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A study conducted by Keio University School of Medicine in Japan explored the use of anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies (CGRPmAbs) in the treatment of migraines. The researchers surveyed members of the Japanese Headache Society to gather information on their experiences with CGRPmAbs and their decision-making processes. The majority of respondents recommended CGRPmAbs for patients who had experienced two previous preventive failures, and the threshold for the number of monthly migraine days ranged from 4 to 10. Cost was identified as a major concern for prescribing CGRPmAbs. This study provides insights into the use of CGRPmAbs in Japan and highlights the need for further research in this area. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at Hokkaido University Hospital in Japan have reported findings on a case of type 1 cryoglobulinemic vasculitis associated with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Cryoglobulins are immunoglobulins that precipitate in cold conditions, and type 1 cryoglobulinemic vasculitis is linked to hematological malignancies. The study found that the main component of cryoglobulin in this case was the M protein due to MGUS, and treatment with bortezomib and dexamethasone resulted in a decrease in cryoglobulin levels and improvement in symptoms. The research suggests that treatment of the underlying gammaglobulinopathy should be considered in refractory cases of type 1 cryoglobulinemic vasculitis. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital in Japan conducted a multicenter prospective observational study to evaluate the impact of pre-existing autoantibodies in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The study included 52 patients with extensive-disease SCLC who received immune checkpoint inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment. The researchers found that autoantibodies were detected in 56% of patients, and the incidence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) was higher in the autoantibody-positive group compared to the autoantibody-negative group. However, there was no difference in progression-free survival or overall survival between the two groups. The researchers concluded that vigilance is necessary for the development of irAEs in pretreatment antibody-positive patients. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by researchers at Osaka University in Japan has developed a novel method for clustering antibodies based on their complementarity determining region (CDR) sequences. The researchers successfully classified antibodies that bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) and antibodies from diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP)-vaccinated donors. The clusters exhibited high antigen purity and contained antibodies with neutralizing activity. This study offers a reproducible and inexpensive approach for discovering antigen- and epitope-specific antibodies, which is crucial for therapeutic antibody development and understanding immune responses. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at Kurume University School of Medicine in Japan has shed light on the molecular pathogenesis of aortic dissection (AD), a severe and often fatal aortic disease. The study found that B cells and immunoglobulins play a critical role in promoting the inflammatory response in the aorta, contributing to the development and progression of AD. The researchers also discovered that the deposition of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and C3, components of innate immunity, precedes the development of AD. These findings may provide potential therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of AD. [Extracted from the article]

A report from Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine in Japan discusses a case of Immunoglobulin G4-related gastrointestinal disease (IgG4-GID) diagnosed in a patient with persistent diarrhea and abdominal pain. IgG4-GID is a rare condition characterized by the infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells and fibrosis in organs throughout the body. Typically, IgG4-GID is associated with morphological changes, but in this case, the patient did not exhibit typical endoscopic findings. The research highlights the need for further understanding of the clinical features of IgG4-GID. [Extracted from the article]