Volume 50, Issue 8, August 2020
Review
De novo evolved gene product NCYM in the pathogenesis and clinical outcome of human neuroblastomas and other cancers
NCYM is an MYCN antisense gene that encodes de novo evolved protein and promotes tumor aggressiveness. Here, we review the current understanding of oncogenic functions and the clinical significance of NCYM.
Updates in the 8th edition of the TNM staging system for esophagus and esophagogastric junction cancer
The 8th edition TNM system for esophageal and esophagogastric junction (EGJ) cancer has been updated to include separate clinical, pathological and pathological prognostic stagings for EGJ and squamous cell carcinoma.
Original Articles
Breast Medicine
Concordance between treatment recommendations provided by IBM Watson for Oncology and a multidisciplinary tumor board for breast cancer in China
We examine the concordance between treatment recommendations for breast cancer by Watson for Oncology (WFO, artificial intelligence) and oncologists. WFO is a promising system for the treatment of breast cancer.
Clinical Trials
Phase I trial of the MET inhibitor tepotinib in Japanese patients with solid tumors
In this Phase 1 study, the safety/pharmacokinetic profile of tepotinib (a MET inhibitor) in Japanese patients with solid tumors supports further development at a dose of 500 mg/day orally.
Study on the prevention of infection in terminal cancer patients applying epidural analgesia by adding cefazolin to anesthetics: a randomized controlled trial
Long-term epidural analgesia has definite analgesic effect for patients with terminal cancer. Adding cefazolin to local anesthetics has little systemic influence and few complications and can effectively prevent analgesic infection.
Factors affecting enrollment in randomized controlled trials conducted for patients with metastatic breast cancer
To examine factors affecting rates at which informed consent was obtained in randomized controlled trials for metastatic breast cancer patients, we conducted prospective studies with a self-administered questionnaire.
Gynecology
Four versus six chemotherapy cycles in endometrial carcinoma with a high risk of recurrence: a retrospective study
Four cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy can reduce the incidence of hematological toxicities compared with six cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy in endometrial cancer patients with a high risk of recurrence.
Hematology
Obesity is correlated with poor outcome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with acute leukemia
The study enrolled 686 acute leukemia patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The results indicated that obesity at pre-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation stage is correlated with poorer outcome.
Palliative and Supportive Care
Effects of the publication of Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy on the Administration Preferences of Oncology Specialists: Japanese Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
We published chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy guidelines in 2017 and conducted questionnaire survey in 2015 and 2019. The administration ratio of duloxetine increased in 2019 by the influence of the guidelines.
Radiation Oncology
The effectiveness of proton beam therapy for liver metastatic recurrence in gastric cancer patients
Based on the low incidence of adverse events and the high local control rate, proton beam therapy appears to be a feasible option for liver metastasis of gastric cancer.
Thoracic Medicine
Real-world use of osimertinib for epidermal growth factor receptor T790M-positive non-small cell lung cancer in Japan
Real-world safety and efficacy data from Japanese patients with EGFR T790M-positive NSCLC support the currently established benefit-risk assessment of osimertinib in this patient population.
Initial evaluation of nivolumab in patients with post-operative recurrence of malignant pleural mesothelioma
Nivolumab demonstrated promising efficacy and reasonable safety for patients with post-operative recurrence of mesothelioma. Nivolumab can be considered a treatment option for patients with post-operative recurrence of mesothelioma.
Thoracic Surgery
Outcomes after thoracoscopic surgery in octogenarian patients with clinical N0 non-small-cell lung cancer
We compared outcome 70 octogenarian patients to 205 septuagenarian patients with cN0 non-small-cell lung cancer. Our strategy for octogenarian patients, including omission of mediastinal lymph node dissection, was determined to be feasible.
Urology
Prognostic impact of sarcopenia in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer
This retrospective study showed that sarcopenia was significantly associated with cancer-specific survival in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, especially in younger patients.
Real-world use of temsirolimus in Japanese patients with unresectable or metastatic renal cell carcinoma: recent consideration based on the results of a post-marketing, all-case surveillance study
In this Japanese post-marketing surveillance study, the safety and effectiveness profile of temsirolimus was similar to that in the multinational phase 3 study. No new safety signals were identified.
Short communication
Temozolomide and etoposide combination for the treatment of relapsed osteosarcoma
Combination treatment with temozolomide and etoposide showed beneficial therapeutic effects in two of nine patients with relapsed osteosarcoma, both were negative for O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase protein expression.
Clinical Trial Note
A phase III randomized controlled trial comparing surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy with preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy for locally recurrent rectal cancer: Japan Clinical Oncology Group study JCOG1801 (RC-SURVIVE study)
A multicenter randomized phase III trial was initiated to confirm the superiority of preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy over the standard treatment for locally recurrent rectal cancer.