Ryo Shinomiya, Yasushi Sato, Takanori Yoshimoto, Tomoyuki Kawaguchi, Akihiro Hirao, Koichi Okamoto, Yutaka Kawano, Masahiro Sogabe, Hiroshi Miyamoto and Tetsuji Takayama : A case of treatmentresistant advanced gastric cancer with FGFR2gene alteration successfully treated with pemigatinib., International Cancer Conference Journal, Vol.in press, 2024.
Masahiro Sogabe, Toshiya Okahisa, Miwako Kagawa, Motoko Sei, Hiroyuki Ueda, reiko yokoyama, Kaizo Kagemoto, Hironori Tanaka, Yoshifumi Kida, Fumika Nakamura, Tetsu Tomonari, Koichi Okamoto, Yutaka Kawano, Hiroshi Miyamoto, Yasushi Sato, Masahiko Nakasono and Tetsuji Takayama : Association of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease with erosive esophagitis development: a longitudinal observational study., Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Vol.Online ahead of print., 2024.
(Summary)
Although erosive esophagitis (EE) is associated with fatty liver and metabolic dysregulation, the association between EE and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the longitudinal association between MASLD and EE. We included 1578 patients without EE at baseline who underwent more than two health checkups over 2 years. Generalized estimation equations were used to analyze associations between MASLD and EE according to repeated measures at baseline and most recent stages. EE development rates in men and women were 14.5% and 7.2%, respectively. After adjusting for lifestyle habits, the odds ratios of MASLD for EE development in men and women were 1.907 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.289-2.832, P < 0.005) and 1.483 (95% CI: 0.783-2.811, P = 0.227), respectively. In the subgroup analysis, after adjusting for lifestyle habits, among men and women aged ≥50 years with more than three MASLD components, the odds ratios for EE development were 2.408 (95% CI: 1.505-3.855, P < 0.001) and 2.148 (95% CI: 1.093-4.221, P < 0.05), respectively. After adjusting for various factors, the significant risk factors for EE development were different between men and women. The influence of MASLD and other factors on EE development differed by sex and age. Particularly, patients aged ≥50 years with MASLD and with an increased number of MASLD components should be considered at increased risk for EE.
Reiko Yokoyama, Yasushi Sato, Fumika Nakamura, Kaizo Kagemoto, Yasuhiro Mitsui, Koichi Okamoto, Yutaka Kawano, Masahiro Sogabe, Hiroshi Miyamoto and Tetsuji Takayama : Efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with anorectal melanoma in association with immune-related adverse events: a case series., Clinical Journal of Gastroenterology, Vol.Online ahead of print., 2023.
(Summary)
Anorectal melanoma (AM) is a rare subtype of mucosal melanoma with a poor prognosis. Given its rarity compared to its cutaneous counterpart, the benefits and side effects of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy and the relationship between side effects and prognosis remain unclear. Herein, we describe the clinical presentation of five patients with AM treated with ICI as well as their relationship to the treatment course and the development of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Three patients received sequential or concurrent administrations of nivolumab and ipilimumab, one received nivolumab alone, and one received ipilimumab alone. The response rate (RR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 40% and 80%, respectively. Pituitary and hepatic dysfunctions were the most common irAEs observed (40% each), followed by thyroid, diarrhea, and renal dysfunctions (20% each). The RR was 67% in patients with irAEs while no response was observed in patients without irAEs. DCR was 100% and 50% in patients with and without irAEs, respectively. Overall survival was 34 months in irAE and 8.75 months in non-irAE cases, with a longer survival trend in irAE cases. ICI therapy was effective and well-tolerated by AM patients, with potentially better outcomes for those who experienced irAEs compared to those who did not.
Tamotsu Sagawa, Yasushi Sato, Hiroyuki Nagashimia, Kohichi Takada, Mamoru Takahashi, Masahiro Hiarakawa, Kyoko Hamaguchi, Fumito Tamura, Koshi Fujikawa, Koichi Okamoto, Yutaka Kawano, Masahiro Sogabe, Hiroshi Miyamoto and Tetsuji Takayama : Hilar/mediastinal and cutaneous drug-induced sarcoidosis-like reaction associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic colorectal cancer: a case report., Frontiers in Immunology, Vol.14, 1203621, 2023.
(Summary)
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are the standard treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with high microsatellite instability (MSI-H). Among immune-related adverse events (irAEs), drug-induced sarcoidosis-like reactions (DISR) are often difficult to differentiate from cancer progression. This is a case of a woman in her mid-60s, with mCRC (RAS wild/BRAF mutant/MSI-H) and abdominal lymph node metastasis, treated with four courses of ipilimumab + nivolumab every 3 weeks, followed by nivolumab every 2 weeks as third-line treatment. After treatment, the original lymph node metastases shrank, but hilar/mediastinal lymph nodes appeared. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of these lymph nodes revealed multiple epithelioid granulomas without necrosis, indicating a sarcoidosis-like reaction. Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography scan showed abnormal subcutaneous accumulation in bilateral forearms and bilateral knee joints. Biopsy of the cutaneous lesions was also performed, which revealed epithelioid granulomas. As the patient had no symptoms in other organs, no specific therapeutic intervention was administered. After the discontinuation of immunotherapy, the sarcoidosis-like reaction regressed without cancer relapse. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of DISR as an irAE during the ICI treatment of mCRC. In suspected cases of DISR following ICI therapy, it is important to differentiate between cancer progression and DISR through histological diagnosis for the subsequent strategy, as radiological and serological findings are not definitive.
Tamotsu Sagawa, Yasushi Sato, Masahiro Hirakawa, Kyoko Hamguchi, Fumito Tamura, Hiroyuki Nagashima, Koshi Fujikawa, Koichi Okamoto, Yutaka Kawano, Masahiro Sogabe, Hiroshi Miyamoto and Tetsuji Takayama : Case Report: Longitudinal monitoring of clonal evolution by circulating tumor DNA for resistance to anti-EGFR antibody in a case of metastatic colorectal cancer., Frontiers in Oncology, Vol.13, 1203296, 2023.
(Summary)
Treatment with anti-EGFR antibody has been shown to prolong survival in patients with RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, even patients who initially respond to anti-EGFR antibody therapy, almost without exception, develop resistance to the therapy and then fail to respond. Secondary mutations in the mitogen-activated protein (MAPK) signaling pathway (mainly in NRAS and BRAF) have been implicated in anti-EGFR resistance. However, the process by which resistant clones develop during therapy has not been elucidated, and considerable intrapatient and interpatient heterogeneity exists. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing has recently allowed the noninvasive detection of heterogeneous molecular alterations that underlie the evolution of resistance to anti-EGFR. In this report, we describe our observation of genomic alterations in and in a patient with acquired resistance to anti-EGFR antibody drugs by tracking clonal evolution using serial ctDNA anaylsis. A 54-year-old woman was initially diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer with multiple liver metastases. After receiving first-line mFOLFOX + cetuximab, second-line FOLFIRI + ramucirumab, third-line trifluridine/tipiracil + bevacizumab, fourth-line regorafenib, and fifth-line CAPOX + bevacizumab, she was rechallenged with CPT-11 + cetuximab. The best response to anti-EGFR rechallenge therapy was a partial response. in the ctDNA was assessed during treatment. The status changed from wild type to mutant type, back to wild type, and again to mutant type ( codon 61) during the course of treatment. In this report, tracking of ctDNA allowed us to describe clonal evolution in a case in which we observed genomic alterations in and in a patient who acquired resistance to anti-EGFR antibody drugs during treatment. It is reasonable to consider repeat molecular interrogation during progression in patients with mCRC by using ctDNA analysis, which could help to identify patients who may benefit from a rechallenge strategy.
Tetsu Tomonari, Hironori Tanaka, Takahiro Tanaka, Tatsuya Taniguchi, Masahiro Sogabe, Yutaka Kawano, Koichi Okamoto, Hiroshi Miyamoto, Yasushi Sato and Tetsuji Takayama : A case of complete response with rechallenge-lenvatinib plus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma refractory to multiple molecular-targeted agent treatments., Clinical Journal of Gastroenterology, Vol.16, No.3, 438-443, 2023.
(Summary)
The efficacy of lenvatinib (LEN) plus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (LEN-TACE) has been reported, but its effect on unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) refractory to LEN therapy has not been demonstrated. We report a case of HCC refractory to multiple molecular-targeted agents (MTA) treatments, including LEN, that was successfully treated with LEN-TACE. A 59-year-old man was referred to our department with multiple HCCs and a background of hepatitis B virus infection. TACE was the initial treatment. However, he was determined to be TACE-refractory, and multitargeted therapy was initiated. LEN was started at 12 mg/day but resulted in progressive disease (PD) after 13 months of the administration. The response to second-line sorafenib was PD after 2 months. Third-line therapy with atezolizumab + bevacizumab was stopped after one course because of an immune-related adverse event (i.e., dermatitis). The response to fourth-line regorafenib was PD at 2 months, and the response to fifth-line cabozantinib was PD after 6 months. The efficacy of LEN-TACE was recently reported; therefore, we decided to attempt LEN-TACE therapy as a salvage line. After obtaining the patient's consent to repeat LEN and TACE, treatment was initiated. The tumor markers levels markedly reduced after LEN-TACE therapy. After three additional TACE treatments with continued LEN administration, the tumor marker levels normalized, and complete response was determined based on RECIST guidelines. LEN-TACE therapy may effectively treat unresectable advanced HCC in the LEN-rechallenge setting and may be a treatment option as a last-line therapeutic option.
Tetsu Tomonari, Joji Tani, Chikara Ogawa, Akihiro Deguchi, Tomonori Senoh, Akio Moriya, Hiroshi Shibata, Hiroshi Fukuno, Hironori Tanaka, Takahiro Tanaka, Tatsuya Taniguchi, Masahiro Sogabe, Yutaka Kawano, Akihiro Morishita, Koichi Takaguchi, Hiroshi Miyamoto, Yasushi Sato, Tsutomu Masaki and Tetsuji Takayama : Multicenter retrospective study of Initial treatment outcome and feasibility of initiating dose reduction of cabozantinib in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma., Hepatology Research, Vol.53, No.2, 172-178, 2023.
(Summary)
Cabozantinib (CAB), a multiple kinase inhibitor, has been approved for use in patients with previously treated unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). However, real-world clinical data are lacking, particularly clinical data regarding dose modifications of CAB. We analyzed the clinical outcomes of CAB in uHCC and compared treatment outcomes between the full- and reduced-dose groups. This multicenter, observational study included patients with uHCC who were treated with CAB from March 2021 to April 2022. Patient characteristics, efficacy, and safety were compared between the full- and reduced-dose groups. Twenty-six patients from eight institutes were analyzed. Cabozantinib was administered as a third-line or later treatment in 25 (96.2%) patients and postimmunotherapy in 21 (80.5%) patients. There were 15 patients in the full-dose group (60 mg CAB) and 11 in the reduced-dose group (40 or 20 mg CAB). The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were not significantly different between the two groups. The ORR was 6.7% for the full-dose group and 9.1% for the reduced-dose group, and the DCR was 53.4% and 81.8%, respectively. Progression-free survival analysis showed no significant differences between the two groups. The incidence of decreased appetite, fatigue, and diarrhea, and the rate of discontinuation and dose reduction, was significantly higher in the full-dose group. Our study suggests that the efficacy and safety of CAB in real-world clinical practice are comparable to those of the phase III trial (CELESTIAL), and that dose reduction of CAB may be a safer treatment option.
Yasushi Sato, Yasuyuki Okada, Yasuteru Fujino, Tomoyuki Kawaguchi, Yoshifumi Kida, Yasuhiro Mitsui, Hironori Tanaka, Tetsu Tomonari, Shinji Kitamura, Koichi Okamoto, Yutaka Kawano, Hiroshi Miyamoto, Masahiro Sogabe and Tetsuji Takayama : Clinical Outcomes of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Tests for Gastrointestinal Cancers: Experience from Tokushima University Hospital., The Journal of Medical Investigation : JMI, Vol.70, No.1.2, 154-159, 2023.
(Summary)
In Japan, cancer genome profiling (CGP) for cancer patients without standard treatment has been covered by public insurance since June 2019. This study analyzed data of 122 patients with gastrointestinal tumors who underwent CGP to clarify cancer genome medicine's current status and possible problems at the Tokushima University Hospital. The major types of cancer included pancreatic (n=30), colorectal (n=25), biliary tract (n=15), gastric (n=11), and hepatocellular carcinoma (n=8). CGP tests included F1CDx in 70 patients (57%), F1LCDx in 36 (30%), TSO500 in 14 (11%), and NCC Oncopanel in 2 (2%). Actionable gene alterations were identified in 72 patients (59%), but only 5 patients (4%) were treated for pancreatic (n=1), colorectal (n=3), and small bowel cancers (n=1). The main reasons for not receiving genotype-matched therapy included the lack of appropriate drugs or clinical trials that matched the actionable gene alterations (n=40) and the inability to participate in clinical trials (n=10). There is still not a sufficient number of patients receiving genotype-matched treatment for gastrointestinal cancers. To promote cancer genome medicine in regional areas, attempts to improve access to genotype-matched therapies are required, as well as to promote the development of new molecular-targeted drugs and clinical trials for these drugs. J. Med. Invest. 70 : 154-159, February, 2023.
Yutaka Kawano : Alterations in the oral microbiome of individuals with a healthy oral environment following COVID-19 vaccination, BMC Oral Health, Vol.22, No.1, 2022.
(Summary)
Several reports suggest that the microbiome of the digestive system affects vaccine efficacy and that the severity of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is associated with decreased diversity of the oral and/or intestinal microbiome. The present study examined the effects of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccine on the oral microbiome. Forty healthy Japanese oral healthcare personnel were recruited, and unstimulated saliva was collected before vaccination, after the 1st vaccination, and after the 2nd vaccination. Genomic DNA was extracted from saliva samples, and PCR amplicons of the 16S rRNA gene were analyzed using next-generation sequencing. Microbial diversity and composition were analyzed using Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology 2. In addition, alterations in microbial function were assessed using PICRUSt2. SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination significantly increased oral bacterial diversity and significantly decreased the proportion of the genus Bacteroides. The SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine alters the oral microbiome; accordingly, vaccination might have beneficial effects on oral health.
Yasushi Sato, Koichi Okamoto, Yoshifumi Kida, Yasuhiro Mitsui, Yutaka Kawano, Masahiro Sogabe, Hiroshi Miyamoto and Tetsuji Takayama : Overview of Chemotherapy for Gastric Cancer., Journal of Clinical Medicine, Vol.12, No.4, 1336, Feb. 2023.
(Summary)
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most clinically challenging cancers worldwide. Over the past few years, new molecular-targeted agents and immunotherapy have markedly improved GC prognosis. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression is a key biomarker in first-line chemotherapy for unresectable advanced GC. Further, the addition of trastuzumab to cytotoxic chemotherapy has extended the overall survival of patients with HER2-positive advanced GC. In HER2-negative GC, the combination of nivolumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, and a cytotoxic agent has been demonstrated to prolong the overall survival of GC patients. Ramucirumab and trifluridine/tipiracil, which are second- and third-line treatments for GC, and trastuzumab deruxtecan, an antibody-drug conjugate for HER2-positive GC, have been introduced in clinics. New promising molecular-targeted agents are also being developed, and combination therapy comprising immunotherapy and molecular-targeted agents is expected. As the number of available drugs increases, it is important to understand the target biomarkers and drug characteristics and select the optimal therapy for each patient. For resectable disease, differences in the extent of standard lymphadenectomy between Eastern and Western countries have led to different standard treatments: perioperative (neoadjuvant) and adjuvant therapy. This review aimed to summarize recent advances in chemotherapy for advanced GC.
Hironori Tanaka, Tetsu Tomonari, Ryo Shinomiya, Mai Yonezawa, Yutaka Kawano and Tetsuji Takayama : Usefulness of shear wave elastography for evaluation of HCC recurrence after ablation., APASL2024, Kyoto, Mar. 2024.
2.
Yutaka Kawano, Maki Tanaka, Yasushi Sato, Tetsu Tomonari, Hironori Tanaka, Takeshi Mitsuhashi and Tetsuji Takayama : Activation of HNF4α pathway by treatment with botanical plant, Acanthopanax Senticosus, ameliorates steatohepatitis in high-fat fed mice model., AASLD2023, Boston, Nov. 2023.
3.
Yasushi Sato, Kazuyoshi Noda, Yasuyuki Okada, Kensei Nishida, Yutaka Kawano, Toshihito Tanahashi, Masanori Takehara, Yasuteru Fujino, Koichi Okamoto, Hiroshi Miyamoto and Tetsuji Takayama : Exosomal miR-199a-3p secreted from cancer-associated adipocytes promote pancreatic cancer progression., DDW2023, Chicago, May 2023.
4.
Yutaka Kawano, Maki Tanaka, Yasushi Sato, Tetsu Tomonari, Hironori Tanaka, Takeshi Mitsuhashi and Tetsuji Takayama : Activation of HNF4α pathway by treatment with botanical plant, Acanthopanax senticosus, ameliorates steatohepatitis in high-fat fed mice model., DDW2023, Chicago, May 2023.
Proceeding of Domestic Conference:
1.
Yutaka Kawano, Tetsu Tomonari, Yasushi Sato and Tetsuji Takayama : MAFLD/MASHマウスモデルを用いたフィトケミカル含有食品エゾウコギの基礎検討., 第42回Cytoprotection研究会, Mar. 2024.