Association between polymorphisms in UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A6 and 1A7 and colorectal cancer risk.

Genetic polymorphisms of uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferases 1A6 (UGT1A6) and 1A7 (UGT1A7) may lead to genetic instability and colorectal cancer carcinogenesis. Our objective was to measure the interaction between polymorphisms of these repair genes and tobacco smoking in colorectal cancer (CRC). A total of 68 individuals with CRC and 112 non-cancer controls were divided into non-smoker and smoker groups according to pack-years of smoking. Genetic polymorphisms of UGT1A6 and UGT1A7 were examined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). We found a weak association of UGT1A6 polymorphisms with CRC risk (crude odds ratio [OR], 1.65; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 0.9-3.1, P=0.107; adjusted OR 1.95, 95%CI 1.0-3.8, P=0.051). The ORs for the UGT1A7 polymorphisms were statistically significant (crude OR: 26.40, 95%CI: 3.5-198.4, P=0.001; adjusted OR: 21.52, 95%CI: 2.8-164.1, P=0.003). The joint effect of tobacco exposure and UGT1A6 polymorphisms was significantly associated with colorectal cancer risk in non-smokers (crude OR, 2.11; 95%CI, 0.9-5.0, P=0.092; adjusted OR 2.63, 95%CI 1.0-6.7, P=0.042). In conclusion, our findings suggest that UGT1A6 and UGT1A7 gene polymorphisms are associated with CRC risk in the Japanese population. In particular, UGT1A6 polymorphisms may strongly increase CRC risk through the formation of carcinogens not associated with smoking.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis associated with multiple gastric cancer.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG) is an inflammation of the digestive tract that is characterized by eosinophilic infiltration. There are no specific symptoms, and are related to the layer in which eosinophilic infiltration is observed. A 69-year-old Japanese man presented to our hospital with a history of general malaise, diarrhea, and dysgeusia. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed reddish elevated lesions that were edematous all over the gastric mucosa. In addition, three tumors were also observed. The biopsies of the reddish elevated mucosa revealed eosinophilic infiltration and tubular adenocarcinoma from the tumors. Colonoscopy showed abnormal reddish elevated mucosa. The biopsies from the reddish elevated mucosa showed eosinophilic infiltration. From the abdominal contrast computed tomography scan, tumor stain was seen in the anterior wall of the gastric body. No ascites, intestinal wall thickening, or lymph node swelling were found. A slight elevation in the serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), 480 IU/ml, was found from the laboratory test results; other laboratory results were within normal limits including the number of peripheral eosinophils. No specific allergen was found from the multiple antigen simultaneous test and from the skin patch test. The parasitic immunodiagnosis was negative. He was diagnosed with EG associated with gastric cancer and underwent total gastrectomy, regional lymph node dissection with reconstruction by a Roux-en-Y method. He was prescribed prednisolone after the operation and showed a good clinical response. There are many case reports on EG, but none of them were associated with cancer. We encountered a case of EG associated with multiple gastric cancer; the patient underwent total gastrectomy.

Fish bone penetration of the duodenum extending into the pancreas: report of a case.

We report a case of fish bone penetration of the duodenum extending into the pancreatic head, which was successfully treated by surgery. A 73-year-old woman was admitted with upper abdominal dull pain that had persisted for 3 days. Computed tomography showed a linear calcified body, which appeared to penetrate the posterior wall of the duodenal bulb into the pancreatic head. A laparotomy was performed based on the preoperative diagnosis of localized peritonitis caused by penetration of the duodenum into the pancreas by an ingested foreign body. The foreign body was safely removed from both the pancreas and duodenum and was found to be a fish bone, measuring 4 cm in length. Neither an abscess nor hematoma was detected at the site of the pancreatic head. The postoperative course was uneventful. This case demonstrates an unusual presentation of fish bone penetration of the duodenum with a migration to the pancreas.

[A case of TS-1 resistant recurrent gastric cancer with lung metastasis responding to TS-1 and irinotecan combination therapy].

We report a case of TS-1-resistant recurrent gastric cancer with lung metastasis responding to TS-1 and irinotecan (CPT-11) combination therapy. A 72-year-old man underwent total gastrectomy with pancreaticosplenectomy for advanced gastric cancer on October 18, 2001, and partial hepatectomy for postoperative liver metastasis on August 22, 2002. In March 2004, a chest computed tomography scan revealed metastatic lesions in the bilateral lungs, and he received a single administration of TS-1, resulting in partial response. After 13 courses, this therapy was discontinued due to progressive disease. Then,TS-1 and CPT-11 combination therapy was chosen as the second-line chemotherapy. After 4 courses, a partial response was obtained in lung metastasis, and thereafter has been maintained. He has been treated on an outpatient basis because of no grade 3 or severer adverse reactions. TS-1 and CPT-11 combination therapy could be a promising regimen as the second-line chemotherapy for gastric cancer resistant to TS-1.

[A case of non-curatively resected gastric cancer successfully treated over 17 months with TS-1 and irinotecan combination therapy].

We report a case of non-curatively resected gastric cancer successfully treated with TS-1 and irinotecan (CPT-11) combination therapy, resulting in long-term survival of 17 months. A 56-year-old woman underwent noncurative resection with total gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer with severe lymph node metastasis on June 3, 2004. Postoperatively, She received TS-1 and CPT-11 combination therapy (TS-1 80 mg/m(2) day 1-21, CPT-11 80 mg/m(2) day 1, 15, every 5 weeks). However, due to grade 4 neutropenia, and grade 3 nausea and anorexia in the first course, both doses were reduced. Since then, no grade 3 or severer adverse reactions have been observed. After 5 courses, partial response to lymph node metastasis was obtained, and her quality of life was improved. Thus, TS-1 and CPT-11 combination therapy has been effective for 17 months, suggesting that it is promising for long-term administration and survival to continue it perseveringly.

[A case of non-curatively resected gastric cancer successfully treated over 3 years with biweekly paclitaxel therapy].

We report a case of non-curatively resected gastric cancer successfully treated over 3 years with biweekly administration of paclitaxel. A 69-year-old man underwent non-curative resection with distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer with remarkable lymph node metastasis on June 10, 2002. The metastatic lymph node (No. 8 a, 8 p and 12 a) linked up with the retroperitoneal node, making resection impossible. Postoperatively, he was initially treated with weekly administration of paclitaxel 100 mg/body (68 mg/m(2)) per week. However, due to grade 3 neutropenia in the first course, weekly administration was changed to biweekly administration with dose reduction to 60 mg/body (41 mg/m(2)), resulting in the continuation of paclitaxel therapy. Since then, no grade 3 or more severe adverse reactions have been observed. He has maintained NC for 3 years, and is still being treated on an outpatient basis at present. We believe that, in paclitaxel therapy for advanced gastric cancer, it is important for long-term survival to continue it perseveringly by dose reduction or change of schedule, when major adverse reactions are seen.