There is increasing evidence that inactivation of tumor-suppressor genes can promote tumor growth. Retinoblastoma protein (pRb) is the product of the retinoblastoma gene located on chromosome 13q14. pRb negatively regulates cell growth when functioning normally. Mutational inactivation of the Rb gene has been observed in retinoblastomas, osteosarcomas and soft tissue sarcomas. Recently, several other human cancers have also been shown to carry abnormalities of the Rb gene. The potential role of the Rb gene in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and basal cell caicinomas (BCCs), has not been determined and was the focus of this study. Immunohistochemical expression of pRb in 16 cutaneous SCCs and 17 BCCs was examined. The expression of PCNA was studied in parallel to assess the cellular proliferation rate in these lesions. The pRb and PCNA immunoreactivity were localized to the nuclei of tumor cells. A few pRb and PCNA positive cells were seen in normal squamous epithelium, sebaceous glands, sweat glands and hair follicles. The loss of expression of pRb was seen in 3 of 16 SCCs(18.8%) and 6 of 17 BCCs (35.3%). PCNA immunoreactivity was slightly high in pRb-negative or lower-positive cases. PCNA immunoreactivity was similar to that produced by pRb in some cases. These results suggest that mutational inactivation of the Rb gene may be related to the carcinogenesis of cutaneous SCC and BCC, though the frequency is relatively low.
Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cell Proliferation ; Epithelium ; Genes, Retinoblastoma ; Hair Follicle ; Humans ; Osteosarcoma ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Retinoblastoma Protein* ; Retinoblastoma* ; Sarcoma ; Sebaceous Glands ; Sweat Glands

Tolvaptan reduces height-adjusted total kidney volume (htTKV) and renal function decline in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). This study was aimed at investigating the efficacy and safety of tolvaptan in Korean patients with ADPKD during the titration period. Methods: This study is a multicenter, single-arm, open-label phase 4 study. We enrolled 108 patients with ADPKD (age, 19–50 years) with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of >30 mL/min/1.73 m2 and factors defined as indicative of rapid disease progression. After tolvaptan titration, we evaluated efficacy and side effects and assessed factors associated with the effects. Results: After titration for 4 weeks, eGFR and htTKV decreased by 6.4 ± 7.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 16 ± 45 mL/m, respectively. No serious adverse drug reactions were observed during the titration period. The greatest eGFR decline was observed in the first week, with a starting tolvaptan dose of 45 mg. Multivariate linear regression for htTKV decline showed that the greater the change in urine osmolality (Uosm), the greater the decrease in htTKV (β, 0.436; p = 0.009) in the 1D group stratified by the Mayo Clinic image classification. Higher baseline eGFR was related to a higher htTKV reduction rate in the 1E group (β, –0.642; p = 0.009). Conclusion: We observed short-term effects and safety during the tolvaptan titration period. The decline of htTKV can be predicted as a short-term effect of tolvaptan by observing Uosm changes from baseline to end of titration in 1D and baseline eGFR in 1E groups.

Purpose: This study aimed to provide the clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, and 5-year relative survival rates of lung cancer diagnosed in 2015. Materials and Methods: The demographic risk factors of lung cancer were calculated using the KALC-R (Korean Association of Lung Cancer Registry) cohort in 2015, with survival follow-up until December 31, 2020. The 5-year relative survival rates were estimated using Ederer II methods, and the general population data used the death rate adjusted for sex and age published by the Korea Statistical Information Service from 2015 to 2020. Results: We enrolled 2,657 patients with lung cancer who were diagnosed in South Korea in 2015. Of all patients, 2,098 (79.0%) were diagnosed with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 345 (13.0%) were diagnosed with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), respectively. Old age, poor performance status, and advanced clinical stage were independent risk factors for both NSCLC and SCLC. In addition, the 5-year relative survival rate declined with advanced stage in both NSCLC (82%, 59%, 16%, 10% as the stage progressed) and SCLC (16%, 4% as the stage progressed). In patients with stage IV adenocarcinoma, the 5-year relative survival rate was higher in the presence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation (19% vs. 11%) or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) translocation (38% vs. 11%). Conclusion In this Korean nationwide survey, the 5-year relative survival rates of NSCLC were 82% at stage I, 59% at stage II, 16% at stage III, and 10% at stage IV, and the 5-year relative survival rates of SCLC were 16% in cases with limited disease, and 4% in cases with extensive disease.