Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine
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After genetic recombination with murine and human cDNA, monoclonal antibody has been produced in chimeric form. CD20 is a B cell antigen, which can be a target molecule for antibody therapy. Rituximab is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that has an efficacy against B cell lymphomas. ⋯ Mechanism is not clarified, but induction of apoptosis, complement-mediated cell toxicity, and antibody-dependent cell toxicity are considered. Synergy with chemotherapy agents such as CHOP, ICE, DHAP and stem cell transplantation will help the patients who suffer lymphomas, CLL and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. Treatment with rituximab is well tolerated and we must be careful about infusion reaction after administration.
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Adrenal incidentaloma is defined as clinically inapparent adrenal mass identified at abdominal imagine undertaken for health screening or examination of unrelated diseases. Recent national Survey by Research Committee of Japanese Ministry of Health and Labor revealed 2,016 cases of adrenal incidentaloma in year 1999. ⋯ Cut of point for cancer was estimated at 5 cm. 1 mg dexamethasone test and circadian rhythm of cortisol secretion evaluation may be necessary for exclusion of clinically inapparent cortisol producing adrenal adenoma known as preclinical Cushing's syndrome. Clinical aspect and management of adrenal incidentaloma was briefly reviewed based on this national report.