Objective: To elucidate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics for distinguishing solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) from desmoid tumors (DTs). Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 66 consecutive patients with histopathologically proven SFT (n = 34; 13 males and 21 females; mean age, 52.0 ± 17.1 years) or DT (n = 32; 11 males and 21 females; mean age, 39.0 ± 21.3 years) was conducted. The two groups were quantitatively compared in terms of the size, signal intensity ratio (SIR), and apparent diffusion coefficient value. For qualitative analysis, the tumor location, boundary, shape, internal uniformity, predominant signal intensity, T1-weighted images (T1WI) characteristics (hyperintense area), T2-weighted images (T2WI) characteristics (hypointense area, marked hyperintense area, flow void, band sign, and yin-yang sign), and contrast-enhanced T1WI characteristics (unenhanced area and degree of enhancement) were compared between the two groups. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analyses were conducted to distinguish between the SFT and DT. Results: T1 (P = 0.010) and T2 (P = 0.026) SIRs were higher in SFTs than in DTs. Hyperintense areas on T1WI (P < 0.001), marked hyperintense areas on T2WI (P = 0.025), and flow void (P = 0.025) were more frequently noted in SFTs. On T1WI, the solid component predominantly revealed hyperintensity in SFTs and isointensity in DTs (P < 0.001). Indistinct tumor boundary (P < 0.001), hypointense area on T2WI (P < 0.001), and band sign (P < 0.001) were more frequently observed in DTs. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that the hyperintense area on T1WI (odds ratio favoring SFT, 12.80, P = 0.002) and band sign (odds ratio favoring DT, 0.03; P < 0.001) were independent predictors. Conclusion MRI characteristics can help distinguish SFT from DT. The presence of a hyperintense area relative to the skeletal muscle on T1WI in SFTs and the band sign on T2WI in DTs are important MRI features.

Objective: To elucidate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics for distinguishing solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) from desmoid tumors (DTs). Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 66 consecutive patients with histopathologically proven SFT (n = 34; 13 males and 21 females; mean age, 52.0 ± 17.1 years) or DT (n = 32; 11 males and 21 females; mean age, 39.0 ± 21.3 years) was conducted. The two groups were quantitatively compared in terms of the size, signal intensity ratio (SIR), and apparent diffusion coefficient value. For qualitative analysis, the tumor location, boundary, shape, internal uniformity, predominant signal intensity, T1-weighted images (T1WI) characteristics (hyperintense area), T2-weighted images (T2WI) characteristics (hypointense area, marked hyperintense area, flow void, band sign, and yin-yang sign), and contrast-enhanced T1WI characteristics (unenhanced area and degree of enhancement) were compared between the two groups. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analyses were conducted to distinguish between the SFT and DT. Results: T1 (P = 0.010) and T2 (P = 0.026) SIRs were higher in SFTs than in DTs. Hyperintense areas on T1WI (P < 0.001), marked hyperintense areas on T2WI (P = 0.025), and flow void (P = 0.025) were more frequently noted in SFTs. On T1WI, the solid component predominantly revealed hyperintensity in SFTs and isointensity in DTs (P < 0.001). Indistinct tumor boundary (P < 0.001), hypointense area on T2WI (P < 0.001), and band sign (P < 0.001) were more frequently observed in DTs. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that the hyperintense area on T1WI (odds ratio favoring SFT, 12.80, P = 0.002) and band sign (odds ratio favoring DT, 0.03; P < 0.001) were independent predictors. Conclusion MRI characteristics can help distinguish SFT from DT. The presence of a hyperintense area relative to the skeletal muscle on T1WI in SFTs and the band sign on T2WI in DTs are important MRI features.

Objective: To elucidate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics for distinguishing solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) from desmoid tumors (DTs). Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 66 consecutive patients with histopathologically proven SFT (n = 34; 13 males and 21 females; mean age, 52.0 ± 17.1 years) or DT (n = 32; 11 males and 21 females; mean age, 39.0 ± 21.3 years) was conducted. The two groups were quantitatively compared in terms of the size, signal intensity ratio (SIR), and apparent diffusion coefficient value. For qualitative analysis, the tumor location, boundary, shape, internal uniformity, predominant signal intensity, T1-weighted images (T1WI) characteristics (hyperintense area), T2-weighted images (T2WI) characteristics (hypointense area, marked hyperintense area, flow void, band sign, and yin-yang sign), and contrast-enhanced T1WI characteristics (unenhanced area and degree of enhancement) were compared between the two groups. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analyses were conducted to distinguish between the SFT and DT. Results: T1 (P = 0.010) and T2 (P = 0.026) SIRs were higher in SFTs than in DTs. Hyperintense areas on T1WI (P < 0.001), marked hyperintense areas on T2WI (P = 0.025), and flow void (P = 0.025) were more frequently noted in SFTs. On T1WI, the solid component predominantly revealed hyperintensity in SFTs and isointensity in DTs (P < 0.001). Indistinct tumor boundary (P < 0.001), hypointense area on T2WI (P < 0.001), and band sign (P < 0.001) were more frequently observed in DTs. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that the hyperintense area on T1WI (odds ratio favoring SFT, 12.80, P = 0.002) and band sign (odds ratio favoring DT, 0.03; P < 0.001) were independent predictors. Conclusion MRI characteristics can help distinguish SFT from DT. The presence of a hyperintense area relative to the skeletal muscle on T1WI in SFTs and the band sign on T2WI in DTs are important MRI features.

Objective: To identify a relatively high-risk population in postoperative intermediate-risk cervical cancer and evaluate the effect of platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy (CT). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with stage IA2-IIA cervical cancer who had been treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy and classified as the intermediate-risk group for recurrence by postoperative pathological examination from January 2007 to December 2018 at 3 medical centers in Japan. First, patients with intermediate-risk were stratified by histological type and the number of intermediaterisk factors (IRF; large tumor diameter, lymph vascular space invasion, and deep cervical stromal invasion) and then divided into 2 groups: high and low-risk population (estimated 5-year recurrence-free survival [RFS] rate with no further therapy [NFT] <90% and ≥90%, respectively). Second, the efficacy of CT for the high-risk population was evaluated by comparing RFS and overall survival (OS) between the patients receiving CT and those with NFT. Results: In total, 133 patients were included in the analysis. Among patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with all IRF or those with non-SCC with 2 to 3 IRF, the 5-year estimated RFS was <90% when treated with NFT. In this population, adjuvant CT was significantly superior to NFT regarding RFS (log-rank, p=0.014), although there was no statistical difference in OS. Conclusion Patients with SCC with all 3 IRFs and those with non-SCC with 2 to 3 IRFs were at high risk for recurrence. Adjuvant CT is a valid treatment option for these populations.

Objective: To identify a relatively high-risk population in postoperative intermediate-risk cervical cancer and evaluate the effect of platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy (CT). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with stage IA2-IIA cervical cancer who had been treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy and classified as the intermediate-risk group for recurrence by postoperative pathological examination from January 2007 to December 2018 at 3 medical centers in Japan. First, patients with intermediate-risk were stratified by histological type and the number of intermediaterisk factors (IRF; large tumor diameter, lymph vascular space invasion, and deep cervical stromal invasion) and then divided into 2 groups: high and low-risk population (estimated 5-year recurrence-free survival [RFS] rate with no further therapy [NFT] <90% and ≥90%, respectively). Second, the efficacy of CT for the high-risk population was evaluated by comparing RFS and overall survival (OS) between the patients receiving CT and those with NFT. Results: In total, 133 patients were included in the analysis. Among patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with all IRF or those with non-SCC with 2 to 3 IRF, the 5-year estimated RFS was <90% when treated with NFT. In this population, adjuvant CT was significantly superior to NFT regarding RFS (log-rank, p=0.014), although there was no statistical difference in OS. Conclusion Patients with SCC with all 3 IRFs and those with non-SCC with 2 to 3 IRFs were at high risk for recurrence. Adjuvant CT is a valid treatment option for these populations.

Objective: To elucidate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics for distinguishing solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) from desmoid tumors (DTs). Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 66 consecutive patients with histopathologically proven SFT (n = 34; 13 males and 21 females; mean age, 52.0 ± 17.1 years) or DT (n = 32; 11 males and 21 females; mean age, 39.0 ± 21.3 years) was conducted. The two groups were quantitatively compared in terms of the size, signal intensity ratio (SIR), and apparent diffusion coefficient value. For qualitative analysis, the tumor location, boundary, shape, internal uniformity, predominant signal intensity, T1-weighted images (T1WI) characteristics (hyperintense area), T2-weighted images (T2WI) characteristics (hypointense area, marked hyperintense area, flow void, band sign, and yin-yang sign), and contrast-enhanced T1WI characteristics (unenhanced area and degree of enhancement) were compared between the two groups. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analyses were conducted to distinguish between the SFT and DT. Results: T1 (P = 0.010) and T2 (P = 0.026) SIRs were higher in SFTs than in DTs. Hyperintense areas on T1WI (P < 0.001), marked hyperintense areas on T2WI (P = 0.025), and flow void (P = 0.025) were more frequently noted in SFTs. On T1WI, the solid component predominantly revealed hyperintensity in SFTs and isointensity in DTs (P < 0.001). Indistinct tumor boundary (P < 0.001), hypointense area on T2WI (P < 0.001), and band sign (P < 0.001) were more frequently observed in DTs. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that the hyperintense area on T1WI (odds ratio favoring SFT, 12.80, P = 0.002) and band sign (odds ratio favoring DT, 0.03; P < 0.001) were independent predictors. Conclusion MRI characteristics can help distinguish SFT from DT. The presence of a hyperintense area relative to the skeletal muscle on T1WI in SFTs and the band sign on T2WI in DTs are important MRI features.

Objective: To identify a relatively high-risk population in postoperative intermediate-risk cervical cancer and evaluate the effect of platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy (CT). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with stage IA2-IIA cervical cancer who had been treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy and classified as the intermediate-risk group for recurrence by postoperative pathological examination from January 2007 to December 2018 at 3 medical centers in Japan. First, patients with intermediate-risk were stratified by histological type and the number of intermediaterisk factors (IRF; large tumor diameter, lymph vascular space invasion, and deep cervical stromal invasion) and then divided into 2 groups: high and low-risk population (estimated 5-year recurrence-free survival [RFS] rate with no further therapy [NFT] <90% and ≥90%, respectively). Second, the efficacy of CT for the high-risk population was evaluated by comparing RFS and overall survival (OS) between the patients receiving CT and those with NFT. Results: In total, 133 patients were included in the analysis. Among patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with all IRF or those with non-SCC with 2 to 3 IRF, the 5-year estimated RFS was <90% when treated with NFT. In this population, adjuvant CT was significantly superior to NFT regarding RFS (log-rank, p=0.014), although there was no statistical difference in OS. Conclusion Patients with SCC with all 3 IRFs and those with non-SCC with 2 to 3 IRFs were at high risk for recurrence. Adjuvant CT is a valid treatment option for these populations.

Objective: To elucidate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics for distinguishing solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) from desmoid tumors (DTs). Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 66 consecutive patients with histopathologically proven SFT (n = 34; 13 males and 21 females; mean age, 52.0 ± 17.1 years) or DT (n = 32; 11 males and 21 females; mean age, 39.0 ± 21.3 years) was conducted. The two groups were quantitatively compared in terms of the size, signal intensity ratio (SIR), and apparent diffusion coefficient value. For qualitative analysis, the tumor location, boundary, shape, internal uniformity, predominant signal intensity, T1-weighted images (T1WI) characteristics (hyperintense area), T2-weighted images (T2WI) characteristics (hypointense area, marked hyperintense area, flow void, band sign, and yin-yang sign), and contrast-enhanced T1WI characteristics (unenhanced area and degree of enhancement) were compared between the two groups. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analyses were conducted to distinguish between the SFT and DT. Results: T1 (P = 0.010) and T2 (P = 0.026) SIRs were higher in SFTs than in DTs. Hyperintense areas on T1WI (P < 0.001), marked hyperintense areas on T2WI (P = 0.025), and flow void (P = 0.025) were more frequently noted in SFTs. On T1WI, the solid component predominantly revealed hyperintensity in SFTs and isointensity in DTs (P < 0.001). Indistinct tumor boundary (P < 0.001), hypointense area on T2WI (P < 0.001), and band sign (P < 0.001) were more frequently observed in DTs. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that the hyperintense area on T1WI (odds ratio favoring SFT, 12.80, P = 0.002) and band sign (odds ratio favoring DT, 0.03; P < 0.001) were independent predictors. Conclusion MRI characteristics can help distinguish SFT from DT. The presence of a hyperintense area relative to the skeletal muscle on T1WI in SFTs and the band sign on T2WI in DTs are important MRI features.

Background: The anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1) antibody has led to durable clinical responses in a wide variety of human tumors. We have previously developed the caninized anti-canine PD-1 antibody (ca-4F12-E6) and evaluated its therapeutic properties in dogs with advance-staged oral malignant melanoma (OMM), however, their therapeutic effects on other types of canine tumors remain unclear. Objective: The present clinical study was carried out to evaluate the safety profile and clinical efficacy of ca-4F12-E6 in dogs with advanced solid tumors except for OMM. Methods: Thirty-eight dogs with non-OMM solid tumors were enrolled prospectively and treated with ca-4F12-E6 at 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks of each 10-week treatment cycle. Adverse events (AEs) and treatment efficacy were graded based on the criteria established by the Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group. Results: One dog was withdrawn, and thirty-seven dogs were evaluated for the safety and efficacy of ca-4F12-E6. Treatment-related AEs of any grade occurred in 13 out of 37 cases (35.1%).Two dogs with sterile nodular panniculitis and one with myasthenia gravis and hypothyroidism were suspected of immune-related AEs. In 30 out of 37 dogs that had target tumor lesions, the overall response and clinical benefit rates were 6.9% and 27.6%, respectively. The median progression-free survival and overall survival time were 70 days and 215 days, respectively. Conclusions The present study demonstrated that ca-4F12-E6 was well-tolerated in nonOMM dogs, with a small number of cases showing objective responses. This provides evidence supporting large-scale clinical trials of anti-PD-1 antibody therapy in dogs.

Objective: We evaluated the usefulness of human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), a tumor marker, during and after treatment in patients with ovarian cancer (OC). Methods: We included Japanese patients newly diagnosed with OC treated at the National Cancer Center Hospital between 2014 and 2021. The HE4 levels were measured in the serum stored during diagnosis. To evaluate the concordance between HE4 and the imaging results, we employed sequential pairs of blood sampling points and the results of imaging examinations. We compared the timing of the elevated HE4 levels, imaging diagnoses, and elevated cancer antigen 125 (CA125) levels in patients with recurrence. The Ethics Review Committee of our institution (2021-056) reviewed this study. Results: Forty-eight patients with epithelial OC were eligible for enrollment. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of HE4 (criterion, 70 pmol/L) for disease progression during the follow-up period were 79.4%, 59.1%, 32.5%, and 92.0%, respectively (time point, n=317). We evaluated the relationship between HE4 and CA125 variability and disease status (recurrence or no recurrence). For recurrence, the sensitivity and negative predictive value of HE4 (criterion, 70 pmol/L), CA125 (criterion, 35 U/mL), and combination of HE4 and CA125 were 77.8%, 85.2%, and 92.6% and 75.0%, 82.6%, and 88.9%, respectively (n=48). Among the 27 patients who exhibited recurrence, 16 and nine showed earlier increased HE4 levels than the relevant imaging and CA125 levels, respectively. Conclusion HE4 may be a valuable marker for follow-up during and after OC therapy. A complementary role for HE4 and CA125 measurements was suggested for follow-up observations.