Epidemiologic Study of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Expression in Advanced/Metastatic Gastric Cancer: an Assessment of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Status in Tumor Tissue Samples of Gastric and Gastro-Esophageal Junction Cancer

PURPOSE: The Trastuzumab for gastric cancer (GC) trial identified human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) as a predictor of successful treatment with trastuzumab (HER2 receptor targeting agent) among patients with advanced/metastatic GC. To date, the prevalence of HER2 overexpression in the Korean population is unknown. The present study aimed to assess the incidence of HER2 positivity among GC and gastroesophageal (GE) junction cancer samples and the relationship between HER2 overexpression and clinicopathological characteristics in Korean patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tumor samples collected from 1,695 patients with histologically proven GC or GE junction enrolled at 14 different hospitals in Korea were examined. After gathering clinicopathological data of all patients, HER2 status was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) at each hospital, and IHC 2+ cases were subjected to silver-enhanced in situ hybridization at 3 central laboratories. RESULTS: A total of 182 specimens tested positive for HER2, whereas 1,505 tested negative. Therefore, the overall HER2-positive rate in this study was 10.8% (95% confidence interval: 9.3%–12.3%). The HER2-positive rate was higher among intestinal-type cases (17.6%) than among other types, and was higher among patients older than 70 years and 50 years of age, compared to other age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our evaluation of the HER2 positivity rate (10.8%) among Korean patients with GC and GE junction indicated the necessity of epidemiological data when conducting studies related to HER2 expression in GC and GE junction.

Effectiveness of Continuing Low Central Venous Pressure during Major Hepatic Resection / 한국간담췌외과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Blood loss and blood transfusion are extremely important determinants of morbidity and mortality following hepatic resection. This is attributed to increased risks of coagulopathy, acute respiratory distress syndrome and multiorgan failure. The hypothesis is that a low pressure in the central veins would be accompanied by a low pressure in the hepatic veins and sinusoids, thereby decreasing blood loss during hepatic resection. This study evaluates the effectiveness of continuing low central venous pressure comparing with high central venous pressure during major hepatic resection. METHODS: 20 consecutive major hepatic resections between March 2000 and August 2000 were studied prospectively concerning central venous pressure which was analysed for 10 cases with a central venous pressure less than 10 mmHg, and greater than or equal to 10 mmHg. The central venous pressure was monitored continuously using a Narkomed Anaesthetic Component Monitoring System (Drager Inc., USA). RESULTS: Low central venous pressure allowed a smaller intraoperative blood loss ( or =10 mmHg: 1770+/-916.5 ml, p or =10 mmHg: 807+/-799.2 ml, p or =10 mmHg: 293.0+/-123.2 IU/L, p or =10 mmHg: 193.2+/-103.5 IU/L, p or =10 mmHg: 8.7+/-1.6 days, p<0.05) in comparison to high central venous pressure. There was no postoperative mortality in both group. CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining a low central venous pressure throughout major hepatic resection reduced blood loss, blood transfusion requirements and enzyme recovery periods. Lowering the central venous pressure is a simple and effective way during hepatic resection.