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Biomedical subjects

T Naoe

Publications and source records attributed to T Naoe.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes with all-trans retinoic acid. Leukemia Study Group of the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

We treated 23 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS); 2 refractory anemia (RA) with prior therapy, 11 RA with excess of blasts (RAEB), and 10 RAEB in transformation (RAEB-T), with daily oral 45 mg/m2 all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in a multiinstitutional prospective study. In two patients with RAEB and one with RAEB-T, a more than 1,000/microL increase of peripheral neutrophil counts was observed with some reduction of blast percentage in the bone marrow 2 to 9 weeks after the start of ATRA. However, the effect was transient and did not last for more than 5 weeks despite the continuation of ATRA therapy. In one other patient with RA, one patient with RAEB, and one patient with RAEB-T, slight increase of hemoglobin levels or reduction of blast percentage in bone marrow was noted. Toxicities attributable to ATRA were minimal and included cheilitis, xerosis, dermatitis, gastrointestinal disorders, abnormal liver function tests, and high serum triglyceridemia. Although ATRA works remarkably as a differentiation therapy in acute promyelocytic leukemia, its effect in MDS included in this study was modest. Further study of this agent alone or in combination may be warranted in less advanced stages of this disease.

Adolescent↗

Minimal residual disease status in pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients after chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation: assessment of the anti-leukemic effects of chemotherapy and BMT.

We prospectively analyzed minimal residual disease (MRD) in four patients with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia who had been in complete remission for more than one year after chemotherapy and allogenic or autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT). MRD was quantitatively estimated using polymerase chain reaction amplification to detect the complementarity-determining region III of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene at limiting dilution DNA samples. Our study showed that remission induction chemotherapy reduced at most 2-logs of leukemia cells, and that subsequent consolidation chemotherapy induced further reduction of leukemia cells. In two cases, 10(-5) levels of MRD were detected two months after BMT. However, no MRD was detected four months after BMT. We also showed the effectiveness of ex vivo purging with anti-CALLA monoclonal antibodies which eliminated at least 2-logs of leukemia cells in autologous BMT. Our results suggest that this detection system is useful for assessing the reduction of the original leukemia clone, and that the presence of MRD within three months after BMT is not related to clinical outcome.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Rapid detection of plasma glycocalicin by a latex agglutination test. A useful adjunct in the differential diagnosis of thrombocytopenia.

To aid in the rapid differential diagnosis of thrombocytopenia, the authors developed a latex agglutination test for glycocalicin, a proteolytic fragment of platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib. Plasma glycocalicin determinations were performed for 34 patients with thrombocytopenia. Plasma samples from four patients with aplastic anemia and ten patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, all with glycocalicin levels less than 0.6 mg/L by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, all had negative results by the latex test. In contrast, positive latex agglutination titers were obtained for all 12 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Eight patients with liver cirrhosis and splenomegaly had elevated levels of plasma glycocalicin, and all of their plasma samples produced agglutination. This latex agglutination test for glycocalicin allows a rapid discrimination of thrombocytopenia caused by impaired platelet production from that caused by increased platelet destruction; thus, it is suitable for use as a screening test in a routine clinical laboratory.

Adolescent↗

Clonal analysis of multiple point mutations in the N-ras gene in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

We have screened mutations of the N-ras gene at codons 12, 13, and 61 in leukemia cells obtained from 100 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and found mutated N-ras alleles in 9 patients. We further analyzed the polyclonality of multiple N-ras gene mutations in 4 AML patients. One patient, who had the monoclonal karyotype, t(11;17), had two types of double missense mutations at codons 13 and 61 in the same allele. Each of the remaining three patients, one of whom had t(15;17) with a monoclonal rearrangement of the retinoic acid receptor alpha and PML genes, carried two missense mutations in a relatively small population of leukemia cells. We have demonstrated that multiple clonality of the N-ras gene is occasionally observed in leukemia with a monoclonal karyotype. These findings indicate that the N-ras mutations may not always be characterized simply by an accumulative process and that the activated N-ras gene alone is not sufficient to cause leukemia.

Acute Disease↗

Molecular heterogeneity of the PML gene rearrangement in acute promyelocytic leukemia: prevalence and clinical significance.

We determined the breakpoints of the RAR-alpha and PML genes in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells from 40 patients using Southern blot analysis. We also analyzed the relationship between the location of breakpoints, the clinical features of APL and the response to all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). While the breakpoints of the RAR-alpha gene were consistently within intron 2, we found two major clusters in the breakpoints of the PML gene. The two breakpoint clusters in the PML gene were separated by 10 kb; 5' breakpoints were in intron 3, and 3' breakpoints were around introns 5 and 6. Twenty percent of the patients had 5' breakpoints in the PML gene and 70% had 3' breakpoints. No rearrangement was observed in the remaining 10% of patients in spite of the presence of t(15;17) translocation. There was no relationship between the location of the PML breakpoints, the clinical features at diagnosis and the response to ATRA.

Adolescent↗

A human monoclonal antibody that detects HLA-A1, A23 and A24 antigens.

We report the production and characterization of a human monoclonal IgM (mu, kappa) antibody recognizing the HLA A1, A23 and A24 antigens. B lymphocytes obtained from a multiparous Japanese woman were transformed in vitro by Epstein-Barr virus, screened with an immune adherence assay, and fused with a murine myeloma cell line, P3-X63-Ag8.653. After subcloning by limiting dilution three times, a stable antibody-secreting hybridoma cell line, 4-35-7, was identified. The culture supernant had a titer of 1:32-64 against each of A1-, A23- and A24-positive lymphocyte panels, and showed complete correlation (r = 1.00) with the A1, A23 and A24 antigens on a lymphocyte panel of 287 unrelated, class I HLA-typed donors by the NIH cytotoxicity assay. Monoclonality of the antibody was ensured by Southern blot analysis of the human immunoglobulin heavy chain gene of 4-35-7. In view of the published data on HLA class I nucleotide sequences, the antibody may recognize an antigeneic determinant including two amino acid residues, Asp-166 and Gly-167, in the alpha 2 helix of the class I molecule that are specific for A1, A23 and A24 so far analyzed.

Animals↗

Nucleotide sequences of the variable regions of a human monoclonal antibody against HLA-A1, A23, and A24.

Nucleotide sequences of the heavy and light chain variable (VH and VL) regions of a human monoclonal antibody (4-35-7), which recognized HLA-A1, A23 and A24, were determined by means of the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. This antibody was generated by Epstein-Barr virus transformation of lymphocytes obtained from a multiparous donor, followed by fusion with mouse myeloma cells. The VH gene segment belonged to the VHIII gene family, and used the DXP4 and JH4 gene segments. This VH gene segment had 92.9% homology to the germline gene VH26, and contained 21 nucleotide substitutions. Fourteen of them generated the replacements of amino acids, while 7 failed to generate the replacement. The ratio of replacement to silent mutations in complementarity determining regions (CDRs) was 7.0. The VL gene segment belonged to the VkI gene family, and used Jk4. This VL gene segment showed 96.1% homology to the germline gene HK102, and contained 11 nucleotide substitutions. Seven of them generated the replacement of amino acids, while 4 failed to generate the replacement. The high ratio of replacement to silent mutations in CDRs of the VH gene segment suggested that the multiparity caused the processes of antigenic selection and somatic mutation, and generated this anti-HLA antibody.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Lignified materials as medicinal resources. VI. Anti-HIV activity of dehydrogenation polymer of p-coumaric acid, a synthetic lignin, in a quasi-in-vivo assay system as an intermediary step to clinical trials.

After the dehydrogenation polymer of p-coumaric acid, a synthetic lignin, was intravenously injected into mice, the serum was collected immediately, 15 min, 1 h, 5 h, and 24 h after the injection. The serum thus obtained was added to the assay medium containing MT-4 cells infected with HTLV-IIIB (an HIV-1 strain). Inhibition of the cytopathogenicity of HIV by these serum preparations was assayed by the MTT method. The result revealed that lignins could be a promising class of anti-HIV agents with an unidentified unique mode of action.

Antiviral Agents↗

[A "retinoic acid syndrome" observed in two cases of acute promyelocytic leukemia].

Two cases of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) developed fever, dyspnea and chest pain. A chest roentgenogram showed bilateral pleural effusion (case 1) and bilateral interstitial infiltration (case 2). The first case was a 50-year-old female in her first relapse, who was initially diagnosed as having pleuritis tuberculosa and was treated with anti-tuberculotic agents. Her symptoms continued for 44 days and complete remission was achieved 53 days after commencing ATRA therapy. The second case was a previously untreated 46-year-old male. His case had been diagnosed as adult respiratory distress syndrome and he had been treated with prednisolone. His symptoms rapidly improved and complete remission was achieved 38 days after the ATRA therapy. This was the first report of patients in Japan considered to have developed "retinoic acid syndrome (RAS)". In our five APL cases treated with ATRA, the syndrome was not always accompanied by peripheral blood leukocytosis even though the two cases with RAS showed higher leukocyte counts than the other two cases without RAS and also had DIC. We should pay attention to the severe respiratory symptoms that develop in APL patients after ATRA treatment and immediate steroid therapy is required for such patients.

Adult↗

Multi-institutional study of all-trans-retinoic acid as a differentiation therapy of refractory acute promyelocytic leukemia. Leukaemia Study Group of the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

We treated 70 acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients with daily oral 45 mg/m2 all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) in two multi-institutional prospective studies. Of 64 evaluable patients, 21 were refractory to initial induction chemotherapy; 10 were refractory to salvage chemotherapy; 17, five, and four were in the first, second and, third relapse, respectively; and seven were previously untreated due to old age. In the first study with ATRA from China, 18 out of 22 (82%) evaluable patients achieved complete remission (CR). Initial peripheral leukemia cell counts were significantly less in the CR cases (p < 0.01); < 100/microliters in 17 out of 18 CR cases, and > or = 200/microliters in all failure cases. In the second study with ATRA from Hoffmann-La Roche, if initial leukemia cell counts were more than 200/microliters, chemotherapy was first given and then ATRA was started. Of 42 evaluable patients, 36 (86%) achieved CR. Morphological evidence of differentiation was noted in all CR cases. Patients achieving CR received standard consolidation and maintenance chemotherapies, and the 20-month predicted disease-free survival rate is 76% for cases achieving their first CR with ATRA. Toxicities attributable to ATRA were minimal and included cheilitis, xerosis, dermatitis, gastrointestinal disorders, bone pain, liver damage, and high serum triglyceridemia.

Adolescent↗

[Differentiation therapy of acute promyelocytic leukemia with all-trans retinoic acid].

We treated 70 patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with daily oral 45 mg/m2 all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in 2 multi-institutional prospective studies. Of 63 evaluable patients, 21 were resistant to initial induction chemotherapy, 10 were resistant to salvage chemotherapy after relapse, 17 were in the first relapse, 4 in the second relapse, 4 in the third relapse, and 7 were previously untreated. In the first study with ATRA from China, 18 (82%) of 22 evaluable patients achieved CR within 8 to 53 days with a median of 29 days. Initial peripheral leukemia cell counts were significantly less in the CR cases (p < 0.01). They were less than 100/mm3 in 17 of 18 CR cases, and more than 200/mm3 in all failure cases. Patients achieving CR received standard consolidation and maintenance chemotherapies, and the 16-month predicted continuing CR rate is 60%. Based on the first study, in the second study with ATRA from Hoffmann-La Roche AG, if initial peripheral leukemia cell counts were more than 200/mm3, chemotherapy was first given and then ATRA was started. Of 41 evaluable patients, 36 (88%) achieved CR within 11 to 91 days with a median of 34 days. Of 3 patients who received preceding chemotherapy due to high leukemia cell counts, 2 achieved CR. Morphological evidence of differentiation was noted in all CR cases, with Auer rods in mature segmented neutrophils in 13 cases. The clinical signs of DIC decreased rapidly within a few days and disappeared in CR cases. Toxicities attributable to ATRA were minimal and included cheilitis, xerosis, dermatitis, gastrointestinal disorders, bone pain, liver damage and high serum triglyceridemia.

Administration, Oral↗

Unexpected heterogeneity of PML/RAR alpha fused mRNA detected by nested polymerase chain reaction in acute promyelocytic leukemia.

We have analyzed ten APL patients using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique to detect PML/RAR alpha fused mRNA. All patients in this study had PML/RAR alpha fused mRNA (three cases of the short type and seven cases of the long type), although the chromosomal translocation t(15;17) was not detected in one patient. After ethidium bromide staining, two-thirds of the short type and all cases of the long type were found to have multiple PCR products (192 and 93 base pair (bp) bands in the short type and 666, 522, 263, and 164 bp in the long type). A total of six distinct fused mRNAs were sequenced (P1R1, P1R2, P3R1, P2R1, and P2R2). Southern hybridization analysis showed only one rearranged band in each of the patients. These results suggest that the longest mRNAs in each type are the authentic fused mRNAs and the other smaller mRNAs are generated through splicing events. In RAR alpha, a novel fusion point (R2) was identified within the fourth exon. This uncommon splicing may be caused by the instability of the splicing mechanism of the rearranged PML/RAR alpha gene. Among the ten APL patients, no correlation was observed between the type of fused mRNA and the clinical characteristics examined.

Adult↗

Effective treatment of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma with a novel oral antitumor agent, MST-16.

Adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) induced by human T cell leukemia virus I is resistant to conventional therapy. Six patients with ATLL were treated with a new antitumor agent, MST-16, which is a derivative of bis(2,6-dioxopiperazine). Two patients achieved complete remission, lasting 12 months and more than 8 months, and 2 others partial remission, lasting 2 months and 6 weeks, respectively. The major toxicity was myelosuppression. Other toxicities were not severe and were well tolerable. Orally administered MST-16 is a promising agent for the treatment of ATLL.

Administration, Oral↗

Characterization of the immunoglobulin heavy chain complementarity determining region (CDR)-III sequences from human B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells.

Sequence analysis of the immunoglobulin heavy chain complementarity determining region (CDR)-III of B-lineage cells at various stages has provided important insights concerning B cell maturation and selection. Knowledge of human CDR-III sequences has been relatively limited compared with that of the murine system. We analyzed the CDR-III sequences of B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pre-B ALL) cells in 23 newly diagnosed and 10 relapsed patients, in order to elucidate the organization of CDR-III in B cell precursors. We found a very low frequency of somatic mutations in D and JH regions, preferential use of DLR, DXP, DHQ52, and DN elements, and of 3' side JH segments, and no predominant usage of D coding frames. Unusual joinings such as VH-D-D-JH and VH-JH were observed in three, and one sequences, respectively. We compared the CDR-III sequences derived from 10 patients between diagnosis and relapse. Two of them had three spots of mutated nucleotides at relapse, all of which were found in the N region near the D segments. Our data showed the possibility of somatic mutation at relapse, in addition to developmentally regulated rearrangement of the immunoglobulin gene at the stage of B cell precursors.

Adolescent↗

Lignified materials as medicinal resources. V. Anti-HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) activity of some synthetic lignins.

A class of synthetic lignins (dehydrogenation polymers of p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid) inhibited cytopathogenicity of HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection. The ratio of cytotoxic to anti-HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) doses depended strongly on conditions during polymer preparation. The activity increased when polymers were treated with reducing agent NaBH4, whereas it decreased when treated with oxidizing agent ceric ammonium nitrate. The polymers inhibited expression of HIV-specific antigen in the infected cells and also inhibited HIV-binding to the cells, but not completely, even at doses that almost completely inhibited the HIV-induced cytopathogenic effect. These results suggest that lignin structure, regardless of whether synthetic or natural, may inhibit HIV replication by an unidentified process, and thus prove to be a new class of anti-HIV agents possibly effective in the treatment of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

Antiviral Agents↗

Remission induction of acute promyelocytic leukemia by all-trans-retinoic acid: molecular evidence of restoration of normal hematopoiesis after differentiation and subsequent extinction of leukemic clone.

Sequential molecular and cellular changes during remission induction were investigated in a case of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) treated with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). By means of clonality analysis, the assessment of the retinoic acid receptor alpha gene alterations, as well as conventional cytologic studies, it was demonstrated that remission induction of APL by ATRA proceeds in two steps: first, the differentiation of the leukemic clone to mature granulocytes and its subsequent extinction; second, proliferation/differentiation of the residual normal clones to restore polyclonal hematopoiesis.

Adult↗