Two cases of anal squamous cell carcinoma achieving complete response after docetaxel + cisplatin + S-1 (DCS) induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation.

Anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) is an uncommon tumor. However, its incidence is increasing worldwide. Surgical resection of locally advanced cases requires permanent anal prosthesis. Thus, chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is preferred as the first-line treatment; however, high local recurrence rate remains an issue. Here, we describe two cases of locally advanced ASCC treated with docetaxel + cisplatin + S-1 (DCS) followed by CRT with S-1 that showed complete response. The two patients, aged 69 and 65 years, were diagnosed with ASCC (cStage IIIB) at our hospital. Due to extensive lymph node metastases, the patients were treated with triple induction chemotherapy (DCS) followed by CRT with S-1. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography performed six months after starting the treatment showed disappearance of tumors, indicating a complete response. The patients continued to receive S-1 for one year and achieved relapse-free long-term survival since the completion of treatment. Therefore, induction chemotherapy with DCS, prior to CRT with S-1 may benefit patients with locally advanced ASCC.

Proliferation of estrogen-responsive mouse tumor cell line B-1F stimulated by Saiboku-to, but inhibited by Scutellaria baicalensis, a component of Saiboku-to.

We have demonstrated that the proliferation of estrogen-responsive mouse Leydig tumor cell line B-1F is induced via suppression of 5-lipoxygenase activity followed by decrease of leukotrienes (LTs). Additionally, it has been reported that LTD4 induces apoptosis in B-1F cells. In this study, we examined effects of Saiboku-to, a traditional Chinese medicine having suppressive activities for LT production and release, on the proliferation. Saiboku-to promoted, but Scutellaria baicalensis, one of components (herbs) of Saiboku-to, significantly inhibited the proliferation of B-1F cells in vitro and in vivo. The action of Scutellaria baicalensis in B-1F cells was studied in more detail. Although Scutellaria baicalensis consists of flavonoids, iridoids, volatile oils and others, it and its major constituents had no direct effect on estrogen binding sites in B-1F cells. B-1F cells treated with Scutellaria baicalensis showed morphological changes such as nuclear aggregation and fragmentation. DNA fragmentation was also observed, indicating that Scutellaria baicalensis induces apoptosis in B-1F cells and that it or its constituents might be a good resource for searching new drugs, especially anti-cancer drugs. Moreover, Saiboku-to promoted B-1F cell proliferation, but Scutellaria baicalensis inhibited it, showing complexity of action of traditional Chinese medicines.

Establishment of a progesterone-sensitive cell line from human lung cancer.

For deveplopment and function of the lung, progesterone (Prog) fulfils important roles. In a recent report, immunolocalization of Prog and estrogen receptors in non-small cell lung carcinomas were examined and it was shown that the Prog receptor might be a potent prognostic factor. In the present study, a cell line with the sensitivity to Prog was established from a human lung cancer and the growth mechanism was analyzed. The proliferation of established SN96-42 cells was sensitive to Prog and antiprogesterone RU38486 inhibited their proliferation stimulated by Prog. Exposure of these cells to Prog resulted in a decreased formation of leukotriene (LT). The 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor (5-LOX), AA861, effectively stimulated SN96-42 cell proliferation and 5-LOX-catalyzed product(s), especially LTC4, inhibited SN96-42 cell proliferation caused by Prog. Prog-sensitive enhancement of SN96-42 cell proliferation is at least partly mediated through an inhibition of LT formation and these data suggest that 5-LOX and LTs play important roles in SN96-42 cell proliferation stimulated by Prog.