HER-2 overexpression and survival in colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis.

Objective: Numerous studies examining the relationship between human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) overexpression and survival in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) have yielded controversial results. We therefore performed a meta-analysis more precisely to estimate its prognostic value.

Methods: Published studies investigating the effect of HER-2 overexpression on CRC survival were identified; the hazard ratios (HRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were pooled in terms of disease-specific or overall survival.

Systematic review of laparoscopy-assisted versus open gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer.

Objective: The study compared laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) with open gastrectomy (OG) in the management of advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

Methods: Literature search was performed in the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases to identify control studies that compared LAG and OG for AGC. A meta-analysis was conducted to examine the surgical safety and oncologic adequacy, using the random-effect model.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography assessment of gastric cancer response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Aim: To quantitatively assess the ability of double contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCUS) to detect tumor early response to pre-operative chemotherapy.

Methods: Forty-three patients with gastric cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by curative resection between September 2011 and February 2012 were analyzed. Pre-operative chemotherapy regimens of fluorouracil + oxaliplatin or S-1 + oxaliplatin were administered in 2-4 cycles over 6-12 wk periods.