Yuko Matsuzaki

Cell Death Induced by Baicalein in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines

We examined the action of baicalein, a flavonoid contained in the herbal medicine sho‐saiko‐to (TJ‐9), on three cell lines of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Treatment with baicalein strongly inhibited the activity of topoisomerase II and suppressed the proliferation of all three HCC cell lines. But the mode of cell death induced by baicalein differed according to the cell line. Baicalein induced apoptosis in a concentration‐dependent mannner in only one cell line, and an increased concentration of baicalein produced cell death via necrosis in the other two lines. These results suggest that the inhibition of topoisomerase II is not by itself sufficient for induction of apoptosis, and that there is a more important mechanism which can account for the difference in susceptibility of cells to apoptosis induced by baicalein.

Percutaneous hot water injection therapy (PHoT) for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: a comparision with percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT)

We investigated the safety and efficacy of percutaneous hot water injection therapy (PHoT) in six patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PHoT produced the marked effect in five (62.5%) of eight lesions. No serious adverse effects have been encountered. We also compared the usefulness of percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) (22 patients, 32 lesions) and PHoT (five patients, seven lesions) in patients with HCC with diameter of 3 cm or less. Patients in the PHoT group received significantly fewer treatments than in the PEIT group (P < 0.01), because the volume injected per treatment was greater. Residual cancer was found in five (15.6%) of 32 lesions after PEIT and in three (42.9%) of seven lesions after PHoT, but the difference was not statistically significant. Pain tended to be less frequent in patients treated with PHoT than in patients treated with PEIT. We could not determine whether PHoT was superior to PEIT, but our findings indicate that PHoT may be a safe and effective for treating HCC.

High MDM2 mRNA expression in hepatoblastoma cell-lines

Abstract Both p53 and MDM2 genes are parts of a physiological pathway frequently impaired in human cancer. This is the report on the analysis of p53 and MDM2 genes in a group of four hepatocellular carcinoma cell-lines and one hepatoblastoma cell-line. Four cell-lines were screened for the presence of p53 mutations using the polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) method. Investigation of the MDM2 gene revealed neither gene amplification nor rearrangement in all cell-lines. However MDM2 mRNA in a hepatoblastoma cell line(HepG2) was elevated to about 2.4 times the level of normal human liver.

Treatment Using the SpyGlass Digital System in a Patient with Hepatolithiasis after a Whipple Procedure

An 89-year-old man was referred to our hospital for treatment of hepatolithiasis causing recurrent cholangitis. He had undergone a prior Whipple procedure. Computed tomography demonstrated left-sided hepatolithiasis. First, we conducted peroral direct cholangioscopy (PDCS) using an ultraslim endoscope. Although PDCS was successfully conducted, it was unsuccessful in removing all the stones. The stones located in the B2 segment were difficult to remove because the endoscope could not be inserted deeply into this segment due to the small size of the intrahepatic bile duct. Next, we substituted the endoscope with an upper gastrointestinal endoscope. After positioning the endoscope, the SpyGlass digital system (SPY-DS) was successfully inserted deep into the B2 segment. Upon visualizing the residual stones, we conducted SPY-DS-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy. The stones were disintegrated and completely removed. In cases of PDCS failure, a treatment strategy using the SPY-DS can be considered for patients with hepatolithiasis after a Whipple procedure.

Invasive inflammatory fibroid polyp of the stomach: a case report and literature review

BackgroundInflammatory fibroid polyps (IFPs) are rare mesenchymal lesions that affect the gastrointestinal tract. IFPs are generally considered benign, noninvasive lesions; however, we report a case of an invasive gastric IFP. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the second case report of an invasive gastric IFP.Case presentationA 62-year-old woman presented with complaints of epigastric pain and vomiting. Computed tomography showed a 27-mm, hyper-enhancing tumor in the prepyloric antrum. Upper endoscopy also showed a submucosal tumor causing subtotal obstruction of the gastric outlet. Because a gastrointestinal stromal tumor was suspected, distal gastrectomy was performed. Histopathological examination revealed spindle cell proliferation in the submucosal layer. The spindle cells had invaded the muscularis propria layer and extended to the subserosal layer. The tumor was finally diagnosed as an IFP based on immunohistochemical findings. No mutations were identified in the platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) gene via molecular genetic analysis.Discussion and conclusionsAfter the discovery that IFPs often harbor PDGFRA mutations, these growths have been considered neoplastic lesions rather than reactive lesions. Based on the present case, IFPs might be considered not only neoplastic but also potentially invasive lesions.

Experimental Hepatocarcinogenesis and Its Prevention

In Japan, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is mainly caused by viruses such as HBV and HCV. Twenty cases per 100,000 population suffer from HCC.