Role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF-R genotyping in guiding the metastatic process in pT4a resected gastric cancer patients

In radically resected gastric cancer the possibility to predict the site of relapse could be clinically relevant for the selection of post-surgical management. We previously showed that specific tumour integrins genotypes are independently associated with either peritoneal or hematogenous metastases (ITGA and ITGV). Recently VEGF and VEGF-R polymorphisms have been demonstrated to potentially affect tumour angiogenesis and the metastatic process in gastric cancer. We then investigated the role of VEGFs and VEGF-R genotyping in determining either peritoneal carcinosis or hematogenous metastases in radically resected gastric cancer patients. Tumour genotyping for integrins (ITGA and ITGV) was also performed according to our previous findings. Genotyping for VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGFR-1,2,3 and ITGA and ITGV was carried out on pT4a radically resected gastric tumours recurring with either peritoneal-only carcinosis or hematogenous metastases. 101 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria: 57 with peritoneal carcinomatosis only and 44 with hematogenous spread only. At multivariate analysis, intestinal histology and the AC genotype of rs699947 (VEGFA) showed to independently correlate with hematogenous metastases (p = 0.0008 and 0.008 respectively), whereas diffuse histology and the AA genotype of rs2269772 (ITGA) independently correlated with peritoneal-only diffusion (p = <0.0001 and 0.03 respectively). Our results seem to indicate that combining information from genotyping of rs699947 (VEGFA, AC), rs2269772 (ITGA, AA) and tumour histology could allow clinicians to individuate gastric cancer at high risk for recurrence either with peritoneal or hematogenous metastases. The selection tool deriving from this analysis may allow an optimal use of the available treatment strategies in these patients.     

Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent Raji cell assay (ELISA) in the investigation of gastrointestinal cancer

Summary The levels of circulating immune complexes (CICs) have been estimated in a group of patients with colorectal cancer and gastric cancer, in addition to which a normal range has been established in a group of patients with benign gastrointestinal disease. A newly developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent Raji cell assay has been used in this study. Overall only 30% of patients with gastrointestinal cancer showed elevation of CIC levels outside the normal range. Elevated levels correlated with tumour differentiation bud did not correlate with site of disease or with the presence of metastases. In an attempt to define the specificity of CIC estimation, soluble tumour extract was added to sera from tumour-bearing patients. Specific IC elevations were produced by addition of allogeneic tumour extract of colon cancer in patients with colorectal cancer; this phenomenon was not seen when the same extract was added to the sera of patients with gastric cancer.     

Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent Raji cell assay (ELISA) in the investigation of gastrointestinal cancer

The levels of circulating immune complexes (CICs) have been estimated in a group of patients with colorectal cancer and gastric cancer, in addition to which a normal range has been established in a group of patients with benign gastrointestinal disease. A newly developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent Raji cell assay has been used in this study. Overall only 30% of patients with gastrointestinal cancer showed elevation of CIC levels outside the normal range. Elevated levels correlated with tumour differentiation bud did not correlate with site of disease or with the presence of metastases. In an attempt to define the specificity of CIC estimation, soluble tumour extract was added to sera from tumour-bearing patients. Specific IC elevations were produced by addition of allogeneic tumour extract of colon cancer in patients with colorectal cancer; this phenomenon was not seen when the same extract was added to the sera of patients with gastric cancer.     

Analysis of morphology of adrenal pheochromocytoma as regards their potential malignancy

BACKGROUND: Adrenal pheochromocytoma are diagnosed the most often in patients with arterial hypertension or with thyroid medullar cancer and suspicion of MEN II syndromes. The aim of the study is to analyse the morphology of pheochromocytomas on the basis of Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal Gland Scaled Score (PASS) in order to estimate their potential malignancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty tumours were subjected to analysis. Mean patients age was 45.2+/-13.4 years. The diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was establish before surgery in 87.5%. 12.5% of patients were referred to surgery on the basis of tumour diameter (range 70 to 102 mm). In 20.0% of patients MEN II syndromes were diagnosed. RESULTS: In pathological examination benign pheochromo-cytoma was diagnosed in 39 presented patients. In 1 cases malignant form of pheochromocytoma was diagnosed on the basis of lymph nodes metastases. Number of points in PASS was >or=4 in 9 of 40 tumours (22.5%). Among 35 patients operated on more than 12 months ago 2 patients died: 1 patient with malignant pheochromocytoma (PASS=8 points) and 1 patient with MEN IIA syndrome (due to disseminated thyroid medullar cancer). In remaining 7 observed patients with PASS>or=4 points neither recurrence nor metastases were diagnosed within the period of observation (13-90 months). In 1 out of patients with PASS<4 points a local recurrence was surgically removed 82 months after primary operation. CONCLUSION: Analysis of pheochromocytoma in PASS is only of rough character and does not allow for clear-cut histological diagnosis of benign and malignant tumours. The only unquestionable criterion of pheochromocytoma's malignancy remain metastases.     

Cancer procoagulant as a marker in monitoring the therapy in cases of oesophageal, stomach and colorectal cancer

Cancer procoagulant activity in the blood serum of patients with oesophagal, gastric and colorectal cancer was evaluated before and after the tumour removal. Cancer procoagulant activity was significantly higher before the operation in comparison to the control group and was reduced after a total operative procedure, whereas it was kept on a high level after a non-radical procedure or in cases of metastases. Examination results point to the possibility of using the evaluation of cancer procoagulant activity in monitoring the course of treatment of patients with oesophagal, gastric and colorectal cancer.     

窄带成像技术联合放大内镜在早期胃癌诊断中的价值

目的:评估比较窄带成像技术联合放大内镜(narrow band imaging-magnifying endoscopy,NBI-ME)在早期胃癌诊断中价值。方法:115例早期胃癌患者行NBI-ME观察,采集照片并做出内镜下诊断,于病灶最明显处取活检并行病理检查。所有患者接受内镜下治疗,术后行病理活检。分别计算NBI-ME、内镜活检诊断早期胃癌的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值、准确率。结果:115例患者纳入本研究,最终术后切除病理示低级别上皮内瘤变(low-grade neoplasia,LGIN)16例,高级别上皮内瘤变(high-grade neoplasia,HGIN)30例,分化型胃癌59例,未分化型胃癌10例。NBI-ME诊断早期胃癌的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值、准确率分别为98.0%、81.3%、97.0%、86.7%、95.7%,内镜活检的对应值分别为82.8%、87.5%、97.6%、45.2%、83.5%。NBI-ME诊断早期胃癌的敏感度及准确率均明显高于内镜活检(P0.05)。结论:NBI-ME对早期胃癌具有较高诊断价值。     

The role of contrast enchanced axillary ultrasonography in early breast cancer patients

The most important prognostic factor for the patients with breast cancer are metastases to axillary lymph nodes (ALNs). Preoperative ultrasound (US) combined with fine needle aspiration biopsy (US-FNAB) has been proved to be the most reliable method to detect nonpalpable axillary metastases in patients with breast cancer. Our study was aimed to examine the value of US contrast agent (CA) SonoVue in the US examination of the axilla for the detection of axillary lymph node (ALN) metastases in breast cancer patients. Therefore, two studies were performed. The first study included 27/70 patients with breast cancer who had an indeterminate result of the standard US examination of the axilla (L/T < 1.2 or MCT > 3 mm or predominantly non-hilar vessel signal) and underwent US examination with CA. In the second study, 26 breast cancer patients underwent standard axillary US examination performed independently by two skilled operators. The patients with indeterminate or malignant ALN underwent US- guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (US-FNAB). For macrometastases, the sensitivity, specificity, NPV and PPV of US-FNAB were 91%, 93%, 100% and 100%, respectively. The reproducibility of the standard US examination (the second study) was 85% (22/26 patients), and for the metastases larger than 5 mm, it was 100%. Moreover, our second study proved that the same results as with CA can be achieved by two skilled operators performing a standard US examination. The sensitivity of both operators was 92%. In the case of metastases larger than 5 mm, the reproducibility was 100%. Micrometastases remain a problem also in the hands of very experienced operators even if using CA.     

The clinical importance of micrometastases within the lymphatic system in patients after total gastrectomy

Background

In spite of radical gastrectomy with resection of the lymphatic system, where no metastases are found during histopathological examination, about 30% of patients have relapse of the neoplastic process. This situation may be caused by micrometastases or isolated neoplastic cells in the lymphatic system which were not identified during a standard histopathological examination.

Aim

The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical importance of micrometastases within the lymphatic system in patients with gastric cancer.

Materials and methods

A group of 20 patients treated for gastric cancer were subjected to retrospective analysis. Of all the patients who underwent surgery, a group with tumours classified as T1 or T2 was selected. No metastases within the lymphatic system were found in the standard evaluation – N0 mark. Paraffin-embedded blocks of lymph nodes were cut and new specimens were made, which were then stained again by means of immunohistochemistry. Antibodies against cytokeratin AE1/AE3 were used.

Results

A total of 319 lymph nodes were assessed in 20 patients in an H + E examination. After the immunohistochemical examination, micrometastases within the lymphatic system were found in 4 (20%) patients and isolated neoplastic cells in other 4 (20%) patients.

Conclusion

On the basis of numerous publications and our own material, we think that the presence of micrometastases may be related to a worse prognosis. The clinical importance of micrometastases within the lymphatic system in patients after total gastrectomy.     

Brain metastases from stomach cancer – The role of different treatment modalities and efficacy of palliative radiotherapy

Aim

To evaluate different treatment modalities, sequences, and prognostic factors in patients with brain metastases from stomach cancer.

Background

Brain metastases from gastric cancer are rare and late manifestation of the disease, occurring in less than 1% of gastric cancer patients. The prognosis is poor and median overall survival is 1.3–2.4 months. The standard treatment scheme has not yet been described. Most studies present small sample sizes. The choice of treatment scheme is individually based on performance status, number, location and size of metastases, the status of primary tumor and the presence of other metastases.

Materials and methods

Sixteen patients diagnosed with brain metastases from gastric cancer in Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch.Patients, mostly men (69%) aged 51–75 years, (median 68.5 years). Thirteen (81.25%) had treatment of primary tumor before diagnosis of brain metastases. Primary metastatic gastric cancer was diagnosed in 6 patients (37.5%), in 3 cases (18.75%) brain was the site of those metastases. Treatment schemes were individually based.

Results

We identified prognostic factors influencing OS: performance status, number of brain metastases, type of treatment. Median OS was 2.8 months. Median time to brain metastases was 12.3 months and it was shorter in patients with pretreatment metastases to other organs. Patients treated with combined treatment had median survival of 12.3 months.

Conclusions

Aggressive treatment schemes are needed to improve the outcome. Prognostic factors such as performance status, number of metastases, dissemination to other organs are helpful in considering the best treatment options.     

Gastric polyposis

In a series of 48 cases of gastric polyps, 40 patients had benign lesions while the polyps in the remaining eight cases were malignant. Although the symptomatology in this series was not uniform, only one patient was entirely asymptomatic. Of the eight patients with malignant lesions, three had polyps which could well be described as small, suggesting that size may not be a reliable criterion of benignity even in a single lesion. Laboratory studies indicated that anemia, achlorhydria and occult blood in the stools are frequently associated with gastric polyps. There was no apparent correlation, however, between these phenomena and the benign or malignant nature of the lesions.X-ray examination, performed in every instance, was completely negative in six cases and inconclusive in an additional five. Gastroscopy did not reveal the presence of polyps in three of 15 cases. Malignant change was detected by cytologic examination in one case in which both roentgen and gastroscopic examination were negative. The author believes that in most cases of gastric polyps operative treatment affords the greatest degree of safety. An operative procedure of considerably less extent than total gastric resection often is feasible. However, if true polyps occur where removal can be effected only by total gastric resection, the incidence of malignant change in these lesions would seem to indicate the advisability of such a procedure unless positive contraindicating conditions are present.     

Low prevalence of Helicobacter pylori-negative gastric cancer among Japanese

Background and Aims: The true prevalence of Helicobacter pylori‐negative gastric cancer (HpNGC) is unknown. We attempt to clarify the prevalence and clinicopathologic features of HpNGC in Japanese. Methods: Helicobacter pylori infection was detected by antibody titer and microscopic observation. In addition, we confirmed the lack of endoscopic atrophy and histologic gastritis. In these cases, we added urea breath test or rapid urease test to confirm the absence of H. pylori. The mucus phenotype of gastric cancer tissue was also evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results: We screened 3161 gastric cancer cases from 1996 to 2010, and 21 cases were regarded as H. pylori negative. Clinically, patients with HpNGC were younger than patients with H. pylori‐positive gastric cancer (controls), and revealed a lack of male dominancy. Histologically, diffuse type was frequently found. All patients examined were pepsinogen negative. Among HpNGC cases with endoscopic resection, the depressed macroscopic appearance was dominant. The prevalence of HpNGC was calculated as 0.66% (95% confidence interval = 0.41–1.01). The mucus phenotype of HpNGC was similar to that of the controls. Conclusion: The prevalence of HpNGC is very low and its pathological characteristics are different from common gastric cancer.     

胃癌病理特征改变与幽门螺旋杆菌感染的相关性分析

目的:探究HP感染与胃癌患者病理特征性改变的相关性。方法:选取我院消化内科收治并确诊为胃癌的患者50例,作为胃癌组;确诊为慢性浅表性胃炎的患者50例,作为胃炎组;选取同期进行健康体检未发现胃部异常的患者50例,作为对照组。对三组患者进行快速尿素氮试验、13C尿素呼气试验以及血清抗HPCag A等检查,比较患者HP感染等情况。结果:胃癌组及胃炎组患者HP感染阳性率及抗HPCag A阳性率显著高于对照组,且胃癌组较胃炎组明显增高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。胃癌早期及进展期患者HP感染率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。胃癌组患者非贲门部HP感染率显著高于贲门部及对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:HP感染是导致胃癌的主要因素,明确HP感染与胃癌病理分期及病变部位的相关性对胃癌的治疗及预防有重要的临床意义。     

Proteomic analysis revealed a strong association of a high level of alpha1-antitrypsin in gastric juice with gastric cancer

To investigate the pathology of gastric disorders, we compared the proteomic patterns of gastric juice from patients with various gastric disorders. In healthy subjects pepsin A, pepsin B and gastric lipase were the major proteins detected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. These digestive enzymes were not detected in 60% of gastric cancer cases (18 out of 30 analyzed cases). Interestingly, an extraordinary amount of alpha(1)-antitrypsin was observed in these cases. In contrast to gastric cancer cases, alpha(1)-antitrypsin was detected in only 5% of patients (three out of 56) with chronic atrophic gastritis, and the detection frequency went up as the disease developed (one of four intestinal metaplasia cases, two of seven tubular adenoma cases, a single examined case of hyperplastic polyp and 60% of gastric cancer). Zymography showed that a 60 kDa protease strongly associated with alpha(1)-antitrypsin and mass spectrometric analysis revealed that the gastric alpha(1)-antitrypsin was a protease-cleaved form. Our data suggest that alpha(1)-antitrypsin and 60 kDa protease may serve as good diagnostic and prognostic markers for conditions associated with gastric cancer.     

MCA in patients with breast cancer: correlation with CEA and CA15-3

MCA serum levels were determined in 27 healthy subjects, 136 with benign pathology (42 breast) and in 289 patients with cancer (247 active). The last group includes 223 patients with breast cancer (96 without metastases, 89 with metastases and 38 no-evidence of disease). CEA and CA15-3 serum levels were determined in all the patients with breast diseases. The mean levels of MCA were 4.7 + 2.4 U/ml in the control group, considering less than 11 U/ml as normal. MCA values were abnormal in 15.4% of patients with benign pathology, mainly in those with liver cirrhosis (8/20) and lung diseases (4/20). In the majority of these cases, the rise was only moderate, lower than 15 U/ml in 97.5% of patients. In malignant diseases, important increments were found in breast cancer (19.8% Mo, 77.5% M1) and ovarian cancer stages III-IV (44.4%). When we compared MCA serum levels with CA15-3 and CEA in breast pathology, a similar specificity was observed: 92.3%, 92.3% and 100% in cases with benign pathology and 92.1%, 94.7%, and 97.4% in NED patients, respectively. MCA and CA15-3 sensitivity was similar in breast cancer without metastases (19.8%) and lower for CEA (16.7%). In patients with breast cancer without metastases, we found a relation between positivity of these tumor markers and prognostic factors (tumor size, nodal involvement). The disease free interval in patients with locoregional breast cancer was shorter in cases with abnormal presurgical levels of some of the tumor markers, but only the difference from MCA was significant (p less than 0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

How breast cancer presents.

A study of 501 new breast cancers in patients seen in a consulting surgical practice revealed that 87% were in patients 45 years of age or older. The patients had found 83% of the cancers. The distributions of size and stage were the same for the tumours found by the patients and those found by the referring physicians. Two thirds of the cancers had an associated visible clinical sign, demonstrating the importance of inspection in the examination of the breast. Dimpling, sometimes apparent only on manipulation of the tumour, was present with 264 of the cancers and was often associated with "minimal" lesions. Mammography was done for 63 of the breast cancers but it missed 27. Of the physician-found cancers 15 were in patients who had already had breast cancer, 4 were in patients presenting with symptomatic metastases and 14 were in women presenting with other disorders. Of the 52 cancers found by periodic examination 3 were locally advanced and 21 had axillary metastases, while among the 28 "early" cancers 12 were in women who were senile, mentally defective or psychotic. Only four of the cancers found by the physicians were in women under age 45; two were rapidly fatal, one had an axillary metastasis, and the fourth was in a woman who had had cancer of the opposite breast. The remaining 284 lesions found by periodic or routine examination in women under age 45 were benign. Thus, periodic or routine examination for unsuspected breast cancer in women under age 45 seems unjustified except in those who have already had breast cancer.     

622例肺癌患者远处转移临床特征的回顾性分析

目的:探讨不同病理类型IV期原发性支气管肺癌的远处转移特点。方法:回顾性分析我科收治的622例诊断明确、资料完整的IV期肺癌患者,比较不同病理类型肺癌患者各器官远处转移发生率,并进行统计学分析。结果:622例IV期肺癌患者中,鳞状细胞癌188例(30.2%),腺癌275例(44.2%),小细胞癌130例(20.9%),大细胞癌5例(0.8%),腺鳞癌14例(2.3%)。平均年龄55.4岁,男女比例为2.60:1,高发年龄为40~60岁。各器官远处转移发生率从高到低依次为:骨267例(42.9%),胸膜212例(34.1%),双肺162例(26.0%),脑148例(23.8%),肝132例(21.2%),肾上腺53例(8.5%),心包50例(8.0%),皮下转移6例(1.0%),肌肉3例(0.5%),眼球和脊髓各1例(0.2%)。单器官转移共283例(45.5%),多器官转移共339例(54.5%),最多为6个器官远处转移。结论:不同病理类型肺癌有各自不同的远处转移特点及临床特征,应选择相应的检查并制定针对性治疗方案。     

PGI、PGⅡ在胃癌组织中的表达及意义

目的：研究胃蛋白酶原I(PGI)、胃蛋白酶原Ⅱ(PGⅡ)在胃癌组织中的表达及意义。方法：将我院2011 年5 月至2013年10月 收治的上消化道疾病患者243 例纳入研究,根据胃镜及病理组织学结果,按照胃癌、慢性萎缩性胃炎、慢性非萎缩性胃炎、不典型 增生以及胃溃疡分为5 组,对照组为57 名来我院检查的健康的人群。应用酶联免疫法测定各组血清PGI、PGⅡ的含量并计算胃 蛋白酶原比值(PGR),比较胃癌患者手术前后血清PGI、PGⅡ的含量以及PGR,并通过ROC曲线下面积评价血清PGI、PGⅡ以及 PGR 诊断胃癌的效能。结果：与对照组比较,胃溃疡组PG I、PG II均明显升高,PGR 降低(P<0.05),慢性萎缩性胃炎组、不典型增生 组及胃癌组PGI、PGR均明显降低(P<0.05);与慢性萎缩性胃炎组比较,不典型增生组和胃癌组PGR 显著降低(P<0.05)。手术治疗 后,胃癌患者血清PGⅠ、PGⅡ含量较手术前明显下降(P＜0.05)。血清PGⅠ、PGⅡ以及PGR含量诊断胃癌的ROC 曲线下面积依 次为0.779、0.920 以及0.991。结论：胃癌患者血清PGI、PGR均明显降低,二者可用于初步筛查胃癌。     

优化胶粘贴法建立裸鼠胃癌原位种植模型

目的通过对两种胶粘贴法建立的胃癌原位种植动物模型的比较研究,为探讨胃癌的发病机制和实验治疗提供理想的动物模型。方法用OB胶和FS生物蛋白胶法分别建立胃癌原位种植动物模型,观察和比较两种方法所建立的模型肿瘤生长状况、转移情况和形态学变化。结果FS生物蛋白胶组未出现肿瘤大片坏死,腹水形成率为85.7%,幽门梗阻发生率为57.1%;而OB胶组肿瘤大片坏死发生率为100%,腹水形成率为14.3%,未出现幽门梗阻。FS生物蛋白胶组有三例出现了肺和脑转移。结论FS生物蛋白胶法建立的裸鼠胃癌原位种植动物模型能更好的模拟人胃癌患者的临床过程,为研究人胃癌转移机制和实验治疗提供理想的动物模型。     

胃癌组织中Tenascin、MVD、Ki-67的表达及其临床意义

目的：探讨胃癌组织中Tenascin蛋白、微血管密度（microvascular density,MVD）、Ki-67的表达及其与临床病理特征的关系。方法：采用免疫组化Elivision法检测70例胃癌组织和20例癌旁正常组织中Tenascin、CD34和Ki-67的表达。结果：①正常胃黏膜上皮Tenascin阴性,胃癌中的Tenascin主要表达于肿瘤相关纤维母细胞的胞质中,且与胃癌的Lauren分型、分化程度、临床分期、淋巴结转移显著相关（P〈0．05）;②胃癌中MVD和Ki-67-LI（标记指数）均高于正常胃黏膜（P〈0．001）,且均与胃癌的临床分期、浸润深度、淋巴结转移显著相关（P〈0．05）;结论：胃癌组织中Tenascin可抑制胃癌的演进,MVD及Ki-67可作为胃癌患者预后的预测指标,联合检测胃癌组织Tenascin、MVD、Ki-67的表达情况,对于进一步了解胃癌的生物学行为和判断预后具有一定的临床价值与意义。