Efficacy of third-line chemotherapy following nanoliposomal irinotecan combined with fluorouracil and folinic acid as second-line treatment for unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Introduction: The significance of third-line chemotherapy (CTx) in unresectable pancreatic cancer (UPC) remains unclear. This study evaluated the therapeutic impact of third-line CTx after nanoliposomal irinotecan and fluorouracil combined with folinic acid (nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV) therapy as second-line CTx for UPC.

Methods: Between June 2020 and May 2021, 104 patients who received nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV therapy as second-line CTx were retrospectively analyzed for post-discontinuation survival (PDS) and overall survival (OS).

Optimizing CAR-T treatment: A TEVOLVE guide to raw and starting material selection.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell products, classified as Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), have shown promising outcomes in cancer immunotherapy. The quality of raw and starting materials used in manufacturing is critical to ensure the efficacy and safety of CAR-T cell products and depends primarily on the selection of the right materials and the right suppliers. It is essential to consider a long-term strategy when selecting raw and starting materials to prevent delays in the supply of innovative, high-quality, and safe therapies to patients.

A Rare Case of Primary Hepatic Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma: Exploring Cancer-related Gene Mutations.

Hepatic undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumor with unclear cancer-related genetic mutations. In a 60-year-old Japanese woman with a rapidly growing, inoperable hepatic UPS, a genetic mutation analysis revealed KRAS and TP53 mutations. Despite initiating hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy, the tumor continued to grow, and the patient's poor performance status complicated the transition to a phase I KRAS mutation drug trial, leading to death eight months after the symptom onset.

Pancreatic Juice-Derived microRNA-4516 and microRNA-4674 as Novel Biomarkers for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Background And Aims: Precise diagnostic biomarkers are urgently required for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify PDAC-specific exosomal microRNAs (Ex-miRs) from pancreatic juice (PJ) and evaluate their diagnostic potential.

Methods: Exosomes in PJ and serum were extracted using ultracentrifugation and confirmed morphologically and biochemically.

Efficacy of timing‑dependent infusion of nivolumab in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Although an association exists between the timing of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) administration and therapeutic efficacy in several types of cancer, to the best of our knowledge, no reports exist regarding this relationship in gastric cancer (GC). The present study aimed to evaluate the optimal timing of ICI (nivolumab) administration in patients with advanced GC. A total of 58 consecutive patients with advanced GC who received nivolumab monotherapy after ≥2 chemotherapy regimens were retrospectively evaluated.

Patient Satisfaction Survey on Portable Infusion Pumps for Colorectal Cancer Chemotherapy: Hard-Shelled or Soft-Shelled?

Purpose: Elastomeric infusion pumps are widely used in colorectal cancer chemotherapy. However, no studies to date have investigated patient preferences regarding different infusion pump types.

Patients And Methods: Twenty patients with unresectable colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy were initially treated with a portable hard-shelled continuous infusion pump, followed by a soft-shelled continuous infusion pump.

Ex-vivo expanded CD34 cell transplantation alleviates fibrotic liver injury via innate immune modulation in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis mice.

Background: In drug-induced liver injury, vascular endothelial progenitor cells, specifically the CD34 cell fractions, have been found to decrease liver fibrosis and promote regeneration. However, it is unclear whether CD34 cell transplantation has anti-fibrogenic effects on MASH, which has previously been treated effectively with anti-angiogenic therapy. We investigated the efficacy of ex vivo-expanded CD34 cells in treating MASH livers.

A tumor endothelial cell-specific microRNA replacement therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Current approved anti-angiogenic drugs (AAD) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) inhibit tumor angiogenesis, but affect the hepatic vasculature resulting in adverse effects. Tumor endothelial cells (TECs) differ from normal endothelial cells. In this study, we aimed to detect TEC-specific miRNAs and develop an anti-angiogenic treatment specific for TECs.

Case report: A case of fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus after COVID-19 vaccination during treatment of advanced gastric cancer: pitfall in managing immune-related adverse events.

The occurrence of fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus as an adverse event during cancer immunotherapy has been previously reported. However, little is known about the causal relationship between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus. A 60-year-old man with advanced gastric cancer, receiving S-1 + oxaliplatin and nivolumab therapy, followed by nab-paclitaxel + ramucirumab as a second-line treatment, with steroid supplementation for complications of hypopituitarism-induced hypoadrenocorticism, was administered a COVID-19 vaccine after three cycles of nab-paclitaxel + ramucirumab.

Unilateral renal agenesis and ipsilateral absence of the vas deferens in a cryptorchid infant with Klippel-Feil syndrome.

We report an exceedingly rare case of Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS), compounded by ipsilateral absence of the vas deferens, renal agenesis, and diaphragmatic hernia. Unilateral absence of the vas deferens was found incidentally during orchidopexy. To the best of our knowledge, no case of unilateral absence of the kidney and vas deferens has been reported in children with KFS.

Fibroblast growth factor inhibition by molecular-targeted agents mitigates immunosuppressive tissue microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background & Aims: Combination immunotherapy refers to the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and molecular-targeted agents (MTA), which have recently been approved for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Owing to its relatively low antitumor effect (up to 30%), sequential therapy following ICIs treatment is required in patients with HCC. This study aimed to determine the impact of MTAs on the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME).

Case Report: A case of complete response to entrectinib in fusion gene-positive parotid gland cancer.

Introduction: Expression of the gene is rare in solid tumors but is highly prevalent in salivary gland secretory carcinomas. Here, we report a case of a complete response to entrectinib in a patient with fusion gene-positive parotid carcinoma.

Case Description: The patient was a 44-year-old man who underwent total left parotidectomy and left cervical lymph node dissection for a left parotid tumor at 24 years of age.

Anti-PD-L1 antibodies promote cellular proliferation by activating the PD-L1-AXL signal relay in liver cancer cells.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are emerging treatments for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, evidence has shown they may induce hyperprogressive disease via unexplained mechanisms.

Methods: In this study, we investigated the possible stimulative effect of ICIs on programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)-harboring liver cancer cells under immunocompetent cell-free conditions.

Results: The sarcomatous HAK-5 cell line displayed the highest expression of PD-L1 among 11 human liver cancer cell lines used in this study.

Fat Necrosis Mimicking Local Recurrence With Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) Positivity After Partial Nephrectomy for Renal Cell Carcinoma.

We report a case of fat necrosis with positive results on fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)-CT imaging after partial nephrectomy. A 77-year-old man underwent a partial nephrectomy for a right renal mass. The histopathological results showed clear cell renal cell carcinoma, G1>G2, pT1a.

High intramuscular adipose tissue content was a favorable prognostic factor in patients with advanced gastric cancer treated with nivolumab monotherapy.

Background: Nivolumab extends the overall survival (OS) of patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC). Intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) is associated with the prognosis of patients with various cancers. We investigated the effect of IMAT on OS in patients with AGC treated with nivolumab.

Safety of Early Bevacizumab Administration after Central Venous Port Placement for Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

Bevacizumab (BEV) requires an adequate withdrawal period to avoid BEV-related complications during major surgery. However, the safety of BEV administration immediately after surgical placement of the central venous (CV) port, a minor surgery, is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether BEV is safe when administered early after CV port placement.

Non-clinical, quality and environmental impact assessments of cell and gene therapy products: Report on the 5th Asia Partnership Conference of Regenerative Medicine - April 7, 2022.

The 5th Asia Partnership Conference of Regenerative Medicine (APACRM) was held online on April 7, 2022 to promote regulatory harmonization of regenerative medicine products throughout Asia. The recognition of domestic regulatory guidelines within each country and region and the underpinning rationales are important initial steps toward the harmonization of regulations. The 5th APACRM featured open dialog regarding non-clinical, quality and environmental impact assessment settings for cell and gene therapy products through presentations from the industry and panel discussions with regulatory agencies.

Tumor-derived insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 contributes to resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Background: Antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) provide one of the few therapeutic options for effective treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, patients with HCC often develop resistance toward antiangiogenic TKIs, and the underlying mechanisms are not understood. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms underlying antiangiogenic TKI resistance in HCC.

Comparison of guidelines for biological ancillary materials used for the manufacture of gene and cellular therapy products in Asia.

Background Aims: Although biologiocal ancillay materials (AMs) have specific risk associated with their derivations, it plays key role to manufature cell and gene therapy (CGT) products. It is important to understand the regulation relevant to AMs for developers.

Methods: The authors investigated the guidelines and pharmacopeia (hereinafter referred to as "guidelines") for biological AMs used for the manufacture of CGT products in Asia (China, India, Japan, Korea and Taiwan).

Case report: Changes in serum bevacizumab concentration in a hemodialysis patient with unresectable colorectal cancer treated with FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab.

The global incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients receiving hemodialysis is steadily rising. However, current information on the clinical use of chemotherapy for patients undergoing hemodialysis with CRC is limited. Herein, we describe a clinical course of a 74-year-old patient undergoing hemodialysis with unresectable CRC treated with folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil (5FU), and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) plus bevacizumab whose changes in serum bevacizumab concentration were analyzed.

Hyperlipidemia as a risk factor for Trousseau syndrome-related cerebral infarction in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer.

Trousseau syndrome-related cerebral infarction rarely occurs during chemotherapy in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, and its clinical features remain unclear. The present study aimed to examine the clinical features of Trousseau syndrome-related cerebral infarction developed during chemotherapy for GI cancer. The present retrospective cohort study consecutively enrolled 878 patients with unresectable GI cancer who received chemotherapy at the Multidisciplinary Treatment Cancer Center, Kurume University Hospital (Kurume, Japan) between April 2014 and March 2020.

DNA Methylation in Noncancerous Liver Tissues as Biomarker for Multicentric Occurrence of Hepatitis C Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background And Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progresses with a highly multicentric occurrence (MO) even after radical hepatectomy. Despite several efforts to clarify the pathogenesis of MO, the underlying molecular mechanism remains elusive. The aim of this study was to evaluate alterations in DNA methylation in noncancerous liver tissues in the MO of HCC.

Nonclinical and quality assessment of cell therapy products: Report on the 4th Asia Partnership Conference of Regenerative Medicine, April 15, 2021.

The 4th Asia Partnership Conference of Regenerative Medicine (APACRM) was held online on April 15, 2021, to promote regulatory harmonization of regenerative medicine products throughout Asia. Recognizing domestic regulatory guidelines within each country and region, and their underpinning rationales, is an important initial step toward a convergence of regulations. The 4th APACRM consisted of an open dialog with regulatory agencies regarding nonclinical and quality settings for cell therapy products (CTPs) through industry presentations and panel discussions with regulatory agencies.