Speckled antinuclear antibody pattern as a potential predictor for immune-related adverse events in cancer patients.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) improve cancer survival but can induce immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Pre-existing autoantibodies, particularly antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), have been suggested as predictive biomarkers for irAE development. However, prior studies have yielded mixed results.

The clinical potential of HMGB1 for the risk assessment of severe checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis: A prospective multicenter study (CS-Lung004).

Background: Checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP), especially graded as 3-5 or developed within 6-12 weeks, worsens the prognosis of patients with cancer. However, a risk assessment method for the disease has not been established. This was a prospective study that aimed to identify a blood biomarker to assess a risk of severe CIP.

Pseudo-hyperprogression of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Treated with Nivolumab.

Currently, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are the standard treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The characteristic responses to ICI treatment include pseudoprogression (PP) and hyperprogressive disease (HPD), which require attention. Reports on PP of MPM are rare.

Successful Switch to Afatinib and Osimertinib Rechallenge with Corticosteroids after Osimertinib-induced Interstitial Lung Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are highly effective against EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung carcinoma but can cause serious adverse events, such as interstitial lung disease (ILD). Treatment strategies for osimertinib-induced ILD are not well established. Cytotoxic anticancer drugs are considered first, although several cases of successful rechallenge with EGFR-TKIs have been reported.

The efficacy and safety of stepwise oral food challenge in children with hen's egg allergy.

Background: Oral food challenge (OFC) is the gold standard for diagnosing food allergies (FAs) but carries the risk of anaphylactic reaction. Stepwise OFC, starting with a low dose of allergen and progressing to medium and full doses, is effective in determining a tolerable dose. We retrospectively evaluated the results of a stepwise OFC for hen's egg (HE) to demonstrate its safety and efficacy.

Safety of Oral Food Challenges for Individuals with Low Levels of Cow's Milk-Specific Immunoglobulin E Antibodies.

Introduction: Cow's milk (CM) is one of the most common food allergens in Japan. The oral food challenge (OFC) of CM is important for the definite diagnosis of children with CM allergy, and it is recommended to be actively and safely performed in individuals with low CM-sIgE levels. This study aimed to investigate the safety of low-dose CM-OFC in individuals with low CM-sIgE levels and discuss the prognostic factors and appropriate approaches for assessing the starting doses of CM-OFC in these individuals.

The Efficacy and Safety of Stepwise Oral Food Challenge in Children with Cow's Milk Allergy.

Introduction: Stepwise oral food challenge (OFC) tests begin with low doses of allergens and progress to full doses. We previously reported the safety and efficacy of stepwise OFC for reintroducing hen eggs. In this study, we discuss its application for cow's milk (CM) allergy.

Safety of Oral Food Challenge for Individuals with Low Egg White and Ovomucoid-Specific IgE Antibodies.

Introduction: During an oral food challenge (OFC), there is a risk of adverse reactions, including anaphylaxis. Therefore, the physician should carefully conduct the OFC. This study aimed to evaluate the OFC results in individuals with low levels of egg white (EW)- and ovomucoid (OVM)-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) and the safety of a hen's egg (HE) OFC in these individuals.

Histologic transformation of epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated lung cancer.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the incidence and clinical course of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated lung cancer with histologic transformation (HT).

Patients And Methods: We conducted a multicentre, retrospective, cohort study of patients with advanced EGFR-mutated lung cancer who received EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) between 2012 and 2019. The primary outcome was the incidence of HT.

Nivolumab-induced cholangitis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: Case series and a review of literature.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including nivolumab, have exhibited substantial benefits in the treatment of several types of cancers. However, treatment with ICIs is often accompanied by immune-related adverse events (irAEs), and a clear understanding of the precise indications and management of irAEs is important for harnessing the full potential of these agents. While skin- or gastrointestinal-associated irAEs have been relatively well studied, there are few reports regarding nivolumab-induced cholangitis.

Efficacy of primary treatment with immunoglobulin plus ciclosporin for prevention of coronary artery abnormalities in patients with Kawasaki disease predicted to be at increased risk of non-response to intravenous immunoglobulin (KAICA): a randomised controlled, open-label, blinded-endpoints, phase 3 trial.

Background: Genetic studies have indicated possible involvement of the upregulated calcium-nuclear factor of activated T cells pathway in the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease. We aimed to assess safety and efficacy of ciclosporin, an immunosuppressant targeting this pathway, for protection of patients with Kawasaki disease against coronary artery abnormalities.

Methods: We did a randomised, open-label, blinded endpoints trial involving 22 hospitals in Japan between May 29, 2014, and Dec 27, 2016.

A Nationwide Survey of Pediatric-onset Japanese Encephalitis in Japan.

Background: Japanese encephalitis (JE) is the leading cause of viral encephalitis with high mortality and morbidity in Asia. In Japan, however, the active recommendation of JE vaccine was retracted in 2005 because of the potential risk of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. We aimed to determine the recent incidence of childhood-onset JE after the domestic change of vaccination policy in Japan, and to analyze the clinical features of affected children.

Acute-phase reaction induced by zoledronate and its effect on prognosis of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Objectives: Zoledronate (ZOL) is usually used for prevention of skeletal-related events in cancer patients with bone metastases. The first administration of ZOL is occasionally associated with development of acute-phase reaction (APR), which is due to activation of γδ T cells. ZOL-related APR was associated with better overall survival (OS) of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in our previous retrospective study.

Resolvin E1 Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis and Bone Resorption by Suppressing IL-17-induced RANKL Expression in Osteoblasts and RANKL-induced Osteoclast Differentiation.

Background: Resolvin E1 (RvE1) derived from the ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid is known to be a potent pro-resolving lipid mediator that prevents chronic inflammation and osteoclastogenesis. We investigated the inhibitory effects of RvE1 on osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption to clarify its therapeutic potential for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation was assessed with tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining.

Development of fever following first administration of zoledronate as a prognostic factor in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with bone metastases.

Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs), which are usually used for the treatment of advanced cancer with bone metastasis, occasionally cause fever following the first administration. However, it is unclear as to how the development of fever following the first administration of N-BP is associated with clinical outcome. The aim of the present study was to determine the prognostic value of the development of fever following the first administration of N-BP in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with bone metastases.

γ-Tocotrienol Inhibits TGF-β1-Induced Contractile Phenotype Expression of Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cells.

Background: Tocotrienols, members of the vitamin E family, exist in four different isoforms (α, β, γ and δ tocotrienol) that have can be protective against brain damage, as well as having anticancer effects and . We have shown that γ-tocotrienol inhibits human airway smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB by suppressing RhoA activation. In this study, we tested whether γ-tocotrienol modulates transforming growth factor (TGF) -β-induced induction of human airway smooth muscle (ASM) into a contractile phenotype and concomitant synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins.

DNA-PK Inhibition by NU7441 Enhances Chemosensitivity to Topoisomerase Inhibitor in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Cells by Blocking DNA Damage Repair.

Background: DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most cytotoxic form of DNA damage and are induced by ionizing radiation and specific chemotherapeutic agents, such as topoisomerase inhibitors. Cancer cells acquire resistance to such therapies by repairing DNA DSBs. A major pathway for the repair of DNA DSBs is non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), which requires DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) activity.

Frequency of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation in Smokers with Lung Cancer Without Pulmonary Emphysema.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a smoking-related disease, and is categorized into the emphysema and airway dominant phenotypes. We examined the relationship between emphysematous changes and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status in patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Patients And Methods: The medical records for 250 patients with lung adenocarcinoma were retrospectively reviewed.

Pulmonary Metastatic Choriocarcinoma from a Burned-out Testicular Tumor.

A 54-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of progressive dyspnea. Chest computed tomography showed multiple nodular shadows with a peripheral ground-glass halo. His clinical condition continued to deteriorate with the development of progressive respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation.

Idiopathic disseminated bacillus Calmette-Guerin infection in three infants.

We describe the cases of three infants between 4 and 9 months of age with disseminated bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) infection who developed persistent fever, skin rash, and multiple chest nodules visible on computed tomography 22-34 days after BCG vaccination. These infants were healthy before inoculation, and their detailed immunological profiles, including T cell and neutrophil levels, were within normal range. Most reported BCG cases involve impaired immunity, such as children with chronic granulomatous disease, severe combined immunodeficiency, or human immunodeficiency virus infections.

A novel point-of-care system for high-speed real-time polymerase chain reaction testing for epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in bronchial lavage fluids after transbronchial biopsy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation testing is essential for choosing appropriate treatment options in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, a time delay occurs between histological diagnosis and molecular diagnosis in clinical situations. To minimize this delay, we developed a novel point-of-care test for EGFR mutations, based on a high-speed real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system designated here as ultrarapid PCR combined with highly accurate bronchoscopic sampling.

Favorable effect of the combination of vinorelbine and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase‑inhibitory fluoropyrimidine in EGFR‑mutated lung adenocarcinoma: retrospective and in vitro studies.

Although cytotoxic chemotherapy is essential in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‑mutated non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), it is unclear which regimen is most effective. We retrospectively compared the efficacy of standard platinum‑based chemotherapy with that of combination chemotherapy using vinorelbine (VNR) plus dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase‑inhibitory fluoropyrimidine (DIF) in EGFR‑mutated lung adenocarcinomas, and we investigated a potential mechanism by which the combination chemotherapy of VNR + DIF was favorable in the treatment of EGFR‑mutated lung adenocarcinoma in vitro. In our retrospective analysis, the response rate and disease control rate afforded by the VNR + DIF treatment tended to be better than those by platinum‑based chemotherapy, and the progression‑free survival of the 24 VNR + DIF‑treated patients was significantly longer than that of the 15 platinum‑based chemotherapy patients.