Lack of influence of cyclooxygenese-2 expression in hepatocellular carcinomas on patient survival.

Recent studies suggest that cyclooxygenese-2 (COX-2) enzyme activation may play a role in hepatocarcinogenesis. However, the clinical significance of COX-2 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains obscure. This study evaluated COX-2 expression in hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus related HCC and in HCC patients with an unknown etiology. Liver tissue samples of 31 patients with HCC (27 men and 4 women; age range, 48-75 years) were analyzed. COX-2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemically in the tumor tissues. Patient data including age, sex, Child score, stage, grade of the tumor and survival were analyzed. Of these patients 19 were positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV), 6 were positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and 6 patients were negative for all viral markers and other etiologic factors. COX-2 staining were evaluated in 2 groups (group 1: COX-2 expression less than 25% (grades 1-2 COX-2 expression), and group 2: Cox-2 expression 25% or more (grades 3-5 COX-2 expression). COX-2 expression was shown in all HCC samples with positive or negative viral markers. No difference was found between degree of COX-2 expression and the etiology of HCC. COX-2 expression was not correlated with number of lesion or stage of the disease or grade of the tumor. COX-2 expression was not related with Child score of the patients. Median survival of all patients was 32 months. Median survival of patients did not differ according to patient's viral marker status. No difference was observed in median survival of patients in group 1 and 2. As a result, COX-2 system seem to be shared part in hepatocarcinogenesis regardless factors that initiate the disease. Although COX-2 expression appears to be independent of disease's characteristics', treatments that target this system appear to be feasible in the management of HCC.

Hodgkin's disease in an elderly patient with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common type of leukemia worldwide. It is an indolent disease, almost exclusively of B-cell origin. Some CLLs evolve into a more aggressive lymphoid malignancy. The most common of these is Richter's syndrome. Transformation to acute lymphoblastic leukemia, plasma cell leukemia, multiple myeloma, or Hodgkin's disease (HD) may also occur. CLL patients are also at a significantly increased risk of developing a second malignant neoplasm later in life. One of the most common of these is HD. Herein, we report a case of HD in an elderly man with a history of B-cell CLL.

Olive: fruit of peace against cancer.

The olive has a history almost as long as that of Western civilization and has been looked upon as a sign of hope, peace, and sacredness. Olive oil, extracted from the olive, is the principal source of dietary fat in the Mediterranean basin. The composition differs from that of other dietary fats in that olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids. Even other than as a source of monounsaturated fats, olive oil has own unique effects. Accumulating evidence suggests that olive oil may have beneficial health effects, especially when it comes to reducing risk factors for coronary heart diseases, preventing cancer, and modifying immune and inflammatory responses. However, evidence remains limited, definitive conclusions are difficult to draw, and there remains a significant need for further studies, particularly prospective cohort and well-designed, controlled intervention studies. In this manuscript, the beneficial health effects of olive oil are reviewed, with particular attention paid to cancer prevention and immune functions..