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M Kanda

Publications and source records attributed to M Kanda.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

B-cell lymphoma of 708 cases in Japan: incidence rates and clinical prognosis according to the REAL classification.

New insights into the pathogenesis of lymphoid malignancies have been gained through novel techniques such as genetic, molecular and immunologic methods. Recently, based on those findings, a new classification system for lymphoid malignancies, known as the REAL classification, has been proposed. To clarify the relation between the histological classification and prognosis of B-cell lymphoid malignancies, we re-classified 708 cases. In all cases, the B-cell phenotype and/or genotype was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining and/or receptor gene analysis. The most common B-cell lymphoma types were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (58.8%), follicular lymphoma (12.1%), marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) (9.0%) and mantle cell lymphoma (5.9%). Minor types were lymphoblastic lymphoma (3.4%), Burkitt's lymphoma (2.4%), nodal marginal zone lymphoma (2.1%), lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (2.0%) and plasmacytoma (1.4%). Rare types were prolymphocytic lymphoma and splenic marginal zone lymphoma. Using overall survival rates, the various B-cell lymphoma types could be divided into three broad groups for prognostic purposes: (1) the low risk group consisted of follicular lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma of MALT, nodal marginal zone lymphoma, plasmacytoma and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma; (2) the intermediate risk group consisted of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma; and (3) the high risk group consisted of lymphoblastic lymphoma. In MALT, the low grade type had a better prognosis than the high grade type. In diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the common type had a better prognosis than the variant type, which mainly consisted of the immunoblastic lymphoma. The histological classification will have a benefit for the clinical approach.

Adolescent↗

Survival of patients with HTLV-I-associated lymph node lesions.

Adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATLL), is a malignant condition associated with human T-cell leukaemia virus type I (HTLV-I). Usually, although not uniformly, histopathological examination of the lymph nodes shows a pleomorphic type. In addition, some patients with pre-overt ATLL show a Hodgkin's disease-like morphology and lymph nodes in non-neoplastic carriers show features of lymphadenitis. To characterize further the clinicopathological features of HTLV-I-associated lymphadenopathy, the histopathological features of the lymph nodes of 289 patients were classified into five types: lymphadenitis ( n=14), Hodgkin's-like (Hodgkin's) ( n=18), pleomorphic (medium and large cells) ( n=219), pleomorphic small cell ( n=11), and anaplastic large cell (ALC) ( n=27). Survival data were analysed according to the histopathological features of the lymph nodes. The pleomorphic type, which showed typical features of ATLL, was associated with a highly aggressive course and an initially high mortality, followed by a rapid decrease in survival. This pattern was also observed in patients with the ALC type. All cases with lymphadenitis were still alive at the end of the study, while survival progressively decreased in the Hodgkin's type. The small cell type showed an initial rapid decrease in survival followed by a plateau. These results show that the survival trends of patients with pleomorphic and anaplastic lymph node lesions are similar to those with ATL lymphoma, while patients with the lymphadenitis type of lesion were considered to have a non-neoplatic status. There is at present no effective therapy for ATLL, but in the future, these classification and survival data might be useful for the selection of appropriate chemotherapeutic regimens for patients with ATLL.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Cortical mechanisms underlying point localization of pain spot as studied by event-related potentials following CO2 laser stimulation in man.

To elucidate cortical mechanisms underlying point localization of a pain spot, we investigated event-related potentials (ERPs) while using a CO2 laser beam to apply a pain stimulus to the hand dorsum in 16 healthy men. The stimulus spot (pain spot) was shifted for each stimulus, while the subject was requested to identify the stimulated spot as accurately as possible and to use a pointer in the non-stimulated hand to indicate the corresponding spot on a figure of a hand that was projected onto a screen (localization condition). For the control condition, the subject pointed to a single predetermined spot, regardless of the location of the stimulation (control motor task condition). Electroencephalograms were recorded from 21 electrodes, referenced to the linked earlobes, and were averaged time-locked to the stimulus onset for each task separately. Under the control rest condition (neither point localization nor motor task), only two early components (N2 and P2) were recorded. During the control motor task condition (no point localization), in addition to N2 and P2, a steep negative-going slope was recorded at the fronto-central region. Exclusively during the localization condition, a positive peak (647 ms, 5.6 microV for the left and 634 ms, 5.7 microV for the right hand stimulation) was identified; this was maximal at the midline centro-parietal area and distributed symmetrically over the scalp. It is suggested that the late positive component detected exclusively during the localization task is related to the somatotopic point localization of the pain spot. From the distribution of this ERP, the task most likely involves bilateral activation of the superior parietal cortices.

Adult↗

Clinical, immunohistochemical and phenotypic features of aggressive nodal cytotoxic lymphomas, including alpha/beta, gamma/delta T-cell and natural killer cell types.

Cytotoxic cells include natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic alpha beta and gamma delta T lymphocytes (CTLs). These cells express cytotoxic molecules of T-cell restricted intracellular antigen (TIA-1), and activated cytotoxic molecules of perforin, granzyme B, and FasL. Recent studies suggest that most extranodal T-cell lymphomas are derived from CTLs, and that NK cell lymphomas are extranodal. However, only a few nodal NK and cytotoxic lymphomas have been described so far. We present here the clinicopathological features of seven cases of nodal cytotoxic T and NK cell lymphomas. The study excluded anaplastic large-cell lymphomas expressing cytotoxic molecules. The neoplastic cells of all cases contained activated cytotoxic molecules of TIA-1, granzyme B, Fas ligand, and/or perforin. Phenotypically and genotypically, four cases showed alpha beta T cell type [CD2+, CD3+, T-cell receptor (TCR)-delta-1-, beta F1+, and TCR gene rearrangement], two cases showed gamma delta cell type [CD2+, CD3+, T-cell receptor (TCR) delta-1+, beta F1-, and TCR gene rearrangement], and one case showed NK cell type [CD2+, CD3-, CD56+, T-cell receptor (TCR) delta-1-, beta F1-, and TCR gene germline]. Using Southern blot analysis, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) sequences were detected in six cases, and monoclonal terminal repeat proliferation was confirmed. In addition, in situ hybridization (ISH) studies for EBV showed EBV infection in almost all neoplastic cells. Clinically, all patients presented with peripheral lymphadenopathy in high clinical stages and showed an aggressive course. Hepatosplenomegaly was detected in six cases. During the course of the disease, bone marrow and extranodal invasion were noted in five cases. The nodal type showed an aggressive clinical course in all cases but one, as did the extranodal type. The nodal type varied in phenotype, but was closely associated with EBV infection.

Adolescent↗

Absence of cytotoxic molecules in CD8- and/or CD56-positive adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma.

Adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATLL) cells usually exhibit a CD4+ (helper/inducer) phenotype (CD4+/8-/56-), and only a minority of tumours express the CD8 (cytotoxic/suppressor) or CD56 (natural killer [NK]-associated) antigens. TIA-1 is a cytotoxic granule-associated protein expressed in NK cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Granzyme B, perforin and Fas ligand (FasL) are also expressed in activated CTLs and NK cells. To clarify the cytotoxic potential of ATLL cells, immunohistochemistry was performed in CD8+ and/or CD56+ ATLL cells, using anti-TIA-1, anti-granzyme B, anti-perforin and anti-FasL antibodies. We studied nine cases of CD8+ and/or CD56+ ATLL, all of which exhibited monoclonal integration of human T-cell leukaemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) proviral DNA. Four cases exhibited a CD8+/CD56- phenotype, four others had a CD8-/CD56+ phenotype, and one was CD8+/CD56+. All but one case also expressed the surface antigens CD3, TCR alpha beta, and CD4. Expression of granzyme B and TIA-1 were demonstrated in three and two cases, respectively, but none expressed perforin or FasL. In the control study, 10 cases with typical CD3+/4+/8-/56- ATLL demonstrated no expression of those cytotoxic-associated proteins. Our findings suggest that CD8 and/or CD56 positivity probably confer(s) no cytotoxic function on ATLL cells, and it is possible that CD8 and CD56 may be simply aberrant surface markers in ATLL.

Adult↗

Endothelium-dependent contraction induced by substance P in canine cerebral arteries: involvement of NK1 receptors and thromboxane A2.

We characterized the endothelial responses to substance P (SP) in the isolated canine cerebral artery. SP caused concentration-dependent contraction at 10(-10) - 10(-7) M and relaxation at 10(-10) and 10(-9) M, which were abolished by removal of the endothelium. The SP-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) was suppressed, while the endothelium-dependent contraction (EDC) was increased by repeated application. The EDC induced by SP (10(-7) M) was attenuated by SR-140333 (10(-9) - 10(-7) M) and CP-99994 (10(-7) M), both NK1 antagonists, but not by SR-48968 (10(-7) M), an NK2 antagonist, or four antagonistic SP analogues (10(-6) M). The EDC induced by SP (10(-7) M) was attenuated by aspirin (10(-5) M), a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, OKY-046 (10(-5) M), a TXA2 synthetase inhibitor and ONO-3708 (10(-8) M), a TXA2 antagonist. Neurokinin A (10(-7) M) but not neurokinin B (10(-7) M) caused EDC similar to that induced by SP. In conclusion, SP induces EDC via endothelial NK1 receptors and TXA2 production in canine cerebral arteries.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗

Basic fibroblast growth factor and fibrosis in Hodgkin's disease.

Hodgkin's disease (HD) is characterized by the presence of Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (H-RS) cells against a hyperplastic background of reactive cells such as lymphocytes, histiocytes, plasma cells, eosinophils, neutrophils and stromal cells. In addition, the HD nodular sclerosis (NS) subtype shows characteristic fibrous bundles, while the other subtypes do not. The fibrosis is considered to correlate with multiple cytokines and cytokine networks. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), one of the potent stimulators of fibroblasts, has also been linked to the fibroproliferative process. To investigate the relationship of fibrosis and bFGF, we thus performed both immunostaining, in situ hybridization (ISH) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on 25 cases of HD, which included 12 cases with NS subtype, 10 cases with mixed cellularity (MC), and 3 cases with lymphocyte predominance (LP). In NS, the expression of bFGF was stronger than that in LP and MC. In addition, the H-RS cells in NS frequently expressed bFGF. The stromal cells and histiocytes in the background expressed bFGF in NS. However, in MC and LP the number of bFGF-expressed H-RS cells was small, and the bFGF expression of background cells was rarely detected. However, the amount of bFGF varied in each case with HD NS. The above results support the possibilities that H-RS cells and background cells are a cellular source of bFGF and that the bFGF expression of those cells is also one of the influencing factors in the development of fibrosis in the HD NS subtype.

Adolescent↗

Genotypic and phenotypic alterations in Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoma.

AIMS: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with numerous reactive and neoplastic lymphoproliferative disorders. In vitro, EBV infection can transform B-lymphocytes and induce phenotypic alterations. This study presents the clinicopathological features of four cases with malignant lymphoma, which showed phenotypic and/or genotypic alterations during the course of the disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: To determine the type of EBV genotype, we performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for lymphocyte-defined membrane antigen (LYDMA) of EBV, subtype A/B and latent membrane protein (LMP)-1 deletion. In addition, we analysed the terminal repeat (TR) band of EBV and receptor genes (T-cell receptor gene, TCR; immunoglobulin gene heavy chain, IgH) for EBV-infected cell clonality. Double staining of cell markers (B, T-lymphocytes; histiocytes), and in-situ hybridization (ISH) for EBV were performed using tissues obtained during the course of the disease. The first case showed genotypic and phenotypic alterations of T-cell type to B-cell type. The first TCR rearrangement and T-cell markers (CD3+, CD4+, CD8-) were lost and IgH rearrangement and B-cell markers (CD19+, CD20+) were identified. During the course of the disease, EBV-TR bands changed in size; however, the EBV genotype type B, LMP1 deletion type, and single LYDMA band remained the same. The initial T-cell lymphoma clone was considered to be different from the latter B-cell lymphoma clone. The second case showed phenotypic alterations. The first B-cell marker (CD19+, CD20+, CD68-) changed to histiocytic markers (CD19-, CD20-, CD68+). However, IgH rearrangement and EBV-TR bands remained the same throughout the course of the disease and EBV genotype type A, LMP1 deletion type, and single LYDMA band remained unchanged. The third case showed phenotypic alterations. The B-cell marker (CD20+) was lost; however, IgH rearrangement of PCR and EBV genotype remained the same. In the second and third cases, the initial lymphoma clones were considered to be same as the latter clones. The last case showed lineage alterations from Hodgkin's disease to natural killer (NK) cell leukaemia. However, EBV genotype did not change. The second case and Hodgkin's disease showed LMP expression, but the first and third cases showed no LMP, and EBNA2 was not detected in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: We report the genotypic and/or phenotypic alterations in four patients with EBV-associated lymphoma/leukaemia. However, EBV genotype did not change in all four. These findings suggest that EBV might induce the cell marker and lineage alteration in vivo, as in vitro.

Adult↗

Expressions of cyclin E, A, and B1 in Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells: not suppressed by cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 expression.

p21 Is involved in the control of the mammalian cell cycle through the binding and inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases. The cyclins are dependent on the phases of the cell cycle, and divided into two classes: mitotic cyclins (A, B1, B2) and G1 cyclins (C, D1, D2, D3, E). The product of the p21 gene is a potent downstream effector of the p53 tumor-suppressor gene function. The Hodgkin and Reed- Sternberg (H & RS) cells in Hodgkin's disease are reported to frequently express p53, p21, and nuclear proliferative activity (Ki-67). To clarify the relationship of p21, p53 and cyclins, we performed the immunohistochemistry of p53, p21, Ki-67, cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin A and cyclin B1, using 11 cases with Hodgkin's disease. In addition, we performed p53 gene sequencing of exon 5-8, and in situ hybridization of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) EBER-1 region, whose products have reported to induce the expression of cyclin D. In this study, in all cases, Ki-67 was expressed in almost all H & RS cells, and p53 and p21 were expressed in H & RS cells. No p53 gene mutations were detected in any case, and p53 protein overexpression did not correlate with p53 gene mutations. The number of p21-positive H & RS cells was significantly related with that of the p53-positive cells. The cyclins E, A, B1 and D1 were also expressed in H & RS cells. Unexpectedly, the expression of the cyclins was not suppressed by p21 and p53 expression. In addition, the existence of EBV was not related to the expression of cyclins. It is considered that H & RS cells are, indeed, in cell cycle and commonly express the cell cyclins, and that the cell cycle of H & RS cells may not be specifically fixed in the G1, S, G2 or M phases.

Adolescent↗

Clinicopathological findings of virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome in bone marrow: association with Epstein-Barr virus and apoptosis.

Non-neoplastic hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS), also called virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (VAHS), has been thought to be a distinct clinical entity. A spontaneous recovery is common, but the prognosis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated VAHS is poor. However, the role of EBV has yet to be clearly elucidated. A retrospective study of the bone marrow of 30 cases, in which the diagnosis of non-neoplastic VAHS was clinicopathologically confirmed, was performed. We were unable to histologically confirm the presence of neoplastic lesions, especially lymphoma cell infiltration. Ten of the patients were children (aged less than 15 years) and young adults (aged under 20 years; median age, 10 years). Twenty patients were adults (aged over 21 years; median age, 48 years). Twelve of these patients died, while 18 showed a spontaneous recovery. We performed immunological staining and in situ hybridization (ISH) for EBV. To clarify the presence of apoptosis, an in situ apoptosis detection (tunnel) method was used. In situ hydridization showed an EBV-presence in 16 of the 30 patients. In addition, the EBV-presence was confined in the lymphocytes, especially T lymphocytes in double stainings. The number of EBV-infected cells varied; however, the EBV presence was associated with ages. Nine of the 10 children and young adults showed an EBV-presence, while EBV was detected in seven of the 20 adults. Especially in 10 patients aged over 49 years, no EBV was detected. According to the in situ apoptosis detection, apoptotic cells were increased in number and considered to be lymphoid cells, but not myeloid or histiocytic cells. Some apoptotic cells were phagocyted with histiocytes. Histologically, apoptosis may be one of the factors that induced phagocytosis.

Adolescent↗

Prognostic clinicopathologic factors, including immunologic expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas.

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical significance and potential prognostic value of the expression of a panel of surface markers, proliferating, suppressor and oncogenic proteins in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL). Biopsies were collected from 158 patients with DLBCL and analyzed immunohistochemically for p53, p21/WAF1, bcl-2, cyclin-D1, bcl-6, mdr, CD5, CD30, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), Ki-67 and c-myc positive tumor cells. Among these, 76 young and middle-aged patients (20-65 years) were selected to investigate the relationship between protein expression, clinical features, and survival. Survival analysis showed that advanced stage, high lactic dehydrogenase level, and high International Prognostic Index (IPI) were poor prognostic factors associated with a shorter overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) times. A high p53 expression and low bcl-6 expression were associated with a shorter DFS time. The histological variant type, cyclin-D1+ CD5+ DLBCL, positive epithelial membrane antigen (EMA+) CD30- DLBCL, high bcl-2 expression, and low Ki-67 proliferation activity tended to be associated with worse survival, but the correlations were not statistically significant. In the multivariate analysis, the most significant factors were age, followed by IPI and last p53. The expression of p21/WAF1, mdr, and c-myc proteins did not influence OS and DFS. The expression of p53 and bcl-6 proteins may be useful prognostic indicators in DLBCL. Cyclin-D1+ CD5+ or EMA+ CD30- DLBCL tended to predict a worse survival and may probably bear a significant prognostic value worthy of consideration. Overall, clinical factors appeared to be more important than biologic parameters in determining the prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas.

Adolescent↗

Nasal lymphomas in Japan: a high prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus type A and deletion within the latent membrane protein gene.

The majority of nasal lymphomas are of the natural killer (NK)/T cell lineage. We analyzed 33 specimens of nasal lymphoma from Japanese patients for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Phenotypic and genetic analyses showed 28 cases with NK/T cell type and 5 cases with B cell type. All NK/T lymphomas were of pleomorphic cell type except 2 large cell (centroblastoid) and one lymphoblastic lymphoma. All cases with nasal B cell lymphoma were of large (centroblastoid) cell type. EBV was detected in all cases of NK/T cell type with the exception of one lymphoblastic case, and was monoclonally integrated in all cases examined (14/14 cases). All but one case had subtype A of EBV infection with 30-base paired deleted LMP-1 gene. One case of B cell lymphoma showed the presence of EBV infection with subtype A and deletion of LMP-1. Our results indicate that the majority of nasal lymphomas in Japanese patients are of the nasal NK/T cell type, have pleomorphic morphology, a high prevalence of EBV with a monoclonal integration, subtype A and deleted LMP-1 gene. In contrast, nasal B cell lymphoma showed monomorphic appearance and rare EBV infection.

Adolescent↗

Genetic fusion of an alpha-subunit gene to the follicle-stimulating hormone and chorionic gonadotropin-beta subunit genes: production of a bifunctional protein.

The human glycoprotein hormones, hCG, TSH, LH, and FSH, are composed of a common alpha-subunit assembled to a hormone-specific beta-subunit. The subunits combine noncovalently early in the secretory pathway and exist as heterodimers but not as multimers. LH/FSH are synthesized in the pituitary gonadotrophs, and several of the alpha-subunit sequences required for association with either the LHbeta or FSHbeta subunits are different. Thus, it is intriguing that no ternary complexes are observed for LH and FSH in vivo (e.g. two different beta-assembled to a single alpha-subunit). To examine whether the alpha-subunit can interact with more than one beta-subunit, and to study the conformational relationships between the ligand and the receptor, we constructed a vector encoding two tandemly arranged beta-subunits fused to a single alpha-subunit gene (FSHbeta-CGbeta-alpha). This approach permitted structure-function analyses of alpha/beta domain complexes without the possibility of subunit dissociation. We reported previously that the CGbeta or FSHbeta subunit gene can be genetically fused to the alpha-gene and the resulting single chains (CGbetaalpha and FSHbetaalpha, respectively) were biologically active. Here we demonstrate that a triple-domain single chain bearing the configuration FSHbeta-CGbeta-alpha is efficiently secreted from transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and exhibits high-affinity receptor binding to both FSH and LH/hCG receptors, comparable to the native heterodimers. These results indicate that the alpha-subunit can interact with each beta-subunit in the same complex and that an alpha-domain fused to a beta-domain can still interact with an additional beta-subunit. The data also demonstrate the remarkable flexibility of the receptor to accommodate the increased bulkiness of the triple-domain ligand. In addition, the formation of intrachain FSH- and CG-like complexes observed in a triple-domain single chain suggests that the alpha-subunit can resonate, i.e. shuttle between alpha-beta heterodimeric intermediates during the early stages of synthesis and accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum. Such model compounds could be useful as substrates to generate a new class of analogs in which the ratio of the LH/FSH activity is varied. This could aid in the design of analogs that could be used to mimic the in vivo hormonal profiles.

Animals↗

Intravascular large cell lymphoma: clinicopathological, immuno-histochemical and molecular genetic studies.

Intravascular large cell lymphoma (IVLL) is a rare neoplasm characterized by a proliferation of lymphoma cells within the blood vessels. Its cell origin and clinicopathological characteristics have not been well understood. The study uses 5 male and 4 female patients who were diagnosed as having IVLL from 1978 to 1996. We examined cell lineage and adhesion molecules using immunohistochemical staining and performed a molecular analysis by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the IgH gene, on T-cell receptor chain genes, and the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and in situ hybridization on EBV. The immunohistochemical and PCR results disclosed 8 cases of B- cell and one of T-cell lymphoma. Three of four cases whose frozen specimens were available expressed CD5. PCR showed EBV in 7 of 9 cases, although EBV was found by in situ hybridization in only 3 cases. Lymphoma cells express CD11a and CD49d (VLA-4), while endothelial cells expressed CD54 (CD11a ligand) and CD106 (CD49d ligand). Such interaction of these adhesion molecules might contribute to the intravascular proliferation of lymphoma cells. Furthermore, the CD5 expression of lymphoma cells suggests that IVLL most likely originates from a unique subtype of B cells, although their normal counterpart remains uncertain.

Aged↗

Decreased expression of telomerase-associated RNAs in the proliferation of stem cells in comparison with continuous expression in malignant tumors.

Telomerase, an enzyme associated with cellular immortality, is expressed by malignant tumor and stem cells, especially germ cells. Normal somatic cells, however, usually do not express telomerase. In the malignant tumor, deregulation of telomerase is thought to facilitate tumorigenesis and cellular immortality by providing cancer cells unlimited proliferation capacity. We investigated the relationship between proliferation activity and in situ expression of the telomerase RNA component (human telomerase RNA component, hTERC). In addition, in situ hybridization of the telomerase-associated proteins (telomerase-associated protein 1, TEP1; human telomerase reverse transcriptase, TERT), and MIB-1 immunohistochemistry for proliferation activity were performed, using the malignant tumors of adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant lymphoma, and somatic tissues of testis, endometrium, stomach, skin, and lymph nodes. In the somatic tissues, the stem cells expressed telomerase-associated RNA, but no proliferation activity. When the proliferation activity of the stem cells increased, however, the telomerase-associated expressions decreased. In the malignant tumors, both proliferation activity and expression of the telomerase-associated RNA significantly increased. Deregulation of telomerase, in addition to proliferation activity, is associated with tumorigenesis.

Antigens, Nuclear↗

[The clinical usefulness of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and multifocal motor neuropathy].

To explore the optimum dose of intravenous immunoglobulin (i.v.Ig) for treating patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyrneuropathy and multifocal motor neuropathy, we compared the usefulness of i.v.Ig among 3 treatment doses. Fifty-nine patients were randomly divided into three treatment dosage groups: 20 patients for Group I using 50 mg/kg/day x 5 days, 19 patients Group II using 200 mg/kg/day x 5 days, and 20 patients Group III using 400 mg/kg/day x 5 days. We assessed clinically and electrophysiologically the effectiveness of the treatment at 5 weeks after the initial infusion. For patients in Group I and II who had not improved (or worsened) with the first treatment, we gave a one-step larger dose in the second treatment (i.e. 200 mg/kg/day x 5 days for those who had been given 50 mg/kg/day x 5 days, 400 mg/kg/day x 5 days for those who had been given 200 mg/kg/day x 5 days) after more than 9 weeks. We found that 15% of the patients in Group I, 21% in Group II and 60% in Group III improved dose-dependently with the first intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. Seven (47%) of 16 patients in Group I and 4 (40%) of 11 patients in Group II improved after the second treatment with larger doses. Adverse reactions including chill sensation, fever, skin eruption and increase in blood GOT and GPT levels were transient and mild. One patient in Group III developed left hemiparesis showing the small infarction in the right thalamus during the course of the treatment, but the symptom was mild. In conclusion, the high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (400 mg/kg/day x 5 days) is useful for treating patients with CIDP and MMN, although care must be taken of the risk of causing cerebral infarctions.

Adolescent↗