Overexpression of p16 INK4a as an indicator for human papillomavirus oncogenic activity in cervical squamous neoplasia

Overexpression of p16(INK4a) has been observed when retinoblastoma protein is inactivated by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) oncoprotein E7. We investigated overexpression of p16(INK4a) and HPV infection in cervical squamous neoplasia to evaluate the oncogenic potential among various HPV subtypes. The high-risk HPV was detected by PCR in 69.8% (37/53), 97.5% (39/40), 91.7% (44/48), and 100% (16/16) of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)1, CIN2, CIN3, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), respectively. The p16(INK4a) overexpression was investigated immunohistochemically using a p16(INK4a)-specific monoclonal antibody (clone E6H4). In high-risk HPV positive cases, 32.4% (12/37) of CIN1, 82.1% (32/39) of CIN2, 93.2% (41/44) of CIN3, and all (16/16) SCC showed p16(INK4a) overexpression. The incidence of p16(INK4a) overexpression was significantly different between CIN1 and CIN2, suggesting that the disorder of cell cycle regulation by HPV frequently occurred from CIN2. As for CIN1 cases, p16(INK4a) overexpression was observed more frequently in HPV16 and HPV52 than in HPV51 and HPV35. Using p16(INK4a) as a bio marker of HPV oncogenic activity, we demonstrate that the level of pRb dysfunction by high-risk HPV varied from subtypes and was getting more frequent from CIN2.

Sensitivity to cisplatin determined by the histoculture drug response assay and clinical response of endometrial cancer

This study investigated the value of the in vitro histoculture drug response assay (HDRA) for predicting the efficacy of chemotherapy in patients with endometrial cancer. Specimens were obtained from 115 patients with endometrial cancer treated at Keio University Hospital between 1994 and 2002. Tumor fragments were cultured on collagen sponge gel with cisplatin for 7 days, and cell viability was assessed. The cutoff value of the 50% inhibitory concentration of cisplatin was set at 23 microg/mL. Sensitivity of stage III or IV disease to chemotherapy was investigated, and differences of 5-year progression-free survival between patients with sensitive and resistant tumors were evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Tumors were evaluable in 93.0% of patients (107/115). Among 38 patients in stages III or IV, 23 received chemotherapy containing cisplatin. Seven sensitive tumors did not recur, while recurrence/progression occurred within 6 months in 8/16 patients with tumors showing low sensitivity. Among stages III and IV patients, there was a significant difference of 5-year progression-free survival (P < 0.05) between those with tumors showing high or low sensitivity. Accordingly, the HDRA may predict the efficacy of chemotherapy for endometrial cancer.

8-1A, a human monoclonal antibody that reacts with intact human chorionic gonadotropin

The incidence of choriocarcinoma has decreased over time and therapeutic results have improved about 90% complete remission in patients without extensive metastasis. However, some choriocarcinomas metastasize to other organs and show resistance to chemotherapy, having a poor prognosis despite multidisciplinary treatment. Better methods of early diagnosis for recurrence or micrometastasis, and treatment against cases with intractable gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) are needed to improve the prognosis. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone composed of two dissimilar subunits and a tumor marker to make a diagnosis and monitor therapeutic effect in GTN. Even when hCG levels in the serum become too low to measure with the hCG beta-CTP system which is the most sensitive assay, there are estimated to be approximately 10,000 trophoblastic cells in the body. Residual trophoblast cells may cause symptoms such as bleeding or undergo malignant transformation to choriocarcinoma. Since most monoclonal antibodies developed so far are murine, administration creates human anti-mouse antibodies, resulting in clinical failure. More recent mouse/human chimeric antibodies or humanized antibodies still possess substantial immunogenicity that makes repeated administration difficult. In the present study, KM mice that can produce completely human monoclonal antibodies were used to prepare hCG-specific human monoclonal antibody. This yielded 8-1A, a human monoclonal antibody capable of reacting with intact hCG. In the future, new diagnostic techniques and treatments for chorionic diseases may be developed using this kind of human monoclonal antibody.

Phase II trial of docetaxel in advanced or metastatic endometrial cancer: a Japanese Cooperative Study

The purpose of this study was to determine whether docetaxel has antitumour activity in patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma. Chemotherapy-naïve or previously treated patients (one regimen) with histopathologically documented endometrial carcinoma and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ⩽2 entered the study. Docetaxel 70 mg m⁻² was administered intravenously on day 1 of a 3-week cycle up to a maximum of six cycles. If patients responded well to docetaxel, additional cycles were administered until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity occurred. Of 33 patients with a median age of 59 years (range, 39–74 years) who entered the study, 14 patients (42%) had received one prior chemotherapy regimen. In all, 32 patients were evaluable for efficacy, yielding an overall response rate of 31% (95% confidence interval, 16.1–50.0%); complete response and partial response (PR) were 3 and 28%, respectively. Of 13 pretreated patients, three (23%) had a PR. The median duration of response was 1.8 months. The median time to progression was 3.9 months. The predominant toxicity was grade 3–4 neutropenia, occurring in 94% of the patients, although febrile neutropenia arose in 9% of the patients. Oedema was mild and infrequent. Docetaxel has antitumour activity in patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma, including those previously treated with chemotherapy; however, the effect was transient and accompanied by pronounced neutropenia in most patients.

Semen quality of 324 fertile Japanese men

BACKGROUND

A number of studies have indicated regional differences in semen quality. To examine the current status in Japan, we undertook a cross-sectional study on the semen quality of fertile Japanese men for comparison with recent European results.

METHODS

Semen parameters of 324 fertile men from the Kawasaki/Yokohama area were investigated. The semen parameters were compared with those published for fertile men from four European cities, Copenhagen, Paris, Edinburgh and Turku.

RESULTS

When adjusting for confounders such as ejaculation abstinence period and age, the lowest sperm concentrations were detected in men from Kawasaki/Yokohama followed by men from Copenhagen, Paris, Edinburgh and Turku, but only the differences between men from Kawasaki/Yokohama and men from Edinburgh and Turku were significant (P=0.0008 and P<0.0001, respectively). Total sperm count, percentage of motile sperm and percentage of normal sperm observed in Kawasaki/Yokohama were significantly lower than those from all European centres except for motile sperm in men from Paris.

CONCLUSIONS

Japanese fertile men had a semen quality at the level of Danish men, who have been reported to have the lowest among investigated men in Europe. The low level of semen quality of the fertile Japanese men may be due to lifestyle or other environmental factors; however, ethnic differences caused by different genetic variation or combinations cannot be ruled out by this study.

Chemosensitivity testing of ovarian cancer using the histoculture drug response assay: sensitivity to cisplatin and clinical response

Despite cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy, the prognosis of advanced ovarian cancer is still poor. Predicting the chemosensitivity of tumors might improve the outcome. Therefore, we investigated the clinical value of the histoculture drug response assay for ovarian cancer. Tumor specimens were cultured for 7 days on collagen gel sponge in medium containing cisplatin, and the 50% inhibitory concentration was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Then the in vitro sensitivity to cisplatin was compared with the clinical response and survival. Apoptosis of tumor cells was also investigated. Among 173 ovarian cancer patients, 164 were evaluable by the assay, and 29 patients had measurable lesions for which the clinical response could be determined. The 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in patients with chemosensitive tumors than in those with chemoresistant tumors when the cutoff value was set at a 50% inhibitory concentration of 25 microg/mL and the accuracy of the assay was 82.8% (24/29). As chemosensitivity to cisplatin became greater, the number of apoptotic cells also increased. This chemosensitivity assay may help predict the clinical response to cisplatin-based chemotherapy, thus improving the survival of ovarian cancer patients.

Efficient screening for ovarian cancers using a combination of tumor markers CA602 and CA546

A new efficient screening for ovarian cancer based on a combination of two tumor markers, CA602 and CA546, is reported. These two tumor markers can be detected by a combination immunoenzymometric assay of these two antigens. This combination assay was initially performed in 1189 patients with clinically detected ovarian tumors (final pathological diagnosis: 645 cases of benign disease and 544 cases of malignant disease), and benign disease included 122 patients with endometriosis and 523 normal healthy women. The combination of CA602 and CA546 increased the detection rate of ovarian cancer from 77.8 to 85.8% compared with CA602 alone, demonstrating that the combination assay was effective at detecting ovarian cancers. The combination assay of CA602 and CA546 was then applied to 21,374 random subjects to screen for asymptomatic ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer was detected in nine patients (detection rate: 0.04%), of which four cases were stage I disease. A retrospective analysis of these four patients revealed that a screening based on only a single assay would have been negative and further reiterates the effectiveness of this combination assay in detecting potential disease.

Diagnostic clinical application of two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization that detects chromosome 1 and 17 alterations to direct touch smear and liquid-based thin-layer cytologic preparations of endometrial cancers

We performed two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on direct touch smears and liquid-based thin-layer (ThinPrep) cytological preparations of endometrial tumors to detect alterations of chromosome 1 and 17 that present with high incidence in endometrial cancers. The DNA probes used for two-color FISH analysis were a combination of the probes designed for 17cen (cCI 17-321) and 17p13.3 (D17S34), and a combination of the probes designed for 1q12 (D1Z1) and 1p36 (cCI1-5335). Numerical or structural alterations of chromosome 1 and/or 17 were detected in 95% (19 of 20 cases) of the direct touch smears obtained from endometrial cancer, while these alterations were also detected in 93% (12 of 13 cases) of samples obtained from grade 1 endometrioid adenocarcinoma cases, including three cases that could not be diagnosed as positive by conventional Papanicolaou cytopathologic staining. Using ThinPrep cytopathologic preparations, numerical or structural abnormalities were found in 26 (90%) and five (100%) cases, respectively, of samples obtained transcervically from 29 endometrial cancer and five atypical endometrial hyperplasia cases. Therefore, two-color FISH may be a useful diagnostic method for endometrial adenocarcinoma and premalignant lesions that demonstrate only slight cellular atypia in conventional cytopathologic preparations.

Diagnostic clinical application of two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization that detects chromosome 1 and 17 alterations to direct touch smear and liquid-based thin-layer cytologic preparations of endometrial cancers

We performed two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on direct touch smears and liquid-based thin-layer (ThinPrep) cytological preparations of endometrial tumors to detect alterations of chromosome 1 and 17 that present with high incidence in endometrial cancers. The DNA probes used for two-color FISH analysis were a combination of the probes designed for 17cen (cCI 17-321) and 17p13.3 (D17S34), and a combination of the probes designed for 1q12 (D1Z1) and 1p36 (cCI1-5335). Numerical or structural alterations of chromosome 1 and/or 17 were detected in 95% (19 of 20 cases) of the direct touch smears obtained from endometrial cancer, while these alterations were also detected in 93% (12 of 13 cases) of samples obtained from grade 1 endometrioid adenocarcinoma cases, including three cases that could not be diagnosed as positive by conventional Papanicolaou cytopathologic staining. Using ThinPrep cytopathologic preparations, numerical or structural abnormalities were found in 26 (90%) and five (100%) cases, respectively, of samples obtained transcervically from 29 endometrial cancer and five atypical endometrial hyperplasia cases. Therefore, two-color FISH may be a useful diagnostic method for endometrial adenocarcinoma and premalignant lesions that demonstrate only slight cellular atypia in conventional cytopathologic preparations.

Chemosensitivity testing of ovarian cancer using the histoculture drug response assay: sensitivity to cisplatin and clinical response

Despite cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy, the prognosis of advanced ovarian cancer is still poor. Predicting the chemosensitivity of tumors might improve the outcome. Therefore, we investigated the clinical value of the histoculture drug response assay for ovarian cancer. Tumor specimens were cultured for 7 days on collagen gel sponge in medium containing cisplatin, and the 50% inhibitory concentration was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Then the in vitro sensitivity to cisplatin was compared with the clinical response and survival. Apoptosis of tumor cells was also investigated. Among 173 ovarian cancer patients, 164 were evaluable by the assay, and 29 patients had measurable lesions for which the clinical response could be determined. The 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in patients with chemosensitive tumors than in those with chemoresistant tumors when the cutoff value was set at a 50% inhibitory concentration of 25 μg/mL and the accuracy of the assay was 82.8% (24/29). As chemosensitivity to cisplatin became greater, the number of apoptotic cells also increased. This chemosensitivity assay may help predict the clinical response to cisplatin-based chemotherapy, thus improving the survival of ovarian cancer patients.

Efficient screening for ovarian cancers using a combination of tumor markers CA602 and CA546

A new efficient screening for ovarian cancer based on a combination of two tumor markers, CA602 and CA546, is reported. These two tumor markers can be detected by a combination immunoenzymometric assay of these two antigens. This combination assay was initially performed in 1189 patients with clinically detected ovarian tumors (final pathological diagnosis: 645 cases of benign disease and 544 cases of malignant disease), and benign disease included 122 patients with endometriosis and 523 normal healthy women. The combination of CA602 and CA546 increased the detection rate of ovarian cancer from 77.8 to 85.8% compared with CA602 alone, demonstrating that the combination assay was effective at detecting ovarian cancers. The combination assay of CA602 and CA546 was then applied to 21,374 random subjects to screen for asymptomatic ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer was detected in nine patients (detection rate: 0.04%), of which four cases were stage I disease. A retrospective analysis of these four patients revealed that a screening based on only a single assay would have been negative and further reiterates the effectiveness of this combination assay in detecting potential disease.

Model for paraaortic lymph node metastasis produced by orthotopic implantation of ovarian carcinoma cells in athymic nude mice

Lymph node metastasis through the lymphatic vessels is a critical step in determining the outcome of ovarian cancer patients, and prognosis should be improved by preventing lymph node metastasis. However, experimental models for lymph node metastasis of ovarian carcinoma are not available. We developed an orthotopic transplantation model to study this process in nude mice using the human ovarian carcinoma cell lines, KF and MH. Highly metastatic sublines (KF-LN3 and MH-LN3) were selected in vivo in nude mice by repeated orthotopic transplantation, lymph node metastasis formation and culturing the tumour cells in vitro. Because this model seems to correspond to the advanced clinical stage of ovarian carcinomas, it should be useful in understanding the molecular biology of ovarian carcinomas and in the development of therapeutic modalities against lymph node metastasis.

Papanicolaou tests and molecular analyses using new fluid-based specimen collection technology in 3000 Japanese women

A fluid-based Papanicolaou test has been established to improve sample collection and preparation. This study was the first large-scale investigation in Japan to examine the feasibility of using fluid-based Papanicolaou specimens to detect human papillomavirus (HPV) using Hybrid Capture II and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Three thousand patients who visited Keio University Hospital between October 2000 and February 2001 were enrolled in the study. The results of the fluid-based Papanicolaou tests corresponded well with those of conventional Papanicolaou smears (96.8% concordance). The sensitivities of cervical neoplasia detection using the fluid-based Papanicolaou test (73.9%) and Hybrid Capture II (76.3%, P=0.55) were not significantly different. Among the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 and squamous cell carcinoma specimens, HPV 16 and HPV 52 were predominantly detected using the PCR method. Although some DNA samples extracted from the fluid-based specimens were degradaded, PCR and direct sequencing could be performed without difficulty even after 1 year of specimen storage. We conclude that fluid-based Papanicolaou specimens can be applied to investigate HPV infection.

Sudden onset of paraparesis caused by hypertrophy of the thoracic posterior longitudinal ligament

STUDY DESIGN

Case report of a rare form of hypertrophy of the thoracic posterior longitudinal ligament (HPLL), causing paraparesis.

OBJECTIVE

To describe this very rare pathological condition in the thoracic spine and the results of surgical intervention.

SETTING

A department of orthopaedic surgery in Japan.

METHODS

A 61-year-old man presented with acute paraparesis associated with HPLL in the thoracic region. A radiographic and pathological review of the case was conducted. Anterior decompression was performed, and he was followed for 3 years after the operation.

RESULTS

Pathologic examination of the surgical specimen revealed proliferation of fibrocartilage and calcification. The patient's paraparesis ameliorated after the operation.

CONCLUSION

For this case of myelopathy due to HPLL in the thoracic spine, urgent decompression gave excellent results. Clinical awareness of HPLL may aid correct diagnosis and prompt therapy.

Comparison of gastroduodenal, renal and abdominal fat biopsies for diagnosing amyloidosis in rheumatoid arthritis

The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of amyloidosis detected by gastroduodenal biopsy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and to investigate correlations between the results of gastroduodenal biopsy and abdominal fat and renal biopsies. A total of consecutive 1006 RA patients underwent gastroduodenal biopsy. The 71 patients who tested positive for gastrointestinal (GI) amyloidosis were asked to undergo renal and abdominal fat biopsies, and 21 did so. Renal biopsies were also performed on 12 patients with no amyloidosis but indicators of drug-induced renal damage, and abdominal fat biopsies were performed on 50 RA patients with no indication of amyloidosis. The prevalence of GI amyloidosis was 7.1%. Urinary abnormalities and GI symptoms were common in GI amyloidisis, and inflammatory markers were elevated. Sixty-one (86%) had either depressed creatinine clearance or urinary symptoms. Nineteen of the 21 patients (91%) with GI amyloidosis who underwent renal biopsies also had renal amyloid deposits. Eleven of the 21 (52%) had amyloidosis on abdominal fat biopsy. None of the 12 patients without GI amyloidosis had renal amyloidosis on renal biopsy, and none of the 50 patients without GI amyloidosis had amyloidosis on abdominal fat biopsy. Gastroduodenal biopsy reveals a high prevalence of amyloidosis in RA patients. Amyloidosis is often associated with signs of renal impairment. Results of GI biopsy are highly correlated with those of renal biopsy, but the results of fat biopsy are not. We recommend GI biopsy for RA patients for the screening of systemic amyloidosis.

Effectiveness of omeprazole for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal lesions in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Abstract We evaluated the efficacy of omeprazole (OPZ) for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) lesions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Fourteen RA patients with H2 receptor antagonist- (H2RA-) resistant UGI lesions (1 stomal, 11 gastric, and 2 esophageal with reflux esophagitis ulcers) were treated with OPZ at 20 mg/day (study A). New untreated UGI lesions (1 stomal and 12 gastric ulcers) were treated with OPZ (study B). Three patients who showed renal dysfunction during H2RA treatment for UGI lesion were treated with OPZ (study C). Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were not discontinued. The stage of each ulcer was determined by gastrointestinal fiberscopy (GIF). In study A, during the first 8 weeks of OPZ treatment, 1 esophageal and 7 gastric ulcer patients were completely cured. Six patients showing partial response were treated further with OPZ for another 8 weeks. During this second period, 1 stomal and 3 gastric ulcer patients were completely cured, and 1 gastric and 1 esophageal ulcer patient showed only partial response. In study B, after an 8-week OPZ treatment, all except 2 patients showed complete healing. One patient developed mild eruption at 4 weeks and was shifted to H2RA. One patient showed complete healing after 4 weeks. No patient in study C showed renal dysfunction with OPZ. Our results suggest that OPZ is an effective treatment for UGI lesions in RA patients using NSAIDs.

Interleukin-2 levels are elevated in the bone marrow serum of patients with mutilans-type rheumatoid arthritis

In order to investigate the pathogenesis of mutilans-type rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we measured cytokine levels in the bone marrow serum of patients with RA. We studied 35 patients with non-mutilans RA, 19 with mutilans RA, and 20 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) undergoing joint surgery. At the time of surgery, iliac bone marrow and peripheral blood were sampled from all 74 patients and cytokine levels measured. The serum levels of five cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-3, IL-6 and GM-CSF) were measured by ELISA. Haematologic and inflammatory factors were also measured. Levels of IL-2, IL-6 and GM-CSF in bone marrow serum were significantly higher in all RA patients than in those with OA. Mean (+/-SD) IL-2 levels were significantly higher in patients with mutilans-type RA (309.8+/-686.3 pg/ml) than in patients with other types of RA (66.5+/-173.1 pg/ml; P<0.01). IL-2 was detected significantly more often in patients with mutilans-type RA than in patients with other types of RA (P < 0.01). Inflammatory factors were higher in all RA groups than in OA patients. However, the haematologic and immunologic variables were no different between mutilans RA and other types of RA. No correlations were observed between IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-3, IL-6 and GM-CSF levels and these laboratory variables. In patients with mutilans-type RA, IL-2 levels in the bone marrow serum were significantly higher than in patients with other types of RA or with OA. This elevation does not appear to be related to systemic inflammation, as there was no correlation with other inflammatory factors.

Dr. Soju Kurihara: increased awareness of cytologic diagnosis

Cytopathology is now regarded as an important tool for detecting cancer, especially uterine cervical cancer. There was, however, a hard way to acquire the current status. This technique, the diagnosis of cancer by light microscopic examination of exfoliated cells, was first established by Dr. Papanicolaou in the 1940's. For spreading this technique and acknowledgement of this clinical field by conservative pathologists, many doctors including Dr. Kurihara, Professor emeritus of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Keio University, have made efforts for about fifty years. Dr. Kurihara and his colleagues made a clinical study and revealed the natural history of uterine cervical cancer from dysplastic lesions. Based on these results, he supported the establishment of the new screening system for uterine cervical cancer, "Tohbo-Hoshiki", which is now widely employed in Japan. This system has played an important role to decrease the mortality from uterine cervical cancer. Dr. Kurihara is one of the founders of the Japanese Society of Clinical Cytology, which has played a central role in the development of cytologic diagnosis in Japan, and he also contributed to bring up many gynecologic oncologists specializing in cytopathology and the treatment of cancer. Although remarkable progress has been made in computer-related technology and the automation of cytologic diagnosis is no longer a dream, the results of the untiring efforts of Dr. Kurihara and his colleagues will continue to play an instrumental role in the future advancement of cytologic diagnosis.

Vaginal symptoms in Japanese postmenopausal women: comparison with other climacteric symptoms

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to investigate the current status of vaginal symptoms in Japanese postmenopausal women, and to clarify the significance of vaginal symptoms by analyzing their relationship to other climacteric symptoms.

METHODS

The complaints of 613 women attending a menopause clinic (mean age +/- standard deviation 53.5 +/- 7.2 years; time since menopause or bilateral oophorectomy 6.4 +/- 6.5 years) were evaluated according to the Keio modified menopause index.

RESULTS

In total, 56.4% of subjects had at least one vaginal symptom. The most frequent vaginal symptom was dyspareunia, followed by vaginal dryness, discharge and itching, and the mean prevalence of the four symptoms was 31.7%. The peak intensity of vaginal symptoms occurred in the sixth decade, or 3-5 years after menopause or oophorectomy. Vaginal symptoms were usually associated with other climacteric symptoms, but some occurred independently.

CONCLUSIONS

A moderate proportion of Japanese postmenopausal women experience vaginal symptoms, which can occur independently of other climacteric symptoms. Vaginal symptoms therefore warrant careful attention during the treatment of postmenopausal women.

Paclitaxel and SN-38 overcome cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer cell lines by down-regulating the influx and efflux system of cisplatin

Cisplatin (DDP) is one of the key drugs used to treat patients with ovarian cancer, although resistance to DDP can occur. Paclitaxel and SN-38 (an active metabolite of irinotecan (CPT-11)) are two drugs that are effective in patients with DDP-resistant ovarian cancer. To study how these drugs may overcome the intrinsic and / or acquired resistance of cancer cells to DDP, we investigated the effect of a combination of DDP with paclitaxel and a combination of DDP with SN-38 on three ovarian cancer cell lines, RTSG (intrinsically resistant cell line), KF (DDP-sensitive cell line), and KFra (acquired resistant cell line obtained from KF). We found that these combinations showed additive to synergistic antitumor activity. A time-dependent platinum (Pt) accumulation was observed in the DDP-sensitive KF cell line, while a decrease occurred in the KFra cell line. Little accumulation was observed in RTSG. Intracellular Pt accumulation was increased in all three cell lines by exposure to paclitaxel or SN-38. Ouabain, a Na(+),K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, decreased Pt accumulation in KF and KFra cell lines and inhibited the paclitaxel- and SN-38-induced increases in Pt accumulation in these cell lines. When we assessed the mRNA levels of the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP), which may be an efflux pump for DDP, the combination of paclitaxel or SN-38 with DDP down-regulated these levels, which are up-regulated by DDP alone. These results suggest that paclitaxel and SN-38 overcome DDP resistance of ovarian cell lines by controlling intracellular accumulation of DDP via both the influx and efflux systems.

Expression of an isoform of the testis-specific estrogen sulfotransferase in the murine placenta during the late gestational period

Cytosolic sulfotransferases play essential roles in regulating the activities and transfer of steroids. To evaluate their biological significance in the murine uterus and placenta during the course of gestation, we determined their activities with several steroids as substrates. Activated estrogen sulfotransferase (EST) was found in the placenta and uterus during the late gestational period. Reverse-transcribed cDNA of murine placental EST (mpEST) was isolated from mouse placenta at 18 days of gestation and its expression in the tissue coincided with a change in its enzyme activity. The open-reading frame of mpEST encodes a protein composed of 296 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 35.5 kDa and was revealed to be an isoform of the murine testis-specific EST gene (99.7%). Also, the amino acid sequence of mpEST showed 49.6 and 77.9% homology with human placental and endometrial EST, respectively, showing that it corresponds to human endometrial EST. COS-7 cells transfected with mpEST exhibited sulfotransferase activity with the phenolic hydroxy groups of steroids and artificial substrates. The best acceptor substrate was estrogen.

Analysis of E6 variants of human papillomavirus type 33, 52 and 58 in Japanese women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia/cervical cancer in relation to their oncogenic potential

The variation of the E6 region of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) is associated with a high risk for cervical carcinogenesis. To see whether the same is the case with HPV33, 52 and 58, known to have high homology with HPV16, we analyzed the E6 sequence variation of these HPVs in 107 Japanese women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or invasive cervical cancer (ICC): 20 HPV33-positive, 46 HPV52-positive and 41 HPV58-positive cases. HPV33 variants were more frequently observed in CINs I/II than in CIN III/ICCs (71% (5/7) versus 15% (2/13), P=0.02). In HPV52-positive cases, a single E6 variant was detected in 98% of the cases, whereas the prototype accounted for 98% of HPV58-positive cases. In summary, the distribution of E6 variants is different among HPV types tested, suggesting a link between E6 variation and oncogenic potential being type-specific.

Prediction of the potentially fertile period by urinary hormone measurements using a new home-use monitor: comparison with laboratory hormone analyses

BACKGROUND

The study compared a new urinary hormone monitoring system, Clearview Primera Fertility Monitor (CPFM), with laboratory hormone analyses in the prediction of the potentially fertile period.

METHODS

Thirty healthy female volunteers provided blood and early morning urine samples for one cycle. Serum oestradiol, progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH), and urinary LH and oestrone-3-glucuronide (E3G) were measured. The fertility status of volunteers; Low, High or Peak, was collected from monitors and compared with the hormone measurements.

RESULTS

There was agreement between the first day of peak fertility and the urinary LH peak day in 65.6% of cycles and detection 1 or 2 days before the urinary LH peak day in 24.1 and 6.9% of cycles respectively. In 58.6% of cycles the system detected up to 5 days of increased fertility prior to the urinary LH peak day. Warning days of the urinary LH peak were similarly determined using defined thresholds of E3G and oestradiol providing up to 5 days warning in 82.8 and 96.6% of cycles respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The system can provide couples attempting to conceive with information about the potentially fertile days in the cycle in order that they may time intercourse. It also has potential for use in evaluation and treatment of infertile couples.