Treatment of B-cell lymphoma with a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody(rituximab)]

CD20 antigen is expressed on nearly all human B-cells and B-lymphoma cells. Rituximab is a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody with mouse variable and human constant regions. The toxicities of rituximab are mainly infusion-related, non-hematological grade 1 or 2 episodes. Of the 11 eligible patients enrolled in the phase I study in Japan, 2 showed CR and 5 showed PR. 90 relapsed pts were enrolled in the subsequent phase II study and treated with rituximab at 375 mg/m2 x 4 weekly infusions. The overall response rates in relapsed indolent B-cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma were 61% (37/61) and 46% (6/13), respectively. Rituximab is a novel, effective anti-lymphoma agent with acceptable toxicities.     

Single 5'green-3'red Hybrid Gene in Protanopia

Purpose: To disclose the structure of visual pigment gene for a protanopia with specific variation.Methods: Exon 5 fragments of the red andgreen visual pigment genes from the protanopia with specific varnation as well as controls were amplified by poly-merase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products were put through heteroduplex-SSCP analysis and PCR-RFLP (restriction fragement length polymorphism) analysis to clarify the specific variation. The specific variation of the exon 5 DNA fragment from the protanopia was identified by sequencing.Results: A novel 5'green-3'red hybrid gene fragment without the normal red and green visual pigment gene was discovered in the protanopia. He should only have a single visual pigment gene, 5'green-3'red hybrid gene, on his X chromosome. The fusion point is between codon 285 and codon 296 in exon 5. Conclusion : Unequal intragenic recombination may occur in exon 5 as well as its upstream. A 5'green-3'red hybrid gene may present independently on the X chromosome without ac     

Photoreceptor differentiation of retinoblastoma: An electron microscopic study of 29 retinoblastomas

Retinoblastomas exhibit a unique form of differentiation to produce cell elements similar to those seen in a photoreceptor cell. An ultrastructural study was performed on 29 cases of retinoblastoma to further clarify the cytologic characteristics of the tumor cells. The age of the retinoblastomas averaged 17.1 months and the tumor cells showing photo-receptor differentiation were demonstrated in 10 cases (35%). The findings were especially notable in retinoblastomas with Flexner-Wintersteiner rosette formation (seven cases, 28%). Similar photoreceptor differentiation was also evident in solid cell clusters without rosette formation (four cases, 14%). The presence of photoreceptor elements was assumed to be significantly frequent both in Flexner-Wintersteiner rosettes and in the solid cell clusters. The cell cytoplasm also showed proliferation of long mitochondria and microtubules, reflecting photoreceptor differentiation. The hereditary-type retinoblastoma showed more advanced cell differentiation than the non-hereditary type. Photoreceptor differentiated retinoblastoma showed rather indolent growth compared with the undifferentiated type, and the former can expect a curative treatment by operation. These observations provide additional findings of the biological nature of retinoblastomas.     

Results and DVH analysis of late rectal bleeding in patients treated with 3D-CRT or IMRT for localized prostate cancer

In patients undergoing radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer, dose–volume histograms and clinical variables were examined to search for correlations between radiation treatment planning parameters and late rectal bleeding. We analyzed 129 patients with localized prostate cancer who were managed from 2002 to 2010 at our institution. They were treated with 3D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT, 70 Gy/35 fractions, 55 patients) or intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT, 76 Gy/38 fractions, 74 patients). All radiation treatment plans were retrospectively reconstructed, dose–volume histograms of the rectum were generated, and the doses delivered to the rectum were calculated. Time to rectal bleeding ranged from 9–53 months, with a median of 18.7 months. Of the 129 patients, 33 patients had Grade 1 bleeding and were treated with steroid suppositories, while 25 patients with Grade 2 bleeding received argon plasma laser coagulation therapy (APC). Three patients with Grade 3 bleeding required both APC and blood transfusion. The 5-year incidence rate of Grade 2 or 3 rectal bleeding was 21.8% for the 3D-CRT group and 21.6% for the IMRT group. Univariate analysis showed significant differences in the average values from V65 to V10 between Grades 0–1 and Grades 2–3. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that patients with V65 ≥ 17% had a significantly increased risk (P = 0.032) of Grade 2 or 3 rectal bleeding. Of the 28 patients of Grade 2 or 3 rectal bleeding, 17 patients (60.7%) were cured by a single session of APC, while the other 11 patients required two sessions. Thus, none of the patients had any further rectal bleeding after the second APC session.     

Implanted hair follicle stem cells form Schwann cells that support repair of severed peripheral nerves

The hair follicle bulge area is an abundant, easily accessible source of actively growing, pluripotent adult stem cells. Nestin, a protein marker for neural stem cells, also is expressed in follicle stem cells and their immediate, differentiated progeny. The fluorescent protein GFP, whose expression is driven by the nestin regulatory element in transgenic mice, served to mark the follicle cell fate. The pluripotent nestin-driven GFP stem cells are positive for the stem cell marker CD34 but negative for keratinocyte marker keratin 15, suggesting their relatively undifferentiated state. These cells can differentiate into neurons, glia, keratinocytes, smooth muscle cells, and melanocytes in vitro. In vivo studies show the nestin-driven GFP hair follicle stem cells can differentiate into blood vessels and neural tissue after transplantation to the subcutis of nude mice. Equivalent hair follicle stem cells derived from transgenic mice with beta-actin-driven GFP implanted into the gap region of a severed sciatic nerve greatly enhance the rate of nerve regeneration and the restoration of nerve function. The follicle cells transdifferentiate largely into Schwann cells, which are known to support neuron regrowth. Function of the rejoined sciatic nerve was measured by contraction of the gastrocnemius muscle upon electrical stimulation. After severing the tibial nerve and subsequent transplantation of hair follicle stem cells, walking print length and intermediate toe spread significantly recovered, indicating that the transplanted mice recovered the ability to walk normally. These results suggest that hair follicle stem cells provide an important, accessible, autologous source of adult stem cells for regenerative medicine.