Ken-ichirou Yoneda | Search PubMed

PubMed2005

The peripheral blood Valpha24+ NKT cell numbers decrease in patients with haematopoietic malignancy.

Valpha24TCR+ CD161+ NKT (Valpha24+ NKT) cells are activated by alpha-galactosylceramide and can exert anti-tumor activity against a variety of tumor cells. In this study, we assessed the Valpha24+ NKT cell numbers in peripheral blood (PB) from 30 healthy donors and 70 patients with haematopoietic malignancy including chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), malignant lymphoma (ML), acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Here, we demonstrated that PB Valpha24+ NKT cell numbers were significantly decreased in all the patients with haematopoietic malignancy in comparison with that in healthy donors (P < 0.005). In particular CD4- CD8- Valpha24+ NKT cell numbers were more significantly decreased in the patients with haematopoietic malignancy (P < 0.0001).

CD4 Antigens↗

PubMed2002

[Non-steroid therapy for sarcoidosis].

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease that the epidemiology remains unknown. The appropriate therapy for sarcoidosis also has not been well defined. Systemic therapy is clearly indicated for cardiac disease, neurologic disease, eye disease without response to topical therapy, hypercalcemia, and progressive symptomatic disease. Corticosteroid are very commonly used as systemic therapy for sarcoidosis. However, there are some patients who can not be controlled with corticosteroid alone and/or have adverse reactions to corticosteroid. Several cytotoxic agents, including methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil and cyclosporine A, have been used to treat sarcoidosis. There are no studies that have clearly concluded when these agents should be used for treatment. On the basis of safety and efficacy, methotrexate and azathioprine are the preferred drugs. The antimalarial agents, including chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, most often used to treat sarcoidosis.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗