Evaluation of microsatellite instability, MLH1 expression and hMLH1 promoter hypermethylation in colorectal carcinomas among Tunisians patients.

Background: About 10% to 15% of sporadic colorectal cancers demonstrate high level of microsatellite instability that is generally associated with aberrant methylation of hMLH1 promoter.

Aim: To investigate the association between MSI status, hMLH1 protein expression and methylation status of the hMLH1 promoter in a cohort of Tunisian sporadic colorectal cancer.

Methods: Expression of MLH1 and MSH2 was determined by immunohistochemistry and the MSI status was analysed by microfluid-based on-chip electrophoresis.

Loss of galectin-3 expression in mucinous colorectal carcinomas is associated with 5'CpG island methylation in Tunisian patients.

The β-galactoside-binding protein galectin-3 (gal-3) has pleitropic biological functions and has been implicated in cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, RNA processing, apoptosis, and malignant transformation. To investigate the pattern of inactivation of the gal-3 gene (LGALS3) in colorectal cancers (CRC), we studied a series of Tunisian patients with CRC to identify abnormal methylation in LGALS3 promoter using a methylation-specific PCR. We also examined the gal-3 gene expression by reverse transcription-PCR and the expression of gal-3 protein by immunohistochemistry.

Association of a p73 exon 2 GC/AT polymorphism with colorectal cancer risk and survival in Tunisian patients.

We examined the association of one linked GC/AT polymorphism at p73 with the risk of colorectal cancer. In the present study, we investigated whether this polymorphism was related to the risk of colorectal cancer, and whether there were relationships between the polymorphism and LOH, protein expression or clinicopathological variables. The p73 genotypes were determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 150 Tunisians patients with colorectal cancer and in 204 healthy control subjects.

[Epidemiological study, pathologic evaluation and prognostic factors of colorectal mucinous vs non-mucinous adenocarcinoma (a series of 196 patients)].

Background: Colorectal carcinoma is one of the main causes of cancer death in the worldwide with a decrease survival rate in relationship with a later diagnosis of advanced disease.

Aims: This study highlights the particular epidemiological, clinicopathological and immunohistochemical colorectal cancer profile. Indeed, our results differ markedly from that reported in the literature.

The prognostic value of p73 overexpression in colorectal carcinoma: a clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and statistical study of 204 patients.

Introduction: The protein p73 is the first identified homolog of the tumor suppressor gene p53, but its function in tumor development has not been established. Indeed, the results regarding the p73 implication in colorectal cancers is still controversial.

Aim: We investigated whether the p73 is implicated in colorectal cancer, whether the p73 expression is related to prognosis and whether the p73 expression is correlated with p21-ras or p53.

[Results of laparoscopic treatement of common bile duct lithiasis. Report of 30 cases].

Aim: The aim of this retrospective study was to report the results of the laparoscopic management of common bile duct stones in an unicentric series of 30 patients.

Methods: From January 2001 to April 2004. 30 patients: 23 women, 7 men (mean age: 54 years).