Evaluating Antitumor Activity of Kiatomab by Targeting Cancer Stem Cell-Specific KIAA1114 Antigen in Mice

A full-length translational product of the trophinin gene, KIAA1114, is a distinctive marker of cancer stem cells in human hepatocellular carcinoma, and a mAb, Kiatomab, is specific to KIAA1114 antigen. In this study, we addressed the therapeutic potential of Kiatomab for treating both metastatic and solid tumors in mouse models. Kiatomab recognizes the linear epitope of KIAA1114, which is expressed on cell surfaces of various murine cancer cell lines. Kiatomab treatment induced potent antitumor responses in pulmonary metastasis models. Antitumor activity was mediated by the fragment crystallizable portion of Kiatomab and dependent on the host immune system. The use of Kiatomab alone as an antitumor therapy was ineffective in solid tumor models. However, in combination with cyclophosphamide, or by switching the isotype of the mAb, improved antitumor effects of Kiatomab were observed. These results suggest that Kiatomab can be used as a novel mAb for cancer immunotherapy.

Fiberoptic Laryngeal Laser Surgery

With recent developments in medical technology and the introduction of various types of lasers, the role of fiberoptic laryngeal laser surgery (FLS) in laryngology has been significantly expanded. FLS are typically performed under local anesthesia, and patients may return to normal activities immediately after the procedure. This corresponds to the current trend of minimally invasive surgery and may limit unnecessary general anesthesia, reduce medical costs, and increase patient compliances. Main indications of FLS procedure were vocal polyp, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, vocal fold granuloma and vocal fold dysplasia. In this review, we discuss practical tips and unique value of FLS.

Altered Gut Microbiota Composition in Rag1-deficient Mice Contributes to Modulating Homeostasis of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) can produce all kind of blood lineage cells, and gut microbiota that consists of various species of microbe affects development and maturation of the host immune system including gut lymphoid cells and tissues. However, the effect of altered gut microbiota composition on homeostasis of HSPCs remains unclear. Here we show that compositional change of gut microbiota affects homeostasis of HSPCs using Rag1(-/-) mice which represent lymphopenic condition. The number and proportions of HSPCs in Rag1(-/-) mice are lower compared to those of wild types. However, the number and proportions of HSPCs in Rag1(-/-) mice are restored as the level of wild types through alteration of gut microbiota diversity via transferring feces from wild types. Gut microbiota composition of Rag1(-/-) mice treated with feces from wild types shows larger proportions of family Prevotellaceae and Helicobacterceae whereas lower proportions of family Lachnospiraceae compared to unmanipulated Rag1(-/-) mice. In conclusion, gut microbiota composition of lymphopenic Rag1(-/-) mice is different to that of wild type, which may lead to altered homeostasis of HSPCs.

Right Atrial Lipoma Presenting with Angina

We report a case of a cardiac lipoma arising from the free wall of right atrium, which was diagnosed as the presumed source of angina by compressing the right coronary artery in a 54-year-old woman. Surgical excision of the tumor was performed well. She continues to do well for six months without angina.