SB203580, a P38 MAPK Inhibitor, Blocks in vitro Invasion by Human Gastric SNU-638 Cells / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The role of P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in gastric cancer invasion has not yet been determined. In this study, we examined the effects of SB203580, a specific P38 MAPK inhibitor, on the in vitro invasion of gastric cancer and upon the molecules involved in this process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human gastric cancer SNU-638 cells were maintained in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% FBS. BIOCOAT matrigel invasion chambers were used to examine in vitro invasiveness, zymography for gelatinase activity, CAT assay for uPA promoter activity and Western and Northern blotting to determine protein and mRNA levels, respectively. RESULTS: Treatment of SNU-638 cells with SB203580, a specific P38 MAPK inhibitor, reduced in vitro invasiveness, dose-dependently. SB203580 treatment was found to decrease both mRNA expression and uPA promoter activity in gastric SNU-638 cells. In vitro invasion of SNU-638 cells was partially abrogated by uPA-neutralizing antibodies. The activities of MMPs were not significantly altered by SB203580. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that P38 MAPK is a potential therapeutic target for inhibiting uPA-dependent gastric tumor invasiveness and metastasis.

A Successful Endoscopic Therapy for Uncontrolled Duodenal Varix after Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Duodenal varix is a rare site of bleeding in patient with portal hypertension and frequently causes massive bleeding. Treatment modalities are endoscopic sclerotherapy, endoscopic ligation, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), and shunt operation. A patient with duodenal varix was hemodynamically unstable and an emergent salvage transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was performed. In spite of TIPS procedure, varix bleeding was not controlled and endoscopic band ligation and endoscopic sclerotherapy were performed with successful hemostasis and eradication of duodenal varix.