Histological Observations on the Ovaries of Two Species of Taeniosomatous Fishes (Lampridiformes) Caught in Waters Adjacent to the Japanese Main Island

The ovaries of a large dealfish, Trachipterus ishikawae, 2.47 m in total length, caught off Kumano-Nada Sea, Pacific coast, and two medium-sized oarfishes, Regalecus russelli, 2.92 m and 2.65 m in total length, caught off Wakasa Bay, Sea of Japan, were examined histologically. The dealfish had mature ovaries, 2420 gin weight, those of the oarfishes being immature (180.2 g and 185.8 g). Microscopic examination revealed an ovarian cavity in the central axis of the tubular ovary in both the dealfish and oarfishes. In the former, in addition to ripe eggs, ovulation scars, atretic follicles, oocytes in the yolk vesicle, peripheral nucleoli and chromatin nucleolus stages were seen, whereas in the oarfishes, no ovulation scars were detected. The oocytes, in various developmental stages in both species, were attached to loose connective tissue, i. e., ovigerous lamellae, derived from a thick ovarian capsule of fibrous connective tissue, which was coated with thin mesothelium. Such ovarian architecture was classified as entovarian type, the developmental mode of the ovarian eggs being unequal

Metachronous immune-related adverse events involving type 1 diabetes and isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency associated with pembrolizumab monotherapy for metastatic head and neck cancer: a case report

Abstract Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors might cause immune-related adverse events that are still largely unknown. Case presentation An 80-year-old Asian female was diagnosed with cervical lymph node metastasis from lip cancer (cT1N0M0) and underwent right cervical neck dissection. Subsequently, she developed right cervical lymph node relapse and lung metastasis. The patient was deemed eligible for pembrolizumab owing to unresectable neck recurrence and pulmonary metastasis. The Combined Positive Score of the submandibular lymph nodes was 100. Pembrolizumab monotherapy was initiated, and complete remission was achieved. She developed diabetic ketoacidosis in the eighth month and was diagnosed with fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus. Insulin induction was performed. The patient developed adrenal insufficiency after 10 months. These were immune-related adverse events, caused by pembrolizumab. The patient has remained in complete remission, and pembrolizumab therapy was continued. Conclusions The study presents the first reported case of type 1 diabetes in a patient with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with pembrolizumab monotherapy, in Japan. Efficient interdepartmental collaboration will promote the management of severe immune-related adverse events and improve the quality of life of patients

Chemotherapy following immune checkpoint inhibitors in recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: clinical effectiveness and influence of inflammatory and nutritional factors

Abstract Objective This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of chemotherapy following immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). The association between inflammatory and nutritional factors and prognosis has also been investigated. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (RMHNSCC) patients who received chemotherapy following ICI therapy. The response rate and survival after chemotherapy, and nutritional and inflammatory factors, were examined. Results The ICI before chemotherapy was nivolumab in 36 patients (70.6%) and pembrolizumab in 15 patients (29.4%). The chemotherapy regimens consisted of PTX in 32 patients (62.7%), PTX + Cmab in 9 (17.6%), and S1 in 10 (19.6%). The median overall survival (OS) was 20 months (95% CI 12–25), the estimated 12-month OS rate was 63.3%, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5 months (CI 4–6), and the 12-month PFS estimate was 8.9%. Univariate analysis significantly correlated Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), controlling nutritional status score (CONUT), and prognostic nutrition index (PNI) with OS and PFS. Additionally, these factors were significantly correlated with OS and PFS in the log-rank tests. Conclusions Chemotherapy following ICI is highly effective. There were no significant differences in the chemotherapy regimens. Inflammatory and nutritional factors may associate with patient prognosis after chemotherapy

Prognostic Value of Inflammatory and Nutritional Biomarkers of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment for Recurrent or Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

This study aimed to determine the prognostic value of inflammatory and nutritional biomarkers of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy for recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (RMHNSCC) and to identify the most useful factor for prognosis assessment. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with RMHNSCC who received ICI therapy. The response rate for ICI therapy and the relationship between inflammatory and nutritional biomarkers and overall survival were examined. The included biomarkers did not correlate with an objective response rate but were associated with a disease control rate. Univariate analysis showed significant correlations between the serum albumin level, C-reactive protein level, platelet to lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR), systemic immune-inflammation index, and controlling the nutritional status score and overall survival; multivariate analysis showed that LMR was significantly correlated with overall survival. LMR was the most important biomarker according to the machine learning model. This study suggests that LMR may be the most useful biomarker for predicting the prognosis of ICI treatment for RMHNSCC