Impact of estrogen receptor expression level on response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and prognosis in HER2-negative breast cancers.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancers with 1-10% cell staining for estrogen receptor (ER) present particular clinical features. The clinical data of estrogen receptor expression level and treatment effect are limited, particularly regarding chemotherapy benefit. We evaluated the pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in ER low positive tumors (ER staining 1-10%) and compared it with ER > 10% positive tumors (ER staining > 10%) and ER-negative tumors. We further explored the differences in recurrence and survival with respect to the ER expression level. METHOD: Patients with stages II and III HER2-negative primary breast cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by definitive surgery were categorized according to their ER percentages into three groups: ER-negative, ER low positive, and ER > 10% positive. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between each variable and pathologic complete response (pCR). Kaplan‒Meier analysis was used to estimate survival outcomes. Cox models were used to adjust for patient and tumor characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 241 patients were analyzed. Of all patients included, 22 (9.1%) had ER low positive tumors, 159 (66.0%) had ER > 10% positive tumors, and 60 (24.9%) were ER-negative. Low ER positivity was significantly associated with a higher pCR rate than ER > 10% positivity (OR, 0.249; 95% CI, 0.067-0.923; P = 0.038). After a median follow-up time of 32 months, the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of the patients with ER low positive tumors were significantly worse than those of the patients with ER > 10% positive tumors but similar to those with ER-negative tumors. After adjustment for covariates, ER low positive tumors were significantly associated with worse DFS than ER > 10% positive tumors. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that ER low positive breast cancer presents a better response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and significantly worse prognosis for patients than those with ER > 10% positive tumors, but similar to the ER-negative group. These data support that this category of patients behaves clinically like patients with ER-negative breast cancer and should be treated differently from patients with ER > 10% positive tumors. Further prospective study is needed.

Pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant anti-HER2 therapy is associated with HER2 immunohistochemistry score in HER2-positive early breast cancer.

ABSTRACT: To evaluate whether pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) therapy is dependent on the HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) score.A total of 181 HER2-positive early breast cancer patients who had received neoadjuvant anti-HER2 therapy were included in this study. Associations were examined between IHC score and tumor pCR status (commonly defined by ypT0+ypN0, ypT0/is+ypN0, or ypT0/is).In trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant-treated patients, ypT0+ypN0 was achieved in 46.0% of patients with HER2 IHC 3+ tumors but only 25.0% of patients with HER2 IHC 2+/fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)-positive tumors (P = .016). When pCR was defined as ypT0/is+ypN0 or ypT0/is, 54.7% and 61.3% of patients with HER2 IHC 3+ tumors had a pCR, whereas only 29.5% and 38.6% with HER2 IHC 2+/FISH-positive tumors achieved pCR (P = .004 and P = .008, respectively). The association between dual HER2 blockade and pCR was almost exclusively confined to HER2 IHC 3+ tumors (ypT0+ypN0: 61.9% vs 38.9%, P = .013; ypT0/is+ypN0: 71.4% vs 47.4%, P = .009; and ypT0/is: 81.0% vs 52.6%, P = .002) and was absent in HER2 IHC 2+/FISH-positive tumors. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that HER2 IHC 3+ tumors had a significantly higher probability of achieving ypT0+ypN0 (odds ratio [OR], 0.265; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.109-0.645; P = .003), ypT0/is+ypN0 (OR, 0.221; 95% CI, 0.094-0.521; P = .001), and ypT0/is (OR, 0.254; 95% CI, 0.111-0.583; P = .001) than HER2 IHC 2+/FISH-positive tumors. A significantly better pCR rate was also found in patients with T1 tumors and patients with dual HER2 blockade.The pCR rate was highly correlated with the HER2 IHC score in neoadjuvant anti-HER2 treatment. The addition of pertuzumab to a neoadjuvant trastuzumab-based regimen improved pCR rates, but there was no significant difference in pCR rates in the IHC 2+/FISH-positive group. This suggests that HER2 IHC scores can predict the effectiveness of treatment.

Comparison of the sensitivity of mammography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and combinations of these imaging modalities for the detection of small (≤2 cm) breast cancer.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity of mammography (MG), ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and combinations of these imaging modalities for the detection of small (≤2 cm) breast cancer and to evaluate the benefit of preoperative breast MRI after performing conventional imaging techniques for small breast cancer.This was an observational retrospective review of 475 patients with pathologically confirmed breast cancer. We reviewed the medical records; assessed the preoperative reports of MG, US, and MRI; and categorized them as benign features (BI-RADS 1-3) or malignant features (BI-RADS 4 or 5). The criterion standard for detection was the pathologic assessment of the surgical specimen. The sensitivities of the different techniques were compared using the McNemar test.Among the 475 women, the sensitivity of MG was significantly greater in patients with low breast density than in those with high breast density (84.5% vs 65.8%, P < .001). US had higher sensitivity than MG (P < .001), and the combination of MG + US showed better sensitivity than MG or US alone (P < .001). Further addition of MRI to the combination of MG and US statistically contributed to the sensitivity yield (from 93.3% to 98.2%; P < .001) but did not significantly increase the mastectomy rate (from 48.2% to 49.3%; P = .177).MG has limited diagnostic sensitivity in patients with small breast cancer, especially in those with dense breast tissue. US is better than MG at detecting small breast cancer, regardless of breast density. The addition of MRI to MG and US could increase sensitivity without increasing the mastectomy rate. This study suggests performing MRI routinely on the basis of MG and US for small (≤2 cm) breast cancer.

[Corrigendum] Cyclophilin D modulates cell death transition from early apoptosis to programmed necrosis induced by honokiol.

Subsequently to the publication of the above article, the authors have realized that the printed version of Fig. 6 on p. 1661 contained some mistakes. Potential anomalies regarding this figure concerning the duplication of data both within Fig. 6 and comparing data between Figs. 5 and 6 were also drawn to our attention by an interested reader. Specifically, the authors realized that the bands of BCL­xl were erroneously selected from the GAPDH dataset during the process of compiling this figure. The authors subsequently found that the original photographs of these western blot bands had been lost during the time period that had elapsed since these experiments were completed. In order to corroborate the results, the authors repeated the contentious experiments shown in Fig. 6 and obtained similar results, thereby corroborating the results and conclusions reported in this study. A revised version of Fig. 6, containing the newly obtained data, is shown below. The errors made with the assembly of Fig. 6 originally did not have an adverse bearing on the overall conclusions reported in this study. The authors are grateful to the Editor of International Journal of Oncology for allowing them the opportunity to publish this Corrigendum, and all of the authors agree to the publication of this Corrigendum. The authors sincerely apologize for their errors, and apologize to the readership of the Journal for any inconvenience caused. [the original article was published in International Journal of Oncology 42: 1654­1663, 2013; DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2013.1863].

MicroRNA-194 modulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human colorectal cancer metastasis.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as key regulators of gene expression, are closely related to tumor occurrence and progression. MiR-194 has been proved as a tumor regulatory factor in various cancers; however, the biological function and mechanism of action in colorectal cancer (CRC) have not been well explored. In the present study, we found that miR-194 expression is upregulated in CRC clinical specimens, while overexpression of miR-194 promotes cell migration and invasion in CRC cell lines. Besides, miR-194 significantly influenced the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers by downregulating E-cadherin expression (P<0.01) and upregulating vimentin and MMP-2 expression (P<0.001, P<0.05). Cell migration is the cell movement related to actin cytoskeleton. In this study, we found miR-194 increased cell polarization in SW480 cells. Moreover, zymography assay showed that miR-194 significantly upregulated the gelatin-degrading activity of MMP-2 (P<0.01). Collectively, our findings suggest that miR-194 functions as a tumor promoter in CRC, which may provide new insights for the study of CRC development and metastasis.

[Study on effect of Xiaoaiping in enhancing efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer and its mechanism].

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Xiaoaiping shows a pharmacological activity in treatment of breast cancer. Although neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been more and more widely used in treatment of breast cancer in recent years, no report has been made about the clinical efficacy and mechanism of the combined application of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and Xiaoaiping in treatment of breast cancer. In this study, 66 patients with breast cancer were selected and divided into the control group and the treatment group evenly with the random number table method. All patients received TEC neoadjuvant chemotherapy. On that basis, the treatment group also received the adjuvant therapy of Xiaoaiping injection (60 mL, i. v. , qd). The short-term response rate and the follow-up survival rate of the two groups were observed and compared. Surgical specimens of the patient were collected to observe and compare their expressions of estrogen receptor ER-α36 in breast cancer tissues with the immunohistochemical method. According to the findings, the overall response rate of the treatment group was 78.79%, which was significantly higher than that of the control group (57.58% , χ2 = 5.48, P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the treatment group showed significant increases in the disease-free survival (DFS) rate and the total survival rate at the 3rd year and 5th year (all P < 0.05) , and a notable reduction in ER-α36 expression in breast cancer tissues (P < 0.05). Based on the our results, Xiaoaiping can significantly enhance short-term ad long-term efficacies of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Its mechanism may be correlated with the inhibition of ER-α 36 expression in breast cancer tissues.

[Prospect and guideline update of sentinel lymph node biopsy for patients with early-stage breast carcinoma].

Axillary lymph nodes are the most common and initial site of metastasis of breast carcinoma. Precise axillary staging of breast carcinoma before initial treatment is crucial as it allows efficient identification for local and systemic treatment options, and provides prognostic information. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an accurate minimally invasive technology for axillary staging. Although top evidence of high-quality clinical trials showed that SLNB could safely and effectively replace axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for axillary negative patients with decrease in complications and improvement in quality of life, there are specific indications and contraindications for SLNB. Clinicians should balance the compliance of guideline and native clinical practice, especially for the circumstance of multifocal/multicentric lesion, breast biopsy history, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. With the accumulation of clinical practice and new results of clinical trials, axillary therapy has changed from unique surgery to patient-tailored multi-disciplinary intervention, although ALND should be recommended traditionally if SLNB is positive. Intensive and accurate preoperative axillary staging is gradually valued by clinicians. Development of imaging modality especially ultrasonography and ultrasound-guided biopsy can identify some extra lymph node positive patients directly to ALND with avoidance of unnecessary SLNB. Thus, the positive rate of SLNB will decline significantly. It seems possible that axillary management will step into a noninvasive era abandoning SLNB in some patients with small breast cancer. In this article we review the prospect and guideline update of SLNB for patients with early-stage breast cancer.

The effect of palonosetron hydrochloride in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced moderate and severe nausea and vomiting.

The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of palonosetron hydrochloride injection for preventing chemotherapy-induced moderate and severe nausea and vomiting. A multi-centered, randomly stratified, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group and positive-controlled trial was performed. A total of 240 patients who underwent chemotherapy treatment which induced moderate or severe vomiting were divided into the experimental and control groups. Half an hour before chemotherapy, the experimental group received a 0.25-mg palonosetron hydrochloride injection, whereas the control group received a 3-mg granisetron injection. The acute vomiting complete remission rate (CRR) of the experimental group was not significantly different compared with that of the control group (P=0.35). The delayed vomiting CRR of the experimental group was significantly higher compared with that of the control group (P=0.002). No difference in full course vomiting CRR, vomiting control time, treatment failure time or acute nausea CRR was identified between the two groups. No significant differences in adverse events were observed between the experimental group and the control group. No significant differences in adverse reactions occurred between the experimental group and the control group (12.50%). Palonosetron hydrochloride injection had a better effect on delayed vomiting CRR than granisetron hydrochloride injection. The two injections exhibited similar effects on acute vomiting CRR, full course vomiting CRR, vomiting control time, treatment failure time (days), acute nausea CRR and adverse events.

Cyclophilin D modulates cell death transition from early apoptosis to programmed necrosis induced by honokiol.

Honokiol is a pharmacologically active small molecule with multifunctional antitumor effects. Although plenty of literature is available on honokiol-triggered apoptosis and programmed necrosis, few studies have investigated the potential existence of death mode transition from apoptosis to programmed necrosis. In the current study, we demonstrated that the necrotic cell population (PI-positive) gradually increased and the early-stage apoptotic cell population (PI-negative and AV-positive) decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner following honokiol treatment. Furthermore, we demonstrated that these PI-positive cells were under necrotic cell death, since no late-apoptosis characteristics including conspicuous chromatin condensation or DNA ladder patterns were detected. These results demonstrated that cells suffered death mode transition from early-stage apoptosis to programmed necrosis with the increase of honokiol dose or treatment time. The protein expression of RIP3 markedly increased in parallel with HNK-triggered death mode transition, while the expression of RIP1 decreased. Cyclophilin D expression increased during cell death mode transition, and inhibition of cyclophilin D by cyclosporin A clearly blocked HNK-triggered programmed necrosis. These data indicated that honokiol-induced programmed necrosis and death mode transition are potentially RIP3­dependent, cyclophilin D-regulated. Further results showed that blocked cyclophilin D by cyclosporin A inhibited HNK-induced necrosis, but did not affect HNK-induced RIP3 overexpression. This indicated that cyclophilin D was a potential modulator at downstream of RIP3. In conclusion, honokiol triggers a potential RIP3-dependent cell death mode transition from early-stage apoptosis to programmed necrosis, which is highly regulated by cyclophilin D.

Colorectal cancer lymph node staining by activated carbon nanoparticles suspension in vivo or methylene blue in vitro.

AIM: To investigate whether activated carbon nanoparticles suspension (ACNS) or methylene blue (MB) can increase the detected number of lymph nodes in colorectal cancer. METHODS: Sixty-seven of 72 colorectal cancer patients treated at our hospital fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the study which was conducted from December 2010 to February 2012. Seven patients refused to participate. Eventually, 60 patients were included, and randomly assigned to three groups (20 in each group): ACNS group (group A), MB group (group B) and non-stained conventional surgical group (group C). In group A, patients received subserosal injection of 1 mL ACNS in a 4-quadrant region around the mass. In group B, the main artery of specimen was identified and isolated after the specimen was removed, and 2 mL MB was slowly injected into the isolated, stretched and fixed vessel. In group C, no ACNS and MB were injected. All the mesentery lymph nodes were isolated and removed systematically by visually inspecting and palpating the adipose tissue. RESULTS: No difference was observed among the three groups in age, gender, tumor location, tumor diameter, T-stage, degree of differentiation, postoperative complications and peritoneal drainage retention time. The total number of detected lymph nodes was 535, 476 and 223 in the three groups, respectively. The mean number of detected lymph nodes per patient was significantly higher in group A than in group C (26.8 ± 8.4 vs 12.2 ± 3.2, P < 0.001). Similarly, there were significantly more lymph nodes detected in group B than in group C (23.8 ± 6.9 vs 12.2 ± 3.2, P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between group A and group B. There were 50, 46 and 32 metastatic lymph nodes dissected in 13 patients of group A, 10 patients of group B and 11 patients of group C, without significant differences among the three groups. Eleven of the 60 patients had insufficient number of detected lymph nodes (< 12). Only one patient with T(4a) rectal cancer had 10 lymph nodes detected in group B, the other 10 patients were all from group C. Based on the different diameter categories, the number of detected lymph nodes in groups A and B was significantly higher than in group C. However, there was no statistically significant difference between group A and group B. The metastatic lymph nodes were not significant different among the three groups. Similarly, tumor location, T stage and tumor differentiation did not affect the staining results. Body mass index was a minor influencing factor in the two different staining methods. The stained lymph nodes can easily be identified from the mesenteric adipose tissues, and the staining time for lymph nodes was not significantly different compared with unstained group. None of the patients in groups A and B had drug-related complications. CONCLUSION: Both activated carbon nanoparticles suspension in vivo and methylene blue in vitro can be used as tracers to increase the detected number of lymph nodes in colorectal cancer.

Honokiol, a multifunctional tumor cell death inducer.

Honokiol is a small-molecule pharmacologically active component which has various medicinal applications. Increasing interest is paid on its multifunctional anti-tumor effects including inducing tumor cell death, anti-angiogenesis, anti-migration and anti-multiple drug resistance. We addressed a brief summary of the anti-tumor actions and potential applications of honokiol. This review is mainly focused on the multiple types of cell death induced by honokiol, and its potential role in overcoming multiple drug resistance.

[Research progress of protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2].

The Src homology-2 domain-containing phosphatase SHP-2 encoded by PTPN11 is an essential component in several signaling pathways.Different types of mutation in SHP-2 have been confirmed in several types of leukemia and solid tumors. Elucidation of the events underlying Shp2-evoked transformation may provide new insights into the novel targets for anti-cancer therapy.

Enhanced lymph node retrieval from colorectal cancer resections using a simple lymphatic staining method.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study evaluated the effect of lymphatic staining on the number of lymph nodes (LNs) examined and staging in patients with colorectal cancer. METHODOLOGY: Sixty-two consecutive specimens from patients with colorectal cancer resected between February 2009 and April 2010 were randomized to the stained group or the control unstained. Differences in the retrieval, number and size of nodes, and time for retrieval were measured. RESULTS: LN harvest differed significantly with 30±12 and 13±5 (p<0.01) nodes in the stained and the control groups, respectively. Insufficient LN harvest (less than 12 nodes) occurred in 14 cases of the control group and only in 1 case of the stained group (p<0.01). Metastases were confirmed in 57 LNs occurring in 17 cases of the stained group and in 39 nodes occurring in 15 cases of the control group. The mean time for LN retrieval in the stained and control groups were comparable, 27.6±6.9min and 24.7±6.0min (p>0.05), respectively, yet there was a significant difference in the number of LNs (<2mm) (294 vs. 59, respectively, p<0.01) as well as in the number of LNs 2-5mm in size (474 vs. 220, respectively, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: By lymphatic staining method, more and smaller LNs could be detected, which significantly improved the LN harvest of resected colorectal specimens and reduced cases of insufficient LN harvest.

[Relationship between E-CD and Snail expressions and tumor invasion, metastasis and prognosis in colorectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To study the E-CD and Snail expressions in colorectal cancer and their relationship with colorectal cancer invasion, metastasis and prognosis. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining (EnVision) was used to detect the E-CD and Snail expressions in 30 normal colorectal mucosa, 30 colorectal adenoma and 142 colorectal cancer tissues. RESULTS: E-CD in the normal colorectal mucosa was strongly positive expressed (90.0%), significantly higher than that in colorectal adenomas (63.3%) and colorectal cancer tissues (41.5%). E-CD expression was significantly related to tumor differentiation, invasion depth, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis and Dukes' stage (P < 0.05), but not to the patients' age, gender, tumor size and tumor histological type (P > 0.05). The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of the E-CD positive patients with colorectal cancer were significantly higher than that in E-CD negative patients. The positive expression rate of Snail in colorectal cancer tissues (52.1%) was significantly higher than that in normal colorectal mucosa (6.7%) and colorectal adenomas (26.7%, P < 0.05). The snail expression was significantly correlated to tumor histological type, differentiation, invasion depth, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis and Duke's stage (P < 0.05), but not to patients' age, sex and tumor size (P > 0.05). The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of Snail negative patients with colorectal cancer was significantly higher than that in patients with positive expression (P < 0.05). The expressions of E-CD and Snail in colorectal cancer tissues were inversely correlated (P < 0.05). Cox multivariate analysis showed that E-CD and Snail can be used as independent prognostic indicators (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: E-CD and Snail expressions in colorectal cancer are related to the tumor invasion, metastasis and prognosis. Low expression of E-CD and high expression of Snail are related to the advanced stage, and poor prognosis in colorectal cancer patients. E-CD and Snail can be used as independent prognostic indicators.

A giant hemolymphangioma of the pancreas in a 20-year-old girl: a report of one case and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Hemolymphangioma of the pancreas is a very rare benign tumor. There were only six reports of this disease until December 2008. Herein, we report a case of giant hemolymphangioma of the pancreas in a 20-year-old girl. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a 20-year-old girl who presented with a mass in abdominal cavity and epigastric discomfort about a week. Physical examination showed a great abdominal mass. Abdominal computed tomography showed extrinsic duodenal compression due to a large retroperitoneal tumor possibly arising from pancreas. The tumor enucleation was performed and a diagnosis of hemolymphangioma of the pancreas was made. The patient had a complication of chylous leakage, which was successfully managed. The patient is alive and well, after 26 months of follow-up, with no complaints or recurrence. CONCLUSION: From this case and literature, we can conclude that hemolymphangioma of the pancreas in adult is a rare benign tumor, and accurate diagnosis can not be preoperatively established. Tumor resection should be performed whenever possible. The risk of recurrence seems very low.

[Improvement of wound treatment in modified radical mastectomy of breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of Dexon continuous intracutaneous sewing (DCIS) and Redon negative pressure absorbing drainage (RNPAD) in modified radical mastectomy of breast cancer. METHODS: The clinical data of 128 patients treated with DCIS and RNPAD, and 123 cases treated with traditional sewing and negative pressure absorbing ball were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: There were 16 cases (12.5%) of seroma formation,1 (0.8%) of skin flay necrosis among 128 cases treated by DCIS and RNPAD, and 47 cases (38%) of seroma formation, 16 (13%) of skin flay necrosis among 123 cases treated by traditional method. The statistically significant difference was found (P <0.001). The average length of post-operation hospital stay in DCIS and RNPAD group was 8.8 days compared with 14.7 days in traditional treatment group. CONCLUSION: The use of DCIS and TNPAD could decrease the complication rate of breast cancer operation.

[p53 mutations in sporadic colorectal cancers with microsatellite instability].

OBJECTIVE: To study p53 mutation and its association with microsatellite instability (MI)/replication error (RER) in sporadic colorectal cancer. METHODS: Fifty five cases of sporadic colorectal cancer were analyzed for MI/RER by PCR-based silver staining or ABI377 sequencer at following seven separate microsatellite loci: BAT-26, D2S119, D2S123, D3S1293, D8S282, D13S160 and D18S58. p53 mutations at exon 5 - 8 were detected by direct sequencing and its overexpressions performed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: p53 gene mutations were present in 38.2% (21/55) of the tumors and its overexpressions in 60% (33/55) with a concordance rate of 42%. MI or RER positive rate was 27.2% (15/55) or 14.5% (8/55). MI/RER + cancers showed a tendency of relatively high p53 total mutation and point mutation rates with 53.3% VS 32.5% and 53.3% VS 30% in MI group (P > 0.05) and with 62.5% VS 34% and 62.5% VS 30.2% (P > 0.05) in RER group respectively; but they had low protein expression rate with 46.7% VS 65% in MI group and 50% VS 62% in RER group (P > 0.05). There were no differences in p53 missense mutation rates and distributions at CpG sites with 40% VS 30% and 20% VS 12.5% (P > 0.05) between the two kinds of MI/RER tumors. Furthermore, each (CA)n microsatellite locus had no significant effect on p53 mutation. CONCLUSION: No significant relationship is found between MI/RER and p53 mutation/overexpression in sporadic colorectal cancer. But MI/RER tumor tends to have relatively high p53 mutation and low overexpression rates. In addition, there exist no differences in p53 missense mutation rates and distributions at CpG sites between the two kinds of MI/RER tumors.

Expression of a novel immunoglobulin gene SNC73 in human cancer and non-cancerous tissues.

AIM: To investigate the expression of immunoglobulin gene SNC73 in malignant tumors and non-cancerous normal tissues. METHODS: Expression level of SNC73 in tumors and non-cancerous tissues from the same patient was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (RT-PCR-ELISA) in 90 cases of malignant tumors, including colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer and liver cancer. Analysis on the correlation of SNC73 expression with sex, age, site, grade of differentiation, depth of invasion, and metastases in colorectal cancer patients was made. RESULTS: Expression level of SNC73 in non-cancerous colorectal mucosa and colorectal cancerous tissues was 1.234+/-0.842 and 0.737+/-0.731, respectively (P<0.01), with the mean ratio of 7.134+/-14.092 (range, 0.36-59.54). Expression of SNC73 showed no significant difference among gastric cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer and liver cancer when compared with non-cancerous tissues (P>0.05). No correlation was found between SNC73 expression level and various clinicopathological factors, including sex, age, site, grade of differentiation, depth of invasion and metastases of CRC patients. CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of SNC73 expression may be a relatively specific phenomenon in colorectal cancer. SNC73 is a potential genetic marker for the carcinongenesis of colorectal cancer. The relationship of SNC73 expression and carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer merits further study.