Takao Ozasa

Cytokine gene expression in pancreatic islet grafts in the rat.

We examined the production of cytokine message in allogeneic and syngeneic rat pancreatic islet grafts using specific primers and polymerase chain reaction. Freshly isolated islet preparations contained transcripts for interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-6, IL-10, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) but not for IL-2. IL-1alpha in allogeneic grafts showed increased and consistently high expression from 1 to 7 days after transplantation, but the level in syngeneic grafts fell quickly to pretransplant levels. IL-2 and IFN-gamma transcripts were found in allogeneic grafts at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after transplantation with a peak at day 5, but these cytokines were almost absent from syngeneic grafts. The peak of IL-6 expression was 1 day after transplantation in both syngeneic and allogeneic grafts, and then the level fell quickly. IL-10 was produced at approximately the same high level at all time points in both syngeneic and allogeneic grafts. The results show that freshly isolated islet preparations contain IL-1alpha, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-gamma transcripts at the time of transplantation. The initial production of cytokines in islet grafts, especially IL-1, may explain phenomena such as graft nonfunction, rapid rejection, and lack of response to immunosuppression.

Multivariate analysis of the prognostic factors of patients with unresectable synchronous liver metastases from colorectal cancer

PURPOSE: It frequently is observed that widely varying prognoses are given for patients with the same extent of liver metastases from colorectal cancer, even though the same treatment is performed on these patients. One of the reasons for this variance is that prognostic factors for these patients have not been defined. This study was designed to elucidate which clinicopathologic factors were the most important in the prognosis of 73 patients with unresectable synchronous liver metastasis from colorectal cancer. METHODS: Univariate and multivariate analysis of 11 clinicopathologic factors were performed using the Cox proportional hazard model. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Extent of liver metastases was the most significant variable in this survival analysis, although the extent of lymph node metastases of the primary lesion also was significant. However, the method of treatment was not a significant determinant in the survival for patients with unresectable liver metastases. Median survival of patients with H1, H2, and H3 was 13, 12, and 6 months, respectively, and there was a significant difference between survival curves for patients with H1 and patients with H3. Median survival of patients with n0, n1 and n2 was 13, 7, and 7 months respectively, and there was a significant difference between survival curves for patients with n0 and patients with n2. Median survival of 6 patients with H1 and n0 and of 17 patients with H3 and n2 was 28 and 4 months, respectively. There was a significant difference in survival curves between these two groups. CONCLUSION: Longevity of patients with unresectable synchronous liver metastases from colorectal cancer is affected adversely by the presence of nodal metastases and extent of liver metastases. This should be considered in the planning treatment.

Clinicopathological variables and p53 overexpression as a combined prognosticator for hematogenic recurrence in colorectal cancer.

Precise evaluation of the prognostic factors for hematogenic recurrence after resection for colorectal cancer is important not only for the prediction of patient outcome but also for the determination of adjuvant therapy. The purpose of the current study was to elucidate the clinical significance of using clinicopathological variables in combination with p53 expression as a prognosticator for hematogenic recurrence.

Lymph node metastasis and p53 overexpression in combination for the prognosis for the colorectal cancer

AbstractBackground. Lymph node metastasis has been recognized as the most reliable prognostic factor for colorectal cancer. Of late, the clinical significance of p53 as a prognostic factor has been reported. The purpose of the current study was to elucidate the significance of these two factors in combination as a prognostic indicator for colorectal cancer. Methods. One hundred forty-four patients with colorectal cancer were examined. The expression of p53 was determined by immunohistochemical staining. Patient data, lymph node metastasis, p53 expression, recurrence rate, 5-year survival, and disease-free survival were studied. Results. The recurrence rate for patients with p53− and n1 in combination was 21%, and that for patients with p53+ and n1 in combination was 63%, a significant difference. The 5-year survival rate for patients with p53− and n1 in combination was not significantly different from that for patients with p53+ and n1 in combination (78.7% vs. 57.5%); however, the 5-year disease-free survival rate for patients with p53− and n1 in combination was significantly better than that for patients with p53+ and n1 in combination (78.6% vs. 38.2%). Conclusion. The combination criterion of lymph node metastasis and p53 expression should be a useful prognosticator for colorectal cancer.