Photoimmunotherapy (PIT) is a new type of tumor‐specific treatment utilizing monoclonal antibody (mAb)‐photosensitizer conjugates and near‐infrared (NIR) light irradiation. One potential PIT target, the type I transmembrane protein TROP2, is expressed at high levels in many cancers, including pancreatic carcinoma (PC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC), in which its expression is correlated with poor prognosis and tumor aggressiveness. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of PIT utilizing newly developed humanized anti‐TROP2 mAb conjugated to the photosensitizer IR700 (TROP2‐IR700) for PC and CC. Immunohistochemistry on PC and CC tissue microarrays confirmed that TROP2 is overexpressed in about half of PC and CC specimens. Using cultured PC and CC cells, TROP2‐IR700 localized TROP2‐specific and target‐specific cell killing was observed after NIR light irradiation. In addition, TROP2‐IR700 was localized to mouse xenograft tumors expressing TROP2 after intravenous injection. PC and CC xenograft tumor growth was significantly inhibited by TROP2‐targeted PIT relative to controls. The efficacy of TROP2‐targeted PIT in vitro and against xenografted tumors in vivo suggests promise as a therapy for human PC and CC, both of which currently have dismal prognoses and limited therapeutic options.

PTX and DTX were both effective in SLC for ESCC, but their toxicity profiles differed. In terms of febrile neutropenia, PTX seems more appropriate.

The interaction between tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 4 (OX40) on T cells and the OX40 ligand (OX40L) on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) is a pivotal step for T-cell activation and the promotion of antitumor immunity. However, it is hypothesized that soluble OX40 (sOX40) in blood suppresses T-cell activation by blocking the OX40/OX40L interaction. In the present study, the association between blood sOX40 levels and the clinical characteristics of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) patients was investigated. Blood was collected from 22 patients with advanced CRC. Blood sOX40 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression encoding OX40 or cytokines was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR. Blood sOX40 levels were positively correlated with the blood levels of carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), C-reactive protein (CRP) and soluble programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in patients but negatively correlated with the blood levels of albumin. Blood sOX40 levels were not correlated with the mRNA expression of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and IL-4 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of the patients and were not correlated with the frequency of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) expressing CD4 + , CD8 + and CD56 + cells. Notably, according to both univariate and multivariate analyses, high blood sOX40 levels were significantly correlated with a reduced survival time in patients. Although activated Jurkat cells (a human T cell line) exhibited an upregulation of sOX40 production and OX40 mRNA expression, the OX40 mRNA expression of the PBMCs of patients was not correlated with blood sOX40 levels. High blood levels of sOX40 were correlated with a reduced survival time in patients with advanced CRC, possibly associated with the suppression of antitumor immunity by sOX40.

IntroductionA new concept of ‘NeoRAS wild-type (WT)’, which means conversion of RAS status from RAS mutant to RAS WT after treatment, has been reported. Previous observational and proof-of-concept studies have demonstrated the efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors in patients with NeoRAS WT metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Moreover, posthoc biomarker analyses of these studies have suggested that not only the RAS status in the circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) but also other gene mutational status may be useful as biomarkers of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors for NeoRAS WT mCRC.Methods and analysisThis trial is a multicentre, single-arm, phase II trial to assess the efficacy and safety of panitumumab plus irinotecan therapy for patients with NeoRAS mCRC. The key eligibility criteria include RAS mutant mCRC initially proven in tumour tissue refractory or intolerant to fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin and irinotecan; RAS WT in ctDNA (defined as plasma mutant allele frequencies of all RAS ≤0.1%) within 28 days before enrolment and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤2. The primary endpoint is the response rate. The target sample size is 30 patients. Biomarker analyses are planned to be performed using next-generation sequencing-based ctDNA analysis.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by the certified review board of National Cancer Center Hospital. The main results of the trial will be presented in international meetings and in medical journals.Trial registration numbers031210565.

Background Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPeM) is a rare cancer for which no standard systemic chemotherapy has been established. While cisplatin plus pemetrexed, the standard treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPlM), is usually used for MPeM, its efficacy remains unclear. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of MPeM patients who had received cisplatin plus pemetrexed as first-line chemotherapy between January 2001 and July 2016 at the National Cancer Center Hospital. Patients received cisplatin 75 mg/m2 and pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 on day1, repeated every 3 weeks until progressive disease, unacceptable toxicities or patient’s refusal to continue. Results A total of 29 MPeM patients received cisplatin plus pemetrexed. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 7.1 months (95% CI: 4.8–9.3) and 15.4 months (95% CI: 9.5–21.2), respectively. Among 16 patients with measurable lesions, the response rate was 38%. Incidences of grade 3/4 leukopenia, neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia were 21%, 17%, 14% and 3%, respectively. Non-hematological toxicities were mild, and there were no treatment-related deaths. Conclusions Cisplatin plus pemetrexed, showing consistent efficacy with MPlM, can be recommended as first-line treatment for unresectable MPeM patients.