Although recent accumulative data reveal the clinicopathogenesis of regression in methotrexate-induced lymphoproliferative disorders (MTX-LPDs), the precise understanding including this category remains controversial. In this study, we analyzed 62 patients with MTX-LPD. Forty-three patients showed regression (Reg group), with high rates of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and LPD (90 and 88%, respectively). Among the 43 patients of the Reg group, 14 patients (33%) relapsed. The median duration before relapse in the Reg group was 10.6 months. Although the difference of OS between the Reg and Non-Reg groups was not significantly different, relapse-free patients in the Reg group had a superior overall survival (OS). MTX duration had a significant impact on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection (p = .00131). Furthermore, EBV infection was significantly related to clinical manifestations, including spleen invasion, in the regression phenomenon. Some human leukocyte antigens (HLA) alleles might affect MTX-LPD development via EBV infection, although A*2402 and DRB1*0405 might be affected as fundamental factors.

A significant decrease in lymphocyte count at the LPD diagnosis and its restoration after MTX withdrawal were markedly associated with spontaneous regression of LPD developing during MTX treatment.

n-Octyl beta-D-thioglucopyranoside, a new non-ionic detergent, was synthesized. Properties, and applicability to membrane proteins, of this detergent were investigated. The detergent was easily removed by dialysis. The solubilizing power of this detergent for Escherichia coli membrane proteins was similar to that of n-octyl beta-D-glucopyranoside, which has been widely used in membrane biochemistry. No inactivation of proteins was observed after the solubilization. n-Octyl beta-D-thioglucopyranoside was superior to n-octyl beta-D-glucopyranoside in that it was much more stable and could be synthesized at much lower cost.

| INTRODUC TI ONPolymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a systemic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. It mainly affects elderly people and rarely arises in people younger than 50 years old. Typical clinical features of PMR include proximal myalgia (particularly in the shoulder girdles), morning stiffness of the trunk, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. 1,2 Glucocorticoids (GC) remain the mainstay therapy for PMR 2,3 because they produce dramatic responses in most patients. However, approximately half of patients with PMR experience relapse after tapering of the GC dose. 2,4 Moreover, long-term GC therapy can produce substantial adverse events, such as osteoporotic compression fractures of the spine, diabetes, infections and cardio-cerebral vascular events. 2,5,6 Abstract Objectives: Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a systemic inflammatory disease in the elderly of unknown etiology. While glucocorticoids are the mainstay of treatment for PMR, various glucocorticoid-related adverse events are common. Recently, several studies have reported the efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ), an anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody, for PMR treatment in addition to an accompanying reduction, or even tapering-off, of glucocorticoids in some cases. The objective of this study was to elucidate the efficacy of TCZ monotherapy in the absence of glucocorticoids for PMR. Method:We conducted a 2-year, prospective, single-center, open-label pilot study of TCZ monotherapy in patients with PMR. TCZ (8 mg/kg) was administered at fortnightly intervals for the first 2 months and monthly over the next 10 months.Subsequently, patients were observed for another year without any treatment. The primary endpoints were the remission rates at weeks 12 and 52, and the secondary endpoints were the relapse rate and safety over the total 104 weeks.Results: Thirteen patients were included in this study. Four of these patients achieved remission at week 12 (remission rate 31%). Four patients withdrew from the study due to adverse events (n = 2) and inefficacy (n = 2). At week 52, all 9 patients who had completed the first year achieved remission. Eight patients completed the drug-free second year, with 7 maintaining remission.Conclusions: TCZ monotherapy is well tolerated and can lead to remission in most patients with PMR in the absence of glucocorticoids. K E Y W O R D Sglucocorticoid, interleukin-6, monotherapy, polymyalgia rheumatica, tocilizumab agents. We used 15 infusions of TCZ. However, if fewer TCZ infusions are sufficient to control PMR and TCZ treatment could be ceased, then these cost problems would be negated. Therefore, the optimal number of infusions of TCZ required to control PMR activity must be determined in the future. In addition, as TCZ monotherapy is expected to reduce adverse events related to GCs, such as osteoporosis, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and so on, the additional costs associated with the treatment of these adverse events will be reduced.Several limitations of our study warran...