The identification of the ATR inhibitor VE-822 as a therapeutic strategy for enhancing cisplatin chemosensitivity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Inducing DNA damage is known to be one of the mechanisms of cytotoxic chemotherapy agents for cancer such as cisplatin. The endogenous DNA damage response confers chemoresistance to these agents by repairing DNA damage. The initiation and transduction of the DNA damage response (DDR) signaling pathway, which is dependent on the activation of ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated) and ATR (ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related), is essential for DNA damage repair, the maintenance of genomic stability and cell survival.

The equivalent efficacy of multiple operations for multiple primary lung cancer and a single operation for single primary lung cancer.

Background: The incidence of synchronous and metachronous multiple primary lung cancers (MPLCs) has been increasing recently. The new multidisciplinary classification of lung adenocarcinoma and TNM Classification of Lung Cancer (7(th) edition, 2009), have improved the understanding of MPLC. Most researchers recommend that surgical therapy should be actively pursued if the patient's physical condition and lung function permit it and if a complete cure can be achieved.

Deregulated HOXB7 Expression Predicts Poor Prognosis of Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Regulates Cancer Cell Proliferation In Vitro and In Vivo.

Background: We observed abnormal HOXB7 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) previously. This study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of HOXB7 and reveal the potential mechanism.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to confirm the abnormal expression of HOXB7 in ESCC.

CT Signs Can Predict Treatment Response and Long-Term Survival: A Study in Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer with Preoperative Chemotherapy.

Background: Accurate prediction of treatment response and prognosis before surgery allows prompt therapy adjustment. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of computed tomography (CT) signs in predicting treatment response and survival for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients who received preoperative chemotherapy.

Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled 135 consecutive patients with preoperative chemotherapy from September 2005 to December 2011.

The survival predictive significance of HOXC6 and HOXC8 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background & Aim: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), a common disease in China, is mainly treated surgically. We established a prospective database of patients with esophageal cancer between January 2000 and December 2010, including 486 subjects with ESCC who underwent surgical treatment. In this study, we explored the prognostic significance of the expressions of HOXC6 and HOXC8, responsible for embryonic development, by studying the specimens collected from clinical subjects during strict follow-up periods.

[Multidisciplinary therapy for multi-focal esophageal cancer].

Objective: To explore the management strategies and outcome of treatment for multi-focal esophageal carcinoma.

Methods: Twenty two patients with multi-focal esophageal carcinoma who underwent esophagectomy by a single surgeon team from March 2000 to March 2011 at the Beijing Cancer Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical and pathological characters were analyzed, and the outcome was compared with that of 471 patients with single esophageal carcinoma who received esophagectomy by the same surgeon team during the same period.

[Evaluation of transhiatus esophagectomy for patients with esophageal cancer].

Objective: To evaluate the transhiatus esophagectomy for patients with esophageal cancer.

Methods: Clinicopathological data of 46 patients with esophageal cancer undergone transhiatus esophagectomy by single surgeon team from May 2000 to July 2007 were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: These 46 patients included 44 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas,1 esophageal adenocarcinoma and 1 esophageal carcinoid.

[Effect of bilateral intercostal nerve protection on post-thoracotomy pain relief: a prospective single-blinded randomized study].

Objective: To study the efficacy of bilateral intercostal nerve protection on pain relief after thoracotomy.

Methods: Sixty patients in need of thoracotomy were randomized into 3 groups: Group C (control group, undergoing standard posterolateral thoracotomy, n = 18), Group U (unilateral intercostal nerve protection group, undergoing protection of intercostal nerve above the incision based on the standard posterolateral thoracotomy, n = 20), and Group B (bilateral intercostal nerve protection group, undergoing protection of intercostal nerves above and below the incision based on the standard posterolateral thoracotomy, n = 22). Numeric rating scale (NRS) was adopted to document the severity of pain at different time points after surgery.

[Expression of TR4-associated protein in non-small cell lung cancer].

Objective: To investigate the expression and significance of TR4-associated Protein (TRA16) in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and tissue array were employed to investigate the expression of TRA16 in NSCLC cases of different pathological types, benign lung lesions and normal lung tissues.

Results: The abundant expression of TRA16 was observed in nucleus and/or cytoplasm of NSCLC cells with a positive expression rate of 88.

[A clinical study of thoracic-abdominal double-incision and two-field lymphadenectomy in treatment of esophagogastric junction cancer].

Objective: To explore the best operation pattern of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) cancer and the regularity of lymph node metastasis in EGJ cancer according to Siewert typing.

Methods: Twenty-six patients with EGJ cancer received esophagogastrectomy by thoracic-abdominal double incision and two-field lymphadenectomy (12 cases) or by traditional left postero-lateral thoracotomy and lymph node sampling (14 cases). The outcomes were analyzed with SPSS 10.

[Clinical analysis of 123 gastric cardia carcinoma patients treated with surgical operation].

Background & Objective: The prevalence of gastric cardia carcinoma is increasing in recent decades, necessitating further research on it. However, there are still debates on its clinical management. This study was to summarize our experiences in surgical treatment of gastric cardia carcinoma.

[Abnormal expression of Thy-1 as a novel tumor marker in lung cancer and its prognostic significance].

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of Thy-1 immunohistochemically in different lung tumors and its prognostic significance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases. We also evaluate relationship between Thy-1 and p53 expression status so as to find any clue about the mechanism.

Methods: In this study, we used anti-Thy-1/CD90 antibody to detect the expression pattern of Thy-1 in different lung tumor sections, which were embedded in paraffin blocks.