仁木 利郎

We retrospectively compared preoperative docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil (DCF) with cisplatin and fluorouracil (CF) in patients with esophageal cancer. The study included patients with advanced thoracic esophageal carcinoma (excluding T4 tumors) receiving preoperative chemotherapy. In the DCF group, five patients received two courses of treatment every 4 weeks, and 33 patients received three courses every 3 weeks. In the CF group, 38 patients received two courses of treatment every 4 weeks. Patients underwent curative surgery 4-5 weeks after completing chemotherapy. Patient demographic characteristics did not differ between the two study groups. The incidence of a grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicity was significantly higher in the DCF group (33 patients) than in the CF group (five patients; P < 0.001). Curative resection was accomplished in 79% of patients in the DCF group and 66% in the CF group (P = 0.305). There were no in-hospital deaths. The incidence of perioperative complications did not differ between the groups. A grade 2 or 3 histological response was attained in a significantly higher proportion of patients in the DCF group (63%) than in the CF group (5%; P < 0.001). Progression-free survival and overall survival were significantly higher in the DCF group (P = 0.013, hazard ratio 0.473; P = 0.001, hazard ratio 0.344). In conclusion, a grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicity was common in the DCF group but was managed by supportive therapy. Histological response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival were significantly higher in the DCF group compared with the CF group.

We report here the presence of subepithelial myofibroblasts in pure bronchioloalveolar carcinoma and a subset of invasive lung adenocarcinoma. The subepithelial myofibroblasts we describe were observed in a peculiar location beneath the cancer cells in the alveolar septa. Immunohistochemically, they were positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin and calponin, but negative for desmin and h-caldesmon. To gain insight into their biological significance, we examined 116 surgically resected lung adenocarcinomas. The resected tumors included 13 bronchioloalveolar carcinomas, 20 mixed type adenocarcinomas with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma components, 57 papillary adenocarcinomas, 22 solid adenocarcinomas with mucin, and 4 acinar adenocarcinomas. All specimens were immunostained for alpha-smooth muscle actin to visualize the myofibroblasts. In all of the pure bronchioloalveolar carcinomas observed, the subepithelial myofibroblasts were completely preserved adjacent to the cancer cells. In mixed adenocarcinomas with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma components, subepithelial myofibroblasts were present in the bronchioloalveolar carcinoma components, but scanty in the invasive areas, where stromal myofibroblasts emerged between the cancer cell nests. Subepithelial myofibroblasts were retained, however, in the invasive areas of a subset of invasive adenocarcinomas. Survival analysis showed that the retention of subepithelial myofibroblasts in these invasive tumors was associated with low rates of lymphatic and vascular invasion, a low rate of lymph node involvement, and an excellent patient survival. These results suggest that subepithelial myofibroblasts increase in bronchioloalveolar carcinomas, but are gradually replaced by typical stromal myofibroblasts during progression into invasive cancer. A subset of invasive adenocarcinomas retains subepithelial myofibroblasts. Analysis of subepithelial myofibroblasts may be helpful in identifying a subset of lung adenocarcinoma with excellent prognosis. Modern Pathology (2009) 22, 776-785; doi: 10.1038/modpathol.2009.27; published online 27 March 2009

BACKGROUND: The endoscopic resection of early gastric cancers (EGC) is a standard technique in Japan and is increasingly used throughout the world. Further experience in the treatment of EGC and a clearer delineation of the factors related to lymph-node metastasis would permit a more accurate assessment of endoscopic resection. METHODS: The study group comprised 1389 patients with EGC who underwent gastrectomy with lymph-node dissection. We evaluated the relations of lymph-node metastasis to clinicopathological factors. RESULTS: Of the 718 patients with intramucosal carcinomas, 14 (1.9%) had lymph-node metastasis. All cases of lymph-node metastasis were associated with ulceration. No lymph-node metastasis was found in patients with intramucosal carcinomas without ulceration, irrespective of tumor size and histological type. Lymph-node metastasis was present in 14 (4.7%) of the 296 patients who had cancer with a submucosal invasion depth of less than 500 mu m (sm 1). Significantly increased rates of lymph-node metastasis were associated with undifferentiated types, ulcerated lesions and lymphatic invasion. No lymph-node metastasis was found in patients with differentiated sm 1 carcinomas 30 mm or less in diameter without ulceration. Lymph-node metastasis occurred in 29% of the patients who had cancer with a submucosal invasion depth of 500 mu m or more (sm 2). CONCLUSION: This large series of patients with EGC provides further evidence supporting the expansion of indications for endoscopic treatment, as well as warns against potential risks.