DC targeting DNA vaccines induce protective and therapeutic antitumor immunity in mice.

Background: Anti-CD11c antibodies target to the CD11c receptor that mediates antigen presentation to T cells by dendritic cells (DCs). To exploit these properties for immunization purposes, we obtained DC-targeting DNA vaccines by fusing tumor-associated antigen HER2/neu ectodomain to single chain antibody fragment (scFv) from N418 (scFv(N418)), a monoclonal antibody binding the mouse DC-restricted surface molecule CD11c, and explored its antitumoral efficacy and underlying mechanisms in mouse breast cancer models.

Methods: Induction of humoral and cellular immune responses and antitumoral activity of the DNA vaccines were tested in transplantable HER2/neu-expressing murine tumor models and in transgenic BALB-neuT mice developing spontaneous Neu-driven mammary carcinomas.

Impact of lymphatic and/or blood vessel invasion in stage II gastric cancer.

Aim: To determine the prognostic value of lymphatic and/or blood vessel invasion (LBVI) in patients with stage II gastric cancer.

Methods: From January 2001 to December 2006, 487 patients with histologically confirmed primary gastric adenocarcinoma were diagnosed with stage II gastric cancer according to the new 7th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer stage classification at the Department of Gastric Cancer and Soft Tissue Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. All patients underwent curative gastrectomy with standard lymph node (LN) dissection.

[Clinicopathological and prognostic analysis of 23 poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas of the stomach].

Objective: To evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma of the stomach.

Methods: Twenty-three poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas of the stomach were treated in the Department of Abdominal Surgery at the Cancer Hospital, Fudan University between January 1996 and December 2007. Clinicopathological characteristics and survival data were analyzed.

[Oncogenic signaling mechanisms in imatinib-resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumor].

Objective: To characterize oncogenic KIT signaling mechanisms in gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST), and to determine which signaling pathway might be of potential relevance to imatinib acquired resistance.

Methods: The mutations of KIT and PDGFRa gene were evaluated and KIT downstream signaling profiles were evaluated in 8 specimen from 5 GIST patients who were evaluated treated between 2003 and 2008 in our hospital. Biochemical inhibition of the expression of related proteins in Ras/Raf/MAPK and PI3-K/AKT pathways, such as KIT, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK),mammalian target of rapamycin(MTOR), AKT, Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and BCL-2, were determined by Western blotting for protein activation.

[Value of preoperative barium contrast examination for the diagnosis and operative planning in gastric cancer].

Objective: To investigate the value of preoperative barium contrast examination for the diagnosis and operative planning in gastric cancer.

Methods: Clinical data of 229 gastric cancer patients were analyzed retrospectively. Lesions were divided into three parts: the cardiac, the body, and the antrum.

[Synchronous or metachronous primary cancers of other organs in 74 patients with gastric cancer].

Objective: To study the incidence, clinicopathological characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of synchronous or metachronous primary cancers in patients with gastric cancer.

Methods: Clinical data of 4426 patients with gastric cancer in our hospital from 1996 to 2007 were reviewed.

Results: Seventy-four (1.

[Surgical treatment for patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor after targeted therapy].

Objective: To explore the role of surgery and its long-term outcome in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST) treated with imatinib preoperatively.

Methods: Thirteen patients receiving imatinib therapy preoperatively, were retrospectively assessed for completeness of surgical resection and for disease-free and overall survival after resection.

Results: Thirteen patients, including 3 patients with locally advanced primary GIST and 10 patients with recurrent or metastatic GIST, underwent surgery after preoperative treatment with imatinib.

[Status and clinical analysis of c-kit and PDGFRA mutations in the gastrointestinal stromal tumors].

Objective: To investigate the status of c-kit and PDGFRA mutations in the gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) and explore the relationship between the mutations and the clinical features.

Methods: One hundred and forty-one cases were evaluated for the presence of c-kit and PDGFRA mutations. Exon 9,11,13, 17 of c-kit and exon 12, 18 of PDGFRA were analyzed by PCR amplification and direct sequencing.

Survival rate of pancreatic cancer in elderly patients.

Background/aims: As the population ages, many elderly people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This study is to investigate the current survival rates for patients aged > or = 70 years diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and to identify prognostic factors, which will help in choosing optimal therapies for individual patients.

Methodology: Information was gathered retrospectively for 81 patients aged > or = 70 years with pancreatic cancer.

[Epidemiological study on an outbreak caused by E. coli O157:H7 in Jiangsu province].

Objective: To carry out epidemiological study on an outbreak caused by E. coli O157:H7 infection in Jiangsu province in 1999.

Methods: Epidemiological, microbiological and moleculebiological methods were used to find out the source, route of transmission and risk factors.

[Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains carrying Shiga toxin 2 variant slt2vha were isolated from Xuzhou City of Jiangsu Province].

Objective: To monitor the changes of predominant Shiga toxin types of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province.

Methods: PCR typing with slt2-specific primer pairs (slt2cslt2, slt2v1slt2v2), hybridization of chromosome DNA digested by PstI, and DNA sequencing of PCR products. with slt2-specific primer pairs (slt2cslt2d; slt2eslt2f) were conducted on 14 strains of E.