Kazuya Kondo

The University of Tokushima, Tokushima-shi, Tokushima-ken, Japan

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Publications (63)124.24 Total impact

  • Article: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography and the relationship between fluorodeoxyglucose uptake and the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, glucose transporter-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor in thymic epithelial tumours.
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    ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) and the relationships among the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), glucose transporter-1 (Glut-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), histological type, other clinical factors and FDG uptake in thymic epithelial tumours. METHODS: Thirty-three patients who underwent FDG-PET/CT before treatment were reviewed. All types of tumours were reclassified into three subgroups: low-risk thymomas (types A, AB and B1), high-risk thymomas (types B2 and B3) and thymic carcinomas. Tumour contour, pattern of FDG uptake, tumour size and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) were obtained. Expressions of HIF-1α, Glut-1 and VEGF were analysed immunohistochemically, and these expressions were evaluated using grading scales. RESULTS: FDG uptake was visually recognized in all (100%) tumours. A homogeneous pattern of FDG uptake was increasingly observed in the order of low-risk thymomas to high-risk thymomas to thymic carcinomas (P = 0.016). SUVmax for thymic carcinomas was significantly higher than that for thymomas (P = 0.008). With the optimal cut-off value of SUVmax of 5.6, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for diagnosing thymic carcinoma were 0.75, 0.80 and 0.79, respectively. Regarding the mean scoring of HIF-1α, Glut-1 and VEGF, increasing trends were observed in the order of low-risk thymomas to high-risk thymomas to thymic carcinomas. Tumour size revealed a significant correlation with SUVmax (r = 0.60, P < 0.001), and the expression of HIF-1α showed a moderate association, but the expression of Glut-1 showed no correlation with SUVmax. Regarding correlations between the expression of the three markers, there were moderate associations between HIF-1α and Glut-1, and HIF-1α and VEGF, and a significant correlation between Glut-1 and VEGF (r = 0.60, P < 0.001). In type B1 thymoma, HIF-1α and Glut-1 were partly expressed in non-neoplastic immature lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: FDG-PET/CT should be performed in patients with tumours in the anterior mediastinum because the pattern of FDG uptake and SUVmax are useful in the differential diagnosis of thymic epithelial tumours. Furthermore, the expressions of HIF-1α, Glut-1 and VEGF might be associated with malignancy of thymic epithelial tumours. In contrast, FDG uptake might be dependent on tumour size rather than Glut-1 overexpression.
    European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery: official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery 05/2013; · 2.40 Impact Factor
  • Article: Fluoroscopy-assisted thoracoscopic resection after computed tomography-guided bronchoscopic metallic coil marking for small peripheral pulmonary lesions.
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    ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES: To re-evaluate the efficacy of fluoroscopy-assisted thoracoscopic resection after computed tomography (CT)-guided bronchoscopic metallic coil marking (FATS-CM), which was our original method for small peripheral pulmonary lesions. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with 63 lesions underwent FATS-CM. A metallic coil was installed in the bronchus nearest to the lesion under CT fluoroscopic guidance with ultrathin bronchoscopy. The virtual bronchoscopic navigation (VBN) system was used in 14 cases. Afterwards, we basically performed wide wedge resection (WWR) using a C-arm-shaped roentgenographic fluoroscope during thoracoscopic surgery initially, and then the final procedure was determined by intraoperative histological diagnosis. Moreover, we prospectively treated ground-glass opacity (GGO) lesions of <20 mm diameter according to our treatment protocol from September 2004. RESULTS: We could install coils in the objective bronchi in all cases. The average time required for the marking procedure was 38.9 (15-120) min. Pneumothorax was recognized in 1 (1.7%) case as a complication, but no fatal complications occurred. We could also install coils for each lesion in 4 cases (9 lesions) with multiple lesions. In 14 cases with the VBN system, the examination time and CT number were significantly reduced (P < 0.05 and <0.001, respectively), compared with those of 40 cases without the VBN system. The average interval between the CM and the operation was 5.6 (0-30) days. We never experienced a case of migration preoperatively. Sixty-two (98.4%) lesions were definitively identified, and WWRs were performed using three trocars in 58 (92.1%) cases during thoracoscopic surgery. Lobectomy was initially performed in only 1 case owing to coil migration. Thirty-seven of 40 cases (92.5%) were in line with the treatment protocol. There were no local-regional recurrences in all cases undergoing WWR. CONCLUSIONS: We could prospectively show that our method was suitable to perform WWR with a sufficient margin for small GGO lesions of <20 mm. Moreover, we reconfirmed that the advantages of our method were safety, permitting flexibility in scheduling operations and a high ability to deal with multiple lesions. Additionally, our method became a minimally invasive and mature technique by using a new VBN system.
    European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery: official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery 04/2013; · 2.40 Impact Factor
  • Article: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography is useful in postoperative follow-up of asymptomatic non-small-cell lung cancer patients.
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    ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES Postoperative follow-up and surveillance after curative resection for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients are generally performed. However, there is no consensus on the best programme at this time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic capability of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in postoperative NSCLC patients without clinical and radiological evidence of recurrence, as a follow-up and surveillance programme. METHODS Between January 2005 and April 2010, a total of 101 NSCLC patients underwent potentially curative operations and follow-up FDG-PET/CT was performed in patients without clinical and radiological evidence of recurrence at least once a year in principle. A total of 233 FDG-PET/CT studies were entered and retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS Eighteen (18%) asymptomatic patients had recurrent diseases and 22 recurrent sites were confirmed. Of 22 recurrent sites, recurrence was diagnosed by histological examination in 9 (41%) sites and by imaging examination in 13 (59%) sites. FDG-PET/CT correctly diagnosed recurrence in 17 of the 18 (94%) patients and 21 of the 22 (95%) recurrent sites. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 94.4, 97.6, 89.5, 98.8 and 97.0%, respectively. On the other hand, in 3 patients, other diseases were detected and treated appropriately. Post-recurrence therapies were performed in all patients with recurrence, but 4 (22%) patients died of the original diseases. The median post-recurrence survival was 25.2 months, and the 1- and 2-year post-recurrence survival rates were 83.3 and 69.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS FDG-PET/CT is a useful tool that has high capability to detect recurrences in asymptomatic NSCLC patients after a potentially curative operation. However, a large-scale multi-institutional randomized control trial may be needed to ascertain the benefit of surveillance with FDG-PET/CT.
    Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery 08/2012; 15(5):859-64.
  • Article: Pemphigus with thymoma improved by thymectomy: report of a case.
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    ABSTRACT: A 53-year-old female with pemphigus vulgaris received treatment with prednisolone for 3 years. On chest computed tomography performed at follow-up, an anterior-mediastinal tumor (4 cm × 3 cm) was detected and diagnosed as a thymoma. Although amyosthenia was absent, the patient's anti-acetylcholine-receptor antibody level was high, and she was positive for anti-desmoglein 3 antibodies. She underwent extended thymectomy in the same year, following which both the anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody and the anti-desmoglein 3 antibody levels were normalized. The patient's skin symptoms improved, and the steroid dose was gradually lowered and finally discontinued 4 years postoperatively. Extended thymectomy may be an effective therapy for treating patients with pemphigus.
    Surgery Today 08/2012; · 1.22 Impact Factor
  • Article: Computed tomography lymphography by transbronchial injection of iopamidol to identify sentinel nodes in preoperative patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a pilot study.
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    ABSTRACT: The objective of the present study was to assess the safety and feasibility of computed tomography lymphography by transbronchial injection of a water-soluble extracellular computed tomography contrast agent. From April 2010 to May 2011, patients with clinical stage I non-small cell lung cancer who were candidates for lobectomy were enrolled in the present study. An ultrathin bronchoscope was inserted to the target bronchus under the guidance of virtual bronchoscopic navigation images. Computed tomography images of the chest were obtained 0.5 and 5 minutes after 2 or 3 mL of iopamidol was injected through a microcatheter. Sentinel nodes were identified when the maximum computed tomography attenuation value of the lymph nodes on the postcontrast computed tomography images increased by 30 Hounsfield units or more compared with the precontrast images. Patients underwent lobectomy with standard lymph node dissection. The ultrathin bronchoscope could access the targeted bronchus, and iopamidol was delivered into the peritumoral area in all 13 patients without any complications. Sentinel nodes were identified in 12 (92.3%) of the 13 patients. The average number of sentinel nodes was 1.5 (range, 1-2). Pathologic examination revealed metastatic lymph nodes in 2 patients. Metastatic nodes were included with the sentinel nodes. Computed tomography lymphography by transbronchial injection of iopamidol was a safe and feasible method to identify the sentinel nodes in patients with clinical stage I non-small cell lung cancer.
    The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery 04/2012; 144(1):94-9. · 3.41 Impact Factor
  • Article: Interventional study for improvement of lung cancer screening rate.
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    ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether leaflet distribution affects lung screening rate, and what factor affects the motivation of consultation. Men and women aged 40 to 59 were targeted to improve screening rate of ages for cancer screening, especially in their prime. Each 1,000 subject, a total of 2,000 were selected and divided into 8 groups in consideration of age group by random sampling method. This group was further divided into two groups, an intervention group including subjects distributed a leaflet and a non-intervention (control) group. A survey was conducted by postal self-administered survey forms. Collection rate was 21.6% for the intervention and 17.6% for the control group. The numbers of respondents who answered that this leaflet was effective for motivation of consulting lung cancer screening and the leaflet was ineffective, were 120 (60.0%) and 80 (40.0%), respectively. This indicated that the leaflet was clearly effective (p<0.01). Actual cancer screening rate was 38.8% for the intervention group and 37.7% for the control group. It was shown that distribution by mail of even a single leaflet made by National Cancer Center was effective for motivation of consultation of lung cancer screening.
    The Journal of Medical Investigation 02/2012; 59(1-2):127-35.
  • Article: Aberrant DNA methylation of some tumor suppressor genes in lung cancers from workers with chromate exposure.
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    ABSTRACT: Our previous studies revealed a variety of genetic changes in lung cancers from chromate-exposed workers (chromate lung cancer). In the present study, we examined epigenetic changes in chromate lung cancers. Nested-methylation-specific PCR was employed in studying the methylation of CpG islands in the APC, MGMT, hMLH1 genes in 36 chromate lung cancers and 25 nonchromate lung cancers. Methylation in chromate lung cancers was detected at 86% for APC, 20% for MGMT, and 28% for hMLH1. Whereas, it occurred at lower frequencies in nonchromate lung cancers, particularly in APC (44%) and hMLH1 (0%) genes. Our previous study showed that methylation of p16 gene in chromate lung cancer and nonchromate lung cancer was 33% and 26%, respectively. The mean methylation index (MI), a reflection of the overall methylation status, was significantly higher in chromate lung cancers than nonchromate lung cancers (0.41 vs. 0.21, P=0.001). Methylation of multiple genes (particularly hMLH1, p16, and APC genes) had experienced more than 15 yr of chromate exposure in chromate lung cancer (MI: <15 yr; 0.19, ≥ 15 yr, 0.42). There is a significant correlation of p16 and hMLH1 methylation with the expressional decrease or loss of the corresponding gene products (P=0.037 and 0.024) respectively, and an inverse correlation between APC and MGMT methylation (P = 0.014). This study provides a novel evidence for the chromium carcinogenesis that chromate lung cancer is linked to the progressive methylation of some tumor suppressor genes, which may be related to genomic instability.
    Molecular Carcinogenesis 02/2011; 50(2):89-99. · 3.16 Impact Factor
  • Article: 5-Aminolevulinic acid-induced fluorescence diagnosis of pleural malignant tumor.
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    ABSTRACT: It is known that endogenously synthesized protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) following the administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is an effective photosensitizer for photodynamic diagnosis (PDD). We tested in vivo and in vitro susceptibility of human lung cancer and mesothelioma cells to photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) as a photosensitizer. Human lung cancer cell lines A549, Ma44-3, FT821 and human mesothelioma cell lines MSTO-211H, NCI-H290, Y-MESO-14 were incubated with 0.03% 5-ALA for 4 h. After incubation, protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) fluorescence was detected using a fluorescence microscope. Pleural carcinosis was induced in severe combined immunodeficiency disease mice using the previous cell lines to test the efficacy of PDD in vivo. The mice were sacrificed 4 h after oral administration of 400 mg/kg of 5-ALA. We counted the visible tumors under white light then fluorescence light. In vitro, clear red fluorescence was observed in all cell lines. The mean fluorescence intensity was stronger in A549 and FT821 cells than Ma44-3 cells (165.59±26.49, 157.62±18.93 vs. 104.01±17.58). Also, MSTO-211H and NCI-H290 cells had stronger fluorescence intensity than Y-MESO-14 cells (142.51±26.85, 165.16±12.91 vs. 92.31±8.69). In vivo, the tumor detection rate of fluorescence diagnosis was 1.1-4.5 times higher than that of white light. The mean number of metastases detected by the PDD was significantly higher than that of white light for FT821 (p=0.004), Ma44-3 (p=0.006) and Y-MESO-14 cell lines (p=0.005), but not for A549, NCI-H290 and MSTO-211H cell lines. Small lesions were detected by fluorescence diagnosis even though the lesions were invisible macroscopically under white light. Our results suggest the possibility of clinical application of fluorescence diagnosis with intrapleural malignant tumors.
    Lung cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands) 02/2011; 74(1):48-54. · 3.14 Impact Factor
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    Article: Follow-up using fluorescence bronchoscopy for the patients with photodynamic therapy treated early lung cancer.
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    ABSTRACT: To evaluate the accuracy of fluorescence bronchoscopy by precise histological analysis of the photodynamic therapy (PDT) treated lesions. A retrospective study was conducted on thirteen patients (16 lesions) with centrally located early lung cancer (CLELC) had been undergone photodynamic therapy and had been followed up by fluorescence bronchoscopy. Fluorescence bronchoscopy was performed between 1 and 60 months after photodynamic therapy. Of the 16 early carcinomas treated, 14 (87.5%) had a CR, 2 (12.5%) had a NR after initial PDT. Among the 14 carcinomas achieving a CR, 4 (29%) recurred locally from 6 to 12 months after initial PDT. A total of 62 surveillance auto fluorescence bronchoscopies (average; 4.5/patient) and 47 biopsies (average; 4/patient) were performed after PDT. The addition of the SAFE-3000 examination to conventional bronchoscopy increased the sensitivity of screening from 69% to 100%, which yielded a relative sensitivity of 145% with a negative predictive value of 100%. Out of 14 CR lesions, 9 lesions finally reverted to normal fluorescence. CR cases that did not show normal fluorescence were relapsed cases or a patient with complete response whose treated lesion showed fibrosis in the sub mucosa. Histopathological finding of the complete response sites which demonstrated temporal fluorescent defect consisted of inflammatory lesions, goblet cell hyperplasia, basal cell hyperplasia, squamous metaplasia or dysplasia. our results confirm that SAFE-3000 allows accurate assessment of the quality and efficacy of PDT.
    The Journal of Medical Investigation 02/2011; 58(1-2):46-55.
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    Article: Tumor-node metastasis staging system for thymic epithelial tumors.
    Kazuya Kondo
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    ABSTRACT: The Masaoka clinical staging classification is the most widely accepted nowadays and is an excellent predictor for the prognosis of thymoma. Nevertheless, an update of this classification is desirable for it to be suitable for all thymic epithelial tumors including thymic carcinoma and carcinoid. The tumor-node metastasis (TNM) system classification and clinical staging system for thymic epithelial tumors have not been established yet. Until now, four TNM staging systems have been proposed: Yamakawa and Masaoka in 1991 (Y-M system), Tsuchiya et al. in National Cancer Center Hospital of Japan in 1994 (NCCHJ system), the World Health Organization Consensus Committee in 2004 (World Health Organization system), and Bedini et al. in National Cancer Institute of Italy in 2005 (NCII system). In this study, we show survival curves of thymic epithelial tumors (n = 1320) including thymoma, thymic carcinoma, and carcinoid according to the Y-M system. The 5-year overall survival rates of stage I, II, III, IVA, and IVB thymic epithelial tumors were 94.2%, 91.2%, 70.5%, 56.3%, and 38.2%, respectively. Significant differences in survival rates were observed between stages II and III (p < 0.0001), stages III and IVA (p = 0.0205), and stages IVA and IVB (p = 0.0192). This TNM staging system is an excellent predictor for the prognosis of thymic epithelial tumors including thymic carcinoma. The N and/or M factors influence the prognosis more than T factor. For the subclassification of the N and/or M factors, large-scale studies including the resectable and unresectable tumors are necessary.
    Journal of thoracic oncology: official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer 10/2010; 5(10 Suppl 4):S352-6. · 4.55 Impact Factor
  • Article: [Lung cancer in patient with a common trunk of left pulmonary veins; report of two cases].
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    ABSTRACT: A 69-year-old man and a 53-year-old man with lung cancer of left upper lobe underwent pulmonary resection. A preoperative chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed the left superior and inferior pulmonary veins forming a common trunk. In the former case, the common trunk was misidentified as the superior pulmonary vein. The latter was recognized preoperatively by using 3-dimensional CT, and successfully performed left superior segmentectomy. This variation type is surgically important because of a potential risk of intraoperative bleeding and damage to pulmonary circulation during pulmonary resection.
    Kyobu geka. The Japanese journal of thoracic surgery 09/2010; 63(10):915-8.
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    Article: The relation between the cancer screening rate and the cancer mortality rate in Japan.
    Midori Yoshida, Kazuya Kondo, Toshiko Tada
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    ABSTRACT: The aim of this research was to clarify the relation between the screening rates for five cancers (lung cancer, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, uterus cancer, and breast cancer) and their mortality rate by using publicly accessible databases. The used information materials were those prepared by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Center for Cancer Control and Information Services, and the National Cancer Center. Our results were as follows: 1) regarding stomach and colorectal cancers, a positive correlation was found between the screening rate and the mortality rate (p<0.001); 2) in the relation between the screening rate and the mortality rate according to administrative divisions, the mortality rate decreased significantly when the lung cancer screening rate improved (p<0.005); 3) the mortality rate for breast cancer increased in those aged 50 or over; 4) the mortality rate for uterus cancer had been slightly increasing since 1990; and 5) regarding the screening rate, a positive correlation was found between breast cancer and uterus cancer (p<0.001). In future, improvement in lifestyle and in the knowledge of cancer should be promoted to enhance the screening rates.
    The Journal of Medical Investigation 08/2010; 57(3-4):251-9.
  • Article: Diagnosis of the presence of lymph node metastasis and decision of operative indication using fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography and computed tomography in patients with primary lung cancer.
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    ABSTRACT: We evaluate whether integrated fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography and computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) scan can diagnose the presence of lymph node metastasis more accurately than computed tomography (CT) scan alone. Forty-two patients with lung cancer preoperatively underwent integrated PET/CT scan using FDG and CT scan and underwent pulmonary resection and lymph node dissection. We judged cases as lymph node metastasis if the lymph node visually accumulated FDG at PET/CT scan and measured 1 cm or greater in the short axis at CT scan. We retrospectively analyzed whether our judgments in each modality were consistent with the pathological diagnosis. Two-hundred and seventeen stations of lymph node were dissected and 21 stations (9.7%) were histologically diagnosed as positive metastasis. Thirty-two stations of lymph node visually accumulated FDG at PET/CT scan and 17 stations measured 1 cm or greater in the short axis at CT scan. Concerning the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis, PET/CT scan showed significantly higher sensitivity than CT scan (81% vs. 48%, p=0.024). The false-positive rate was significantly high in PET-positive lymph nodes measuring less than 1 cm in diameter. There were 4 false-negative lymph nodes with both scans. All of these were less than 7 mm in diameter and had a low percentage of metastatic foci in the lymph node. Concerning the diagnosis of N staging, there was no significant difference between PET/CT scan and CT scan (83% vs. 69%, p=0.124). However, the identification of N2 disease at PET/CT scan was significantly more accurate than that at CT scan (100% vs. 38%, p=0.031). PET/CT is superior to CT scan in lymph node staging. However, because the false-positive rate is high in PET-positive lymph nodes measuring less than 1 cm in diameter, we think that clinical background should be considered and other modalities or histological examinations should be undertaken if necessary. J. Med. Invest. 57: 305-313, August, 2010.
    The Journal of Medical Investigation 08/2010; 57(3-4):305-13.
  • Article: Epidemiological and clinical features of lung cancer patients from 1999 to 2009 in Tokushima Prefecture of Japan.
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    ABSTRACT: Lung cancer is the leading cause of malignancy-related death worldwide. In the present study, we reviewed the epidemiologic and clinical features of lung cancer in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. Between January 1999 and December 2009, 2,183 patients with lung cancer were enrolled in this study. One thousand five hundred ninety-one (73%) patients were male and 592 (27%) patients were female. Median age was 70 years, with a range of 15-93 years. Seventy-six percent of patients had smoking history. One thousand nine hundred five (87%) patients were non-small cell lung cancer and the predominant histological type was adenocarcinoma (51%). Among all 2,183 patients, 702 (32%) belonged to elderly population. Four hundred seventy-one (22%), 213 (10%), 24 (1%), 116 (5%), 238 (11%), 370 (17%) and 678 (31%) patients had stage IA, IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB and IV lung cancer, respectively. In Tokushima University Hospital, 516 (29%), 191 (11%), 58 (3%), 755 (43%) and 216 (12%) patients were initially treated with chemotherapy, chemo-radiotherapy, thoracic radiotherapy, operation and best supportive care, respectively. The median time to progression (TTP) and the median survival time (MST) of patients treated with chemotherapy and chemo-radiotherapy were 3.5 months, 13.0 months and 7.0 months, 18.0 months, respectively. The median TTP and the MST of 33 elderly patients treated with chemotherapy were 3.3 months and 18.0 months, respectively, which were comparable with those of total population. These results indicated the benefit of chemotherapy in elderly patients with advanced lung cancer by proper selection.
    The Journal of Medical Investigation 08/2010; 57(3-4):326-33.
  • Article: [Clinical analysis of elderly patients with primary lung cancer].
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    ABSTRACT: We clinically reviewed 33 surgery patients and 15 non-surgery patients aged 80 years or older with primary lung cancer treated at our hospital. The surgery group consisted of 21 males and 12 females (82.0 +/- 1.9 years old). The surgical procedures were 1 pneumonectomy, 19 lobectomies (1 bronchoplasty), 4 segmentectomies and 9 partial resections. The cancer types were 17 adenocarcinomas, 14 squamous cell carcinomas and 2 others. The stagings were 24 in stage I, 4 in stage II and 5 in stage III. There were no direct surgical deaths within 30 days post operatively. There have been 9 other disease-related deaths to date (27%). The non-surgery group consisted of 9 males and 6 females (81.7 +/- 1.5 years old). Treatment procedures consisted of radiationtherapy in 11, chemotherapy in 2 and best supportive care in 3. The cancer types were 2 adenocarcinomas, 11 squamous cell carcinomas and 2 others. The stagings were 7 in stage I, 4 in stage II and 4 in stage III. There have been 3 other disease-related deaths to date (20%). We must carefully select the therapeutic approach for elderly lung cancer patients, because the other disease-related death rates of both groups were high. The 5-year survival rate of stage I patients in the surgical group was relatively good (60.2%). There were long-term survival (7 5-year survivors) in the surgical group. Since there were some cases of radiation pneumonia in the group receiving radiation therapy, it would be better to perform surgery for elderly patients with lung cancer, especially those with stage I disease. For elderly patients, it is important to consider quality of life as well as the survival rate.
    Kyobu geka. The Japanese journal of thoracic surgery 07/2010; 63(7):519-23; discussion 524-6.
  • Article: Invited commentary.
    Kazuya Kondo
    The Annals of thoracic surgery 05/2010; 89(5):1619. · 3.74 Impact Factor
  • Article: Late pulmonary metastases from malignant melanoma of the left planta.
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    ABSTRACT: We report a patient treated for malignant melanoma of the left planta who developed pulmonary metastases after a disease-free interval of 10 years. Metastatectomy was performed after observing progress for 12 months. However, 18 months later, pretracheal and right axillary lymph node metastases occurred. Because pulmonary metastasis from malignant melanoma may occur after 10 years or more, we observe patients carefully. If it does occur, an operation should be considered under limited indications. We should also recognize that recurrence may occur within a short interval after metastatectomy as well.
    General Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 10/2009; 57(10):558-61.
  • Article: Triterpenes augment the inhibitory effects of anticancer drugs on growth of human esophageal carcinoma cells in vitro and suppress experimental metastasis in vivo.
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    ABSTRACT: The antineoplastic effects of combinations of anticancer drugs (5-fluorouracil, irinotecan and cisplatin) and triterpenes (ursolic acid, betulinic acid, oleanolic acid and a Japanese apricot extract (JAE) containing triterpenes) on esophageal squamous carcinoma cells were examined by the WST-8 (2-(2-methoxy- 4-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, monosodium salt) assay in vitro and by an animal model in vivo. Triterpenes and JAE showed additive and synergistic cytotoxic effects, respectively, on esophageal squamous carcinoma cells (YES-2 cells) by combinational use of 5-fluorouracil. JAE and 5-fluorouracil induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and at S phase, respectively, and caused apoptosis in YES-2 cells. A new animal model of esophageal cancer causing tumor colonization of the peritoneal cavity and producing bloody ascites was made by injecting YES-2 cells into the peritoneal cavity of a severe combined immunodeficiency mouse. In this model, 5-fluorouracil inhibited colonization of tumor cells in the peritoneum. The addition of JAE to 5-fluorouracil augmented the suppression of experimental metastasis of the peritoneum. The numbers of peritoneal nodules of more than 2 mm in diameter in mice treated with 5-fluorouracil and JAE were less than those in mice treated with 5-fluorouracil alone or JAE alone. These results suggest that triterpenes, especially JAE, are effective supplements for enhancing the chemotherapeutic effect of 5-fluorouracil on esophageal cancer.
    International Journal of Cancer 09/2009; 125(4):952-60. · 5.44 Impact Factor
  • Article: Fluorescence diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of lung cancer in a mouse model.
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    ABSTRACT: Fluorescence diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer has not been reported previously. This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of fluorescence detection using 5-aminolevulinic acid and mono-L-aspartyl chlorine e6 for lymph node metastasis in a lung cancer mouse model. Human lung cancer cell line Ma44-3, which forms metastatic lymph nodes in the mediastinum, was injected into the left lungs of 6 severe combined immunodeficiency disease mice. Two weeks after implantation, 2 groups of 3 mice received oral administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid (100 mg/kg) or intraperitoneal administration of mono-L-aspartyl chlorine e6 (5 mg/kg). Both lungs and mediastinal organs were removed en-bloc and illuminated with blue light (405 nm) to evaluate the detectability of lung tumors and metastatic lymph nodes in the mediastinum. These organs were evaluated histopathologically. Clear red fluorescence was observed in the lung tumors of all mice. Metastatic lymph nodes had formed in 5 of 6 mice and were detected by fluorescent detection in all 5 mice even though one of the lymph nodes was invisible macroscopically under white light. In conclusion, fluorescence diagnosis of lymph node metastasis is possible in a mouse model. The successful result with small lymph node metastasis suggests the possibility of clinical application.
    Oncology Reports 08/2009; 22(1):17-21. · 1.84 Impact Factor
  • Article: Functional evaluation of pallid mice with genetic emphysema.
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    ABSTRACT: Studies on pallid mice models of genetic emphysema have conventionally focused on morphological or biochemical evaluations. However, it is important to consider the functional aspects. We evaluated the exercise capacity and respiratory function in male pallid mice and male C57BL/6J mice at 3, 6, 12, and 15 months of age. The functional evaluations were conducted using a treadmill and a pulmonary function analysis device. The morphology of the lungs was analyzed on the basis of mean linear intercept (Lm) values. The body weights of the pallid mice at 12 and 15 months were significantly lower than those of the age-matched C57BL/6J mice. The pallid mice showed deterioration in exercise capacity from 6 months, as indicated by the trends in running distance. At 6, 12, and 15 months, the pallid mice showed significantly higher pulmonary compliance and significantly lower forced expiratory volume in 20 ms (FEV(20 ms))/vital capacity (VC) values in comparison with the corresponding values for the C57BL/6J mice. In the morphological analysis of the pallid mice, emphysema was detected from 12 months, and the mice showed a significantly larger Lm at 12 months. The exercise capacity and lung function in the pallid mice significantly deteriorated from 6 months, at which time no pathological changes in the lung were detected. The deterioration in the exercise capacity and pulmonary function preceded the microscopic morphological changes.
    Laboratory Investigation 05/2009; 89(7):760-8. · 3.64 Impact Factor