ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Integrins such as alpha(2)beta(1), alpha(IIb)beta(3), and alpha(v)beta(3) have been suggested as key players for cancer development and progression. Several polymorphisms affecting these molecules, two in integrin alpha(2) (ITGA2 807C>T and 1648G>A) and one in beta(3) (ITGB3 176T>C), influence their levels, structure, and possibly their function. To analyze the role of ITGA2 and ITGB3 polymorphisms for colorectal cancer risk and clinical presentation, we performed a case-control study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred thirty-three colorectal cancer patients and 433 healthy sex- and age-matched control subjects were investigated. ITGA2 and ITGB3 polymorphisms were determined by 5'-nuclease assays. RESULTS/FINDINGS: The ITGA2 807C>T polymorphism was associated with reduced colorectal cancer risk. In a codominant model, the odds ratio for each additional 807-T allele for colorectal cancer was 0.77 (95% confidence interval 0.64-0.94; p = 0.011). The ITGA2 1648G> and the ITGB3 176T>C polymorphism were not associated with colorectal cancer. None of the three polymorphisms investigated was associated with tumor size, histological grade, presence of primary lymph node metastases, tumor stage, or age at diagnosis. INTERPRETATION/CONCLUSION: We conclude that the ITGA2 807C>T polymorphism may be associated with reduced colorectal cancer risk.
Subject(s)
Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Integrin alpha2/genetics , Integrin beta3/genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics , Case-Control Studies , Demography , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Pulmonary mycetomas, or fungus balls, consist of spherical masses of mycelia and hyphae, fibrin and granulocytes that grow and partly fill cavitary lesions without invading tissue. They are usually caused by molds of the Aspergillus species, rarely by Mucor or yeast fungi such as Candida species, that colonize damaged lung tissue. Hemoptysis is the most frequent symptom. Since systemic and local administration of antifungal agents is of uncertain efficacy, resectional surgery should be the treatment of choice in cases of severe hemoptysis, if lung function is not severely compromised. As pulmonary resection in the form of lobectomy or pneumonectomy is associated with raised mortality, cavernostomy and cavernoplasty may be options for high-risk patients.
Subject(s)
Hemoptysis/etiology , Lung Diseases, Fungal/diagnosis , Mycetoma/diagnosis , Aspergillus , Candida , Diagnosis, Differential , Hemoptysis/microbiology , Hemoptysis/surgery , Humans , Lung Diseases, Fungal/microbiology , Lung Diseases, Fungal/surgery , Mucor , Mycetoma/microbiology , Mycetoma/surgery , Pneumonectomy , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is an exceedingly rare disease. This tumor is typically aggressive and disseminates early via the lymphatics and the bloodstream with a mean survival time between 10 and 15 months after radical surgical resection. The role of chemotherapy and immunotherapy is unclear. No treatment plan for the disease has yet been established. CASE REPORT: A 78-year-old man came for a checkup with a medical history of reflux esophagitis and chronic gastritis. Esophagogastroscopy showed a bluishgray tumor of the esophagus, and histology revealed features consistent with malignant melanoma. The patient underwent total transhiatal esophagectomy with curative intention, and esophagogastric anastomosis was performed. Immunohistochemistry revealed tumor cells strongly positive for the melanoma-specific antigen HMB45 and protein S-100, and negative for cytokeratin. A proposed postoperative chemotherapy was declined by the patient. Nine months after surgery, the patient's condition deteriorated, and a mediastinal lymph node conglomerate was found. Two months later, he died of bleeding into the cervical soft tissue. CONCLUSION: Up to date, radical surgical resection is the main treatment. Very little is known about the benefits of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. However, these therapeutic modalities may play an important role in the future.
Subject(s)
Esophageal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Melanoma/diagnosis , Aged , Diagnosis, Differential , Disease-Free Survival , Esophageal Neoplasms/mortality , Esophageal Neoplasms/surgery , Esophagectomy , Esophagitis, Peptic/etiology , Esophagoscopy , Gastritis/etiology , Humans , Lymphatic Metastasis , Male , Melanoma/mortality , Melanoma/surgery , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of serum HER-2/neu level dynamics during the course of disease and treatment on the prognosis of patients with metastatic breast cancer. Two thousand and thirty-eight serum samples collected sequentially after disease relapse in 286 patients with metastatic breast cancer were measured by Bayer Immuno 1 trade mark assay retrospectively for serum HER-2/neu (cut-off level 15 ng/ml). One hundred and five patients (37%) presented with serum HER-2/neu continuously
