Influence of CYP3A5 and ABCB1 polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of vincristine in adult patients receiving CHOP therapy.

PURPOSE: This study aims to clarify the impact of CYP3A5 and ABCB1 polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of vincristine (VCR) in adult patients receiving CHOP therapy. METHODS: Plasma samples were collected immediately after the end of VCR administration and at 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 5.5, 9.5, 13.5, and 25.5 h after the start of administration. Areas under the plasma concentration-time curves of VCR in the elimination phase (AUC1.5-25.5) were calculated using the linear trapezoidal rule. Half-lives of VCR during the early phase (1.5-5.5 h) and terminal phase (5.5-25.5 h; t1/2γ) were determined according to the log-linear regression of the concentration-time data for at least 3 sampling points. RESULTS: A total of 41 adult patients were enrolled in this study. The median t1/2γ and AUC1.5-25.5 were significantly longer and higher in CYP3A5 non-expressers (CYP3A5*3/*3) than in CYP3A5 expressers (CYP3A5*1/*1 or *1/*3) (21.3 vs 13.8 h, P = 0.005 and 35.5 vs 30.0 ngï½¥h/mL, P = 0.006, respectively). Conversely, there were no significant differences in pharmacokinetic parameters among the ABCB1 c.1236C>T, c.2677G>A/T, c.3435C>T genotype groups. A stepwise selection multiple linear regression analysis showed that the dose of VCR administered and CYP3A5 non-expresser status were independent factors influencing the AUC1.5-25.5 (partial R2 = 0.212, P = 0.002 and partial R2 = 0.143, P = 0.010, respectively). CONCLUSION: The CYP3A5*3 polymorphism was found to be an indicator for predicting exposure to VCR in adult patients receiving CHOP therapy. This information may be useful for the individualization of VCR dosages.

[Four Cases Who Experienced Extravasation of Anthracyclines and Had Dexrazoxane Therapy].

We analyzed 4 cases who experienced extravasation of anthracyclines and had dexrazoxane therapy in our hospital. Concerned drugs were 2 adriamycin and 2 amrubicin cases and all cases received steroid ointment therapy, and no cases showed severe condition such as skin ulcer. As dexrazoxane is known to enhance bone marrow suppression of anti-cancer drugs, the nadir of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia was observed from day 10 to 17 in our cases. We made a domestic manual and have used in various professionals. Dexrazoxane would contribute to the reduction of skin damage due to extravasation if we could manage bone marrow suppression successfully.

Newly diagnosed extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, at the injected left arm after BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were developed in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine is effective, adverse effects have been reported. Here, we report a case of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKL), of the left arm following BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination. A 73-year-old male presented with a lump in the left arm, which was the site where he received the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine 3 months prior. He was treated with topical corticosteroids and debridement, but the tumor progressed. Additionally, fever, night sweats, and general fatigue were observed. Laboratory findings included thrombocytopenia, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, and soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels. Skin biopsy led to a diagnosis of ENKL. The patient was treated with a 50% dose of SMILE therapy and radiotherapy, resulting in regression of the tumor. It seems that latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected NK/T cells were reactivated by vaccination and contributed to the onset of ENKL. This is the first report of ENKL after BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination. The present case highlights the possible risk of development of malignant lymphoma, including ENKL at the injection site, after BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination.

Impact of polymorphisms of pharmacokinetics-related genes and the inflammatory response on the metabolism of voriconazole.

The effects of inflammatory responses and polymorphisms of the genes encoding cytochrome P450 (CYP) (CYP2C19 and CYP3A5), flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3), pregnane X receptor (NR1I2), constitutive androstane receptor (NR1I3), and CYP oxidoreductase (POR) on the ratio of voriconazole (VRCZ) N-oxide to VRCZ (VNO/VRCZ) and steady-state trough concentrations (C0h ) of VRCZ were investigated. A total of 56 blood samples were collected from 36 Japanese patients. Results of multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that the presence of the extensive metabolizer CYP2C19 genotype, the dose per administration, and the presence of the NR1I2 rs3814057 C/C genotype were independent factors influencing the VNO/VRCZ ratio in patients with CRP levels of less than 40 mg/L (standardized regression coefficients (SRC) = 0.448, -0.301, and 0.390, respectively; all p < .05). With regard to the concentration of VRCZ itself, in addition to the above factors, the presence of the NR1I2 rs7643645 G/G and rs3814055 T/T genotypes were found to be independent factors influencing the VRCZ C0h in these patients (SRC = -0.430, 0.424, -0.326, 0.406 and -0.455, respectively; all p < .05). On the contrary, in patients with CRP levels of at least 40 mg/L, no independent factors were found to affect VNO/VRCZ and VRCZ C0h . Inflammatory responses, and CYP2C19 and NR1I2 polymorphisms may be useful information for the individualization of VRCZ dosages.

Enteral lorlatinib after alectinib as a treatment option in anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive non-small cell lung cancer with triple problems: carcinomatous meningitis, poor performance status, and dysphagia-a case report.

Alectinib treatment is effective in patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC; hereafter ALK-positive NSCLC) who exhibit central nervous system (CNS) relapse and poor performance status (PS). Lorlatinib treatment is effective upon failure of other ALK inhibitor-based treatments. However, much remains unknown about the efficacy of lorlatinib in patients with ALK-positive NSCLC, who have triple problems, carcinomatous meningitis, poor PS, and dysphagia, after alectinib treatment. Here, we report the remarkable response of a 73-year-old patient with ALK-positive NSCLC showing carcinomatous meningitis due to CNS metastases, poor PS, and dysphagia to lorlatinib. Lorlatinib administration through a nasogastric tube alleviated complications related to consciousness within three days, and the patient survived for 16 months after CNS relapse. Lorlatinib could be a treatment option for patients with ALK-positive NSCLC showing carcinomatous meningitis, poor PS, and dysphagia upon failure of other ALK inhibitor-based treatments.

Disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow from rectal cancer: A case report.

A 66-year-old man presented with worsening dyspnea. A colonoscopy revealed an elevated lesion at the rectosigmoid junction. The biopsy specimen and bone marrow aspiration demonstrated adenocarcinoma, leading to a diagnosis of disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow. Because chemotherapy proved effective, he survived until 333 days after admission.

Evaluation for pharmacokinetic exposure of cytotoxic anticancer drugs in elderly patients receiving (R-)CHOP therapy.

(R-)miniCHOP therapy, which delivers approximately half-doses of the (R-)CHOP regimen, has shown efficacy and safety in patients who are more than 80 years old. This study aimed to compare the area under the plasma concentration-time curves (AUCs) of vincristine (VCR), doxorubicin (DXR), and cyclophosphamide (CPA) between (R-)CHOP and (R-)miniCHOP regimens. The AUCs were compared between patients aged 65-79 years receiving (R-)CHOP therapy and those aged 80 years and older receiving (R-)miniCHOP therapy. Age was not an independent variable for predicting the dose-adjusted AUCs (AUC/Ds) of cytotoxic anticancer drugs. The median AUCs of DXR and CPA were significantly smaller in the (R-)miniCHOP group than in the (R-)CHOP group (168.7 vs. 257.9 ng h/mL, P = 0.003, and 219.9 vs. 301.7 µg h/mL, P = 0.020, respectively). The median AUCs of VCR showed the same trend but the difference was not significant (24.83 vs. 34.85 ng h/mL, P = 0.135). It is possible that the AUCs of VCR, DXR, and CPA in patients aged 80 years and older receiving (R-)miniCHOP therapy may be lower than those in patients 65-79 years old receiving (R-)CHOP therapy.

A case of celiac disease with type I enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma in a Japanese male patient.

A 45-year-old Japanese male patient who was diagnosed with celiac disease (CeD) developed type I enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL). In 2013, the patient was admitted to our hospital with worsening of diarrhea and weight loss. Pathological examination of biopsy specimens from the duodenum and ileum led to a diagnosis of suspected EATL. A previous total colonoscopy (TCS) indicated villous atrophy in the terminal ileum. The patient was changed to a gluten-free diet, and the nutritional status gradually improved. In September 2014, he experienced acute right lower abdominal pain. He underwent urgent surgery, and a perforation was identified in the ileum. A diagnosis of type I EATL was made following histopathological examination. After eight courses of CHOP therapy, the patient entered complete remission. TCS and esophagogastroduodenoscopy with magnifying narrow-band imaging performed in 2015 identified villous regrowth in the distal ileum and duodenum. Capsule endoscopy also found villous regrowth in the entire small intestine. To our knowledge, this is the first case of type I EATL following CeD with villous atrophy before EATL occurrence in a Japanese HLA-DQ2 carrier. The possibility of type I EATL occurring after CeD should be recognized, although CeD is quite rare in Japan.

[A Case of Non-Resectable Pancreatic Cancer with Multiple Hepatic Metastases Treated with FOLFIRINOX Therapy and Conversion Surgery].

A 50-year-old woman was diagnosed as having pancreatic head cancer with multiple hepatic metastases. FOLFIRINOX therapy was initiated. After completing 18 courses of therapy, partial remission(PR)was achieved based on images, and surgery was then planed. The subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy and hepatic S7 partial resection were performed. Macroscopically, complete resection was achieved. Regarding pathological findings of the primary lesion and hepatic metastatic lesions, fibrous formation and hyalinizing condition induced by chemotherapy were noted; moreover, complete disappearance of cancer cells was detected. However, metastasis of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma was detected in 12b lymph node tissue. One month after the surgery, postoperative adjunctive chemotherapy with S-1 was initiated. However, new hepatic metastasis was detected 3 months after the surgery. Although recurrence treatment was initiated, the disease progressed, and the patient died 11 months after the surgery.

[Analysis of the Patient Factors in the Difference between Adverse Effect Evaluation and Distress Evaluation in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy].

A safety evaluation of chemotherapy is performed by CTCAE. It is the evaluation by health care workers, and distress evaluation by patient himself is not included in it. Therefore, a health care worker underestimates patients' distress. This study was carried out to identify the patients' characteristics underlying differences between safety evaluation and distress evaluation. The patients who met the criteria were 72 in number. They were divided into 2 groups. Group A(17 patients)included patients who demonstrated difference between safety evaluation and distress evaluation. Group B(55 patients)included patient who did not show difference between safety evaluation and distress evaluation. The patients who visited a hospital were evaluated for QOL, depression screening, CTCAE(safety evaluation), and PRO-CTCAE(distress evaluation). A meaningful difference was observed between depression screening, QOL-ACD(physical status, psychological status, face scale, and total), and the number of items of side effect by PRO-CTCAE through a univariate analysis. A meaningful difference was observed for QOL-ACD(physical)in logistic regression analysis(odds ratio=1.47, p=0.013). It is suggested that having physical distress reflected by the QOL evaluation before chemotherapy results in the difference between safety evaluation and distress evaluation.

[Retrospective Analysis of Weekly Paclitaxel Chemotherapy for Gemcitabine- and S-1-Resistant Pancreatic Cancer].

Chemotherapy for unresectable pancreatic cancer has moved from using gemcitabine (GEM) and/or S-1 to using 5- fluorouracil plus Leucovorin plus oxaliplatin plus irinotecan (FOLFIRINOX) or GEM and nano albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab- PTA). We administered weekly PTA 80mg/m2 (days 1, 8, 15 every 4 weeks) in 22 patients with both GEM and S-1 resistance before nab-PTX became available through medical insurance in Japan. This regimen was used as a second-line in 3 cases, as the third-line in 14 cases and as a later line in 5 cases. The mean number of chemotherapy courses was 2.7, and the mean dose intensity was 86.1%. Postponement and dose reduction was made in 15 and 5 cases, respectively. The best overall response was 1 PR, 5 SD, 15 PD and 1 NE. The response rate was 4.5%, and disease control rate was 27.3%. The median progression-free survival was 1.7 months, and the median overall survival was 4.6 months. The main adverse events included anorexia, general malaise, and peripheral neurotoxicity and they were tolerable. This study wherein nab-PTX plus GEM was one of the standard therapies, indicated that the PTX alone was effective in pancreatic cancer patients who were resistant to GEM and S-1.

Intermittent Withdrawal of Oxaliplatin for Alleviating Neurotoxicity during Oxaliplatin-Based Chemotherapy for Japanese Patients with Inoperable or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Phase 2 Multicenter Study.

Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy is a well-established regimen for patients with inoperable and metastatic colorectal cancer. However, one of the major limitations of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy is sensory neuropathy. It was previously reported that introduction of intermittent oxaliplatin treatment to an oxaliplatin-based regimen has a significant benefit on efficacy or safety. Here, we prospectively assessed whether efficacy and safety of first-line chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer are achieved by introduction of withdrawal of oxaliplatin treatment for a certain period (intermittent oxaliplatin treatment). The primary endpoint of the present study is to assess the progression free survival time on patients treated with chemotherapy (mFOLFOX6 (levofolinate, 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin combination therapy) plus bevacizumab or CapeOX (oxaliplatin and capecitabine combination therapy) plus bevacizumab) with intermittent oxaliplatin treatment. Bevacizumab is a humanized anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody. Median progression-free survival by the mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab with intermittent oxaliplatin treatment or the CapeOX plus bevacizumab with intermittent oxaliplatin treatment were 10.6 months (95% confidential interval [CI], 8.3-13.4 months) or 8.0 months (95% CI, 4.2-16.8 months), respectively. Overall response rate by the mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab with intermittent oxaliplatin treatment or CapeOX plus bevacizumab with intermittent oxaliplatin treatment was 55.1% or 42.1%, respectively. Grade 3 or 4 neuropathy was observed in 4.1% or 10.5% of patients treated with mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab with intermittent oxaliplatin treatment or CapeOX plus bevacizumab with intermittent oxaliplatin treatment, respectively. Introduction of intermittent oxaliplatin treatment has improved severe neuropathy in mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab regimen without reducing treatment efficacy.

[Withdrawal of Anticancer Therapy in Advanced Disease Because of Side Effects].

Withdrawal of chemotherapy because of side effects may be due to"problems with toxicity"or"patient refusal"."Problems with toxicity"is intended to secure patient safety and decisions about it are primarily made by the oncologist. On the other hand,"patient refusal"is influenced by the degree of distress the patient is experiencing and the patient's preference. Providing sufficient medical information is essential in decision making, because it is a decision made by the patient. In addition, the perception of side effects has changed owing to progress in supportive therapy in recent years. In particular, cancer patients are concerned about changes in appearance. In our study(4/2015 to 3/2016), chemotherapy was withdrawn because of side effects during treatment for solid carcinomas in 8%(4/51)of the patients. Two of these patients experienced liver function disorders, and 2 developed interstitial pneumonitis. Patient refusal was observed in 2%(1/51)of the patients.

[Second-line chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer].

Many investigators have attempted to reach a consensus, though with limited evidence available, on second-line chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer. Specifically, treatment consists of gemcitabine-based regimens and 5-FU-based regimens. The regimen that is not used for first-line chemotherapy will be used as second-line chemotherapy. In Japan, S-1 is frequently used in 5-FU-based regimens. When the FOLFIRINOX regimen is used as first-line chemotherapy, gemcitabine is recommended as second-line chemotherapy. On the other hand, when nab-PTX/gemcitabine is used as first-line chemotherapy, S-1 is recommended as second-line chemotherapy.

[Use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor(G-CSF)in patients with cancer at high risk of febrile neutropenia on the basis of high age and complications, recommendations for patients receiving radiotherapy, and adverse events because of G-CSF].

Neutropenic complications are the primary dose-limiting toxic effects observed in patients treated with systemic cancer chemotherapy. Broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy should be promptly administered to patients with febrile neutropenia(FN). The risk assessment of FN includes the disease characteristics, chemotherapy regimen, individual patient risk factors, and treatment intent. After considering such risk factors of FN, clinicians should appropriately consider the use of granulocytecolony stimulating factor(G-CSF)as a prophylactic or therapeutic measure. Some types of lymphoma can be cured with chemotherapy. The incidence of FN in patients receiving the standard rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone(R-CHOP)regimen is approximately 20%. Primary prophylactic use of G-CSF is recommended for patients agedB 65 years having diffuse aggressive lymphoma and treated with curative chemotherapy in an effort to improve their quality of life(QOL). Primary prophylaxis is recommended for the prevention of FN in patients at high risk, on the basis of factors other than age. G-CSF should be avoided in patients receiving concomitant chemotherapy and radiation therapy, particularly in those with cancer involving the mediastinum. The adverse events of G-CSF are generally graded mild to moderate; however, rare life-threatening adverse effects have been published in the literature. A clinical practice guideline for the use of G-CSF was published by the Japan Society of Clinical Oncology in 2013. On the basis of this guideline, the above issues have been discussed in this paper.

A change in the number of CCSP(pos)/SPC(pos) cells in mouse lung during development, growth, and repair.

BACKGROUND: Putative resident stem/progenitor cells have been identified in the bronchoalveolar duct junction (BADJ) of the murine lung. However, the contribution of stem cells expressing both Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP) and pro-surfactant protein C (SP-C) to the repair and maintenance of normal homeostasis is still unclear. In this study, we identified and then quantified CD45(neg)/CCSP(pos)/SP-C(pos) cell numbers in normal and lung-injured mice. METHODS: Normal lung tissues of fetal, newborn, and adult mice were used to evaluate lung progenitor cells during development and growth. Mice treated with naphthalene were used for the bronchiolar epithelium injury model, and mice treated with bleomycin were used for the alveolar epithelium injury model. These lung tissues were stained with CD45, CCSP, and SP-C antibodies by immunofluorescence. The number of lung progenitor cells was counted as CD45(neg)/CCSP(pos)/SP-C(pos) cells by flow cytometry. RESULTS: CCSP(pos)/SP-C(pos) epithelial cells in the BADJ were identified from E18 to 7 months after birth. The percentage of CD45(neg)/CCSP(pos)/SP-C(pos) cells was relatively stable to 7 months (between 0.3±0.04% and 1.28±0.11%). When lungs were treated with naphthalene, the proliferation of CCSP(pos)/SP-C(pos) cells was observed as patches of double-positive cells and preceded the recovery of bronchioles. In contrast, when lungs were treated with bleomycin, the proliferation of CCSP(pos)/SP-C(pos) cells was observed, but the type II alveolar epithelial cells never recovered to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: CCSP(pos)/SP-C(pos) lung cells were stable until 7 months after birth. These cells in the BADJ primarily regenerate bronchiolar epithelial cells and not alveolar epithelial cells.

[A case of unresectable biliary tract cancer with liver metastasis that exhibited an effective response to chemotherapy].

Surgical resection is the only curative treatment for biliary tract cancer; however, it is only feasible if the cancer is detected at an early stage. Since early diagnoses are difficult, most patients are diagnosed when the cancer is at an unresectable, advanced stage. Current treatments for unresectable cases include radiotherapy and chemotherapy, although it remains difficult to achieve long-term survival. We herein present our experience with a case of unresectable biliary tract cancer that exhibited an effective response to chemotherapy with gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GEM+CDDP). The patient was a 76- year-old man with biliary tract cancer( T2N1M0, cStage III). Multiple liver metastases were detected during laparotomy. We judged the tumor to be unresectable and placed a biliary tract metallic stent. After surgery, we initiated chemotherapy with GEM+CDDP. No liver metastases were visualized on computed tomography (CT) after 5 courses of chemotherapy. We considered surgical resection; however, the patient chose to continue chemotherapy. Currently, the patient is alive and well without any recurrence of liver metastasis, 26 months after surgery.

Sequential irinotecan hydrochloride/S-1 for S-1-resistant inoperable gastric cancer: A feasibility study.

Irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) is reported to be involved in the downregulation of thymidylate synthase (TS), a target molecule of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and oral fluoropyrimidine S-1. Therefore, we hypothesized that a preceding administration of CPT-11 against S-1-resistant tumors may recover sensitivity to S-1. To this end, we planned a S-1/CPT-11 sequential therapy as a feasibility study in S-1-refractory gastric cancer patients. In the first course, CPT-11 was administered intravenously at 150 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 15. Subsequently, S-1 was administered orally for 4 weeks from day 29 to 57, followed by a 2-week interval (sequential S-1/CPT-11). When the tumor showed a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR), the same dose of S-1 monotherapy was continued unless progressive disease (PD) was observed. When the response was stable disease (SD), S-1 was administered at the same dose for just 2 weeks (days 1-15), no drug was administered for the following 2 weeks (4-week cycle) and CPT-11 was administered intravenously at 100 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 15 (concurrent S-1/CPT-11) unless PD was observed. In the case of PD, the study was terminated. The primary endpoint was an antitumor effect and secondary endpoints were median survival time (MST), progression-free survival (PFS), time-to-treatment failure (TTF) and safety. The response rate (RR) following the first course was only 5.9% and the most positive RR was 11.8%. The MST, median TTF and PFS were 381, 69 and 71 days, respectively. Leukocytopenia was observed in more than half of the patients. Since the RR was lower than estimated in an interim analysis, the trial was terminated and the protocol was concluded to be unfeasible.