Analysis of YAP1 and TAZ expression by immunohistochemical staining in malignant mesothelioma and reactive mesothelial cells.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.8225.].

Analysis of YAP1 and TAZ expression by immunohistochemical staining in malignant mesothelioma and reactive mesothelial cells.

Gene mutations are involved in the development of malignant mesothelioma. Important mutations have been identified in the genes for cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (p16) alternative reading frame, breast cancer-associated protein 1 (BAP1) and neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). Previously, the utility of detecting the loss of BAP1 by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and p16-deletion by fluorescence in situ hybridization has been identified in several studies. However, NF2-associated examinations have not been performed. The present study aimed to evaluate the expression of yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) and tafazzin (TAZ) protein, which are associated with NF2 gene mutations, in malignant mesothelioma (MM) and reactive mesothelial cells (RMCs). Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from 31 MM and 33 RMC samples were analyzed. The expression of YAP1 and TAZ protein were examined by IHC. Positivity for YAP1 was identified 27/31 MM and 15/33 RMC samples. Positivity for TAZ was identified in 28/31 MM and 18/33 RMC samples. Using the optimal cutoff points determined by the receiver operating characteristic curve, a positive IHC result for YAP1 and TAZ was 74% sensitive and 94% specific for detecting MM. The results indicate that increased expression of YAP1 and TAZ may be associated with mesothelial tumorization, and aid in the diagnosis of MM.

Immunohistochemical CD73 expression status in gastrointestinal neuroendocrine neoplasms: A retrospective study of 136 patients.

The WHO 2010 classification divides gastrointestinal neuroendocrine neoplasms (GI-NENs) into neuroendocrine tumor (NET) G1, NET G2, neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) and mixed adenoendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) groups. A total of 136 cases of GI-NENs diagnosed at our hospitals as gastrointestinal carcinoids, endocrine cell carcinomas and NENs over the last 11 years, using the WHO 2010 classification were assessed. Among the 136 cases, 88.2% (120/136) were classified into the NET group (NET G1/G2) and 11.8% (16/136) were classified into the NEC group (NEC/MANEC). The incidences of lymphatic and venous invasions were higher in the NEC group compared with in the NET group (P<0.0001 and P=0.0021, respectively). The immunohistochemical staining of cluster of differentiation 73 (CD73) was evaluated in GI-NENs. CD73 is a potentially useful molecule in tumor immunity. In general, CD73 on the tumor cell membrane converts adenosine monophosphate to adenosine, which restrains the production of interferon-γ and cytocidal activity. Although the association between stem cells of pancreatic NENs and CD73 has been reported, few studies have reported on CD73 expression in GI-NENs. Immunohistochemical CD73 expression on the cytomembrane of neuroendocrine cells was detected in 27.2% (37/136) of the GI-NENs. The positive ratio of CD73 was significantly higher in the NEC group compared with in the NET group (P=0.0015). CD73 is also considered as a potential biomarker of anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) therapy. The expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on the cytomembrane of GI-NENs was assessed. The positive ratio of PD-L1 was higher in the NEC group compared with in the NET group (P=0.0011). Furthermore, CD73 expression status was significantly correlated with PD-L1 expression (P<0.0001). These results indicate that CD73 may be an interesting candidate for a biomarker for certain prognostic factors and therapeutics concerning PD-1 therapy.

[Optimal scan timing for Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced liver dynamic MR imaging].

Gadoxetate Sodium (Gd-EOB-DTPA, EOB) is a new contrast agent for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging that allows both vascular and hepatobiliary imaging in one examination. Often in the arterial phase, however, appropriate scan timing is missed and contrast enhancement is not enough. In addition, to shorten the complete examination, some studies have been conducted to examine scan timing at the hepatobiliary phase earlier than 20 min after injection. We studied the optimal scan timing both at the arterial and the hepatobiliary phase. It was appropriate that multiphase acquisition of MR imaging at the arterial phase should be aimed around 25 sec after injection. Moreover, the liver-spleen contrast ratio (C(L-S)) at the hepatobiliary phase was highest at 60 min after injection, and the acquisition of an image earlier than 20 minutes lowered the C(L-S). In the future, it is desirable to establish how to use Gd-EOB-DTPA (EOB) for hepatic MR imaging after taking the extent of liver damage into consideration.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin and vinorelbine for stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with full doses of cisplatin-based chemotherapy is standard treatment for inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although many platinum-based two drug combinations with third-generation agents are difficult to combine fully with thoracic radiotherapy (TRT), a phase I study reported a full dose of cisplatin (CDDP) plus 80% dose of vinorelbine (VNR) was successfully combined with concurrent TRT. METHODS: Between October 2000 and October 2004, 73 patients with inoperable stage III NSCLC treated with CDDP, VNR, and concurrent TRT were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were treated with CDDP 80 mg/m on day 1 and VNR 20 mg/m on days 1 and 8 every 4 weeks. Radiotherapy was administered concurrently in cycle 1. The total radiation dose was 60 Gy in 30 fractions. Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0 were used to assess treatment-related adverse events. RESULTS: Median age was 63 years (40-78). Twenty-nine patients had adenocarcinoma, 63 were male, 47 ECOG PS 1, and 47 stage IIIB. Median chemotherapy cycle was 2.0. Objective response rate was 93% and median survival time was 21 months. Three-year overall survival rate was 33%. Infield control rate was 71%. The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse event was leukocytopenia (67%). Only 3 patients (4%) experienced grade 3 esophagitis. One patient died of radiation pneumonitis 87 days after completion of chemoradiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with CDDP and VNR was highly active and well-tolerated. This regimen could be used as a control arm in future trial for stage III NSCLC.

[Examination of types of exposure and management methods for nurses in interventional radiology].

Although a large number of studies have been done on exposure to operators and doctors during interventional radiology(IVR), there have been very few reports on nurses. This study was carried out to clarify the situation regarding exposure for nurses, and provides examples of how to estimate and manage. We measured space dose-rate distributions with an ionization survey meter, and personal exposure dose by a small fluorescent grass dosimeter(Dose Ace). The experimental results disclosed that there tended to be two types of exposure depending on the task performed. Head and neck(collar level)were associated with the highest exposure dose, which was observed in nurses assisting operators. Alternatively, knees showed the highest exposure dose, which was observed in nurses observing and assisting the patient. When estimation of skin equivalent exposure at the knees is needed, it can be calculated by using the value measured at the collar level. Furthermore, in estimating exposure dose, the directional and energy characteristics of personal dosimeters should be considered adequate. For radiation management, a circular protective sheet can be placed around the patient's lower area and a protective screen near the patient's head, and basic and practical education can be given. We concluded that these are highly useful for the personal monitoring of nurses engaged in IVR.