid centre, while R-type virus is 110 nm in diameter and has a round nucleoid with radial spokes. The type 2 hybrid (H2) virion is pleomorphic, ranging from 85 to 110 nm in diameter, and has a nucleoid structure similar to R virus, with short spokes. Indirect immunofluorescence staining of H2-infected cells with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against the RV structural proteins demonstrated expression of the homologous RV gene products. SDS-PAGE of 35S-methionine-labelled proteins in RV- and H2-infected cells revealed that they both produce four major immunoprecipitable proteins, three of which (E2a, E2b and C) are products of the two genetic homologous loci (e2 and c). In nonhomologous regions, RV-infected cells exhibited E1 protein, while H2-infected cells produced the Env protein of R virus. Western immunoblotting analysis of RV and H2 viral proteins with mAb confirmed that H2 virions carry rubella viral E2 and C proteins and that E1 protein is carried by RV but not H2 virion. These results explained the absence of serological cross-neutralization of haemagglutination and plaque-forming ability of RV and H2 viruses.

Prevention of malodor from intraoral gauze tamponade with the topical use of clindamycin

Azulene ointment with a small dose of clindamycin was used topically in eight patients with maxillary cancer with the intent to inhibit the malodor that originates from a gauze tamponade applied to the postoperative maxillary bony defect. The malodor was either markedly decreased or eliminated in all cases. Concurrent with the decrease or elimination of the malodor, anaerobic microorganisms such as Bacteroides and Peptostreptococcus, which are considered to be involved in the generation of malodor, also became undetectable.

Establishment of human squamous carcinoma cell lines highly and minimally sensitive to bleomycin and analysis of factors involved in the sensitivity

Human squamous carcinoma cell lines that were highly and minimally sensitive to bleomycin were established from clinical specimens and designated as SCCKN and SCCTF, respectively. Although these cell lines showed a similar growth doubling time in vitro, SCCTF was approximately ten times less sensitive to bleomycin than SCCKN. The bleomycin high and low sensitivities were stable even at the 70-cell passage level in vitro. In addition, nude mouse tumors produced by SCCTF were less sensitive to bleomycin that those produced by SCCKN, and the ratio of the mean tumor weight in bleomycin-treated mice to that in control mice was 89.2% in SCCTF and 18.8% in SCCKN. As compared with SCCKN, SCCTF also was less sensitive to peplomycin (5-fold), mitomycin C (2.3-fold), cis-diamine dichloroplatinum (2.5-fold), and vincristine (6.5-fold). Analyses of low bleomycin sensitivity showed that SCCTF had an approximately 20% decreased cellular accumulation and retention of bleomycin, 1.2-fold increase of bleomycin hydrolase activity, elevated DNA repair activity, and increased poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase activity as compared with SCCKN.

Alpha-fetoprotein production by hepatocellular carcinoma is prognostic of poor patient survival

Immunohistochemistry using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method was performed to study the production of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue specimens which were obtained surgically. The relationship between staining for AFP and serum AFP levels or pathological findings was examined. The prognosis of the patients with HCC who underwent curative hepatic resections was studied with respect to the staining for AFP in their tumors. The mean serum AFP level in patients with positive AFP staining was significantly higher than in those with negative AFP staining. No significant relationship was found between AFP positivity and tumor size, tumor encapsulation, degree of vascular invasion, or the histological differentiation grade of the tumor. The patients with AFP-positive carcinomas had a poorer prognosis than did those with AFP-negative carcinomas (5-year survival rate of AFP-positive and negative groups were 26.7% and 56.5%, respectively.

Serum dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) IV activity in hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis with 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene

Dynamic change of serum DPP IV activity in carcinogenesis of hamster buccal pouch epithelium with DMBA was investigated. The serum enzyme level in hamster (21.5 +/- 3.1 IU/l serum) was decreased gradually from the 8th to the 10th wk when papillomas were induced by DMBA application (18.9 +/- 2.7 IU/l serum). The enzyme level was further decreased in the formation of carcinoma in situ or early invasive carcinoma (13.2 +/- 0.5 IU/l serum), and reached to less than half of the normal level at the time when tumors were diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma histologically (8.1 +/- 1.3 IU/l serum). This enzyme level was increased by tumor excision and decreased again by tumor recurrence toward death. These findings suggested that the decrease of serum DPP IV activity occurred from the early stage of hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis as a tumor-burden marker.

[Clinical experiences with hyperthermochemotherapy of hepatic metastasis from gastric cancer]

Thermochemotherapy was performed on gastric cancer cases of hepato-metastasis. The subjects were 12 gastric cancer cases having hepato-metastatic lesions (10 synchronous, 2 heterochronous). Using 8 or 13.58 MHz-dielectric heating apparatus, thermotherapy was carried out for 40-60 min (twice a week, 5-35 times, averaging 12.8 per case) at an intra-tumoral temperature greater than 42 degrees C. Chemotherapy consisted of hepato-arterial infusion of MMC 10 mg/BW, CDDP 75 mg/m2 once per 3-4 weeks and consecutive daily administration p.o. of UFT 800 mg/BW. Effect greater than PR was noted in 75% (9/12) on the whole and in 100% (5/5) and 57% (4/7) for H1-2 and H3, respectively. Mean and 50% survival periods were 9.3 and 7.2 months, respectively, with a one-year survival rate of 38%. Chemotherapy-induced side effects were nausea and vomiting in 83% and leukopenia and thrombopenia in 67%, while the only thermotherapy-induced side effect was subcutaneous fatty tissue necrosis in 3 cases. The above results suggested the effectiveness of the present thermochemotherapy in the treatment of hepato-metastasis of gastric cancer.

Malignant schwannoma and melanoma occurring in the maxilla

A rare case of malignant melanoma of the hard palate following malignant schwannoma of the left maxilla in a 47-year-old woman is reported. Twenty-two months after surgical excision of malignant schwannoma with postoperative radiation and chemotherapy, malignant melanoma appeared with symptoms of gingival bleeding and swelling. Although the patient was treated by the partial maxillectomy with radical neck dissection and postoperative chemotherapy and adjuvant immunotherapy, she died of multiple distant metastases 9 months after the oral manifestation. A possible histological relationship of both tumors which are considered to be derived from the neural crest cells is also discussed.

[Spread of surgical indication for hepatoma with postoperative transcatheter arterial infusion]

We evaluated the reduction surgery and the postoperative TAI for unresectable hepato-cellular carcinoma (HCC). Eight patients underwent reduction surgery and postoperative TAI (group I). Twenty-five patients underwent combination therapy with TAI, TAE, EI, hyperthermia and irradiation, who had not undergone reduction surgery (group II). Nine patients underwent a relative noncurative operation (group III). We studied the prognosis of these three groups.

RESULTS

The one-year survival rates were 85.7% in group I, 38.6% in group II and 55.5% in group III. The three-year survival rates were 42.9% in group I, 10.7% in group II and 55.5% in group III. There was a significant difference of prognosis between group I and group II (p less than 0.05, generalized Wilcoxon). These results suggest that reduction surgery and post operative TAI for unresectable HCC improve the prognosis.