These results suggest that IDO is a necessary enzyme for anticancer immune reactions of tumor-infiltrating cells.

No abstract

These authors suggest that the best timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in Japan may be within 24 hours of the onset of the disease.

Some HCC cells produced the crucial bone resorption regulator RANKL. Because RANKL modulates bone turnover, its presence would have profound implications for the establishment and development of bone metastases.

Although clear cell carcinoma has been found in various organs, only six cases have been reported in the pancreas. Moreover, the histogenesis of clear cell carcinoma of the pancreas remains controversial. We report a case of clear cell carcinoma of the pancreas in a 61-year-old woman, with an unusual pheno- or genotype detected by histochemical, immunohistochemical, and K- ras oncogene analyses. Histologically, the pancreatic tumor was predominantly composed of clear cell nests with scanty fibrous stroma and scattered duct-like structures. Neither clear cell nor duct-like components of the tumor showed mucin production. Immunohistochemical analysis of neoplastic cells showed a positive reaction to antibodies against cytokeratins 8 and 19, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, and alpha-1-antitrypsin, and showed no reaction to antibodies against carcinoembryonic antigen, neuroendocrine markers, trypsin, amylase, and HMB45. K- ras analysis revealed no mutation at codon 12 in either clear cell or duct-like components. The patient has had no recurrence as yet. The pancreatic carcinoma in our patient may be of duct cell origin, but the results of histochemical, immunohistochemical, and gene analyses and patient's outcome were unusual compared with those of previous cases.

We report 2 cases of splenic inflammatory pseudotumor treated by laparoscopic splenectomy. The first patient was a 58-year-old woman who complained of constipation. Computed tomography (CT) showed a well-demarcated mass that measured 4 cm in diameter and was not enhanced. She underwent laparoscopic splenectomy under a preoperative diagnosis of hemangioma. The final histopathologic diagnosis was inflammatory pseudotumor. The second patient was a 29-year-old man who complained of abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed a demarcated splenic tumor that measured 3 cm in diameter and was not enhanced. Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed. The pathologic and operative diagnoses were both inflammatory pseudotumor. In both cases, the postoperative course was uneventful, and the postoperative hospital stays were 10 and 11 days. Preoperative diagnosis of a splenic inflammatory pseudotumor is very difficult. However, laparoscopic splenectomy is safe and beneficial treatment for this tumor and should be performed in cases in which it is diagnosed.

The number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes is known to be related to outcomes in patients with a variety of malignancies. Interferon (IFN) g-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) and monokine induced by IFNg (MIG) have chemotactic effects on activated T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antitumor effects of exogenous expression of the MIG and IP-10 genes delivered to solid tumors by poly [D,L-2,4-diaminobutyric acid] (PDBA). The murine MIG and IP-10 genes were transfected into mouse neuroblastoma cells with PDBA. MIG and IP-10 levels in supernatants of transfected cells were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The chemotactic activities of MIG and IP-10 in the supernatants of cell cultures were measured by chemotaxis assay. Tumors were injected in vivo with PDBA/pmMIGHIP-10 complexes to evaluate the effects of these genes on tumor volume and survival time of mice. Transfected PDBA/pmMIGHIP-10 complexes produced MIG and IP-10 protein in vitro. MIG and IP-10 proteins secreted into the culture medium showed chemotactic activity. MIG and IP-10 gene therapy with the PDBA system in vivo significantly inhibited tumor growth and prolonged survival time of mice. In conclusion, PDBA-mediated MIG and IP-10 gene therapy may be useful for treatment of solid tumors.

Metastasis of cancer to the spleen or small intestine is rare. We encountered a case of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with splenic and jejunal metastases. A 60-year-old man was referred to us in February 2005 with a diagnosis of splenic tumor. Since 2001, he had been treated repeatedly for HCC with liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus infection; partial liver resection, transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization, and radiofrequency ablation therapy had been performed. In October 2004, he had undergone partial pulmonary resection due to metastasis of HCC to the lung. The splenic tumor, which was detected by computed tomography, seemed to be a metastasis of HCC. Splenectomy was performed for the splenic tumor, and a jejunal tumor was discovered and also resected. Both the splenic and jejunal tumors were diagnosed pathologically as metastases from the HCC. After repeated treatment for HCC, metastases can appear in various organs; thus, careful observation is necessary during follow-up.