¹8F-FDG uptake on PET could be a predictive marker of excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) expression in patients with thoracic neoplasms?

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the expression level of excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) and of 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in various thoracic neoplasm.Three hundreds-eight patients [non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)(n=56), malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM)(n=21), pulmonary metastatic tumors (PMT)(n=148), thymic epithelial tumors (n=49) and pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor (n=34)] who underwent 18F-FDG PET before treatment were included in this study. Tumors sections were stained by immunohistochemistry for ERCC1, glucose transporter 1(Glut1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvessel density (MVD) by determinate by CD34. The expression of ERCC1 in thoracic neoplasms had a positivity of 49% (152/308), and the positive rates of ERCC1 expression in NSCLC, PMT, thymic epithelial tumor, pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor and MPM were 52, 43, 53, 47 and 85%, respectively. The positivity of ERCC1 expression was significantly higher in MPM and SQC than in the other histological types. A statistically significant correlation between ERCC1 expression and 18F-FDG uptake was observed in thymic epithelial tumors, especially thymoma. Moreover, ERCC1 expression was also closely associated with the expression of Glut1, VEGF and MVD.Our results indicated that 18F-FDG uptake may be an alternative biomarker for predicting ERCC1 expression in patients with thymoma.

Phase II trial of S-1 and cisplatin with concurrent radiotherapy for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: To assess the efficacy and safety of S-1 and cisplatin with concurrent thoracic radiation for unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Eligible patients were 20-74 years old and had histologically or cytologically confirmed NSCLC, a performance status of 0-1, and no prior chemotherapy. Patients were treated with cisplatin (60 mg m(-2) on day 1) and S-1 (orally at 40 mg m(-2) per dose, b.i.d., on days 1-14), with the treatment repeated every 4 weeks for four cycles. Beginning on day 2, a 60-Gy thoracic radiation dose was delivered in 30 fractions. RESULTS: Of 50 patients, 48 were eligible. Partial response was observed in 42 patients (87.5%; 95% CI: 79.1-96.9%). This regimen was well tolerated. Common toxicities included grade 3/4 neutropenia (32%), grade 3/4 leukopenia (32%), grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia (4%), grade 3 febrile neutropenia (6%), grade 3 oesophagitis (10%), and grade 3 pneumonitis (5%). Median progression-free survival was 12.0 months and median overall survival was 33.1 months. The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 89.5 and 56%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This chemotherapy regimen with concomitant radiotherapy is a promising treatment for locally advanced NSCLC because of its high response rates, good survival rates, and mild toxicities.

The metabolism of aspirin in rats; localization, absorption, distribution and excretion.

By the use of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) 14C-labelled in either the acetyl or the carboxyl group, the metabolic pathway and the degree of degradation of the substance were studied. The change in aspirin concentration and the rate of degradation occurring in major tissues and organs after oral administration was measured by radioactivity techniques. The degree of degradation for the period 10-30 minutes was found to be about 38% in the stomach wall, 64% in the liver and 86% in the lung, and less than 10% in the circulating portion of aspirin itself in blood, under conditions of equilibrium concentration of substrate. A technique measuring 14CO2 in expired air and using 14C-acetyl aspirin allowed for determination of the kinetics of the transformation of this compound into salicylic acid. The effective period for aspirin for unstrained and unanesthetized rats given orally was determined to be 90 min. The metabolic fates of the two kinds of 14C-labelled aspirin given orally were found to be very different and characteristic by counting and autoradiographic techniques. The distribution of [carboxyl-14C] aspirin was rather uniform, but [acetyl-14C] aspirin preferentially accumulated in the bone cortex portion.

Xeroradiography of the thyroid.

In a study of 726 patients, xeroradiography of the thyroid using a modified oblique projection was found to be superior to conventional soft-tissue radiography in detecting calcification in thyroid tumors because of edge enhancement. This facilitated a diagnosis of carcinoma in 75% of 68 primary tumors and 55% of 33 recurrent lesions. When other diagnostic criteria were included, the level of accuracy was 85% for primary tumors and 79% for recurrences. Examination with 131I was positive in 57 primary tumors (83%) and 4 recurrences (12%). The authors recommend routine combination of the two methods.

The delay phenomenon in types of deltopectoral flap studied by xenon-133.

We have investigated the hemodynamic mechanisms of delay phenomenon of various types of deltopectoral flaps and optimal time for transfer after delay operation using the local clearance method of Xenon-133. Characteristic differences were observed in recovery patterns of the distal blood flow among five types of delay procedure the results obtained are reported. In Group 1 (U-shaped, raised deltopectoral flap), two types of recovery patterns (fast and slow) were obtained. In cases of faster recovery, the optimal transfer time after delay is considered to be almost 10 days. In cases of slow recover in groups I and II (U-shaped, raised deltoid flap), the optimal time for transfer is thought to be 2 to 3 weeks. In group III (deltopectoral flap lined with a split-skin graft) and group IV (tubed, raised deltopectoral flap), a faster recovery pattern was observed than in groups I and II, and the optimum transfer time is considered to be about 7 to 14 days after delay operation. Accordingly, the use of groups III and IV would be highly recommended instead of group I. In group V (bipedicled, raised deltopectoral flap), the time of lateral incision was found to be critical.

Measurement of skin blood flow in delayed deltopectoral flaps, using local clearance of 133Xenon.

A study was made to determine the skin blood flow at the deltoid region in 89 cases, and the regional blood flow of delayed deltopectoral flaps, using the local clearance of 133Xe. The change in the skin blood flow, before and after a delay procedure of the deltopectoral flap, was measured in 27 patients--and the following results were obtained. (1) There was a linear tendency to a decreasing flow, one found to be statistically significant, with increasing age of the patient. (2) A significant correlation was found between the skin blood flow and the blood flow of the subcutaneous tissue. (3) The blood flow after we raised one side of a deltopectoral flap and lined it with a split-skin graft was higher than that found after a U-shaped undermining and not lining a flap. (4) The rate of successful transfer of a deltopectoral flap was found to be low when the 133Xe clearance rate was less than 0.07.