ObjectiveTo investigate the expressions of contactin-1 (CNTN-1), vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), and its receptor VEGFR-3 (Flt-4) in primary gastric cancer and to explore the relevance among them and their correlation with clinicopathologic features of gastric cancer. MethodsThe VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, and CNTN-1 protein expressions of tumor tissues and normal gastric mucosa tissues in 68 patients with primary gastric cancer were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The Flt-4-positive vessel density (FVD) and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) were also analyzed by VEGFR-3positive and D2-40-positive staining, respectively. ResultsThe positivity rate of VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, and CNTN-1 protein expression in the primary tumor was 57.4% (39/68), 60.3% (41/68), and 55.9% (38/68), respectively, which was significantly higher than that in the normal gastric mucosa tissues 〔20.6% (14/68), 23.5% (16/68), and 16.2% (11/68)〕， P=0.000. The expressions of VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, and CNTN-1 protein were significantly correlated with TNM stage, lymphatic vessel invasion, and lymph node metastasis (Plt;0.05). The expression of CNTN-1 protein was significantly correlated with VEGF-C (r=0.372, P=0.002) and VEGFR-3 protein expression (r=0.308, P=0.011). In tumor tissues of sixtyeight patients the FVD was (10.41±9.38)/HP, which was significantly lower than LVD 〔(18.19±7.44)/HP〕, P=0.000. Elevated FVD and LVD was significantly found in patients with tumor characterized by later TNM stage, severer lymphatic vessel invasion, and severer lymph node metastasis (Plt;0.05). The FVD of tumor was significantly correlated with VEGF-C (P=0.029) and CNTN-1 protein expression (P=0.003). The LVD of tumor was not significantly correlated with CNTN-1 (P=0.727), VEGF-C (P=0.173), and VEGFR-3 protein expression (P=0.924). The patients with positive expression of VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, and CNTN-1 protein showed poorer prognosis (Plt;0.05). ConclusionsElevated expression of CNTN-1 protein is observed in primary gastric cancer and correlated with VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 protein expression, indicating that combined detection has great value in prediction of invasive potential and prognosis. VEGF-C-mediated CNTN-1 overexpression may promote lymphatic invasion via lymphangiogenesis pathway in patients with gastric cancer.
Objective To investigate the expression of syndecan-1 protein in gastric carcinoma and normal gastric mucosa tissues, and find out the correlation between the expression of syndecan-1 protein and the clinicopathologic characteristics of gastric carcinoma. Methods The expression of syndecan-1 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry (ABC) in 60 cases of gastric carcinoma, including gastric carcinoma tissues and normal gastric mucosa tissues. Results Syndecan-1 protein expressed in all of the 60 normal gastric mucosa tissues, however, only 10 of 60 gastric carcinoma tissues (16.67%) showed positive expression. The positive rate of syndecan-1 expression in normal gastric mucosa tissues was higher than that in gastric carcinoma tissues, and this difference was statistically significant (χ2=65.88, P＜0.05). The expression level of syndecan-1 protein in gastric carcinoma tissues with lymph node metastasis was lower than that without lymph node metastasis, and this difference was also statistically significant (χ2 =18.62, P＜0.05). In addition, syndecan-1 expression was not correlated with patients’ age and position of tumor (Pgt;0.05), but correlated with the diameter， invasion depth and TNM stage of tumor (Plt;0.05). Conclusion The positive expression of syndecan-1 protein is low in gastric carcinoma tissue and has b correlation with tumor stage and lymph node metastasis.
Objective To establish the optimal morphological criteria combined with fibrinogen level for evaluation of lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer. Methods A consecutive series of 690 patients who underwent curative surgery for colorectal cancer, were examined by abdominopelvic enhanced multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) scan. If regional lymph nodes appeared, the maximal long-axis diameter (MLAD), maximal short-axis diameter (MSAD), and axial ratio (MSAD/MLAD) were recorded. At each lymph node size cut-off value, the following were calculated: accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV). Moreover, preoperative plasma level of fibrinogen was retrospectively examined to identify metastatic or inflammatory lymph node combined with MSCT image. Both modalities, MSCT plus fibrinogen and MSCT alone, were compared based on the pathologic findings. Results The study population consisted of 100 patients with regional lymph nodes show. No significant difference was found between metastatic and inflammatory lymph nodes in imaging characteristics (Pgt;0.05). The best cut-off value of MSAD was 6 mm for lymph node metastasis with the sensitivity of 46.8%, specificity of 68.4%, accuracy of 55.0%, PPV of 70.7% and NPV of 44.1%. The best cut-off value of MLAD was 8 mm with the sensitivity of 43.5%, specificity of 63.2%, accuracy of 51.0%, PPV of 65.9% and NPV of 40.7%. Using hyperfibrinogenemia (FIB ≥3.5 g/L) to identify small metastatic lymph node, of which MSAD lt;6 mm or MLAD lt;8 mm, showed statistical diagnostic value (Kappa=0.256, P=0.047). Compared with MSAD (6 mm) alone, MSAD (6 mm) combined with hyperfibrinogenemia had a higher sensitivity (79.0% vs. 46.8%, Plt;0.001), but a similar accuracy (66.0% vs. 55.0%, Pgt;0.05) and a lower specificity (44.7% vs. 68.4%, P=0.037). MLAD (8 mm) combined with hyperfibrinogenemia led to a greater diagnostic value in sensitivity (80.6% vs. 43.5%, Plt;0.001) and accuracy (66.0% vs. 51.0%, P=0.031) than MLAD (8 mm) alone, with a no-significantly decreasing specificity (42.1% vs. 63.2%, Pgt;0.05). Conclusions This present study recommend MSAD ≥6 mm or MLAD ≥8 mm as the optimal criteria for preoperative N staging in colorectal cancer. Moreover, the sensitivity and even accuracy could be improved by combining hyperfibrinogenemia for lymph node metastasis identification.
Objective To investigate the expression of claudin-1 in breast tumor tissues and the relationship of development and progress of breast neoplasm．Methods The expressions of claudin-1 in 89 cases of breast cancer and 37 benign breast diseases were tested by tissue chip technology and immunohistochemistry．The relationships of claudin-1 expression to the lymph node metastasis，TNM staging，maximum diameter of the tumor，and histology grade were statistically analyzed．Results The expression of claudin-1 in the breast cancer was significantly lower than that in the benign breast disease（χ2=19.20，P=0.000 2）．The claudin-1 expression in the patients with lymph node metastasis was significantly lower than that without lymph node metastasis （χ2=3.85，P=0.049 7）．The claudin-1 expression in the stageⅢ of TNM staging was weaker than that in the stage Ⅰ（χ2=5.29，P=0.021 4） and stage Ⅱ （χ2=7.46，P=0.006 3），respectively. There was no significant difference of the claudin-1 expression in the different maximum diameters of tumor （χ2=1.58，P=0.453 8） or histology grades （χ2=1.02，P=0.600 5），respectively．Conclusions The expression of claudin-1 might be correlated with the occurrence，development，and metastasis in breast tumor．It may be one of the potential indicator for lymph node metastasis and prognosis assessment in breast cancer．
Objective To investigate the expression and prognostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) in human breast cancer. Methods A tissue microarray containing cores was constructed from 173 female patients with primary breast cancers (experimental group) and 19 female patients with benign breast lesions (control group) between March 2004 and June 2007. HE staining was performed to determine the quality of tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect VEGFR-3 expression in the tissue microarray. Statistical analysis was performed to show the association between VEGFR-3 expression and clinicopathologic parameters. Results Histological examination showed that the tissue microarray had good quality, which could represent the histological characteristics of breast cancer and benign breast lesions. VEGFR-3 was expressed in 55.5% (96/173) breast cancer patients of experimental group, while the expression was negative in lesions of control group. VEGFR-3 expression rate had no significant relation with age, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor (P gt; 0.05). VEGFR-3 expression rate correlated positively with tumor size and pathological staging compared to VEGFR-3 negative tumors (P lt; 0.05). The positive expression rate of VEGFR-3 in breast cancer with lymph node metastasis was significantly higher than that without lymph node metastasis (P lt; 0.05). Furthermore, VEGFR-3 positive staining correlated with human EGF receptor 2 expression (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The expressions of VEGFR-3 in human breast cancer have close relations with lymph node metastasis. Thus, VEGFR-3 may be a potential prognostic indicator and a new anti-cancer target for breast cancer.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of mucinous breast cancer (MBC). MethodsLiteratures about the recent studies of MBC were reviewed. ResultsMBC was one of special subtype of infiltrating breast cancer. According to the mucus ingredient in the ratio of the mass, MBC was divided into pure mucinous breast cancer (PMBC) and mixed mucinous breast cancer (MMBC). Compared to infiltrating ductal cancer-not otherwise specified (IDC-NOS), MBC showed higher positive expression rates of estrogen receptor (ER) and progestrogen receptor (PR), with reduced lymph node metastasis rate and better prognosis. PMBC had lower lymph node metastasis rate and better outcome than MMBC. ConclusionsThere is significant difference about clinical and pathological characteristics between MBC and IDC-NOS. Researches are generally believed that MBC is an uncommon breast neoplasm which is associated with a good prognosis.
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the expression and clinical features of phospho-p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p-p70S6K) in lung cancer. MethodsWe systematically searched the published researches about p-p70S6K expression and clinical features of lung cancer in Medline, EMbase, Chinese BioMedical Literature, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and WeiPu databases from their establishment to February 4th, 2014. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the data were extracted and the Cochrane Review Manager 5 and Stata 12.0 were used for data analysis. ResultsEight studies including 953 patients were included in this systematic review. Analysis with random effects model showed that the positive expression rate of p-p70S6K in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues spread from 41% to 70%. In small cell lung cancer tissues, the positive expression rate of p-p70S6K ranged from 17% to 91%. The positive expression rate of p-p70S6K in NSCLC was significantly higher than adjacent normal tissues[OR=5.08, 95%CI (2.96, 8.71), P<0.00001]. Divided by status of cell differentiation, the positive expression rate of p-p70S6K between low differentiation and moderate-high differentiation groups had no statistically significant difference[OR=1.40, 95%CI (0.50, 3.92), P=0.53]. In addition, the positive expression rate of p-p70S6K was not related to lymph node metastasis[OR=1.11, 95%CI (0.56, 2.23), P=0.76]. ConclusionCompared with adjacent normal tissues, positive expression rate of p-p70S6K in NSCLC is significantly higher, indicating that p-p70S6K may be associated with the development of lung cancer. The positive expression rate of p-p70S6K in different kinds of lung cancer is still unclear, which needs further studies to explore.
Objective To assess the applied significance of carbon nanoparticles in central compartment lymph node dissection in treatment of cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods Sixty-eight patients with cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma who were treated in Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College from May. to Oct. in 2012 were randomly allocated to the control group （n=32） and the carbon nanoparticles trace group （tracer group， n=36）， receiving non-carbon nanoparticles trace and carbon nanoparticles trace respectively. All patients were received total resection of thyroid plus the affected side and （or） contralateral side central compartment lymph node dissection. The lymph node-related indexes（including number of dissected lymph node at Ⅵarea and lymph node metastasis rate at Ⅵarea） and operative indexs （including operation time， blood loss， drainage time， complication， and hospital stay） were collected and compared between the 2 groups. Results There were 205 and 324 dissected lymph node at central compartment in control group and tracer group respectively. The results of postoperative pathology showed that the number of lymph node in central compartment of the tracer group was much more than those of control group （8.99±2.24 vs. 6.41±1.56， P＜0.001）. The metastasis rate of central compartment lymph node were 40.6% （13/32） in control group and 47.2% （17/36） in tracer group， but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups （P=0.762）. But in medial area of laryngeal recurrent nerve， the metastasis rate in the tracer group （38.9%， 14/36） was much higher than those of control group （12.5%， 4/32）， P=0.029. There were no significant differences in the operation time， blood loss， drainage time， hospital stay， and complication incidence such as bleeding， temporary hypocalcemia， and injury of superior laryngeal nerve between 2 groups （P＞0.05）. All the patients in 2 groups had followed-up for 6 months without death， recurrence， and metastasis.Conclusions The lymphatic tracer technique of carbon nanoparticles may improve the number of dissected lymph nodes in central region of cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma， without increasing （or prolonging） operation time， intraoperative blood loss， and postoperative hospital stay， and can accurately represent the metastasis of lymph node， thus to make the staging of the tumor accurately and guide postoperative treatment.
Objective To explore the expression of matrix metalloproteinase （MMP）-2 in patients with papillary thyroid cancer （PTC） recurrence or residuum and its value of clinical application. Methods The serums from 68 patients with thyroid disease underwent operation and 15 health examinations under stomachs empty from March 2009 to December2009 in this hospital were gathered. Sixty-eight patients with thyroid disease were divided into PTC with lymph node metastasis （LNM） group （n=19），PTC recurrence or residuum with LNM group （n=17），PTC without LNM group （n=10），and benign thyroid disease group （n=22） according to the postoperative pathological findings，15 health examinations as control group. The expression of MMP-2 of serum sample was detected by ELISA method. The difference of the expression of MMP-2 in each group was analyzed. Results The expressions of MMP-2 in the PTC recurrence or residuum with LNM group，PTC with LNM group，PTC without LNM group， benign thyroid disease group，and the control group were （1 724.00±762.24） ng/ml，（1 329.16±776.59） ng/ml，（1 489.61±546.53） ng/ml，（1 264.87±817.27） ng/ml，and （608.43±88.63） ng/ml，respectively. The expressions of MMP-2 in the PTC with LNM group and PTC recurrence or residuum with LNM group were significantly higher than those in the benign thyroid disease group （P＜0.05） and the control group （P＜0.05），respectively，which in the PTC without LNM group was significantly higher than that in the control group （P＜0.05）. There was no significant difference of MMP-2 expression of serum between the benign thyroid disease group and the control group （P＞0.05），which were no significant difference among the other threemalignant disease groups （P＞0.05）. The MMP-2 positive expression rates were 79%，76%，80%，41%，and 20% in the PTC with LNM，PTC recurrence or residue with LNM group，PTC without LNM group，benign thyroid disease group，and control group，respectively. The MMP-2 positive expressions rates of serums were not significantly different among three malignant disease groups （P＞0.05），but which were significantly higher than those of the benign thyroid disease group （P＜0.01） and control group （P＜0.01），respectively. Conclusions The MMP-2 level of serum can be used as an index to judge preoperative thyroid nodules，which can not be use to determine whether PTC metastasis or not.
Objective To explore the value of multidetector row helical CT （MDCT） in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in adenocarcinoma of esophaogastric junction （AEG）， and to study the pattern of lymph node metastasis of it. Methods The MDCT images of 60 patients with AEG who underwent operation in our hospital from Jan. 2011to Oct. 2012 were collected， in order to explore the value of MDCT in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in AEG， and to study the pattern of lymph node metastasis of it. Results With diameter upper 8 mm and the difference of the mean value of enhanced degree upper 70 Hu as the standard of lymph node metastasis， the Kappa value （0.819 and 0.718），sensitivity （83.1% and 91.8%）， and specificity （78.9% and 83.5%） were all optimal. The lymph node metastasis rate was significantly higher in serosa invasion group than those of non-invasion group （P＜0.05）. The metastatic area of lymphnodes mainly concentrated around cardia （No. 7， 8， and 9 group）， lesser curvature of the stomach， celiac axis， and hepato-gastric ligament （No. 10， 11， 12， and 14 group） with the metastasis rate of 83.8% and 82.3%， respectively. Conclusion MDCT is useful to confirm the features， location， and rules of lymph node metastasis in patients with AEG， which is helpful in accurately cleaning the lymph nodes.