Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Ann Thorac Surg 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA. Electronic address:

Background: Current guidelines support cancer-directed surgery, chemotherapy or active surveillance for clinical stages 1 to 3 of epithelial Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM). Definitive chemotherapy is recommended for sarcomatoid/biphasic histologies. Our objective is to assess compliance with recommendations, measuring their impact on overall survival (OS). Read More

J Vet Med Sci 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Department of Small Animal Clinics, Center of Rural Science, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM).

Mesothelioma is a very aggressive malignant tumor with low survival rates that is often diagnosed belatedly. Pericardial effusion is a common consequence in cases of mesothelioma, with pericardiocentesis and pericardiectomy indicated; therefor thoracocentesis is necessary to drain the contents no longer retained in the pericardium. The present report describes a mesothelioma - carrying dog with a history of cardiac tamponade that underwent thoracoscopic pericardiectomy and, later, thoracoscopic implantation of a fully implantable catheter to function as a thoracic drain. Read More

Invest New Drugs 2019 Apr 16. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Indiana University Division of Hematology and Oncology, 535 Barnhill Dr, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.

Purpose Brentuximab vedotin (BV) is an anti-CD30 antibody-drug conjugate used in the treatment of several types of lymphomas. Expression of the target antigen has also been reported on a variety of malignant tumors of nonlymphoid origin. This phase 2, open-label study evaluated the safety and antitumor activity of BV in patients with CD30-expressing nonlymphomatous malignancies. Read More

Clin Lung Cancer 2019 Mar 26. Epub 2019 Mar 26.

Department of Radiation Oncology, New York Proton Center, New York, NY. Electronic address:

Background: Management options for unresected malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) are largely limited to palliative chemotherapy and best supportive care. This study sought to delineate subgroups most likely to benefit from chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: The National Cancer Database was queried for newly-diagnosed unresected sarcomatoid, biphasic, and/or metastatic (M1) MPM. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Apr;98(15):e15147

Department of Pathology, The First Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.

Rationale: Malignant mesothelioma is a malignant tumor with poor prognosis, which usually originates in the pleura, peritoneum, and pericardial cavity. Mesotheliomas that originate from the diaphragm are very rare. Here, we report a case of primary malignant mesothelioma of the diaphragm with liver invasion. Read More

Expert Rev Respir Med 2019 Apr 12. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

b Clinical Oncology Department , Ain Shams University , Cairo , Egypt .

Introduction: Trimodality therapy (including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy) represents an important management approach of early-stage malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The oncological value, as well as the proper sequence of the three modalities, is still under investigations. Areas Covered: The article covers the timing of chemotherapy in the management plan either "neoadjuvant approach" or in the adjuvant setting. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019 Apr 11. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637.

Survival from malignant mesothelioma, particularly pleural mesothelioma, is very poor. For patients with breast, ovarian, or prostate cancers, overall survival is associated with increased sensitivity to platinum chemotherapy due to loss-of-function mutations in DNA repair genes. The goal of this project was to evaluate, in patients with malignant mesothelioma, the relationship between inherited loss-of-function mutations in DNA repair and other tumor suppressor genes and overall survival following platinum chemotherapy. Read More

Br J Cancer 2019 Apr 10. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, P.O Box 1130 Blindervn, 0318, Oslo, Norway.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the association of a family history of cancer with the risk of testicular cancer in young adults.

Methods: This is a prospective cohort study including 1,974,287 males born 1951-2015, of whom 2686 were diagnosed with TC before the age of 30.

Results: A history of TC in male relatives was significantly associated with a diagnosis of TC among children and young adults, including brothers (6. Read More

J Dev Biol 2019 Apr 8;7(2). Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.

The mesothelium is an epithelial structure derived from the embryonic mesoderm. It plays an important role in the development of a number of different organs, including the heart, lungs, and intestines. In this publication, we discuss aspects of the development of the mesothelium, where mesothelial structures can be found, and review molecular and cellular characteristics associated with the mesothelium. Read More

Radiol Med 2019 Apr 8. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla, 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.

Purpose: To assess the outcome of malignant pleural mesothelioma patients treated with extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), using the most advanced radiotherapeutic techniques, namely image-guided intensity-modulated RT (IG-IMRT).

Methods And Materials: Fifty-four patients were analyzed. Minimum radiation dose was 50 Gy (2 Gy/fr). Read More

J Thorac Dis 2019 Feb;11(2):602-612

Division of Thoracic Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, ON, Canada.

Background: Given poor survival of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and extrapleural nodal metastasis, pre-operative mediastinal lymph node (LN) staging has been advocated. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) may be a useful pre-operative adjunct in patients with MPM. This study aims to assess performance of EBUS-TBNA for mediastinal LN staging in MPM. Read More

Cell Physiol Biochem 2019 ;52(4):869-878

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, BIOPOLIS, Larissa, Greece.

Background/aims: Cell volume regulation is a critical mechanism for cell homeostasis and depends on the osmotic water permeability (P) of the cell plasma membrane. The P of human mesothelial cells is unknown although they contribute to serosal fluid turnover.

Methods: In this study we measured the osmotic water permeability of benign human mesothelial cells (MeT-5A) and of epithelioid (M14K) and sarcomatoid (ZL34) malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) cells in response to acute hyperosmotic stress. Read More

Histopathology 2019 Apr 8. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Departments of Pathology, Fukuoka University Hospital and School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive neoplasm with poor prognosis. Diagnosis includes verification of mesothelial origin and discrimination of MPM from reactive mesothelial hyperplasia (RMH) or reactive mesothelial cells (RMC). This can be challenging. Read More

Cancer Epidemiol 2019 Apr 3;60:106-111. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

INSERM U1086 « ANTICIPE », Caen University, F-14000, Caen, France; Occupational Diseases Department, University Hospital, Caen, F-14033, France.

Background: Peritoneal malignant mesothelioma is a rare disease for which few population-based studies are available. The aim of this study was to describe the evolution of the incidence and survival of peritoneal malignant mesothelioma in France between 1989 and 2015, using data derived from the French network of cancer registries.

Methods: Age world-standardized incidence rates and overall survival were calculated using data from 16 French cancer registries. Read More

Thorac Cancer 2019 Apr 5. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China.

Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare but aggressive tumor that originates from the pleura and has a poor prognosis. Eligible patients can benefit from surgery, but their survival is affected by many factors. Therefore, we created a graphic model that could predict the prognosis of surgically treated patients. Read More

Indian J Surg Oncol 2019 Mar 3;10(1):3-23. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Center for Gastrointestinal Malignancies, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, 106 Irving St., NW, Suite 3900, Washington, DC 20010 USA.

Peritoneal metastases may occur from a majority of cancers that occur within the abdomen or pelvis. When cancer spread to the peritoneal surfaces is documented, a decision regarding palliation versus an aggressive approach using cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) must be made. This decision is dependent on a well-defined group of prognostic indicators. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Apr;98(14):e14979

Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine and Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Background: Soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP) is a widely studied tumor marker for diagnosing malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). This study discussed the diagnostic value of SMRPs in pleural effusion (PE) for MPM.

Methods: Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane library system were systematically searched on the data of SMRPs in PE for MPM diagnosis. Read More

Support Care Cancer 2019 Apr 3. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-Based Decision-Making, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.

Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare cancer with poor prognosis. As there is little information on the lived experience of MPM, our aim was to document the experience of MPM patients and their caregivers.

Methods: Surveys for MPM patients and caregivers were developed from previous interviews with patients, caregivers, and health professionals, about treatments and decision-making. Read More

Am J Case Rep 2019 Apr 4;20:447-452. Epub 2019 Apr 4.

Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Japan Community Health Care Organization (JCHO) Saitama Medical Center, Saitama City, Saitama, Japan.

BACKGROUND Pseudomesotheliomatous carcinomas are rare tumors that develop like malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). These tumors have similar features, and thus pseudomesotheliomatous carcinomas can sometimes be misdiagnosed as MPM. Most pseudomesotheliomatous carcinomas develop from primary lung cancers, although there have been some reports involving other malignancies; however, there has been no report describing a pseudomesotheliomatous carcinoma developing from an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Read More

Int J Oncol 2019 Apr 1. Epub 2019 Apr 1.

Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700‑8558, Japan.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare malignancy arising from the pleura that is difficult to diagnose, contributing to its dismal prognosis. Previously, we reported that the degree of microRNA (miR)‑34b/c methylation in circulating DNA is associated with the development of MPM. Herein, we present a newly developed droplet digital PCR (ddPCR)‑based assay for the detection of miR‑34b/c methylation in circulating DNA in patients with MPM. Read More

Pathol Oncol Res 2019 Apr 2. Epub 2019 Apr 2.

Research Laboratories, Hull York Medical School, Daisy Building, Castle Hill Hospital, Hull, HU16 5JQ, UK.

Advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) has an extremely poor prognosis with limited chemotherapy options, therefore the identification of new therapeutic targets would aid in disease management. Arachidonic acid is metabolised by cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes. The lipoxygenase isoenzymes 5-LOX and 12-LOX have been implicated in carcinogenesis. Read More

Lung 2019 Apr 2. Epub 2019 Apr 2.

Unit of Thoracic Surgery, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

We report a rare case of a IgG4-related disease presenting with recurrent pleural effusion, pleural thickness and multiple mediastinal lymphadenopathies and no involvement of other extrathoracic organs. A 65-year-old man with a previous asbestos exposure presented with cough and pain discomfort. A large right pleural effusion was detected and evacuated (siero-haematic liquid). Read More

Respir Med Case Rep 2019 4;26:326-327. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, NT, Australia.

Diffuse pulmonary metastasis secondary to primary peritoneal malignant mesothelioma is rarely reported in the literature. In this report we describe a 59-year-old Caucasian women with no known previous asbestos exposure presenting with bilateral diffuse pulmonary opacities in association with primary malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. The diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound guided abdominal and bronchoscopy, -bronchial lung biopsy. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2019 Mar 31;12(3). Epub 2019 Mar 31.

Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jodphur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

India is the largest consumer of asbestos in the world. There is no report from India of mesothelioma related to asbestos. The case is a 42-year-old man who died of pleural mesothelioma. Read More

Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2019 Mar 30. Epub 2019 Mar 30.

Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

Pseudomesotheliomatous carcinomas (PMC) are rare tumors that clinically, macroscopically, and sometimes histologically resemble malignant pleural mesotheliomas. We report a case of a 91 year woman who was found to have diffuse nodular pleural thickening and a lung mass during a workup for persistent cough. She declined rapidly and died before a histologic diagnosis could be made. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Mar;98(13):e15003

Division of Allergy/Pulmonary/Critical Care, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.

Pleural effusions are a common medical problem not only for pulmonologists but also for general physicians, often needing thoracentesis for a definite diagnosis. However, thoracentesis cannot always reveal malignant cells or microbiological evidence.In this context, we prospectively enrolled a total of 289 patients with pleural effusions due to diverse etiologies: parapneumonic effusion (PPE) (63), empyema (22), tuberculous pleural effusion (TBPE) (54), malignant pleural effusion (MPE) (140), or chronic renal failure (CRF)/congestive heart failure (CHF) (10). Read More

J Clin Oncol 2019 Mar 28:JCO1801678. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

1 The Christie National Health Service Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom.

Purpose: Prophylactic irradiation to the chest wall after diagnostic or therapeutic procedures in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) has been a widespread practice across Europe, although the efficacy of this treatment is uncertain. In this study, we aimed to determine the efficacy of prophylactic radiotherapy in reducing the incidence of chest wall metastases (CWM) after a procedure in MPM.

Methods: After undergoing a chest wall procedure, patients with MPM were randomly assigned to receive prophylactic radiotherapy (within 42 days of the procedure) or no radiotherapy. Read More

J Geriatr Oncol 2019 Mar 24. Epub 2019 Mar 24.

University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia.

Objective: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a cancer that primarily affects older adults. However this patient population is frequently under-represented in clinical studies. Therefore, we studied the impact of advancing age on treatment utilisation and clinical outcomes in an extensive series of minimally selected MPM patients. Read More

Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2019 Mar 27:1-11. Epub 2019 Mar 27.

a Department of Medical Oncology , Austin Health , Melbourne , Australia.

Introduction: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive malignancy arising from the mesothelial cells lining the pleura and other serosal membranes. It is associated with an extremely poor prognosis and has limited therapeutic options. Areas covered: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is known to be highly overexpressed in mesothelioma with reported EGFR overexpression between 44 to 97%. Read More

Strahlenther Onkol 2019 Mar 26. Epub 2019 Mar 26.

Radiologische Klinik, FE Strahlentherapie, Universitätsklinik Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105, Bonn, Germany.

Purpose: A planning study was performed for helical tomotherapy treatment. We evaluated the maximum achievable protection of organs at risk (OARs) in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma after pleurectomy with simultaneous optimal target coverage.

Materials And Methods: The datasets of 13 patients were included. Read More

Cureus 2019 Jan 17;11(1):e3906. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Internal Medicine, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, USA.

Mesothelioma is an uncommon type of cancer arising from the mesothelial cells that form the lining of several cavities in the body. Exposure to asbestos is the leading known cause of mesothelioma. We present a 73-year-old male with a significant asbestos exposure and a recent history of recurrent diverticulitis who reported persistent left lower quadrant (LLQ) pain despite several courses of empiric antibiotic therapy. Read More

Gan To Kagaku Ryoho 2019 Feb;46(2):395-399

Japanese/Asian School of Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Treatment.

Background And Objectives: The current standard of treatment for malignant peritoneal mesothelioma(MPM)is cytoreductive surgery(CRS)plus perioperative intraperitoneal or systemic chemotherapy(comprehensive treatment), The present study was performed to clarify the prognostic factors of PMP after comprehensive treatment.

Methods: Among 63 patients with MPM, male and female patients were 34 and 29. CRSwas performed in 47 patients and complete cytoreduction(CC-0) was performed in 14(22%)patients. Read More

Int Braz J Urol 2019 Mar 22;45. Epub 2019 Mar 22.

Department of Urology, Istanbul Bilim University, Istanbul, Turkey.

Introduction: Cancer is one of the most important leading cause of death in man and woman in the world. The occurrence of new cancer has become more frequent in recent years due to strict screening protocols and occupational and environmental exposure to carcinogens. The incidence of secondary malignancies has also increased due to close medical follow-up and advanced age. Read More

J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol 2019 Apr;26(2):e26-e27

Department of Respiratory Medicine Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center, Wakayama, Japan.

Oncoimmunology 2019 22;8(4):e1554969. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Malignant pleural effusions, arising from either primary mesotheliomas or secondary malignancies, heralds advanced disease and poor prognosis. Current treatments, including therapeutic thoracentesis and tube thoracostomy, are largely palliative. The immunosuppressive environment within the pleural cavity includes myeloid derived suppressor cells, T-regulatory cells, and dysfunctional T cells. Read More

Nat Commun 2019 03 22;10(1):1333. Epub 2019 Mar 22.

Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Universités, Inserm, UMRS-1138, 75006, Paris, France.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is recognized as heterogeneous based both on histology and molecular profiling. Histology addresses inter-tumor and intra-tumor heterogeneity in MPM and describes three major types: epithelioid, sarcomatoid and biphasic, a combination of the former two types. Molecular profiling studies have not addressed intra-tumor heterogeneity in MPM to date. Read More

J Cancer Res Ther 2019 Mar;15(Supplement):S167-S169

Department of Urology, P.D. Hinduja National Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) of the tunica vaginalis (TV) is a rare tumor. It is seen in elderly patients, with painless scrotal swelling being the most common presentation. The exact etiology is unknown; a few risk factors have been suggested. Read More

Radiol Oncol 2019 Mar 14. Epub 2019 Mar 14.

Clinical Institute of Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Background Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a rare aggressive tumour of mesothelium caused by asbestos exposure. It has been suggested that the genetic variability of proteins involved in DNA repair mechanisms affects the risk of MM. This study investigated the influence of functional polymorphisms in ERCC1 and XRCC1 genes, the interactions between these polymorphisms as well as the interactions between these polymorphisms and asbestos exposure on MM risk. Read More

Carcinogenesis 2019 03 19. Epub 2019 Mar 19.

Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.

Dis Markers 2019 12;2019:4183157. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Institute of Occupational Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310013, China.

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a rare, aggressive, and highly lethal cancer that is substantially induced by exposure to asbestos fibers. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is an intriguing proinflammatory molecule involved in MM. In this review, we describe the possible crucial roles of HMGB1 in carcinogenic mechanisms based on and experimental evidence and outline the clinical findings of epidemiological investigations regarding the possible roles of HMGB1 as a biomarker for MM. Read More

J Surg Case Rep 2019 Mar 12;2019(3):rjz040. Epub 2019 Mar 12.

Urology Department, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Bury St. Edmunds, UK.

Well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma (WDPM) is a rare histological subtype of mesothelioma arising from the tunica vaginalis. We present a case of a 23-year-old male with a palpable para-testicular lump of 3 years duration. Scrotal exploration revealed a grossly abnormal cystic appearance of his tunica vaginalis. Read More

Eur J Clin Nutr 2019 Mar 18. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia.

Background/objectives: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an incurable cancer and optimizing daily physical activity and quality of life are key goals of patient management. Little is known about the prevalence of pre-sarcopenia and malnutrition in MPM or their associations with patient outcomes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of pre-sarcopenia and malnutrition in MPM and investigate if activity levels and quality of life differed according to body composition and nutritional status. Read More

Pathol Res Pract 2019 Mar 4. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Turkey.

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis. The most common genetic alteration in MM is the deletion of the INK4a/ARF locus, which encodes the p16 protein and is located on the short arm of chromosome 9 (9p21). Recently, it has been shown that homozygous deletion of 9p21 has both diagnostic and prognostic significance in MM. Read More

Lung Cancer 2019 Apr 7;130:35-41. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Australia; Asbestos Diseases Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Medical Oncology, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Objectives: A number of key immune regulators show prognostic value in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), but the association between Bridging integrator 1 (BIN1), indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and patient outcome has not been investigated. We aimed to determine the expression of BIN1 and IDO1, their association with other markers and impact on overall survival (OS) in MPM.

Materials And Methods: The expression of BIN1, IDO1, CD3, CD20 and CD68 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 67 patients who underwent pleurectomy/decortication. Read More

Lung Cancer 2019 Apr 27;130:187-193. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

Department of Pathology, Fukuoka University School of Medicine and Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan. Electronic address:

Objective: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive neoplasm with poor prognosis. Loss of BRCA-associated protein 1 (BAP1) protein expression as detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and homozygous deletion (HD) of the 9p21 locus as detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) permits differentiation of MPM from reactive mesothelial hyperplasia (RMH). We have previously reported that detecting the loss of methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) using IHC is a surrogate assay for 9p21 FISH. Read More

Clin Transl Sci 2019 Mar 18. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

MedImmune, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA.

Tremelimumab, an anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 monoclonal antibody that enhances T-cell activation, was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase IIb study (NCT01843374) in patients with unresectable malignant mesothelioma. The study demonstrated no clinically meaningful differences in overall survival (OS). The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the relationship of exposure with OS. Read More

Jpn J Clin Oncol 2019 Mar 18. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, Pathology Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1, Tsukiji Chou-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.

Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is rarely an asbestos-related cancer with a poor prognosis that is difficult to distinguish from some benign conditions by using conventional biopsy techniques. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of a novel biopsy technique using a cryoprobe during flex-rigid pleuroscopy for diagnosing MPM.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent pleural cryobiopsy during flex-rigid pleuroscopy from June through November 2017 to diagnose the cause of pleural effusion were collected. Read More

Biocontrol Sci 2019 ;24(1):47-56

Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science andTechnology (AIST).

　A useful tool for the screening of fungi producing biologically active secondary metabolites such as antibiotics and cytotoxic substances has been developed. An agar plate-organic solvent interface cultivation (A/S-IFC) system, which comprised a hydrophobic organic solvent (upper phase) , a fungal mat (middle phase) and an agar plate (lower phase) , was constructed. The metabolite profiles were compared among the A/S-IFC, a traditional submerged cultivation (SmC) and an extractive liquid surface immobilization (Ext-LSI) system consisted of a hydrophobic solvent (upper phase) , a fungal cells-ballooned microspheres (middle phase) and a liquid medium (lower phase) , with high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA) . Read More

J Med Case Rep 2019 Mar 18;13(1):66. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Division of Cancer Medicine Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-8641, Japan.

Background: Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare aggressive tumor of the peritoneum. We report a rare case of resection of multiple localized malignant peritoneal mesotheliomas.

Case Presentation: A 55-year-old Japanese woman was admitted to our hospital because liver tumors were detected by abdominal ultrasonography during a screening examination. Read More