Expression of the RERG Gene is Gender-Dependent in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Regulated by Histone Deacetyltransferases

Ras-related, estrogen-regulated, and growth-inhibitory gene (RERG) is a novel gene that was first reported in breast cancer. However, the functions of RERG are largely unknown in other tumor types. In this study, RERG expression was analyzed in hepatocellular carcinomas of human patients using reverse transcriptase PCR analysis. In addition, the possible regulation of RERG expression by histone deacetyltransferases (HDACs) was studied in several cell lines. Interestingly, the expression of RERG gene was increased in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of male patients (57.9%) but decreased in HCC of females (87.5%) comparison with paired peri-tumoral tissues. Moreover, RERG gene expression was increased in murine hepatoma Hepa1-6 cells, human breast tumor MDA-MB-231 cells, and mouse normal fibroblast NIH3T3 cells after treated by HDAC inhibitor, trichostatin A. Our results suggest that RERG may function in a gender-dependent manner in hepatic tumorigenesis and that the expression of this gene may be regulated by an HDAC-related signaling pathway.

Appendiceal Intussusception Caused by the Mucocele of the Appendix

Mucocele of the appendix is basically a cystic dilatation of the appendix distal to an obstruction of the appendiceal lumen. It develops in unusual situations in which the distal lumen does not contain enough bacteria to initiate appendicitis when obstruction develops. The continuing mucous secretion causes gradual distention of the appendix and thinning of the wall until mucous secretion stops. The changes after the sudden blocking of the lumen of the appendix depend on the amount and character of the content distal to the obstruction. If the lumen is empty, the appendix distends with mucus to form a mucocele. Here we report a case which we experienced a 68-years-old female patient whose vermiform appendix had mucoceles with appendiceal intussusception.

The Expression of Estrogen Receptors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Korean Patients

Expression of estrogen receptors (ER)-alpha and -beta, as well as androgen receptor (AR), in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is thought to be correlated with prognosis, survival, and male prevalence of HCC. These hypotheses are based on investigations of European patients; however the expression patterns of these receptors in Asian patients are largely unknown. In this study, we collected liver carcinoma and peritumor tissues from 32 patients (9 females and 23 males) in South Korea. The expression of ERs and ARs was studied using RT-PCR. Wild-type ER-alpha and AR were expressed in all of the samples investigated, and their expression was independent of the causal virus or patient sex. Expression of the ER-alpha variant was independent of sex (100% female vs. 91.3% male) and HCV and HBV status (91.3% vs. 100%). Wild-type ER-beta was expressed more often in HCV patients than in HBV patients (95.7% vs. 44.4%; p < 0.05). In conclusion, the stronger ER-alpha variant expression in HCC tissues implies that this variant has an important role in HCC development. However, at least in Korean patients, expression of the ER-alpha variant (vER-alpha) is not related to male HCC prevalence. In addition, the predominant expression of ER-beta in HCV patients suggests that it plays an important role in HCV-induced liver disease.

A Case of Triple Synchronous Primary Colon Cancer Diagnosed by Colonoscopy before Operation / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Multiple primary colorectal carcinomas are not rare and occur more often than what can be ascribed to chance, but the frequencies on record vary. The tumors are usually classified as synchronous if they are present at the same time. It is often difficult to detect all these multiple lesions preoperatively:a correct diagnosis is frequently obtained only upon examination of the resected specimen. Triple synchronous primary colon cancer is an exceedingly rare disease. Despite of its rarity, multiple colon cancers should be investigated in the patients in whom clinical or laboratory evidence of colon cancer is suspected. Recently, we experienced one case of triple synchronous primary colon cancer diagnosed by colonoscopy before operation and report here with the review of the literature.