Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality all over the world. Improvements of cytotoxic and biologic agents have prolonged the survival in metastatic CRC (mCRC), with a median overall survival of approximately 2 years and more in the past two decades. The biologic agents that have proven clinical benefits in mCRC mainly target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In particular, bevacizumab targeting VEGF and cetuximab and panitumumab targeting EGFR have demonstrated significant survival benefits in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy in the first-line, second-line, or salvage setting. Aflibercept, ramucirumab, and regorafenib are also used in second-line or salvage therapy. Recent retrospective analyses have shown that KRAS or NRAS mutations were negative predictive markers for anti-EGFR therapy. Based on the evidence from large randomized clinical trials, personalized therapy is necessary for patients with mCRC according to their tumor biology and characteristics. The aim of this paper was to summarize the results of the major randomized clinical trials and highlight the benefits of the molecular targeted agents in patients with mCRC.

Objecitive: Fucosyltransferase 8 (FUT8), the only enzyme responsible for the core α1,6-fucosylation of asparagine-linked oligosaccharides of glycoproteins, is a vital enzyme in cancer development and progression. We examined FUT8 expression in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) to analyze its clinical significance. We also examined the expression of guanosine diphosphate-mannose-4,6-dehydratase (GMD), which is imperative for the synthesis of fucosylated oligosaccharides. Methods: Using immunohistochemistry, we evaluated the expression of FUT8 and GMD in relation to patient survival and prognosis in potentially curatively resected NSCLCs. Results: High expression of FUT8 was found in 67 of 129 NSCLCs (51.9%) and was significantly found in non-squamous cell carcinomas (p = 0.008). High expression of FUT8 was associated with poor survival (p = 0.03) and was also a significant and independent unfavorable prognostic factor in patients with potentially curatively resected NSCLCs (p = 0.047). High expression of GMD was significantly associated with high FUT8 expression (p = 0.04). Conclusions: High expression of FUT8 is associated with an unfavorable clinical outcome in patients with potentially curatively resected NSCLCs, suggesting that FUT8 can be a prognostic factor. The analysis of FUT8 expression and its core fucosylated products may provide new insights for the therapeutic targets of NSCLCs.

Purpose Magnesium supplementation is an effective protective method against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity (CIN); however, there are few reports regarding the mechanism of its nephroprotective effect. The aim of this study was to determine whether premedication with intravenous magnesium prevents CIN and to determine the relationship between its nephroprotective effect and serum magnesium level. Methods Fifty-eight patients with head and neck cancer who received cisplatin, docetaxel, and 5-fluorouracil (DCF) were retrospectively investigated. Grade 2 or more serum creatinine elevation was defined as CIN. The incidence of CIN was compared between a magnesium sulfate (20 mEq, 2.46 g) premedication group and a non-magnesium group during the first cycle and in all cycles. Results CIN did not occur in any patients receiving magnesium premedication but did occur in 5 of 29 patients during the first cycle and in 6 patients during all subsequent cycles in patients who did not receive magnesium premedication. Furthermore, the variation of creatinine clearance was significantly worse in the non-magnesium group than in the magnesium premedication group from baseline. There was no difference in adverse effects or response rate between the two groups. Univariate analysis suggested that magnesium premedication significantly reduced the risk of CIN. On the other hand, serum magnesium depletion was seen in both groups to equal degrees despite supplementation. Conclusion Intravenous magnesium premedication has a protective effect on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity without the influence on the serum magnesium level. Magnesium premedication is a simple nephroprotective method that does not influence other adverse effects or rate of response to chemotherapy.

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare subtype of soft tissue sarcoma (STS). We herein describe a case of late onset of non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia (NICTH) that was managed via multidisciplinary treatment in a patient with SFT. A 67-year-old man previously diagnosed with SFT 4 years prior to this presentation and treated with several rounds of surgery, presented with massive tumors. Eighteen months following his prescribed chemotherapy, the patient developed hypoglycemia. He was diagnosed with NICTH, after confirming the presence of high molecular weight insulin-like growth factor-2. This case suggests that paraneoplastic syndrome can occur even in cases of rare cancers, such as STS.