Recent comprehensive investigations clarified that immune microenvironment surrounding tumor cells are deeplyinvolved in tumor progression, metastasis, and response to treatment. Furthermore, several immunotherapeutic trialshave achieved successful results, and the immunotherapeutic agents are available in clinical practice. To enhancetheir demonstrated efficacy, combination of immunotherapy and ablation has begun to emerge. Local ablationshave considerable advantages as an alternative therapeutic option, especially its minimal invasiveness. In addition,local ablations have shown immune-regulatory effect in preclinical and clinical studies. Although the correspondingmechanisms are still unclear, the local ablations combined with immunotherapy have been suggested in the treatmentof several solid malignancies. This article aims to review the published data on the immune-regulatory effectsof local ablations including stereotactic body radiotherapy, cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation, and high-intensityfocusedultrasound. We also discuss the value of local ablations combined with immunotherapy. Local ablations havethe potential to improve future patient outcomes; however, the effectiveness and safety of local ablations combinedwith immunotherapy should be further investigated.

Background: The aim of this study was to develop the Japanese language version of the Liverpool Care Pathway － Home (LCP－H), and to examine the feasibility of the LCP－H in a pilot study. Methods: LCP－H was administered to cancer patients who were predicted to be in their last few days. We evaluated the achieved care goals of LCP－H. A cross－sectional anonymous questionnaire was administered to home nurses who used LCP－H to evaluate usefulness in using LCP－H. Results: LCP－H was used to 35 patients. The care goals of LCP－H were achieved in almost 80%. The nurses evaluated the usefulness of LCP－H: Providing to continuous end－of－life care each staff, Communication well between home nurses and co－medical home staff, and Education for home nurses with limited experience with end－of－life care. Conclusion: The feasibility of LCP－H was confirmed. Therefore, LCP－H should help home nurses to care for dying patients and their families as guide for end－of－life care in home, and improve the quality of end－of－life care in home. However, because the LCP is now being phased out in the UK, it may be necessary to develop an original education tool to assist in care for dying patients and their families in Japan.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacodynamics of cisplatin following three different treatment procedures for intrahepatic arterial infusion therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: We divided 13 HCC patients into the following three groups: group A, lone injection of cisplatin (n=3); group B, combined injection of cisplatin and lipiodol, with embolization using small gelatin cubes (GCs) (n=5); and group C, injection of suspended lipiodol with cisplatin powder, with embolization using small GCs (n=5). In each group, the free cisplatin concentration in the hepatic vein was measured at 0, 5, 10, and 30 minutes. RESULTS: The mean free cisplatin concentrations were as follows. For group A, the mean was 48.58 microg/mL at 0 minute, 7.31 microg/mL at 5 minutes, 5.70 microg/mL at 10 minutes, and 7.15 microg/mL at 30 minutes. For the same time points, for group B, the concentrations were 8.66, 4.23, 3.22, and 1.65 microg/mL, respectively, and for group C, the concentrations were 4.81, 2.61, 2.52, and 1.75 microg/mL, respectively. The mean area under the curve (AUC)0-infinity for the free cisplatin concentration was 7.80 in group A, 2.48 in group B, and 2.27 in group C. The AUC0-infinity for the free cisplatin concentration gradually decreased, from group A to group C. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the combination of lipiodol and small GCs may be useful for delaying cisplatin drainage from the liver.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cisplatin ; Drainage ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Ethiodized Oil ; Gelatin ; Hepatic Veins ; Humans ; Liver ; Pilot Projects

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate whether body fat rate (BFR) and triceps skinfold thickness (TSF) are associated with estimated fentanyl absorption in patients treated with the fentanyl transdermal matrix patch for moderate to severe cancer pain, by measuring the residual content of fentanyl in used matrix patches. Methods: Adult Japanese inpatients experiencing chronic cancer-related pain and receiving treatment for the first time with a transdermal fentanyl matrix patch (Durotep®MT patch) were included in the present study. During the initial application period, BFR was measured using a body fat scale, and TSF was measured by an experienced nurse with an adipometer. One patch was collected from each patient. The residual fentanyl content in used matrix patch was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The transdermal fentanyl delivery efficiency was estimated based on the fentanyl content of the used matrix patches. Results: Fifteen adult patients (5 males and 10 females) were included in this study. Nine patches with a release rate of 12.5μg/h and 6 patches with a release rate of 25μg/h were collected. The application site was the chest or upper arm. BFR and TSF both showed a significant positive correlation with delivery efficiency. Conclusion: In malnourished or low-body fat patients receiving DMP, pain intensity should be more carefully monitored, and fentanyl dose adjustment may be required. Additional parameters, such as nutritional status including body fat change, the degree of dry skin, and plasma fentanyl concentration, also require detailed evaluation. Palliat Care Res 2010; 5(2): 206-212

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is important to determine the noninvasive parameters of histological features in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to investigate the value of genetic variations as surrogate markers of histological features. METHODS: The parameters that affected the histological features of NAFLD were investigated in 211 Japanese patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD. The relationships between genetic variations in PNPLA3 rs738409 or TM6SF2 rs58542926 and histological features were analyzed. Furthermore, the impact of genetic variations that affected the pathological criteria for the diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (Matteoni classification and NAFLD activity score) was evaluated. RESULTS: The fibrosis stage of PNPLA3 GG was significantly more progressive than that of CG by multiple comparisons. Multivariate analysis identified PNPLA3 genotypes as predictors of fibrosis of stage 2 or more, but the impact tended to decrease at stage 3 or greater. There were no significant differences among the histological features of the three genotypes of TM6SF2. PNPLA3 genotypes partly affected the definition of NASH by the NAFLD activity score, but TM6SF2 genotypes did not affect the definition of NASH. CONCLUSIONS: In Japanese patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD, PNPLA3 genotypes may partly affect histological features, including stage of fibrosis, but the TM6SF2 genotype does not affect histological features.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biological Markers ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Fatty Liver* ; Fibrosis ; Genetic Variation* ; Genotype ; Humans ; Japan* ; Multivariate Analysis

This study was conducted to assess the ability of two-dimensional tissue tracking (2DTT) to evaluate changes in left ventricular (LV) myocardial function associated with sustained high electrical pacing. Pacemakers were implanted at the right ventricular (RV) apex of five female Beagles, and sustained high electrical pacing of 250 beats per minute (bpm) was performed for three consecutive weeks. Conventional echocardiography and 2DTT were performed at baseline, and at every week for three weeks with pacing. The baseline parameters were then compared to those of weeks 1, 2, and 3. Three weeks of pacing resulted in significant reduction of radial and circumferential global strains (p < 0.001). Regional analysis revealed reduction of segmental strains in both radial and circumferential directions, as well as increased dyssynchrony after three weeks of pacing in the radial direction (p = 0.0007). The results of this study revealed the ability of 2DTT to measure radial and circumferential strains in dogs with sustained high-electrical pacing, and allowed assessment of global and regional myocardial function and the degree of dyssynchrony.
Animals ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; Dogs ; Echocardiography/*methods ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Heart Ventricles/*ultrasonography ; *Ventricular Function, Left

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Noninvasive liver fibrosis evaluation was performed in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We used a quantitative method based on the hepatic volume acquired from gadoxetate disodium-enhanced (Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnosing advanced fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. METHODS: A total of 130 patients who were diagnosed with NAFLD and underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI were retrospectively included. Histological data were available for 118 patients. Hepatic volumetric parameters, including the left hepatic lobe to right hepatic lobe volume ratio (L/R ratio), were measured. The usefulness of the L/R ratio for diagnosing fibrosis ≥F3–4 and F4 was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify variables (age, body mass index, serum fibrosis markers, and histological features) that were associated with the L/R ratio. RESULTS: The L/R ratio demonstrated good performance in differentiating advanced fibrosis (AUROC, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.72 to 0.88) from cirrhosis (AUROC, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.75 to 0.99). Multiple regression analysis showed that only fibrosis was significantly associated with the L/R ratio (coefficient, 0.121; p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The L/R ratio, which is not influenced by pathological parameters other than fibrosis, is useful for diagnosing cirrhosis in patients with NAFLD.
Body Mass Index ; Fibrosis* ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Methods ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve

Miriplatin is a novel lipophilic platinum complex that was developed to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although HCC patients frequently have coexisting chronic renal failure, little prospective data are available regarding the clinical toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents used to treat HCC patients with chronic renal failure. In a phase II study, the plasma concentration of total platinum in patients who received miriplatin was very low, and no severe renal toxicity caused by miriplatin injection was reported. Here, we present three cases of HCC with stage 4 chronic renal failure who received transcatheter arterial chemotherapy with miriplatin. All cases were male, ages 72, 84, and 83 years, and had serum creatinine levels of 2.3, 1.6, and 1.9 mg/dL, respectively. Their estimated glomerular filtration rates were 21.9, 20.3, and 22.2 mL/min, respectively. All cases were treated for unresectable HCC with transcatheter arterial chemotherapy with miriplatin. No serious adverse events were observed, and serum creatinine levels did not elevate, even in the patient who experienced renal failure caused by cisplatin administration. These results might suggest that transcatheter arterial chemotherapy with miriplatin can be safely used in HCC patients with chronic renal failure.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cisplatin ; Creatinine ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Male ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; Plasma ; Platinum ; Renal Insufficiency

Objective：This study aimed to determine the difference in knee joint range of motion (ROM) and coefficient of variation (CV) during preoperative single-leg squatting in patients who developed ipsilateral lower limb anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) re-injury months after ACL reconstruction and in those who did not have the injury.Methods：Participants included 38 patients with non-contact ACL injuries. All patients underwent single-leg squatting the day before ACL reconstruction. Knee joint ROM and CV were assessed during single-leg squatting using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. We investigated the occurrence of ACL reinjury in the ipsilateral lower limb approximately 30 months after ACL reconstruction. Knee joint ROM and CV were then compared between the postoperative and non-injury groups.Results：The postoperative injury and non-injury groups included 9 and 29 patients, respectively. The knee internal/external rotation ROM and CV of knee varus/valgus ROM were greater in the postoperative injury group than in the postoperative non-injury group.Conclusion：During single-leg squatting before ACL reconstruction surgery, the knee internal/external rotation ROM and CV of knee varus/valgus ROM were suggested to be points of evaluation when considering ACL re-injury prevention.

Objective：This study aimed to determine the difference in knee joint range of motion (ROM) and coefficient of variation (CV) during preoperative single-leg squatting in patients who developed ipsilateral lower limb anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) re-injury months after ACL reconstruction and in those who did not have the injury.Methods：Participants included 38 patients with non-contact ACL injuries. All patients underwent single-leg squatting the day before ACL reconstruction. Knee joint ROM and CV were assessed during single-leg squatting using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. We investigated the occurrence of ACL reinjury in the ipsilateral lower limb approximately 30 months after ACL reconstruction. Knee joint ROM and CV were then compared between the postoperative and non-injury groups.Results：The postoperative injury and non-injury groups included 9 and 29 patients, respectively. The knee internal/external rotation ROM and CV of knee varus/valgus ROM were greater in the postoperative injury group than in the postoperative non-injury group.Conclusion：During single-leg squatting before ACL reconstruction surgery, the knee internal/external rotation ROM and CV of knee varus/valgus ROM were suggested to be points of evaluation when considering ACL re-injury prevention.