Peritoneal metastasis is the most frequent form of distant metastasis and recurrence in gastric cancer, and the prognosis is extremely poor due to the resistance of systemic chemotherapy. Here, we demonstrate that intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of a green fluorescence protein (GFP)-expressing attenuated adenovirus with oncolytic potency (OBP-401) synergistically suppressed the peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer in combination with paclitaxel (PTX). OBP-401 synergistically suppressed the viability of human gastric cancer cells in combination with PTX. PTX enhanced the antitumor effect of OBP-401 due to enhanced viral replication in cancer cells. The combination therapy increased induction of mitotic catastrophe, resulting in accelerated autophagy and apoptosis. Peritoneally disseminated nodules were selectively visualized as GFP-positive spots by i.p. administration of OBP-401 in an orthotopic human gastric cancer peritoneal dissemination model. PTX enhanced the deep penetration of OBP-401 into the disseminated nodules. Moreover, a non-invasive in vivo imaging system demonstrated that the combination therapy of i.p. OBP-401 administration with PTX significantly inhibited growth of peritoneal metastatic tumors and the amount of malignant ascites. i.p. virotherapy with PTX may be a promising treatment strategy for the peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer.

We investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO) in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the rat placenta. A nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME), was constantly infused into pregnant rats 6-24 h before sacrifice on gestational day (GD) 15.5. NO production declined to about 15% of the control level as monitored by NO trapping and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. VEGF mRNA expression was temporally decreased by L-NAME, but recovered to normal levels after 24 h of treatment, whereas hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α and induced NOS (iNOS) expression increased. VEGF expression decreased significantly in placental explants after 6 h of co-treatment with L-NAME and lipopolysaccharide, an iNOS inducer. Our data indicate that NO induce VEGF expression in vivo and in vitro in the rat placenta, suggesting that peaked NO production was maintained by a reciprocal relationship between NO and VEGF via HIF-1α.

No abstract

Objective: To evaluate risk factors for Denosumab-induced hypocalcemia in prostate cancer patients with bone metastases. Methods:In this single-arm, open-label, prospective multicenter study, 48 prostate cancer patients with bone metastases received Denosumab (120 mg on day 1) and androgen-deprivation therapy. Serum calcium, albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and phosphate levels; chronic kidney disease stage; and serum prostate specific antigen and urine N-terminal telopeptide (u-NTx) levels were examined. Patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of whether or not they developed hypocalcemia at 1 week or 1 month after Denosumab administration. Risk factors for hypocalcemia were determined by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results: Nineteen patients (39.6%) demonstrated hypocalcemia at 1 week after Denosumab administration, and 16 (33.3%) were hypocalcemic at 1 month. Patients with hypocalcemia at 1 week had higher baseline serum ALP levels (1283.4 ± 1489.7 [mean ± SD] vs 467.3 ± 655.8, P=0.013) than patients without hypocalcemia. Patients with hypocalcemia at 1 month had higher baseline serum ALP (1455.5 ± 1694.1, P=0.002) and u-NTx levels (190.9 ± 63.9, P=0.013) and more bone metastases (extent of disease grade ≥ 3; 10 patients, 20.8%, P=0.006) at baseline than patients without hypocalcemia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that baseline u-NTx of >100 nmol bone collagen equivalents/mmol creatinine was a significant independent risk factor for hypocalcemia (odds ratio=12.41, 95% confidence interval=1.059-145.600, P=0.049).Conclusions: Baseline u-NTx level is an independent risk factor for Denosumab-induced hypocalcemia in prostate cancer patients with bone metastases.

Migration of surgical materials into the urinary tract is very rare. We present a case of spontaneous migration of a metal clip into renal pelvis after laparoscopic pyeloplasty. A 44-year-old woman who had a long history of multiple sclerosis presented with symptomatic left hydronephrosis due to ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. Since antegrade endopyelotomy was unsuccessful, the patient underwent laparoscopic Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty. The UPJ was wrapped with thick inflammatory tissue and a crossing vessel that firmly adhered to the UPJ was found and dissected. Metal clips were used for hemostasis. Although the hydronephrosis was improved and flank pain was completely dissolved, a stone was identified in the pelvis 22 months after the surgery. The stone was formed around a metal clip that had been possibly migrated into the renal pelvis. Transureteral lithotripsy was performed using an 8F ureterofiberscope and a clip was removed.