Takaya Miwa

Lentinan prolonged survival in patients with gastric cancer receiving S-1-based chemotherapy.

AIM To examine whether administration of lentinan, purified β-1, 3-glucan, can prolong survival in advanced gastric cancer patients receiving S-1-based chemotherapy. METHODS Since 2004, 78 patients with metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer have received S-1-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment. Survival, side effects, and the ratio of granulocytes/lymphocytes (G/L ratio) were compared between 2 groups of patients who received chemo-immunotherapy using lentinan and chemotherapy alone. RESULTS Median overall survival was significantly longer in the former group than in the latter group [689 d (95% CI: 431-2339 d) vs 565 d (95% CI: 323-662 d), P = 0.0406]. In addition, the G/L ratio in patients who received lentinan was maintained around or below 2, which was significantly lower than that in patients who received chemotherapy alone (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Chemo-immunotherapy with lentinan offers a significant advantage over S-1-based chemotherapy alone in terms of survival in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Successful Resection of a Ruptured Hepatoblastoma Prior to Chemotherapy: Report of a Case

A 12-year-old boy was referred to our hospital suffering from severe anemia and liver dysfunction. The laboratory data on admission confirmed severe anemia and an elevated α-fetoprotein level. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a mass measuring 51 × 49 mm in size, and abdominal computed tomography showed a low-density mass in S8 of Couinaud’s segment and a low-density area in S7, thus suggesting bleeding in the tumor. Right subphrenic fluid collection and perirectal fluid collection were also observed. Celiac arteriography showed a faint tumor stain fed by A5–8 but no evidence of any extravasation. A diagnosis of pediatric liver carcinoma was made, and the case was classified as T2 C3 V0 N0 M0 Stage IIIA. Although there was no evidence of bleeding during angiography, because of the high risk of rebleeding, a laparotomy was performed before chemotherapy. At operation, the tumor rupture site and hematoma appeared to be in S7, and a right lobectomy was thus performed. Ascitic fluid cytology was class V. The cut surface of the resected specimen showed a tumor measuring 51 × 49 mm located in S8 and a hematoma located in S7. Histologically, the tumor was a well-differentiated hepatoblastoma. The patient was transferred to the pediatric department and treated with six courses of intravenous chemotherapy followed by peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. The outcome has been favorable, with no recurrence as of 25 months after the operation.