Anti-KL-6/MUC1 monoclonal antibody reverses resistance to trastuzumab-mediated antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity by capping MUC1.

Polymorphic epithelial mucin (MUC1) is generally overexpressed on the surface of most adenocarcinomas including breast cancer. MUC1 is associated with chemotherapeutic resistance and immune evasion of cancer cells; however, the association between MUC1 and trastuzumab-mediated antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) remains unclear. In this study, using six breast cancer cell lines with differing expression levels and MUC1 distribution, the present results show that cells with MUC1 overexpression and uniform surface distribution were resistant to trastuzumab-mediated ADCC. Importantly, trastuzumab resistance was reversed upon siRNA-mediated MUC1 knockdown and by using anti-KL-6/MUC1 monoclonal antibody (mAb). Additionally, we visually confirmed that anti-KL-6/MUC1 mAb induced capping of MUC1 molecules on the cell surface, resulting the in death of these cells. These results suggest that not only the quantity but also the cell-surface distribution of MUC1 affects the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to trastuzumab-mediated ADCC.

Bevacizumab with Single-agent Chemotherapy in Previously Treated Non-squamous Non-small-cell Lung Cancer: Phase II Study.

AIM: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of bevacizumab with docetaxel or pemetrexed in previously treated patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study enrolled patients who had received at least one chemotherapy regimen, regardless of prior use of bevacizumab. Combinations of docetaxel or pemetrexed were chosen by attending physicians. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival, and secondary endpoints were safety, disease control rate, and overall survival. RESULTS: Thirty patients from two institutions were eligible. The median progression-free and overall survival were 5.0 months (95% confidence interval=3.2-8.8 months) and 15.8 months (95% confidence interval=10.5-19.6 months), respectively. The disease control rate was 66.7%. Treatments were well tolerated, but the development rate of osteonecrosis of the jaw was 10%. CONCLUSION: Addition of bevacizumab in a salvage setting might be effective, but the development of osteonecrosis of the jaw needs to be monitored.

Self-recovery of Pd nanoparticles that were dispersed over La(Sr)Fe(Mn)O3 for intelligent oxide anodes of solid-oxide fuel cells.

Self-recovery is one of the most-desirable properties for functional materials. Recently, oxide anodes have attracted significant attention as alternative anode materials for solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) that can overcome reoxidation, deactivation, and coke-deposition. However, the electrical conductivity and surface activity of the most-widely used oxide anodes remain unsatisfactory. Herein, we report the synthesis of an "intelligent oxide anode" that exhibits self-recovery from power-density degradation in the redox cycle by using a Pd-doped La(Sr)Fe-(Mn)O(3) cell as an oxide anode for the SOFCs. We investigated the anodic performance and oxidation-tolerance of the cell by using Pd-doped perovskite as an anode and fairly high maximum power densities of 0.5 and 0.1 W cm(-2) were achieved at 1073 and 873 K, respectively, despite using a 0.3 mm-thick electrolyte. Long-term stability was also examined and the power density was recovered upon exposure of the anode to air. This recovery of the power density can be explained by the formation of Pd nanoparticles, which were self-recovered through reoxidation and reduction. In addition, the self-recovery of the anode by oxidation was confirmed by XRD and SEM and this process was effective for improving the durability of SOFC systems when they were exposed to severe operating conditions.

Preparation of tantalum-based oxynitride nanosheets by exfoliation of a layered oxynitride, CsCa2Ta3O(10-x)N(y), and their photocatalytic activity.

Calcium tantalum oxynitride [Ca(2)Ta(3)O(9.7)N(0.2)](-) nanosheets were prepared by exfoliating a layered perovskite oxynitride (CsCa(2)Ta(3)O(9.7)N(0.2)) via proton exchange and two-step intercalation of ethylamine and tetrabutylammonium ions. Monolayer nanosheet was prepared by the above processes, although some bilayer or trilayer nanosheets were also produced. The [Ca(2)Ta(3)O(9.7)N(0.2)](-) nanosheets exhibited photocatalytic activity for H(2) evolution from water under visible light irradiation. In contrast, CsCa(2)Ta(3)O(9.7)N(0.2) exhibited very low photocatalytic activity for H(2) evolution under the visible light irradiation, even when methanol was added to water as a sacrificial agent. The improved photocatalytic activity originates from the characteristics of nanosheets such as their molecular thickness and large surface area. Further, the Rh-loaded [Ca(2)Ta(3)O(9.7)N(0.2)](-) nanosheets restacked with protons exhibited photocatalytic activity for H(2) and O(2) evolution from pure water under UV-light irradiation. The ratio of H(2)/O(2) evolved was around 3. The ratio of N/O in the catalyst remained the same after the photocatalytic reaction, signifying that there was no decomposition of the catalyst during the reaction. This indicates that the present N-doped nanosheet is stable in the photocatalytic reaction.

Bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis after tumor lysis syndrome in a case of advanced yolk sac tumor treated with bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin (BEP) chemotherapy.

Ovarian yolk sac tumor (YST) is a highly aggressive malignancy arising in young women. Chemotherapy has dramatically improved the prognosis, and bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) combination chemotherapy appears to be the most effective combination regimen. A 23-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with worsening abdominal distention and a lower abdominal mass. She was diagnosed with a stage IIIc pure YST of the right ovary, and right salpingo-oophorectomy was performed; there were numerous disseminated peritoneal tumors within the abdominal cavity. A few days postoperatively, massive ascites developed, and right hydronephrosis occurred. Chemotherapy with BEP was started, and after 24 h of administration, oliguria and tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) developed. Continuous hemodiafiltration was started, and hemodialysis was initiated following full-dose standard cisplatin and etoposide on days 2-5 of the 1st cycle. After the electrolyte abnormalities and the elevation of creatinine became normal, the patient received an additional three cycles of BEP and achieved complete remission. However, she also suffered from severe non-hematological toxicities, including grade 3 left ventricular dysfunction and grade 4 pulmonary fibrosis. In the case of rapidly progressing and high-volume YST treated with BEP chemotherapy, special attention should be paid to bleomycin-induced pulmonary toxicity following TLS. Further study is required to optimize drug exposure to ensure efficacy and reduce the risk of side effects in this population.

Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of rhodium-doped calcium niobate nanosheets for hydrogen production from a water/methanol system without cocatalyst loading.

Rhodium-doped calcium niobate nanosheets were synthesized by exfoliating layered KCa(2)Nb(3-x)Rh(x)O(10-δ) and exhibited high photocatalytic activity for H(2) production from a water/methanol system without cocatalyst loading. The maximum H(2) production rate of the nanosheets was 165 times larger than that of the parent Rh-doped layered oxide. The quantum efficiency at 300 nm was 65%. In this system, the methanol was oxidized to formaldehyde (main product), formic acid, and carbon dioxide by holes, whereas electrons cause the reduction of water to H(2). The conductivity of the parent layered oxide was decreased by doping, which indicates the octahedral RhO(6) unit in the lattice of the nanosheet functions as an electron trap site. The RhO(6) units in the nanosheet probably also act as reaction sites for H(2) evolution.

[mFOLFOX6 for treatment of anal canal cancer with disseminated carcinomatosis of bone marrow--a case report].

A 66-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of a two-week history off ever and low back pain. There was a hard anal mass on rectal examination. Colonoscopy and computed tomography showed anal adenocarcinoma, multiple metastases to lymph nodes and bones. Blood test showed severe disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Microscopic examination of the bone marrow aspirate revealed disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow. Systemic chemotherapy (mFOLFOX6) was started, then remission of DIC and shrinkage of the tumor were observed. Although the patient had cerebral infarction during the first course of chemotherapy, he received nine courses of treatment. He died six months later because of cerebellar hemorrhage.