Panitumumab in combination with irinotecan plus S-1 (IRIS) as second-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Irinotecan plus S-1 (IRIS) is the only oral fluoropyrimidine-based regimen reported to be non-inferior to FOLFIRI and widely used in clinical practice for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. However, the combination of IRIS plus an anti-EGFR agent has not been evaluated previously. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of IRIS with panitumumab as second-line therapy for wild-type KRAS mCRC. METHODS: Main inclusion criteria were patients with wild-type KRAS mCRC refractory to one prior chemotherapy regimen for mCRC, ECOG PS 0-2, and age ≥20 years. Patients received panitumumab (6 mg/kg) and irinotecan (100 mg/m(2)) on days 1 and 15 and S-1 (40-60 mg according to body surface area) twice daily for 2 weeks, repeated every 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was the feasibility of the therapy. The secondary endpoints were response rate (RR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A total of 36 patients received protocol treatment in eight centers. Of these, 23 patients (63.9 %) completed protocol treatment, demonstrating achievement of the primary endpoint. The most frequent grade 3/4 toxicities were diarrhea (16.7 %), acne-like rash (13.9 %), and neutropenia (11.1 %). The overall RR was 33.3 % (12/36). Of these patients, five underwent conversion surgery. Median PFS and OS were 9.5 months (95 % CI 3.5-15.4 months) and 20.1 months (95 % CI 16.7-23.2 months), respectively. CONCLUSION: IRIS plus panitumumab has an acceptable toxicity profile and a promising efficacy in patients with previously treated wild-type KRAS mCRC. Accordingly, this regimen can be an additional treatment option for second-line chemotherapy in wild-type KRAS mCRC.

[A case of mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver].

We present a case of resected mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver in a 71-year-old woman admitted to our hospital with epigastric discomfort. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a multi-locular cystic tumor measuring 35 mm in diameter in segment IV of the liver. Left hepatic lobectomy was performed based on the diagnosis of mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver; subsequent histology revealed that the tumor was multi-locular, cystic, and lined with a single layer of columnar epithelium with low-grade atypia and was associated with a typical ovarian-like stroma. There was no evidence (imaging or histological) to support communication of the cyst with the intrahepatic bile duct, despite modest bile deposition being observed in the cystic wall. The definitive diagnosis was mucinous cystic neoplasm with low-grade intrahepatic epithelial neoplasia.

[Clinicopathological study of acute esophageal mucosal lesion].

Acute esophageal mucosal lesion (AEML) is a comprehensive disease that includes necrotizing esophagitis and acute erosive esophagitis, which result in upper gastrointestinal bleeding. However, little is known about AEML. We examined the clinicopathological features of 57 AEML cases. AEML presented as acute diffuse esophagitis showing an endoscopically erosive mucosa. The disease did not include corrosive injury, radiation-induced damage, infectious esophagitis, or acute exacerbation of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease. AEML predominantly affected elderly men, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding was the frequent presenting symptom. Severe underlying diseases such as cranial nerve disease or pneumonia were observed in 98% of the patients. Esophageal sliding hernia and gastroduodenal ulcers were endoscopically observed in 67% and 63% of the patients, respectively. Deaths due to exacerbation of the underlying diseases accounted for 16%. Most cases rapidly improved with conservative management using a proton pump inhibitor or an H2 blocker. Therefore, AEML should be considered a disease having characteristics different from those of common gastroesophageal reflux disease.