Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. To improve the prognosis of patients with NSCLCs, new and validated therapeutic targets are critically needed. In this study, we focused on F-box and WD repeat domain containing-7 (FBXW7), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, that regulates the degradation of MCL1, Myc, cyclin E, and TOP2A. Importantly, loss of FBXW7 was associated with increased sensitivity of tumors to a class I-specific histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, MS-275. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased expression of FBXW7 targets, MCL1 and TOP2A, in NSCLC tumors with low expression of FBXW7. Moreover, clinical specimens exhibiting low FBXW7 expression presented with more progressive cancer and significantly shorter cancer-specific survival than patients with high FBXW7 expression. Mechanistic study of NSCLC cell lines with silenced FBXW7 revealed enhanced MS-275 sensitivity and taxol resistance. Interestingly, taxol resistance was eliminated by MS-275 treatment, suggesting the potential of HDAC inhibitors for the treatment of aggressive taxol-resistant NSCLCs that lack FBXW7.

Meningeal carcinomatosis is the diffuse infiltration of the meninges by metastatic carcinoma. A 62-year-old man presented with a sudden onset of profound hearing loss affecting both ears. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed increased signal intensity on T1-weighted images of both vestibulocochlear nerves. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a large type 3 gastric cancer, and the pathological diagnosis was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Although combination chemotherapy with oral S-1 and weekly paclitaxel and radiation therapy were performed, the patient's condition gradually worsened, and he eventually died 12 weeks after the onset of deafness. Isolated bilateral hearing loss is therefore considered to be a rare first manifestation of meningeal carcinomatosis.

No abstract

We encountered a 47-year-old woman with polycystic liver disease (PLD) and severe malnutrition successfully treated by living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Her PLD became symptomatic with abdominal distension and appetite loss. Transcatheter arterial embolization and percutaneous cyst drainage failed to improve her symptoms. ABO-incompatible LDLT from her husband was performed after rituximab administration and mycophenolate mofetil introduction. Although she showed severe postoperative complications, she ultimately regained the ability to walk and was discharged. Because advanced PLD cases are difficult to treat conservatively or with surgery, like fenestration and hepatectomy, liver transplantation should be considered before it becomes too late.

We experienced a case of follicular cholangitis that was positive on fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (18 F-FDG-PET). A 70-year-old man was admitted for jaundice. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed stenosis of the middle to upper choledocus. 18 F-FDG-PET depicted a localized hot spot at the stenotic lesion (maximum standardized uptake value = 8.2). Although no malignant findings were found in the cytology or on a bile duct biopsy, malignancy could not be excluded, so surgical treatment was performed. Follicular cholangitis is a new, rare disease that causes severe biliary stricture. Only 11 cases of follicular cholangitis have been reported, including the present case.