Monitoring of loss of heterozygosity in serum microsatellite DNA among patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors indicates tumor recurrence.

Background: Patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) harbor increased levels of circulating tumor DNA in their peripheral blood. In the current study, the aim was to investigate whether the frequency of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on cell-free DNA in blood may reflect tumor stage and recurrent disease of these patients.

Materials And Methods: Serum DNA and follow-up samples of 92 patients suffering from recurrent GIST were analyzed by a PCR-based fluorescence microsatellite analysis using a panel of 12 polymorphic markers.

Complementary use of fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging of metastatic esophageal cancer in a novel orthotopic mouse model.

We describe the development of an aggressive orthotopic metastatic model of esophageal cancer, which is visualized in real time with combined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorescence imaging. The aim of the study was to describe the development of a novel model of metastatic tumor disease of esophageal carcinoma and use this model to evaluate fluorescence and MRI in early detection of local and metastatic disease. The human esophageal adenocarcinoma cell line PT1590 was stably transfected with green fluorescent protein (GFP).

Subset of esophageal adenocarcinoma expresses adhesion molecule l1 in contrast to squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Esophageal adenocarcinoma is currently the most rapidly increasing cancer in Western populations. L1 (CD171), a neural cell adhesion molecule, has an essential function in tumor progression and has been shown to be expressed in the proliferating cells of the intestinal crypts in mice. The aim of the current study was to determine L1 expression in esophageal cancer and to evaluate whether L1 could serve as a potential marker and therapeutic target for this tumor type.

The role of vascular adhesion molecules PECAM-1 (CD 31), VCAM-1 (CD 106), E-selectin (CD62E) and P-selectin (CD62P) in severe porcine pancreatitis.

Inflammatory cytokines have been shown to mediate organ damage by their action on vascular endothelia and leukocytes, in part by upregulating the expression of adhesion molecules, which in turn convey transmigration of leukocytes into tissue. The upregulation and activation of vascular cell adhesion molecules on the endothelial cells avail firm leukocyte adhesion to the vascular endothelium and enhance their transmigration and consecutive tissue injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of vascular adhesion molecules CD 31 (PECAM-1), CD 106 (VCAM-1), CD 62E (E-Selectin) and CD 62P (P-Selectin) in the pancreas and distant organs of pigs suffering from acute necrotizing pancreatitis (AP).

Nodal microinvolvement in patients with carcinoma of the papilla of vater receiving no adjuvant chemotherapy.

Background: To assess the prognostic significance of nodal microinvolvement in patients with carcinoma of the papilla of Vater.

Methods: From 1993 to 2003 at the University Clinic Hamburg, 777 patients were operated upon pancreatic and periampullary carcinomas. The vast majority of patients were operated upon pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (n = 566, 73%), followed by carcinomas of the papilla of Vater (n = 112, 14%), pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas (n = 39, 5%), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (n = 33, 4%), and distal bile duct carcinomas (n = 27, 3%).

Clinical value of loss of heterozygosity in serum microsatellite DNA of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Goals: To study the role of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in serum microsatellite DNA of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

Background: In GIST, tumor markers from peripheral blood are missing.

Study: Seventy-eight patients (59 GIST, 13 leiomyomas, 2 leiomyosarcomas, and 4 schwannomas) underwent resection at our institute between 1985 and 2006.

En bloc vascular resection for locally advanced pancreatic malignancies infiltrating major blood vessels: perioperative outcome and long-term survival in 136 patients.

Background: To assess in-hospital complication rates and survival duration after en bloc vascular resection (VR) for infiltration of pancreatic malignancies in major vessels.

Methods: Between 1994 and 2005, 585 patients underwent potentially curative pancreatic resection without adjuvant chemotherapy. Four hundred forty-nine patients (77%) underwent standard oncologic resection (VR-), whereas 136 (23%) received VR (VR+).

L1 is associated with favorable outcome in neuroblastomas in contrast to adult tumors.

Background: Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumor in childhood with unconventional clinical behavior. L1, a neuronal cell adhesion molecule, is associated with poor survival in malignant adult tumors. The aim of the current study was to determine expression of L1 in pediatric neuroblastoma.

L1 is associated with micrometastatic spread and poor outcome in colorectal cancer.

L1 is a cell adhesion molecule expressed at the invasive front of colorectal tumors with an important role in metastasis. The aim of the present study was to determine L1 protein expression in a large cohort of colorectal cancer patients and its impact on early metastatic spread and survival. A total of 375 patients that underwent surgical treatment for colorectal cancer were chosen retrospectively.

Short tandem repeat polymorphism in exon 4 of esophageal cancer-related gene 2 detected in genomic DNA is a prognostic marker for esophageal cancer.

Background: Short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphisms in exon 4 of the esophageal cancer-related gene 2 (ECRG2) are a risk marker for esophageal carcinoma. The aim of the present study was to correlate these STRs with clinical outcome.

Methods: Genomic DNA of 86 patients who underwent complete surgical resection was analyzed for STRs TCA3/TCA3, TCA3/TCA4, and TCA4/TCA4 in exon 4 of ECRG2 by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing.

Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage: diagnosis and treatment: an analysis in 1669 consecutive pancreatic resections.

Background: To analyze clinical courses and outcome of postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) after major pancreatic surgery.

Summary Background Data: Although PPH is the most life-threatening complication following pancreatic surgery, standardized rules for its management do not exist.

Methods: Between 1992 and 2006, 1524 patients operated on for pancreatic diseases were included in a prospective database.

Thy-1 as a potential novel diagnostic marker for gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Purpose: Only few immunohistochemical markers besides c-kit exist for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Thy-1, a cell-surface glycoprotein, is a marker for several types of stem cells and particularly for neuronal precursor cells. The aim of this study was to determine Thy-1 expression in GISTs.

Short tandem repeat polymorphism in exon 4 of esophageal cancer related gene 2 predicts relapse of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphisms in exon 4 of esophageal cancer related gene 2 (ECRG2) are a prognostic marker for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus. The aim of the present study was to correlate these STRs with clinical outcome of the similar tumor type oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). DNA of 81 patients that underwent complete surgical resection of OSCC was analyzed for STRs TCA3/TCA3, TCA3/TCA4 and TCA4/TCA4 in exon 4 of ECRG2 by PCR, capillary electrophoresis and DNA sequencing.

Central mesenteric lymph node BER-Ep4+ cells in colorectal cancer: challenge to sentinel node concept?

Background: The role of sentinel lymph nodes in colorectal cancer remains unclear.

Methods: Cryosections from central para-aortic mesenterial lymph nodes were stained using mAb BER-Ep4. Overall survival and distant recurrence were calculated using Kaplan-Meier plots.

Similar patterns of loss of heterozygosity in serum of adenocarcinoma of the distal oesophagus and the cardia in early diagnosis.

Background: Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) may be a valuable tool for detection of malignant proceedings. The aim of our study was to investigate LOH in the serum of patients with adenocarcinoma of the distal oesophagus and the cardia for diagnostic and prognostic utility.

Patients And Methods: Matched tumour and serum samples from 46 surgically treated patients with oesophageal adenocarcinoma and cardia carcinoma divided in two groups were analysed.

Short tandem repeat polymorphisms of exon 4 in Kazal-type gene ECRG2 in pancreatic carcinoma and chronic pancreatitis.

Background: Short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphisms in exon 4 of the Kazal-type esophageal cancer related gene (ECRG2) have been reported to be associated with esophageal carcinoma. Kazal-type genes are associated with cancer and pancreatic disease. The aim of the present study was to examine whether ECRG2 STR polymorphisms are associated with pancreatic carcinoma and chronic pancreatitis.

Aggressive surgery improves long-term survival in neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors: an institutional experience.

Objective: To evaluate surgical strategies for neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors (NEPT) in the light of the new WHO classification from 2004 and to draw conclusions for future surgical concepts.

Background: : The extent of surgical resection in primary and recurrent NEPT is unclear.

Methods: Between 1987 and 2004, 62 patients with sporadic NEPT were treated at our institution and sections from biopsy and resection specimen were histopathologically reclassified.

Midkine as a prognostic marker for gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Purpose: Midkine (MK), a heparin-binding growth factor, has an important role in cancer progression. The outcome of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is correlated with tumor size and mitotic count. The aim of this study was to determine MK expression in GISTs.

Frequent homogeneous HER-2 amplification in primary and metastatic adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.

HER-2 is the target for antibody based treatment of breast cancer (Herceptin). In order to evaluate the potential role of such a treatment in esophageal cancers, HER-2 amplification and overexpression was investigated in primary and metastatic cancers of the esophagus. A tissue microarray was constructed from 255 primary esophageal cancers (110 adenocarcinomas and 145 squamous cell carcinomas), 89 nodal and 33 distant metastases.

Allelic loss of Hox11L1 gene locus predicts outcome of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in tumors has been described to have prognostic impact. Hox11L1 gene, located on chromosome 2, has a role in proliferation of neuronal myenteric Cajal cells being the progenitor cells of GISTs. The aim was to examine the frequency and prognostic value of allelic loss of Hox11L1 gene locus in GISTs.

Lymphatic spread and microinvolvement in adenocarcinoma of the esophago-gastric junction.

Background: Adenocarcinoma of the esophago-gastric junction (EGJ) potentially spreads to abdominal and mediastinal lymph nodes.

Methods: Eighty-five patients with type I and II EGJ cancer underwent curative esophagectomy or esophago-gastrectomy and radical abdominal and mediastinal lymphadenectomy. Microinvolvement was detected with the mAb Ber-Ep4 in all histopathologically free lymph nodes.

Oxygen radical formation does not have an impact in the treatment of severe acute experimental pancreatitis using free cellular hemoglobin.

Aim: Microcirculatory dysfunction and free oxygen radicals are important factors in the pathogenesis of severe acute pancreatitis. Additional oxygen delivery might enhance lipid peroxidation but may also improve pancreatic microcirculation. This study assesses the effect of free cellular bovine hemoglobin on the formation of oxygen radicals and microcirculation in a rodent model of severe acute pancreatitis.

Effectiveness of radical en-bloc-esophagectomy compared to transhiatal esophagectomy in squamous cell cancer of the esophagus is influenced by nodal micrometastases.

Purpose: The appropriate surgery for curable squamous cell cancer (SCC) of the esophagus is discussed controversially.

Patients And Methods: Transthoracic esophagectomy (TTE) with radical en-bloc-lymphadenectomy was performed in 79/120 patients (66%). Due to severe comorbidity, 41/120 patients (34%) underwent less traumatizing transhiatal esophagectomy.

Absence of L1 in pancreatic masses distinguishes adenocarcinomas from poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas.

Background: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a tumor with fatal outcome. Cell adhesion molecules, such as L1 (CD171), have an essential function in tumor progression. L1 has been shown to be specifically expressed in poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas of the pancreas.

L1 is a potential marker for poorly-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma.

Aim: To determine the expression of L1 in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor and to correlate it with WHO classification of this tumor.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed L1 expression in 63 cases of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor by immunohistochemistry on paraffin sections of primary tumors or metastases. Staining was performed by peroxidase technique with monoclonal antibody UJ127.