Elevated expression of Axin2 in intestinal metaplasia and gastric cancers

Background@#The Wnt signaling pathway regulates crucial cellular processes, including stem cell development and tissue repair. Dysregulation of this pathway, particularly β-catenin stabilization, is linked to colorectal carcinoma and other tumors. Axin2, a critical component in the pathway, plays a role in β-catenin regulation. This study examines Axin2 expression in normal gastric mucosa and various gastric pathologies. @*Methods@#Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue samples from normal stomach, gastritis, intestinal metaplasia (IM), and gastric carcinoma were collected. Axin2 and β-catenin expression were evaluated using RNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Histo-scores (H-scores) were calculated to quantify expression levels of Axin2. Associations between Axin2 expression and clinicopathological variables were examined. @*Results@#Axin2 expression was examined in normal stomach, gastritis, and IM tissues. Axin2 expression was mainly observed in the surface and isthmus areas in the normal stomach and gastritis, whereas Axin2 expression was markedly higher at the bases of IM. Axin2 H-scores were significantly elevated in IM (mean ± standard deviation [SD], 87.0 ± 38.9) compared to normal (mean ± SD, 18.0 ± 4.5) and gastritis tissues (mean ± SD, 33.0 ± 18.6). In total, 30% of gastric carcinomas showed higher Axin2 expression. Axin2 expression did not have significant associations with age, sex, Lauren classification, histological differentiation, invasion depth, and lymph node metastasis. However, a strong positive correlation was observed between Axin2 and nuclear β-catenin in gastric carcinomas (p < .001). @*Conclusions@#Axin2 expression was significantly increased in IM compared to normal and gastritis cases. In addition, Axin2 showed a strong positive association with nuclear β-catenin expression in gastric carcinomas, demonstrating a close relationship with abnormal Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Long-term Efficacy of S-1 Monotherapy or Capecitabine Plus Oxaliplatin as Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Patients with Stage II or III Gastric Cancer after Curative Gastrectomy: a Propensity Score-Matched Multicenter Cohort Study

Purpose@#To compare long-term disease-free survival (DFS) between patients receiving tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil (S-1) or capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (CAPOX) adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) for gastric cancer (GC). @*Materials and Methods@#This retrospective multicenter observational study enrolled 983 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy with consecutive AC with S-1 or CAPOX for stage II or III GC at 27 hospitals in Korea between February 2012 and December 2013. We conducted propensity score matching to reduce selection bias. Long-term oncologic outcomes, including DFS rate over 5 years (over-5yr DFS), were analyzed postoperatively. @*Results@#The median and longest follow-up period were 59.0 and 87.6 months, respectively. DFS rate did not differ between patients who received S-1 and CAPOX for pathologic stage II (P=0.677) and stage III (P=0.899) GC. Moreover, hazard ratio (HR) for recurrence did not differ significantly between S-1 and CAPOX (reference) in stage II (HR, 1.846; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.693–4.919; P=0.220) and stage III (HR, 0.942; 95% CI, 0.664–1.337; P=0.738) GC. After adjustment for significance in multivariate analysis, pT (4 vs. 1) (HR, 11.667; 95% CI, 1.595–85.351; P=0.016), pN stage (0 vs. 3) (HR, 2.788; 95% CI, 1.502–5.174; P=0.001), and completion of planned chemotherapy (HR, 2.213; 95% CI, 1.618–3.028; P<0.001) were determined as independent prognostic factors for DFS. @*Conclusions@#S-1 and CAPOX AC regimens did not show significant difference in over-5yr DFS after curative gastrectomy in patients with stage II or III GC. The pT, pN stage, and completion of planned chemotherapy were prognostic factors for GC recurrence.

Actual compliance to adjuvant chemotherapy in gastric cancer

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the actual compliance with chemotherapy and analyze several factors affecting the compliance in patients with gastric cancer. METHODS: From February 2012 to December 2014, we collected data of patients with gastric cancer who received adjuvant chemotherapy (TS-1 monotherapy or XELOX: capecitabine/oxaliplatin) in Korea. RESULTS: We collected data of 1,089 patients from 31 institutions. The completion rate and dose reduction rate by age (≥60 years vs. <60 years) were 57.5% vs. 76.8% (P < 0.001) and 17.9% vs. 21.3% (P = 0.354); by body mass index (BMI) (≥23 kg/m2 vs. <23 kg/m2) were 70.2% vs. 63.2% (P = 0.019) and 19.2% vs. 19.9% (P = 0.987), respectively. The compliance by American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA PS) classification was as follows: completion rate was 74.4%, 62.8%, and 60% (P = 0.001) and the dose reduction rate was 18.4%, 20.7%, and 17.8% (P = 0.946) in ASA PS classification I, II, and III, respectively. The completion rate of TS-1 and XELOX was 65.9% vs. 70.3% (P = 0.206) and the dose reduction rate was 15.7% vs. 33.6% (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the completion rate of chemotherapy by surgical oncologists and medical oncologists was 69.5% vs. 63.2% (P = 0.028) and the dose reduction rate was 17.4% vs. 22.3% (P = 0.035), respectively. CONCLUSION: The compliance was lower in patients who were older than 60 years, had BMI <23 kg/m2, and had higher ASA PS classification. Furthermore, the patients showed higher compliance when they received chemotherapy from surgical oncologists rather than from medical oncologists.

Risk factors for early postoperative complications after bariatric surgery

PURPOSE: Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are currently the most common bariatric procedures. Although the safety of these operations has markedly improved, there continues to be a certain rate of complications. Such adverse events can have a significant deleterious effect on the outcome of these procedures and represent a costly burden on patients and society at large. A better understanding of these complications and their predictive factors may help ameliorate and optimize outcomes. METHODS: Seven hundred seventy-two consecutive patients who underwent SG or RYGB for morbid obesity between January 2011 and October 2015, in the Division of Bariatric Surgery at a tertiary institution, were included through retrospective review of the medical database. The complications were categorized and evaluated according to severity using the Clavien-Dindo classification system. Significant risk factors were evaluated by binary logistic regression to identify independent predictors and analyzed to identify their relationship with the type of complication. RESULTS: Independent predictors of severe complication after these procedures included male gender, open and revisional surgery, hypertension, and hypoalbuminemia. Hypoalbuminemia had significant associations with occurrence of deep surgical site infection and leak. Open surgery had significant associations with occurrence of superficial and deep surgical site infection and respiratory complications. Independent predictors of severe complication after laparoscopic primary RYGB included previous abdominal surgery. Previous abdominal surgery had significant associations with deep surgical site infection and leak. CONCLUSION: Recognition and optimization of these risk factors would be valuable in operative risk prediction before bariatric surgery.

Systemic Classification for a New Diagnostic Approach to Acute Abdominal Pain in Children / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: With previous methods based on only age and location, there are many difficulties in identifying the etiology of acute abdominal pain in children. We sought to develop a new systematic classification of acute abdominal pain and to give some helps to physicians encountering difficulties in diagnoses. METHODS: From March 2005 to May 2010, clinical data were collected retrospectively from 442 children hospitalized due to acute abdominal pain with no apparent underlying disease. According to the final diagnoses, diseases that caused acute abdominal pain were classified into nine groups. RESULTS: The nine groups were group I "catastrophic surgical abdomen" (7 patients, 1.6%), group II "acute appendicitis and mesenteric lymphadenitis" (56 patients, 12.7%), group III "intestinal obstruction" (57 patients, 12.9%), group IV "viral and bacterial acute gastroenteritis" (90 patients, 20.4%), group V "peptic ulcer and gastroduodenitis" (66 patients, 14.9%), group VI "hepatobiliary and pancreatic disease" (14 patients, 3.2%), group VII "febrile viral illness and extraintestinal infection" (69 patients, 15.6%), group VIII "functional gastrointestinal disorder (acute manifestation)" (20 patients, 4.5%), and group IX "unclassified acute abdominal pain" (63 patients, 14.3%). Four patients were enrolled in two disease groups each. CONCLUSION: Patients were distributed unevenly across the nine groups of acute abdominal pain. In particular, the "unclassified abdominal pain" only group was not uncommon. Considering a systemic classification for acute abdominal pain may be helpful in the diagnostic approach in children.

Preoperative N Staging of Gastric Cancer by Stomach Protocol Computed Tomography

PURPOSE: Clinical stage of gastric cancer is currently assessed by computed tomography. Accurate clinical staging is important for the tailoring of therapy. This study evaluated the accuracy of clinical N staging using stomach protocol computed tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2004 and November 2012, 171 patients with gastric cancer underwent preoperative stomach protocol computed tomography (Jeju National University Hospital; Jeju, Korea). Their demographic and clinical characteristics were reviewed retrospectively. Two radiologists evaluated cN staging using axial and coronal computed tomography images, and cN stage was matched with pathologic results. The diagnostic accuracy of stomach protocol computed tomography for clinical N staging and clinical characteristics associated with diagnostic accuracy were evaluated. RESULTS: The overall accuracy of stomach protocol computed tomography for cN staging was 63.2%. Computed tomography images of slice thickness 3.0 mm had a sensitivity of 60.0%; a specificity of 89.6%; an accuracy of 78.4%; and a positive predictive value of 78.0% in detecting lymph node metastases. Underestimation of cN stage was associated with larger tumor size (P<0.001), undifferentiated type (P=0.003), diffuse type (P=0.020), more advanced pathologic stage (P<0.001), and larger numbers of harvested and metastatic lymph nodes (P<0.001 each). Tumor differentiation was an independent factor affecting underestimation by computed tomography (P=0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography with a size criterion of 8 mm is highly specific but relatively insensitive in detecting nodal metastases. Physicians should keep in mind that computed tomography may not be an appropriate tool to detect nodal metastases for choosing appropriate treatment.

Diagnostic Value of Clinical T Staging Assessed by Endoscopy and Stomach Protocol Computed Tomography in Gastric Cancer: The Experience of a Low-Volume Institute

PURPOSE: Clinical staging of gastric cancer appears to be important more and more for tailored therapy. This study aimed to verify the accuracy of clinical T staging in a low-volume institute. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data of gastric cancer patients who underwent resection. A total of 268 patients of gastric cancer were enrolled from March 2004 to June 2012. These demographics, tumor characteristics, and clinical stages were analyzed for identification of diagnostic value of clinical T staging. RESULTS: The predictive values for pT1 of endoscopy and computed tomography were 90.0% and 89.4%, respectively. In detail, the predictive values of endoscopy for pT1a, pT1b, and pT2 or more were 87%, 58.5%, and 90.6%, respectively. The predictive values of computed tomography for pT1a, pT1b, and pT2 or more were 68.8%, 73.9%, and 84.4%, respectively. The factors leading to underestimation of pT2 or more lesions by gastroscopy were the middle third location, the size greater than 2 cm, and younger age. Those for overestimation of pT1 lesion by computed tomography were male, age more than 70 years, elevated type, and size greater than 3 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic accuracy of early gastric cancer was 90%, which is comparable to those of high volume center. In patients with early gastric cancer, limited gastrectomy or minimal invasive surgery can be safely introduced at a low volume center also. However, the surgeon of low-volume institute should consider the accuracy of clinical staging before extending the indication of limited treatment.

Diagnostic Value of Clinical T Staging Assessed by Endoscopy and Stomach Protocol Computed Tomography in Gastric Cancer: The Experience of a Low-Volume Institute

PURPOSE: Clinical staging of gastric cancer appears to be important more and more for tailored therapy. This study aimed to verify the accuracy of clinical T staging in a low-volume institute. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data of gastric cancer patients who underwent resection. A total of 268 patients of gastric cancer were enrolled from March 2004 to June 2012. These demographics, tumor characteristics, and clinical stages were analyzed for identification of diagnostic value of clinical T staging. RESULTS: The predictive values for pT1 of endoscopy and computed tomography were 90.0% and 89.4%, respectively. In detail, the predictive values of endoscopy for pT1a, pT1b, and pT2 or more were 87%, 58.5%, and 90.6%, respectively. The predictive values of computed tomography for pT1a, pT1b, and pT2 or more were 68.8%, 73.9%, and 84.4%, respectively. The factors leading to underestimation of pT2 or more lesions by gastroscopy were the middle third location, the size greater than 2 cm, and younger age. Those for overestimation of pT1 lesion by computed tomography were male, age more than 70 years, elevated type, and size greater than 3 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic accuracy of early gastric cancer was 90%, which is comparable to those of high volume center. In patients with early gastric cancer, limited gastrectomy or minimal invasive surgery can be safely introduced at a low volume center also. However, the surgeon of low-volume institute should consider the accuracy of clinical staging before extending the indication of limited treatment.

Gastric Lipomatosis

Gastric lipomatosis is an extremely rare condition. We present a case of a 69-year-old woman admitted with epigastric soreness. Computerized tomography (CT) revealed extrinsically compressing, fat-containing mass lesions on the entire gastric wall of the antrum and body except for the lesser curvature. A subtotal gastrectomy was performed. Pathology findings confirmed a gastric lipomatosis with multiple gastric ulcerations and extensive disruptions of the muscular layers. This case and reports of other gastric lipomatosis cases indicate that CT should be used to characterize large submucosal masses because CT can show the specific nature and extent of the disease. We believe that surgical treatment is the most appropriate treatment for symptomatic gastric lipomatosis that shows extensive gastric involvement, or when there are multiple gastric lipomas.

Gastric Lipomatosis

Gastric lipomatosis is an extremely rare condition. We present a case of a 69-year-old woman admitted with epigastric soreness. Computerized tomography (CT) revealed extrinsically compressing, fat-containing mass lesions on the entire gastric wall of the antrum and body except for the lesser curvature. A subtotal gastrectomy was performed. Pathology findings confirmed a gastric lipomatosis with multiple gastric ulcerations and extensive disruptions of the muscular layers. This case and reports of other gastric lipomatosis cases indicate that CT should be used to characterize large submucosal masses because CT can show the specific nature and extent of the disease. We believe that surgical treatment is the most appropriate treatment for symptomatic gastric lipomatosis that shows extensive gastric involvement, or when there are multiple gastric lipomas.

Contralateral Pedicular Fracture with Unilateral Spondylolysis

Although most authors regard contralateral pedicular fracture with unilateral spondylolysis as an unstable condition and recommend surgical management when immobilization fails in promoting bony healing of the fracture, few researchers have investigated the natural history of pedicle fracture or the causal relationship between symptoms and the fracture. In addition, there are no detailed guidelines that address the management of this disease. We report a rare case of contralateral pedicular fracture associated with unilateral spondylolysis at the L5 level which was successfully treated by rehabilitation with activity modification.

Colon Type Adenocarcinoma of Appendiceal Orifice with Synchronous Colon Cancer and Appendiceal Mucocele

Primary adenocarcinoma of the appendix is an extraordinarily rare tumor, with fewer than 500 cases described in the collected world literature. However, it has been shown that the incidence of secondary neoplasm, such as synchronous or metachronous lesions, for primary adenocarcinoma of the appendix is much greater than that for colorectal cancer in general. In the present paper, the authors report a case of a 72-year-old male patient with immunoreactivity for P 53 and DCC protein and a review of the literature, who was operated on for an appendiceal orifice cancer and in whom colonic adenomas, a synchronous colon cancer and an appendiceal mucocele, was incidentally discovered after right hemicolectomy.

Clinicopathologic Features of the Superficial Spreading Type of Early Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: The superficial spreading type of early gastric cancer (SSE) has unique features such as its growth pattern and histologic aggressiveness. But its incidence rate is very low, so the clinicopathologic features of SSE are not well known. The aim of this study is to clarify the clinicopathologic features of the superficial spreading type of gastric cancer and we propose an appropriate treatment strategy with the proper treatment modality. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 894 surgically resected patients with early gastric cancer. The superficial spreading type was defined as a lesion more than 20 cm(2). The demographic features and histopathological features were analyzed by using the hospital records. The survival rate was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and the other statistics were analyzed using the chi-square test. RESULTS: For the superficial and common groups, there were no significant differences in the rates of submucosal layer invasion, the histologic types and differentiation and the tumor location. But the ratio of lymph node metastasis was significantly different (P<0.05). There were some differences concerning the operative methods between the groups. For the superficial spreading type, the portion of total gastrectomy was greater than that of the common type. The average distance between the upper portion of the tumor and the proximal resection margin was shorter for the superficial spreading type than that for the common type (3.78+/-2.79 cm vs 5.58+/-2.79 cm, respectively). The 5 year survival rate and the recurrence rate between the two types were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Because of the higher rate of lymph node metastasis and the higher rate of an indistinct tumor margin, wide resection with adequate lymph node dissection (D1+beta or more) seems to be a proper operative method for the superficial spreading type of early gastric cancer.

Comparison of Laparoscopy-assisted Total Gastrectomy with Conventional Open Total Gastrectomy for Treating Early Proximal Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term clinical outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) with conventional open total gastrectomy (OTG) for treating proximal early gastric cancer and to determine the usefulness of the LATG procedure. METHODS: The records of 21 patients who underwent LATG for proximal early gastric cancer from January 2004 to August 2006 were retrospectively reviewed and compared with those records of 20 patients who underwent OTG during the same period. RESULTS: The patient characteristics, including gender, age, body mass index and comorbidities, were similar between the two groups. Combined resections were more frequently done in the OTG group than in the LATG group. The blood loss in the LATG group was significantly less than that in the OTG group. The operating time, time to first flatus and initial oral intake and the postoperative hospital stay were significantly shorter in the LATG group. The number of resected lymph nodes, lymph node metastasis, histologic type, TNM stage, complications, leukocyte counts and serum lactic acid levels were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: LATG is a technically safe and feasible procedure for treating proximal early gastric cancer. Prospective multi-center trials are necessary to establish LATG as the standard treatment for proximal early gastric cancer.

Free Vascularized Fibular Grafts for Treatment of Infected Nonunion of the Tibia

PURPOSE: To analyze the result of free vascularized fibular grafting for treatment of infected nonunion of the tibia with radical bone and soft tissue defect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 17 patients with infected nonunion of the tibia who underwent a reconstruction using free vascularized fibular grafting were reviewed retrospectively. The mean follow-up period was 70.3 months. We analyzed the results radiographically which included the time of bone union, the amount of hypertrophy of grafted bone and complications. RESULTS: The average length of bone defect was 8.8 cm (5~15 cm), and the average length of fibular graft was 14.1 cm (10~17.5 cm). Bony union was achieved in 11 of 17 cases and the average time of bone union was 5.2 months (4~6 months). There were 6 cases of nonunion. All nonunions developed at the proximal end of graft in patients who underwent fixation using pin and external fixator. Union was eventually achieved in all cases in 6.0 months (5~8 months) after the cancellous bone graft and plate internal fixation. Hypertrophy of grafted bones with more than 20% developed only in 4 cases out of 17. There were 3 cases of stress fracture, however there was no recurrence of infection or serious donor site morbidity. CONCLUSION: Free vascularized fibula grafting is one of the most effective reconstruction options for the infected nonunion of the tibia with radical bone and soft tissue defect. Strong internal fixation using plate and screws is required to reduce the rate of nonunion and stress fracture of grafted fibulas.

A Pediatric Case with CMV Gastroenteritis after Donor Leukocyte Infusion / 대한혈액학회지

There haves been few reports of cytomegalovirus (CMV) gastroenteritis following allogeneic stem cell transplantation, especially in pediatric cases. Herein, we report a case of CMV gastroenteritis in a 10-year-old boy with relapsed juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia who had undergone a donor leukocyte infusion. He presented with a skin rash, diarrhea and abdominal pain following a donor leukocyte infusion. Cramping abdominal pain persisted, even after treatment of the acute graft-versus-host disease. Therefore, gastroduodenoscopy and a gastric mucosal biopsy were performed, after which CMV gastroenteritis was diagnosed. The boy recovered after treatment with ganciclovir and intravenous immunoglobulin.

Clinical Analysis of Gastric Carcinoma with Single Node Metastasis

PURPOSE: In order to examine the significance of a sentinel lymph node for gastric cancer, we investigated single node metastases that were hypothesized to represent the sentinel lymph node. METHODS: Of 2, 265 primary gastric cancers patients we experienced from 1994 to 2003, 140 patients having gastric carcinoma with a single node metastasis were enrolled in this study. The factors we studied including age, gender, tumor size, location, cellular differentiation, stage, and the patients' survival rate. RESULTS: Single node metastases were found in 30.7% of T1, 35.0% of T2, 29.3% of T3 and 5.0% of T4 staged tumor. Metastatic lymph nodes were mainly located near the tumor in 122 of 140 patients (87.1%). Skip metastases, which were defined as metastases that were found at more distant locations, were found in 18 patients (12.7%), and they were mainly located around the left gastric artery, the common hepatic artery, the proper hepatic artery and the splenic artery. The frequency of skip metastases significantly increased when the tumor was located upper part of the stomach, the tumor size was more than 5 cm in diameter and depth of tumor invasion was deeper (P<0.05). We found more frequent skip metastases in lymph nodes for the diffuse type of tumor infiltration than the macronodular type (P<0.05). The patients' overall 5 year survival was 76.9%, and skip metastasis did not affect on the survival rate. CONCLUSION: Our study supports the understanding of the biology of sentinel nodes. During gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients, great attention should be paid to remove the sentinel nodes and D2 dissection should be done when skip metastasis is suspected.

Acute Hearing Loss in the Contralateral Ear after Vestibular Schwannoma Removal

Hearing loss in the contralateral functioning ear is a rare and distressing complication after vetibular schwannoma removal. Various possible mechanisms have been proposed, however, the etiology of hearing loss is not clear. Fortunately, this is an extremely rare occurrence, sporadic case reports have appeared in the literatures. We report two cases of acute contralateral hearing loss after vestibular schwannoma removal and discuss the possible mechanisms of the phenomenon. Although permanent deafness may result, in our cases, the hearing loss was temporary, returning to near preoperative level within one month. The etiology of hearing loss in one case is thought to be cerebrospinal fluid leakage. However, in the other case, the cause of hearing loss is not clear. A better understanding of these events may lead to preventive measures to avoid contralateral hearing loss after vestibular schwannoma removal.

Prognostic Value of Bone Marrow Micrometastasis Detected by Nested RT-PCR for Cytokeratin 19 and Mammaglobin in Breast Cancer

PURPOSE: Breast cancers frequently undergo distant metastasis during the early phase, on which the survival of patients is greatly dependent. It has been suggested that the occurrence of micrometastasis relates with other prognostic features of breast cancer, such as lymph node metastasis and the presence of vascular invasion. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of keratin-19 and mammaglobin mRNA in bone marrow aspirates obtained from breast cancer patients, and their possible correlation with tumor staging and disease free survival. METHODS: Bone marrow samples were obtained from 254 breast cancer patients at the time of surgery. We separated the mononuclear fraction from the samples and carried out nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for the detection of keratin-19 and mammaglobin mRNA using two different pairs of primers. We also studied the possible correlations between the tumor size, nodal involvement, stage, and distant metastasis. RESULTS: Seventy-five of the 254 samples were studied for cytokeratin 19 and the others for cytokeratin and mammaglobin. The median follow-up time was 21.1 months. Sixty-five (26%) of the 254 samples were cytokeratin 19 positive and 25 (14.3%) of the 175 were mammaglobin positive. Eight cases (12.3%) in the cytokeratin positive group showed a recurrent disease in distant organs. Whereas, six (3.2%) out of 185 cytokeratin negative patients had distant recurrences. Mammaglobin positivity was not correlated with distant metastasis. The stage, nodal status, and estrogen receptor were independent of bone marrow micrometastasis. CONCLUSION: Bone marrow micrometastasis, detected by nested RT-PCR for cytokeratin 19, could be a useful predictive marker for the distant metastasis of breast cancer.

The Possible Roles of Matrix Metalloproteinases -1, 2, 3 in Lumbar Disc Herniation

OBJECTIVE: Surgically removed herniated lumbar disc specimen are immunostained to evaluate the production of MMPs(Matrix metalloproteinases) -1, 2, 3 for the investigation of the possible correlation of MMPs in lumbar disc herniation depending on the types of disc herniation. METHODS: The study population consists of 30 patients with lumbar disc herniation. There were 18 men and 12 women with patient age averaging 43.4 years(19-68years). The types of disc herniation identified at the time of surgery were classified as follow ; protruded type(Group 1, 10cases), extruded type(Group 2, 10cases), sequestrated type(Group 3, 10cases). Immunohistochemical study for the MMPs of the herniated disc tissue was performed and results of staining were graded to examine differences in histology among three types of disc herniation . RESULTS: The MMPs immunopositive cells were increased in old patients but statistically it was not significant(p=0.074). A significantly increased incidence of positive cells for MMP-1, 2 was found in the herniated lumbar disc tissue than the control group(p=0.02) but there were no significant differences among the three types of disc herniation. The MMP-3 positive cells were predominantly detected in the sequestrated disc tissue group(p=0.037) more than other groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the MMP-1, 2, 3 may play important roles in the process of degeneration, herniation, and resorption of the lumbar intervertebral discs and that the MMP-3 may express the severity of lumbar disc herniation and play a role in resorption of the sequestrated disc tissue.