BackgroundCD3 +  and CD8 + T-cell infiltration were reported as positive predictive markers of survival in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Here, we demonstrate the prognostic significance of CD4 + and FOXP3 + T-cell densities in CRC.MethodsWe quantified the intratumoural densities of CD3 + , CD8 + , CD4 +  and FOXP3 + T cells by immunohistochemistry and digital pathology in 342 CRC patients who underwent curative resection. Microsatellite instability was also assessed in 322 specimens. Patient demographics, clinicopathological features and survival rates were analysed.ResultsHigh CD3 + , CD4 +  and FOXP3 + T-cell densities were associated with improved relapse-free survival (RFS); high CD8 + , CD4 +  and FOXP3 + T-cell densities were associated with improved disease-specific survival (DSS). Patients with low CD4 + and low FOXP3 + T-cell densities exhibited extremely poor prognoses. T stage, vascular/lymphatic invasion and CD4 + T-cell density were independent prognostic indicators for DSS. The distributions of CD4 + and FOXP3 + T-cell densities were not significantly different between the high microsatellite instability group and other groups, in contrast to those of CD3 + and CD8 + T-cell densities.ConclusionsIntratumoural CD4 + T-cell density and combined CD4 + and FOXP3 + T-cell densities were stronger prognostic indicators than other clinicopathological features. These results may facilitate the establishment of novel prognostic factors and therapeutic strategies for CRC.

Background:A nomogram is progressively being used as a useful predictive tool for cancer prognosis. A nomogram to predict survival in nonresectable pancreatic cancer treated with chemotherapy has not been reported.Methods:Using prospectively collected data on patients with nonresectable pancreatic cancer receiving gemcitabine-based chemotherapy at five Japanese hospitals, we derived a predictive nomogram and internally validated it using a concordance index and calibration plots.Results:In total, 531 patients were included between June 2001 and February 2013. The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM stages were III and IV in 204 and 327 patients, respectively. The median survival time of the total cohort was 11.3 months. A nomogram was generated to predict survival probabilities at 6, 12, and 18 months and median survival time, based on the following six variables: age; sex; performance status; tumour size; regional lymph node metastasis; and distant metastasis. The concordance index of the present nomogram was higher than that of the AJCC TNM staging system at 12 months (0.686 vs 0.612). The calibration plots demonstrated good fitness of the nomogram for survival prediction.Conclusions:The present nomogram can provide valuable information for tailored decision-making early after the diagnosis of nonresectable pancreatic cancer.

We investigated contamination of environmental surfaces by Staphylococcus aureus from April 1 to the end of June in 2002 in the dermatological ward (37 beds) of a university hospital. For surfaces contaminated by high levels of S. aureus, disinfection methods were evaluated. 100-10 5 colony forming units (cfu) of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) or methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) were detected on items such as an immersion bathtub (examined area, about 900 cm 2 ), foot washbowl, stretcher for an immersion bath, and chair for the shower. After disinfection, no S. aureus was detected on smooth surfaces such as the immersion bathtub and foot washbowl; however, S. aureus was detected even after disinfection on porous surfaces made of sponge-like materials (polyethylene foam) such as the stretcher for the immersion bath and the shower chair. Scanning electron microscopy of the porous surfaces showed formation of a large amount of coccus and bacillus biofilms on the walls of pores in the multi-pore structure. Material that is porous should not be used in patient care settings because it is not possible to disinfect it properly.

The findings indicate that rdl-type fipronil-resistant pests do not show cross-resistance to fluralaner owing to the differential actions of fluralaner and fipronil on the GABAR.

We previously conducted a phase I clinical trial combining the HLA‐A*2402‐restricted KIF20A‐derived peptide vaccine with gemcitabine for advanced pancreatic cancer (PC) and confirmed its safety and immunogenicity in cancer patients. In this study, we conducted a multicenter, single‐armed, phase II trial using two antiangiogenic cancer vaccines targeting VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 in addition to the KIF20A peptide. We attempted to evaluate the clinical benefit of the cancer vaccination in combination with gemcitabine. Chemotherapy naïve PC patients were enrolled to evaluate primarily the 1‐year survival rate, and secondarily overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), response rate (RR), disease control rate (DCR) and the peptide‐specific immune responses. All enrolled patients received therapy without the HLA‐A information, and the HLA genotypes were used for classification of the patients. Between June 2012 and May 2013, a total of 68 patients were enrolled. No severe systemic adverse effects of Grade 3 or higher related to these three peptides were observed. The 1‐year survival rates between the HLA‐A*2402‐matched and ‐unmatched groups were not significantly different. In the HLA‐A*2402 matched group, patients showing peptide‐specific CTL induction for KIF20A or VEGFR1 showed a better prognosis compared to those without such induction (P = 0.023, P = 0.009, respectively). In the HLA‐A*2402‐matched group, the patients who showed a strong injection site reaction had a better survival rate (P = 0.017) compared to those with a weak or no injection site reaction. This phase II study demonstrated that this therapeutic peptide cocktail might be effective in patients who demonstrate peptide‐specific immune reactions although predictive biomarkers are needed for patient selection in its further clinical application.