AGR2 knockdown induces ER stress and mitochondria fission to facilitate pancreatic cancer cell death.

Anterior gradient 2 (AGR2) is often overexpressed in many human cancers, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Elevated AGR2 expression is known to play a critical role in tumor development, progression, and metastasis and positively correlates with poor patient survival. However, the relationship between AGR2 expression and tumor growth is not fully understood.

An Ingested Bone Perforating Through the Stomach into the Superior Mesenteric Vein.

Here, we describe a case of an 86-year-old man presenting with several days of abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a radiopaque object penetrating through the stomach into the superior mesenteric vein. He was taken for exploratory laparotomy where a sharp object was noted to be extending through the posterior wall of the stomach.

Improved outcomes for borderline resectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in a community cancer center.

Background: Borderline resectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas involves the major vascular structures adjacent to the pancreas and has traditionally led to poor resection rates and survival. Newer chemotherapy regimens have demonstrated improved response and resection rates. We performed a retrospective review of borderline resectable pancreatic cancers who presented to a community cancer program to determine the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy to improve resection rates and overall survival.

Targeted polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery to hypoxic, triple-negative breast tumors.

High recurrence and metastasis to vital organs are the major characteristics of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Low vascular oxygen tension promotes resistance to chemo- and radiation therapy. Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) receptor is highly expressed on TNBC cells.

Implementation of a standardized approach to borderline resectable pancreatic cancer in a multisite community oncology program.

Background: Treatment paradigms for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer are evolving with increasing use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Variations in the definition of borderline resectable pancreatic cancer and neoadjuvant approaches have made standardizing care for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer difficult. We report an effort to standardize management of borderline resectable pancreatic cancer throughout Sanford Health, a large community oncology network.

Prophylactic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in patients with epithelial appendiceal neoplasms.

Background Prophylactic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a promising approach for preventing peritoneal carcinomatosis in high-risk patients. We report our initial experience with prophylactic HIPEC in a series of patients with appendiceal neoplasms. Methods We retrospectively reviewed our prospectively maintained database to identify patients who underwent HIPEC in the absence of peritoneal disease.

Serum hepatitis B surface antigen correlates with tissue covalently closed circular DNA in patients with hepatitis B-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

Quantitation of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in hepatitis B-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) remains to be clearly defined. This study aims to determine the association of HBsAg quantity with intrahepatic HBV viral load and activity in both tumor and non-neoplastic liver of HBV-HCC patients. Data were obtained from 89 prospectively enrolled patients treated with primary liver resection for HBV-HCC at a single Western institution (2008-2013).

Outcome of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy on patients with diaphragmatic involvement.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the short-term morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) with diaphragmatic involvement.

Methods: All patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC at a tertiary care institution from April 2007 to October 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with diaphragmatic disease (Group 1) were compared to those who did not (Group 2).

Allergic lung inflammation alters neither susceptibility to Streptococcus pneumoniae infection nor inducibility of innate resistance in mice.

Background: Protective host responses to respiratory pathogens are typically characterized by inflammation. However, lung inflammation is not always protective and it may even become deleterious to the host. We have recently reported substantial protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal) pneumonia by induction of a robust inflammatory innate immune response to an inhaled bacterial lysate.

Detection and characterization of EWSR1/ATF1 and EWSR1/CREB1 chimeric transcripts in clear cell sarcoma (melanoma of soft parts).

Unlike melanoma, clear cell sarcoma harbors either a t(12;22)(q13;q12) recurrent translocation, resulting in an EWSR1/ATF1 chimeric gene, or less commonly a t(2;22)(q34;q12) translocation fusing EWSR1 and CREB1. Few studies have examined the prevalence of all chimeric types and variants to assess the usage of ancillary genetic testing in routine diagnosis. We investigated rearrangement prevalence in 17 clear cell sarcomas, two positive control cell lines, and two melanomas (negative controls).

Computed tomography scan-driven selection of treatment for retroperitoneal liposarcoma histologic subtypes.

Background: Well differentiated (WD) and dedifferentiated (DD) retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RPLS) have distinct biologic behaviors. Consequently, the therapeutic approaches for these tumors differ and mandate an accurate preoperative diagnosis. The authors of this report evaluated whether computed tomography (CT) can be used to differentiate between WD and DD RPLS.

Establishing prognosis in retroperitoneal sarcoma: a new histology-based paradigm.

Background: Retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging applies to primary tumors only; due to specific RPS disease characteristics, staging is driven primarily by grade, stratifying patients into only two distinct prognostic subsets. The objective of this study was to help improve currently available staging for RPS by establishing a new, more robust histology-based prognostic system.

Methods: A RPS database of 1,118 patients seen at our institution (1996-2006) identified 343 patients treated for resectable primary or recurrent disease; a histologic subtype-based RPS prognostic system was designed and evaluated for prognostic accuracy in comparison with the current AJCC staging system.

Specific mutations in the beta-catenin gene (CTNNB1) correlate with local recurrence in sporadic desmoid tumors.

Desmoid fibromatosis is a rare, nonmetastatic neoplasm marked by local invasiveness and relentless recurrence. Molecular determinants of desmoid recurrence remain obscure. beta-Catenin deregulation has been commonly identified in sporadic desmoids although the incidence of CTNNB1 (the gene encoding beta-catenin) mutations is uncertain.

Angiogenesis-promoting gene patterns in alveolar soft part sarcoma.

Purpose: We examined a cohort of patients with alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) treated at our institution and showed the characteristic ASPSCR1-TFE3 fusion transcript in their tumors. Investigation of potential angiogenesis-modulating molecular determinants provided mechanistic and potentially therapeutically relevant insight into the enhanced vascularity characteristic of this unusual tumor.

Experimental Design: Medical records of 71 patients with ASPS presenting at the University of Texas M.