Hiroyoshi Hiratsuka

Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido, Japan

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Publications (28)76.8 Total impact

  • Article: Silencing of GLUT-1 inhibits sensitization of oral cancer cells to cisplatin during hypoxia.
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    ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: During tumor development, cells are exposed to a hypoxic microenvironment. Tumor hypoxia also has a profound influence on the sensitivity of cancer chemotherapy. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism of cisplatin (CDDP) resistance of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells under hypoxia by analyzing gene expression profiles to identify key genes and factors involved. METHODS: Cell viability was measured following culture of the cells in the presence or absence of CDDP, under normoxic or hypoxic conditions, using a CCK-8 assay. Analysis of the expression of HIF target genes in hypoxia-treated cells was performed using an HIF-regulated cDNA plate array. Changes in the mRNA expression of selected HIF target genes were analyzed using RT-PCR, and changes in the protein levels of these genes were analyzed by Western blotting. Tumor cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The OSCC cell lines responded differently to CDDP under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The expression of glucose transporter protein-1 (GLUT-1) was up-regulated in human squamous cell carcinoma of mouth (HSC-2) cells under hypoxia. Furthermore, there was little correlation between the cisplatin sensitivity of human squamous cell carcinoma of tongue (SAS) in normoxia and hypoxia. After GLUT-1 knockdown, CDDP treatment resulted in increased rates of apoptosis under hypoxia as compared with normoxia in cell lines HSC-2, Ca9-22, and SAS (P = 0.025). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that knockdown of GLUT-1 inhibits sensitization of oral squamous cells to CDDP during hypoxia in HSC-2, Ca9-22, and SAS cells.
    Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine 12/2012; · 1.63 Impact Factor
  • Article: Macroscopic and microscopic features of the mandibular condyle in autopsied elderly individuals.
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    ABSTRACT: Many studies have attempted to classify the macroscopic shapes of the mandibular condyle in humans; however, no consensus has yet been reached because the shapes vary. One problem is that classification of macroscopic morphological changes of the condylar surface has been largely based on bones from ancient people, with few bones from modern people covering many different age groups. In this study, 144 condyles from 78 cadavers (40 men, 38 women; age at death: >70 years) were investigated. The macroscopic shapes of the condyles were classified from posterior and lateral views into four types: convex, flattened, angled, and irregular. Of the 144 condyles, 25 were investigated microscopically. On macroscopic examination, in both posterior and lateral views, convex-type condyles were most frequently observed. Most posterior convex-type condyles were also categorized as the lateral convex type. On histological examination, we observed an increase in cartilage cells (7 condyles, 28%), a decrease in cartilage cells (3 condyles, 12%). Increases in cartilage cells were seen only in angled and irregular types (P = 0.001), whereas decreases in cartilage cells were only observed in the flattened type (P = 0.01). A convex macroscopic form appears to be standard for human mandibular condyles, even in the elderly. The histological findings suggest that mandibular condyles tend to not only undergo flattening, but also undergo progressive changes toward protrusion with age due to increased numbers of cartilage cells. In other words, this study suggests that there is potential for progressive alterations in mandibular condyles in the elderly. Clin. Anat. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
    Clinical Anatomy 07/2012; · 1.29 Impact Factor
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    Article: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-producing squamous cell carcinoma of the lower gingiva: a case report.
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    ABSTRACT: The present study summarizes our experience in treating a patient with a suspected granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-producing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lower gingiva, which is a rather rare entity. A 56-year-old woman underwent surgical excision of palate leukoplakia in 1996. In 2009, however, a leukoplakic superficial tumor was detected in the lower left gingiva, for which the patient underwent gingivectomy. This was subsequently diagnosed as SCC. The patient also underwent superselective arterial injection chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy, after local recurrence was observed. The patient was subsequently found to have bone metastasis. After chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy, the patient underwent segmental resection of the lower left jaw, left supraomohyoid neck dissection, and lower jaw reconstruction using titanium plates. Resection of the left femoral tumor and left total knee replacement were also performed. Computed tomography scan performed 1 month after the surgeries revealed multiple lung, liver, spine, and subcutaneous metastases. The patient also exhibited a sudden increase in her white blood cell (WBC) count and a fever that could not be alleviated, despite treatment with antibacterial drugs. A G-CSF-producing tumor was therefore suspected. Serum G-CSF level was high at 250 pg/ml. The patient's WBC count increased to 32 × 10(3)/ml and her general condition suddenly deteriorated, and she died as a result of multiple organ failure. A final diagnosis of G-CSF-producing SCC of the lower gingiva was made based on the patient's clinical course.
    Head & Neck Oncology 06/2012; 4:35. · 3.13 Impact Factor
  • Article: Clinical significance of computed tomographic assessment and anatomic features of the inferior alveolar canal as risk factors for injury of the inferior alveolar nerve at third molar surgery.
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    ABSTRACT: To assess the clinical features of the inferior alveolar canal (IAC) using computed tomography (CT) and to analyze the significance of CT examination at third molar surgery. A retrospective cohort study was performed involving 99 patients (145 teeth). The relationship between cortication status, buccolingual position, and shape of the IAC on the CT image and inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) injury after third molar surgery were statistically analyzed. The shape of the IAC was categorized into 3 groups: round/oval, teardrop, and dumbbell. IAN injury was observed in 7 of 145 cases (4.8%). All 7 cases exhibited absence of cortication; 3 were dumbbell shape and 4 were round/oval. According to logistic regression analysis of cases with absence of cortication, IAC shape was closely related to IAN injury. These results suggest that assessment of the IAC shape and cortication status at third molar surgery may be clinically useful.
    Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery: official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 11/2011; 70(3):514-20. · 1.58 Impact Factor
  • Article: Phase I clinical trial of survivin-derived peptide vaccine therapy for patients with advanced or recurrent oral cancer.
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    ABSTRACT: Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family, is abundantly expressed in most malignancies, but is hardly detectable in normal adult tissues. Previously we have identified a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A24-restricted antigenic peptide, survivin-2B80-88 (AYACNTSTL), recognized by CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Survivin-2B80-88-specific CTL were induced efficiently from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of oral cancer patients after stimulation with the peptide in vitro. We conducted a phase I clinical study to evaluate the safety and the efficacy of survivin-2B80-88 peptide vaccination in HLA-A24-positive patients with advanced or recurrent oral cancer. The vaccines were given subcutaneously or intratumorally six times at 14-day intervals. Eleven patients were enrolled and 10 patients completed the vaccination protocol. No adverse events were observed in any patients. In two patients, the levels of serum squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen decreased transiently during the period of vaccination. Tumor regression that was compatible with a partial response (PR) was noted in one patient. The remaining nine patients experienced progressive disease (PD). Immunologically, an increase of the peptide-specific CTL frequency was detected in six of the eight patients evaluated by HLA-A24/peptide tetramer analysis. The present clinical trial revealed that survivin-2B peptide vaccination was safe and had therapeutic potential for oral cancer patients. However, subsequent clinical trials in combination with various adjuvant drugs will be required to improve the immunological and therapeutic efficacy. This trial was registered with University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) number UMIN000000976.
    Cancer Science 02/2011; 102(2):324-9. · 3.33 Impact Factor
  • Article: [Clinical investigation of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws].
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    ABSTRACT: We examined the clinical features of bisphosphonate(BP)-related osteonecrosis of the jaws(BRONJ), a serious complication resulting from intravenous BP treatment for multiple myeloma and malignant tumors with bone metastasis. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 36 patients who received intravenous BP therapy for the above-mentioned conditions, at Sapporo Medical University Hospital between July 2006 and October 2008. BP therapy caused BRONJ in 7 of 24 patients, but did not affect the bones of the other 17 patients. The other 12 of the 36 patients involved in the study were prescribed BP only after they had undergone an oral examination and treatment for dental inflammation. Of these patients, 7 developed BRONJ with BP treatment, after tooth extraction or acute dental inflammation. Treating dental inflammation before prescribing BP prevented the development of BRONJ. BRONJ is highly intractable and does not resolve with the standard treatment for osteomyelitis. Therefore, preventive therapy, which can be achieved by cooperation between medical doctors and dentists, is currently the most effective strategy for BRONJ. Conservative treatment with antibiotics may also be useful for maintaining or improving the quality of life of BRONJ patients.
    Gan to kagaku ryoho. Cancer & chemotherapy 12/2009; 36(13):2587-92.
  • Article: Clonal diversity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes that recognize autologous oral squamous cell carcinoma.
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    ABSTRACT: Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) play an essential role in immunologic responses for tumor rejection. In the past decade, various melanoma tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) have been identified, and several clinical trials of vaccination immunotherapy and adoptive immunotherapy using such antigens with or without adjuvants have had fascinating results. However, this has not been the case with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) because of the difficulty of establishing oral cancer cell lines and CTLs against autologous oral cancer cells. Therefore, few oral cancer antigens have been identified with such CTLs. We herein present the successful establishment of an oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line, POT-1, and an HLA-A24-restricted CTL line (TcPOT-1) from a patient's autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes. TcPOT-1 recognized autologous POT-1 cells in an HLA-A24-restricted manner, and also allogeneic HLA-A24 (+) OSCC cell lines OSC-70 and HSC-2. We also succeeded in isolating two distinct CTL clones from TcPOT-1, HLA-A24-restricted CTL clone 4F11 and HLA-A33-restricted clone 4A11. Both of these clones recognized autologous POT-1 but not allogeneic OSSC cell lines. These data imply that the TcPOT-1 CTL line may include several CTL subpopulations with distinct antigen specificities, such as an HLA-A24-restricted POT-1-specific clone, HLA-A33-restricted POT-1-specific clone, and HLA-A24-restricted allogeneic OSCC-recognizing clone. Therefore, precise analysis of TcPOT-1-recognizing antigens may provide us with important information on as-yet-unknown tumor rejection antigens in OSCC.
    Human immunology 02/2009; 70(2):89-95. · 2.55 Impact Factor
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    Article: Comparative study on the immunogenicity between an HLA-A24-restricted cytotoxic T-cell epitope derived from survivin and that from its splice variant survivin-2B in oral cancer patients.
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    ABSTRACT: We previously reported an HLA-A24-restricted cytotoxic T-cell epitope, Survivin-2B80-88, derived from a splice variant of survivin, survivin-2B. In this report, we show a novel HLA-A24-restricted T-cell epitope, Survivin-C58, derived from a wild type survivin, and compared their immunogenicity in oral cancer patients. By stimulating peripheral blood lymphocytes of HLA-A24-positive cancer patients with Survivin-C58 peptide in vitro, the peptide-specific CTLs were induced. In order to compare the immunogenic potential between C58 peptide and 2B80-88 peptide, peripheral blood T-cells from thirteen HLA-A24-positive oral cancer patients were stimulated with either or both of these two peptides. Survivin-2B80-88 peptide-specific CTLs were induced from four patients, and C58 peptide-specific CTLs were induced from three out of eight patients with over stage II progression. The CTLs exerted cytotoxicity against HLA-A24-positive tumor cells. In contrast, CTL induction failed from a healthy volunteer and all four patients with cancer stage I. It was indicated that a splicing variant-derived peptide and wild type survivin-derived peptide might have a comparable potency of CTL induction, and survivin targeting immunotherapy using survivin-2B80-88 and C58 peptide cocktail should be suitable for HLA-A24+ oral cancer patients.
    Journal of Translational Medicine 02/2009; 7:1. · 3.41 Impact Factor
  • Article: Clinical assessment of the relationship between the third molar and the inferior alveolar canal using panoramic images and computed tomography.
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    ABSTRACT: To predict the relationship between lower third molars and the inferior alveolar canal (IAC) from panoramic radiographs, and to establish criteria for using computed tomography (CT). A retrospective cohort study was performed involving 443 patients (695 teeth). Predictor variables were the distance between the third molar and the IAC, and findings according to the Rood's criteria. Outcome variables were the absence of cortication between the third molar and the IAC on the CT image, and injury of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN). Statistical analysis was performed to assess the relationship between predictor and outcome variables. All patients had preoperative panoramic radiographs, and 71 patients (119 teeth) also had CT images. On CT examination, 48 teeth (40.3%) showed absence of cortication. Injury of the IAN was reported in 7 cases (1.0%), 5 of which exhibited absence of cortication; the remaining 2 did not have CT scans. Five of the 48 cases showing absence of cortication exhibited IAN injury, and none of the cases with cortication exhibited IAN injury. On the panoramic images, the following signs were strongly correlated with absence of cortication: a superimposed relationship between the third molar and the IAC; darkness of the root; and diversion and narrowing of the IAC. Presence of Rood's criteria was a predictor for a contact relationship between the third molar and the IAC, and an indication for CT examination. However, a superimposed relationship and the absence of Rood's criteria did not necessarily signify a separate relationship between third molar and the IAC.
    Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery: official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 12/2008; 66(11):2308-13. · 1.58 Impact Factor
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    Article: Squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa in a young adult with history of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for childhood acute leukemia.
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    ABSTRACT: Secondary cancers are severe complications in patients who have had allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for childhood leukemia. We describe here a case of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the buccal mucosa in a young adult patient who had had allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for childhood acute leukemia. The primary tumor was treated with interstitial brachytherapy, and lymph node metastasis was treated by supraomohyoid neck dissection. The patient had a history of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at 11 years of age and had received an allogeneic bone marrow transplant from a female donor. Further investigation of the tissue specimens by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed that an XX chromosome pattern was dominant in the tumor region, and this suggested that donor-derived cells might affect carcinogenesis in the recipient. This case presents an incidence of secondary oral cancer associated with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.
    Head & Neck 11/2008; 31(4):565-8. · 2.40 Impact Factor
  • Article: Epigenetic inactivation of SFRP genes in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
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    ABSTRACT: Although mutations of APC, CTNNB1 (beta-catenin) and AXIN1 are rare in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), activation of the Wnt signaling pathway is thought to play an important role in oral carcinogenesis. In the present study, we examined the relationship between Wnt signaling and epigenetic alteration of the secreted frizzled-related protein (SFRP) genes in OSCC. We frequently detected loss of membrane localization of beta-catenin and its cytoplasmic or nuclear accumulation in OSCC cell lines, although these cell lines showed no APC or CTNNB1 (beta-catenin) mutations and no methylation of CDH1 (E-cadherin). By contrast, we frequently detected methylation of SFRP1 (7/17, 41%) SFRP2 (16/17, 94%) and SFRP5 (14/17, 82%) in a panel of OSCC cell lines, as well as in specimens of primary tumors collected from 44 OSCC patients (SFRP1, 10/42, 24%; SFRP2, 16/44, 36%; SFRP5, 7/43, 16%). We also observed that OSCC cell lines express various Wnt ligands, and that ectopic expression of SFRPs inhibited cancer cell proliferation. Our results confirm the frequent methylation and silencing of SFRP genes in OSCC, and suggest that their loss of function contributes to activation of Wnt signaling that leads to cell proliferation during oral carcinogenesis.
    International Journal of Oncology 07/2008; 32(6):1253-61. · 2.40 Impact Factor
  • Article: A single-institute phase I/II trial combining nedaplatin dose escalation with a fixed dose of docetaxel for induction chemotherapy of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
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    ABSTRACT: The purpose of this clinical trial was to assess the toxicity and efficacy of docetaxel plus nedaplatin induction chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Twenty-one patients were enrolled in this phase I/II clinical study. The toxicities, response rates, and the maximum tolerated dose of nedaplatin that could be safely given preoperatively were assessed. Patients received escalating doses of nedaplatin (60, 70, 80, 90 mg/m2) combined with a fixed dose of docetaxel (60 mg/m2) on day one. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), grade 4 leukopenia lasting for two days or more, was seen in one patient at dose level 3; no other DLT was observed at any dose level. The overall response rate was 66.7%. The response rate was 100% at nedaplatin dose level 4, while that at dose level 1 was low (33.3%). Given these results, the recommended dose of nedaplatin in this regimen combined with fixed dose docetaxel (60 mg/m2) was determined to be 90 mg/m2. Docetaxel 60 mg/m2 plus nedaplatin 90 mg/m2 induction chemotherapy can be recommended for patients with locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma. Based on these results, an early phase II clinical study using this dose level was conducted; docetaxel plus nedaplatin induction chemotherapy appears to be a useful regimen for the treatment of OSCC. A late phase II clinical study is warranted.
    Oral Oncology 06/2008; 44(5):471-6. · 2.86 Impact Factor
  • Article: Epigenetic inactivation of RASSF2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
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    ABSTRACT: Genetic and epigenetic alterations in tumor-suppressor genes play important roles in human neoplasia. Ras signaling is often activated in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), although Ras mutations are rarely detected in Japanese OSCC patients, and the mechanisms underlying the gene's activation remain unclear. Here, we examined the expression of Ras association family (RASSF) genes in a panel of OSCC cell lines and found that RASSF2 is often downregulated by DNA methylation in OSCC cells. In addition, aberrant methylation of RASSF2 was detected in 12 of 46 (26%) primary OSCC, and 18 (39%) of those OSCC showed methylation of at least one RASSF gene. Ectopic expression of RASSF2 in OSCC cells suppressed cell growth and induced apoptosis. A RASSF2 deletion mutant lacking the Ras-association domain, which was therefore unable to interact with Ras, exhibited less pro-apoptotic activity than the full-length protein, indicating that the pro-apoptotic activity of RASSF2 is related to its association with Ras. Genomic screening of genes regulated by RASSF2 showed that genes involved in immune responses, angiogenesis, and metastasis are suppressed by RASSF2. Our results suggest that epigenetic inactivation of RASSF2 plays an important role in OSCC tumorigenesis, and that RASSF2 may be a useful molecular target for the diagnosis and treatment of OSCC.
    Cancer Science 06/2008; 99(5):958-66. · 3.33 Impact Factor
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    Article: Cytoplasmic RASSF2A is a proapoptotic mediator whose expression is epigenetically silenced in gastric cancer.
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    ABSTRACT: Gastric cancer cells often show altered Ras signaling, though the underlying molecular mechanism is not fully understood. We examined the expression profile of eight ras-association domain family (RASSF) genes plus MST1/2 and found that RASSF2A is the most frequently downregulated in gastric cancer. RASSF2A was completely silenced in 6 of 10 gastric cancer cell lines as a result of promoter methylation, and expression was restored by treating the cells with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. Introduction of RASSF2A into non-expressing cell lines suppressed colony formation and induced apoptosis. These effects were associated with the cytoplasmic localization of RASSF2A and morphological changes to the cells. Complementary DNA microarray analysis revealed that RASSF2A suppresses the expression of inflammatory cytokines, which may in turn suppress angiogenesis and invasion. In primary gastric cancers, aberrant methylation of RASSF2A was detected in 23 of 78 (29.5%) cases, and methylation correlated significantly with an absence of the lymphatic invasion, absence of venous invasion, absence of lymph node metastasis, less advanced stages, Epstein-Barr virus, absence of p53 mutations and the presence of the CpG island methylator phenotype-high. These results suggest that epigenetic inactivation of RASSF2A is required for tumorigenesis in a subset of gastric cancers.
    Carcinogenesis 03/2008; 29(7):1312-8. · 5.70 Impact Factor
  • Article: [Osteomyelitis of the jaw in breast cancer patients receiving bisphosphonate therapy].
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    ABSTRACT: Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a severe new complication in cancer patients with bone metastases receiving bisphosphonate. Currently, there is no effective treatment for bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, and the pathogenesis of this complication has not been completely elucidated. It has been shown that a potential risk factor for the complication is dentoalveolar trauma including extraction of teeth during bisphosphonate therapy. Attention should be paid to dental care in patients prior to the initiation of bisphosphonate therapy, and extraction of teeth during bisphosphonate therapy should be avoided to prevent this complication. Therefore, the communication between general physicians prescribing bisphosphonate and dentists is important.
    Gan to kagaku ryoho. Cancer & chemotherapy 02/2008; 35(1):113-6.
  • Article: Efficient cross-presentation by heat shock protein 90-peptide complex-loaded dendritic cells via an endosomal pathway.
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    ABSTRACT: It is well-established that heat shock proteins (HSPs)-peptides complexes elicit antitumor responses in prophylactic and therapeutic immunization protocols. HSPs such as gp96 and Hsp70 have been demonstrated to undergo receptor-mediated uptake by APCs with subsequent representation of the HSP-associated peptides to MHC class I molecules on APCs, facilitating efficient cross-presentation. On the contrary, despite its abundant expression among HSPs in the cytosol, the role of Hsp90 for the cross-presentation remains unknown. We show here that exogenous Hsp90-peptide complexes can gain access to the MHC class I presentation pathway and cause cross-presentation by bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Interestingly, this presentation is TAP independent, and followed chloroquine, leupeptin-sensitive, as well as cathepsin S-dependent endosomal pathways. In addition, we show that Hsp90-chaperoned precursor peptides are processed and transferred onto MHC class I molecules in the endosomal compartment. Furthermore, we demonstrate that immunization with Hsp90-peptide complexes induce Ag-specific CD8(+) T cell responses and strong antitumor immunity in vivo. These findings have significant implications for the design of T cell-based cancer immunotherapy.
    The Journal of Immunology 09/2007; 179(3):1803-13. · 5.79 Impact Factor
  • Article: PRDM5 identified as a target of epigenetic silencing in colorectal and gastric cancer.
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    ABSTRACT: PR (PRDI-BF1 and RIZ) domain proteins (PRDM) are a subfamily of the kruppel-like zinc finger gene products that play key roles during cell differentiation and malignant transformation. The aim of the present study was to begin to examine the involvement of epigenetic alteration of PRDM expression in gastric and colorectal cancer. We used real-time PCR to assess expression of PRDM1-17. In addition, we used bisulfite PCR to assess DNA methylation and chromatin immunoprecipitation to assess histone modification in colorectal and gastric cancer cell lines lacking PRDM5 expression. Among the 17 PRDM family genes tested, we found that PRDM5 is the most frequently silenced in colorectal and gastric cancer cell lines. Silencing of PRDM5 was mediated by either DNA methylation or trimethylation of Lys(27) of histone H3. Introduction of PRDM5 into cancer cells suppressed cell growth, suggesting that it acts as a tumor suppressor in gastrointestinal cancers. Methylation of PRDM5 was detected in 6.6% (4 of 61) of primary colorectal and 50.0% (39 of 78) of primary gastric cancers but not in noncancerous tissue samples collected from areas adjacent to the tumors. Our data suggest that epigenetic alteration of PRDM5 (e.g., methylation of its 5'-CpG island or trimethylation of Lys(27) of histone H3) likely plays a key role in the progression of gastrointestinal cancers and may be a useful molecular marker.
    Clinical Cancer Research 09/2007; 13(16):4786-94. · 7.74 Impact Factor
  • Article: Gene transfer of the CD40-ligand to human dendritic cells induces NK-mediated antitumor effects against human carcinoma cells.
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    ABSTRACT: The CD40-ligand (CD40L) is a key molecule for the activation of dendritic cells (DCs), followed by the induction of DC maturation and cytokine production. Here we found that DC infected with adenovirus vector encoding human CD40L (CD40L-DC) displayed significantly higher levels of immune accessory molecules and IL-12 production than did uninfected cells, and that CD40L-DC produced much higher levels of IFN-gamma. To investigate whether CD40L-DC-derived these soluble factors could stimulate NK cells without physical cell-to-cell contact, we cocultured NK cells with CD40L-DC in transwell culture plates. NK cells showed up-regulated cytotoxic activity toward various squamous oral cell carcinoma (OSC-70, HSC-2, HSC-3), and we determined that both IL-12 and IFN-gamma contributed to the CD40L-DC-mediated NK cell activation. NK cells stimulated with CD40L-DC resulted in the induction of the cell surface expression of TRAIL, the production of IFN-gamma and intracellular accumulation of granzyme B. The cytotoxic activity of NK cells stimulated with CD40L-DC could be mostly inhibited by neutralizing antibody for TRAIL and completely abrogated by the combination of antibody and exocytosis inhibitor, indicating that this was mainly mediated by a TRAIL-TRAIL-receptor interaction and granule exocytosis. Moreover, CD40L-DC-activated NK cells could induce up-regulation of a death-receptor TRAIL-R2 (DR5) and down-regulation of a decoy receptor TRAIL-R3 (DcR1) on carcinoma cells. Overall, these results have revealed that CD40L-DC could activate an innate immune reaction by stimulating NK cells followed by carcinoma cells, supporting that administration of CD40L-DC may have potential as an anticancer therapy.
    International Journal of Cancer 05/2007; 120(7):1491-8. · 5.44 Impact Factor
  • Article: Mode of invasion, bleomycin sensitivity, and clinical course in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
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    ABSTRACT: Forty patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity were treated with bleomycin prior to undergoing surgery. The degree of the clinical effect of bleomycin and the postoperative clinical course of each case were estimated from the viewpoint of correlation with the mode of invasion. A strong correlation was found among the mode of invasion, bleomycin sensitivity, and clinical course. A slight effect of bleomycin and poor prognosis existed in the group with a diffuse invasion of mode of invasion, while the greatest effect of bleomycin and good clinical course were achieved in the group with a welldefined tumor-host borderline.
    Cancer 06/2006; 51(12):2175 - 2180. · 4.77 Impact Factor
  • Article: Combined expression of p53, cyclin D1 and epidermal growth factor receptor improves estimation of prognosis in curatively resected oral cancer.
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    ABSTRACT: p53, cyclin D1 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are molecular markers that regulate the cell cycle or cell growth and play important roles in tumor development and progression. In this study, we examined the impact of immunohistochemical expression of these markers on tumor progression in 140 oral cancers. p53, cyclin D1 and EGFR were expressed in 64 cases (46%), 54 cases (39%) and 54 cases (39%), respectively, but there was no inter-relationship between any two of these markers. In the association of these markers with clinicopathological features, EGFR expression alone was significantly associated with poor differentiation (P=0.0008) and invasive growth pattern (P=0.0003). Any of these markers, including EGFR, had no significant impact on survival. Coexpression of all these markers, however, was significantly associated with invasive growth pattern (P=0.0149) and shortened survival (P=0.0181), and was a significant and independent unfavorable prognostic factor (P=0.0002), along with tumor size (P=0.0040), nodal metastasis (P=0.0137) and growth pattern (P=0.0017) in a multivariate analysis. Simultaneous coexpression of these markers in oral cancers might prove to be a useful indicator for identification of low- or high-risk patients.
    Modern Pathology 12/2005; 18(11):1482-9. · 4.79 Impact Factor