Kenzo Hiroshima

Clinical characterization of pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and large cell carcinoma with neuroendocrine morphology.

Large cell carcinoma has been classified as four potential types based on its neuroendocrine morphology and evidence of neuroendocrine differentiation discernible by immunohistochemistry or electron microscopy. However, the clinical relation among these four categories has not been clearly defined. In 1999, the World Health Organization (WHO) categorized large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma as a variant of large cell carcinoma.

Exclusive mutation in epidermal growth factor receptor gene, HER‐2, and KRAS, and synchronous methylation of nonsmall cell lung cancer

Both genetic and epigenetic changes in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are known to be a common event.

p53 Mutation and allelic loss of chromosome 3p, 9p of preneoplastic lesions in patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma

An accumulation of mutations can result in carcinogenesis. Comparing genetic alterations in preneoplastic lesions with those seen in cancer in the same patient may be helpful in the early diagnosis of lung carcinoma or preneoplastic lesions.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for large cell carcinoma with neuroendocrine features

In 1999, the World Health Organization categorized large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, large cell carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation, and large cell carcinoma with neuroendocrine morphology as a variant of large cell carcinoma. Patients with large cell carcinoma with neuroendocrine features have poor prognoses, comparable to those for small cell lung carcinoma. Small cell lung carcinoma is sensitive to chemotherapy; however, it is still unclear whether large cell carcinoma with neuroendocrine features is responsive to adjuvant chemotherapy.

Ki-67 immunostaining and other prognostic factors including tobacco smoking in patients with resected nonsmall cell lung carcinoma.

To estimate the effectiveness of expression of the tumor proliferative marker Ki‐67 antigen (Ki‐67) as a postoperative prognostic marker, the authors analyzed Ki‐67 expression and its correlation with postoperative survival and other clinicopathologic factors, including preoperative smoking habits, in patients with resected nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).

Blood and lymphatic vessel invasion as prognostic factors for patients with primary resected nonsmall cell carcinoma of the lung with intrapulmonary metastases

Background. The new classification of intrapulmonary metastases of lung cancer was proposed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer; however, the prognostic factors are heterogeneous and not yet fully clarified. In this study, the authors evaluated the prognostic factors for and the possible routes of intrapulmonary metastases.

Genetic alterations in early-stage pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) are high‐grade malignant neuroendocrine tumors. Histologic differentiation between SCLC and LCNEC is difficult in some cases and to the authors knowledge, genetic alterations associated with LCNEC have not been identified. Therefore, the authors studied genetic alterations found in LCNEC and compared them with those of SCLC and classic large cell carcinoma (CLCC).

Evidence of neoangiogenesis and an increase in the number of proliferating cells within the bronchial epithelium of smokers.

Normal bronchial epithelium gradually acquires cellular and genetic changes that result in the formation of invasive tumors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the degree of proliferative change and the amount of neovascularization in both normal and preneoplastic lesions in smokers who were at high risk for developing lung carcinoma.

Increased telomerase activity and elevated hTERT mRNA expression during multistage carcinogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

Telomerase activation is believed to be play a critical role in the immortalization of cells and carcinogenesis. Telomerase activity is undetectable in normal somatic cells (except for those cells undergoing proliferation) but is expressed in the majority of human tumors including lung carcinoma. The expression of hTERT mRNA has been found to be correlated with telomerase activity. In the current study, the authors analyzed telomerase activity and hTERT mRNA expression in preinvasive bronchial lesions using biopsy specimens obtained by fluorescence bronchoscopy.

Increased expression of collagen XVIII and its prognostic value in nonsmall cell lung carcinoma

Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in tumor growth and metastasis. Recently, some studies have focused on the angiogenesis inhibitor endostatin. However, the biologic role of the precursor of endostatin, collagen XVIII, in human malignancy is unknown. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate whether the expression of collagen XVIII has additional prognostic value for survival in patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).