Yukito Abiko

Long-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer: A single-center retrospective study

The aim of the present study was to examine the safety and efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer (EGC) based on the long‐term outcomes.

Usefulness of endoscopic treatment for duodenal adenoma.

In recent years, due to the increasing prevalence of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, there have been an increasing number of reports on duodenal adenoma and early stage cancer. However, endoscopic techniques for the resection of duodenal adenomas are difficult, due to the anatomical features of the duodenum, and the long distance to the lesion. There have only been a few reports on the use of endoscopic techniques for duodenal adenomas compared to those focused on the stomach and large intestine. For duodenal adenomas, we used a conventional endoscope for lesions proximal to the major duodenal papilla, and a short‐type double balloon endoscope for lesions distal to the papilla. The en‐bloc resection rate was 93.8%. There was only one case of microperforation. Endoscopic manipulation is considered difficult in the deep areas of the duodenum, but double balloon endoscopy enabled stable manipulation and successful resection of the tumor in the majority of cases.

Individualized Mutation Detection in Circulating Tumor DNA for Monitoring Colorectal Tumor Burden Using a Cancer-Associated Gene Sequencing Panel

Background Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) carries information on tumor burden. However, the mutation spectrum is different among tumors. This study was designed to examine the utility of ctDNA for monitoring tumor burden based on an individual mutation profile. Methodology DNA was extracted from a total of 176 samples, including pre- and post-operational plasma, primary tumors, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), from 44 individuals with colorectal tumor who underwent curative resection of colorectal tumors, as well as nine healthy individuals. Using a panel of 50 cancer-associated genes, tumor-unique mutations were identified by comparing the single nucleotide variants (SNVs) from tumors and PBMCs with an Ion PGM sequencer. A group of the tumor-unique mutations from individual tumors were designated as individual marker mutations (MMs) to trace tumor burden by ctDNA using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). From these experiments, three major objectives were assessed: (a) Tumor-unique mutations; (b) mutation spectrum of a tumor; and (c) changes in allele frequency of the MMs in ctDNA after curative resection of the tumor. Results A total of 128 gene point mutations were identified in 27 colorectal tumors. Twenty-six genes were mutated in at least 1 sample, while 14 genes were found to be mutated in only 1 sample, respectively. An average of 2.7 genes were mutated per tumor. Subsequently, 24 MMs were selected from SNVs for tumor burden monitoring. Among the MMs found by ddPCR with > 0.1% variant allele frequency in plasma DNA, 100% (8 out of 8) exhibited a decrease in post-operation ctDNA, whereas none of the 16 MMs found by ddPCR with < 0.1% variant allele frequency in plasma DNA showed a decrease. Conclusions This panel of 50 cancer-associated genes appeared to be sufficient to identify individual, tumor-unique, mutated ctDNA markers in cancer patients. The MMs showed the clinical utility in monitoring curatively-treated colorectal tumor burden if the allele frequency of MMs in plasma DNA is above 0.1%.

Colonic Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma

Colonic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas are rare and a definitive treatment has not been established. Solitary or multiple, elevated or polypoid lesions are the usual appearances of MALT lymphoma in the colon and sometimes the surface may reveal abnormal vascularity. In this paper we report our experience with four cases of colonic MALT lymphoma and review the relevant literature. The first patient had a smooth elevated lesion in the rectum and histopathologic examination of the biopsy from the lesion showed centrocyte-like cells infiltrating the lamina propria. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) revealed thickening of the submucosa and muscularis propria. The patient underwent radiation therapy, and 9 months later a repeat colonoscopy showed complete resolution of the lesion. In case 2, colonoscopy showed a polyp in the cecum; the biopsy was diagnostic of MALT lymphoma. EUS detected a hypoechoic lesion confined to the mucosal layer of the colonic wall. The patient underwent endoscopic mucosal resection of the lesion and after 6 years of follow-up there was no evidence of recurrence. The third patient had a sessile elevated lesion in the sigmoid colon for which she underwent sigmoidectomy. Pathological examination of the surgical specimen was suggestive of MALT lymphoma. The last patient had a smooth elevated lesion in the rectum and magnification endoscopy showed irregular vascular pattern. The patient underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection, and biopsy examination showed the tumor to be MALT lymphoma. Although rare, awareness of MALT lymphoma of the colon is important to evaluate the patient appropriately and to plan further management.

The effect of granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis on serum cytokine levels in patients with ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND Granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis (GMA) with an Adacolumn has been reported to be effective as induction therapy in ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the effects of GMA on serial changes in cytokine levels have not been well characterized. We therefore, investigated cytokine levels in UC patients before and after treatment with GMA. A total of 16 patients with active UC, 10 men, and six women, mean age, 42.6 years were included. Fourteen patients had total colitis and two patients had left-sided colitis. The study included nine patients with a chronic intermittent course, six with a chronic continuous course and one with a single episode. The duration of each GMA session was 60 min at a flow rate of 30 mL/min as per study protocol. Serum levels of 17 cytokines were determined simultaneously using a Bio-Plex suspension array system before and after treatment with GMA. Serum interleukin (IL)-10 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1β levels were increased significantly in UC patients after GMA treatment compared to pre-treatment levels (P < 0.05). In particular, GMA treatment caused a significant increase in serum IL-10 levels compared to pre-treatment in patients with total colitis or with a chronic intermittent UC course. In conclusion, this investigation showed that GMA was associated with a marked increase in serum level of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10. The rise in circulating IL-10 is interesting, and potentially a significant factor in the efficacy of GMA in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Appropriate cut‐off value of 13C‐urea breath test after eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in Japan

Background and Aim:  A cut‐off value of 2.5‰ for the 13C‐urea breath test (UBT) is recommended in Japanese persons, based on the result of a multicenter trial in patients prior to treatment for eradication of Helicobacter pylori. The cut‐off value of 2.5‰ has also been used in the assessment of eradication after treatment. The 6–8‐week evaluation after treatment is recommended in the guidelines of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology. The present study aimed to prospectively re‐assess the cut‐off value of the 13C‐UBT at 6 weeks after treatment by using the results obtained at 6 months as an indication of true positive or true negative H. pylori infection status.

Dabigatran‐induced esophagitis: The prevalence and endoscopic characteristics

There have been some descriptions of dabigatran‐induced esophagitis in the literature. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and endoscopic characteristics of the disease.

Effects of proton pump inhibitors in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The effect of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is not well known. Our aim was to assess the HRQoL before and after administration of a PPI in patients with LPRD. METHODOLOGY A total of 27 LPRD patients (14 women, 13 men; mean age 54 years) were enrolled. We determined the HRQoL using three different inquiry systems: 1) Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD (FSSG); 2) the 36 item short form of the Medical Outcome Study Questionnaire (SF-36); and 3) the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). The HRQoL was determined at baseline and after eight weeks of treatment with lansoprazole at a dose of 30mg once daily or rabeprazole at a dose of 10mg once daily. RESULTS After administration of the PPI, the FSSG, the SF-36 general health scale and mental health scale, GSRS reflux syndrome score, abdominal pain syndrome score and the indigestion syndrome score were significantly improved compared to baseline pretreatment scores (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS PPI therapy would be useful for the treatment of LPRD.

Serial changes in cytokine expression in irritable bowel syndrome patients following treatment with calcium polycarbophil.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Calcium polycarbophil improves abdominal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We examined cytokine expression in IBS patients before and after administration of calcium polycarbophil. METHODOLOGY A total of 24 IBS patients (13 diarrhea type, 11 constipation type; median age, 55 years) were enrolled. Serum levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) and 17 cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1ß, -2, -4, 5, -6, -7, -8, -10, -12, -13 and -17; tumor necrosis factor-a [TNF-a]; interferon [IFN]-?; granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF]; granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF]; macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]-1ß; and macrophage chemo-attractant protein [MCP-1]) were simultaneously determined using a Bio-Plex suspension array system before and 12 weeks after administration of calcium polycarbophil 1,500-3,000mg/day. RESULTS Serum MCP-1 levels in diarrhea type IBS patients were significantly higher than those in constipation type patients (p<0.05). In IBS patients, no significant changes in serum cytokine levels were observed following calcium polycarbophil administration. In constipation type patients, serum high sensitive CRP levels were significantly lower after treatment than before treatment. CONCLUSIONS Decreases in serum high sensitive CRP levels following calcium polycarbophil treatment may be involved in the relief of abdominal symptoms in IBS patients; diarrhea type IBS is characterized by increased MCP-1 expression.

Usefulness of double-balloon endoscopy in the postoperative gastrointestinal tract.

Background. The small intestine has been considered to be a highly difficult organ to visualize in imaging examinations due to its anatomical location compared with the stomach and the colon. In recent years, many imaging modalities have become available, such as CT enterography, MR enterography, capsule endoscopy (CE), and double-balloon endoscopy (DBE). Patients and Methods. DBE was performed in the postoperative intestines of 91 patients (128 DBE examinations) at Iwate Medical University between 2004 and 2010. There were 61 male and 30 female patients, and their mean age was 69.7 years (range: 30–80 years). Results. A total of 124 DBE examinations were performed with endoscope insertion into the reconstructed intestines. The endoscope reached the blind end in 115 of 124 examinations, (92.7%). There were 17 patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in whom 30 DBE examinations were performed. The bleeding site was identified in 12 patients (70.6%). Nine patients underwent endoscopic treatment. Hemostasis was achieved in all patients. Conclusion. DBE is very useful modality for the assessment and application of endotherapy to areas of the small bowel which have been altered by surgery.