A novel in vitro model of lymphatic metastasis from colorectal cancer.

Introduction: For many types of cancers, successful metastasis is critically dependent on tumor cell survival under flow conditions in the lymphatic system as well as attachment to the lymphatic endothelium at distal sites. In the lymphatic system, tumor cells are exposed to dynamic forces of laminar shear stress; however, there are currently no models to study the effects of these dynamic fluid forces on colorectal cancer metastasis. This study aims to establish the rudiments of an in vitro flow system that mimics the conditions to which tumor colorectal cancer cells (CRCCs) are exposed during lymphatic spread.

Assessing risk factors for adverse outcomes in emergent colorectal surgery.

Background: A variety of factors influence the increased morbidity and mortality seen in patients undergoing emergent colon surgery. Understanding comorbid conditions and variations in preoperative laboratory values that effect both morbidity and mortality can influence clinical decision making.

Methods: During a 5-year period 185 patients underwent colon surgery at the Veterans Administration Hospital in West Haven, CT.

Post-transcriptional regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor: implications for tumor angiogenesis.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent secreted mitogen critical for physiologic and tumor angiogenesis. Regulation of VEGF occurs at several levels, including transcription, mRNA stabilization, translation, and differential cellular localization of various isoforms. Recent advances in our understanding of post-transcriptional regulation of VEGF include identification of the stabilizing mRNA binding protein, HuR, and the discovery of internal ribosomal entry sites in the 5'UTR of the VEGF mRNA.

Less common neoplasms of the pancreas.

Recently, there has been an increased recognition of neoplasms of the pancreas other than ductal adenocarcinoma. Although not as well studied or characterized as pancreatic adenocarcinoma there are many distinct lesions which exhibit diverse biological behaviors and varying degrees of malignancy. These lesions include: endocrine neoplasms, cystic tumors, solid pseudopapillary tumors, acinar cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, primary lymphoma of the pancreas, and metastatic lesions to the pancreas.

Short interfering RNA-mediated gene silencing of vascular endothelial growth factor: effects on cellular proliferation in colon cancer cells.

Hypothesis: By using short interfering RNA (siRNA) to inhibit the in vitro expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A, we hope to further investigate the presence of an autocrine loop in colon cancer cells. We hypothesize that VEGF inhibition will result in decreased cellular proliferation.

Design: Human colon cancer cells were evaluated for the expression of VEGF and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2).