Minoru Sugita

Possible Predictive Markers of Immunotherapy in Esophageal Cancer: Retrospective Analysis of a Randomized Study

The aim of this report is to evaluate retrospectively the data from a prospective randomized study of 158 esophageal cancer patients who actually completed therapy with protein-bound polysaccharide P (PSK) and the 5-year survivals with and without raised alpha 1-antichymotrypsin and sialic acid levels to determine the value of these parameters in predicting effectiveness of immunotherapy. There was a significant difference in survival between the patients with and without PSK therapy. The survival of the radiochemotherapy plus PSK group treated for > 3 months was significantly better than that of the radiochemotherapy group. Among the patients with abnormal levels of alpha 1-antichymotrypsin and sialic acid, those who received PSK may have a significantly better survival than those without PSK. These results indicate that the preoperative serum levels of alpha 1-antichymotrypsin and sialic acid may possibly predict the effectiveness of immunotherapy using PSK.

An Occupational Hazard for Pathologists and Pathology Technicians in Japan

The incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis among pathology workers in Japan is elevated, presumably due to frequent exposure to tubercle bacilli in the work place. To demonstrate the etiological significance of the association between this disease and occupation epidemiologically, a questionnaire survey was performed to assess the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis among 1,201 pathologists and 1,187 pathology technicians throughout Japan. Pathology department workers other than pathologists and technicians, such as secretaries (n = 207), and workers in university departments of preventive medicine and public health (n = 732) served as control groups. While non‐occupation‐related tuberculosis was found in both departmental groups with nearly equal incidence, the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis among pathologists and pathology technicians after engagement in their current specialist work was significantly higher than that in the control groups (odds ratio = 6.08–10.98). The incidence of disease among pathology technicians who assisted in autopsies was markedly higher than among those not involved in autopsies (odds ratio = 6.65). This elevated incidence was significantly related to the duration of work in pathology activities, and showed little change over the last decade. These findings indicate that specific environmental conditions in pathology departments, particularly autopsy of cadavers harboring active tuberculosis, constitute a serious occupational hazard. Acta Pathol Jpn 40: 116–127, 1990.

Quality control program on biological monitoring by Japan Federation of Occupational Health Organizations

SummarySince 1980, the Japan Federation of Occupational Health Organizations has been conducting an external quality control survey for biological monitoring under a contract with the Ministry of Labour of the Japanese Government. The number of participating organizations has increased from 91 in 1980 to 179 in 1987. The items in the program were lead and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentrations in blood, and lead, coproporphyrin, S-aminolevulinic acid, chromium, hippuric acid, methylhippuric acid, total trichloro-compounds, mandelic adic, and phenol concentrations in urine. Evaluation was based on a scoring system. The scores were on the slope of major axis for probable ellipse, the slope of regression line, square root of error mean square for regression, performance indices, and the difference between ‘true’ and observed values of each sample. There was a gradual improvement in the evaluation scores as a function of time. The improvement was paralleled by the adoption of modern analytical methods such as flameless atomic absorption spectrometry for blood-lead measurement and high-performance liquid chromatography for urinary hippuric acid determination in many participants. These methods are simple in operation and reliable in performance. It was considered very probable that the program promoted the adoption.