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Biomedical subjects

Y Kusunoki

Publications and source records attributed to Y Kusunoki.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Combination therapy with bestatin in inoperable lung cancer. A randomized trial.

A randomized trial of combination therapy with bestatin (30 mg daily, every day) was performed in 238 patients with inoperable primary lung cancer from August, 1981 through April, 1984. Of the 238 patients, 227 were evaluable: 113 treated by bestatin combination therapy and 114 controls. There was no statistically significant difference in response rate or survival between the 2 groups. In squamous cell cancer response was observed in 34.5% of the bestatin group and 17.9% of the control group. The analysis, including Cox's proportional hazard model, revealed that the survival tended to be longer in the bestatin group (median survival 40 weeks) than in the control group (median survival 24 weeks; p = 0.051). This suggests that addition of bestatin might be beneficial in squamous cell cancer of the lung but further, more rigidly controlled, clinical trials are necessary before more definitive conclusions can be drawn.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Radiosensitivity of CD4 or CD8 positive human T-lymphocytes by an in vitro colony formation assay.

The recent development of an in vitro lymphocyte colony assay makes it possible to examine variations in the radiosensitivity of humans using peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) instead of the skin fibroblast assay. Our recent study (M. Hakoda et al., Mutat. Res. 197, 161-169, 1988) showed that most of the colonies consisted of lymphocytes bearing CD4 or CD8 antigens. Since the fraction of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in PBL differs among individuals, we suspected that individual radiosensitivity might be biased by the different subset frequencies if the dose-survival curves of the CD4+ and CD8+ cells were different from each other. In the present study, CD4+ (helper/inducer T) and CD8+ (suppressor/cytotoxic T) lymphocytes were isolated from PBL and their dose-survival curves were determined. The results showed that the D10 (dose required to reduce the surviving fraction to 10%) was similar for these two types of cells [3.13 +/- 0.10 Gy (mean +/- SD) for CD4+, 3.34 +/- 0.50 Gy for CD8+ and 3.14 +/- 0.17 Gy for the unsorted cells], supporting the use of the whole PBL population for the screening of individuals with altered radiosensitivity.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Prognostic factors affecting survival and response in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with combination chemotherapy].

One-hundred and ninety-nine patients who had an inoperable stage III or IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and collected were analyzed on the basis of factors affecting survival duration and response to chemotherapy. These patients were registered into a prospective randomized trial conducted from May of 1986 to April of 1988, and received either cisplatin and vindesine, cisplatin, vindesine and mitomycin C, or cisplatin and etoposide alternating with vindesine and mitomycin C. In the univariate analysis, sex, ECOG's performance status (PS), weight loss within previous 6 months, clinical stage, serum albumin value, serum lactate dehydrogenase level and hemoglobin (Hb) level were considered to be significant factors for survival (p less than 0.05). In the multivariable analysis using Cox's proportional model, clinical stage, PS, sex, weight loss and Hb level were proven to be significant variables for survival in the order of importance. When the response to chemotherapy was included in a conditional multivariable analysis, it was strongly associated with survival duration. A multivariable analysis of response using the logistic regression method demonstrated that female sex, cisplatin, vindesine and mitomycin combination regimen, squamous cell type, and no weight loss were significantly predictive of response outcome. These results are useful when comparing the response data and survival of completed studies and designing future trials in advanced NSCLC.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

IgA nephritis in Behçet's disease: case report and review of the literature.

We describe a 13-year-old girl with the incomplete type of Behçet's disease who had recurrent oral and genital ulcers, folliculitis, proteinuria and hematuria. Renal biopsy specimens revealed diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis with strongly positive IgA deposits in the glomerular mesangial area, which is histologically indistinguishable from primary IgA nephritis. Further studies of the IgA subclasses showed that IgA1 deposits were predominant in the glomerular mesangium. Primary IgA nephritis is thought to be associated with polymeric IgA1. So it appears that there may be a common underlying disease or mechanism involved in both primary IgA nephritis and the IgA nephritis in Behçet's disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Terminal complement complex (TTC) levels in plasma and urine from glomerular diseases: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using monoclonal antibody against neoantigens of TCC].

In order to get monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against neoantigens of terminal complement complex. MoAbs after immunization of mice with polymerized human C9 were screened for reactivities against native and polymerized C9. MoAb 1B4 reacted with tubular C9 polymer, but did not react with either native or sodium dodecyl sulfate-denatured monomeric C9 as revealed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting. Moreover, MoAb 1B4 reacted with the terminal complement complex (TCC), that is, membrane attack complex and the fluid-phase SC5b-9 complex. Thus, MoAb 1B4 recognized a neoantigen in the moiety of C9 polymer in the TCC. Thereafter, we measured TCC in plasma and urine with sandwich ELISA using 1B4 and antihuman C7 antibody to evaluate terminal complement activation in patients with glomerular diseases. TCC was detectable in plasma but not in urine from most of normal controls. In plasma, TCC was elevated in 5 of 23 with lupus nephritis and in 6 of 11 with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, but all patients with IgA nephritis, focal glomerulosclerosis, membranous glomerulonephritis and minimal change lesions (MC) showed normal levels. In urine, TCC was detectable in most of patients with severe proteinuria (greater than or equal to 100 mg/dl) except MC. The TCC present in urine was partially purified by gel filtration with Sepharose 6B and was found to contain C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, and S protein by ELISA. Although the molecular weight of SC5b-9 complex is similar to IgM, fractional excretion rate of TCC was about 100 times higher than that of IgM. These results suggest that urinary TCC contains SC5b-9 complex like plasma TCC and is mostly derived from renal origin.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Evidence that C4b-binding protein is an acute phase protein.

C4b-binding protein is a regulatory factor for both complement and coagulation systems. We found that a human hepatoma cell line, Hep G2, was capable of synthesizing C4b-binding protein and that the secretion of C4b-binding protein was enhanced by interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor, which are known to be modulators of acute phase proteins. In addition, the plasma content of C4b-binding protein was found to increase in patients of acute pneumonia. These results suggest that C4b-binding protein is an acute phase protein.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1989

Cloning of phenotypically different human lymphocytes originating from a single stem cell.

By using hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) gene alterations and chromosome aberrations as in vivo cellular markers, human T, NK, and B cells originating from a single stem cell have been successfully cloned from the peripheral blood of an atomic bomb survivor from Hiroshima. These mutant lymphocytes were selectively cloned, taking advantage of their resistance to a purine analogue, 6-thioguanine. The cloned lymphocytes possessed the same hprt gene alterations and the same chromosome aberration (20q-), but exhibited different surface or functional phenotypes and different rearrangements of TCR or Ig genes. The chromosome aberration patterns strongly suggested that the original stem cell initiated differentiation into each cell type after exposure to atomic bomb radiation. Since the person studied here was exposed to the bomb at 17 yr age, the results suggested that common stem cells exist in adults for at least T, NK, and B cells. The use of hprt gene alterations as specific cellular markers provides a novel method for identifying stem cells in the lymphocyte lineage and for studying lymphocyte differentiation in humans.

Antigens, Surface↗
PubMed1989

Cloning of in vivo-derived thioguanine-resistant human B cells.

In vivo-derived thioguanine-resistant (TGr) B cells have been cloned from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 4 healthy adults. This was done by using Epstein-Barr (EB) virus transformation of B cells enriched from a large number of PBMC obtained with a blood cell separator. The cloned TGr B cells lacked hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) enzyme activity. The frequency of in vivo TGr B cells was estimated to be 8.6-13.1 X 10(-6) for the 4 individuals by comparing the cloning efficiency of non-selected cells and TG-selected cells. This frequency is somewhat higher but comparable to the in vivo frequency of TGr T cells. Because the cloned TGr B cells can be easily expanded in vitro, this procedure provides a large amount of material for the precise characterization of in vivo mutations in humans.

Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte↗
PubMed1989

Three-year disease-free survivors of small cell lung cancer treated with combination chemotherapy with or without chest irradiation.

One hundred and seventy-four patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) treated with combination chemotherapy, with or without chest radiation, were analyzed. Fourteen patients (8%) survived for 3 years or more. Three-year disease-free survival continued for 12 of the 101 patients (12%) with limited disease, and one of 75 (1%) with extensive disease (P less than 0.05). Patients' sex and performance status were not important in achieving long-term survival. All disease-free survivors, except two who could not be evaluated, achieved a complete response. Although the treatment programs had some influence on the long-term survival rates (P less than 0.05), thoracic radiation did not have significant impact on long-term survival. Three of the 13 patients (23%) developed second malignancies and died, and one of these patients also suffered from a progressive neurologic deterioration with dementia. Two other patients died free of SCLC. Consequently, eight have remained alive and free of disease. The last relapse was observed at 1.5 years from beginning of treatment. The disease-free survival may offer the hope of cure of SCLC. However, the survivors are at an increased risk of developing late complications including second malignancies and neurologic abnormalities. Therefore, careful follow-up will be necessary.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Glomerular deposition of C4 cleavage fragment (C4d) and C4-binding protein in idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis.

Renal biopsies from 12 patients with idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis (IMGN) were investigated by immunofluorescence microscopy for the localization of C4d and C4-binding protein (C4bp). Although Clq and C4 deposits were found in only 2 of 12 cases (16%), C4d and C4bp deposits were identified in 11 cases (92%) in close association with IgG deposits in the glomeruli. The results suggest that complement activation through the classical pathway usually occurs in IMGN. The detection of C4d and C4bp in the glomeruli appears to be a sensitive indicator of the classical pathway activation in IMGN.

Carrier Proteins↗
PubMed1989

Age and dose related alteration of in vitro mixed lymphocyte culture response of blood lymphocytes from A-bomb survivors.

The responsiveness of peripheral blood lymphocytes to allogenic antigens in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) was measured in 139 atomic-bomb survivors. The study revealed a significant decrease in MLC response with increasing dose of previous radiation exposure. This decline was marked in the survivors who were older than 15 at the time of the bomb (ATB). The results suggest a possible relationship between the recovery of T-cell-related function and the thymic function which processes mature T cells for the immune system. Thus it may be that in the advanced age ATB group, the thymus function had started to involute, allowing less recovery of T-cell function compared to young survivors who had adequate processing T-cell activity.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Aggressive natural killer cell leukemia/lymphoma--possible existence of a new clinical entity originating from the third lineage of lymphoid cells].

The morphologic, immunologic, genotypic, and functional properties of peripheral blood and bone marrow cells or cultured cells from two patients with a clinically aggressive non T, non B natural killer cell lymphoma/leukemia (ANKL/L) were described. The leukemic cells possessed medium to large granules in the cytoplasm, antigens against CD 38, CD 2, OKIal, and NKH-1 (N 901) monoclonal antibodies on their cell-surface, and also showed a high natural killer (NK) activity. In addition, these ANKL/L belonged to neither T-nor B-cell lineage, proved by studying clonal gene rearrangement for the T beta and T gamma receptor, and immunoglobulin. After we compared and investigated them with 9 cases of ANKL/L reported in other institutions, concerning immunophenotype, genotype and function, we reached the conclusion that the existence of ANKL/L originating from the third lineage in lymphoid cells is an obvious fact, suggesting this new clinical entity. It is important that all patients who have this type of a clinical disorder be diagnosed that there is no effective form of therapy at present.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Restorative effect of muroctasin on leukopenia caused by anticancer chemotherapy in lung cancer. Comparative study by envelope method.

N2-[(N-Acetylmuramoyl)-L-alanyl-D-isoglutaminyl]-N6-stearoyl-L-lysine (MDP-Lys(L18), muroctasin), a derivative of muramyl dipeptide, is known to have the activity to augment the number of white blood cells (WBC) via colony-stimulating factor. Muroctasin has been expected to be applied to leukopenia caused by anticancer chemotherapy. When WBC decreased to less than or equal to 3,000/mm3 after the 1st course of chemotherapy, 131 patients with lung cancer, who were previously classified by the combination regimens of chemotherapy, were enrolled in the study and randomized into 3 groups, 200 micrograms (H), 100 micrograms (L) and untreated control (C) groups. The patients were then subcutaneously treated once daily for 6 consecutive days. WBC and its differential count were measured on Days 4, 7 and 15 after commencement of the study. WBCs in H and L groups were recovered greater than in C group. In WBC differential count, the recovery of neutrophil was prominent in muroctasin treated groups. The portion of immature neutrophil in the bone marrow was also increased by muroctasin treatment. A restorative effect on WBC and neutrophil counts was also confirmed only in the second course of H group. On the other hand, fever and pain in the injected site as side effects were common in the H group and L group in both of courses. In this study, the usefulness of muroctasin in leukopenia was suggested when administered at dosages of 200 micrograms for 6 days.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗
PubMed1989

[Response to haloperidol and analysis of growth curve in hereditary progressive dystonia with marked diurnal fluctuation].

A case of 10-year-old female with hereditary progressive dystonia with marked diurnal fluctuation (HPD) was described. Her development was normal. Then at the age of eight, she developed dystonia of the left lower extremity that became noticeable toward evening but subsided after taking sleep. And the velocity of height gain decreased at the age of nine (from 5 cm to 3.6 cm per year). Before the diagnosis of HPD, small doses of haloperidol (0.015 mg/kg/day) were given to her. Thereafter she developed progressive dystonia of all extremities and could not walk. Administration of haloperidol was discontinued, and an attempt to reverse the dystonia with L-Dopa was made. Prior to treatment with L-Dopa, a reduced concentration of cerebrospinal fluid homovanillic acid (10 ng/ml) was found. And her height was 130.5 cm (-1.33 SD) at the age of ten. Treatment with L-Dopa (18 mg/kg/day) markedly improved her symptoms within four days. This improvement has been maintained for six years without a need for increasing the doses and without neurological side effects. At the age of sixteen her height was 162.3 cm (+1.0 SD). These findings suggest a diminished dopaminergic activity and a increased susceptibility to dopamine receptor blockade in HPD.

Body Height↗
PubMed1988

Age-related alteration in the composition of immunocompetent blood cells in atomic bomb survivors.

A total of 1328 atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima were studied to determine alterations in the number of blood lymphocytes belonging to T-cell subpopulations, the number of CD19 antigen-positive B cells and the number of Leu 7 and CD16 antigen-positive lymphocytes. Overall, with increasing age, significant decreasing trends in the numbers of some lymphocytes in T-cell subpopulations and of B cells were observed. Furthermore, the number of blood lymphocytes positive for CD5 antigen was significantly lower in the people exposed to radiation (greater than 1 Gy) in the older age group (more than 30 years old at the time of the bombing). A similar tendency for decreases in the numbers of CD4, CD8, and CD19 antigen-positive cells was observed in these older survivors, although the differences were not statistically significant. These results suggest that aging of the T-cell related immune system is accelerated in the irradiated people of advanced age. This may be explained by the age-related decrease in thymic function in those subjects who were older at the time of the bombing resulting in a decreased functional ability of the immune system after radiation injury. On the contrary, the number of Leu 7 or CD16 antigen-positive cells was found to be increased significantly in the older age group compared to the younger group, although there was little dependence on dose.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1988

Aggressive natural killer cell leukemia/lymphoma with N901-positive surface phenotype: evidence for the existence of a third lineage in lymphoid cells.

The morphology, immunologic and functional properties of peripheral blood and bone marrow cells or cultured cells from 2 patients with clinically aggressive non-T, non-B lymphoma/leukemia are described. The leukemic cells possessed medium to large granules in the cytoplasm, antigens against CD38, CD2, CD25, OKIa1, CD16, TA-1, CD9, CD24 and NKH-1 (N901) monoclonal antibodies on their cell surface, and also showed a high natural killer (NK) activity. Phenotypically, the cells in these disorders were quite different from T gamma leukemia cells bearing Fc receptor or the traditionally reported NK leukemia cells possessing HNK-1 (Leu 7) antigens on their surface. In addition, these leukemias/lymphomas belonged to neither T- nor B-cell lineage, proved by studying clonal gene rearrangement for the T beta and T gamma receptor, and immunoglobulin. Hence, a quite interesting and important point, as suggested by our data, is that all our cases expressed an antigen for NKH-1 (N901), which is detectable on all NK cell surfaces and they lacked the antigen for Leu 7 (HNK-1), which is usually detected on the surface of leukemic NK cells. These facts indicate that we are dealing with a leukemic NK cell subset which is quite different from cells of all other reported cases of NK cell leukemias. We therefore concluded that such disorders with an aggressive clinical nature and a poor prognosis as in our cases belong to a new clinical entity originating from a portion of the NK cell subset.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗