Publications by authors named "Chun-Kai Fu"

Background/aim: In gastric cancer (GCa) tissues, the mRNA and protein levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) are significantly elevated compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Moreover, the abnormal up-regulation of TIMP-1 has been associated with a poor prognosis. However, the role of TIMP-1 genotypes in susceptibility to GCa has seldom been investigated.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background/aim: In gastric cancer (GCa) tissues, mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) is notably reduced compared to healthy tissues. Furthermore, abnormally low or elevated serum levels of MMP-8 have been linked to a significantly poor prognosis. The involvement of MMP-8 genotypes in susceptibility to GCa remains underexplored.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background/aim: Elevated serum interleukin-16 (IL-16) levels have been reported in gastric cancer (GC) tissues; however, the role of IL-16 genotypes in GC susceptibility remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of IL-16 genotypes to GC susceptibility and to assess their interactions with smoking, alcohol drinking, and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the liver is a rare disease that is difficult to diagnose until the pathology is confirmed. The age of the patients generally ranges from 18 to 83 years. The pathogenesis of primary SCC of the liver remains unclear and therapeutic guidelines have not yet been established.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background/aim: Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) plays a critical role in the regulation of the extracellular matrix; however, its genotypes have seldom been examined in gastric cancer (GC). This study aimed to investigate the contribution of MMP-2 promoter -1306 (rs243865) and -735 (rs2285053) genotypes to GC risk in a cohort of Taiwanese individuals.

Materials And Methods: This study included 121 GC cases and 363 age- and sex-matched controls.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background/aim: Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) is highly expressed in gastric cancer but the role of MMP9 is unclear. This study aimed at revealing the association of MMP9 promoter rs3918242 genotypes with gastric cancer risk.

Materials And Methods: MMP9 rs3918242 genotypes of 121 patients with gastric cancer and 363 healthy individuals were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methodology using serum samples.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The ampulla of Vater is an opening at the confluence of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct. It is located in the second portion of the duodenum. An ectopic papilla of Vater is an anomalous termination.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background/aim: Matrix metalloproteinase-1 is responsible for extracellular matrix regulation, and its genetic role in colorectal cancer (CRC) is unclear. The aim of the study was to investigate the contribution of Matrix metalloproteinase-1 genotypes to CRC risk in Taiwan.

Materials And Methods: A total of 362 cases and 362 controls were included and their MMP-1 -1607 (rs1799705) genotypes were examined.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background/aim: Few studies have examined the genetic role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to early detection or prediction in gastric cancer development. In this study, the contribution of MMP7 promoter (A-181G and C-153T) polymorphic genotypes to gastric cancer risk in Taiwanese was investigated for the first time.

Materials And Methods: A total of 121 cases and 363 controls were enrolled and their MMP7 genotypes at A-181G and C-153T were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methodology using genomic DNA from serum.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to examine the role of caspase-8 rs3834129 polymorphism on colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in Taiwanese CRC patients and healthy controls.

Materials And Methods: The caspase-8 rs3834129 (-652 6N insertion/deletion) polymorphic genotypes were analyzed in 362 patients with CRC and the same number of age- and gender-matched healthy subjects. The interaction of caspase-8 rs3834129 genotypes with personal behaviors and clinicopathological features were also examined.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background/aim: The genomic role of human mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) in colorectal cancer (CRC) is unclear, therefore, our study aimed to evaluate the contribution of MDM2 genotype to the risk of CRC in Taiwan.

Materials And Methods: In this case-control study, MDM2 SNP309 T to G (rs2279744) genotypes were determined and their association with CRC risk were investigated among 362 patients with CRC and 362 age- and gender-matched healthy controls in central Taiwan. In addition, the interaction of MDM2 SNP309 genotypes with personal behaviors and clinicopathological features were also examined.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background/aim: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play important roles in inflammation and carcinogenesis, but the genotypic role of MMP-7 has never been investigated in colorectal cancer (CRC) among the Taiwanese. Therefore, in this study we aimed to evaluate the contribution of MMP-7 genotypes to the risk of CRC in Taiwan.

Materials And Methods: In this case-control study, MMP-7 A-181G and C-153T promoter genotypes were determined and their association with CRC risk were investigated among 362 CRC patients and 362 age- and gender-matched healthy controls.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1), an interstitial collagenase regulating the extracellular matrix, plays a major role in carcinogenesis of gastric cancer, a leading cause of death worldwide. In literature, the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) promoter -1607 1G/2G (rs1799750) at the MMP1 gene promoter has been reported to alter its own transcription level. While the importance's of the genotype of MMP1 promoter -1607 has not yet been studied in gastric cancer in Taiwan, our aim was to investigate MMP1 promoter -1607 genotypes and gastric cancer (GC) susceptibility in central Taiwan population.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: To evaluate the contribution of ERCC1 rs11615 and rs3212986 genotypes regarding the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Taiwan.

Materials And Methods: In this case-control study, ERCC1 rs11615 and rs3212986 genotypes and their interaction with consumption of cigarettes and alcohol in determining CRC risk were investigated among 362 CRC patients and 362 age- and gender-matched healthy controls.

Results: The percentages of CC, CT and TT for ERCC1 rs11615 genotype were 44.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background/aim: Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteases which have been shown to be overexpressed in various types of cancers. However, the contribution of MMP1 genotype to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been well studied. This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of MMP1 promoter 1607 genotype to the risk of HCC in Taiwan, where HCC incidence is relatively high in the world.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ultraviolet B (UVB), with a wavelength of 280-320 nm, represents one of the most important environmental factors for skin disorders, including sunburn, hyperpigmentation, solar keratosis, solar elastosis and skin cancer. Therefore, protection against excessive UVA-induced damage is useful for prevention of sunburn and other human diseases. Baicalin, a major component of traditional Chinese medicine Scutellaria baicalensis, has been reported to possess antioxidant and cytostatic capacities.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background And Aim: Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Due to the complex initiation and intricate progression mechanisms, early detection and effective treatment of gastric cancer are both difficult to achieve. The genetic polymorphisms encoding critical protein cyclin D1 (CCND1) to regulate cell cycle transition from G1 phase to S phase may determine the susceptibility of individuals to gastric cancer.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Gastric cancer is the second cause of death from cancer worldwide and its prevalence and mortality rates are still very high in developed countries. Interleukin-10 (IL10) is a pleiotropic cytokine produced by macrophages which can suppress and stimulate the immune response in tumorigenesis signaling. However, the contribution of IL10 genomic variants to gastric cancer is still largely unknown.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF