Evaluation of quality indicators following implementation of total mesorectal excision in primarily resected rectal cancer changed future management.

Background And Aims: We evaluated the outcome of primarily resected rectal cancer patients immediately after the implementation of total meserectal excision (TME) based on potential quality indicators.

Patients And Methods: Following initial teaching of two staff surgeons (PMS and AHH) by RJ Heald, 164 consecutive patients were analyzed. The following quality indicators were evaluated: (a) frequency of local recurrence, (b) number of resected lymph nodes, (c) selection of operative technique depending on tumor localization, (d) use of a protective loop ileostomy, and (e) frequency and type of adjuvant therapy.

Increased platelet counts after transthoracic en bloc resection for esophageal cancer is associated with significantly improved survival.

Background: We analyzed perioperative platelet counts as a potential clinical marker for survival after transthoracic en bloc resection for esophageal cancer. Recent data described preoperative thrombocytosis in malignancies to be associated with poor prognosis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis from a prospective database (1997-2006) was performed for 291 consecutive patients with esophageal cancer who underwent transthoracic en bloc esophagectomy and extended lymphadenectomy.

The role of the homeobox genes BFT and CDX2 in the pathogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: The role of the homeobox genes Backfoot (BFT) and caudal-related Homeobox 2 (CDX2) in the pathogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unclear. The goal of this study was to investigate the mRNA expression of BFT and CDX2 in NSCLC and to determine the association with the pathogenesis and the potential as a biomarker of this disease.

Materials And Methods: The mRNA expression of BFT and CDX2 was analyzed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR in the tumor and matching normal tissue from 23 patients with NSCLC.

Leukocyte depletion in allogeneic blood transfusion does not change the negative influence on survival following transthoracic resection for esophageal cancer.

Background: Perioperative transfusion of allogeneic blood has been hypothesized to have an immunomodulatory effect and influence survival in several cancer types. This study evaluates the association between receipt of leucocyte-depleted and non-depleted allogeneic blood and survival following esophagectomy for cancer.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed including 291 patients with esophageal cancers who underwent transthoracic en bloc esophagectomy and extended mediastinal lymphadenectomy.

HIF-1alpha mRNA is not associated with histopathological regression following neoadjuvant chemoradiation in esophageal cancer.

Background: Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) expression was reported to be associated with tumor growth, progression and resistance to radio-/chemotherapy. Whether HIF-1alpha mRNA or protein expression is associated with histomorphological response or prognosis following neoadjuvant chemoradiation and surgery in resectable, locally-advanced esophageal cancer was analyzed.

Patients And Methods: Fifty-three patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiation (cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, 36 Gy) followed by transthoracic en bloc esophagectomy.

High cyclooxygenase-2 expression following neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy is associated with minor histopathologic response and poor prognosis in esophageal cancer.

Purpose: High expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was shown to inhibit chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced apoptosis. We analyzed the association of COX-2 mRNA and protein expression with histomorphologic response to neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in esophageal cancer.

Experimental Design: Fifty-two patients with resectable esophageal cancers (cT2-4, Nx, and M0) received neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (cisplatin, 5-5-fluorouracil, 36 Gy) followed by transthoracic en bloc esophagectomy.

Regulation of the multidrug resistance transporter P-glycoprotein in multicellular tumor spheroids by hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1) and reactive oxygen species.

Hypoxia in tumors is generally associated with chemoresistance and radioresistance. However, the correlation between the heterodimeric hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and the multidrug resistance transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) has not been investigated. Herein, we demonstrate that with increasing size of DU-145 prostate multicellular tumor spheroids the pericellular oxygen pressure and the generation of reactive oxygen species decreased, whereas the alpha-subunit of HIF-1 (HIF-1alpha) and P-gp were up-regulated.