Hormone-refractory prostate cancer is one of the intractable human cancers in the world. Here, we examined the direct tumorkilling activity of inactivated Sendai virus particle [hemagglutinating virus of Japan envelope (HVJ-E)] through induction of Type I interferon (IFN) in the hormone-resistant human prostate cancer cell lines PC3 and DU145. Preferential binding of HVJ-E to PC3 and DU145 over hormone-sensitive prostate cancer cell and normal prostate epithelium was observed, resulting in a number of fused cells. After HVJ-E treatment, a number of IFNrelated genes were up-regulated, resulting in Type I IFN production in PC3 cells. Then, retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I) helicase which activates Type I IFN expression after Sendai virus infection was up-regulated in cancer cells after HVJ-E treatment. Produced IFN-a and -b enhanced caspase 8 expression via Janus kinases/Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription pathway, activated caspase 3 and induced apoptosis in cancer cells. When HVJ-E was directly injected into a mass of PC3 tumor cells in SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency) mice, a marked reduction in the bulk of each tumor mass was observed and 85% of the mice became tumor-free. Although co-injection of an antiasialo GM1 antibody with HVJ-E into each tumor mass slightly attenuated the tumor suppressive activity of HVJ-E, significant suppression of tumor growth was observed even in the presence of anti-asialo GM1 antibody. This suggests that natural killer cell activation made small contribution to tumor regression following HVJ-E treatment in hormone-resistant prostate cancer model in vivo. Thus, HVJ-E effectively targets hormone-resistant prostate cancer by inducing apoptosis in tumor cells, as well as activating anti-tumor immunity. '

The overall survival rate of patients with clinical stage I esophageal cancer treated with CRT was comparable to that in those treated with esophagectomy, despite a high local recurrence rate. Locally recurrent carcinoma was endoscopically treatable in most patients, with no effect on overall survival. CRT seems to be a viable alternative to esophagectomy in patients with clinical stage I esophageal cancer.

This study showed a strikingly high incidence of esophageal cancer in hypopharyngeal cancer patients. We suppose that the combination of early detection by chromoendoscopic examination and endoscopic resection for associated esophageal cancer in hypopharyngeal cancer patients improve prognosis and maintain quality of life.

Objectives:The reported 1- and 3-year overall survival rates after esophagectomy for stage I superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC) are 95–97% and 86%, and those after definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) are 98% and 89%, respectively. This study was performed to elucidate the efficacy and safety of another treatment option for SESCC: endoscopic resection (ER) followed by CRT.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed the overall survival, recurrence, and grade ≥3 adverse events of consecutive patients who refused esophagectomy and underwent ER followed by CRT for SESCC from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2012.Results:In total, 66 patients with SESCC underwent ER followed by CRT during the study period, and complete follow-up data were available for all patients. The median age was 67 (range, 45–82) years, and the median observation period was 51 (range, 7–103) months. Local and metastatic recurrences occurred in 2 (3%) and 6 (9%) patients, respectively, and 17 (26%) patients died. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 98%, 87%, and 75%, respectively. One of the 23 patients with mucosal cancer and 5 of 43 with submucosal cancer developed metastatic recurrences (P=0.65). Five of the 61 patients with negative vertical resection margin and 1 of 5 with positive vertical resection margin developed metastatic recurrences (P=0.39). None of the 30 patients without lymphovascular involvement developed metastatic recurrences; however, 6 of 36 patients with lymphovascular involvement developed metastatic recurrences (P=0.0098). Grade ≥3 adverse events occurred in 21 (32%) patients and all adverse events were associated with CRT, hematological adverse events in 13 (20%), and non-hematological adverse events in 9 (14%).Conclusions:ER followed by CRT provides survival comparable with that of esophagectomy or definitive CRT and has a low local recurrence rate. A particularly favorable outcome is expected for cancers without lymphovascular involvement.

This paper describes a new mechanism, communication system, and vision system of an internal pipe inspection robot. To date, inspection robots have had such limitations as their mobility to turn in a T-shaped pipe or move in a plug valve. The new mechanism based on our dual magnetic wheels, resembling a crawler, not only overcomes the limitation but enables the robot to climb over sharp obstacles like sleeve and dresser joints. Another drawback of earlier robots is that the friction between the pipe and the cables for communication and power supply makes it dificult to move a long distance. A fiberoptic communication system can reduce the friction. The new vision system has been significantly miniaturized, enabling it to clearly view and inspect the welded section underneath the robot while gazing ahead for navigation.An experimental inspection robot has been successfully made to confirm the efficiency of the new mechanism, communication system, and the vision system.