Abstract: We aimed to compare longitudinal brain atrophy in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) with healthy controls (HCs). The atrophy rate in patients with anti-aquaporin-4 antibody-positive NMOSD (AQP4 + NMOSD) was compared with age-sex-matched HCs recruited from the Japanese Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative study and another study performed at Chiba University. Twenty-nine patients with AQP4 + NMOSD and 29 HCs were enrolled in the study. The time between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans was longer in the AQP4 + NMOSD group compared with the HCs (median; 3.2 vs. 2.9 years, P  = 0.009). The annualized normalized white matter volume (NWV) atrophy rate was higher in the AQP4 + NMOSD group compared with the HCs (median; 0.37 vs. − 0.14, P  = 0.018). The maximum spinal cord lesion length negatively correlated with NWV at baseline MRI in patients with AQP4 + NMOSD (Spearman’s rho =  − 0.41, P  = 0.027). The annualized NWV atrophy rate negatively correlated with the time between initiation of persistent prednisolone usage and baseline MRI in patients with AQP4 + NMOSD (Spearman’s rho =  − 0.43, P  = 0.019). Patients with AQP4 + NMOSD had a greater annualized NWV atrophy rate than HCs. Suppressing disease activity may prevent brain atrophy in patients with AQP4 + NMOSD.

Abstract: Urinary dysfunction is one of the main features of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). However, a comprehensive assessment of the severity is difficult because a standardized assessment measure is unavailable. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a novel symptom score for the assessment of urinary dysfunction in HAM/TSP. We interviewed 449 patients with HAM/TSP using four internationally validated questionnaires for assessment of urinary symptoms (27 question items in total): the International Prostate Symptom Score; the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form; the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score; and the Nocturia Quality-of-Life questionnaire. We developed a symptom score based on the data of 322 patients who did not use urinary catheters by selecting question items from questionnaires focused on descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and exploratory factor analysis. The score distribution, reliability, and validity of the developed score were evaluated. Results First, 16 questions related to quality of life, situations, or subjective assessment were omitted from the 27 questions. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the remaining 11 questions pertained to three factors: frequent urination, urinary incontinence, and voiding symptoms. Three questions, which had similar questions with larger factor loading, were deleted. Finally, we selected eight question items for inclusion in the novel score. The score distribution exhibited no ceiling or floor effect. The Cronbach’s alpha (0.737) demonstrated reliable internal consistency. The new score comprised two subscales with acceptable factorial validity (inter-factor correlation coefficient, 0.322): storage symptoms (frequent urination plus urinary incontinence) and voiding symptoms. The correlation between each item and the subscales suggested acceptable construct validity. Conclusions We developed a novel score, the HAM/TSP-Bladder Dysfunction Symptom Score, and demonstrated its reliability and validity. The applicability of this score to patients using catheters should be examined in future research.

Abstract: e12123 Background: Chemotherapy for breast cancer destroys non–stem cells while sparing cancer stem cells (CSCs). In contrast, anti–HER2 therapy may eliminate resistant cells because HER2 may be a key driver of CSCs. CSC biomarkers have been found to be prognostic of poor outcome and predictive of resistance to therapy. However, there are no comprehensive studies of the impact of anti-HER2 therapies on CSC–related biomarkers. We conducted a prospective biomarker determination study of breast CSCs characterized by CD44v expression and increased aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) enzymatic activity or expression. Methods: In a prospective trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01688609), 18 patients with operable primary HER2+ breast cancer (≥T2 excluding inflammatory, any N; median age of 54 yrs) were treated with preoperative anti–HER2 therapy following the NeoALTTO trial dual therapy arm regimen, with a goal of identifying novel predictive biomarkers for pCR. Proportions of tumor cells with CSC characteristics, defined as CD44v+ and ALDH1+, were estimated at baseline, at 6 weeks (after therapy with lapatinib/trastuzumab) and at 18 weeks (after therapy with lapatinib/trastuzumab and paclitaxel) to assess adaptive response. We determined changes in the quantity and characteristics of CSC–related biomarkers during preoperative therapy and correlated them to tumor response. Results: Out of 18 patients, 8 (44%) had a pCR; 5 of these 8 patients (62%) were positive for CD44v staining on tumor cells at baseline and none were positive on the 6–week biopsy. In contrast, 6 of the 10 patients without pCR exhibited persistent levels, or enrichment of CD44v proportion and expression at 6 and 18 weeks (p = 0.0128). ALDH1 expression and other biomarkers were not statistically significant predictors of pCR. Conclusions: Enrichment of CD44v+ tumor cells after double anti–HER2 therapy may predict poor response to dual anti–HER2 therapy with cytotoxic chemotherapy. A second biopsy after the start of preoperative therapy may reflect biological changes useful for the guidance and application of therapeutic strategies for patients with HER2+ breast cancer. Clinical trial information: NCT01688609.

Abstract: Background: Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-1 and -2 are TCA cycle-involved enzymes which convert isocitrate to alpha-ketoglutarate. Mutations that alter the enzymatic activity causes accumulation of a mal-metabolite D-2-hydroxyglutarate, which results in inhibition of DNA methylation and tumorigenesis. IDH-1 and IDH-2 mutation are present in approximately 7-10% and 10% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), respectively. Recently, whole exome sequencing has been used for the next-generation sequencing of AML, and certain gene mutations have been identified in patients with AML. The treatment strategies for leukemia have undergone drastic changes with the rapid development of new drugs. However, the proper use of newly developed agents poses a major challenge in AML treatment. Genome profiling analysis can be used to select the optimal treatment for patients with newly diagnosed AML. IDH mutant-specific inhibitors such as ivosidenib and enasidenib were already approved in the US, and combination treatment with venetoclax and Azacitidine was recently approved in Japan. Methods and Results: We lunched an actionable mutation profiling multicenter study named Hematologic Malignancies (HM)-SCREEN-Japan 01 (UMIN000035233), in which a comprehensive genomic assay was performed by Foundation One Heme (F1H) panel. The primary outcome was the frequency of each genomic alteration, as determined using F1H, which is a comprehensive genome profiling test based on next-generation sequencing, in the AML specimens. The secondary outcome was the association between each genomic alteration and the clinicopathological characteristics, prognosis, and quality of specimens used in the genetic analysis. The eligibility criteria were as follows: 1) histological diagnosis of AML through bone marrow aspiration; 2) fulfillment of either of the following conditions: i) newly diagnosed AML unfit for standard treatment (ND-unfit AML) or ii) R/R-AML; 3) sufficient sample collection via bone marrow aspiration; 4) Age of participants 20 years or above during registration; 5) provision of written informed consent by participants. Paraffin-embedded bone marrow samples were gathered from 17 Japanese faculties and the F1H reports were returned to the patients. The median turnaround time was 13 days (minimum 8 days). We found 13 patients (7.3%) with IDH1 mutation and 17 patients (9.6%) with IDH2 mutation out of 177 patients who joined this study and the F1H report was successfully returned. Only one patient had both mutations, and each mutation was mutually exclusive in all the other patients (Figure 1). The major amino acid alteration of IDH1 and IDH2 were R132C/G/H/L and R140Q/W, respectively. Frequently co-occurring mutations include FLT3 (44.8%), NPM1 (34.5%), DNMT3A (31.0%) and RUNX1 mutation (20.7%). Mutations of RAS pathway-related genes (e.g., KRAS, NRAS and PTPN11) were seen in 6 patients (20.7%). Any gene alterations didn't show statistically significant co-occurrence with IDH1 and IDH2 mutation. Serial genome profiling analyses were performed to evaluate the time-dependent changes in the genome profiles of patients administered FLT3 inhibitors, gilteritinib, and quizartinib for treating FLT3-mutated AML. Also in this cohort, we are examining the properties and distribution of IDH1/2 mutations during treatment with FLT3 inhibitors. In the several patients, expansion and persistence of IDH mutated clones seemed to be cause of resistance (Figure 2 as the representative result). The detailed clinical outcomes of AML patients with IDH1/2 mutations are under investigation. Conclusions: In our evaluation of the suitability of F1H for HM-SCREEN-Japan 01, we successfully identified IDH-1/2 mutation that can be used as therapeutic targets in AML, which have rarely been identified thus far. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Shibayama: Eisai: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Ono: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Nippon Shinyaku: Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Chugai: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Otsuka: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Fujimoto: Honoraria; AbbVie: Honoraria, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Honoraria; Mundi Pharma: Honoraria; Essentia Pharma Japan: Research Funding. Yamauchi: Otsuka: Research Funding; Ono Pharmaceutical: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Chugai: Honoraria; Abbie: Research Funding; Astellas: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; Solasia Pharma: Research Funding. Kondo: Otsuka Pharmaceutical: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis Pharma KK: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company: Honoraria; Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma: Honoraria; Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho CO.,LTD: Consultancy; Pfizer: Honoraria; Astellas Pharma Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria. Yamamoto: AbbVie: Honoraria, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb/Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Chugai: Honoraria, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria; Eisai: Honoraria, Research Funding; IQIVA/Incyte: Research Funding; IQIVA/HUYA: Honoraria; HUYA: Consultancy; Janssen: Honoraria; Kyowa Kirin: Honoraria; Meiji Seika Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; MSD: Honoraria; Mundipharma: Research Funding; Nippon Shinyaku: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Ono: Honoraria, Research Funding; Otsuka: Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria; Solasia Pharma: Research Funding; SymBio: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Yakult: Honoraria, Research Funding; Zenyaku: Honoraria, Research Funding; Micron: Honoraria; IQIVA/Genmab: Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Honoraria. Kuroda: Taiho Pharmaceutical: Research Funding; Fujimoto Pharmaceutical: Current Employment, Honoraria, Research Funding; Asahi Kasei: Research Funding; Shionogi: Research Funding; Nippon Shinyaku: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Sysmex: Research Funding; Eisai: Honoraria, Research Funding; Ono Pharmaceutical: Honoraria, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria; MSD: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Astellas Pharma: Honoraria, Research Funding; Otsuka Pharmaceutical: Honoraria, Research Funding; Kyowa Kirin: Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria, Research Funding; Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma: Honoraria, Research Funding; Chugai Pharmaceutical: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-MyersSquibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K: Consultancy. Usuki: Astellas: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Symbio: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Sumitomo Dainippon: Research Funding; Otsuka: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Brisol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Ono: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim: Research Funding; Astellas-Amgen-Biopharma: Research Funding; Nippon shinyaku: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Kyowa Kirin: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Research Funding; Alexion: Speakers Bureau; Eisai: Speakers Bureau; MSD: Speakers Bureau; PharmaEssentia: Speakers Bureau; Yakult: Speakers Bureau; Mundipharma: Research Funding. Yoshimitsu: Novartis: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria. Ishitsuka: Asahi kasei: Research Funding; Eli Lilly: Research Funding; MSD: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Other: Personal fees; Kyowa Kirin: Other: Personal fees, Research Funding; Ono Pharmaceutical: Other: Personal fees, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Other: Personal fees; Chugai Pharmaceutical: Honoraria, Other: Personal fees, Research Funding; BMS: Other; Takeda: Other: Personal fees, Research Funding; Mundipharma: Other: Personal fees; Taiho Pharmaceuticals: Other: Personal fees, Research Funding; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Other: Personal fees; Huya Japan: Other: Personal fees; Novartis: Other: Personal fees; Pfizer: Other: Personal fees; Astellas Pharma: Other: Personal fees, Research Funding; Genzyme: Other: Personal fees; Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma: Other: Personal fees, Research Funding; Eisai: Other: Personal fees, Research Funding; Mochida: Other: Personal fees, Research Funding; Shire: Other; Otsuka Pharmaceutical: Other: Personal fees; Teijin Pharma: Research Funding. Ono: Pfizer Japan Inc.: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Honoraria; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K: Honoraria; Eisai Co., Ltd.: Honoraria; Astellas Pharma Inc.: Honoraria; Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.: Honoraria; ONO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.: Honoraria, Research Funding; DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED.: Honoraria; Novartis Pharma KK: Honoraria; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Mundipharma K.K.: Honoraria; TAIHO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.: Research Funding; Merck Sharp & Dohme: Honoraria, Research Funding. Takahashi: Toyamakagaku: Research Funding; Novartis Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Otsuka Pharmaceutical: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Chugai: Research Funding; Kyowahakko-Kirin: Research Funding; Ono: Research Funding; Asahikasei: Research Funding; Eizai: Research Funding. Iyama: Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Research Funding; Astellas: Honoraria; CSL Behring: Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria; Otsuka Pharmaceuticals Factory: Honoraria; Otsuka Pharmaceuticals Factory: Honoraria; MSD: Research Funding; Nippon Shinyaku: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Otsuka: Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria, Research Funding; SymBio Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Izutsu: Genmab: Honoraria, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria, Research Funding; Fuji Film Toyama Chemical: Honoraria; Eisai: Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Huya Biosciences: Research Funding; Chugai: Honoraria, Research Funding; Symbio: Honoraria; Solasia: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Ono Pharmaceutical: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; MSD: Research Funding; Kyowa Kirin: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Beigene: Research Funding; Bayer: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Honoraria, Research Funding; Allergan Japan: Honoraria; AbbVie: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Yakult: Research Funding. Minami: Novartis Pharma KK: Honoraria; Ono: Research Funding; Pfizer Japan Inc.: Honoraria; Astellas: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company: Honoraria; CMIC: Research Funding.

Abstract: High-sensitivity wide-band X-ray spectroscopy is the key feature of the Suzaku X-ray observatory, launched on 2005 July 10. This paper summarizes the spacecraft, in-orbit performance, operations, and data processing that are related to observations. The scientific instruments, the high-throughput X-ray telescopes, X-ray CCD cameras, non-imaging hard X-ray detector are also described.

Abstract: Thyroid crisis is a life-threatening condition in thyrotoxic patients. Although differentiated thyroid cancer is one of the causes of hyperthyroidism, reports on thyroid crisis caused by thyroid cancer are quite limited. Here, we describe a case of thyroid crisis caused by metastatic thyroid cancer. Case presentation A 91-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of loss of appetite. Two years prior to this hospitalization, she presented with subclinical thyrotoxicosis and was diagnosed with histologically unidentified thyroid cancer with multiple metastases, and she refused aggressive medical interventions. On admission, she exhibited extreme thyrotoxicosis, and the presence of fever, severe tachycardia, impaired consciousness, and heart failure revealed the presence of thyroid crisis. All thyroid autoantibodies were negative. Multidisciplinary conservative treatment was initiated; however, she died on the fifth day after admission. Autopsy revealed the presence of primary anaplastic thyroid carcinoma and multiple metastatic foci arising from follicular thyroid carcinoma. Both primary and metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma likely induced thyrotoxicosis, which could have been exacerbated by anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Conclusions Even though the trigger of thyroid crisis in this patient is not clear, the aggravated progression of her clinical course suggests that careful monitoring of thyroid hormones and appropriate intervention are essential for patients with thyroid cancer.